The Wild Reeds

Every week, there’s a plethora of new music at our fingertips.

Artists on platforms such as Spotify and Bandcamp are plentiful, and the radio offers a steady deluge of new singles, but who has time to sort through all that? RIFF does!

We pooled our resources to find some of the best new singles from all genres and backgrounds, so you can find your newest earworm without all the drama. Enjoy this week’s hidden gems:

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Murray A. Lightburn, “Changed My Ways” – Montreal’s Murray A. Lightburn might be better known for his work as the frontman of The Dears. But this February, he’ll hone his solo career with his sophomore LP, Hear Me Out. “Changed My Ways” is a single Lightburn hopes shows both tenderness and inner strength. Lightburn found that balancing those two characteristics is much harder than it looks, which may explain why he mulls it over in this tune. Its endearing combination of Bossa Nova rhythms and acoustic guitar shows Lightburn’s dynamic range to be undeniably distinct from his work with The Dears.

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Adam Melchor, “Real Estate” – Although Melchor’s newest single feels cutesy and happy-go-lucky on the surface, the deeper story laced in the lyrics is far more thought-provoking. The New Jersey songwriter drew inspiration from his first cross-country drive from the East Coast to the West Coast—during which he realized he wouldn’t need his cold-weather clothes anymore once reaching the sunny shores of California. This song showcases his gift for vivid storytelling via stripped-down instrumentation and a real glimpse into his woes and worries, which are accompanied by an acoustic guitar and a simple vocal melody that never gets old.

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The Wild Reeds, “Lose My Mind” – This Los Angeles band has a perseverant work ethic. According to principal songwriter Kinsey Lee, she worked on this song for three years before she thought it was good enough to share, tirelessly changing the arrangement until it was perfected. This song is a wonderland of lush harmonies and glossy bass lines, as Sylvan Esso-influenced singing details the nuances of authentic friendship. “Lose My Mind” is specially memorable for its unpredictable nature. Its simple foundation quickly gains an experimental edge as reverb and ethereal harmonies support unpredictable instrumental and vocal refrains.

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Luke Sital-Singh, “Love Is Hard Enough Without The Winter” – Luke Sital-Singh has received recognition as a cathartic sad-boy, even earning his own TED Talk on the cathartic effect of writing and performing heartbreaking songs. “Love Is Hard Enough Without The Winter” is steeped in the bleak feelings of growing pains with graceful guitar strums and dreary percussion. Whether it’s his swoon-worthy falsetto or his introspective empathy, Sital-Singh’s outlook on love and relationships provides a healing perspective for those experiencing post-breakup trauma or the uphill struggle to the breaking point.

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ASHRR, “Don’t Wait Too Long” – This song blares with cinematic sparkle, with its synthetic textures and structured indie pop musicality. ASHRR has a very palatable sound, giving it ample opportunities in the alt-rock landscape. With “Don’t Wait Too Long” came the release of its unique video, a slightly off-base narrative of a quirky girl whimsically pacing through the night. The video almost seems like a nod to David Robert Mitchell’s 2014 horror flick It Follows, in contrast to the music’s much lighter touch. Although the song’s instrumentation keeps a low-risk mood, it works perfectly for those clichéd late night adventures.

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Vic’s Pick: The Wild Reeds’ “Lose My Mind” commences in a slightly MGMT-like electro-rock dynamic, giving all of those 2000s feel-good anthems a run for their money. The chorus has a goosebump-inducing, quick-shifting rhythm structure. With an absolutely gorgeous soprano harmony running throughout its arrangement, The Wild Reeds seem like seasoned veterans who have really reached the peak of their chosen sound.

Follow writer Vic Silva at Twitter.com/VicSilvaaaa.