The very last Sunday of May 2021 has offered us some amazing new tunes from independent artists this week; many of which carry a dynamic energy, a great sense of depth, and in some cases, even both!
We have had a blast putting all of these amazing tracks together, to share with you guys on this week’s New Music Sunday. And in this article, we will be going over 9 of our favourites.
Megan Lara Mae » Backseat Driver
Megan Lara Mae takes a more somber approach with ‘Backseat Driver’, a track that blew us away with its beautiful depth.
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We have been very big fans of the amazingly luminous and cosmic vibe brought on by electro-pop artist Megan Lara Mae for a very long time now. We absolutely loved listening to all of the brilliant tunes she has released, especially the likes of her 2020 singles. However, with her first official release of 2021, we feel that Mae has really gone above and beyond with this one. ‘Backseat Driver’ takes a much more subtle, progressive, and somber approach to the lively electronic sounds of her previous singles. Not only did it really wow us that this was the kind of track that Megan would be able to absolutely champion, but this track really allowed her utterly gorgeous vocals to take centre-stage. We truly are blown away by this phenomenal ballad.
Charlie Moss » The Ride
Charlie moss certainly knows how to channel the vibe of his hometown through his tunes, with ‘The Ride’ standing as his best example.
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‘The Ride’ is the first single release of 2021 from Brighton-based indie rock singer and musician Charlie Moss. Since igniting his discography back in 2018, we have noticed that with every new release, Charlie Moss keeps on managing to inject a stronger sense of atmosphere into each of them. We feel that it is safe to say that ‘The Ride’ certainly doesn’t break this link. With the warm summer sun beginning to spill into the artist’s hometown, there genuinely feels like no better time to release a track as warm and hazy in its sound as ‘The Ride’. As well as this, we love how the cavernous effect that is added to Moss’ vocals elevates said atmosphere even further. We definitely feel that Charlie moss certainly knows how to channel the vibe of the seaside city he calls home through his tunes, with ‘The Ride’ standing as his best example.
Dan Zimmerman » Soldiers
Dan Zimmerman’s musical narrative gets off to a brilliant start with the luminous and romantic sound of ‘Soldiers’.
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‘Soldiers’ is the debut single released by Brooklyn singer-songwriter Dan Zimmerman, an artist whose musical motive is to share with listeners his experiences as a member of the LGBTQ+ community growing up in New York City. And we strongly feel that with Zimmerman’s debut effort, this narrative has certainly gotten off to a great start. With a wonderfully atmospheric and luminous beat at its backdrop, we felt ‘Soldiers’ truly engaging with us thanks to its emotive prowess, as well as the incredibly strong immersive qualities that it brings musically. This all does fantastically to be the force behind Dan Zimmerman’s story of lust, found in the love ballad-esque lyrics of this remarkable debut single.
Dawning » Ennui
‘Ennui’ blesses listeners with a double helping of dynamic and luminous energy, with its great combination of elements.
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The musical project of Michigan-based artist Aaron Senor, known as Dawning, has already had a pretty productive 2021 so far, having already released his Petals EP earlier this year. However, it is clear that this artist isn’t calling it a year just yet, when it comes to sharing his unique fusion of synth-pop hooks and dreamy shoegaze rock, as shown by his newest standalone single ‘Ennui’. This new track manages to sound like a club-ready dance banger, and a festival-ready anthem all at once; so essentially, ‘Ennui’ blesses listeners with a double helping of dynamic and luminous energy. If this amazing new tune doesn’t perk you up from the moment you listen to it, we honestly don’t know what will.
Escapades » Star Collisions
‘Star Collisions’ reflected Escapades’ ambition to reach for the stars, which certainly feels like a possible feat for them.
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After going through a hiatus over the last few years, Manchester indie-rock band Escapades are back and more ambitious than ever. Leading the way for their new musical chapter, is the release of their brand new single ‘Star Collisions’. We see this new tune begin with an awesomely enigmatic guitar melody, setting a really apt atmosphere for a song that ties its aesthetic with deep space. Along with this, we loved the remarkable sense of progression this track had, as more and more dynamic elements are carefully added. We could definitely get that sense that ‘Star Collisions’ reflected the band’s ambition to truly blast off, and reach for the stars. And with a track as enjoyable and as dynamic as this one, that certainly feels like a possible feat.
Manuel Garay » Charango Song
Thanks to its highly catchy latin-pop style, Manuel Garay’s ‘Charango Song’ is one of those tunes that replays in our heads over and over again.
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Munich-based indie R&B artist Manuel Garay has been keeping the productive ball rolling ever since his discography kicked off last year. Throughout 2020 and 2021, Garay has championed a versatile range of styles in each of his singles. However, this week saw Manuel Garay offer us something completely new, in the form of his first ever non-collaborative single. Titled ‘Charango Song’, this new track also sticks out from Garay’s discography in a musical sense as well, with a latin-pop type of beat adding a unique tinge to this highly catchy single. And when we say that this track is catchy, we aren’t using the term lightly; ‘Charango Song’ is one of those tunes that replays in our heads over and over again.
Nebno » Eyote
‘Eyote’ is yet another musical masterpiece that oozes with ethereal artistry, and stands as a truly sensational experience.
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After beginning her musical 2021 with a handful of live versions of previous singles, this week sees DIY artist Nebno release her first brand new single of the year. Having been loved by listeners for her phenomenally deep and immersive soundscapes that combine dream pop, ambient, and electronic elements all at once, ‘Eyote’ is yet another musical masterpiece that oozes with ethereal artistry. Implementing as many little elements as possible, to make it a truly sensational experience, we feel that ‘Eyote’ serves as a true posterchild of just how creative and talented this artist truly is. This track harnesses such an immense amount of musical depth, that we’re finding it hard to believe that it is all coming from one individual.
Shae Brock » Blue
It is clear that Shae Brock has successfully presented her more emotive and atmospheric side through ‘Blue’.
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Los Angeles indie pop artist Shae Brock really made sure that her musical 2020 was one to be remembered, with the release of her debut album Dreamers Club. She has since celebrated this milestone with a handful of remixes of previous songs, that ultimately spilled into the year of 2021, further on into the year, however, we get to see the start of the next step in Brock’s musical journey, with this week seeing the release of her brand new single ‘Blue’. In regards to its highly emotive lyrics, this heartbreak ballad lays everything out to bare. And with a smooth and atmospheric dream-pop production providing an additional heart-tugging feel to this new ballad, it is clear that Shae Brock has successfully presented her more emotive side through ‘Blue’.
The Very Reverend » HOLYGHOST
The very Reverend combines his signature dark feel to a hard-hitting and gritty sound with ‘HOLYGHOST’.
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Following up from the sinister sound of the single ‘BELLADONNA’, released earlier this year, Sacramento darkwave / electronic artist The Very Reverend arrives with their second single release of 2021. Titled ‘HOLYGHOST’, the track explores the idea of that other self that we all hold deep within, and delivers this idea in a truly engaging way thanks to its lyrics. In a musical respect, ‘HOLYGHOST’ is much more hard-hitting and gritty in comparison to the creeping pace that The Very Reverend’s previous track displayed. And once again, The Very Reverend doesn’t fail to create another dark feel, that truly adds a lot of musical weight to the track, and brilliantly ties everything together. We are in love with how downright awesome this track is.
New Music Sunday » 39 Best Songs Released This Week
This coverage was created in collaboration with Musosoup as part of the #SustainableCurator movement.