Best in Pop - Hot New Releases - September 2024
This month's edition of Best in Pop features a lot of late 90s/early 2000s vibes; there is a song that has the sunshine soaked feel of The Cardigans Lovefool; a song that induces the same feeling that an illustration from your favorite childhood book would; a song that is described as cactus-pop; a song that could have been playing on cassette tape over a 1980s teen movie; a song that has the warm charm of a demo recorded in Garage Band and more!
Featuring Sidney Bird, Piper Connolly, Hinds, LEATHERS, Sylvie Harper, Francine Thirteen, Izza and flor.
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The Bed, The Room, The Rain and You - Hinds
This hit me like a warm wave of 1990s childhood nostalgia; an achingly beautiful blend of rock, dream pop, shoegaze, and alt-pop.
This induces the feeling of your favorite childhood book or movie; or, the familiar feeling of having a warm cup of hot chocolate on a rainy day, of crafting, of feeling content, this song is nothing short of a masterpiece.
This is taken from the album VIVA HINDS.
Connect with Hinds
Bandcamp / Spotify / Instagram / Facebook / X / YouTube
Anything - Sylvie Harper
If you grew up in the early 2000s, are you going to absolutely love this. The opening sparkles and shimmers like the opening to The Cardigans’ Lovefool.
The song itself is absolute bliss to listen to, it flows over your ears like a day at the beach (there is also a bit of a Sixpence None The Richer vibe to this also).
This is taken from the New Zealand-based artist’s new album Luminary.
Connect with Sylvie Harper
Spotify / Instagram
Tiamat - Francine Thirteen
I came across this under the art pop section on Bandcamp (this also is listed as ritual pop, which describes the utterly divine blend of cosmic sounds and experimental textures perfectly).
The bassline is all-consuming, over which gorgeous, butterfly-like electronic textures and chopped vocal samples float, the results are entrancing and truly wonderful.
Taken from the album Psalm of Tiamat, you can read more about the album here.
Connect with Francine Thirteen
Bandcamp / Spotify / Instagram / Facebook
Purple showers - Sidney Bird
I saw this described as Cactus Pop; and I was immediately in. This is taken from the Arizona artist's new album desert person.
purple showers shimmers on your skin like the sunlight in the desert, there is a bit of a 1990s vibe to this also which I love.
This feels like bliss, like stretching out under the sun, looking at the endless blue sky, surrounded by Cacti, this is an oasis of pure relaxation.
Connect with Sidney Bird
Spotify / Instagram / Website / Facebook
Kiss like me - Piper Connolly
A fun blend of punk and alt pop - this could be from the opening of an indie 1980s movie, where the main characters would absolutely be listening to this on cassette tape.
The bassline is savage, the drums in your face, the lyrics tongue in cheek, this is fun from start to finish.
On the song, the artist says "It is the ultimate "the grass is greener on THIS side" song. It's fun and flirty and we wrote it as a fusion of old and new - it features a solid homage to Billy Idol, whom I love, & a modern nod to Olivia Rodrigo."
Connect with Piper Connolly
Spotify / Instagram / Website
Day For Night - LEATHERS
Taken from the album Ultraviolet; this has the haunting, nighttime vibe of Kavinsky’s Nightcall and College & Electric Youth’s Real Human Being.
An arpeggiated bassline threatens under floating cloud-like pads, the vocals float in the city mist - this will accompany you as you plunge into the unknown, under the midnight sky.
Connect with LEATHERS
Bandcamp / Spotify / Instagram / Website
Sweat - Izza
This is the newest song from pop singer-songwriter Izza. This has major mid-2000s pop vibes, this would absolutely have been circulated on everyone's flip phone in school.
The vocal delivery and production are very addictive, the pads and bassline fully immerse you in that era.
On the song the artist says "I wanted to write a 2000s pop hit type of song that you could dance to and feel like your best self. This is my favorite era of music so I wanted to put my own spin on it."
Connect with Izza
Spotify / Instagram / Facebook / X / YouTube
Painted - flor
A beautiful alt-pop song, this opens with achingly beautiful layered vocals, gentle chords, this has a lovely DIY flavor to it (it retains the charm of a demo recorded in Garage Band), in that you can feel the heart and soul of the artists poured into every part of this.
On the song singer Zach Grace shares “Every interaction with someone leaves its mark and when you see and hear and talk and feel that someone everyday — well eventually they paint you into something extraordinary. I think this track is gonna paint a smile on a lot of people’s faces.”
Connect with flor
Spotify / Instagram / X / Facebook
Spotify Playlist
About Eimear O Sullivan
Eimear Ann O Sullivan is a multi-genre music producer, audio engineer and vocalist. After receiving a Masters in Music Technology from the CIT Cork School of Music, she went on to operate as a producer under the name Blakkheart. Her releases have received critical acclaim from Ireland's biggest music publications, such as District Magazine and Nialler9, alongside receiving heavy commercial radio airplay. She currently works in Cork recording studio Flashpoint CC. Previous clients of hers include the likes of Comedy Central’s Dragony Aunt star Candy Warhol, rapper Darce and Outsider YP. (Photo credit @Fabian Boros)
Contact Eimear O Sullivan at eimear.o.sullivan@musicngear.com
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