Sharing with us a side of OCTAVIO the Dweeb that we have yet to see, ‘Nights Like This’ is a raw and angsty alt-rock track that’s all about the difficulties of being a striving artist.
This is an anthemic and grungy sound that is full of depth and texture, further showcasing the phenomenal range of musical talent that this kid has.
Singer and songwriter iamnotshane is back today with an airy slice of indie-pop perfection in the shape of new single ‘Punch Me In The Face’.
The song serves as his first release via new label Snafu Records, and puts the LA-based artist’s alluring vocals and sticky-sweet melodies front and centre.
“The song is about needing tough love from a real friend, not the fake friends who tell you everything you want to hear. It’s a wake up call anthem.”
iamnotshane will embark on a European and U.S. headline tour from January 2022; tickets on sale here.
Landon Fleischman, the Los Angeles-via-Maryland musician who records as Boy Willows is back today with the fabulously eccentric yet minimal ‘Yello House’.
Running on the themes of nostalgia and memories, Landon was inspired to write the song around his parents moving out of his childhood home, saying:
“where that leaves me, and those memories and what it means to no longer have that physical space I associate with a version of myself that I loved. But also, genuinely hoping that they can find happiness in a new chapter.“
Canadian artist Sam Louis returns today with a deliciously dark slice of alt-RnB in the form of new single ‘Die Tonight’.
Made in collaboration with GRAMMY-winning mixing engineer, Curtis ‘Sircut’ Bye (who’s also worked with the likes of Brockhampton, SZA, EARTHGANG and G-Eazy), the song takes on the notorious cultural association between sex and death.
With lockdown shutting down their tour plans last year, Canadian dream-pop outfit Basement Revolver spent their time wrestling with questions about identity, faith, mental illness, and sexuality. One of the songs that came to a fruition during this period was ‘Skin’, a self-aware slow burn written by guitarist & vocalist Chrisy Hurn-Morrison.
The beautifully honest lyrics tell of the struggles that she feels with her body, yet ultimately the track has also helped her love the parts of her body that have often been scrutinised in the mirror.
Taken from the forthcoming sophomore LP ‘Embody’ which is out soon.
A fabulously refreshing collaboration between emerging Oslo-based ensemble GiddyGang and South-African/Norwegian MC Vuyo.
‘Told Me’ seamlessly blends hints of hip-hop, jazz, RnB and indie to form a song that is deliciously captivating, playful and hugely uplifting.
“It’s a little love song dedicated to my best friend and the journey from first getting to know each other to where we are today.” – Sarah Nærø Pettersenfor, GiddyGang
“I wanted to take an unconventional approach to a love song. I wrote it like I was a start-up and I wanted my crush to buy into my elevator pitch.” – Vuyo
This perfect summer power-pop bop comes courtesy of Danish musician, songwriter and producer Gustaf. The nostalgic yet relatable ‘Young Love’ was inspired by his experiences of first love, and the inevitable first heartbreak that comes with it.
“‘Young Love’ is NOT a love song, and yet… It’s about once first love and the pain when the relationship fall apart, the worst break-up and the shattered dream of the one and only, whom you thought you should share your life with.”
Take an extra moment to also appreciate the artwork; Gustaf re-decorated his own bedroom to make it look like a teenager’s, just to get that flashback feeling of being young and in love!
Norwegian alt-pop artist Hanne Mjøen has really been spoiling us with her recent run of singles, all of which have been some of the finest to emerge from Scandinavia so far this year.
And today is no exception with the release of ‘Emotional Fever’. This melancholy electro-pop masterpiece tells of the emotional battles between deciding whether someone is right for you or not. Mjøen describes the fever as:
“One moment it feels like forever, and the next you get a panic attack and you just want to leave. And it feels like a fever because of the sudden changes you have no control over.”
Taken from the upcoming EP ‘Emotional Fever’ which will be released in mid-September.
‘Blue Football’ is a beautifully melodic and deeply moving release from LA-based artist August Royals, who is newly signed to RCA Records.
Trynna fix the mess I made
But my mental’s in a fragile state
If I OD
Sorry to the ones that love me
Gotta leave a legacy I’ll try not to go too soon
Ahead of the release of her self-produced debut album ‘Everytime’s The Last Time’, Eleanor K unveils visuals for new single ‘All In’.
Having achieved huge success during her time performing with Crystal Fighters, she’s now reborn as a solo artist who’s music effortlessly blends delicate vocals with sublime productions that are rich in emotion.
“The album narrates my journey. From absolute crisis to getting myself completely engulfed in a fairly lengthy eating disorder, nearly giving up totally, to eventually pulling myself back together again. I had spent my formative years on tour with no real ties anywhere and a fairly one-sided perspective of life. It was affecting the music I was making as I lacked confidence in what I was doing. It wasn’t until I actually sat down, stripped everything in my life back and got to some good old-fashioned routine involved – something I had been so resistant to – that I began making material I actually liked and felt represented what I was about.”
Canadian alt trio daysormay have been consistently delivering outstanding bangers lately. ‘Just Existing’ is no exception; this is a loud, bold and upbeat song that commands your attention. On the song, they say:
“It was actually a mashup of 3 older songs we wrote that never went anywhere. We noticed there were parts in all of them that were cool, but the rest was just weighing them down, so we kind of Frankensteined all 3 ideas together into one.” – Aidan Andrews, daysormay
The upcoming album ‘Just Existing’ is out on 6th October 2020.
Ontario’s finest, Alexander Wesley is back today with a gorgeously intimate and nostalgic release. ’19’ focuses on those first love feelings we’ve all experienced, perfectly encapsulating everything that a teenage love story has to offer.
“’19’ was written about that unconditional, euphoric and at times amusing state of being young and in love. It’s the kind of love that makes you forget everything else exists. When I sat down to write it, I remember reflecting on what it was like to be at that stage in my life; how innocent and pure every aspect of it was. It’s something for me, that’s hard to forget, and I hope those who listen will be taken back to those very moments that inspired the song.”
Luke Hemmings is not only the lead vocalist of Australian pop-rock outfit 5 Seconds of Summer, but he’s also a superb soloist in his own right.
‘Motion’ is a shimmering slice of trippy, psychedelica-inspired pop that is totally enchanting to listen to.
One of indie-pop’s most exciting outfits to emerge from California of late, ill peach are back today with ‘UP UP AND AWAY’, which serves as a taster to their upcoming debut EP.
The duo have garnered considerable buzz since the release of ‘GUM’, even getting featured on noted playlists like LOREM and Superbloom.
The debut EP ‘EXCUSE US WHILE WE FIND OUR MINDS’ is set for release on 4th August 2021.
I first featured Tall Heights back in 2016, and I am so stoked to see that this Boston indie duo have amassed over 275 million streams since, thanks to their lush soundscapes and emotive melodies.
They’re back with another sublime release in the form of ‘Hear It Again’, which serves as a joyous anthem of hope.
“‘Hear It Again’ is a reverberating cry from the days of quarantine, a cry that has joyfully been answered. The writing process started on a pre-pandemic tour with Ben Folds, and was finished and recorded in pandemic isolation. The song is impregnated with this tension between two lost sanctuaries : home at home and home on the road. As the lines blur between the two, ultimately a feeling prevails that there is only one course back to peace for Tall Heights : back on tour.”
One of my favourite newcomers to emerge from 2021, emie nathan returns with her uplifting new single ‘roses’.
Launching just three months ago, emie has already amassed over a million streams globally, as well as picking-up tastemaker support from the likes BBC Radio 1, Wonderland and Clash.
“The chorus describes how easy it is to look back on a moment in time with rose-tinted glasses, imagining everything better than it was in reality. This song narrates how I see it for exactly what it was, the good with the bad and the sweetness that lies in both. The verses unpick my craving for a real and continued experience, knowing that while it remains completely impossible – re-entering a more ‘normal’ way of life feels threatening without my people nearby to stick with and lean on.”
A master of many talents, the musician, creative, writer and performer that is Jordan Stephens returns with an infectiously memorable anthem in the form of new single ‘Wicked’.
The track’s message is a simple yet powerful one: it’s a sign to feel good within yourself, own yourself, and value yourself from the inside out.
Swedish superstar Benjamin Ingrosso seems to have a good instinct in what songs he decides to lend his distinctive vocals to.
His collaboration with French-born, Japan-based future funk pioneer Vantage is perfect proof; this is probably going to be one of the best summer bops of the year.
Consistently proving himself as one-to-watch, Miles Wesley is back with a new summery bop that is not only captivating but wildly infectious.
Featuring the talents of Jutes, ‘Medicine’ outlines the notion of being hypnotised by an intoxicating relationship.
