Christian Löffler – Felt (feat. Henry Green)

Up first and for the third time on this blog (a record), Christian returns with a deadmau5-esque slice of organic house featuring vocals by Henry Green. As usual, Mr Löffler’s production is on-point. The only mild criticism I have is I yearned for a bigger crescendo but this is my personal taste and should not detract from what is a very strong song indeed.

Conspiranoise – Sparks (lounge mix)

Barcelona-based electronic music producer Conspiranoise lend us this slice of delirious downtempo electronica. Vocals are superb although the PR never sent me their name :(. Not withstanding the track drifts effortlessly along and makes you forget what ever troubles you may be having today. Definitely one for long sunny evenings.

Siul – Intensity of Love 

I kid you not, in Siul’s bio he writes “[I] remember buying reggaeton cassettes in his school when reggeton used to be illegal” and maybe for some that’s a damn good thing. I’m rambling but I thought that was hella funny. Intensity of Love may be a very commercial track, at least for this blog, but nevertheless it’s very strong and kinda grows on you the more you listen.

BIRD AKA JANIE PRICE – What The Night Knows 

Janie is a half English, half Irish, multi instrumentalist and maybe a bit of a ringer having collaborated with some top acts such as James Dean Bradfield (Manic Street Preachers) , Andy Dunlop (Travis) and Hal Lindes (Dire Straits). But I digress and onto this song. Now, I was not convinced by the verse / intro as I didn’t particularly feel the vocals but once Janie switched to a higher register I was hooked. And got hooked further once the modulations and strings kicked in. Top track Janie!

Kavita Baliga – Shake It Off 

Originally an opera singer, classically trained Kavita comes here with an almost Kate Bush sounding song about the exploration of “a woman’s internal struggle as she contemplates the life-altering decision of whether to have children”. Knowing that context my heart suddenly feels heavy and my eyes tear up. And that’s an enormous compliment.

未完成ブレイブ – 青く染める 

I do like getting solid Jpop – or in this case – Jrock into my blog inbox. This song is very pleasant and features solid instrumentals and good song writing. For those in the know the track is very reminiscent of Scandal and Doll$box.

Bryant Barnes – I’d Rather Pretend

“A piano in the middle of a shopping mall or a guitar in the corner of a bedroom will beckon Bryant Barnes. As soon as his fingers connect to the instrument, soul and spirit fill the room” so reads the bio sent by the publicist. But it’s hard to disagree here. Moodboard: Super Tramp, Elton John perhaps. Bryan’s debut EP, VANITY, is out now on all major platforms.

B.Miles – Bad Decision

New York based B.Miles may be an artist to watch over the next year, and with 28 million streams for her previous song ‘Salt’, things seem to be pointing in the right direction. For fans of Feist ‘Bad Decision’ is certainly worth checking out. A song about a breakup and the intangibility of the language needed to express complex emotions this track drifts along in a melancholy, dreamy way. The only nit pick I have is the chorus needs a stronger contrast, but I’m being a bit of a princess; it’s a lovely song.

Hazel Rose – Muse

Hazel was born and raised in Switzerland by a “loving Danish mother and a wonderful Turkish father” so runs her bio and cites influences such as Billie Eilish and Hozier in her music. And you can hear that to some extent with ‘Muse’ but I can hear Lana Del Rey or Eliza Shaddad much more. This is a really enchanting track with solid vocals.

Allen Green – Eighties Baby

Ooh baby ooh baby ooh yeah. Seemingly having a hot tub time machine Allen Green – hailing from the year 1984 – gives us this massively funky bass line driven track. If you’re a sucker for Cameo, George Benson, Chaka Khan, Tom Browne then you’ll be right at home with this sexy wee number.