fika + Eddy Luna – Mercy

They say good things come to those who wait, and that’s certainly been the case when it comes to the London duo fika. They’re back today with their first release in almost three years, and it’s definitely been worth the wait.

Featuring the talents of Birmingham artist Eddy Luna, ‘Mercy’ is a masterclass in British neo-soul, showcasing a refined style of sound that is both mellow and atmospheric in character.

fika have long solidified their status as one of London’s leading R&B-soul outfits, amassing more than 16 million career streams to date on Spotify alone. Check out their full catalogue of releases here.

fika | Eddy Luna | Ones To Watch Playlist

Madeline – Out Of Us

LA-based starlet Madeline has just unveiled her first release of the year, titled ‘Out Of Us’.

Produced alongside the acclaimed Austin Ward (who has also worked with the likes of Willow Avalon and G-Eazy), this electronic pop song delivers a dreamy soundscape that is full of interesting sonic textures.

Since first featuring Madeline back in 2021, we’ve seen this talent’s work become a fan favourite across the world. She’s now amassed more than two million career streams to date and continues to win followers across social media with each release.

Madeline | Ones To Watch Playlist

Julez and the Rollerz – I Don’t Know You

Photo / Zach Adams

Anyone suffering from midweek blues today will appreciate Julez and the Rollerz’s latest release, the infectiously energising introspective anthem ‘I Don’t Know You’.

The track is a taster to the musical project’s forthcoming ‘Dirty Little Rock ‘N’ Roller’ album and treats listeners to a charming blend of nostalgia-inspired rock and indie pop. Elaborating on the song’s lyrics, vocalist and guitarist Jules Batterman explains:

“Turning 30 made me confront the fact that I’ve outgrown parts of myself. I Don’t Know You started as a song about looking back at my younger self and thinking, ‘Who is she?’ But it naturally became more than just ‘that’. It’s also about how time reshapes EVERYTHING. Sometimes you lose significant people in your life; whether it be friends, past lovers, family members…. Sometimes you lose who you once were. We are forever changing, as are the people around us, and while scary, it’s also beautiful to think about. I’m now 31, married, still unsure of what I want out of life, and I’m hoping my past self is still proud of the path I’m on now.”

Despite being around from as early as 2021, ‘Dirty Little Rock ‘N’ Roller’ only just marks Julez and the Rollerz’s debut album. It was recorded in California at the Tiny Creatures Studio and was produced, mixed and engineered by the Grammy-nominated producer Alex Newport. Until its release on the 26th June, make sure you check out their brilliant 2023 EP, ‘Is This Where The Party Is?’ here.

Julez and the Rollerz | Ones To Watch Playlist

LANDO – carousel

Manhattan singer and songwriter LANDO is an artist who is completely unafraid to create art based around life – in both its good and its challenging times.

New single ‘carousel’ is a deeply personal indie-pop song that is lyrically inspired by LANDO’s brother, who has autism. It talks of the intense and complicated emotions associated with the brotherly connection, as he describes:

“‘carousel’ is about my little brother with autism. Not a tribute, a confession. The shame of loving someone so completely it starts to cost you, the weight of carrying their world, and a chorus that just asks them to stay.”

LANDO’s popularity, particularly across social media, has had a special boost since the release of his ’16 diamond$’ single last year. To date, this track alone has amassed more than 430k streams, helping LANDO achieve more than 50k monthly listeners on Spotify.

LANDO | Ones To Watch Playlist

New Music: SYOT

We’re starting the week with a charming slice of K-pop, courtesy of rising South Korean trio SYOT.

These newcomers are picking up a tonne of momentum right now thanks to their neo-traditional productions, which are distinctively unique in tone. New single ‘Hide and Seek’ carries a heavy influence from 90s UK Garage, and treats listeners to a playful bop that likens being in love to playing hide and seek.

The song is taken from the outfit’s new album, ‘NAVI’ (Korean for ‘butterfly’), which is also out today. SYOT consists of producer G.QOO, singer & pianist Hanbeen Park, and gayageum player Yoolim Lee.

SYOT | Ones To Watch Playlist

Kris Vango – Shahanshah

Kris Vango (aka Kristen Howard) really is an artist like no other. This visionary creative, based in Australia, is both a musician and graphic designer who has been working on a project from as early as 2019, inspired by the planets – each with its own audio and visual representations.

Starting with ‘Ard’ (Earth), we are now reaching Pluto, from which ‘Shahanshah’ is taken. An immediately arresting and richly textured sonic piece, this track fuses a dark, bold, and abrasive electronic production with an intense breakbeat pattern.

“A planet pop album from PLUTO. The second in a trilogy of works and part of a greater project creating audio and visual archetypal poetry.”

Listen to the complete project ‘PLUTO Presents ULTRAVIOLENCE’ here.

Kris Vango | Ones To Watch Playlist

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papa mbye – SOME OTHER TIME

Gambia-born and Minneapolis-raised experimental artist papa mbye holds a special place in our hearts for his ever-evolving style of sound.

The acclaimed musician and visual artist returns with a melodic new single called ‘SOME OTHER TIME’, inspired by the unpredictable nature of relationships.

With references to the Mbalax, this stunning fusion of alternative R&B and pop only further shows why papa mbye is one of the most visionary talents to emerge in quite some time.

The track serves as a taster to a new self-produced EP, titled ‘JAKAARLO’, which is scheduled for release on the 24th April 2026.

papa mbye | Ones To Watch Playlist

New Music: ALÍSI

ALÍSI is an emerging London-based artist with Brazilian-Portuguese roots who has blown us away with her hazy new single, ‘BRAKES’.

The track presents listeners with an alt-pop production that is both dreamy and emotionally raw at the same time. The sound feels almost cinematic and is reminiscent of the work by outfits like Billie Eilish and The Japanese House.

‘BRAKES’ was produced by Blake Bigfoot, who has also worked alongside the likes of Por$ch Bets and Brent de la Cruz. A new EP is scheduled for release later in the spring. In the meantime, you can check out more of ALÍSI’s music here.

ALÍSI | Ones To Watch Playlist

Ella More – Sweet Rose

TRACK OF THE WEEK

“My parents showed me that love is something you work at and grow within. It is steady. It is chosen. ‘Sweet Rose’ came from realising I was in something that did not feel like that. There is a moment when you look at your life from the outside,” You see the person you love, you see yourself, and something shifts. ‘Sweet Rose’ is that mirror moment. It is uncomfortable, but it is also freeing.”

Ella More | Ones To Watch Playlist

KHROTO – Betsuni Heiki (feat. HIDEKICHI + YU-KA)

We don’t have the chance to feature emerging music from Japan often, so we’re really excited to be sharing with you this brilliant new song that has come across our radars this week.

‘Betsuni Heiki’ is Tokyo producer and beatmaker KHROTO’s latest single and features vocals from YU-KA and rap verses by HIDEKICHI.

The track applies a nostalgic R&B-inspired style of sound over a hypnotic beat structure, which serves as the perfect base for HIDEKICHI’s rapping and YU-KA’s beautifully melodic vocals.

This is a universally loveable song which builds a connection with the listener, no matter what language you speak.

“‘Betsuni Heiki’ explores the feeling of saying ‘I’m fine’ while quietly carrying uncertainty, growth, and the pressure of adulthood.”

If you love what you hear, then you can explore more beats by KHROTO on his site here. Be sure to also check out KHROTO’s apparel label HULAM, which encompasses his creativity through clothing.

KHROTO | HIDEKICHI | YU-KA | Ones To Watch Playlist

Ross Newhouse – Words I’d Use

Ross Newhouse returns today with a beautiful new collaboration that features the vocal and songwriting talents of fellow acclaimed artist Grace Gardner.

‘Words I’d Use’ is a thoughtfully crafted fusion of lo-fi pop and indie and is lyrically inspired by the idea of wishing that your lover could see themselves through your perspective. Newhouse explains:

“A song years in the making about the universal wish for a partner to see themselves through your eyes. I love Grace’s songs and their approach to music making, and I believe this collaboration brought out the best in both of our writing.”

Newhouse continues to build traction across social media and currently draws in more than 3k monthly listeners to his Spotify. If you like his work, then be sure to check out more of his singles here.

Ross Newhouse | Grace Gardner | Ones To Watch Playlist

Keir Gibson – In the Way

Scottish singer and songwriter Keir Gibson has unveiled a new single today, called ‘In The Way’.

A polished production that blends indie with folk-pop sets the perfect space for Gibson’s captivating and moving vocals to shine through. The song looks at the realisation that sometimes you’re just not enough for someone that you love.

“‘In the Way’ explores the painful selflessness of recognising you’re not what someone needs anymore. It’s about loving someone enough to admit you’re holding them back.”

Gibson’s music has amassed more than two million career streams to date. His music has also picked up national media attention from the likes of BBC Radio 1 and The Scottish Sun.

Keir Gibson | Ones To Watch Playlist

New Music: Bethia Beadman

Fans of PJ Harvey and Fiona Apple will find a new artist to fall in love with, going by the name of Bethia Beadman. The UK-based newcomer makes a stunning impact today with the release of ‘Brick’.

Taken from the artist’s upcoming album ‘Kitten Feel’ (which was mixed by the legendary Tchad Blake), this song presents listeners with a texturally gritty sound, blending dark indie tones with alternative pop. Elaborating on the track, Beadman explains:

“Lyrics fall out of real life. The verses for ‘Brick’ slithered out at midnight, like an ancient Mississippi worm. That song is my snakeskin jacket.”

Alongside her work as a solo artist, Bethia has also collaborated with a range of icons behind the scenes on their projects, from Depeche Mode to REM. ‘Kitten Feel’ is out on the 5th June 2026 – pre-save here.

Bethia Beadman | Ones To Watch Playlist

ALBI. – CRASHOUT

One of the biggest bangers of the week comes courtesy of rising Australian starlet ALBI. and her new single, ‘CRASHOUT’.

The production is unashamedly bold, fusing electronica and dance with pop to create a sound that is sharp, confrontational, and intense. Lyrically, the track was inspired by the moment when you run out of patience with someone and start putting some boundaries in place.

Fans will be glad to learn that a new EP is on the way. ALBI. plays Brisbane on the 26th of March with DEVAURA and will also perform in London this May.

ALBI. | Ones To Watch Playlist

Tory Silver – Microwave

Video Still / Michi Tapes

Pittsburgh-based artist, singer and songwriter Tory Silver has been winning fans and critics alike for almost a decade and still manages to craft some of the most interesting indie-rock sounds to emerge from Pennsylvania.

New single ‘Microwave’ is taken from Silver’s upcoming ‘In Through the Front with Lasers‘ album, which is out on the 29th of May. The track was inspired by the mundane moments that we experience in life and showcases a production that applies fuzzy guitar tones over a raw rock sound.

Silver’s reputation as a live artist has seen her perform all over the Northeast and Midwest of the States while also playing alongside the likes of Katy Kirby and Ezra Furman.

Tory Silver | Ones To Watch Playlist

New Music: breezy fjord

breezy fjord is an interesting project emerging from Czechia, and if their new single ‘Read Receipts’ is anything to go by, then the chances of this outfit hitting the mainstream could be quite high.

The track presents us with an energising blend of dance and pop, which contrasts nicely with emotionally charged vocals.

This seems to be their first release under the breezy fjord name, so we’re still waiting to find out more about who is actually behind this project, but we like what we’ve seen so far!

breezy fjord | Ones To Watch Playlist

New Music: Kate McMahon

Hailing from Australia is Kate McMahon, a promising indie singer and songwriter who came across our radars this week with her melancholic new single, ‘Pretty in Bad Lighting’.

A mellow and atmospheric production sets the scene for a song that tells of feelings of self-doubt. The track reminds the listener that we are all much stronger than we give ourselves credit for.

“The song reflects the internal battle of standing in front of the mirror and feeling like you’re never quite enough, while slowly learning to show compassion to the girl staring back.”

McMahon’s music is inspired by the life moments that shape humans – from experiencing heartbreak to exploring motherhood. You can listen to more of her songs here.

Kate McMahon | Ones To Watch Playlist

New Music: Lola Minuit

We’re starting the week with a guaranteed endorphin booster in the form of a shimmering new song by Lola Minuit.

Admittedly, this talent is so new that we don’t know much about who they are (yet!), but if ‘Phares dessinent nos silences’ is anything to go by, then we’re quite sure that Minuit will be a name we’ll come across much more in the future.

Sonically, the production of this song blends together influences from the likes of The XX and Vanessa Paradis, culminating in a tropical-themed soundscape that is instantly captivating.

Lola Minuit | Ones To Watch Playlist

Jordan Tariff – Existing

Anyone wondering what to do with their lives will find some relatable themes in Jordan Tariff’s latest release, ‘Existing’.

As the title suggests, this song questions our motivations and aspirations. It reminds us that life is short – and that the joy of living comes from the journey.

“I wrote this song about how hard it can be for me to appreciate all that I have and all that life offers. I often find myself looking for the next thing to make me happy, constantly checking off a to do list and telling myself that once I’m done with all of this stuff, then I’ll truly live, then I’ll truly be happy. But life is meant to be lived. Life isn’t a to do list, the journey is the destination!”

Impressively, Jordan’s music has amassed over two million career streams to date, and that’s just on Spotify. An upcoming EP, titled ‘Archives’, is on the way. In the meantime, you can check out more of Jordan’s work here.

Jordan Tariff | Ones To Watch Playlist

New Music: Mins

Photo / Florintein

Mins is the musical project of Dutch artist Minne Bussemaker. Currently based in Liverpool, this promising talent crafts a unique style of bedroom pop that infuses elements from other genres, like folk, into the mix.

New single ‘MHSFH’ stands for ‘My Homie Straight From Hell’ and presents listeners with a stripped-back yet enticing lo-fi production. Speaking on the song’s inspiration, Mins explains:

“A pretty superficial song to be honest, however very relatable. In the past I’ve found myself chasing lyrical obscurity at all times, but sometimes telling a situation how it is can be just as creative. This is a song about someone who you’re friendly with, that’s throwing away a good thing with someone else just to be with you, while you aren’t ready for that at all. Many such cases across many lives, let’s be real. While, to some, the song may lack gravitas, it does not lack a fun, relatable, and laid-back character that we can all use a dose off every now and then.”

An EP is scheduled for release later this year. In the meantime, you can check out the artist’s previous record, ‘SkinDeep’, here.

Mins | Ones To Watch Playlist