Everything changes with the weather – drink preferences, weekend plans, clothing – including the music that accompanies our daily routines. Here are a few artists who are either lesser-known, releasing new music or just plain perfect for spring.
Aer
Rap? Reggae? Indie rock? Aer has it all, and is currently pushing a new single, “By A Mile.” This duo of fun-loving, laid back California natives have been tight since they met in elementary school, and recorded their first two mix tapes and an EP before their high school graduation in 2011.
That”s right – this band”s journey began not long ago. Now is the time to get hooked, before they get big. Though they”ve been compared to artists like Radical Something and Shwayze, I have yet to find anyone quite like the guys from Aer. Whether I”m studying, driving or looking for the next song to queue up at a party, Aer is a go-to.
Some tracks for new listeners to try include “Floats My Boat,” “Feel I Bring,” “Like the Way,” “One Of A Kind” and “Throw It Back” – but the best thing to do with this band is find it”s artist profile on Spotify and simply hit shuffle to sample all three incredible albums released since 2012.
Lyndsie Kiebert
Argonaut
Holiday Friends
This band formed in Moscow not long ago, and is now based out of Astoria, Oregon. They”ve been consistently on tour but recently released a new EP, “Spring Sting.”
Yet, the band really shines on their first full-length release from 2014, “Major Magic,” which features memorable tracks like “Spirit Girl” and “Father Of Science.” Holiday Friends has a bright sound, with hints of “80s vibes and thumping bass.
This band appeared on my radar after seeing them play at Mikey”s Gyros a couple weeks ago. The show was on a Monday night, and the resulting crowd was disappointing, but there”s nothing like the euphoria that comes with live music. The intimate setting and the musicians” goofiness made me love their music even more.
Zayn
I was never a huge One Direction fan, but I will admit that I dabbled during the “Midnight Memories” years. When Zayn Malik left the band just over a year ago, I had some seriously devastated friends. I hope those same friends are listening to Zayn”s first solo album, released at the end of March, because his work is the absolute opposite of disappointing.
At first I was torn. “This guy is from One Direction,” I thought. “I shouldn”t be so enamored with his style.” Well, I am.
“Mind Of Mine” is a complex album in terms of production and sound, with no hint of the peppy, teenage boy band work of his past. Zayn”s new work is dark, often sensual and danceable in places. Depsite “PILLOWTALK” making it so big as the first single from the album, “BoRdErSz,” “sHE” and “dRuNk” I think show off Zayn”s unique style even more so.
Ben Howard
I”m gradually becoming more and more bitter that this English singer-songwriter hasn”t put out new music in almost two years, but my impatience only reflects my undying (and often obsessive) love for his work.
He is included in this list because no artist has ever exemplified springtime as well. He is often labeled in the same category as Bon Iver and James Vincent McMorrow, but also sounds nothing like them.
For those new to Howard”s music, good songs to start with are “Under The Same Sun,” “Old Pine,” I Forget Where We Were” and “Keep Your Head Up.” His indie folk style and lyrics encompass triumph, despair and new beginnings. So as I wait for Howard to promise new music, I”ll be bringing in spring with his already timeless tunes.
Lyndsie Kiebert can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @lyndsie_kiebert