Now Listening: This Week's Tracks
Cloe Wilder - “We’re Not Special”
Indie-pop singer Cloe Wilder is back with her latest single, the delicately-crafted “We’re Not Special.” Cloe’s earthy vocals are a standout on this track, and her style feels reminiscent of singers such as Sasha Sloan and Lennon Stella. Wrapped in vulnerability, against a backdrop of haunting acoustic melodies, the 15-year-old’s wispy voice creates a melancholic and bittersweet atmosphere. This feeling spills into the production, as her lyrics are doubled for harmonies.
The song aims to embrace the mundane that often dominates our lives, and Cloe’s lyrics make us realize that while there’s nothing really special about the everyday, there is a uniqueness to that.
To celebrate the release of “We’re Not Special,” the rising star debuted a new music video, filmed at The Cowboy Palace Saloon in California, directed by Jesse DeFlorio. Full of melancholic moments and sparkling streamers, it includes a plot line that will keep you intrigued.
DEJA - “Mulan”
Let’s all take a moment to add DEJA to our favorites on the ‘Fresh Finds’ list. Her music, aptly self-described as ‘R&B Pop-bangers… the verbal eye-roll you never knew you needed,’ is truly for the girls. Latest release “Mulan” is a female-empowerment anthem all about doing whatever the f– you want. Alternating loose London flows and floating R&B melodies over a club-ready baseline, the song gives spice, authority, self-confidence and sex-appeal. Queue it up for all your greatest girlboss moments.
Baird - “Lighting Of July”
The music of LA-based musician and producer Baird is a special kind of daydream. Baird’s songs belong to a world of infinite summer, carefree, with endless days and nights spent with friends and seemingly inexhaustible knack for falling head-over-heels. Latest single “Lightning of July” (prelude to the third album in Baird’s BIRDSONGS trilogy, out March 11th) is a jazzy, lighthearted love ballad, doused in the limitless feeling of new love and a smart lyricism that compares that feeling to a summer storm, both caught up in it and part of it: ‘I’m the clothes left on the line / Under the storm in June / Or I’m the lightning of July / ‘Cause I got this whole thing for you.’
Tommy - “Alive”
“Alive” by Tommy opens up with an epic guitar intro that feels like it could fit perfectly on a Britpop album. An explosion of jangly instrumentation, a fanfare of trumpets, and sweet percussion, the sounds add another lease of life to the track. The bridge is just as exciting as the rest of the song, giving off a Primal Scream inspired melody, similar to “Loaded,” or “Movin’ on Up.”
The Midlands singer’s mesmerizing vocals are electrifying, and have a certain confidence about them that is extremely hard to ignore. Hailing from Leicester alongside such greats Kasabian, Easy Life and Billy Nomates, Tommy has spent the last 18 months crafting an album’s worth of songs with legendary producer Gavin Monaghan, of Magic. Ending “Alive” with electrifying, powerhouse backing vocals, Tommy is certainly an artist to keep an eye on in 2022.
Treesreach - “How It Seems”
Looking for an anthem surrounding the frustrations of the modern world? Well, now you’ve found it. “How It Seems” by Treesearch brings together those nostalgic sounds of early 2000s alt-rock with the difficulties of modern life. I think everyone that’s found themselves working on a laptop 24/7 has felt fed up. And what better way to express that than with an upbeat rock ballad? Living through a pandemic has made everyone feel isolated in a way, and it’s songs like “How It Seems” that allow us to realize we’re all feeling the same way.
The track starts out with a mellow intro that draws you in to eventually open up to a heavier breakdown. Treesearch is able to perfectly encapsulate the emotions of this frustrating experience in the different parts of the track. Laid back, melodic bridges transition flawlessly into gritty choruses. Taking the feelings of floating along in everyday life into a song and how at some points, we just can’t take it anymore. Overall, Treesearch has created a great indie-rock single to belt out when you’re sick of staring at screens.
No Frills - “Copy Cat”
From the basements of Toronto, No Frills was born. When Daniel Busheikin, songwriter, started hibernating with his musical equipment in the Spring of 2020, he came back into the world with 15 demos to share. With the help of Maddy Wilde (keys and vocals), Jonathan Pappo (drums), Matt Buckerrough (guitar and bass), Mike Searle (bass), and Gavin Gardiner (from The Wooden Sky), the album Downward Dog, releasing April 1st of 2022, was made. Despite their lack of a proper sound engineer and recording equipment, No Frills really tapped into their creativity while recording their tracks - Busheikin even admits that he sang wearing a KN95 mask into a toilet paper tube taped microphone! The groovy track “Copy Cat” exemplifies this creativity, in sound and in visuals from the music video. Sung by No Frills’ very own keyboardist, Wilde, “Copy Cat” leaves a sweet taste in any listener’s mouth. With dulcet and smooth vocals, funky guitar synths, and an oh so danceable beat, this track can be played anywhere from a bedroom to a beach! The accompanied music video does the track more than justice; with a psychedelically animated cartoon of colorful pets smoking cigarettes and knocking out teeth. You’ll want to keep No Frills on your radar this Spring!
AVIV - “You Feel Like Depression”
At only 15 years old, AVIV has risen to the music scene as an indie pop protege. Based in Toronto, AVIV began working with her older brother’s friend when the pandemic hit, working together to produce teenage emotion filled tunes for ears of any age. Her recent track “You Feel Like Depression” cultivates these strong adolescent feelings in under three minutes, and pairs the vulnerably aware lyrics with a repeatedly crescendoing instrumental backing. In AVIV’s own words, this track touches on the complex emotions of "self-guilt, self-blame and an overall feeling of failure. This feeling is amplified when the person with whom you’ve ended the relationship blames you for the breakup." These melancholy sentiments are expressed clearly through her young mind, and shown vividly through the artwork she creates. The music video for “You Feel Like Depression” also pairs this innocence of being a teenage girl, with the aggression of having such profound emotions using childlike drawings of ballerinas and burning castles - something you might see on a juice box, if the juice box was made by an emotionally pent up high schooler, that is. Be sure to keep an eye on AVIV, as she is bound to release more bangers.
Findlay - “Night Sweats”
With a second album, The Last of the 20th Century Girls, due May 13th 2022, Findlay teases the record with the single “Night Sweats”. The track is littered with 80’s nostalgia; Natalie, the woman behind Findlay, shares that "Night Sweats came to me in a kind of stoned fever dream. I was on holiday in Lisbon when the riff just came into my head and I was wandering around my Airbnb singing it for ages, then when we got home and came to put down the riff it sounded miles better faster. It was a pretty instant decision then to make it more 80s sounding as the riff lended itself to that in a big way.” Though this funky grooving tune is easy to jive to, the lyrics impose a deep sense of self awareness; speaking of themes ranging from substance abuse, to living vicariously - anything that makes you wake up in the middle of the night worried you’re making the wrong choices in life! These crisis centered lyrics in “Night Sweats” aren’t only juxtaposed by the instrumental backing, but the 80’s workout video nostalgia porn music video plays a part in this as well! Through her music, lyrical songwriting, and performance, Findlay’s artistic vision is nothing less than well executed.
SLANT - “75” TV Screen”
Opening with a dreamy solo vocal, singer Katy Smith asks “Do you live within your means?/When you buy your 75” TV Screen?” The latest single from the band's upcoming EP, SLANT takes us on a cerebral journey on the state of the world. It’s as if you took the show Blackmirror and condensed the entire concept into a catchy dream-rock track. The vocals bring you back to the likings of Blondie mixed with those amazing power vocal stacks of 80s hair rock bands.
The band explains that the track is “an ode to consumerism gone too far and before we know it we’ll look up from our screens and see that our only friends are machines.” Their anxieties aren’t so foreign as we fall deeper into the struggles of late-stage capitalism and continuous advancements in technology. It’s nice to have greatly manicured tracks that can ground us when everything feels like it’s too far away. And SLANT does just that with their gorgeous vocals layered over dreamy guitars and strong harmonies.
Lonely Gimmick - “Grumpy Days”
Time to get groovy! The latest single from Lonely Gimmick, “Grumpy Days” opens with an irresistibly funky guitar riff, making it impossible to not dance a little. Lonely Gimmick openly brings us into his thoughts on the beginnings of a budding relationship with his significant other. Most importantly he emphasizes the fact that not everything is peachy after that honeymoon phase wears off. Over the landscape of Hendrix-inspired funk guitar lines, Lonely Gimmick is honest with us listeners.
Singer/songwriter Max Pow brings a playful and 70s inspired twist to this indie track that is sure to push the genre along in a funk-fueled offshoot. The track is overall extremely playful and fun to listen to. The love story isn’t straightforward and breathes a new life into the classic indie love songs that we hold on to so dearly.
keni can fly - "Mr. Wednesday"
Get your hip-hop and pop fix in with the latest tune by keni can fly, “mr wednesday”. Teaming up with WES, keni can fly creates a dreamy indie landscape while bringing in elements of Hip Hop, all while hitting you with raw, powerful lyrics. Highlighting his song writing ability, “mr. wednesday” gives us a deeper insight into the power of showing up for yourself.
The 21-year-old artist notes, “‘mr. wednesday”’ is a psychedelically influenced song that's heavily predicated on letting go of those pesky expectations that feel constricting. I just wanted to have fun with this and wanted to stop stressing over stuff that didn't even exist. It was written at a time when I realized I needed to start being there for myself no matter what, no matter the day, no matter the situation.”
danny orange - "way back 2 you"
Giving us a preview of his upcoming album fun while it lasted, danny orange gets us vibing with his latest single “way back 2 you”. Rflecting on a back and forth relationship, the track highlights a situation we’re all too familiar with. Paired with an incredible video made with his friends at overcast, “way back you” marks the beginning of his new era. danny orange notes, “I felt this was a good first single because it’s how I felt at the time, but it’ll lead into the album which is more about the process of us splitting up and me growing as a person.”
Make sure to keep your eyes peeled for more from danny orange in the upcoming months.
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