Le monde musical a parfois des frontières que l'on a du mal à s'expliquer.

On en parlait en septembre dans un article sur les frontières musicales de la France (si vous êtes anglophones, n'hésitez pas à y jeter un oeil).

En effet, il ne fait aucun doute que Johnny Hallyday ou Jacques Dutronc sont totalement inconnus aux USA. On en a déjà parlé.

Et bien force est de constater que l'inverse est tout aussi possible.

Dez Money n'est autre que le fils d'Eddy Money, une star incontestable du Rock aux Etats-Unis des années 70 aux années 90, et dont le nom n'évoque aucun souvenir en France.

Et c'est bien dommage, car quand on connaît cette famille, on sait qu'il y a derrière beaucoup plus que du simple talent.

Dez Money perpétue donc la tradition familiale, après la disparition de son père en septembre dernier.

Le jeune homme est venu nous voir avec deux chansons et il nous a été impossible de choisir, tant les deux morceaux ont leur place sur Indie Music Center.

On commence par "Can't Take My Eyes Off You", mais n'allez pas vous imaginer là qu'il s'agit du grand classique disco que l'on connaît.

Après une intro pleine de mystère et de suspense, on découvre une jolie voix, qui se pose délicatement, avant d'entamer un premier couplet parsemé de piano.

Et lorsque la voix de Dez Money s'élève au refrain, on comprend qu'on a affaire à un professionnel, qui maîtrise à la perfection son outil vocal, et dans toutes les tonalités.

Un refrain percutant, à la mélodie attractive, où chaque note est positionnée très intelligemment.

L'artiste ne laisse rien au hasard.

La chanson continue de grandir tranquillement, jusqu'à un pont incroyable avec de belles envolées vocales, puis un refrain final ponctué d'harmonies vocales divines.

Bien que le format "plus de 4 minutes" ne soit plus très en vogue ces derniers temps, on ne voit pas les 4 minutes passer.

Mais l'artiste a plein de bonnes choses à nous mettre dans les oreilles, et on ne va pas s'arrêter là.

Voici à présent "I Want Your Love".

Encore une intro plutôt mystérieuse.

Mais cette fois, ce n'est pas le piano, mais la guitare acoustique qui domine le premier couplet, aidée par un violon délicatement posé en arrière-plan.

Puis la rythmique qui roule et qui roule, monte progressivement jusqu'à un refrain finalement très logique et comme on s'y attendait: plein de couleurs, d'énergie, et de bonnes sensations auditives.

Une mélodie comme chaque artiste aimerait en créer. Une de ces mélodies qu'on oublie pas, et qui reste dans la tête pendant des heures.

La guitare acoustique cède sa place à la guitare électrique pour le second couplet, et voici enfin le piano qu'on avait perdu.

Lorsque le second refrain commence, on est déjà en train de chanter avec lui. On vous avait prévenu: la mélodie est addictive.

Après quelques choeurs et un beau solo de guitare pour le pont, le refrain final tient ses promesses et nous laisse sur une envie d'y retourner.

Fort d'une très grande communauté sur les réseaux sociaux, nul doute que Dez Money est en train de suivre les traces de son regretté père, et qu'on entendra parler de lui en 2020.

Sa musique est en train de dépasser les frontières, de quitter les Etats-Unis. La voici en France. Maintenant, c'est à vous de faire tourner!

Et la voix est clairement beaucoup mieux maîtrisée sur ce nouvel opus. Elle transporte beaucoup plus d'émotion. L'artiste a bien travaillé, pendant tout ce temps, et ça s'entend. La chanson prend vite de l'ampleur lors du refrain, avec des choeurs féminins qui ajoutent une autre dimension au morceau. On apprécie beaucoup la montée graduelle en émotions. En effet, le second refrain se fait beaucoup moins discret, comme la voix féminine, et les choeurs s'intensifient jusqu'à nous provoquer une sensation de bien être. On en oublie le fait que c'est la même phrase qui est répétée car la musique fait tout le reste et nous entraîne dans un univers musical magique.

"Release & Repeat" nous emmène sur un versant un peu plus rock de l'artiste.

Là encore, lorsqu'on entend ce pêchu son de guitare électrique, on comprend que l'artiste a voulu envoyer un sacré paquet d'émotions, et qu'il a bien travaillé le sujet. Et ça ne peut que nous parler. On adhère tout de suite à cet univers musical avec un chant plus contenu et discret que sur le titre précédent. Alternant couplets calmes et refrains incroyablement puissants, le morceau nous laisse sans voix. Le refrain final est une explosion de sensations auditives et on regrette presque que ce soit déjà fini!

Simon D James est un artiste à surveiller. On apprécie de voir évoluer les artistes, et quand c'est dans le sens positif, il faut les encourager!

A suivre sur Soundcloud, Spotify, Facebook, et son site officiel.

Jenny Kern was born in Canada, and now lives in New York. Her first eponymous EP is now available.

A soft universe, tender, and soothing. Her voice reminds of Dido at her beginning, and there is in this voice a great sensitivity of interpretation that does not leave indifferent.

We also appreciate the quality of the writing, neat, perfected so much that each word is in its place.

The instruments are well chosen, respect the lyrics, and especially: they don't erase the beautiful voice of Jenny, essential tool to transport us in her universe.

There's something mesmerizing about this lady... And you may fall in love with more than a voice : a character.

With her qualities, faults, fears and doubts.

A nice EP, to discover urgently! And for which we have only one regret: 4 titles, it's too short!

Here is a band that we like a lot. We can even say that we are fans. As soon as they released a single, we played it on Pop'N'rocK Radio, do you remember? They are coming back today with a new EP called "Lace & Layers", just released this Friday. Lauren, Tyler and Zach are WILD, one of the most effective bands of the time. Spotted also and often put forward by our English colleagues from Alexrainbirdmusic, our American trio once again asserts its power in this new EP. Particularly cheerful tracks, with melodies that stay in your mind, very powerful and effective, it's the secret recipe of WILD. Each track is an anthem. If you like folks sounds, with a touch of pop, a lot of love and sharing, and above all an incredible feeling of escaping at each listening session, this EP is for you. We tried to choose a favorite, we didn't succeed. Every track worth it. And we're still convinced: wait a little longer, and you'll hear about them.

We introduced you to Matias Malagardis in June, with "My Kind Of Blue".

And we never thought that a few months later, the artist would have left us speechless with such a delicious EP. Born in Spain, the young artist, only 19, is already a big artist and gives us a great EP, called "Winter By The Sea" that you will enjoy to listen from the first to the very last second.

The EP opens on "I've Got A Plan", gently. A nice ballad, at the beginning all in acoustics, which is gaining magnitude over the seconds. With a female voice in the background to accompany him on perfect vocal harmonies, Matias offers us a song made with a great sensitivity. You just have to close your eyes. And here you are : in his universe.

"My Kind Of Blue", which we discovered in June, continues the sound adventure in a more melancholic side and sets an atmosphere of serenity, which is essential in this life, when everyone runs.

Then "Forget" comes naturally, with a much more dynamic side, and especially a much more folk point of view. Chosen as the first single, the track has everything: a fantastic writing, a voice that does not do too much, and a very catchy chorus.

On a faster tempo, "Dearest Friend" confirms the folk influences of Matias, and leaves us as dreamers. A story of friendship that could have turned into love if life had decided otherwise. We can feel in this track a personal investment of the artist, even more pushed.

And the best is coming, finally, with "Winter By The Sea", which concludes in emotions, and perfectly summarizes the 5 tracks. A ballad with beautiful female vocal parts, which brings us serenity and calm for the weekend.

In summary, a very worked out EP, with a lot of care. A real pleasure to listen to. Endlessly. We killed the "Repeat" button, to be honest.

Here is an incredible artist from Pasadena, please welcome Kirk Ross in your heart. His new album is called "Cartwheel", and it's a mosaic of different universes, and all of them are amazing. "My Love" is an ode to happiness, on a very happy and catchy melody. Dedicated to his wife, "I Stand By" is much more calm and intimate. A breathtaking love declaration. Much more powerful, "Kaideryn" offers you a mystical ballad. "The Everything", very sunny, gives you the touch of good mood you needed. "Adiaua" closes the album in a wonderful way, and on a very positive note.  On this album, the singer shares his experiences, his fears, his doubts, his experiences. And it's a real success. It's very well written. Beautifully sung. Perfectly produced. On an album, there are always bad tracks. Well. Not really "bad" tracks, it's not the right word, but maybe tracks you like less than others. It's not the case with "Cartwheel". What a lovely surprise! We loved every single track!! And we warmly recommend to stream it and buy it! Available on Spotify and iTunes.

Find the EP on Spotify, Soundcloud, and iTunes

Follow the artist on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Spotify, and Soundcloud

Remember, in April, you discovered John Muirhead on IMC with the song "Passenger's Side". This track is taken from an EP called "Foundational" which must absolutely be discovered. In 5 tracks, the artist offers us the full extent of his talent in several well-written stories, different musical universes, and different moods. "Ambition" is pretty quiet, with an electric guitar and a rhythm rather on the blues side. Original soundtrack for your romantic evenings. "Doubts" (our favorite) is a bit more rock, but still very well mastered in writing. The chorus is so catchy that you will sing it again tomorrow. Nobody would like to die with doubts. "Honeymoon Phase" is almost all acoustic, with a little violin at the end. More poetic writing that invites you to think. We all wake up in the middle of the night to think.

Then Passenger's Side, of which you already know all the good that we think of it, is a wonderful track that makes appear the piano, an instrument that can be strong in emotions. Finally, "Foundational", which is also the title of the EP, ends everything in a much more powerful atmosphere in emotions: "I found a foundation in you". John says that the experiences, emotions, and stories evoked built the foundation for him as a songwriter. This EP is a perfect summary of what he's been through. A sincere and authentic artist. Next step: after two EPs, a full-length album? We can't wait! There's a huge potential in this guy!

Allison Leah is our new "Rising Star". An artist to watch closely this year. With a new EP, "Fly Home", released this week, the young singer shows us the full extent of her talent. It is impossible to choose a favorite song among the 6 in the EP.

They are all good! Allison has a mature and unique voice, and masters singing to perfection. A great talent for writing and a very professional production make this EP a "must have". Sometimes powerful and dynamic, sometimes calm and quiet, this EP is full of pleasant surprises.

Now, we're only waiting for a single thing : a full-length album! And please never forget this sentence: this artist's gonna be big in the future. No doubt that you will see her again on IMC!

"Fly Home" Ep is available on Spotify and iTunes.

When we received "Now Is Now", we were excited from the first notes that Tesla Arrow sang. From the first words, we are hooked by the melody, original, very sweet, and beautifully composed. The first chorus, very sweet, makes us understand that we are dealing with a complete artist, who perfectly masters her voice. The little break that follows the chorus, testifies to the relaxing atmosphere of this ballad, before a second verse which is all smooth. The rhythm really appears during the second chorus, and we get all the emotional power of the track. Some soft notes for just a few seconds on a gliding atmosphere, before a final part as high as the level Tesla Arrow's talent : exceptional. Aged only 24, the young artist, whose musical maturity is surprising, gave us an amazing performance. This is why you find her in our "Rising Star" section: to enjoy her for a longest time from our homepage. If you liked this song, then don't wait to discover the whole EP on Spotify (see player below) and iTunes, which includes three other tracks that really worth a listen. "You Are Safe", a little bit in the same genre, very calm and soft, but very emotional in the end. "Folded", a delicious sweet candy in a more rhythmic way, and even more powerful. Finally, "Kill The Night" is a jewel with some electro flavors, and is perfectly produced and radio ready. As we always say in French, "we keep the best for the end" with "Now Is Now", our favourite so far, which close the EP in a perfecty way.

Today, even though the temperatures are very hot for spring in France, we propose you to take a tour in autumn with Byren. This is an artist from Newcastle, Australia. When we received this song, when we first listened, we were impressed. This song is just ... amazing. Many universes and atmospheres coexist in this track. Let's be honest, we had never heard such a successful mix of genres. Many artists risked it. And many artists missed it. There, it's just perfect. It is impossible to define a specific genre for this song. It's not rock. This is not world music. It's not pop. It's just ... happiness! We we float in weightlessness for 4 minutes. Byren is a UFO. We won't tell you more about the build of the song, we let you enjoy. You have to hear it to believe it. And if you're told it's great, you can trust us. Available on Spotify and iTunes. And for the first time since our creation, we decided to include the song directly in our "Concept" playlist on Spotify, which includes the most powerful songs in emotions, and which perfectly reflects our concept. Congratulations Byren!

Double blast for Arms Akimbo, who comes back with two new singles. Remember, Arms Akimbo is a band that we had already introduced to you with "Parachute" in last November. And it's a band that goes up, and up, and up ... That's why they are our "Rising Stars" of the moment!
Seven Mirrors, released on February 17, is a hymn to good feeling. The atmosphere slowly but surely settles, and we understand all the heat that this track gives off when the electric guitar arrives at 1:38. In the instrumental parts, from 1:54 to 2:09 for example, we find a small Viola Beach side that we appreciate so much (and we think about them every day since their sudden disappearance). These two bands would have had a lot to tell each other, for sure. The solo that arrives at 2:59 leaves us speechless. We take a huge pleasure to savor every second of this track. The final is up, and despite the 5 minutes of the song, it seems it has been too short, and we would have taken a minute longer, because it was so good. About that, you still want some?
Here is another single, released today, "None Of My Business". Members of the band, once again, impose their unique style, consisting of funky melodies, catchy lyrics and good mood. Shorter, but just as great, you'll appreciate this single if you like Stereophonics or Snow Patrol, for example. From beginning to end, the band immerses us in its unique universe, so well built. Because everything is perfect, nothing is left to chance, and you can hear it. Arms Akimbo are professionals, and they will always surprise us.
Both tracks can be found in our "Indie Rock" playlist, and are available on Spotify and iTunes.

For our second episode of "Rising Stars", we chose to introduce you to Tom Forest. A unique voice that gives you beautiful emotions, well written lyrics, and catchy melodies. Tom's voice is full of sincerity. Every word is delivered with its lot of emotions. This artist has created his own universe and impose his talent from the first notes of each song. Here are three tracks to discover and also, three great videos. Because in addition to offering us beautiful songs, Tom Forest has created an incredible visual universe, with always more powerful videos. His single graphisms are also very beautiful. You can abuse the replay button. It's authorized. Here, we exploded it.

Brandin first sent us the song "Pour Out Love".

To understand why we fell in love with this artist, we advise you to listen to "Pour Out Love" with headphones. If possible, with a loud enough volume.
You will not realize the track is 6 minutes long. It is a real walk in his universe, that the artist proposes us. This track is a kind of showcase that shows us the full possibilities of Brandin's talent.
Indie Pop, with a cheerful chorus and powerful choruses, Singer / Songwriter with a much quieter and acoustic moment, and we end up on an explosive Indie Folk final.
We've never seen so many variations and different styles in a song, but we love it! What an incredible journey!

Brandin being a generous artist, he also sent us "Thank You". More relaxed and at a slower rhythm, "Thank You" is an invitation to relax and enjoy. Again, we haven't seen the 5 minutes 37 going. They went so quickly...
We think it's over, but it's not : the artist sends us a magnificent final, with these strings and echoing voice in the background.

2 tracks sent by the artist. 2 tracks loved by Music For Your Heart. A first time ever.

So, we wanted to look a little further, and we had a listen to the album, on Spotify. And there, we realized that the whole album was like that! Pleasant surprises, and very cool to listen. We never get bored.
The artist really has an incredible universe to make you discover. So we did not resist the urge to make you try a 3rd track that we liked, "So Long".

The album is definitely worth a listen. Here is a preview, thanks to this "sampler album", that the artist has made available on his Youtube channel :

Brandin Reed is, for us, one of the artists to follow and monitor in 2018. Because if he manages to gain the international stage, it will not be a coincidence.