Author: ALFITUDE

Nep – Biketoberfest

Photo / Ibe Van Bouchaute

Is it odd that Nep’s latest single, ‘Biketoberfest’, reminds us of Janet Jackson’s iconic ‘Someone to Call My Lover’?

In any case, this is a brilliant new release from the hugely popular American indie-pop starlet. The track’s unusual title is inspired by an event that takes place in Nep’s hometown, as she explains:

“There’s a motorcycle rally in my hometown called Biketoberfest—I didn’t like living there, and getting blocked and made late by bikers on my way into the city for school is so niche and weird that I just had to write a song about it!”

Nep’s rise has been meteoric, to say the least. In recent times her music has gone viral on TikTok, leading to countless sell-out shows all across the US.

Her songs have since been featured on some of the most prominent playlists out there – including New Music Friday, Lorem, and Fresh Folk. And on top of all of that, she’s also supported the likes of Grant Perez and mxmtoon on tour.

Nep

Cheska Moore – Disassociated

Can we ever get enough of London musician Cheska Moore? It doesn’t seem so, because today’s release of ‘Disassociated’ has left us wanting even more from this hugely talented artist.

Through its catchy melody, quirky pop production and intriguing vocal elements, this track has to be one of our favourite Cheska bops. Impressively, it took the artist almost two years to complete this piece.

“At its core, ‘Disassociated’ thrives on contrast. The verses build layer by layer, unsettling intervals, tense vocal lines, and rising pressure, pulling the listener towards what feels like an inevitable explosion. But when the chorus hits, everything falls away. This song is more than a sonic experience, it’s a portrayal of disconnection as a toxic coping mechanism. Of retreating so far into yourself that reality becomes distorted.”

If you enjoy Moore’s style of sound, then be sure to check out the rest of her catalogue, which is just as enjoyable to listen to. You can explore her work on Spotify here.

Cheska Moore

Gaby K – Momma Told Me

TRACK OF THE WEEK

While we tend to focus on future-forward sounds on this site, sometimes we can’t resist premium, top-grade classic soul. For those unfamiliar with Gaby K, this rising UK talent is, in our opinion, one of the UK’s most exciting prospects.

‘Momma Told Me’ is the singer-songwriter’s latest release, and it’s a gorgeous slice of soulful pop that is sure to win any listener’s heart. The song looks at coping with loneliness and reminds us to love ourselves first and foremost.

“I wrote ‘Momma Told Me’ on the stage in life where you are single; it’s about managing ‘loneliness’, receiving advice from friends and family about dating and just trying to navigate the single life. Being single is such an important part of your life, learning to love yourself, growing alone and being able to enjoy your own company. I think we sometimes forget that it’s a time we should embrace and enjoy and not look for the next partner.”

We’ve loved Gaby K’s work for quite some time, and we really can’t wait to see what she comes out with next.

Gaby K

New Music: GIMI

We honestly can’t remember the last time that we featured talent from Denmark, so we’re really excited to be sharing with you a new artist from the region, who goes by the name of GIMI.

This Copenhagen-based, Danish-Kosovan singer and songwriter has been steadily gaining traction from the release of only a handful of singles so far.

New single ‘Communicate It’ treats listeners to a beautifully introspective piece of dark pop which is sonically experimental but also emotionally charged. Speaking on the track, GIMI explains:

“I wrote this song about this deep rooted need I have for validation. It’s about how we often seek self-worth through the attention of others, turning casual hookups into a search for approval and trying to find your value in someone else’s desire.”

With support from the likes of BBC Introducing, KALTBLUT and The Line of Best Fit, it’s quite clear to us that this talent’s momentum is on the rise.

GIMI
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New Music: Seb

There’s something refreshingly intriguing about a new outfit that doesn’t (yet) have much of an online presence.

Today’s release of ‘Hold Me’ marks the debut for Virginia-based alt-pop collective Seb. This track is really quite unique and blends elements of electronic music with glitchy pop and indie. The result is a sound that is eccentric and unexpected, yet also raw and vulnerable in tone.

“‘Hold Me’ is our introduction to the world. It’s about fragility, the need for closeness, and the hope that love can free you from yourself.”

Seb cite the likes of James Blake and The 1975 as their inspirations, and if their future releases are as fantastic as ‘Hold Me’, then they might just get their own global fanbase very soon.

Seb

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Melody’s Echo Chamber + El Michels Affair – Daisy

Photo /  Diane Sagnier

“’Daisy’ started as a daydream while listening to Leon’s finest music. I reached out to him, and we instantly created this sweet overlapping zone—like an invisible playground between our worlds. It’s a privilege to have made this one together!” – Melody

Melody’s Echo Chamber | El Michels Affair

Sam Wills – Voicenotes

Sam Wills is one of the finest singer-songwriters to emerge from the UK in recent years (in our humble opinion). This is an artist who has consistently impressed us with his natural flair for crafting deeply personal and emotive lyrics.

New single ‘Voicenotes’ is relatable to anyone who’s been through a breakup. The song is inspired by the memories that cross our minds as we try to move on from a relationship. The sadness that we feel when we look back at what once was and the realisation that it is no longer there.

“‘Voicenotes’ is about missing someone you’ve parted ways with, lying awake at night lit by the blue light of a phone listening to old voice messages from them”.

The track is lifted from Sam’s next LP, titled ‘Speak’, which is out soon (pre-save here). And if you’re a European fan, be sure to catch this hugely gifted artist on tour in November – full dates and cities are here.

Sam Wills

Avenoir – Lady

Canadian artist Avenoir is back with a new song that we’re sure you’ll immediately fall in love with.

‘Lady’ is taken from the highly acclaimed musician’s ‘Mirage’ project, which is available now to stream here. The track presents Avenoir’s stunning vocals over a melodic R&B production that feels nostalgic in tone. If you love your classic 90s sounds, then this is the song for you.

We’re quite confident at this point that Avenoir is taking prime position within the next generation of Canadian artists to take over the global mainstream.

Avenoir

New Music: Fright Years

TRACK OF THE WEEK

Fright Years are undoubtedly one of Scotland’s most promising emerging indie-rock outfits. The recent release of their debut EP, ‘Still Life’, brought the Edinburgh-based group to prominence across the indie world, and that momentum isn’t slowing down anytime soon.

New single ‘Wait For Nothing’ is an incredibly powerful song, not only sonically but also lyrically. The track confronts our fears of death and encourages us to embrace life to its fullest, while the production is bold and confident in tone.

“Wait for Nothing is about finding comfort in mortality, It’s a realisation that life is short, and a call to devote yourself to your passion despite fear. Writing the lyrics felt like a personal pep talk: focus on what matters make the changes you need, and pour your energy into the things you love.” – ” Kelly, Fright Years

With praise from the likes of BBC Radio 1 and CLASH already under their belts, we’re very sure that Fright Years will break into the global market very soon.

Fright Years

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Upcoming Shows 2025

  • London – Lock In Festival @ Camden Assembly – 12th September
  • Norwich – supporting Over Pass @ The Waterfront – 25th September
  • Manchester – supporting Ellur @ The Deaf Institute – 30th September
  • Newcastle – supporting Ellur @ Zerox – 1st October
  • Glasgow – supporting Ellur @ SWG3 The Poetry Club – 2nd October
  • Nottingham – supporting Ellur @ The Bodega – 3rd October
  • Birmingham – supporting Ellur @ Dead Wax – 5th October
  • Glasgow – Tenement Trail @ Barrowlands Ballroom – 11th October

Temptress – UNDER MY SKIN

We’ve been fans of Temptress from as early as 2016. And yet, as they say, good things come to those who wait, because this amazing UK-based duo have finally released their debut album.

And we’re so glad they took their time in crafting this record, which you can stream in full here. Each song is crafted with finesse and presents the outfit’s unique R&B sound in its best light.

“We started these songs almost ten years ago, when we didn’t have the tools to finish them – or even fully understand what we were trying to say. This album is us reaching back to those feelings, giving them space, and finally saying what we couldn’t back then. And now we’re telling that story visually too – through our own lens.”

The title track, ‘UNDER MY SKIN’, is one of our favourite releases of the season and presents listeners with a melodic soundscape that feels both cinematic and soulful.

Impressively, the duo have picked up praise from the likes of BBC 1Xtra, DIY, VIBE Mag, FADER, i-D, Complex and Earmilk. We can’t wait to see what the future now holds for Temptress…

Temptress

Sports – Nice 2 Meet Myself (Bang Bang Bang)

Oklahoma’s Sports make a return today with an eccentric alt-pop anthem called ‘Nice 2 Meet Myself (Bang Bang Bang)’.

This track feels both 90s nostalgic and refreshingly experimental at the same time. Inspired by the concept of writing songs to suit the venues in which they would be performed in, we can absolutely imagine this banger being played in a big stadium somewhere in the world.

“This song was built around the sample heard at the very beginning -“bang bang bang.” Inspired by a chapter in David Byrne’s How Music Works, which explores how artists often (consciously or not) write music that suits the venues they imagine themselves playing in, we set out to intentionally create a song that would sound great in a stadium or arena.”

“Lyrically, the song’s title and concept were inspired by How To Meet Yourself by Dr. Nicole LePera. It imagines a version of yourself that’s free from fear, free from judgment, and ultimately free from yourself.”

“The lyric “I just want to fly, but all I ever do is shoot me down” speaks to the way we often keep ourselves trapped – how we long for freedom but are held back by our own mental prisons. In the end, it’s only you standing in your way.”

Sports have been releasing music for over a decade and yet always find ways to surprise us with their innovative blend of indie and alternative pop. And with more than 320 million career streams amassed so far, we know that many of you love these chaps just as much as we do!

Sports

Tamar Berk – ocd

Tamar Berk has been on our radar for a couple of years now, and we’re glad to be sharing with you another beautiful new single from her today.

With its intricate fusion of indie, rock, and alternative pop, ‘ocd’ is a song that is rich in sonic textures. The introspective track is lifted from Berk’s new album of the same name (listen here) and lyrically reflects on the artist’s own internal struggles.

“It’s about the chaos I live with internally — the constant loop of anxiety, memory, control, regrets, and perfectionism. But it’s also about trying to find the humor and beauty in it, too.”

Tamar currently attracts more than 5k monthly listeners on Spotify. And if you’re lucky enough to be in Chicago on the 27th September, then you can watch her performing at the Schubas Tavern – tickets can be bought here.

Tamar Berk

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BENEE – Cinnamon

Photo / Jorge Rico

TRACK OF THE WEEK

“I wrote it about moving to LA and feeling a little bit lost in the chaos, like everything was falling apart. It felt like nothing was working. The chorus is quite ethereal and a nice let go for me. I thought, ‘Well even if everything around me has turned to shit, I’m going to stay sweet, still be kind, and attract the right kind of people.’ I got my friend Sora to play the cello in the bridge, which I LOVE. I cry sometimes when I listen to that part. And it’s such a fun song to perform live!”

BENEE

Oslo Twins – All In Your Mind

Photo / Veronica Maier

“I approached the song with ideas of nostalgia and our blurred images of the past. This got me looking at a corner of the internet where people curate photos that are eerily reminiscent of a childhood memory, often low-res photos of empty spaces from the 2000s, as well as the similar ‘liminal’ aesthetic. I was interested in how we construct vague fantasies from incomplete memories or narratives. Vocally, I wanted it to feel like a conversation caught on record and turned into a song.” – Claudia Vulliamy, Oslo Twins

Oslo Twins

 BAYLI – fem-onomics

Photo / Benji Allen

“fem-onomics is my ‘Bootylicious’ moment! Memeable, hot and all about creating my own word and world. At its core, it’s a femme tutorial that reclaims femininity as one of the most powerful economies we’ve got.”

BAYLI

New Music: imstillFranci

imstillFranci is the moniker of rising 22-year-old singer and songwriter Francesca Hojda.

This artist has impressed us with her distinct approach to indie-pop, which feels both raw and powerful while still being easy to listen to and form connections with.

The new single ‘Peace Without a Fight’ is refreshingly simple in its production, yet packs a punch with its lyrics. The track looks at the importance of choosing to embrace a calm life rather than staying in a broken relationship.

Fans can look forward to an upcoming EP from the artist, due for release soon. In the meantime, you can explore more of imstillFranci‘s music here.

imstillFranci

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