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. As autumn rolls in indie artists are releasing more melancholic and introspective tracks. Maybe it's the change of seasons that inspires these kinda songs, I've definitely been enjoying listening to them while walking over the first crunchy leaves. Here are three of my favorite recent discoveries with beautiful atmospheres and moving stories.

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Jonathan Lobo - Calm Before the Storm

There is a lot of breakup songs out there, some come from a place of anger, others from a place of hurt, some even from a place of liberation. The ones that hit me the hardest are the ones that come from a place of love though, and that’s the kind of song “Calm Before the Storm” is. Dubai-based singer-songwriter Jonathan Lobo paints an image of a relationship that is falling apart with vivid descriptions “The photos on the wall, they don't say much at all,I see how you're hurting inside”. As good as the past has been, as real as the love was, it’s time for one last goodbye. The synth sounds that carry the song create a consistent foundation for the delicately sung vocals, that allow whispers and don’t need flourishes to make every word hit hard. “Calm Before the Storm” moves with a gentle force towards the inevitable, like a moment frozen in time - every second is captivating.

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LÓN - Earthquake

When I first heard “Earthquake” by LÓN I was immediately drawn in by its haunting atmosphere. A gentle acoustic guitar moves underneath stunning harmonies immediately establishing a very unique sound. Valdimar Guðmundsson (the lead singer) takes the stage with a nuanced vocal performance that tells a story of the start of new love and the uncertainties that come with it. The lyrics take us on a journey through hopes for a future, doubts, and beautiful sincerity that concludes in the realization that the only thing that is certain is the moment shared in the present. “I only know that I will warm your feet tonight, and if we’re lucky this might even last a while”. For me, “Earthquake” comes close to being the perfect folk song: stunning lyrics, an honest feeling, harmonies that give you goosebumps, and those real nice drums that lay in the background and drive the song forward. Bonus points for an awesome story behind the song - there actually was an earthquake during the recording session, that gave the song its name.

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George Holliday - Feel The Enemy

And part three of stunning raw songs with great lyrics: “Feel the Enemy” by George Holliday. This song gave me goosebumps upon the first listen, and it made me cry (in a good way) upon the third listen. The song is incredibly well produced with a warm piano giving us a ballad feel and George Holliday’s stellar vocals keeping the central stage as the arrangement grows. It’s one of those songs that sounds minimalistic but has a ton going on if you truly listen. But what makes it brilliant is the combination of the power it brings musically with the vulnerable story that unfolds in the lyrics. “The Enemy” in the song is that voice in our head that tells us we can’t do things or that we aren’t good enough “with emotions and ambitions only I should have the say, but this devil on my shoulder doesn’t make me feel that way”. The song acknowledges the weight of those insecurities in a deeply personal way and cuts really deep if you dare to listen closely. I personally felt both seen and less alone after listening, but also inspired, it’s just… a freaking great piece of music.

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That's all for today! Thanks for reading this column, I hope you enjoyed the songs! You can follow me on Instagram for more music discoveries, during my Musical Hangouts livestreams.