10 Legal Free Music Albums: Sound Sunday Downloads
Discover Free Music with Sound Sunday
Sound Sunday represents a recurring feature on MakeUseOf, dedicated to showcasing complimentary album downloads each week.
Each installment offers an opportunity to discover diverse musical genres and artists originating from various corners of the globe.
A Diverse Musical Selection
This week’s edition is designed to broaden your musical horizons, guiding you through a spectrum of sounds.
Prepare to experience a journey encompassing styles ranging from the gentle nuances of light jazz and the uplifting tones of Christian rock, to the innovative realms of experimental music and the atmospheric depths of dark wave.
New to Sound Sunday?
If you are unfamiliar with Sound Sunday, previous editions can be found here.
We encourage you to share your opinions and provide feedback in the comments section.
Share Your Input
Submissions of albums, suggestions for future features, and requests for specific genres are greatly appreciated.
Please send your contributions via email to [tina at makeuseof dot com].
JoBee Project's "My Life" – A Complimentary Track
The song "My Life" by the JoBee Project falls into the genres of jazz, pop, and soul music.
JoBee and Elien, the core of the JoBee Project, began their musical partnership after connecting at music school in 2009.
Band Formation and Background
According to information shared on their Facebook page, the duo expanded in 2011 with the addition of Pieter and Andries.
This expansion solidified the group into a fully-fledged band.
Their music is characterized by jazzy collaborations and a shared history of musical development.
Availability and Source
My Life is being offered as a free download.
The track can be accessed and downloaded directly from the SoundCloud platform.
Bright City Lights – A Beacon of Hope
Genre: modern, ambient, Christian, rock
Bright City Lights aims to create music that is both enjoyable and meaningful. Their intention, as stated on their ReverbNation profile, is to deliver a message of genuine love, faith, and optimism to a world in need.
The band strives to produce songs that not only foster a connection with Christ but also inspire acts of kindness and compassion.
Availability of "Hope Has Come"
Hope Has Come is currently available as a complimentary download via Bandcamp.
Listeners can access this track without charge, allowing wider dissemination of its hopeful message.
- Genre Blend: The music seamlessly integrates modern, ambient, Christian, and rock elements.
- Core Message: The central theme revolves around love, faith, and providing hope.
- Distribution: The song is freely accessible on Bandcamp.
ReverbNation's description highlights the band’s commitment to impactful songwriting.
This commitment extends beyond mere entertainment, focusing on spiritual connection and positive action.
Some Of Us Never Die - Exploring 'As The City Burns'
Genre: progressive rock, hardcore, post-hardcore, and metal.
The band is recognized for delivering exceptionally dynamic and captivating performances in a live setting.
They excel as a supporting act, consistently striving to connect with and energize their audience.
Through extensive touring, having performed hundreds of shows, they’ve cultivated a dedicated following in the southern regions.
Notable bands they’ve shared the stage with include Glamour Of The Kill, Shadows Chasing Ghosts, Flood Of Red, POLAR., The Chase, Stars Of The Search Party, and The Theory Of 6 Degrees.
Their accomplishments also include headlining the unsigned stage at the Guilfest festival in 2010.
Building on this momentum, the group is now focused on pursuing new prospects and advancing their musical journey.
In 2010, they released their highly anticipated debut EP, titled 'As The City Burns'.
As The City Burns is currently available as a complimentary download via Bandcamp.
About the EP
The EP represents a culmination of their efforts and a stepping stone towards broader recognition.
It showcases their blend of diverse musical influences, resulting in a unique and compelling sound.
Evergreen - This One Time
Genre: rock
The band describes itself on its Bandcamp page as a rock group originating from Ireland.
They create original music and express gratitude for listener support.
This One Time is offered as a complimentary download via Bandcamp.
The song is available for free access to anyone interested in their work.
About the Band
Evergreen focuses on producing and sharing their own musical compositions.
Their Bandcamp profile serves as a central hub for fans to connect and access their music.
The band’s primary goal is to create enjoyable music for their audience.
Song Availability
Listeners can obtain This One Time without any cost through the Bandcamp platform.
This accessibility allows a wider audience to experience Evergreen’s musical style.
The free download format encourages music discovery and support for the band.
The Wicks - Clouds
Genre: alternative, rock, blues, folk, soul
Information available on their Paperbird profile details The Wicks as a Canadian alternative rock group originating from Victoria, British Columbia.
The band’s formation occurred in 2008, subsequent to the dissolution of Cheers in the Belfry, a mariachi and country punk ensemble.
Cheers in the Belfry had previously earned recognition for their unique live shows and an exceptionally original collection of songs.
Band History & Album Creation
Following a tour across Canada, and a period of songwriting in Montreal, Quebec – conducted within modest apartments and intimate venues – the core members reconvened in Victoria, BC.
Matt McLean, the lead vocalist, alongside his brother Dustin McLean on guitar, and keyboardist Jeff Gulka, initiated work on a full-length, self-produced album.
This record, titled ‘Local Dirt’, was released under the newly adopted moniker, ‘the Wicks’.
Availability of "Clouds"
The track Clouds is offered as a pay-what-you-want download through Bandcamp.
Listeners are able to determine the price they wish to pay for this particular song.
Bandcamp provides a platform for direct artist support and flexible purchasing options.
Ashley Arrison - Hearts on Parade
Genre: acoustic, pop
The artist’s album page provides a unique introduction. It states that she performs to support herself.
A colorful backstory is shared, mentioning a past life as a pirate navigating the Indian Ocean.
She playfully adopts the alias "Priscilla" when visiting coffee shops.
Academic Achievements
Remarkably, Ashley Arrison holds three doctoral degrees. These are in the fields of Biostronomy, Swahili Studies, and the Didgeridoo.
Her debut full-length album, Hearts On Parade, is being offered as a free download through Noisetrade.
Arrison has personally benefited from discovering new music via Noisetrade’s email, Facebook, and Twitter promotions.
Sharing and Support
She encourages listeners to share her music with others.
While tips for the free music are welcomed and appreciated, the primary objective is to broaden musical horizons.
The artist hopes listeners will enjoy discovering music they might not have encountered otherwise.
Hearts on Parade is available as a complimentary download from NoiseTrade.
Brother, Nature - King
Genre: indie, rock
Brother, Nature is a musical collective originating from Indianapolis, Indiana.
Formed in September 2011, the group has quickly gained recognition for their powerfully emotive lyrics.
Their music is characterized by a dynamic range and engaging live shows.
About the "King" EP
The debut EP, titled "King," showcases the band’s natural talent and potential.
It draws inspiration from the foundations of rock music.
Simultaneously, it aims to push the boundaries of contemporary independent music.
Brother, Nature’s core ambition is to create music that offers an immersive escape from everyday life.
They strive to make music a constant and vital pursuit.
Stay connected with the band on Twitter for announcements regarding performances and new material.
You’ll also find updates on various happenings, from weather events to significant news.
The album King is available as a free download through NoiseTrade.
Consider supporting the band directly through tips if you enjoy their work.
Regardless, sharing their music with others is greatly appreciated!
Jesse Dangerously and Audra Williams – A Celebration of Rap with "Bring Your Girlfriend To Rap Day"
This release showcases a blend of musical styles, including instrumental, backburner, nerdcore, chiptune, indie, rap, hip hop, and remixes.
Jesse Dangerously's Background
Jesse Dangerously’s musical journey began in Nova Scotia with a deep passion for rap music, starting in 1989. He initially explored lighter sounds before transitioning to hardcore in the early 1990s.
Ultimately, he discovered his niche within the independent rap movement as the new millennium approached. Throughout this evolution, he cultivated a unique style and identity rooted in the hip-hop culture of Halifax.
Early Work and Collaborations
Jesse’s debut cassette, titled BREAK, was released in 1997. Since then, he has independently produced and distributed five additional albums.
Many of these projects were created in partnership with artists associated with the Canada-wide Backburner collective. He has undertaken twelve tours throughout Canada and the United States.
Expanding Reach and Influence
His music has been sold on every continent, and he has contributed to the soundtracks of both films and video games.
Interestingly, Jesse played an unintentional role in the development of “nerdcore” hip-hop as a recognized genre.
"Bring Your Girlfriend To Rap Day" Availability
Bring Your Girlfriend To Rap Day is currently available as a name-your-price download through Bandcamp.
A.G Lyonz - Live Free
A.G Lyonz is a multifaceted artist, functioning as a singer, producer, and songwriter.
His musical style encompasses a diverse range of genres, including reggae, jazz, roots music, soul, and hip hop.
About the Release
Currently, A.G Lyonz collaborates with Miami Beat Wave on various projects.
The track, Live Free, is being offered as a complimentary download.
Listeners can acquire this release directly from the Bandcamp platform.
This provides an accessible avenue for experiencing A.G Lyonz’s work.
The Sexbots - Don't Stop
Genre: experimental, electronica, house, pop, techno
Ilima Considine announces on their Facebook page that they lead a collaborative dance ensemble known as The Sexbots.
Considine also undertakes freelance work, providing vocal performances and violin playing.
Additional Work
Furthermore, they create neoclassical string arrangements for both film scores and contemporary dance productions.
Don't Stop is available as a pay-what-you-want download through Bandcamp.
This allows listeners to determine the price they wish to contribute for the music.
The track represents a fusion of diverse electronic music styles.
- Experimental
- Electronica
- House
- Pop
- Techno
The Sexbots offer a unique soundscape within the electronic music realm.
Son Fish - Transfer Complete
The musical endeavor known as Son Fish is the creation of Dustin Carpenter. It’s characterized by a blend of genres including experimental, electronic, dark wave, house, and synth rock.
As described on the album’s page, Son Fish operates as a solo dark wave artist, presenting a unique aesthetic. The project is depicted as being enveloped in the imagery of Indian burial cloths.
Album Concept
Transfer Complete offers a poignant exploration of the darker facets of human emotion and the theme of mortality. The album aims to provide a necessary, though potentially unsettling, perspective on these profound subjects.
Production Details
Carpenter’s creative process incorporates a diverse range of tools and technologies. These include Logic 9 and Mainstage, alongside a MacBook Pro and an iPhone 4.
Furthermore, the project utilizes hardware such as a Roland Octapad SPD-30, Korg Wavedrum, and Korg Kaossilator. A yamaha kx61, PreSonus Firestudio, and Korg MicroKorg are also integral to the sound.
Live performances and studio recordings are further enhanced by the inclusion of a theremin, traditional drums, various percussion instruments, and guitars.
Availability
Transfer Complete is currently available as a “name your price” download through Bandcamp. This allows listeners to support the artist directly.
Suggestions, feedback, or free material can be directed to tina at makeuseof dot com. Comments and reactions are also welcomed.