Tuesday Tunes -- January 17, 2017
Shaun Cordingley
...and we're back!
I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season, did not miss me too much in the week I got everything back on track (as best as I can), and enjoyed the Top 20 Songs of 2016 (complete with handy Playlist).
This week is a bit eclectic, though it largely trends into chill, relaxed music, with even a little bit of bluegrass tossed in there for fun.
The Guys From do not hold the rights to any of these songs, it is more our hope to expose our readers to new and different music that we are enjoying, or re-expose them to artists they may have forgotten about.
At the top of each section, will be the song name, followed by the artists' name linked to their website, so you can fall down the rabbit hole, finding and supporting what you dig.
Phase Me Out - VÉRITÉ
Our first song this year is from New York alt-pop singer songwriter Kelsey Byrne aka VÉRITÉ with her latest track "Phase Me Out". VÉRITÉ has been releasing songs since 2014, and has continued to refine her beautifully produced indie music, which balances here gorgeous, sweeping vocals, and a lush electronic sound. I catch some Florence and the Machine vibes from "Phase Me Out", but with a little more delicacy, that really makes the track something special.
If you dig "Phase Me Out" and are looking for more VÉRITÉ, I suggest giving her 2016 EP Living a listen; "Gesture" is a particular favourite of mine.
For Love - Thorin Loeks
Vancouver based Singer-Songwriter Thorin Loeks released his debut album Thirsty Hearts last year, featuring a hearty blend of soulful indie-folk music, including "For Love". First thing you will notice is Loeks' voice that feels like it is lifted from a different era (specifically the early 90s) underscored by as soft piano, that is taken over by an excellent bout of acoustic guitar, punched up occasionally with both harmonica (like the best folk of old), and the return of the piano.
Loeks' is, at the same time, a throwback to a sound from before he was born, and an exciting new voice who I look forward to hopefully hearing more from this year as he develops his sound.
In Hell I'll Be in Good Company - The Dead South
I may not be the biggest country music fan (in fact, I'm probably one of the smallest), but I'm always going to be a sucker for a good ol' "modern hillbilly" bluegrass/folk band from Saskatchewan who feature a cello, banjo, whistling, and the snapping of fingers. "In Hell I'll Be in Good Company" is and older song from the band (coming out on their 2014 album Good Company) but with this fun video coming out in October last year, it was hard for me not to be excited.
This is a super fun take on...I guess Alt-Bluegrass is the best way to describe it...but in the end, it's got great vocals in it, the cello adds a beautifully different bassline for the track, and the banjo is as dope as a banjo ever gets. I love the stories about fans of The Dead South showing up at concerts for a good ol whoopin' and hollerin' time, dressed like the band, suspenders and all. "In Hell" has me snapping my fingers along, so I'm only a sweet hat away really...
Check out The Dead South's latest album Illusion & Doubt for more (if a little folksier) bluegrass as well....it's all good.
Blank You Out - Seafret
British indie duo Seafret released their debut album Tell Me It's Real a year ago this month, and returned late last year with a new single in "Blank You Out". Their mo seems to be constructing well-balanced, indie alternative that just rolls out of your speakers, with a sweeping feel that never feels pretentious (like say, a Coldplay can)l; this is just one of those groups that I talk about on Tuesday Tunes that you can feel that they like their own music, and that they love playing it.
It does not take much of a leap to imagine that we are going to be hearing a lot more Seafret in the coming months as more and more people discover them...
(No One Knows Me) Like the Piano - Sampha
I wanted to wrap this week up with Sampha's "(No One Knows Me) Like the Piano" because I just can't get this piano out of my head. Now Sampha is better known that most of the artists I talk about on Tuesday Tunes, thanks largely to his collaborations with artists like Drake, Kanye West, and Solange Knowles, but I feel like there are still too few people paying attention to this solo work. "Like the Piano" is a little different from most of Sampha's other work, which trends more into an electronic/soul sound (still a softer, subtler tempo, but more on the electronic sound than the organic), this track is largely just focused on his vocals, which are almost like a hug in themselves, and the aforementioned piano.
There could not have been a better song to wrap the week up.
Sampha's debut album Process is expected February 3rd, and is available for pre-order now.
Last week I put together my Top 20 Songs of 2016, which also has an (in order) Apple Music Playlist for the Top 20 Songs of 2016
Also, there are ALL the monthly lists, like the one for November 2016! This one is onoly missing a couple of tracks so it's a fairly full, and fun list!
Remember, if you want me to put these playlists on other services (like Spotify), let me know on Twitter (I've linked it below)
If you're looking for more Tuesday Tunes, are late to the party, or just want more theguysfrom.com in your day, here are the playlists for:
There are other (earlier) playlists available for you if you check out earlier articles or search on Apple Music itself.
See you again next week!
-S (@Shauncord)