Marika Hackman - i’m not where you are
After two years of silence following the release of her sophomore album, I’m Not Your Man, English artist Marika Hackman is finally back with a new single that reminds us of all the reasons we love her. “i’m not where you are” proves Hackman to be both a master of her own sound and unafraid to experiment with new styles. The new track is full of contradictions: it opens with bright, popping synths only to be toned down by Hackman’s classic jaded vocals; the lyrics pivot between self-pitying and arrogant; and the beat makes retro fresh. The long-awaited release refuses to be categorized as just a melancholy, crooning murmur or a spiteful revenge anthem. Instead, Hackman experiences a nuanced range of emotions over the course of the song—self-doubt, indignation, regret—and the music peaks and sinks with her. 80s-esque guitar swells around her voice as she delivers her title message, which is a refusal to trust someone’s emotions if she can’t get to their same headspace. “i’m not where you are” is Hackman’s first teaser to her third full-length album, Any Human Friend, set to release on August 9th via Sub Pop. Hackman is clearly not done making us wait but at least we have this lush single to get us through the summer.
— Brigid Moser on June 6, 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
