Short Cuts: The Best Songs Heard On February 4, 2018 From The Indie World

At Dawn
(Do U Feel?)
The perfect song for a hazy morning, cup of coffee in hand, after going out to a club the night before. You still want to dance, but your legs aren’t moving as fast as you’d like.

Sean Sahand
Bumpah
The follow-up single to 737, this gem of a track is a club banger in waiting.

Sophie Colette
Slow Danse
A gift of a downtempo number offering strength after a heartbreak. Huge appeal here and another winner from her.

Twin Ritual
Angry
San Diego band produced by Dave Trumfio, known for working with OK Go, Jesus and the Mary Chain, and Built to Spill. Pure pop for now people in the style of Blondie, The Go-Gos and other cool groups.

The Hotel Robbery
Old Times Sake
Seattle-based duo crafts an 80s inspired track blended with modern pop/rap element. After the plaudits coming any minute now, listen to this barnstormer of a track.

Johnny Massacre
Beastman Blitz
Not the metal song you would think, but instead it’s more Michael Jackson and commendably adventurous, finely-produced and a club gem.

Parker Matthews
Hit and Run
A dynamic voice, fierce passion and a gifted creator, the song reminds me of Johnny Hates Jazz’s Shattered Dreams and as good as anything else around. Only one of a handful of standout tracks from the Pittsburgh-based artist.

The Fine Lines
Technicolor Summer
Indie rock band out of New York and New Jersey, proves you don’t need complex instrumental arrangements to get to where to you need to go as artists. No frills here, just a plaintive emotional song.

The Vacant Shapes
Great Barrier Grief
Fans of The Smithereens and mid-career R.E.M. looking for their next fix should do well to check this out. Roars out of the speakers and one of the best songs I’ve heard this year.

The Fleeting Ends
How Much Longer
Straight in your face and ears with this slithering song from their second album. Absolutely second and third listenings aren’t just required, but demanded.

Atlas Knox
Do It (Tobtok Remix)
This debut hit the Top 10 on the Spotify UK Viral 50 charts, with good reason: Heard on the national UK TV campaign music for the clothing brand ‘I SAW IT FIRST’, and contains the lines Let’s do it, do it, do it, do it, Like we’re never, ever going to see each other,” might just be your new weekend anthem over here.

Tree Thomas
Change Your Mind
Standing 6’8, he’s set on staying hungry, focused, and determined to tower over everyone else. His lead single “HETHA”, and features IAMSU, Kevin Gates, NBA superstar Damian Lillard and more. This one is even better, garnering new fans and much-deserved respect.

John Errol
Dead Man Walking
As former keyboardist of the critically acclaimed alt-folk outfit Starred, he just might be the most interesting person you’ll ever meet. He studied poetry and literature at Bard College, got his demo acclaimed in Nylon and Out Magazine, all the while producing some of the most heartfelt downtrodden but spiritual pop this side of Trent Reznor’s slower Nine Inch Nails songs. Wouldn’t be out of place on Moby’s Play album and would have helped it sell another million, too. Let’s hope the same happens to John.

BLESSED
My World
BLESSED is a Sydney-based musician, producer, and songwriter originally hailing from Accra, Ghana. After being signed to a major label at a young age for the better part of a decade, he’s out on his own. It’s our genuine gain, as fans of Kid Cudi, Nirvana, and Lenny Kravitz will have plenty to like here.

Mike11 ft. Jeremih
My Tata
Approach with love here. Guided under the direction of acclaimed Portuguese guitarist Arménio de Melo, this is a great mesh of hip hop beats and beautiful passion.

JOCKS
Riddle Me This
Influenced by Carly Rae Jepsen and the 1975, riddle me this – why isn’t this band better? That answer might be coming sooner rather than later.

Chase McBride
The Color Blue
Recently dominating on Spotify’s Weekly Buzz, Viral 50 USA, and Viral 50 Global, fans of Fans of Dawes and Vetiver will love this in full measure.

Daniel Daniel
The Lonesome Hollow
His deep, grower of a country ballad for fans of Sturgill Simpson and Ray Lamontagne will make you so sad, you’ll want to pick up a phone and speak to someone human.