This collection of 13 new tracks is filled with a lot of emotion, but it also has a lot of singles with optimistic energy in between. You’re sure to find something here for all of your playlisting needs.
RON – Nightmare
‘Nightmare’ is a hyper-emotional piano ballad. It’s extremely soft and somber, and the vocals have a breathiness and softness, but there’s a lot of emotion behind them. They have a waver to them that resounds with hurt, and the harmonies and layering pack just the right hit. It explores the pain and difficulty that comes from losing a father at a young age. Overall, it’s packed with relatability for those who have experienced the same but can still pull on the heartstrings of others.
Galloway – Attention
‘Attention’ is an indie rock jam that plays with a synthy bass drone, exciting drums, and a bit of guitar. The synths have several layers that explore both higher and lower tones in the music, and the flow of energy is just right. The vocals are produced well, and their filter allows them to fit into the style perfectly. It seems to go into the story of a relationship in which the voice gets a lot of attention, but it’s cut short for some reason or another. Being a story by an LGBTQIA+ band, it captures an experience many go through when they’re with someone who struggles with their own sexuality.
Cara – Fire
‘Fire’ is a smooth and somber synthy indie track that is delivered with a lot of emotion. The vocals hold themselves well, and they bend nicely as they move along. On top of that, there are longer-held synth tones in the background that resonate well. It uses depictions of fire, dust, and the inability to breathe to go into feelings and seems to tell a story of hurt and loss. That being said, the ending seems hopeful as it states “Reborn from ashes.”
Sarah Bernstein – Part-Time Pop Star
‘Part-Time Popstar’ is a gorgeously produced indie-pop jam that starts with a guitar drone to pull the listener in, and then it’s cut in with a full-band sound. The vocals are beautiful and have a bright buzz to them, and the energy is played with well. It lyrically goes into the feelings of trying to follow passions while also being stuck in a part-time job. This track tells listeners that the way money is made doesn’t define someone and that they shouldn’t give up.
Alex Uhlmann – Fading Away
‘Fading Away’ is another somber and slow-paced track that plays with a lot of emotion. It works with violin sounds, synths, and acoustic guitar. The vocals are so soft for the most part, but they have a lot of dynamics to deliver the cutting emotion. Overall, the mix really helps everything pop and stand out. This track builds into a beautiful dreamscape that tells a real narrative. It goes into the story of a Ukrainian dancer who got stuck away from their family while performing in Italy due to a war in Ukraine.
Damon Fletcher – Welcome
‘Welcome’ is an exciting rush of dancey synth and autotuned vocals that doesn’t fail to be exciting. The quick synthy hits have a nice bounce to them, and the percussion controls the energy well. Overall, it’s super fun and exciting and has early 2000s party music vibes. It basically is a statement that Damon Fletcher’s life is an experience and party, and it welcomes listeners to be a part of that experience.
Bob Gemmell – Slowtown
‘Slowtown’ is a psychedelic Americana jam with a nostalgic full-band sound with a lot of swing to the instrumentation. Like much of this list, it isn’t a quick rush of sound. It paces itself well to hold listeners in its energy without being too over the top. The vocals seem to have a raw production style that helps them stand out in their own way. Additionally, the guitar solo near the end hits right. It depicts time spent in San Luis Obispo where there was a riot in the street and police fighting with pedestrians.
Toninho Almeida – Crucial – English Version
‘Crucial – English Version’ is a unique track with rock, pop, and some reggae influences. It has that reggae bounce to it, some experimentation with the synths, and quick drum hits. Somehow, it feels fast and slow at the same time. In that, the energy is puts on the table is unique. On top of that, it seems to explore the idea of how people have to be alone at times, even though it’s hard to do sometimes.
Almondine – Keep Your Light On Me
‘Keep Your Light On Me’ is a well-mixed indie track with a nice flow, synthy guitar-based instrumentation, some warm trumpet, and drums that hold the pacing together well. The instrumentation fills the soundspace out well, and the vocals riff and bend beautifully. Additionally, the guitar lines at the end have such a nice flow and add a lot of life. It has a nostalgic feeling overall and poetically explores love in its lyrics.
ren.y.c – waste my time
‘waste my time’ is an extremely catchy bop that uses synths and trap drums mixed with filtered backing vocals to create the instrumentation. The vocal flow hits with quick hits, and it’s a near rap flow but with a lot of melody to it. To its core, it’s an exciting rush that’s delivered with an addictive bounce. It goes into a lyrical story of being in a toxic relationship in which returned feelings seem fake.
Jackie Moontan – All My Friends Are Totalitarians
‘All My Friends Are Totalitarians’ sound is completely full of synths that bend and move but are held all throughout with drums that keep the pace moving. It has a 70s influence and has evolving instrumentation throughout. The vocals truly stand out because of the instrumentation, and there’s an overall dreamy undertone that feels slightly ominous. The instrumentation experimentally becomes more erratic as the track moves on, and it’s super intriguing. Lyrically, it goes into the idea of people wanting more and more which leads to power and corruption.
Damon Fletcher – I Let It Go
‘I Let It Go’ is another exciting dance track with early 2000s energy by Damon Fletcher. Once again, it’s super fun and energetic. The synthy instrumentation like his previous track explored has a bounce that begs the listener to dance along. The drums in this one do well at playing into this bounce and holding the quick tempo. When it comes to songwriting, this track gets into ideas such as letting go of negativity to live the best life possible.
Brian Ales – Sara Smile
‘Sara Smile’ is a cover that brings an extremely original take on the original track by Hall & Oates. One thing that stands out about it is the unique percussion that does well at taking the spotlight at the beginning. Overall it’s so smooth, and it works with groovy sax and guitar, but it brings some synth sounds to it. A lot of it is instrumental, but the vocals have a riffy R&B alto beauty to them when they cut in.
Written by Sage Plapp
