Dana Gavanski - One by One
"One by One," the latest release from Canadian folk artist Dana Gavinski, feels like a wandering walk through an unknown landscape. A curious and thoughtful tune, "One by One" makes use of solitude as a point of reflection and contemplation. The inventive shifts in melody and cadence between the verse and chorus instill a sense of movement and playfulness—the spacey, whirring arrangement captures the dizzying inner dialogue that comes alive in all of us in times of solitude. The opening line is a wrenching moment of remembrance, "one by one / I think of how he’s gone / as the sun has drawn from the day." It calls upon the kind of nostalgia that sometimes comes when one takes a step back from the noise of the day to day. When the floodgates of your memory open and the things you’ve tried hard to ignore come back into focus.
— Emma Bowers on April 25, 2019Sidney Gish - Where The Sidewalk Ends
Jersey native indie-pop singer Sidney Gish put out a quirky and expressive new album in December displaying her killer musicianship and crafty songwriting. "Where the Sidewalk Ends" takes us back the days of Juno and The Moldy Peaches. While happy-go-lucky and euphoric, “Where the Sidewalk Ends” has some attitude to it which is probably one of the reasons why we love it so much. Make sure to check out the entirety of No Dogs Allowed on all music platforms.
— Dara Bankole on January 23, 2018Fenne Lily - For A While
If you're a fan of Daughter you definitely need to check out UK singer-songwriter Fenne Lily. At just 21 years old, she has self-released a collection of gorgeous songs on Spotify that gained her a ton of fans and millions of plays. Her latest release "For A While" features mellow guitar tones tangled with her whisper-like voice and lonesome lyrics making it a perfect go-to for the days when you're missing someone or somewhere. Look out for her debut album due this year!
— Dara Bankole on January 22, 2018Yoke Lore - Beige (Shy Girls Remix)
Early on in the music video for “Beige,” a faceless stagehand rips Adrian Galvin’s (aka Yoke Lore) banjo from his hands. Shy Girls’ “Beige” remix jettisons the banjo from the song entirely. Whereas the original version lingers in ballad-zone until the one-minute mark, this remix (the single off a six-song Goodpain Remix EP) pumps and climbs from the gun.
— Devon Sheridan on January 22, 2018The Oh Hellos - Grow
In true fashion, The Oh Hellos' new single is one that you’ll want to have on repeat for a while. But while this song falls in line with their typical repetoire of great music, it’s also a new kind of song for them. This anthem urges its listeners to choose growth over stagnancy, bravery over fear and resistance over complacency, but in a different way than most songs. The message in this song makes it a new kind of anthem, one that focuses on the need for inaction instead of action. “If you let it alone it will surely grow.” This song is a passionate call to be still and a recognition of how much strength that actually requires.
— Dara Bankole on January 21, 2018Sjowgren - Stubborn Forces
Sjowgren, the band whose Scandinavian-esque name and music belies its Bay Area origins, has an enigmatic and insular online presence. Since releasing Demos in 2015, the band’s members remain anonymous. Likely, the sleight of hand means to plop your ears and attention fully into the music. So let’s get to it: rhythmically throbbing and vocally delicate, “Stubborn Forces” struts evolving production choices, but reinforces the simple fact that this band exudes incredibly tender pop refrains.
— Devon Sheridan on January 17, 2018Holy Now - Feel It All
Swedish indie pop band, Holy Now, ushered in the year with new single “Feel It All." With a sense of nostalgic euphoria, this song is a joyful plea for ease and mindfulness. Keep an eye out for their new album coming out later this year!
— Dara Bankole on January 17, 2018Helena Deland - There Are A Thousand
Singer-songwriter Helena Deland from Montreal creates sweet, sweet melodies. “There Are a Thousand” is just one of them, her latest since her 2016 EP, Drawing Room. Deland’s voice is light and airy, reminiscent of hazy day dreams. She brings this easygoing attitude to “There Are a Thousand,” giving serenity to any overcast day.
— Natasha Cucullo on January 17, 2018Stef Chura - Speeding Ticket
Stef Chura’s debut album Messes was arguably the greatest hidden gem of 2017, and we are so excited for it to resurface this February via Saddle Creek. "Speeding Ticket" shows off Chura's 90s-alternative influences which are not only heard in this song but all over her debut album. There’s no doubt that you should have your eye on this Michigan native indie rocker in the coming months.
— Dara Bankole on January 17, 2018Frankie Cosmos - Jesse
Frankie Cosmos' first single "Jesse" off of upcoming album Vessels was released this past Friday. Greta Kline does what she does best with this song, taking her dreamy voice and at times obscure lyrics to bring you along in her dreamland. You'll love the building guitars tastefully juxtaposed with the lightness of her voice but there's no getting away from this song's honest and relatable lyrics about failed love, hopes for oneself and what moving on looks like.
— Dara Bankole on January 15, 2018Refs - Boarding It Up
Don't be fooled by REFS' small social followings; this music is the real deal. Brooklyn based Zachary Lipkins' REFS has melded pop with a myriad of textures to create beautiful synth confessionals. He has only released four singles, but a couple have already been featured on HBO's "Girls," The CW's "Riverdale" and MTV's "Scream". This new single builds off of the projects R&B/synth-pop sound with a emotional rawness akin to James Bay. Lipkins' vocal control is not only impressive but incredibly emotive, bubbling all of his feelings into the track so that we too, are filled to the brim. Though we don't know much about REFS, Lipkins' anonymity and short collection makes these releases all the more anticipatory. We can't wait for more.
— Natasha Cucullo on January 12, 2018