Juice – Konoha
Originating in Boston and now residing in New York, seven-piece, alt-R’n’B-pop group Juice, focus in on self-growth with their latest track ‘Konoha’. Inspired by the classic anime Naruto, of which the title track derives from, ‘Konoha’s multifaceted style brings together the sense of community and shared creativity that you’d expect from a band with seven members. Juice piece together early ’00s R’n’B with Bloc Party styled indie rock on ‘Konoha’, culminating into a blend of “alt-pop’n’B” that transcends genre expectations; making them sound like the next truly iconic band.
Psychobuildings – Inside Out
Another New York artists next, with Psychobuildings and ‘Inside Out’. Animated by Andy Cahill, the video for Psychobuildings ‘Inside Out’ is a trippy children’s cartoon made specifically for adults, journeying through psycho-pop and funk, riding on giant yellow creatures, before exploring the great expanses of the outer world. For those in lockdown, ‘Inside Out’ will feel all too familiar, as the springing worm shattering the ceiling of its home to break out is weirdly relatable now.
Grace Joyner – Hung The Moon
It’s been six years since we last featured Grace Joyner on Velvet, and oh my have we been missing out! The Charleston artist dropped the second single ‘Hung The Moon’ from her upcoming sophomore LP “Settle In” (out April 24th), a hazy, synth-pop number that is a pure delight. Joyner’s style of alt-folk mixed with synth-pop flows effortlessly into pseudo-visual cinematic territory, allowing the mind to conjure up its most beautiful landscape and get lost in the gorgeous world of Grace Joyner’s work.
Do Nothing – Fits
Nottingham’s Do Nothing share their love for family members on ‘Fits’, taken from their “Zero Dollar Bill” EP, released last Friday. Cast through the lens of post-punk rockers traversing through pop territory; vocalist Chris Bailey’s declaration of love for his older brother sounds sarcastic at first but is filled with unfiltered emotion. ‘Fits’ choppy-aesthetic of indie rock blended with snarky-sounding post-punk lyricism is reminiscent of Maxïmo Park during their earliest work and leaves nothing but excitement for what’s to come from Do Nothing.
Keiynan Lonsdale – Gay Street Fighter
If you were unaware that Australian actor Keiynan Lonsdale also made music, then join the club, however, ‘Gay Street Fighter’ is reason enough to quit sleeping on this queer artist. Kicking off with an introduction that is rooted in classic hip-hop, amplified by the same energy that Big Freedia radiates then blasting out a killer funk groove, Lonsdale brings to life a new queer-anthem, encouraging us all to fight against ongoing homophobia. Rooted in disco and moving in on ‘heterosexual-territory’, ‘Gay Street Fighter’ is an abrupt reminder of the fight that’s still going on.
velvetindependent.com 