It’s not an exaggeration when I say that music is one of the things I could never live without. I’ll throw on a song every chance I get, and connecting over artists is one of my favorite ways to get to know people and their personalities.
A favorite tradition with one of my friends has thus become sending each other our “song of the day.” While we don’t actually keep up with it on a daily basis, a few recommendations a week has made a big difference in discovering new artists and simply reminding us of old ones. Not only have I come across hidden gems myself by deciding on a song of the day, but I’ve also been introduced to many of my current favorite songs this way–it’s truly so fun to represent the events and people of the day through music, keeping our playlists interesting and tastes dynamic.
So on that note, reporting back on recent finds, here are five bands that I’ve come to love through this system and you could too:
1. Current Blue
A band that originates from Charleston, South Carolina, Current Blue brings music with a uniquely intimate, moody tone that’s most comparable to bedroom pop and alt-R&B. Their songs carry a consistent personality, with smooth, atmospheric sound and recognizable rhythms that have become irresistible to me. They feel particularly fitting for the cozy fall and winter season at Brown, and it’s truly hard to go wrong with this band.
Personal Favorites Songs:
- “fever dream”
- “unsure”
- “drive – remastered”
2. Mo Lowda & the Humble
Offering satisfying instrumentals and a relaxed mood, Mo Lowda & the Humble is an indie rock band hailing from Philadelphia. I came across them by chance the other day, and have quickly fallen in love with the reflective and comforting feeling of their songs. I’ve seen them compared to Kings of Leon, and while I certainly do see similarities in their voice and styles, I’d generally describe Mo Lowda’s music as more mellow.
Personal Favorite Songs:
- “Sara’s Got Big plans”
- “The Way Home”
- “7.31”
3. DOPE LEMON
The musical alias of Australian artist Angus Stone, DOPE LEMON offers a dreamy and psychedelic take on alt and indie rock. A friend from home actually introduced me to them last year, and I quickly fell in love with their smooth, funky rhythms and the mellow pace of the music. We actually ended up seeing them in concert this past summer, and I can’t recommend them enough. You’ll want to approach their music with an open mind, as it’s definitely the type that gets better the more you listen.
Personal Favorite Songs:
- “Marinade”
- “Uptown Folks”
- “Sugarcat”
4. Spacey Jane
Another Australian band, Spacey Jane brings emotionally-charged, melodic songs that feel true to the indie pop genre, along with alt rock influences as well. This is another artist I discovered this year, and “Feeding the Family” was the song that originally drew me to them; I will note that “Feeding the Family” is more upbeat than most of their music, which tends to lean a bit more introspective and raw. Spacey Jane is highly comparable to Del Water Gap by my standards, so I’d recommend checking them out if that strikes a chord.
Personal Favorite Songs:
- “Feeding the Family”
- “Booster Seat”
- “Through My Teeth”
5. Nicholas Creus
Nicholas Creus is truly a hidden gem for catchy, feel good rhythms. The song “Watchin” might sound familiar as it’s blown up a bit on social media – which is admittedly how I found this artist – but his talent for nostalgic tones and beautiful riffs keeps me coming back for more. Some of his songs are even purely instrumental, making them a nice choice for study sessions and simply enjoying the sweet sounds he’s crafted.
Personal Favorite Songs:
- “Buddy”
- “something about her”
- “Need You Now”
Though this is by no means an exhaustive list, these artists have certainly been my favorite finds as of late. So, if you’re in a music drought, here’s your sign to give these picks a try, and maybe even try out our “song of the day” system–I promise you won’t regret it! After all, whether your day yields a nostalgic throwback or a killer new find, good music is good music all the same.