Sound Sunday is a weekly MakeUseOf column where we promote free album downloads. Every edition invites you to explore different genres and artists from around the world. This week I'll expand your musical taste buds by taking you on a journey from light jazz and christian rock to experimental and dark wave music.
New to Sound Sunday? Past editions of Sound Sunday are available here. Please share your thoughts and post your feedback in the comments. Album submissions, suggestions, and genre requests via email [tina at makeuseof dot com] are most welcome!
Free Song: JoBee Project - My Life
Genre: jazz, pop, soul
From their Facebook page: "JoBee Project is based on jazzy collaborations between JoBee and Elien who have been making music together since they met in music school in 2009. In 2011 Pieter and Andries join in forming together a band."
My Life is a free download from SoundCloud.
Bright City Lights - Hope Has Come
Genre: modern, ambient, christian, rock
From their ReverbNation page: "The goal is to make music that is not only fun to listen to, but that conveys a message of true love, hope, and faith to a broken world. To not only make music that that connects people with the heart of Christ, but music that motivates people to acts of love."
Hope Has Come is a free download from Bandcamp.
Some Of Us Never Die - As The City Burns
Genre: progressive, rock, hardcore, post-hardcore, metal
From their Facebook page: "Well known for putting on an unbelievably energetic and exciting live show, they are a brilliant warm up act and work very hard to engage their audience and keep them involved. They have built up a steady fanbase in the south by playing hundreds of shows with the likes of Glamour Of The Kill, Shadows Chasing Ghosts, Flood Of Red, POLAR., The Chase, Stars Of The Search Party, The Theory Of 6 Degrees and many more, as well as headlining the unsigned stage at Guilfest [in 2010]. Following these achievements, they are now ready to experience new opportunities and push their career to new heights. [In 2010] they released their long-awaited debut EP 'As The City Burns'."
As The City Burns is a free download from Bandcamp.
Evergreen - This One Time
Genre: rock
From their Bandcamp profile: "Rock band from Ireland. We play our own music and hopefully you enjoy it. Thanks for the support."
This One Time is a free download from Bandcamp.
The Wicks - Clouds
Genre: alternative, rock, blues, folk, soul
From their Paperbird page: "The Wicks are a Canadian alternative rock band based in Victoria, BC. The band formed in 2008 following the break up of the mariachi and country punk collective, Cheers in the Belfry, which garnered much acclaim for their bazaar live performances, and vastly original song catalogue. After a Canadian tour, and a year spent in Montreal QC writing songs in small apartments, and dimly lit watering holes, lead singer Matt McLean, along with brother and guitar player Dustin McLean, and keyboardist Jeff Gulka, returned to their hometown of Victoria BC to record the full length, self produced record, ‘Local Dirt’ under the new name ‘the Wicks’."
Clouds is a name your price download from Bandcamp.
Ashley Arrison - Hearts on Parade
Genre: acoustic, pop
From the album page: "I sing for my supper. I used to be a pirate on the Indian Ocean. When I'm at the coffee bean, I tell them my name is Priscilla. I have 3 PhD's, one in Biostronomy, Swahili Studies, and the Didgeridoo... AND i am excited to offer my first full length album, Hearts On Parade, free here on Noisetrade! I've discovered some great music because of emails, facebook posts and twitters promoting music via Noisetrade.com. I hope you'll share my music, too! If you wanna tip for the free music, awesome and appreciated. But the main goal is for you to enjoy some music you may not have otherwise checked out. Hope you enjoy and thanks for sharing."
Hearts on Parade is a free download from NoiseTrade.
Brother, Nature - King
Genre: indie, rock
From the album page: "Brother, Nature is a group of musicians out of Indianapolis, Indiana. Birthed in September of 2011, Brother, Nature has exploded onto the scene with their wildfire of emotional lyrics highlighting a tempest of dynamic music and charming performances. Their debut EP, "King," exudes all the organic qualities of a band with a promising future, digging deep into the roots of rock while seeking to expand upon the postmodern structure of independent music. Brother, Nature seeks to provide the overwhelming desire to withdraw from reality and make music an unceasing activity. Be sure to follow them on Twitter for updates on shows and new releases, rainstorms and earthquakes, and all of things in between. Download our album and tip us if you'd like. Either way, share us with your friends!"
King is a free download from NoiseTrade.
Jesse Dangerously with Audra Williams - Bring Your Girlfriend To Rap Day
Genre: instrumental, backburner, nerdcore, chiptune, indie, rap, hip hop, remixes
From Jesse's Facebook page: "Growing up in Nova Scotia loving rap above all, Jesse began with lighter fare in 1989, embraced hardcore in the early 90s, and found his calling in the independent rap revolution at century’s end. All the while, he was honing his own style, ethos and skill set within a distinctly Haligonian hip-hop identity.
His first cassette, BREAK, came in 1997. He has since independently released five further albums, frequently in collaboration with members of the Canada-wide Backburner crew. He's toured a dozen times across Canada and the US, sold music on every continent, scored films and video games, and accidentally assisted in developing “nerdcore” hip-hop into a scene."
Bring Your Girlfriend To Rap Day is a name your price download from Bandcamp.
A.G Lyonz - Live Free
Genre: reggae, jazz, roots music, soul, hip hop
Ag Lyonz is a singer, producer, and writer who works with Miami Beat Wave.
Live Free is a free download from Bandcamp.
The Sexbots - Don't Stop
Genre: experimental, electronica, house, pop, techno
From Ilima Considine's Facebook page: "I front a collaborative dance-band called The Sexbots. I also do session work as a vocalist and violinist and neoclassical string arrangements for soundtracks and modern dance companies."
Don't Stop is a name your price download from Bandcamp.
Son Fish - Transfer Complete
Genre: experimental, electronic, dark wave, house, synth rock
Son Fish is the music project of Dustin Carpenter. From the album page: "Son fish is a solo dark wave artist, shrouded in Indian burial cloths. The album portrays a necessary glimpse into the dark spectrum of human emotion and death. Son Fish uses Logic 9, Mainstage, MacBook Pro, iPhone 4, Roland Octapad SPD-30, Korg Wavedrum, Korg Kaossilator, yamaha kx61, PreSonus Firestudio, Korg MicroKorg, theremin, drums, percussion, and guitars for live shows and in the studio."
Transfer Complete is a name your price download from Bandcamp.
Feel free to get in touch with me [tina at makeuseof dot com] to share free material, suggestions, and feedback or simply add your comments below.