Canadian born singer-songwriter Susie Yankou also known as BARKLEY recently dropped the new track 3AM along with a music video. The LA/Toronto based singer cites electro pop artists Lorde, Charli XCX, and Tove Lo as influences. Featured on a flurry of tastemakers, ‘3AM‘ is a well crafted pop anthem that everybody can relate to. With lyrics like ‘Why you always chatty when it’s 4am? Thought that it was time to go, Barkley explains “You roll your eyes when they hit you up every Friday night, but you know you’ll probably have a magical time, until it’s over and they ignore you for another 6 days.” Check out the track.

Mavenne releases the catchy single Beating Drum. Although her debut track is very commercial, the 16 year old songwriter and producer likes to consider herself more electro-pop and alternative. If you think about it, dream pop which came out of the 80’s, has rarely birthed mega HITS and big stars with the exception of artists like Lana Del Rey. Why? Maybe because the songs are a bit depressing and the lyrics are existential. That’s why Mavenne could take it to the next level. Simply, the Ohio native is creating radio-worthy dream pop that has big choruses and hooks. Additionally, she plans to roll out more tracks in the coming months.
ryan@clutch32.com

KROWNS releases the debut single High While The World Ends. The track is a nice blend of alternative and electronic borrowing from the hit ingredients that made Twenty One Pilots successful. And it sounds like a SMASH! The alternative three-piece from Canada sound like a mature outfit probably due to the production that was helmed by the seasoned Stephen Kozmeniuk (Nicki Minaj,Kendrick Lamar) and Todd Clark (Phillip Phillips). Check it out!
ojedajeff@gmail.com, krownsmusic@gmail.com

Wander Marchal releases her debut single Sacred. It’s definitely a great introduction and refreshing. The vintage soul track is not overly-produced and is laced with horns and a electric guitar. This track is all about the vocal, and it’s stellar. Marchal isn’t just revealing her singing chops but she is bearing her soul the minute the song opens. Marchal notes, “Sacred is about lost hope in a deteriorating un-holy relationship. That moment when boundaries of trust and respect no longer exist. My ex and I devolved into an emotional free-for-all, as we began to hurt each other in ways we never expected. Through our downfall, we uncovered the ugliest parts of ourselves.” Check it out!

Nashville indie act Birdtalker appears to be an artist on the rise. Their track Heavy that came off their first full length clocked over 22 millions streams without any major music label support. Now, they just released a new track Outside The Lines that has timeless melancholic melodies reminiscent to Simon & Garfunkel’s Sound of Silence, but lyrically more thought provoking. I think the ‘The Sound Of Silence’ appealed to the masses because of the hooky melody coupled with simplicity of words. With Birdtalker, you may need to pick up college reading material. I do think this band could achieve wider appeal, but the preachy-sophisticated topics could keep them in the same circle of songwriters. The band just wrapped up performances in Brooklyn, NY at Rough Trade and Nashville’s The Basement East.
erik@missingpiecegroup.com, birdtalkermusic@gmail.com