We don’t play favourites but if we did, this edition would be a serious contender. We’ve brought you pleasant melodies, trippy drumming, “find-yourself- in-a-hallmark-movie” track, and a teenage energy riser track that you do not want to miss out on. For the full playlist, click here.
Pete Scales – “Blue Without You”
A bias toward strong acoustic guitar intros means Pete Scales wins every time.
In “Blue Without You,” Scales takes a journey through his memories, wrestling with what could have been.
Three elements carry the song: a polyphonic americana melody, lead vocals on the main melody, and an acoustic accompaniment grounded by a restrained bass that adds depth without overcrowding.
Without leaning into sentimentality, “Blue Without You” states the reality of living without a loved one in a single line: “It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do.”
Simple, direct, and entirely enough.
Esteban Obando – “Montreal (Feeling It All)”
Esteban Obando’s angelic vocals ground “Montreal” like no other instrument could. A crisp guitar rhythm, minimal but effective double tracking, and a muted piano create the perfect snowy backdrop.
Strangely, the song calls back every emotionally heavy moment you may have lived through, while also reminding you that you are still here, walking through snow and feeling it all. That tension between weight and survival might be what motivated Esteban in the first place.
AM Shanley – “SHY”
Upbeat with a slight punk influence, “SHY” is sure to remind you of early R.E.M. days.
AM Shanley doesn’t take himself too seriously and it shows in the production, and it’s always good when an artist’s personality seeps through their art.
“SHY” has a great pace, enough to make you drop to your knees in your bedroom while your upper half is vibing. Think an introvert after a cancelled party. A perfect hangover song for when the energy is still running high.
And Shanley earns this comparison by carrying that same loose, unforced confidence.
Motko – “Old”
Motko’s years of band experience come through without even trying.
“Old” pairs dark, menacing instrumentals with deliberately dry but extremely controlled vocals that literally puppeteer the rest of the music.
Every element sits exactly where it needs to, nothing reaching for attention, nothing wasted. This is a song that simply pulls you in and holds you there long after it’s over.
There is not much to review here, and that is meant as a compliment. This is an artist who knows exactly what he is doing, and we are here to listen.
Dan Webb – “Hungry Ghosts”
Dan Webb’s “Hungry Ghosts” is trippy times ten. Seriously indie, it belongs firmly on the chaotic evil side of the charts. Jumbled synths and switching melodic instruments are held together by insanely on-point drumming.
You will find yourself at the edge of an imaginary seat even if you’re listening on a walk.
“Hungry Ghosts” feels like remembering an alternate life mid-dream, completely out of your control but fully present in it. Webb manages to make chaos feel intentional, which is harder than it sounds and rarer than it should be.
Disorienting in the best way, and impossible to half-listen to.
Find our previous indie/rock review here.
