Blue Canopy is the newest project of Portland-based musician Alex Schiff. "656" is Blue Canopy’s first-ever release, and it is a single that will be appearing on the band’s forthcoming album Mild Anxiety dropping April 17. "656" is high-energy, its full-bodied sound inspiring motivation in all of us. However, a closer listen reveals a somberness lurking behind the track's spirited instrumentation; its lyrics describing “crippling anxiety” and the defeat of an ending relationship. New York City, a place where finding solitude in hardship is historically difficult and Schiff's former home is the backdrop of "656". In this sense, the tone of the song is not mismatched to its message, but rather, its most clever feature. "656" highlights a frustration that every New Yorker harbors at some point; that despite what you’re going through in your personal life, the city’s pace does not slow. Think of it like crying on the subway—it won’t stop a performer from dangling on the rails with their speaker on full blast.

Shy Girls, otherwise known as singer-songwriter/producer Dan Vidmar, just released his second album, Bird On The Wing—11 groovy tracks that give modern R&B a good name. A standout among them is “Drain,” the first on the album. It’s a song with a pulse perfect for walking down the street with the sun at your back and your headphones on full blast. “Drain” is a tribute to classic R&B with an alternative twist; it’s bass-heavy with a throbbing drum beat and Vidmar’s signature warm, low-fi vocals. The simple repetition of the three act as a base for the eclectic synth sounds (plus the deep, rhythmic background breathing in the chorus) sprinkled throughout. The result is a fun, slightly off-beat R&B bop you’ll want to play on repeat. Through masterful arrangement, Vidmar, who produced the entire album himself, proves he knows the conventions of the genre and, therefore, how to effectively break free of them.

The Parisian musician Vincent Fenton, the man behind FKJ (or French Kiwi Juice), just dropped a tribute to his home in France with his newest single, "Leave My Home." The rhythm grooves consistently through the song, creating that lush, electronic jazz vibe that so characteristically marks the New French House music genre—a genre FKJ has helped pioneer. This song itself will keep you purring along all night long, and humming it all week. FKJ is known for his creativity, particularly when it comes to taking his life and turning it into beautiful sequences of perfect chords. "Leave My Home" is no exception. Through the subtle reminiscent tone mixed with an upbeat funky loop, you can almost hear his outlook on life as he prepares to move away from Paris and onto the next chapter of his journey. He points to Paris as one of the biggest influences in his music. Now, only time will tell how these changes will influence his art in albums to come.

“Indigo,” the newest release from Fake Dad features pensive lyrics and vocals from the Brooklyn-based duo, Andrea de Varona and Josh Ford, helped by Loren Taylor. Just in time for spring, Indigo’s freshness and simplicity are more than welcome. Youthful vocals float above the song's unique cadence and subtle electronic undertones. “Wanna lie by the flowers / Wanna lie there for hours” evokes a certain restfulness and peace, elevated by such poignant lines as “I've learned to sink in the sound and fall away,” something easy enough to do listening to this thoughtful track.

Distant party sounds and the definitive click of a closing door open Loud Hound’s newest single, “High in the Bathroom.” Suddenly, you’re in a private room at a hazy house party, utterly immersed in low-fi rock sounds and Loud Hound’s reverb-heavy vocals. Jersey-based artist Tommy Florio sings, “All we have in common is getting high in the bathroom,” and you realize listening to this song feels like doing exactly that. The instruments are loud but muffled, and the psychedelic synth that joins the chorus sounds like something skirting the edge of sobriety — a slightly trippier Alvvays. There’s a sadness to the song that is uniquely carefree, like knowing there’s nothing to do for your wounded heart but to let go of your inhibitions completely. The production compliments that mood nicely, arranging the music in a way that feels like a loosening of one’s grip on reality, while still maintaining clarity and tightness overall. “High in the Bathroom” is Loud Hound’s fourth single, and it effectively showcases Florio's talents as a singer-songwriter and producer. We can’t wait to see what he’ll release next.

Not many can get away with not only gracefully covering a George Michael classic, but also managing to give it a distinctly refreshing take. Taken By Trees does just that in their recently released cover of “Careless Whisper.” Swedish singer-songwriter Victoria Bergsman is like your magical tour guide through a lush, brightly-hued rainforest. Her unmistakable voice guides you through this entrancingly sultry, Caribbean-inspired rendition that’ll make you sway in ways the song has never made you sway before. A reggaeton-like beat pulses underneath fluid, hypnotic synths that spill over Bergsman’s clear and silvery vocals — creating a practically spiritual experience. Produced by Dan Lissvikk of Swedish dance-rockers Studio and Aaron Drake and featuring Mr Little Jeans on backing vocals, this cover is nothing short of impressive.

British R&B singer Pip Millett pays homage to Otis Redding with her newest single, “Try a Little Tenderness.” The cover retains the soul and spunk of the original while bringing in modern sonic elements that nestle it firmly in the 21st century. Millett swaps Redding’s horns and piano for a heavy bass line and a soft, clapping hi-hat that groove behind her vocals. Smooth and sure, Millet’s voice is the standout element of this song. It’s got a soul-appropriate swing that feels effortless as it carries you from one verse to the next, and her crooning, lo-fi cadence, which feels a little bit indie, hooks you onto her every word. The lyrics stay true to the original, though the fact that they’re being sung by a young woman — the subject of the song — turns the meaning on its head in a great way. “Try a Little Tenderness” is beautiful and deceptive in its simplicity, and it’s only the sixth song Millett has ever released. We can’t wait to see what’s next from her.

"Cherry Tree" is the first song that Sam Owens ever released under the name Sam Evian. It's fitting as such since the song seems to be just the right mix of his soft rock sensibilities — no clichés and just the right amount of guitar riff mixed with a steady piano tone. "Cherry Tree" was written by Sam under an actual cherry tree in Central Park, which only adds to the authenticity of the vibe. The track is also very lyrically compelling. Like poetry strikes the mind and the heart, Sam's words hit you in all the right places, “Cherry tree hungover me / Waving with empathy" and "Tell me life’s a passing cloud.” The guitar that comes in around the first minute is absolutely addictive. It's just like having a daydream under a tree in a park, refreshing and full of creative life. Even in the slowness, the song is just that, creative and refreshing.

If smooth had a sound it just might be Philly-based R&B vocalist and spoken word poet, Christinna O.  At just 19-years-old, Christinna O brings out the sleekness of her sultry funk influences on her latest single, “Lay It Down.” The track comes as a glimpse into her upcoming EP, Girl In Passing, and sets the groundwork for a matured yet vibrant sound. Her style brings to mind soul queens like Toni Braxton and Brandy with its driving beat, thoughtful melodies, and a hook that just won't quit. “I trust you,” Christinna O sings as she takes you by the hand and into a moment of intimacy. She says, in regards to the subject matter, “It’s a choice and a permission, to let someone else know that they are welcome and they are the one I’m ready to lay down my burdens with. To feel valid in my vulnerability but ultimately, love.”

"Are you too far departed?” is the central question in Wild Rivers’ newest single, “Moving Target.” The song is about losing touch with someone you love and the desperate longing that drives you to reach for that person regardless of how far away they might be. "Moving Target" is a heartbreak-filled ballad that moves you along with the melodic passion the Toronto-based band is known for. Khalid Yassein and Devan Glover's haunting lyrics and powerful vocals drive the band's first single after their stellar 2018 EP release, Eighty-Eight. The band is touring Canada next month and has a few US shows planned later in the year.

South African singer-songwriter, Alice Phoebe Lou meanders through space in her newest single, “Galaxies.” The song is not loud or over the top, but it feels expansive. Lou’s voice layers well atop atmospheric synthesizers and minimalistic guitar, but she pierces through occasionally with short high pitched yelps. It is a mix of her usual folk rock with a more electronic sound leaning towards something I could envision Bjork releasing. The languid, spacey and atmospheric sensation mimics the subject matter. The image of the galaxy in the song evokes a feeling of smallness and insignificance in the grand scheme of things as she sings, “we’ll go down the longest stream / reflected in a sunbeam / just a speck of dust in the milky way.” About two thirds through the five-minute track, it escalates. The synths build, guitar speeds up, and the percussion fills out. Lou’s voice accentuates this change as she slides into her yips at the end of almost every line — giving it a primal and exciting quality before she settles back into the droning for the last part. The song is the second single off her newest album, “Paper Castles,” which came out on March 8th. Lou is currently on the North America leg of her tour and will be performing during SXSW before heading to Europe in April.