Sounding akin to Angel Olsen fronting The War On Drugs, and with hints of Fear Fun era Father John Misty thrown in for good measure, the new single from this Vegas born singer/songwriter is sure to be the kind of song that people have been waiting all their lives for without even realising it. The cinematic and bittersweet ‘It’s Alright’ is top class indie material that gives some of the scene’s heavy hitters a run for their money. Drawing influences from indie rock, folk, dream pop and Americana, Sam Valdez has all the makings of something very special. With tracks of this calibre it’s not hard to imagine Sam releasing a much beloved and critically acclaimed album in the not too distant future.
top tracks
Top Tracks: By An Ion – Autre Vie
I often find myself coming back to the word “expansive” to describe music, but if you needed a textbook definition of what exactly I mean by it then look no further than the latest track from this LA based synthpop duo. One listen to ‘Autre Vie’ is all it takes for you to feel like there’s an entire galaxy of sound swirling round your head. Somehow managing to be both anthemic and atmospheric, this cut from their upcoming EP Violet Sky is like a heaven-sent dose of good vibes. It inspires awe and affection like it should be part of an Attenborough documentary sharing all the majesty of our world. By An Ion have delivered a regal and uplifting single which is unparalleled in its scope and grandeur.
Top Tracks: Pearla – Somewhere
Following on from her debut EP If You’re Not Alright Now, New York based singer/songwriter Pearla is back with her new single. ‘Somewhere’ talks about feeling lost in this crazy world, and about having little control over the course of your life. With its music box melody and Pearla’s delicate vocals it begins with an air of childlike innocence, with the haphazard electronic drums echoing in the background like it’s part of another world that we are mostly oblivious to. The track soon builds into a full cacophonous wall-of-sound, like facing the harsh realities of the world, before it all settles down again by the track’s closing moments. It’s like a journey through the course of a lifetime in a single song, and like life it is made to be savoured.
Top Tracks: Satellite Citi – Undead
Songs offering a message of empowerment are usually a tender musical embrace, occasionally building up to some soaring triumphant climax. While any tracks that send a positive message are to be applauded, one can’t help but wonder why we can’t have some that are a little more, well… badass! LA based duo Satellite Citi certainly deliver on that front, with ‘Undead’s thunderous riffs recalling Royal Blood and Wolfmother, and its spiralling solo offering hints of Iron Maiden. Taken from their upcoming debut EP Negative Space, it also boast an equally fierce and uplifting video, as a LGBT youth who has hit rock bottom is given a new lust for life with a little help from a mystical arcade game. It rocks your socks off and offers a powerful message; what’s not to love.
Top Tracks: The Hemingways – More Than This
Don’t let their youth fool you, The Hemingways are a bunch of wonderfully skilled musicians that show great chemistry and even greater promise. This London based five piece offer a fresh and modern twist on a classic rock sound with their new single ‘More Than This’. With keyboards reminiscent in places of Led Zeppelin’s ‘Misty Mountain Hop’, and with James Burrage’s gruff vocals perfect for fans of the late great Chris Cornell, they draw influences from all the right places but still manage to put their own unique stamp on it. Striking a fine balance between raw and refined, between vintage and contemporary, I know of bands with many more years of experience under their belt that would give their right arm to sound this good.
Top Tracks: Tom Lumley – Just Like The Light
Our Spotlight star Tom Lumley is back and better than ever. Following on from his debut EP Dream City earlier in the year, he’s already at it again with his latest single. ‘Just Like The Light’ shows a whole new side to Tom, mixing in some classic blues rock elements to give his own brand of indie a more natural feel. Tom has really come into his own with this track, rocking harder and showcasing the kind of massive hooks that put even a great release like Dream City to shame. Having supported the likes of The Hunna, Coasts and The Sherlocks, and now with fresh and addictive tracks like this to his name, the next chapter in Tom’s career looks set to take him a step closer to the big leagues.
Top Tracks: WALLA – Into The Gray
Songs that carry a deep and honest message to them always tug at my heartstrings, and ‘Into The Gray’ which was written for “the ones we love, the ones we’ve lost and those who feel like no one is listening” just makes time stand still. Taken from their upcoming EP Body Language, this is a song that speaks to you, offering comfort and reassurance moreso than any other song that springs to mind from 2017. The rich and refined arrangement on this acoustic version in particular really lets Jean Marc Tardieu’s raspy soulful vocals shine. This warm and moving track is the only pick-me-up you need when the world is getting you down, and it simply becomes a little more charming with each listen.
Top Tracks: Titus Makin – Ropes
It’s very easy to look down on pop, but even the most hard-hearted among us can find ourselves giving in to temptation when the right song comes along. ‘Ropes’ is firmly rooted in pop, but with its soulful undertones and Titus’ effervescent energy, it’s a track that is hard to resist. Better known for his work as an actor on such hit US shows as Pretty Little Liars, Glee and Star-Crossed, this latest song from his upcoming second EP Lean shows him to be a man of many talents. With ‘Ropes’ Titus is unreservedly lovable and undeniably cool. When pop music is this good, able to make a room full of people anywhere in the world crack a smile, you realise there is a kind of magic at work. It’s a dose of wholesome feel-good fun that is sure to brighten your day.
Top Tracks: The Luck – Rise and Shine
Brother and sister duo Max and Esmay Luck have struck gold with their latest single. ‘Rise and Shine’ carries an epic, cinematic feel. Listening to it you feel as though you should be strolling through the desert, wearing shades and a leather jacket, leaving the world behind you and not once turning back. Their voices blend brilliantly, the soaring instrumentals imbue an uplifting energy, and the whole song simply makes you feel like you can overcome any obstacle that dares block your path. With their debut album on the way soon, ‘Rise and Shine’ is surely a sign of great things to come. Luck by name, luck by nature, as I truly feel fortune is in my favour after discovering this powerful track.
Top Tracks: Ailbhe Reddy – The Tube
Belwood favourite Ailbhe Reddy is back with another stellar single. ‘The Tube’ is her best work yet, making her all the more deserving of her spot as one of the frontrunners for this year’s Spotlight Award. This latest offering shows her at her most expansive and cinematic, as she captures the feeling of a goodbye at the collapse of a relationship, when there are no words sufficient to give closure and the best you can manage is to walk them to the tube station. Touching and relatable, Ailbhe’s expressive vocals and wistful soundscapes offer a kind of catharsis that is so desperately missing from the story it tells. This incredible singer/songwriter is just getting better and better with each new release, and is just a stone’s throw from greatness.
Belwood Music 