Rina Sawayama ft Elton John - Chosen Family
Rina Sawayama's debut album has just turned one, so it seems appropriate that she's released a remix of one of her tracks with one of the most iconic musicians of all time - Elton John.
The pair go incredibly well together on this ballad dedicated to choosing the people you love, specifically within the LGBT+ community.
The song is emotional and heartfelt, and John and Sawayama's vocals almost perfectly intertwine throughout the 4 minutes. It's great to see Elton John supporting and mentoring a new era of popstar, which Sawayama is definitely part of.
FOR IF YOU LIKE: Any Elton John song, FKA Twiggs, low-key Lady Gaga
Matilda Mann - Doomsday
'Doomsday' is the latest release from next best thing in acoustic music Matilda Mann.
'Doomsday' presents us with Mann's signature silvery vocals and soft guitar, with a message of hope despite the song's contradictory title.
The song feels raw and real and is shrouded in a sense of positivity in spite of a looming end of the world, which is exactly what we need as it seems we're on the other side of the COVID-19 pandemic and feeling a little more hopeful than we were a year ago.
FOR IF YOU LIKE: dodie, Hozier, Birdy.
Jack Beech - Blue Hour
'Blue Hour' is an instrumental only release from producer and composer Jack Beech.
The song mixes percussion and synths to give the sense of build and relaxation throughout the song, which makes it the perfect listen for when you just need something to soothe the soul.
Beech himself says “I’d like to think it creates an elevated feeling inside anyone who listens but also inspires listeners to seek experiences which make them feel elevated or complete”. Blue Hour projects this feeling of elation, and you'll definitely feel a sense of clarity after listening.
FOR IF YOU LIKE: Petit Biscuit, Lofi music, subtle movie soundtracks
Bebe Rexha - Sabotage
'Sabotage' is an emotional piano ballad from popstar Bebe Rexha. Sabotage discusses the concept of being your own worst enemy, and acts as a real look into Rexha's own insecurities, as it starts with damning lyrics like "Why do I sabotage everything I love? / It's always beautiful until I fuck it up"
The song is simple in theory, with it mainly just being a piano and Rexha's impressive vocals, but slowly the song builds to be full of heart and soul by the time it finishes.
FOR IF YOU LIKE: Demi Lovato, Charlotte Lawrence, Madison Beer
Daisy Chute - Music is There
Daisy Chute, is a folk/Americana singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and regular on the London music scene and Music Is There is her latest song dedicated to the love of, well, music.
The folky acoustic guitar is partnered by Chute's soothing, almost whispery, vocals. At a time when music has been a savior to a lot of people, it's great to see a track that recognises this and encompasses this feeling for us all.
FOR IF YOU LIKE: Gabrielle Aplin, Nina Nesbitt, James TW
Regard, Troye Sivan, Tate McRae - You
'You' is the dance-infused release from newfound pop powerhouses Troye Sivan and Tate McRae, along with DJ and Producer Regard. The track has a solid beat that takes front place and runs throughout. Sivan and McRae's unique vocals compliment not just each other, but the production, incredibly well, making 'You' a real success for everyone involved.
It's not the most upbeat of songs, but with its synthy vibes and catchy lyrics it'll still give the urge to get up and dance.
FOR IF YOU LIKE: Dua Lipa's 'Future Nostalgia', Years and Years, Rina Sawayama
Julia Michaels - Love is Weird
Songwriter to the stars Julia Michael is finally releasing her own debut album 'Not in Chronological Order', and Love is Weird is the second single to be released ahead of the album later this month.
'Love is Weird' is a subtle acoustic dedication to the feeling of being in love and how it twists and changes over time. Michaels' unique vocals are the stand out of the track, but the low-key production of the song makes it more interesting and really gives us the replayability.
SYML - DIM
DIM is an emotional piano-based ballad from Seattle-based DIM. if there's one thing SYML can do well, it's producing a song that gives you the overwhelming urge to cry, and DIM is by no means an exception.
DIM closes out a new EP release of the same name, and the whole EP really is worth listening to. DIM (both the EP and the song) are all about grief and how it's processed, so you can imagine how easily these songs tug on the heartstrings.
FOR IF YOU LIKE: Sleeping At Last, Tom Odell, The Cinematic Orchestra
Harri Larkin - Tumbleweed
To end, we have another acoustic track (there seems to have been a lot this week) from band Harris Larkin. ‘Tumbleweed’ is the second single released from their most recent body of work.
When listening to 'Tumbleweed' what really stands out is how crystal clear each instrument and the vocals are, which shows they're not hiding behind any significant production. The song is catchy and will have you thinking about it for a long time after you listen, which is why we've had it on repeat this week.
Find all the songs from this post, as well as other releases from this week and from the whole of the month of March on our 'on repeat - march 2021' playlist.
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