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Weekly5

Five new songs delivered every Sunday. 100% algorithm-free, hand-picked for you.

Edition #143

This week, we recommend the new songs by Tobias Carshey, Barbicop, DYLYN, Structures, and Tuys.

Tobias Carshey tackles a sinister future. Photo: Lukas Maeder
Tobias Carshey tackles a sinister future. Photo: Lukas Maeder

Maybe it’s a mere coincidence, but today’s edition leans heavily into rock music. It’s not pure-bred rock, though, but going with the trend of synthesising many elements into a rock foundation. Again, after last week’s selection, we might ask the question of a rock comeback in some shape or form. I’ll definitely observe this development.

❶ Tobias Carshey – They Own You

Written as a reaction to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Tobias Carshey’s They Own You hardly just reflects the past but is a haunting soundtrack, driven by a relentless rhythm, for an increasingly sinister time. „Who will you become when the lies start spreading?“


❷ Structures – Unless I Fall

Celebrating the anniversary of their debut album, A Place For My Hate, French band Structures released Extended Hate with remixes but also two unreleased tracks; Unless I Fall is one of them. It’s the perfect fusion of ravishing post-punk and indie rock à la Franz Ferdinand.


❸ Barbicop – Vide (Avec ++ De Honte)

Both a breakup song and feminist liberation hymn, Vide by Barbicop also penetrates borders musically. With a hint of hyperpop, the rave-adjacence meets with a contemporary hip-hop vibe to culminate in this fast-paced and electrifying composition, whipped on by a crunchy beat.


❹ Tuys – Upside Down

With their new single, Upside Down, Luxembourgian band Tuys weave a bold web of traditional indie rock, electronic gimmicks, and shape-shifting songwriting. It feels like Upside Down constantly changes its vibe, but what would usually be instant death for a song, they make it work remarkably.


❺ DYLYN – Change Me

„There are no atheists in extreme situations,“ says Gwendolyn Lewis, aka DYLYN, about the cry-for-help track Change Me. The higher power in a dire situation might as well be DYLYN: Noisy and unapologetic guitars with a pop-grade catchiness. More like this, please.

Playlists

Follow the Weekly5 playlists on Apple Music and Spotify

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Edition #142

This week, we recommend the new songs by Moictani, A=f/m, Obliecht, Lizki, and Moletrap.

Moictani. Photo: Nikita Thevoz

Is rock music making a sneaky comeback? One could think so with the exciting new tracks by Moictani, Moletrap, and even Lizki. They shamelessly draw from all around and make it their own. Here are my latest picks for the Weekly5.

❶ Moictani – Pan Con Tomate

Hailing from Switzerland’s West, Moictani mixes French and Spanish vocals, underlined with a slightly psychedelic krautrock—playful and with a charming DIY feel. With its punkish edge, Pan Con Tomate sounds like the soundtrack for a thrilling aftermovie of a party that got out of hand.


❷ A=f/m – Side By Side

Music for thoughtful dancers. Side By Side by the duo A=f/m cracks with a poignant beat and floats with a spherical melody and dreamy vocals. Juxtaposed, these elements make for a captivating electro-pop which doesn’t shy away from a particular melancholic note.


❸ Obliecht – Small Enough

How do you push the boundaries of indie-pop? Obliecht have the answer: add a dulcimer, which is considered a traditional Swiss instrumental, and give the arrangements an almost rave-like notion. Small Enough brings together the folky vocals and songwriting and their danceable sound perfectly.


❹ Lizki – Back Out Alive

With her 2021 debut album, classically trained singer Lizki combined her stunning vocals with avant-garde electro. But Back Out Alive follows an indie-rock direction. While the opera reminiscence is gone, it was simply replaced by a truckload of coolness.


❺ Moletrap – Taffy (Flags of Aber Prom)

Welsh band Moletrap delivers your daily dose of no-bullshit rock, drawing from punk and garage. Taffy (Flags of Aber Prom) takes up speed and highlights the electrifying euphoria of a shredding e-guitar, but also a catchy melody. And, oh boy, the Spanish crescendo in the end!

Playlists

Follow the Weekly5 playlists on Apple Music and Spotify

Listen now

Edition #141

This week, we recommend the new songs by Soft Loft, Long Tall Jefferson, OK Go, Andrea Wellard, and Mon Rayon.

Press photo of Soft Loft, photographed by Flavio Leone
Soft Loft announce new EP with Leave The Light On. Photo: Flavio Leone

Weekly5 is back! Today, I’ve picked three compelling tracks by Swiss-based artists—one of them being the exceptional new single by Soft Loft. But we also travel to Sweden, where we only make a sharp turn and end up on the French Riviera. And there’s an optimistic hymn hailing from Chicago, too.

❶ Soft Loft – Leave The Light On

They did it again! Switzerland’s Soft Loft are on a seemingly unstoppable roll. The band around ‌singer and songwriter Jorina Stamm announced a new EP with the single Leave The Light On, an exploration of an on-off relationship delivered with a grasping flow of folky pop sound and exceptional vibrato vocals.


Long Tall Jefferson – Step Across the Border

The troubadour has proven over and over again his instinctive feel for beautiful details and musical craftsmanship. Step Across the Border is a delicate folk song elevated with subtle electronic amalgamations and the longing warmth of country music.


❸ Andrea Wellard – Palooka

Time flies: A decade ago, Andrea Wellard was featured in Weekly5’s predecessor with A Distant Welcome. Now, the Swiss-based Canadian songwriter returns with the fiercly stomping Palooka. A short burst of rock groove, eerie decorations, and pop allures.


❹ Mon Rayon – On The Riviera

60s vintage meets the cinematic glamour of Spaghetti Western and indulges in a lush composition nodding at The Godfather’s Love Theme. Yes, On The Riviera by Swedish duo Mon Rayon drips nostalgia but is also an utterly captivating song about love at the crossroads.


❺ OK Go – A Stone Only Rolls Downhill

Widely known for their 2005 indie hit Here It Goes Again, Grammy winners OK Go are still around and deliver with their new single a great reason to pay attention. A Stone Only Rolls Downhill spreads optimism with a blend of indie rock and a soothing, laid-back ambience.

Playlists

Follow the Weekly5 playlists on Apple Music and Spotify

Listen now

The Top 24 Songs of 2024

Revealing my favourite tracks of the year.

While most publications have already released their end-of-year lists, Negative White is again intentionally late to the party. Trying to consider as many releases as possible.

Admittedly, I struggled heavily in compiling this year’s list. We’re living in times where more music is released every single day than in the entire year of 1989. There is no point in me claiming any authority or totality because it’s humanly impossible to listen to all new music being released.

So, take this list more as a compilation of my personal favourites, chosen from songs featured in Weekly5, in premieres we hosted, or darlings discovered throughout the year.

However, my intention was again to provide a diverse canvas with a balanced lineup of male and female artists, highlighting local Swiss musicians alongside international artists, established names and upcoming acts.

Without further ado, here are the top 24 songs of 2024:

1. Moonpools – Never Mind

When I heard Never Mind for the first time in February, I already knew: This is one of the best this year.

What the Moonpools released here is nothing but a monumental work of art. Marcie Nyffeler‘s dreamy, meandering voice, the shoegaze, stoner-heavy foundation, and the daring, melancholic keyboard melody come together in a cathartic sensation. This is truly exceptional.

2. notthingspecial – Catacombs

With her EP Where Do You Wanna Go?, rising star nothhingspecial delivered an utterly compelling collection.

The song catacombs has everything: an urging rhythm, a shamelessly catchy melody, a post-punk vibe, and—most of all—the astounding smoky voice of 20-year-old Chrissie Kühl. It beautifully amalgamates melancholy and a euphoric indie-rock spark.

3. Porcelain id – Man Down!

Not only has Porcelain id a moving life story, but they also released with Bibi:1 one of the year’s most intriguing albums.

Hubert Tuyishime, with producer Youniss Ahamad, excels in Man Down!, taking a song with folk at its core and blowing it up spectacularly to an overwhelming, brass-driven anthem without shying away from experiments nor neglecting intimacy despite its grand gestures.

4. Francis of Delirium – First Touch

In record time, First Touch by Jana Bahrich’s creative brainchild Francis of Delirium grabbed me and never let me go. Almost staccato-delivered verses flow to a vast chorus that pierces the soul with surgical precision, applying scalpel-sharp cuts of nostalgia. No one can change my mind that First Touch is one of the best love songs—ever.

5. The Cure – Endsong

Yes, The Cure’s Endsong could easily take this list’s top spot if not for my conviction to highlight newcomer artists. Words aren’t sufficient to describe this epochal hymn. Has despair ever sounded so good? The chainsaw guitar cuts through the thick wave layer, the relentless drums slowly marching to the apocalypse. Endsong is at least on par with Disintegration.

6. Linn Koch-Emmery – Ebay Armour

Linn Koch-Emmery’s sensitivity to come up with addictive hooks she brings to her indie rock composition never disappoints. Ebay Armour features a dense composition, sometimes feeling even overwhelming in its total sound. But her comforting voice guides us through the sonic thicket with a warm, glowing melody. We need more Koch-Emmerys in the world.

7. EMPIRICAL – Letz Get It

Julien Bracht’s efforts with EMPIRICAL led him to create Letz Get It, a genre-crossing anthem. The hyperactive, 2-step-styled beat juxtaposes the expanding vastness of the synths. There’s a notion of melancholia paired with anticipation, resulting in an atmospheric stream of electronic consciousness, emphasising the melody and details over hard-hitting, danceable beats.

8. Hugo Trist – Say It, Mean It

With a style poignantly coined future garage, Hugo Trist provides an eclectic sound. Between the sparks of 2-steps and soulful vocals, Say It, Mean It bridges nostalgia and futurism, a pinch of sadness and excitement. And once the massive bass drones hit, you shrink down to the most minute creature on the planet.

9. Baula – Mercury in Retrograde

Baula’s Mercury in Retrograde answers the question of whether there is something like a Wester-noir post-punk. Yes, and it sounds absolutely exhilarating. The rhythm’s unapologetic urge winds ever down into the eerie depths, where the raw sound meets a soft, whispering voice. A haunting and sinister anthem, indeed.

10. THYMIAN – Sentimental (feat. Ferran Gorrea)

Transforming from sparse post-punk to kaleidoscopic synth-pop, THYMIAN delivered some of his best work to date. In Sentimental, his voice reminds me of Depeche Mode’s Dave Gahan. The deep passion with which THYMIAN delivers this piece is impressive and beautifully emphasised by Ferran Gorrea’s saxophone.

11. The Beauty of Gemina – Countless (There's No Home)

Without a doubt, one of the best songs ever penned by Michael Sele, Countless (There’s No Home) connects The Beauty of Gemina’s dark wave roots with an acoustic, hand-crafted quality. The sombre atmosphere is perpetually intertwined with moments of light. It’s not a daring anthem but a subtle, flowing piece lulling you in its ban.

12. Evelinn Trouble – Started A Fire

With Started A Fire, Evelinn Trouble once and for all cemented her status as a bank for sophisticated rock songwriting. Driven by Trouble’s emotive vocal performance, this song’s initial nature is intimate, yet the cellos intensify further, conjuring a gritty, dark ambience and propelling the song to an overwhelming crescendo.

13. IDER – Know How It Hurts

Know How It Hurts is a feminist anthem with an unfortunate relevance. Delivered by IDER with a transfixing electropop groove, the song spreads hope through empathy and finding strength in vulnerability to continue fighting.

14. Pina Palau – Get A Dog

Pina Palau’s folk is warm, like a fire crackling in the chimney. However, Get a Dog not only shines bright musically—especially in the final crescendo—but also in its storytelling—a tale of confidence in following your path and passion.

15. Duschpalatset – Öronbarn

If Umeå-based band Duschpalatset continues to release indie-rock bangers like Öronbarn, it’s only a matter of time until they get wider acknowledgement. A minimal groove and beautiful vocals complement the addictive melody.

16. Sampha – Dancing Circles 2.0

Exquisitely mixing soul vibes with pop-esque rhythms and rap, Sampha’s Dancing Circles 2.0 is electrifying yet remains somehow laid back. Spanning the gap between vintage shades and contemporary colours with astounding ease.

17. Leech – Knock Knock

The thumping Knock Knock by Swiss post-rock legends Leech marches unwaveringly. The bells ring a haunting yet fascinating melody, and when the short string bursts hit, the song becomes an epic cinematic experience.

18. Bon Iver – THINGS BEHIND THINGS BEHIND THINGS

Bon Iver’s EP Sable, appears on many best-of lists. This track beautifully tackles artistic self-doubts, arranged in a country-esque folk composition. The playful guitar and longing strings carry a deep and cathartic sadness.

19. Melicious – Flooding The Bus

Melodic indie-pop collides with a 2000’s punk rock, pogo-dancing energy in the explosive Flooding The Bus by Switzerland’s Melicious. It’s futile trying to escape the song’s unapologetic and urging drive.

20. Peggy Gou – 1+1=11

With a catchy and trance-inducing melody, Korean artist and producer Peggy Gou’s 1+1=11 moulds an exceptional house experience between dance and dream, between concrete clarity and transformative wanderings.

21. Palinstar – It’s Time

The debut single by Swiss multi-instrumentalist Palinstar awaits you with a refined and retro-sounding rock. But It’s Time also makes bold choices and has a compelling honesty, bringing it into the current rather than just celebrating heritage.

22. Komodo – Rat King

There’s a notion of danger lingering between the tasty groove. Komodo’s Rat King unifies psychedelic rock, desert blues, Indian Raga, and a pinch of surf rock. The result: Rat King demands your allegiance.

23. House of Protection – Fuse

The Prodigy meets some sort of metalcore, flirts with pop music, and stirs up an exciting cocktail. Fuse by House of Protection is rock music that sounds utterly contemporary; the band is definitely on my watchlist.

24. School of X – Caroline

School of X dropped an album full of bittersweet but addictive pop music. Carole sounds driven, is melodic and melancholic at the same time—provoked by his crystal-clear voice. Sometimes, you need a bit of heartache.

✻ ✻ ✻

Initially, the idea was to publish a list with 30 entries. But 24 of 2024 had a nice ring to it. Nevertheless, the six tracks that didn’t make the cut deserve at least an honourable mention:

  • Luca Vasta – Santa Maria
  • Hannah Laing – Poppin’
  • Imogen and the Knife – Red (Is My Colour)
  • Overmono & The Streets – Turn the Page
  • British Murder Boys – Killer I Said
  • Neumatic Parlo – carnage
✻ ✻ ✻

You can also find the 24 songs in our playlists on Apple Music and Spotify.

Edition #140

In 2024’s final edition, we recommend the new songs by Hilke, UCHE YARA, mynameisntjmack, Tim & Puma Mimi, and Grundeis.

For this year’s final edition, we once more embrace the variety galore: from emotional ballads to forward-thinking, bold compositions, quirky explorations, and meandering sombreness. It’s all there, calling the open minds to discover.

❶ Hilke – Tree

Meandering between English and French, Hilke’s new single Tree isn’t only a linguistically multifaceted song but also a sonic journey with little crackles and ripples enriching the canvas of a haunting piano and swelling strings. It is a gorgeous love song.


❷ UCHE YARA – backstage again

Taken from the recently released honey, EP, backstage again by 22-year-old Austrian artist UCHE YARA displays a bold, undefinable yet intriguing mix: soul, R&B but blues too, even rock elements. Definitely worth keeping on your radar.


❸ mynameisntjmack – american spirit

It is thoughtfully executed escapism—american spirit by LA-based alt-rapper mynameisntjmack brings together a soulful beat and reflective lines. Unwieldy at first, american spirit opens up with time to jmack’s mind and coping mechanism.


❹ Tim & Puma Mimi – Blanket (Susukino Edit)

They embrace quirkiness wholeheartedly: Swiss-Japanese electro-pop duo Tim & Pumo Mimi announce their upcoming album with Blanket (Susukino Edit). It’s a tsunami of escalating synths, and you feel like you’ve fallen into a computer’s wildest dreams.


❺ Grundeis – Every Second An Ocean

Hamburg’s Grundeis have released their second album, Every Second An Ocean. Its namesake song is a gripping melting pot of post-rock, post-punk, and extended instrumental windings. Sinister, yes, but in its way, colourful and expressive.