Artist: Rushkeys Song: Maya Genres: #chillout #downtempo Location: Vilnius, Lithuania Release date: June, 2024. Comment: Lithuanian downtempo artist Rushkeys first appeared here last December. On that occasion, he was featured for a remix he did of another artist’s track. This time, he’s here with a completely original song that is just as good, if not better. “Maya” is a reflection of Rushkeys evolution as a musician, drawing from influences such as Bonobo and incorporating his passion for nature and organic soundscapes. “Maya” is a word with multiple meanings depending o ..read more

Artist: Former Lives Song: Some things never change is inevitable Genres: #indierock #shoegaze Location: Burlington, Vermont, United States Release date: June, 2024 Comment: Shoegaze pop/rock isn’t for everyone, but if it is for you, then you’re going to love today’s featured song. “Some things never change is inevitable” is a melancholic indie gem for introspective listeners. It delves into themes of loneliness and perseverance, using a childhood asthma experience in Colorado as a powerful metaphor. Its long title might make you think it is a new track from Fall Out Boy, but i ..read more

Artist: BOYR!OT Song: MA!N CHARACTER Genres: #altpop Location:  Los Angeles, United States Release date: May, 2024 Comment: BOYR!OT is a duo from Los Angeles blending 2000s pop-punk with contemporary sounds in a fun and energetic way. If you liked acts like 3OH!3, BOYR!OT will be right up your alley. The self-proclaimed “edgy chaotic queerdos,” Greg Driscoll and Brendan Eprile, make music that connects with those who feel different, advocating for self-worth and defying social pressures. This is more than evident in “MA!N CHARACTER”, their debut single, which comes ac ..read more

Artist: Nolo Grace Song: Mother Genres: #altpop #indiepop Location:  Los Angeles, United States Release date: May, 2024 Comment: Last August, I featured here a catchy summer track from husband and wife duo Grace & Moji. While they keep going strong as a couple, this time, Grace Hong is back as a solo artist with a poignant song inspired by her complicated relationship with her mother, who suffered from mental illness. It’s never easy to be so vulnerable and share your internal struggles with the world. However, this openness can also be a cathartic experience, hel ..read more

Artist: SATRE Song: Homebound Genres: #indiefolk Influences: The Lumineers, Bon Iver Location: London, United Kingdom Release date: May, 2024 Comment: In 2018, Swedish musician SATRE took a leap of faith, leaving his homeland to chase his musical dreams in the bustling heart of London. He honed his skills as a street performer, belting out tunes in iconic locations like Trafalgar Square (you can even find some videos on his YouTube channel!). His dedication paid dividends, and in 2022, he started releasing his own music. This month, he dropped a gem called “Homebound,” an ..read more

Artist: Smallpools Song: Swayze Genres: #indierock #indiepop Location: L.A & Nashville, United States Release date: April, 2024 Comment: Smallpools have been featured here twice before, both times for some exceptional covers. This time, though, they’re here with an original song, the heavily 80s-influenced (as hinted by the track’s name) “Swayze,” and it is a banger. Using elements from 80s music in modern tracks is far from unique, but doing so to complement an infectious melody and great vocals can really bring everything to the next level, and that’s exact ..read more

Artist: Mark Driver Song: Ignition Genres: #chillout #downtempo Location: Seattle, United States Influences: Bonobo, Kisamos, Emancipator Release date: March, 2024. Comment: There’s a certain tranquility to driving down a highway with no traffic in sight. You’re alone with your thoughts, the open road stretching before you, and the perfect soundtrack blasting through your speakers. That’s the feeling Seattle-based artist Mark Driver aimed to capture with his four-track downtempo electronic EP, “Ignition.” While the opening track, also called “Ignition,” is the one featured ..read more

Artist: Colin Woltmann Song: Saw You In A Dream Genres: #indiefolk Influences: Elliot Smith, Bob Dylan, John Prine Location: Alabama, United States Release date: April, 2024 Comment: Colin Woltmann, a talented singer-songwriter from Alabama, continues to enchant with his latest single, “Saw You In A Dream,” the second track from his upcoming EP, “A Case of the Times”. Woltmann got inspiration from artists such as Nick Drake, as well as those listed as his influences already. His sound is both soft and raw, creating an experience that feels like stepping into his mind ..read more

Artist: The Snuts Song: Circle Genres: #indierock #altrock Location: West Lothian, Scotland Release date: February, 2024 Comment: The Snuts’ brand new album, Millennials, is without a doubt an early contender for album of the year. I chose “Circles” as the song to feature on this post since they’ve officially launched it as a single with its own music video (featuring Scottish actor Tony Curran). However, I could have chosen any other track, such as “Novastar“, “Millionaires”, “WGO“, or “Right Hand Girl“, and this list doesn’t even include the album’s lead single, “Gloria ..read more

When this blog started almost four years ago, we were still in the early stages of the pandemic, and I found myself with lots of extra spare time and little to do. Fast forward (almost) 4 years, and the situation has changed drastically for me. Even though COVID-19 hasn’t gone away, the pace of life has mostly returned to the hectic levels it used to have, and on top of that, I now have a toddler who is quite a handful. Because of all of this, spare time nowadays is more precious than ever, and I find myself rarely wanting to spend it on updating this blog. It’s not just the act of writing a n ..read more