Today (January 20, the third Monday of the year) is supposedly Blue Monday, the most depressing day of the year. The science is dubious, but I think we can all feel the midwinter blues setting in. Here are five songs you must hear to cheer you up.
1. The Syncopation Rebels, Number 1
Single (Independent)
Recommended If You Like: Canadian supergroups
When you’ve been in the music industry for decades, you’ve met a lot of friends. Martha Johnson and Mark Gane (Martha and the Muffins) had an idea for recording a 2005 song by the UK’s Goldfrapp, so they called up Chloe Kay (ex of the UK’s This Sound Will Save You), Toronto’s Alex Exists (The Nursery, The Ruby Spirit) and Trinidad-born hip-hop/Afrobeat artist John Orpheus. Here’s what they came up with.
2. Inhaler, Open Wide
Wide Open (Geffen)
RIYL: Second generations
By now, you’ve probably heard of Dublin’s Inhaler, a young group that features singer Elijah Hewson, the son of some guy named Bono. While they haven’t had a worldwide breakthrough yet, Inhaler has been working hard to establish a fanbase and have done quite well. This single was once a forgotten demo that seemed destined to be junked but found new life when the sessions for the new album started. Wide Open will arrive February 7.
3. Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers, Please Me feat. The Linda Lindas
I Love You (deluxe version) (Domestic La La/Mom + Pop Music)
RIYL: Pearl Jam’s taste in music
Coming out of the Canberra area of Australia, the all-female Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers have been selected by Pearl Jam to open a series of dates on the Dark Matter tour. This songwas re-recorded to include contributions of LA’s The Linda Lindas. Punky stuff with riot grrrl energy.
4. Balu Brigada, So Cold
Single (Atlantic)
RIYL: Well, The Strokes and Arctic Monkeys, for a start…
Let’s move from Australia to New Zealand. Balu Brigada is made up of brothers Henry and Pierre Brassely who come from a musical family (Dad was a dancer and mom is an actress/musician). When they signed a record deal in 2022, they moved to New York. This single is currently gaining traction across radio in the US.
5. DITZ, Taxi Man
Never Exhale (Republic of Music/Domino)
RIYL: IDLEs, Pigs (x 7), poets
And finally this week, DITZ, a five-piece bunch from Brighton, England, who has an experimental tinge to what they do. This album, due Friday, has been roadtested for about a year. Out of all the tracks they’ve tried out on audiences, this song has received the best feedback and the most requests. Gritty post-punk struff.
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