These New York natives may have written their debut EP in a remote cabin in the woods, but despite the creative isolation they have kept their finger on the pulse. The band’s lead single ‘Underwater’ features some bright indie guitar work that many more established bands would be envious of. Having only been together as a band for a short while they have made remarkable progress, both musically and with their ever growing fanbase. Many indie bands struggle to make music of this calibre and yet here we find FOXTRAX have managed to capture the magic between just the three of them. The band have set their ambitions high and have clearly made a great start on their winding, fox-trodden path to greatness. Unlike the pesky mirages that plague frontman Ben Schneid in their desert roaming music video, this power trio certainly aren’t going to fade away any time soon.
top tracks
Top Tracks: Maggie Szabo – Gold
This Canadian alternative pop artist is on top form with her latest single. Now based in LA, Maggie Szabo has blended together a range of styles to create an intriguing hit. The heavy blues stomp of the intro, the deliberate piano driven tempo, the soulful backing vocals, the in-your-face attitude and the overarching pop mentality bringing all the disparate elements together create something quite unlike anything else around. With ‘Gold’ being the latest in a long line of soul infused pop hits under her belt, including the brilliant ‘Tidal Waves and Hurricanes’, it’s no surprise that she has already gathered a massive fanbase.
Top Tracks: CAPTIONS. – Bearfights
There’s just something so fitting about hazy, genre bending rock that makes it the perfect soundtrack for those long summer nights. The kind of nights filled with all the adventures of youth and trying to find your place in the world. The latest single from Californian band CAPTIONS. is just such a song, equally suited for both exciting escapades and quiet reflection. The nostalgia tinged ‘Bearfights’, the first single from the band’s upcoming debut album ITERATIONS, blends together a hint of 90s alternative with bright indie riffs and harmonies, all set within a billowing cloud of dream pop soundscapes. If the rest of their debut lives up to the standard set by this first track then it’s release will certainly be something to look forward to.
Top Tracks: Jake Davis – Saying it Right
Having caught the attention of music fans across the globe thanks to his stunning cover of Hozier’s ‘Work Song’, multi-instrumentalist Jake Davis is set to follow with his first EP The Valley. Lead single ‘Saying it Right’ is a perfect summer anthem. It plays around with the addictive electro pop mentality, an infectious R&B rhythm and ends on a high with a striking indie pop guitar solo. It’s the kind of airy and upbeat pop that can almost summon a glorious blue sky with it’s catching carefree energy. However beneath the light hearted melodies the lyrics deal with insecurity and struggling to connect, albeit in a cool and collected way. ‘Saying it Right’ displays a level of production and musicianship above what you would expect for such a shamelessly addictive pop song.
Top Tracks: Daisy Victoria – Animal Lover
Socially anxious Suffolk songwriter Daisy Victoria has emerged from her woodland sanctuary with the title track of her latest EP. Alternative anthem ‘Animal Lover’ is an outlandish and engaging offering that charms from the offset with some compelling guitar work and striking vocals reminiscent of kindred spirit Kate Bush. All the best artists are just a bit mad and Daisy is no exception. Bolstered by a rich lyrical imagery, Daisy’s music paints a vivid picture which celebrates all the glorious strangeness of everyday life. She remains an intriguing character as well as an outstandingly talented artist. Her new EP Animal Style, recorded with producer Dan Austin (Pixies), is out 19th August and the title track is available on SoundCloud now.
Top Tracks: Hannah Grace – Mustang
One of our Spotlight artists Hannah Grace is on a fast track to the top with her latest single. This wonderful Welsh singer/songwriter gives an electrifying performance with the furious blues anthem ‘Mustang’ which carries a message of being yourself and breaking free of the expectations that weigh you down. ‘Mustang’ is the title track of her latest EP which has been released ahead of her first ever headline UK tour. The music video features Irish actor Ferdia Walsh-Peelo who starred in the standout music movie of the year ‘Sing Street’, and needless to say these two rising talents are a perfect match. Hannah’s stunning and addictive vocals make this one of the best tracks of the year and it marks the next step of her meteoric rise.
Top Tracks: SAHARA – Scratch
Ahead of the release of their eponymous debut EP on 29th July, Dundee based band SAHARA have delivered a top class hit single to lure in prospective new fans. Boasting some Johnny Marr-esque guitar work, it ranks amongst the best and most upbeat indie releases of the year and is sure to appeal to fans of Peace, Vampire Weekend and Two Door Cinema Club. Beneath it’s exterior awash with pop mentality beats a jangly yet intricate instrumental heart with some bright vocals to boot. Already one of Scotland most exciting new bands their influence and fanbase are all set to expand and I can see a long career ahead of them.
Top Tracks: Happy Diving – Holy Ground
Hailing from the suburbs of San Francisco, Happy Diving deliver a visceral injection of no-holds-barred garage rock. Their latest single ‘Holy Ground’ captures so much in just an intense couple of minutes. Brimming with both passion and aggression it takes a deep and melodic song and drenches it in the warm fuzz of feedback to create a tempestuous track that is equal parts primal aggression and artful grace. This viciously addictive high-octane hit is one of the most gutsy and glorious songs of the year thus far. The band’s latest album Electric Soul Unity is out 19th August via Topshelf Records.
Top Tracks: Keaton Henson – Alright
One of Britain’s best kept musical secrets has new music on the way. Championed by Zane Lowe and rightly considered in the same light as folk genius Nick Drake, Keaton Henson has released the lead single from his upcoming album Kindly Now which is released 16th September. It is a glorious return to his roots after dabbling in classical music on Romantic Works and with electronica on his side project Behaving. It is another example of the transcendent beauty that we have come to expect from one of the most underrated songwriters in the world.
Top Tracks: Shenna – So Low
New York based indie pop and alternative R&B singer/songwriter Shenna has brought together a diverse range of styles on her latest single from her upcoming album Made of Gold. Starting with a simple guitar intro it soon builds into a hypnotic mix of electronica and undulating synths. Even dabbling with Eastern influences, this deceptively simple pop hit is more complex than it first appears. Carrying a message of strength and independence, and sinfully addictive as all good hits should be, ‘So Low’ could easily be the first step towards Shenna’s chart topping future.
Belwood Music 