Round-Up
Seems like only days ago I was remarking at reaching #10, and yet here is RRP Round-Up #15 already - this latest high quality six-some bringing us up to 90 artists covered.
Aaron - Strong
I don’t mind admitting that I’m slightly hooked on this retro popsicle from London singer-songwriter Aaron. Strong is a taster of what to expect from the release of her debut EP, Letters to Jonny on April 27th.
https://twitter.com/aaronofficialuk
https://www.facebook.com/aaronofficialuk
Ballet - Stress and Low
Hailing from Holon, Israel, Ballet describe themselves as “post alternative post indie post punk”. They formed in 2009, and are now on InchPerSecond records. Stress and Low is their first release for the label, taken from an album due out (I’m told) in March this year. It’s a gorgeous, downtempo piece of woozy acoustica, its soft vocals gradually becoming more subsumed in the overall sound.
Album out in March.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ballet/188220081226402
Himmel - Reverie
File under “sumptuous dream-pop”.
Reverie is the first release from Himmel, and the first single from the album A Long Cold Winter, which is due out in mid-February. Himmel is the work of Luca Bluefire, but for each track on the album he has worked with a different set of collaborators. Reverie features Aurora Sebastiani on vocals and Simone Lombardo on drums.
https://www.facebook.com/himmeldream
Monogem - The Glow
Monogem are singer/songwriter Jen Hirsh and producer/songwriter, Scott Smith. The Glow is their second single, and another 80s synth dance pop thing to add to the pile marked “sweet beats and female vocals”. As a bit of extra goodness, a funky guitar cameo is thrown in. Tremendous.
Monogem’s self-titled MONOGEM EP is due on February 3, 2015.
https://twitter.com/Monogemlovesyou
https://www.facebook.com/monogemlovesyou
The Notionaries - Excited Eyes
I’ve been able to post so many good new songs lately that I’ve got a bit giddy and headed off-piste in order to bring you this months-old debut track from Oklahoma City’s The Notionaries. Excited Eyes is all popcorn guitar and heavy pounding rhythm, and if my cultural big dish is giving even vaguely accurate readings it’s the sort of big noise that’s going down pretty pretty well all over the place these days. This is not the last I’m expecting to hear of The Notionaries.
https://twitter.com/thenotionaries
https://www.facebook.com/thenotionaries
Lilla Vargen - This is Love
I have no information on the beautiful debut track from Lilla Vargen, so I will just let its combination of piano and wonderful vocals speak for itself - something it does eloquently and very charmingly indeed.