Category: Listen

Rose Gray – Nothing Can Stop Us

This cover by Rose Gray of the classic hit ‘Nothing Can Stop Us’ by Saint Etienne is nothing short of genius. If this kid wants to bring the 90’s back in 2020 then I’m here for it!

“Saint Etienne is my favourite band. I’ve fallen in love with their music. ‘Nothing Can Stop Us’ was originally released in 1991, when the UK 90s dance scene was just being born. It’s an era of music I am fascinated by; I wasn’t born but maybe somehow through my mother’s eyes I partied to it. This song entwines dance music, 60s samples and incredible melody and melancholy.“

Rose Gray

Menke – Echo of Youth – Story Behind The Music (Short Film)

Today marks World Mental Health Day across the globe; a time to remember that pain can hurt just as much when it’s unseen, as it is seen.

With that in mind, Swedish singer Menke has released a deeply personal short film to accompany the collection of songs from ‘Echo of Youth‘ that were written over a ten year period when her life was turned upside down as a result of depression in her family.

During that time, Menke had to move from Berlin where she was performing as a folk singer, back home to her native Sweden to look after her 13-year old sister.

Their mother had lost the ability to function as a parent due to her deep depression, and Menke had to step up and look after her sibling full time.

The EP is heartfelt a story of struggle, and the departure of youth as one transitions to adulthood.

“We recorded the songs in one long take, not track by track. I wanted to capture a human and close feel – the withered and the exposed.“

Menke

Niko B – Quick Drive

Niko B’s latest release is proof that this talent really does have an uncanny ability to create joy through music with natural ease. Something we all need this year!

“‘Quick Drive’ was made for people to bop to and to remind them of the end of summer. It’s a very end of summer kinda song gives people a feeling to look back on all the memories they made. I imagine all my songs to be sung at Karaoke when i’m like 50 and I feel like this song does just that too. Very fun and boppy.”

Niko B

Sam Lynch – Keeping Time

Canadian talent Sam Lynch has crafted a song that is just about the most beautiful blend of indie and folk you could wish for.

“A song about losing your footing, and the endless search for something steady to hold on to.”

Taken from the new album ‘Little Disappearance’ which is out now.

Sam Lynch

Palace Winter – Richard (Says Yes) (feat. Penny Police)

Judging by the stream of singles so far, Palace Winter are shaping up to release one of the most exciting Danish albums later year. This track came about when the band were watching a Jimi Hendrix documentary and saw Little Richard come on.

“Little Richard came on and we were both just floored by how f***in’ alive and funny and inspiring he was. So, he kind of became this little team mascot for us. Like, just do it ALL! ‘Put some sugar on it, man! MORE!’ So this song is exactly that. Richard says yes to f***in’ EVERYTHING! It’s a ‘big colourful banger to fill the canvas.’ – Carl Coleman, Palace Winter

Taken from the upcoming album ‘…Keep Dreaming, Buddy’ which you can pre-save now ahead of it’s release on 23rd October.

Palace Winter

Welshy – Haiti

One of Ireland’s biggest discoveries of late, Welshy has already garnered over 41 million streams and gained recognition from the likes of BTS, Kygo and The Chainsmokers.

The release of ‘Haiti’ becomes official with this edit, after a bootleg version went viral and exceeded a million streams.

“When I started the original demo version of ‘Haiti’, never in my wildest dreams would I have ever predicted the journey this track would take me on. My favourite thing about this record is it seems to have literally travelled around the globe. From Haiti to Ireland to Montreal to the UK and now the world.”

Welshy

Benjamin Roustaing – Monday

The likelihood of this song taking over the airwaves across Europe in the coming months is close to certain, if you ask me. A madly infectious slice of indie pop from the Stockholm-based talent that is Benjamin Roustaing.

“[The song is] about a recent relationship that’s gone wrong, where one person simply wants more than the other person involved.”

Benjamin Roustaing

VARPU – Pretty Girls

One of the most endearing Swedish talents of the year, VARPU is back today with a song that is the epitome of melancholy pop, Scandinavian style.

“I wanna share a song with you that I wrote after finding out that my boyfriend cheated on me. I instantly knew from the tone of his voice that my universe was about to get pulled out from under me and the days that followed were like quarantine without the virus, just Netflix and social distancing.”

VARPU

Salt Ashes – Cut You With A Kiss

A haunting and sinister slice of electro-pop from a British talent who I have been championing for almost as long as I have been running this site!

“’Cut You With A Kiss’ is about questioning the integrity of someone’s new girlfriend and believing that she isn’t good for them. It’s a dark place where honesty gets confused for jealousy so maybe these things shouldn’t be said out loud.”

Salt Ashes

Anna Bergendahl – Vera

While on the surface ‘Vera’ comes across as a typical (and beautifully melodic) country-pop tune, the story behind the lyricism takes this song to a whole new level, and one which is poignant and extremely moving.

“My family has suffered from terrible disease, and the song is from the perspective of the future, when everyone is well again. Until then I put my faith in the whisper in the wind – may it be the whisper of God or love or just wishful thinking – nevertheless I hear it.”

Anna Bergendahl

Roosevelt – Feels Right

“’Feels Right’ is about a feeling of stoic empowerment. When I wrote the song, it began with an ESG-influenced funk loop, which even in its rawest form had something very euphoric and playful. It’s definitely one of the songs on the album that came together really easily – one of these where the song dictates which direction to go rather than you overthinking it for weeks.”

Taken from the new album ‘Polydans’ which is out 26th Feb 2021 via City Slang / Greco-Roman.

Roosevelt