Emma McGrath – “Keep your eyes open”
-You might not think of yourself as an electro pop type of music fan, but please spin this track anyways. It’s got a delicateness to it that wins my heart with every listen. Something about the vocal balanced with the unique melody style pops for me. The easy comp here is Maggie Rogers, but I think McGrath has her own well-earned trail to blaze. I dig her sound.
Grace Gonzalez – “Red and white blues”
-If you’re a fan of the long tradition of folk music like Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger, you’ll love this song. If you are an American, you’ll especially be moved by the sentiments of this song. It’s about freedom, equality, and embracing love as a solution to our divisions. It’s beautiful and meaningful. I love the music, the sentiment, and Gonzalez’s raw expressive style.
Neon Moon – “Darlin”
-If you miss old time country, put this track on and dance with someone you love (even in your mind). This is a delightful track that reminds me of what the honky tonks used to be like on those late summer nights. The electric guitar here is as expressive as the vocal itself. What I love about this song, more than anything, is that it reminds me of growing up in the 80s and early 90s, listening to country music on the radio. This vocalist could hang with Tanya Tucker and Reba McIntyre. BET on that.
John Lingard – “Howling”
-This track is a bit more pop than some of the others on the list, but it definitely has a soulful quality to it. There’s a rising energy from the start. I’m not sure if it’s the tapping on the cymbal or the desperation in the vocal, but the track feels like it’s about to explode. Once it does, the listener feels this sense of adventure and excitement. It might not be the typical stripped down singer songwriter track, but we really like the energy that it captures. Give it a shot and you won’t be disappointed.
Charli Adams – “Cloverland Drive”
-This track was listed as indie rock initially, so I was not sure what to expect. Then I clicked play and heard this beautiful lead vocal with a brilliant use of wide open spaces. There’s something in the mix (some type of effect) that makes the vocal absolutely soar in some parts. The whole production feels like a person I want to meet and a place I want to go. Does that make sense? It feels like a little glimpse of a better place.
