Today's Top Tune

Haerts is the creative union of singer-songwriter Nini Fabi and multi-instrumentalist/composer Ben Gebert — a duo born in Munich, Germany, and artistically reborn in New York City. Their fourth album, Laguna Road, unfolds as a confessional portrait of family life and the beautiful chaos of building a world together.

Here’s a glimpse of that story with “The Lie,” a song you’ll likely hear live when they take the stage at The Echo on November 13.

(Haerts)

Grammy-winning production and songwriting duo Bob Moses have just released their new album, BLINK. Much of the record was created in a kind of long-distance isolation, with Tom Howie in Los Angeles and Jimmy Vallance in New York, exchanging demos back and forth. They shaped the album by building ideas separately before meeting in various cities to bring the songs to life together.

BLINK poses a poignant question: “How do you reconcile the desire to live a meaningful life with the realization that it’s fleeting — that you can’t hold onto things for too long?” The answer lies in the album’s centerpiece, “Keep Love Waiting” (Feat. CRi).

Singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and modern poet Bryce Connolly — better known as Mindchatter — has a way with both words and beats. “Don’t Trust A Thought,” from his forthcoming album Giving Up On Words (out November 7), delivers a powerful reminder not to believe every fleeting thought that crosses our minds — sometimes, it’s just noise.

(Maison Arts)

A celebration of sapphic awakening and the sensuality of vulnerability, Emeline’s “Emotional Virgin” marks her first love song following her first romantic relationship with a woman. Independently released after parting ways with a major label, the track captures the raw honesty of letting one’s guard down in love.

Alaska-bred, Portland-based band Portugal. The Man has a way of keeping fans warm with their particular brand of pop. Their new record SHISH is set for release on Nov. 7 and we’re already partial to the anthemic sound of “Tanana.” On it, frontman John Baldwin Gourley’s vocals shoot off into the stratosphere. We bet it’s going to sound even better live, so head to The Wiltern on Sunday, Nov. 16 to find out.

(KNIK/Thirty Tigers)

Thursday Oct 23 Haden & Pepper ‘She’s A Fool’ 

Renowned vocalist + bassist Rachel Haden and multi-instrumentalist Chris Pepper are back at it as the indie-super-duo Haden & Pepper. Dig into their latest single, “She’s A Fool,” for deeply felt lyrics and an expansive cinematic sound that serves as a flag planted (firmly) in the alternative music cadre. 

(Self-released)

LA provocateur Niia is a classically trained pianist and singer, but her music is rooted in the type of jazz structure that gives us sultry Sade vibes. Her fifth album is out now and simply titled V. On “Piano and Great Danes,” the singer employs a crackling drum and bass rhythm that expertly compliments her infatuation-struck lyrics.

(Candid Records)

Melbourne-based art-rockers Charlie Needs Braces put on a rollicking good show (one  with a heavy emphasis on getting their fans in on the fun!). Led by trumpeter Charlie Woods and her sister Miri, the duo creates clever and charming songs that are resplendent with ethereal vocals and layered rhythmic sounds. “Dyarrubin” celebrates Australia’s waterways and is inspired by the surrounding wildlife of the river it’s named after.

(Self-released) 

Denton, Texas psych-folk icons Midlake share “Days Gone By,” a song that falls within the spectrum between a morning raga and something you’d expect to hear from CSNY. It’s culled from their emotionally resonant forthcoming album A Bridge To Far (Nov. 7) and is produced by Sam Evian (aka the life/creative partner of Hannah Cohen).

Anchorage, Alaska–based artist Nick Carpenter is the man behind the moniker Medium Build. And he’s an immaculate storyteller. “Last Time” is equal parts testimony and stand-up comedy, with Carpenter’s charisma and capacity for connection shining boldly through.