Week 7: 11.02.2024 - 17.02.2024
A snapshot of the major music releases for the week.
Hi Pal,
Before we get into it, I’d like to welcome all those who subscribed this past week.
Friends Like These — Dan Stirling
Alternative Pop Fusion (Album)
Collaborative albums can be hit or miss depending on who is sitting at the helm of things. With Dan Stirling driving this project, with a feature list of some of the best and fastest-growing artists on the Christian indie scene, I have only good things to say about this album. Every single accentuates the unique qualities of the featured artists — the soulful feel of Praise Lubangu, the experimental trip-hop elements of Civilized Creature, the synthwave vibes of Adryelle and many more — and it's all tied together by his consistent production.
Wherever Kingdom — Civilized Creature, Comewme
Trip-Hop (Single)
Speaking of Civilized Creature, he also has a new single out. This is his second of the year and I can usually tell by the creative direction of his song arts that a new project is on the way. This is a pretty cool tune that assures us of the comforting presence of God and Comewme kills it with the horns.
Keep Your Eyes On Jesus — Braden Drake
Psychpop (Single)
Braden Drake is back in all his weirdness and I am here for it. I love his sound so much because there aren’t many artists that do the things he does. This song is pretty self-explanatory from a lyrical standpoint and the title says it all. However, as always, where Braden Drake shines is in his delivery — big synths, hazy vocals and bright pianos.
There Is A Light — Medical Morning
Progressive Shoegaze (Single)
Speaking of returns, Medical Morning is back and I am almost in tears typing this. He dropped a unique shoegaze worship EP in 2019 and disappeared for five years. This song is a fine return to form, starting as a warm piano ballad with spacey vocals and building up to a satisfying climax with drony guitars. It’s a song of hope and faith even in the battles and darkness of life.
You’ll Never Forsake Me — Mountains in the Sea
Indie Pop, Indie Rock (Single)
Every discovery for me is a recipe for a great listening session. This is my introduction to this duo and it’s a great entry into their music. It’s a song about the dependability of God and let’s just say that I will be giving their self-titled debut album (2020) a listen very soon. I highly recommend them to those who have not heard them yet.
The Way It Works — The One Takers
Roots Rock (Single)
I already spoke about this one at length a couple of days ago (see here). Roots rock is a fascinating genre, to say the least, and these guys know what they are doing. Narrowing it down to this specific tune, it has a reflective message about the place of a career in the grand scheme of life and finding fulfilment in it. Please give it a listen.
If You’d Let Me — Skye Peterson
Indie/Alternative (Single)
One thing I admire about Skye Peterson is how adaptable she is. I’ve heard her sing folk, indie rock (especially on the project Wake Low) and fusion alternative. No matter what she does, there is a consistent soothing quality to her approach and it’s very present here in this calming tune. It’s a tune sung from God’s perspective, asking us to let him into the situations and circumstances of our lives. There’s deep assurance and conviction in the lyrics and that’s what I love about it.
Where I Found Life — Ben Trip, Praise Lubangu
Alternative Folk (Single)
When I’m looking for emotive indie/alternative folk with expressive personal lyricism and depth; there are three artists on the scene I usually turn to, and Ben Trip is one of them. I don’t know how he does it and I’m hoping we get an album of sorts this year. It’s a lovely song that reminds us of the sacrifice of Christ and His deep love for us. Also, Praise Lubangu can do anything, can’t she?
Mind Your Business (1 Thessalonians 4:9-12) — Wind and Sail
Alternative (Single)
I have to confess, I chuckled a lot listening to this song. I’m someone that finds a lot of humour in scripture and these verses always make me laugh. So it was refreshing to hear Graham and Abby capture, what I believe is the essence of these scriptures. Anyone who has been here long enough knows how much I adore this duo.
scared — Karissa Frampton
Pop (Single)
I know I have said this sometime before but Karissa Frampton is quickly becoming my favourite alt-pop artist. Whether she is singing a worship song with Godly reverence or singing about the vulnerabilities of the human experience, there is a sincerity to her that is palpable to me. I have loved everything that she has released so far, and long may it continue.
That’s it for today.
Catch you at the next one!
Feel free to leave a comment. Also, I am always open to hearing from you so feel free to send an email to me at
stismavo@gmail.com