Tuesday Tracks: Your Weekly New Music Discovery – May 26

Inhaler, Tim Baker, Mike Polizze, Seth Walker, Sara Rachele, JC Stewart

Clockwise from top left: Inhaler, Tim Baker, Mike Polizze, Seth Walker, Sara Rachele and JC Stewart.

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

Artists on platforms like 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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Inhaler, “Falling In” — Young quartet Inhaler—comprised of lead singer Elijah Hewson, bassist Robert Keating, drummer Ryan McMahon and guitarist Josh Jenkinson—pumps up the energy with new-wave-tinged rock on its latest single. The band drives up ’80s-inspired production, sprinkles in some punk aggression and a dash of mysterious, electrifying vocals for an infectious, rebellious attitude. The song addresses self-identity, fitting in and the associated motions experienced as a young artist. The band charges into battle with its ego in check, fighting back as Hewson suggests in the the chorus that he could yet “be one of those guys.”



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Sara Rachele, “Lover Can’t You Just Get Over It” — This mellow folk-inspired ballad prevails merely from the acoustic guitar and angelic vocals of Sara Rachele, but is powerful nonetheless. As she reminisces fondly about a past lover, Rachele’s melodies embody her relatable struggle to overcome heartbreak. The track, set to appear on her upcoming album, Scorpio Sun, abounds with sad resonance. It strikes the heart strings with lyrics like, “Love me like you love her.”

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Seth Walker, “We Got This” — As the world faces the stressful and fearful times brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, Walker presents this soft rock track to remind us that we can pull through triumphantly. He addresses these uncertain times thoughtfully: “We live with questions every day/ Wondering how on the world we’re going to find our way.” The majority of the song was written three years ago, but the pandemic has inspired Walker to finish it with producer Jano Rix of the Wood Brothers. The song accentuates earthy acoustic guitar strumming and rustic electric guitar riffs, complementing Walker’s bluesy vocals.



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JC Stewart, “I Need You To Hate Me” — Stewart wears his heart and soul on his sleeve with his latest folk-pop single. The song makes use of fast-paced guitar picking and half-time beats to balance intensity and pensiveness. The chorus overflows with bright piano and electronic undertones, with a heavier emphasis on percussion. Stewart’s powerful vocals resemble the pop music blends of One Republic and Harry Styles as he tackles the hardships of a toxic relationship. “I’m done with all this silence,” he eventually decides.

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Mike Polizze, “Revelation” — This track blends classic folk with contemporary production, as Polizze’s voice balances country twang and a 2000s pop sheen. He’s backed by his longtime friend Kurt Vile, who even brings a surprise trumpet solo toward the end of the song, in addition to his distinctive singing. Splashes of electric guitar riffs complete the sonic package, but folky acoustic guitar playing steals the spotlight.



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Tim Baker, “Survivors” — Just after the one-year anniversary of his solo debut album, Baker comes out with this mellow yet catchy pick-me-up. He addresses personal struggles with a sense of strength and hope. This title track of his upcoming EP opens with hazy keyboard drones before Baker’s soft vocals enter alongside choppy piano. The bridge and the chorus develop a jazzy rhythm section, as Baker’s lyrics spotlight the hardships people must overcome before their life’s journey ends. He offers a lifeline of support and encouragement through lines like: “You’ve got to be strong even though you feel weak/ You’ve got to carry on when you want to give in.”

 



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Amber Ais, “Ready for U” — With a complementary mix of electric undertones and waves of guitar, Amber Ais creates romantic R&B and pop vibe with her powerful yet classy vocals. The track addresses the eye-opening experience of falling in love with someone she once rejected, and hoping he may reconsider her once again. She confronts the person:  “I know that it sounds crazy/ But I’m still holding onto maybe.” Light clashes of percussion are slashed throughout the song to create that heart-pounding feeling that she exudes.

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Amelia’s Pick: Each of these tunes bring amazing qualities to the table. Seth Walker voices a message that many people need to hear while navigating the pandemic, while JC Stewart’s “I Need You To Hate Me” presents passionate, artful aesthetics. But Tim Baker’s “Survivors” has it all. His percussion kept my head bopping and his relatable message touched my heart. The song becomes a powerful reminder that so many people throughout the world remain survivors by nature. For that reason, “Survivors” is my overall pick this week.

Follow writer Amelia Parreira at Twitter.com/AmeliaParreira.

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