Palmares go negative, Byrd Pressley shares the feels, Phil Di Noia visits another world, Maïdera are in the know and more in the second half of today’s submissions from Groover, a platform that connects artists with critics like me for a small fee. You can (and should) follow me on Spotify HERE, check out my Top 150 playlist HERE, or listen to it via the widget at the lower right of every page on this site. If you want to be in an upcoming playlist, go HERE. But first, keep your long weekend listening going with these tracks:
Palmares | Je Ne Suis Pas
HOME BASE: Canada.
GENRE: Indie-Rock.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Palmares is an inclusive and incisive creation formed in 2021 by singer-songwriter and visual artist Olivier Lalonde. Juxtaposing digital art, music, and stage art, Palmares’ singular universe explores the codes and dichotomies of our tightrope walker existence. His trippy-pop style offers sensorial experiences presented with authenticity, vulnerability, and sensuality. Palmares invites us to enter a state of mind where freedom, respect, and #wedontgiveaphoque permeate this colorful evolutionary universe. The single Je Ne Suis Pas is an indie retro-punk song that blends themes of love and identity in a laid-back, unassuming tone with infectious melodies. Barbara-Lyna Bohli’s hushed voice is enveloped in catchy vintage synthesizer arrangements. Waltzing between derision, love and self-determination, the melodies cling to the eardrums, while the rhythm section and the bass infuse it with a dynamism that supports the somewhat-kitschy melodic lines of the song. The song recalls the timbre of Jean Leloup, the color of La Femme and the contagious energy of Operation Ivy.”
Byrd Pressley | Feeling Your Love
HOME BASE: United States.
GENRE: R&B / Soul.
THE BIO & PRESS RELEASE: Byrd Pressley lets his music do the talking.
Phil Di Noia | Another World
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Phil Di Noia is an atypical person of Italian origin. A singer-songwriter and member of Sacem, he sings in English, French and Italian. With experience as an actor, he has always kept this passion for the show.”
Maïdera | Je Le Sais
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: R&B / Soul.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “I was born in London and spent my childhood between Paris and Gabon. These cultures influence my music. My style is a mix of R&B, hip-hop and dancehall. I live in Lyon and try to make it on the musical scene. In preparation for Part 2 of my EP N9NE, I would like to share Je Le Sais. This is what I call urban R&B, a whole new vibe that will refresh the game.”
Well Dressed Spirits | January’s River
HOME BASE: United States.
GENRE: Indie-Folk.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Dallas-based Well Dressed Spirits is the creation of singer-songwriter Jimmy Taylor. Raised on the Gulf Coast of Alabama and now splitting his time between Texas and Brazil, Jimmy has developed a unique sound that dips in and out of indie-folk and Americana, with brief sojourns to ’90s alt-rock influence. The common thread through all of the music is a passion for lyricism that takes a tongue-in-cheek tone to the sometimes dark and serious themes of the music. The early influences of Jim Croce, The Grateful Dead and Jerry Jeff Walker can be heard alongside the styles of modern singer-songwriters Father John Misty and fellow Alabamian Jason Isbell. Well Dressed Spirits’ sound is a result of Jimmy’s collaboration with producer Michael Briggs and multi-instrumentalist Mills Chaiken. Drummer Dean Adams, vocalists AM Taylor (Jimmy’s longtime collaborator and sister) and Mia Rose Lynne round out the sound of the Well Dressed Spirits. Their first single January’s River examines the fear of being forgotten and the lengths to which someone will go to leave their mark on the world.”
DG Solaris | Crashing In The Waves
HOME BASE: United Kingdom.
GENRE: Indie-Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “British songwriters DG Solaris (aka Danny Green) and Jeremy Tuplin are back with a new single which complements the very nice EP Crashing In The Waves. Reviving the theme of the ocean present in their single Ocean / Are You Weird Enough?, both literally and figuratively, this new track is inspired by the tumultuous nature of water, its strong and symbolic imagery. Both intimate and universal, somewhere between Bon Iver and Ben Howard, their sound is reminiscent of classical and contemplative folk, but with a decidedly modern cachet in the productions, making them exciting artists to follow.”
Rotfang and the Reptilians | Rat Race
HOME BASE: Finland.
GENRE: Punk.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “We are Rotfang and the Reptilians from Oulu, Finland. Our music is some kind of rock — one might even say alt-rock, but no one from this side of the screen is ready to make such bold accusations. This orchestra likes to serve both; high-paced action spiced up with bits of unsafe moments; and impassioned melodies fulfilled with cheerful melancholia and chill vibes. The single Rat Race is an all-out rockshow full of energy. Filled with surprises, the song seeks to grip the listener’s focus and, after a brief break in the middle, exploding to an ending climax. The track is built around our distinctive strong guitars, powerful low-end instrumentals and high-energy vocals.”
Flavie Léger-Roy | La Ville Dort Encore
HOME BASE: Canada
GENRE: Folk-Pop.
THE TRANSLATED & EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “La Ville Dort Enore (The City Still Sleeps) accurately tells us of a Montreal frozen under the incredulous gaze of the geese of the Rivière-des-Prairies and the coyotes of Ahuntsic, where we jog when we can, wondering if our loved ones are holding up. A gentle folk, but lively and luminous despite the uncertainty.”
Asher Knight | Follow You + Amnesia (Club Tour Remix)
HOME BASE: United Kingdom.
GENRE: Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Asher Knight is a singer-songwriter from Bradford, U.K. He has built an impressive catalogue of songs, working alongside writing greats including Cutfather, Mark Owen, Jon Maguire, Red Triangle, Olly Murs, James Blunt and many more. Follow You is a new track from his EP Still Standing. Amnesia (Club Tour Remix) is a great remix of this popular track, and has a great club feel to it.”
Charles Robert | Déjouer L’Erreur
HOME BASE: Canada.
GENRE: Synth-Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “A Canadian singer-songwriter, beatmaker and producer, Charles Robert is a creative artist. His artistic research results in unique sound textures and atmospheres where pop and electro songs emerge. His first EP was launched in 2016 (Sur Le Chemin), followed by a first album in 2019 (Les Corps Invincibles). His next album is coming up in fall 2022. Déjouer L’Erreur is electro, pop, and gives us strength to move foward and achieve our dreams with a chorus that runs through our heads and makes us dance.”
Finn Munn | Bella
HOME BASE: United Kingdom.
GENRE: R&B / Soul.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “I am a musician from London. My track Bella features on my recently released EP The Last Departure, an independent debut EP inspired by post-lockdown love and loneliness.”
Godfree | Jumpin’ and Pumpin’ (ft. Mello G)
HOME BASE: Canada.
GENRE: Dancehall.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Godfree is a Montreal eclectic music project. It features synthpop, reggae fusion, EDM and indiepop. It also features many guest artists on vocals and co-producer RealMind on many tracks. Behind the wheel is songwriter-producer-performer and DJ Godfree. Jumpin’ and Pumpin’ is a good-vibe hard-dancehall track from the LP1 album, featuring Jamaican singer Mello G. It’s perfect near the waves with your surfboard, or in a hot club with a crazy DJ.”
Alexe | Laisse Tomber (ft. Rymz)
HOME BASE: Canada.
GENRE: R&B / Soul.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “After seducing us with her latest title Comme Dans Les Films, singer-songwriter Alexe picks up the torch and unveils Laisser Tomber , an unexpected but oh so rewarding collaboration with rapper Rymz. Alexe has always loved the pen of Rymz — “he was the perfect match for this song and I was really charmed that he agreed to put his words on it,” she says. Written and composed by Charles Guay (Alexe’s spouse and emeritus musician), as well as Rymz, Laisser Tomber is about learning to put your ego aside in a relationship, learning to choose your fights and remembering what’s important, that is to say: Taking the time to listen to each other.”
Félix Connolly | Ly
HOME BASE: Canada.
GENRE: Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Melding past and contemporary styles, at 16 years old Félix Connolly launched his solo career with the release of his EP Entre Deux in late 2020. Hailing from Toronto, he is currently based in Montreal where he studied music. Since then, he has been independently pursuing an innovative career, seeking to bring a unique and effective approach to his art. Inspired by Serge Fiori, Robert Charlebois and Louis-Jean Cormier, but also Charlotte Cardin and Ariane Moffatt, his music transcends acoustic, folk, and alternative pop/dance genres.”
Artesia | El Desdichado
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Neo-Classical.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “We are Artesia, a dark wave band since 2001. We present our self-produced eighth album Ténèbres, Prenez-Moi La Main. The lyrics are romantic french poems from Baudelaire, Nerval and Lamartine, and our music is a mix of neoclassical, ambient, dark wave, traditional and gothic metal.”
Sixpin | To Die Alone
HOME BASE: United States.
GENRE: Metal.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Sixpin’s latest release Wolves hits hard with a screaming vocal onslaught and pounding rhythm reminiscent of early 2000’s metalcore with updated vibes and intensity. The second track from Wolves, To Die Alone, explores an ambient sound that reaches back to Sixpin’s earlier work with modern production. Using samples and shimmering guitars, the verses weave a sonic landscape with a melodic and emotional vocal performance. The climax at the end is worth the wait as the song closes with epic intensity. To Die Alone has a vibe like Bring Me The Horizon (circa Amo). Dark, ambient samples, melodic vocals and big uplifting ending makes To Die Alone a dynamic addition to any rock, metal and alternative playlist.”
YCS: Your Clubbing Sound | Follow Me Remix 2022
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: EDM.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “We are two 45-year-old DJs playing with music every day in our life. We decided to create our kind of sound.”
Grant Harvey Dudson | There All Along
HOME BASE: United Kingdom.
GENRE: Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “There All Along’s lyrics deliver resonance about those special ones we’ve let slip through our fingers along our journey, while the emotional melody grips and doesn’t let go, building to a rousing drama-fueled crescendo.”
Unsafe Space Garden | Em Defesa Do Sol
HOME BASE: Portugal.
GENRE: Psychedelic Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Unsafe Space Garden make humorous, self-conscious, psychedelic prog-rock. All genres and languages allowed. Highly self-critical. Neo-nihilistis. We have three records. Em Defesa do Sol is a rollercoaster ride of rapid-fire guitars in a slow-paced, groovy manner, with a melodic intimate confession by the Sun itself: All at the same time! That ambiguity brings forward the peculiar way in which us humans depend on the Sun to live, yet we mostly address its importance when we’re broadcasting the weather. It literally translates to Defending The Sun and it ends with the Sun screaming “Leave a alone!” while all the instrumentation goes bananas, the synth lines wailing an hymn of a joyfully-sarcastic and misunderstood dance. For Zappa, King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard, Gorillaz, comedy and meta fans.”
Virus One | Carthage
HOME BASE: Switzerland.
GENRE: Rap.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “At a time when form is favored over substance, I do the opposite.”
Ferne | Love Ya
HOME BASE: United Kingdom.
GENRE: Pop-Rock.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Born in Philadelphia, based in southwest London, Ferne is a strong force coming into the alternative/indie pop scene. She takes her songwriting from her bedroom floor to your ears with layered harmonies, catchy hooks, and luscious electric guitar. She released her debut single Louisa in January. On Valentines Day, she released the appropriately named Love Ya, an upbeat yet bittersweet love song for when things aren’t going quite as planned with your soulmate.”
Chiara Foschiani | Amer
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Chiara is a young woman with a surprising level of creativity and maturity. Her music speaks of toxic love, predation, the search for oneself. How much of it is fiction and how much is real? Chiara keeps the mystery, preserving with elegance her intimacy, and posing on the world a lucid sight. Her personality is revealed through her music, with its sometimes surprising chords, a rather dark and melancholic pop that the power of her voice pushes into a universe close to London Grammar, Lorde and even Kate Bush. She sings in English, but French and her love of words are very important to her and behind her piano. Amer is her first track in French. It’s an introspective track that talks about loneliness, questions about a society that wants to format everything, that wants us to believe that we can say anything in any way, but that censors everything.”
Peggy James | So Subtle
HOME BASE: United States.
GENRE: Roots-Rock.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Peggy James was born in Milwaukee but spent her formative years in the Southwest. This desert “Americana” flavour influences her songs, allowing her style to be both unique and eclectic. Her lyrics are honest and direct, shooting straight from the heart. Her voice, clear and sweet, can get tough with the best of them. She has five albums to her credit. From pop-rock to ballads to Americana, Peggy’s storytelling, melodies and lyrics create captivating journeys.”
Scott Johnston | You’re Worth It
HOME BASE: United Kingdom.
GENRE: Folk.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “I’m a 19 year old singer-songwriter from London. I love to write music as it tells my story and spreads my message. I’m originally a Musical Theatre performer, and I have been in over 20 different stage productions. In 2020, I released an EP called Self Loving. In 2019 I released a single called Find A Broken Heart and in 2018, I released a single called Racecar.”
Ephemeral Sky | Humanity In Shards
HOME BASE: Austria.
GENRE: Post-Metal.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Ephemeral Sky is a post-metal project that fuses influences from emotional post-rock to ethereal black metal and brutal hardcore to groovy progressive. Humanity In Shards combines elements of ethereal post-rock and blackgaze in the vein of Alcest with violent hardcore reminiscent of Conjurer, Oathbreaker and Amenra. It was mixed and mastered by Jack Shirley (Deafheaven) at Atomic Garden Studios in the U.S.”
https://soundcloud.com/ephemeral-sky/humanity-in-shards/s-I9aWPXm97Wk?utm_campaign=social_sharing&utm_source=mobi&si=6de768d9f4694d52bbec3b2c434a4683
DJ Juste Mathieu | Thank U Next
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: EDM.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “French-born DJ Juste Mathieu produces deep electronic music and remixes. His sound mixes many genres and sits stylistically between dub, drum & bass, ambient, dub-techno, downtempo, post-dubstep, deep techno, and bass music. He also produces electronic music in several genres: Big room house, trance, psy-trance, hardcore, etc. With absolute devotion, Mathieu has created an exceptional listening experience in his modern, energetic sound. His works offer a unique symbiosis of acoustic & electronic sounds, atmospheric soundscapes, set to the backdrop of downtempo rhythms & sprinkled with optimism filtered melancholy.”
JinnKillz | Cold Embrace (ft. Kid Trash)
HOME BASE: United Kingdom.
GENRE: EDM.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “My track is a mix of happy hardcore and death core / death metal. Genre fusion is what I love to create and I got an amazing feature from Kid Trash.”
Darcey Flo | I’ve Been Thinking
HOME BASE: United Kingdom.
GENRE: Indie-Folk.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “I wrote this at a time in my life when I was longing to treat myself with more kindness and love. I hope you listen to it, wherever you are, whatever head space you’re in, and feel a little bit more joy, confidence, patience and gratitude for yourself.”
Bubba Brothers | Louko
HOME BASE: Portugal.
GENRE: Techno.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “You need to listen to understand 🙂 ”
T.H. Agyei | Airhead
HOME BASE: United Kingdom.
GENRE: Folk.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Airhead is about someone who appears to be dimwitted and asks stupid questions, but actually uses it as a defence mechanism to stop them overthinking and worrying too much. In the song, there are statements that are clearly wrong and questions that are easily answered, but the reason behind it all is resolved in the last four lines: “I’m an Airhead / And I like it that way / ‘Cause when I don’t think / It keeps worries away.”
