New Music: southpaw

The Bay Area has long been known as the home of some of America’s most interesting hip hop outfits (think Hieroglyphics, 415, and Luniz). This rich heritage still continues to this day with newcomers like southpaw, who recently came across our radars.

This artist creates lo-fi hip hop that, despite sounding mellow and stripped-back, still carries a tonne of impact. New single ‘? Myself’ is a refreshingly original collaboration with fellow emerging talent Era 51 and shows us the finest of what the area’s underground scene has to offer right now.

southpaw is currently working on a new record, but in the meantime you can explore more of their music (including the 2024 EP ‘Pugilists Anonymous’) right here.

southpaw | Era 51 | Ones To Watch Playlist

Lucy Frost – Prescription

Photo / Kelly Choi

Acclaimed LA-based artist Lucy Frost is back today with a powerful new single that we’re really excited to be sharing with you.

Inspired by the feelings of anxiety that love can sometimes bring, ‘Prescription’ presents listeners with a dark pop production and vulnerable lyrics that remind us of the ebbs and flows of human emotion.

“‘Prescription’ is the sonic form of anxiety and discomfort bubbling up to the surface until it inevitably is released into a freeing flood of emotion. Playing this song live for the first time actually shaped how I wanted this track to feel in the studio; very raw and honest, with the intention that listeners will also experience a means of releasing their own pressures trapped inside.”

Alongside her own solo releases (which have amassed more than 300k streams on Spotify alone), Frost is also a noted songwriter and collaborator who has recently worked with the likes of Ari Abdul and Bluey Thomas.

Lucy Frost | Ones To Watch Playlist

Blossom Caldarone – Wreck

Blossom Caldarone is a classically trained musician who, in recent years, has started to gain traction for her beautiful pop songs.

Songs like ‘Wreck’, which was released today. This track layers classical strings over a simple alt-pop production, resulting in a cinematic sound that is both charming and moving at the same time. Elaborating on the lyrics, Caldarone says:

“‘Wreck’ is a tantrum song; it’s the end result of months of turmoil.. Its meaning has changed for me since writing it. Upon reflection, what once felt accusatory now feels like a play-by-play of my own downfalls. It’s the epitome of projection. I’m singing ‘you don’t care’, but the truth is, I don’t think I cared.”

‘Wreck’ is lifted from Caldarone’s upcoming ‘Might Smash A Window’ EP, which is out on the 10th April via Nice Swan. The artist will then go on a short tour across the UK – check out the schedule below and be sure to catch her in a town near you!

Blossom Caldarone | Ones To Watch Playlist

Blossom Caldarone Show Dates – May 2026

  • 21st Theatre Ship, LONDON
  • 22nd The Talleyrand, MANCHESTER
  • 23rd Dot 2 Dot Festival, BRISTOL
  • 24th Dot 2 Dot Festival, NOTTINGHAM

New Music: ARNAU

Originally from Barcelona, ARNAU is a promising newcomer who recently caught our attention with his impressive songwriting skills. Currently based in London, this talent crafts thoughtful pop songs that are both melodically and lyrically engaging.

‘How Can You Love Me?’ is a song that addresses the disconnect between what society perceives love to be, versus the reality of being in a relationship. The message is all the more pertinent in this age of dating apps, when we are sold an idea of love that is often too simplistic.

“Its central message revolves around the illusion of idealised love and the inevitable disappointment that comes from chasing a perfect, film-like version of romance that doesn’t exist. It explores how people can fall in love with fantasies (especially in a world shaped by dating apps) loving the idea of someone more than who they truly are. The song reflects on the fragility of these instant connections, the emotional turbulence that arises when reality replaces fantasy, and the realisation that a love built on projection and idealisation is ultimately unsustainable.”

More singles are scheduled for release this year, but in the meantime be sure to explore more of ARNAU’s work here.

ARNAU | Ones To Watch Playlist

Allegories – The Next Life

Allegories are one of Canada’s most interesting experimental outfits. This duo are unafraid to construct music that goes beyond any specific genre, instead creating sounds that seem more like art pieces than alternative music.

You wouldn’t guess it, but ‘The Next Life’ was originally written on a ukulele before gradually evolving into the song that you hear today. It’s a raw, intense, and at times really quite dark piece of music that questions the mere purpose of life.

“There’s no way around it. This is the most pessimistic reflection on life and existence I’ve ever put forward.” – Adam Bentley, Allegories

Allegories have been working together from as early as 2014, with occasional breaks between the release of their first album, ‘Surreal Auteur’, in 2008, and 2022’s ‘Endless‘. An upcoming third LP is on the way.

Allegories | Ones To Watch Playlist

Elliot – hot but depressive

Photo / Charlee Mouna

“It comes from self-sabotaging good intentions – from distancing yourself from love before it gets too close, because you don’t want to hurt others with your own emotional complexity. Instead of showing all the beautiful things I carry inside, I end up showing my destructive sides – the person who never feels good enough – and then I’d rather destroy it before ending up in yet another superficial or staged relationship. ‘hot but depressive’ is, in many ways, a song about the fear of loneliness.”

Elliot | Nordic Sound Playlist

New Music: Jena Teba

We’re starting the week with a soulful slice of French R&B from Parisian musician Jena Teba.

Crafted in collaboration with the equally talented Nigerian artist Tucee, ‘Sur ma peau’ delights listeners with a minimal yet sultry production that oozes finesse. What’s even more impressive is that the track incorporates elements of Afro-soul for some added sonic texture, resulting in quite the mesmerising sound.

“‘Sur ma peau’ is about capturing the feeling that words can’t express – the intimacy, desire, and emotion that linger between two people. Every note, every nuance is meant to be felt as much as heard.” – Jena Teba

Despite the song being produced across two different nations: France and Nigeria, it feels cohesive and flows with a natural flair. While Teba is still a fresh talent with only two singles on Spotify to date, we think she has tonnes of potential to hit her country’s mainstream very soon!

Jena Teba Ones To Watch Playlist

Kamal. – how the f*** does everybody else manage?

TRACK OF THE WEEK

“This song is a desperate plea for answers in a world that presents itself so enigmatically. It speaks about the daily struggle to exist under capitalism, about how easy it is to look at one’s peers in disbelief that they can navigate such terrain successfully. It touches on grief, ambition, heartbreak, anxiety and depression. It is essentially a synopsis of all of the themes in the music to come this year and is for everyone asking the same question – how the f*** does everybody else manage.”

Kamal. | Ones To Watch Playlist

Mira Housey – BUTTERF-LIES

We have rising US starlet Mira Housey to thank for offering us this weekend’s pop banger – the cleverly titled ‘BUTTERF-LIES’.

The song starts with a vulnerable, mellow tone before exploding into a chorus that will stay in your heads for a very long time. Inspired by heartbreak and falling in love, this track’s lyrics are sure to resonate with anyone who’s suffered from broken romances.

“Wrote it after falling in love for the first time after the worst 8-year breakup of my life.”

We’re quite certain that 2026 will be a big year for Housey. In the last few months alone, this artist has signed her first publishing deal, appeared on Jimmy Fallon, and had her songs featured on several TV shows. Alongside the mainstream attention, Housey has also had placements on flagship playlists on Spotify, where she also commands more than 57k monthly listeners.

Mira Housey | Ones To Watch Playlist

Lucky Iris – fall in love with the dj

Photo / Amy Suckley

“Going out was my first taste of freedom, and when I want to feel that again, I know where to go. I think it’s silly because I wrote this song after a night out with my best friends at a pretty cult bar in Leeds and the DJ played a track from ‘Black Rose’ by Thin Lizzy which is one of my favourite albums of all time. It’s nowhere close to the music we make, but it always takes me back to growing up and falling in love with music. I think to connect with music is to feel understood, and there’s something about standing right next to the speaker, hearing your favourite song and feeling like the DJ is there just for you. Maybe they are, but that doesn’t matter, what matters is how it makes you feel.” – Maeve, Lucky Iris

Lucky Iris | Ones To Watch Playlist

Retro Kid – Think I Know

Danish-based British artist Retro Kid (aka Jake Juba) starts our weekend with his delightful new single, ‘Think I Know’.

The song serves as a taster to the producer’s forthcoming EP and is inspired by Juba’s life as a father to a young son, who, at the age of three, is confident enough to know what he wants but still finds ways to make life ‘interesting’ for his dad.

“I think I know what I want… dry socks (and more than six hours of sleep).”

As Retro Kid, Juba has won acclaim for his distinctive approach to electronic music from outlets as prominent as Amazing Radio, BBC Introducing, Indie Shuffle, and EARMILK.

Retro Kid | Ones To Watch Playlist | Nordic Sound Playlist

New Music: Victor Longato

Victor Longato is an interesting newcomer to have come across our radars this week, who we’re quite excited to be sharing with you.

Longato is a South American–British talent with a style of work that fuses Jersey Club beats with electronic pop and R&B. The music is multi-dimensional and unexpected, with plenty of intriguing sonic textures.

‘Freaked’ is the artist’s debut single and is inspired by ‘the chaotic spiral of being ghosted’. In the short time since its release, it has raised Longato’s awareness over social media significantly, amassing thousands of views and plays across TikTok and Instagram.

An upcoming EP titled ‘Sensory Overload’ is on the way. Until then, be sure to follow this promising artist on his social channels!

Victor Longato | Ones To Watch Playlist

Awolk – Someone

Hailing from Canada’s Nova Scotia, Awolk (aka Jesse Thomas) is an musician who in recent years has gained quite some momentum with his songs, which showcases a very sincere and organic style of indie-pop.

New single ‘Someone’ is lifted from Awolk’s freshly released ‘Wild Rose’ EP (out now) and talks about “life’s ultimate risk” – that of being in love, regardless of its unpredictable outcomes. Elaborating on the new EP, Awolk says:

“From the first track to the last, the six track EP, Wild Rose, has a minimalist and vibey studio band feel, complimenting my previous records, while nodding to the future. My current songwriting is an intentional exploration into some of the most major events in my recent life.”

Since launching the Awolk project in 2018, Thomas has garnered millions of streams online and toured all across his home nation. You can explore more of his work right here.

Awolk | Ones To Watch Playlist

Myoon – Dreamer 

Myoon, the Parisian pop project of brothers Augustin and Charles Hurez, is back with a new single called ‘Dreamer’.

Fusing indie with disco and dreamy pop, this song captivates listeners with its catchy melody and polished production. Sonically, the duo cite New Order, Joy Division, Phoenix, and Justice as some of their inspirations, and you can indeed hear these influences on the song.

Myoon are currently working on a new EP, with a scheduled release planned for this spring. You can stream more of their work on Spotify right here, where they currently have more than 15k monthly listeners.

Myoon | Ones To Watch Playlist

New Music: Town Flesh

East x West is a new independent label with a focus on showcasing British-Estonian alternative artists. Despite only launching this year, they’ve already signed some interesting talents – one of which is a 5-piece outfit from Tallinn called Town Flesh.

‘There’s a Last Time for Everything’ (a spin on the classic saying ‘there’s a first time for everything’) is the band’s new single – and the label’s inaugural release.

The track presents listeners with a refreshingly original indie-rock sound that carries with it the rawness of 90s Britpop and the playfulness of 60s pop. The result is a song that is not only sonically unique but also unexpectedly charming – despite its pessimistic title!

East x West was started by Issy Hughes, who is known for their work with the BBC, and Sander Varusk from Estonia’s Raadio 2.

Town Flesh (East x West Records) | Ones To Watch Playlist

Sebastian Rydgren – how i wanna die

Nordic artist Sebastian Rydgren first came to mainstream prominence in 2022 after a series of performances on Swedish Idol, culminating in an impressive fourth place at the finals.

Since then, he’s grown to become one of his nation’s most interesting pop talents, with his new single, ‘how i wanna die’, standing out to us in particular.

Alongside its polished production (courtesy of Simon Karlsson), this song has a familiarity with its lyrics, which are inspired by the best days of our lives. Sometimes, we lose sight of the good things that life has to offer – and this track reminds us that the potential for joy is always out there.

“The song is about being in a phase of life where everything feels perfect. There’s nothing more you wish for or want to achieve. The track is about feeling content with yourself, your relationships, and the life you’re living. It captures a moment and a feeling you wish you could stay in forever. If the worst were to happen, at least you would die happy – ‘how I wanna die’.”

To date, Rydgren has amassed more than a million career streams on Spotify alone. A new EP is on the way, but in the meantime you can check out more of the artist’s work right here.

Sebastian Rydgren | Ones To Watch Playlist | Nordic Sound Playlist

Lime Garden – 23

Photo / Steve Gullick

“‘23’ the concept was born from a dream I had where I was talking to my younger self. In the dream I was essentially ripping into my own personality and lack of success. ‘23’ the song was born on a rainy January afternoon, a Happy Mondays–inspired jam paved the way for the main bassline.” – Chloe Howard, Lime Garden

New album ‘Maybe Not Tonight’ is out on the 10th April 2026 – pre-order here.

Lime Garden | Ones To Watch Playlist

Lime Garden 2026 Tour Dates

  • 2nd October – Bristol, Electric Bristol
  • 5th October – Oxford, The Bullingdon
  • 6th October – Cambridge, Junction 1
  • 9th October – Birkenhead, Future Yard
  • 10th October – Leeds, Stylus
  • 12th October – Newcastle, The Grove
  • 13th October – Edinburgh, Mash House
  • 14th October – Glasgow, Mono
  • 16th October – Manchester, Gorilla
  • 17th October – Nottingham, Rescue Rooms 
  • 18th October – Norwich, Waterfront
  • 20th October – Birmingham, Castle & Falcon
  • 21st October – London, Electric Brixton

East Sister – Mixtape

Photo / Joan Seiler

Acclaimed Swiss indie trio East Sister are back today with a mesmerising new single titled ‘Mixtape’.

Most of us have, at some point, curated a mixtape for someone who we love. And you’d be forgiven for thinking that was the subject of this song, but in fact, the track gives up on the idea of love and instead announces, “I want to fall in love with music; I don’t want to fall in love with people anymore.”

And just as a mixtape flows from one genre to another, the song also evolves sonically – from dreamy lo-fi pop to something more classical and melancholic. This really is quite a clever song and, ironically, would fit quite nicely into a mixtape itself!

East Sister | Ones To Watch Playlist