JORDY – Second Minute Hour
Indie singer/tunesmith Jordy begins an intriguing new musical era by shrugging off the boyish pop of his previous releases in favor of a grittier, more club-conscious sound. “Second Minute Hour” captures the heat of a carnal hook-up by pumping an irresistible dance beat beneath a synth-fortified melody and saucy lyrics. Jordy has reshaped his typically sweet, youth-oriented vocal style to reveal a darker, more adult tone that nicely melds with the song’s muscular bassline. Overall, it’s a more mature approach that will undoubtedly serve the artist well going forward.
DREAMER BOY – Heartbreaker
Dreamer Boy is the musical persona of 23-year-old Nashville-based singer/songwriter Zach Taylor, who deals in gritty, lo-fi alt-rock. “Heartbreaker” has the primal guitar aggression of an indie punk throwdown, while the song’s hook is as catchy as a mainstream pop anthem. Taylor whoops and warbles his way through the song with playful abandon, conjuring fond images of a slightly more assertive Beck. This is a track that goes down a treat while speeding down the highway or as you knock back a few brews at your local pub.
GALANTIS – One, Two, & 3
Galantis is a well-regarded Swedish electronic music act currently consisting of producer Christian "Bloodshy" Karlsson. “One, Two, & 3” offers a bright kaleidoscope of warm disco strings and twinkly house music piano lines. All the while, the song effectively builds to peak-hour club bliss, while also giving pop-minded listeners a reason to smile. Everything about this track is pure joy, and it is a much-needed musical reminder that the winter season is, indeed, finite. Dance music doesn’t get sunnier or more unabashedly pleasurable than this.
THE LEMON TWIGS – They Don’t Know How to Fall in Place
The Long Island, NY sibling rock duo Lemon Twigs preview their forthcoming album, A Dream is All We Know (due May 3), with another their retro-spiced rock jams. For all their well-documented “hip” musical qualities, as well as their ardent tastemaker fanbase, it’s impossible to ignore that the band leans as much into playful bubble-gum pop a la the Monkees as they do anything else. In fact, it’s one of their more endearing qualities. “They Don’t Know…” is unashamedly light and filled with an abundance of shimmering harmonies to go along with its gleeful, hip-swaying instrumentation.
CAROLINE POLACHEK – Spring is Coming with a Strawberry in the Mouth
Indie alt-rock darling Caroline Polachek celebrates that one-year anniversary of her acclaimed album, Desire, I Want to Turn into You, with this deluxe set track addition. “Spring is Coming…” is a faithful cover of a 1986 single by Roger Doyle and Elena Lopez, better known as the band Operating Theatre. Polachek has sweetened the song by layering a melange of sparkly electronic pop elements atop an insinuating, funk-driven beat that has allowed her to comfortably waft between softly spoken beat poetry and ethereal singing. If you’re already a Polachek disciple, this will add refreshing new lustre to an already beautiful album. If she’s new to you, this is a perfect introduction to an artist with whom you will soon be obsessed.
SYML – The Walker
SYML, which is Welsh for “simple,” is the musical moniker of indie Seattle singer/songwriter Brian Fennell. With “The Walker,” he offers he most emotionally resonant, yet commercially satisfying single to date. The track builds from a hushed piano/vocal arrangement that builds to an exhilarating crescendo that is replete with rock guitars, a swirl of orchestral strings, and roof-raising choir chants. It’s the perfect environment for well-crafted lyrics that delve into the power of human loyalty during dark times.
HARRY STRANGE – Bite the Hand
London-based singer/tunesmith Harry Strange returns with an introspective take on the often awkward, sometimes painful evolution of a parent/child relationship. He inhabits the song’s lyrics with equal parts of palpable tension and tentative confidence. It’s a remarkably relatable performance that is enhanced by a textured electronic/drum’n’bass musical foundation that cleverly echoes the turbulence of the lyrics. The overall result is a single that will resonate with a wide range of listeners – including parents who are trying to better understand their kids.
HIFI SEAN w/INAYA DAY and DeVonde – The Redemption
Famed DJ/producer/musician HiFi Sean has connected with veteran club belters Inaya Day and DeVonde for an uplifting, disco-tastic banger. Sean does a brilliant job of blending authentic ‘70s flavor with contemporary instrumentation, while the ladies perform with a soulful flair. Dance floor veterans will feel joyfully transported back to the grand ol’ days of Chic and the Salsoul Orchestra, while younger folks will be enriched by the experience of a track that is far smarter and complex than most of what is currently on offer.
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