February Singles
Oh man! February was a singles bonanza out of Chicago! As many acts gear up for spring releases, there were 20 singles that came out this month that you gotta hear! Yes you read that right! 20 songs from our scene that spans the gamut from quiet singer songwriter fare to bopping hip hop to indie rock feels and beyond. Hit up the playlist, check out some of these videos, and mark your calendars from some killer full records coming your way.
As always we want to hear from you about Chicago music on the horizon. So hit that link and submit your project!
⬐Make sure to click on the playlist button to listen to a playlist of these tunes. ⬎
Moontype
This burner will get you bouncing in that well worn pandemic spot on your couch. Margaret McCarthy’s infectious vocals, backed by Ben Cruz and Emerson Hunton’s driving indie groove are starting to get some national attention. We can’t wait for Bodies Of Water, set to hit the airwaves April 2nd.
Essential Forever
The debut single from Alex Heaney’s (Jungle Green) new project promises a vibe that is a less abstracted version of JG’s embracing of deep track 60’s pop. His debut EP There's A Lot Still To Say About Essential Forever drops April 9th. Scoot on over to Bandcamp to preorder.
Cole DeGenova
Chicago native Cole DeGenova’s new EP Dopamine drops this Friday, March 5th, but to hold you over he released this gorgeous funky ballad “Holy Holy” early this month. Check out this unique artist’s electro soul grooves.
Liska Steele
Angelic vocals backed with a 60s style piano/synth make this track the perfect release after a long snowy February. Liska Steele has been producing catchy pop tunes for awhile now, and this is another ear worm, that you’ll be humming long after the last notes fade.
EGXGH
An extended play protest track from these local rockers reflects the tumultuous summer of 2020 and the continuing struggle in our ongoing cultural civil war. Written to be the exact amount of time the Minneapolis police officer knelt on George Floyd’s neck, it’s a powerful tribute to the moment that triggered a resurgence of BLM and a national protest movement. Like they chant: “Stand up for what you believe in!”
Many Places
With an epic pop rock sound that brings to mind The National and early U2, this quartet follows up last year's excellent Disappearland with a beauty of a single. Here’s hoping for more from these rockers in 2021.
Pixel Grip
Our favorite electro goth trio returns with their first new music since 2019, as they lay out a deep and dark track analyzing hopeless love in the face of a destructive relationship. Much like 2020 treated all of us, Rita Lukea just keeps throwing her love against the brick wall of pain.
Floatie
Catch A Good Worm
We’ve been waiting over a year since catching this trio live for their debut album Voyage Out to drop, and we get our long anticipated wish March 26th. The guitar play between Sam Bern and Will Wisniewski swirls as Joe Olson (bass) and Luc Schutz (drums) combine to create a groove that will not go away. Garnering some national spots, (they were featured on All Songs Considered this week), Floatie is sure to turn some heads in the indie scene with their debut.
Sharkula and Mukqs
Everyone’s favorite street hip hop mainstay Sharkula and the insane beat creator Mukqs return with their second collab record April 9th titled Take Caution On The Beach. This closer track from the record “Nasty Hunter 100” sure shows what to expect, and we are always excited for anything from these two.
Juice Mazelee
A tribute track to his late Mother, Juice Mazelee’s emotional track is the second single from his upcoming album HVNSNT on rising hip-hop/soul imprint Rosebud Allday on April 13th. If the first single “Crown” and this beauty of a tune are any indication, it’s sure to be entirely sensational.
The God Awful Small Affairs
Another affecting track from Missy Preston released on Valentine's Day. Splitting time between TGASA and their new project Preston, this prolific artist has developed a sound and feel all their own, and we are signed up for the long haul. “Faithless & Far” is a gorgeous track about love in the face of addiction.
Thompson Springs
Alt-country beauty from Matt Smith and company, following last year's wonderful classic rock vibes of Undertones. They were inspired to write the song by highway signs on tour advertising hotlines on all sorts of subjects, and thought “what about a heartbreak hotline?”
Girl K
What Kathy Patino is calling the final chapter in this era of Girl K, “White Roses” is the last song departed drummer Ajay recorded with the band. New music is on the way from Patino and the guys with a slightly new sound. When we saw them last, for Patino’s 21st birthday show, right before the pandemic started, they debuted some new tunes with a much more synthy 80’s sound. We are on board Kathy! Get that new stuff to us all soon!
Pansy
Another Jungle Green member branching out on their own, Vivian McCall documents the hardest year of her transition in “Anybody Help Me.” The second single from her upcoming self titled debut, out April 2nd, that will follow her transition process and what lies in the future as a trans artist and person. We can’t wait to hear more!
Brandon James
While this track was included with local R&B crooner Brandon James EP Drifting back in June, the video just dropped this month. A fitting tribute to an industry and it’s workers hit hard by the pandemic.
OK Cool
Five Finger Exploding Heart Technique
Groovy new music from this newish duo. A two minute jam of endlessly replayable indie rock with a hooky chorus that will echo in your brain. Be on the lookout for more from these two.
Cloudtone
The first song this indie foursome wrote as a band, “Juice” contains clear lines to some great 80s acts like The Police and Talking Heads with a modern spin. We’re hoping to catch them as soon as shows start up again.
Mia Joy
Long a favorite of CCS, we were overjoyed when Mia Joy signed to Fire Talk. The second single off her upcoming label debut Spirit Tamer, “See Us” is a beauty of a track with windchimes, mellow guitar, and Joy’s signature layered vocals.
That’s it for the month of February, see you this Thursday for the start of March’s new albums! Make sure to hook into our playlists from this month, with one for just the singles and one for all the new Chicago music this month. Both on our site now! See you at the end of March for more singles from our amazing scene.
As we always say, if you have music coming out soon send us word through here!