A selection of new and/or relevant rock and indie leaning tracks that have recently left an impression on us!
Daniel Johns – “Pixel Queens“
Daniel John‘s “Pixel Queens” was conceived as a commentary on the dating scene in the era of social media. While that does sound like a heady topic to tackle the song has enough warmth to pull it off. Starting off as a familiar dose of sunshine Americana it veers off into a dream-like jam that almost feels psychedelic by the end. The familiar instrumentation and gentle rhythmic patterns are contrasted by the aforementioned subject matter and occasional production flurries that make you realise this was not quite the journey you expected to take.
Middle Youth – “I Don’t Need Your Help“
Released all the way back in 2019, “I Don’t Need Your Help” had found its way onto some of our personal playlists in recent months. Somehow we hadn’t featured it here yet and that felt like a glaring omission. Middle Youth is the project of New York City producer Harper James whose Eighty Nighty project you may already be familiar with.
While the track showcases nothing more than acoustic guitars, overdubbed vocals and an occasional electric guitar flutter it manages to hit as hard as a full band. The delivery and its subject matter offer an underlying tension and sadness that can not be faked. Undoubtedly the track’s stripped instrumentation and pining lyrics resounded deeply in a period where we have all been isolated from each other and the ones we love.
Laura Mustard – “Eager“
Is it even possible to listen to Laura Mustard’s “Eager” without cracking a big smile? So far I have failed! Combining Motown influences with a catchy vocal performance this is a whimsical number about being hopeful and potentially too enthusiastic when it comes to love (and remaining upbeat throughout). Perhaps what I like best about the track is Laura’s ability to laugh at herself and she delivers the words in a playful fashion.
Kolby Knickerbocker – “Everything I Am“
As a relatively fresh father myself something about Kolby Knickerbocker‘s track “Everything I Am” especially resonated with me. The track is about being present for your loved ones and available (physically and emotionally) when your children need you. It is perhaps with that in mind that the song feels like a warm embrace. At times sounding like Damien Rice in the phrasing of sentences, the vocal delivery feels welcoming with the addition of a choir for the chorus drawing a clear destination for the song. Huddle around and play this for your loved ones.
The Daily Spreadsheets – “Call It A Day”
There isn’t too much information about The Daily Spreadsheets beyond the candid bio on Spotify which reveals that this is “the musical alias of 40-something Brazilian Henrique Neves“. Then again, if a track bangs then there is truly no need for superfluous words. “Call It A Day” jumps out of the starting block sounding like a cross between “Monster” era R.E.M. and Oasis circa “What’s The Story, Morning Glory“.
Arguably that was all superfluous words and all you need to know is that this track indeed bangs.
