The Faves Playlist - January 2023
This month we’ve got new music from Exit Moon, marlon amon, Half Gate, Brokli, Pynch and more. Here are some of our favorites:
Truth Club - It’s Time
There’s a new palpable energy on Truth Club’s “It’s Time.” It could be that this is their first song written as a 4-piece band. Regardless, we are excited to see what else the post-punk Raleigh band is cooking up!
Koura - Soft Skin
LA 4-piece band Koura have released their second album Red Asters. The track “Soft Skin” is a bass-driven alt / art-rock tune. The fast tempo works to accentuate lead singer Casey Bohn’s exquisite vocals.
Kelela - Contact
On her new single “Contact,” the illustrious r&b/electronica artist Kelela loses herself on the dance floor. The track is a masterclass on juxtaposing beautiful harmonies over underground club beats. Kelela’s upcoming album RAVEN is out on Warp next month.
Stalled - Front Lawn
Chicago shoegaze/post-punk band Stalled are out with their new EP Contentment. The release is a follow up to last year’s Blank Conduct. The cassette is available for purchase from the Boston indie Candlepin Records and features b-side demos.
future.exboyfriend - Self-Sabotage
On the indie rock/psych pop “Self-Sabotage,” future.exboyfriend touches on the subject of self destruction. The SLC band noted that while the song started out as a “drunken joke," it later became one of their favorites. It’s one of our faves as well!
Sad Girls Aquatic Club - Beyond the Blue
On their latest single “Beyond the Blue,” Pittsburgh’s Sad Girls Aquatic Club explores the relationship between desire and fulfillment. As the band explains, “this song is about getting everything you've ever wanted only to realize you don't have anything you need.” This is off the duo’s upcoming full-length album Easier.
The SIlent Era - Heavy Cure
On their debut single “Heavy Cure,” London band The Silent Era gives us 90s alt rock / shoegaze vibes. The band takes on the media’s obsession with youth, while at the same time criticizing the music industry’s lack of interest in women over a certain age.
Kate Davis - Monster Mash
Kate Davis, the multi-instrumentalist / composer, is back with the indie rock anthem “Monster Mash.” Davis sings about the fear and delight that comes with shedding your past self. The track is off of her next full-length album Fish Bowl out on 3/24 on ANTI records.
Notbrax - drowning in the thought of you
Atlanta’s Notbrax has released his latest single “drowning in the thought of you.” The track skews toward indie R&B, as Notbrax remembers the good times of a lost love. The song is the latest in a collection of singles by the songwriter / producer.
Nieri - In Our Eyes (foreverandever<3 remix)
LA-based dance pop artist Nieri is back with the indietronica version of “In Our Eyes.” The song sees Nieri holding onto a moment in time with their other half, shielded from the outside world. The track is a reimagination by the Swedish producer foreverandever<3.
Highnoon - Are You With Me
On “Are You With Me,” indie pop band Highnoon try to see things with clarity. The 4-piece band from Philly is currently playing dates in the northeast in support of the new single.
DEBBY FRIDAY - SO HARD TO TELL
On “SO HARD TO TELL,” Toronto-based DEBBY FRIDAY experiments further into the dark depths of electronic pop. Her debut album GOOD LUCK, co-produced and mixed by FRIDAY and Graham Walsh (METZ, Holy Fuck) will be released in March on Sub Pop.
Girlo - Like the TVs Do
Last month, the indie noise rock band Girlo released their debut album Like the TVs Do. On the title track, the Texas band has us bopping our heads and singing along to the chorus. The band is currently playing dates in their state.
NARA - Me!
The excellent new single “Me!” from post-punk/indie rockers NARA is four and a half minutes of bliss. The Manchester 4-piece is calling the track their “most honest work yet.” We’ll have to keep an eye to see what else they have in store for 2023!
On their debut album Ambivert, Houston-based duo Blemishes—comprised of Julienne Ceron and Jessie Huntington—defies easy categorization by blending diverse musical influences and styles. This 50-minute album showcases a spectrum of sounds, from frantic rhythms to gentle instrumentation, reflecting their view of albums as cohesive narratives rather than mere collections of songs. To highlight its various influences, Ceron curated a playlist for us. Read our Q&A with the writer/producer and listen to the playlist.