The second week of the Sunday Shout-out feature is upon us. You can check out last week’s Sunday Shout-out here if you need to catch up. Anywho, I had an alright week this week, the weather was initially bright and warm but darkened as the week progressed. I found some great new artists like Holly Redford Jones and Mackenzie Leighton and got the inside scoop on new music from Simeon Rodgers (we will have a premiere out on June 24th). Also, I received a song from William Cashion from Future Islands. All in all, no complaints here, hope you are all keeping well. I’ve got some nice tunes for you this afternoon.
Today we feature new music from Rose Brokenshire / Forét Noire / Josh Semans / Matu / Artemis Aether
Rose Brokenshire – In a Spell
I start this week’s shout-out list with a really melancholic and enchanting tune from this lovely Canadian songwriter. Rose Brokenshire was a regular on the Toronto musical circuit a good few years ago. However she decided to leave the city six years ago to get a little closer to nature. She became a forest firefighter and left the music behind too. In 2019, she released an EP of the last of her old creations titled Six Years. In a slight change of style, she is releasing new material again. Her latest single ‘In a Spell‘ is a LoFi treat. It has pretty much, cast me in a spell. What a truly brilliant artist she is.
Josh Semans – Trust
In keeping with the soft, ambient tones of Rose’s new track, I’d like to share another gentle soundscape here too. This is Trust, the new single from UK based composer Josh Semans. Josh is one of a growing community of Ondes Martenot players. Don’t know what that it? Don’t worry, neither did I. Semans has been working tirelessly for a decade and through his wonderful constructions, he is preserving and raising the reputation of this great instrument.
An ondes martenot is an early electronic instrument which is played on a keyboard or by moving a ring along a wire. It is a very intricate looking piece of kit but it transmits the most amazingly beautiful wavy sounds. Trust is an utterly breathtaking piece of instrumental music and it grabbed my attention immediately. I’m not surprised that Semans has been busy creating music for TV and film, his music is as cinematic as it gets. I just sink into my chair listening to this one. Top class.
Artemis Aether – When You Return
Artemis Aether is a mysterious musical alias with some strong connection to Melbourne quartet The Tiger and Me. I stumbled upon their latest offering When You Return recently and was quick to add it into my personal ‘daily walk’ playlist. I often walk through a park up the road, insert my headphones and sit and watch the world go by. Artemis Aether provided the soundbites quite a lot during the week. This new track is really nicely put together and reminds me of the gritty vocal style of Irishman Paddy Dennehy. That is high praise. When You Return was released yesterday.
Foret Noire – Circular Birds
Something a little more commercially orientated here that has pushed it’s way into my head this weekend. The opening vocals nearly put me off this one initially, I thought it was one of those chirpy American pop style things. I was totally wrong, the brooding bass and overall feel of the tune suddenly changed into something Santigold-esque. This is not your standard tune, it’s intense and the chorus is as catchy as they come. The more I listen to this song, the more it grows – it’s definitely one of the best tunes released this weekend. Perhaps a little more mainstream than my usual picks, but worthy of it’s inclusion. Circular Birds is a forceful ear-worm.
Matu – The Days Don’t Come Back
24 year old Argentinian singer/songwriter Matu has just released his debut single and it’s pleasantly lovely. The Days Don’t Come Back is our first taste of what’s to come from him. He operates in a purely folk sphere and has a sound not too dissimilar to Damien Rice or Dermot Kennedy. An uplifting and cheery opening single and it has me waiting patiently for more. This certainly warrants a quick add into your own playlists too! I used to curate a playlist for a pub/restaurant over here in the UK, this tune would have been a perfect fit for it. My job was to find music that didn’t have huge crescendos that wouldn’t disturb the mood in the room. This one is non-intrusive and melancholic enough to be played in a public setting, nice work Matu.
About ‘The Sound Sniffer’
The Sound Sniffer is a music blog which is still only a baby – Founded and run by Kevin Coakley in early 2019. He is a music writer and ghostwriter. ‘The Sound Sniffer’ also runs gigs and showcases in London since Oct 2019. The showcases are picked from artists we find in our submissions inbox.
Check out my Interviews HERE
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