RECORD REWIND: PGTC Picks, 2/5 – 2/11/17

Sunday afternoon means it’s time for the Record Rewind, highlighting the top new tracks that you might’ve missed during the work week, all from my favorite independent acts out there. If it’s on the site, it’s something that you need to check out!

Across the PGTC SoundCloud page and my playlists on Spotify, these stuck out as my favorite independent songs of the week…
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JOE HICKS – “Best Clothes” (iTunes) (Spotify)
Hicks is a new name for the Rewind, but I think he’s got a sound that’ll stick around for some time on my radar. The retro-tinged jam is equal parts soulful and soft rock, and seems to be picking up some love on SoundCloud. All in all, “Clothes” dresses up very nicely.

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MARC SCIBILIA – “Summer Clothes” (iTunes) (Spotify)
It’s sure nice to have a bit of “Summer” in the middle of winter. Nashville’s Scibilia is doing pretty well for himself as an independent artist, having reached a million streams on two of his songs that were self-released last year. The acoustic pop track is worth a listen.

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RAINSFORD featuring SWIMSUIT ISSUE – “Sweet Spot” (iTunes) (Spotify)
Five months ago, this Los Angeles performer last appeared on the Rewind with a great single called “Too Close”. Needless to say, I’ll satisfy my “sweet” tooth’s craving with this delight, which should be another blog hit. The tropical influence on this tune is excellent.

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WILD – “Hold Us Together” (iTunes) (Spotify)
It’s been a minute since this Los Angeles trio caught my attention, but I really enjoyed their EP All We’ll Ever Have, especially tracks like “Silver & Gold” and “Where Love Lives”. Their radio-ready sound comes through again, a nice blend of light folk and bright pop.

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For more great new music, these tunes are worth a listen…
Adam Friedman – “Signals” (SoundCloud)
Benji Lewis – “Drift” (SoundCloud)
FRND – “Substitute” (SoundCloud)
LEVV – “Collateral Damage” (SoundCloud)
Lukr – “Astronaut” (SoundCloud)

Want to be featured on this weekly wrap-up? Submit your music to afsoybel@hotmail.com and I’ll check it out. Thanks!

RECORD REWIND: PGTC Picks, 7/24 – 7/30

Our new Record Rewind is about highlighting the top new songs that you may have missed, or should discover, from many of my favorite independent acts out there. If you like what you see, let me know what you think!

Across the PGTC SoundCloud page and my playlists on Spotify, these stuck out as my favorite independent songs of the week…

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BOA – “Pharaoh” (iTunes) (Spotify)
A few months ago, this duo released a jam called “Right Place Right Time”, which got them a solid amount of blog coverage and a contract with LAB Records, an independent group that’s given us some tasty tracks recently. You can add this pop gem to the list.

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JESSE RUBEN – “First Day Of Summer” (iTunes) (Spotify)
This is why we need him: fun and catchy songs that fit the light-hearted manner of the season. You may know his tender ballad of late last year, especially with its reach, but it’s always good to hear another side of a songwriter. “First” is a nice slice of sunshine.

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KID RUNNER – “Don’t Change Me” (iTunes) (Spotify)
While “Give Me Something To Love” remains in rotation for me, this Ohio quintet has a whole EP coming out in just two weeks. I think it’ll be pretty awesome based on the two releases so far. “Don’t” shines in all its alt-pop glory, with a good melody and lyric.

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KINGDM – “Superman” (iTunes) (Spotify)
The dynamic duo has been making the various streaming platforms their kingdom since late last year, and the reign continues on with their heroic and high-flying new release. It’s an easy listen, a lush piece of late night pop. Grab your cape and keep listening.

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MARC SCIBILIA – “Believer” (iTunes) (Spotify)
Current Nashville resident Scibilia was previously with I.R.S./Capitol Records, but now, he’s good with Good Lander. So, it’s not a surprise that his new self-released song is also, well, good. Written about a hope for change in rough times, it’s a hit with heart.

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OFELIA K – “Killing Me” (iTunes) (Spotify)
This Los Angeles singer keeps releasing great singles for the blog and streaming communities, and that growing base of believers is really making an impact. “Killing” is keeping her alive, and sailing smoothly into the hearts of art pop lovers around the world.

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For more new music, these tunes are worth a listen…
BRAIN TAN – “New Light” (SoundCloud)
EARLY HOURS – “Into The Wilderness” (SoundCloud)
VHS COLLECTION – “The Longest Drive” (SoundCloud)

Want to be featured on this weekly wrap-up? Submit your music to afsoybel@hotmail.com and I’ll check it out. Thanks!

NEW MUSIC FRIDAY: Releases For The Week of October 30, 2015

A spooky set of new releases.

This week’s New Music Friday is a good one for all the ghouls and girls of the world, with many treats to be devoured. Is a trick or two in the works as well? Get your costume ready — here’s a look at the week’s top new album and single releases for Halloween:

• FALL OUT BOY — Make America Psycho Again (iTunes)
  • Earlier this year, the Illinois rockers debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 with American Beauty/American Psycho, a set that featured hit singles like “Centuries” and “Uma Thurman”. This new release is a totally remixed version, with urban acts appearing on all of the cuts, including Migos and Wiz Khalifa. It may be polarizing for many, but it will likely debut well (for a remixes album, at least) next week.
• CHRIS JANSON — Buy Me A Boat (iTunes)
  • The title track from Janson’s debut album recently topped the Country radio survey, and now, second single “Power Of Positive Drinkin'” hopes to continue that momentum as it grows at the format. It likely won’t be strong enough to grab the top spot on the Country albums chart, though a top five entry is possible.
• THE NEIGHBOURHOOD — Wiped Out! (iTunes)
  • “R.I.P. 2 My Youth” is the name of their latest single, which is just inside the top 30 on Alternative radio, but there’s no need to bury this era just yet. Aided by some Beats 1 action, the California act should see a solid turnout for their first studio album in two years.
• VARIOUS ARTISTS — We Love Disney (iTunes)
  • The latest Disney covers album is a goldmine of top artists like Ariana Grande, Gwen Stefani, Tori Kelly and a lot more doing their takes on the classics. It’s a cool collection and among the most intriguing releases of the week.
• More albums out this week: Alanis Morissette‘s Jagged Little Pill (Collector’s Edition) (iTunes), Bryan Adams‘s Get Up (iTunes), Car Seat Headrest‘s Teens Of Style (iTunes), Carnage‘s Papi Gordo (iTunes), Crown The Empire‘s The Resistance (Deluxe) (iTunes), Def Leppard‘s Def Leppard (iTunes), Drive-By Truckers‘s It’s Great To Be Alive! (iTunes), Elvis Presley with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra‘s If I Can Dream (iTunes), EL VY‘s Return To The Moon (iTunes), Imagine Dragons‘s Smoke + Mirrors (Deluxe) (iTunes), Josh Ward‘s Holding Me Together (iTunes), Jovanie‘s What’s The Move, Pt. II (iTunes), Marc Scibilia‘s Out Of Style (iTunes), Puscifer‘s Money Shot (iTunes), Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings‘s It’s A Holiday Soul Party (iTunes), Steve Martin and Edie Brickell‘s So Familiar (iTunes), Straight No Chaser‘s The New Old Fashioned (iTunes), Trey Anastasio‘s Paper Wheels (iTunes), NOW That’s What I Call Music! 56 (iTunes), NOW That’s What I Call Disney Princess! (iTunes), Original Soundtrack to “AMY” (iTunes)
• More EPs out this week: Bruns‘s Bruns (iTunes), Kelley Stoltz‘s 4 New Cuts (iTunes), LoCash‘s I Love This Life (iTunes)

New digital-only singles that you can buy this week include:

• “All I Want Is Love”, A Great Big World (iTunes)
• “Army”, Ellie Goulding (iTunes)
• “Black & Blue”, James TW (iTunes)
• “Door Number Three”, Sara Bareilles (iTunes)
• “Ego”, Bibi Bourelly (iTunes)
• “Fix”, Chris Lane (iTunes)
• “Focus”, Ariana Grande (iTunes)
• “Gold”, Kiiara (iTunes)
• “Grown”, Little Mix (iTunes)
• “Heart Is Full”, Miike Snow (iTunes)
• “Humble And Kind”, Tim McGraw (iTunes)
• “I Don’t Belong To You”, Keke Palmer (iTunes)
• “I Know A Guy”, Chris Young (iTunes)
• “I Want To Love You”, Mat Kearney (iTunes)
• “Let The Games Begin”, AJR (iTunes)
• “Mess Around”, Cage The Elephant (iTunes)
• “One Step At A Time”, Jeff Lynne’s ELO (iTunes)
• “Random”, G-Eazy (iTunes)
• “Thank God For Girls”, Weezer (iTunes)
• “There’s A Place”, The All-American Rejects (iTunes)
• “You Look Like I Need a Drink”, Justin Moore (iTunes)

Next Friday, our preview will include new albums from notable artists like Ellie Goulding, Little Mix, Old Dominion, Tim McGraw and many more. See you then!

RADIO REPORT: POP! Goes The Picks (September 2015) (Part One)

It’s time once again to analyze the airwaves and find out if your favorite new singles will be lighting up the national charts during the month. Which tracks will climb to the top and which ones will hit a stop? Here’s a small selection of new songs being serviced in September on the CHR and Hot AC formats in the first part of this month’s Radio Report:

CHR (*) and HOT AC (**)

AVICII – “For A Better Day” (September 8) (*)
Label: Island/Republic
This Swedish DJ/producer’s Stories album will finally be available on October 2, but with two singles pulled here (“The Days” and “Waiting For Love”) and another that didn’t perform well (“The Nights”) at the format, this era’s true potential outside of streams and some sales has yet to be seen. Perhaps this song, with an uncredited vocal by singer Alex Ebert, will find some positive results.

ANDY GRAMMER – “Good To Be Alive (Hallelujah)” (September 15) (* + **)
Label: S-Curve/Hollywood
2015 has been as sweet as “Honey” for singer/songwriter Grammer thanks to his hit single about fidelity, a song that also saved an album era (Magazines Or Novels) that was off to a rocky start. Now, this bouncy tune heads to radio from the reissue of that set. I prefer that “Forever” or “Red Eye” from the original album get some airtime, but I am not in control here. Is it a “Good” decision?

MAROON 5 – “Feelings” (September 15) (* + **)
Label: Interscope
“This Summer’s Gonna Hurt…” came and went pretty quickly, and that hurt on the way down stung real hard. In fact, for a top ten single to only spend 11 weeks in the top 40 nowadays is downright disastrous. Luckily, the group is moving onto this single from V, which has done modestly well in streaming. Sure, I might shed a tear for “It Was Always You” being shafted again, but this is solid.

DAVID COOK – “Criminals” (September 22) (**)
Label: Analog Heart/INgrooves
The final season of American Idol begins in January, and this guy took home the title back in 2008. Cook last appeared on the Hot AC chart in early 2012 when “Fade Into Me”, his fifth top 40 single at the format, stalled in the 30’s, essentially marking the end of the This Loud Morning era (and his time signed to RCA Records.) It may not be big, but even a small group of outlets should help.

ELLIE GOULDING – “On My Mind” (September 22) (*)
Label: Interscope
Goulding has a pair of releases going to CHR radio this month, with this and her feature on Major Lazer‘s “Powerful” competing for airplay at the format. (The latter song has the edge at the moment, but that can soon change.) In a recent magazine profile, the single was described as an “upbeat pop banger” and a “guitar led, Swiftian tale”. Sounds promising to me. Watch out for its debut.

MARC SCIBILIA – “How Bad We Need Each Other” (September 22) (**)
Label: I.R.S. Nashville/Capitol
Raised in New York state and now based in Nashville, Scibilia’s rise to his first radio single was several years in the making. In fact, this song was first released in 2012 on a self-titled EP and scored several syncs along the way. Now, three years later, the song will be exposed to an even greater audience thanks to it being reissued up by a major label. We’ll see how urgent that “Need” becomes.

YEARS & YEARS – “Desire” (September 29) (*)
Label: Interscope
Earlier this year, it was really sad to see this trio’s single “King” stall out so low on the pop radio survey because of its huge success in the United Kingdom. However, it looks like their U.S. label is giving them a second chance to hit the airwaves with this song. It’s already gone top 40 in a few countries overseas and, hopefully, it can also make a nice dent here. It’s all we can desire at this point.

Which of these new singles would you like to see on top of the charts? Let me know! Comment below or click the “Get Social!” tab to find PGTC on social media.