2021 has certainly gotten off to a good start.

This year’s Grammy award show was intimate, creative, and far more engaging than usual.

Continuing where last year’s music scene left off, this year’s music scene is still hopping.

Best of all, as COVID restrictions lift, artists are starting to announce summer and fall concert dates.

To help get you ready for new albums and the concert scene, here’s a few new releases we’re loving.

Dayglow – “Close to You”

Dayglow’s “glad to be alive” vibe is just so hard to resist. It’s charismatic indie-pop, and it took musician Sloan Struble to the top with his first single, “Can I Call You Tonight.” From his “Fuzzybrain” debut, it quickly went gold.

His new “Close to You” single is equally appealing synth pop:

Dayglow plays Portland’s Roseland Theater in September.

And “Harmony House” is due out May 21 – watch for it!

Moontype – “Blue Michigan”

The band Moontype has a cool Indie vibe that’s also a little retro. The chorus of their lovely “Blue Michigan,” for example, is a bit reminiscent of early Fleetwood Mac.

It comes from their impressive debut, “Bodies of Water,” and is currently on our playlist.

Have a listen!

This band has things figured out, and it’s no wonder. All three band members are graduates of Ohio’s Oberlin Conservatory of Music.

Celeste – “Tell Me Something I Don’t Know”

“Tell Me Something I Don’t Know” delivers its discouraging message in the most carefree, exuberant way. It’s from Great Britain’s newest pop icon, Celeste Waite, and new album “Not Your Muse.” The debut album from this American-born soul singer showcases her heart-stopping vocals throughout.

Also from “Not Your Muse,” watch for soulful opening track “Ideal Woman” as well as “Love is Back” – – it’s the optimism we need right now.

Waite received the BRITs’ Rising Star Award last February.

Nation of Language – “The Wall & I”

Get to know under-the-radar indie pop band Nation of Language, from Brooklyn.

We recently added their track “The Wall & I” to our playlist. It imparts a beautiful, cinematic ride akin to music from the lush, heartland rock band War on Drugs.

“The Wall & I” is from their recent release “Introduction, Presence,” which earned them glowing reviews from Pitchfork and Paste. The appealing, polished vocals from lead singer Ian Devaney are a strong suit on the entire album.

Serena Ryder – “Better Now”

“Better Now” is a spunky, soulful track about the healing journey to sobriety.

It’s by six-time Juno Award winner Serena Ryder, and you’ll want to give it a listen. Ryder counts Leonard Cohen, Tracy Chapman, Janis Joplin and The Beatles amongst her influences, and is one of Canada’s most successful singer-songwriters.

“Better Now” is the final single from her new “The art of Falling Apart” release.

Lord Huron – “Mine Forever”

Creating the best alt-country of any band right now is Lord Huron and their soon-to-be released album, “Long Lost.”

Taking their name from one of the five Great Lakes, this is a band that boasts an expansive sound and spectacular harmonies. Currently on our playlist is “Mine Forever,” a haunting and meticulously crafted track likely to be a summer favorite.

Fans are sure to flock to their Edgefield show later this year.

Support the music scene

That’s a wrap!

This is a good time to remind you, our loyal listeners, to support local Portland musicians – and all musicians – by buying their music. It’s especially important now, with so many still being affected by the pandemic.

Lastly, we here at PRP play a local artist every 15 minutes…show us some love!

Please consider making a donation today.

Cynthia Orlando
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