Lost Stars – “I Don’t Know You Anymore”: One issue I have with many of the emerging pop-rock acts is that the production and sound all seems to blend together. What I appreciate about this single in particular is that it takes that minimalistic sad pop style and ramps up into a sweeping sound reminiscent of The Band CAMINO. The hook and melody immediately following gives me an escapist, almost tropical vibe. Lost Stars could be a candidate for my next synthwave/Outrun playlist, even though they’re not particularly synthwave. [photo above by Libby Danforth]

Sansol the Artist – “Screenshot”: “Hip Pop” musician Sansol the Artist just dropped a two minute single that is somehow both infectious yet laid back at the same time. The vocals are determined yet deadpan. The beat is unassuming yet an earworm. And the song was co-written by Charlotte Sands, a pop artist that also made our Nashville Bands to Watch feature from earlier this year. If you watch a Tik Tok clip of the song, you’ll spot the pair and another Nashville Artist to Watch, Caleb LaDuke, doing the distinctive dance (following social distancing guidelines, don’t worry). You might be tempted to join in—the urge will probably sneak up on you.

Playing to Vapors – “Pointless Information”: Listening to this song is like hearing the weird stepchild of Radiohead’s “Daydreaming,” a Muse power ballad, and my recent favorite “Blur” by MN’s Author. It has a quiet start—a new direction (pun intended) for Playing to Vapors. Luke Harris’ vocals are as strong as ever. The drums are stadium-like, yet they are so crisp Josiah DePaso could be playing right next to me. This is a fitting addition to my personal soundtrack, in this dystopian narrative I’ve found myself.

GUM – “Out in the World”: If a song by Real Estate had a bit more muscle, you’d end up with something like this. This is the sort of track that is perfect for twilight: hopeful and nostalgic at the same time. A little bit of melancholy—but not too much. It’s the sort of Goldilocks effect that I seldom hear in an indie-rock-meets-dreampop song. I’m motivated to dig further into the catalog of GUM, an artist based down-under.

Blonder – “Baby, You’re a Good One (ft chloe mk)”: Blonder’s single from the forthcoming Crystal Ball EP is infectiously psychedelic and radio friendly. Sort of like a more pop-inclined Tame Impala. This is the sort of crossover event that frankly the world needs right now. Earlier in this write up I mentioned that a song had a bit of an escapist vibe—this one even more so. Perhaps I’m just more receptive to that feeling these days. If I am, you will probably are too.

DBMK – “Smilin”: I’m not sure what I expected, but it wasn’t this. DBMK is an alt pop band by definition, but their sound is hard to define beyond that. Promo images seem to indicate they are a duo now—and “Smilin” is two minutes and eighteen seconds of vaguely unsettling grooves with dark, electronic undertones. Kyle Knudsen’s singing style is a bit more restrained this time—we don’t hear the big peaks in past TU favorites like “Heartscam” and “Analog Boy.” You have to dig a bit here. Sidenote: One of the favorite sets I saw during the era of Tuned Up shows at Donatos Basement was from these guys.