1. NOVA ONE – ‘violet dreams’

Roz Raskin aka NOVA ONE’s ‘violet dreams‘ is the first single off the upcoming LP ‘loveable‘ due out April 24th via Community Records. The track is sensual, moody, and makes you want to be holding on to an opera length cigarette holder à la Audrey Hepburn as you listen. If you let Roz describe it though, the “song feels celebratory to me. It’s generally been a tough year for me emotionally. it’s also been a time for lots of self-reflection.”

Sarah Medeiros

  1. Otoboke Beaver – ‘I Am Not Maternal’

Released via Damnably ‘I Am Not Maternal‘ is the latest stomper from Kyoto’s finest punks, Otoboke Beaver. The track is little over two minutes in length, and discusses the societal pressures women face to become mothers. Vocalist Acco states, “I’ve met a lot of people who insist ‘giving birth is obligation,’” said vocalist Acco. “I’ve never had the thought ‘I want a baby,’ and I don’t think this is bad.” Whether you can follow along with the meaning in Japanese or not, the single features a tight rhythm section that anyone would appreciate.

Sarah Medeiros

  1. Carnival Kid – ‘We Were The Shadows’

How important is it to escape through art? Through music? One of the tracks that made me breakout at least for a few minutes, from “to do’s” and “not to do’s” was the latest single ‘We Were The Shadows‘ by German native Christian Stezycki and his solo project Carnival Kid. An immediate, anthemic pop-rock track (yes it’s ultra catchy!), which its creator meticulously describes as “a reminder that even in the darkest of places there’s room for fantastic adventures and that under these circumstances even stronger bonds between friends can be created.” On repeat!

Christos Doukakis

  1. Solomon Grey – ‘Interstate 695’

Acclaimed London based duo Solomon Grey returned with their first single taken from the forthcoming EP ‘Music For Picture: Vol. I (Parallels)‘ due out on 27th March. ‘Interstate 695‘ is an emotional tornado, a song that builds and builds and echoes in your heart and soul, minutes after its end. How would The Moody Blues sound if they wrote a space rock opera about two space beings taht they would have to be separated into different planets? It’s a cry of passion in a galaxy of strings. This is the unique Solomon Grey and their magnum opus…. Respect!

Christos Doukakis

  1. black midi – ‘Sweater’

One of 2019’s biggest surprises, -and hope for the new decade-, was the debut album ‘Schlagenheim‘ by avant-rock/math rock experimental outfit black midi (managed to climb at #5 in LDD’s Top-50 Albums of 2019). A few days ago thy made the following announcement on their Facebook page “New single called ‘Sweater’ is out at midnight wherever you are… it’s the last song to be released from the album sessions we did with Dan Carey in November 2018.”

Get ready for this 690 second avant rock jam… Walk on eggs … It explodes!

Christos Doukakis

Compiled by Sarah Medeiros & Christos Doukakis