On The Stereo: October 2021

The month’s essential new tracks come from the likes of Tasha, GANGGA, Little Boots, girlhouse, Elles Bailey, Tonstartssbandht and more

More new music

SILVER BALLOONS BY LITTLE BOOTS
Silver Balloons marks a welcome return from UK electro-pop artist Little Boots. Having upped her production game, it’s the perfect song for your next kitchen disco and reminds us why we’ve been such big fans of her music from the very start.

I’M FINE, I’M ALRIGHT BY GEORGIE WELLS
I’m Fine, I’m Alright is the latest release from Georgie Wells. A London-based songwriter making pop tunes with an indie heart, there’s an enjoyably tongue-in-cheek feel to this track about pretending to have a good night out.

AUTUMN SUN BY SARAH OSBORNE MUSIC
There’s a slightly untamed feel to Autumn Sun by Sarah Osborne Music. Hailing from the west coast of Canada, her noir-country sound conjures up a similar feel to the music made by The Handsome Family and has a storyteller’s heart running through it.

PASS AWAY BY TONSTARTSSBANDHT
Armed with a 12-string guitar, drum kit and mellifluous harmonies, Tonstartssbandht (siblings Edwin and Andy White) take you on a magical journey. You might call the sound of Pass Away psychedelic folk, but there’s a lot more happening here.

BOUNDARY ISSUES BY GIRLHOUSE
With an offhand charm that will appeal to fans of Soccer Mommy, Boundary Issues is the latest release from girlhouse (Lauren Luiz). Tackling the title’s subject matter, the lulling slow build gives way to a grittier guitar sound.

LILAH’S LULLABY BY LILAH
Bringing together influences as disparate as The Beatles and Frank Ocean, Lilah’s Lullaby is the debut single from East London alt-R&B artist Lilah. Written at midnight on her 21st birthday, there’s plenty of sage advice within this modern coming-of-age ballad.

NOWHERE BY BUD
With a beat big enough to drive out any negativity, Nowhere by BUD plants a flag for those who want to face the challenges of the modern world head-on. It’s also a killer indie-rock song that you can’t help but bop along to.

SUMMER TIME LOVE BY DYLAN WALKER
With its floating vocals, breezy rhythm and jitterbug melody, Dylan Walker’s Summer Time Love is keeping up the good fight as the days draw in. This is a pop song with a positive message, “You only live once, live each day as your last.”

WE ARE BOUND BY LYDIA BROWNFIELD
Hailing from Columbus, Ohio, Lydia Brownfield is a singer-songwriter who spent years honing her craft in Atlanta. New single We Are Bound finds her in splendid voice as she sets out to bring people back together after a difficult few years.

Chicago-based artist/poet Tasha is confronting her mistakes on Sorry’s Not Enough. Photo credit: Alexa Viscius

SORRY’S NOT ENOUGH BY TASHA
A ruminative song about, ‘confronting your mistakes, and learning to love yourself through hurt and doubt,’ Tasha’s Sorry’s Not Enough is the grittiest offering yet from the Chicago-based artist/poet. It ebbs, flows and bristles along.

SUNSHINE CITY BY ELLES BAILEY
We’re always excited to hear new music from Elles Bailey and Sunshine City finds her in particularly rocking form. With her backing band at full pelt, Bailey’s vocals need to be at their belting best. It’s a challenge she’s more than up for.

LOVE AT THE END OF THE WORLD BY JOSH RITCHIE
Love At The End Of The World is the title track from Ontario-based multi-instrumentalist Josh Ritchie’s new album. With his soulful guitar playing augmented by a bed of Hammond keys, there’s an uplifting feel throughout.

SLOW, SAD AND REAL BY DANIELLE LEWIS
A folk embryo brought to life in technicolour, Slow, Sad And Real flickers like a beacon of hope in the darkness. The work of Welsh songwriter Danielle Lewis, it’s a tantalising glimpse of what to expect from her upcoming debut album Dreaming In Slow Motion.

BEDDING IN BY MARTIN CALLINGHAM
Ah, Martin Callingham, it’s good to have you back. Hailing from our home city of Bristol, we’re huge fans of his songcraft and understated delivery. An enveloping organ gives Bedding In a melancholic feel, further dropping the temperature outside.

A BETTER YOU BY WINTER GRAIN
A rousing indie-pop number with an Americana nucleus, A Better You by Winter Grain is a lesson in personal growth and learning. Packed with all the harmonies and melody you could wish for, it’s also an absolute gem of a song.

THIS LOVE WILL NEVER END BY GANGGA
An acoustic guitar reminiscent of early Bon Iver starts This Love Will Never End. An introspective folk-pop number by Indonesian singer-songwriter GANGGA; his heart is worn on his sleeves and there’s much sincerity in his voice.

IMPRESS YOU BY BROOKE COMBE
With its swampy bassline setting the tone, Impress You is the latest single from rising Scottish star Brooke Combe. Though she lists Fleetwood Mac and Amy Winehouse as influences, Combe has a stirring style all of her own.

ONE HAND STRIKES THE OTHER BY JAMES HOLT
Released in aid of domestic abuse charity Fortalice, One Hand Strikes The Other by James Holt manages to balance Berlin-era Bowie and a New Romantic aesthetic. The powerful subject matter is matched by the bold production.

PEOPLE THAT I LOVE BY MELISSA BEL
‘Now I envy, how the how old me, had it easy,’ sings Melissa Bel on the nostalgic piano ballad People That I Love. Though entirely appropriate for right now, there’s a timeless quality to this song that transcends its pandemic setting.

Listen to these songs and other On The Stereo selections on the Songwriting Magazine Spotify profile

More new music

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.