Every week the team individually pick tracks that make up the listening post but there are always “ones that got away”.
These are the alternative picks and some words by our moderators on each one. You can find the tracks in one playlist here.
A WORD FROM TEAM FOTN: Welcome to Batch 626 of the Alt Picks. To the artists who submitted tracks and made it to the alt picks, we love your tracks and hope you submit more music in the future when you’re ready.
Artists featured this week:
OBI (FT. KAH’NYA)
THE EXOTIC ICES PROJECT
MOTEL FM
THE KELLOWS –
SAWTEGA
IRI ANTLER
JORDAN DALE
AZURA
SOLO RONIN
ALOR
DEL OSEI-OWUSU/PLATINUMMIND:
OBI (FT. KAH’NYA) – 15, 30, 40, Love!
I have no clue about tennis, so the references are lost on me here. However this has a fantastic rap over the top of what starts out to be a commentary then it drops into a garage beat. What a groove what a tune.
THE EXOTIC ICES PROJECT – Mission 0X
This has such a prog rock feel to it, maybe it’s because I’ve been studying the new drummer for Rush Annika Nilles, with all the tom rolls she’s having to fill some pretty big shoes. But as soon as i heard those synths and those frantic drums it took my mind straight to Rush and that’s definitely not a bad thing. I need to hear more from this band.
JOHN MICHIE:
MOTEL FM – Horse Named Veil
Horse Named Veil is filled with moody, atmospheric alt / indie textures with vivid surrealist lyricism and poetic storytelling. Polished, immersive, the track captures a distinct tension between melancholy and vivid emotion.
THE KELLOWS – How Many Signs
How Many Signs by The Kellows is a high-energy indie rock track filled with infectious guitar hooks and driving rhythms. Beneath its upbeat tempo lies a relatable narrative about second-guessing mixed signals and searching for clarity. A great song that turns relatable romantic angst into an anthem.
NEIL MARCH:
SAWTEGA – Bonfire
This track is such an imaginative journey through markedly contrasting dynamics and stylistic infusions. We get softer toned post-Goth quasi-Dream Pop one moment, punchy fuzztone Metal the next but always with distinctive, yearning female vocals, strong melodic content and great interband chemistry.
IRI ANTLER – Dead But Not Buried
Hamburg-based Iri Antler brings us an intriguing slice of electro-synthwave. At times her vocals are passionate, other times teasing and then there are clever interjections of spoken word. The intense finale is a great way to round off an inventive track.
SHERRY SAHAYARAJ:
JORDAN DALE – Trenches
A really uplifting and energetic track. The vocals complement the track with such a good vibe, making it enjoyable to listen.
AZURA – To The Bone
The track has a very edgy and mysterious energy. The vocals are bold and strong, which makes it exciting to listen. The attitude in the vocals sets a clear vibe of the song. It could easily be the backing score for a scene in an edgy thriller movie.
TONY HARDY:
SOLO RONIN – Goodbye Summer
As we wake to foggy November mornings, it’s good to remember that summer wasn’t that long ago. Chugging guitar chords herald an earworm of a song as memories of a fleeting summer romance are gently played out. The good times and the what-might-have-been moments are given plenty of air by Solo Ronin’s hushed, warm vocals and the light and shade in the song’s unhurried arrangement.
ALOR – Nuclear
I felt I could fully relate to this song as I am finally getting to grips with Stephen Hawking’s A Brief History of Time which has languished on the bookshelf for far too long. Alor’s song makes a philosophical companion; a clear high vocal over plaintive piano which resolves into a satisfying recurrent harmonic motif. The singer questions the nature of the universe with a sense of impending doom to arrive at a perceptive conclusion.
