I'm a Believer, Baby!

Good morning,

First, a warm welcome to all the new subscribers. I’m excited that you joined this little community. 👋

Now, many have asked me which values Weekly5 incorporates. Okay, that’s not true. Nobody did and probably never will. But I think it’s important that you know. (And if you’re not into this meta stuff, please scroll down a bit to today’s selection.)

The Weekly5 Values

There are five core values that I defined for Weekly5. These values not only guide the curation process but also how I communicate with you.

Curiosity Weekly5 is driven by the urge to discover new music and encourages everyone to be open-minded.

Quality Weekly5 is striving for a unique and intimate experience of discovery through a high standard in quality.

Diversity Weekly5 pays attention to diversity in gender, origin, and musical genres alike.

Independence Weekly5 is independent of outside influence. Reviews cannot be bought. Opinions are honest and truthful.

Integrity Weekly5 upholds its values and communicates issues transparently.

I’m open about these values because they’re nothing to be ashamed of. The values also are helpful to you: They can guide your answer whether you want to be a part of this community or not. And you can use them to hold me accountable.

I promise to uphold these five values the best I can.

And here’s today’s selection that you can also find in the Spotify playlist.

Linn Koch-Emmery – Linn RIP

I first came across Linn Koch-Emmery back in 2018 with the wild single Don’t Sleep on My Luv. The Swedish artist’s new track, Linn RIP, is less noisy but mellow and obviously depressed. No wonder, as Koch-Emmery tells about self-doubt.

Nevertheless, Linn RIP still sparkles: Soothing melodies are the musician’s talent. And she doesn’t make an exception in her latest single. Linn RIP is a hauntingly beautiful indie-pop tune.

Black Honey – Believer

Two years after their astonishing, self-titled debut album, Brighton’s Black Honey are back with an EP. The title track, Believer, pivots from the band’s well-established and dusty surf rock to a more grande rock opera, especially when the brass section kicks in.

That’s not a bad thing, as the essential vintage vibe remains at the sound’s core. I’m a believer, baby!

TV Priest – Press Gang

Hot, noisy, edgy – three words that describe TV Priest probably the best. The South Londoners are up and coming, and nothing for easy-going listeners. It’s an angry sound.

Inspired by his photojournalist grandfather, singer Charlie Drinkwater says about Press Gang: “It’s an uneasy song and tries to walk the line between celebration and condemnation of something we think is important in public discourse.”

Son Mieux – 1992

Dutch Son Mieux are masters of euphoric indie-pop escapades. Their latest work, 1992, isn’t any different. With a slight tint of nostalgia, the band provides us with an overall joyous sound.

1992 is an inherently fun listen, sparkling with optimism. For Camiel Meiresonne, the band’s leader, the song represents “a letter to my younger self and the start of a new chapter.”

Dead Milly – Sleep Well

Although Sleep Well starts off as a lovely lullaby, there’s nothing clean or innocent about the song. Swiss trio Dead Milly soon erupts into a raw rockburst – but in the background, the harmony remains.

Sleep Well tells us about pain, loss, and grief. Cracking guitars disturb the underlying soft melody in a mixture of anger and melancholy.

Today, I introduce a new, occasional section to the Weekly5 newsletter – exclusive for all subscribers: B-Side. I recommend an “older” song I discovered but still deserves your attention.

Hearts Hearts – Wild at Heart

Rub My Eyes by Hearts Hearts was one of my favorite discoveries of 2020. Although their latest single, Wild at Heart, was released back in December, you don’t want to miss it.

Wild at Hearts is a joyfully hopping indie-pop hymn with sprinkles of 80s reference. There’s simply no way this song leaves you not in a cheerful mood. And I believe we can all use a bit of the youthful innocence dripping out of this melody.

Before we end today’s edition, I invite you to support the Ghost Festival. It’s something between solidarity and crowdfunding. The money you spend goes to Swiss musicians as their primary source of revenue – concerts – have vanished since the beginning of the pandemic. Check out the official website.

Also, please consider sharing this newsletter with your friends who have the same passion for music. It really helps me grow the project.

Next week, I’ll be introducing a new community format, so stay tuned for that.

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday,

P.S. Fellow Weekly5 subscriber Rene (aka DJ Sojus) uploaded his set at the AMP In The Green Festival 2020. If you want to stage a kitchen party, you should definitely check it out.