On Repeat is a monthly roundup of My Music Mixtape’s favourite tracks that are featured on our ‘Radio Friendly Indie Rock and Alt Pop‘ Spotify playlist.
This month includes a nostalgic dose of Americana by indie rock duo Highland Cinema, an adventure-fuelled pop rock number by Dopamaid, an alt rock banger by Johann that sheds light on mental health, an infectious track by MAEV that showcases exceptional vocal delivery and Edie Yvonne’s latest melody-rich pop offering. Continue reading below to learn more about the artists who landed on February’s edition of On Repeat.
Long Way Back – Highland Cinema
“Highland Cinema, childhood friends from New Jersey, honed their musical skills together while growing up, jamming in their parents’ basement. They’ve logged many musical miles, playing in various bands, and now, armed with a collection of songs deserving a platform of their own, they continue their musical journey as Highland Cinema. Their second single, “Long Way Back,” is out now on all streaming platforms. This track draws inspiration from their musical influences such as Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen, The National, The Gaslight Anthem, and Ryan Adams.”
Highland Cinema
“Long Way Back” immediately establishes a nostalgic quality and sense of longing that sets it apart from so many other songs. Indie rock duo Highland Cinema seamlessly combines a classic Americana rock sound reminiscent of Bruce Springsteen and Tom Petty with the contemporary instrumentation and influence of The War on Drugs. The chorus is simply splendid, featuring a fuzzy guitar that propels this song and rich vocal harmonies that send goosebumps down your spine. The sense of longing is further reinforced by powerful, thought-provoking lyrics, including, “it’s an uphill fight from here, in the streets of this old town”, “changing lanes, trying to play your cards” and “beating love back into your heart”. “Long Way Back” is unquestionably among our favourite tracks because it elicits a strong emotional response; one that will have you coming back for more. My Music Mixtape
Road Track – Dopamaid
“The music was recorded at Poons Head Studios (Tame Impala, Queens of the Stone Age) using characterful analogue gear and the upcoming single is a cool and vibey night-time track filled with spacey synths and spaghetti western guitar licks. Envision yourself riding along a desert super highway that spans the whole Milky Way, doing 250 mph in a 1957 Chevrolet (souped up for space travel). ‘Road Track’ is the song playing on the stereo for that intergalactic road trip.”
Dopamaid
Right from the first note, you know that “Road Track” is something special. The guitar work in this song is next level, as is demonstrated by what is seemingly an infinite number of tones, effects and licks. Shimmering, clean, distorted, muted – the result is a hyper melodic and simultaneously edgy soundscape that feels like a midnight adventure. This in combination with spacey synth effects creates a vintage, yet futuristic vibe that is exceptionally stylish. Production is also top-notch, as is expected for a track recorded where Tame Impala and Queens of the Stone Age do their work. The vocals are excellent with Dopamaid’s ability to deliver catchy pop hooks fit for commercial radio while maintaining a sultry soul quality that commands your attention. “Road Track” is the perfect song to blast in your car with windows rolled down, smile on your face and driving as fast as you can. My Music Mixtape
Safe And Sacred – Johann
“Though held together by bright guitars and energetic drums, this song is quite heartbreaking, as it is the first time Johann addresses themes regarding one’s mental health—or lack thereof. With all this said, the overall stance of ‘Safe And Sacred’ is one of positive affirmation, finding solace in oneself despite the many mental hurdles one encounters. As per the lyrics at the end of the chorus, ’cause this life is sacred.’”
Johann
While on the surface “Safe And Sacred” is a catchy, high energy alt rock head banger, underneath the blazing guitars and powerful drums lies the delicate matter of mental health and the challenges that come along with overcoming mental hurdles. This juxtaposition is the perfect metaphor for mental health in that things may not always be as they appear in the people around us. The track features a powerful chorus that captures the weight of the song’s subject matter and sparks the intensity needed to underscore the passionate vocal delivery of the main refrain, “I’ve been stuck and struggling”. “Safe And Sacred” is a brilliant track that acts as the perfect escape for anyone dealing with mental health obstacles; it is catchy, loud and makes you want to dive right in. My Music Mixtape
Better Day – MAEV
“The seed of ‘Better Day’ was planted in the music room of the temporary residence of the two brothers, Johan and Bram (bass guitar & drum). We live in a country with many people and limited living space. The lyrics, written by singer Nikki Henskens, embrace feelings of uncertainty and the longing for a place where one can truly feel at home, a sentiment that many young people recognize all too well. Though rooted in personal experiences, ‘Better Day’ conveys a universal message: In the pursuit of better days, life sometimes takes unexpected turns.”
MAEV
It is the infectious vocal delivery in the chorus of “Better Day” that immediately caught our attention. Singer Nikki Henskens’ doubled vocals while singing “I am waiting, waiting for a better day” not only act as a striking hook, but also add depth to the overall sound by creating an additional layer of texture and a sense of warmth. It is an effective use of a vocal technique that creates space for the song’s poignant lyrics to shine. Instrumentally, the subtle synth-layered backdrop is perfectly balanced with the energetic percussion, resulting in an uplifting, reaffirming vibe that entices you to sing along. “Better Day” simply lingers in your head, a sure sign of its ability to captivate and entertain listeners. My Music Mixtape
Delusion – Edie Yvonne
“Edie Yvonne’s songs spring from an authentic place within her soul, driven by her passion for music and her wish to share joy and beauty with the world…She represents the best pop has to offer – and reminds us why we listen to music in the first place: to feel.”
Excerpt from Edie Yvonne’s press material
Singer-songwriter Edie Yvonne is no stranger to My Music Mixtape. “Delusion” is the third song in a trilogy of teen pop anthems that also includes “Girl Code” and “Queen Bee”, both of which were previously featured on our ‘Radio Friendly Indie Rock and Alt Pop’ playlist. Like each of these releases, “Delusion” is instantly relatable and loaded with well-crafted melodies. The upbeat indie pop instrumentation maintains a head-bopping groove, led by a muted guitar riff, vintage bass line and Yvonne’s characteristic vocal bends. The chorus is especially edgy and full of attitude, highlighted by dynamic percussion and powerful vocals. The bottom line is Edie Yvonne knows how to write and perform a great pop song that sticks – and “Delusion” once again showcases this talent. My Music Mixtape
All quotes and images provided in artist press material.
My Music Mixtape 
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