The Underground Forest - Volume 33
This edition of The Underground Forest features; a song that sounds like you stumbled across it on vinyl at flea market in the 1970s; a Halloween song with some fun, gothic Kate Bush vibes; a song that sounds like 1990s youth; a home demo that has the magic of a previously unknown Neil Young or The Beatles recording; a song that sounds like the sunlit memories of childhood; and more!
Featuring Rikuto Fujimoto, Daniel Schamroth, Alas de Liona, blondestandard, Soda Blonde, KiKi Holli, Alisha.K & Sophie Kilburn.
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Rikuto Fujimoto – Framed Memories
The ghostlike piano chords and vocalizations feel like they float to you from a childhood memory; one of you playing and humming a tune on the piano; a memory viewed through dust and glimmering sunlight.
The emotional response the piano in this piece induced reminded me of Aphex Twin’s Avril 14th, so you are in for a treat.
On the song the artist says “I used a Steinway piano during the recording of the album. This song came to me the first time that I played the instrument. It’s the most recent song on the album, but it brought forth many recollections of my childhood, of when I was pure and innocent.”
Connect with Rikuto Fujimoto
YouTube / Spotify / Instagram
Skyscraper - Daniel Schamroth (Home Demo)
A home demo recording of acoustic guitar and vocals that shimmers with wonder. This is a testament to the fact that the core elements of a song are what is most important; and that it is OK to keep things simple, as the humanity behind the art is what draws us to art in the first place.
This also feels kind of like an undiscovered Beatles or Neil Young demo slightly, in that it is truly fantastic, and has a magical quality twinkling in the background.
On the song, the songwriter says “Skyscraper was written in the early throes of romance, when you first meet someone. You feel like the world's your oyster and you're out exploring that secret world together, feeling unstoppable and full of possibility.”
Connect with Daniel Schamroth
Spotify / Instagram / Facebook / X
Bully - Soda Blonde
There is something so unique about every song Soda Blonde releases; a strong visual and cinematic element pulses throughout their music, making it all the more entrancing to listen to.
The shimmering synths, guitars and heavenly vocals in their new song Bully all blend together over the flawless drum beat, forming a kaleidoscopic, surreal tapestry of wonder.
Connect with Soda Blonde
YouTube / Spotify / Instagram / Website / X
OH MY - Alisha.K
Achingly beautiful alternative/indie-pop fused with some bedroom pop elements; this will feel like the warm glow of a summer memory from 1990s youth.
The composition is gentle, bringing to mind endless blue skies, all with a slight undercurrent of melancholy. The vocals flow over this like clouds, dreamy pads burst in every so often, this is a dreamy, lofi masterpiece. (this would have been all over the MySpace music scene).
Connect with Alisha.K
YouTube / Spotify / Instagram / Facebook
Alas de Liona - For Forever
This new single from Alas de Liona has some eerie 1980s Halloween vibes; and I am so in.
The vocals are haunting, the accompanying music video being Lost Boys inspired, what more could you ask for? The vocals have a bit of a Kate Bush vibe, the chorus is an explosion of glory and color, this is so much fun from start to finish.
Connect with Alas de Liona
Website | Spotify | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok
NOT THE ONLY ONE - blondestandard
The bassline and drums in the opening of this give some serious mid-’00s indie vibes that will bring you right back to life. The lyrics are cathartic, “a leech that sucks your blood/that leaves you all undone”, we have all experienced someone who has done nothing but drain us.
This song is about being on the other side of an experience like this.
On the song the artist says "It’s about the frustration of being used—especially when you’re someone who leads with kindness and openness—only to realize too late that not everyone has your best interests at heart. It’s not easy to go through these experiences, but as much as they hurt, they also teach you invaluable lessons about boundaries, self-respect, and not letting people take your kindness for granted. I’ve found peace in being able to look back at those moments and realize that I’m better for having lived through them. The song isn’t just about the pain; it’s about acknowledging that pain, finding closure, and using it to grow."
Connect with blondestandard
YouTube / Spotify / Instagram
KiKi Holli - Find My Way Back Home
The new single from KiKi Holli (produced and co-written by twice Grammy-nominated producer, Ethan Allen) opens with beautifully rich powerhouse vocals, slowly becoming more and more layered, before soaring into the stratosphere in the chorus.
If you have started to feel despondent, this will be a light that will remind you of the resilience and joy of humanity.
Connect with KiKi Holli
YouTube / Spotify / Instagram / X
Hot Minute - Sophie Kilburn
This was a Bandcamp discovery; this is alt/indie pop with a wonderful analog flavor, it feels like it is from the 1970s (like you came across it on vinyl at a flea market during that era).
My favorite line from this is “loneliness is my phobia/I’m now accustomed to”.
Lie on the floor while listening to this, and allow it to whisk you away.
Connect with Sophie Kilburn
Bandcamp / YouTube / Spotify / Instagram / 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
In this blog section we host new music releases, artist features and handpicked playlists by the Musicngear staff.
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