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.
Heidi Simpson – Vampire
Take a peek at Heidi Simpson’s mysterious, beautiful universe with her latest track, “Vampire.” From the quiet, acoustic opening gambit to the full-band Dream Pop crescendo via numerous cross-fires of toxic love, it is nothing short of a ride full of ups and downs. Heidi’s dreamy vocals effortlessly encircle your soul as she delves deeply into the inner struggles of being dangerously attracted to someone who could ultimately be deadly. “Vampire” conveys the allure of wanting to distance oneself but being powerless to do so.
Working behind the scenes, Heidi linked up with producer Tomi Banx (also known for work with Paddy Echo and LA Women) to give their already captivating sound a glossy sheen. She is now working with a talented roster of young producers, which includes Hugo Chan, Harry Charles, Josh Naley, and Lucian Rice, all of whom look set to serve out even more sonic delight collaborations across the rest of the year. With Lana Del Rey’s echo of introspection and the indie charm of Clairo, one thing is for certain—Heidi Simpson is an artist to look out for in making her place in the world of music. So enjoy “Vampire” and let yourself be entranced by the enthralling artistry of Heidi Simpson.
Alex Sandra – I’ll Never Be The Same
Lean into the heart-wrenching world of Alex Sandra with her latest single, “I’ll Never Be The Same,” a heartfelt dedication to sexual abuse survivors. The emotionally charged song displays not just the strong and powerful voice of Alex but is also a message of hope and understanding for those who have experienced the same. With raw and honest lyrics, “I’ll Never Be The Same” lays out a safe space for hearing the silence of such sensitive issues, throwing light onto the struggles of victims so easily ignored.
Bringing experience and passion from a background in the diverse musical landscape of San Francisco, Alex Sandra comes forth with a pop-rock sound. Born in Georgia and brought up in Russia, Alex made her way through diverse countries and musical scenes, thus adding just a layer of versatility to her craft. Drawing from a wide pool of influences, from the raw emotion of Linkin Park to the theatricality of Lady Gaga, Alex weaves honest storytelling with dynamic melodies. These days, Alex Sandra performs all over the San Francisco Bay Area, from California’s High Sierras to Venice Beach sharing her that truth: the healing power of music and the need to break the silence about those things that could easily render us unconscious.
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Danny Pynes – Atlantic City
Danny Pynes’s new song, “Atlantic City,” takes you on an intriguing adventure. From the opening of the crisp guitar chords, it will take you to a place where you get to hear the vibrant Pop Rock vibes through melodic storytelling. Here is where Danny’s unmistakable vocals really peek through, creating an enticing narrative with a blend of emotive delivery and catchy melody that will have you singing along in no time.
Hailing from Florida and now ensconced in Nashville, Danny Pynes has years of experience touring under his belt and a loyal following in his hometown of Gainesville, FL, in the United States. Danny is no stranger to the stage. “Atlantic City” expresses through each note and phrase he sings, his masterful understated melodies, and his powerful hooks.
YRSA – Shortcut
On “Shortcut,” YRSA’s latest single, take an emotionally stirring ride through the complex twists and turns of life. It rips into the universal itch to take a glance at what counts, and subtlety purrs that sometimes the scenic route goes to the deepest well. With soulful vocals and a rich tapestry of instrumentation including cello, guitar, bass, and piano, “Shortcut” reveals itself almost as though it were asking them to—heed its name—stop, take stock, and pour over the paths they’ve been following.
“Shortcut” feels organic in sound, with each instrument shining through to provide a full sonic backdrop for the haunting, moving lyrics YRSA is celebrated for. Adding the bass of Henrik Linder (from Dirty Loops) merely thickens the layer for the track, Dorotea Dragodan plays the cello and Adam Skeppar on guitar. Malmö-native and now Stockholm-based, YRSA combines pop-soul influences with Swedish pop sensitivities to present a soundscape reaching that elusive line of equal balance between musical harmony and storytelling. With a promise of growing into an influencing force in the singer-songwriter world, YRSA brings imaginative melodies and colourful chords to the table.
Vaker – Golden
Vaker has made a dreamy journey into sound with his new single, “Golden,” which is a swirling mixture of indie-folk and dream pop. From the very opening, where the track opened with its angelic vocal harmonies and gentle strummed acoustic guitar, listeners will be immediately transported to a place of fragile melodies and meditative lyrics. Comparisons could be drawn to the likes of Hollow Coves and Novo Amor, while Vaker effortlessly carved a sound reminding, yet freshly unique, beckoning the listener to get lost into its hypnotic ambiance.
As if from the picturesque landscapes of southern Sweden, the music of Emil Vaker lathers in influences from indie to pop, R&B to folk. On “Golden,” Vaker showcases his multi-instrumentalist skill that brings forth some highly involved soundscapes. With everything from soulful melodies to the ambient, golden-sounding introspection, “Golden” has a sonic palette as versatile as it is captivating.
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.