People say that there’s nothing new to be made in music, but even if this were the case, we can combine what is already out there in a myriad of unique and inventive combinations. A good case in point is the latest single from the wonderful Hannah Featherstone. Born in Britain but raised amongst the vibrant Parisian music scene, her new track ‘Solo’ combines classic jazz with contemporary electropop. With its off-kilter beat, it’s honest minimalist arrangement and a few little electronic flourishes, ‘Solo’ is one of the most distinctive and inimitable tracks I’ve heard this year. She is a curious artist, certainly someone to keep your eye on. With a new album due later this year, it will be interesting to see what other noteworthy creations Hannah has to offer.
top tracks
Top Tracks: The Lavender Scare – Drag For A Queen
I do love a band with a dash of flair and ambition, two boxes that LA band The Lavender Scare have certainly ticked with their new single. Musically ‘Drag For a Queen’ reminds me of ‘Lillian’ by The Dear Hunter as it carries the same air of sleazy theatricality, albeit with James Delos Reyes’ unique gritty vocals. Lyrically it tells the tale of a drag queen that finds religion and later falls back into his old habits behind closed doors. With this vivid caricature that the song portrays, the band does a superb job at storytelling and at building up a whole other world within your mind. Dark, witty, and the very quintessence of style; if The Lavender Scare build on the successes of this track they will soon jump up my list of the most exciting bands around.
Top Tracks: Prism Tats – Brainwaves
Let’s not beat around the bush here, ‘Brainwaves’ is a plain and simple indie banger, end of story. Its memorable melodic hooks are a potent brew which is almost certain to be loved by festival crowds far and wide. There are some big name bands out there who could learn a lot from this track. Garett van der Spek, under his moniker Prism Tats, has provided an upbeat and addictive tune that carries a deeper message, dealing with our unhealthy reliance on technology. Raised in South Africa, though now based in LA, Garett is on to a winning formula with his new single. After this latest taster of his upcoming second album due later this year, I for one am hungry for more.
Top Tracks: Lots Holloway – Stay A Little Longer
The word “bewitching” has somehow never felt so apt, as there’s no denying there’s something dark and mystical at play here. Born in Cornwall, but now based in London, singer/songwriter and self-taught multi-instrumentalist Lots Holloway really captivates you with her latest single ‘Stay A Little Longer’. Written about all the various manipulative people who end up dictating our lives, the suitably hypnotic video and Eastern vibes cast a spell over you like some mysterious snake charmer, with its hold on you getting deeper and deeper with each repeat. It carries a seductive air of danger while still remaining accessible enough to lure in scores of eager new listeners. With her debut EP and a string of UK dates on the way later this year, Lots is definitely one to watch!
Top Tracks: Critics – Key Lime Pie
No matter what your tastes may be, there are always certain songs that are just too fun to resist. The latest single from up-and-coming indie pop trio Critics is just such a track. With its funky flair, retro synths, infectious chorus and it’s shamelessly silly music video, it’s a delightful little summer anthem. It’s cheery upbeat attitude and immaculate pop sheen really get under your skin and just brightens your day a little more with each listen. ‘Key Lime Pie’ sounds like a massive international hit single just waiting to happen. How this isn’t already on heavy rotation all across the country is beyond me. Critics are proving themselves one of the most promising new indie pop acts around, and it seems mainstream success for them is almost certainly a matter of “when” rather than “if”.
Top Tracks: Island Apollo – Feeling You
If you need a new addition to your indie disco playlist for you to dance around to like no one is watching, then look no further. Island Apollo are back, and the new single from this Southern California band combines indie, surf rock and tons of 80s charm. Recalling Duran Duran with its heavy synths and funky undertones, it’s hard not to be compelled to dance by this infectious new song. This fun track also has a whole lot of heart, as lyrically it speaks of standing by those you care about when they are at their lowest. It’s a fantastic little number offering guilt-free good times, fun summery vibes, and plenty of loveable retro appeal. There’s a lot here to like so I urge you to give it pride of place in your summer soundtrack.
Top Tracks: CC Smugglers – Dirty Money
Slick and soulful aren’t often terms used to describe folk music, but they are a damn good fit for the latest track from this Bedfordshire band. ‘Dirty Money’ brings together a classic Americana sound complete with twanging banjos and hints of wild west piano, but imbues it with a real sense of swing and swagger that is hard to put your finger on, but adds a fresh contemporary feel. Singing about the age-old adage that money doesn’t bring you happiness, CC Smugglers have nailed it with this foot-stomping feel good hit. Perfect for fans of Mumford & Sons, The Lumineers and Blackberry Smoke, ‘Dirty Money’ is one of the most fun and infectious songs I’ve heard all year. The kind of track you can listen to all day, keep singing all night, and still not get tired of it. Folking brilliant!
Top Tracks: Tamino – Habibi
The new track from this half Egyptian, half Belgian songwriter just makes time stand still, and demands your full, undivided attention. Tamino’s vocals are like the bewitching tune of a snake-charmer, leaving you hanging on his every word. The somber ‘Habibi’, lying somewhere between a tango and a funeral march, shows that the greatest beauty can be found in sorrow. Reminiscent of the late great Jeff Buckley, particularly in the angelic falsetto in the track’s final fading moments, Tamino has shown himself to be the finest new vocalist I’ve heard this year. With the captivating melancholy of this cut from his debut EP, his breathtaking talent shines through the gloom and reveals him to be a real one to watch over the next few years.
Top Tracks: Tree – Hold My Hand
It’s easy to write a song that’s memorable, or bold, or exciting, but it’s rare to find a song that shows a sense of understanding. To take your own personal experiences and commit them to song in such a way that it forms a deep connection for people from all walks of life is no mean feat, but it’s something Tree have nailed with their new single. ‘Hold My Hand’, taken from their album The Bridge and The Mountain, tells a tale of overcoming adversity to find peace of mind and new opportunities, adorned with a backdrop of refined strings and wall-of-sound indie rock. With Tree listing Rush amongst their influences, it reminds me of ‘The Pass’ as it manages to somehow both sum up the feeling of being lost and alone, and find exactly the right words to provide comfort and reassurance.
Top Tracks: Bianca Rose – Hidden
Singer/songwriter Bianca Rose is back with the latest single from her debut album No Fear Here. ‘Hidden’, with its incredibly moving accompanying music video, speaks out about mental health and tells a tale about how difficult it can be to open up to others, even those that mean the world to us. Starting off as a delicate folk track before kicking off into a lush and expansive soul sound, it provides both gentle comfort and an uplifting message of hope. Sometimes an artist’s soul and character truly shine through when sharing something meaningful and personal, and this is a perfect example. This gorgeous song shares an important and heartfelt message that is sure to move you, and shows what a conscientious and compassionate songwriter Bianca really is.
Belwood Music 