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The Mowgli’s – I Was Starting to Wonder EP

Just when I feel like I will not find anything inspiring to write about something magical like The Mowgli’s comes along and restores my hope in the gift that is music therapy. With arms outstretched, The Mowgli’s use fun lyrics, catchy melodies, and anthemic shouts to pull their listener out from the depths of despair. This LA based band is exactly what I needed this week, and I have had their new E.P. I Was Starting to Wonder on repeat for a few days. The positivity that exudes out of their music will spill into your life helping you in your journey to becoming a better you. Their songs will make you want to gather around the people you love most and keep them with you always. 

Life is not always happy, but when it is, it should be The Mowgli’s kind of happy.   So, go ahead and press play, and make your week a whole lot better. 

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Faouzia

I am beginning to think that September is the magical month to find greatness. Last year I came across Irish powerhouse vocalist Dermot Kennedy and wondered if I would ever find any human as shockingly talented again. I had my doubts, but I think I just found his female counterpart. Moroccan born, Canadian raised singer/songwriter Faouzia has a voice to be reckoned with. As the grand prize winner in the 2016 International Songwriting Competition and the 2017 Unsigned Only Music Competition, she is on a steady climb to making a name for herself and outshining everyone along the way. Her vocal range is impeccable, and whether she is soothing you in her lower register or belting out her soul in her upper register, this 18 year old will leave you dumbfounded. You will literally need to pick your jaw up off the floor after hearing her voice.

After listening to the haunting tune “Bad Dreams (Piano Version)” I pressed play on “My Heart’s Grave” and found the production of it pleasantly unpredictable.  Faouzia is also featured on David Guetta’s latest album on the song “Battle.” If you only do yourself one favor this week, let it be checking out Faouzia.

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Jack’s Mannequin – The Glass Passenger

Autumn is my favorite season, but unfortunately I am from South Carolina where the crisp air is lacking and can only be replicated by turning down the air conditioner and lighting the biggest apple cinnamon candle known to mankind. Fortunately, I have a handful of artists that give me the autumn feel I crave, and my favorite album to bring out this time of year is The Glass Passenger by Jack’s Mannequin. If I had to pick one album to cradle like a baby, it would be this one. Not only does it aid me in my attempt to make everything more autumn like, but its positive vibe also helped me get through a difficult time. The album comes to life with its honest lyrics, and whether you are listening to the upbeat tunes like “The Resolution” or “Spinning” or  ballads like “Swim” or “Annie Use Your Telescope,” it will leave you with a warm sense of hope.

This month marks the 10th anniversary of The Glass Passenger’s release, the second album of Andrew McMahon’s solo project Jack’s Mannequin. I hope it fills your home, car, or headphones with the feeling of autumn. My favorite tunes are “Annie Use Your Telescope” and “What Gets You Off.” Do you have a favorite autumn album? Let me know in the comments.

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Backup Plan – Plested Single

Plested came to be when Phil Plested, who has written for big name artists including Kygo and ZYAN, decided to keep some of his songs for himself and launch a solo career, and I am so grateful for that decision. I came across the folk-pop tune “Backup Plan” a few days ago when it was added to one of my playlists, and it was just the little gem that I needed. Plested forgoes an instrumental intro and dives right into the lyrics of this tune which is very fitting for a song about taking chances and not looking back. It is definitely a tune you will want to add to your road trip playlist. After hearing “Backup Plan” I searched for other music by this British artist and also have “Make a Start” and “Priorities” in heavy rotation.

If you like Niall Horan’s new album Flicker or the band Wakey Wakey (formerly Wakey!Wakey!) you will love Plested. Give him a good listen and let me know what you think!

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Alec Benjamin

I do not know how I have been missing out on Alec Benjamin, and I am very grateful for people like Zach Sang (Radio Personality) who keep their ears open when mine are shut. I was watching some of Sang’s interviews a couple of days ago via YouTube and came across one he did with Benjamin. I was impressed with the tenacity of the 24 year old singer/songwriter from Arizona and was eager to listen to his tunes. After the interview, I pulled him up, pressed play, and listened to every song that he has available on Apple Music. Then, I went to his YouTube page and listened to anything that was not available on Apple Music. While soaking in Benjamin’s music, my mind kept going back to something he said in his interview with Sang about being dropped by a label at some point in his career. I do not know who was in charge of that decision, but it was a mistake (like, they should be fired kind of mistake). Benjamin has an incredibly unique voice, and he uses seemingly small moments plucked from his life to create meaningful songs about love, loss, and grief that give you feelings of youthful innocence.

His tune “Paper Crown” is my favorite with “Let Me Down Slowly” not far behind, and if you can listen to “The Boy in the Bubble” without it getting stuck in your head, please let me know your secret. For tour dates and other information click here.

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David Keenan

I have been in a slump lately, and I have found it hard to enjoy music of any kind (shocker, I know). Enter Irish singer/songwriter David Keenan. I feel like a bit of luck brought him my way this week, and his music has been like therapy to my soul. Have you ever made it to the end of a bad day and felt desperate to wind down? Maybe looking for a friend to talk to about anything but the events that smothered you during the day? If you answered yes, then you should give Keenan a listen. His sound is raw and stripped down, and there is no big production behind his music. You just have Keenan with his guitar and his stories to tell in his coarse Irish accent. Allow him to befriend you with his music and give you the escape you desire.

I have had “Cobwebs” on repeat this week, and I also love his tune “El Paso.” He is touring the northeast this month and if you find yourself up that way, you should go see him. Click here for more information.


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Charlie Puth – Voicenotes

I have always been a fan of a good ole pop album, but over the many years of my life I have found it hard to come across a pop album that really leaves me satisfied, one that I want to listen to from beginning to end many times over. Enter Charlie Puth’s sophomore album Voicenotes. This is one of the best pop albums I have ever heard and one of the few I can listen to without my pointer finger eagerly looking for the skip button. I grew up in the 80’s – early 90’s and this album is nostalgic for me. There are amazing bass lines paired with jazzy chords throughout the production of the album, of which Puth produced himself, that will catch the attention of any listener. He has already released several singles including last year’s summer hit “Attention” closely followed by his second hit release “How Long” which I wrote about here.

Not only does Puth impress me musically, he impresses me in the way he carries himself. In all the interviews I have seen of him, he comes across as a very honest, down to earth person. He has verbally stood against bullying and has a sense of pride in being the “weirdo” when he was in high school. It looks like all those years of walking the halls coming up with music beats in his head paid off. Voicenotes was released May 11, 2018 and has already reached Gold. If I have not convinced you to listen to this album then take Boyz II Men and James Taylor’s word for it as they have given their stamp of approval in collaborations on the album.

My favorite tune is “Somebody Told Me” with “BOY” and “Empty Cups” tying for second. Puth announced that his Voicenotes tour will begin in July 2018. Check here to see if you can snag a ticket.

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Kansas – Talos Single

When Acceptance (one of my favorite bands) tweeted about Talos at SXSW I made a mental note to check them out, but it got lost somewhere with all of my other mental notes (most likely wherever my missing socks are). Apple Music came to my rescue when the Irish band’s new tune “Kansas” was added to my new music playlist. I recognized the band name right away and skipped over a few other tunes to give this one a listen first. I did not need to listen to any of the other songs on that playlist after hearing this one because I knew I would not find anything better. I was completely blown away by how something so delicate could be so powerful.

This song left me in awe. It gave me the same feeling I had a little over a year ago when I visited Clingmans Dome in the Great Smoky Mountains. After walking to the observation tower, I had a perfect 360-degree panorama view of the terrain. It was incredibly breathtaking, and I had this immediate realization of how small I am in the world, the universe. I left feeling grateful for everything in my life. There is something magical about music that can take you back to special moments in your life. Especially moments where you want to be better than the best version of yourself. Talos did this for me through this beautiful piece of music.

The deluxe edition of their debut album Wild Alee will be released June 15, 2018. You will not regret giving Talos a listen. Do not make the same mistake I made. No mental notes. Go listen now.

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Say – Will Heggadon Single

I have had UK singer/songwriter Will Heggadon’s tune “Say” on repeat since it surfaced in March of this year. I think we have all heard the phrase “like buttah,” but I never felt the need to use it until describing Heggadon’s voice. He effortlessly glides over the lyrics in this tune pulling you in with subtle runs and alluring lyrics. The production has a dreamy feel that makes me think of some of my favorite 80’s movies. More specifically, the school gym dance scene when your favorite characters look at each other from across the room, and by some magical magnetic force, are pulled together for the final dance.

 Over the last couple years Heggadon has released a few singles and an EP titled The Dark. If you like this song you should check out his other music. A couple of my favorite tunes are “Island” and “Creature.” Keep this guy on your “ones to watch” list. He is going places.

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Sea Girls

I heard Sea Girls for the first time a few months ago when their tune “What For” appeared in my Apple new music playlist. I did not realize until the moment I heard them that I was missing something in my life. Many of the alternative bands I grew to love ten years ago have disbanded over time, and when I heard this UK band it felt refreshing. It was the same feeling you get when taking your first deep breath of accomplishment after making it to your final destination on a long hike. They have an incredible talent of writing songs with an anthem appeal that will have you singing along in no time and will have you slowing down on your drive home (or driving around the block again) to sing along to the chorus one last time.

Sea Girls released their debut EP Call Me Out last year followed by the release of their second EP Heavenly War in early 2018. Their latest tune “Eat Me Whole” was released last month. They are currently touring with The Academic and have plans for a headlining UK tour this fall. Give them a listen. If you have been looking for a new alternative band, you just found one.