Tuesday Tracks: Your Weekly New Music Discovery – June 22
Clockwise from top left: Sleep Waker, Heartless Bastards, Gang of Youths, Dessa, Ida Mae, Diana DeMuth and Skott.
Whether you’re in the mood for a summer love pop-anthem from Dessa, an upbeat jazz-rock bop from Heartless Bastards that makes you rethink the state of the world, or even a heart-wrenching yet powerful metal vibe from Sleep Waker, we’ve got you covered.
Here are this week’s gems.
Ida Mae, “Learn To Love You Better” — This track tackles the heart-wrenching theme of loving someone struggling with their mental health, as Ida Mae exclaims, “Sometimes I feel like going under/ When you treat me like a stranger.” Nonetheless, the soulful vocals from the multi-instrumental duo of Christopher and Stephanie Jean Turpin keeps up an energetic vibe while it looks to the light at the end of the tunnel. Christopher Turpin’s mandolinetto and drum machine play off each other to create a ’70s rock vibe, while Stephanie Jean’s tambourine beats are the cherry on top for this danceable jam.
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Skott, “Wolf” — Swedish pop artist Skott returns with a stripped-down rendition of her 2016 track. Here she’s showing even more vulnerability as her sensational vocals take center stage amid simplistic repetition of a whispering fingerpicking pattern. Skott wears her heart on her sleeve as she strives to hold onto love’s innocent phases through a trial. “You keep me warm in your bloodstream/ You keep me calm when you breathe in/ Now I don’t know what I’ve done,” she sings.
Sleep Waker, “110 Minutes” — Right off the bat, this metal track kicks up the energy with smashing guitar riffs by Jake Impellizzeri and Jason Caudill, as Hunter Coutright’s powerhouse vocals take center stage. Meanwhile Frankie Mish figuratively explodes on bass. While the anthem masters a high power level that keeps listeners moving, it tackles the tough theme of the changes in life after loss.
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Heartless Bastards, “How Low” — Lauren Gurgiolo’s and David Pulkingham’s energetic guitar riffs, Greggory Clifford’s danceable percussion, Bo Koster’s upbeat, jazzy keys and velvety vocals of Erika Wennerstrom build up the head-bopping rhythm on this track. Jesse Ebaugh’s complementary bass line completes the jam as the entire ensemble kicks up a modern take on classic rock and roll vibes. This bop takes on capitalism and how it takes a hit on the world’s economic and environmental health. Wennerstrom calls out those who land on top of the wealth scale. She asks the world to take a good look in the mirror. “Oh the world is filled with greed/ Can we ask ourselves how much we really need,” she sings.
Diana DeMuth, “Photographs” — This somber piano ballad is highlighted by Diana DeMuth’s robust, yet soft and tearful vocals as she lets go of love that was once beautiful yet ran out of shine. Layers of sensational piano phrases bring out an unending string of emotions as she continues, “Lying here in the aftermath of the dangerous games that we played.”
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Dessa, “I Already Like You” — Opening with deep electronic synths, this summer love anthem puts a new wave spin on ‘90s pop. Thanks to production by Lazerbeak and Andy Thompson, this song is a sound-heavy dreamscape, pulling listeners into the future while singer/rapper Dessa pulls the other way with her nostalgic vocal techniques. “I’m attracted to the IQ/ Not my style to make the first move,” Dessa sings against social norms as she takes a risk on love. Catch her at Stern Grove Festival the summer.
Editor’s pick: Gang of Youths, “The Angel of 8th Ave.” — This is the first taste of the next phase of Gang of Youths‘ career. The formerly Australian-based hearts-on-their-sleeves rock band has relocated to London but hasn’t lost its heart-thumping identity. Frontman Dave Le’aupepe earnestly growls over a bass-groove-led melody that makes the song seem both hurried and at-peace. Gang of Youths’ songs have carried some difficult topics over the years, from mortality to substance addiction. It’s nice to see Le’aupepe take on something that empowers him in love.
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Amelia’s pick: It’s always tough choosing between such a standout lineup, but this week’s pick goes to Heartless Bastards for their energetic chemistry and their take on national issues.
Follow writer Amelia Parreira at Twitter.com/AmeliaParreira.