Kami Kehoe is back with yet another impressive new single to further solidify her name as one the America’s most promising newcomers.
Punchy and bold in tone, ‘loaded gun’ showcases a kind of pop that delivers a ton of character without having to go overboard on the production.
“My motto is ‘kure the world’ because I know one day I will have a positive impact on a generation of people. If I am able to change one person’s life through my songs or through the words I say, then I’ve reached my goal.”
Working with much respected Grass Fed Music (home to the likes of Sabrina Claudio and Etham), it seems only a short matter of time before Kehoe will hit the mainstream.
Dylan Conrique’s rise to stardom has been meteoric, to say the least. Since making her music debut in 2020, this multi-talented artist has not only won over millions of fans all across social media, but also found her music streamed more than 210 million times to date.
It’s an impressive feat for the US-based entertainer, singer-songwriter, actress and dancer – who is still in her teen years.
To celebrate the release of nostalgic new single ‘Gatekeeper’, we asked Conrique a few quickfire questions to get an insight into the mind of this hugely popular new starlet.
Could you tell us a little more about the message behind your new single, ‘Gatekeeper’?
The day that I wrote this song I had a big argument with my mom over me wanting to move out. I just wanted to learn how to be on my own but my mom took it personally. When I went into the session I wanted to write a song for my parents to remind them that I’d always be their little girl, no matter what, and that sometimes I have to learn my own lessons.
What inspired you to become a musician?
Sports were never my specialty growing up, not at all haha. But I was always singing, even when I barely knew real English, I was just always singing and putting on shows for my family with my older brother. As I got older, I asked my mom if I could take lessons and I immediately fell in love with it. I was also really interested in acting, and I knew LA was the place to pursue both, so my family eventually made the move so I could give it a shot.
You’re still only 18 years old but you’ve already accomplished so much… What would you say has been your musical career highlight so far?
That’s a hard one! If I had to pick one I would say when I got to headline my own small tour last summer going from Los Angeles all the way to London! I’d always wanted to leave the country and visit London and it was such an amazing experience, the fans I met there were awesome.
Who would your dream collaboration be with, and why?
My dream collaboration would definitely be Gary LeVox from Rascal Flatts! I’ve always wanted to write with him, or even just meet him, since I was a little girl. My dad always played country radio when I was growing up and I remember hearing him and knowing all the words to their songs by heart.
What does 2023 hold in store for you?
I’m going on tour! I can’t wait to be on the road again and sing with the crowds. I also have a lot of new music coming this year that I’m really excited to release. And hopefully I get to visit a lot of new cities on another headline tour later this year!
For those who are not familiar with Harry Was Here, this promising talent is an artist, producer, singer and songwriterbased in LA.
Through a style of work that is refreshingly unique character, Harry Was Here creates songs that balance a current sound with hints of nostalgia.
‘Pet Giraffe’ presents listeners with a beautifully melancholic mix of alt-pop, indie and rock. Elaborating on the meaning behind the song, Harry Was Here explains:
“‘Pet Giraffe’ was written on a day that I was feeling really down for no reason. Lyrically inspired by Bob Dylan, the cryptic messaging comes from a deep place of sadness that always seems to be lurking. It’s that feeling that you are the weight bringing down the people around you. The pet giraffe symbolises an imaginary friend that wants to raise me up to see more clearly.”
If you’re unfamiliar with GLU then you may recognise this artist as Michael Shuman of Queens of the Stone Age and Mini Mansions fame.
Through its playful production, ‘MY DEMONS’ features raw and honest lyricism that is inspired by the long-term effects of childhood trauma.
“A lot of this is me speaking as an adult now, but it’s talking about me as a child. I’m at an age where I don’t care as much about masking things, lyrically.”
The track is lifted from GLU’s upcoming debut EP, which is scheduled for release later this month.
As a much-loved darling within TikTok’s expansive (and at times, very odd) music universe, Spilly Cave has stood out as one of the platform’s most promising musicians over the last year.
Taken from the Harrisburg-based artist’s self-titled album (out now), ‘minutia’ is a subdued and melancholic (but somehow also quite charming) indie sound that has racked up more than 800k streams on Spotify alone.
Spilly Cave currently commands a loyal fanbase all across social media, while also garnering praise from tastemakers and prominent outlets like Pitchfrork, Mashable and more.
Rising LA-based starlet Courtney Paige Nelson returns with an anthemic new single entitled ‘1-800-broke-my-heart’.
Courtney wrote the song as a way to process the trauma that she had endured during a messy breakup. Lyrically raw and relatable, the track’s aim is to empower the broken-hearted, and remind them that better days lie ahead.
“After a terrible breakup which resulted in me finding out my ex was cheating on me with his coworker, I got extremely depressed and wrote this song telling my side of the story since I never got a chance to speak my piece. There wasn’t any closure for me so it was priority to write something that would help decompress the giant knot in my chest. I wanted to be as vulnerable as possible when writing this song, so when it’s released I felt like I was relieved instead of feeling like I should’ve been more open. There was a lot of this story that I think many can relate to as a breakup/ situationship anthem. I say anthem because I want it to empower people, not make them dwell on negative emotions with whatever they are going through. There’s so many sad songs in the world, and I love me a good sad song. But this time I needed something to yell driving down the freeway with my middle finger in the air.”
Born and raised in San Francisco, Courtney Paige Nelson is forging a name for herself as one of American pop’s most promising independent talents.
With millions of streams already under belt, and acclaim from the likes of FLAUNT, The Line of Best Fit, METAL and Entertainment Weekly, this is one artist to watch in 2023.
One of Germany’s most successful new musical exports has been Mar Malade.
A collaboration between friends Alexander Hauer and Michèl M. Almeida, this outfit are winning fans all across the world thanks to their tastefully playful style of indie-pop, amassing nearly twenty million catalogue streams along the way.
‘Moonman’ continues to showcase the duo’s talent, with its bittersweet yet utterly charming story of a lonely astronaut floating in space.
The song is taken from their forthcoming sophomore ‘Balloon’ album, which is scheduled for release this April. Until then, fans can enjoy their debut ‘MAR Malade’here.
Alt-pop star Emei is back with yet another showstopper release.
On the surface, ‘Scatterbrain’ comes across as any other pop song that you’d expect… up until that chorus hits and takes you by surprise.
This is a song that delights and intrigues you to the point where you’ll have it on loop for the rest of the day. And it’s probably the reason why the track has already gone viral, surpassing more than three million views on social media.
Both lyrically and sonically, the ‘Scatterbrain’ was created as a way to reflect the mind of someone with ADHD, and incorporates Emei’s quintessential ‘brain-tingle’ moment.
“So proud of this one it sounds exactly like my brain it’s everything I can’t even express how excited I am.”
In recent years, Copenhagen three-piece Blaue Blume have established themselves as one of Denmark’s most influential and respected indie acts, with a catalogue of works totalling millions of streams globally.
They start the year with a shimmering new single, entitled ‘Crush’. Through its captivating fusion of indie-pop and art rock, the track serves as an inspiration for lovers to keep the excitement within their relationships alive – no matter how much life gets in the way.
“‘Crush’ is pretty much about getting your relationship to sparkle again when you both get stuck in all the practical stuff and everyday life. The song is about dancing and making out again with the one you went out of your way to get, reminding yourself that you really shouldn’t take love for granted. ‘Crush’ is a tribute to girlfriends and boyfriends.” – Jonas Schmidt, Blaue Blume
Blaue Blume are currently readying the release of their next EP, as well as a tour across Denmark which begins this spring.
Acclaimed Swedish singer, songwriter and artist Nea returns with one of the catchiest bops of the week.
Lifted from forthcoming debut album ‘TRANSPARENT’ (out later this year), ‘A Lover Like Me’ serves as a masterclass in Scandinavian pop, with its infectious melody, memorable lyrics and energising sound.
“’A Lover Like Me’ is one of those rare songs that just wrote itself. I had a lyric idea, Daniel [Ledinsky, co-writer & producer] played some chords and two hours later we had the song! I love the rawness of the vocals and the vibe, that there’s an edge to it.”
One of Sweden’s biggest pop successes in recent times, Nea (aka Linnea Södahl) has amassed more than 800 million streams under her own name, while also writing hits for the likes of Zara Larsson, Felix Jaehn, Tove Styrke and Axwell.
You’d be easily fooled into thinking ’60’s Baby.’ was a release from fifty years ago, but alas, it’s a brand new song from New Jersey collective KIDSNOT$AINTS.
Showcasing some of the finest nostalgia-tinged sounds that we’ve come across in quite some time, the track layers a classic 60’s vibe over a modern alt-pop production.
Referencing the likes of Motown, Elvis Presley and The Temptations, this emerging group have somehow brought a very old-school kind of heartbreak song into a very modern world.
Fans of synth will be delighted with today’s release of ‘New State of Mind’ from Bay Area talent Frank Ivy.
Written as an uplifting song to remind us that the future can always be bright, the track treats listeners to an energising fusion of synth, indie and dreamy pop.
“It’s a hopeful and exciting up-tempo record about moving on from the past, and not letting anything hold you back. We zoom out and start thinking about fate, purpose and the perception of time.”
A successful and accomplished multi-dimensional artist, Frank has worked as a singer, bandmate, songwriter and producer over the space of two decades.
For those unfamiliar with SM6, this group of siblings have become one of social media’s fastest-growing music outfits, with more than 2.8 million followers on TikTok alone.
While their style of sound has typically been defined by its bold fusions of electronica, pop and rock, new single ‘Generation Heartbreak’ treats listeners to a different sonic aesthetic.
Inspired by the slow-ballad productions from the early 2000’s, the song was written by vocalist & bassist Isabel Jones “out of sadness for [the band’s] generation” for losing “the old ways of love.”
The track serves as a taster to the SM6’s forthcoming album, which is scheduled for release later in the year.
Madeline has had quite the journey since her debut back in 2020. To date, this rising US-based starlet has achieved more than 1.2 million cumulative streams from the release of just one EP and a few singles.
Rapidly becoming a tastemaker favourite while also building a significant fanbase across the globe, Madeline has found her work featured on iconic outlets like MTV, Early Risisng and Paper Magazine.
Today marks her return with introspective new single ‘Somebody I Know’. Taken from Madeline’s forthcoming ‘Gut Tag’ EP (out next month), the song was inspired by the disconnect between the way we see ourselves, compared to how we come across to others.
“Last summer, I was so frustrated with myself and how shy I had become over the pandemic. I kept getting caught in these situations where I found people’s perception of me was very different from how I viewed myself. Their idea of me was justified, I had become an overthinker/ shy and I had a difficult time changing that. Writing ‘Somebody I Know’ was a way for me to deal with that frustration.”
American artist RIZ LA VIE continues to showcase his impressive (and highly individualistic) style of sound with the unveiling of new single, ‘FYP’.
Written after his move to Los Angeles, the song takes its inspiration from the feelings and thoughts that we experience when we settle into a new environment.
“[The song] is a representation of my love affair with New York City, even while living in Los Angeles. It reflects my feelings of longing, FOMO, and passion as I see my beloved city moving on without me, such as through concerts and billboards, while LA tries to capture my attention. It’s a story of my longing for my true home and my deep emotional connection to it.”
Having garnered more than 100 million career streams to date, LA VIE finally releases his debut album ‘Haven’ on the 9th Feb (pre-save here). The record will feature prominent production personnel like Vic Wainstein, Daniel Hartzog, Lucy Blomkamp, Johan Lenox, KES and Mike Bozzi.
LA VIE will also embark on a tour across North America throughout the spring – dates and tickets can be found here.
Ever-evolving Irish-Nigerian artist 7th Obi has been steadily building an army of loyal fans since the release of his much-acclaimed debut ‘Taxi Club’.
Melodic new single ‘replace me’ perfectly balances elements of indie with alternative R&B and soul, and looks at the ways in which mental health and trauma can contribute towards the breakdown in communication between two people.
“A song like this, for those who know me, isn’t a surprise. This one is for the black kids that love indie FIFA music, listening to The Script, Arctic Monkeys etc. I want to show that black kids don’t have to only be boxed into hip hop and R&B.”
With support from the likes of Highsnobiety, The Irish Times and RTE, this Essex-based talent looks set to take on his biggest year yet.
Sammi Constantine begins the year with a sensational slice of pop that further sets her name as one of Australia’s most exciting talents.
‘Dopamine’ was written by Constantine at a time in her life when she had decided to come off the use of antidepressants, and inspires us to let go of all the negative people and situations that hold us down.
“Dopamine is a chemical released in the brain that is responsible for allowing you to feel satisfaction, pleasure and motivation. ‘Dopamine’ is the direct result of feeling like I was working against all odds trying to make my music connect, keeping toxic friendships alive, and never feeling likeable or good enough.”
As an acclaimed singer (and songwriter to the stars), Constantine displays a natural flair for creating relatable songs that are not only melodically memorable, but lyrically captivating.
Two prominent Norwegian artists have just released a very special collaboration that deserves your attention!
Serving as a teaser to ‘Part I’ of Ponette’s upcoming album (out later this year), ‘Beats Me Up’ features the work of acclaimed producer Coucheron.
The track showcases a refined electronic sound that is experimental and unique, yet still maintains some pop sensibilities.
“‘Beats Me Up’ was created during a massive wave of feelings. Totally overwhelming. I just had to find a way to communicate all of the raw emotions that had been building up in my body for a while, and I want the song to feel like that when you listen to it as well. I hope people can relate, and that I’m not totally crazy.” – Ponette
With support from the likes of Acid Stag andThe Line of Best Fit,as well as an impressive catalogue of releases that currently garners more than 100k monthly Spotify listeners, Ponette has marked herself as one of Norway’s next big musical exports.
Rising American singer and songwriter Rowan Drake returns today with an impressive new single called ‘Elephant In The Room’.
Prior to its official release, the song’s presence on social media had garnered more than five million views through TikTok and Instagram, making it one of Drake’s most hyped and anticipated singles to date.
Inspired by a relationship breakdown, ‘Elephant In The Room’ presents listeners with a refreshingly raw and emotionally charged sound. Elaborating further on the track, Drake explains:
“‘Elephant In The Room’ represents the neglect I showed to my partner in my relationship. It’s the feeling of holding on so tightly to something you care about that it suffocates. Turning your blinders on to everything that has been lost in hopes it will just disappear. The elephant in the room is the fact that we’d reached our expiration date but I wasn’t willing to admit that in my case. The song started with me playing a strange tuning on my guitar in my empty apartment and hearing the verse melody. The emotion was born and everything seemed to just fall into place afterwards. It’s been beautiful to see the song resonate in the way it has.”
Dark-pop chanteuse LEXXE returns with a poignant new single dedicated to her late father Xavier, entitled ‘X’.
Released today to coincide with what would have been his birthday, the song serves as an ode to Xavier, and presents listeners with a sound that feels raw and emotive – yet also euphoric in tone.
“A few years ago I was performing and could absolutely swear I saw my father sitting front row. I love to write about the supernatural and the things we don’t understand, so while I acknowledge that seeing him could’ve been something my mind made up, it doesn’t make it any less poignant. The song is composed of different lines about me questioning life and death, talking about real life events (the show where I thought I saw him, his friends seeing me in random bars and crying because I look like him, the last time I saw him) and it’s really a question of do we ever really die?”
As an accomplished artist, LEXXE is not only a singer and songwriter but also producer, professionally-trained dancer and performer. Alongside her work as a solo musician, LEXXE performs with Brooklyn’s famed Company XIV troupe.
