Weekly Roundup
Roundup by Isabelle Turner and Carson Huffer
kerri - “Ultraviolence”
kerri has been making waves in the alt-pop scene lately, and brand new album Finish What You Started explodes the Montreal artist into a new stratosphere. This project finds kerri coming to terms with mental health and growing up through an incredibly honest lyrical lens and breezy production. Single “Ultraviolence” claimed my heart from the moment I heard it as the perfect encapsulation of the growing pains of realization.
Jordan Hart - “The End”
In what builds to a beautiful crescendo of utter emotion and electrifying energy, Jordan Hart has his song “The End”. Combining his stunning vocals, simple and sweet instrumentals and incredible songwriting abilities, the track feels straight out of a movie and has this emotional climb to it. Incredibly catchy and heartwarming, “The End” by Jordan Hart is the perfect song to kick off our weekly roundup.
Kacia - “Plastic Straws”
Including a taste of childhood and adolescence in a bittersweet manner, rising singer Kacia provides ballad “Plastic Straws”. With little vignettes of childhood moments sung as though they are memories passing by, the song is deeply emotional. Despite the deeply specific moments from his childhood, the song feels universal and focuses on the parts of childhood that everyone can relate to. The song reflects the sad parts of growing up, but the instrumentals provide a hopeful and sweet light to the otherwise nostalgic lyrics. The incredible storytelling of Kacia’s “Plastic Straws” is something to not miss out on.
JB Elwood - “I Tried”
Combining folk rock and pop elements, JB Elwood’s latest song “I Tried” is the perfect taste of fall. While prioritizing his smooth voice within the mainstream sounding instrumentals. Telling the story of a past relationship and slipping out from under his fingers, the song is deeply personal and reflective, giving it a folk energy to it. Showing a season of change and moving on, JB Elwood is allowing others to connect through his vulnerability.
Mackenzie Shrieve - “So Damn Pretty”
With intense anger and energy within her track, Mackenzie Shrieve is putting down all of her emotions with her latest song “So Damn Pretty”. With a driving electric guitar and a heavily rock influenced chorus, the song shows everything right with female angst. Perhaps the best part is the jazzy instrumentals between the chorus and the verses that make the track feel super complex. With anger and attitude, Mackenzie Shrieve’s “So Damn Pretty” is making a wave in the music industry.
Kayls - “Hatch”
As another powerful female voice, Kayls’ single “Hatch” is pure pop-rock. With dreamy vocals draped upon an intense guitar and drum combo, the song feels loud in the best way possible. Announcing herself as a powerful force not to be messed with, she takes on a unique metaphor for a relationship that makes the lyrics of the track stand out beautifully. “Hatch” has broken the rising singer out of her shell and is a perfect strong introduction to Kayls.
nobody likes you pat - “look at you now”
nobody likes you pat explores the blurred lines between his roles as an artist and as a father in “look at you now”. With evocative vocals and vibrant guitar lines, pat rides through his fears of uncertainty for himself and the future while watching his children enjoy life. It’s a powerfully reverent message packaged with love that closes out the artist’s dear… EP with feelings of home.
Sughn - “running to you”
“running to you” finds Sughn taking a cinematic approach to indie R&B. It is bold and euphoric in its instrumentation carrying Sughn’s voice through stunning musical landscapes as she searches for signs in the world around her. This track is best listened to with headphones on, and I haven’t been able to get the pulse of it out of my head for weeks.
Will Knox - “Instant Coffee”
Will Knox’s emotional lyricism searches for finding help and happiness again in new single “Instant Coffee”. Stirring away at his coffee and knowing that life continues no matter how dark it may feel, Knox expands upon the deepest heartaches that plague all of us. “Instant Coffee” is both soul-shattering and the easy mend for a broken heart, and we can’t wait to hear what comes next from Will.
Lazy Sunsets - “I Wish You Stayed”
Embodying the best of indie-rock is the Lazy Sunsets with their most recent song “I Wish You Stayed”. A lively and upbeat track, their sound is infectious and makes it impossible to not sing along to. The sweet vocals on the track make a beautiful contrast between the powerful instrumentals. We can’t wait to see what Lazy Sunsets has in store in the coming future.
Far West - “Corners of Your Mind”
With a reversed guitar and stunning surf-rock instrumentals, “Corners of Your Mind” by Far West is the pinnacle of youthfulness. The track has elements of nostalgia while incorporating modern production and universal lyrics. “Corners of Your Mind” is one of Far West’s best and it is only a matter of time before it catches up with the rest of their discography.
Steven Curtis - “I Still Love You”
A sweet and meaningful track, singer-songwriter Steven Curtis has written “I Still Love You”, showing that vulnerability makes for incredible music. While his vocals are jaw-dropping, the heartbreaking lyrics make the track. Deeply personal and moving, it is impossible to not resonate with the track on some level, making it incredible.
AUDG - “Berlin”
Taking inspiration from icons of the alt scene, like boygenius, AUDG’s track “Berlin” is a electrifying and soothing song. The song features singer Molly Albert and her vocals that create an incredible atmosphere. The song is partly self reflective and partly resentful as it reflects on a relationship and the hardships that happened within it. The production of the track is perfect, even incorporating a plane sound to end the track. “Berlin” was a must for our weekly roundup and is a must listen to for fall.
Sadie Fine - “Class of 2024”
Fed up with the stereotypes and stress of school, young artist Sadie Fine sings a goodbye to school for good. Remembering the bad of her school experience, she sings from a place of moving on and having outgrown her peers. Her stunning voice during the entire track is absolutely infectious and makes the song have this sweet contrast to it. As the young artist leaves her schooling days behind her, we can not wait to see what she accomplishes.
Love Juliet - “Alter Ego”
Resentful and haunting, Love Juliet is here with confidence and grace in her latest song “Alter Ego”. The track is all about finding yourself and having courage to put your true self out there. She sings “I tried to be the person you wanted, but I’m not it”, making her lyricism entirely too relatable to those deep thoughts that everyone has. The production of the track carries her perfect vocals throughout the entire track in the best manner possible. With songs like “Alter Ego”, Love Juliet is showing that her confidence has a definite place in the music industry.
Humbird - “North Country Girl”
Next on our roundup is our pick for the perfect fall song, “North Country Girl” by Humbird. The song is absolutely incredible and has this soft and heartfelt feeling to it. The lyrics are emotional and the beautiful and delicate instrumentals makes the song a perfect track for the seasons changing.
The Kites - “DRUNK IN JAPAN”
Landing upon the UK rock scene, The Kites are taking the rock scene by storm. Their latest song “DRUNK IN JAPAN” is an incredible heavy hitting song that shows their talent within the industry. While the production of the track is simple, it allows for a raw feeling for the track. The vocals are loud, making the song feel intense and perfect for screaming in your car. The Kites have shown through their song “DRUNK IN JAPAN” that they are a force not going away easily in the music industry.
29 East - “Close Your Eyes”
Blending together soft rock with a heavier alternative rock, 29 East is on the edge of genres and greatness. Their latest song “Close Your Eyes” is a catchy and has the best elements of everything. Their absolutely incredible reverb on the guitar makes the track have surf-rock elements. The song is heartfelt, showing their intense love, making the lyrics beautifully universal, especially against the instrumentals of the track. As one of their best songs, “Close Your Eyes” was an obvious pick for our weekly roundup.
Bradley The Busker - “Utopia”
Starting slow and steady, Bradley The Busker has created the perfect folk song that feels like seasons changing. The production of “Utopia” is incredible, and makes the song feel polished, yet authentic, fitting in perfectly in the fall genre.
Garvie - “So High”
Jazzy, upbeat, and addicting, UK artist Garvie makes his latest song “So High”. The instrumentals are catchy and happy and instantly dance-able. The song makes for the perfect happy and upbeat track. As Garvie continues to make infectious tracks like “So High”, he places himself on our list of must-watch artists.
