Tuesday Tunes--December 6, 2016
Shaun Cordingley
As we are rounding into the end of 2016, I decided to take a look back through all of my song notes, photos, and little scraps of paper I wrote artists & songs down on to see if there were any songs that I had missed posting throughout the year (that I had fully intended on talking about earlier).
Low and behold, this week's list was born, which is...again...a little all over the place, but that's something you should be used to by now...
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.
Run - Pretty Pink featuring ARC
Starting this week off with a little deep, German house from Pretty Pink featuring ARC called "Run". I have been sitting on this track for a while, apparently, as it came out in January of this year (to be honest, I thought I had shared this one months ago....my bad!)
Musically this is classic deep house, the melody and drop are pitch-perfect for old school fans, however the vocals in "Run" elevate the song into something quite special; ARC really nails a "piano-bar" sound that gives the whole song a slinky, cool vibe to it.
Honestly, I'm probably preaching to the choir when it comes to telling House fans about Pretty Pink, but if you have not checked out any of her work, you really should; if you're looking for something with more of a dance hop vibe, she recently released "The Kick" featuring The Element, or for more of a straight-up house track, check out "Car Jacksonville".
Graveclothes - Birdtalker
Nashville Alt-Folk band Birdtalker have a wonderfully fun and catchy song in "Graveclothes", which they released as part of their debut EP Just This that released in August. Birdtalker is one of those bands that I talk about every once in a while where you can hear the fact that they really enjoy making music together in their songs; "Graveclothes", thanks in part to the beautiful harmonies between Dani and Zack Green, combined with sprightly mandolin, and an upbeat rhythm that gets my feet tapping.
"Graveclothes" is a song that feels like it is from your favourite, quirky, indie comedy film this year that your cool friend at work told you to go see at the art-house cinema, and that you have caught yourself humming (off-and-on) ever since.
Just This is not just upbeat songs, and shows a very nice range from Birdtalker; I recommend giving "Blue Healer" a shot if you are looking for a mellow, ballad-y track that continues to convince me to keep an eye on Birdtalker in the new year.
Call It Home - Cinders
Salt Lake City's Cinders released a self-titled "demo" album this past May and it is full of absolutely awesome acoustic pop tracks, but I have a soft-spot for "Call It Home". The song largely just relies on vocals (and vocal harmonies), and a beautiful acoustic guitar that wraps together into a song that feels perfectly suited for a chilly December evening. "Call It Home" is a song that, even though it is a bit sad, makes me think of curling up by a fireplace with a group of friends, some warm drinks, and an acoustic guitar, while wrapped up in a puffy sweater.
Man, winter is so in my blood at this point...
Michigan - Arms Akimbo
Arms Akimbo's "Michigan" is a song I actually did mention before, back in April when I talked about their track "Little Insensitive" (as it had released the day that article came out) and I had intended to get back to it...so here we are.
"Michigan" is yet another great indie rock track from the LA band that slow plays you a little bit at the beginning, just letting a lone guitar and the vocals roll across you, but from the beginning, you can feel Arms Akimbo's raw energy just bubbling below the surface. Sure, "Michigan" is a bit lower key than "Little Insensitive", but it's showing you the depth of sound Arms Akimbo is capable of, and giving indie rock fans another reason to jump on board a great up-and-coming band.
American Eyes - Promises Ltd.
A sort of hybrid between underground chillwave, and a mellow, danceable indie alternative, Brooklyn's Promises Ltd. have a track in "American Eyes" that I feel fans of M83, or Miike Snow need to hear. This is a song that early on, you feel might break out into a much heavier dance track, but it pulls itself back into a cool, late night jam. There is a synth/electric moment about three-quarters of the way through "American Eyes" where it feels like Promise Ltd's pent up energy might break through, but they expertly pull it back into a very 1980s denouement; this is a song I would want to hear at an upscale, hip club late at night, watching the city roll by.
Their debut, self-titled EP came out this summer, and features even more indie pop goodness, which if you like "American Eyes" you will like every other track (I'm particularly fond of "Days of Lavender").
Here's the Apple Music Playlist for November 2016! Only missing a couple of tracks (and that will probably change once Anki's album comes out next week...), so it's a full, fun list this month!
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 Tuesday with five more Tuesday Tunes!
-S (@Shauncord)