Photo by Inga Seliverstova
indie/pop
Belfast based outfit Heart Shaped (the dream pop project of Texan native Kendall Bousquet) recently released the colourful single No Contact on Poison Moon Records and Unique Technique Records. Ethereal vocals delivered with equal measures of attitude and grace soar over the gritty yet lush music. It's not necessarily a catchy track, but one finds oneself listening on repeat due to its sheer pleasantness.
indie/pop
The glistening sheen of this tightly produced track is a thing of fine art. Transitions from verse to chorus are pulled off with precision and style. Lead signer Julie Dawson's saccharine vocals are brilliantly executed, and her voice is the best instrument on the track. The music itself is straightforward indie rock, but played with enough conviction and self-assuredness that it seems a cut above the rest.
Jackie Down The Line - Fontaines DC
post-punk
After any dreaded 'difficult second album' fears were laughed off with the Grammy nominated A Hero's Death in 2020, Fontaines DC fans became curious as to what would come next. Jackie Down The Line is the first taste of the upcoming album Skinty Fia, and it's a brooding yet catchy take on psychological abuse and toxic people. The genre seems more nostalgic than previous outings from this post-punk band, and the acoustic grunginess of it sounds somewhat 90's to this 90's kid.
hip-hop/rap
Philly rapper Ivy Soul comes out strong on this expertly produced and performed release. As a performer, Soul seems confident enough in her craft not to overblow the delivery, instead pronouncing her verse with measure composure. The hook is effective in utilizing the sensuality of Soul's timbre. While this track may have benefited from an additional verse and chorus, its brevity makes it all the more exciting.
indie rock
From the upcoming album Broken Equipment, New York outfit Bodega employ a quick tempo, snappy beats, crunchy guitars, and animated vocals to create an energetic and catchy dancefloor filler. The obscure lyrics could be analyzed, if you really wanted to, but I think you'd be missing the point. This is unadulterated fun, and a track you'll find yourself humming days after hearing it.