ALFITUDE

Big Sleep – Bruiser

Dublin’s Big Sleep have steadily grown to become one of Ireland’s most talked-about rock newcomers, and for good reason. This emerging four-piece craft a distinct, bold sound that is sonically brave and refreshingly original.

‘Bruiser’ is lifted from the group’s debut album ‘Holy Show’ (listen here) and presents listeners with an arresting production that blends dark indie-pop with alternative rock.

Big Sleep have received acclaim from the likes of Hot Press, Clash, and District magazines. They’re currently on an in-store tour across the UK and Ireland and will hit the road across their home nation in April. In our humble opinion, we think this outfit will go global quickly, so try and catch them if you can.

Big Sleep | Ones To Watch Playlist

Big Sleep In-Store Tour 2026

Feb 23 – Banquet Records, Kingston
Feb 24 – Wax & Beans, Bury
Feb 25 – Jacaranda, Liverpool
Feb 26 – Spindizzy, Dublin

Irish Tour 2026

Apr 15 – Wavelength, Cork
Apr 16 – Dolan’s Upstairs, Limerick
Apr 17 – Mike The Pies, Listowel
Apr 24 – Cleere’s, Kilkenny
Apr 25 – Connolly’s of Leap, Leap
May 28 – Róisín Dubh, Galway

Kate Bush… but make it brat

This Charli xcx-inspired take on Kate Bush’s iconic ‘Wuthering Heights’ seems to have gone viral very quickly. Give it a spin; it’s delightful.

Elias O. Graversen is a promising Danish-Bolivian pop artist currently working out of Berlin who deserves every bit of attention he gets from this bop.

Elias O. Graversen | Ones To Watch Playlist | Nordic Sound Playlist

BOVSKI – Do It Again

Illusive German producer and DJ BOVSKI returns with one of our favourite electronic releases of the week.

‘Do It Again’ is surprisingly moving. The production has a melancholic undertone that is further amplified by the vocal delivery, leading to a song that is emotionally heightened but also energising.

Despite the mystery surrounding his true identity, BOVSKI has exploded in popularity since launching his work in 2023. He’s amassed more than 40 million TikTok and Instagram views and his songs have been streamed over 85 million times on Spotify alone.

BOVSKI is touring across Germany for most of the year, so if you’re based in the country check out his schedule here.

BOVSKI | Ones To Watch Playlist

New Music: Modern Oli

Modern Oli is an artist project from actor Oli Higginson, who some might recognise from shows as iconic as Netflix’s hit series Bridgerton. As a musician, this talent creates a style of music that is instantly likeable.

‘Transatlantic’ follows on from Oli’s debut ‘One Of Those Faces’ (listen here) and treats listeners to a blend of 80s-inspired synth and pop. The anthemic melody complements lyrics that describe the heady feelings of falling in love. Oli explains:

“I sat down at the piano and took myself back to one of the greatest summers of my life when I fell in love with the most intoxicating, invigorating human being I had ever set eyes on. It’s about the electrifying power of pure attraction. I’m so proud of ‘Transatlantic’ as a song because I feel it completely captures that tingly magic of feeling like nothing in the world matters except that person right in front of you and that with them you can conquer the world together.”

Despite being a relative newcomer to the pop world, Modern Oli has already picked up praise from BBC Radio London (where his song was played to over 500k listeners), Notion Magazine, 1883 and more. Fans will be pleased to know that a debut EP and some headline shows are on the way.

Modern Oli | Ones To Watch Playlist

Òlah Bliss – Radio

We still can’t get enough of Òlah Bliss and her brilliant brand of pop. She’s back with another brilliant new single called ‘Radio’, and we’re very excited to be sharing it with you.

This track serves as a taster to the artist’s next album, ‘Menace’, which is out in May. Òlah consistently pushes the boundaries of pop, and this song shows us yet another side to her artistry. ‘Radio’ was inspired by the ‘psychology of post-love’ and touches on themes of obsession and vulnerability.

‘Menace’ will feature 16 songs that carry a synth-wave pop style of sound. Until it’s released, you can enjoy more of Òlah’s work right here.

Òlah Bliss | Ones To Watch Playlist

Sundozer – Liquid Heaven

Sundozer is the musical project of US-based artist Christian Luis French. If you love artists like Washed Out and Toro y Moi, then chances are high that you’ll also enjoy Sundozer’s style of work.

‘Liquid Heaven’ is a beautifully constructed song that blends lo-fi electronic indie with rock, resulting in a sound that is refreshingly experimental and intriguing. It’s a sonic experience like nothing else we’ve come across this week and makes us look forward to the artist’s upcoming debut album. In the meantime, you can explore more of Sundozer’s music on Spotify here.

Sundozer | Ones To Watch Playlist

Ross Newhouse – Glass/Flows

Singer-songwriter Ross Newhouse has built a solid fanbase within his native state of New Jersey for quite some time now, starting with his debut EP ‘Suddenly I Demand Repair’ (listen here) back in 2021.

Newhouse’s latest single, ‘Glass/Flows’, shows that this artist still continues to create brilliant indie-pop music. This is a beautifully dreamy and melodic track that draws inspiration sonically from the likes of Finneas and The 1975. Lyrically, Ross explains that the song is ‘about trying to pick up the pieces but knowing you’ll always see the cracks’.

To date, Newhouse’s songs have amassed more than 650k cumulative streams on Spotify. He’s also received praise globally from outlets as diverse as NJ.com and Japan’s Niche Music. Catch Ross performing at New York’s Cassette on the 18th March – tickets available here.

Ross Newhouse | Ones To Watch Playlist

Menke – Only When In Motion

We’ve long been fans of Swedish artist Menke. As a singer, songwriter, and producer, this talent crafts some of the most profound and sincere indie-pop songs to come out of the Nordic region.

New single ‘Only When In Motion’ (co-written with Nick Hahn) was inspired by a challenging time for Menke, when life and its direction felt uncertain. Elaborating on the song’s theme, she says:

“The only thing that brought relief and helped my thoughts to rest was setting my body in motion and letting my heart beat harder. When we move, our thoughts become clearer, fear softens, and what has been can wash away. It’s a reminder that life is not something we hold on to, but something we move through.”

Menke has achieved a series of acclaimed releases – from 2018’s debut EP ‘Till havet’ to 2024’s ‘Elver’ (listen here). She has amassed more than 15 million streams on Spotify and was featured by the likes of Clash and Gaffa magazines.

Menke | Ones To Watch Playlist

moonsea – I’ll kill you if you die before me

Melbourne’s moonsea (aka Cecilia Xu) returns today with a tongue-in-cheek, albeit slightly sinister-sounding track called ‘I’ll kill you if you die before me’.

Despite its menacing title, the song is actually a tender and heartfelt ode to love, and the fears it can bring when you wonder what life would be like without your special someone.

moonsea has been a prominent name within Australia’s and New Zealand’s alt-pop scene from as early as 2020, when she was mentored by Gordi (aka Sophie Payten) as part of AIR’s Women in Music program.

Alongside her work as a musician, moonsea is also professionally involved in the world of medicine, which often inspires her approach to songwriting.

moonsea | Ones To Watch Playlist

Bailo + Ricky Remedy – Tonight

Time for your weekly dance anthem! If you like your 90s R&B but also enjoy a good rave, then you’ll probably love Bailo and Ricky Remedy’s bold new collaboration, ‘Tonight’.

This trap banger puts a new spin on Montell Jordan’s classic ‘Get It On Tonite‘, adding a complex yet euphoric beat structure that comes through within the first few seconds of pressing play.

This isn’t the first time that Bailo and Ricky Remedy have worked together – they joined forces on Bailo’s 2022 ‘OHKAY!’ EP, which ended up getting plays from the likes of Marshmello, Alison Wonderland, and CORTR.

Bailo | Ricky Remedy | Ones To Watch Playlist

Mansfield – Too Much to Handle

You’d be forgiven for thinking ‘Too Much to Handle’ was a Britpop anthem from the 90’s, but it is in fact a new song by Danish outfit Mansfield.

A well known name within Denmark’s indie scene, Mansfield first picked up major traction with the release of their 2020 debut album, ‘Star-Crossed Lovers‘. Songs from the record, like ‘A Place in the Sun’, propelled the group’s popularity with critics and indie fans alike.

And they haven’t stopped releasing music since, continuously evolving their sound. Speaking on the new single, frontman Christian Stage says:

“This song is our way of expressing what we’ve learnt along the way. We’ve worked hard to get to where we are, but it’s so easy to lose yourself in that process. Making music and performing is great. Yet it’s difficult to stay focused when all sorts of things call for your time and attention.”

Coincidentally, in keeping with the UK indie theme, Mansfield will play alongside British band All The Young at Copenhagen’s Rust on the 27th of February – you can grab your tickets here.

Mansfield | Ones To Watch Playlist | Nordic Sound Playlist

ROREY – Temporary Tragedy

One of New York’s finest emerging singer-songwriters, ROREY returns with a powerful new single called ‘Temporary Tragedy’.

The track blends bedroom pop with mellow indie, resulting in a sound that feels melancholic and pensive. The lyrics are inspired by the realisation that in some relationships, the pain of staying together becomes heavier than breaking up.

“The song is about the cost of self abandonment when you grip intimacy and what it means to choose yourself. While the video is rooted in my first queer relationship, its message is universal: sometimes love isn’t enough to bridge the gap between hope and reality, when the other person can’t meet you there.”

Recent love for ROREY’s work has come from the likes of Earmilk and Chrd Magazine, and her songs have landed placements on flagship Spotify playlists like Fresh Finds and Fresh Finds Indie.

ROREY | Ones To Watch Playlist

New Music: Mona et Toi

Mona et Toi is the creative project of musicians Alison Manicourt and Shervin Hejazi. Based in Barcelona, these two artists craft a distinctive style of ‘noir rock’, which you can experience on their new single, ‘Nothing Rhymes With Myself’.

The production builds an atmospheric soundscape that is mysterious yet hypnotic, while the lyrics look at themes of insecurity and the fear of failing. The song is finessed, and almost cinematic in tone, but still has a sense of emotional rawness that is refreshingly relatable.

The track is lifted from the duo’s forthcoming album, ‘Radical Romance of Mind’, which is out in August.

Mona et Toi | Ones To Watch Playlist

Lily Lyons – Holding up the Heavens

If you’ve yet to come across London artist Lily Lyons, then today’s release of her new single, ‘Holding up the Heavens’, will serve as the perfect introduction.

The track is an addition to her 2025 debut album, ‘Re-Open The World’ (listen here), and presents listeners with a beautifully constructed fusion of indie and folk. The song was produced alongside Joel Pott, who has also worked with the likes of George Ezra and London Grammar.

Lily’s music has received acclaim from outlets like Rolling Stone UK, The Line of Best Fit, and BBC Radio 2. She’s also played the iconic Glastonbury stage and will perform at London’s St Matthias Church on the 20th of February – you can get tickets here.

Lily Lyons | Ones To Watch Playlist

New Music: Moniah

Hailing from South London, Moniah is a hugely promising newcomer that we’re really excited to be sharing with you today. By blending soft pop with indie and R&B, this artist’s work hits the spot for anyone who enjoys sonically chilled yet lyrically powerful songs.

New single ‘Love You Twice’ uses water as a metaphor for love and its connection to our daily lives. Moniah elaborates:

“’Love You Twice’ is a journey into feeling safe, growing in love, and responding to it. Love is the strongest emotion of humankind, and I want anyone who hears it to find their own story and take away something uniquely theirs.”

Moniah’s music has already picked up praise from respected tastemaker outlets like CLOUT and EARMILK, as well as national outlets as prominent as BBC Radio 6 Music and 1Xtra.

If you enjoy Moniah’s work as much as we do, then make sure you check out her acclaimed 2025 EP, ‘ANYWHERE BUT HERE’, which you can stream on Spotify.

There’s no doubt that this is an artist on the rise with the potential to become one of the UK’s next big musical exports, so keep Moniah on your radars!

Moniah | Ones To Watch Playlist

New Music: Alva Lys

Alva Lys is an emerging singer and songwriter from Sweden, currently based in Copenhagen. This exciting artist caught our attention today with the release of her new single, ‘One Night in Berlin’.

Inspired by the German city’s notorious nightlife, the song blends dark pop with electronica, creating a soundscape that is both atmospheric and intriguing. The track feels sinister and tense but still maintains a playful pop sensibility.

“Driven by pulsing beats and atmospheric synth layers, the song captures the intensity of a fleeting connection on a Berlin dancefloor – the kind of night that feels endless until reality breaks through.”

You can explore more music by Alva Lys on Spotify, where she’s amassed thousands of streams from only a handful of songs.

Alva Lys | Ones To Watch Playlist | Nordic Sound Playlist

New Music: JOYLESS AS FVCK

Prague might not be the first place you think of when shoegaze comes to mind, but that’s all about to change with the introduction of Czech alt-rock outfit JOYLESS AS FVCK.

This group are gaining momentum not only in their home nation but also across Central Europe thanks to their bold, raw and immediately arresting sound. New single ‘Rivers’ addresses the social and economic pressures that we face every day in modern life.

“‘Rivers’ was written from a sense of being pulled by work, expectations and algorithms more than by personal will. Coming from a region where economic and social pressure is tangible, that tension turns physical.”

The song’s lyrics are brought to life in the music video, which is intentionally shot in a 9:16 format to replicate a phone’s interface.

“The video mirrors how contemporary life is consumed: vertically, endlessly, compulsively. Fast cuts, meme fragments and digital noise create something uncomfortably familiar rather than ironic.”

JOYLESS AS FVCK | Ones To Watch Playlist

Holly Woodlove – Run Back

Holly Woodlove is the artistic project of Alexander Dausch, a San Diego-based independent musician, producer, and composer.

Dausch crafts his sound alone, from the writing process through to the recording and mixing in his studio. This allows for total creative freedom and, as you’ll experience when listening to ‘Run Back’, a sense of authenticity that feels true to the artist.

This track delivers a sound that blends nostalgic glam rock with indie rock. The production feels warm and familiar, but ultimately this is a distinctive style of music that is refreshingly original.

An upcoming album, titled ‘The Most Beautiful Lie’, is scheduled for release on the 4th of March. In the meantime, you can explore more Holly Woodlove songs here.

Holly Woodlove | Ones To Watch Playlist

FLOSS – Wasteland

TRACK OF THE WEEK

With her unique and unashamedly bold approach to electronic pop, Berlin’s FLOSS has become a name to watch. This rising talent recently gained a tonne of traction after releasing an EP called ‘ANGRY B!TCH RAVE’ and continues to build momentum with her new single, ‘Wasteland’.

The song treats us to an energising and hypnotic mix of hyperpop and techno-pop. It’s a fearless and experimental production that commands you to listen, and frankly, we’re obsessed.

FLOSS’s music has gained support from outlets as respected as Vogue and Berliner Zeitung. She’s also played the iconic stages of the Reeperbahn and Lollapalooza festivals and supported Sophie Ellis-Bextor on tour.

FLOSS | Ones To Watch Playlist

Cruz Beckham – for your love

It’s hard not to like Cruz Beckham’s music. This artist has a flair for writing songs that have a quintessentially British sound. A hybrid of melodic pop and fuzzy rock, with some added playfulness.

New single ‘for your love’ is one of our favourite releases of the week, and we’re sure you’ll be just as charmed by it when you press play.

“I love this song. It’s been so fun to play live over the last couple of months. It was the first track I properly finished with Justin and Lewis, who are total legends at what they do, and we all walked away knowing this had really laid the foundations for everything else we’ve created together. For me, it’s all about love and being fearless in that love, but I hope everyone can interpret it in their own way and find their own meaning to it.”

You can catch Cruz on tour across the UK and Europe soon – tickets available here.

Cruz Beckham | Ones To Watch Playlist

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