Now Listening: This Week's Tracks

 
 
 

ioakim - “Swimming Pools”

As the days get shorter and shorter, the world is making us ache for another taste of the summer sun. That’s exactly what bedroom pop artist iokim encapsulates on his glittery single “swimming pools”. Reminiscent of classic 2000s indie sounds of Passion Pit and Phoenix, iokim shows off his nostalgic yet modern production skills. “swimming pools” is accompanied by a bright and colorful music video complete with iokim playing his guitar at the bottom of a swimming pool. Using soft synths and a driving melody, “swimming pools” is the perfect track to play in the car while you’re driving to the beach with all of your friends. Or for when you’re missing those long, warm days and want a little taste of nostalgia to bring it all back. 

JAWNY - “Take It Back”

If you ever need a boost of energy throughout the day, “Take it Back” is the track for you. The latest single from JAWNY, “Take it Back” combines the best of Beck-esque indie sounds with gritty guitar breakdowns. Together it creates a headbanging indie rock conglomerate that you can only imagine screaming in a crowd. The music video for the track features JAWNY and his band completely rocking out live in-studio for VEVO’s DSCVR ATW program. Since his breakthrough with “Honeypie”, JAWNY is giving us more with every release. Instead of his typical funky guitar riffs, JAWNY presents us with full rock power chords to mosh to this time around. Funky-colored guitars, hard-hitting drums, and a catchy chorus make “Take it Back” a smash alt track. Be sure to check out the music video and hop on the JAWNY train. 

TUSHAR - “Sadie, Why Don’t You Love Yourself”

TUSHAR’s “Sadie, Why Don’t You Love Yourself,” is a charmer. Instantly recognizable as a certain brand of vulnerable but easily digestible indie pop (think Japanese Breakfast, Claud, TOPS), it addresses some of the darker aspects of modern life with a bright perspective: a depression bop that’s unfailingly optimistic. “Sadie” describes living with a depressed partner (Sadie) and the wish for them to see themself in the same loving light in which the singer (and all their friends) see them. It’s endearing, and while the brightness of the tone suggests an unbridgeable opacity between the singer and Sadie, the picture it paints is of continuous supportive relationship, with the idea that this can be enough.

Jo Next Door - “New Friends”

Previously known by  millions of viewers for the past few years on Youtube, under the alias of  Canen, jo next door debuts under her new pen name with the beautifully simplistic and nostalgically melancholy track “New Friends.” This sweet coming of age tune was written last fall, encapsulating the emotions brought up after moving to a new city to go to college during the midst of a pandemic. With rhythmic guitar and dreamy piano, “New Friends” creates the perfect instrumental backing to the bittersweet and vulnerable lyrical poetry about drifting away from an adolescent hometown friendship. jo next door’s “New Friends” is bound to resonate with those of us who have struggled with maintaining relationships, whether it be due to moving away, the pandemic, or natural ebbing. 

Sun Dumb - “Tokyo”

Brought to audiences from a studio in Sydney, Australia, artists Ryan Coughlan and Julian Sudek have birthed their new project Sun Dumb. From their debut EP, “Tokyo” is the first single to hit the ears of synth loving indie pop enthusiasts. This groovy track is not only easy to dance and sway to, but the lyrics provide relatability with the feeling of yearning for a love interest, and in turn, the desire to be a better partner. Melodic whistling in the chorus of “Tokyo” brings about emotions of innocence, and furthers this concept of wanting to be the best a person can be in a relationship. Check out the music video for Sun Dumb’s “Tokyo” on Youtube for vintage visuals that perfectly coincide with the nostalgic, yet youthful, atmosphere of the song. 

Mansion Air “Strangers” (feat. Dom Dolla)

“Strangers,” the new collaborative track between Mansionair and DJ/producer Dom Dolla, marries the artists’ strengths within their respective subgenres in the  house of EDM. It’s dance music layered with Mansionair’s dependably gorgeous vocals, indie electronic come future house by the dint of Dom Dolla’s production sensibilities. Clean harmonies and a vocoded chorus of ‘what we say now will make us strangers’ ride on a set of programmed strings and a glitzy house beat that’s as cinematic as it is rave-ready. The vocals never pop out of the texture, but as a lyric instrument steer the track with an abstracted sense of conflict, yearning, urgency. Think late night rides through the city, dancing bodies in the club. 

Peak Low - “Caught In The Middle”

Immediately brightening your day, the new track “Caught in the Middle” by Peak Low opens with an energetic synth and excited lyrics. A mash of pop bass and sweet accents, the new release clings to the repetition of the chorus “Caught in the Middle.”

As the first release this year, “Caught in the middle” is a stream of consciousness according to Peak Low. Perfect for a hype or everyday playlist. The catchy hooks and bouncing atmosphere show an exuberant side of the song, where the lyrics begin to illuminate being “caught in the middle” of something)

LISTEN TO OUR FULL WEEKLY PLAYLIST

 

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bennytheghost brings a warm & upbeat energy for your friday with his new track “Say Something” ☀️ His genuine enthusiasm for music shines through the single & allows him to express a lively, emotional & self-deprecating introduction into his upcoming EP. 🎶Exploring a non traditional instrumental & lyrical style with the new single, bennytheghost continues to establish his spot in the indie pop scene. Read our full interview with the rising artist on the site now - link in bio ✨
Meet our latest Luna Sweetheart, Yulissa Benitez 💓 Pulled towards the revivalistic phenomenon of 90’s counterculture & music, Yulissa captures a spectrum of human nature: a self that is unhinged; held back by nothing. Her photography embodies a frenetic rawness, in which color & lighting are both aesthetic & meaningful, & a fleeting movement & expression are held still in time 🎞 💫Check out more of her work on our story now + our full feature on the site - link in bio ✨
“I know it sounds cheesy, but music makes me feel so whole & gives me such a genuine & unfiltered joy. When you do something you love, the internal pressure of “having to make it” lessens because success becomes redefined. Success is getting up in the morning and knowing I get to make music today.” - kristiane 💓 🎶Her latest EP ‘I Miss Myself’ serves as an incredible insight into the growing artist’s talents & passion. Read the full feature on our site now featuring photos by our fav Carina Allen ⭐️

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