For his new record “Spectators of the Universe” Douglas decided to spice up things a little bit. That resulted in a more club ready sound as we can hear for example on catchy-as-hell lead single “Highway Of Love”.
The rest of the record is filled with equally groovy electronics, often with a strange and psychedelic touch.
♪♫ Listen: “Highway Of Love” + album stream
David Douglas on Soundcloud, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, www.
Jo Goes Hunting is alter ego of the Nijmegen based Jo Hueting who started his musical carreer as jazz drummer.
On his debut record “Come, Future” we don’t get to hear any jazz, but the record is pulsating and explosive from the beginning to the end.
Constantly jumping between genres: from bright psych folk to groovy indie, to fuzzy art rock and back, the album feels like a rollercoaster ride through the mind of the artist.
♪♫ Listen: “Winner” + album stream
Jo Goes Hunting on Soundcloud, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, www.
The Homesick was mostly known for their echoing lo-fi sound and fuzzy videos. Until their debut “Youth Hunt” came out.
The trio from Friesland delivered an impressively consistent and neatly produced postpunk record that is stuffed with enough ideas for three records.
The Homesick combines those ideas seemingly effortless into solid and captivating songs in which they narrate about rural life in their hometown Dokkum.
♪♫ Listen: “St. Boniface” + album stream
The Homesick on Soundcloud, Bandcamp, Facebook, Twitter.
Bokoesam (Samuel Sekyere) is an eccentric rapper from Amsterdam. He is responsible for our favourite Dutch hip hop record of 2017; the colourful “Solo”.
Bokoesam’s debut is full of intuitive and upbeat songs, bringing to mind i.e. Travis Scott. For his record he worked with a lot of popular Dutch rappers like Lil Kleine, Willie Wartaal and Yung Nnelg, but it’s ultimately Sam’s personal storytelling that steals the show.
♪♫ Listen: “BBB” + album stream
Bokoesam on Soundcloud, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, www.
So this wonderful record full of crafty indie pop turned out to be Mister And Mississippi’s swan song. Such a pity considering the transformation the band got through in the last couple of years.
The quartet used to be known for their introspective, gloomy folk, but decided it was time to drastically reinvent their sound for this new record.
Instead of dreamy acoustic guitars “Mirage” is filled with pulsating synths and groovy hooks. We’re really sad to see them call it a day, but we couldn’t think over a better record to do so with.
♪♫ Listen: “Lush Looms” + album stream
Mister And Mississippi on Soundcloud, Bandcamp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, www.
It has been a long wait for us; it took Janssen more than three years to make this new record “Cousins”.
Having travelled all over the world and collaborating with artists like Marla Hansen (Sufjan Stevens, The National), Eiríkur Orri Ólafsson (Sigur Rós) and Chris Coady (Beach House, Future Islands), the album feels surprisingly personal.
Although Janssen is best known for his melancholic, intimate folk songs, this new album sounds a lot brighter and bigger. Lyrically Kim Janssen collected memories of his youth, that he spent moving from country to country in Asia.
♪♫ Listen: “Rama VI” + album stream
Kim Janssen on Soundcloud, Bandcamp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, www.
Klyne is the duo made up of singer Nick and producer Ferdous, both from Eindhoven. After uploading their debut single (and only song at that time) on soundcloud three years ago, things went a little crazy for these guys.
In 2017 their debut record finally got released and it’s – as we hoped for – full of addictive, clever pop songs with (more than some) nods to the elusive producer Jai Paul.
Stuffed with upbeat love anthems like “Your Touch” and “Still Not Over You”, this album sountracked our summer and will quite likely soundtrack the summer of 2018 too.
♪♫ Listen: “Still Not Over You” + album stream
Klyne on Soundcloud, Facebook, Twitter.
This three piece group from Utrecht shattered our expectations with their dazzling debut “Sell Another Soul”.
On this album released in November, Stillwave serves up nine beautiful songs, build around the deep voice of singer Marcel and surrounded by layered, spacious guitars.
Fans of bands like Interpol, The National and Wild Beasts won’t be able to resist this record.
♪♫ Listen: “Adeleide” + album stream
Stillwave on Soundcloud, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, www.
From her songs ‘till her artwork and music videos: Iranian born and Rotterdam based Sevdaliza is in control of every detail of her work. The result is often flawless.
After two EPs this year Sevdaliza finally released her debut record. “ISON” is full of clever and hypnotising pop songs, discussing themes like identity and womanhood.
Also if you get the chance: don’t miss her spellbinding live show.
♪♫ Listen: “Human” + album stream
Sevdaliza on Soundcloud, Bandcamp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, www.
It has been a good year for Luwten, a band based around Tessa Douwstra. In the first week of 2017 they released their stellar debut single “Go Honey”.
After a string of club and festival shows, this fall Luwten finally released their debut album.
Beautifully layered, with thoughtful lyrics and clever harmonies, the self titled record was without the best Dutch release we heard this year.
♪♫ Listen: “Go Honey” + album stream
Luwten on Soundcloud, Bandcamp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, www.