New Music Fridays – 3rd April 2020

We’re all about the serene and sultry this week as we take a look at the best dreamy, psychedelic soundscapes that have hit our inbox, perfect to chill out to if forced to stay indoors. As always, click the pic to take a listen!

Bad Flamingo – Bad Apple

The unique sound of Bad Flamingo really helps this band stand out, even with its stripped-back vibe and subtle atmosphere. Banjo is set against subtle beats and sultry vocals, and through these 3 main layers, it manages to build a track with a hypnotising quality that you’ll keep coming back to. It’s key is its melody and the way the vocals know exactly when to raise or fall, especially in the special chorus that ties everything together nicely.

Skin Mag – Wild West

With a distinct style of dream pop, Skin Mag aim to highlight the violent nature of the current political climate in the U.S with new track Wild West. Hazy guitars are fed drip throughout as floaty vocals are spread over the top in a sparing fashion. Splicing messages of such a strong nature against the laid-back atmosphere helps give the song a distinct message that works well, with the track coming out of its shell in a strong way as it powers through to its conclusion. Mesmerising.

Blue Canopy – Keys to the Garden

Psychedelic rock can go anywhere it wants, and this is certainly the case with Blue Canopy’s Keys to the Garden. Supposedly written about the New York Knicks and cloaked with fantasy lore and imagery, it really is a topic you wouldn’t think of off the top of your head. With a 60s throwback vibe, this is brought bang up to date with modern production techniques whilst still managing to feel mystical, magical and bringing out a sense of directionlessness. The layered and synthy vocals are the icing on the cake in this highly creative piece.

Plastic Mermaids – Milk (Acoustic)

A reimagined acoustic version from their debut album Suddenly Everyone Explodes, Milk floats along on a dreamy landscape of piano, electro-styled vocals and an atmosphere of calm and serenity. It has a chamber pop vibe that rises to the forefront when needed to pull the track together against richly textured melodies and interesting harmonies. The strings give it that extra kick as the song comes to its heady end.