SONGS WE LOVED! 27 March - 2 April 2023

A lush compilation of the most unique, creative, and exciting song releases that recently landed in our inbox!

Featuring Jen Cloher, Te Kaahu, Mike Tod, Logan Halstead, Dande and The Lion, Gramercy Arms, Black Market Karma, Ripe, Shambolics, Moonlight Jones, and WOLF MANHATTAN

By Chris RoditisMusicngear Lead Editor

Article photo - SONGS WE LOVED! 27 March - 2 April 2023


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Jen Cloher feat Te Kaahu- He Toka-Tu-Moana

Article photo - SONGS WE LOVED! 27 March - 2 April 2023

Jen Cloher's latest offering, He Toka-Tu-Moana (Stand Steadfast Like A Rock In The Ocean) from her fifth album I Am The River, The River Is Me is a sublime acoustic masterpiece that pays a stirring homage to her Māori heritage. The song is a duet with Aotearoa/New Zealand artist Te Kaahu and is sung entirely in the te reo Māori immersing us in the beauty of the language. 

The vocals are simply divine, intertwining flawlessly as they melt over the serene guitar backdrop, creating a soundscape that is nothing short of magical. A peaceful, yet powerful piece of aural art that showcases the cultural significance of Māori heritage and motivates us to honor the words of our ancestors. Magnificent.

Connect With Jen Cloher
Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Spotify

Connect With Te Kaahu
Facebook / Instagram / Spotify

 

Mike Tod - The Coo Coo

Article photo - SONGS WE LOVED! 27 March - 2 April 2023

Canadian ethnomusicologist and musician Mike Tod is a master of weaving together the past and present with his music, and his latest masterpiece is no exception. Taken from his upcoming self-titled debut LP due out on April 13th, The Coo Coo showcases his expertise in traditional string band instrumentation which flawlessly intertwines with Tod's awe-inspiring vocals, evoking vivid visions of weathered landscapes and western portraits.

To complement the release of the track, Molly Little has created a beautifully animated music video. The sepia-tinged, high-contrast animation follows the lyrics of the song closely, matching the mood and dynamics scene by scene. This is majestic.

Connect With Mike Tod
Twitter / Instagram / Spotify

 

Logan Halstead - Kentucky Sky

Article photo - SONGS WE LOVED! 27 March - 2 April 2023

Kentucky Sky is a majestic introduction to country/folk/Americana singer-songwriter Logan Halstead's upcoming album Dark Black Coal set for release on May 5. Drawing inspiration from the picturesque scenery outside his window, Halstead crafted a dreamlike soundscape that takes us on a journey through the rolling hills and cow pastures of Kentucky, with his vocals being deeply riveting as they blend with the delicate acoustic guitar and mellifluous fiddle notes - this is a highly luscious taste of what promises to be an exceptional album.

On the song, Halstead states: "I was picking around in the kitchen looking out the window and saw two cardinals playing on the fence out back. I thought back to a summer in Crittenden, Kentucky, where there were rolling hills and cow pastures. It seemed like the sun never wanted to set there. That's how I came up with the title".

Connect With Logan Halstead
Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Spotify


Dande and The Lion - Children of the Hour

Article photo - SONGS WE LOVED! 27 March - 2 April 2023
Photo Credit: Saz Watson

Dande and The Lion's latest synth-infused indie-pop anthem Children of the Hour is like a refreshing summer breeze. Fervent vocals, glimmering synths, and vibrant, sun-drenched melodies blend together perfectly, to build a euphoric crescendo that ignites the imagination and stirs the soul. This makes you want to jump up and dance, to let loose and forget about everything else.

Connect With Dande and The Lion
Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Spotify


Gramercy Arms - Never Say Anything

Article photo - SONGS WE LOVED! 27 March - 2 April 2023

Taken from NYC indie rock outfit Gramercy Arms's third album Deleted Scenes, Never Say Anything is a shimmery and sunny indie-pop anthem, that brims with enchanting vocals that weave gorgeously with the warm guitar notes, creating a sonic oasis that draws you in and won’t let you go. A true musical feast for your ears.

Connect With Gramercy Arms
Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Spotify


Black Market Karma - Heady Ideas (Joakim Åhlund Remix)

Article photo - SONGS WE LOVED! 27 March - 2 April 2023

Step into a world of psychedelic pop enchantment with Black Market Karma's latest single Heady Ideas, expertly remixed by Joakim Åhlund, who elevated the song to new heights of auditory bliss. As the slamming breakbeats and analogue filters kick in, you will be swept into a whirlwind that pulses with energy and life. The faraway vocals float above it all, like a beckoning call to explore the depths of this sonic landscape - a journey that transports you to another dimension, filled with vibrant colors and kaleidoscopic patterns.

Heady Ideas is taken off of BLACK MARKET KARMA's eleventh full-length album, Friends In Noise. Rooted in the power of collaboration and friendship, the album is a celebration of the magic that happens when like-minded artists come together to create something truly special.

Connect With Black Market Karma
Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Spotify

Connect With Joakim Åhlund
Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Spotify

 

Ripe - Settling

Article photo - SONGS WE LOVED! 27 March - 2 April 2023

This is everything you need to brighten up your day and lift your spirits. Taken off of Ripe's latest album Bright Blues, Settling is a burst of joyful energy that overflows with fervent vocals and a feel-good, utterly invigorating groove that will take you to new heights of musical ecstasy, as it spreads a message of positivity and empowerment motivating us to embrace life to the fullest and not settle for anything less. This is the perfect antidote to a bad day.

Connect With Ripe
Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Spotify


Shambolics - Take It Or Leave It

Article photo - SONGS WE LOVED! 27 March - 2 April 2023

Take It Or Leave It is a dreamlike fusion of Britpop and '80s-inspired grooves, that will undoubtedly invigorate you. Taken from Scotland's rockers, Shambolics' upcoming EP U Serious Boi?! set to drop on April 14th, Take It Or Leave It shines from Darren Forbes' radiant vocals that intertwine smoothly with the shimmering synths and slick basslines, as he weaves his tale of a one-sided relationship. Despite the heavy subject matter, there's a sense of hope that permeates throughout the song, infused with a feel-good vibe, transporting you to a summery state of mind.

Connect With Shambolics 
Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Spotify / Website


Moonlight Jones - I Like The Way

Article photo - SONGS WE LOVED! 27 March - 2 April 2023

Enter an eerie world of supernatural romance with Moonlight Jones's latest single I Like The Way, a dark and alluring 80s-infused synth-pop anthem that exudes imagination and creativity. An irresistible blend of transcendental synth notes, dazzling beats, and supernatural vocals that perfectly embody the darkly romantic narrative of the song, pulling you into a sonic trance.

Connect With Moonlight Jones
Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Spotify / Website


WOLF MANHATTAN - Want to Go Back

Article photo - SONGS WE LOVED! 27 March - 2 April 2023

Want to Go Back will transport you to another time when things were simpler. With a pop sensibility that's hard to resist, the melody flows smoothly, carrying with it a distinct Beatles-esque and 60's vibe, as the straightforward, deeply nostalgic lyrics, take you on a journey down memory lane, reminding you of carefree days spent basking in the warmth of the sun.

So close your eyes, let this music take you away, and allow yourself to get lost in the nostalgia of it all.

Connect With WOLF MANHATTAN
Instagram / Spotify



SPOTIFY PLAYLIST


Send all music submissions to Chris Roditis <chrisroditis@musicngear.com>.
To increase your chances of inclusion to one of our features, please include as much information as possible about the gear you used in the recording and production of the songs. We are open to all genres.

About Chris Roditis

Chris Roditis has been an active musician since 1995 in various bands and projects across a variety of genres ranging from acoustic, electronic to nu metal, british rock and trip hop. He has extensive experience as a mixing engineer and producer and has built recording studios for most of the projects he has been involved with. His passion for music steered his entrepreneurial skills into founding MusicNGear in 2012.

Contact Chris Roditis at chrisroditis@kinkl.com