Indie

Americana duo Dorsten Release New Music

In their new single “To the River,” Americana duo Dorsten continue to develop their sharp tandem tonal attack with larger-than-life harmonies that could make anyone into a fan of modern roots music. “To the River” has all the cosmetics of a true indie-pop song; a big hook, an easygoing groove, and a pair of players in Dorsten that can give life to just about any hook they get their hands on, but the mechanics of the track have a lot more in common with vintage folk music than they do anything else. There are a lot of layers to peel back in this act’s sound, but no matter how you take their music or which genre you choose to classify it as there’s no getting around the simple fact that they’ve got more talent than most anyone in their southwestern peer group at the moment.

Everything in this song revolves around preserving the authenticity of the harmony, which most indie artists would take issue with right out of the gate. There’s often no room in the mix for eliminating the artificialities that come with propping up skyscraper-sized hooks when making conventional pop music, but that’s where Dorsten’s folk ethic comes into play. They’re going out of their way to make sure there’s a little bit of a swing to their shared vocal delivery, and within the substance of the harmony itself, we find a lot of unrefined, humble tonality that lets us know we’re listening to something real and tangible. It’s not a bastion of the revivalist movement, but rather a more virginal era of the Americana genre they’re drawing inspiration from here.

https://open.spotify.com/album/7fGo6G0ysyZCh9Co8Lcjl3

Even with its subtle bassline being factored into the equation, the groove in this track is heavy enough to get us moving to the beat steadily from the get-go. I’m not one hundred percent certain, but if I were to make an educated guess, I’d say that Dorsten wanted to make a point of demonstrating how little they need to depend on external resources when crafting something original in the studio with “To the River.” The irony comes in the form of the lyrical content, which alludes to pop culture in the bluntest of fashions, amidst a backdrop that is born of something removed from cosmopolitan artistry altogether.

The underground is always producing new talent, no matter what genre of music we’re discussing, but when it comes to folk and its many factions, its latest export in Dorsten proves that the state isn’t losing its touch by any means. This has been an intriguing time for Americana, and specifically for folk-pop crossover artists, but in “To the River,” I think we can hear shades of a newly evolved sound coming from these two that will be more than worth following up with in the future. They’ve still got time to keep growing, but as of this moment, this brother and sister act is among my top indie folk bands to watch as we get closer to 2024.

Bradley McClure

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Artist Spotlight

Mr. Husband unveils a foot-tapping truths and heartland fire on latest release “Is It Real?”

Mr. Husband returns with an engaging, refreshingly authentic release in “Is It Real?”, an uptempo heartland-rocker that walks a fine line between familiarity and originality with remarkable ease. The track is built on a unique lap-steel-through-womb tone element, creating a sound that is both open and entirely its own, pulling the listener into an emotional musical journey from the very first note.

The song starts with a carefully crafted drumline that instantly sets the momentum. The guitar and bass come in. They blend easily to create a warm, energetic base. A subtle tambourine quietly weaves its way through the arrangement, never asserting itself but adding just enough texture to keep the rhythm alive and kicking.

The opening lyrics of “Is It Real?” are contemplative, with the arresting first lines “I’ve been bottoming out tonight, I’ve been wondering if I’m going anywhere, a little hope is hard to find.” Many listeners will immediately recognise the sense of uncertainty and searching in these words. But rather than wallow in uncertainty, the song channels those feelings into something more positive, driven by its propulsive instrumentation and infectious groove.

“Is It Real?” is the kind of track that gets your head nodding and your feet tapping without trying too hard. There’s a real feel to the energy, grounded in solid songwriting and a genuine desire to connect with the listener rather than impress. The tune has a classic heartland-rock feel to it, but there are some sonic touches that make it stand out and give it its own identity.

Connect with Mr. Husband on Spotify || Instagram || Facebook || Youtube

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Artist Spotlight

BESSIE blends emotional depth with futuristic energy on new release “Stay With Me”

BESSIE is an artist who continues to prove that he is a versatile crowd-mover with his latest single, “Stay With Me.” This captivating release merges the emotional pull of a love song with the vibrant textures of hyperpop, EDM, and techno. BESSIE’s knack for adapting to any vibe and blending different styles of house music with ease is what we know him for, and that same creative spirit is brought to this deeply engaging track.

The opening track, “Stay With Me,” instantly transports the listener to a dream world of ethereal synths and smooth melodic textures. The production offers the perfect setting for the song’s emotional story to play out. At its heart, the song is about someone who is trying so hard to hold onto a relationship, begging a loved one not to go away, but to stay.

You can feel the lyrical theme in the emotion of moments like the line, “we ain’t got time to restart,” which echoes the urgency of wanting to hold onto something meaningful before it’s gone. It’s those feelings that help anchor the song, making it feel relatable on a personal level despite the modern sonic approach.

In “Stay With Me,” BESSIE masters the blend of heartfelt storytelling and forward-thinking production. The result is a memorable release that feels emotional, uplifting, and sonically adventurous – a track that urges the listener to hold on to what matters most while enjoying every beat along the way.

Connect with BESSIE on Spotify || Instagram || Soundcloud