We can't believe it's already Friday! And even more so that it's already December! This year 2023 has passed at an astonishing speed. The pace of releases becomes challenging for us when we have already covered over 1600 artists; our release radar is bursting every Friday, offering nearly 150 discoveries each time! It's challenging to write about everyone and, most importantly, to make choices. But here are three gems we have selected for you with love to start December warm by the fireside.

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Thomas LaVine - Better Days

That acoustic guitar that envelops you from the first seconds... You immediately recognize the touch of Thomas LaVine even before he starts singing. For those who have never been to IMC before, welcome! Know that Thomas LaVine has been comfortably settled on our sofa since 2020. And since then, he has never ceased to amaze us. 2021, 2022, 2023. He's still here. And so is his talent.

Always there at the right moment with the right song. "Better Days" keeps us company during the long winter evenings, waiting for... better days. Comforting, and warm, with production as wonderful as ever, the song transports us to the Appalachians, where it was written in a cabin with friends. Yes, for once, Thomas didn't work alone in his tool shed at the back of his garden, and it did him good, as he explains:

"The experience of spending a weekend making music with others felt like a special one and a welcome change to my normal routine. The song is about experiencing life in between the moments of good and bad, where you don’t quite feel satisfied but you don’t know why".

And this cohabitation suited him perfectly. MTV's "Teen Mom" opened the doors to synchronization with his single "Crumble," and his ascent continues slowly but surely. A discreet, humble, and serene artist who, as always, invites rest and reflection. A fabulous indie folk track that you can also enjoy in an acoustic live version here.

Reach out to Thomas LaVine

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Dune Moss - Lullaby Please Don't Lie

On September 1st, when we posted about Dune Moss in a long-form article, saying that we had taken a big beating... we didn't think that she would repeat the experience two months later.

Second time on IMC, the second slap in the face for us, second favorite. Oops, she did it again. And she can do it as many times as she wants, because we love good surprises. Dune Moss is this little candy well wrapped in attractive and colorful paper, and it turns out to be a little tangy. A lot of acidity, ultimately.

Yes, once we dig a little deeper, we discover in this lovely fairy, deep feelings that war with each other, and this war often ends in music with a new masterpiece. This is the case for "Lullaby Please Don't Lie", which once again confronts her with the difference between the religious education she received, and her own perception (now autonomous) of the world around her. An almost mystical beginning of a song that would make a nice soundtrack for an adventure film, then an explosive finale as we like them, with vocal flights that are almost superhuman to be real and which give the thrills that we come to look for on IMC.

Reach out to Dune Moss

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Morning Bear & ELLSWORTH - Learning How

When we received this song, we were struck by the pitch: "Have you ever been too hard on yourself after making a mistake? Maybe even the same mistake over and over again?". Oh my god, yes, often. And probably you too.

And if a song seems relatable to a lot of people, it's likely to find a warm spot on your playlist. "Learning How" is the wonderful collaboration between Morning Bear and Ellsworth released today and reminds us how important it is to accept that we are not perfect. Nobody is perfect. Yes, it seems a bit cliché, doesn't it? But it's so true.

Just an innocent little folk ballad, with wonderful vocal harmonies, as if these two voices were born to be together on the same song. We feel such a symbiosis that we even wonder why they didn't do it before. The writing is both discreet and full of metaphor but also quite directive: "Don't be turning around, no / You will find your way out".

John and Megan created a little masterpiece here, which proves to us that nothing is impossible if we don't dwell too much on our mistakes. A successful collaboration that we would like to hear more often. And guys, why not make this official in the form of a duo that would release releases regularly? You have all the potential to do it!

Reach out to Morning Bear

Reach out to ELLSWORTH

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That's all for today! Stay tuned for new song discoveries in the next episode!