Category: Listen

Alex Vaughn – So Be It

American artist Alex Vaughn returns with a sensational slice of emotive R&B that is sure to propel this rising starlet even further into the mainstream.

‘So Be It’ is lifted from Vaughn’s new EP ‘The Hurtbook’ (out now), of which she says:

“The project started off as a compilation of thoughts from an old relationship but grew into a quilted map of patterns and events that applied to more than just romance. It’s about being honest with yourself and how you feel about those changes that are happening. Most importantly, it’s a reminder that though these series of events may have hurt you, you are not broken.”

To date, Vaughn commands more than 300k monthly listeners on Spotify alone, while critical acclaim comes from noted outlets like Essence and Hot New Hip Hop.

Alex Vaughn

maxime. – mile end

UK-based fans of maxime. could be forgiven for thinking new single ‘mile end’ was inspired by London’s East End, but the track is actually dedicated to a Montreal neighbourhood that this emerging artist moved to so he could pursue his music career.

No stranger to hard work, maxime. is already readying the release of his next EP, which comes out in March 2023.

A series of singles will precede the launch date, but in the meantime fans can enjoy summer’s ‘rubber checks’ EP, which is out now.

maxime.

Lucy McWilliams – Bumblebees and Blue Skies

Irish artist Lucy McWilliams is back with a beautifully mellow and soulful sound through the release of new single ‘Bumblebees and Blue Skies’.

Proving the concept that ‘less is more’, the track’s lofty production treats listeners to a piece of music that is alluring and charming to experience. Speaking on the lyrics, McWilliams explains:

“I guess it’s the feeling of loving someone so dearly and knowing that you might not be good for each other but to savour what you do have while you still have it. I feel a lot of what I write touches on this, but ‘Bumblebees and Blue Skies’ is the idea of running away and having your little world together until it breaks apart; in a fantastic world essentially.”

This rising singer-songwriter continues to build momentum with every release, and currently commands an impressive 207k monthly listeners on Spotify alone.

Lucy McWilliams

Garvie – Decisions Decisions

It wouldn’t be a normal Friday without sharing a pop bop anthem with you all, and this week it comes courtesy of British talent Garvie.

Playful new single ‘Decisions Decisions’ was inspired by the struggles that some of us face in making life choices. Lyrically, the song covers topics as wide-ranging as religion, hustle culture, and our addictions with technology.

“I’m terrible at decision making – I wrote this to convince myself that 90% of the decisions I make are meaningless. That’s a lie… but I can’t make choices when I think they’re important.”

 To date, Garvie’s work has received airplay from the likes of BBC Radio 6 Music and Amazing Radio, while his songs have also been playlisted on prominent Spotify editorials like Lorem, Ultimate Indie and Soiree.

Garvie

Freya Beer + Tom Saint – Honeymoon Eyes

Acclaimed UK singer-songwriter Freya Beer joins forces with rising artist and performer Tom Saint on the release of new single ‘Honeymoon Eyes’.

Through its perfected mix of indie, electronica and alternative-pop, the song highlights the issues attached to relationships that seemingly have an ‘expiry date’.

‘Honeymoon Eyes’ continues Beer’s style of ‘glam goth noir’ artistry, and was co-produced alongside Saint and Peter Hobbs.

Freya Beer | Tom Saint

Gimme Gimme + Keiynan Lonsdale – Better

We are kicking the weekend off with a sublime piece of dreamy R&B-pop from two of Australia’s most impressive musical outfits.

Serving as the follow-up to Gimme Gimme’s acclaimed ‘Day Drinking’ (which was released earlier this summer), new single ‘Better’ is lifted from the duo’s forthcoming EP and features the talents of Keiynan Lonsdale.

Rising brother-sister project Gimme Gimme have marked themselves as one of the continent’s newest prospects, already garnering more than 170k catalogue streams to date, while Lonsdale is a noted actor and singer who has been featured on shows as prominent as Legends of Tomorrow and Dance Academy.

Gimme Gimme | Keiynan Lonsdale

Jamila Woods – Boundaries

Photo / Tim Adorf

One of Chicago’s most acclaimed creatives in recent years, poet, activist, educator and singer-songwriter Jamila Woods returns with new single ‘Boundaries’.

Produced by BLVK, the song is lyrically inspired by the complexities of personal boundaries when venturing in to a new romance.

“‘Boundaries’ is a song about the negotiation between private and shared space in a new relationship, the risk involved in letting someone get close enough to see your rough edges. I think a lot about the Prentice Hemphill quote, ‘Boundaries are the distance at which I can love you and me simultaneously.’ The song is about learning the difference between erecting boundaries out of fear versus out of love.”

Woods currently commands more than 850k monthly listeners on Spotify, while her collective catalogue of music releases have so far accumulated well over 60 million streams globally.

Jamila Woods

Janice – My Kind Of Woman

Not many talents can claim to have released a new single and EP while also launching their international acting debut at the same time. But that is most certainly the case for Swedish artist Janice.

Lifted from new EP ‘The Playlist’ (out now), ‘My Kind Of Woman’ expertly fuses nostalgic soul and alternative R&B with power-pop, ultimately creating a bold anthem for body acceptance:

“‘My Kind Of Woman’ is an anthem that celebrates women of all shapes and sizes. It’s about being the woman you want to be. Dare to throw yourself out there, flourish and believe in your own power. Don’t let anyone else define you.”

Janice also stars in Netflix drama series ‘The Playlist’, which was inspired by the origins of Spotify (streaming globally now).

Janice

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Tommy Richman – Star Girl

Representing the state of Virginia is one of the most interesting newcomers to emerge from the US in quite some time.

While still only 21-years of age, Tommy Richman has already amassed well over 3.5 million catalogue streams to date, thanks to an eclectic style of music-making that truly is genre-bending in every way imaginable.

With praise from the likes of Lyrical Lemonade, Pigeons and Planes and Daily Chiefers already under his belt, it won’t be long before Richman hits the global mainstream.

Tommy Richman

Martin Luke Brown – grateful

UK talent Martin Luke Brown returns with a blissful slice of indie-pop through the release of new single ‘grateful’.

Serving as the perfect antidote to those midweek blues, the track is lifted from Brown’s forthcoming debut album, which is out next year.

“I played it to my best mate and he he laughed and said something like ‘mate this is so you’. As an artist I don’t feel like I ever landed anywhere that felt fully authentic to me, so that felt like the best compliment I could possibly have got. I love it, it’s just chill innit. I love that the whole chorus sentiment is ‘let’s go for a walk’, it’s so basic but feels so true. Amidst all the complication and existential angst I really do believe that life is best simple.” 

Brown is not only an artist in his own right, but has also worked alongside the likes of BTS, Jacob Banks, Gavin James, Greta Isaac, Sody and Jack Kane as a co-writer or producer.

Martin Luke Brown

insha – Drifting

Photo / Gennelle Cruz

Promising newcomer insha returns with an infectiously memorable slice of alternative pop that is sure to stick with you for the rest of the day.

Taken from the forthcoming debut EP ‘5:55’ (out 11th November), new single ‘Drifting’ is inspired by the conflicting emotions that we sometimes experience when in love.

“I was going through a very confusing weird teen romance the Summer I wrote ‘Drifting’. I was super mad at someone, and I was just like ‘I can’t stand you, I know you’re into me!’ hahah. I was really inspired by REI AMI and her shifting songs, where she puts up a front and then switches up and reveals her truth. So I wanted to be kinda like ‘whatever boy bye’ and then switch up and be like ‘actually I’m really hurt’. Not really deep, but I feel like a lot of people can feel that.”

To date, insha’s work has been featured by the likes of Billboard, Notion and The Line of Best Fit. Visuals for ‘Drifting’ were created alongside Canadian creatives Kid Studio.

insha

Piers James – SHOWBIZ

Track of the week. Rising rap talent Piers James is back with a song that is certain to solidify his status as one of the UK’s next big hip hop stars.

Eclectic and energising in style, new single ‘SHOWBIZ’ was lyrically inspired by James’s thoughts on the creative industry:

“‘SHOWBIZ’ explores the experience of navigating the creative industry. That can place restrictions on an artist’s creativity to be a digestible product for the masses. The question is, do you serve your true artistry or do you serve the algorithm?”

To date, this emerging multi-disciplinary artist has received critical acclaim from the likes of GRM Daily, Hypebeast, BBC Introducing, Wonderland, Dummy and 1883 Magazines.

Piers James

Precious Pepala – Looking For Trouble

Photo / Leah Abdulla

While still only 17-years of age, UK talent Precious Pepala continues to impress with her uniquely captivating style of pop.

‘Looking For Trouble’ presents listeners with a song that was lyrically inspired by the dangers that women face when walking alone in the night.

“‘Looking for Trouble’ is a song about rape culture and victim blaming. It addresses the unfortunately relatable feeling of fear when walking alone at night as a female. The lyrics also address the way that victims of sexual abuse are all too commonly questioned about things such as their clothing, actions or level of intoxication as if to justify predatory behaviour. I feel very passionately about discussing this subject matter through my music and I hope this song acts as a conversation starter, because these issues need to be discussed until we see change.”

With support from the likes of Dazed Magazine, as well as an ever-growing fanbase across social media, Pepala is most certainly one artist to watch.

Precious Pepala

Reneé Rapp – Don’t Tell My Mom

Musician and performer Reneé Rapp unveils one of the most moving pop songs of the week.

Co-written by acclaimed songwriters UPSAHL, Riley & Connor McDonough and Henry Walter, new single ‘Don’t Tell My Mom’ tells of the moments in Rapp’s life when she felt the need to hide her problems from her family.

So don’t tell my mom, I’m falling apart

She hurts when I hurt, my scars are her scars

Amassing more than 14 million catalogue streams to date, Rapp is very quickly solidifying herself as one of pop’s newest starlets.

Reneé Rapp

chloe moriondo – Plastic Purse

American singer-songwriter chloe moriondo unveils visuals for new single ‘Plastic Purse’, alongside the release of a brand new album today.

Lifted from ‘SUCKERPUNCH’ (out now), ‘Plastic Purse’ continues to showcase moriondo’s perfected style of pop. Speaking on the track, she says:

“[Plastic Purse] is the most fun I’ve ever had writing lyrics – it’s me getting my anger out about stupid indie boys who take advantage of girls, picturing them as these tiny little creatures that I scoop up and then throw into a plastic purse.”

With a huge fanbase across social media (including three million YouTube subscribers and 600k Instagram followers), as well as tastemaker support from the likes of Billboard, Dork, Teen Vogue and NYLON Magazines, it seems inevitable that moriondo will become one of pop’s biggest global stars in 2023.

Fans in the UK and Europe can look forward to a string of live dates next year – tickets can be found here.

chloe moriondo

February 2023 UK Tour

  • Fri 10 – Brighton Concorde 2
  • Sat 11 – Manchester, Academy 2
  • Sun 12 – Glasgow, SWG3 (TV studio)
  • Tue 14 – Leeds, Leeds Beckett Students Union
  • Wed 15 – Birmingham, O2 Academy 2
  • Thu 16 – Bristol, SWX
  • Sat 18 – London, O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire

Etaoin – If You Called

Photo / Daniel A Harris

One of indie-folk’s freshest faces returns today with a beautifully captivating and emotive song.

Inspired by heartbreak, Etaoin’s ‘If You Called’ presents listeners with a stripped-back production that sets the scene for some powerfully raw and honest lyrics to shine through. Elaborating further on the song, Etaoin explains:

“After my first heartbreak I made a pact with myself to never let myself care that much about anyone ever again, but then I met this boy from Ireland. We used to drive through the Irish countryside and walk the beaches and talk for hours in his car, it was literally like shit straight out of a Hannah Montana movie.”

“He was so patient and kind and everything I should have needed, but I was so hurt and scarred that I was too scared to trust any boy and I didn’t want to commit. This caused a lot of issues and nine months in we called it quits. I realised after it all went down that I really put him through hell by pushing him away and acting like I didn’t care all the time.”

Now commanding more than 80k monthly listeners on Spotify alone, the momentum for this hugely talented singer and songwriter continues to grow. Etaoin tours across the UK later this month, with the dates listed below.

Etaoin

Live Shows October 2022

  • 12 October, McHugh’s Bar, Belfast
  • 13 October, The Workman’s Cellar, Dublin
  • 15 October, Dolans, Limerick
  • 19 October, 33 Oldham Street, Manchester
  • 20 October, Camden Assembly, London

clide – FALLIN UP

There really are very few pop musicians to have emerged in recent years who have managed to maintain as high a quality of workmanship as clide.

Following on from the release of his ‘ALLERGIC’ EP (out now), today sees the talented artist return with new single ‘FALLIN UP’, of which he says:

“‘FALLIN UP’ is the first of many songs that sheds a light on the bright side of love, rather than on the pain it used to cause me. Setting the tone for my upcoming project, it feels melancholic and euphoric to me at the same time. The perfect vibe for your chill playlist to get you through fall and winter.”

clide has grown to command more than 560k monthly listeners on Spotify alone, while songs like ‘broken parts’, ‘lost’ and ‘come back’ have helped this artist acquire well over 26 million catalogue streams to date.

clide

Tedious & Brief – Tired Work

American project Tedious & Brief unveil their latest single today, entitled ‘Tired Work’.

Inspired by the likes of Matt Maeson, Maggie Rogers and Billie Eilish, the track presents listeners with an impressive mix of alternative pop and indie rock.

“I had a really bad boss that abused his position of authority and threatened me. ‘Tired Work’ is a proverbial middle finger to him and anyone in a position of authority like him who uses their power to abuse and threaten the people they’ve deemed below them. My hope is that this song is an anthem for anyone who’s been treated in this way and for them to know that these people won’t get away with it.” Jamie Jacobsen, Tedious & Brief

The song marks a new creative chapter for this emerging outfit, who are departing from the indie-pop sound that they have come to be known for – and moving into a darker and more alternative style of music-making.

Tedious & Brief

Fellow Kids – Fire Away

Canadian outfit Fellow Kids are currently crafting some of the catchiest and most energising pieces of pop-rock to emerge from the country.

New single ‘Fire Away’ was born back in 2020, when it was nothing more than a bass line. After the band experimented with the song through a few demos, the track was finally recorded alongside acclaimed producer Tom Dobrzanski (who is noted for his work with the The Zolas, Said The Whale and We Are The City).

“We experimented with funk-style inspired guitar licks as well as an interesting ‘dream sequence’ during the bridge with dense layers of instrument parts and distorted vocals. We’d never really messed around with experimental vocals before, but with producer Tom Dobrzanski, who’s creative and technically musical mind elevated the song to help capture the vibe we were aiming for, we really pushed the boundaries with Fire Away.”

“The song is essentially about the tension between doing the right thing and going against it. It is a snapshot of someone in a moment of their life when they leaned into some demons.”

Fans in Vancouver can catch Fellow Kids performing live at The Roxy on the 22nd October – tickets can be found here.

Fellow Kids

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Sarah Cothran – I’m Here

Photo / Zachary Wright

Garnering hundreds of millions of streams while still only 20-years of age, Nashville artist Sarah Cothran has become one of pop’s newest (and youngest) global stars.

Now signed to the iconic Republic Records, the singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer unveils her much anticipated new EP ‘i hope you’re happy’ (out now).

After initially posting music since 2017, Cothran picked up viral success with her acclaimed rendition of Matt Maltese’s ‘As The World Caves In’. She joins Alec Benjamin on select dates later this month in the US.

Sarah Cothran

US Live Dates 2022 (with Alec Benjamin)

  • Oct 12th – Oakland, CA – Fox Theater
  • Oct 14th – Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Palladium