The debut single from this budding Bath-based singer/songwriter is perfect for those lonely, introspective nights. A fragile, yet powerful message of reassurance, ‘Give Me Heart’ very much reminds me of Julien Baker with its gentle indie folk vibes and crystal clear vocals. The track is perfectly matched by its introverted video which shares in Sophia’s moments of reflection. ‘Give Me Heart’ is that tender voice of reason telling us that things are never as bad as they seem, and that the world has so much more to offer. A voice that all to often goes unheard when things are at their worst. It’s an incredibly moving and heartfelt track, and I look forward to hearing more of Sophia on her upcoming debut EP later this year.
top tracks
Top Tracks: Mr Byrd – I’ll Never Let Go
Raised in Alabama, and now based in Nashville, singer/songwriter Jeremy Byrd has released his latest stirring single. ‘I’ll Never Let You Go’, taken from his upcoming debut EP Steel Cold Train out 9th June, begins with a gentle rise and fall like the ebb and flow of the tide, but soon builds into something powerful and angelic. Somehow Byrd has made a song with a profound sense of longing, that also ends up being heart-warmingly uplifting. What we have here is a folk artist with a whole lot of soul. With a rich, soothing sound, and plenty of sincerity and charm to boot, Byrd has crafted the musical equivalent of a lovely cup of tea on a cold winter’s morning; good for the soul and able to make the world seem so much more at ease.
Top Tracks: Beachwood Coyotes – Face To Face
Inspired by a bizarre and ill-advised acid trip, LA based band Beachwood Coyotes have some killer new music on the way. ‘Face To Face’, the first single from their upcoming EP Scrubby, has all the necessary elements for a bona fide indie anthem. With it’s driving rhythm, uplifting harmonies, crystal clear guitar riffs and plenty of attention grabbing hooks, the Beachwood boys appear to be onto something! It’s a track that very much exceeded my expectations, and at times reminded me of The Gaslight Anthem and early Amber Run. ‘Face To Face’ is up there with the best indie releases of the year. With a few more hits like this to their name Beachwood Coyotes could well be one to watch.
Top Tracks: 99 Trees – Broken
Multi-instrumentalist and producer Axel Concato, and Danish born singer Pia Blixen have joined forces for this new project under the moniker 99 Trees. ‘Broken’, from their upcoming EP 21st Century out 23rd June, is the first single from this Paris-based duo. Combining psychedelic 60s soundscapes with modern pop hooks, the track has bags of charm. It’s many quirky elements are reminiscent of everything from Bowie’s ‘Ashes To Ashes’ and Pet Sounds era Beach Boys, to Jefferson Airplane’s ‘White Rabbit’, albeit polished with a more contemporary radio-friendly sheen. Walking the line between experimental and accessible is no mean feat, but 99 Trees have pulled it off. ‘Broken’ is a great taste of what’s to come and leaves you wanting more from this promising pair.
Top Tracks: Lejon – If
The new single from this London-based electropop duo offers a delightfully retro 80s twist to the increasingly popular synth-driven scene. Laurence Jepson and Charlie Dale mix in tried and tested futuristic synth sounds with hints of everyone from Bastille and James Vincent McMorrow, to Belwood Award winner Rationale. The production here is immaculate and the track boasts a passionate vocal delivery that is streets ahead of most acts in the scene. It’s the kind of song that will appeal to fans of the mainstream and the underground alike; a rare and fascinating place to be. Lejon offer a glimpse into their vast potential with ‘If’, and depending on where they go next they may well lead the genre to exciting new places with future releases.
Top Tracks: Night Click – The Drug Store Ceiling
‘The Drug Store Ceiling’, the title track from Night Click’s upcoming debut album out 21st July, plays like an amalgamation of two classic American sounds. A New Jersey native, songwriter Michael Klics relocated to LA to perform under his new moniker. His music carries with it the legacy of two incredibly important places of musical heritage, each on opposite sides of the country. ‘The Drug Store Ceiling’ combines the radio friendly harmonies and sun-drenched psychedelica of the classic Californian sound, with a bold brass section and Springsteen-esque Americana vibes. It’s a winning combination, and as such this track simply oozes charm with each new listen. Night Click has released a very promising first single and I look forward to hearing how his sublime sound develops from here.
Top Tracks: Whitehorse – Nighthawks
The latest single from this Canadian duo has all the wickedly addictive pull of the classic psychedelic pop sound. ‘Nighthawks’, taken from their upcoming album Panther In The Dollhouse out 4th August, boasts some stunning melodies. With 60s surf rock reverb, hints of modern electropop, and a chorus with more hooks than a tackle shop, it’s a genre-bending track that’s hard not to love. On paper, all these separate elements are things you would associate with something upbeat and summery, instead it spins them around a slick noir vibe that simply oozes attitude and danger. The end result is a song so certifiably badass that it seduces you a little more with each new listen. One of the most captivating and rewarding listens you’re likely to find right now.
Top Tracks: Calais – Seeing It All
This Brisbane based band have released one of the most attention-grabbing indie singles of the year. Although this Australian outfit boast a synth driven sound akin to our own up-and-coming Blossoms, the real pull of this track lies with its chunky bass lines. I honestly can’t remember the last time I heard such sublime bass tones within a rock song. Lyrically ‘Seeing It All’ deals with a relationship that becomes so consuming, you lose all sense of self and purpose without that person, and the subsequent journey to find yourself that follows. That deeper meaning within the song is adorned with indie hooks to make the perfect playlist material. Australia has had a real musical renaissance in recent years, so keep a close eye on Calais, as they could be the country’s next great export.
Top Tracks: Carlo Barbagallo – Any Girl’s Eyes
Belwood is proud to premiere the new video from Sicilian musician and songwriter Carlo Barbagallo. ‘Any Girl’s Eyes’, taken from his new album 9, stands at the crossroads between folk, jazz and soul, having explored a fair share of miles towards each musical horizon. With an airy melody reminiscent of Nick Drake, albeit fleshed out with an understated brass section, smatterings of soulful guitar and organ, and slick piano work, the track stands as an impressive and expansive music monument. Straddling the line between classic and contemporary, Carlo has taken a deceptively simple song and has given it a larger than life sound. Carrying the same kind of ambition and attention to detail that you’d find on Michael Kiwanuka’s acclaimed album Love & Hate, it’s easily the best R&B offering that I’ve heard thus far in 2017.
Top Tracks: Hermetic Delight – Vow
Belwood Music is proud to premiere the music video from Hermetic Delight. ‘Vow’, the title track of the French band’s latest EP, is a dark and eerie voyage through a nocturnal landscape, complete with menacing post-punk instrumentation and vocals reminiscent of Courtney Swain from art rock band Bent Knee. The new video follows each of the band members as they wind their way through the city streets; from the brightly lit hustle and bustle, to its dark and seedy underbelly. Jumping between each band member, each new turn takes them deeper into an unseen world, where the threatening tension of ‘Vow’ seems all the more potent. The song and its accompanying video work in perfect harmony to create a broody atmosphere that is hard to pull yourself out of.
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