1. Ajay Srivastav — “Between the Cracks” is an intrepid journey to the spaces between folk, blues, psychedelica, and traditional Indian music that hits all the right notes.
2. A Valley Son — “The World, It Moves” is a Southern rock ballad with plenty of heart and a lot of brains.
3. The Burning Glass — “Startled by Stars” is an exuberant, rollicking tune that reminds us of the finer, and simpler, things in life.
4. Sylvia Black feat. Jaleel Shaw — “Walking With Fire” is a clever and masterful homage to Twin Peaks and its bizarre, slinky music.
5. Luke Rathborne — “Don’t Call Me Baby” is evocative of a downcast Beatles as it relates the disappointments of youth.
6. Cecilia Ebba — “Breath Out Breath In” is an ethereal journey into Ebba’s subconscious, centered upon a recurring dream of seeking shelter beneath the waves.
7. Hanouneh — “Cheap Regrets” is a bouncy, soul-inflected song that eschews self-help culture.
8. Matthew Barton — “Engagement Is a Sickness” resonates with me, a bitter late-twenty-something singleton as most of my friends are married or well on their way to it. Humbug. Love is dead.
9. DAWNINGS — “Activate It” is my kryptonite — mysterious female vocals supported by a bassline you can sink your teeth into. The theme of owning oneself and living to the fullest appeals to me a heckuvalot, too.
10. ian terry — “cut” is a shot of low-fi excellence, beautifully highlighting terry’s vulnerable vocals and careful guitar work.
Like my playlists? I’ll make one for you! Subscribe to my Patreon or leave me a one-time tip via Ko-Fi (no account required!)