Songs We Liked - November 2020

Some of our favourite releases that arrived in our inboxes - check them out below! Featuring Luna Pines, HEBE, MIIRRORS and more 

By Eimear O SullivanMusicngear Editor

Article photo - Songs We Liked - November 2020

Luna Pines - "She Can’t See Me"

Article photo - Songs We Liked - November 2020

The newest release from the London based duo - ‘She Can’t See Me’ is a glittering wall of dream-pop/house fused perfection, flavoured with deeply haunting vocal sampling. Produced by Lotte van den Berg (also on vocals, guitar, synth, sampling and engineering) with Rob Oates on backing vocals and drums.

Inspired by the likes of The Japanese House, Tourist & Tycho - this song is based on the stagnant state of not feeling good enough. On the subject matter, Lotte says

‘‘I wrote ‘She Can’t See Me with my pal Thomas Trueman (Dokkodo Sounds & Laminate Pet Animal) just after I moved to London and things were very overwhelming for me. I think it’s so easy to feel left behind in this city, and that’s kind of what the song became about. It’s a conversation to myself trying to explore all the relationships in my life and why I don’t feel good enough for so many people. It’s essentially me grappling with my self worth, and the struggles I see normal people go through every day.’

Connect with Luna Pines
Spotify / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter


Violation Drive - "Renegade"

Article photo - Songs We Liked - November 2020

Dive into the sordid technological darkness with Brazilian producer Violation Drive - Renegade features dark, industrial synthesis; set in a hostile landscape where a dark terror surrounds and threatens to overcome. Taken from his new album NotHumanAnymore - check it out here.

Connect with Violation Drive
Bandcamp / Spotify / Facebook / Instagram 


Beth Hirsch - "I Still Believe in Love"  (Soul Version)

Article photo - Songs We Liked - November 2020

This can only be described as velvet for the ears - I Still Believe in Love (Soul Version) is taken from American singer and songwriter Beth Hirsch’s album L.I.F.E (Love Is For Everyone) Beth’s rich vocals flow like molten silk over the chilled piano chords, with light jazz percussion, before enveloping us in a luxuriously chilled chorus. 

Connect with Beth Hirsch
Website / Spotify / Facebook / Instagram


HEBE - "Hunting Me"

Article photo - Songs We Liked - November 2020

Taken from the rising electronic-pop artist’s EP ‘Cards On The Table’- Hunting Me is a darkly soulful electronic affair - HEBE’s vocals are smooth and effortless, with lush, rich harmonies, all weaving together to create a truly unique texture. Hunting Me sounds as good as the artwork looks. 

Connect with HEBE
Website / Spotify / Facebook / Instagram / YouTube


Columbia Mills - "The Greatest Love" (Jape Remix)

Article photo - Songs We Liked - November 2020

Taken from their upcoming remix EP of their album CCTV - this Jape remix is an electronic powerhouse flavoured with abstract elements; featuring dreamy sampling of instruments in the original song. 

Frontman from Columbia Mills Fiachra Treacy speaks about how the idea came about for the remixed EP:

“Above all else, the members of Columbia Mills are massive music fans. We spend most of our free time attending gigs of all genres and discussing our favourite artists.  Our broad range of influences can be heard in our music, so we thought it would be a good idea to ask the people who influence us most, to remix some of our tracks”

Connect with Columbia Mills
Website / Spotify / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter 

Connect with Jape
Website / Spotify / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter


Arvo Party, Hex Hue - "Anyway"

Article photo - Songs We Liked - November 2020

Alt-pop artist Hex Hue (aka Katie Richardson ) team’s up with creative forces with NI Music Prize-nominated producer, Arvo Party for this latest release. Anyway features subtle synthesis and abstract percussion - before bursting into a truly glorious chorus reminenest of some of the most euphoric choruses from the 90’s and early 2000s best songs. 

Connect with Arvo Party
Bandcamp / Facebook / Instagram / Spotify

Connect with Hex Hue
Spotify / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter


Andy and the Odd Socks (feat Princess K, Libera)- "The Kids are United"

Article photo - Songs We Liked - November 2020

The Kids are United is the official video for Anti-Bullying Week 2020 -  recorded by CBeebies presenter Andy Day and his band Andy and the Odd Socks. This is a cover of Sham 69’s The Kids Are United - and features Princess K (who shared the stage with Stormzy at Glastonbury 2019) and the Libera Choir -  with all proceeds going to the Anti-Bullying Alliance.

Andy and the band also relied upon the skills of teachers from schools all over the country to film the children who took part in the video. Over 750 clips of children dancing and singing were submitted to be included in the video!

“This is my favourite song and video we have made for Odd Socks Day as part of Anti-Bullying Week so far.” said Andy Day. “It’s a cover of Sham 69’s ‘The Kids Are United’ but with an Odd Socks twist! To have the amazing Princess K and her brothers feature and the brilliant Libera International Boys Choir really makes it special. Some of the lyrics were inspired by Zoom calls the band and I did with school kids who told us what United Against Bullying meant to them. Hundreds of school kids and teachers sent us the clips of them dancing to the track, all filmed in their bubbles. This was truly collaborative and creative and made in challenging times and we are so unbelievably proud of it. It feels very emotional.”

Connect with Andy and The Odd Socks
Website / Spotify / Facebook / Instagram

Connect with the Anti - Bulling Alliance
Website / Twitter


Chaz Shepherd - "We Will Breathe"

Article photo - Songs We Liked - November 2020

Coined ‘The New Anthem of America’s Uprising’ - the newest release from the popular actor and singer-songwriter is part of his Protest Sentiment project. Shepherd’s vocals flow flawlessly over the electronic fused RnB beat (reminiscent of the production in Beyonce’s Bday) showcasing his flawless vocal abilities. 

The catalyst for this song was the nationwide protests about systemic racism - the music video including raw footage from Jim Crow, the 2020 protests and the brutal video of George Floyd’s tragic death that became the cathartic symbol of this year’s protest sentiment - which is also the name of his new project.

On the song, Chaz says “We’re ready to do whatever is necessary to fix this. It is an ancient truth, yet widely ignored reality, that North America’s primary culture is “Greed by Violence and Racism”. It is ancient reality that the oppressed must take their respect. How does the school bully stop bullying? This song is the kid who’s tired of being bullied” says Chaz Shepherd not being afraid to step out of his comfort zone as an artist and a black man in America, seeing no real action is being taken to make a real political change. 

As part of his Protest Sentiment project, Chaz Shepherd expands the song’s message on his social media platforms and invites his fans to take action, speak up and use their protest spirit. #WeWillBreathe

Connect with Chaz Shepherd 
SpotifyInstagram / Facebook


Nykki - "Home to You"

Article photo - Songs We Liked - November 2020

The newest release from Czech artist Nykki - Home to You is a wall of slightly mournful electronic pop perfection - reminiscent of Max Martin and Ariana Grande’s Into You.

Written and recorded during lockdown, Home To You is the product of a series of online sessions with British producer and songwriter Peter Hammerton ( Little Mix, James Arthur, Paloma Faith and Kylie Minogue) The music video has a split screen, and looks as luxurious as the song sounds. 

Connect with Nykki
Website / SpotifyInstagram / Facebook / Youtube


Akkan, Chancha Via Circuito - "Ananda"

Article photo - Songs We Liked - November 2020

Akkan (a collaboration between Barcelona producers BeGun and Ocellot) released their new single Ananda, featuring digital cumbia pioneer Chancha Via Circuito, which was built around melodic patterns recorded in Colombia during a South American tour. 

Akkan is a fusion of organic sounds, mixed with tribal percussion - evocative of their signature sound; club-oriented organic electronica characterized by jungle sounds, shimmering analog synths, tribal percussions, exotic vocals, trippy melodies and folk instruments that flow in a stimulating and highly contagious array of beats.

Connect with Akkan
Bandcamp / Facebook / Spotify / Instagram

Connect with Chancha Via Circuito
Youtube / Facebook / Spotify / Instagram

 

MIIRRORS - "Nightwalk"

Article photo - Songs We Liked - November 2020

The newest release from the Chicago-based band - Nightwalk is a beautifully mournful and haunting track - made for quiet moments when the mask falls away.  On the song’s subject matter the band stated “We feel the video representation of our song adheres to both the lyrical aspects as well as the current times we find ourselves in: isolation, introspection, and hopeful resolve. We also wanted to pay subtle homage to our city, Chicago.”

Nightwalk" was recorded live at Steve Albini’s Electrical Audio by Gregoire Yeche and mixed by Brian Deck (Califone, Red Red Meat, Iron & Wine).

Their first full-length album Motion Picture will be released by early 2021. It was recorded at Electrical Audio and features drummer Matt Johnson (St. Vincent, Jeff Buckley) on two of the tracks.

Connect with MIIRRORS
Bandcamp / Facebook / Instagram / Youtube


Tiger Mimic - "King Of Machines"

Article photo - Songs We Liked - November 2020

The London based group’s final release of 2020, 'King Of Machines' is described by the band as being ‘a lament and a grave rebuttal to the hate, hypocrisy, fear, and callousness that has defined the political landscape in recent years’.

King of Machines opens with a bright choral sequence, luring the listeners into a false sense of what is to come, before dissolving into high energy darkness reminiscent of The White Stripes and Queens of the Stone Age. Saturated vocals, pounding drums and pulsating guitars - this is a song you unleash your inner rage and frustrations to.

Connect with Tiger Mimic
Website / Spotify  / Facebook / Instagram / Youtube


Michael Calfan/ Inna - "Call Me Now"

Article photo - Songs We Liked - November 2020

French DJ and producer Michael Calfan teams up with prolific vocalist INNA on this smoothly pulsating electronic/house track. Featuring Calfan’s slick production with INNA’s glittering, ice like vocals - a perfect combination.

Connect with Michael Calfan
Website / Spotify  / FacebookInstagram / Youtube

Connect with INNA
Website / Spotify  / Facebook / Instagram / Youtube

 

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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

About Music Spotlight

In this blog section we host new music releases, artist features and handpicked playlists by the Musicngear staff.

Interested in a music feature, writing a story as a guest or joining the Musicngear team as a Contributing Author? Contact us at info+blog@musicngear.com