The Artist: The Self Help Group - "The Finger"

The Artist: The Self Help Group - "The Finger"

The Self Help Group

The Self Help Group from Sussex, UK, play a harmony drenched blend of folk and Americana, imbued with the spirit of the Laurel Canyon. They have released 2 critically acclaimed albums, gaining radio play across the globe. Now, after a self imposed hiatus, they are struggling off the sofa and onto the music scene with as much energy as a band with a combined total of 13 children can mange....

The Finger

The Self Help Group haben ihre nächste Single veröffentlich und haben mich dabei völlig überrascht, perfekter Indiesound, ein bisschen Uptempo und eingängiger Gesang überzeugen sofort von Beginn an. Der Refrain, wo sich der Gesang besonders hervorhebt, bleibt einem für eine Weile im Ohr hängen und das Video dazu find ich ebenfalls gelungen. Breaks und Bridges ohne den Fluss des Tempos zu verlieren sorgen für weitere Highlights. Da gibts nichts dran zu meckern. So we have to say Achtung: an uptempo melody meets a dreamy sound.

#ListenNOW! 'South Park (Vocal Version)' by Matthew Mirliani

Inspired by the book 'Edge City: Life on the New Frontier', Matthew Mirliani has released 'South Park (Vocal Version)', a song that not only has tonal and cinematic features, but also transforms the entire scenery into a dramaturgy that has an inspiring effect on the listener. If you close your eyes, you are immersed in another world from the first bar. Spoken words alternate with harmonies and merge into a whole that raises the question of the future. With 'South Park (Vocal Version)', Matthew has created a fascinating track that touches on experimental art-pop while remaining very contemporary. For me, this release is without a doubt one of his best.

outNOW! "But Do I Wanna?" by Violet Jane

Exploring the intricate dance between personal happiness and the expectations imposed by a partner, Violate Jane’s new release ‘But Do I Wanna?’ masterfully navigates the emotional labyrinth of self-discovery and autonomy. Musically, she achieves a wonderful fusion of dark ambient and indie pop, where the vocal part, which is undoubtedly the highlight of the song, should not go unmentioned, as it is the artistic glue between her genre worlds. ‘But Do I Wanna?’ by Violate Jane gets under your skin, drills deep into your mind, and is certainly one of January's release highlights!

#listenNOW! Sylvain Hellio - "Nous étions heureux (Yul remix)"

A remix, if it is independent and self-contained, always has its appeal and shows the quasi-parallel world of art that is created in the process. In my opinion, the original must remain the basis; the musical boundaries, of course, can be freely crossed and guided by inspiration. We recently discovered a great example of this and naturally don't want to withhold it from you. YUL took on ‘Nous étions heureux’ by Sylvain Hellio and immersed the song in the darker tones of emotion. The melody surrenders to melancholy and creates an atmosphere that makes you feel safe despite the prevailing sadness. YUL succeeds in giving Sylvain Hellio's ‘Nous étions heureux’ a new perspective with an enormous depth of sound.

#ListenNOW! ‘Wias Weidageht’ by inalied

„Wias Weidageht“, der Schlusssong ihrer aktuellen EP "I siag di", steht nicht nur für Einsamkeit mit Hoffnungsperspektive, sondern auch für österreichischen Mundartpop der Extraklasse. Ina Rebhandl und Winfried Faderl garnieren das Genre chillig, jazzig und schmecken mit einem dezenten Groove ab, der dem leicht frei-intuitiven Anstrich jedoch einen wahnsinnigen Drive verleiht. Der ganze Song ist gespickt mit versteckten musikalischen Leckerbissen, die immer im richtigen Moment auftauchen und so für eine enorme, aber unaufdringliche Komplexität sorgen. Der Gesangspart, fantastisch eingebettet in das brillante Arrangement, überzeugt mit gewohnter Lässigkeit und verleiht "Wias Weidageht" schließlich das Prädikat "Sophisticated Pop Gem".

#ListenNOW "Tupilaq" by HIPPY

When two musicians cross paths in Glasgow by chance, it can be the start of a long collaboration. That's what happened with Hippy, a band from Scotland. Founded in 2019 by singer and songwriter Paul ‘Hippy’ Hipson and guitarist Hugh Frizell, the band have released a new single, ‘Tupilaq,’ which takes us deep into the rock of the '70s, '80s, and '90s and is clearly inspired by the greats. ‘Tupilaq’ offers all facets of the rock spectrum; whether driving drums, grandiose vocals, or solos, everything lives from the love of rock. A little classic hard rock also shines through, making ‘Tupilaq’ almost an exception in the electronically dominated world of music. And so we let Hippy take us across the highway to wherever. The destination is secondary; the sound has to fit! And it fits!

#OUTNOW! ‘KaDeWe’ by LINA RE$A

Mit LINA RE$A geht's heute nach Berlin und dort ins KaDeWe, so auch der Titel der neuen Single (wer's nicht weiß, das ist ein bzw. das Modehaus in der Hauptstadt). Inhaltlich präsentiert sie uns ein Katz-und-Maus-Spiel einer toxischen Beziehung, in eben jenem Haus. Die Story ist gelungen, der Gesang eingängig und der Beat pusht unermüdlich. LINA RE$A schafft es, nach "emo" ein weiteres musikalisches Ausrufezeichen zu setzen und ihren Namen langsam zur Marke zu machen. In diesem Sinne: Dior tragen und LINA RE$A hören!