Welcome back to New Music Sunday, where we pick the seven best tracks released this week. I have such strong records today, I am honestly blown away! Am I the only one feeling that up-and-coming artists are getting better and better? Or perhaps technology and remote collaboration make it easy to achieve a high-quality result? If you have an answer, ping us a message on our socials, I’ll make sure to share some of your takes on next week’s NMS!
Matty Hendley » Nobody Like U
Balancing pop sensibilities and country/folk charisma, Matty Hendley configures himself as one of the freshest newcomers around
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Balancing pop sensibilities and country/folk charisma, Matty Hendley configures himself as one of the freshest newcomers around. His latest offering, ‘Nobody Like U’, is the definite evidence of that, featuring exquisite, poignant songwriting framed into an exciting country-pop background enriched by banjo shenanigans, gifting the track a unique character. That’s what Hendley calls ‘deep-south-pop’, a style rooted in his southern US upbringing. Lyrically, we are in relationship troubles territories, with the American talent sharing a message of compassion to all its listeners: you can still love, even with a broken heart.
Make sure to connect with Matty Hendley on Instagram » Facebook »
Adar Alfandari » Jessica
Alfandari uses the story to create a sultry fictional universe, a place where we can admire his precise, slightly fuzzy vocals
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I have been following Adar Alfandari for a while; thanks to last year’s album release, ‘Gold Dust’, he was able to showcase his flair for suggestive lyrical storytelling, drenched into a multitude of sonic references, be it sleazy indie rock or folk-inspired ballads. This week marks his return to the new music scene, channelling cinematic funk and nostalgic pop-rock into a short yet intense gem, ‘Jessica’. Building the song around a girl that once complimented him on his music, Alfandari uses the story to create a sultry fictional universe, a place where we can admire his precise, slightly fuzzy vocals. A great effort from a promising artist!
Make sure to connect with Adar Alfandari on Instagram » Facebook »
BlackWaters » In the Sun
BlackWaters delivers a two-minute, compact energy pill that hits the listener straight in the face
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I couldn’t close this week’s feature without some healthy rock’n’roll, and just so happens that exciting newcomers BlackWaters are releasing their first record of the year. And what a record! The Sheffield-based rock outfit makes the transition towards a fiercer, fuller sound, delivering a two-minute, compact energy pill that hits the listener straight in the face. What did just happen? ‘In the Sun’ happened. The single offers a fast-paced, highly-fuzzy aesthetic that pairs well with BlackWaters’ charming, layered vocals. It is a high-charge jewel that will resuscitate even the more apathetic of listeners. Try it!
Make sure to connect with BlackWaters on Instagram » Facebook »
Fearn ft. Holly Brooke » August Skies
Balanced between gorgeous bucolic folk and charming folktronica, the track delivers a refined organic sound that resembles the spontaneity and sensibility we find in nature
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It’s hard to find the words to describe the alluring sonic matter contained in ‘August Skies’. Balanced between gorgeous bucolic folk and charming folktronica, the track takes a page out of Bon Iver’s manual, delivering a refined organic sound that resembles the spontaneity and sensibility we find in nature. Emerging from the arcadian settings of East Sussex, nature was always central to Fearn’s artistry, the producer and songwriter behind the record; a quality even echoed in the project’s name, meaning ‘Alder Tree’ in Gaelic.
Make sure to connect with Fearn ft. Holly Brooke on Instagram » »
Matthew Jameson » Oh No! (Here Again)
Matthew Jameson guides the listener on a vivid journey through ethereal soundscapes, glitch electronica and french house influences, all bathed in stunning tones and dazzling arpeggios
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Not a record for everyone, but an absolute gem for the avant-garde electronica connoisseurs. ‘This Side Down’ is the magnificent offering of Sunderland-based sonic magician Matthew Jameson; an eclectic album leading the listener on a vivid journey through ethereal soundscapes, glitch electronica and french house influences, all bathed in stunning tones and dazzling arpeggios. For the purpose of this article, we’ll feature the record opener as our ‘focus track’. ‘Oh No! (Here Again)’ is perhaps the most immersive soundscape Matthew Jameson has provided us with. A slow-paced, ever-evolving sound matter creates the perfect setting for an evening of reflection or a meditation session. It is music for the soul, not here to ask anything from you, but rather to answer some of your doubts… Try it!
Make sure to connect with Matthew Jameson on Instagram » Facebook »
Nightly Gatherings » Accepted
Exploring what we could call indietronica, Nightly Gatherings delivers four tracks suspended in a unique creative universe
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Attention folks: I found a really good record. Surprised? Probably not, since it may be the sole reason you are reading our beloved New Music Sunday. Anyway, the really good record I was referring to is actually an EP, courtesy of American talent Nightly Gatherings. Exploring what we could call indietronica, the young producer delivers four tracks suspended in a unique creative universe, encompassing such a wide variety of influences that might be inconvenient to list them all. However, what we can definitely say is that ‘Accepted’ navigates leftfield electronica through folk and indie sensibilities, using a sample-based approach, especially for the vocals inserts. Acoustic guitars and organic feels make occasional appearances, as so do a mesmerising array of field recordings. Our favourite track must be the title header ‘Accepted’. Recommended!
Make sure to connect with Nightly Gatherings on Instagram » » Twitter
Tilda Allie » ROCKET ME HIGH
Allie champions a unique sonic formula made up of contemporary electronica, R’n’B grooves, Jazz-flavoured vocals and Pop sensibilities
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It is not often that I come across a project as special as Tilda Allie’s. A singer, writer and producer of Nordic origins, she champions a unique sonic formula made up of contemporary electronica, R’n’B grooves, Jazz-flavoured vocals and Pop sensibilities. Her latest release, ‘ROCKET ME HIGH’, is perhaps the most mesmerising example of it: moving towards a more emotional outlook, the record draws its strongpoints from a swung, hip-hop-driven sleazy beat, coupled with emotional strings and an evocative flute sound, gifting the piece a touch of exotic energy. Crowning it all, we find Allie’s malleable, expressive vocals, capable of luscious tones and heartfelt lyrical delivery. Recommended!
Make sure to connect with Tilda Allie on Instagram » »
