10. Avresa – Are You happy?
A track that’s incredibly appropriate for our times, Avrea’s ‘Are You Happy?’ delves into the seemingly perennial debate of today — living vicariously through social media. The Sydney based synth rock proponent uses the piece to discuss social media’s impact on our mental health and the rose-tinted presumptions we make about other people’s lives through it. Oscillating between a more traditional indie synth piece to a more heavy guitar dominant riff, it manages to balance both sides with ease.
The new project’s is a Swedish word that signifies departure to a new adventure, something that Sydney-based songwriter, guitarist and pianist Jeremy embarked on after transitioning from a 4-piece alternative rock band into waters previously unexplored. And, while you can definitely hear the remnants and influence of his alternative rock heydays on this track, Avresa is undoubtedly trying something new and concocting a wholly different style that is as fun as it is hard.
9. Echo Coast – Symphony of Sound
With a riff that sounds like summer is on the horizon, Echo Coast’s latest piece is the definition of a feel good indie melody but hiding behind some darker undertones. The creative songwriting project from James Hobbs combines a bit of motown, punk, and Americana, but at its core, it’s really just an indie rock anthem. James, who interestingly had the pleasure to meet an icon like Liam Gallagher at a secret gig, loves to mix and match his styles. He says, “If Radiohead were to have a lovechild with Nirvana, but were raised by Ash, the chances are Echo Coast would be it”.
Symphony of Sound is a metaphor for life’s ups and downs and also the celebrations that come with the easing of lockdowns and the resumption of in person interactions. It’s more light-hearted in tone, a lot happier, and instilled with a ton of joy and good vibes through and through. Well worth your
8. Love Ghost – Wolfsbane
Love Ghost’s latest single continually moves from a more melodic piece of rock pop to an abrasive, aggressive, and hardcore hard rock punch. The Los Angeles quintet—Finnegan Bell [lead vocals, guitar], Ryan Stevens [bass, backing vocals], Daniel Alcala [guitar, engineer, backing vocals], Samson Young [drums, backing vocals], and Cory Batchler [keys, Engineer, backing vocals] exist in a very strange but appealing niche. They somehow combine old school and atmospheric grunge with modern lo-fi bedroom hip-hop. It’s in their hooks that they meld the two together, simultaneously aggressively but acutely melodic.
Teaming up with the fiery trap artist Rico Nasty, Love Ghost have brought rap and rock together in way most struggle to do. “‘Wolfsbane’ wanted to get me in my rock bag,” Rico said in a statement. “I love when bands want to bring me into their world and let me rock out. The production behind this song is fire. It gives two different vibes when the beat switches, bringing a hard-rock element.” It is unlike anything you’ve heard.
7. Big Lou – As A Crew
Born and raised in St. Maarten, a Caribbean island that is the sixth smallest landmass in the world to be divided by two countries, Big Lou didn’t realize that he was a creative individual until he was 26 years old. A whole 11 years after moving to Canada. Once he was able to secure Permanent Residency in 2018, he explored his curiosity further and quickly learned how much fun this world of artistry is. Finally in August of 2019, he decided to pursue a career in rap.
‘As A Crew’ is as much a dance pop track as it is a hip-hop one. It’s almost childish at times, characterised by a repetitive and infectious chorus that’s bound to be annoyingly stuck in your head long after you finish listening to it. If Big Lou can continue to create this level of excitement from his tracks, he’s got a lengthy career to look forward to !
6. Irini Mando – Outlaw
Outlaw is a majestic track. It’s grandiose, opulent, and palatial. Produced with such ostentatious luxury, the song progresses with vigour and energy that instils within you an inescapable energy to move and get on with your day. It’s electropop with a marked contemporary style, the kind that’s bound to get radio airplay whilst still being undeniably experimental and imaginative.
Outlaw is a tale of a young woman finding her path and channeling her drive and passion into what she wants to achieve, no matter the consequence. It’s part love letter to self, part affirmation. It was important to Mando to lead with this single as a sort of prequel to the love story unfolding on the upcoming EP, it really explains her philosophy on life and where she is coming from as an artist.
The London based artist with Greek and German roots has already seen International success with her previous singles being added to official NBA playlists even. If you’re looking for a powerful and outrageously all encompassing atmospherically produced contemporary pop anthem, this is the track for you.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nx7fJj3yLAA
5. HIDEKKI – HELLO LOVELY
HELLO LOVELY effortlessly combines elements of hip-hop with contemporary pop sensibilities to create the kind of mainstream track that we’re all kind of accustomed to which combines a hip-hop verse with a sensuous pop chorus. It’s immaculately produced, forgoing trap drums and 808s for a distinctively contemporary pop style production. HIDEKKI’s influence of future pop and pop rap are clearly evident on the piece.
The song is an ode to all badass women. HIDEKKI’s girlfriend played a significant part in helping arrange the track. Although everything was composed by HIDEKKI, his girlfriend helped him arrange where to put each track element. From the arrangement to the actual production quality, it is a masterfully composed track that feels like it would be inescapable on radio once it manages to break through.
4. The Canvas Collective – Say Something
The Canvas Collective are effortlessly cool. They have a swagger and personality that’s completely their own, and irresistibly infectious to any listener. The New York based rock pop group combine edgy and punchy electric guitar with fun and energised pop driven choruses that make them as catchy as they are inventive. On ‘Say Something’, the group doubles down on their pop side, giving a bit less attention to the alternative rock elements.
On the track, the group say “This song is about feeling held back by another person or group of people who lack a sense of responsibility. This was the first time we had recorded anything at home instead of a studio and we felt so much better about the process this way.” Perhaps the mood, perhaps the environment, but the bedroom pop style invariably does come out a little bit, albeit a far more punchy and energised version. Their music is markedly personal, often foraying into themes of androgyny and individual struggles. As a massive fan of rock music that isn’t afraid to move into a more poppy style, ‘Say Something’ is an absolute must.
3. Owen Coleman – Greed
‘Greed’ is loud and soaring. The latest synth pop arrangement from LA based electro pop artist Owen Coleman just oozes an understanding of melody through and through. With a masterful falsetto dominant chorus alongside a structure of powerful and scintillating synths, Owen’s latest track showcases the best of modern pop with a grounded knowledge of how to make and arrange a hit.
He says, “Like anyone else, I’m heavily inspired by so many different sounds. I’d categorize my songs as “Pop” or “Pop-Rock” on occasion. I love the timeless melodies of Paul McCartney and the modern production style and flair of Charlie Puth.“
I’d tend to agree, Owen sings as if he is a pop rock artist, with a falsetto as controlled and effective as an Adam Levine. But his composition is so much more inventive, an electronic dominant style that layers synths on synths to create an absolutely soaring sensation throughout. Don’t miss out.
2. Axel Dorothea – Better Half
It’s not often you come across an electronic pop anthem that’s intrinsically a slow jam. Axel Dorothea’s latest piece is future pop undoubtedly, with autotuned vocals and unapologetic synth usage. But he’s also incorporated afrobeats and dancehall and somehow flipped what might sound like a dance anthem to a ballad. The Gronigen based artist’s latest piece is about discovering someone who is so close that they are composed of the same personality or spirit like you but better
He draws heavily inspiration from; rough underground and jolly mainstream hip hop, soul, and reggae his music has always a dynamic rhythms, dark flavour about them. It’s a deeply emotive piece that’s perfect to share a dance to. If you’ve been looking for a pop ballad that doesn’t play by the rulebook, and instead looks to craft a wholly new mode or style, ‘Better Half” is for you.
1. Noralyn – Fictional Borders
The final single to signal the release of Australian alt-pop artist Noralyn’s forthcoming self-produced album, is a progressive alternative pop anthem that builds majestically to create a cinematic feel that sounds like the final montage of a movie about overcoming some sort of struggle. It’s intrinsically inspiring. Noralyn’s vocals are amazingly controlled throughout the song, showcasing the full gambit of her vocal range across the piece. The backing piano instrumentation adds so much to the track’s feeling, giving it a haunting and ominous presence that is complemented wonderfully in the crescendo where Noralyn gets more and more magnificent.
That final minute, wherein Noralyn hits the peak of the song’s energy, is a moment of vibrancy, a catalyst for you to go out and do what you’ve been scared to accomplish. If you need a jolt of inspiration on a gloomy day, look no further.
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