Best of 2023 | B2TW Music Community

To Fall Asleep EP by PJ Harding | Best of B2TW Music

As mentioned, Australia is riddled with talented musicians from Tones and I, Mallrat, Tia Gostelow, and many others. PJ Harding is one of those musicians I have come across this year that has also blown my mind.

New Release: Following his collaborative debut EP, “People Don’t Change,” in 2021 with Noah Cyrus, he released his newest EP, “To Fall Asleep.”

The EP is an intimate collection that touches on love, disconnection, and internal dread during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.
The relatable tracks are incredible and, in some ways, intense, making for a beautiful listen that you can stream now on your favorite platforms.

What PJ Harding has to say: “I wrote and recorded this collection of songs while locked down in LA with my family mid-2020. There are moments on the record where you can hear my kids yelling, vacuums running and the general noise of our lives happening around the music but it felt right to leave that stuff in where I could. To Fall Asleep is, for me, about the tension between fear and acceptance, love and death, holding on and letting go. It’s also about the lies we tell ourselves trying to escape or ignore that tension. I’m incredibly proud of this work and so happy it’s finally out in the world!” (Prelude Press)

The delivery: There's something about an acoustic touch to any release, whether that be a single or (in this case) an EP.

This EP delivers such a powerful bluegrass touch, touching your soul from the beginning to the end.
Love is a weapon is a powerful metaphor in this release.

The production: Only a confident musician can perform a combination of a bit of bluegrass and singer-songwriter.

PJ Harding is one of those artists who can accomplish such a unique task.
His lovely but subtle capability to use so many different instruments in such little snippets makes the listener want more.

Love As A Weapon by Alan Chang | Best of B2TW Music

For 19 years, California-based Alan Chang has served his time as a musical director and pianist to Michael Buble. But now he wipes the slate clean and presses the reset button with his solo career, featuring his latest single, "Love as a Weapon."

New Release: Gently propulsive and arpeggio single "Love as a Weapon" is a jazz-infused pop sensation led by a piano and anchored by bass legend Pino Palladio and drummer Tamir Barzilay.

Alex Lilly (Alan's fiance who is also a singer-songwriter), as well as producers Adam Greenholtz and Ryan Lerman, work alongside Chang to make his music possible.
The track draws its eccentric lyrical imagery from Chang's departure from Michael Buble's camp.

What Alan Chang says: "I wrote that song a few days after I told Michael I was quitting, it was almost like a partner asking for a divorce. Suddenly, all these... different feelings came up. That song is a form of therapy."

The delivery: I didn't expect to like this song as much as I do; the sizzling single is excellent and pushy.

When you hear Michael Buble, you probably think of a smooth, good-looking man.
But this single, made by his former pianist, is more sharp and unique.

The production: The product is an excellent start for a successful career, which is the least to expect from Alan.

This will be played on numerous jazz pop stations, im sure of it.
I like the delivery, and I can see why it was therapeutic for him to make this song.

Wabi Sabi by The Moving Stills | Best of B2TW Music

Friendly neighborhood indie pop band from Central Coast NSW, The Moving Stills, wade through the vibrant melodies, nostalgic sounds, and pop hooks gliding through a dance floor of heart and warmth. With a reputation for making danceable alt-indie pop tracks that float through the coastal air, The Moving Stills showcase a collection of songs that the last few years have brought with their newest album, Wabi Sabi.

New Release: Following their successful debut album, Wabi Sabi partnered with Izaac Wilson to produce and hone in on the indie pop sound that explored new grooves on a few of the album tracks.

The album covers many themes, from heartbreak to upbeat tracks about love and being around your favorite people.
Some songs mention being on the road, which has made up a big part of what the band has done these past few years.

What The Moving Stills says: “We wanted to introduce new feelings and vibes, to those on our first record Sunshine Corner. Whilst maintaining a lot of the key elements of our previous tunes, we delved into making a spread of new flavours. With songs like 'Drive Home,' 'In Your City,' and the title track 'Wabi Sabi,' we leaned into a more groove-based feel. Songs that you can immediately vibe out to. On the other hand, we had songs like 'Volcano' and 'Best Friend,' which showcased a more upbeat side to our sound. Definitely works well at gigs and on the dancefloor.”

The delivery: This bass-bumping album is so cool, but it is more than an indie pop album!

The songs on the track, especially Sunshine, remind me of Two Door Cinema Club and The Wombats.
I listen to many musicians like these, so I like how these guys tie into my taste.

The production: The album has a lot of hidden confidence, much like The Wombats and Stoney Foxes.

As in confidence that's not upfront, but it's certainly there.
It isn't straightforward to define hidden confidence, but if you want a better description, listen to Radiohead and drink Kool-Aid... Then you'll probably understand.

Oh No (I Guess I Did It Again) by Lucky Iris | Best of B2TW Music

This year has been the year of female empowerment, from the rise of Olivia Rodrigo to Avril Lavigne's comeback. This trend will continue into the New Year. And that's why I have the powerful duo, Lucky Iris, rounding it out with "oh no (I guess I did it again)."

New release: Leeds alt-pop duo Lucky Iris announced their noisy and fun single, "oh no (I guess I did it again)," on May 17th.

The single touches on Maeve's experiences as a football (aka soccer) fan, accompanied by an exciting music video filmed at OOF Gallery in Tottenham Hotspurs stadium.
This three-minute anthem highlights the difficulties that female and queer football fans face every day.

What Maeve says: “When you think football fan, you probably don’t think of me… but that’s the issue I think. Football has always been pushed as an inclusive sport, crossing so many barriers, an unspoken language to many, THE beautiful game. Except there are barriers… for women and queer people alike. I’ve done my hours of listening to every football podcast I could get my hands on but still when I opened my mouth people didn’t want to hear it. Enter ‘oh no (i guess i did it again)’ referencing me giving my many seemingly unwanted opinions on all things football, to people who really didn’t want to hear it. At all. In the wake of Olivia Rodrigo and an Avril Lavigne comeback, this is the Lucky Iris take on pop punk but trade skating for football and Canada for Leeds.”

The delivery: I love these guys; their music is much improved and more mature than they started in 2020.