NEW SUMMER JAMS: FEATURING PLASTIC PICNIC, LEVI EVANS, HAUNTED SUMMER, TIM BAKER, CHILD SEAT, HAYDEN ARP

This week the inbox was full of cool stuff, it was pretty hard to narrow it down to pick what to cover. Here's some of the highlights. Hope you enjoy our choices!

BAND:  PLASTIC PICNIC 

BloodMakesNoise Rating: 7/10 

Genre: Jangly lush Indie Pop 

What the band says they sound like: dream-pop indie rockers, featuring pop duo Overcoats. Sidenote: Dear publicists and bands it’s not fucking “dream” pop, this overused genre title is getting to the point where it encompasses everything mellow, just stop…come up with some adjectives.

What we think they sound like: By far the best part of this is where the pop duo Overcoats take over the songs with beautiful lush harmonies, prior to that it’s on the verge of being a John Cougar Melloncamp song. Makes me want to check out Overcoats more than more from Plastic Picnic. I’ll reserve further judgement until I hear more music. 

Songs to add to your playlist: Roslyn 

 

BAND:  LEVI EVANS 

BloodMakesNoise Rating: 9/10 

Genre: Trip Hop, Hip Hop 

What the band says they sound like: They mostly push that this guy is the son of The Edge from U2 

What we think they sound like: Gotta be honest this is 100% opposite of what I was thinking it was going to be. Loved the groove, vocal tone and the cadence. Good stuff, hope Dad is proud and not too sad that there are no guitars involved. 

Songs to add to your playlist: No Good 

 

BAND:  HAUNTED SUMMER 

BloodMakesNoise Rating: 10/10 

Genre: Indie Folk, Indie Pop 

What the band says they sound like: exploration of folk, psychedelic rock and dream pop, 

What we think they sound like: Ok, first, Daniel Johnston cover, I’m there, I’m in completely. Then to do such a lovely version that is like Astrud Gilberto singing over a soundscape reminiscent of  “Femme Fatale” by Velvet Underground. I couldn’t be anymore into this track then I am. So fucking good. 

Songs to add to your playlist: You Put My Love Out The Door 

 

BAND:  TIM BAKER 

BloodMakesNoise Rating: 9/10 

Genre: Indie Rock, Soul 

What the band says they sound like: upbeat, pop shuffle,  from Canadian award winning indie-rock band-leader of Hey Rosetta!, and 2020 JUNO award ‘Songwriter of The Year’ nominee. Well then, an almost award winner… 

What we think they sound like: This song is great, it’s soulful and it’s like if Spoon wrote more Motown inspired songs. The melody and call & response vocals between climbing and descending piano notes create a great palette of sound. 

Songs to add to your playlist: Some Day 

 

BAND:  CHILD SEAT 

BloodMakesNoise Rating: 6.9 /10 

Genre: Electronic Indie Rock 

What the band says they sound like: unique juxtaposition over Mazzaschi's 80's synth-heavy instrumentals and blended with MGMT/Beach House/Arctic Monkeys vibes, Brittany Howard/Karen O. 

What we think they sound like: This track starts off so strong musically. I like the vocals but not sure if they are doing it for me on this one. The band has lots of indie rock influences but the vocal melody and chorus land like an 80’s pop song. Also one of my big pet peeves is when a vocalist’s melody line follows an instruments exactly. Sorry that may just be me. This has one of those vocals where it’s all so belted out that it removes dynamic and it’s another one of my pet peeves. I have a lot of them. You may like it though if both those things don’t bother you. 

Songs to add to your playlist: If This is the End 

 

BAND:  HAYDEN ARP 

BloodMakesNoise Rating: 9.9 /10 

Genre: Indie Pop, Indie Folk 

What the band says they sound like: soft found sounds-backed vocals lead through static into swelling guitar and drums, and back again 

What we think they sound like: I dig this, it’s mellow but has a great groove. It’s jazzy but with pop elements and progressions that are Beatles-ish to Dylan-ish. It’s just plain old great songwriting from the melodies to the textures and tones. It has a hint of country twang but kind of like in a more Wilco type way. It’s one of those tracks that is an amalgamation of everything the artist listens to and it’s clear he has good taste in music. 

Songs to add to your playlist: Passenger 

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