This song is taken from the last studio album this British band released in 2017: the Optimist. Anathema were hit pretty hard by the pandemic and decided to call in quits in 2020.
This song starts a bit weak, i think, but there is an awesome build-up that makes up for it.
Anathema is the band that influenced my writing style the most, I’d say.
We ride on hearts Design our world Let go of you and I Run for our lives Don’t look behind
Anathema – the Optimist
You probably noticed that I am sharing daily music again… As always, i am only sharing music I like, that has memory and meaning.
Today’s song is from an album called “Big TV” which was released in 2013. “Big TV” was the third studio album of this British band. Their sound goes a bit in the direction of The National or Editors. But maybe that’s just because of the vocals. I like that deep baritone voice.
The first time I heard White Lies was when they were in a Spotify playlist (made for you). I took an immediate liking to them. I hope you like today’s song.
Big hugs…
This is the only album I own of White Lies. Five (2019)
Michal Lapaj (feat. Mick Moss) – shattered memories
The above song is taken from Michal’s solo debut called “Are You There”, released in June 2021.
Michal Lapaj is the keyboarder for the Polish band Riverside. Their genre is rock and prog-rock mainly. The above song goes a bit in that direction with Mick Moss of Antimatter on vocals – everyone who follows this blog for the music knows that I am a fan of Mick’s voice and his music.
But don’t be fooled. There are ten tracks on “Are You There” and only three have vocals. This is a very awesome release; I have to say. I bought it blindly because of Mick and pieces he shared on Instagram, but wow… I was in for a lot more than I expected. Michal creates a unique ambience, melancholy and hopeful at once. Some songs almost feel claustrophobic to me, but I like emotive music. Electronic, ambient, instrumental, experimental, but not without rockier influences. The album is something else and highly underrated.
I try to hear your voice from afar
Shattered memories fade away
I don’t want to fight these ghosts anymore
Paulina Kimbar-Lapaj – shattered memories (sung by Mick Moss)
This song can be found on Douglas Dare’s debut EP – Seven Hours (2013), as well as on his debut album – Whelm (2014)
My signed EP
I saw Douglas live a couple of times and what can I say?! How can a young man be that talented? The first time I saw him was as support act for Olafur Arnalds (a neo-classical pianist), and Douglas stole the show for sure. His EP had just been released, and if I remember correctly, that particular tour was his first through Europe.
During intermission, I went to buy his EP, it was not cheap, but well worth the price. I remember how nervous the young British man was and that I put him at ease when he was unable to get the plastic wrap off the CD. It was cute. He complimented me on my ring (visible on the pic…) and we talked some, enough to know that he wrote his poems first and added music later.
I have been a fan ever since. The above song is still one of my favourite of his.
You need to hear the call They wishing you to fall Don’t let them see you fail
I will not let you fail I will not let you fail I will not let You fail
Douglas Dare – Lungful
(I still wear the yellow watch from the pic. The necklace with the star broke and I am wearing another one now – still a talisman, still supposed to keep evil spirits away.)
The song is taken from the eleventh studio album of the British band “the Cure”, called Bloodflowers. It was released in February 2000.
The critics had mixed reviews for this one, mainly because the songs are nothing new. They are unmistakable “the Cure”. Personally, it is one of my favourite albums of them. I listened to it all the time. Apparently, Bloodflowers is Robert Smith’s favourite as well – he said so in an interview a couple of years ago.
It’s 2:30 am over here, and I can’t sleep. Various reasons are keeping me awake: pain, restlessness, overthinking… Maybe I had too much sugar tonight… I ate sweets. I rarely do that.
This song is fresh off the press, released on September 9th, 2021
Madrugada is a Norwegian band that was formed in 1993. Ever since they made music, but with the unexpected death of band member Robert Burås in 2007, they decided to complete their self-titled album Madrugada, go on a farewell tour, and then split. However, in 2018, the band announced via social media that they joined forces again, and soon after, they went on an extensive tour. Work on a new album began, and the above song is a result of the work.
Sivert Høyem’s vocals are flawless, as we are used with his solo project too. With Jon Lauvland Petterson, the original drummer is back too (he left in 2002). Frode Jacobsen is on the bass again. Officially, Robert Burås was not replaced, but there was a session musician involved, of course.
Madrugada is a bluesy kind of band with indie and alternative influences. Personally, I was introduced to their music on my wedding day. A plus one pushed a mixtape (actually, it was a CD) in my hand when he said his congratulations. Several Madrugada songs were on this CD, and I was almost immediately sold for this project. And Sivert’s voice – admittedly, one of my favourite voices in music today.
The above song is slow compared to older albums, and since we humans have to compare everything, this song reminded me faintly of Sade. 💜
Anyway… I decided to post less, and yet, here I am, sharing a song. But it is new, and I am pretty confident that you will appreciate it.
He intended to leave with grace, but he is unable to forget her face The feel of her skin against his fingers, it is a memory that still lingers He walks down the empty street; head bowed down in defeat She is an explosion in his emotions, tears in neverending oceans He wants to hold her one more time and see her light shine And there she is, under a streetlight, illuminated by the night He remembers the smell of her hair, and strolls over there Their eyes meet, and he wants to run. What if she is done? But she is not; she holds out her hand as if there had never been an end That slight touch makes everything right, and they walk off into the midnight. Together, at last, he is glad that life without her is in the past.
Wherever you are, whatever you are doing, listen to this on high volume. (Loud!)
I love this song, it is almost as old as I am. It inspired many musicians and… I remember that it was played when I was a child. I remember the cover of the vinyl record. Blue with Mark Knopfler’s silver steel guitar. It’s probably just a coincidence, but I’ve seen the clip of this song several times in a couple of days… It never fails to pull at all the right strings inside me. Today is no exception.
So, if you like this kind of music, listen to this song and enjoy it. Forget the world for a moment.
Funnily enough, while I am writing this post I am watching music television. Tears for Fears is on. Change is the song, from 1985 (same year as brothers in arms) and in the clip there is a steel guitar too.
From the album “reports from the threshold of death” (2011)
Junius are a post-metal/post-punk band from Boston, Massachusetts. Quite dark at times, with Joseph E. Martinez’s unique voice and singing style, but also very full sound that can be quite opulent at times.
Seeing them live made me a fan, to be honest.
I am not always in the mood for this kind of music, but today, I am. For me, Junius are amongst the best bands of this genre.
Andrew Cushin is a young British musician. The above song was produced by Noel Gallagher, hence the undeniable Oasis sound – even more audible in the Spotify link (studio version)
I discovered Andrew Cushin on Gavin Simpson’s podcast.
And ever since I heard this song 7 months ago, I listen to it often. I really like it a lot.
