B-Side Guys

Welcome to New Music Friday on bsideguys.com, your weekly gateway to the freshest sounds hitting the airwaves and streaming platforms. As we bid farewell to another week, we’re diving headfirst into a treasure trove of new releases that span genres, moods, and continents. From indie darlings dropping surprise singles to established acts pushing their sonic boundaries, we’ve got it all covered.

Our team of music enthusiasts has been burning the midnight oil, sifting through countless tracks to bring you the cream of the crop. Whether you’re looking for your next favorite indie anthem, a mind-bending electronic odyssey, or a soul-stirring acoustic ballad, we’ve got something to satisfy every musical craving. So grab your headphones, turn up the volume, and join us as we explore the most exciting new music of the week. Let’s kick off the weekend with a sonic bang and discover the tracks that will be soundtrack of your days to come!

Danielle Dennis – “Fool’s Gold”

Danielle Dennis’s “Fool’s Gold” is a searing slowcore anthem that channels the raw emotional intensity of classic rock through a modern emo lens. The track’s bluesy undercurrents and Dennis’s powerhouse vocals evoke comparisons to Fleetwood Mac at their most visceral, while the song’s structure—a slow-burning build that culminates in a cathartic explosion—speaks to her contemporary sensibilities. Dennis navigates the treacherous waters of a toxic relationship with a lyrical dexterity that belies the song’s seemingly straightforward premise.

The track’s narrative arc, from initial disillusionment to righteous anger and finally to a bittersweet acceptance, is mirrored in its musical progression. Lines like “Can’t you see you made a mockery of me / Gave you the real thing for a half-assed forgery” cut to the bone, their bitter honesty amplified by Dennis’s emotive delivery. The repeated refrain of “Fool’s gold” serves not just as a chorus but as a mantra of self-realization, each iteration peeling back another layer of the narrator’s pain and resilience. By the time the song reaches its explosive outro, Dennis has taken listeners on an emotional journey that’s as cathartic as it is devastating. “Fool’s Gold” stands as a testament to Dennis’s ability to blend genre influences into a sound that’s both timeless and urgently contemporary, marking her as an artist to watch in the evolving landscape of emotive rock.

Luke Beling – “Shining Like the Sun” feat. Silicone Boone

Luke Beling’s “Shining Like the Sun” is a sprawling folk epic that bridges the gap between spiritual revelation and earthly struggle. Featuring Silicone Boone, the track unfolds like a modern-day psalm, with Beling’s weathered vocals guiding listeners through a landscape of vivid imagery and existential pondering. The song’s structure, alternating between intimate verses and a sweeping, mantra-like chorus, evokes the ebb and flow of faith and doubt, creating a sonic journey that’s as much about the search as it is about any definitive answers.

Lyrically, Beling weaves a tapestry of human experience, from the mystical encounter with an angel to the harsh realities of earthly suffering. Lines like “In her eyes were a hundred billion lives” and “If god is a man then god is a man among us” showcase Beling’s ability to distill complex theological concepts into accessible, poetic language. The repeated refrain of “Shining like the sun” serves as both a unifying thread and a beacon of hope amidst the song’s darker moments. By cataloging a diverse array of human archetypes – “saints sinners / kings beggars / prophets all the unbelievers” – Beling creates a universal narrative that speaks to the shared human experience of searching for meaning. “Shining Like the Sun” stands as a testament to Beling’s craftsmanship as a songwriter, blending the storytelling tradition of folk with the introspective depth of Leonard Cohen and the poetic sprawl of Bob Dylan, resulting in a song that feels both timeless and urgently contemporary.

ADAMAH – “Tell Me About New York”

ADAMAH’s “Tell Me About New York” is a poignant exploration of long-distance heartache, wrapped in a delicate Americana-tinged indie rock package. Jonathan Fries’s vocals, tinged with a raw vulnerability, guide listeners through a narrative that’s as vivid as it is emotionally resonant. The track’s sparse instrumentation creates an intimate atmosphere, allowing the lyrics to take center stage and inviting listeners into the narrator’s world of memories and missed connections.

The song’s structure mimics the ebb and flow of reminiscence, with verses that paint detailed pictures of absence (“I’m staring at your clothes in my room”) giving way to a chorus that yearns for connection, no matter how bittersweet. The repeated refrain of “Tell me about New York” serves as both a plea and a coping mechanism, highlighting the narrator’s desperate attempt to maintain a connection with someone who’s moved on. By juxtaposing mundane details with grand emotions, ADAMAH crafts a narrative that feels both deeply personal and universally relatable. “Tell Me About New York” showcases Fries’s ability to distill complex emotions into accessible, yet profoundly moving songwriting, positioning ADAMAH as a noteworthy voice in the contemporary singer-songwriter landscape.

Mindy Gledhill – “Long Distance Lullaby”

Mindy Gledhill’s “Long Distance Lullaby” is a tender exploration of self-love and inner child healing, wrapped in a delicate singer-songwriter package. Gledhill’s ethereal vocals float over a sparse instrumental backdrop, creating an intimate atmosphere that invites listeners into her personal journey of reconciliation. The song’s structure, with its gentle verses building to a more emphatic chorus, mirrors the gradual process of self-discovery and acceptance.

Lyrically, “Long Distance Lullaby” weaves a narrative of reaching across time to comfort one’s younger self. Lines like “Bold, but never too much / Strong, but never too tough” serve as affirmations, challenging internalized criticisms and offering unconditional support. The recurring metaphor of a long-distance call cleverly encapsulates the feeling of emotional distance one can experience from their past selves. By the time Gledhill poses the question “What is love / If we’re just talking to ourselves?” she’s invited listeners to consider their own relationships with their inner children. This track showcases Gledhill’s ability to craft songs that are both deeply personal and universally resonant, positioning her as a thoughtful voice in the contemporary singer-songwriter scene.

SophiaBlue – “Hard Way”

SophiaBlue’s “Hard Way” is a gritty blues anthem that showcases her raw vocal power and masterful command of the genre. The track’s stripped-down instrumentation allows SophiaBlue’s voice to take center stage, her gravelly timbre evoking comparisons to blues legends like Beth Hart and Samantha Fish. The guitar work, reminiscent of Stevie Ray Vaughan’s soulful licks, provides a perfect counterpoint to the vocals, creating a sonic landscape that’s both timeless and fresh.

Lyrically, “Hard Way” delves into the frustration of watching someone you care about make self-destructive choices. Lines like “Dangling by a thread / Offer my hand before you fall” paint a vivid picture of a relationship strained by one party’s poor decisions. The chorus’s refrain of “Gonna let ya learn the hard way” serves as both a resignation and a tough-love approach to the situation. SophiaBlue’s delivery, alternating between world-weary sighs and powerful belts, adds layers of emotional depth to the narrative. This track not only demonstrates SophiaBlue’s technical prowess as a blues musician but also her ability to infuse the genre with personal experiences and authentic emotion, marking her as a compelling new voice in the contemporary blues scene.

country girl – “your favorite girl”

country girl’s debut single “your favorite girl” is a shimmering slice of indie pop that captures the giddy rush of a new crush with disarming sincerity. The track’s dreamy production, with its layers of hazy synths and gentle percussion, creates a sonic landscape that feels like a sun-drenched daydream. This musical backdrop perfectly complements the song’s lyrical content, mirroring the fuzzy, idealized nature of romantic fantasies.

Lyrically, “your favorite girl” is a masterclass in vulnerability, with lines like “I wanna mess with your curls / I wanna tell you all the time / But once I start I get shy” encapsulating the mix of desire and nervousness that accompanies new attraction. The recurring refrain of “I’d be your favorite girl” serves as both a plea and a promise, highlighting the yearning to be special to someone. By detailing specific scenarios like “I wanna drive you home at night / I want your head dozed on my side,” country girl creates a vivid, relatable narrative that invites listeners to project their own romantic ideals onto the song. This debut single positions country girl as a promising new voice in the indie pop scene, crafting music that’s both emotionally resonant and irresistibly catchy.

Gemma Hayes – “Another Love” feat. Paul Noonan

Gemma Hayes’ “Another Love,” featuring Paul Noonan, marks a triumphant return for the Mercury Prize-nominated singer-songwriter after a decade-long hiatus. The track, a haunting duet, showcases Hayes’ undiminished ability to craft narratives that are both deeply personal and universally resonant. The interplay between Hayes and Noonan’s voices creates a sonic tapestry that’s as intricate as it is emotionally charged, their harmonies weaving together to convey the complex emotions of two individuals finding solace in shared grief.

Lyrically, “Another Love” explores the liminal space between loss and new beginnings, with Hayes describing it as a “lament” for characters “haunted by the ghost of someone they loved.” The song’s power lies in its exploration of unexpected intimacy, with the revelation that neither character truly loves the other paradoxically bringing them closer together. This nuanced approach to storytelling, coupled with the track’s delicate instrumentation, positions “Another Love” as a standout in Hayes’ discography. As a preview of her upcoming album “Blind Faith,” the single suggests a work that will delve deep into themes of longing, empowerment, and the human condition, reaffirming Hayes’ status as a formidable voice in the contemporary folk scene.

Stephen Becker – “I Held an Echo”

Stephen Becker’s “I Held an Echo” is a mesmerizing journey through the labyrinth of memory and self-doubt, wrapped in a psychedelic indie rock package. The track’s production, with its glitchy flourishes and layered instrumentation, creates a sonic dreamscape that perfectly mirrors the song’s exploration of fleeting transcendence and oppressive reality. Becker’s vocals, reminiscent of Elliott Smith’s intimate whisper, guide listeners through a series of vivid, surreal images that blur the line between waking life and reverie.

Lyrically, “I Held an Echo” is a masterclass in abstract storytelling. Lines like “I felt my body turn to wind then become solid / I woke up mumbling” capture the ephemeral nature of epiphany, while the repeated refrain of “I held an echo in my head” serves as both a mantra and a metaphor for the struggle to hold onto fleeting moments of clarity. The sudden intrusion of familial conflict (“And Donny’s mad, and I got mad he put up a fight”) grounds the song’s ethereal musings in stark reality, creating a tension that runs throughout the track. As a preview of his upcoming album “Middle Child Syndrome,” “I Held an Echo” positions Becker as a formidable voice in the psychedelic indie rock scene, crafting songs that are as intellectually engaging as they are sonically adventurous.

Justin Webb & The Noise – “A Rose To Chew On”

Justin Webb & The Noise’s “A Rose To Chew On” is a blistering slice of rock ‘n’ roll that seamlessly blends the raw energy of garage rock with the sonic ambition of late-70s post-punk. The track’s evolution from a shambling blues/country bar band ode to a propulsive, atmospheric anthem mirrors the turbulent relationship at the heart of its lyrics. Webb’s vocals, tinged with equal parts desperation and defiance, cut through the wall of sound created by the band’s tight, one-room performance.

The song’s structure, with its gradual build to a soaring chorus, showcases the band’s ability to craft dynamic, emotionally resonant rock music. The addition of an E-bow hook, reminiscent of Bowie’s “Heroes,” adds a layer of ethereal beauty to the gritty soundscape. Lines like “I don’t want you to go / But I don’t wanna go back” encapsulate the conflicted emotions of a toxic relationship, while the repeated refrain of “I don’t mind what the old birds say” serves as a defiant cry against outside judgment. As a preview of their debut album “Stupid Young,” “A Rose To Chew On” positions Justin Webb & The Noise as torchbearers for authentic, no-frills rock ‘n’ roll in an era of overproduced, click-tracked music.

Ohvaur – “Intertwined”

Ohvaur’s “Intertwined” is a potent distillation of frontman Timothy Den’s tumultuous life experiences, wrapped in a package that seamlessly blends indie rock’s emotional intensity with pop’s melodic sensibility. The track’s intricate layering, evident in the three separate drum setups and meticulously crafted instrumentation, mirrors the complex themes of rebirth and interconnectedness that Den explores throughout. Producer Matt Wallace’s influence is palpable, lending the song a polished sheen that enhances rather than obscures its raw emotional core.

Lyrically, “Intertwined” serves as a poignant meditation on the cyclical nature of existence, with Den’s vocals conveying both vulnerability and resilience. The song’s central concept – that we might instinctively drift towards those most important to us across lifetimes – offers a comforting perspective on loss and separation, themes that resonate deeply given Den’s history of displacement and new beginnings. As the title track and opener of Ohvaur’s new album, “Intertwined” sets a tone of hopeful introspection, promising a body of work that grapples with life’s endings while ultimately celebrating the precious moments in between. This track not only showcases Ohvaur’s musical evolution but also positions them as thoughtful chroniclers of the human experience, crafting songs that resonate with anyone who has faced upheaval and emerged transformed.