The Weeknd, Dua Lipa, and Gaga putting out 80s inspired albums may have resulted with the resurgence of the sound. I hear more tracks right now that have that particular 80s sound – the Yamaha DX7 synth patch that became hugely popular in the 80s and 90s for its electric piano and synth sounds. I have a warm spot for the 80’s and maybe that’s why I like the track Electric by Daniel Saint Black. The singer-songwriter is from New Mexico and worked with Johnny Simmen, a Nashville based producer and writer. His goal as an artist? “To make the world a better place, one conversation and song at a time.” Give it a stream on KOAR’s: Indie Invaders Playlist.

I gave David Ost a shoutout in April with the track Some Of Your Songs which I really liked a lot. I’m not the biggest indie folk fan but David Ost can turn me into one because his tracks speak. They say something. Now the singer-songwriter just dropped another great track called The Deep End. Bouncing back and forth between Germany and Scotland, he now resides in Hamburg. Give it a stream.

I quickly added Sad Sometimes by Emma Oliver who teamed up with loyalties to our Invaders Playlist. You’ll like it especially if your sad. Maybe you’ll find comfort. This is a debut song from the loyalties (Dan Stringer and Michael Kanne). The duo who has worked with with Lauryn Hill, X Ambassadors and Johnny Stimson while Emma Oliver who is a popular TikToker. If you want to know more about Emma you can check out this interview.

NYC/South Africa Lee Cole will release a new single Pink Dragons next month. The latest release I Don’t Wanna Wait is still gaining traction having landed on several playlist after getting picked up on South Africa radio. It landed on Spotify’s South Africa Viral 50 as well as Spotify’s New From NYC: Pop New York Pop, and Apple’s Heartbreak Playlist. The soon to be released Pink Dragons falls in the same vein of this sad boy pop songs.

Check out the new track Karmic Lemonade by Velvet Starlings. Indie rock fans could love this. This is the second track from their Love Everything, Love Everyone EP which was recorded at CAVE Studios in Echo Park and mastered by Brian Lucey (Black Keys, Arctic Monkeys, Beck, Royal Blood). The band is made up of Christian Gisborne, a 17 year old singer-songwriter. Drawing comparisons to Arctic Monkeys, White Stripes or Ty Segall the band has toured internationally garnering support from BBC, Amazing Radio ,KROQ, Sirius XM and performed shows at Hi Hat (L.A.), The Hotel Café (L.A.) Casbah (San Diego) The Basement (Nashville). as well as legendary Cavern club (UK) & King Tuts (Scotland) Give it a stream.