The best tracks that have come our way in the past week or so and that we highly recommend listening to…
Snake Orange Cake – Stitch
Snake Orange Cake is the new project of Berlin-based musician Julia Carlsson, formerly known as Leoblu – an artist whose music we’ve shared and loved in the past. Stitch marks the debut release under this new moniker, and it immediately grabbed me with its infectious drums – a punchy beat beautifully layered with various synth textures. I’m a big fan of Carlsson’s voice, which here reminds me more than ever of Daughter’s lead singer. Her sort of spoken-word vocal delivery feels calm yet emotional and catchy at the same time.
The track slows down in the second half, welcoming in hazy guitars and all kinds of instrumental flourishes. I can imagine this hitting even harder within the context of a full album, though as a standalone single, I find myself naturally gravitating back toward the earlier vocal section. Either way — an excellent song.
Atracciones – Deseo
What instantly drew me into Deseo — a track by Atracciones, an Argentine project now based in Madrid — was its gorgeously nostalgic, retro-style music video. The song is entirely in Spanish, so I can only guess what it’s about. Atracciones clearly draw from the usual suspects: My Bloody Valentine, Slowdive, Ride, but also Warpaint.
Where I might stereotypically expect a more upbeat, sunny version of indie/shoegaze from a Spanish-speaking project, Atracciones go in the opposite direction. Their sound feels genuinely dark – almost Joy Division-esque. The images that came to mind while listening were overcast skies or a castle lost in the mist – and that’s the kind of atmosphere I like.
Eveningbird – Looked Like You
Finally, we head to the U.S., specifically New Jersey, home to singer-songwriter Eveningbird. She’s already released several tracks, all available on her Bandcamp, and Looked Like You is a lovely slice of melancholic indie rock/pop. It recalls artists like Soccer Mommy or one of my personal favorites, Girl Time, with a touch of ’90s alt-rock/pop — the kind you’d find on the Cruel Intentions soundtrack.
The song doesn’t rely on a particularly striking or complex melody; instead, it works through mood and atmosphere. The vocals are perfectly embedded in the mix, gently sneaking into your ears – and before long, they’ve fully won you over.
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