SONGS WE LOVED! July 2024
Kickstart your week with a refreshing blast of the most recent song releases we absolutely loved, invigorating your playlist like a cool breeze on this scorching July Monday!
Featuring Bill Leeb, Federale, Lauren Rose Thayer, Bottlemoth, Attic Theory, The Word66, Philippa Healey, Rita Bliss, First Time Flyers, The Howlin’ Gales, Psychic Lines, and Mad Painter.
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Bill Leeb feat Shannon Hemmett - Terror Forms
Bill Leeb's Terror Forms, the lead single from his upcoming debut solo album Model Kollapse set to drop on September 13, showcases his mastery of industrial-electronic music with an epic, chaotic energy.
Joining forces with Shannon Hemmett of post-punk band ACTORS and darkwave project LEATHERS, the track is driven by an insistent rhythm and a pulsing bassline, laying a solid foundation for its dystopian theme. The production intricately layers synthetic textures with dark, haunting vocals, creating a compelling soundscape that feels both urgent and unsettling. The interplay of aggressive electronic beats and atmospheric synths demonstrates Leeb's sophisticated understanding of industrial sound design.
Lyrically, Terror Forms delves into a nihilistic future, questioning humanity's response to existential threats. The accompanying visuals are just as gripping, adding another dimension to the chaotic energy of the song. As the beats pound and the synths swirl, you can’t help but feel immersed in the urgent, almost frantic atmosphere of Terror Forms.
Terror Forms is a powerful introduction to what promises to be a groundbreaking album and reinforces Leeb's status as a pioneering force in the industrial-electronic genre.
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Federale - Advice From a Stranger
Advice From a Stranger from Portland’s iconic psych-rock outfit Federale's latest LP, Reverb & Seduction, is a witty and electrifying piece of aural art that highlights the band's enduring creativity as they celebrate their twentieth anniversary.
The song is a divine blend of psychedelia, rock, and their signature spaghetti western sound, drenched in feedback and fuzzed-out guitars. Collin Hegna leads the charge with his grandiose vocals delivering a powerful message about living life on your own terms in a world that often tries to dictate otherwise.
With an impressive lineup of Portland rock-scene veterans—Jared Molyneux on guitar, Pat Spurgeon on drums, and Ryan Lynn on guitar—the combined talents result in a tour-de-force of musical brilliance.
Dive into the majesty of the full album and experience the magic for yourself!
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Lauren Rose Thayer - Don't Let It Get to Your Head
Country artist Lauren Rose Thayer's Don't Let It Get to Your Head is a stunning modern-day country delight from her new album Going Somewhere.
The song's delicious cocktail of '90s country, late-'70s rock & roll, and modern Americana fuse flawlessly with Thayer's utterly radiant vocals, which shine against a backdrop of haunting piano lines and twangy guitar riffs, lifting the song to incredible heights and crafting a sonic landscape that is nothing short of exhilarating.
Treat your ears to the full album here
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Bottlemoth - Tattoo
Indie-folk five-piece Bottlemoth makes an enthralling debut with Tattoo, a poignant single from their upcoming album Even Us Ghosts, set for release later this year.
Velvety vocals, dreamlike instrumentation, and contemplative lyrics converge to create an atmospheric indie folk microcosm that invites you to get lost in its exploration of permanence and the passage of time
Keep your radar open for the release of their upcoming album—it promises to be a journey worth taking.
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Attic Theory - Dare to Dream
Attic Theory's Dare to Dream from their latest album What We Fear the Most is a thunderous proclamation of resilience and determination, blending gritty rock sensibilities with a modern edge.
Lead vocalist Lewis Wright's impassioned delivery soars over a backdrop of blistering guitars and robust basslines, driving home the song's message of overcoming obstacles with unwavering resolve, underscored by the band's tight-knit chemistry, with each member contributing to forging a sound that is both invigorating and anthemic.
Dare to Dream is an invitation to embrace our ambitions and confront life's challenges head-on.
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The Word66 - Faith Is The Key
The Word66 boldly blend Christian rock with a contemporary edge in their latest single, Faith Is The Key.
Led by heartfelt vocals and a dynamic instrumentation that fuses rock energy with spiritual introspection, the song narrates a story of a man drifting through life without care until a transformative moment turns everything around.
The Word66 inspire with passionate storytelling and a rock-solid sound, inviting us on a journey of self-discovery and spiritual awakening
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Philippa Healey - I Used To Be Fun
Philippa Healey’s future funk classic I Used to Be Fun, is a playful and funky tribute to the trials of modern motherhood, blending humor with top-tier musicianship
Backed by Jamiroquai’s esteemed rhythm section (Rob Harris on guitar, Paul Turner on bass, and Derrick McKenzie on drums) and enriched by Liam Dunachie's Hammond organ's exquisite harmonic colors, I Used To Be Fun evolves into a spirited and heartfelt ode to the tired mothers of the earth, with Healey’s vocal performance thoroughly complementing this vibrant blues/jazz-funk anthem.
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Rita Bliss - Two Dollar Bill
Two Dollar Bill from Rita Bliss' forthcoming album Peaches and Apple Pies is a lush storytelling masterclass that blossoms into a bluegrass and folk soundscape.
Produced by Grammy-nominated Dom Fisher, Two Dollar Bill unveils a heart-wrenching tale of long-lost love, featuring mellifluous vocals and skilled banjo picking, enriched by a touch of northern folk harmonica, reflecting Bliss's deep connection to the genre despite her northern roots.
Two Dollar Bill is a compelling preview of what promises to be a richly textured and emotive album that celebrates love, tradition, and the universal language of music.
Be sure to mark your calendars for the album release on July 19th!
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First Time Flyers - Jump
UK country newcomers First Time Flyers deliver a refreshing burst of energy with their latest single, Jump, a spirited country anthem that encourages us to take risks in love, embracing the possibility of falling either in love or alone, but always with a full heart.
The song overflows with an exhilarating blend of classic country charm and modern sensibilities, featuring bright, jangly guitars, an utterly radiant vocal performance, and a driving rhythm section that gets you moving from the very first note.
Drawing from personal experiences, band member Vicki shares her journey of finding true love after ending an unhappy heterosexual engagement to finding true love in her now-fiancée.
Released in June in honor of Pride month, Jump is not just a celebration of love but also a proud representation of the LGBTQIA+ community.
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The Howlin’ Gales - Slow Dancing
The Howlin’ Gales, a fresh force in the country rock scene, deliver a sultry blend of blues rock and summer romance vibes with their latest single Slow Dancing.
The song marks a significant evolution in their sound, blending their signature country-rock roots with nuanced folk and blues undertones, creating a more refined and emotionally charged sound.
Conveying images of the summer's carefree loves and personal connections, Slow Dancing draws inspiration from personal relationships and life experiences .
With this single as an enticing preview, The Howlin’ Gales set the stage for their upcoming album, promising a collection filled with heartfelt storytelling and rich, textured melodies.
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Psychic Lines - Mind Control
Photo credit: Steve DeSeve
Brooklyn-based psych-pop trio Psychic Lines introduce a lively taste of their upcoming fifth studio album, Sunset on Sunset (August 23), with Mind Control—a bright and bouncy single complemented by a playful hand-drawn video, echoing the song's playful yet thoughtful essence.
Lyrically, the song explores the psychological impact of social comparisons, set against a wall of uplifting psych-pop goodness, gentle vocals, and warm saxophone lines, infusing the song with careless summery vibes and setting the stage for an exciting album ahead.
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Mad Painter - Empty Bottles
Mad Painter's latest single, Empty Bottles, is a joyous celebration of the carefree spirit that defined 1970s rock.
The eclectic outfit channels the vibrant energy that defined the era, blending influences from proto-punk, early heavy metal, and psychedelic rock into their distinctive sound, but with a nostalgic yet contemporary twist, showcasing their musical ethos.
With their contagious energy felt in every note, Mad Painter proves they're not just reviving a sound; they're revitalizing it with their own unique flair.
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About Chris Roditis
Chris Roditis has been an active musician since 1995 in various bands and projects across a variety of genres ranging from acoustic, electronic to nu metal, british rock and trip hop. He has extensive experience as a mixing engineer and producer and has built recording studios for most of the projects he has been involved with. His passion for music steered his entrepreneurial skills into founding MusicNGear in 2012.
Contact Chris Roditis at chrisroditis@musicngear.com
