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.
Zach Day – Available
“Available” is the latest release from Zach Day, really putting his fans through an emotional and somewhat intense ride. The song has the depths of feelings that are, oh so beautifully, encased by the comfort of his velvety vocal tones. “Available” marks Day’s first release in welcoming listeners with warmth and command of the voice from the first opening note. The lyrics—the raw, introspective, human balancing act—speak to the universal struggle of vulnerability vs. self-preservation. “Somebody once told me I’m making myself a bit too available, but I can’t help it,” he croons, welcoming everybody to his world full of introspection and longing.
Zach Day’s musical journey, starting from the first steps as a musical artist in one of America’s poorest counties, pretty much follows the same contours as any tale of resilience and passion. He missed school in order to teach himself the guitar playing and development of the vocal talents, while immersing himself in the many riches of musical influences around him. Influenced by the melodic gift of folk legends, Zach would craft his own brand, through intertwining tales of love and loss with a voice bared by his soul.
Muo Duo – 20th Century Girl
Muo Duo’s latest pop single, “20th Century Girl,” is a moving reflection for the modern digital age; they’ve wrapped layers upon versatile production and vocal finesse. The track tells a colourful story about a young lady trying to discover herself in this world where social media and technology have blurred the reality of the virtual persona. Winter Donnelly handles the vocals, and her Broadway talent—although giving it a hint of an Ariana Grande flair—creates a pop-decadence-drenched vocal performance that suits well for the romantic drama that this track exudes.
Siblings Miles and Winter Donnelly, who have their own respective lauded careers in the field of music and show business, have found themselves coming together in the comforts of their rural Vermont retreat due to the pandemic. Taking the isolation and turning it into inspiration, they changed their mountain makeshift studio into a creative haven, recording soulful melodies among the peace of nature. From such humble beginnings, Muo Duo has grown into a source of hope and connection that weaves through sonic tapestries, somehow touching on people’s experiences on an immensely human scale. With “20th Century Girl,” they offer a chance to meditate on our digital world while sweetly serenading us to a tune that lingers long after the song melts away.
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Dover Lynn Fox – Low Moon
Dover Lynn Fox’s single “Low Moon,” the title track of her EP, encapsulates the euphoria of personal growth and newfound freedom. Drawing inspiration from the golden eras of folk, pop, and rock, Dover crafts a sonic tapestry that resonates with echoes of the 60s and 70s. With “Low Moon,” she delivers a transcendent experience, a symphony of emotions and vibrations that wash over you like a gentle breeze on a summer night. Dover herself describes it as “a shot of vibrations and emotions rather than a structured story. It’s a sonic sigh of relief, an homage to life’s signals, signs and wonders, and a message about taking the higher ground.”
Throughout the EP, titled “Low Moon,” Dover Lynn Fox weaves a narrative deeply intertwined with the natural world, painting vivid landscapes that mirror the complexities of the human experience. From the desolate, wintry fields depicted in “Winter Son” to the tranquil, azure waters of “When Youth Was Wasted,” nature’s power and beauty serve as both backdrop and catalyst for emotional transformation. Each song on the EP contributes to a collective story of growth, resilience, and the pursuit of positivity.
Lullanas – Contradiction
The new single “Contradiction” by LULLANAS reflects most beautifully and movingly the dance between desire and action, capturing the emotional heave of confusion in relationships or lack thereof. Co-written with Kjsonsdg, the song emerges raw and introspective, a deep look into the paradoxes that define human connection—especially amidst the backdrop of pandemic disquieting stillness. With the signature harmonious folk-pop sound, LULLANAS wrap listeners up in a world where vulnerability is celebrated, and contradictions are quite all right—it’s that difference between the dark and light after all, that proves the most interesting mix.
Indian-American twin sisters Atisha and Nishita, hailing from the outskirts of Philly, bring an eclectic tapestry to their music—an ensemble of flavours spun from their multicultural home and fired by the common love for story. Building on the success of their debut EP and a string of well-received shows, LULLANAS follows on with the upcoming album “Pretty Lies & Time Machines. With “Contradiction” being a teaser into the new musical experience, LULLANAS welcome us to join them on a trans-formative journey through the boundless sonic world.
Pierre Roxon – Blue Mary
The latest single from Pierre Roxon, “Blue Mary,” signals itself as an arresting collision of personal introspection and artistic impulse inspired by a chance meeting on the streets of Lisbon, Portugal. Motivated by the Catholic imagery around him, Pierre could not help being drawn to the Virgin Mary, whose symbolic presence might as well have been woven right into the text of his touching melody. Recorded live in a wine cellar, amidst the warmth of an interactive audience, “Blue Mary” breaks from the standard recording methods with the desire to truly capture the experience of a shared musical energy and intimacy among friends. The spellbinding, ethereal vocals of 6 Music featured artist Charlotte Algar added light and shade to the song as Pierre Roxon takes us on an emotive journey over subtleties of love and romance.
It is here that Pierre Roxon tackles the most intimate part of the “Blue Mary” genesis: an excerpt from the memoir of his grandfather, who survived hell in an Italian concentration camp. Lyrics unnervingly filled with echoes of resilience and rebirth, a homage to the indomitable spirit of his family’s history. From Exeter, England, to Central Portugal, his musical path held luminary collaborations with the likes of guitarist Gary Lucas, who spun rich tapestries about influences going into shaping his soul-stirring sound. With “Blue Mary,” Pierre Roxon not only pays tribute to his heritage but also invites us to embark on a transcendent exploration of the human condition, guided by the power of music to heal, inspire, and uplift.
Alba Rose – Home
Alba Rose’s latest single, “Home,” is a tender ode to change and to the arms that open in grateful recognition of life’s transient moments. The song, crafted at a transitional time, conveys with a soulful melody and intimately sung lyrics that while times could change, the song would never let its listeners go, holding them close like their cherished memories. It is this that makes Alba Rose tick down to the very core of reminiscence and perseverance in a way that is lively, warm, and genuine. Lingering on long after the last note has played.
“Home” is an arresting single that is very emotional, with lyrics dripping in feeling and harmonies that pull at the soul. First of its kind from Rose, “Home” is a ballad that unravels the ever-changing artistry of the South Korean artist while continuing on the road of tender songwriting she’s now laid out as her signature style. With an impending remix that promises to buoyantly rework this track, Alba Rose is all set to unleash what the next chapter of her journey holds—a development that has so far kept audiences on their toes since her burst onto the scene.
Leighton Day – Smile/Disappear
Laced with glittering strands of indie pop, Latin, and dream pop, ‘Smile/Disappear’ is Leighton Day’s shimmering new single, transporting the listener to an enchanting aural canvas. Her vocals are sultry, as they effortlessly glide over the acoustic guitar-driven melody, while Leighton weaves a spellbinding wall of sound that lures one into a dreamy space of introspection and emotion. As harmonies gently dance in the backdrop, the track really unfurls like a daydream vividly, egging on the listener to get lost within its alluring ambiance.
With iconic comparisons in music such as Amy Winehouse, Lana Del Rey, and Billie Eilish, Leighton does her justice among these iconic names in music. From each note, she oozes that magnetic, heart-rending charisma that clings to you like glue, more or less ensuring that she’s your latest ingénue favourite in indie pop. If you want that your musical journey should be touchingly soulful and quite gripping, then definitely Leighton Day’s “Smile/Disappear” will be an awesome addition for your collection.
COY Swede – Kiss Of Destiny
“Kiss of Destiny” by COY Swede is an out-of-the-world, ethereal flight through the cosmos of soulful pop. The melodies sparkle in the distance like stars, where the lyrics speak about an eternal chase for love and hope. So, when COY Swede is at the wheel as the producer and featuring the hypnotic voice of Jordan Grace—whose vocal works span Martin Garrix—this is a definition of a track that shines with an allurement simply impossible to not get sucked into. And while the music seems to wrap around you like an old friend, a warm embrace, it seems to draw the listener into its charismatic allure, longing with a quick check for the urge to check out more from COY Swede’s musical world.
COY Swede, born and raised in the hotbed of the Stockholm, Sweden music scene, is a musician who injects his passion for music into every note. With “Kiss Of Destiny,” he takes listeners on a cosmic journey of enchantment, a wave of emotions that speak to just that, with the reminder: “Even in the darkest corners of the universe, the stars continue to shine”. If you feel like having an emotional rollercoaster ride, but this time one where you keep on calling out for more: look no further than COY Swede’s “Kiss Of Destiny” and allow yourself to be teleported to a magical world where music and enchantments happen side by side.
P&B – Waste My Time
“Waste My Time” by P&B is a journey through the complexities of emotion, blending Paris’s soulful vocals with Bob’s intricate instrumentation to create an evocative sonic landscape. The song delves deep into themes of frustration, defeat, and the struggle to reconnect with lost inspiration, resonating with anyone who has ever found themselves grappling with the weight of overthinking. Through Paris’s emotive vocal performance, listeners are transported to a world where the ocean’s once-inspirational allure fades into the background, mirroring the internal struggle of searching for meaning in the midst of uncertainty.
As a staple in P&B’s live set, “Waste My Time” has been finely crafted over time, allowing the duo to hone in on the nuances and details of their delivery. Drawing inspiration from a wide range of influences, from classic Beatles tunes to modern artists like Noah Kahan and Hozier, Paris and Bob infuse their music with a diverse array of sounds and styles. With Paris’s dramatic and emotional vocal melodies complemented by Bob’s intricate instrumental arrangements, P&B transcends the confines of the singer-songwriter genre, offering listeners a rich and dynamic musical experience that speaks to the depths of human emotion.
Lostboycrow – Summer Boy
“Summer Boy” is the latest single from Lostboycrow, reflecting sunny indie pop with bright drumbeats and brisk riffs of the guitar, packed with some fine dreamy ambiences as it waddles along breezy hooks. The song was full of irresistible energy and an infectious melody, a perfect one for any soundtrack, be it from the most bone-idle beach day to the latest of late-night summer adventures. Lostboycrow is bringing all he’s got to “Summer Boy” with vocal hooks, raptured vocals, and an off-kilter R&B flair, displaying pure alternative sensibility.
But with each successive release, the enigmatic allure of the figure behind Lostboycrow deepened still further—for music scenes of all colours, and far beyond. With “Summer Boy,” he serves up a sugar-coated love song wrapped in a broken disco ball of sound. He exhorts his listeners to lose themselves in the infectious groove. With a national tour alongside the likes of the acclaimed VÉRITÉ, K.Flay, and Flor to showcase after showcase, Lostboycrow would prove himself the pop enigma of his time—dishing out one irresistible masterpiece after another. Whenever the soundtrack to your summer escapades is in need of a musical lift, this is definitely one track you’d want to dial up—Lostboycrow’s “Summer Boy” leads the way in songful, sunny charm.
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.