Take a mini mid-week holiday with the Melodic Tonic ’18 July 18th edition. From Seattle to Scotland and Switzerland, today’s playlist offers plenty of sonic variety. We kick things off with the latest from one of indie music’s most powerful groups.   The Twilight Sad – “I/m Not Here [missing face]” (Kilsyth, Scotland) RIYL: The Cure, Mogwai, Editors, Interpol The […]

The Melodic Tonic ’18 July 11th will pull on all your heartstrings. These six songs offer a powerful emotional rush, whether it’s from retro synth pop, cool electronica, or Venezuelan-inspired dream folk. Kiss your midweek slump goodbye with this moving playlist. John Grant – “Love Is Magic” (Reykjavik, Iceland, via Michigan USA) RIYL: Todd Terje meets Father John Misty “Sade […]

The Melodic Tonic ’18 June 27th edition serves up six sonic cocktails with distinctly North American flavors. From indie dream pop to psychedelic roots-rock, these tunes will quench your new music thirst.   Ava Luna – “Deli Run” (Brooklyn, USA) RIYL: Chastity Belt, Frankie Cosmos, The Mystery Lights Before noise-cancelling headphones were de rigueur accessories, an interesting thing would happen while […]

The dream of the ’90s is alive… in this week’s Melodic Tonic June 13th edition. Actually, you will hear retro influences from the ’80s and ’90s on these six songs, including the return of two beloved ’90s bands and a few newcomers as well. We kick things off with some floating action of the Space variety.   Spiritualized – “I’m Your […]

A current of uplifting energy permeates the Melodic Tonic ’18 June 6th edition. From soul-stirring R&B and mind-bending experimental fare to vibrant indie pop, these six tunes offer the boost you need to get through the rest of the week. Curtis Harding – “It’s Not Over” (Atlanta, USA) RIYL: Michael Kiwanuka, Leon Bridges, Son Little Have you heard the new […]

It’s that time again for the new music cocktail to get you through hump day. Melodic Tonic ’18 May 23rd features six delicious songs, kicking off with a couple of powerhouses. Goldfrapp (feat. Dave Gahan) – “Ocean” (London, England) RIYL: Goldfrapp, Depeche Mode Saving the best for last: this is the approach Goldfrapp took on their 2017 LP, Silver Eye. The album’s final […]

Women rule the Melodic Tonic ’18 May 16th edition. Many of these six songs feature strong female voices – some well known; some new. These artists represent Canada, Germany, New Zealand, and USA. Bernice – “He’s the Moon” (Toronto, Canada) RIYL: Feist, Cat Power, tUnE-yArDs The terms substantive and richly textured are seldom paired with dream pop because most artists […]

The Melodic Tonic ’18 May 9th edition is a bit mellow but far from boring. These three pairs of tunes (a set from the USA, UK, and Australia) will help you chill out, de-stress, and defuse your mid-week stress. The Color Forty Nine – “I Will” (San Diego, USA) RIYL: Calexico, DeVotchKa, Fernando Viciconte “Tequila sunset music” is a term […]

Ease into your day with the Melodic Tonic ’18 April 25th edition. Start out with warm indie Americana, neo-soul, and smooth R&B, then shift into high gear with indie rock and blues. These six artists from the USA and UK will hit your sweet spot with their original tunes. Let’s kick things off with an amazing duo now based in Nashville. Birds […]

The four songs on the Melodic Tonic ’18 April 18th edition will transport you to another time – back to the ’80s. Drink deep from the cup of nostalgia as artists from England, Greece, and the US quench your thirst for retro rhythms. We kick things off with something familiar and very energizing. Poptone – “Go!” (Los Angeles, USA) RIYL: […]

The six songs on the Melodic Tonic April 11th edition will make you sigh and smile in appreciation. These artists from Canada, England, Ireland, Scotland, and the US offer some musical encouragement to help you get through whatever this week throws at you. So sit back and let yourself get lost in these tunes. Neko Case – “Bad Luck” (Vermont, […]

Bask in the mellow springtime warmth of the Melodic Tonic ’18 April 4th edition. These refreshing tunes begin and end in Sweden with a mix of American, Canadian, and UK artists nestled in between. So find yourself a sunny nook with a cool beverage where you can enjoy the bliss these artists provide.   I’m Kingfisher – “Sarajevo” (Lund, Sweden) […]

The six new music cocktails on the Melodic Tonic ’18 March 28th edition are potent. From indie blues to scorching rock and psychedelic dream pop, there is plenty of diversity to sample, starting with an award-winning American duo. Ben Harper & Charlie Musselwhite – “The Bottle Wins Again” (Los Angeles & Memphis, USA) RIYL: Ben Harper, Charlie Musselwhite, John Lee […]

This week the Melodic Tonic ’18 March 21st edition serves up some mellow fare. Prepare to back in the gentler tones of six North American artists whose melodies will soothe you. Aisha Burns – “Must Be a Way” (Beverly, MA via San Antonio, TX USA) RIYL: Margo Timmins, Gillian Welch, Sara Watkins, Rhiannon Giddens Some songs are so powerful that you […]

Reset your stress levels with these six songs on the Melodic Tonic March 14th edition. Featuring a few chill tracks nestled between some upbeat fare, these tunes are from emerging artists in Canada, England, Germany, Scotland, and the USA. Have a listen and let these songs work their sonic magic.   Blossoms – “I Can’t Stand It” (Stockport, England)  […]

Girls rock the Melodic Tonic ’18 March 7th edition! Today’s playlist is the reverse of the Oscar category for Best Director: it features multiple female artists from Sweden, The Netherlands, and the USA… plus one male band. From indie folk rock and dream pop to soul-punk and psych rock, these six songs are fire. Neko Case – “Hell-On” (Vermont, USA) […]

The six cocktails on the Melodic Tonic ’18 February 28th edition are all potent in their own way. From dreamy indie pop to jangly Americana and psychedelic folk-rock, these artists from England, Scotland, and the USA offer plenty of variety to cure the midweek blues. This week’s playlist begins and ends in the UK.   Tracyanne & Danny – “Home […]

The Valentine’s Day edition of the Melodic Tonic isn’t full of love songs. Instead, these five tunes from artists in the USA and UK offer upbeat fare that moves your heart, body, and soul. We kick things off with one of indie music’s hottest groups. Mt. Joy – “Dirty Love” (Los Angeles via Philadelphia, USA) RIYL: The Lone Bellow, The Lumineers, […]

This week’s serving of new music cocktails spans the globe – from Athens, Greece to Athens, Georgia in the US. These six singles offer delicious flavors of indie folk, art pop, indie psych rock, Americana, and even some old-school jazzy torch singer fare. Artists today represent England, Greece, Scotland, Sweden, and the USA. We kick things off with a gorgeous […]

A mildly psychedelic haze winds through the Melodic Tonic ’18 January 31st edition. These six singles run the gamut from indie psych rock and quirky synth-funk to mellower folk-pop and singer/songwriter fare. Let’s get started with one of two collaborative projects featured today.   Dungen & Woods – “Turn Around” (Stockholm, Sweden & Brooklyn, USA)  RIYL: Dungen, Woods If we gave […]