On Repeat is a monthly roundup of My Music Mixtape’s favourite tracks featured on our ‘Radio Friendly Indie Rock and Alt Pop‘ Spotify playlist.
This month includes a blistering sonic journey by Mellowpunk, a poignant and powerful rock song by Tom Collins, a tender heartbreak track by Marina Vanoff, an edgy indie rock song full of surprise by The Trusted, an explosive alt rock anthem by WOLVES & Kat Meoz, an infectious slide of indie pop by META CITY FUTURE & FINOLA, and a melodic gem by MatAre. Continue reading below to learn more about the artists who landed on August’s edition of On Repeat.
Kar Sych – Mellowpunk
Quote from Mellowpunk press material for “Kar Sych”
“Mellowpunk’s second album is something that we’ve worked harder on than anything else in our lives. Kar Sych is the introduction to that project and conveys exactly what we want people to hear when they think of us” – Devin Noth
Mellowpunk’s latest release, “Kar Sync”, is a blistering combination of alt rock, pop and shoegaze that blends gritty guitar tones with a variety of synth arrangements. There are melodies wrapped within melodies on this track, resulting in a layered instrumental full of depth and texture. Even after several listens, we are still picking things out that we had previously not heard. It’s the musical equivalent of a treasure box, offering listeners a trove of sounds to discover and enjoy. This calls for the production quality to be top-notch – and it is – with a seamless blend of nostalgic, 90s-style guitar riffs and more contemporary mixing techniques and soundscapes. This is especially fitting for a song about time travel and the desire for change. The quiet-loud dynamic shifts that occur throughout the track keep listeners engaged, as does singer Madeline McClure’s hook-laden vocal delivery. If “Kar Sync” is an indication of what’s to come on the band’s sophomore album, then we’re just going to have to take a number and sit patiently in anticipation of the sonic journey it surely promises to deliver. My Music Mixtape
Halfway Boys – Tom Collins
Following in the footsteps of the social issues that informed his previous releases (‘Titanic’, ‘Leaders’ and ‘Barricades’) – Tom’s latest single, “Halfway Boys”, is another song from the sink estates thwarted by poverty, pregnancy, addiction and child neglect.
Excerpt from Tom Collins press material for “Halfway Boys”
“Halfway Boys”, is a powerful rock and roll anthem that makes you move as much as it forces you to think. UK-based singer-songwriter Tom Collins doesn’t hold back on highlighting the societal issues that are passed down from generation to generation, a focus across his previous releases. The chorus is infectious and poignant, largely driven by Collins’ passionate vocal delivery while singing the main refrain, “halfway boys, they haven’t got much choice”. He blends a big and bold indie rock instrumental with touches of more youthful pop flavour, underpinned by an emotional honesty and heartfelt sentiment that any listener will feel while listening to this standout track. Collins momentarily interrupts the fast-paced tempo with a slower section to deliberately highlight the line, “he won’t go to school today, surrounded by class A’s”, clearly highlighting his thoughtful songwriting approach and maturity. With a guitar in hand and heart on his sleeve, Tom Collins is well on his way to establishing himself as a rising star – and “Halfway Boys” is his ticket. It’s a song that simply needs to be heard. My Music Mixtape
Chino – Marina Vanoff
“Chino” captures the essence of being heartbroken, used, and angry, reflecting the intensity of a dramatic, delusional era where everything feels like it’s falling apart. It masterfully combines sadness and anger to create a mood that is a lifeline for anyone experiencing a breakup, a loss, or feeling extremely down and at their lowest point.
Excerpt from Marina Vanoff press material for “Chino”
Less is more on Marina Vanoff’s latest release, “Chino”, with its stripped down, minimalist instrumental delivering the same emotional depth as an 80-piece orchestra. The lonely-sounding guitar that underpins the track evokes a melancholic and vulnerable sentiment that captures the sadness and anger that come with heartbreak. The melodic, laid back vibe is well balanced with the grit of the distorted guitar and anthemic chorus, during which the dynamic increases as if to highlight the uncertainty of what’s to come. The song is both powerful and tender, a difficult balance to achieve when dealing with such delicate themes. The LA-based singer-songwriter clearly has a knack for creating music that on one hand becomes cathartic but on the other conjures up an intensely painful experience. Vanoff’s lyrics are powerful and direct, with lyrics such as “I wish I never trusted you” – and she backs them up with a rich vocal delivery that begs listeners to feel the same way. The song ends somewhat abruptly, a metaphor for the abandonment and betrayal that follows the end of a relationship. “Chino” offers a raw depiction of heartbreak, drawing listeners into their own emotions and showcasing the profound ability of music to evoke deep feelings. It also captures the emotional punch that her upcoming album, Bones Baby, will surely deliver this fall. My Music Mixtape
Miracle Face – The Trusted
Excerpt from The Trusted press material for “Miracle Face”pop
Described by vocalist and songwriter Tom Cunningham as a “delicious slice of pure pop,” ‘Miracle Face’ delves into the theme of unrequited love. Cunningham explains, “It’s about putting someone on a pedestal. When someone is enamoured with another person, they often ignore all the flaws and red flags. We turn people into temporary angels. That lack of self-awareness often leads us into danger.”
We have featured The Trusted several times on this site and on our playlist because, to put it simply, they consistently deliver on everything we are looking for in a band: edgy, guitar-forward rock music with equal parts skill, swagger and smarts. Still, the UK-based outfit continue to challenge all preconceived notions and refuse to repeatedly recycle the same song. Their latest release, “Miracle Face”, pushes the envelope and shines a spotlight on a new side of their sound. Yes, it features all of the musical elements that attracted us to this exceptional band in the first place; but it also introduces listeners to their willingness to experiment and take risks – and it pays off. Through the use of a vocoder, which is a device that synthesizes sounds, singer Tom Cunningham’s vocals are processed to create a distinctive electronic falsetto reminiscent of Daft Punk, Kraftwerk and Electric Light Orchestra. The result captures the imagination, blending indie rock with electronic music in a new and provocative way. The effect is wrapped with The Trusted’s quintessential rock-infused instrumental and an anthemic chorus. It’s not so much a reinvention or a departure, but rather a dynamic addition to an already engaging sound. “Miracle Face” marks the continued ascent of a talented group that does not want to settle for “the same old”. It highlights a strong desire to surprise and delight listeners who eagerly await the twists and turns of their next release. My Music Mixtape
Empire – WOLVES, Kat Meoz
Nothing feeds the soul like music that’s made to heal your own journey and all I’ve ever wanted to do with my music is carve a sound that people would be drawn to and write lyrics that they could relate to, “Empire” ticks all the boxes.
Excerpt from WOLVES and Kat Meoz press material for “Empire”
The explosive instrumental and singer Kat Meoz’s edgy, yet sultry vocal delivery is what had us hooked on “Empire”. The high-intensity track offers a sonic blitzkrieg of everything we love about alt rock: scorching guitar riffs, rumbling bass lines and thunderous percussion. This high octane instrumental is fuelled by producer Amit Ofir, also known as WOLVES, and Aviv Cohen who played drums on the track. The song is the best example of what happens when the influence of legendary rock acts including Nirvana, Garbage and Nine Inch Nails comes together with the desire to create a “no limits” song for working class heroes that reminds us life is ours for the taking. Previous collaborations between WOLVES and Kat Meoz have landed on TV commercials for Pepsi and PlayStation – clear proof that these exceptional artists know how to create music that resonates with audiences far and wide. With “Empire”, they have delivered a brave and bold, stadium-worthy headbanger that will continue to accelerate their rise in the music industry. My Music Mixtape
all over the world – META CITY FUTURE, FINOLA
“For me it’s an anthem for those outside of the social and cultural orthodoxy, who present themselves in their own uniqueness and weirdness against the standard expectations of what coolness and success might look like.”
Excerpt from META CITY FUTURE and FINOLA press material for “around the world”
“all over the world” by META CITY FUTURE & FINOLA is a bright and unquestionably infectious slice of pop that in many ways defines exactly what we are looking for on our playlist. It features smooth vocals, catchy pop rock vibes, compelling structural and dynamic shifts, and clean production. The level of skill and talent on this release is also noteworthy, with UK-based mastermind Zack Bambler credited with bass, guitar and production, and singer Finola Daley-Dee credited on vocals that took less than an hour to record. The track shimmers with several standout elements, from the bossanova-inspired guitar pattern and urban beat, both of which underpin the instrumental, to the grime-infused breakdown. The culmination of these individual layers shapes a raw and rhythmic backdrop against which Daley-Dee’s exceptional vocals can take charge and deliver nearly four minutes of tasty ear candy. The song marks the perfect combination of melody and grit, offering a balance that will keep rock fans equally as happy and entertained as those who align themselves with a more commercial pop or indie pop flavour. META CITY FUTURE simply offers a sound that has wide appeal, transcending genre and displaying a high level of technical skill and musical proficiency without sacrificing the engaging hooks that turn a song like “all over the world” into a must listen. My Music Mixtape
Forever Light – MatAre
“I am not a religious or spiritual person. I do not have religious beliefs. However, there is someone in my life who does and this song is about them. It is a song where I explore a person and their faith.”
Excerpt from MatAre press material for “Forever Light”
It’s the dreamy, melodic soundscape of MatAre’s latest single, “Forever Light”, that had us hooked on this catchy, genre-blending release. Atlanta-based singer-songwriter Matt Rousseau combines elements of dream pop, shoegaze, indie rock and even Depeche Mode-inspired new wave into a soothing serenade full of atmosphere. The guitar work in particular stands out with a variety of clean and shimmering tones culminating into a sweeping wash of sounds that draws a visual comparison to floating happily through the clouds. A song like “Forever Light” requires exceptional production given its nuanced sound design and abundance of instrumental layers – and it certainly meets this mark thanks to mixing and mastering engineer Gabe Wolf, who produced Kurt Vile’s album Bottle It In. The left-right panning and injection of synth layers, a groove-infused bass line, subtle acoustic guitar and use of rich tones highlight the top-notch production and the track’s inviting sound. Having already reached more than 400,000 streams on Spotify in just over a year, it is clear that MatAre understands how to create music that connects with listeners on an emotional level. Now with the release of “Forever Light”, MatAre is clearly cementing his status as an artist on the rise – we will certainly be watching. My Music Mixtape
All quotes and images provided in artist press material
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