Lee Cole – Something About You

In recent years Lee Cole has evolved to become one of South Africa’s biggest artists. The acclaimed singer and songwriter returns this week with a new EP called ‘Letters to Myself, Pt.1’, (listen) from which ‘Something About You’ is lifted.

The whole record is full of gems, but we’re obsessed with the way this track fuses indie and house with dreamy electronica. With its euphoric sound and soulful vocals, the song is one of our favourite pop releases of the week.

Cole’s music has reached over 85 million listeners to date across radio and streams, while his live performances have included sharing stages with the likes of Robbie Williams in Cape Town.

Lee Cole | Ones To Watch Playlist

Boy Sim – Cloud Nine

Photo / Lorenzo Gamboa

Texas-born and LA-based artist Boy Sim is back today with your weekend banger, ‘Cloud Nine’.

Hyperpop and punk-pop merge together to form a sound that is immediately arresting. The sound feels nostalgic but also original and experimental. Lyrically, the track speaks of the rollercoaster of emotions after a break-up, when we try to move on and forge our happiness.

“‘Cloud Nine’ is about that weird period after a breakup when you start performing happiness so convincingly that it almost becomes real, yet you keep finding yourself talking about them. I wanted the chorus to feel almost absurdly sweet and euphoric, like I’m manifesting a perfect life out loud, even if part of me still isn’t really sure I believe it.”

Boy Sim has been featured by tastemakers like Paper Mag and BBC Radio 1, while his songs have landed on flagship playlists like Spotify’s Fresh Finds and Apple Music’s New Music Daily.

Boy Sim | Ones To Watch Playlist

New Music: Austin Powell

It’s a big day for New Jersey artist Austin Powell, since he’s just released his brilliant debut album, ‘CHALANT’ (listen).

‘Retribution’ is the lead single and treats us to an energising mix of indie, pop and R&B. Despite its playful essence though, this song sits within a record that was inspired by a difficult time in Powell’s life, when he moved from LA to be with his now-late grandmother:

“That’s the transition at the heart of this record. Away from Los Angeles into the high desert, away from independence into interdependence, away from separation into togetherness with my grandma – and watching her move away from life, slowly, into death.”

Powell first gained traction back in 2019, when his single ‘No Vacancy’ picked up praise from the likes of Happy Mag and OneWrite. Alongside his music, Powell is also an actor who has starred in shows like Shameless and NCIS.

Austin Powell | Ones To Watch Playlist

Babé Sila – i would i would i would

Rising soul starlet Babé Sila returns with a sublime new single that further affirms her status as one of soul’s most promising newcomers.

‘i would, i would, i would’ is an understated gem. The production’s stripped-back style of sound gives way to Sila’s gorgeous vocals alongside elements of spoken word. The song was inspired by themes of losing oneself when they fall in love, as Sila explains:

“’i would i would i would’ is about the kind of love that can turn into self erasure. There’s that intimate, almost erotic pull of giving yourself over to someone you love completely: physically, emotionally, instinctively. Then there’s the sadness in the act of folding your own edges until there’s nowhere left to stand. Beneath the intimacy of it all there’s the old female script: bend, accommodate, become for the man you love. The song stays inside the beauty and sadness of this surrender.”

Be sure to check out Sila’s most recent EP, ‘I Told The Sun About You’, here.

Babé Sila | Ones To Watch Playlist

Analog Dog – DOG SPELLED BACKWARDS

San Francisco’s Analog Dog have released one of the wildest singles of the month (in our opinion), and we’re hooked.

‘DOG SPELLED BACKWARDS‘ is a captivating blend of indie, electronica, synth, and dark pop. The production veers towards the surreal and avant-garde at points, keeping listeners on edge throughout, while the lyrics tackle life’s biggest question: what are we?

“It’s a song about killing the illusions, questioning everything, breaking the chains, and discovering that the thing you were looking for may have been inside you the entire time.”

Analog Dog currently attract more than 6k monthly listeners on Spotify and have amassed more than 200k career streams to date.

Analog Dog | Ones To Watch Playlist

Analog Dog Tour Dates 2026

  • Oct 10, 2026 Los Angeles, CA – Gold Diggers
  • Oct 11, 2026 San Diego, CA – Soda Bar
  • Oct 14, 2026 Sacramento, CA – Torch Club
  • Oct 15, 2026 Ashland, OR – Talent Club
  • Oct 16, 2026 Portland, OR – Jack London Revue
  • Oct 17, 2026 Seattle, WA – Add-A-Ball
  • Oct 18, 2026 Boise, ID – Neurolux
  • Oct 22, 2026 Sebastopol, CA – Hopmonk
  • Oct 30, 2026 Berkeleyl, CA – Cornerstone

LILLE + K.ONE – WITH ME

Some songs give you a boost of dopamine from the moment you play them, and that’s certainly the case with LILLE and K.ONE’s first ever collaboration, ‘WITH ME’.

The track came about after the two acclaimed DJs connected online in 2025 and is a pure shot of joy. Sonically, it fuses house music with elements of that classic UK Garage sound, making it a pure delight to listen to.

“The first tune we made together since having met online last year. I was still in Florida. Kiran in New Jersey. We couldn’t ask for a better song to capture our friendship + crazy last 6 months it’s been.” – LILLE

You can catch K.ONE at Austin’s Reina on the 24th October (tickets).

LILLE | K.ONE | Ones To Watch Playlist

Garland Kelley – Reality Fades Away

Nashville singer and songwriter Garland Kelley is an artist who came across our radars this week and caught our attention with his universally likeable style of indie-pop.

‘Reality Fades Away’ contrasts an uplifting production with deeper, existential lyrics. Garland wrote, performed, and produced the song himself, showcasing some really promising potential. Elaborating on the track, he says:

“The song unfolds like a message from the future, confronting the moment when the life you imagined gives way to uncertainty, and the unexpected possibility that can emerge when it does.”

Active since 2023, Garland’s work has touched on life’s deeper topics, like mortality, identity, and philopsiphy. Check out more of his music here.

Garland Kelley | Ones To Watch Playlist

New Music: HIGHJUMP

Hailing from Atlanta, HIGHJUMP is a music duo featuring artists Miles Bryant and Tommy Ghirardini. These newcomers caught our attention this week, with the release of ‘TIME OF DAY’.

The song’s production blends alternative hip hop with electronic indie, resulting in a sound that is distinctively original, while the lyrics ‘speak on chasing purpose as the hours slip by’.

Despite only being the duo’s second single, it’s clear that these chaps are findiing ways to break the boundaries of hip hop, and we’re excited to see where it leads.

HIGHJUMP | Ones To Watch Playlist

Ghost Funk Orchestra – Leave Me Alone

Ahead of the release of their fifth album, American outfit Ghost Funk Orchestra unveil a new single today, and it’s quite brilliant.

‘Leave Me Alone’ features the vocals of Camellia Hartman and delivers a refreshingly raw blend of indie, jazz, and soul. The sound feels timeless – you wouldn’t be able to tell which era this song would have emerged from. Explaining the track, bandleader Seth Applebaum says:

“‘Leave Me Alone’ is sort of a back-to-the-garage track for us, leaning into the garage rock and fuzz rock sounds that were more present in early GFO releases.”

Over the years, GFO have picked up praise from the likes of BrooklynVegan, BBC Radio 6 Music, and Jazz FM. The new album, ‘Yours in the Ranks of Death’, is out on the 4th of December.

Ghost Funk Orchestra | Ones To Watch Playlist

Scott Quinn – The Inbetween

Scott Quinn has been on our radar for a decade, and for good reason. This acclaimed singer and songwriter has won the hearts of listeners and critics alike with his universally likeable style of sound that layers emotionally charged lyrics over beautiful pop productions.

Quinn has just released a new album called ‘Being Human’ (stream here), which features ‘The Inbetween’, speaking of the tension between staying and leaving.

Interestingly, another song on the album, called ‘Places in London’, inspired an app launched by Quinn where people share locations in the city that they no longer go to and the heartbreaking reasons why.

Scott Quinn | Ones To Watch Playlist

Topic – Follow You Down

The weekend’s here, and this is your anthem for it. One of the biggest dance releases today comes courtesy of German legend DJ Topic.

‘Follow Me Down’ is an epic blend of melodic house and soul that feels almost ethereal in tone.

The soundscape has a sense of tension that gives it a cinematic essence, which is really quite sublime.

Topic | Ones To Watch Playlist

Professional 101 – VOGUE ‘26

Madonna’s classic ‘Vogue’ gets a rock makeover by London’s PROFESSIONAL 101, with their newly released version, ‘VOGUE ’26’.

This edit brings a raw, rockier edge to the original and updates the lyrics with a commentary on social media and modern-day celebrities. It won’t be to everyone’s taste, but it’s an interesting and refreshingly original approach to song re-works.

“We weren’t approaching it as Madonna obsessives trying to faithfully recreate a favourite record. We were attracted to it because it’s one of those pieces of pop culture that almost everyone recognises. It’s almost like a Warhol image. You don’t really need it explained to you. It’s just there in the collective memory.” – Mani, Professional 101

You can catch Professional 101 performing at the Rock ’n’ Roll Freak Show Experience in London’s Electric Brixton on Friday 6th November.

Professional 101 | Ones To Watch Playlist

Professional 101 Live Shows 2026

  • 07/10 Betsey Trotwood Acoustic set
  • 09/10 NEW NOIZE FRIDAYS @ Barfly
  • 22/10 NOIZE MIXER @ Good mixer
  • 06/11 Rock N Roll Freakshow @ Electric Brixton

New Music: The Marches

It’s a big day for UK newcomers The Marches, as they release a brand new 4-track EP called ‘Faultline‘, of which ‘Be Cool’ is lifted from.

The song showcases the Glasgow-based all-female rock group’s sound, which feels refreshingly bold and charged. The lyrics are inspired by the inner voice within us that pushes us to rebel against our old selves. Sonically, the production treats listeners to a classic indie-rock sound that evolves into something spectacular by the end.

The Marches have won praise from outlets as noted as BBC Introducing, Radio 6, and The Scotsman.

The Marches | Ones To Watch Playlist

SUUNCAAT – the wash

SUUNCAAT always comes up with the most unexpected releases, and the new single ‘the wash’ is no exception.

As the title suggests, this song is about… laundry. Not in the literal sense, but more so as a representation of the passage of time. It brings to light our tendencies of getting caught up in the trivial and mundane things around us, all the while the world is changing rapidly.

“I wanted to write about the idea that repetition of these ordinary moments acts as a vortex through time because the world moves forward, but you’re still there doing laundry, though you can never do it twice as the same person.”

SUUNCAAT’s music has recently picked up support from outlets like Spotify (where her song landed spots on playlists like Fresh Finds Canada and Evolver), as well as Popdust and Exclaim!

SUUNCAAT | Ones To Watch Playlist

Paris WYA – Crashing With You

This week’s pop banger comes from Paris WYA and her anthemic new single ‘Crashing With You’.

This is the kind of song that instantly wins you over and stays in your head all day. The track serves as somewhat of an ode to youth and the fearlessness of living our best lives without worrying about the future.

“I wanted ‘Crashing With You’ to capture the feeling of being young, reckless, and completely alive. It’s about letting go of control and embracing spontaneity without worrying about where it might lead. Sonically, I was inspired by euphoric, emotional dance-pop and artists like Robyn, where something can feel exhilarating and vulnerable at the same time. ‘Crashing’ became a metaphor for surrendering to that feeling and choosing to live fully in the moment.”

Alongside her work as a superstar in the making, Paris is also collaborating with some leading names in fashion and visual art (like Domen & Van De Velde) to create fully immersive projects that bring new perspectives to her sounds.

Paris WYA | Ones To Watch Playlist

Montell2099 – ME&YOU

Auckland producer Montell2099 has been filling dance floors from as early as 2017, and still delivers massive sounds to this day.

New single ‘ME&YOU’ is part of a double release (alongside ‘BACKAGAIN‘) and presents listeners with a finessed mix of electronica and future garage. The track feels emotive and introspective, while still carrying Montell2099’s unmistakable club sound.

Montell2099 currently attracts more than 103k monthly listeners on Spotify alone, making him one of New Zealand’s most prominent electronic producers.

Montell2099 | Ones To Watch Playlist

Brice Blanco – Warm Skin / Kin Swarm

Rising LA artist Brice Blanco returns with a two-part release called ‘Warm Skin / Kin Swarm’, and it’s really quite the beauty.

Created alongside by Groove and Dav, this song serves as a celebration of cultural identity and heritage. It looks at themes of ancestry and community and treats listeners to another perspective on Brice’s sonic artistry.

Debut album ‘AFRO URF‘ is also out today, which you can play here. If you love artists like Toro y Moi and Earl Sweatshirt, then Brice’s record might just be your new favourite this autumn.

Brice Blanco | Ones To Watch Playlist

murdermart – LOSER

Boston-based music collective murdermart is a collective of multi-disciplinary artists who have a holistic approach to their craft. Sounds, visuals, and artwork are all made by the collective themselves, giving us a level of artistic authenticity we rarely come across.

‘LOSER’ fuses alternative rock with pop and takes listeners through a musical journey that begins with minimal instrumentation, gradually evolving into a loud, rousing finale.

“We wrote ‘LOSER’ over the course of a few months. The first and the last verse (the beginning of the song and the end) were tracked during a time where a lot was changing. The world felt extremely heavy and each member of the band was dealing with their own changes. Nothing felt like it was lining up, things were started and left unfinished, there was a general disconnect. Something happened during that session though; the creation of this song seemed to burst that dam and was the first moment in a while where everything felt like it was supposed to. When moments like this hit the band, we capitalize off of the energy and start as many ideas as we can.”

murdermart’s music currently attracts almost 30k monthly listeners on Spotify alone, while their online fanbase grows with each release. Ones to watch!

murdermart | Ones To Watch Playlist

RXRXBBIT – notmyproblem

One of the standout releases of the week comes courtesy of US artist RXRXBBIT and her captivating new single, ‘notmyproblem’.

The production on this track is like nothing you’ll have heard before. It’s dark, tense, and uncomfortable, but rather than being slow and dramatic in character, it’s relentlessly fast-paced.

The lyrics are inspired by toxic partnerships. It looks at the times when you’re aware of the damage being done, but still allow yourself to be in the cycle.

“I wanted to explore what it means to be the mechanism through which someone engages in self-destructive behavior. You can be genuinely harmed by what someone is doing and still be participating in it. You can see yourself as the victim, recognize your contribution to the cycle, and somehow still convince yourself that it isn’t your problem.”

RXRXBBIT’s creativity in songwriting has not gone by unnoticed. This LA-based artist has gained almost two million career streams to date and picked up coverage from tastemakers like Iggy Magazine and Joy of Violent Movement.

RXRXBBIT | Ones To Watch Playlist

Engebret – Stjerneskudd

Despite being sung entirely in Norwegian, acclaimed musician Engebret’s newest single, ‘Stjerneskudd’, still finds a way to connect with us.

This track chronicles a phone call between friends and looks at how we express ourselves in unspoken ways. Sonically, the production balances raw indie tones with alternative pop, resulting in a piece of music that somehow feels both happy and sad.

“‘Stjerneskudd’ was born in the aftermath of a phone conversation with someone important. The song captures everything that was said, everything left unsaid, and all the meaning that lingered between the lines – along with the things you wish you had said.”

Hailing from Bergen, Engebret (Jørgen Engebret) is a genre-bending artist who has been releasing songs since 2020. A new album called ‘Vi gale har rett’ is out soon.

Engebret | Ones To Watch Playlist | Nordic Sound Playlist