This month’s lyrical caption comes from potentially my favourite track of August, Running by Los Angeles duo Johnnyswim with their track Running, initially released in 2020 as part of an EP. Not only partners in song-writing, they’re also husband and wife, which really adds a different level of connection and intimacy on this song, which feels driven and soulful and powerful. Something I’ve been enjoying more and more recently is a song which feels like a hybrid of different genres or styles, and the blend in Running works perfectly. Admittedly I hadn’t stumbled across this act until this month, but now I have you can certainly be expecting more Johnnyswim in the coming months.
Keep scrolling to read about what else I’ve been loving this month, and listen to the full playlist on Spotify (right).
Sam Fender – Seventeen Going Under
First up and making a return to the scene after the success of his debut album Hypersonic Missiles back in 2019, it’s UK indie star Sam Fender, with his new track Seventeen Going Under. From my point of view, Sam’s song-writing and lyrics have only matured over time, with this new song feeling more honest and hard-hitting, with a more rock-y sound and providing not only a personal commentary, but a societal one as well. Discussing everything from boys at school, to his mother, to an anger you can’t escape, Seventeen Going Under is a confident and loud resurgence that I’ve been loving this month.
BEKA – You Got
I first featured BEKA at the top of the year, in her collaboration with HONNE, and ever since I’ve been keeping an eye out for her new music. At the beginning of July she released You Got, a track inspired by Kamala Harris being inducted as Vice President in the US, and it’s not only a motivational song, it’s also a boppy pop track with elements of soul too. BEKA also released her I’ll Be There EP earlier this year too, featuring another collab with HONNE, so definitely worth checking out.
Jeremy Zucker – HONEST
Up next is rising US star Jeremy Zucker, with his brand new single HONEST, which does exactly what it says on the tin. A great juxtaposing theme of an upbeat melody and rather casual style, merged with lyrics which are rather explicit and on-the-nose, really works on this track, making it sound biting and like Jeremy is really coming for this girl that has done him wrong! A different vibe from the tracks I have heard from him before, HONEST makes Jeremy Zucker a very exciting prospect in the music scene... HONEST-ly!
Ruelle ft. Fleurie – Carry You
American singers and musicians Ruelle and Fleurie have both been very successful in having their back catalogue picked up and used on various hit TV shows, including the likes of The Walking Dead, Pretty Little Liars, and Shadowhunters. This track, released in 2018, is called Carry You and is no exception, having been featured on the fifteenth season of Grey’s Anatomy. Regardless of this fact, it’s still a gorgeous song, and both voices compliment each other’s perfectly in this heatwarming ballad. Having heard a fair few of both Ruelle and Fleurie’s other songs, the vibe is perfect for those emotional sad montages that we love in TV, as well as pretending you’re in a music video when you’re walking in the rain... not that I’ve tried it...
Sea Girls – Sick
English indie rock band Sea Girls have featured several times since Steve’s Stereo began, and this month they returned with the first preview of their next studio album Homesick, currently scheduled for release in early 2022. Their frank and honest Sick yearns to be child again, when the worries and struggles we face on a daily basis in today’s society were not something we had to bother ourselves with. Drugs, the news, and even being in love are all amongst the things lead singer Henry Camamile claims to be sick of, but one thing I’m not sick of is... this song! Cheesy, but seriously, Sea Girls continue to impress with their latest single, and come through strong with this anthemic piece of nostalgic indie rock. (photo Danny North)
*SPECIAL MENTION* - Ben Platt
In between filming the upcoming Dear Evan Hansen movie adaptation and recording a track for Lady Gaga’s Born This Way tenth anniversary rerelease, musical theatre star Ben Platt has STILL managed to find the time to write, record, and release his second studio album reverie, which dropped this month. An impressive and developed record, there are many highlights, notably the lead single imagine, which featured in my May playlist, as well as this month’s effort leave my mind. Furthermore, one of my favourite artists of the moment Julia Michaels (whose track Lie Like This also makes an appearance in August’s mix) has several guest-writing credits on this album, so that’s another great selling point for me! Ben Platt is truly crushing the game in all areas at the moment, and I can’t wait to see Dear Evan Hansen on screen soon!
