People, it’s DECEMBER. How, how is that possible? Before the year is gone for good, we have our final New Music Alert of 2021. It’s funny pop, it’s spacious ballads, and much more. Hear some new songs from independent artists all over, here and now. Take a listen to the playlists below, and read on for a little more about each of the tracks.
Wildhart | “You Got Me”
The Gothenburg duo made something special here. The juxtaposition of warm, delicious bass lines and and those chilling synthy parts and layers of vocals– it makes for a heck of a sweet pop song.
Dasha McBride | “Balance”
This one doesn’t even hit two minutes, but it manages to span a wide sonic terrain– soft rolling hills of earthy piano, then right into sizzling, steamy beats, with the Knoxville artist gliding and skipping through the verses.
Little Stranger | “Hollywood Not”
Self-coined as “Hip hop’s Mario Bros,” Kevin and John Shields offer us this buoyant track, held up by one part hip hop, one part pop, and one part antics. Have a float, I mean listen.
Mäbu | “Antes y Después”
Lilting, rising, hopeful, optimistic, and maybe even a little cathartic. The track from the Madrid duo’s newest LP feels like a faint rainbow after a heavy rain– subtle but illuminated, and definitely worth a look (or listen).
daste. | “home for tea”
The Gold Coast trio gives us a real tranquil number here that feels like hazy days on quiet beaches. I’m serious, it’s like you can taste the sea spray. Put this thing on and lean into its soft, sonic shape.
Jordan Hawkins | “Slow Down”
Spacious, wide, ethereal– big and slow sonics surround Jordan Hawkins as he leans into the pop-ballad verses. This thing feels like putting your heart on the line in the best kind of way.
Lilly Aviana | “Seasons”
This one comes from Lilly Aviana’s recent LP, Late Bloom (Deluxe), full of so much rhythmic motion with minimal percussion. “Seasons” feels less like a 4 minute start-to-finish song, and more like a track that starts from the center, and spins out into a wider, complex vision.
Houston Kendrick | “Scootin – Acapella”
It feels right to wrap up with this gorgeous number from Houston Kendrick. For this Acapella take on the track “Scootin”, the Birmingham artist strips off the extra sonics to let the voice stand alone– voluptuous, emotive, and clear. (Side note– the fully arranged version also happens to be a pop-ballad stunner.)
