Our moderators listened to every track we were sent this week and have picked their favourites for your listening pleasure this weekend:

Listening Post: Batch 554

Land

Ley (an open area of land, clearing in a wood)

I wrote Blue Eyes Green Jacket after seeing a stranger on a bus. I was walking in the rain, and as the bus drove passed I noticed him. The bus was busy and his breath on the window had formed a picture frame around his face. He looked so sad and I noticed his blue eyes….and green jacket. It made me think about who he was and what his life was like.


Lyrics (Copyright Mia Wilks - PRS)

I saw you today, sat on the bus
Blue eyes green jacket, no fuss 
You grabbed my attention simply because
You were looking straight through us
No smile, no emotion
But blue eyes like the ocean
Staring into your soul, I had the notion 
Something behind your eyes unspoken 

Blue eyes, green jacket
A moment in life, a connection 
Just a boy, sat on the bus
But I saw your pain as you passed us
Blue eyes, green jacket
Etched on my mind forever
As I saw you beneath my umbrella 

The bus drove slow, travelling somewhere to go 
Your face framed by the breath on the window
With rain beating down like the world had stopped 
A second so vibrant gone in an instant 
But he had blue eyes like the ocean 
No smile no emotion 
Staring into your soul I had the notion
Something behind your eyes unspoken 

Blue eyes, green jacket 
A moment in life, a connection 
Just a boy, sat on the bus
But I saw your pain as you passed us
Blue eyes, green jacket
Etched on my mind forever
As I saw you beneath my umbrella 

Blue eyes green jacket 
Blue eyes green jacket 

Blue eyes, green jacket 
A moment in life, a connection 
Just a boy, sat on the bus
But I saw your pain as you passed us
Blue eyes, green jacket
Etched on my mind forever
As I saw you beneath my umbrella

Blue Eyes Green Jacket

With his new single, Heavy Heartbreak, Duke Keats proudly unveils the next chapter in his flourishing musical journey. Beautifully weaving sentiments of love, heartbreak, and youth over a burning bassline, a relentless beat and a wash of bubbling synths, Heavy Heartbreak effortlessly demonstrates the breadth of Connor Blundell's imagination and the world in which his Duke Keats alter-ego resides. Fusing his signature lo-fi sound with cinematic, electronic, vintage soul stylings, the track offers a glimpse into the forthcoming EP, Bornstar.


Co-produced with long-time collaborator, Mason Le Long, at his studio, Subwüf, in their hometown of Coventry, the Bornstar EP showcases Duke's unparalleled ability to seamlessly blend and reshape genres, crafting a sonic world uniquely his own. Le Long is also one half of the dreamy, disco-pop duo Batsch, who have also released music under the moniker, !nvisible Hand, such as 2021's Samphire, which featured Duke Keats. Now, with Bornstar, their first collaboration on a full EP, and the marriage of Blundell's idiosyncratic view of the world with Le Long's ear for detail, the partnership has really taken flight.


In 2023, Duke achieved remarkable milestones as a musician, producer, and director, gracing stages at renowned UK festivals like Godiva and Timber, supporting acclaimed artists like Ichiko Aoba and Moonwalks, and establishing connections with prominent promoters. As 2024 unfolds, so too does Blundell's raw talent and the evolution of the Duke Keats story. To witness it, through his creativity, craftsmanship, and captivating performances, is to embark on a voyage of self-discovery and get lost in a world where the colours are as bold the beats and the drama as infectious as the melodic hooks.

Euan Rodger - Drums 

Mason Le Long - Co producer - mixing - mastering - percussion

Heavy Heartbreak

British Nigerian Singer songwriter Eyitemi’s (means ‘This is Mine’ in the Nigerian language, Itsekiri) sound stretches past generic Soul, weaving in a diverse range of music influences from Jazz, Gospel to Hip Hop, Folk and laid back funk

Groundhog Day is taken from new album Kaleidoscope, which was released in Sep24. 

Groundhog Day represents a few perspectives but same effect and conclusions - 

(1)When life just seems to be in repeat…the numbness, emptiness and listlessness that produces; 

(2) The impatience of the same pattern of trying to learn from experience but making the same mistakes again and again; 

(3) The existential crisis that comes from doing continuously what is expected of us (by family, society…etc) instead of daring to follow our own path

INSTAGRAM - eyitemi_o1

Groundhog Day

Rani

Taken from the December 6th EP 'Safe Then Sorry' (Audio Antihero):

* Bandcamp: ciaomalz.bandcamp.com/album/safe-then-sorry
* Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/6tou2IkJqipsMgi4mfa5uz?si=I7r-PWhgRiCRubeKhBk8Cg
* FFO: MJ Lenderman / Slow Pulp / @ / Indigo De Souza / Girl in Red / Jordana / Clairo
* Influences: Frog / Elliot Smith / Jerry Jeff Walker / Men I Trust
* Genre: Indie Rock / Indie Pop / Bedroom Pop / Indie Surf
* Confirmed Support: KEXP / BBC / Indie Shuffle / Under the Radar Magazine / The Alternative / Atwood Magazine / God Is In the TV Zine / BIRP! / WFUV (NPR)

Safe Then Sorry

Take Me Out of Here

Taking Care Of Myself

"...beautiful vocals and heartfelt lyrics" - Synthpop Fanatic 

Get ready for an early Christmas gift in the form of "Endless Night"; the mind-blowing follow-up to Isaac Howlett's hugely successful solo debut "House of Cards". It's set to release digitally on Friday 13th December.

An orchestral waltz in 3/4 time, "Endless Night" utilises a grand piano, sparse percussion and lush strings, slowing the tempo and ramping the "feels" up to eleven. Isaac's ever-poignant lyrics are lifted by a magical soundscape that builds to an epic crescendo under the deft hand of producer Walter Kazmier.

A physical release is planned for early in the new year, bringing together "House of Cards" and "Endless Night" on vinyl and CD for the first time, with remixes coming from DSTR (Daniel Myer) and Emmon, both slated to perform at the upcoming "Empathy Fest" in February. "Endless Night" can be pre-saved on Spotify and pre-ordered on Bandcamp now:

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/1ZkujL1oem50v3zfw1x9G7?si=ZJPMMA1_TWGKqya115Wwng&context=spotify%3Aalbum%3A3X7ETymSIHZ0b3mGWsbCLs

Buy on Bandcamp: https://isaachowlett.bandcamp.com/album/endless-night

Artwork can be downloaded here:

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/wqshdj9s8k6a2xd99mz5h/Endless-Night-Artwork.jpg

And a press shot here:

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/xekancoiqzwvk3h3qscj2/Isaac-Howlett-by-Raven.jpg

LYRICS:

Hope comes and goes
I hold her so close but I know
She slips through my fingers like snow

I flirt with disaster
Though she's not who I'm after
It's lady luck, picks up the slack again

And I sink
Deeper and deeper inside
My endless night

Life laid me low
She dealt me a blow but I know
I'll feed on these seeds when they grow

I spoke with my father and he told me hereafter
You're out of luck
Everything's downhill from here

And I sink
Deeper and deeper inside
My endless night

I thought I was broken beyond repair
You stepped from the shadows as if from nowhere
Although it soon felt, like you'd always been there
And I sink
Deeper and deeper inside
My endless night

I thought I was broken beyond repair
You stepped from the shadows as if from nowhere
Although it soon felt, like you'd always been there
And I sink
Deeper and deeper inside
My endless night

Endless Night

Buy / Stream

Uateke (Reunion) is a song that is sure to get you moving. With its catchy beat and infectious melody, this song is perfect for any occasion.


Uateke (Reunion)

Feeling Good

Trying

Bright Air

'Alright Go' is the lead track from the Heavy Feelings' new 'Anatomy' EP, released 20th December 2024. The EP was recorded in Chicago (Altered States) and Bristol (guitarist Ben’s house) and mixed at Axe & Trap Studios in Somerset by Ben Scott Turner (Part Chimp, Hey Colossus, Holy Scum, Wolfer). Drummer Rob Ellis (PJ Harvey, Anna Calvi, Bat For Lashes, Torres) contributes to ‘Alright Go’ and ‘Conveyor’. Finally it was mastered by Shawn Joseph at Optimum Mastering.

Alright Go

Just in time for the holiday season, a Christmas experience we can all relate to

Silent Treatment

As The Crow Flies

paper – amateur theatre group

The Player

Safe Hands

Love, I'm On Fire (soft centre Edit)

Burn the House

Dance Like Nobody’s Watching captures the bittersweet freedom of losing yourself to dance, while love and heartbreak linger in the background. A journey of raw emotion and introspection, Le Groupe Fantastique masterfully weaves vulnerability into their most stripped-back and heartfelt composition yet, balancing the tension between escapism and tough decisions. This indie gem is as much about self-discovery as it is about liberation.

Dance Like Nobody's Watching

Fresh On The Net is a music blog hosted by Tom Robinson and Team Freshnet, offering independent artists an open door and a level playing field for their music. Our inbox is open at http://freshonthenet.co.uk every Monday to Thursday morning - if you share a track with us there it will be heard by every member of our moderation team.

IMPORTANT: 
Only send ONE track, and make sure the dropbox says "OPEN".  Sorry, but tracks sent while the dropbox is closed - or shared drectly with this Soundcloud account - will not get heard.

Listening Post: Batch 554

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