New Music: Ella Aslin

American singer and songwriter Ella Aslin is a new artist who we’re very excited to be sharing with you today.

A graduate from Berklee College of Music, this artist has been building traction for a short while now, with just two singles released.

‘Ruin me!’ is a taster for Ella’s upcoming debut album, ‘For the Life of Me’, and showcases a charming mix of indie rock and pop. Speaking on the lyrics, the artist explains:

“‘Ruin me!’ explores the frustration of loving someone and not being able to tell them how you feel. I wrote it after falling in love with a close friend of mine who was in a relationship at the time. The song reflects the feeling of longing I had for her and the guilt I felt for thinking of her in that way- knowing that she might’ve felt sad or uncomfortable if she found out. It’s mostly an ode to the anger I felt towards myself for holding out hope for something that would never happen!”

‘For the Life of Me’ is due for release later this month. You can catch Ella performing at JUNO Albuquerque on the 20th of September – tickets here.

Ella Aslin | Ones To Watch Playlist

Iona Luke – From Dust

Photo / Daisy Dickinson

Iona Luke returns today with a new single, called ‘From Dust’, which also marks the final release from her debut EP of the same name.

With its existentially driven lyrics, the track not only serves as the EP’s closing statement but also encourages us to think about how we fit into this world.

“From Dust’ is the title track and finale of the EP. The song explores our relationship with the world around us, and how life can feel both overwhelming and unsatisfying at the same time. It captures the wonder and fear of being truly seen by another person beyond the dust we are all made of, while reflecting on the human tendency to rewrite, inherit, and interpret our own identities, histories, and flaws. It’s all dust and dirt, material and imaginary, a parade of who we are and who we try to be.”

In recent months, Luke has picked up praise from outlets like Radio 1, 6Music, and Radio X. Iona headlines London’s Paper Dress Vintage with Berenice on the 8th September – get your tickets here.

Iona Luke | Ones To Watch Playlist

Leftwich – Run Baby (Down For Me)

Nashville duo Leftwich have been on our radars for a few years, and to this day we’re still big of fans of their very unique work.

‘Run Baby (Down For Me)’ is their latest single and is a track full of unexpected twists and turns. The production is bold and experimental, with its mix of alternative rock, pop, and electronica. With that said, the song also carries a sense of rebelliousness that harks back to indie-rock from the 90s, which is a really interesting experience to listen to.

“Lex [Leftwich] focused the lyrics on a romantic fixation witnessing someone’s unutilized brilliance turn admiration into resentment as they run from who they could be.”

Leftwich | Ones To Watch Playlist

Flauschig + Rona Ray – Say My Name

German electronic outfit Flauschig have teamed up with songstress Rona Ray on a fabulous new single, ‘Say My Name’.

This is the kind of song that puts you in the weekend mood instantly. Through its polished production, this melodic track seamlessly blends classic house beats with tribal house, resulting in a sound that is infectiously uplifting.

Flauschig, the musical project of artists of Stephan Spieker and Jason Durrant, has been crafting house music from as early as 2005, while Rona Ray is an accomplished vocalist who has featured on songs with the likes of Husky and Dave Mayer.

Flauschig | Rona Ray | Ones To Watch Playlist

SMOKIN POTIONS (BAINBRIDGE & High Zombie) – Tell Me

SMOKIN POTIONS is the collaborative project of acclaimed electronic music producers Bainbridge and High Zombie.

Released through the BREAK ROOM label, ‘Tell Me’ is nothing short of epic. This is a cinematic blend of trap and dubstep that creates an immersive soundscape that is immediately gripping. It’s intense, gritty, and sets your heart racing in the best possible way…

SMOKIN POTIONS | BAINBRIDGE | High Zombie | Ones To Watch Playlist

Malaika – The Problem

London-based newcomer Malaika is rapidly making a name for herself as one of the UK’s most interesting rising talents.

With support from outlets as prominent as BBC Introducing and Spotify, this artist crafts a pop sound that feels fresh yet familiar.

New single ‘The Problem’ is inspired by the difficulties of trying to live life as a young person in a world that often feels like it’s falling apart, and treats listeners to an energising fusion of indie, pop, and synth.

Malaika plays London’s New Cross Inn on the 21st September – you can grab your tickets here.

Malaika | Ones To Watch Playlist

New Music: Jacob Barrett

One of the most beautiful releases to come across our radars this week is ‘Maybe’ by San Francisco newcomer Jacob Barrett.

This song speaks of the cycle of thoughts that go through our minds after a connection with someone falls apart. Its production mirrors the melancholy that comes with these emotions, creating a sound that is heartfelt, sincere, and really quite emotional. Elaborating on the lyrics, Jacob explains:

“It’s rumination. The belief that if you turn something over enough times in your head you’ll finally fix it – while knowing, the entire time, that you won’t.”

Crafted with the help of Luciano Vassão and Karl Force, ‘Maybe’ is the perfect song for anyone who tends to overthink the relationships they have with those closest to them.

Inspired by artists like Tracy Chapman and Lucy Dacus, Barrett is an emerging singer, songwriter, and producer who has already gained praise from outlets such as Clout, Plastic Magazine, and The Big Takeover.

Jacob Barrett | Ones To Watch Playlist

Fox Sinclair – Work of Art

If you’re in the mood for some cinematic pop, you’ll love Fox Sinclair’s new single, ‘Work of Art’.

With a live string quartet featured in its production, this pop song gives high drama without feeling overly intense. Alongside its unique composition, the lyrics are beautifully delivered through Sinclair’s distinctive vocals.

The track’s creative edge reflects Fox’s multidisciplinary approach to her work: this talent is not only a singer and songwriter but also a movement director, photographer, and writer.

Fox Sinclair | Ones To Watch Playlist

Jess Tenace – pretty

Melbourne-based singer and songwriter Jess Tenace has a vocal that immediately captivates.

The new single ‘pretty’ is a charming blend of indie-pop and rock, with a lo-fi style of production that gives the song a timeless quality. Lyrically, this is a classic heartbreak song that touches on themes of jealousy and self-doubt, and is sure to resonate with anyone who has suffered from a breakup (and let’s face it, who hasn’t!).

“Built around the double meaning of the word ‘pretty,’ the song shifts from ‘she’s pretty’ to feeling ‘pretty overwhelmed’ and ‘pretty not okay,’ capturing the spiral of jealousy, regret, and self-comparison after missing your chance.”

Tenace’s work centres around relationships and personal growth, and with songs like ‘pretty’, we’re quite sure this talent will go very far.

Jess Tenace | Ones To Watch Playlist

New Music: ZALIK

Hailing from San Francisco, ZALIK is a house producer who, despite releasing only a couple of songs to date, is already picking up some good traction with his work.

‘mind.exe’ blends old-school house music with UK-inspired garage, creating a melodic anthem and a very hypnotic beat.

We’re looking forward to seeing what comes next from this promising talent… In the meantime, be sure to check out ZALIK’s previous release, ‘Be With Me‘.

ZALIK | Ones To Watch Playlist

May Payne – The News

May Payne has been on our radar since as early as 2022 and still continues to impress with her work.

This emerging talent returns today with a new single called ‘The News’. With its sincere vocals and gorgeous blend of indie, folk and rock, this track is heavy on the emotion. It was inspired by the rawness that comes from heartbreak, and the intense feelings take over our thoughts. Payne explains:

“When we broke up after two years, my ex said that they would love me forever, that they would be incapable of dating anyone unless it was me again. A few weeks after that, I found out that they were already in a relationship with someone else. I remember immediately after seeing it thinking that I could either go into a complete tailspin or try to write about it, and this song came out in one go as soon as I sat down.”

Payne’s work has recently picked up praise from outlets as noted as BBC Radio 6 and DIY Magazine.

May Payne | Ones To Watch Playlist

New Music: Coria

Photo / Amelie Karlsbro

Hailing from Sweden, Coria is one of the most impressive newcomers to come across our radars this week.

‘Lost In Translation’ is a melancholic pop masterpiece that hits your emotions hard. Despite its relatively minimal production, this song is cinematic in tone. It’s raw, vulnerable, and deeply moving.

A new EP titled ‘Aftermath’ is scheduled for release later this year. In the meantime, you can explore more of this hugely promising singer, songwriter, and producer’s work here.


Coria | Ones To Watch Playlist | Nordic Sound Playlist

LÜCY + Moyka – LOOP

We’ve got a real sonic delight to share with you today, courtesy of Taiwanese artist LÜCY.

‘LOOP’ is a stunning collaboration with Norwegian talents Eirik Hella (producer) and singer Moyka.

The track’s heady blend of electronica and dark pop instantly draws you in with its hypnotic beat structure. At the same time, the vocals deliver lyrics that span three languages – English, Norwegian, and Mandarin.

Touching on themes of generational trauma stemming from fear and pain, ‘LOOP’ reminds us that we have the power to break these toxic cycles. But then again, do we have it within us to really try?

LÜCY | Moyka | Ones To Watch Playlist | Nordic Sound Playlist

Jenna Victoria – it’s just life

US independent singer and songwriter Jenna Victoria has unveiled the catchiest bop of the week, and we’re quite sure you’ll love it too.

‘it’s just life’ is a thoughtfully constructed pop song that features a nostalgic, dreamy essence. The sound is charming and really quite sweet, mirroring lyrics that speak of embracing love when you are given the chance to receive it from someone.

Despite a relatively small catalogue of releases, Jenna’s music has amassed more than 50k streams on Spotify to date.

Jenna Victoria | Ones To Watch Playlist

New Music: goodkitty

If you’re in the mood for some indie rock this weekend, then we’ve got a brilliant new artist to share with you, called goodkitty.

This Chicago-based singer, songwriter and producer crafts a style of sound that feels refreshingly authentic and emotionally charged.

‘The Right Kind’ is lifted from the artist’s upcoming 2027 album and treats us to a timelessly cool blend of alternative rock, indie, and fuzzy pop.

“The song paints a rolling, blood-pumping picture of the mutual understanding of two people who aren’t together but would like to be – if it weren’t for their current relationship statuses.”

While we wait for the full project to drop, be sure to explore more of goodkitty’s music here.

goodkitty | Ones To Watch Playlist

Luke Kearns + Xavier Weeks – Don’t Worry

Rising Irish producer Luke Kearns is a name to watch for. This emerging talent has built impressive momentum recently, and his new collaboration with US artist Xavier Weeks is sure to propel hype even more.

‘Don’t Worry’ is a melodic house production that is both classic in style and still delivers a fresh edge. The sound gives you the same sense of euphoria that you expect from club anthems from the late 90s, which is always a good thing.

This is already one of our favourite bangers of the season.

Luke Kearns | Xavier Weeks | Ones To Watch Playlist

Jaïr Faria – August

SONG OF THE WEEK


Dutch singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Jaïr Faria is having quite the year, and deservedly so. This hugely talented artist has just been signed to Roc Nation’s publishing arm, as well as a recording contract with Giant Music.

‘August’ is a flavour of what the future holds. This is a bold, powerful, cinematic, and beautifully intense song that fuses alternative rock with dark pop and soul. It’s unashamedly raw, reflecting the healing process after a breakup:

“‘August’ is about trying to move on from someone and finally reaching a period where life begins to feel light again. But even in the middle of a beautiful summer, one dark, rainy day can bring everything back – the memories, the absence, and the pain you thought you had left behind. The rain becomes a metaphor for those unexpected moments that pull you back into grief, while August represents the warmth and happiness you are trying to return to. It is a bittersweet song about how healing is never completely linear.”

To date, Faria has amassed well over 11 million career streams and 44 million TikTok views, to name a few achievements.

Jaïr Faria | Ones To Watch Playlist

Sinego x Tripolism – Flotando

South American producer Sinego and Danish trio Tripolism have joined forces to create one of the weekend’s standout electronic releases.

‘Flotando’ is an immersive piece of sonic perfection. The production is polished and balanced, with a hypnotic beat that draws listeners into a soundscape which blends melodic house with Afro-house and techno.

Sinego is an acclaimed producer who has amassed more than 6 million career streams, while Copenhagen’s Tripolism are one of Scandinavia’s biggest electronic powerhouses, amassing over twenty million streams to date.

Sinego | Tripolism | Ones To Watch Playlist

Vau – Cocoon Time

We only featured Vau a couple of months ago, but we can already safely call ourselves fans of this rising newcomer.

The Swedish singer and songwriter is back today with a gorgeous song called ‘Cocoon Time’, and it’s really quite something. The production blends bedroom pop with fuzzy indie, resulting in a hazy and subdued style of sound. And yet despite its minimalism, this track still feels sonically joyful and energising.

But don’t be fooled – the lyrics are actually pretty intense. The artist explains:

“A song with an uplifting production and feeling, but rather dark lyrics: about self loathing and the need to merge into the depths of your sofa to hide from the world for a while. But also: to – in due time – emerge from those depths and take a leap into a new chapter of life again. A song for all us sensitive souls out there.”

Vau has also released an album of the same name today, which you can enjoy here.

Vau | Ones To Watch Playlist | Nordic Sound Playlist