Bon Iver - Faith
Bon Iver is releasing new singles! Praise heaven and earth and whatever god he's singing about on 22, A Million (his genre-shattering 2016 LP.) Following his singles "Hey Ma" and "U (Man Like)," comes "Faith," the newest single in a series of releases that can only mean a new album will be dropping in the coming months. A bit quicker paced than his two previous releases, "Faith" follows this fresh Bon Iver formula that consists of organic, atmospheric lyricism and soul-touching sound that is quite difficult to describe. The only thing we can wholly describe is the way it makes us feel, which seems to be precisely the point of Justin Vernon's music. Some poets and musicians have the uncanny ability to reach the heart of a matter with perfect language. As a succinct and visceral artist, Bon Iver falls under this category. His song "Faith" does not fall short—it's evenly exceptional, emotional, and lovely. Bon Iver's music speaks to everyone differently, making him one of the most influential and transcendent voices in music today.
— Hannah Lupas on July 29, 2019
JR JR - Clean Up
Indie favorites JR JR, formerly known as Dale Earnhardt JR JR, have returned to the scene with new music after their self-titled LP back in 2015. The new single, “Clean Up” offers a look at the mind of someone coming to terms with their addictions and indulgences. The duo uses a throbbing bass line, simple plucked guitar and harmonies to illustrate the conflict that happens when one willfully chooses something that is bad for them. “Clean Up” brings JR JR to a more provocative realm, and one that we are excited to see more of in the upcoming album.
— Nick Arcos on January 7, 2018
Henry Jamison - The Wilds
Henry Jamison is a storyteller at heart. It may be in his blood — his father, a classical composer, and his mother, an English professor — but Jamison is a writer and artist in his own right, evidenced by his debut album The Wilds (released October 27th). Beyond writing, recording and arranging the album all on his own, Jamison has a special ability to bring each track to life. Take his song, “The Wilds”: it’s instrumentally rich without being overbearing, letting Jamison’s narrative whisk you away. “The Wilds” sounds like an old-time American love story - unassuming and familiar, but nevertheless, still surprising.
— Natasha Cucullo on January 7, 2018
Moses Sumney - Plastic
Los Angeles genre-bending artist Moses Sumney released his gorgeous and ethereal debut album Aromanticism into the world this September. Sumney has made a big impression on artists like Solange and Sufjan Stevens for good reason. His infusion of soul and folk come together on this album in a way that leaves us begging for more. A prime example of this heavenly blend is found on the third song of the album, “Plastic.” A previous version of the song can be heard on the first season of Issa Rae’s HBO series, Insecure. This new version serves as one of the more simplistic songs on the album, featuring just a fingerpicked electric guitar, a synth and Sumney’s captivating voice. The hook of the song repeats the line “my wings are made of plastic,” each time sung in a slightly different way than it was before, continuing to imbue the phrase with new meaning. This song of vulnerability, self-awareness and secret-spilling is the kind that you can leave on repeat and get lost in for hours.
— Dara Bankole on October 22, 2017
