Hello, I’m Luna Keller and you’re reading “You Should Really Know These Songs”, a monthly blog post where I highlight some of the great indie music from my all indie show/podcast. This month I have beautifully unique songs that have one thing in common – great artistry and storytelling that pulls you in from the first note.

Gal Musette – Oliver

This song immediately intrigued me as it starts with nothing but a simple beat and a long note. It establishes a wonderful rhythmical drive before introducing us to the song and it unfolds beautifully from there. Gal Musettes dreamy vocals float through the sound scape and pull you into the head of someone trying to find their place in a world where the person they love doesn’t see them. She sings to Oliver “I know you don’t hear me/ I know that I’ve lost you/You’re off in the distance”. The story builds further with the voice of Rufus Wainwright, one of Musettes biggest inspirations who sings backup vocals on the track. It’s an absolutely stunning song that subverts your expectations in all the best ways. If you enjoy this song I recommend listening to the artists debut album “Backwards Lullaby” – it’s really stunning.

Angus Powell – Holding up the Heavy

This is the first single of Powell’s EP “H U T H” and if the rest of the songs are as awesome as this one I’m gonna be listening to that a lot. It’s the kind of song that can help you get through a tough time where you need to feel understood and uplifted at the same time. The chorus is incredibly catchy and had me singing along immediately, the lyrics are beautifully resilient “if there’s any hope left let’s dig it up”. Angus Powell’s vocals are a gentle force carried by a driving arrangement that feels really spacious without losing that personal feeling of connection to the listener. I really love the dynamic of the song, it grows beautifully from the more quiet parts into the groovy chorus with layered vocals and a powerful hook, “Are we holding up the heavy?”.

Xander Cameron – Chances

Roaring applause is what opens up Xander Camerons EP “South Stage Broadway” and roaring applause is exactly what this beautiful collection of songs deserves. It takes us on a wonderful journey starting with the story of a tortured artist chasing fame and ending with a love letter to Lake Tahoe. All the songs build on Camerons authentic vocal performance, that pulls you into the stories told between the lines. It’s an EP that reminds us that good songs don’t need much to move you. My personal favourite is “Chances” that won me over with its warm acoustic guitar and lyrics: “It’s a fall from grace, when I end up falling in love”. It’s probably the heaviest song on the EP and falls beautifully into the lighter closing song “She Lives in lake Tahoe”.