Hello! Lisa here. Every month, I'll be digging through the best new submissions on Musosoup, picking out a handful of tracks that have pricked up my ears and piqued my interest. Hopefully you’ll like some of them too!
This one’s a truly multicultural batch, with picks from Japan, Istanbul, Canada and the US all in the mix. Happy listening!
Himitsu - Yubiningyou
Proving that, sometimes, more is more as long as you know how to do it, ‘Yubiningyou’ throws everything into the mix - harpsichords, keyboard rock operatics, tempo changes, a fizzing bridge, and the rest. Himitsu describe it as “Modern Japanese Chanson-Rock” - aka mellifluous, pretty vocals over wild and experimental melodic choices. I say it’s sort of like if The Last Dinner Party hailed from Tokyo and adapted their theatrical, grandiose musicality to the local traditions. Song of the month!
Big Monsta - Blur
Westminster, United States quartet Big Monsta wear their influences on their sleeves; in thrall to the heavy stalk of IDLES and the production of Kenny Beats, ‘Blur’ takes this directness and runs with it. However, there’s an almost glam rock swagger to the track, coupled with vocalist Jimmy Hua’s fuzzy, garage rock vocals that adds a new dimension to the recipe - add in some noodling, Queens of the Stone Age-ish guitar riffery in the middle and you’ve got a winner.
Amy Pinkus - Pity Party
When I’m listening through all the suggestions that come through on Musosoup, one of the main things I’m looking for is a moment of surprise; something that deviates from the obvious next step and goes in an intriguing new direction. ‘Pity Party’, from Canadian-Indigenous artist Amy Pinkus, does exactly that in its chorus, dropping from its dappled indie-pop build up into a scattershot electronic beat that comes on like Robyn after she’s listened to a bit of drum’n’bass, or excellent cult American artist Penelope Scott. The result feels ten times more interesting and modern for the surprise.
LeelSeel - Both of Me
The impact of Billie Eilish’s dark spirited, zeitgeist shifting first album ‘When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go’ can still be felt all over the pop sphere, and it’s into this rich seam that Turkey’s LeelSeel arrives. ‘Both Of Me’ stalks with that nocturnal, whispery vocal quality that’s undeniably in debt to the US megastar, but by the track’s final quarter she’s also whipping out a full-on ‘80s guitar solo. Fun!
Bluphoria - Invincible
Hailing from Nashville, Bluphoria might have a truly appalling name but their music does at least give a good stab at the bluesy euphoria that the portmanteau is presumably aiming for. Helmed by the pleasingly raw vocals of Reign LaFreniere, there are nods to the accessible stylings of The Black Keys or the inviting warmth of Alabama Shakes - artists that understand you don’t need to reinvent the wheel to keep it turning.
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