Happy Friday, everyone!

We have survived another week of the seemingly never-ending summer which means that it is once more time for some new music to help keep us going.

With new songs spanning a variety of genres including pop, hip hop, and rock, we are so excited to share our favorite release of the week.

You can read a bit about each track below, and be sure to check out our full Spotify Playlist to check out all of our favorite releases from 2020, linked below.

“Linework” by The Honest Heart Collective

As a teenager, you make plans for your future that revolve around you and your friends going on to bigger and better things. You imagine what sort of cars you’ll drive, where you’ll live, how famous you’ll become- but then before you know it, you’re in your late twenties watching as wedding invitations and pregnancy announcements take over your Facebook feed and you realize that life isn’t always what you plan for it to be. But that’s OK- and it’s that acceptance that inspired “Linework.”

A rock track likening the permanence of tattoos to everlasting (though ever changing) friendships, “Linework” is the latest single by The Honest Heart Collective.

“”Linework” is about acceptance and coming to terms with how your relationships change,” the band shared. “Something as simple as sending a text or setting up a lunch date goes a long way. It might not be just like the old days, but it’s still important.”

“Small Viktories” – Vokab Kompany (Album)

Vokab Kompany are back with their first full length release in nearly five years.

With the release of their new album “Small Viktories,” which debuted this morning, the genre defying duo are once more showing fans how to effortlessly mix elements of funk, electronic, hip hop and pop together for a fusion of sonic cohesion.

With features from a variety of other artists, including Megan Hamilton, Crush Effect, AHEE, Cloudchord, and JPOD, “Small Viktories” is at its core a feel good album. With upbeat tracks like “Fabtastik” and “Like That,” listeners can’t help but get up and move with a smile on their face.

That said, “Small Viktories” is not lacking substance nor does it glaze over current events. In fact, the band dedicates an entire song (“Politricks”) to the current political state of the country- criticizing all sides of the political landscape.

As true masters of their craft, Vokab Kompany created an album that can get fans of all genres listening, grooving, and thinking. Something only great music can do.

You can stream the full album now here.

“Neighbour” – Abby J. Hall

Abby J. Hall first landed on our radar after the release of her single “Little Things,” earlier this year. And now, she is once more on our favorite release list with her brand new single “Neighbour.”

A pop track about taking time to get to know the people around you and promoting the strength in unity, “Neighbour” was inspired by Hall’s own fascination with the idea of judging someone prior to knowing them.

Co-written by Darrelle London, the song transpired after the duo spent a day together in London’s yard.

“We were looking into the surrounding backyards and wondering about her neighbours’ lives and talking about how easy it is to judge people without knowing their story – building fences literally and metaphorically,” Hall shared.

A reflective song, “Neighbours” forces listeners to question their own interactions with the people around them and rethink their inclination to judge instead of getting to know them.

“Under My Influence” – The Aces (Album)

A four piece band made up of sisters Cristal and Alisa Ramirez, Katie Henderson and McKenna Petty, The Aces are the a pop quartet that fuse elements of classic pop music with 2020 modernity that make our inner 90s kid scream with excitement.

And today, two years after their last album, The Aces are back with their new LP “Under My Influence.”

A dreamy pop soundscape, “Under My Influence” tackles a range of topics, from navigating romance to growing up in the age of technology and finding your place in the world.

Heavily influenced by the music of the early 2000s, the album is drenched in nostalgia while also sampling elements of modern rock and electronic beats to create a unique soundscape that will have listeners vibing along without feeling like they’ve heard it all before.

You can stream the full album here.

“Fever Dreams” – Val Astaire (Album)

Another brand new full length release comes from Val Astaire, as he releases his debut LP “Fever Dreams.”

With elements of electronic dance music, rock, synth pop, and drenched in 80s/early 90s nostalgia, “Fever Dreams” is one of a kind. Each track taking listeners on a new aesthetic journey while simultaneously working together to create a cohesive 10 song collection.

Kicking things off with the album’s debut single “Runner” and following track “3am,” “Fever Dreams” starts off on an electronic high note before transitioning into the angsty rock sounds of “Kiss” and then slowing back down to 80s pop rock fused “Say You Will.” No two tracks sound identical, keeping listeners on their toes.

Refusing to be categorized by one genre or one idea, we believe Val Astaire is forging his own path and “Fever Dreams” is just the launching pad.

And in addition to Astaire’s album release, the singer has also been working on a live recording series with fellow musicians Kyle Blamy, Christopher Curran, and Ali Ajemian.

An attempt to bring a little live music back into 2020, the series features Astaire and co performing a variety of tracks from “Fever Dreams,” the latest being “Sweet Medicine.”

You can check out the live sessions now on YouTube, and stream the full album here.

“I Think I Miss You” – The Lights Downtown

Every New Music Friday we have at least one song that isn’t brand new but that we still want to give some attention to. This week, that song is “I Think I Miss You,” by The Lights Downtown.

An electronic meets pop (with a dash of rock) track, “I Think I Miss You” debuted at the end of June and is the latest single by Canadian duo The Lights Downtown.

A song about longing for the past and fear of uncertainty we face when making big changes, the song confronts some of the biggest anxieties we face in life but presents them in an uptempo way.

Asking the question “do I want to speak my mind or walk away?” the band encourages listeners to ponder their own pasts and face nostalgia head on.

What is your favorite release of the week? Let us know in the comments, and be sure to check out our full 2020 release playlist, linked below.