Now Listening: This Week's Tracks

 

Laura Lang - “Bad Luck” 

As the title track to alternative pop artist Laura Lang’s upcoming EP, “Bad Luck” is an upbeat yet moody, atmospheric and edgy addition to the 17 year old’s potent discography. “It’s a fierce, sad song about falling in and out of relationships that are not good for me. I know I should not be in certain relationships for the right reasons, but I want to be in the relationships for all the wrong reasons. A more of a rocking fast paced tune and pointed lyrics that lets out frustration and anger that comes with getting close to someone and having it all falls apart and being out of control!” Lang’s genuine vocals take center stage as she transforms stories of her life experiences into this personal and well-crafted latest tune. Produced by Collin Pastore and Jake Finch, it was recorded along with her other track “Black Sedan” at The Smoakstack in Nashville, TN. Despite being a newcomer, Laura Lang has a fresh resume of sounds to watch filled with themes of love, longing and identity. 

Trauna - “Mother” 

A funky, fresh, and playful bop with smooth vocals and a mesmerizing beat, “Mother” is a breath of fresh air. Sonically vibrant and fun-loving, this latest work from indie/alternative/pop duo Trauna feels like a 70s psychedelic haze with dance and R&B sensibilities. The pair, consisting of songwriting/instrumentalist couple Liz Freel and Conner Robertson based out of Grand Rapids, Michigan bring the heat with their flirtatious and dream-like tunes.  “As with a lot of our songs, ‘Mother’ started with the drum beat. We knew it was going to be something cool as soon as Connor started riffing what is now the Wurlitzer part heard in the verses. I (Liz) had recently talked with my mom about my childhood ghost I used to refer to as ‘mama on the ceiling.’ I was supposedly very connected to this figure, as my mom recalled finding me sobbing, explaining that ‘Mama said goodbye.’ I thought it would be interesting to write a song as if I was talking to her.” Accompanied with a vibrant pop-art cover, “Mother” is a must-listen. 

SWIMM - “Fools”

Those long summer nights of dancing aren’t quite over yet. SWIMM comes at us with their latest single “Fools” to make us yearn for endless summer. A track that gets the party started, SWIMM mixes the best elements of disco with modern synth pads and production. Hits of strings overlap the driving rhythm guitar, adding that 70s flair that we all love. 

SWIMM are no strangers to having a good time. They’ve created their own space in the Los Angeles D.I.Y scene. When they aren’t creating disco club singles, they’re busy with their own festival Love You Down. Sharing the stage with other LA groups, the show has sold out over the past three years and continues going strong. “Fools” enhances that festival feeling of having the best time with your friends and favorite bands. Whether it’s out at every club in town, or just throwing a dance party in your living room, SWIMM knows you can truly have a good time anywhere, especially with “Fools”, bumping in the background. 

Dylan Dunn - “Seasick on the Ground”

It’s unfortunately true that friends can come and go as we grow up. What we think is a tight ship can quickly get rocked by egos and differing lifestyles. Dylan Dunn grapples with this dizzying feeling in his latest track “Seasick on the Ground.” Building on a steady indie groove, Dunn creates sturdy support for the subject of the track. Everything sounds as if it’s a little underwater, almost sinking under the weight of the lyrics. Dunn truly creates one of those gorgeous indie tunes that you can enjoy anywhere. But when it comes down to it, it hits you right in the heartstrings when you give it the space to do so. 

Dunn describes the track as “a farewell to old friends that pushed me away with their egos until I no longer resonated with them. The sad nature of the lyrics intertwined with the upbeat melody work to create this dizzy feeling of disconnection, that pulls the whole thing together." The accompanying video for the track is surreal with its goopy fruit loops and wavy visuals. No picture is ever perfect, and Dunn is sure to help us feel that with wavy guitar loops and hypnotic melodies in “Seasick on the Ground”. 

Coral Palms - “Wildest Fears”

Charming vocals quickly sweep you off your feet in “Wildest Fears”, the latest track by England based four piece Indie Pop group Coral Palms. “Wildest Fears” is serves as a melting pot of instrumentals and influences that highlight the band’s growing sound. After just one verse and chorus you’ll find yourself into the groove of it all. The band shares, “Based on struggles relating to self-image, purpose and identity the song has an off beat rhythm and traditional reggae elements creating a breezy, end of Summer anthem.” As the group continues to expand their discography and grow their sound, we’re excited to follow along with their journey.

Bien et Toi - “Topo feat. sophie meiers + carpetgarden”

Bien et Toi is the alias of Luca Buccellati, the highly accomplished Mercury and BRIT-Award-winning producer behind Arlo Parks’ ‘Collapsed In Sunbeams,’ and her earlier EPs. Building on his already impressive discography, Bien et Toi is excited to release his latest single “Topo” featuring sophie meiers and carpetgarden. Lush, breathy, and sensual, this track is a stellar sleepy love song. With stripped-back melodies, this song lets the harmonic vocals take the main stage — with a simple melancholic instrumental the listener is able to pay closer attention to the beautiful lyrics. A contemplative love song, this track is the perfect background to a pensive walk. “Topo” will be on his newly announced Ep called “London Safari,” inspired by a recent trip to London, which will drop on 7th October. For Bien et Toi, the next move is making music under his own terms and we’re delighted to see what he produces next.

Noah Nolastname - “Love Songs”

Composed of three talented musicians, Noah Nolastname is formally a solo project turned band. Shifting directions from Bedroom folk to Alternative rock, this Ohio-based band knows that good things evolve over time. Drawing inspiration from the likes of Cage the Elephant, Wilco, and G. Love & Special Sauce, Noah Nolastname weaves together emotionally-rich lyrics with clever indie-rock rhythms. Their humor and vulnerability make for their songs to be relatable listen, as they invite their audience into their intimate space. Their latest single “Love Songs,” is a tender alt-rock song with beautifully brooding melodies and strumming guitars. The addition of horns, makes this track stand out as a highly emotive song playing on some old-school romantic sounds. “Love Songs” comes to a stellar close with an instrumental break — perfect for grabbing the one you love, and swaying to the beat. 

JW Francis x Margaux - “I Wanna Be Your Basketball”

JW Francis joins forces with Margaux in the cheeky new single “I Wanna Be Your Basketball.” Originally from Oklahoma but raised in Paris, JW Francis now lives in New York City where he finds inspiration on every street. Playing on his classic brand of lo-fi, buttery bedroom pop, this track is dreamy and lush. The subtle harmonies and soothing guitar make it a relaxing, blissful listen. A love song about, “wanting to be someone or something else,” this single gives us a glimpse into Jw Francis’ upcoming album ‘Dream House.’ With less than a week since its release, the retro-style music video for “I Wanna Be Yoru Basketball,” has amassed over 20,000 views on Youtube — unsurprisingly, as the visuals are as beautifully shot as they are funny and charming. We at Luna are excited to see what playful new sound JW Francis has in store.

RAM! - “Judayy Judayy Judayy”

RAM! brings that feel-good energy you need to kick your week off right with “Judayy Judayy Judayy”. Lead by strong guitars and an upbeat melody, the track brings you on a fun journey reminiscent of The Beach Boys and Elton John. The Buffalo-based pop rock band RAM! is composed of three family members, and showcases how well their individual talent comes together as a cohesive unit. The catchy track is part of a double single release, featuring “Buffalo’s On The Blitz” as well. As the group continues to hone in on their sound and find their place in the pop rock scene, we’re excited to see how they expand their discography.

Gardening - “Relapse”

Solid guitars and smooth vocals lure into the world of Gardening with their latest track “Relapse”. Giving us insight into their upcoming EP Viewfinder, “Relapse” highlights the band’s exciting sound and ultimate attention to the instrumental end of their music, all while sharing a plethora of emotions at once. The band notes, "I was thinking about how we often confuse being apart from the circumstances of certain feelings and anxieties with actually moving on from them. We believe we've grown, but once we're back in the same environments, everything rushes back with a vengeance.”

As the indie rock band makes a name for themselves, listeners will be charmed with each note and track Gardening shares.

 

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