It’s time once again for another edition of Fresh New Tracks, and today I’m pleased to feature terrific new songs released over the past week by four talented acts I’m especially fond of from both a musical and personal standpoint. They are, in alphabetical order: Portland, Maine-based alternative dream rock artist Darksoft, English singer-songwriter and producer Frank Joshua, English singer-songwriter, composer and producer Kiffie, and L.A.-based indie pop-rock band Koyal.

Darksoft – “After All”

I love dream pop/rock in all its forms, and the music of singer-songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist Darksoft is right up my alley. Originally from Seattle, he relocated in late 2021 to Portland, Maine, where he’s continued creating music that’s both sumptuous and pleasing, with compelling lyrics addressing timely and relevant issues related to technology, social media and disillusionment, and delivered with his soothing ethereal vocals. Starting with the release in late 2018 of his brilliant debut album Brain, a concept work named for the first computer virus to attack the internet back in 1986 (which I reviewed), the imaginative, talented and hard-working artist has released five more concept albums, another of which, Beigeification, his beautiful 2023 work featuring songs inspired by overused phrases and idioms like “it is what it is”, “you gotta do what you gotta do” and “only time will tell”, I also reviewed.  

Darksoft began the new year by dropping a new single “Devil’s In The Details”, the first from his forthcoming seventh album Rationalism, slated for release on February 21st. Now he returns with a second single “After All“, released via Spirit Goth Records. Once again, he serves up an enchanting and dreamy slice of ear candy, filled with crystalline jangly guitars and assertive but gentle percussion. His captivating vocals beautifully express a sad resignation as he croons the lyrics touching on feelings of loss and regret over a romantic relationship’s that ended: “After all we’ve been through, thought that we’d be close. But all is said, said and done. And you’re so far away.” Given its first two tracks, Rationalism promises to be another superb album.

Frank Joshua – “Walls”

Over the past two years, London-based Frank Joshua – an enigmatic but enormously talented singer-songwriter and producer who, wanting his music to speak for itself, shares no photos of himself – has become a favorite of mine on the strength of his gorgeous baritone voice and beguiling music style. It’s no exaggeration for me to say that Mr. Joshua has one of the most enthralling singing voices I’ve heard in a long while, and I was blown away the moment I first heard his music. The prolific artist has released a staggering amount of music over the past four years or so, including three albums, an EP and 41 singles! Every one of his songs is a captivating feast for the ears, and I love them all. I’ve previously written about three of them, most recently last February when I reviewed his single “On This Night”. His song “Bluebell Wood” ranks #53 on my 100 Best Songs of 2023 list, while “Winter Cowboy” ranks #36 on my 100 Best Songs of 2024. 

His latest and 41st single is “Walls“, released via British music label Numen Records. Although Frank writes some of his songs, like the majority of his singles, “Walls” was written by his frequent collaborator Simon Pitheakley, and produced by Tony White. And like all his songs, this one’s a real beauty, with gorgeous reverb-drenched bluesy guitars accompanied by warm piano keys, soaring orchestral synths and gently crashing cymbals layered over a sensuous pulsating beat. It all creates a glorious cinematic backdrop for Frank’s melancholy yet captivating vocals which are both passionate and heartfelt.

The poetic lyrics speak of the challenges of growing older and maintaining a long-term relationship, in which there’s often a tug of war between the comfort and security that comes from being with a devoted loved one, and the primal urge to be independent and free of responsibility or commitment – which is something I’ve long struggled with myself. “It has to be love though it hurts to let go. The blue of your eyes and the shame of the know. I am in it too deep and I can’t let you go. I can’t let you go. Makes no sense to be sunny. But there she is sipping Mai Tais with honey. Confused this boy is.” The lyrics then address the added element of trying to raise children amidst all this drama, which I think is a brilliant addition to the song: “Our children are smashing up downtown, spouting logic and facts without sense. Rootless sensationless moody and cute, they just pound on the walls of their age.” “Walls” is another oustanding addition to Frank’s already impressive repertoire. 

Kiffie – “The Exclusion Principle”

British artist Kiffie (the music moniker of Daniel Paul Kiff) is a creative and fascinating singer-songwriter, composer and producer of electronic music based in Norwich, England. Drawing from a wide range of music genres including electronica, hip-hop, rock, folk and classical, his arresting songs are inspired by current events, as well as the oft-covered topics of love, lies and betrayal. Kiffie records and produces all his own music at home using hardware instruments, synthesizers and drum machines. In a space of only four years, the incredibly prolific artist has released an astonishing 15 albums, 12 EPs, two compilation albums, two CDs, and numerous singles. His songs have received critical acclaim, and garnered airplay on BBC Radio 6 and other internet radio programs. In July 2023, I reviewed his album The Product, a powerful work addressing such timely issues as creeping authoritarianism, income inequality, misinformation and fake news, anti-science/conspiracy mongering, and political corruption. (Read that review here.)

Now, the busy artist is back with a new instrumental track “The Exclusion Principle“, the third in a series of tracks from his forthcoming album Approaching the Horizon. The album will be the third and final installment of his ‘Home’ trilogy which began with his 2021 collaborative album Home, followed by his 2022 album Interplanetary Exodus. Kiffie explains “The trilogy is basically a cosmic space opera about love at a distance and the idea that all of us one day will be refugees, escaping some never explained planetary problem that forces us to seek somewhere else to live. The love aspect is that during this upheaval people will become separated. ‘Approaching the Horizon’ is going to reunite the ‘star crossed lovers’ and many of the tracks will have titles based on physics and quantum theory.” “The Exclusion Principle” is a marvelous spacey track featuring an array of ominous sound textures and beats that nicely convey a sense of impending upheaval without ever becoming over dramatic. I like how it gradually builds, then slowly trails off.

Koyal – “hiatus”

Koyal is delightful and charismatic indie pop-rock band I’ve been following for a couple of years. Originally formed in Atlanta as a six-piece in 2018 while still in college, the band reduced to a trio in 2023 consisting of Pooja Prabakaran (lead vocals), Noah Weinstein (guitar, production) and Henry Wallace (drums & piano). With a shared love of Glass Animals, Yeah Yeah Yeahs and GROUPLOVE – all acts I love too – Koyal draws from an eclectic range of elements, including indie, alternative, rock’n’roll, blues and jazz. They started releasing a series of singles in 2020 which culminated with the release of their debut album Mountain City in July 2021. They followed with more singles, along with an EP Joyride in November 2022, which I reviewed. In February 2024, they began dropping a series of excellent disco/dance-infused singles that will be featured on their second album breathe in. breathe out, scheduled for release on February 28th. And in September (2024), they relocated from Atlanta to Los Angeles.

On January 28th, they dropped “hiatus“, their fifth single from the forthcoming album. Co-written by all band members along with singer-songwriter and musician Tony Doud, who also co-produced the track with Noah and played the wonderful saxophone, the song’s a bouncy, yet sophisticated, dance gem about disconnecting from your phone and enjoying a bit of quiet solitude. Though it seems to pay homage to some of the disco hits of the late 70s, “hiatus” feels fresh and contemporary. I love the sensuous dance groove overlain with swirling synths, sparkling piano keys, funky guitar notes and Tony’s warm sax. Pooja’s lilting vocals are full of unbridled euphoria as she sings the joys of having a bit of alone time to herself: “Where my time, time is my own, I can turn, turn off my phone. Take a hiatus.“

The charming video, shot in a single take at Elysian Park in Los Angeles, shows Pooja singing the song while playfully walking through the park, and features animated artwork and lyrics created by her.