As I write this the sun is out, the birds are singing and the flowers are in full bloom; spring has officially sprung. There’s new life everywhere you turn and it’s hard not to be caught up in the rush of it all. This is the song that your heart sings when you finally feel the sun again after a seemingly endless winter. This track from Kit Kazar, the new solo project from Beach Tiger’s Taylor McCleskey, is the perfect feel-good tune to bask in the joys of spring and daydream of the summer to come. ‘Spell’, taken from the new EP The Sun Has Seen It All Pt.1, simply exudes positive energy in all directions and recalls that bright and dreamy 60s pop sound at its very best. This carefree track is nothing short of irresistible, and is sure to inject a hearty dose of happiness into your day.
top tracks
Top Tracks: Leon + the Fantastic – Grieving Friend of a Superman
Right from the off ‘Grieving Friend of a Superman’ offers hints of Bowie’s Blackstar. From the world-weary vocals and cryptic lyrics, to the retro synths and bizarre little nuances, this track from Leon’s forthcoming EP Let Me Cool (out 18th May) deals equally in both the foreign and the familiar. Odd enough to feel exciting and new, but maintaining convention just enough to keep you feeling at home in your new surreal surroundings. The stop motion video for the song, featuring an astronaut losing his grip on reality and suffering hallucinations in deep space, is one of the most fascinating videos of recent years. The real star of the show however is the captivating drum work, constantly pulling you in deeper and feeling like the lead instrument in a way that few acts ever manage to. “Fantastic” is a hard moniker to live up to, but on this track Leon and the band pull it off.
Top Tracks: The People The Poet – Kids on the Corner
Music can do a lot of wonderful things, and sometimes, by either a personal connection to some cherished memory or by wonderfully woven nostalgic lyricism, a song can take you back to simpler times. Such is the case with this new track from Welsh band The People The Poet, taken from their new album A Short Obsession With Time. Even if your childhood bears little resemblance to the misspent youth described in ‘Kids on the Corner’, its hard not to feel some kind of affinity with the sentiment: a longing to go back to those carefree days when the world seemed limitless and all your thoughts and feelings burned their brightest. This journey back to “the good old days” is one you will make time and again, as the emphatic drums, gorgeous piano coda and gritty vocals reminiscent of Bruce Springsteen and Bryan Adams make this a song you will keep coming back to for a good long while.
Top Tracks: RIVVRS – Let It Die
Mark my words, listening to just this one track is all you need to be completely sold on RIVVRS. Pressing play on ‘Let It Die’, the latest single from forthcoming album Cosmic Dream, is like a tall dark stranger walking into town in the wild west, with an air of mystique and the road-hardened stare of a man who’s seen too much. A track about knowing when to cut loose those who are dragging you down, and not dwelling on those who messed you around whom you’d be better off without, ‘Let It Die’ shares its potent and relatable message with such superb charm and character. With its heavy stomp, understated bluesy riffs, and those suave gritty vocals, this new song from Californian native Brandon Zahursky is a timeless slice of Americana that is not to be missed.
Top Tracks: Augustus James – The Hardest Part
Some genres are perfectly suited to a certain mood, but personally I see Americana as an erstwhile companion that’s always welcome whatever the occasion. Certainly a track such as ‘The Hardest Part’, taken from Augustus James’ debut EP Nora, would be equally at home while cruising down an open road with the sun streaming down, or while watching the rain against the window while you ponder your place in the world. While carrying all the beloved Americana hallmarks we’ve come to expect, the warm understated brass and soothing harmonies make this new track stand out from the crowd. ‘The Hardest Part’ is the kind of track that you can make memories to and can consider to be more than just music, but a lifelong friend.
Top Tracks: Charlotte Enegren – Same Old Joe
Tracks like ‘Same Old Joe’ are among the most difficult to write about, as when all the instruments are working together in perfect harmony it is difficult to pick out your favourite moments. On this new single from Swedish singer/songwriter Charlotte Enegren, taken from her upcoming debut EP Mirror Lights, all the instruments are on a sure and equal footing; from the expressive rhythm section, to the warm ambience of the brass, to the jazzy piano interlude. But all of these elements quite clearly need to be working together to stand any chance of matching the most impressive instrument of all: Charlotte’s astounding voice. An assured blend of jazz, soul and pop stylings, I’m sure you’ll agree it’s one of the most impressive and memorable vocal performances to have ever graced the site. With a voice like that, Charlotte’s potential for greatness knows no bounds.
Top Tracks: Matthew Gordon Price – Vixen Queen
Songs like ‘Vixen Queen’ are special in many ways, but perhaps the most telling of all for me is the sense of wanderlust that they ignite. Listening to this new single from alt folk troubadour Matthew Gordon Price, taken from his new EP Rivalry, I can’t help but picture hiking with friends along some woodland trail, not a care in the world about the destination, just revelling in the journey as the sun streams through the canopy. It’s the kind of song that inspires adventure and leaves you longing to leave your old life behind in search of new frontiers. ‘Vixen Queen’ has a timeless feel that is sure to warm your heart. Bringing together the rustic charm of The Felice Brothers, the lush instrumentation of First Aid Kit, and the passionate vocals of Glen Hansard, Matthew’s sublime new single is one adventure that is not to be missed.
Top Tracks: Veladraco – Coldest Winter Day
We’ve all done it: sat on public transport, rain falling upon the window as you look out into the world, listening to a song you’re so completely absorbed in that you forget everything else exists. When that perfect song comes up at the perfect time it feels like you’re at the centre of a movie and are filming some bittersweet montage where you reflect on all that’s happened, and all that’s still to come. This cinematic new single from South African band Veladraco is just such a song. Walking a fine line between introspective and anthemic, it’s a song to hold you up and keep you moving forward when you just don’t know how to feel anymore. Wherever your journey leads, whatever comes next in your story, ‘Coldest Winter Day’ is just the companion you need.
Top Tracks: Tancred – Reviews
‘Reviews’ is my first experience of Tancred, but it certainly won’t be the last. This first single from forthcoming album Nightstand, out 1st June, showcases an astounding interplay of light and shade. With the imposing bass tones and sombre, introspective lyricism juxtaposed against bright flashes of indie guitar and keyboards, and infectious pop melodies, this track is a paragon of bittersweet brilliance. There are two whole worlds captured here in a mere three minutes, the perfect musical yin and yang. The music is equal parts lush and lo-fi, and the contrast between the downcast lyrics of the verses to the heartwarming hints of optimism in the chorus says something of the two sides at war within all of us. Both the storm cloud and the silver lining, this is truly a song for every occasion.
Top Tracks: Dessie Magee – Bandit
With a voice so gritty as to wear down your defences and warm even the coldest of hearts, Irish singer/songwriter Dessie Magee leaves a lasting impression with his new track ‘Bandit’. From its gentle acoustic origins it soon builds towards a cathartic climax that reminds me of Seafret’s ‘Oceans’. Yet even as the track expands layer by layer, delving beyond its folk beginnings into a more rock orientated release, Dessie’s unique vocals remain the finest instrument on display. Tackling the important subject of mental health, and how we’re pressured into keeping our pain bottled up to fester within by society, makes ‘Bandit’ all the more compelling. Any song that shares such an important message is worth sharing, but when a performance is as powerful as this, where you can feel an artist pour their very soul into their work, you know you have something special that needs to be heard.
Belwood Music 