5 minute read

Top of The Drop

GIC광주국제교류센터

By Daniel J. Springer

Each month, Daniel Springer of the Gwangju Foreign Language Network (GFN) picks his favorite newly released tunes that you may not have heard yet, along with some upcoming albums and EPs that you might want to keep on your radar. — Ed.

DANIELLE PONDER – “ROLL THE CREDITS”

Not one to rest on the laurels of success, the Upstate NY artist and former public defender now based down in the big city dropped one of our favorite albums of 2022 with Some of Us Are Brave. This latest single and first of 2023 for Ponder is a loving but rather brooding slap in the face with just a hint of western afterglow, with Ponder in a press release stating that finding the almighty in things is just a matter of paying attention. It’s nigh on impossible not to do so in enraptured fashion at this point with each release.

LES IMPRIMÉS – “FALLING AWAY”

Speaking of paying attention, if you’re amongst the very select crowd of this space’s regular readers, you both deserve a medal and will know that despite the French moniker, this is the project of Sweden’s multi-everything Morten Martens, who has thrilled with the first few singles to his previously unannounced debut album. Well, we finally have the information on the album, as Big Crown Records is out with Rêverie on August 11, and unfortunately, you’ll have to look up the very complex translation of that word from French to English, as there simply isn’t the space to do so here. This latest single out May 9 is a soaring yet soothing bit of rimshot- and sitar-punctuated smoothness, with the singles batting 1.000 so far.

LAUREL CANYON – “MADAME HIT THE WIRE”

Admittedly, we kind of slept on this album with our last column, but props for the reminder to

Arturo Andrade, who is the cohost of The Curmudgeon Rock Report.[1] This is a band out of Philly who most certainly does not sound like whatever music you’re thinking of upon reading the moniker, trust me. Their self-titled debut album is a thumping, thrashing bit of rock that puts the guitar right in the center of your living space, sure to up the amperage on even the drowsiest of days.

LUNAR ISLES – “WHEN IT’S GONE”

Another favorite of these pages, the Korea-based project of Scottish DIY producer David Skimming is out with his latest LP as of April 14 called Right Way Round. Skimming was formerly based in Cheongju but is now calling Seoul home, and this album continues in the vein of dreaming, beaming surf rock-inspired indie. Right Way Round also notably comes on the heels of Skimming putting out two albums and two EPs in the last three years, so don’t let the languid sound fool you, as this is a prolific artist to be given a serious ear.

FEEBLE LITTLE HORSE – “STEAMROLLER”

This is a band out of Pittsburgh that has this infectious sound that straddles noise pop and shoegaze, with this tune dropping on their latest album Girl with Fish, not out in full until June 9. The group has become something of a cult hit since their debut, and it seems that popularity is a reflection of this quartet of best friends simply having a ton of fun playing music together. Of course, that’s just to start, and this album’s singles have been a reflection of a growing maturity and confidence in themselves, making this an album to keep an eye out for.

THEE MARLOES – “MIDNIGHT HOUR”

This is a trio out of Indonesia that has been working since the late aughts as Thee Marloes Rhythm, and the group has simplified the moniker after signing with El Michels and Big Crown. The accompanying video to this brass-enmeshed bit of nostalgic soul is a brilliantly colorful and hazy side kiss as the band readies to drop their still officially unannounced debut album later this year.

THE IRONSIDES – “OUTLINES”

This crew out of California has not put out a whole lot of work on their own, but the membership includes members of Monophonics, so you know they have been busier than most. Last month saw the Bay Area cinematic soul warriors drop their debut album via Colemine Records called Changing Light, and this tune, the final single in the lead-up to the album drop, features a 22-piece orchestra putting together a languid, lush bit of cinematic soul that is simply some of the best you’ll ever have the pleasure of hearing.

ALICE PHOEBE LOU – “OPEN MY DOOR”

Since being discovered busking on the streets of Berlin, this artist out of South Africa has simply gotten better and better with each release. With indie rock stylings that can be at once earnest, unflinchingly honest, and infectiously playful, Phoebe Lou is always a surprise no matter how familiar you are. This second single to Phoebe Lou’s upcoming album is a warm mix of soul and indie folk with a few unexpected twists along the way and sees the artist searching for a new way of living and self-care. The album, still unannounced officially, is due out later this year.

CLAIRO – “FOR NOW”

For most people watching the unceasing gun crisis from outside the United States, it is a completely befuddling thing to witness day after day. Rather than making a song that on its face is explicitly political after the Nashville school shooting on March 28, Clairo decided to put out this sparse and beautiful one-off single for charity to benefit For the Gworls[2] and Everytown for Gun Safety.[3]

BOSUDONGCOOLER – “JAMES”

Busan has for the longest time put out some of the best indie rock in the country, and a huge part of that is this veteran quartet, who debuted back in 2017. This latest single is a continuation of their focus on the multifaceted and conflicted emotions of simple existence, and the chorus is performed ably by fellow indie risers hathaw9y.

26FIX – “STONE KILLER”

For those listening to this funk-tinged bit of indie rock thinking this artist must have an expansive discography and years of experience, that’s somewhat incorrect but take heart, as you’re very far from being alone in thinking so. 26fix is the moniker of Erica Goodwin, who hails from Salt Lake City, and this tune would only be the artist’s fourth single to date. Obviously, a bright future beckons.

The Author

Daniel J. Springer (aka “Danno”) is the creator, host, writer, editor, and producer of “The Drop with Danno,” broadcasting nightly on GFN 98.7 FM in Gwangju and 93.7 FM in Yeosu from 8 to10 p.m. Prior to this, he was a contributor to several shows on TBS eFM in Seoul, along with being the creator and co-host of “Spacious” and “White Label Radio” on WNUR in Chicago. You can find “The Damyang Drop,” his monthly collaborative playlist with The Damyang House, on YouTube and Spotify. Instagram, Twitter, Facebook: @gfnthedrop