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After a 2nd holiday Monday in a row, there's lots of new music to cover both indie and otherwise as Kat Bass joins us once again to go through her faves of the past week, and we also talked a bit about the ongoing Buskers' World Cup ongoing here in Gwangju.
"The Drop with Danno" on GFN 광주영어방송 98.7FM in Gwangju & 93.7FM in Yeosu, Korea. An eclectic radio curation of all things musical spanning the spectrum every week. Broadcasting 8-10pm KST nightly.
U.T.R 10/11/2022
Part 1
Dreams On Tape – Lost In My Head
Lost spaces – daydream
GHEDI & AJ Abdullah – what u like
Ooi – Coquette
Shirley Hurt – Problem Child
Sungaze – What I Wanted To See
Facts
Dreams On Tape – Lost In My Head
- One of our favorites out of Tampa, FL is out with a new single over the weekend. The band is the solo project of Jake Benfant, who is totally DIY and records everything in his humble abode.
- The sound of course is rooted in nostalgia, with film being a major influence, along with modern bedroom and dream pop artists and vintage photographs.
lost spaces – daydream
- An artist whose bio says simply, “has never been to a rave, just try’na vibe.”
- This is the solo project of Sam Lopez, who says about the song, “This song is about using memories and dreams as a way to escape from the pains of the present. I'm very proud of this one and it marks the first of many songs upcoming over the next year.”
GHEDI & AJ Abdullah – what u like
- Interesting team-up here and it seems the artists are moving forward a bit more as a team.
- AJ Abdullah is a ukelele player based in Austin and GHEDI is based in LA on the beats.
- Just a lovely, sunny tune here. Perfect if you’re tryin to get your day going in the right direction, which is certainly a struggle for me.
ooi – Coquette
- Just out Friday is the new album from this artist, which is in fact their debut. This is a trio that operates rather location independent but is definitely out of Europe, most likely Germany as far as I can tell.
- They formed over the internet in 2016, and have been rather prolific in their output since, but now the debut album Good Luck Charms has dropped in full via Kitsune Records.
Shirley Hurt – Problem Child
- This is the lead single to another debut album coming out later this year in December.
- The artist is out of Toronto, and this tune comes with a lovely video to boot, for those of you who are more visually inclined.
Sungaze – What I Wanted To See
- This is the project of Ian and Ivory, who are the married couple that spearhead the group.
- The two tend to make a very bright multi-genre sound, and have two full albums under their belt from 2019 and 2021, called Light In All of It and This Dream, if you wanna check out more and like what’s coming up.
Part 2
Alvvays - After the Earthquake
almost Monday - cough drops
Valley - The Problem Song
Aiden Bissett - I Can't Be Your Friend
Sleepy Soul - Birch Baby
Dayglow - Like She Does
Facts
Alvvays - After the Earthquake 3.05
- With October 7th being a major release date for many bands and artists, we start off the list with Alvvays.
- The Toronto band’s third album, Blue Rev is a triumph of power pop, a densely layered, witty, and beautiful record that sets a new benchmark for the genre.
- Despite the powerful new twist the album gives than their usual dreamy vibes, the fans are loving it and are saying it's the new future of teenage power-pop rock.
- I personally liked today's pick, their 3rd track, After the Earthquake and their 13th track lottery noises.
- I've definitely enjoyed listening to the entire album…however I don't know if it's that iconic? Nevertheless, still a great one
almost monday - cough drops 2.44
- California based Indie pop band almost monday is back at it again with a hot one called cough drops.
- The band has definitely skyrocketed since their summer song "sunburn" released a few months back; gaining major popularity.
- "cough drops" continues to embody the sunny, California-inspired sound that has earned almost monday fans across the globe.
- Apparently the band will wrap up the year with headline shows in Japan and South Korea this month, as well as a performance at San Diego's Wonderfront Music & Arts Festival in November.
Valley - The Problem Song 2.38
- Alternative-pop band Valley shares truth from their latest release, “The Problem Song.”; which is an ode to mental health.
- The song is about how life is hard and will always be full of challenges that feel like things will never improve. However, the broken aspects of life will mend.
- Valley is known for carrying an intimate sound in their music while addressing essential topics regarding life, also giving them something to jam to with the 90s nostalgic pop sound.
- Fun fact, the beat for The problem Song was made while a bandmate was hungover in a plane. Wow.
Aiden Bissett - I Can't Be Your Friend 2.52
- 19 year old Florida based artist Aiden Bissett released their debut EP, I'm Alright If You're OK.
- The five-track project documents the stages of a troubled relationship with immediacy and a dramatic perspective, demonstrating his knack for twisting heartbreak into some exciting angsty tunes.
- Looking into it, After breaking through with a series of self-produced singles in 2020, Bissett was signed to Capitol Records before he'd even finished high school. To date, he's amassed over 52 million combined global streams, now reaching even higher with his latest EP.
Sleepy Soul - Birch Baby 4.25
- The Illinois bedroom pop duo Sleepy Soul has come back with a new EP, Apricot Dreams.
- Having found and listening to their latest singles this past season, you can definitely say their mix of indie, soul, and dance is a treat to the ears.
- Consistent of 9 tracks, the EP themes off of sweet young love, a topic that shapes perfectly with their angelic vocals and swaying guitars.
- Now, Sleepy Soul has a total of 3 EPs and no albums in sight. Which makes me think.. why? And when will it come out?!
Dayglow - Like She Does 4.33
- Dayglow, the artist who has cemented himself as an indie-pop innovator over the last two years, has dropped his much anticipated new album ‘People in Motion’
- The 10 tracks of ‘People in Motion’, conceptualized, written, played, and produced by Sloan Struble, are delightful manifestations of Struble’s desire to steer clear of conflict or drama and offer someone something to love.
- From the funky and danceable track “Second Nature” to the dreamy-pop track “Deep End”, Dayglow delivers cathartic music that resonates with the masses.
- And in an era of music when most songs take a team of co-writers and producers to create, Dayglow’s music remains uniquely created solely by himself.
Part 3
Hauskey - Help!
easy life - Silver Linings
Milky Chance - I Am Lost_Demo
Munan - Freak Like Me
Broken Bells - One Night
Charlø - numb
Facts
Hauskey - Help! 2.49
- Today's pick Help! Is the first track of Australian hardworking, alpha male, jackhammer Hauskey's latest mixtape project "Help!:Act iii"
- Continuing on, These four new tracks follow ‘Emilee: Act I’ and ‘Heartache & LSD: Act II’, which detail the depths of Hauskey’s depression and his initial attempts to push past it.
- Hauskey says “Act III is the final stage of my mental health journey,”...“It’s Frodo dropping the ring into the lava. And it’s where I am now. It’s the result of therapy, exercise, setting boundaries, taking care of my sleep habits, working out who I am and what I want. It’s getting help, and continuing to do so. It’s remembering what Emilee did to me, and how I never want to return to that. It’s valuing myself. It’s staying in Act III for the rest of my life.”
easy life - Silver Linings 3.09
- Leicester based, Mellow five piece band easy life is back with their second album, MAYBE IN ANOTHER LIFE…
- Less thematic than 2021 debut ‘Life’s A Beach’, ‘Maybe In Another Life…’ is a snapshot of post-pandemic life, specifically the moment where the future starts approaching so fast it begins to look like the present. This is a sincere, soulful collection of songs brimming with honesty and humble perseverance.
- Aside from the meaningful lyrics, the melodic beat and hype tempo of old-school hip-hop and jazz are mixed between indie pop tracks, giving refreshing surprises in the album.
- Silver Linings is definitely one the refreshers, that I hope will refresh your beautiful mind.
Milky Chance - I Am Lost_Demo 3.40
- German duo Milky Chance drops their brand-new mixtape, Trip Tape II. Trip Tape II follows on the heels of last year’s surprise mixtape, Trip Tape, which amassed more than 55 million streams
- Encompassing a dozen tracks, including a RAC Mix of “Synchronize,” and a selection of originals, demos, and covers, the album is filled with ideas and vibes.
- Today's pick is their 10th track, I am Lost the second demo out of two in the mixtape.
- With Trip Tape II, Milky Chance delivers their ability to excel as a duo. It crosses sounds from rustic rock sounds, clear beats and electronic synth blips, making this release broad sounding and eccentric.
Munan - Freak Like Me 4.21
- Just last month South Korean-Australian artist Munan launched his solo project with an exceptional debut single called ‘Your Life’ and quickly returned with a new one, Freak Like Me.
- The new single was inspired by the purchase of an old reel-to-reel tape machine, which he eventually thought of how it's odd, but it's okay.
- Munan says, "Using tape to create the track was a special experience and has definitely helped me to craft my own sound as a new artist. The song is about me coming to accept that being weird is okay and that there is someone out there who will love me for who I am.”
Broken Bells - One Night 3.49
- “Featuring two of the bigger names in indie and alternative music — The Shins’ frontman James Mercer and producer/multi-instrumentalist Brian Burton, aka Danger Mouse come together as Broken Bells, and they are back at it again after 8 years, with new album Into the Blue.
- The record sees them casting a wide net, presenting a palette that embraces sounds from across the last six decades of popular music.
- Our pick, their 5th track, One Night, has an uptempo beat with a punchy and dark cut of 80s-flecked synth-pop, a real woozy fun tune.
- Many reviews of the new album seem to coincide and say how it's their moodiest trip yet. Soothing and unsettling, and album to get lost in.
Charlø - numb
- Los Angeles-based newcomer who goes by the name charlø (real name Charlotte Reed), releases their debut single, numb
- charlø has a sound that can be likened to a mix between BENEE and Dorian Electra, but also has a certain unique quality all to her own.
- Apparently the song was inspired by how easily we can be deceived by our own memory, especially around traumatic events.
- She explains, I have been reeling trying to figure out if this thing actually happened or not ever since [I remembered]. On one hand, if I let myself believe it was true, I think I’d break down. So I’ve remained in this sort of undecided state of numbness towards the memory.
Part 4
Princess Chelsea - Love is More
Jordana - SYT (save your tears)
Chloe Moriondo - Diet Heartbreak
WILLOW -
Maris - Heavenly Bodies
Nessa Barrett - Tired of California
Facts
Princess Chelsea - Love is More 4.23
- Princess Chelsea takes you on a journey of healing in her comforting and vulnerable new 10-track album. Everything Is Going To Be Alright.
- Born out of the New Zealand-based pop artist’s bedroom, Bookended with two title tracks, her quote, “nervous breakdown album” brings you through Chelsea’s emotional recovery and the resulting catharsis.
- Our pick, "Love is More” is a pop gem that presents as an ode to the Flying Nun records guitar bands of New Zealand. Its lyrics seem ordinary until you realize it’s actually about the complexities of an abusive relationship.
Jordana - SYT (save your tears) 3.23
- Over the summer, indie-pop musician Jordana shared her latest album Face the Wall. The 22-year-old artist has toured with Local Natives and Wallows, and she'll be opening for Remi Wolf this fall. And she's not slowing down anytime soon—today, she shared a new single titled "SYT," along with the announcement of a new EP called I'm Doing Well, Thanks for Asking that's out November 11.
- "SYT" is a cathartic break-up anthem which instead of wallowing in heartache, Jordana uses her energy to move forward. She explained "It channels the feelings of empowerment and emotional awareness after a tough breakup,"
- There's also a music video! Go check it out.
Chloe Moriondo - Diet Heartbreak 2.23
- Armed with an unfiltered imagination and an unapologetic attitude, alt-pop superstar Chloe Moriondo tells an eclectic collection of surreal stories on their new album ‘SUCKERPUNCH’. Chloe is only 19, however they are by no means a newcomer to the music world.
- From the bold, playful arrogance of ‘Popstar’ to the unhinged alternative electronic fusion in ‘Hotel For Clowns’, Chloe Moriondo has definitely expressed herself to a new level.
- An album full of surprises, it really does seem you're getting a Suckerpunch to the head.
WILLOW - 2.45
- After taking their first steps into pop-punk on 2021's 'lately I feel EVERYTHING', Willow Smith doubles down and levels up on her fifth album, Coping Mechanism.
- In a message to fans marking the new album’s release, Willow expressed being at a loss for words when it came to adequately describing how she felt about kicking off this chapter of her discography,
- They say,“No words can describe the gratitude and joy that I feel in this moment,”
- Personally having listened to the whole album, I can say it's alot, but in a good way.
Maris - Heavenly Bodies 3.26
- Indie pop singer, MARIS is thrilled to release her debut single “Heavenly Bodies”. In addition, it is the first of several upcoming releases leading to her debut EP, Gravity, expected March 2023.
- The artist explains the song is about her unbalanced and intense first love she experienced with a girl in high school. She was called when the girl's boyfriend wasn't around, giving MARIS feelings of ascendence to the heavens, then a slam dunk back down to earth.
- Though the music itself falls within the genre of pop, it is as dynamic as she is, drawing on influences from all kinds of genres and styles.
Nessa Barrett - Tired of California 3.11
- Rising indie-pop artist Nessa Barrett confronts industry standards and South Cali toxicity on her raw new single "tired of california." It's the latest anthem from the newcomer's debut album Young Forever, due October 14th.
- From February 2021's pop-punk, smashes "la di die" and "dying on the inside," released in the hope of raising awareness about eating disorders, Barrett has only become more dedicated to using her platform as a source of healing.
- Nessa will get to play the new songs live for the first time when she hits the stage at the When We Were Young Festival in Las Vegas on Oct. 22nd, 23rd and 29th, with a special Album release show YOUNG FOREVER, in between.
- Go check em out.