Listen to World Full of People from The True Music Symbol
As we draw near the end of 2025, I wanted to dive through all my emails sitting in here, old and new, and just kind of let the last of the year’s singles trickle out. There’s some new stuff, but mostly stuff like this track from the True Music Symbol that’s been hanging around in my head for a minute. I connected with this one here in particular as it’s a pretty solitary tune, primarily working with a light strum that leaves plenty of room for the vocals to kind of hang heavily and resonate with the listener, akin to Winter listens for those who love a Bill Callahan type figure. It’s unsettling in the best way, so hopefully you find some joy in listening.
I woke up today wanting something reflective, something slowly moving that would have me looking back on the weekend, which is how I landed on Irish songwriter 
Margaux is a songwriter living in Brooklyn, but I hear a little bit of the softened vibes of maybe a Stella Donnelly in the way she’s crafted this track. Sure, there’s the intimacy of the strummed notes, but the song’s opening first few minutes have this playfulness that really makes po fans swoon, or at least this particular listener. But, what really drew me to the song was the shift midway through things; it takes on this ethereal dream quality that sort of takes the song into this floating meander that I didn’t see coming. It’s nice to be surprised by things. Expect a debut EP from the artists in November.
When I first heard this track from 
Over the last several years Ian McCuen has been releasing tunes from a series he’s titled Songs of Fleeting Permanence; these songs are said to be informed by reflection upon his own self-discovery between the ages of 16-24. You’ll need a careful ear when listening, as he’s got this soft voice, like a gentle whisper hanging on in the wind. The style will definitely draw in some Smith comparisons, especially considering the track’s focus on dependency and addiction. McCuen builds upon the simplicity by layering in light percussion and touches of banjo, with a haunting little vocal before the song drops out. Volume II of Songs of Fleeting Permanence will be out this Friday.
