New Music: Daniel Barrett

Fans of Daniel Caesar will have a new name to add to their playlists, and that man is Daniel Barrett. This Wilmington NC talent caught our attention with his sublime style of R&B, so much so that we’ve had his new single, ‘COOL,’ on rotation all day.

“This song is the quintessential coming of age love story. Inspired by ambiguity in my relationships, I felt compelled to make an R&B song that highlights the ‘talking’ phase.”

Barrett is already an accomplished producer who has worked with the likes of Chase Shakur, Joony, and ASTN, and you can hear the attention to detail come through on this new single. The sound flows like a dream – airy, light, melodic, and really quite stunning.

It’s always wonderful to see producers step out from the mixing desks and in front of a mic… it’s a brave move and one that is always so welcome.

Daniel Barrett | Ones To Watch Playlist

Chloe Slater – Ugly

Photo / Hayley T

“I wrote ‘Ugly’ after watching a documentary on Netflix called Buy Now: The Shopping Conspiracy, which looks at where ‘away’ actually is when we throw things out. The song centres around this almost religious compulsion we have towards consumerism. Our ads are full of commandments, ‘buy now’, ‘don’t miss out’, and we’re promised heaven in the form of status and wealth if we follow the right path.”

“I frantically list products and capitalist tokens throughout the song to mirror the never-ending frenzy of the world we live in. I wanted it to feel chaotic, with a big sense of release in the chorus, something people can throw their hands up to and let go of at shows.”

Chloe Slater | Ones To Watch Playlist

New Music: jael

For lovers of Amy Winehouse and Adele, Australian singer and songwriter jael (Jael Wena) will be a welcome newcomer.

New single ‘DUI’ was made alongside the legendary Eg White, and that in itself speaks volumes as to how talented this artist is. A global name in the making, no doubt about that.

jael | Ones To Watch Playlist

New Music: Elena June

TRACK OF THE WEEK

Elena June is a name that we think you’ll start to hear a lot more of in the coming months. London-based with Scottish roots, this independent starlet has just released her debut, and it’s stunning.

Created with Louis Mattrs, ‘Alone Again’ is an immersive pop song that is beautifully minimal. With hints of folk, the track slowly evolves with more sonic layers, drawing the listener into an atmospheric soundscape that is utterly mesmerising.

“‘Alone Again’ was written at time when I was noticing a pattern where it felt like I had no control over my thoughts – spiralling became second nature to me. The song is a time stamp as it encapsulates that feeling of ruminating and how lonely life can actually be when you push people away.”

“Im really inspired by artists like Maro and Bon Iver as well as timeless singers like Julie London. I knew I wanted my first song to feel both cinematic and tender so we kept the structure simple but added lots of texture. I’m so excited to finally share it.”

Despite being a relative newcomer, June has already shared stages with the likes of Paloma Faith and also performed at London’s Futuretense series with BBC Introducing and Notion.

Elena June | Ones To Watch Playlist

Melde – AOS

Melde might be a new name to most, but this creative artist has been crafting music for over twenty years. Starting his career aged just 17, his involvement in music first began in Texas’s electronic metal scene as part of an outfit called Sky Eats Aeroplane, which gained momentum on MySpace back in the day.

“After a few years, my band was dealing with some interpersonal issues as well as differences in expectation with our record label, and at the same time i was learning about lighting design and programming.”

Since then, he’s become a notable figure in lighting design, working with the likes of Billie Eilish, Kim Petras, and Zedd. Now he’s back in the music world, and if his new single ‘AOS’ (Achievement Oriented Society) is anything to go by, then we hope it stays that way for a while!

This is a bold and energising piece of music that instantly grabs the listener’s attention with its hypnotic beat structure and distinctive vocal sampling.

“My friend from Berlin shared her perspective from a transformative mushroom experience about the society we live in through a voice message. I thought this was an important message that I’d like for dance floors to experience in a certain mind state to remind them that their existence has value itself.”

Melde | Ones To Watch Playlist

Emily Rose Burnett – waiting

We first featured American newcomer Emily Rose Burnett in March this year, and we’re pleased to see that she’s back with yet another big song that we’re excited to be sharing with you.

‘waiting’ has a sense of drama which is really quite captivating. It blends dark, alternative pop with R&B to form a sultry, cinematic style of sound which mirrors the tension described by the lyrics.

“‘waiting’ is a smooth, R&B-fuelled groove, powered by roomy piano and massive synths, detailing the agony of impatience that comes with being left on read.”

The track further affirms Rose Burnett as one of New York’s most interesting and promising prospects so far this year. One to watch!

Emily Rose Burnett | Ones To Watch Playlist

SABS – facedown

SABS was born and raised in Maryland, and aside from being a really gifted singer and songwriter, she also happens to be a mechanical engineer!

We came across this talent’s music a few days ago, and her new single ‘facedown’ has impressed us quite a lot. The track blends indie with pop in a thoughtful and balanced way, while the lyrics take their inspiration from today’s dating scene.

“‘facedown’ explores the cycle of surface-level connection and emotional disconnect in modern dating. it’s about recognising the pattern but still finding yourself in it.”

To date, SABS has accumulated more than 70k career streams on Spotify alone. You can explore more of her work right here.

SABS | Ones To Watch Playlist

charlieeeee – STATIC SHOCK

“‘STATIC SHOCK’ is a positive summer vibe that’s laced with the slight sting that’s left behind from a decision that might have given you some short term fun, but in the long term becomes a harder pill to swallow. It explores the feeling of the ‘Static Shock’ when your mind wanders back to those memories, but the overall sense of fun and happiness you felt while the time was good. It reminds you that you can have that sort of fun again”.

charlieeeee | Ones To Watch Playlist

India Shawn – Marmalade

Photo / Rashida Zagon

“Falling in and out of feelings. Nothing is fixed, everything is in flux. My new EP, ‘Subject To Change,’ moves through sonic worlds from bright, airy ‘Marmalade’ to the dark, melancholic ‘Multiplicity.’ Nothing ever really stays the same, especially matters of the heart, and I wanted the music to move as fluidly as we do.”

India Shawn |Ones To Watch Playlist

Jet Vesper – Halfway to Yours

Jet Vesper’s ‘Halfway to Yours’ is one of the most gorgeous releases of the week, and we’re really excited to be sharing it with you.

The track treats us to a mellow mix of neo-soul and dreamy pop, resulting in a hazy, buttery-smooth sound that complements Vesper’s captivating falsetto vocals.

Vesper recently performed at the iconic Montreux Jazz Festival and is due to headline his own European tour this year. It’s going to be a big year for an artist who truly deserves it.

Jet Vesper | Ones To Watch Playlist

New Music: Joe Bray

Joe Bray is an independent artist emerging from the UK who is not only a singer but also a songwriter and producer that has already caught the attention of BBC Introducing.

Bray’s music looks at the ‘quiet tension of life’, which is something that we can all find some kind of connection with these days. ‘Eternal’ is the new single and presents listeners with a melancholic fusion of lo-fi pop, trip hop, and alternative R&B.

A new album is on the way soon, but in the meantime you can explore more of his work on Spotify.

Joe Bray | Ones To Watch Playlist

New Music: Andrew Bunsell

Andrew Bunsell is an interesting newcomer who recently came across our radars with his original single, ‘Out of Place’.

Sonically, the track reminds us of classic Soft Cell from the 80s. Minimal, electronic-driven beats set the tone of the production, while Bunsell’s vocals add a layer of richness to the track, making it a highly unique piece of music.

Bunsell is also a composer, performer and cultural producer who has had his work showcased in cultural hubs as iconic as the Barbican and MALBA. We can already tell that this is an artist unafraid to experiment with his creativity, and it’s refreshingly welcome.

Andrew Bunsell | Ones To Watch Playlist

Tre. Charles – Stay in the Light.

TRACK OF THE WEEK

American artist Tre. Charles is back with a beautifully dreamy new single called ‘Stay in the Light’.

The track showcases a heady blend of soul, indie, and psychedelia. The song’s production feels subdued and understated, but totally captivating at the same time. And the longer you listen, the more drawn you are into it’s soundscape.

Lyrically, the song ‘lives in the space between fear and hope – where doubt lingers, but the drive to push forward never fades’. We’ve always been impressed by Tre.’s work, and with this new release, it’s clear that this is one of North Carolina’s biggest musical prospects.

Tre. Charles | Ones To Watch Playlist

New Music: Moon Machine

Hailing from the UK, Moon Machine first came across our radars earlier this week, and we’ve been quite in love ever since.

This somewhat mysterious outfit craft a style of indie pop that feels eccentric and original while still maintaining a sense of charm and relatability. Dreamy new single ‘Bon Voyage’ is taken from the band’s debut record, ‘Who Feels It Knows It’, which is also out now.

“The first song from our debut album. We recorded this entire album with analogue 70’s equipment.”

Moon Machine emphasise that they want listeners to make their own interpretations when listening to their songs, which is a refreshing take from a group. We’re keen to see what they deliver next!

Moon Machine | Ones To Watch Playlist

Beljune – Humphrey/Simone

Acclaimed Birmingham-based queer artist Beljune crafts a beautiful style of alt-pop that is both distinctively original and lyrically relatable.

New single ‘Humphrey/Simone’ is a playful and somewhat quirky pop song that presents listeners with a hypnotic bassline that sets the perfect tone for Beljune’s mesmerising vocals to shine.

On the track, the artist uses icons like Humphrey Bogart and Simone de Beauvoir to speak about self-belief and ambition. Elaborating on the song’s creation, he says:

“This was the first time I went into the studio just wanting to play, and it probably captures my personality more than anything I’ve written before. There’s usually a lot of emotional weight in what I do, but this came from following the feeling. ‘Humphrey/Simone’ still has a real emotional drive, but it’s also a bit camp, a bit playful… and I think we need more of that in the world right now.” 

Beljune’s music has garnered support from the likes of BBC Radio 1 while also being added to flagship Spotify playlists like New Music Friday, Fresh Finds, and GLOW.

Beljune | Ones To Watch Playlist

Tom A. Smith – Put On A Record Tommy

This weekend’s banger comes courtesy of rising UK artist Tom A. Smith and his brilliant new single, ‘Put On A Record Tommy’.

The track treats listeners to a quintessentially British take on indie. Cheeky, infectiously catchy, and confidently bold, the production blends nostalgic 80s-inspired synth-pop with a more gritty indie-rock sound.

The song is lifted from a new EP that shares its title, with a limited edition vinyl being released next month.

“Tommy’s dance place is officially open. Put on a record Tommy is a party and everyone is invited. But it’s not all it seems. Where do I go from here?”

We first featured Tom when he was just 17 and were impressed with his work even in those early days. Now aged 21, it’s clear that this is an artist to watch for.

Tom A. Smith | Ones To Watch Playlist

Tom A. Smith – Live Dates 2026

  • 13 May – Hastings, White Rock Theatre (with The Lottery Winners)
  • 15 May – The Great Escape, Brighton (Third Man Records at DUST)
  • 16 May – London, The Forum (with The Lottery Winners)
  • 21 May – Paris, Oberkampf Festival
  • 23 May – BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend, Sunderland
  • 19 Jun – Stockton Globe (with Amy MacDonald)
  • 20 Jun – Isle of Wight Festival
  • 27 Jun – Sheffield Steelyard (with The Sherlocks)
  • 10 Jul – Plymouth Sound Factory Festival
  • 11 Jul – Eden Sessions, Cornwall (with The Maccabees)
  • 24 Jul – Together Again Festival, Chester
  • 26 Jul – Truck Festival, Oxford
  • 09 Aug – Boardmasters Festival, Cornwall
  • 20 Aug – 110 Above Festival, Leicestershire

New Music: Filius

Filius is the stage name of promising singer and producer Erik Chen, who currently splits his time working between Vienna and London. This talent stood out to us this week for his bold style of electronic pop.

‘THINKIN BOUT YOU’ was created with Alex Aldi (who has also worked with the likes of Troye Sivan and Gryffin) and blends digital sounds with human emotions. The production is industrial, raw, and at times chaotic, but somehow it all comes together cohesively in the end. Explaining the inspiration behind the song, Filius says:

“Rather than writing about a crush, the track behaves like one: repetitive, avoidant, slightly unstable. The production seeks to reflect the way technology is reshaping modern connections, blending synthetic textures, digital artefacts, interrupted phrases, and heavily processed vocal moments juxtaposed with raw, exposed passages.”

Alongside his work as a musician, Filius is also a sought-after DJ who has played open-format sets in some of Europe’s most iconic clubs, including the O der Klub in Vienna and Dalston Superstore in London.

Filius | Ones To Watch Playlist

Toria Rainey – Mosquito

Toria Rainey’s ‘Mosquito’ is one of the finest indie-pop releases to have come across our radars this week.

This hugely promising Brooklyn singer and songwriter seems to be at ease writing songs that not only melodically flow beautifully but also carry thoughtful lyricism that touches on themes like personal identity.

‘Mosquito’ is a song that shares with listeners Toria’s thoughts of people who take advantage when they sense your vulnerabilities. She explains:

“‘Mosquito’ uses a tiny nuisance as a stand-in for a much bigger problem: people who sense when your guard is down and take what they can. It’s about being drained by someone who keeps coming back, and wondering how much of your own loneliness keeps the door open.”

Despite being a relative newcomer, we see so much potential in Toria’s work. We’re excited to see where this talent goes next!

Toria Rainey | Ones To Watch Playlist

Calm Canopy – Leap of Faith

Canadian DIY artist Calm Canopy has just released one of the most upbeat indie songs of the week, and we’re excited to be sharing it with you.

‘Leap of Faith’ serves as a taster to the his forthcoming ‘Departure Bay’ project (out 3rd July) and blends mellow dance-pop with indie to create a sound that is both energetic but also rooted in emotion and sincerity. Speaking on the song, Calm Canopy explains:

“‘Leap of Faith’ captures the tension between self-doubt and self-acceptance.”

Calm Canopy’s songs have landed placements on flagship Spotify playlists like Fresh Finds: Indie, Fresh Finds: Pop, RADAR Canada, and New Music Friday Canada. The artist has also amassed more than 100k career streams to date.

Calm Canopy | Ones To Watch Playlist