Now Listening: This Week's Tracks

 

By Kaitlyn Campbell, Rufaro Chiswo, Deja Magee & Lilah Phillips

 
 

Hyooman - โ€œKidโ€

We search for things like โ€œhomeโ€ and โ€œloveโ€ in our adult lives, but oftentimes they feel like abstractions. And if they existed in the past, if they once felt tangible, it's almost inevitable to reminisce. โ€œKid,โ€ the first single off Pilot by the band Hyooman, reflects a deep longing for the warm sentiments of being a child. Itโ€™s an attempt to reconnect with old friends and a younger, better version of oneself. The bright guitar part feels like itโ€™s reaching for the past, but the listener canโ€™t get there. For the Minnesota-based band and all of us, the months ahead are cold.

The Lazy Eyes - โ€œFuzz Jamโ€

An intoxicating blend of a moody baseline and zany synths that illuminate your speakers, The Lazy Eyesโ€™ latest single โ€œFuzz Jamโ€ is the perfect addition to this yearโ€™s fascinating catalogue of music. โ€œFuzz Jamโ€ is a single that will be found on their upcoming debut album SongBook which is set for 2022. The track, according to vocalist and guitarist Harvey Geraghty is a bit of a departure from their usual โ€œsinging songyโ€ tracks, and the second half of the song proves just that. From the hard hitting guitar riffs, hypnotic drums and baseline, all the way to the mid section that features a warped โ€œwah wahโ€ guitar line, the song gives the air of a controlled psilocybic haze, or โ€œfuzzโ€, if you will. This is well adapted for the songโ€™s visuals where Alexander O. Smith captures the free-following kaleidoscopic essence of the song with striking technicolor and trippy editing. The group is also set to tour with The Strokes as one of the opening acts during the Australia portion of their tour, so be sure to keep an eye on this impressive four-piece.

 

Pattern Pusher - โ€œAnother Girlโ€

The follow up to their recent single โ€œHappy Placeโ€, Pattern Pusher is back with โ€œAnother Girlโ€. The track straddles a gentle warmth soaked in the nostalgic familiarity of the slick funk-inspired guitars and a heartfelt ode to a girl who the lead vocalist Alex Johnstone sings is โ€œso pastiche, so far out of my reachโ€. Pattern Pusherโ€™s brand of retro pop shines particularly on this track because of its infectious energy and undeniable charms that will have you looping the song if only to retain the feeling you got from the first listen. โ€œAnother Girlโ€ is a single from their project Sunrise EP which is set to release soon and is highly anticipated following the bandโ€™s coverage from BBC Radio 2 and being granted a spot on Liverpool FCโ€™s Spotify playlist with their single โ€œHappy Placeโ€. Be sure to give the band a listen as we wait for their upcoming EP which is sure to fit perfectly in their radiant body of work. 

Jack Rabbit - โ€œSalemโ€

Jack Rabbit, the emotionally arresting duo consisting of Mo and Andy have released an unforgettable deep cut that poses the question โ€œWhat do you do when the person you love most is the one most capable of hurt?โ€ An incredible song that emanates ache and an unrestrained emotionality that is sublimely communicated in the duo's vocal performance and use of somber chords. โ€œSalemโ€ is a pensive country-folk slow burn that bursts into swelling rock-inspired bridge as the pair uninhibitedly sing โ€œevery good thing reminds me of youโ€. The songโ€™s accompanying visuals are equally as stunning and deeply affecting. A highlight of the music video is the majority women production team that worked alongside director of photography, Patrick Naughter. If you are prepared for another heartbreaking track that is well-paced and so easy to adore, Jack Rabbitโ€™s next single is to be released on the 12th of November. 

Boy Willows - โ€œWhat The Hell Is Thatโ€

From the beginning of the track with its plucky guitar strings to Boy Willowsโ€™ soft and sincere voice, โ€œWhat the Hell is Thatโ€ is a cool track that lets you chill out and vibe. The production is robust, deep, and vast. The echoing of the lyrics sweeps you off your feet, taking you somewhere far away. This song is the first track following his BANGS EP that included Dylan Minette of Wallows for Willowsโ€™ song โ€œFila.โ€ โ€œWhat the Hell is Thatโ€ discusses the young singerโ€™s experiences with bullying from his friends, trying to be himself, and trying to navigate the world as a young adult. 

Kid Bloom - โ€œLike I Never Leftโ€

From LA indie-pop artist Kid Bloom comes his latest single, โ€œLike I Never Leftโ€, from his upcoming album. Released with only a visualizer and lyric video, this funky song takes you on a trip into another dimension. From the groovy guitar riffs and the accompanied bass sliding effortlessly sliding under the track, Kid Bloom solidifies his ever-present star power. While it is a song you can dance to, โ€œLike I Never Leftโ€ tackles breaking out of harmful thought processes like doubt and anxiety. The lyric video is a perfect example of that, showing the singer packing his bags and, seemingly ditching town. At first, he has a hard time contemplating leaving, but at the end of the video, while the second bridge plays, echoing like a whisper in his ear, โ€œDonโ€™t rush into it, take your time with it. Show yourself, know yourself, I canโ€™t help but wonder. Yeah, Iโ€™m older now, still I donโ€™t know how.โ€ In a mask of fabulous beats and base, Kid Bloom sings sweet words of wanting to break away from unsureness and insecurities.

Catch Kid Bloom on his upcoming tour! Tickets are out now. 

Sea Lemon - โ€œSundayโ€

Sea Lemonโ€™s โ€œSundayโ€ is a dream-pop song that talks about the uneasiness of being separated from those close to her and how it could affect the relationships in her life. Although faced with these anxieties, the chorus ends with, โ€œ but itโ€™s over nowโ€ citing the perspectives from both parties of the relationship. The person who feels the relationship has been sabotaged sees it as a possible ending. While the other person wants to put the past behind and move forward.  The music video is met with a series of video montages and a VHS style that gives a throwback feel that complements this dreamy vibe the track gives off. Although the lyrics have a deep meaning, the track itself is upbeat but also carries a sense of hope.

Smotherly Love - โ€œTwo Flights Upโ€

Sounding like a relaxing drive down on Californiaโ€™s Pacific Coast Highway or having some coming-of-age movie fun at a bonfire, Smotherly Love and Laura Shaw have made this sweet synth pop dream. The is the singerโ€™s new single after his debut EP, Predestinate Grooves, which also experimented with psych pop. โ€œTwo Flights Upโ€ is a soft and light disco groove that fills your head happiness. Itโ€™s inviting and infectious guitar, synth, and drums make this lush psych pop a great piece that anybody can move their hips, bob their head, or scream out loud to. 

Ivy Eye - โ€œIntoxicatingโ€

Evoking the synth and melody of Phoenixโ€™s 2009 hit โ€œ1901โ€, Ivy Eyeโ€™s โ€œIntoxicatingโ€ is a jazzy and funky pop song thatโ€™ll get the entire party shaking to these fun beats. This song is the third single from the UK Disco/Funk-Pop duo. With an infection beat that will likely be an earworm for the rest of your week, the duo says it was inspired by listening to classic Disco, Funk, and R&B records. Being Ivy Eyeโ€™s third single โ€œIntoxicatingโ€ is a multi-layered genre pop hit song that makes you get on your feet and start to dance like no oneโ€™s watching.

Coroook - โ€œSimsโ€

From the talented artist Corook, โ€œSimsโ€ is a song from the Nashville artist that is riddled with lyrics existentialism, lack of control, and loss of self. The game Sims is something that everyone can relate to. The music video that accompanies the song shows Corook is inside the Sims game being controlled by a frenzied version of herself, seemingly overly invested in a world that she can control instead of focusing on the real world that she lives in. The fun indie electronic piece of work is perfect for those that love kooky and out-of-the-box sounds thatโ€™s on the fringe of what indie pop is. 

Corook herself says, โ€œI use a lot of coping mechanisms as distractionsโ€ฆI had so much homework, but I would play Sims for five hours to avoid all of it. At the time, I was using anxiety to distract myself from feeling good, happy, and excited.โ€ Now, Corook is producing and writing music for her self-titled artist project โ€œcorook.โ€

Andria Rose - โ€œIn the Abstractโ€

This hypnotic, ethereal yet upbeat track โ€œIn the Abstractโ€ by Andria Rose is a great tune if you want to just sit back, kick your feet up, and get lost in good vibes. Based in San Antonio, Texas, Roseโ€™s music can be described as, โ€œPainterly Music.โ€ Her sound blends the alluring vibes of Jazz but has the out-of-body aura of the psychedelic genre. The lyrics to this track are introspective and talk about oneโ€™s self-discovery. The songโ€™s muffled yet soothing sound is also paired with a hazy filter that veils over the MV that will leave you in this mysterious daydream effect.

LISTEN TO OUR FULL WEEKLY PLAYLIST

 

Listen

Twitter

Previous
Previous

Q&A: Sam Austins Makes His Debut with 'HOMELESS STAR'

Next
Next

Review: Levitation Festival 2021