Welcome to “This Week’s Sonic Safari,” where we will be taking you on a thrilling adventure through the vibrant world of independent music. We’ll wander across beautiful lush soundscapes in this sonic journey, looking for hidden gems and digging up musical treasures created by brilliant musicians from all around the world. Our journey promises to be an intriguing investigation of originality and invention, from the busy streets of indie music to the peaceful woods of acoustic folk.
So secure your seat in, set your headphones, and come along with us as we embark on a musical exploration of the highest calibre, ready to experience the amazing variety of this week’s best and newest songs.
Ava Vilianti – January
‘January’ is a heart-rending indie pop composition by Ava Valianti, brewed to carry the bittersweet essence of unrequited love. The song talks about the sad reality of loving someone from afar and deep inside knowing that loving someone is the best part of them. Valianti’s fragile and potent vocals hold the raw traces of emotion as she regales the memories that don’t seem to wither away throughout the song. It talks about the perception of getting stuck in that time loop—that life keeps moving on, passing by—one of the most beautiful and hauntingly melodic soundscapes built up around her—letting deepest feelings pour over in a story that anybody who has ever been in uncompleted love can relate to.
Ava Valianti is a self-penned independent talent hailing from Massachusetts. Through ‘January’, she extends what she does musically: very emotive indie-pop sounds in a beautiful way. She’s one of those indie pop favourites, and hopefully, a flavour similar to Billie Eilish and Olivia Rodrigo but with a lick of her own. Keep an eye out for her upcoming debut EP, planned for release in the upcoming US summer.
SYML – Oblivion
SYML’s new single, “Oblivion,” is a haunting walk through the wasteland and into the will, parked by spaghetti westerns and the iconic soundscapes of Ennio Morricone. It is the eerie meeting point between stark, dusty guitar strums and the melancholic melodies that are drawn from wide strings—modernised by 808s that press to combine decades in a way that feels both ambitious and arresting. Evocative lyrics and emotive vocals by SYML find a way to tell the story of the song, detailing in almost tangible imagery a tale of survival and strength pitted against innumerable harsh realities. The contrast between the bare, intimate moments and the grand, almost overwhelming crescendos in ‘Oblivion’ makes it an experience.
Coming out of Seattle in the United States, SYML is no stranger to creating music that people can feel. ‘Oblivion’ is one of those songs that just oozes raw emotion from every note but carries an unparalleled cinematic quality. You coast along the track as one would on a capricious voyage across a desert, an ability in storytelling that he executes skilfully through music. The final result of such creative fusion of genres and styles is that the sound is both uncommon but refreshingly original. ‘Oblivion’ is truly about his artistic vision, his very own resilience, which it is said is really at the core of what this project is, and totally a must-listen to move the soul.
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Kyle Lucas – Stick Around
Kyle Lucas’s latest single, ‘Stick Around,’ is a beautiful expression of the power of vulnerability in music. The song begins with delicate piano chords and Kyle’s warm, inviting vocals, setting an intimate and conversational tone. As the track progresses, it evolves into a stunning blend of emotional and rhythmic indie pop. The layers of sound build gracefully, culminating in a rich and heartfelt chorus that resonates deeply with the listener. Kyle’s ability to convey genuine emotion through his music is evident in every note, making ‘Stick Around’ a compelling and relatable anthem for anyone who has ever struggled with self-doubt and longing.
Hailing from Boston, Massachusetts, Kyle Lucas brings a unique blend of soft, soulful melodies and reflective lyrics to the modern pop scene. Influenced by his Brazilian heritage, Kyle’s music is both deeply personal and universally appealing. His journey of overcoming insecurities and embracing his true self is woven into the fabric of his songs, offering listeners a raw and authentic glimpse into his heart and mind. ‘Stick Around’ is a perfect example of Kyle’s talent for blending acoustic elements with electronic beats, creating a sound that is both fresh and familiar.
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Elliot Greer – Intruders
Elliot Greer’s new single, “Intruders,” is a raw and poignant take on his bout with anxiety—perfect for Mental Health Awareness Month. Gritty, but warm, in its delivery, the vocal aches under the weight of this prose, melodic lines similarly gritty and warm. Greer reveals his struggles with anxiety and intrusive thoughts, having taken a pretty internal position on treatment rather than traditional therapy or medication. The up-tempo melody and dynamic production do a killer job bringing story to life and reminding one that the fight is personal and goes through with no one else. ‘Intruders’ is a deeply important reminder of mental health and the way music heals those that make it.
Elliot Greer is a native of Scotland who, taking over the stages of New York City, offers the world an enigmatic storyteller—classic but oh so modern; timeless but perfectly of this moment. This, of course, is most of what allows him to cut through the noise with such honesty, heart, and music. Taking cues from favourites such as Hozier and Noah Kahan, Greer bathes his acoustic-driven sound in unfiltered lyricism for a deeply relatable listen. ‘Intruders’ is a track that best speaks of his talent in turning personal battles into universal anthems that offer solace and solidarity to everybody fighting with their own inner demons.
JUNYOR – Call Me
JUNYOR won’t flinch when standing up to the release of his latest single, “Call Me,” in a brilliant flaw of an emotive ballad that feels just like the bittersweet taste of being just that close to breaking out of the friend zone and into the status of someone’s first call, but no, not really yet. Balancing emotional heft and euphoric pop in the way he’s quickly becoming known for, the song personifies growling melancholy and wishful thinking—the whole experience, like a classic bittersweet urn one can’t take their eyes off of. JUNYOR’s vocals are captivating, filled with a sense of longing and vulnerability that is both relatable and powerful. Balancing emotional heft with euphoric pop, the song exemplifies growling melancholy and wishful thinking—all of which combine for the whole bittersweet experience, much like a classic bittersweet urn one just can’t take their eyes off.
JUNYOR’s embrace in his growth as a musician tackles themes of love, self-discovery, and personal growth with an authenticity that resonates within every note and lyric. ‘Call Me’ showcases his talents in effortlessly mixing heartfelt lyricism with infectious pop melodies to create a sound that is at once fresh but also reminiscent. Drawing influence from Dua Lipa to 5 Seconds of Summer, JUNYOR brings something uniquely different to the pop landscape, and ‘Call Me’ is further proof that he is an ever-growing force in today’s current music scene. Whether you’re on your feet dancing or getting lost in the lyrics, JUNYOR’s music always leaves a mark, and ‘Call Me’ is no exception with just how well it hits that level of connection.
Brian Walker – Before The Roof Caves In
In his latest single, “Before The Roof Caves In,” Brian Walker creates a heartwarming anthem for those chasing their dreams in the face of time. The third single from his debut album goes deep into personal battles and refusal of a musician on a journey to stardom before time runs out. Raw and emotional in lyricism and catchy in melody, Brian pushes this record with urgency and the passion of his journey. Musically, the song is dynamically and dramatically rendered in its production, with storytelling that gives insight into the moving of the human spirit.
Hailing from East Kingston, New Hampshire, this small town is where Brian Walker would call home, with humble beginnings on a farm that would strongly influence his music. He turned his childhood bedroom into a recording studio and has spent time crafting songs that would speak of his lived experiences and aspirations. And yet, the intimate, far-reaching sound he comes up with is a testament to his being able to mesh lightbulb-going-off ideas and super catchy pop rhythms. His dedication to his craft and authentic storytelling makes for a compelling listen to this single and to his debut album as well.
Sleepwalker’s Station – Manitoba
“Manitoba,” their newest single by Sleepwalker’s Station, is a very thrilling integration of nostalgia and musical craftsmanship into one. Written in 2003, the track finally emerges, blinking in the light from the shadows, having seen the final arrangement and final recording between Portugal and Central Germany studios, and with final touches taking place in Berlin. First is a quite captivating marimba pattern that goes around all the space, setting up the time and space for a sonic piece of magic to take place. Insisting on using a real marimba, not a digital plugin, made the sounds much more legit and textured. The haunted beauty of Berlin that is Zora Schiffer, behind the microphone, threads an arm around the wistfulness of the song.
The lyrics to “Manitoba” describe a postcard sunset that the singer received from a friend, filling her with longing for a place she has never been. This sense of longing meets imagination perfectly in the emotive melody and the poetic lyrics of the song. Sleepwalker’s Station has created something both personal and otherworldly: an aesthetic experience of pensive calm, as befits their main idea. That aside, one can hear shades of the great influentials in songs like Gotye, Sting, Peter Gabriel, etc., but in the end, it’s the group that has equipped “Manitoba” with their own flavour through this unique fusion of folk and world music. This establishes that this will be a rich and diverse listening experience for fans who have followed the band for years or are just getting into the band after receiving this email.
Karen Harding is a Melbourne, Australia based singer/songwriter, founder of Sounds On The Couch, and founder and operator of boutique music PR service for emerging and independent artists, Rise Indie.