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.
Moon Under Water – Greene Around The Gills
Berlin-based indie rock duo Moon Under Water has kicked out another catchy, uplifting cut from their forthcoming sophomore album with their new single “Greene Around the Gills.” The whole thing launches on bright brass and a pounding rhythm section with layered harmony vocals, creating a contagious vibe early on. While singer-songwriter Michael Bloss opens and the vocal urges forward, the rest of the band brings it to a blistering pace with an indie-folk flavour that brings to mind the Fleet Foxes and Bright Eyes with touches of Arcade Fire. The almost obsessive amount of attention that’s put into the detailed instrumentation and harmonic vocal arrangements really embraces the listener with a sound that truly is warm and energetic.
It’s a shot of adrenaline in Newton’s dynamic rhythms that drives the track, supercharging the lush melodies and giving it an energetic pulse that never says die. “Greene Around the Gills” is radiant with hopeful exuberance, indicative of Moon Under Water and its ability to intermix its introspective lyrics with an anthemic sound. This one single not only demonstrates the band’s musical prowess but also their ability to emotionally connect with an audience. With this release, Moon Under Water may finally and definitively be classified as a band to watch in the indie rock world.
Ships Have Sailed – Reflections
The indie-rock duo Ships Have Sailed goes very much into introspection on its new single, “Reflections,” an in-depth look at the profound journey between self-discovery and human connection. Deep introspection—the song is born about our lives, about our resilience, and about the singular ability to reflect and resonate if truly connected. “Reflections” is an anthem for those breathtaking moments on top of mountains under starlit skies, contemplating how great life possibly can be. It’s a sonic experience filled with great hope, wonder, and boundless potential, inviting listeners to look within and beyond.
Ships Have Sailed’s heart and soul, vocalist and guitarist Will Carpenter created this vivid piece as he set out to refocus on a solo musical project. A once-daunting task quickly turned into an exciting creative journey. The result is buoyant music full of uplift, with lyrics that present one with a thinking and insightful view of life. Then, with the addition of drummer Art Andranikyan, the band was solidified, giving them a more sincere sound in the vast sea of indie rock with pop sensibilities. “Reflections” evokes bands like OneRepublic, Train, and Coldplay and, if anything, its candidacy in explaining how the band has evolved and the capacity they’ve had in being able to put forth music that emotionally connects with the human spirit.
Swan Porter – Death Bed Visions
Swan Porter’s “Death Bed Visions” is equally gorgeous in its haunting debut, deeply introspective artistry. Self-produced, composed, and performed, except for mastering, this track leads listeners by the hand into a world of dreamy transcendence and introspection. Meticulously completed in the serene Santa Cruz mountains, unceded Awaswas territory—the song embodies a bittersweet longing for life almost forgotten and incorporates resonant experiences of dissociation and intense nostalgia. Classical and jazz-tinged melodies from the piano mingle with her deep, raw contralto to make an effect that is part moody and part enchanting.
Swan’s music also brings influences from ’90s favourite legends like Fiona Apple and Jeff Buckley, reminiscent in the way she delivers emotion. Turning to her piano work— an ode, she says, to the instrument she lovingly calls the “mother of all instruments”—it’s almost entirely self-taught. It expresses her love for the acoustic and percussive qualities found within. In “Death Bed Visions,” the lyricism remains, but the melody stays somewhere ethereal. Telling though the latter were quite very tragic, these song messages were beautiful in their way, personal to the singer’s introspections and longings. Comparable to artists such as Mazzy Star, Laufey, and Florence + The Machine, the debut from Swan Porter sees her promising a work of complexity and deep feelings for listeners, leaving them eager for whatever she delivers next.
Samantha Sage – Woman
The new single from Samantha Sage, “Woman,” is a spirited anthem to empower and unite women around the globe. Fueled with dynamic melodies and insistent lyrics, it’s designed to make the woman in charge just that much more assured—make way. A blend of Carrie Underwood and Fleetwood Mac influences allows Sage to blend Americana with a modern pop twist, creating something uniquely yet timelessly refreshing. Her powerful vocals and dynamic instrumentation support “Woman” in making it quite an instant classic, which slams with strength and invites unity in the celebration.
Samantha Sage grew up in Columbia, SC, which was always steeped in music. Taylor Swift’s songwriting honesty, the dreamy essence of Corinne Bailey Rae, and the powerhouse presence of Carrie Underwood have all gone into the creation of Sage’s music, which is resonant with authenticity and soul. “Woman” is one testimony of a weaver who can weave stories that are relatable in our everyday lives but have a global perspective enough to let each listener see themselves and be seen. This single cements Sage’s place as one of the most addictive, soulful American songwriters ever to be caught hold of and is likely to leave a lasting statement in music.
Michael Benjamin – Love Like I Can’t Lose
The new single by Michael Benjamin, “Love Like I Can’t Lose,” beautifully crafted with an acoustic guitar strumming at the beginning, together with ambient sounds, lures the listeners in. As the vocals begin to come alive, we are met with the raw warmth of Michael’s voice as he shares his story of love and resilience. The minimalistic arrangement acts as a vessel for the emotional depth of the lyrics, creating an intimate listening experience that seems quite personal yet universal. Fans of Bon Iver, Ben Howard, and Angus & Julia Stone will find a lot to love in this emotionally evocative and soul-stirring track.
Michael Benjamin, from Zürich, Switzerland, can weave the peaceful landscape of his homeland into brilliant and poignant narratives in his crafted songs. A great example is “Love Like I Can’t Lose,” which captures a sonic journey that is both reflective and uplifting. Drawing influence from artists such as Black Sea Dahu, Michael combines indie folk undertones with a modernly fresh touch to bring about a sound that is refreshing and deep in the abyss of authenticity. This single expresses his ability to deeply connect with his listeners, making “Love Like I Can’t Lose” a must-listen.
Sachi Sato – Make A Way For Us
Sachi Sato’s new single, “Make A Way For Us,” is a work of sad beauty born in the spur of the moment due to raw emotions and thoughts about life. It was written after, as Sachi puts it, a “mental health walk” following a massive argument with her boyfriend. The song captures the burst of creativity one might get after such vulnerable moments. A melody and words flashed right into her mind, creating a track epitomising sad girl energy but with an undercurrent of hope. Combining those written lyrics with the haunting voice of Sachi does stir up something truly emotional and easily relatable for any listener.
With the inspiration of Lorde, Lana Del Rey, and Lykke Li, the Sachi Sato roll-out feels fresh but familiar on “Make A Way For Us.” A traditional ballad structure, just put to a modern indie pop sensibility, the song works as one of those compelling tunes that grab hold of your heartstrings while it leaves you just a little glimmer of hope. The true testament to Sachi’s songwriting lies in the ability to bring very personal turmoil and make it into a universally relatable anthem. If anything, this is just a showcase not only for vocal ability but also for the ability to create songs that are as healing as they are heart-wrenching.
Emme – Lovely
“Lovely” is the third single from Emme’s forthcoming album and an empowering pop anthem for all the people pleasers. The song dives deep into a fight to discover authentic self among lost attempts to be loved and accepted by the people around. Emme explained that these insecurities had been drawn from her battles with self-image, creating a story that anyone who has ever felt the need to cover up who they indeed are to fit in would relate to. The song is a beautiful blend of melody lines, sparkling production, anthemic rock guitars, and Emme’s captivating vocals perfectly fit the internal tug of war between the wish for validation from the outside world and the journey to self-love.
Emily Dakin, from Canada, is an electronic/pop singer-songwriter and producer who is cherished for her velvety vocals over driving pop beats. Recently served as a student at MacEwan University enrolled in recording and production, Emme has been gaining quick recognition for the past year due to her haunting melodies, synth-based production, and clever lyricism. “Lovely” isn’t an exception, but it very much attests to the same sound valued by these artists—Chelsea Cutler, Valley, Maisie Peters, and Dylan are amongst the most notable. The song expresses her ability to touch human souls. “Lovely” turns into a relatable and elevating anthem for everyone who fights with the sophistication of self-acceptance and love.
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.