Given music’s deserved ubiquity in our society, it’s all too easy to forget how profound an effect it can have on our lives.
For those of who love music, truly deeply, madly, completely love it, it is essential, not just a way of adding colour and flavour to our day-to-day lives, but a way of making sense of them too.
So it is that these five artists, all of whom bring unique sounds and insight to the table, enrich our lives with every listen, reminding that life should never be something that just happens; rather it should be vital, alive, well-examined and beautifully articulated and then set to music so we can live all our days surrounding by songs that remind us how richly wonderful it is to be alive.
“Run Too Far” by Jessica Hernandez and the Deltas
Hailing from Detroit, a city has experienced more than its share of misfortune over recent years and yet remains stoically vibrant and alive, Jessica Hernandez and the Delta know how to make soul/pop sizzle.
Not that beguiling, tub-thumping genre needs much help in that regard, but even so, there is a rich, muscular vitality to songs like “Run Too Far” that underscore how insanely talented this remarkable band is.
Drawn from their new album Telephone, which follows their 2014 debut album Secret Evil, the song fairly dances across and into your ears, gathering speed, momentum and giddy, pulsing intensity as it goes on.
It’s insanely, drop-dead catchy and is accompanied by a very cool video of which Jessica has this to say:
“The ‘Run Too Far’ video basically came about from a weekend trip with girlfriends. I met photographer Kate Hollowell at a cabin in Mexico through friends and we immediately hit it off and started talking about collaborating in some way. I loved her style of photography and she liked the band and so we started talking about how we could take her skills as a fashion photographer and my wacky style and music and make something we were both really proud of. We brought on our friend Hannah Peterson who filmed, Kate directed, and I styled the shoot. The whole video is basically three girlfriends fucking around in the desert and experimenting with things we’ve wanted to experiment with. We of course had the help of Daniel Yoon who edited the video and assisted the shoot, as well as Sydney Shafer and Penelope Gazin who provided their awesome dance moves.” (Paste Magazine)
It’s all intoxicatingly listenable, the kind of music that fairly throbs with passion, meaning and an urge to run … far, with an infectious soundtrack to speed you on your way.
“I Don’t Wanna Dance” by Coin
Formed in Nashville in 2012, COIN (Chase Lawrence on lead vocals & synthesizers), Ryan Winnen on drums, Joe Memmel on lead guitar and backing vocals and Zachary Dyke on bass guitar) are an indie pop band that deliciously mix dark and light, melancholic and immensely catchy in one brilliantly good song.
Make than an entire album actually – How Will You Know If You Never Try is the follow up to their eponymous 2015 debut album – which is packed to the sonic rafters with songs that have something to say and music that more than ably helps them say it.
This talented for being creative and thoughtful in equal measure exists to the video for their song which came with a very specific idea as as Ryan told Papermag:
“We exist in a city (Nashville) filled with grungy rock music and country. In our latest video by director Daniel Henry, we focused on the juxtaposition of the New Nashville with that older, grungy/country Nashville. We wanted to shoot whimsical (and intentionally awkward) scenes in locations that showcase Nashville’s history, but also exemplify the rising tourism we see on a daily basis.”
It’s an example of the way this band always comes as a compelling whole, with their music and visuals serving up a band that is enticing to listen to, fun to watch and has a winning sense of its own artistic self.
“Mourning Sound” by Grizzly Bear
Grizzly Bear, who have been making brilliant indie pop in Brooklyn, new York since 2002, are showing no signs of succumbing to the kind of creative ennui that catch deleteriously many long-running bands.
Continuing their use of traditional sounds and bewitching electronica, the veteran band have delivered a fine single in “Mourning Sound”, which We Are the Guard describe thus:
“‘Mourning Sound’ is a propulsive, synth-speckled groove driven by a throbbing, low-slung bassline, with frontman Ed Droste topping things off with arguably one of his most sweepingly melancholic, grand vocal performances to date.”
Yes to every part of that pithy, spot-on assessment with “Mourning Sound” rich with substance and meaning, a highly-melodic melancholy pulsing through every compelling note.
“When You’re Gone” by VÉRITÉ
There is nothing finer than a song that reaches right into the very depths of your soul and shakes you so hard that you wonder how it is you existed before you know of its existence.
Brooklyn-based VÉRITÉ aka Kelsey Byrne has a knack for drawing together a multitude of influences and sounds, something that Hillydilly notes she uses to characteristically-attractive effect on “When You’re Gone”:
“Leaning more toward the rock-influenced sound she found on ‘Phase Me Out’, ‘When You’re Gone’ is a fluorescent, yearning example of VÉRITÉ’s evolving artistry. She’s no stranger to mixing styles, and she proves this (again) by being able to make the song upbeat and pared-down, electronic and pop-rock, and vocal and instrumental.”
Her music is richly, mesmerisingly thoughtful and intensely beautiful to listen to, an enticing mix of thought and sensation that can’t help but beguile you as it goes deep into your very being and refuses to leave.
And frankly, why the hell would you want it to?
“Sunlight” by From Indian Lakes
Headed by California-native songwriter/producer/singer Joey Vannucchi, From Indian Lakes is a band that specialises in a gorgeously immersive blend of ethereal pop and rock, anchored by a voice that aches with a slew of wistfully-rich emotions.
This emotional resonance that fills each and every song with a beautifully accessible emotionality that elevates it from run-of-the-mill indie pop and grants it the ability to touch you deeply and profoundly where other music glances off you with nary a moment of impact.
It has a delightful mix of music that has seen the band tour with the Bad Suns and Balance & Composure, attracting increasing levels of attention and ardour, all the while reminding us that there is great value in simply stopping, listening and being.
“Sunlight” double down on that truth, a soul-restorative blend of blissful truths and sweet melodies, just what the flee-from-stress doctor ordered.
NOW THIS IS MUSIC EXTRA EXTRA!