“This song speaks to my inner state. I’m reaching out my hand hoping someone understands and reaches back. I feel there’s a growing sense of disillusion. How did we get to this? Sometimes I feel such concern for humanity.”
Dom Quincey is without a doubt one of the UK’s most exciting indie-pop newcomers. If songs by Phoebe Bridgers and Tom Odell frequent your playlists, then chances are high that you’ll also love Quincey’s work.
Melancholic new single ‘Through The Door’ was created alongside Evil Genius, and presents listeners with a stripped-down production that allows the artist’s heartfelt lyrics to shine through. Speaking on the song’s influence. Quincey says:
“It’s about losing someone suddenly and being left with so much unfinished business. There’s a specific kind of yearning that comes from that. I wrote it from a place of bargaining where you’d do anything for them to just come back, even though you know they won’t.”
Quincey’s music has received high praise from respected tastemakers like CLASH and Notion magazines while also landing placements on prominent playlists like Spotify’s Fresh Finds UK.
It’s been a while since we’ve seen a track go viral as quickly as ‘Fabulous’ by MEEK. The song is winning a huge legion of listeners, and we’re not surprised; it’s bold, brash, arresting, a little bit bonkers, a little bit naughty… and absolutely infectious.
A three-track EP is already out, which you can listen to right here.
Despite being a classically trained violinist, Grant Kozlow Gardner (simply ‘Kozlow’) is making a name for himself as one of NYC’s most sought-after DJs, performing alongside legends like Carl Cox and Cedric Gervais.
‘Drive to Milan’ is a 6-minute slice of bliss, designed to energise but also to bring some emotion. It showcases Kozlow’s natural flair for producing world-class electronic sounds in a way that is thoughtful and polished.
Kozlow also hosts AFP, an indie house party that has taken New York by storm, attracting more than 10,000 people last year. Known for its lack of line-up and cellphone ban, this hugely popular gathering is now also adding a label imprint under its name.
With her distinctive take on British hip hop, DAYSH might become one of the UK’s next big rising stars. This London-based alternative artist has been gaining some solid momentum lately, thanks to her style of work, which blends underground club beats with rap with soul.
‘INSANE’ is DAYSH’s latest single, and is lyrically inspired by the pressures that come with internal growth. We always strive to become better, but we often forget the pain that comes with evolving. The track is refreshingly honest and invites the listener into the artist’s most vulnerable thoughts.
Despite being a newcomer, DAYSH has already amassed more than 150k streams on Spotify from a handful of songs, and has also collaborated with the likes of Red Bull Music and the JBL Music Academy.
“I have been trying for some years now to extricate my relationship with my body from the smug power of patriarchal beauty standards. The belief runs so deep it feels almost biblical: that to be skinny is to be loved, to look young is to be happy, to be shaved is to be sexy; that fighting every natural impulse of your body means you have your life together. Underpinning all of this is the most urgent message of all – that the male gaze is the utmost, desperately important thing to be achieved.
It makes me want to kick, scream, writhe, and distort in agony that this culture does not treat women’s bodies as what they are: mammals, animals, human beings. ‘Good Girl’ articulates that kicking and screaming – the refusal of the idea that my body is for consumption or ornamentation. My body is my vehicle through the world. Good Girl is the aching, drudging, daily battle not to fold under the pressure to commit violence against my body: by starving, injecting, constraining, stripping, or going under the knife to reach some new level of social approval that I can mistake for unlocked confidence, or, God forbid – feminist empowerment. There is no end to it, no ceiling to be reached.
‘Good Girl’ is about the violent feeling that rises in me when a man believes my existence is a performance for him. Comments about my shape, my body hair, my teeth, my legs, my face – from catcalls to internet comments, from sexual harassment to insults that strike when I am simply existing. The song is my defiance in the face of men who cannot grasp the fact that I do not give a fuck about their attraction, their approval, or whether they are looking at me. I am looking at them.”
Hailing from Bolton in northern England are Florentenes – a hugely exciting teenage rock outfit who are already well on their way to hitting the mainstream.
‘Madeline’ is a bold, confident, and anthemic indie bop that showcases this band’s full potential. It’s a classic British rock sound with a rebellious and playful edge, and is almost impossible not to be charmed by.
“‘Madeline’ is about those moments of chance, connection and letting yourself be swept up in life, the highs, the heartbreaks, and the energy that comes from just living in the moment.” – William Train Smith, Florentenes
Florentenes have gained support from the likes of BBC Radio 6 Music’s Chris Hawkins and amassed more than 500k career streams to date on Spotify. It feels like these kids are an unstoppable force, so be sure to keep them on your radars.
LA-based indie rock outfit Sorry Ghost have been rapidly gaining momentum recently, and for good reason.
This emerging quartet are currently crafting some of the finest indie sounds to have come out of California in quite some time, with their new single ‘inside voice’ proving the point further.
“‘inside voice’ is our earnest shot at telling people we’re more than internet fad; we have something to say and an authenticity to display that we feel hasn’t been said or done in indie.”
The shimmering production starts with hints at the classic Beach Boys style, gradually morphing into an almost anthemic rock sound that brings the track back to the modern day. These chaps are ones to watch!
If you’ve yet to come across The Flints, then let us give you a quick intro. This duo is made up of twins George and Henry, originally from Manchester.
They’ve grown to build a loyal fanbase across social media, currently drawing in more than 560k monthly listeners on Spotify alone. Their work blends retro sounds from the 70s with modern indie rock, resulting in a style of sound that is nostalgic but also fresh and new.
‘Hold Me’ was co-written with Koz (who has worked with the likes of Dua Lipa and Kendrick Lamar) and Empire of the Sun’s Luke Steele, giving the track an interesting dynamic that feels psychedelic and nostalgic but also playful in tone. Speaking on the creation of the song, The Flints say:
“‘Hold On Me’ started on the piano we grew up with at our home in Manchester, and it’s about the hold a person, or a place, can have on you – that feeling of being pulled in and completely hypnotised. Written and self-produced at our studio in Manchester, the track blends our sibling harmonies with the sonics of euphoria and escape.”
Norwegian singer and songwriter Bellman (aka Arne-Johan Rauan) is one of those rare talents who has a natural flair for crafting eccentric songs that are distinctly original yet also somehow manage to connect with listeners in a sincere and emotional way.
‘She’s Reading Poe’ is a dreamy song that blends indie with pop in a way that is really quite beautiful. Interestingly, the lyrics contrast with the mesmerising sound, describing how sometimes we are unable to control our emotions, and feelings of being alienated.
Bellman played all of the instruments on the track, showcasing his dedication to his work. And with more than 250k career streams to date on Spotify, it’s clear that this is a talent whose work resonates with many people.
“I see music in 3-dimensional shapes, like sculptures. That’s how I create my music, building up layers of instruments, melodies, and rhythms. Some parts of the song can be sharp and pointy, while others are rounded and flat. That combination is what becomes the complete song.”
It wouldn’t be a normal Friday without us sharing a dancefloor bop with you, and this time it comes courtesy of Lowly Light and Mishell Ivon and their new single, ‘Impossible Possibility’.
This is pure euphoria. The lyrics inspire us to keep trying, while the production treats us to an electrifying fusion of electronica, synth, and disco-pop. It’s a timeless style of sound, and one that’s perfect for the weekend ahead.
“It’s about never giving up and reaching for that one in a million shot.” – Lowly Light
Lowly Light is the project name for Matt Gorny, who is an acclaimed producer and songwriter that has worked with nightclub legends as noted as Ultra Nate and Amanda Lepore. You can stream more of his work over on Spotify here.
The Bay Area has long been known as the home of some of America’s most interesting hip hop outfits (think Hieroglyphics, 415, and Luniz). This rich heritage still continues to this day with newcomers like southpaw, who recently came across our radars.
This artist creates lo-fi hip hop that, despite sounding mellow and stripped-back, still carries a tonne of impact. New single ‘? Myself’ is a refreshingly original collaboration with fellow emerging talent Era 51 and shows us the finest of what the area’s underground scene has to offer right now.
southpaw is currently working on a new record, but in the meantime you can explore more of their music (including the 2024 EP ‘Pugilists Anonymous’) right here.
Acclaimed LA-based artist Lucy Frost is back today with a powerful new single that we’re really excited to be sharing with you.
Inspired by the feelings of anxiety that love can sometimes bring, ‘Prescription’ presents listeners with a dark pop production and vulnerable lyrics that remind us of the ebbs and flows of human emotion.
“‘Prescription’ is the sonic form of anxiety and discomfort bubbling up to the surface until it inevitably is released into a freeing flood of emotion. Playing this song live for the first time actually shaped how I wanted this track to feel in the studio; very raw and honest, with the intention that listeners will also experience a means of releasing their own pressures trapped inside.”
Alongside her own solo releases (which have amassed more than 300k streams on Spotify alone), Frost is also a noted songwriter and collaborator who has recently worked with the likes of Ari Abdul and Bluey Thomas.
Blossom Caldarone is a classically trained musician who, in recent years, has started to gain traction for her beautiful pop songs.
Songs like ‘Wreck’, which was released today. This track layers classical strings over a simple alt-pop production, resulting in a cinematic sound that is both charming and moving at the same time. Elaborating on the lyrics, Caldarone says:
“‘Wreck’ is a tantrum song; it’s the end result of months of turmoil.. Its meaning has changed for me since writing it. Upon reflection, what once felt accusatory now feels like a play-by-play of my own downfalls. It’s the epitome of projection. I’m singing ‘you don’t care’, but the truth is, I don’t think I cared.”
‘Wreck’ is lifted from Caldarone’s upcoming ‘Might Smash A Window’ EP, which is out on the 10th April via Nice Swan. The artist will then go on a short tour across the UK – check out the schedule below and be sure to catch her in a town near you!
Originally from Barcelona, ARNAU is a promising newcomer who recently caught our attention with his impressive songwriting skills. Currently based in London, this talent crafts thoughtful pop songs that are both melodically and lyrically engaging.
‘How Can You Love Me?’ is a song that addresses the disconnect between what society perceives love to be, versus the reality of being in a relationship. The message is all the more pertinent in this age of dating apps, when we are sold an idea of love that is often too simplistic.
“Its central message revolves around the illusion of idealised love and the inevitable disappointment that comes from chasing a perfect, film-like version of romance that doesn’t exist. It explores how people can fall in love with fantasies (especially in a world shaped by dating apps) loving the idea of someone more than who they truly are. The song reflects on the fragility of these instant connections, the emotional turbulence that arises when reality replaces fantasy, and the realisation that a love built on projection and idealisation is ultimately unsustainable.”
More singles are scheduled for release this year, but in the meantime be sure to explore more of ARNAU’s work here.
Allegories are one of Canada’s most interesting experimental outfits. This duo are unafraid to construct music that goes beyond any specific genre, instead creating sounds that seem more like art pieces than alternative music.
You wouldn’t guess it, but ‘The Next Life’ was originally written on a ukulele before gradually evolving into the song that you hear today. It’s a raw, intense, and at times really quite dark piece of music that questions the mere purpose of life.
“There’s no way around it. This is the most pessimistic reflection on life and existence I’ve ever put forward.” – Adam Bentley, Allegories
Allegories have been working together from as early as 2014, with occasional breaks between the release of their first album, ‘Surreal Auteur’, in 2008, and 2022’s ‘Endless‘. An upcoming third LP is on the way.
“It comes from self-sabotaging good intentions – from distancing yourself from love before it gets too close, because you don’t want to hurt others with your own emotional complexity. Instead of showing all the beautiful things I carry inside, I end up showing my destructive sides – the person who never feels good enough – and then I’d rather destroy it before ending up in yet another superficial or staged relationship. ‘hot but depressive’ is, in many ways, a song about the fear of loneliness.”
We’re starting the week with a soulful slice of French R&B from Parisian musician Jena Teba.
Crafted in collaboration with the equally talented Nigerian artist Tucee,‘Sur ma peau’ delights listeners with a minimal yet sultry production that oozes finesse. What’s even more impressive is that the track incorporates elements of Afro-soul for some added sonic texture, resulting in quite the mesmerising sound.
“‘Sur ma peau’ is about capturing the feeling that words can’t express – the intimacy, desire, and emotion that linger between two people. Every note, every nuance is meant to be felt as much as heard.” – Jena Teba
Despite the song being produced across two different nations: France and Nigeria, it feels cohesive and flows with a natural flair. While Teba is still a fresh talent with only two singles on Spotify to date, we think she has tonnes of potential to hit her country’s mainstream very soon!
“This song is a desperate plea for answers in a world that presents itself so enigmatically. It speaks about the daily struggle to exist under capitalism, about how easy it is to look at one’s peers in disbelief that they can navigate such terrain successfully. It touches on grief, ambition, heartbreak, anxiety and depression. It is essentially a synopsis of all of the themes in the music to come this year and is for everyone asking the same question – how the f*** does everybody else manage.”
We have rising US starlet Mira Housey to thank for offering us this weekend’s pop banger – the cleverly titled ‘BUTTERF-LIES’.
The song starts with a vulnerable, mellow tone before exploding into a chorus that will stay in your heads for a very long time. Inspired by heartbreak and falling in love, this track’s lyrics are sure to resonate with anyone who’s suffered from broken romances.
“Wrote it after falling in love for the first time after the worst 8-year breakup of my life.”
We’re quite certain that 2026 will be a big year for Housey. In the last few months alone, this artist has signed her first publishing deal, appeared on Jimmy Fallon, and had her songs featured on several TV shows. Alongside the mainstream attention, Housey has also had placements on flagship playlists on Spotify, where she also commands more than 57k monthly listeners.
