On the first menu for 2024 – which also happens to be National Whipped Cream Day – you are going to find some delicious new music from Skyzz, Tim Atlas, modernlove., Lucy McWilliams, Katelyn Tarver, Paige Valentine, TATYANA, SPRINTS (pictured), Female President, and The Lemon Twigs.
Dig in and enjoy!
Skyzz – Without You
Tim Atlas – Lifeboat
Tim Atlas has unveiled news about his upcoming EP, set for release late February 23. The EP’s second single, “Lifeboat”, is a collaboration with French-Italian artist Raphael Futura, and is full of gentle vocals, twanging guitars, and delicate drums, evoking a tropical imagery that carries a message of caution.
“This one is about trying to fight the inevitable, but it starts to feel unbearable,” Tim says about his new song. “Lifeboat is just sort of a metaphor for being stuck and sinking eventually.”
modernlove. – unfamiliar ceilings
In their latest single, “unfamiliar ceilings”, modernlove. reveals a softer pop-rock side while showcasing their knack for crafting lyrics. In fact, this track stands as another showcase of the band’s continued growth and musical expertise.
“‘unfamiliar ceilings’ is about that phase in some people’s lives where they’re going a bit off the rails,” they say. “In living a bit hedonistically and abusing alcohol and other substances everything becomes a bit of a blur. Our better judgement is undermined by a sense of longing for some missing piece or some ineffable thing in our lives. It’s a search for meaning, just in all the wrong places.”
Lucy McWilliams – Follow Me
Emerging Irish singer and songwriter Lucy McWilliams had an impressive 2023, however, she now welcomes the new year with style through her latest offering, ‘Follow Me’. In which, Lucy embraces a beautifully sweet and serene dream-pop aesthetic, infusing it with rich, heartfelt emotion that soars within the production.
Describing the track, Lucy shares that at its core, ‘Follow Me’ is a straightforward love song. “It captures the excitement of discovering someone special and feeling the boundless possibilities they bring to your world,” Lucy explains. “It’s a unique kind of love, one that I hadn’t experienced before. It’s a strange sensation, having been through different relationships without ever truly feeling loved, and then suddenly stumbling upon someone who makes you feel completely at ease in a short span of time.”
Katelyn Tarver – Japanese Cafe
Singer-songwriter Katelyn Tarver, based in Los Angeles, offers a captivating narrative of her journey through her early thirties, delving into the often concealed challenges of imposter syndrome, self-worth struggles, fear of the unknown, and the anxiety of perfectionism. With her beautifully ethereal indie-pop sound, Katelyn’s music provides a safe space for introspection, potentially guiding listeners towards a more open-hearted and liberated perspective on their own life paths.
Regarding her latest track, “Japanese Cafe,” Katelyn explains that, “Ultimately, this song is an exploration of my own self-worth. Can I be proud of myself if I never achieve the version of success I imagined at fifteen? Do I still matter if I don’t land another role or perform another concert? Where does my true value come from? Can I still love myself if my luck runs dry?”
Paige Valentine – Pure (Reimagined)
Paige Valentine is gearing up for her debut album release in March 2024. In anticipation, she is treating fans to a special preview of her reimagined version of her 2020 debut single. Paige describes “Pure” as a reflection on rediscovering the essence of love and yearning to return to its pure innocence.
“‘Pure’ is about trying to remember why you love someone and wanting to get back to that innocence of when you fell in love,” Paige emphasises. “Bringing everything back to zero and seeing if the love without everything else that has accumulated around it, the grime of years and of things unspoken and insecurities is pure enough to be salvaged.”
TATYANA – Down Bad
London based Tatyana’s ‘Down Bad’ is a thumping voyage through online dating, serving as a representation of what it is like to be lost during the course of falling for someone.
“’Down Bad’ went through some wildly different versions production-wise and I nearly gave up on it!” Tatyana says. “Every person I showed the initial demo to loved it, but it felt off to me for ages. In the end it was this loop I made on the Machinedrum that ended up being the foundation of the song. The frantic arps in the chorus are my favourite part, they really reflect the emotion.I think the lyrics and message of the song are pretty self explanatory – anyone who’s suffered from limerence or who’s fallen in love with the wrong person could relate. Being down bad for someone sucks!”
SPRINTS – HEAVY
“Heavy” is the latest single from Dublin’s SPRINTS – which also comes off the release of their new record out today – which is a journey into the depths of anxiety, a sonic embodiment of the overwhelming emotions that can paralyse the mind. Lead vocalist Karla’s haunting vocals pierce through the sound, encapsulating the experience of being both inspired and paralysed by anxiety.
“If ‘Ticking‘ is the sonic iteration of anxiety, then ‘Heavy’ is its literal counterpart,” Karla says about the band’s latest single. “The brutally cacophonous sound communicates how it feels to be paralysed and inspired by anxiety, pairing intrusive thoughts, panic and intensity with that anxiety inducing build. Heavily inspired my early Bauhaus records and PJ Harvey’s Is This Desire? it draws a heavy influence from 80s gothic-the purposeful space reflecting the isolating nature of panic.”
Female President – Enflamed In Effigy
Female President is in the midst of crafting their second EP, and this project delves into the challenging and tumultuous journey of healing, acknowledging that it often necessitates confronting pain and discomfort to find the motivation to transform. A standout track from the EP is the latest single – which actually came out in late December 2023 – titled “Enflamed In Effigy”. The song actually has been evolving since 2020, gradually taking shape with its powerful riffs, tempo, and melody. The song’s lyrics are inspired by contemporary global events and tragedies, highlighting the urgency of addressing issues such as environmental degradation, war, and inequality.
The Lemon Twigs – My Golden Years
The Lemon Twigs’ new single embraces the smooth harmonies, vibrant energy and shimmering textures people have come to like about the band. Described by the brothers as a power-pop anthem, the song emphasises the importance of seizing every moment and fulfilling one’s potential. “‘My Golden Years’ is a power-pop anthem about “making every minute count and living up to your potential,” the band says, “in that sense I think that people like Mark Ruffalo or people who hike might like the song. Or it could be good while you’re working out.”
