10. Alba Rose -Eve
Bringing a serenading style of soulful jazz built on a full live band performance that incorporates keys, saxophone, drums, and subtle, sultry, and evocative vocals, Alba Rose is carving a strong niche in Wellington’s neo-soul space. The former leader of New Zealand based indie-pop outfit ‘Corduroy’, Alba’s latest solo project is her foray into a more niche space. Her sound draws from the likes of Lianne La Havas, Charlotte Day Wilson, Julia Jacklin and Molly Burch, with ambient, uplifting, and dreamy soundscapes.
‘Eve’ is luscious, combining the intricacies and dexterity of a jazz track with the accessibility and appeal of an indie pop tune. As soothing as it is impressive, Alba Rose’s new musical endeavour is one that is bound to leave you absolutely floored and relaxed. I feel as though she’s managed to position herself perfectly, combining an age old style with a new age fad. The perfect relaxant on a Sunday morning.
9. Andy Chorus – It’s Never Enough
‘It’s never Enough’ is an indication of how global hip-hop is today. Sung by a Tokyo based Spaniard, it merges together influences from modern trap and dark hip-hop with the best of western and asian rock, hip hop, emo and power pop. The track, which expounds on broken promises and the shame and guilt of a relationship coming to its end,
Andy’s over-produced and layered vocals are perfectly representative of the state of modern hip-hop, emphasizing dark, atmospheric, and ethereal production soundscapes more than anything else. The track is a late night banger, the kind you’d want to be blasting in a car as you cruise down an empty road at midnight. Andy’s vocals are nothing to slouch at either, especially in the track’s chorus where his inflexions become the song’s focal point. A treat for any trap fans, more so if you’re interested in the genre outside of America.
8. Fintan Mckahey – Lost Balloons
There’s something about subtle lo-fi acoustic dominant songs that never fails to put a smile on my face. Fintan Mckahey’s latest track ‘Lost Balloons’ is masterfully arranged, never once compromising its minimalism for any semblance of opulent production. Keeping attention on Fintan’s irresistibly romantic baritone and an exceptionally emotive acoustic, it lulls you into its air effortlessly. The ballad is an ode to the slow life, a gentle reminder to take a breath and let life unfold at its own pace.
Fintan McKahey is a low-fi indie singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer from Cork, Ireland. An active artist since 2016, his 2019 sophomore EP “God Games” received critical acclaim as did his several 2020 singles, achieving national radio play and press acclaim. Above all, Fintan is gifted with a voice unlike any other. It’s comforting, reassuring, and relaxing. I don’t know quite how to categorise him; in a way he is a dream pop artist, but the tonality and tempo of his music is almost that of a soft rock ballad. One of my favourite tunes to unwind to.
7. Wild Tibetan Monks – Cartoons
With a wacky name that should necessitate your attention, ‘Wild Tibetan Monks’ have come through with a video that is as imaginative as their brand of infectious indie rock. The wildly vivid video weaves old school cartoons with three dimensional futuristic imagery, to tell a uniquely creative story. It follows the hero in an attempt to escape his past, with the old style of cartoons being representative of these painful memories that still linger over him.
Animator Ciaran Casey (Wilsain Media) says, “I wanted to go outside my comfort zone and really do something unforgettable. The band wanted me to utilise old cartoons in the video, and my first thought was to put them on screen in a 3D environment.” He goes on to say, “This took a month to create, I wanted the visuals to be just as good and unique as the band’s sound.”
Cartoons is indie rock done right, with an exciting and punchy riff, a melodic chorus, and lyrics to accompany. As if the song wasn’t strong enough to stand on its own, the video that goes with it is a mind-bogglingly animated piece that will have you glued to your screen throughout. It is wildly imaginative.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jnQTdFm19g
6. Phehello – We Both Know
The debut single of South African artist Phehello is a passionate and uplifting piece of contemporary pop. The primarily r&b artist has a voice that is inviting and engaging. His production style is a bit reserved, never opting for anything overwhelming. Crowned the winner of the 2020 Moment International Film Festival for best music video and original song, Phehello has also shared festival stages with the likes of Matthew Mole and Prime Circle, and topped charts on 5FM with songs garnering over a quarter of a million streams in a year!
Phehello has spent the last two years juggling a 9-5 career with his musical aspirations. He spent the day at his day job while taking to stage at night with his band PHLO. During the pandemic, he began to look inward and saw the potential and dream to realise a solo career. Deciding to leave his corporate life, Phehello is now a dedicated r&b artist who has a voice and style to match.
5. gage.wav – Wasting Time
‘wasting time’ almost sounds like a jingle. The almost annoyingly repetitive and addictive bedroom pop tune is built on a chorus that seemingly never relents. At under two minutes, it’s a song for the moment, a nigh TikTok geared piece. gage.wav describes the wonderful early stages of falling in love, where even the simplest and most mundane moments become the best of times. The multi-genre Tennessee based artist has no particular attachment to a style, simply choosing to create music that sounds good to himself.
And while that may seem outwardly naïve, his choice to create different styles of music that makes him happy is bound to earn him a host of plaudits across the spectrum. Because, for each piece that gage seems to make, he’s somehow able to make it more fun and exciting than the last. If nothing else, ‘wasting time’ is just pure unadulterated fun. You can’t help but jump around to it’s chorus.
4. Amphisbaena – The Girl In The Water
Coming with a record that is simultaneously ominous and heavy, but also atmospheric and pleasant, Amphisbaena are a truly refreshing new age rock group that are able to create resoundingly anthemic tunes while being almost entirely experimental in their arrangement and composition. On the creative process, Martyn notes: “There are no rules other than Martyn writes the music, any singer, any style etc, the end goal is to be creative and not be limited by anything external to the process.” Eliza Graces’ vocals are a selling point in the record, lending an atmosphere that beautifully contrasts the heavy instrumentation.
‘The Girl in The Water’ is the kind of rock tune to invigorate you but also make you think. It’s kind of about the transition from the innocence of childhood to the informer, but unhappy, period of maturity. Broadly about the relationship between a mother and daughter, the song is also a metaphor that is up to the listener’s interpretation. A wonderfully eclectic piece of rock that bridges many subsidiaries in a single piece.
3. Dave Mohan – Broken Angel (Re-Vox Version)
Dave Mohan’s ‘Broken Angel’ is an acoustic neo-folk pop tune that’s categorically cinematic. It’s unabashedly soppy, with an acoustic and key backing that adds to its emotional and longing energy. Embedded within this is Dave’s sincere belief that music can be, in some sense, a force for good – something that can change us and society from the inside out. That sincerity is at the heart of his song’s topics, their willingness to address the frailties of being human and our constant grapples with what that means. At times keenly personal and introspective, songs like Broken Angel also go into a wider lens. In this song, it’s an ode to those who may have given it their all against all odds and despite the cost.
As such, Dave tackles insecurity, loneliness, poverty, social exclusion, and a myriad of tragedies that encapsulate the human experience. He hopes, in some shape or form, that his evocative and emotive folk tunes that can resonate with many, even giving people a light on dark days.
2. Alissa Kay – See Ya Later
Alissa Kay’s clearly has an affinity for contemporary pop. The LA based pop singer-songwriter is representing a slice of life, exploring and sharing the emotions that we all feel at some time or another. See Ya Later is a song meant to empower, even if you’re in a bad position. She notes, “Getting cheated on absolutely makes you feel like a victim, but the best medicine (and also the best revenge on the cheater) is to move on and remember that it’s absolutely their loss, not yours. We hope to remind listeners to use their sass and quirkiness to their advantage. This is the soundtrack that plays in your car as you drive away from that loser. Joke’s on them because now you’re free!”
Recorded in just three days and remotely at that, ‘See Ya Later’ shows me the capabilities of modern musicians. The catchy track progresses with a sense of storytelling that’s as quick witted as it is enticing. By the time the chorus comes crashing down, you’re well in tune with Kay’s story and energy. A bop of a tune for any pop music enthusiast.
1. Gavin Conway – Throw A Stone
On ‘Throw A Stone’, the very first song from singer-songwriter Gavin Conway, guitars and his distinctive knife-like tenor play the central role. The Irish indie rock artist takes marked influence from Manchester artists of old, with a keen and obvious influence of bands like Oasis or The Stone Roses being aurally evident. Filled with metaphors on almost every line, Gavin has imbued the song with meaning for pretty much anyone who’s listening. As a massive fan of Oasis, I can’t help but smile when I hear Gavin sing. That distinctive whine, particular to Liam, is so wonderfully reimagined by him.
‘Throw a Stone’ is good old fashioned rock and roll music, driven by a powerful chorus and well put together riffs. If you have ever had a fleeting interest in the heyday of britpop, the brilliance of the Gallagher’s or just a well worked together guitar driven rock tune, you’d be hard pressed to find a better one out today than ‘Throw a stone’.