Foray seeks revenge, Joe Cang has needs, Reno McCarthy hoists the gallows and more in 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 200 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, wrap up the month with these fine finds:
Foray | Revenge Porn
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Indie-Rock.
THE TRANSLATED & EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “This new single from Foray sends us straight into the cruel twists and turns of revenge porn and online violence. Like a Hasil Adkins-style punk crooner, Foray plays the role of an unscrupulous boyfriend who gets revenge for being dumped by sending his ex’s nudes to Internet slaughterhouses. Behind Foray hides Xavier Feugray from Rouen, surrounded by Ludwig Brosch and Thierry Minot. Marked by grunge, electro, Leonard Cohen and Timber Timbre, Foray’s career began in 2015 under the name Nord.”
Joe Cang | I Need A Man (ft. Kate Earl)
HOME BASE: United Kingdom.
GENRE: Indie-Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Released on my ItchScratcher label, I Need A Man features the vocal prowess of U.S. vocalist Kate Earl (whose song All That Glitters has been championed by Britney Spears). I Need A Man describes the trials of an empowered woman wanting to spend time with a man, not a boy, as an equal, not a trophy. A Latin/jazz groove drives through a landscape of dissolution with dating, inspired after spending time with Kate and other friends talking about the trials and tribulations of all that jazz!”
Reno McCarthy | Gallows
HOME BASE: Canada.
GENRE: Alt-Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “With the youthful sparkle of his 2019 debut album Counterglow, Montreal alt-pop artist Reno McCarthy quickly gained recognition for his strong songwriting and debonair quality, as well as his electric shows. In a time when irreverence and vulnerability are inevitable, McCarthy’s songs are instantly relatable. Full of beauty in despair, here is Gallows. Around sublime and delicate pop arrangements and catchy guitars, the songwriter speaks about serious subjects without being leaden: It is a cry of the heart and a call to brotherhood that he shapes here, inhabited by the ghosts of Radiohead and Patrick Watson.”
Alba | Nouveau Problème
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Synth-Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “After a first EP Alba (2015) and the albums Did You See? (2016) and Les Mots (2022), Alba has just released her new EP. Alba is an author, composer, performer, producer, sound designer and visual artist. An excerpt from the new EP, Nouveau Problème goes face to face with aging, time and physical changes — “new wrinkle, new problem.” This piece — carried by trap and electro sounds accompanied by welcome strings — is also a declaration of love to an older woman, distressed by her reflection. The title was written, composed and produced by Alba.”
Seamer | Perdu (ft. Théo Spitz)
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Hip-Hop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Seamer (noun): Neologism from the French slang “cimer,” which means merci (thank you). Seamer is also a reference to the beauty of seas, the possibility to gather different people around music, creativity and kindness. Somewhere between jazz and hip-hop, Seamer offer a unique and sincere music which is endlessly renewing itself. In 2021 they released their first EP Liquide. With this bright and contemplative song, Seamer and Théo Spitz invite you on a mesmerizing inner journey. Perdu is also a track enhancing acceptance of all — and of all differences.”
Nahotchan | Fly To The Moon
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Folk.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Nahotchan are a French folk group born in 2012 from the meeting between Jeanne Duchange and Sébastien Dangoin, friends on the benches of the conservatory. Nahotchan is a Japanese first name — it comes from the book Jeanne’s mother read to her when she was small. It was the story of a girl who goes camping for the first time and “wants to do everything like the grownups.” From Irish pubs to Place Royale in Brussels, passing through the snow-capped mountains of Siberia, Nahotchan are a group of globetrotters who imagine themselves touring the planet with you. After a break of five years, they return with Fly To The Moon, a live session which announces the release of a new EP in 2023. This is one of those songs you sing by the fireside. It’s a naive waltz that recounts an autumnal, adolescent reminiscence — a waking dream where the moonlight reveals a feeling with a bittersweet taste.”
Irene Ango | Bring Us Peace
HOME BASE: Canada.
GENRE: Gospel.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “The pandemic, natural disasters, war and now inflation/recession have many of us rethinking ourselves, reconsidering the meaning of life and how peace is a treasure. I love gospel and found myself singing this song to myself in tears as I watched catastrophes, war, insecurity and more ravaging the world.”
Kris James | Home
HOME BASE: United Kingdom.
GENRE: Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Kris James’ extraordinary tale is that of a fierce musical talent finding his way to the light via a backwards journey from pop stardom towards authenticity as singer of his own songs. After years of joining and leaving bands, and more than his share of near misses, James found himself on his own, without the safety net of a band around him; he could have crumbled. Instead, he took the opportunity to rebuild himself from the ground up, and it was only here, when he was forced to strip back the frontman persona and stand on his own, that James could begin to shine. “I write songs about my experiences throughout life and hope that my listeners are able to use them as almost a self-help library of songs,” he says. “With my new single Home, I wanted to capture the feeling of having that special person in your life — the one that you know will always be there for you, who makes everything worthwhile. For those lucky enough, the thing that makes a house a home is the person or people in it, not the place itself. This song is about how seeing that person can feel like ‘coming home.’ ”
Nyouz | Someday
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Jazz.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Nyouz are a quartet that combine the richness and lyricism of classical writing with the powerful rhythmic energy of jazz, pop and contemporary sounds. In a joyful complicity, the four musicians offer a unique universe of original compositions that exude catchy melodies and rhythmic explorations. An environment is created, leaving room for the infinite possibilities of improvisation in a resolutely contemporary music.”
Premier Métro | Pour Quelques Secondes
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Premier Métro is the name chosen by Dimitri, Sébastien, Alexandre and Enzo to carry their new project. Somewhere between the frivolous freedom of Mylène Farmer and the brilliant modernity of The Weeknd, the group have opened up a path all their own. Their retro sound borrows synths and rhythm machines from the ’80s to give an uninhibited account of our love stories, our best evenings and our fleeting moments of existence. Pour Quelques Secondes is a song full of nostalgia that takes us far away.”
Scot Free Sessions | Istanbul
HOME BASE: Canada.
GENRE: Folk.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Istanbul is a haunting tale of modern romance. The song is a two-time finalist in the International Songwriting Competition, placing second in the Lyrics Only category. This is the third release from Scot Free Sessions and their upcoming album Edmonton Skyline.”
Lomnouvo | La Terre Des Hommes
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Indie-Rock.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “A singer-songwriter, self-produced artist, I am pleased to present the clip of La Terre Des Hommes. It is the second single from the new EP Les Fou(le)s.”
Magna Zero | All Must Go
HOME BASE: United States.
GENRE: Rock.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Magna Zero are catching the attention of forward-focused music journalists and curators. David Aubrey (drums), Chris DiCesare (lead guitar) and Jason Moore (vocals, bass guitar, and keys) grew up playing music together in Moore’s Los Angeles basement. In 2019, when Moore returned home from 10 years in Denver, the three reconnected to form Magna Zero. By early 2022, 11 works from the band’s early period became the songs on their first album The Great Nothing. Recorded and mixed by the band at Moore’s home in the fall of 2021, the album captures the raw, live spirit of their sound. Aubrey relates the album conceptually to a black hole, with the creative and destructive forces that propel the cycles of life, death, and rebirth throughout all things. All Must Go depicts the personal and collective struggle to free the self from attachment by letting go of what we fear to lose the most.”
Michelle Budria | Elle
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Folk-Rock.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “An author, composer and performer since 2007, I am the reflection of a quiet journey of serious determination. The themes covered: Travel, love, time flies, ecology, peace — subjects both simple and strong, always treated in a positive way. Elle is the first single and clip from the album Y’a Pas De Chance. It is a strong song about everyone’s responsibility to take care of our planet.”
Mano Michael | Fading Away
HOME BASE: Germany.
GENRE: Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Mano Michael is an award-winning contemporary soul singer who embraces everything from Afrofusion and country to R&B. Mano’s music shows his pride in his Nigerian roots, and also his love for his German upbringing. This German soul song is about love fading away. It is not just for lovers but cuts across other categories of relationships — community, work friends and family. As with every song from Michael, there is a story and a lesson to learn. This song focuses on the beauty of love and how it can be taken for granted if not nurtured, which eventually leads to everything you once shared fading away right in front of you. Losing love or a loved one can happen to anyone if you don’t honor, respect and nurture what you have.”
New Ex | City Lights
HOME BASE: United States.
GENRE: R&B / Soul.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “City Lights is the third single from alt-R&B / hip-hop artist New Ex, off his debut EP Temporary, just released on Polychromatic Records in Nashville.”
Cathy Du | Audience
HOME BASE: Canada.
GENRE: Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Cathy Du is a Vancouver singer-songwriter and composer. With influences including Vanessa Hudgens, Ariana Grande and Adele, Du’s music is driven by a unique and powerful vocal range, adult contemporary-style melody, beautiful lyricism, thoughtful production, and gripping authenticity. Inspired by her life experiences, Cathy seeks to create music that will connect with listeners around the world on a soul level. Audience is her first single.”
Majors Junction | People Change
HOME BASE: United States.
GENRE: Folk-Rock.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Country these days is so confusing. Some prefer the pop music being churned out in Nashville; others, the more traditional styles of Cash and Jennings. Neither is an accurate depiction of Majors Junction, but the latter is definitely closer. Majors Junction produce a diverse meld of country, honky-tonk and blues, with folk undertones, hints of bluegrass and good old rock ’n’ roll. It is a unique sound that celebrates individuality and hard work, two qualities the band shares with its hometown of Chicago. “This is a tune from our 2022 March release El Corral,” they say. “It is our ninth studio album since 2004.”
Cheryl Craigie | Cold
HOME BASE: United Stated.
GENRE: R&B / Soul.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Cheryl Craigie is an independent singer, songwriter and musician. Singing since childhood, her passion for composing original music has blossomed in recent years. Her original songs evoke powerful emotions about love and life. To date, she has co-produced four songs with Eric Goldberg, including two originals. Cold is a melancholic tune with a cool and mystical vibe. You can feel the heart wrenching emotion through the music and vocals. The intense piano intro will draw you in from the start. The lyrics evoke powerful emotions about love and life.”
Adriana Adeline | Patience
HOME BASE: United States.
GENRE: R&B / Soul.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Inspired by Khalid‘s Location, Patience asks for time to heal and go through self-maintenance before diving into a love interest. This Bolero-style track brings warm enchanting vibes with smoldering and smoky vocals. We all deserve a little patience, time to explore and connect with ourselves before committing to another person! “My goal as a musician is to bring raw emotions and real issues to light and help others feel less alone in their struggles,” Adeline says. “In this instance, helping women understand the importance of self-healing.”
Dez Boheme | I Finally Found You
HOME BASE: United States.
GENRE: Indie-Folk.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Dez Boheme is a Kiwi-American singer-songwriter and producer in Minneapolis-Saint Paul. He has found meaning in life through creative expression intertwined with his experiences, memories, and connections made along the way. His musical influences range from early rock ’n’ roll to contemporary hits from all genres. His sound resonates with indie folk-pop and alt-country. Born Anton Desmond Ryan in New Zealand, he was previously known as neo-folk artist Anton Ryan in the early 2000s. I Finally Found You is a romantic, fairytale-like song about finally finding love.”
Noble Lummox | Safeplace
HOME BASE: Finland.
GENRE: Electronica.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Noble Lummox blends classical music with deep, dreamy, dark and experimental moods. The Slow Images EP (2021) is dreamy, meditative and cinematic ambient music, with four songs that are perfect fit for relaxing playlists. Noble Lummox is composer and producer Panu-Pekka Rauhala.”
Deadrick | Coney Island
HOME BASE: United States.
GENRE: Rap.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “My name is Deadrick, I’m from Texas and my alternative rap record Coney Island will raise your dopamine levels in ways you can’t even fathom. The melodic, chill tune and catchy hook will captivate you. I hope to help people feel good without the use of drugs and other external sources that don’t benefit you.”
Henry Aberson | My Lady
HOME BASE: United States.
GENRE: R&B / Soul.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “This song was inspired by a recent situationship that left me carelessly hoping for my lover to want something deeper than he was available for. Sometimes the fantasy world is better than what reality is offering, and this song encompasses that in a way that acknowledges the inevitable pain of love — regardless if it is requited or not.”
