Undoubtedly one of Norway’s biggest pop exports in recent years (she’s amassed over 2 billion streams to date), Astrid S has released new album ‘Leave It Beautiful‘ today, and each song is a shimmering slice of perfected synth pop (just like ‘Hits Different’, which is one of my personal favourites).
The creator of her own self-described ‘BITCH PØP’ sound, BETSIE GØLD is back with one of those songs that stays locked in your head hours after you first play it. Which is fine by me, since it’s a slice of cute bliss.
“It’s about being completely overcome with every single emotion possible when starting a relationship with someone new after a really long time. It’s exciting, terrifying, fun, anxiety inducing. We basically made a list of everything that makes us feel overwhelmed or over stimulated and added a melody to it.”
One of the most promising pop talents to emerge out of the Netherlands lately, HEBE returns today with a stunningly emotive love song that delicately describes the fragility of love when you first begin to fall for someone.
“‘Cards On The Table’ is a love song exploring the vulnerability and doubt that come with the early stages of a relationship. The frightening moment you put your cards on the table, you hope the time is right to let your guard down, expose yourself and be loved and accepted.”
Taken from the EP ‘Cards On The Table’ which is out now.
Just you wait til that first chorus hits, because this is one of the most intense pieces of dark Scandinavian pop you’ll experience all week. The track looks at those sleepless nights we all experience when anxiety takes over, and how those thoughts can create a prison in our minds.
“I think everyone can relate to the feeling of not always being able to be your true self. You put yourself down and judge yourself based out of fear, and fear breeds fear. And the more space you give something, the more real it becomes.”
If you’re not in tune with the current British music scene, let me fill you in on Ramz. He’s one of the country’s biggest names of late, being a Brit-nominated, platinum certified talent who’s amassed over 3.3 million record sales, 715 million streams and 100 million YouTube views. He teams up with fellow UK artist SK on this release, and it’s a glorious dedication to African culture.
“This track means so much to me because it shows another side to me. It’s my tribute to all my African kings and queens! Linking up with SK was so sick. We knew each other from school, so it’s all natural and you can tell that from the vibe of the track. This one’s for the culture!” – Ramz
Jarryd James consistently delights with premium soul and RnB releases. Watch out for the next album, ‘P.M.’ which is scheduled for release late January 2021.
One of the most powerful protest songs that I have heard yet, DWY delivers a raw, intense and hugely emotive piece of alternative soul and RnB with lyricism that commands your ears to listen.
“I wrote ‘Black Boy’ to make an anthem for people who look like me. Everyday Iʼm bombarded with images and videos of slain young black men and women and it makes me mad, it makes me cry and I just needed to express those feelings. We lose them so early into their lives. Weʼve lost potential, weʼve lost part of our future. Theres a pain you see in the eyes of a mother when they lose a child, its a pain I canʼt yet begin to understand but I wanted to make a record to say I see you, and Iʼm here with you in spirit.”
Taken from the new Pop Can Records protest compilation ‘Sound the Alarm’. All Bandcamp proceeds will be donated to Street Watch LA, a grassroots coalition that fights Homelessness and tenant rights.
A beautifully introspective and emotive piece of sad-pop that looks at the way people behave when they try to show others that their relationships are healthier than they really are.
Quirky indie pop doesn’t get more charming than this. The entire EP is a joyride, to be honest. Give it a spin here.
A finessed blend of hip hop and RnB from a Californian talent who isn’t afraid to push some boundaries.
Musical beauty in it’s most simplest form. The track is part of the soundtrack to a new Disney musical drama called ‘Clouds‘, which is based on the memoir ‘Fly a Little Higher: How God Answered a Mom’s Small Prayer in a Big Way‘, about the life and death of singer-songwriter Zach Sobiech.
“It’s a very emotional movie, it touches on love romantically and familial, health, and fulfilling your life and achieving your dreams. These are all things that I believe the average person thinks or has at least thought about before. I think of these things all the time and expressing them is hard. This song is basically a stream of consciousness and the things that keep me up at night. They’re the things that worry me and make me happy.”
Gorgeously textured and experimental yet highly emotive and immersive, Son Lux debut a piece of electronic indie which is so sublime and ethereal that it commands your attention from the first note.
Taken from ‘Tomorrows II’, the second album in a three-volume body of work, which is due out on 4th December via City Slang.
Someone tell my baby that I need her
I’ve been dying just to see her
I’ve been crying day to day
And girl, I’m begging you to stay with me
This is the kind of song we need in our lives right now… The lyricism reminds us that we are just all humans who have no idea how the world will end up shaping us.
Say, what are you here for?
What do you live for?
What did you do to me that makes me wanna live more
How did you get here? How do you see more?
Who do you think about when you’re bored
UK super-talent SL’s release of ‘Felt Tips’ coincides with the announcement of his foundation, which he set up recently in response to the Black Lives Matter movement.
The fund will see him pledge to donate a minimum of £100,000 to charities that empower young people from all ethnicities across Britain (before extending the reach to his grandparents’ community in Nigeria).
A true star in the making, and one who has already set his sights at trying to help fix the world we live in, while still aged just 19-years old.
Texan wonder-kid Zachary Knowles continues to impress with his unique approach to RnB and pop on this mellow slice of perfection.
“I’m always searching for new music, so I have a lot of inspiration from artists who are still emerging. I don’t sit down and think about what kind of song I write – if I hear a cool beat, I’m gonna write a song around it.”
The perfect blend of melancholic RnB and soulful hip hop.
“I wrote this one during a bit of a rough patch. It was weird time when it felt like a lot of things were getting off track, relationships, business, just everything. I was spending a lot of time in the studio alone drinking and just kinda let it all pour out.” – Dante Jones, THEY.
Taken from ‘The Amanda Tape’ which is set for release 23rd October via Avant Garden/ Island Records.
Track of the week. An almighty sound that exudes intensity in an epic fashion. Dark, powerful and utterly compelling.
Taken from debut EP ‘The Storm’ which is out on 23rd October and can be pre-saved here.
Self-taught indie-soul sensation Joesef unveils new visuals to celebrate the release of new EP ‘Does It Make You Feel Good?’ which is out now via AWAL.
“This EP draws a line under a relationship that I’ve written about in ‘Play Me Something Nice’ – if that EP felt more hopeful, this is the end game. The bitterness, and the lies that stem from fading love, to the aftermath of dealing with loss and regret, and finally taking responsibility for my own actions. I don’t really give much away ever, so it will always make me feel uncomfortable sharing such personal aspects of my life, but maybe if it can help me work some shit out, it could help somebody else too.”
