We first featured Jo Hill back in 2022, and it’s safe to say this talented starlet is still releasing some of the UK’s freshest indie-pop gems.
If you’ve yet to be acquainted with Jo’s music, think of an artist who takes the best of Kasey Musgraves, Remi Wolf, and Fleetwood Mac and then works some magic of their own to create really interesting songs.
The new single ‘ALL MY GIRLS ARE TOMBOYS’ is a standout piece of music. In equal parts, this track is sincere and emotive, while also delivering a punchy and energising style of sound. This is definitely an artist to watch for, so be sure to keep her on your radars!
German artist Ben Lukas Boysen has long been a staple within Europe’s electronic scene, amassing a huge following from listeners and critics alike.
His striking new single ‘Fama’ caught our attention this week, thanks to its interesting production. The track is rich in sonic textures, building a soundscape that is as intriguing as it is captivating.
Fans will be pleased to learn that Boysen will release a new album on the 29th of November through Erased Tapes, titled ‘Alta Ripa’. In the meantime, you can catch the artist on his global tour, with the next stop being MĂĽnster’s AV-Picnic (tickets here).
Acclaimed American musician Kylie Rothfield has long been a critic’s favourite, garnering praise from national outlets like Rolling Stone and Billboard, as well as fellow artists – including the icon that is Alicia Keys herself.
Rothfield returns today with a powerful pop anthem titled ‘Never Loved Somebody’. The song was inspired by the unbalanced nature of some relationships, when one person feels as though their emotions are not recognised sincerely by their partner. As the lyrics go:
So how does it feel To carry all the power when you don’t even want it You’ll never heal if All you know is how to be wanted So just be honest
You’ve never loved somebody
Kylie’s music has not only achieved significant success over the years, but also landed spots on networks such as ABC, NBC, and MTV. You can enjoy more of Kylie’s music on Spotify.
Queenstown singer, songwriter, and producer Chloe Echo has just unveiled a sensational new single that is already becoming an autumn favourite at Alfitude.
‘Something Like’ treats us to an indie production which also incorporates elements of electronica and pop, resulting in a sound that is easy on the ear but also possesses a certain level of complexity that leaves listeners intrigued for more.
“I wrote this song about the process of attempting to find the right words to express yourself but feeling frozen in silence. The lyrics paint a romantic image, but it looks at a beautiful moment that is clouded by anxiety. This nuanced emotion of love and anxiety intertwined was really inspiring to me, and I wanted to create a track that felt simultaneously frantic and relaxed. I produced the song in Ableton, combining unique electronic elements, a fast breakbeat, and acoustic guitar to create something that felt like it captured the essence of the song.”
Chloe has amassed more than 43k collective streams from releasing of just a handful of singles. We definitely suggest that you follow this rising starlet, as the quality of work that she makes really is quite special.
Track of the week. Words can’t express how much we’ve fallen in love with rising indie artist Mila Degray. The Floridian newcomer has gained momentum rapidly in recent months thanks to her distinctive style of sound, which fuses pop with alternative rock, bubblegum grunge, and punk.
‘Two Bridges’ is an stunning track that serves as a taster to the artist’s highly anticipated ‘Silver Meteor 98’ album, which is out on 18th October 2024.
It’s been a busy year for Mila, who has not only won a tonne of fans across the globe but also garnered praise from outlets like Atwood Magazine and The Joy of Violent Movement. And to top it all off, she was even featured on Charli XCX and Billie Eilish’s ‘Guess’ remix video a month ago.
EDA NIVES has been on our radars for a couple of years now, so we’re stoked to see that her career has been thriving since.
New single ‘MAD’ is one of our favourite releases of the month. It’s a raw slice of alternative pop that hits you instantly from the moment you press play and is sure to stay in your minds for the rest of the day.
“I wrote this song after being massively done over by a guy who wasn’t ever worth my stress and time. One of my friends even described him as ‘rotten’ and ‘beastly’. Yet still I couldn’t get enough of him. UNTIL I REALISED! One day it rushed over me and I saw how vile he was and how awfully he treated me. This song is all about that realisation… realising I was MAD!”
If you’re based in the UK, then keep an eye out for EDA this weekend; you’ll be able to catch her performing on ITV’s The Voice on Saturday night. Really exciting stuff for an incredibly talented singer and songwriter… one to watch!
Nashville’s Tessa Dalton continues to impress us with the release of another brilliant single, mysteriously titled ‘Honest?’
The track showcases the emerging singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist’s skills at crafting superb pop-rock sounds, and is sure to propel her name further into the spotlight.
Inspired by the realisation that a relationship wasn’t heading in the direction it was once hoped for, the song’s lyrics will likely resonate with many of us who have experienced disappointment in romances.
“The song is about that point in a relationship when you need to know if it’s going somewhere, and sometimes you just have to be honest when it’s not — ‘Honest?’ asks the question.”
A rough cut of ‘Honest?’ managed to achieve semi-finalist status at the 2023 International Songwriting Contest, out of 14,000 other entries. In addition, Tessa’s songs have achieved more than 350k cumulative streams to date, which is no mean feat for someone who is yet to be signed!
The mighty Ă’lah Bliss is back with a vengeance! Today sees the rising UK-based star return with a bright new single called ‘Bang Bang’.
As the title suggests, this is a bold and energising piece of music that effortlessly blends punk rock with alt-pop in a playful and punchy way.
“This song is about embracing the duality of being a lover, not a fighter, but also having the strength to stand your ground when necessary.”
Ă’lah’s music has been streamed more than three million times so far – and that’s just on Spotify. We’ve advocated for this talent for quite some time now, and we believe that mainstream success is just around the corner for her… especially with anthemic bops like ‘Bang Bang’ being so brilliant!
“This year has been incredible, and I’m so proud of everything I’ve released—this track is no exception. I’m truly in love with this record and feel like I’m tapping into the best version of myself. I cannot wait for you all to hear it.”
This weekend’s banger comes courtesy of acclaimed Danish DJ and producer Christian Nielsen and his newly released techno track ‘Halo’.
Nielsen cites icons like Kerri Chandler, Moodymann, and Frankie Knuckles as inspirations for his style of work, which is evident when you listen to his songs. His sounds are immediately gripping, and deliver a type of electronic music that is fresh and easy to form emotional connections with.
With more than five million catalogue streams on Spotify under his belt, it’s clear to see that Nielsen is well on his way to establishing himself as one of Denmark’s brightest techno talents.
Clara Pople has to be one of the most original indie-pop talents out there right now. The rising starlet is winning fans globally thanks to her refreshingly distinctive approach to music, which features ethereal sounds created by elements like live-looping.
New single ‘Hot Moon’ is a perfect example of what this artist has to offer. The track is beautifully melodic, while its inspiring lyricism encourages listeners to consider the power of nature that surrounds us.
“This is my empowerment anthem for all women and people who can feel overpowered by the forces of nature. ‘Hot Moon’ is a song about the ebbing and flowing tides of being a woman. How nature can control our mood and how, whilst infuriating, we just have to give in sometimes and let the madness take over.”
You can catch Clara performing live at London’s iconic St Pancras Old Church tonight – tickets can be purchased here.
Floridian trio Magic City Hippies are back with one of their most impressive releases to date.
‘Little Bit Of Love’ presents listeners with a shimmering fusion of R&B, soul, and pop. The finessed track was created in collaboration with noted singer and songwriter Antwaun Stanley, after a chance meeting at one of Mocky’s monthly jam sessions.
Since their formation in 2015, Magic City Hippies have gone on to accumulate more than 125 million catalogue streams on Spotify, marking their status as one of Florida’s most loved indie outfits.
Fans of Daft Punk may well have a new artist to obsess over, going by the name of Jean-Baptiste Beltra, aka Welcome John.
The French-born, Canada-based producer, composer, and songwriter has unveiled a fabulous new single called ‘Never’, which serves as a taster for his upcoming debut EP, which is suitably titled ‘Debut’.
Impressively, all the instruments on the record were played by the artist himself, with the help of Alex Dodier on saxophone.
‘Debut’ is scheduled for release on the 25th October 2024. In the meantime, listeners can enjoy more of Welcome John’s music on Spotify right here.
WHO SHOT SCOTT is the widely acclaimed musical project of New Zealand-based artist Zaidoon Nasir.
The Iraqi-born talent has been gaining traction for quite some time now, thanks to his powerful and highly original productions. His new single is called ‘LIL BIT OF HOT’, and is a refreshingly bold and high-octane blend of alternative hip-hop, punk, and rap.
The song was inspired by an emotional connection with a person in Nasir’s life who was ‘extremely sweet, kind, and sincere’. Sonically, the track makes an immediate impact and will likely stay with you all day long.
“At the time, I had just gotten out of what I considered to be an extremely toxic relationship and was still weirdly attached to the false ideas and habits that had been ingrained in my psyche as a result.”
WHO SHOT SCOTT has amassed more than five million streams on Spotify alone and attracts over 65k monthly listeners on the platform. He’s been featured by outlets such as MTV and shared stages with the likes of Snoop Dogg and Yung Gravy.
Track of the week. One of New York’s brightest pop prospects in recent years has been Kentö. A singer since the age of six, this talent’s work has not only grown in popularity across social media but has also amassed significant praise globally from tastemakers as noted as MTV, BBC Music, and Paper Magazine.
New single ‘Everything’ treats listeners to a retro-inspired style of sound that infuses 60’s surf rock into a modern alt-pop production. The track is heady, almost psychedelic in nature, and is impossible not to fall in love with.
“I wanted to make a moody pop track that combines a modern feel with the nostalgia of the 60s.”
After listening to this song, it may not come as a surprise to learn that one of Kentö’s biggest musical influences are The Beach Boys, whom he has loved all his life. You can explore more of the artist’s music on Spotify.
You really can’t beat a slice of classic soul music, and today’s release of ‘Be Your Own Shelter’ by acclaimed singer, songwriter, and producer Kelly Finnigan hits the spot perfectly.
The track has been unveiled as a taster to Finnigan’s upcoming ‘A Lover Born’ album, which is due on the 19th of October via Colemine Records (pre-order here).
The song itself is really quite perfect in its approach to the genre. The production is classic and nostalgic in style, with Finnigan’s vocals emanating powerful emotions.
“There’s nothing like making records. It feels like that’s my purpose—the reason I was put on this earth.”
If you’re in the States, then you can catch Kelly performing some live shows, with stops in California, New York, and New Hampshire. Dates and tickets can be found here!
If this is your first time hearing of Lento RodrĂguez then let’s fill you in on some history. Based in the US and led by a Peruvian composer called Gustavo Rizo-Patron, this musical project creates a very special kind of dreamy, atmospheric pop.
It’s near impossible not to feel some kind of connection with the outfit’s music, and their latest release, titled ‘Palermo’ is one of our favourite songs from their catalogue. The sound is hazy, intriguing, and utterly captivating to experience.
Debut album ‘New New Wave’ is out right now now, and features collaborations from Hugo Lee and Daniel Sadownick. Definitely worth exploring!
This weekend’s indie bop comes courtesy of acclaimed Swedish four-piece outfit Girl Scout and their new release ‘Honey’.
The track’s retro-tinged style of production treats listeners to a sense of charm that is rare to come by in today’s indie landscape. On the lyrics, the band’s guitarist and vocalist Emma says:
“’Honey’ is about the bittersweet experience of close friends growing apart, heartache and the inevitability to keep everyone in your life at the same time. The lyrics delve into the complex emotions of frustration, concern, and helplessness while witnessing the imbalance of that relationship. It was originally written as an acoustic number, but we discovered that it was better suited as our interpretation of a 2010s indie rock song.” – Emma Jansson, Girl Scout
Girl Scout currently command more than 55k monthly listeners on Spotify, and has garnered critic’s support from heavyweights like BBC Radio 1, NME, and The Line of Best Fit.
The group will embark on a UK-wide tour from February and hit the rest of Europe shortly after. You can check out all the stops and get tickets right here.
Track of the week. Eden Rain is back with a stunning new single called ‘Crashmat’. Co-written by fellow rising starletSOFY,this track looks at how some people will care so much for others that they end up neglecting their own needs and feelings.
Aside from its thoughtful lyricism, this song’s production really showcases some of the best of what the UK alt-pop scene offers right now. Elaborating on the inspiration behind ‘Crashmat’, Eden says:
“I think it really hits on that feeling of being stretched too thin, right? It’s like you’re always on call, trying to be everything for everyone, and somewhere along the way, you forget to take care of yourself. Its about how you can love someone and want to help but also not really knowing how to.”
Eden’s music has been streamed more than 700k times since April this year and has received praise from the likes of FLEX and Far Out. You can catch the artist performing at London’s Moth Club on the 12th November—tickets here.
Every now and then we come across a talent who instantly stands out, just like New York’s Germano.
From listening to his songs, you get a sense that this singer, songwriter, and producer possesses something truly unique in his artistry. And we’re not the only ones who think so – Germano’s momentum is already on the rise thanks to the thousands of online followers he’s recently won over.
‘panic!’ presents us with a haunting alternative pop production that is both refreshingly experimental and intriguing in character, while the song’s lyrics address the artist’s self-imposed pressures to succeed in the music industry.
“I used to put so much pressure on myself to succeed that when my plans didn’t turn out exactly the way I hoped, I’d get terrible anxiety to the point that it was paralyzing – I didn’t know how to continue moving forward. It can be hard keeping the spark on in a career like this especially when you’re not yet where you want to be. So now I create music and art for my inner child and for my liking only, which brings me content and confidence in my work. This song is a reminder to myself that I have what it takes to accomplish my goals. I stumbled upon this blatantly self-assured character while writing this song and it has helped me deal with self-doubt in a lot of ways. That’s what this song represents to me – it’s a reminder to myself that I have what it takes to accomplish my goals and become the artist I’ve always dreamed of being.”
Germano’s work has received the seal of approval from the likes of EARMILK, PopDust, and LeFutureWave, and his catalogue of songs (of which there are only three so far) has achieved more than 200k streams.
Summer might be over in Natalie Clark’s native Scotland, but it’s always sunny in LA where the much-hyped newcomer has just landed an exciting record deal.
Playing her blissful new single ‘Iced Tea’ will give you warm vibes wherever you are in the world. This shimmering slice of melodic pop exudes finesse, and proves why this rising starlet is garnering so much attention across the industry.
“I wrote the song as summer was approaching, and I wanted to create a dreamy, summery world for people to escape to when they listened to the song. I wanted the listener to feel that soothing, comforting, warm feeling on a summer’s day – laying on a beach or by a pool, sipping cold iced tea. Even if you can’t physically experience that, I wanted the song to still offer that feeling to you! To bring you some sunshine!’
Clark’s induction into the world of music began as a result of a spontaneous singing request from none other than Sir Richard Branson, who chose her to perform while she was at the BBC Radio 1 Academy.
Since moving Stateside, her work has caught the attention of global names like Christina Aguilera and Blake Shelton, marking her status as an artist to watch.
