Fresher Sounds - The best new music - 07/01/19

It's only been one week since 2019 started, which probably means we've all already given up on our New Year's resolutions, right?

Image Credit: Athos Burez

Well, if so, an easy one is to listen to more new music and what a better place to start than with our weekly Fresher Sounds? This week's round-up consists of some of the best releases from the last week, including a couple that are definite signs 2019 is going to be a good one.

Chrome Sparks - Be On Fire

Chrome Sparks (Jeremy Malvin) dropped Be On Fire EP to ring in the new year.

'Be On Fire' is a chilled dance, electronica track with funky beats and muted tones; the EP follows his long-awaited self-titled debut album from early 2018. This track, along with the rest of the EP, is the perfect soundtrack to a chilled summer day.

Oh Land - Human Error

Danish Composer, Oh Land (Nanna Øland Fabricius), unveils the first single off her upcoming album, Family Tree.

'Human Error', produced by Thomas Bartlett (St. Vincent, Florence & the Machine), differs from her previous work. With a much more intimate tone, the gentle vocals and soft piano background, it's an incredibly thought-provoking track.

Bad Wave - I Can Be A Friend To You

Taken from their upcoming self-titled EP, 'I Can Be A Friend To You' explores the world of forbidden love.

The track is full of glistening synths and dream-pop-esque melodies. Bad Wave is an idyllic West Coast duo with an ear for enticing, sultry hooks.

Lily & Madeleine - Just Do It

The Indianan folk duo, Lily & Madeleine released 'Just Do It', a track from their forthcoming album, Canterbury Girls.

The duo follows on from Haim's scene interjection back in 2013 with an indie-infused folk revelation. A gentle piano introduction and clapping is soon interrupted with their harmonious vocals complementing each other perfectly. 'Just Do It' is an uplifting, funky anthem.

James Hersey & Jeremy Loops - My People

Vienna born, James Hersey collaborated and co-wrote ‘My People’ with the South African singer-songwriter, Jeremy Loops. ‘My People’ is a magnificently upbeat indie-pop track with folk-like inflection from the vocals and its guitar-led beat.

The voices of both James and Jeremy gel so perfectly together almost making it difficult to hear when one ends and the other begins.

Talking about the track, James explains, “Jeremy and I both lead lives that require us to spend a lot of time away from home. 'My People' is a homage not to the places we come from, but to the people there that keep us coming back.”

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Henry Hacking – Get Down

UK DJ and producer, Henry Hacking has released yet another banger for the dancefloor. ‘Get Down’ shows off his endless talents in only one and a half minutes.

Hacking has established himself with his contemporary house and tech mixes all around Singapore, Hanoi, Bali and China; not to mention some of the most famous clubs such as London’s Ministry of Sound and Ibiza’s Eden.

‘Get Down’ is a classic house track with piano stabs and funky beats. Full of energy and a contagious rhythm that carries the piece through to its conclusion, ‘Get Down’ is a standout tune.

Balthazar – I'm Never Gonna Let You Down Again

The Belgium indie-pop band return following their 2015 album, Thin Walls, which saw Maarten Devoldere and Jinte Deprez both embark on their own solo adventures.

‘I’m Never Gonna Let You Down Again’ is taken from their forthcoming album, Fever. The track features Deprez on lead vocals with an almost Tame Impala-esque bassline and additional vocals from Devoldere; this track shows an electric side to Balthazar, excluding R&B, pop and indie influences.

 Lizzo – Juice

Lizzo hits back with a funky and naughty soulful pop anthem.

The bass and vocals and general song structure of ‘Juice’ are incredibly 80s, but with a modern twist. The track is undoubtedly the catchiest of 2019 (although it’s only been one week).

Lizzo is glowing through this music video, her retro funk vocals are crossed with modern references, “somebody come and get this man, I think he got lost in my DM's”.

Wild Youth – Making Me Dance

The Irish quartet, Wild Youth, has released the ultimate feel-good bop.

Produced by Danny O’Donaghue (The Script), ‘Making Me Dance’ is the perfect track that will lift any of those January blues. With classic boyband harmonies, this pop-rock band has injected a little funk through their bassline making this track an even better party tune.

Cheerbleederz – Staying Up Late

Channelling their inner Teenage Witch with ‘Staying Up Late’, Cheerbleederz has released a homely animated music video made by their friend, Jono Ganz.

‘Staying Up Late’ exudes that lo-fi underground indie aesthetic we’ve grown to love over the past year. With gentle vocals and hard-hitting drums and fast paced guitars, Cheerbleederz has obvious influences from the likes of Snail Mail, Alvvays and Dream Wife.