New Music Friday gives love to some of the best rising indie acts this week.
1. Old Neon: “Nobody’s Burden”
Pittsburgh band Old Neon returns with “Nobody’s Burden.” Lead singer Drew Sipos’s clear vocal tone soars over a pop-punk beat as he sings a self-empowerment anthem. This song serves as a reminder that one person’s departure is never the end of the world: “I’ll get by just fine with or without you by my side.” The upbeat nature of the track maintains a positive and motivational tone.
2. DE’WAYNE: “biological”
DE’WAYNE is making a name for himself in the alternative rock scene with “biological.” This ’80s-inspired track talks about how perfect it is when two “freaks of nature” mesh so well that it’s unexplainable. In other words, love can feel very spiritual, and DE’WAYNE is unafraid to proclaim this truth as he sings with a slight vocal break: “Every time we get around each other it’s so iconic.”
3. World’s First Cinema: “End Of My Rope”
LA-based duo John Sinclair and Fil Thorpe, a.k.a. World’s First Cinema, bring indie greatness with “End Of My Rope.” Strings and piano welcome the listener as the main vocals tell a story of broken hope. However, the more upbeat chorus still hopes for healing through dramatic metaphor: “Maybe if the world stops turning my luck might turn in its place.”
4. The Ramona Flowers: “Human”
Alternative band The Ramona Flowers returns with a new single, “Human.” An acoustic guitar and punctual claps start the track when a “Muse”-like vocalist begins to sing. The music video features rehearsal clips, snippets of travels, radio shows, and fun moments from the band, enhancing the communal, organic feeling of the track. Embrace being human!
5. Gelli Haha: “Bounce House”
The playful Gelli Haha returns with a cartoonish track, “Bounce House.” This art-pop song and video immerse the listener in Gelli Haha’s unique artistic vision of bright colors, unconventional camera angles, and theatrical choreography. The highlight of this bouncy (yes, really) instrumental is the quirky use of vocals, including a repeating adlib that whispers “gelligelligelligelli.”