We’re back, and boy do we have a treat for your ears. If you’ve been craving some good funk with a touch of jazz fusion, muralim’s latest track “delta” is about to be your new favorite song.
Remember when we brought you the spicy rhythm of muralim’s “corn da tinizong” in our Ten Tune Tuesday back in May 2023? Well, muralim is back on our radar with a track that’s as fluid and mesmerizing as the waters it draws inspiration from. The song “delta” is a tribute to water. Just like the ebb and flow of a river, it weaves through moments of stormy intensity, calm serenity, rapid pace, and leisurely drifts. In essence, it captures water’s essence of constant movement and evolution.
Fans of Donny McCaslin, Chris Potter, and Snarky Puppy are in for a delightful surprise with this one. The mood? Think happy, energetic, and an epic blend of sounds that’ll sweep you off your feet.
For those new to muralim, here’s a quick dive into who they are: Hailing from Zurich, this NewJazz Quintet is the brainchild of saxophonist Mauro Reimann, brought to life as a bachelor project at the Zurich University of the Arts in 2021. They’re not just any fledgling band; after clinching the Best-of-Bachelor Prize and a whirlwind tour across Switzerland, muralim has firmly established they’re in the jazz scene for the long haul. Their earlier single, “acho”, is a celebration of jazz and the magical moments Mauro Reimann experienced in his journey through its world. But wait, there’s more! They’re gearing up to release their first EP in 2023, promising to bring even more of their catchy yet sophisticated sounds our way.
muralim’s mission? To reignite the world’s love affair with jazz, making it resonate with a broader audience by seamlessly fusing it with pop elements. The result? A sound that’s both refreshing and comfortably familiar.
Don’t wait on this one; dive into the refreshing waters of “delta” and let its waves carry you away. muralim is a testament to the fact that jazz is very much alive, evolving, and ready to captivate new generations of listeners.
“The Thinker” is a dreamy and introspective song by Flaurel that showcases the singer’s soulful vocals and poetic songwriting. The track features a minimalist production, with sparse instrumentation and atmospheric soundscapes that create a meditative and contemplative mood.
Lyrically, “The Thinker” explores themes of self-reflection, uncertainty, and finding one’s place in the world. The song’s lyrics touch on the struggles of making difficult decisions and grappling with the consequences of those choices.
Musically, the track is driven by Flaurel’s emotive vocals, which are backed by a gentle acoustic guitar and ethereal synth pads. The song’s production creates a sense of spaciousness and tranquility that complements the introspective lyrics.
Overall, “The Thinker” is a well-crafted and emotive song that will appeal to fans of introspective indie music. Flaurel’s soulful vocals and poetic songwriting make for a captivating listening experience that invites the listener to reflect on their own inner thoughts and feelings.
Little Quirks – “I Told You So”
“I Told You So” is an upbeat and catchy indie-pop track by Little Quirks that showcases the band’s distinctive harmonies and playful instrumentation. The song features a lively production, with jangly guitars, energetic drumming, and infectious handclaps that create a feel-good vibe.
Lyrically, “I Told You So” is a playful and cheeky breakup song that explores the aftermath of a failed relationship. The song’s lyrics touch on themes of regret, frustration, and the satisfaction of being proved right.
Musically, the track is driven by the band’s tight harmonies, which are backed by a bright and energetic instrumental arrangement. The song’s production creates a sense of fun and lightheartedness that complements the playful lyrics.
Overall, “I Told You So” is a well-crafted and infectious indie-pop song that will appeal to fans of upbeat and catchy music. Little Quirks’ tight harmonies and playful instrumentation make for a fun and engaging listening experience that is sure to get listeners dancing and singing along.
Austin Basham – “Elephants”
“Elephants” by Austin Basham is a haunting and emotive folk song that showcases the singer’s soulful vocals and evocative songwriting. The track features a minimalist production, with delicate acoustic guitar picking and atmospheric strings that create a sense of intimacy and introspection.
Lyrically, “Elephants” is a poignant and introspective song that explores themes of memory, loss, and the passage of time. The song’s lyrics touch on the idea of holding onto memories and experiences, even as they slip away over time.
Musically, the track is driven by Austin Basham’s heartfelt vocals, which are backed by a sparse and ethereal instrumental arrangement. The song’s production creates a sense of intimacy and vulnerability that complements the introspective lyrics.
Overall, “Elephants” is a beautifully crafted folk song that will appeal to fans of emotive and soulful music. Austin Basham’s soulful vocals and evocative songwriting make for a captivating listening experience that invites the listener to reflect on their own memories and experiences.
Anthony Lazaro’s “Brothers Never Lie” is a heartfelt and moving tribute to the power of friendship and loyalty. The song, released in 2018, showcases Lazaro’s undeniable talent as both a songwriter and performer.
The track opens with a simple yet effective acoustic guitar riff that sets the stage for Lazaro’s soulful vocals. His delivery is emotive and passionate, conveying a deep sense of connection and camaraderie. The lyrics, while exploring universal themes of brotherhood, offer a fresh and poignant take on the topic. The chorus, with its powerful refrain of “brothers never lie,” captures the essence of trust and loyalty that lies at the heart of the song.
The production of “Brothers Never Lie” is lush and textured, offering a perfect complement to Lazaro’s vocals. The instrumentation builds gradually throughout the track, creating a powerful and emotional listening experience. The use of strings and subtle percussion adds a sense of grandeur and drama, making the track feel epic and cinematic.
What makes “Brothers Never Lie” truly special, however, is its ability to connect with listeners on a deeply personal level. The song’s message of trust, loyalty, and the enduring power of friendship is something that resonates with people of all ages and backgrounds. It’s a reminder that, no matter how difficult life may get, having someone by your side who you can count on is truly invaluable.
In conclusion, “Brothers Never Lie” by Anthony Lazaro is a powerful and moving tribute to the importance of friendship and loyalty. Its emotive vocals, lush production, and poignant lyrics make for an unforgettable listening experience. The song’s ability to connect with listeners on a personal level is a testament to its universal appeal, and its message of brotherhood and trust is something that will continue to resonate for years to come.
If you’re anything like me, you rarely are just listening to one artist or even genre. That’s why a couple of times per week I put together a mix of some of my favorite songs at the moment regardless of genre for you to sample and enjoy.
Jen Awad – “Break A Man”
A full band playing in matching outfits in a seedy alleyway along with a cop interaction cutaway that features Jen telling the officer to “watch your fucking head?” I guess that’s a music video Yahtzee for Jen Awad and her 2018 single “Break A Man.”Those band mates aren’t just there for looks either, this full brass section and back up singers really create an impressively full sound, and of course, Jen herself carries this song with strong full-throated vocals that make you feel like she’s laid out the perfect blue print for “how to break a man,” though some of us without that level of swag could struggle a bit more.
Despite its August 2018 release date, “Break A Man” has far too many views, likes, and comments, and I’m hoping my readers can do something about that. This song is simply too fun for you folks to miss, and if you like this one, you have to check out the rest of Awad’s discography because she’s just getting started.
Press release: This half Egyptian, half Peruvian powerhouse delivers the kneecap melting soul and sass of Sharon Jones combined with an in-your-face swagger reminiscent of Tina Turner. Self taught on vocals, piano, guitar and bass, Jen also pens the lyrics to all of her material.
Timmy Tortuga – “Pace”
Sometimes music is meant to be purely melodic, an easy listen to play in the background. “Pace” by Timmy Tortuga is not that. Instead, it’s a song meant to be experienced as an experience. From the very beginning, we find ourselves in the mind of a speaker stuck in traffic, suffering from a bit of road rage. The dissonant and speed-shifting synth in the background staccatos perfectly in line with that feeling of being late, and amping up emotionally as more and more tiny straws begin to stack upon the camel’s back.
The track itself feels almost as much skit as music, and yet once the ethereal vocoder kicks in after the frantic anxiety of the first half of the song, it’s impossible not to empathize with the speaker when he says “That’s the first deep breath I’ve taken in 5 years.” Something about the moody atmosphere created gives the listener just as much peace as Tortuga’s character at that moment, and allows us to ride it out with him through the end of the song, at least until the anxiety returns. Don’t miss your train.
Press release: Timmy Tortuga is an evolving artist from a small town called Sayreville in New Jersey. The motto is “K.I.S.S.” Keep It Simple Stupid! Currently, he is creating out of the Lower East Side of NYC and producing and recording his projects on a lake front studio in North Jersey!
Schaefer Llana – “Angel”
Anyone that knows me knows that I am way too into sad girl music for a 32-year-old man. Luckily, there are no rules, so I’m shamelessly listening to “Angel” by Schaefer Llana on repeat every single time I go for a winter walk lately. Schaefer grew up in Mississippi and cut her teeth musically in school plays and church productions, but the twenty-something has carved a niche all her own at this point. While her voice and punk-ish aesthetic certainly shine in this song, my favorite part is undoubtedly the angsty lyricism.
Don’t act like you’re innocent, don’t be offended when I call you out As a liar and you know it You wanted to be alone, well how’s that go when everybody knows You went back to her the next minute
I don’t understand but I don’t want to And I am not surprised because I know you I am not okay but I will be I forgive you but I won’t forget how you hurt me
Schaefer Llana – “Angel”
I think the simplicity of “I don’t understand, but I don’t want to,” just hits on that depressive malaise better than almost any line I’ve heard in a long time.
Press Release: The first demo for 49 Ceiling Tiles was recorded for her friend Starlin Browning’s college production class. The results were so good they decided to make a whole record together, holing up with fellow musicians at Dial Back Sound in Water Valley, Mississippi, exemplifying the house show ethos of “playing music with your friends, for your friends.”
Zach Kleisinger – “Darling, Just Breathe”
Zach Kleisinger’s Symposium was one of the most overlooked albums of 2018 in my opinion. With a unique voice that is perfectly scratchy, a sound that’s perfectly folky, and lyrics that stand up to repeat listens, “Darling, Just Breathe” is just one of many great tracks from the release. Kleisinger perhaps sums it up best when he calls the album, “a gathering of entities aiming to share their thoughts on a particular subject—me. And yet, it is me who is revisited through these entities, for as much as I may recognize ‘them,’ at all times I know ‘they are me.’ If this sounds needlessly self-absorbed, it’s because it is.”
I would disagree with Kleisinger’s assessment that the songs are too self-absorbed, all the best art is somehow a reflection of the artist, and there’s no shame in recognizing your own shapes in what you’ve created.
Show it all, Show it all to me.
‘cause i was alone when i met you, And you saw that sadness in my eye, Now i see it in yours; But darling, just breathe, Darling, just breathe.
Let’s keep the easy listening vibe going with Owlbiter’s “Roof Of The World,” which combines folk-style vocals with beautiful musical arrangements built around piano and horns. The track comes off of Owlbiter’s 2018 EP Stud Farm which features 5 beautiful songs just like this one. Perhaps my favorite part of “Roof of the World” comes in the final minute when the music takes over the entire mood of the song, and the horns and vocalizations build up to a peak before fading out in the final seconds. This captures the imagery of the subject of the song being “on the roof of the world” as the instruments almost coax out the stars and dreams themselves in that moment.
After the 2018 album, Owlbiter’s Matt Cascella hasn’t updated his SoundCloud or Spotify any further, but we hope he’s still making music, and we’d love to hear any new projects one day should they arise.
We’re here with a mid-day bluesy ballad that would fit in right along with Kate Bush’s discography, but with her own personal flair that keeps me coming back to this song for the last 4 years. As Haddard says in the refrain, “I can’t get you out of my head.” The Brooklyn-based Haddard put together an impressive debut with her 2018 album Blue Part.While Haddard released two singles prior to the album, it quickly became clear that “Charley” was the true show-stopper.
With a voice that sounds straight out of a smokey late-night lounge, Haddard pines after “Charley” with her voice pleading with them to come back around and appease the desire that’s got them stuck in the singer’s head. To me, this perfectly captures that new relationship energy that we can so often get sucked up in when we’re excited about a new connection and obsess a bit over getting our fill.
That’s not even to mention the emotional build musically in this one. The guitar work keeps it simple enough that it never overpowers Haddard’s voice, but the riff itself is catchy and keeps you humming it long after the 2:33 song has drifted away. Another nice touch is the background almost angelic vocalizing that builds up to the song’s crescendo before Haddard fades us out with excellent control.
If you’re like me, you don’t really just focus on one genre of music when there is so much awesome variety out there. This post is meant to hit on 3 of my favorite songs that I just can’t get out of my head this week, regardless of genre. If you like, or already know one of these artists, stick around and check out the others, expand your horizons a bit.
No Kind of Rider – “Sophia”
All of us lazy logicals
We leave our hearts behind
They tell you when you’re young
Don’t be so blind
“Sophia” – No Kind Of Rider
:30 seconds in, when the beat drops, is when I start to transcend to outer space on this song. This song immediately hooked me with it’s unique vocals that give me a bit of a mix between some 80s synth song but also touches of Panic! At The Disco playfulness. The most relateable part of this song is the seeming angst over aging, and wondering what the consequences will be. How many nights of fun and freedom can we really have before we are the old person at the club? It’s something that begins to hit you as you enter your 3rd decade (or it did for me), and while I still love to go out with friends, there is a sense that we can’t necessarily go on like that forever, but there’s certainly some fun in trying. “Now the old is done/traded for the young.”
Bio:No Kind of Rider is an American five-piece indie rock/electronic band based in Portland, OR. Their debut album “Savage Coast” (2018) blends indie rock, shoegaze, r&b and electronica influences. The close-knit group met while teenagers in Tulsa, OK and write songs in conflict – both chaotic and intricately calculated. “Savage Coast” finds those boys now older and wiser – four of the five band members lost their fathers during the album’s completion and while the gravity of loss is fully explored as a theme, “Savage Coast” isn’t content to remain in despair. In the album’s ending track, “Autumn”, seeds of new hope take root as Samuel Alexander (lead vocals/guitar) sings with resolve, “We all have to die, to be reborn”.
Coyle Girelli – “Never Thought I’d See You Again”
But I never thought id see you again
Looking as pretty as you did back then
And it caught me off guard
Like a dagger through the heart
Cos I never thought id see you again
“Never Thought I’d See You Again” – Coyle Girelli
Coyle Girelli is an artist we’ve been wanting to feature for a long, long time, and it’s easy to see why. Mixing classic style that sounds like it belongs on a vinyl playing in your dad’s sitting room in the 60s, with modern aesthetics, Girelli gives that nostalgic feeling that’s hard to fully put into words. It gives me chill bumps everytime he let’s out “I never thought I’d see you again.” The song is so relateable for anyone who has ever tried to move on and focus on themsevles, only to get sucked back in by someone’s charm, even if they aren’t the best thing for you. If nothing else, this song is a “dagger through the heart.”
Bio:Coyle Girelli is an English multi-platinum selling composer, singer, songwriter, record producer and multi-instrumentalist. Formerly frontman of Your Vegas and The Chevin he released his debut solo album, Love Kills, in 2018. He has written songs for BTS, Macklemore, Robin Schulz, Westlife and many others, including the BTS worldwide number 1 single “heartbeat”[1] and co-composed songs for the record breaking French musicals Robin des Bois and Les Trois Mousquetaires
Sam Ryder – “Little One”
Wait, don’t feel bad You did well to love and be loved back So don’t be so cold dear You weren’t the only one left down here You knew it all along Full speed around the sun
“Little One” – Sam Ryder
Another incredible song that builds in a truly epic way. The crescendo when he belts “I know you yearn for someone” with the quick drop to “I yearn for you” is so heart wrenching I couldn’t help but restart the song immediately after it ended to feel that build and rug pull one more time. Sam Ryder has crafted the feeling of really caring about someone, and having no hard feelings, but still feeling a sense of loss that your love seems to be unrequited. Here’s to hoping we all have good luck in 2022 in being around people who yearn for us as much as we yearn for them.
Bio: Sam Ryder is a singer/songwriter and producer out of of small town outside of London. Sam spent over 10 years touring in the rock world which brought him placements on Billboard charts, songs featured on TV shows and films, and playing shows in over 20 different countries. A couple years ago, Sam took a step back from the band world to develop his own solo project and pursue other creative ventures. Those ventures ended up having him co-found the brand Lone Wolves Creative and the plant-based Lone Wolves Cafe.
Good evening B-Side Beauties! It’s been a while. Let’s get this thing going again shall we? Today I have a song that I’ve been jamming to for a couple of years now from the esteemed John Steam Jr. Don’t confuse it with that other “Let It Go” jam (not that I’m hating on that one, it was a banger), but John’s version does have a similar message for the R-rated crowd. Let that shit go. I posted my favorite lines at the beginning of this post. In the forever bleakness that many of us have experienced since March 2020, this stanza reminds us that we’re still getting older and we still have life left to live. If we continually focus on the casket, don’t be surprised if we fall into it, but if we can shake off our troubles, and try to find a positive outlook for the future, maybe there’s a way out of this mess, “I’m fuckin sure, I’d place a bet.”
Let John Steam Jr.’s punky vocals and driving acoustic songs sing you to a peaceful evening; I know I will. Until next time,
This is such an appropriate song to wind down your Thursday night with. It is a great way to end a date night, and it’s that perfect groove track to get your weekend moving in the right direction.
This is a song of old school chivalry and a feeling of how things used to be, which is really strange considering that Isak and the other two stoop boys are so young. I don’t have an exact age, but let this picture speak for itself.
That’s Isak. The same Isak who sings about going way back like a ’69 Cadillac. I am sure that people talk about the discrepancy between his lyrics and tone, and the picture he presents, so I don’t want to linger here too long. The point I wanted to make is that Isak and his fellow Berklee grads have a sound that’s refined well beyond their years, bringing that old school soul vibe with harmonies cusping on doo-wop to a new generation with soulful ad-libs along the lines of a Hozier-esque vocalist at times, and some really smooth guitar riffs.
The lyrics speak for themselves, so I don’t want to touch on them too much. I did want to point out that the lyrical route they take is important because the robust flavor of the love songs in old school soul are almost as synonymous with the genre as the vocalists who made it famous. If you start singing 60’s soul with lyrics centered around politics, rambling stories, or any other off-brand topic, it loses a lot of the power. That’s coming from someone who relates to political dissidence and rambling tales of rail workers a lot better than I relate to love stories like this.
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I really feel like I could break down every single line in this song. It’s one of those haunting songs with minimal production that relies on the beauty of the voice and the depth of the lyrics to carry everything, and damn, does it ever carry everything in this song.
“i’ve never seen nobody
dance like you
in times like these i wonder
if that’s true
if you are lonely too
’cause we’ve always been
hopelessly fucked up”
I don’t know if any of you have ever been in a relationship like the one described here, but it’s brutally beautiful. Two people messed up and in love and unstable, like a collapsing star. It’s full of passion and beauty, but it also isn’t sustainable. Ultimately the song sees the instability become too much, but it’s not as easy as just walking away and never thinking about it again.
“i guess i should move away
’cause in some sad way
i’m already gone”
I’m a known crier. I cry during emotional movies. I cry the first time I realize what an emotional song is really saying, like “Limousine” by Brand New, or “Honey Jars” by Bryan John Appleby, or a billion other instances. This song can now be added to that list, because when I read this last stanza, I couldn’t help but cry:
“it hits me when there’s nothing
left to give
in the ashes of my failures
there you live
ageless and possible
i’m watching you
dancing in your prime
twenty-some
frozen in time”
It may hit me particularly, because I had a 5 year relationship fall apart in my early twenties, and even though it was the best possible thing for me and her, I can relate to the idea of an ageless dancer, stuck at twenty something, frozen in time. Also, from a songwriting standpoint, the symmetry of the first and last stanza are just perfect. Go check out more of Tim the Lion Tamer’s stuff. It’s been added to our July TOTD Spotify playlist.
I feel like that has to be a Sam Cooke nod, right? I mean, it’s the same progression right out of the gate. Listen to it again, but hear the words, “I was born by the river in a little tent. Oh, and just like that river, I’ve been running ever since.” If it’s not a Sam Cooke nod, kiddo, you should start saying it is.
This is such a bizarre song because it takes familiar funk vibes and blends them with a Timberlake-esque vocalist. What I mean by that is that kiddo has a higher register as it is, but he seamlessly moves back and forth between his falsetto and his normal range. His vocals are pitch perfect and the instrumentation provides a sound that can easily fill packed out arenas, which I expect kiddo to be playing soon enough.
