Now Listening: This Week's Tracks
Hong Kong Boyfriend - βsee you danceβ
The perfect mix between slick RnB and vulnerable alternative pop, Hong Kong Boyfriendβs latest offering, βsee u danceβ, sees the self-described βorchestra kidβ dive into deeply emotive and melancholic pop sounds. The second single from his upcoming EP, βsee u danceβ is a mellow track that is enhanced by layered production and Hong Kong Boyfriendβs effortless delivery - which is flawlessly expressed in a chuckle as he concludes the second verse. The moniker Hong Kong Boyfriend belongs to Asian American, Rob Sanders. His name is derived from the long-distance boyfriend of a girl he was interested in, and he lived in Hong Kong. βThatβs who I wanted to be,β states Sanders, and this sense of aspiration and sentimentality courses throughout his latest single. The single is accompanied by a video directed by Eddie Mandell, with a dizzying and frosty atmosphere as if HKBF is bringing us further into the emotional sphere of this βsee u danceβ. An artist with a promising and continually expanding catalog, HKBF is definitely one to watch.
UnderwaterSun - βGirl I Never Knewβ
βGirl I Never Knewβ is the debut single from the bedroom pop project of indie singer-songwriter Harry Aidan Sampson. The DIY track produced by Sampson himself takes inspiration from previous hitmakers of the bedroom pop scene, most notably Rex Orange County and Dayglow, in which their soft and tranquil sounds can be heard throughout. What differentiates Sampsonβs music from the rest is its retro and nostalgic harmonies within its instrumentation. To us, it is reminiscent of California surf music - sweeping with beachy guitars and breezy vocals. This track is perfect for the summer ahead, and we cannot wait to see what's next on the horizon for Sampson!
JW Francis - βJohn, Take Me With Youβ
The beginning guitar strum on JW Francis new single, βJohn, Take Me With Youβ is the prelude to the rainbow you will see from one listen of this fresh track. Mr. Francis is gearing up for October. The 10th month is when his sophomore album, WANDERKID, will allow listeners to escape wherever this Lofi legendβs imagination can take us. JW Francis is the kind of musician that infuses every song with the entirety of himself, especially the joy he gets from making music his source of life. This new track was released alongside the announcement of JWβs next album. If WANDERKID details the escapism we are diving further into within the world then βJohn, Take Me With Youβ is the single that is his conductor's call. The summer wouldnβt be right without JW Francis leading us closer and closer to the surface of our own suns, and all it takes is one song to get us there. Imagine what a whole new JW Francisβ album can do to your summerβ¦
Brother Alfred - βSafari Hatβ
The indie pop group Brother Alfred are here with their first track, βSafari Hat,β from their upcoming LP, Love CD. Brother Alfred, composed of singer-songwriters Mathias Hermansson and Julius Jupiter have gained major popularity in Oslo, Norway, where their songs are streamed almost as much as in their hometown of Helsinki. This might just be because the musicians behind the project are experienced and have both worked in previous bands such as Sima and Nefer Nefer. The single mixes a chill indie vibe with the backing of 70βs synths to create a track that buts into the question of how to stay cool when you are experiencing a new crush. On the surface, the song in its truest form is for those who are tired of hiding who they are under some cheesy surface. Why not be yourself and feel your feelings!
Marcelo De La Vega - βConversation (Unplugged)β
Once, someone I know told me that clowns are the most honest people in the world because everything they have to say is painted on their face - you just have to pay close attention. After watching Marcelo De La Vegaβs alter ego, Vinnie Vegas, perform the title track βConversation,β from his latest EP of the same name, underneath the stylings of a 90s MTV Unplugged special - I understood how music can shape us into symbols we never would have found without it. βI wanted to do an Unplugged version of βConversationβ because I wasnβt ready to hang up the clown,β states Marcelo on his reasoning behind allowing Vinnie Vegas to take the lead on this track, one thatβs full of emotions spilling over one another. Thinking about it now, maybe a clown was the perfect choice to convey the multiple meanings within the song since their common expression says so much to the world about who is underneath the painted face. Marcelo sings of loss with the flair and hurt of an early 2000s star. The lyrics are filled with intent. He is trying to figure his way through the maze he was left to navigate by himself as a relationship came to a close causing him to land in unfamiliar territory. The only thing there to get him through it all was Vinnie and the songs they wrote. When we are lost, we tend to find all we have ever searched for. It looks like Marcelo found what he needed, and Iβm thankful for it because βConversationβ is a song that demands you to find your way out of wherever you may be lost.
Courier Club - βForeign Groundβ
The Philadelphia quartet Courier Club are back with their latest release βForeign Groundβ. The track has a punchy indie-rock sound. Anthemic and textured, itβs wistful and spilling with energy at the same time. The lead vocals epically trace an optimism that remains in the aftermath of a broken relationship. The instrumentation and production are vibrant and are punctuated by a clear urgency as the chorus continues its pace. βForeign Groundβ combines pounding drums and sweeping synths with winding guitars which is nothing short of atmospheric. There is no doubt that this song will be a massive success with fans at live shows.
The music video sees Courier Club performing in a studio room with TV screens behind them. Itβs lo-fi and authentic - a perfect fit for the single. Cuts between the euphoric band and the screens blend seamlessly and emphasises the bandβs maturity.
The first in a series of singles to be released by the band throughout 2021, βForeign Groundβ is a stunning start.
Thala - βBad Bloodβ
26-year-old Thala has released a soul-stirring indie-rock single, and itβs everything you could need and more. With the vocal tone and lyrical prowess akin to Mazzy Star, and the sweeping instrumentals reminiscent of The War on Drugs, Thalaβs βbad bloodβ beautifully accentuates all her best artistic qualities. An example of incredible pacing so as not to lose your emotional attention while drawing on Thalaβs ability to delegate her vocal abilities where necessary, βbad bloodβ is a track that revels in ambiance and yearning. βBad bloodβ is a single from her upcoming debut record Adolescence which has been anticipated following a set of singles that are equally as strong as βbad bloodβ such as 2020βs βserenadeβ and βmoonlight shadowsβ. It is set for release on September 17th, and it is an easy addition to your library.
