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Thousands upon thousands of albums, EPs, mixtapes, compilations, and songs are released weekly. You might not be aware of the existence of 99% of those releases, but they’re there. So when each song released to the public is simply a drop in a pool that dwarfs even the Pacific Ocean, it can be hard to navigate the current music scene: it’s always moving and impossible to keep up with its speed. That’s where Share Some Singles comes into the picture. This series was formed to highlight songs released in 2017 that might not have been discovered by other listeners otherwise. I, alongside other Sputnikmusic users, have pulled together dozens of singles released in the recent past that we felt needed to be heard by the world. Or at least the Sputnik reader base.
Artists are listed in alphabetical order with corresponding YouTube, Soundcloud, and/or Bandcamp links. A Spotify playlist is also embedded below if the singles are available through that service. Enjoy! –wtferrothorn
Blue Hawaii – “No One Like You”
Not even the slightly out of place vocals could dampen the wonderful instrumental conjured up on “No One Like You”. Everything from the funky synth bubbling under the main ingredients for the entirety, to the grade-A bass grooves, to the disco-soaked strings that chime in quite a few times to remind you how stellar of a disco vibe this track gives off. –wtferrothorn
Tenderness is out October 6 via Arbutus Records.
Briana Marela – “Give Me Your Love”
“Give Me Your Love” is so much more than its beginning moments. The tracks opens up as a slow yet sweet track that balances the textural bells and whistles and the lovely, melodic vocal performance from Marela. It’s around the two minute mark where the curveball is finally thrown in the form of an uptick in tempo and the addition of a danceable groove. It elevates the song from a pleasant yet unassuming ballad to a real stunner. –wtferrothorn
Call It Love is out now via Jagjaguwar.
Charli XCX – “Boys”
A late yet strong contender for song of the summer. While this doesn’t follow in line with her more experimental tracks she collaborated with Sophie on, that doesn’t keep “Boys” from being a incredibly cute, catchy pop song with a chorus that’ll either be enjoyably silly in a tongue-in-cheek way for some or extremely relatable for others (you know who you are). –wtferrothorn
Converge – “Under Duress”
Noisy and cacophonous as ever, Converge released a crushing track that follows suit with their previous release, All We Love We Leave Behind. The oppressive, slow-chugging, and feedback-laden riff that begins the track sets the tone in a way only metalcore masters Converge can. Jacob Bannon sounds as furious as ever paired with the equally aggressive backing vocals of Kurt Ballou. Pounding drum beats, abysmal yet effective bass riffs, vicious vocals and a fair share of guitar licks add interesting melody to an already massive track. What more can you ask of the clear leaders of the metalcore scene? –DeadlyNightShade
The Dusk In Us is out November 3 via Epitaph Records.
Deep Sands – “Without You Lately”
I believe it is only fair that a fellow Sputnik user’s project gets a feature on here. Deep Sands is definitely one of the better projects masterminded by a Sputnik regular, DrGonzo1937. This song, and the EP it comes from, combines heavy-psych, stoner, and some good old hard rock. This song also has an overwhelmingly beautiful and atmospheric outro that goes on for what seems like forever, as if to drag you into the obscure world the music was spawn out of. –UniqueUniverse
Intended Dream is out now.
Diron Animal – “Don’t Stop”
You know that a man that dresses like that for his album cover is ready to party. “Don’t Stop” keeps up with the promises the cover makes and gives the listener to groove along to. The angular guitar line, synthetic horns, and mixture of raw and synthetic percussion are a strong main ingredients to a funky little dance track worthy of a dance floor not afraid of getting a little goofy. –wtferrothorn
Alone is out October 13 via Soundway Records.
Dotsuitarunen – “BOY”
Dotsuitarunen made a name for themselves by creating some of the most unabashedly amateurish, obnoxiously idiotic music that’s ever been heard in the Japanese rock scene. Hence, it’s strange to be able to say that, over the past few years, these eight punk-indie-R&B-funk-dance-rappers have somehow become one of the most consistent songwriting outfits around. Their outstanding ninth studio album COLOR LIFE stands as a testament to that fact. But although it’s only been on the shelves for about six months, Dotsuitarunen are already prepping their major label debut, and “BOY” is the pre-release appetiser.
Thankfully, the song plays to the strengths of Dotsuitarunen’s members. A sweet hook from Watoson, a brilliantly ridiculous Senpai verse, slick guitar and bass lines from Matsumoto and DaBass, and just one instantly memorable line from Yama-chan: throw ’em all together with rousing “We Will Rock You”-esque drum samples and a fast-paced closing freakout and you’ve got “BOY”. It’s a tasty first single from a practiced balancing act, with the band laying punk/indie vocal melodies over the R&B instrumental, and embracing enthralling beauty without sacrificing fun and silliness. The result is a diverse yet focused number, competently executed by a band at the height of their career and continuing to ride that hard-earned wave into the future. But don’t take my word for it, check out the music video; come for the cute Japanese girl in the tight pants enduring an enema, stay for the great music. –dimsim3478
Gezan – “Absolutely Imagination”
“Absolutely Imagination” showcases every hallmark of GEZAN’s sound that has made them one of the most exciting bands in post-hardcore at the moment. Sick hardcore riffs, gnarly lead guitar lines, almost poppy vocal melodies, gang shout-alongs; all of it dripping with urgent emotion and fist-pumping, blood-pumping energy. To top it all off, the band’s also got a kickass new drummer in tow who ferociously rips through his kit on this latest single, proving himself to be a perfect fit as he and the rest of GEZAN prepare to chainsaw their way to the next level of notoriety in the Japanese punk scene. –dimsim3478
Gravemind – “The Deathgate”
Technical death metal at its most standard, but also most hellish and insane. This track displays a collage of different brilliant guitarworks, rapid-fire drumming and a scale of vocal talent that could rival that of, say, Cattle Decapitation. –UniqueUniverse
The Deathgate is out now.
Guantanamo Baywatch – “Video”
There’s goofy, and then there’s Guantanamo Baywatch goofy. Don’t let that descriptor fool you though, this band is just a blast to listen to. While it has been a while since I’ve heard their debut, this track of their latest record is making me wonder why that is. It’s an upbeat pseudo-doo-wop/surf combo, which just sounds delightful, doesn’t it? Do yourself a favor and give this a listen, preferably surrounded by cacti and shaking your ass on some rocks (just watch the video and it will all make sense). –SandwichBubble
Desert Center is out now via Suicide Squeeze Records.
Have A Nice Day! – “Fallin Down”
Have a Nice Day! write pop songs for the dance floor; Top 40 hits that would never make it into the Top 40 because they’re not fucking stupid. What they are are a brilliant display of musical tactics with some of the best hooks ever sung in a voice as flat and monotonous as that of frontman Asami Hokuto, Have a Nice Day! infects listeners instantaneously, and attempts to resist the band’s extremely danceable instrumentation are rendered futile. “Fallin Down” is one of the best examples of Have a Nice Day!’s foolproof game plan; try to resist the pure pop goodness of the synth and vocal melodies or the hypnotic four-on-the-floor kick and rolling drums. It’s all designed to inflame the senses, but I think you’ll find that escape is quite impossible. –dimsim3478
Iglooghost – “Bug Thief”
Ever since the release of his breakthrough EP Chinese Nü Yr, the debut full length of Iglooghost has been one of, if not my most anticipated record for almost two years. This lead single has signified that the wait just might be worth it. It’s obvious in the time between Nü Yr and now, Iglooghost has evolved his sound to include organic instrumentation such as guitars and piano, while continuing to bring colorful, mind-blowing, interdimensional soundscapes to the listener. –wtferrothorn
Neō Wax Bloom is out September 29 via Brainfeeder Records.
Kai Whiston – “Throat Behavior”
It would make sense that I had discover Kai Whiston from an Iglooghost endorsement, as the two young producers show some obvious similarities. Both are masters of making electronic music that truly sounds out of this world by conjuring up insane textures and using them in overwhelming, stimulating ways. But while Igloo paints a colorful, technicolor world with his tracks, Whiston goes a darker, slightly harsher route with his sound palette. The contrast parallels the cover art of their latest releases: Neō Wax Bloom‘s cute and colorful yet alien characters floating through a light background vs. Fissure Price’s messy, surreal, and grotesque clash of abstract shapes and art styles. –wtferrothorn
Fissure Price is out now via Big DaDa.
Kesha – “Praying”
I could’ve gone with a variety of singles from Kesha’s comeback record for this spot, but it was only fitting for the first and best to take it. “Praying” was the perfect song for Kesha to return with after her legal battle with Dr. Luke: a truly moving piano ballad that gets more and more intense as the track progresses. It all builds to the now infamous whistle note which stopped pop music dead in its tracks. “Praying” will stand as a historical moments in 2010s pop as not only a stellar song, but as a statement: Kesha has risen like a phoenix and the best is yet to come. –wtferrothorn
Rainbow is out now via Kemosabe Records.
Liam Gallagher – “For What It’s Worth”
Maybe Oasis breaking up was the best thing for the Gallagher boys. Noel’s been making his best material since Morning Glory or Be Here Now (depending on whom you ask), and while Liam had a bit of a false start with Beady Eye, his October solo debut As You Were is shaping up to be a work that could very well rival his brother’s third High Flying Birds record, tentatively set to follow about a month after Liam’s.
“Wall of Glass” and “Chinatown” were fairly good pre-release singles, generating at least the impulse to give the album one playthrough when it comes out, but “For What It’s Worth” is the first of them that’s truly special. It boasts Liam’s best performance in God knows how long as the aging legend tackles immaculate melodies with impressive vocal agility and well-struck high notes that he would have been hard-pressed to hit even in his younger years. Liam being up to the task in his mid-40s is already unprecedented, especially given his poor performance on those couple of Beady Eye records, but the fact that Liam himself wrote “For What It’s Worth” makes it all the more exciting to hear the former Oasis frontman back in fighting form, perhaps ready now to finally step out of the shadow cast by Noel’s songwriting ability. That will remain until October to be seen, but for what it’s worth, this latest single from the younger Gallagher certainly stands up against the very best material that either of the brothers has put out since the mid-’90s. –dimsim3478
As You Were is out October 6 via Warner Bros. Records.
Machinedrum – “What Is This (feat. Rosie Lowe)”
Machinedrum nails the producer-led pop song with “What Is This”. Rosie Lowe provides some rather sweet, if not inoffensive lead vocals to the sweet, detailed beat. Though the lead-up to the first drop isn’t anything to write home about, the beat itself pretty much makes up for it. Besides, each successive lead-up is better than the last, so everything is alright in the end. –wtferrothorn
Milo – “Magician (Suture)”
Leave it to Milo to make a track that lasts two minutes and change in length that’s more lyrically dense and obscure than most rappers at their most obtuse for the lead single of his new album. But even if his allusions to Aristotle, Pericles, Florentine, and Peons are a bit too left-field for you, Milo’s intriguing flow and the insane, stuttering production laid down by Kenny Segal are more than enough to make this track worth multiple listens. –wtferrothorn
who told you to think??!!?!?!?! is out now via Ruby Yacht.
Mister Heavenly – “Beat Down”
Indie supergroup Mister Heavenly has always held a special place in my heart. Maybe it’s the throwback sort-of feel they exude, maybe it’s the dark undertones their music seems to contain, or maybe I just really like the guys in the band (Ryan Kattner, Nick Thorburn, and Joe Plummer). Whatever the reason may be, the band never fails to put a smile on my face. After taking an extended leave from recording, the boys are back up and ready to get beat right back down again with a new single and album. Another thoroughly-deranged and expertly-crafted pop throwback for the history books. –SandwichBubble
Boxing The Moonlight is out October 6 via Polyvinyl Records.
Monolord – “Where Death Meets The Sea”
Swedish heavy-psych and stoner doom outfit Monolord are at it again and are fully ready to release another heavy, muddy and dissonant record. This song teases up a certain pulsating harshness, what with its distorted and piercing guitars, echoic drums, and subdued, distanced vocals. If you like yourselves some heavy stoner, look no further. –UniqueUniverse
Rust is out September 29 via RidingEasy Records.
Moses Sumney – “Doomed”
Moses Sumney has always had a beautiful, unique voice, so “Doomed” was the perfect way to show it off. It is the definition of sparse; nothing but a synth that varies in intensity across the track, some background noises, and Sumney’s vocals populate the majority of the mix. The result is an eerie cut; every crack and croon Sumney lets out cuts to your core. –wtferrothorn
Aromanticism is out September 22 via Jagjaguwar Records.
Naive New Beaters – “Words Hurt”
Naive New Beaters, while not being particularly well known to the point of not even having their own page at the biggest and best music registry website that is Sputnikmusic, decided to pour all of their ambition and creativity into this track and the accompanying music video. The song is a catchy and accessible little tune with lush beats, nice production, and infectious chorus chanting “Words hurt, but feeling right…”. But its most notable feature is the video – or, rather, the music video game – that serves as a companion to the song. It’s a fun and creative interactive game that requires you to visit a website (linked previously) built specifically for it, in which your decisions directly affect which way the story goes. –UniqueUniverse
A la folie is out now via Capitol Music France.
Pia Fraus – “Mountain Trip Guide”
Estonian shoegaze outfit Pia Fraus are about to release their dreamiest and most lightweight record yet. Or at least that’s what the singles tell us. This song is as soft as it gets, while still maintaining a certain level of roughness in its instrumental arrangement. It’s the production and the vocals that make the experience so pleasantly tender. –UniqueUniverse
Field Ceremony is out October 12 via Seksound Record Label.
The Pillows – “Be Wild”
As their 30th anniversary nears, The Pillows are surprisingly doing the opposite of what would be expected of a group of guys on either side of 50 playing energetic, emotional, driving alternative rock. It’s 2017, and The Pillows are picking up momentum yet again with the best live performances of their entire career and a spot soundtracking the sequel to the anime that brought them much of their fame almost two decades ago. But best of all, the band are releasing some of their best material since the late ’90s, newly reinvigorated after a long creative slump whilst on the roster of a major label.
Case in point: “Be Wild”, the best song from the band’s latest album Nook in the Brain. Reconciling hard-hitting alternative rock with a swift and graceful vocal performance from frontman Sawao Yamanaka, “Be Wild” brings together and balances the very best aspects of the band: beautiful pop melodies and kick-ass rock-outs. It’s fitting that “Be Wild” was initially featured in a commercial for Olympic gold medal wrestler and Pillows fan Eri Tosaka: the song is a testament to The Pillows’ triumph in a fight of their own against the adversaries of failure, age, and irrelevance. 21 albums and almost 30 years into their career, The Pillows are standing strong with gloves up, sounding as if they’re ready to take on another 30 years of rockin’. –dimsim3478
Nook in the Brain is out now via DELICIOUS LABEL.
Protomatyr – “A Private Understanding”
Full analysis here. It’s a fantastic post-punk beast, one of the best, not just this year, but of all of ’em times. The band has matured and learnt from their past mistakes and now they emerge with a wholly new sound and songwriting finesse. –UniqueUniverse
Relatives In Descent is out September 29 via Domino Records.
Shawn Wasabi – “Otter Pop (feat. Hollis)”
“Otter Pop” is no doubt the sweetest, most conventional track Shawn has produced yet. Its sweetness is only enhanced by the super cutesy lead vocals from Hollis. But if you can stomach the pure saccharinity of it all, you can revel in the bouncy production (I expect nothing less from Shawn at this point) and sheer fun of “Otter Pop”. –wtferrothorn
Son Little – “Blue Magic (Waikiki)”
The true magic behind this track isn’t blue. Too gloomy of a color to represent the sunshine soul at play here, especially on that smile-inducing chorus. The Stevie Wonder vibes coming off of Aaron Livingston’s vocals on the verses and the smooth, organic instrumentation give this song the same heartwarming spirit any classic ’70s soul track comes with. –wtferrothorn
New Magic is out September 15 via Anti Records.
The Stargazer Lilies – “Enter the Black Lodge”
Ever since their 2016 release Door to the Sun, which featured some outstandingly blissful melodies and heavenly instrumentation/production marriage, the band have set out to create something even more sun-soaked and levitation-evoking. The teaser track “Enter the Black Lodge” pretty much tells us that that is exactly what we are going to get. This song is an echoing, calming, atmospheric and divine piece. It’s the one creation that puts ‘dream’ back into dream pop. –wtferrothorn
Lost is out September 1 via Graveface Records.
St. Vincent – “New York”
If you’re anything like me, St. Vincent is one of the best pop artists in recent year. Her ability to transform her style from one to another, while still managing to stay true to herself in songwriting, making every stylistic transition still instantly recognisable, is at the very least admirable. She went from semi-orchestral naivety, over disturbed whimsy, through velvet fantasyland to blissful futurism. And with “New York”, it seems that she ditched her signature obscurist guitarwork for the sake of much more lush, heavenly and clear tenderness. –UniqueUniverse
Sudan Archives – “Come Meh Way”
It’s been quite a while since I have heard music built around the violin that has sounded this loose, this raw. Sudan Archives sounds like a real original throughout her debut EP, but especially on this short burst of creativity. She fuses violin loops, bloopy electronics, and a wide array of percussion and produced gold. –wtferrothorn
Sudan Archives is out now via Stones Throw Records.
together PANGEA – “Kenmore Ave.”
together PANGEA and their lightweight brand of indie rock are cooking up another album for us. This song is catchy, fun and has an interesting background instrumental palette. –UniqueUniverse
Bulls and Roosters is out now via Nettwerk Records.
Turnover – “Super Natural”
Shoegaze outfit Turnover have blasted through the world with their much appraised album Peripheral Vision and now they are back with an active music-making mood. They seem to have ditched all hints of emo in their music for a much subtler and tender pop approach. We’ll see what fruits it will bear. –UniqueUniverse
Good Nature is out now via Run For Cover Records.
Wallflower – “Nowhere”
Wallflower’s latest single is dead simple, inoffensively sweet pop done in all the right ways. There’s no more than a handful of different melodic ideas utilised over the course of the song’s five minutes, but contrary to the suggestion of its title, “Nowhere” is a track that’s definitely going somewhere. Propelled by subtle yet inspired variations and the sheer disarming beauty of its melodies, “Nowhere” is arresting from the outset and only manages to steadily tunnel its way further into your heart as it goes on, until that last chorus hits and you’re helplessly caught in a joyous, heartbreaking, bittersweet singalong: “I need to leave some words to my friends / keep calm and not afraid / then I get on a train bound for nowhere”. –dimsim3478
Nowhere 7″ is out now via Fastcut Records.
Wolf Parade – “Valley Boy”
After releasing a pretty good comeback EP last year, Wolf Parade have finally announced a brand new album (their first in 7 years) and they’re running on all cylinders with their latest single, “Valley Boy”. It’s a perfect storm of stellar guitar work and ear-catching vocals, and with lyrics referencing late singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen, the song packs quite an emotional punch. It’s comforting to know that even after such a long hiatus, the band have not lost their touch when it comes to their brand of infectious, stirring, grab-your-friends-and-sing-along songwriting. –SandwichBubble
Cry Cry Cry is out October 6 via Sub Pop Records.
Wolves in the Throne Room – “Born from the Serpent’s Eye”
Wolves in the Throne Room are back with another atmospheric piece that might just set things straight at last. After all, this song does sound like your good old atmospheric black metal epic: it’s vibrant, dismal, dizzying, and instrumentally rapid. What else do you want from a good black metal song? –UniqueUniverse
Thrice Woven is out September 15 via Artemisa Records.
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