Connect with us

Artist Spotlight

TORONTO INDIE ROCK DUO SOFT SET RELEASE NEW SINGLE + VIDEO ‘MORE MORE MORE’

Toronto dream pop/indie rock duo Soft Set is back with a brand new single and video ‘More More More’, out now on all digital streaming platforms. ‘More More More’ is the first single from Soft Set’s new album Still Life set for release this summer. The bright, melancholic track features Mark Crozer (The Jesus and Mary Chain) on bass and was mastered by Simon Scott (Slowdive) at SPS Mastering studio in the UK.

Watch the video here.

“‘More More More’ is about loneliness and how people generally cope and sometimes never find happiness,” says vocalist Nathan Athay. “Most of the time, life doesn’t have Hollywood endings and you should cherish what you have and not waste precious time looking for things you don’t.”

The origin story for Soft Set begins with James Gray and Nathan Athay meeting for the first time in high school in Barrie, Ontario. It didn’t take long in their friendship for them to realize that they had a lot in common, especially when it came to their taste in music. Drawing on influences from iconic artists that have inspired them on their musical path—The Stone Roses, The Smiths, My Bloody Valentine, RIDE, Slowdive, Happy Mondays, The Boo Radleys, Mercury Rev—Soft Set’s music has something for everyone!

Advertisement

Soft Set released their debut EP Love and Dancing in 2020. RIDE’s Mark Gardener mixed the EP at his studio in Oxfordshire, UK (OX4 Sound). Their debut is full-length Still Life, which is mixed by Shae Brossard (Arcade Fire, Godspeed You! Black Emperor) and mastered by Slowdive’s Simon Scott, is set for release this summer.

‘More More More’ is available now on Spotify, Apple Music/iTunes, and other digital retailers and streaming services worldwide. For more info, please visit softsetmusic.com.

Advertisement

Artist Spotlight

“Little Louis” by Tom Collins turns an introspective heartache into life’s hopeful anthem

Tom Collins

Tom Collins presents himself as a captivating talent and noteworthy figure in contemporary songwriting, distinguished for conveying essential lifelines through his music. With his newest single, “Little Louis,” the rising indie artist has created something even more profound, luminous, and truly unforgettable, effectively exploring themes such as vulnerability and defiance. It marks an impressive advancement in his artistic evolution, exhibiting a blend of lyrical sincerity and nuanced storytelling that may soon establish him as a prominent vocalist within the timeless indie genre.

Upon the initial guitar strum of “Little Louis,” listeners are introduced to intricate guitar work and musical elements reminiscent of a late-night introspective revelation. As the composition progresses, it transforms into a resonant anthem for the morning, encapsulating the experiences of two young hearts, one boy and one girl, each burdened by challenging beginnings as they endeavor to move beyond the influences of their pasts towards uncertain futures. This track is a subtle yet powerful testament to those who courageously pursue their aspirations in a society that frequently neglects their struggles. It embodies the essence of a quietly confident anthem, symbolizing the journey of an individual who’s lived a little, experienced difficulties, and still dares to dream.

What makes “Little Louis” particularly special is its emotional duality, skillfully balancing elements of grit with tenderness and grandeur with intimacy, while simultaneously offering glimpses of hope. The chorus carries an undercurrent of resilience that resonates with the listener long after the final note fades. The composition establishes a dynamic tension by effectively contrasting themes of pain and perseverance, while juxtaposing the haunting shadows of the past with an aspirational quest for light. The instrumentation is rich yet tastefully restrained, featuring jangling guitar riffs, sweeping melodies, and deeply relatable lyricism, thereby fostering a visceral connection to the narrative for the audience.

Advertisement

Collins’ artistic trajectory aligns favorably with contemporaneous artists like Sam Fender, whose narrative-driven songwriting resonates with audiences similarly. He draws influences from Jamie Webster and The Hunna, both known for their sophisticated melodies and polished production techniques. Collins is navigating a grounded and humanistic path within the music industry, and his track “Little Louis” exemplifies this perspective. The song explores themes of heartbreak, the search for existential significance, and the innate desire for an introspective connection. It serves as a poignant reminder of the shared struggle for companionship and understanding amid life’s inherent challenges, positioning it as an essential inclusion for any discerning music enthusiast’s repertoire.

 
CLICK HERE TO STREAM Tom Collins’ Little Louis on Spotify.
CONNECT WITH Tom Collins | Instagram | Twitter | TikTok | Facebook |

Continue Reading

Artist Spotlight

PURE XTC stirs the emotional wheel of heartbreak with her anthemic new single “Drive”

PURE XTC

Alt-pop artist PURE XTC has delivered a heart-wrenching ballad with her latest single “Drive,” the sonic embodiment of emotional unraveling. This track doesn’t just play through your speakers; it resonates deep within your bones, showcasing PURE XTC’s most cinematic moment yet that feels like the soundtrack to a breakup you didn’t see coming until it was already behind you.

Co-written by Taylor Hughes with lyrical contributions from Mariel Loveland, “Drive” encapsulates the gut-wrenching moment when love unravels quietly, culminating in a profound realization. It deviates from the typical narratives of angry outbursts or dramatic breakdowns; instead, it focuses on the slow deterioration of love, capturing the ache of recognizing that someone you once believed was your forever has become a stranger sitting beside you. It conveys a sense of surrender wrapped in reverb, portraying a state of being too exhausted to fight, too numb to hope, and simply ready to move on, not necessarily forward, but away.

Musically, the track features hypnotic synths and reverb-drenched guitars that shimmer like streetlights on wet pavement. The steady beat mimics the rhythm of a long drive with no destination, fueled solely by the urge to keep moving. Hughes’ vocal performance paints a vivid soundscape that feels like emotional release in motion, a moody companion for late-night solitude.

Advertisement

What makes “Drive” compelling is its honest restraint and refusal to glamorize heartbreak. Instead, it embraces the ambiguity and messy emotions involved in letting go, ironically making it resonate even more. The vulnerability present isn’t just in the lyrics; it permeates every layered sound and tension that never quite resolves.

PURE XTC isn’t merely creating music; she’s building an intimate and vast sonic universe. With this release, she solidifies her status as a master of emotional storytelling through sound, demonstrating her ability to transform the messiest feelings into something beautifully haunting. Buckle up as she invites listeners into her world, one that lingers long after the last note fades.

CLICK HERE TO STREAM PURE XTC’s Drive on Spotify.
CONNECT WITH PURE XTC | Instagram | TikTok

Continue Reading

Video Of The Week

Trending