New Music: The Amber Lens

We’ve got an exciting British debut to share with you today – and if you love rock, you’ll absolutely appreciate this outfit.

Hailing from South Wales, The Amber Lens only formed this year, but if their introductory single ‘Spectral Machines’ is anything to go by, we think these guys will go far very quickly.

The track presents listeners with an industrial alt-rock sound that is full of grit and character. It’s bold, confident, and infectiously energising – mirroring the group’s love for bands as iconic as NIN, My Vitriol and Deftones.

The Amber Lens | Ones To Watch Playlist

New Music: January Blue

New Zealand has long been a hotbed for new talent. January Blue is another artist to emerge from the nation, and her single ‘Midas’ is one you have to hear.

The indie-pop production is simple in its style, allowing for some really quite captivating lyrics to shine through. This is a song that addresses the toxic side to being ambitious – when the quest for success becomes so obsessive that it starts to take a toll on your mental well-being.

“‘Midas’ explores the darker side of ambition. It’s about becoming so consumed by the pursuit of success that you stop questioning what it’s costing you. While society celebrates achievement, status and wealth, we rarely talk about the emotional toll that often comes with them. The song uses symbolism like the white rabbit and the golden ticket to question whether the things we’re taught to chase are worth losing ourselves for. It’s both a personal confession and a broader critique of a culture that mistakes success for fulfilment.”

January Blue still only has a handful of songs released to date, but from what we’ve heard, this talent has everything she needs to go global.

January Blue | Ones To Watch Playlist

New Music: GRIM

SONG OF THE WEEK

The most powerful song to come across our radar this week has been ‘Moonface’ from UK newcomer GRIM.

This track is truly epic. It’s painfully raw, intense, and deeply personal. The cinematic dark-pop production creates a beautiful soundscape that serves as a perfect setting for GRIM’s honest lyricism. Speaking on its inspiration, GRIM explains:

“‘Moonface’ is about trying to heal from the trauma of losing both of my parents to cancer, and from the nightmares and memories that still follow me. It uses the medical idea of ‘moon face’ and the phases of the moon as a metaphor for illness, grief, and transformation. The song is not about forgetting that pain, but learning to carry it, face it, and turn it into something that can make other people feel less alone.”

We haven’t heard music this grand in scale from a newcomer since Woodkid’s 2013 masterpiece, ‘The Golden Age.’ Impressive work from a very talented emerging artist.

GRIM | Ones To Watch Playlist

Badjokes – Hold On

French producer and artist Badjokes has firmly established himself as one of the world’s current premier names in UK Bass and Garage music, and new single ‘Hold On’ only further affirms it.

The track is reminiscent of the original UK Garage sound that you’d have expected to hear on pirate radio stations across London in the 90s, while also feeling experimental and future-forward.

Badjokes commands more than 57k monthly listeners on Spotify, and has amassed well over 5 million career streams to date.

Badjokes | Ones To Watch Playlist

Girl Next Door – Shotgun

The summer season always brings with it some of the most uplifting electro-pop bangers of the year. If you appreciated the early work of Grimes and are currently enjoying PinkPantheress, then chances are you’ll also enjoy ‘Shotgun’ by acclaimed UK musician and artist Girl Next Door.

Produced by Sarah Carton with James Middleton, this track is pure joy. It was inspired by the hedonism of being young and in love and the overly ambitious feelings of optimism that come with it.

“‘Shotgun’ feels like the soundtrack to a summer holiday you can’t quite remember properly. It’s about that strange feeling of believing one night might change your whole life. I wanted it to sound euphoric, a little chaotic and completely infatuated. ‘Shotgun’ is the first song from a collection of music exploring what it meant to grow up as part of the first generation of girls online, celebrating the freedom and fantasy of that era while reflecting on the emotional complexity that came with it.”

‘Shotgun’ is lifted from the upcoming EP ‘The Internet Belonged To Girls’, which is out soon. Girl Next Door has found praise from tastemaker outlets as noted as BBC Radio 1, Earmilk, and DMY Magazine.

Girl Next Door | Ones To Watch Playlist

Spring Breakers + Young Saab – Afterlife

A new collaboration dropped today, and it’s one of the most gorgeous alt-pop releases we’ve come across for quite some time.

‘Afterlife’ features Spring Breakers and Young Saab and treats us to a beautifully melodic piece of music that is both upbeat and melancholic at the same time. The track starts fragile and minimal, eventually building into something that is cinematic and very moving.

Spring Breakers are a relatively new outfit, but if this song is anything to go by, then it won’t be long before they start gaining solid momentum across the globe. And of course, Young Saab is a talent that has been on our radars for a while now and never, ever disappoints!

Spring Breakers | Young Saab | Ones To Watch Playlist

New Music: Silver Otto

Photo / Joseph Caster

Fans of early 00s electronic disco-pop will revel in Silver Otto’s work. This rising American talent creates a charming and utterly delightful sound that is impossible not to fall in love with.

‘Higher’ is somewhat of an ode to the recklessness of youth, just like the times when our primary aim each weekend was to chase the next dopamine hit in a club with a group of our favourite people.

“Our initial sonic inspirations were Scissor Sisters, The Knife, and Simian Mobile Disco. But my hangover and search for another place to bury my feet in front of a DJ turned us to Deelite and ConMan. Half in-flight safety instructional, half Passion Pit music directing Sister Act 9000, ‘Higher’ fell out of us. In the spirit of my partying we decided to keep it light bright and tight. No over writing, no second guessing. What could be worse than a buzz killer of trying to hard. We imagined a world down the line were this song, although not exactly a dancefloor track, could be used to play on the dancefloor. Pop with the spirit of the rave. Now I see it as an anthem for the moments when I had no responsibility, no direction. Just good times and new friends.”

Silver Otto is an LA-born and New York-based musician who has gained recognition from tastemaker outlets like Ladygunn and AnalogueTrash.

Silver Otto | Ones To Watch Playlist

Mak Ro – Middle

Photo / Madeline Rose

For quite some time now, Filipino-American outfit (and cousins) Mak Ro have been steadily gaining traction with their atmospheric indie, R&B, and soul sounds. Their new single, ‘Middle’, looks set to further that momentum even more.

The production treats us to a dreamy, warm, and beautifully melodic song, which is not only sonically gorgeous but also lyrically captivating:

Too many nights I’ve lost my sense of pleasure
Tired of keeping everybody satisfied
But you had something I could never measure around
Can you help me for now

Since debuting in 2019, Mak Ro have grown to become one of Memphis’s most prominent alt-R&B bands. While we wait for more new music, be sure to check out their 2024 album ‘Love in the Dark’ here.

Mak Ro | Ones To Watch Playlist

Vera Kay – Play

Vera Kay returns with a phenomenal new single that showcases the very best in trap-EDM.

‘Play’ is tense and dark, keeping listeners hooked and intrigued. Lyrically, the song was inspired by ‘fighting your own thoughts’ and looks at the feelings of self-doubt that arise when we are overly critical of ourselves.

To date, Kay has accumulated more than half a million streams on Spotify. An impressive feat for a very promising newcomer.

Vera Kay | Ones To Watch Playlist

New Music: Mind Tides

Every now and again we come across an outfit that is so unique that it reminds us just why we love discovering new talent so much.

This is the case for Norwegian trio Mind Tides, who caught our attention with their mesmerising blend of psychedlic rock, lo-fi indie and dreamy pop. It’s a heady sound that really is quite unique in style.

Sonically, the new single ‘Intertwined’ is refreshingly unpredictable. In one moment it’s a hazy, tropical affair; then it’s playful, then haunting.

On its concept, the band explain that it ‘reflects on humanity’s impact on the natural world. Balancing wonder and concern, the song serves as both a celebration of life and a reminder that everything on earth is connected’.

Mind Tides | Ones To Watch Playlist | Nordic Sound Playlist

Felix Hien + GINGE – Choirs

Berlin-based producer and composer Felix Hien has just released a collaboration with Dutch singer GINGE called ‘Choirs’, and it’s a work of beauty.

The production treats us to a melodic fusion of alternative R&B, neo-soul, and mellow dance-pop. With its charming, sexy, and playful style of sound, it’s near impossible not to fall in love with this track.

In a sign of his ever-growing popularity, Hien currently attracts more than 280k monthly Spotify listeners and has over 8 million career streams on the platform.

Felix Hien | GINGE | Ones To Watch Playlist

Iris King – I Did, I Will, I Do

Rising UK artist Iris King is back today with yet another impressive release, called ‘I Did, I Will, I Do’.

Recorded in LA, this Blonder-produced song fuses indie with folk, pop, and a little country, giving the production a textured feel which, despite its minimalism, is packed with emotion.

Lyrically, the song centres around “themes of falling in love and embracing stability and comfort, rather than the volatility of chaotic relationships”.

To date, King has amassed more than half a million career streams, with no signs of momentum slowing down. This is a UK talent to keep on your radar.

Iris King | Ones To Watch Playlist

Player Dave – Paradise

This weekend’s anthem comes from San Diego’s Player Dave (aka Charles Sahm).

‘Paradise’ is a melodic blend of electronica, old-school house music, and classic UK garage. This is a classic style of dance music that is nostalgic but still sonically creative and edgy.

US-based listeners can catch Player Dave performing in Washington DC on the 17th of July and at the Shambhala Music Festival on the 26th of July.

Player Dave | Ones To Watch Playlist

Adam Jensen – All My Friends

It’s only been a month since his last release, but Adam Jensen is already back today with a new single called ‘All My Friends’, and it’s epic.

Written and produced in Jensen’s garage, this track is raw, bold, and distinctive. The aggressively charged sound reflects the intensity of the lyricism, which Jensen explains:

“The song is about not having any friends because they’re all dead or in jail or make believe. It’s essentially about living by the sword and dying by the sword.”

The song is lifted from Jensen’s forthcoming album, ‘Hymns for the Damned’, which is out soon.

Adam Jensen | Ones To Watch Playlist

Emma Castellino – Keep walking

Independent singer, songwriter and producer Emma Castellino has been releasing music from as early as 2023, but we only came across her work just this week.

If you like outfits like The 1975, Sam Fender, and Holly Humberstone, then you’ll most likely fall in love with Emma’s work too.

‘Keep Walking’ is a nicely constructed song that fuses elements of 80s synth with soft pop and indie rock. The result is a production that feels nostalgic and familiar, but also current and upbeat. One of the standout releases of the week!

Emma Castellino | Ones To Watch Playlist

Ruti – Flowers

Ruti’s ‘Flowers’ is one of our favourite releases of the summer so far. The UK-based starlet continues to win fans globally with her distinctive vocals and finessed style of sound, and this new single will only propel momentum even further.

The song was written with Theo Hutchcraft (Måneskin, Aurora) and produced by Will Bloomfield (Glass Animals, The Vaccines) and treats us to a shimmering fusion of alternative pop and soul.

Ruto will share stages with the likes of Teddy Swims, Hemlocke Springs and Alanis Morissette in the coming weeks, so if you’re around then, be sure to catch this artist!

Ruti

Kelly Finnigan – The Hurting Truth

Photo / Mitch LaGrow

Acclaimed singer, songwriter, and producer Kelly Finnigan returns with a sublime new piece of soul music that continues to affirm his status as one of the genre’s most respected US talents.

‘The Hurting Truth’ is taken from Finnigan’s next project, ‘B-Sides, Singles & Forgotten Gems’ (out 14th August), which shines a light on some of the works he’s done in the past but never managed to make it to the outside world.

The track was recorded and produced in Finnigan’s Cincinnati studio alongside Jimmy James of Parlor Greens and treats listeners to a timeless slice of soul that is beautifully emotive.

“‘The Hurting Truth’ came together fast. Jimmy’s always down… he played the bass, then the guitar, and I finished the words and melodies.”

Kelly Finnigan | Ones To Watch Playlist

KhakiKid – Easy Does It (feat. Chameleon)

Photo / Rickinzi

SONG OF THE WEEK

Over the past couple of years, KhakiKid has grown to become one of Ireland’s rising hip hop stars, and the momentum is only getting stronger.

The new single ‘Easy Does It’ was produced by frequent collaborator Chameleon, who also shows up on vocals.

“It’s about being a mess and knowing you don’t deserve someone’s love or affection, but still hoping they’ll give you some. It’s also about coming to terms with the fact that you can’t just fix everything overnight and expect everything to be okay from then on.” – KhakiKid

The accompanying music video, directed by Moses O’Halloran, features KhakiKid with his friends, enjoying life and embracing the unpredictabilities that come with it.

KhakiKid | Chameleon

Supafly + Declan Knapp + WoodCamp – Another Dimension (feat. EVA + Ca$h X)

Your weekend banger comes courtesy of dance legends Supafly and their new collaborative release, “Another Dimension”.

If the track sounds familiar, then you might recognise elements from The Prodigy’s iconic 1992 ‘Out of Space’. This release mixes UK garage with electronica, resulting in a nostalgic sound that is pure euphoria.

It’s bold, loud, and utterly brilliant… A garage anthem that deserves to be on your playlists.

Supafly | Declan Knapp | WoodCamp | EVA | Ca$h X | Ones To Watch Playlist

avramkeleh – Belly Up

avramkeleh (fka a.graff) is an artist who only just recently appeared on our radars. This US-based artist caught our attention with his charming new single, so here we are sharing it with you!

‘Belly Up’ treats listeners to a wonderfully organic blend of indie, folk and pop. Think José González, but with a more playful twist. Elaborating on the song’s lyrics, the artist says:

“‘Belly Up’ is a love song through a dog’s eyes. Played live, it’s a warm track with coffee bean percussion, plunky bass, swirling guitars, and creamy rhodes with a close intimate vocal.”

avramkeleh’s music gives us feelings of sincerity and warmth. The work is heartfelt, thoughtful, and really quite easy to form emotional connections with.

avramkeleh | Ones To Watch Playlist