If I was a hopeless romantic, I probably would have made the most of the last couple of weeks honing the perfect playlist for hot summer days and nights preferably spent with those you have a fling or even fallen for. A brief summer romance, a long-term commitment about to prosper, choose your player. But I'm not really one of those devoted, raptly soaring lovebirds that summertime fosters every so often, in fact, my love for music is one of the only constant love affairs in my life, one that I – though it's frequently shared with the world – hold very private in terms of how some songs make me feel in moments of contemplation and condolement. So this compilation of songs can be rather read as a love letter from me to myself, for me to indulge in memories sweet and bitter, fruitful and afflicted, sent out to you still, hoping you'll find some summery soul-savouring sonic sweethearts among the compositions listed. Some that possibly will be part of your love story, too; a love felt for music, for soulmates, for life, a tonal and emotional tale that springs slowly, strikes roots heavily and will be in full bloom eventually.
Daytime
01. Sea Girls - Do You Really Wanna Know?
It doesn't take much contemplation to find what makes Sea Girls' blithely brave hymn 'Do You Really Wanna Know?' such a charmingly compelling summer flirt: a smooth tonal joyride accelerating, the fun-and-bravado-packed alt-pop player strikes fast, champions courteously cheeky nonchalance and cleverly coaxing euphoria likewise as it takes your mind off of lowering struggles and reminds you to live in, to make the most out of the (melodic) moment present. With blissfully buoyant rhythms and feisty sonic glow, it's the perfect musical getaway for everyone who wants to feel young and 'unwritten', adventurous and (care-)free for just a little while longer still.Reach out & listen to Sea Girls on ..
.. twitter ..... facebook ..... their official website ..... soundcloud ...You can listen to Sea Girls stunning debut album 'Open Up Your Head' here and secure tickets for their 2021 UK tour from Friday onwards here.
02. Little Brother Eli - Perfect
Picture a drop of stone-cold water vaporizing on a heated plate, bear that image in mind and then press play on 'Perfect'; it's the same level of steamy and luscious sensation that this pristine disco-pop-rock hybrid elicits. Steeped in spicy, sweet melodic flair, cladded in smart and chic tonal attire, Little Brother Eli's latest customized compositon is the perfect fit for you: glamorously galant, groove-laden instrumental layers and attractively fervent, foxy synth-swagger flirt with suspense-packed, soulfully august vocalism in a way you can't help but be smitten with. And why shouldn't you?Reach out & listen to Little Brother Eli on ..
.. twitter ..... facebook ..... their official website ..... soundcloud ...
03. Beth Keeping - Cool Kids
Think hip, gorgeous tune with a didactic, darling message and you'll end up humming Beth Keeping's peppy sweetheart 'Cool Kids' all day long: it's her dulcet, warmly golden voice that effortlessly soars above dynamically glistening melodies and gloriously pulsing beats, it's catchy hooks and clever lines (some proudly picking up on previous singles) which make this release such a rousing and relevant one; relying on both, the london-based songstress doesn't look back bitterly at highschool days, but moves forward stronger, after giving up on teenage payback, choosing to get even instead in an adult and admittedly very powerful and infectious way. In doing so she comes out of past bullying as the sophisticated, her song as the splendidly sharp-witted winner she/it is, one with heart and the right sentiment all along. And that sure means a lot to many.
Reach out & listen to Beth Keeping on ..
.. twitter ..... facebook ..... her official website ..... soundcloud ...04. Phil Good - Living With No One
'It's just me, myself and all my emotions' – this poignant confession alone (in times of isolation and social distancing even more so) must kindle empathy, liking aplenty already. Love, however, will come with hypnotically swirling and excitingly languorous sonic vibes introduced at a slow pace, the longing to have 'Living With No One' on repeat will ultimately, inevitably rise whilst Phil Good's explicit velvety vocals carry you away on melodiously misty and playfully mellow waves of sound, luxuriantly staged and ludically shaped to perfection. It's a discreetly light-hearted and lush musical journey ahead, one definitely worth taking (time and again!).
Reach out & listen to Phil Good on ..
.. twitter ..... facebook ..... his official website ..... soundcloud ...For educating yourself about BLM, the Palestinian crisis and Homelessness in America, Phil Good provides helpful resources here.
05. Sobi - Pull It Together
Though feelings that 'come and go in waves' are something we all are familiar with (and not just from haunting personal experience but also from a plethora of songs using this phrase with great pleasure), Sobi's take on it is one to hold dear and to not let go precipitantly: 'Pull It Together', beautifully honest and elegantly enthralling in total, benefits from Sobi's sentimentally sumptuous and brightly inviting vocal tone which falls pleasingly into line with a delicately opulent and harmoniously surging soundscape ought to be explored; it's one that cherishes spellbinding and stirring, sweeping and sonorous songsmithery in equal measure, one that leaves room for dramatically drifting and ethereally gleaming features to rise and ease in terms, to ultimately melt into prosperous, passionate tonal unity with an emotionally empowering, heavenly heartening narrative disclosure at a stride. A glowingly debonair cheer for trusting yourself and overcoming obstacles with dignity and grace, 'Pull It Together' thrives as a pensive and vibrant gem, grandly effulgent by its own efforts.
Reach out & listen to Sobi on ..
.. twitter ..... facebook ..... soundcloud ...Nighttime
06. Conor McAuley - Step 5 (Acceptance)Not step by step, by storm, in fact, it is that Conor McAuley's cathartic and captivating musical outing wins its audience over: sure, tearfully gracious heartache is written all over 'Step 5 (Acceptance)', the focus, however, is brilliantly laid on lavish, wholesome tonal valour when wistfully soothing, fondly solemn harmonies and briskly uplifting, auspiciously fair melodies collide. A surge of emotion overwhelming and yet gentle paves the way at it for Conor's devoted and heartfelt vocal delivery to seal the deal and make his pain ours, a fortiori his (desire for) blest salvation and closure, too.
Reach out & listen to Conor McAuley on .... twitter ..... facebook ..... soundcloud ...
0 7. Simeon Hammond Dallas - Eat
'With great power comes great responsibility' – and this 'pint-sized powerhouse' (you'll see that Simeon's got pipes and soul in stock) takes her responsibilty to woo and dazzle very seriously indeed. As you are taken in by an alluringly affectionate and entrancingly earnest tale, it's the cozily rhythmic, elysian aura, the flamboyant and fairytale, indulgent and urgent melodic appeal of 'Eat' that haunts and charms with intent and intensity abundant. The gracefully vulnerable, soul-stirring vocal performance of the spirited Spiritual Bar regular, the dreamfully divine aesthetics of her most recent tonal avowal will leave you craving for more. Luckily, now that 'August' is over the wait for her next musical chapter is too. So simply savour overindulgence for once and enjoy 'Eat' and 'August (A Clever Man)' alternate, both being deliciously souly and splendid tonal treats altogether.
Reach out & listen to Simeon Hammond Dallas on ..
.. twitter ..... facebook ..... soundcloud ..... bandcamp ...08. Charlotte Campbell - Sparkle
The comfort and the calm that comes with Charlotte Campbell's expressively endearing voice sending out a message of unconditional self-love and empowering self-care, is both healing and heartrendingly fullfilling. It's a message you'll readily receive and endorse for its dearly genuine and delectably wrapped in an euphoniously ornate and delightfully dolce musical mantle, one for you to grow into and grow fond of a little more with each fitting, as you begin to feel that 'Sparkle' evokes cordial affection and desired approval deep within, lovingly and long-term.
Reach out & listen to Charlotte Campbell on ..
.. twitter ..... facebook ..... her official website ..... soundcloud ..... bandcamp ...09. Tom Speight - Honey
A tastefully nostalgic pop tune, Tom Speight's musical melodram 'Honey' enchants with emotionally engrossing spheres of sound, longing and lingering at once and at core. Soft, sensitive notes struck herald a lover's triumph, praised in a hauntingly jubilant yet amorously afflicting diction; harmoniously tender and mellifluously melting melodic charisma mirrored captivates and caresses due to lasting devotion and caring desire. Bittersweet and beautiful, it's a cautious musical affair you will keep coming back to. Deliberately. Dedicatedly. And with eager anticipation every single time.Reach out & listen to Tom Speight on .... twitter ..... facebook ..... his official website ..... soundcloud ...
10. Dom Major - Both Burn Bright
Mancunian bard Dom Major shares a temptingly shiny and hazardously consumptive story with us once more, intimate and intensely flaring, impulsive and introvert; when 'Both Burn Bright' lights up in all its musical (albeit reservedly low-key) magnificence, it is with raptly dreamy reverb and ambient momentum, with whimsical gravity and mild, stimulantly shimmery excitement. Melodiously empyrean and rhythmically energetic, it lays out a quaint yet ravishingly pungent scenery of firm, fearless reflection and clear, constructive vision for everyone poised to embrace it, for everyone valiant enough to follow along without remorse.
Reach out & listen to Dom Major on ..
.. twitter ..... facebook ..... his official website ..... soundcloud ..... bandcamp ...Don't miss out on listening to the acoustic version of 'Both Burn Bright'