New-to-Me Music
I've discovered some new bands and artists lately that are quickly becoming staples in my listening habits:
Insomnium
I've been listening to Insomnium so much recently that they're steadily climbing the ranks in my last.fm scrobbles. Their music is a blend of death metal and melancholic doom metal with progressive elements. It's soothing to me, and I'm obsessed with the guitars. Markus Vanhala is one of the best in the business right now, and he should be getting way more recognition for it.
Top 3 Tracks: Heart Like a Grave, Only One Who Waits, Godforsaken
Eye of Melian
This is a fairly new project with only one album released so far, but it's perfect. It feels like the epic soundtrack to a fantasy movie. Eye of Melian is the brainchild of Martijn Westerholt of Delain fame, with angelic vocals by Johanna Kurkela and a soaring score by Mikko Mustonen, who's worked with Sonata Arctica on their orchestral arrangements. It's beautiful stuff, and I'm excited for their upcoming new album.
Top 3 Tracks: Everstrong, Rainfall, Adrift in Eternity
Karsu
I first saw Karsu on the 2021 season of the Dutch music show Beste Zangers and fell in love with her smooth vocals. I've been listening to her albums recently, and I'm loving her style of pop infused with jazz and dance -- and the fact that she plays the vihuela. She also has a cookbook, and she opened a music school for refugees in Greece. She's amazing.
Top 3 Tracks: Kom Dansen, On the Road, Sonunda
Miracle of Sound
This is the musical project of Gavin Dunne, a maestro who mostly composes original songs based on video games and movies. He's quite prolific, with over 12 albums, and he creates songs in many different genres, so there's something there for everyone. My favorite album is probably Vistas, a collection of original instrumental songs based around locations and specific moments in time, but there's a lot to love within his wide-ranging work.
Top 3 Tracks: Liquid Nights and Disco Lights, Purest Gold, Downtime
Janice Kwan
Janice Kwan creates satisfying beats and luscious soundscapes that I just get lost in. She collaborated with Lifeformed on the soundtrack for Tunic, a game I haven't yet played, but I mostly listen to her solo EPs, with Five Colour Bird being my favorite. I love the different genre elements she incorporates into her songs like they're paints on a canvas, layering them and building into something original and hypnotizing.
Top 3 Tracks: Not Good at Flying, Fluoresce, Mostly Green