One of the biggest releases of the month comes courtesy of self-taught Iranian-Canadian singer, producer and filmaker Afta Hill.
‘Most Wanted’ is an immediately arresting song that blends 00’s alternative R&B – think Timbaland’s collaborations with Justin Timberlake – with dark pop.
The sound is confident, emotionally charged and very intense. Lyrically, the track speaks of the troubles that await when you fall in love with someone who you know is bad for you.
To date, Afta Hill’s projects have amassed more than 17 million career streams and received attention from outlets like Casey Neistat and CloudKid.
néomí is back with yet another showstopper of a single, called ‘Close’. As we’ve come to expect from this talent, the song is a masterclass in pop, with its beautifully constructed production and memorable melody.
The song was inspired by the relatable dilemma of struggling to let go of someone you love very much after a relationship ends.
“‘Close’ is a song that is actually very much about an unhealthy form of love. The push and pull relationship where you don’t want to be together but also don’t want to let go. It is about desperately holding on, going back and forth with each other’s emotions. Think about avoidant/ anxious attachment styles, bound to be together. Love can feel like a drug when it is felt like that, as if you can’t live without each other so that’s the reason why you have to stay close.”
“I’d advise you to let go instead of holding on but, love is a powerful thing, and the heart wants what it wants I suppose… luckily we have songwriting to cope with that haha. I hope, but also don’t hope you connect to the song.”
An upcoming EP, intriguingly titled ‘Crunchy, Sad and Strangely Happy’, is out on the 18th September. Praise for néomí continues, with recent support from the likes of Wonderland Magazine, Under The Radar, and the Sunday Times.
Hailing from Teesside in north-eastern England is James Witham, who is already building significant momentum across the region.
This artist has the rare ability to completely expose his feelings in his songs. New single ‘George III’ is a perfect example of this singer-songwriter’s work and speaks of toxicity that arises from going out too much.
“‘George III’ is a track I wrote about how the going out culture has ruined people around me. It depicts the feeling of drug induced highs and their crashes, leaving friends in f***** up states. The repetitive chorus aims to portray how the action is habitual for many people despite the negative consequences. Being surrounded by this culture I find it hard to express the way I feel and I think this song does that for me. I just think people destroy themselves all for a night out and it seems really sad to me. Maybe this song is a way of getting this whole feeling out there.”
Witham sites artists like Sam Fender as his inspiration, and if he carries on releasing songs like ‘George III’, then he might well become one of the UK’s new solo stars.
Short and sweet is the message of the day from UK indie outfit The Danphes, who return today with a summery new single that, despite only running for two minutes, packs a tonne of energy and charm.
‘Distance’ is a guitar-driven track that blends nostalgic, 80s-inspired indie with subtle hints of shoegaze and dream pop, mirroring the hazy emotions we go through when we are young and in love.
“‘Distance’ taps into the rush of young love and the feeling of getting lost in someone.”
To date, the Norwich newcomers have released two other singles, cumulatively amassing thousands of streams.
Still Bella is the musical project of American artist Isabella Stilwell. New single ‘Overdue’, produced by Robby Smith, caught our attention this week with its powerful vocals and impressive blend of pop and rock.
A classic breakup song, the lyrics speak of the mental exhaustion that comes from a bad relationship and the yearning for love that is, as the title suggests, overdue.
The track follows on from Stilwell’s debut, ‘Stuck In The Melancholy’, which has amassed almost 12k streams on Spotify so far.
We rarely come across songs these days that stop us in our tracks from the first few seconds of pressing play. ‘Surely They Won’t’ by London newcomer patch_t41b is very much one of those pieces, though.
This is a beautifully captivating track that doesn’t fit into any one particular genre. It’s sonic artistry at its most exciting, showcasing this promising pianist, producer and vocalist’s potential.
Impressively, the song was improvised during a studio session, starting with a piano sequence and then adding layers of instrumentation from the rest of the band.
“This tune was made spontaneously. We’d hit a bit of a wall in the studio and things had slowed down. On the seventh morning I was on my own at the piano, just playing this short, irregular chord sequence. I suggested we record a jam, didn’t give the band any instructions, and just started playing the sequence. They took it in their own direction from there.”
SOLEYA is a new artist emerging from California’s Bay Area who is rapidly gaining traction with her finessed approach to alternative R&B.
New single ‘west coast’ was written as a dedication to the cultures around her that helped shape the person who she has become and treats listeners to a melodic production that is dreamy and charming. And there’s a surprise around the two-minute mark, which we absolutely adored.
“Lyrically, the track celebrates ownership – of space, energy, and identity. The West Coast isn’t sold as a fantasy – it’s lived in. There’s luxury here, but it’s understated. Aspirational, but grounded.”
Despite still being only 22 years old, we see a tonne of potential from this singer, songwriter and producer. One to watch!
Blackburn-born musician Charlotte OC has graced our pages from as early as 2013, and we’re still as obsessed all these years later with her distinctive sound.
‘Start of Summer’ is the acclaimed artist’s shimmering new single and blends power pop with indie and soul. Lyrically, the track serves as an emotional ode to the singer’s late father, with deeply personal and thoughtful lyrics.
“This song is about the ever-present longing I have for my father. He absolutely loved being in the sun and being as tanned as humanly possible. Whenever I picture him, he’s in the garden, covered in factor 15, with a glass of whiskey by his feet and a border collie by his side.”
“I wanted the song to carry a sense of optimism, because that’s how he always was when summer was around the corner, knowing that tan would soon be his again. It felt important to hold onto that lightness alongside everything else. It’s about not knowing what to do with all the love you still have for someone. Not knowing how to handle grief, and finding yourself replaying conversations that will forever feel unfinished.”
The track follows on from the artist’s ‘Seriously Love, Go Home’ EP, which was met with widespread praise from fans and critics alike.
Swedish starlet Amanda Alexander is back with a sublime new piece of Scandi pop that we can’t wait to share with you.
‘Good Enough’ is a showstopper. With its fusion of stripped-back industrial pop and electronica, the track delivers an immersive sound, almost cinematic in tone. It’s vulnerable and fragile, but also epic and freeing.
“‘Good Enough’ is the first song I’ve fully written and produced myself, it captures the conflict between self-doubt and self-belief. This song started with a lot of discomfort and somehow when I found the sounds of the hook it was like a force or inner voice telling me I was good enough. This is not a song for everyone, but it might find someone who can find some courage from it like I did, or just a jam to let your guard down, move your body and release all the things you’ve been carrying.”
We’ve long been fans of this talented singer, songwriter and producer. ‘Good Enough’ heralds the artist’s next stage in her career, and we’re so excited to see how it evolves.
Swiss artist Moon Construction Kit (aka Olivier Cornu) unveils a dreamy new single this week, called ‘Down the West Coast’.
Inspired by the mellow, psychedelic sounds of the late 60s, the song treats us to a heady style of sound that is instantly gripping. The production feels timeless yet distinctive, creating a beautiful soundscape.
“With ‘Down the West Coast,’ I really wanted to pay homage to that specific ’67-’71 Beach Boys era – the kind of music that feels like a sun-drenched, baroque journey. We combined 50s-inspired woodwinds with an orchestral ‘Chamber-Pop’ structure to create a sound that is as much about the arrangement as it is about the mood.”
The track serves as a taster to Moon Construction Kit’s next wave of releases, described sonically as ‘Sunshine-Psych’ by the artist.
We’ve been huge fans of Manchester-based talent Sweets for some time now, so we’re very excited to come across his new single, ‘CRADLE’.
This artist is never afraid of pushing sonic boundaries, and this track is no exception. With its eccentric mix of alternative pop, hip hop and indie, the production on this song comes together to build a soundscape like none other.
Momentum for this rising musician continues to grow, with recent support from national outlets like BBC Radio 1, NME, and CLASH Magazine.
Over the span of a decade, Thomas Azier has grown to become one of the most acclaimed composers, producers and singers to emerge from the Netherlands.
The artist returns with a timeless new release called ‘Room Of Love’. The production presents listeners with a heady blend of indie, trip hop, and dream pop.
The sound is cinematic in tone and sets the scene for lyrics that speak of the tensions between our fragile human emotions and the struggle of living in modern life.
“‘Room Of Love’ is an exploration of softness and sensuality inside of a harsh reality. I tried to render the tension between trauma and tenderness, the ambiguity and contrast that co-exist but are rarely voiced in the same breath. I write about moments when the daily routine of life bleeds into something magical, something of splendor or grandeur. Moments when dream logic applies and earthly laws don’t seem to matter. I am walking across volcanic rock, taking in the view of lava spewing from a crater.”
Aside from his own releases, Azier is also a sought-after writer and producer who has worked with artists like Stromae, Faber, and Anouk.
Vera Kay is an artist who has caught our attention lately with her distinctive take on electronic pop.
This rising starlet creates sounds that are unexpected and highly unique, without being too abstract or alienating. Kay’s new single, ‘Rude’, is a perfect introduction to anyone who’s yet to come across her work.
The track seamlessly blends dark pop with trap, resulting in an atmospheric sound that is seductive and intriguing.
“The track captures the rush of giving in to temptation and wanting someone who knows exactly the effect they have on you. ‘Rude’ explores the thrill of chasing chemistry with someone who’s a little trouble – and loving every second of it.”
American artist Adam Jensen is back today after a 9-month hiatus. That might not seem like a long time, but it’s the longest he’s taken without releasing music… and we think you’ll love his new work.
‘Cellophane’ is an epic indie-rock song that immediately commands your attention. With its 90’s-inspired garage-rock sound, the production feels refreshingly organic. Elaborating on the track’s lyrics, Jensen says:
“‘Cellophane’ is about your past suffocating your future. It is fuzz pedals set to maximum fuzz and huge, raw drum tones recorded at 3am in a smoke filled studio. It’s about the demons of your past becoming the demons of your future no matter how hard you try. You can’t escape your past. You can’t escape yourself.”
A debut album titled ‘Hymns for the Damned’ is on the way, which, impressively, was entirely written and produced by Jensen himself.
Canadian outfit A Days Wait are an interesting musical project that release music for a good cause. All proceeds from the songs go to charity, which is quite a beautiful commitment to make.
‘First Time’ is a synth-pop song that feels nostalgic in tone but still has a sense of modernity to it. Produced by Mitch Bowden, the track offers listeners a glimpse of a new album, scheduled for a release later in the summer.
Be sure to check out A Day’s Wait’s back catalogue until then – stream previous songs over on their Spotify here.
Singapore-born and New York-based singer-songwriter W. Y. Huang’s ‘Born To Lose’ is one of those understated songs that sonically feels sparse but lyrically carries a lot of weight.
The production flirts between indie, folk, twee and Americana, resulting in a melodic and warm style of sound.
Written as an ode of sorts to those who feel like life is a constant struggle, this song serves as a relatable and humble reminder that we all have the strength to face adversity.
“Written for the underdogs, late bloomers, and anyone who feels like they just can’t catch a break.”
The track is taken from Huang‘s upcoming debut album, titled ‘On Stranger Hills’, which is out on the 2nd September.
UK sibling duo Sons Of Sevilla are back today with a mesmerising new single called ‘Drive By Honey’, and it’s sure to shake off any midweek blues you might be experiencing.
A shimmering blend of lo-fi indie, dreamy pop, and country come together to create a beautifully hazy and summery sound. The track came to life after the group’s first US tour and was created with the help of musician and producer Skinshape.
A new album is coming out soon, but in the meantime you can explore more of this duo’s delightful songs on Spotify here.
Despite Tiger Bear Wolf only coming across our radars just this last week, we were surprised to learn that this American indie outfit has been going since 2002.
Hailing from Greensboro, NC, this four-piece (consisting of Jonathan Moore, Noah Howard, Matt Bostick, and Lawrence Holdsworth) crafts a refreshingly authentic style of garage rock that is full of sonic texture and character.
New single ‘Wolf’ is lifted from their forthcoming self-titled third LP, which is scheduled for release on 17 July. On the song’s lyrics, vocalist Howard explains:
“The bad news is that you got bit by a robot werewolf, imperiling everyone you love. The good news is that for one night each month, you experience the perfect unification of your appetites and your higher purpose. It’s compelling to see which of our parents’ musical influences stick with us, and even more so, which of those influences end up rubbing off on our friends. When Jonathan and I were rooming together in college, it was a Mose Allison record, Wild Man On The Loose if memory serves correctly, via Jonathan’s father that had a lasting impact. Allison opened a door to the world of Jazz that continues to expand my sphere of musical influence. A few years later, Jonathan and I shared a house together. This time, it was Captain Beyond that found its way into the house record rotation via Noah’s father. That first, self-titled Captain Beyond record proved to have a heavy influence on the increasingly progressive song structures of Tiger Bear Wolf. We learned so much about the ride a song can take a listener on with that record. ‘Wolf’ dutifully salutes Captain Beyond, and marches on.” – Noah Howard, Tiger Bear Wolf
The new LP will mark the last chapter of a three-part trilogy that originally started 17 years ago. This is a classic example of good things coming to those who wait, because we’re looking forward to hearing more!
We’re huge fans of Swiss-Brazilian starlet Caroline Alves, so we’re delighted to see that she’s returned with one of the songs of the summer.
‘Innocence’ is a shimmering fusion of alternative pop, synth and indie and was produced by the acclaimed Louis Ryan. The sound is irresistibly charming and sonically represents the manic energy that comes from falling in love too quickly.
“I wrote ‘Innocence’ about the beautiful chaos of loving someone with your whole heart before you know better. It’s about being naive enough to believe love can heal everything. I also used a different kind of approach during the songwriting of this track: I wanted this song to be very descriptive and sound like an image or a movie. So you could actually paint or make a script out of my lyrics.”
Alves will perform at Swiss, French and UK venues across the summer and will also support the legendary Ricky Martin on his June show in Switzerland.
Yellow House (aka Emile van Dango) returns with a new single today that further affirms his status as one of South Africa’s biggest musical export prospects.
‘Infinity Loops’ treats listeners to an atmospheric, almost cinematic blend of dreamy pop and indie, with a subtle nod to country folk. The sound complements the lyrics, which speak of a powerful love connection between two people.
The track is lifted from Yellow House’s forthcoming ‘Gateways & Trains’ album, which is out soon. Until then, you can listen to more of his work on Spotify, where he’s also been featured on some big playlists like New Music Friday US and Spotify Fresh Finds.
