Stella Donnelly - Flood

Stella Donnelly’s “Flood” is magic captured and preserved in a 3 minute and 43 second time capsule. What constitutes “magic,” might you ask? It’s all about that threshold. Let’s provide an example via Exhibit #1: Sylvan Esso’s “Your Reality.” Beautiful tune, and one that teases magic, but doesn’t quite cross that all-too elusive threshold. A threshold that continues to rise in tandem with our growing tolerance. So, when a tune like Stella Donnelly’s “Flood” comes along, you’ve got to take a moment to thank your lucky stars that your brief existence on this Earth just so happened to correspond with its release. This dreamy masterwork incites similar feelings to some of Belle and Sebastian or Jens Lekman’s spoken word classics - all before transitioning into a dreampop refrain that’s uniquely Donnelly’s. She’s coming off the release of her brand new Flood LP - and you can use the title track as a solid indicator of where it’s faring on our top records of the year list. Check out the music video for “Flood” - another one of our personal favorites on the year - below.

Swansea Skag - DOG BOY

Swansea Skag’s “DOG BOY” mixes and matches elements from a variety of popularized genres before finding its own nestling space within the sonic universe. But that’s not why we find this tune compelling. It’s that this Mansfield, OH native’s sound derives from one or so genres that we don’t especially care for. We’re specifically thinking about acts like Milky Chance and boyWithUke, who we are 50% sure are just fronts for an AI-generated alt-folk algorithm developed by the an evil conglomerate entity. They could also just be real people who make generic music - who knows. Anyway, it’s not necessarily the genre itself we don’t like, it’s the trivialization of it - which is what make’s Skag’s “DOG BOY” all the more refreshing. Founded upon a WU-LYF-styled vocal acapella chant, this short and sweet tune’s got enough savvy and charm to convince even the harshest critics that every genre deserves at least one last shot at redemption.

Young Jesus x Tomberlin - Ocean

There’s a solid argument to be made that a music blog as picky as us has no business running a music blog in the first place. We’ve been around the past few weeks listening - both patiently and intently - as we waited for the right song to come along and adopt us like the stray cat that keeps appearing on your front steps. But, in our version of events, that furball never got adopted, and that song never got played. So, we decided to take a dive back into a few tracks that we were previously on the fence about. That’s where Young Jesus x Tomberlin’s “Ocean” comes into the picture. Resting atop the bedrock of a grainy, Bon Iver-esq foley vocal sample, this majestic lo-fi folk tune has layers of character to sift through before getting a full glimpse into its core. As it turned out to be the case with us, this delicate ballad might resonate more if you’re able to take a few days, or weeks, to contemplate your own existential plight in between listens. Check out the music video for “Ocean” below - starring Young Jesus on guitar and his highly photogenic red balloon.

twen - One Stop Shop (For a Fading Revolution)

twen’s “One Stop Shop (For a Fading Revolution) has an old soul. Not necessarily The Beatles old, but perhaps more along the lines of The Cure old. And on the subject of those feelings The Cure has, or has yet to, induce in you, Nashville-based five-piece twen manages to leave you feeling more alive, and perhaps even more actualized, than you were before you gave the their new One Stop Shop sophomore LP a spin. “One Stop Shop (For a Fading Revolution)” is one of the more nuanced tunes we’ve had the please of reviewing this year - and besides the infectious melody, what sets it apart from the rest is the feeling of intent ingrained into its fabric. As if the story behind the song could be the basis for a book, movie, or at the very least an intriguing coffee table discussion. Check out the music video for “One Stop Shop (For a Fading Revolution),” featuring road trips, caving, 2x speed, and tin foil everything.

Florist - River’s Bed

Human beings are predictable creatures. They’re also instinctive. And with this in mind, it’s important to emphasize that you can’t push music on anyone. One step beyond that finnicky threshold - of where the line between suggestion and command blurs - and they’re less inclined to listen than if you were to have never suggested the song at all. It might be easy to get that sort of impression if you’re reading the reviews for Florist’s new S/T LP from last week. But instead of pushing an entire record on you, we’re going to focus on a single song - our favorite song - off what we would confirm is quite an excellent album. Like a few others we’ve reviewed this year, “River’s Bed” was born in the contemporary, but it doesn’t belong here. It’s old soul predates modern technology - but it doesn’t predate modern problems. Outside of the social media conundrum, the human plight by-and-large transcends mere chronological considerations. Which is why this song would resonate both now and then (whenever then is). And while we don’t fully understand its meaning, the underlying themes of death, loss, and existential longing hit hard. Which brings us back full circle - breaking our own rule - and shamelessly calling on you to stop whatever important thing it is you’re doing and check out this excellent new Florist tune.

Katy J Pearson - Howl

Katy J Pearson’s “Howl” is a quirky tune. And not just your average quirky - we’re talking Tune-yards quirky. But it’s so much more than that. it’s got the charm of Barrie’s Barbara and a delicate charisma that only artists like Sufjan Stevens are capable of pulling off. Regardless of whomever you’d like to align this UK-based singer/songwriter with, she’s in the process of forging her own path as she comes off the heels of her brand new sophomore Sound of the Morning LP. To us, her sound at any time of the day feels like a refreshing fusion of alternative folk and classic rock - with today’s featured “Howl” leading the way as the most memorable and accessible of the quite-nuanced collection.

The Big Moon - Wide Eyes

Let’s cut straight to the chase: The Big Moon’s “Wide Eyes” is one of our favorite songs of the year. It’s mesmerizing. It’s debilitatingly transfixing. It’s magic. And it’s fair to presume that this London-based four piece knows it. We began this review with the intention of taking a dive into what makes this splendid tune so captivating, but interpreting the array of emotions that this song conjures up is no easy task. There’s certainly a nostalgic component fused into its warm core - with 90s alternative rock influences leading the way. And there’s the swirling vocal harmonies that add flavor and texture into each nook and cranny of the mix. But the most important component of this song isn’t one that’s especially articulable. Because the human vocabulary isn’t fully equipped to convey the depth of some feelings. And instead of trying, it’s perhaps that which gets left unsaid that can wind up speaking volumes. Check out the excellent music video for “Wide Eyes” below - featuring a gathering of friends and some charming choreography.

Young Fathers - Geronimo

Young Fathers fall into a different category than most of our favorite artists. Because they make music differently. We’re not sure if unconventional is the most appropriate adjective to use, but today we’ll be running with it. They’re finally back after a long and arduous four or so years - and while correlation doesn’t equal causation, it’s fair to speculate that the complete unraveling of the world in that timespan can be directly pinned on Young Fathers’ hiatus. Because the world needs more Young Fathers to simply get along and get by. After a few dozen spins through “Geronimo,” we feel better already. It starts off rather gloomy, but the bright light at the end of the sonic tunnel they’ve created expands as the melody simultaneously unfolds. And what transpires is a feel-good anthem that’s designed to help propel you over whatever hump as eluded you in life thus far. Suffice to say, we’re quite glad this Scotland-based three-piece is back and better than ever. We’ll be eagerly awaiting more new singles in the leadup to their sixth LP.

Rae Morris - In the Wild

Concept albums these days are few and far between. But Rae Morris isn’t your standard musician. She’s unique. That fact was evident after she dazzled her way into our hearts with one of our favorite songs of the year in “Running Shoes.” Her long awaited LP Rachel@Fairyland is finally out and, despite the high standards set with a few excellent pre-release singles, the record manages to live up to both our grand expectations and its name. From cinematic start to colossal finish, Morris propels the listener into her meticulously crafted world - a world that’s based on a uniquely personal vision. And, in doing so, the experience of the listener changes from passive to emphatically interactive. Morris couldn’t have closed the show out with a more fitting song than today’s featured “In the Wild.” It’s a dark, whimsical journey within a journey - and one that leaves you feeling as though you’ve somehow come full circle from the 42 or so minutes prior. So, if you’ve got the time to spare - make the best use of it and take yourself on the grand adventure Morris has dreamt up and translated into sound.

NoSo - Man Who Loves You

NoSo has got this indie alternative thing down pat. But that’s not to say they’ve spent a whole lot of time constructing any kind of preconceived persona for themselves. That happened organically. This LA-based singer/songwriter’s work simply has too much soul and too much emotion ingrained its fabric for it to be placed as a distant second to such…..superficial considerations. As we make our way a few times through their impressive debut Stay Proud of Me LP, we sometimes get the feeling that NoSo is a hundred of our favorite indie artists bundled into one. NoSo will pull at your heartstrings the way Soko tends to, build their songs around universally relatable topics like Japanese Breakfast, and compose folk rock ballads of as grand a scale as acts like Angel Olsen and The Tallest Man on Earth might. “Man Who Loves You” most definitely subscribes to the latter of those three categories. And aside from all the catchy melodic components, its the sheer size of the song that separates this gorgeous tune from the rest of the pack. We also love the neat vocal technique applied to the chorus, in which NoSo is seemingly in conversation with themselves as they tactfully transition between stereo and mono. If you’ve yet to experience NoSo first hand, this is also the song we’d recommend to get the ball rolling in what’s likely to soon thereafter result in a much deeper dive into this talented artist’s catalogue.

Goldmyth - Triptych

A song like Goldmyth’s “Triptych” isn’t made on a whim. There’s something inherently thoughtful about it - as if it was conceived from an idea, or an event, and lingered in Goldmyth’s, aka Jenessa Smith’s consciousness, for some time before coming to fruition. It’s also an innately sweet, delicate, and charming tune - despite the lyrical undertones of loss and heartbreak. And during a time when the term dream pop can be described using few dozen competing styles and sounds - we’re identifying “Triptych” as the new posterchild for a genre that has clearly yet figured itself out. It’s also the perfect song to suggest to a casual dream pop listener who’s interested in diving further into the majestic world of synths, falsetto, and some overall hazy goodness. And on the heels of this new single, this Utah-based harpist is gearing up for one of our more anticipated records of 2022. In the meantime, we’ll be enjoying this heartfelt tune and the eerily 1975-esque music video that accompanies it.

Oscar Lang x Wallice - I’ve Never Been to LA

Oscar Lang and Wallice have some serious chemistry on their new collaborative single “I’ve Never Been to LA.” And while a tight knit bond isn’t necessary in order to create an excellent tune - it goes a long way when it’s as apparent as this. It’s hard to perfectly articulate, but you can kind of just tell by listening that they had a blast making this pop anthem. Wallice has already earned a key to our hearts with the release of our dark horse best song-of-the-year contender in “Funeral.” And she’s beginning to venture into that “everything she touches is gold” territory - which is a dangerous place to be - because we can count on one hand the list of artists who have perpetually lived up to our grand expectations. Anyway, this new single from UK’s Lang and LA’s Wallice is a dreamy and holistically carefree tune with hints and influences of predecessors like MGMT, Phoenix, Passion Pit, and Arcade Fire sprinkled throughout. And it provides enough feel-good vibes that one can only hope that this is the first of many collaborative tunes between this budding pop duo. Check out the wholesome music video below - featuring a collage of lighthearted moments between two friends navigating the LA scene in style.

MICHELLE - SEA SHANTY

Without even diving into their catalog, MICHELLE’s created a sense of intrigue and mystique that most bands spend a whole career honing and refining. This NYC-based six-piece is comprised of an array of unique personas that might not work without a shared common goal. But this goal isn’t necessarily to create a groundbreaking sound or use production design to awe their listeners into submission - it’s to blend their unique traits, talents, and musical ambitions together to form something organic and perpetually real. And when you eventually do dive into their catalog - you can hear just that: collaboration at its finest. “SEA SHANTY,” featured as a B-side from MICHELLE’s AFTER DINNER WE TALK DREAMS LP, thrusts you into the psychedelic dreamscape that they’ve so elegantly created - and doesn’t let go until those hauntingly sweet vocal harmonies and violin pizzicato notes fade out and you’re left to ruminate on the thoughts that this unsuspectingly heartful tune has stirred up.

Empress Of x Jim-E Stack - Turn The Table

Let’s make something clear: Great production is not always indicative of a great song. In fact, our neurotic tastes would argue that songs that achieve both are few and far between. That’s why Empress Of x Jim-E Stack’s “Turn The Table” stands out. Let’s get the catchy part out of the way, first. It’s, on the most surface of levels, toe-tappingly charming. But then it becomes, as you peel back each layer of analog grittiness, completely entrancing. It’s one tune that requires you to adjust your headphones so your ears nestle comfortably within the cans in order to appreciate every character-building detail and idiosynchronicity. And Jim-E Stack’s contribution to this brilliant tune is anything but subtle. He takes the concept of ear candy to a whole nother level by utilizing some sophisticated filtering techniques and one of our favorite uses of the cowbell since Ian Kirkpatrick’s masterful work on Dua Lipa’s “Pretty Please.” Together, Empress and Stack create quite the formidable duo - with the end result being one of the best songs of 2022.

Why Bonnie - Hot Car

Once or twice a year, we come across a new song that always leads us back to another, old song. But not just any random song from the past - it’s always the same song. There’s something about Beck’s “Broken Drum,” which itself is a somber tribute to Elliott Smith, that clearly has some universal qualities to it that we can’t help but identify in other music. Now, we’re not savvy enough with our music theory to explain to you exactly why that is, but what we do know is that Why Bonnie’s “Hot Car” hits all the right melodic and emotional notes to meet our criteria in becoming the first “Broken Drum” doppelganger of 2022. Interestingly and not entirely coincidentally, you can also find some neat traces of Elliott Smith in “Hot Car” if you listen intently enough. The lyrics don’t seem to necessarily indicate whether the subject matter is inherently positive or negative - but it’s certainly nostalgic. And for us, it’s an inherently sad song in the best kind of way. A sad song that we’ll be leaning on in the coming months and years when those intrusive nostalgic thoughts of regret and contrition kick in. But instead of pushing the demons away, they’ll be welcomed with open arms as they provide us with the perfect reason to play again one of our favorite tracks of 2022.

Hazel English - Blue Light

We don’t throw around the adjective “dreamy” lightly. But Hazel English has earned the label on the heels of the release of her brand new Summer Nights EP. Today’s featured “Blue Light” closes out the collection of five excellent tunes. Tunes that all seem thematically in-sync with one another as songs that you might play on a cool summer night - a night in which you’re acutely aware that things won’t always be this simple. Channeling that feeling into a sound is something that many strive for, but few achieve. Which is all the more reason to celebrate Hazel’s dazzling and charming new record. Check out the perfectly crafted music video for “Blue Light” below.

Angel Olsen - Go Home

Any perpetual follower of the indie folk scene knows you can’t take more than a step or two in any direction without an inevitable Angel Olsen reference. And sure, there’s never anything good that can come out of having an artist crammed down your throat for quota-related purposes (I’m looking at you, Sirius XMU), but that’s not the reason that her music has historically not resonated with us. If we said we simply don’t jive with most of it - would we be wrong? Ultimately, it comes down to a matter of DNA makeup - and most of the chord progressions and melodies you’ll find in Olson’s work you won’t find in our DNA. And that’s OK. But now and again, worlds will collide and we’ll be able to find some common ground with an artist’s work that has, up to this point, eluded us. That’s where we find ourselves with Olsen’s exceptional “Go Home.” It’s a tune that grows in scale - with a sense of anticipation evident in every fabric of the song’s being. From the building drumline percussion to Olsen’s vibrato-infused vocals - you aren’t going to find a 2022 release of grander proportions than “Go Home.” And most importantly, it’s a tune that puts us in check and forces us to consider what other master works of Olsen’s we might have missed due to potential bias clouding our judgement.

Arlie - karma

Today, we’re taking a brief moment to commemorate the release of Arlie’s excellent debut BREAK THE CURSE LP with one of the most engaging and memorable choruses of 2022 (technically, 2021) featured in “karma.” While you might need to have a taste for the alt-rock/alt-pop genre for a record like this to fully resonate, the sheer quality of the tunes amassed on this long-anticipated LP is bound to convert a few skeptics into believers. As we alluded to before, our personal favorite track on the record, “karma,” is all about that refrain. And what takes it from good to great is the perpetual sense of unease and anticipation built within the percussive rhythm. Check out the enthralling music video for “karma” below.

Bay Ledges - DMT

We hold some pretty strong beliefs when it comes to streaming services and their effect on creativity. But the worst result of these streaming wars that’s got artists unknowingly pitted against one another in a race against time hasn’t necessarily been the output of perpetual sonic blandness - it’s been the death of the LP as we know it. Albums used to be a true labor of love - where artists would take years crafting the perfect sound, in the perfect sequence, to convey a particular message to their audience. Now, you’d be lucky to come across a handful of records a year that aren’t comprised of B and C-sides because of, you know, deadlines and fears of becoming irrelevant. Anyway, it’s for this reason that when you do hear a record that’s seemingly whole - through and through - you want to acknowledge it for the rare specimen that it is. Today, that honor goes to Bay Ledges’ debut Ritual LP. The record starts out on a “high” note with today’s featured “DMT” - which schizophrenically shifts between tropical and laidback to electronic and gritty in the beat of a drum. Throughout his excellent debut LP, you’ll hear this Maine-born producer continue to push the boundaries of the pop-rock genre without the inevitable compromise of quality, and creativity, as we’ve grown to expect in this new age of music.

Saya Gray - EMPATHY 4 BETHANY

We’ve been waiting for the right time to feature Saya Gray. But honestly, I wish we didn’t have to. Because this blog is typically reserved for artists that could in some way, shape, or form, benefit from the limited exposure we have to offer. And when it comes to this Toronto-based singer/songwriter/producer, she has the skill, and more importantly the creative vision, to be the best to seemingly ever do it. Her catalogue is still in its infancy stages, but she came on with an absolute bang last year with the release of one of our favorites of 2021, “SHALLOW (PPL SWIM IN SHALLOW WATER)”. And what she’s put out in her newest single “EMAPTHY 4 BETHANY” is a tune that’s hard to fully grasp. Almost as if you’ve got to be Saya herself to completely relate and understand the themes resonating below the surface. With most music you love, the instinctive response is to try to find ways to make it your own, but there’s something about Saya’s work that contradicts that. Almost as if you can appreciate it more by knowing you’ve got this finite moment of time inside Saya’s world before your inevitable transport back to reality. And if you’re anything like us - where music nowadays simply isn’t getting you the fix you need anymore - Saya Gray arrives in the most eloquent of fashions to save the day. Check out the video for “EMPATHY 4 BETHANY” below.