Jessie Baylin - 'A Song For While I'm Away'

A little bit Duffy coded, Jessie Baylin delivers a Mid-Century Modern strain with 'A Song For While I'm Away.'  Her voice is commanding and steady amidst an electro-organ, which serves as the obvious
hook that grasps me to this one.

You can stream the song via the YouTube link below:

Rayland Baxter - '79 Shiny Revolvers'

Like most of my music discoveries of late, I stumbled upon '79 Shiny Revolvers' six years after its release.

The tune is penned by Rayland Baxter, a more grounded version of Mac DeMarco.  But he happens to hail from Nashville, as opposed to the Great White North.  Rayland's dad is Bucky, a guitarist in his own right, who passed away in 2020.  

'79 Shiny Revolvers' presents itself as a Jeff Buckley-meets-John Prine exegesis;  it is a wistfully plaintive ditty about America's great firearm obsession. (Think 'Pumped Up Kicks' by Foster the People, but without the electronica and reverb).  

I am honestly surprised that Rayland hasn't had more press or hype than I am aware of.  He seems to have a lot of potential.

While there is no official music video for this track, Rayland Baxter performed it live for Paste Magazine a few years ago.  You can stream that performance below:

Video Age - 'Away From the Castle'

Video Age is a New Orleans duo that makes Elephant 6 sounding indie power pop.  Brian Wilson-inspired vocal hooks lay themselves upon jangled guitar strumming.  Fans of Real Estate will enjoy this one.

Check out 'Away From the Castle' below: