Thursday Releases - September 30, 2021


September 30, 2021

September is definitely coming to an end, and before we dive into October tomorrow with our "Friday Releases" column, let's see what great songs are released today. Our beautiful journey starts in Scotland, with a wonderful artist you've already seen on IMC this summer.

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Lewis McLaughlin - Whole

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Lewis McLaughlin's latest single earned him two features on IMC. One with Niko in Uplifting Vibes on August 3, and the other with Luna in episode 25 (https://indiemusiccenter.com/podcasts/why-doesn-t-everyone-know-these-songs-215/ episode-25-34) from his podcast “Why Doesn't Everyone Know These Songs?”. The track still plays daily on our radio and our listeners love it. So you might like this new single released today. Much more folky and atmospheric than its predecessor, "Whole" is an indie-folk gem that will directly reach the center of your heart. Especially when our favorite Scottish gives us these magnificent falsettos on the chorus. An impressive vocal range, where the words slide over the melody like a wave on the beach. Lewis describes the song as an "A reminder that on every path there will be a view to reassess from, nothing is forever both paths up and down will at one point become the other". It might make you think of "High Low High Low" by Luna Keller. Anyway, if you need a song to cheer you up and make you think that whatever your decisions you're on the right path, you've found it. Barely over 20 years old, and Lewis McLaughlin already has enormous maturity in his writing and his way of thinking. A promising talent.

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mou - medicate

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It is true that it is Autumn for us, in North America and in Europe, but we tend to forget that the Southern hemisphere is entering Spring. So let's go to Australia to start our world tour of releases. Mou comes from Brisbane's northern suburbs and offers us "medicate", from his debut EP which will have the same name.

We loved its musical color: warm, reassuring, and relaxing, "medicate" is an incredible mix of various musical influences. In an almost summer atmosphere, which makes you want to watch a sunset or drive near a cliff with a breathtaking view of the ocean, the artist dazzled us with his detailed writing, and his incredible voice, comfortable in all tones.

The high notes are of rare beauty, and the whole is very coherent. If you lack self-confidence you are going to love this song, which will add light to your darker times. Let’s hope this fall (or spring for our friends in Australia) will be bright and full of sunshine.

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Thomas LaVine - Saltwater Lover

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Now let's go to North Carolina to find IMC Family member Thomas LaVine. When Thomas sent me his new single, and I saw the title, I thought "No, it's not possible! It's about water again". I admit that at that precise moment, I burst out laughing. During our interview in April, I pointed out to him that most of his songs were about water: "To the Sea", "Rivers", "Bridges", "By the Coast" ... Thomas didn't even realize it and it made him laugh at the time too. But he continued, with "Open Sea", and now "Saltwater Lover". If you don't know what to get him for Christmas, treat him to a cruise with an ocean liner or a canoe, that will do the trick. He laughs at it, but has promised that it will be the "last one of the ocean-related ones for a while". Of course, that was just anecdotal. Thomas has become a friend over time, and I know he won't blame me for the joke. Besides, his level of quality keeps increasing with each release, so he can continue to write about water, if that pleases him, or write about anything else.

You know, Thomas LaVine is that kind of artist who could adapt the assembly instructions for an Ikea piece of furniture into a song, and it would work wonderfully, he would succeed in putting all the emotions necessary to trigger you goosebumps. He is able to sing everything, and do everything. Because he's not just a singer-songwriter. He's built his own home studio and handles everything himself, from writing to recording, production to mixing, and of course, his favorite part: the promotion (another joke, because he didn't not really like this part).

"Saltwater Lover" begins as an acoustic indie-folk ballad, with an incredible voice. This is the first time that I appreciate his vocal performance so much. The low notes in his voice are already enough to amaze you. And the higher notes of the chorus make you realize that you are listening to an exceptional singer.

The intensity gradually rises, the instruments are added, the voice is more and more assured, and we take more pleasure every second. Some instruments are only there for a note or two, in the background, and I won't tell you which ones. It's up to you to spot them (yeah, sometimes at IMC, we like to play games on cereal boxes).

Thank you, Thomas, for this incredible moment of relaxation, and congratulations on this new release, which, as we already know, will allow you to further expand your audience.

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That's all for today folks, we'll have the pleasure to meet again tomorrow for even more stunning releases!