With this week coming to an end, we also say farewell to both August and the summer as a whole. Especially with the current affairs surrounding 2020, many music fans are longing for some uplifting tunes to accompany their time following a Summer that was gone all too soon.
Thankfully, we were blessed with a countless amount of uplifting and soothing new tunes, nine of which we will be covering as our top picks for this week’s New Music Sunday. This week, we had a lot of brand new additions, along with some returning favourites. So without further ado, let’s dive in.
Track Of The Week »
Seeva » Princess
‘Princess’ is stunningly deep, and seeps into every part of the soul, commanding listeners to embrace every word and melody on this gorgeous new song.
INDIE TOP 39
So far, Seeva has had an absolutely wild run in 2020. As well as releasing part one of his imminent debut album We Need To Talk in the form of an EP earlier this year, this phenomenal singer/songwriter has wowed us with singles such as ‘Clouds’ and ‘Young’, both of which were chart-toppingly good. However, this newest track from Seeva is yet another amazing single, but for different reasons. In contrast to the more upbeat moods that Seeva has been more often than not vouching for in 2020, ‘Princess’ reverts things back to a slow-burning and intimate atmosphere. But in the case of ‘Princess’, it is stunningly deep and seeps into every part of the soul, commanding listeners to embrace every word and melody on this gorgeous new song. It certainly shows just how talented this artist is as if anyone still needed convincing.
Daulton Hopkins » I’m Okay and So Are You
The combination of engaging rhythm and dreamy melody in ‘I’m Okay and So Are You’ is a surefire way to let Daulton Hopkins continually carve out his aesthetic.
INDIE TOP 39
All relationships have their hurdles, but ‘I’m Okay and So Are You’ is a powerful musical reminder that life is worth enjoying, and is too short for you to be caught up in anger and fear. This is the latest track from US-based indie pop/rock artist Daulton Hopkins. Following his previous release ‘Nowhere Land’, ‘I’m Okay and So Are You’ is the second 2020 single and the very first one to be featured on New Music Sunday. Stylistically, this track follows suit to Daulton’s previous singles, with the combination of engaging rhythm and dreamy melodies that is surefire to let this artist grow continually into widespread enjoyment.
David, The Giant » How Long (Is Too Long?)
‘How Long (Is Too Long?) is a perfect track for easing listeners into the fast-arriving season of Autumn, thanks to its warm but bittersweet sound.
INDIE TOP 39
Despite having a fair bit of experience in songwriting, as well as creating a few little tracks prior, ‘How Long (Is Too Long?)’ is the official debut release from Ireland-born, London-based singer/songwriter David, The Giant. Inspired by all things sixties, lo-fi, and bedroom indie, these influences definitely translate well into this somewhat merry tune, that’s also tinged with a bit of bittersweetness, which makes ‘How Long (Is Too Long?)’ a perfect track for the end of summer. It has just the right level of warmth to really ease listeners into the fast-arriving season of Autumn. In-fact, this musical balance of Summer-like and Autumnal atmospheres really allows this single to become an instantaneously enjoyable listen.
emma miller » Honey
The sleek mixing of ‘Honey’ really helps to elevate emma miller’s gorgeous vocals and the immersion of the song overall.
INDIE TOP 39
As both a valued member of Indie Top 39 and an incredibly talented singer/songwriter, we are thrilled that Emma has released her first official 2020 single this week, following the Scott Colcombe remix for her 2018 single ‘Merry Go Round’. We could instantly sense that this new single, titled ‘Honey’, was mixed more sleekly than previous tracks, and this really helped to elevate the atmospheric and immersive qualities of this track, along with Miller’s own gorgeous vocals. Said vocals meld together perfectly with the other elements of this song, and every part of this track comes together immaculately. We are incredibly excited to hear the remainder of the upcoming EP that is being led by this stunning anthem.
Fox Jackson » Behind Closed Doors
Fox Jackson’s debut single is blessed by the divine powers of funk while keeping a current and accessible aesthetic.
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Up next is another debut single, this one coming from the London based singer-songwriter Fox Jackson, who has been inspired by funk icons such as Earth Wind and Fire, Kool and the Gang, and George Benson. ‘Behind Closed Doors’ is blessed with the divine powers of funk, really allowing his discography to kick off with an incredibly infectious head-start. Fox Jackson also does an incredible job of combining retro elements with a current and accessible aesthetic. We truly do have high hopes that Fox Jackson has the potential to be a real trailblazer for a new wave of modern funk. And with that said, we cannot wait to listen to whatever comes next.
Innerkid » So You Love Not Yourself
‘So You Love Not Yourself’ is an awesomely atmospheric tune with a powerful message of loving ourselves more often.
INDIE TOP 39
After releasing his debut single ‘Stay True” back in 2018, it is great to see that alternative bedroom-pop artist Innerkid has been making a musical comeback in 2020 after the hiatus. The US artist has released a total of five singles so far this year, with the newest being ‘So You Love Not Yourself’, which is also the first Innerkid track to be covered on New Music Sunday. This new track was created to be a representation of how we often fight against our own self-confidence, and how we should embrace love in ourselves more often. We absolutely adore how the switch-up within the track’s beat represents the realisation of this truth. But above all else, it is an awesomely atmospheric alt-pop tune with a heavy dose of electronic influence.
John Dhali » In Time
From the very moment we heard that warm, fuzzy bass-line, we knew that ‘In Time’ would be filled with the sense of joy that John Dhali champions.
INDIE TOP 39
Another musical comeback in 2020 that we have been lucky enough to discover, is the one from the Soul/Folk/Indie artist John Dhali. After his debut single ‘Only One’ arrived in 2016, it wouldn’t be until 4 years later where listeners will see this artist make an awesome comeback. ‘In Time’ is the second 2020 single release from John Dhali, which makes it his third overall. From the very moment we heard that warm, fuzzy bass-line, we knew we were in for an experience filled with the kind of joyfulness that John Dhali champions. We also love how the folk-like instrumentations perfectly blend in with an almost Elbow-esque Britpop aesthetic, with a similar sense of progression into a glorious final segment.
Ryan Nealon » Lights Out
Maybe it’s the solid theme, the upbeat composition, or the nocturnal atmosphere, but ‘Lights Out’ feels like the start of something huge for Ryan Nealon.
INDIE TOP 39
We have been thoroughly enjoying the awesome musical material that LA pop artist Ryan Nealon has been bringing to the table in order to tease towards his upcoming EP, which will be released later this year. And while the previous 2020 releases such as ‘Ready To Love Again’ and ‘Mistakes’ are both incredibly sleek and brilliantly ambient, there is something about his newest track ‘Lights Out’ that definitely feels a cut above the rest. Maybe it’s the solidity of its theme of bouncing back from an abusive relationship, or the deep and upbeat composition, or the gorgeous nocturnal atmosphere, but ‘Lights Out’ is a truly amazing track, and feels like the start of something huge for Ryan Nealon.
Small Planets » Breathe
‘Breathe’ is absolutely foolproof when it comes to being an uplifting tune, about recognising the beauty within yourself.
INDIE TOP 39
While Small Planets’ ‘Breathe’ was a track that was included on their 2019 debut self-titled album, this week has renewed this track completely with the brand new single version. In light of the extraordinary circumstances surrounding 2020, it truly does add a whole new layer of meaning to ‘Breathe’, on top of its subject matter of combating depression and recognising inner beauty. Having listened to this track as a completely fresh experience, we also love how cavernous and vast the soundscape of this track is, and we can definitely sense a similarly enjoyable aesthetic to the likes of Wolf Alice. But above all else, we feel that ‘Breathe’ is foolproof when it comes to being an uplifting tune.
We have picked only nine songs that stood out this week, however below you can find the playlist that features all the 39 songs. Do you agree with our pics? Let us know on our socials.
