Swimming With Bears call their sound, “pop’n’roll” a high energy vibe infused with a Motown flavour. Their new single, ‘Keep Smiling’, reflects the struggle to stay positive when all those around you seem to lack consideration and kindness. An uptempo song, it’s matched with a music video which perfectly illustrates the struggle examined in the lyrics. A waitress keeps her cheery disposition despite the rudeness at the tables she waits on, from customers who are determined to take all their frustration out on her. She dances in between each customer, not letting anyone get to her and bring her down. The cinematography is spot on, and the location is retro-tinged,…

Mychael Gabriel might be familiar to you as the musical collaborator and lead guitarist for legendary percussionist Sheila E: his performance skills and stage presence are beyond argument on that count. Now he brings his vivid imagination to the forefront, with his first official solo single and video, ‘Ghost In The Midnight’. Mychael performs in a series of outrageous outfits, pulling each off with style. Behind him are a number of garment racks, hung with nostalgic outfits connected to his musical upbringing in the heart of what is now known as the Minneapolis Sound. The funk-rock singer-songwriter is deeply rooted in this through his connection to Sheila E and Paisley…

Vocalists Neysa, Cuppa, and Yola each represent a different island, and collectively they carry the sound of the tropics with them. Yola’s rapid-fire verses, Cuppa’s reggae-inflected chanting, and Neysa’s sweet, French-tropical singing, all come together in a single-mindedness reflective of their dedication and musical vision. ‘Fête’ is their hard-hitting, streamlined debut single, and each singer takes turns to perform insistent, tugging synthesizer riff and a head-bobbing beat. Translating as “a party”, ‘Fête’ is better described as a neighbourhood festival, and Triple Island, based in Brooklyn, certainly know how to show their fans a good time. The music video begins with the bright lights and boardwalks of Coney Island, before moving…

Norwegian trio Rat City are as unusual as their name. They’ve got the style and swagger required to ensure immediate success, and are more than just a household name in their home country, where they have held the place for #1 record on the radio and the Top 10 Spotify in Norway, as well as being on the Top 5 Shazam for over ten weeks. Their new single, ‘Deliriously Good’ does exactly what it says on the tin. It’s good. Deliriously so. Comprising songwriters/producers Kent and Cato Sunberg and Lasse Michelsen, Rat City have more than a million monthly Spotify listeners, while the video for their dreamy debut release, ‘Kings…

Mother Yeti are as elusive as the Himalayan Cryptid for whom they are named. First spotted in the Pacific Northwest circa 2012, their numbers have varied between two to as many as five members over the years. Their latest single, ‘My Best Please’, has a sound as hard to pin down as the band themselves, and ranges between punk, psych rock, and RnB. One thing we know for sure however – we love it. ‘My Best Please’ is a breezy indie acoustic jam, with lyrics that sound like they wrote themselves, and emanate flawlessly from the mouth of guitarist and lead singer Bill Tracy – who also plays all the…

Everything about San Francisco’s The Bobbleheads feels effortlessly classic: from their 12 string Rickenbacker guitars, to their sweet sweet multi-part harmonies, to the joy and love that emanates from their live performances, and to every single one of their releases. Formed in 2003, their latest single, is a hopeful track from their most recent album, ‘Myths & Fables’. The Bobbleheads are more than just about fun however, they’re a thoughtful group whose storytelling is deep and intriguing underneath the sweet and straightforward melodies. Their inspirations are clear; the influence of classic bands such as The Beatles, XTC, R.E.M., The Smithereens underscore their sound and go before them to show it’s…