There’s something about psychedelic-inspired music that feels quite timeless, so it’s always interesting when we get sent something in the genre.
This ‘Smoky Mix’ of Tadpoles‘ 2025 song ‘Something Sparkly’ treats listeners to a nostalgic style of sound that could have easily come from the 1960s. Through its 7-minute journey, the track immerses you into a hazy, almost hedonistic soundscape that is really quite mesmerising.
The track is lifted from a wider project of other ‘Smoky’ remixes, called ‘Make Believe’, which you can explore here.
Dylan Dunlap has long been an Alfitude favourite, so we’re chuffed to see that he’s back again today with a stunning new single called ‘You Owe It to Yourself’.
Dunlap’s lyricism always centres around the fragilities of being human in the modern age, reminding us to listen to ourselves and acknowledge our thoughts, feelings, and anxieties. This track looks at the moments in life when we get overwhelmed, as Dylan explains:
“This is a reminder for anyone who has ever felt overwhelmed, carried more than they could hold, or forgotten to make space for themselves. It’s about releasing what we can’t control and learning to offer ourselves the same compassion we so freely give to others. I hope listeners (especially my neurodivergent friends) feel seen and validated in knowing that self-care isn’t something you have to earn; it’s something you deserve. You owe it to yourself.”
Dylan’s most recent album, ‘TROUBADOUR’, was released earlier this summer. You can check it out here.
If you haven’t yet come across UK newcomers XO then now is the perfect time to be introduced! This five-piece group features the talents of singers Emmy, Reanna, Shali, Summer, and Zoe. With their playful take on pop, we’re quite sure they’ll be all over your favourite playlists very soon.
Iona Luke returns today with a new single, called ‘From Dust’, which also marks the final release from her debut EP of the same name.
With its existentially driven lyrics, the track not only serves as the EP’s closing statement but also encourages us to think about how we fit into this world.
“From Dust’ is the title track and finale of the EP. The song explores our relationship with the world around us, and how life can feel both overwhelming and unsatisfying at the same time. It captures the wonder and fear of being truly seen by another person beyond the dust we are all made of, while reflecting on the human tendency to rewrite, inherit, and interpret our own identities, histories, and flaws. It’s all dust and dirt, material and imaginary, a parade of who we are and who we try to be.”
In recent months, Luke has picked up praise from outlets like Radio 1, 6Music, and Radio X. Iona headlines London’s Paper Dress Vintage with Berenice on the 8th September – get your tickets here.
Nashville duo Leftwich have been on our radars for a few years, and to this day we’re still big of fans of their very unique work.
‘Run Baby (Down For Me)’ is their latest single and is a track full of unexpected twists and turns. The production is bold and experimental, with its mix of alternative rock, pop, and electronica. With that said, the song also carries a sense of rebelliousness that harks back to indie-rock from the 90s, which is a really interesting experience to listen to.
“Lex [Leftwich] focused the lyrics on a romantic fixation witnessing someone’s unutilized brilliance turn admiration into resentment as they run from who they could be.”
German electronic outfit Flauschig have teamed up with songstress Rona Ray on a fabulous new single, ‘Say My Name’.
This is the kind of song that puts you in the weekend mood instantly. Through its polished production, this melodic track seamlessly blends classic house beats with tribal house, resulting in a sound that is infectiously uplifting.
Flauschig, the musical project of artists of Stephan Spieker and Jason Durrant, has been crafting house music from as early as 2005, while Rona Ray is an accomplished vocalist who has featured on songs with the likes of Husky and Dave Mayer.
SMOKIN POTIONS is the collaborative project of acclaimed electronic music producers Bainbridge and High Zombie.
Released through the BREAK ROOM label, ‘Tell Me’ is nothing short of epic. This is a cinematic blend of trap and dubstep that creates an immersive soundscape that is immediately gripping. It’s intense, gritty, and sets your heart racing in the best possible way…
London-based newcomer Malaika is rapidly making a name for herself as one of the UK’s most interesting rising talents.
With support from outlets as prominent as BBC Introducing and Spotify, this artist crafts a pop sound that feels fresh yet familiar.
New single ‘The Problem’ is inspired by the difficulties of trying to live life as a young person in a world that often feels like it’s falling apart, and treats listeners to an energising fusion of indie, pop, and synth.
Malaika plays London’s New Cross Inn on the 21st September – you can grab your tickets here.
If you’re in the mood for some cinematic pop, you’ll love Fox Sinclair’s new single, ‘Work of Art’.
With a live string quartet featured in its production, this pop song gives high drama without feeling overly intense. Alongside its unique composition, the lyrics are beautifully delivered through Sinclair’s distinctive vocals.
The track’s creative edge reflects Fox’s multidisciplinary approach to her work: this talent is not only a singer and songwriter but also a movement director, photographer, and writer.
Melbourne-based singer and songwriter Jess Tenace has a vocal that immediately captivates.
The new single ‘pretty’ is a charming blend of indie-pop and rock, with a lo-fi style of production that gives the song a timeless quality. Lyrically, this is a classic heartbreak song that touches on themes of jealousy and self-doubt, and is sure to resonate with anyone who has suffered from a breakup (and let’s face it, who hasn’t!).
“Built around the double meaning of the word ‘pretty,’ the song shifts from ‘she’s pretty’ to feeling ‘pretty overwhelmed’ and ‘pretty not okay,’ capturing the spiral of jealousy, regret, and self-comparison after missing your chance.”
Tenace’s work centres around relationships and personal growth, and with songs like ‘pretty’, we’re quite sure this talent will go very far.
So keep drinking juice that burns your throat I don’t care if you sniff or sip your coke Don’t pass judgment, I just pass smoke ‘Cause my addiction’s a man
May Payne has been on our radar since as early as 2022 and still continues to impress with her work.
This emerging talent returns today with a new single called ‘The News’. With its sincere vocals and gorgeous blend of indie, folk and rock, this track is heavy on the emotion. It was inspired by the rawness that comes from heartbreak, and the intense feelings take over our thoughts. Payne explains:
“When we broke up after two years, my ex said that they would love me forever, that they would be incapable of dating anyone unless it was me again. A few weeks after that, I found out that they were already in a relationship with someone else. I remember immediately after seeing it thinking that I could either go into a complete tailspin or try to write about it, and this song came out in one go as soon as I sat down.”
Payne’s work has recently picked up praise from outlets as noted as BBC Radio 6 and DIY Magazine.
We’ve got a real sonic delight to share with you today, courtesy of Taiwanese artist LÜCY.
‘LOOP’ is a stunning collaboration with Norwegian talents Eirik Hella (producer) and singer Moyka.
The track’s heady blend of electronica and dark pop instantly draws you in with its hypnotic beat structure. At the same time, the vocals deliver lyrics that span three languages – English, Norwegian, and Mandarin.
Touching on themes of generational trauma stemming from fear and pain, ‘LOOP’ reminds us that we have the power to break these toxic cycles. But then again, do we have it within us to really try?
US independent singer and songwriter Jenna Victoria has unveiled the catchiest bop of the week, and we’re quite sure you’ll love it too.
‘it’s just life’ is a thoughtfully constructed pop song that features a nostalgic, dreamy essence. The sound is charming and really quite sweet, mirroring lyrics that speak of embracing love when you are given the chance to receive it from someone.
Despite a relatively small catalogue of releases, Jenna’s music has amassed more than 50k streams on Spotify to date.
Rising Irish producer Luke Kearns is a name to watch for. This emerging talent has built impressive momentum recently, and his new collaboration with US artist Xavier Weeks is sure to propel hype even more.
‘Don’t Worry’ is a melodic house production that is both classic in style and still delivers a fresh edge. The sound gives you the same sense of euphoria that you expect from club anthems from the late 90s, which is always a good thing.
This is already one of our favourite bangers of the season.
Dutch singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Jaïr Faria is having quite the year, and deservedly so. This hugely talented artist has just been signed to Roc Nation’s publishing arm, as well as a recording contract with Giant Music.
‘August’ is a flavour of what the future holds. This is a bold, powerful, cinematic, and beautifully intense song that fuses alternative rock with dark pop and soul. It’s unashamedly raw, reflecting the healing process after a breakup:
“‘August’ is about trying to move on from someone and finally reaching a period where life begins to feel light again. But even in the middle of a beautiful summer, one dark, rainy day can bring everything back – the memories, the absence, and the pain you thought you had left behind. The rain becomes a metaphor for those unexpected moments that pull you back into grief, while August represents the warmth and happiness you are trying to return to. It is a bittersweet song about how healing is never completely linear.”
To date, Faria has amassed well over 11 million career streams and 44 million TikTok views, to name a few achievements.
South American producer Sinego and Danish trio Tripolism have joined forces to create one of the weekend’s standout electronic releases.
‘Flotando’ is an immersive piece of sonic perfection. The production is polished and balanced, with a hypnotic beat that draws listeners into a soundscape which blends melodic house with Afro-house and techno.
Sinego is an acclaimed producer who has amassed more than 6 million career streams, while Copenhagen’s Tripolism are one of Scandinavia’s biggest electronic powerhouses, amassing over twenty million streams to date.
We only featured Vau a couple of months ago, but we can already safely call ourselves fans of this rising newcomer.
The Swedish singer and songwriter is back today with a gorgeous song called ‘Cocoon Time’, and it’s really quite something. The production blends bedroom pop with fuzzy indie, resulting in a hazy and subdued style of sound. And yet despite its minimalism, this track still feels sonically joyful and energising.
But don’t be fooled – the lyrics are actually pretty intense. The artist explains:
“A song with an uplifting production and feeling, but rather dark lyrics: about self loathing and the need to merge into the depths of your sofa to hide from the world for a while. But also: to – in due time – emerge from those depths and take a leap into a new chapter of life again. A song for all us sensitive souls out there.”
Vau has also released an album of the same name today, which you can enjoy here.
‘Country Butter’ by American artist Tom Sless is one of this summer’s catchiest releases, in our humble opinion anyway.
This track blends a playful, nostalgia-tinged indie-pop production with lyrics that compare the warmth of the summer season with that of being in love. It’s a classic pop sound that is instantly relatable to most listeners and one that fits perfectly into any summer-inspired playlist.
Sless abandoned his corporate life working for Deloitte, opting to buy a van and roam around the country performing wherever he could. You can catch Tom at The Double Wide in Dallas on the 14th August – tickets here.
