Hoosier Monthly Digest: May 2019 Edition

Emma Peridot – “Pulse”: Arriving just in time for Pride Month, the debut single from Emma Peridot is an empowering anthem about “be[ing] who you are.” The song’s steady “pulse” (pun intended) hits hard, something that contrasts quite well with the almost ethereal-like vibe beneath the surface. This isn’t the only intriguing juxtaposition of “Pulse” however—with a message that affirms her own community, there’s a sort of dichotomy in this banger that, if not for its uplifting lyrics, would likely classify it as sad or melancholic.

Ovrslept – “Some Nights”: Ovrslept may be a new project, but frontman Sirius Blvck and guitarist Jonah Crouch are no strangers to one another, nor to creating together. The chemistry between the two is immediately apparent on “Some Nights.” Here, the rhythmic cadence of Blvck’s singing is the perfect counter to Crouch’s simple yet catchy guitar groove. It feels minimalistic, eerie, and accessible all at once. The indie duo has dubbed their sound “happy sad pop,” and I couldn’t think of a more accurate paradox to describe it.

Baby Ebony – “Badlands”: He’s already one of the most prolific hip-hop artists from Indianapolis, and yet you would think Baby Ebony is still trying to prove that, seeing as this is his fifth release of the year. The 3-song EP, titled L.O.M.M, just dropped a couple of weeks ago, and it’s already making waves. There’s something about the EP opener that really stands out though, and I haven’t quite pinned that down. Maybe it’s the bouncy groove of the beat or the stellar wordplay, or maybe it’s the melodic delivery Ebony employs here. Whatever the case, “Badlands” is a bop, no doubt about it.

Zachery Le’on – “MidWestCoast”: Speaking of prolific hip-hop artists with bouncy bops, Zachery Le’on is staring down his third straight year with a full-length album, and the forthcoming LP’s third single is arguably his strongest track yet. Just from listening to the beat, I expected “MidWestCoast” to be a fun, light-hearted tune with happy-go-lucky lyrics, but the autobiographical and at times angsty lines are far from that. Nevertheless, “MidWestCoast” is one you’ll want to be bumping loud, particularly if you’re slow rolling with the windows down.

Josh Garrels – “Butterfly”: Josh Garrels is a name that many in folk and indie circles have already known for quite some time. What you may not know though is that Garrels not only started his music career in Indiana, but he also just recently moved back to central Indiana with his family, after spending the better part of the last decade out on the West Coast. So yes, perhaps contrary to popular belief, he does belong in this column, especially with his follow-up to 2015’s Home now visibly on the horizon (Chrysaline is slated for a July release). Garrels unveiled two stellar singles during the month of May, but I felt inclined to share the most recent one because “Butterfly” is a more upbeat, bluesy rocker that still retains the chill indie vibe you would expect to hear from him.

Dead Silence – “Slide”: After a year or so of consistent single releases, Dead Silence has finally put out his first proper project, an EP entitled The Fall & Rise. This Circle City battle rapper continues to impress me with his versatility, something that once again shows up on the EP’s opening track. “Slide” also boasts 3 of the EP’s 12 guest features, including Foxd’legnd and Baby Ebony both providing stellar guest verses over a slick trap beat.

You can find all of my Hoosier picks in one place, whether you use SoundCloud or Spotify, each with its own set of exclusives.

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