One more time for the Five Songs List for 2024. After this round of recommendations, it will return on January 6, 2025. Happy holidays!
1. Arianna Tsar, Shut Up
Single (Independent)
Recommended If You Like: Putting annoying people in their place
Tsar is a Toronto-based singer who is all of 13 years old and has already been in the business for 13. She’s right at the beginning of that time in life when you’re faced with all kinds of insufferable people. This song addresses that head-on. Love the retro feel, too.
2. Mercury, Swarm the Hive Mind
Single (Independent)
RIYL: Layers and layers of guitars
Mercury is based out of Nashville and is in the midst of introducing herself with three singles in rapid succession, this being the first. The second was entitled What You Want Me to Say (it came out Friday) and a third called The Fly will be here this coming Friday. If the idea of a post-rock/grunge/indie rock combo intrigues you, then give this a listen. Oh, and there’s this short film, too.
3. Bishop Briggs, Paint It, Black
Tell My Therapist I’m Fine (Virgin Music Group)
RIYL: Stones covers
It’s always interesting when a contemporary artist puts a new spin on an older song. In this case, Bishop Briggs slows down a Rolling Stone classic and adds some twisty instrument to create something that’s somewhere between indie rock and classical music. If you’re into parades, you may have seen/heard her perform it during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. More money for Mick and Keef, too.
4. The Midnight Cowgirls, Leaving Texas
Single (Independent)
RIYL: Confounded expectations
Normally, I wouldn’t trouble you with a country song, but this one doesn’t quite fit the mold. In fact, it’s more New Wave-tinged rockabilly with a little post-punk thrown in, too. No wonder they spent the summer touring with The Stray Cats (and Lana Del Rey, too). Kandle Osborne (daughter of 54-40’s Neil Osborne is on vocals) and the drummer is Leah Bluestein who normally plays with Eagles of Death Metal. Nice outfits, too.
5. Doves, Renegade
Constellations for the Lonely (EMI North)
RIYL: Smooth adult indie rock
When I first heard this song in passing, I thought it was something new from Elbow. Nope. It’s Cheshire, England’s Doves, with a single from their upcoming sixth album. The band says that this record is dark, very dark. I quote guitarist/singer Jez Williams: “We’re living in pretty horrible times, so we wanted to reflect that but give a little hope. […] I see this as a future soul album for outsiders. We want you to feel understood.” Funny, but I find this single rather uplifting.
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