Three brand new contemplative indie tracks that defy genre and spark the imagination

Grayson Hamm – “Backroads”
-In my life, I have never once contemplated smoking a tumbleweed until I clicked play on this track. What a concept… and it’s just the beginning. This is a lonesome indie rock flavored track about what it’s like walking dusty streets alone. There’s an expressiveness here that reminds me of how I feel when I listen to Charley Crockett. The timeless rhythmic structure and combination of bluesy rock with an almost old fashioned cowboy sentiment really gives the track a lot of character. Also, of note, the production is absolutely crispy on this track. The atmospheric elements allow for the quality of the vocal to seep through even more. I dig this a lot.

alyson witt – “your name”
-The understated whispery vocal style doesn’t always work, but when it does it can be one of my favorite sounds in music. Witt has seemingly mastered the understated vocal because I keep approving her tracks. This one definitely has that Billie Eilish and Lizzy McAlpine thing going for it. The verse reminds me of some of Witt’s other writing, but the sway on the chorus feels like it ventures out a bit. The cathartic horn work on the chorus provides some additional depth. The sound feels like something that Dodie Clark might have written and produced; that’s high praise from me. This is such a gem of a recording and further solidifies my adoration of this rising indie artist.

1P4E Music Collective feat. Morgan Gold – “Crimes”
-I didn’t know what to expect when I clicked play on this track, but I was handsomely rewarded with some incredible writing and performance. There’s really not a genre for this sound, but as near as I can describe it I guess it’s indie pop. The vocal style has a bit of layering and production polish, but it works well in a Billie Eilish sort of way. The lyrical theme is about “fatal attraction” and the feeling of being in a relationship that’s not working out, but you’re just hoping that the other person can change to be more reciprocal and genuine. It’s a tragic tale, really, and a timeless one at that. This is a beautiful piece of art, especially vocally, in a response to something that sounds really difficult. I hope there will be healing.

Image courtesy: Grayson Hamm IG