One of my favorites here at Now It's On, Kevin Garrett is back with a new single that, even better, serves as a preview of a new EP. After a string of singles and two EP's, Garrett finally released his first album last year, Hoax, an album so fantastic it was my Number Two Album of 2019. Now he starts off 2020 with "Gone Again", a teaser of the new EP Made Up Lost Time, due for release on February 21st.
The five track Made Up Lost Time also includes "Factor In", a classic soulful Garrett ballad released late last year. "Gone Again" is more of an uptempo affair, exploring the complications of a relationship and staying committed. Garrett never strays too far from his R&B/soul roots, but here boasts a killer, pure pop chorus. Check out the lyric video below.
There isn't much information online just yet about Leaving Laurel, a new project on the Anjunadeep label. There's a short introductory video on YouTube that doesn't really tell you much about who is involved with Leaving Laurel, but dig deep enough and you'll discover that the duo is made up of Pierce Fulton and Gordon Huntley. The Vermont born Fulton has two full length albums under his belt, as well as a slew of singles and remixes for other artists since 2010. Huntley is one half of the Canadian electronic duo Botnek, formed in 2008, who have also garnered attention for their singles, EP's and remixes, as well as their own SiriusXM radio show.
Now the two old friends have formed Leaving Laurel and if this first single release is any indication, this is a project for electronic music fans to closely monitor in 2020. The two track single starts with "sometimes it's scary but it's still just you and me", a song that mixes progressive beats with beautiful piano work, calling to mind the work of such artists as Kiasmos and Way Out West. As a massive fan of both, this track instantly had its hooks in me. "Need Little, Want Less" also mixes piano with electronics and is aimed a tad bit more at the dance floor, while still retaining a chillout vibe.
This single is a tantalizing preview of what Leaving Laurel has to offer. Here is hoping a full length album will follow at some point in 2020.
"sometimes it's scary but it's still just you and me"/"Need Little, Want Less" was released January 10th, 2020.
After releasing his debut album as SYML last year, Brian Fennell continued putting new music out into the world with three new singles before the end of 2019. He wastes no time with more new music as 2020 is barely two weeks old and another single release is upon us.
"Flags" takes on the very difficult subject matter of cancer. I first heard SYML perform this song back in June last year when I caught his show in Toronto and it was quite the emotional moment. Fennell has taken to expressing his feelings about his own experience watching loved ones battle this disease through his music. He explains what shaped the song: "I struggle with things that seem supernatural but are actually very natural. Cancer is one of those natural things. Nature is undiscerning and unforgiving. Cancer is raw and shapes the landscape of our lives. The metaphors run deep but they don't make mourning someone any less painful, especially before they leave us. I wrote 'Flags' like I write many of my songs, as a form of therapy to deal with people in my life who have battled cancer. The song is from the perspective of the body experiencing cancer. We meet pain and hopelessness with community and fight, and the fight is meaningful. Cancer fucking sucks and life is beautiful."
As is the case with much of SYML's catalog, Fennell takes difficult subjects we all have or will face in life and shares his experiences through his beautiful music. It's this emotional connection that draws me so deep into his music and he has quickly become a favorite songwriter of mine. Check out the studio version of "Flags" above and a stunning live performance of the song filmed in Brussels in October 2019 below.
Cary Brothers scored one of my favorite albums of 2018 with Bruises and he has followed that up with monthly new single releases. I've long been a fan of his melodic pop-rock, specifically his ballads. His January new single release is another gorgeous addition to his catalog, the tender, piano and string laden beauty "Queen Of Hearts". This one is giving "Alien" a run for my favorite Cary Brothers ballad to date. Check out the lyric video below for what will surely be one of my favorite ballads of 2019.
Haunted Continents is the solo project of James A.M. Downes, a Brooklyn based artist previously more involved in the indie/hardcore scene. For this new project, Downes is going for a more laid back feel and if this first single is any indication, he's made the transition flawlessly.
"What Were You Born For?" is the debut single for Haunted Continents and the beginning of a year-long journey as Downes plans to release a new single every month for an entire year. Downes describes this first single as a song about living according to your own rules. It's a guitar-driven, melodic pop/rocker that addresses questions of the spiritual and our purpose here on Earth, all with a chorus that implants itself in your head. If you're like me and prefer insightful lyrics, Downes should be right up your alley. This is a debut that leaves you excited for what the next eleven months will bring from Haunted Continents.
I was first introduced to Reuben And The Dark's music in 2014 when I saw them open for Boy & Bear in Detroit. The Calgary based folk-rock band impressed me enough with their impassioned set that I marched right over to the merch table as soon as they finished to pick up the album they were touring behind, Funeral Sky. Now it would appear the band is making plans to release the follow-up to that 2014 full-length as they have just released this stunning new single.
The haunting "Hurricane" is described as a song about the duality of strength and vulnerability. Lead vocalist/songwriter Reuben Bullock explains,"'Hurricane' feels like a haunting premonition of things I couldn't understand until they actually came to pass. This song brings up the idea of creating chaos for one's own comfort. And confronting the power in that." Not only can you check out the official video for "Hurricane" above, you can confront the power of Bullock's solo acoustic version of the song in the video below. Jaw dropping and has me excited for the next album from Reuben And The Dark.
I'm really liking this one from German band Bombee. Not exactly a sound you'd expect coming from Germany, but music should always teach us to surrender our expectations. "Clear Lines" is the second single from the trio's forthcoming 2016 album Golden Cage and it's quite the smooth ballad with an electronic R&B feel. Lead vocalist Alexander Seypt leads the way through this track about a broken friendship and gives the subject a suitable melancholy delivery. This one definitely has me intrigued for the band's full length.
"Clear Lines" will be released digitally and on most major streaming platforms on November 6th, 2015. Check out and enjoy the track below.
This track, barely clocking in at three minutes, caught my attention when it arrived in my inbox. Then it was time to read the bio on the band to find out how many years they've toiled to perfect this sound, only to find out Kagoule consists of three teenagers from Nottingham that have been friends since childhood. They've been named an Artist to Watch by Rolling Stone magazine and their debut album Urth just arrived this past Friday, August 21st.
The trio consists of Cai Burns, Lucy Hatter and Lawrence English and they draw on numerous influences from Bikini Kill and early Smashing Pumpkins to Fugazi. Signed to Earache Records, a label more known for its roster of metal bands, Kagoule have seen their profile rise with radio play in the UK, coverage in numerous major music magazines and a performance at Glastonbury, to name a few highlights.
Featured here is new single "Centralwing", a raw sounding track that still boasts a chorus that instantly hooked me. It sounds like something I would've heard on alternative rock radio in the 90's. And below, check out their new self-made video for album track "Made Of Concrete". And yes, they pretty much just sit there for three minutes while the song plays. If that isn't a proper rock & roll attitude, I don't know what is. Kagoule is set to make their American debut this September with a couple of shows in New York.
After the success of their 2013 release Harlequin Dream, Australia's Boy & Bear are poised to return with a new album Limit Of Love set for release October 9th on Nettwerk.
Harlequin Dream debuted at #1 on the Australian album charts and also gave the band their first taste of success in America as the single "Southern Sun" was a top 5 hit at Triple A radio. I was lucky enough to catch the band in Detroit during their U.S. tour behind the album as well and the five piece put on a commanding show.
In anticipation of the new album, here is its first single, "Walk The Wire". You'll notice a bit of a different sound this time around, a much more synth-heavy pop track, but the band's knack for unforgettable melody is as strong as ever and it's a winning introduction to Limit Of Love. "Walk The Wire" will be available for purchase starting August 21st.
As a big fan of Emancipator's work, I'm always watchful for new releases on his Loci Records label. Tor's Drum Therapy was a 2012 favorite and there is another new release on the horizon this year that has piqued my interest based off the first two tracks released.
Producer/multi-instrumentalist Stèv brings the first album of 2015 on Loci Records when his BeyondStolen Notes gets released on May 18th. The Italian artist certainly will appeal to fans of Emancipator's music as his also blends organic sounds with electronic beats and fits into that downtempo realm that Emancipator dominates.
I'll be sure to give a more in depth spotlight to the full length, but for now check out two tracks from the album. "Urbinian" was recently released as the second preview single, following my personal favorite "Hills Are Floating". If artists like Emancipator, Bonobo or Little People to name a few are up your alley, these will surely appeal to you. Beautifully chilled tracks.
Beyond Stolen Notes is released May 18th via Emancipator's personally curated Loci Records label and Megaphone.
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