Sorry, a bit late with this one! My September playlist closed with almost 4 hours of music; it was a fabulous month, again. Please do listen and share (and check out my past playlists, all linked here). And here are a few selected highlights from the month - I'm confident you'll find something you love:
Charlotte Carpenter - You’re My Reason Why A wondrous and gorgeous track. It’s truly lovely, so well written, romantic without being at all twee or sugary, and utterly timeless. The song is also an anchor track from her beautiful, precise and intimate debut album - one to make lots of time and space for.
Coach Party - Born Leader In early September, Coach Party released a fantastic album which has immediately found its way onto my shortlist of the year's best. The album as a whole is a full on, fuzz fuelled, dream rock anthem, and this track is itself all that and more. It draws you in with a promise right from the start, and doesn't disappoint.
Crawlers - Would You Come To My Funeral It's great to hear new music from this honest, innovative band again. This track is typically observant, clever and totally absorbing. Gorgeous build, energy, and beautifully judged vocals. Get it in your ears.
Drew Thomas - Twenties Nottingham artist Drew Thomas really deserves wide exposure; he's at least up there with Lewis Capaldi and Tom Odell. Drew's voice is just so packed with emotive resonance, and he couples this with the ability to effortlessly create huge, anthemic songs. With this latest release he's really hitting all the feels.
Girl Scout - Bruises I will always make time for a song from this Stockholm-based band. Everything they produce is special - dreamy, reflective and somehow hopeful and uplifting no matter the subject matter. 'Bruises' is a song about is a song about growing up and realising that no one is perfect, and everyone is just as flawed as you - about acceptance and forgiveness and all those painful but ultimately freeing experiences. There aren't many bands who could deal with this in such a beautiful way - but there's a special something about Girl Scout which means they can do just that, over and over again.
Kingfishr - Caroline This band are so honest and direct, and I'm really glad they've decided to pursue music over engineering! They deliver souped-up folk for everyone - including themselves - to enjoy Here they are with an ecstatically anguished, evocative new release. If you can, catch them at their gig in Camden on 24th October.
Lissy Taylor - Minds A Riot Lissy has always produced music which expresses her full, true self, and has become known for her energetic rock sensibilities. Here, she absolutely storms in with a track which seems to show her in her very best light. It's a sub-3-minute riotous expression of Lissy's heart, and it's pretty infectious. Lissy feels instoppable here.
Lossline - Date Night A brilliant track, ostensibly gloomy but immensely inspiring, reflective and ultimately uplifting. The song tells the story of a confused night out by way of a medley of interspersed and intriguing images. See my full write up for more observations.
Mae Krell - Apollo’s Song This is one of those deceptively simply songs that it takes huge skill and natural talent to deliver effectively. Many try, but few succeed to this extent. Truly lovely, and hugely moving.
Tyler Gelrud - Young In Love A stunning release - this artist's first in 3 years. It's a poised, evocative ballad, with an open-sky feel which draws you in and takes you to a place of refreshing. Check this artist out as I'm sure he's going places.