Now Listening: This Week's Tracks

Music
Written By The Luna Collective
 

By Alicia casey, GIGI KANG & kristine villarroel

 
 

Black Honey - β€œCut the Cord”

A Fistful of Peaches is Brighton band Black Honey’s third album. The indie-rock record is a personal one that examines, and accepts, all sides of a person. It includes the single β€œCut the Cord,” a track that describes the monstrous: β€œI disassociate from the feeling. Kick the f*ck off as you try to reach me. You open my hand and my palms are bleeding, and my head’s still reeling.” The song kicks off with Izzy Bee Phillips’ smooth vocals until, like its lyrics, β€œCut the Cord” takes a rebellious turn where Phillips’ vocals blend into the fast-paced, guitar-driven chorus. Coming up for Black Honey is a 15-date tour across the UK.

Coral Palms - β€œPromises”

British indie-pop band Coral Palms released their latest single β€œPromises” on March 10, 2023. Different from the group’s usual energetic sound, β€œPromises” reveals a more sensitive and hesitant side of Coral Palms, with lyrics such as, β€œShe’s not worth getting caught up on β€˜cause she would only break my heart. And I’ve got stuff that I’m caught up on, I wouldn’t know where to start.” The song is uncomplicated and melodic, one that would allow an easy, communal live listening experience. Complementary to this is the fact that the track only features instruments that the band play during shows. Coral Palms released their first single in March of 2021 and have since then been covered by EARMILK, Rolling Stone, Variance Magazine and Indie Top 39 amongst others.

Freedom Fry - β€œIf the World Was Mine”

Sometimes things are just better in our dreams and Freedom Fry’s first single of 2023, β€œIf the World Was Mine” encapsulates that longing for an ideal life perfectly. It’s a track about erasing the past and starting anew in a place that’s handmade for you. There’s a feeling of comfort and sweetness that embodies this notion of belonging the song invites which is surprisingly addictive at first listen. The release is accompanied by a somber tone and a light instrumental backdrop. Combined with bittersweet lyrics and a twang of nostalgia for easier days, the song is beautifully unfamiliar and delightfully strange. It's not what you’d expect from an indie-rock ballad about the end of the world, in fact, it’s the total opposite. Where the songwriters could have touched up the mediocrity of remedial tasks, they briefly note their disillusionment at how things have turned out and are quick to conjure up a new path for themselves. Haunting is not the word for it––resonant would be better. Even after disconnecting the headphones and turning off the track, there’s an air of residual fondness that remains. It’s almost an ode to the feel-good nature of the song’s storyline and alluring melodies. Just like in the lyrics, the beginning and end of the release fall on two completely dissimilar sides of the same coin. One is loathsome, and despairing, while the other is cautiously optimistic and unabashedly oblivious. The striking similarity: The existence of this antithesis makes the listening experience a memorable one. Chances are, the track will make its listener contemplate that utopic world, and make them sentimental about a place that was never there in the first place. It resembles the magic that comes from everyday people having larger dreams than they can carry, which is exactly what a great indie song is supposed to do.

Khamari - β€œOn My Way”

This track is exactly what you've been looking for. Chronicling Khamari s move to Los Angeles, it’s a nostalgic yet nuanced take on what it's like to go out of your comfort zone, pack up everything and settle in a new environment. with lyrics talking about going to the City of Angels and making it to the gates, it's reminiscent of how it feels to try something on your own for the very first time. When listening you're reminded of the beauty of living in a shared experience. This is what it is like to be an adult and navigate the wide open world while also balancing your hopes and dreams. as it said in the song, the world is all yours if you open yourself up to it. and after tuning in, it certainly does feel that way. we've done is a sample of Al Green's 1972 classic song and it can be heard in the lines, β€œI'm on my way, to love and happiness.” in this release, we get to see the introspective side of Khamari as we accompany him on his journey from Boston to the city of lights. As the song progresses, it's almost like you grow in confidence alongside the singer as he learns to become more at home within himself. It feels like the decision to start fresh and build something from the ground up if you had to put that into a song. In fact, it's a release that can help motivate you to do that one thing you've always been wanting to do but haven't had the courage to pursue yet. whether it's moving to a different area, or pursuing that role at that company, this is the track to do it too. Best listened to on a car ride, or road trip by yourself with the windows down and the radio up one thing’s for sure: It does not disappoint. The best part is that it's only one of the many songs off Khamari 's upcoming project. There is so much more to unravel here, and if on my way is any inclination of what's to come, you should be excited or at least cautiously and somewhat optimistically keeping tabs on this unfolding story is unfolding. 

Deux Visages - β€œCheetah”

The five-piece indie outfit, Deux Visages, debuted with their garage rock single, β€œCheetah”, on March 25th. The Miami-based band thrashed onto the scene with a string of live shows using covers to demonstrate the talent and energy they would soon be ready to channel into β€œCheetah”. Produced by Arquimides Cala, the track emanates the raw, head-bobbing emotional energy that garage rock is known for. The lead singer, Daphney Hanono’s piercing yet intimate vocal delivery makes for a memorable listening experience. Deux Visages’ debut is powerful yet pensive with its sombre reflections on a relationship in turmoil, heartwrenching guitar lines in the chorus and fascinating rhythmic choices in the verses. This is definitely a band you want to watch - β€œCheetah” is just that good. 

Con the artist - β€œALL IN”

CON THE ARTIST is back with β€œALL IN”, a groovy indie-pop track to follow their incredibly personable and relateable February debut, β€œAll my friends”. CON THE ARTIST is the moniker of South Africa-born, Conan Karpinski, a television and film composer. Karpinski’s approach to songwriting gives the listener a sense of listening to an old friend recount their recent experiences or peaking into the mind of a 20-something just figuring out life and relationships. Such is the feeling of β€œALL IN”,  a song that Karpinski prefers to call β€œa ballad”. While it wouldn’t be the first word used to describe this infectious indie pop track, it is a sentimental rumination on romance, its complexities and the feeling of falling in love. β€œ "All In" is a ballad that captures the epiphany of finding the perfect match, both emotionally, spiritually, and sexually, and making the commitment to only be with that person, disregarding other prospects,” says Karpinski. CON THE ARTIST is what Karpinski consider’s a β€œdetour” from their film and television composing career to β€œmake your booty pop” with catchy melodies and personable lyrics. 

Martha Eve - β€œOrange”

How do you fall in love? Vocals as sweet as the citrus title, Martha Eve’s newest single β€œOrange”, transports you to a tropical hideaway where the evenings are filled with drinking cider along the beach. The smooth vibe of the song makes you β€œfeel so good, so nice.” Bright and vibrant, this track is ripe for the summer, brings a smile to your face, and lets you bask in the warmth of a summertime embrace. β€œOrange” spotlights all forms of love like sneaking kisses with your lover at a bonfire, lighting a sparkler with your friends, or even a family trip to the beach rife with full-belly laughter. Martha Eve reminds us that all love has its euphoric moments.

Augustine - β€œMary Cookins”

Indie darling Augustine has returned with an offering off of his second album, just a few days ahead of his US premiere at SXSW. The first singleβ€œMary Cookins” blends synthpop and funk to produce the sound of spring renewal and growth. Augustine’s playful vocals tease about simultaneously not caring about anything while caring about everything. Another snippet of his dreamy universe, this track will have you feel like you are floating on a cloud. β€œMary Cookins” mesmerizes. 

 

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