Week Ahead – Today’s Top Tune

This week Today’s Top Tune (free downloads!) scours the music scene with new songs from an Icelandic newcomer, Grammy winner John Paul White (of The Civil Wars), Scottish singer Angela McCluskey, a new project by yacht rocker Shawn Lee, and Brooklyn rockers The Mystery Lights.

Monday, August 8, Júníus Meyvant “Mighty Backbone” from Floating Harmonies

Just last month, Icelander Júníus Meyvant unleashed his music via a full length debut in his homeland, capturing many Nordic countries with his sound. Far from cold and minimalist, we hear snappy horns and all the fixings of northern soul on “Mighty Backbone.”

Tuesday, August 9, Young Gun Silver Fox “In My Pocket” from West End Coast

Shawn Lee has a penchant for the West Coast album-oriented rock sound that flooded the airwaves in the mid-70’s with bands like Steely Dan and Hall & Oates. His new collaboration comes under the moniker Young Gun Silver Fox. Together with Lee’s production, the project showcases the expertise of singer-songwriter Andy Platts of the UK band Mamas Gun. Although written and recorded under cloudy London skies, “In My Pocket” hits the target when it comes to the golden age of California pop.

Wednesday, August 10, John Paul White ” The Once And Future Queen” from Beulah

John Paul White, best known as half of the Grammy-Award winning duo The Civil Wars, has a new album on the horizon. White turned on the faucet and let go of songs that were haunting him to create Beulah, which marries gentle folk ballads with his swampy southern rock flair. Today’s Top Tune is “The Once And Future Queen.”

Thursday, August 11, Angela McCluskey “You and Me” from The Roxy Sessions

Angela McCluskey is an amazing entertainer whose voice is inimitable. The soul of The Wild Colonials and Telepopmusik, McCluskey is also the powerhouse behind Big Gigantic’s current hit “The Little Things.” A new solo album drops in September, and here’s a peek at what’s to come with “You and Me.”

Friday, August 12, The Mystery Lights “Follow Me Home” from The Mystery Lights

With songs that are crunchy and raw, The Mystery Lights are a Brooklyn based quintet who provide fuzz-fueled jams, as heard on “Follow Me Home.”