Welcome to "Thank God It's Friday" where we dive into the latest musical releases that have been setting our "earing pupils" on fire. As we bid farewell to another exciting week, we can't help but celebrate the incredible tracks that have graced our ears in recent weeks. From infectious pop hits to electronic and rock-ish stirring records, this post is dedicated to showcasing the best of the best. Get ready to discover your new favourite songs and let the music take you on a captivating ride. It's time to turn up the volume and embrace the magic of these incredible releases. Let the music speak, and let the weekend begin in style.
B.Miles – Separate Rooms
B.Miles, a New York artist, has garnered acclaim as a conduit to pop music’s future and for providing words for our indescribable emotions. On September 29, she unveiled “Different Pages” her first collection in three years. This release chronicles her path to breaking free from external definitions of success, embracing change, and seeking happiness on her own terms. Crafted alongside her close-knit circle of best friends and bandmates, “Different Pages” builds upon her universally addictive live sound.
Right off “Different Pages“, B.Miles presented us with Separate Rooms. The artist told us :” As so much of this album was written around turning a new page and finding the confidence to live a life that makes you happy, I wanted a moment of remembering a time when there was a different kind of happiness that I have been trying to rediscover in this new version of myself. “Separate Rooms“ is a nostalgic look-back at a love that once was. It was written as a reminder of what love can feel like, but it concludes with the recognition that it wasn’t a love that was made to last. The lyrics tell a story of rediscovering parts of your old self that you thought were lost, but in doing so, having the maturity to know what the good and bad parts of that old self were“.
Good Rzn – Running Out Of Time
Good Rzn is a dynamic duo hailing from Los Angeles. The group consists of vocalist and songwriter Josie Molasky, along with guitarist and producer Tommy Ghirardini. Their musical journey commenced in 2021, and since then, they have built an impressive repertoire.
Their collection of works has provided them with the platform to demonstrate their remarkable abilities on stage, captivating audiences at numerous venues. Defined by their innovative approach, Good Rzn boasts a cutting-edge style characterized by daring guitar riffs and unforgettable lyrics. It immerses the listener into a different dimension, carried away by the meticulously crafted sounds shaped by these fervent multi-instrumentalists.
Making a triumphant return, Good Rzn presents a fresh perspective on alternative pop. Unveiling itself as the flagship track from their inaugural EP “Falling In Slow Motion“, “Running Out Of Time” showcases a mesmerizing fusion of audacious guitar riffs, undulating synthesizers, impactful percussion, and ethereal vocals. This sonic amalgamation redefines the realms of alternative and psychedelic pop, ingeniously filtered through the prisms of rock and electronic genres.
Manorism – Sober
Manorism, an indie dream pop and heartland band from Melbourne, Australia, formed after years of collaboration among its members who are first and second-generation immigrants. Their music draws from a blend of early 2000s punk and 2010s indie rock, reflecting their rich sonic style. Emerging from Melbourne’s underground scene, Manorism‘s latest works delves into the complexities of challenging creative expectations for individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Now, the Melbourne’s dream pop band unveils their latest single, “Sober“, a captivating exploration of emotions and relationships. With its shimmering guitars, reverb-soaked ambiance, and Shantanu’s soothing vocals, the song balances melancholy and euphoria. “Sober” takes listeners on a journey through the past and into the future, offering a vibrant and hopeful musical experience, enriched by layered guitars and synths that crescendo during the extended outro.
Many Places – Ever Shining
Since 2011, Many Places has been creating music and putting on shows across Chicago and the broader Midwest region. Throughout their journey, they’ve transitioned from crafting wintry, lo-fi singer/songwriter tracks to producing more elaborate, lively, and melodious indie-folk music.
Their most recent release, “Ever Shining“, delves into the emotions associated with the “new-normal” that emerged during the confinement of 2021/22. The track was recorded in a session at a beach house in Michigan City, Indiana, where Many Places brought an array of equipment and a recording setup. The result is a very addictive and hypnotic track, with the cool rock undertone everyone is needing!
Having originally formed as a fully Chicago-based band with a 12-year history of collaboration, some members have since relocated to St. Louis and Cleveland. This central locale functioned as a creative hub and a space for capturing authentic live recordings. The band is set to release several new singles stemming from this experience and expresses gratitude for the audience’s attentive ears.
The Crowleys – Seasons
Hailing from Hamilton, Ontario, The Crowleys are a five-member psychedelic band. Beginning their journey after a noteworthy high school talent show placement, they wield a captivating blend of shimmering synths, captivating guitars, commanding drums, resonant bass, and ethereal vocals. Venturing into the Tone-Zone, they craft their unique brand of infectious psychedelic-pop, seamlessly fusing mind-bending rock with irresistible melodies that are bound to mesmerize and compel you to dance along.
Presenting their debut LP titled “Strange Seasons“, this assembly of songs emerges from a group of friends in Hamilton, who initially shared music amongst themselves before unveiling it to the global stage. The album endeavours to encapsulate the world’s peculiarities through lyrics and melody.
The pivotal track, “Seasons“, spotlights the musical craftsmanship of keyboardist/guitarist Justyn Horlick, characterised by an emotive and jazzy motif that permeates the majority of the song. Drawing inspiration from Sharon Jones and The Dap-Kings’ “100 Days, 100 Nights,” the finale transitions from 4/4 time to 6/4 time. In contrast, the lyrics are the creation of vocalist Giuliana Frontini, conceived on an unseasonably warm November day, as she grappled with a sense of unease brought about by the unusual temperature.
Yehra – Rumours
Yehra, a duo transcending geography, consists of Barbadian-Canadian singer Jen Mahon and Danish producer Rasmus Liebst, their decade-long collaboration thriving despite never having met. Uniting Mahon’s sun-kissed Barbadian influences with Liebst’s Nordic coolness, their 2021 debut EP “Magnetic” gained acclaim from KCRW and Indie Shuffle, securing a spot in CBC Music’s Top 20. Now, with 2023’s sophomore EP and the lead single “Why Wait“, Yehra blends cinematic nostalgia and downtempo grooves, showcasing a universal theme of missed opportunities that resonates globally.
Progressing their sound, Yehra presents “Rumours” the second single off their “Why Wait“. The Danish/Canadian pair harmoniously fuses indie soul and electronic nuances in this breezy track, perfectly timed for the peak of summer. “Rumours” weaves a classic narrative of love’s endurance against the backdrop of misinterpreted messages.