Music

Wotts Takes a Nostalgic Leap with “Be Kind,” a Bridge into Indie Pop Future

In the ever-evolving landscape of indie pop, Canadian duo Wotts is back with a bang and emerges as a captivating musical force to be reckoned with. Their latest offering, “Be Kind,” is a testament to their musical prowess, blending influences from the 90s with a contemporary twist that creates a unique and nostalgic auditory journey, leaving a lasting impression. They have gained recognition by performing at RBC Bluesfest, Canadian Music Week, and Junofest. Their latest single, “Be Kind,” is a beautiful addition to their collection of songs.

Wotts, hailing from Ottawa, Canada, is no stranger to experimentation, and “Be kind” is a testament to their willingness to push boundaries. After the well-received EP “Garden,” the duo decided to revisit their roots, embracing the sounds of the 90s. The result is a track that expertly fuses modern rock elements and retro influences, marking a departure from their signature 80s-inspired sound. This band, consisting of the talented vocalist, multi-instrumentalist Jayem, and the versatile bassist/guitarist Ricky 100, has taken a bold step into the world of the 90s and steadily made waves in the indie music scene.

The lyrics of “Be Kind” resonate deeply with a universal theme of farewells and unspoken goodbyes to the people they never had a chance to find closure with. Jayem’s hauntingly emotive lines, such as “Goodbye! So long, am yours, can’t think of nothing” and “Hope you got somebody to love, doesn’t matter that you really matter now or before,” evoke a sense of longing and introspection. These words paint a picture of parting ways with a touch of melancholic nostalgia, echoing the sentiment of the 90s.

One fascinating aspect of Wotts’ creative process is their reliance on 90s films and shows as inspiration. This method shines through in “Be Kind,” infusing the song with an atmospheric quality that feels like the perfect auditory experience, transporting listeners to a cinematic scene from a 90s indie movie. It’s a testament to the duo’s ability to craft music that resonates and tells a story.

The duo handled every aspect of its creation, from recording to production and mixing, showcasing Wotts’ dedication with Do-It-Yourself spirit and commitment to their musical craft. This hands-on approach has allowed them to craft an authentic and deeply personal song.

Wotts, a talented duo, is worth watching and listening out for, as they promised to release more music soon. Wotts’ music stays fresh and exciting while paying homage to their influences. Their commitment to pushing musical boundaries and experimenting with new sounds guarantees their upcoming releases will continue to amaze and delight their expanding fanbase.

With “Be Kind,” Wotts cements their position as one of the indie pop scene’s rising stars. In the words of Ricky 100, “We’re super excited to share more songs with everyone.” And indeed, fans eagerly anticipate listening to the next phase of their musical journey. Wotts are a great choice to add to any music playlist in their genre, a refreshing reminder that creativity knows no bounds, even in a world where music often feels formulaic. So, dear music enthusiasts, let’s embrace “Be kind” as a beautiful musical bridge to what Wotts has in store for us.

CLICK HERE TO STREAM Wotts’ “Be Kind“ on Spotify.

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Artist Spotlight

“Subterranean Homesick Blues” finds a new direction through Ghost of Panama

Rearranging a song that carries six decades of cultural weight is a creative challenge, but Ghost of Panama approaches “Subterranean Homesick Blues” with clear purpose. The rock band radically reworks Bob Dylan’s counter-culture hit, reshaping its identity while keeping its rebellious spirit. It’s a tribute to musical heritage and a statement of artistic independence all in one.

This new interpretation is very much shaped by the production, made at Ghost of Panama’s home studio in West London. The setting allows an intimate approach to reinterpreting a familiar song and lets the group engage directly with the material, taking it in a new artistic direction.

“Subterranean Homesick Blues” centers on the tension between conservation and transformation. Ghost of Panama is true to the song’s rebellious spirit without adding to its legacy, and this approach gives the release an adventurous feel, grounded in countercultural energy but driven by a desire to see what the composition can become in a different musical context.

Their version of this 60-year-old classic shows that respecting a song’s history can also mean breaking the rules and finding new ways to express its spirit. Fundamentally, “Subterranean Homesick Blues” presents Ghost of Panama as artists who want to engage with the past without being tied to it. The release’s strongest identity is a familiar heritage reimagined through a singularly forward-looking creative vision.

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Artist Spotlight

“NO MORE” by Amanda Holley connects healing, awakening, and survival

“NO MORE“ carries that kind of emotional weight, and some songs feel like they come from lived experience but reach for something bigger. Amanda Holley blends R&B and soul, turning a lifetime of survival into a vision of healing, awakening, and the determination to move beyond what caused the pain.

“NO MORE“ is a healing anthem for people who have gone through bad experiences and reached a place of higher awareness, but it’s also an emotionally charged protest. The duality is introspective and outward-looking at the same time, turning personal survival into a broader declaration that some experiences, conditions, or cycles should end.

Holley had a premonition of the song six months before the world went into global shutdown. In the vocal booth, working out melodies with her collaborators, she pictured people in the streets. Those images were hard to imagine at the time, but subsequent events would make them painfully familiar.

“NO MORE“ is given a particularly contemplative underpinning by the context. The identity of R&B and soul leaves room for emotion. The song’s themes link survival, awakening, resistance, and the need for change. Amanda Holley is an artist using music to process personal endurance and a broader sense of social awakening. It’s got a complicated significance, and its release feels like a glimpse of a moment when personal intuition and public reality collided in an unexpected way.

Photo Credit: Yulia Shusharina