Brillboard: 11-Jun
Finally some gorgeous weather, in Boston at least. Enjoy some new tunes on your sunny Sunday.
4AM [Sorcha Richardson]
Nothing good happens at four in the morning. Infamously known for that time of night where Trump tweets from his toilet, 4:00am gets some more exposure in 4AM. “It’s four in the morning, I think you should go”, the hook of Sorcha Richardson’s latest single, is an anthemic plea from someone who is trying to cut ties with what sounds like a one-sided and/or toxic relationship. With creative electronics and the introduction of the piano into her music, 4AM demonstrates Richardson’s musical growth and experimentation since her 2015 track Petrol Station.
Moods You Can’t Control [J. Bonigno]
At 2:11, Moods You Can’t Control is the shortest song to ever go on the Brillboard. But with wonderful instrumentals, satisfying vocals and an overall jamming sound, this lead single off J. Bonigno’s adeptly named sophomore album quickly becomes 4:22, 6:33, etc. Hang with me on that replay button until Dos comes out this summer.
Lift Off [Garren Sean]
One of the producers on Chance’s Coloring Book is starting to produce some sounds of his own. Garren Sean, 22, just dropped Lift Off, the second of two singles off debut EP GARREN. The track is super groovy, with a funk reminiscent of Thundercat. Garren Sean’s career is just lifting off; get on now to be a part of the ride.
Million Bucks [Smallpools]
Million Bucks is the start of a new era for Smallpools. When Dreaming climbed the charts four years ago, Smallpools climbed with it. They toured for a while, they got some street cred, and they gained a pretty substantial fan-base. Now it’s 2017, and Smallpools is in a position where they can do what they want. They’re independent from a record label, and they apparently “give no f*cks”. So Million Bucks, off their forthcoming EP The Science of Letting Go, represents Smallpools unchained. It’s a single made their way, a pretty killer single.
Away Away [Ibeyi]
Away Away is absolutely gorgeous, and its music video gives me none of the anxiety for their lives that Ibeyi’s River gave me. Three years later; still unsure how they hold their breath for that long.
Why?steria [Kalbells]
Elegantly constructed. Each time you listen to this song you’ll discover a new layer of sound. Each time, a more endearing, unique and beautiful listening experience.
Mara’s Song [Mandy Harvey]
Mandy Harvey is quite simply one of the most gifted musicians I have ever encountered. To make a song that sounds good is one thing. To make a song that sounds good when you can’t hear the song… otherworldly.
Sixteen [Chelsea Cutler]
A few years past 16, Chelsea Cutler is achieving astounding success for a 20-year-old. Between Your Shirt (11. million. plays. on. Spotify.) and her recent collaboration with Louis The Child, it seems she’s popping up on playlists all over the place. With the release of Sixteen, a lightweight electronica that’s easily a song for the summer, Chelsea Cutler has nowhere to go but up.
Vendetta [Mellow Gang]
UK band Mellow Gang is self-described as night time psyche pop. I definitely hear it.
Pillars of Salt [Slowcoaching]
Slowcoaching, whose previous single Training Wheels was my absolute jam for quite some time, closes out the Brillboard with their new single (aka my soon-to-be absolute jam for quite some time) Pillars of Salt.
