With a distinct vocal timbre, UK singer-songwriter Blakey has built himself a solid fan base in recent years, and now garners an impressive 340k monthly listeners on Spotify alone.
Today marks his return with anthemic pop ballad ‘One Last Kiss’, which is sure to elevate this hugely promising artist even further into the mainstream.
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American pop artist Beck Pete offers a tongue in cheek outlook on love with the release of her infectiously catchy new alt-jam ‘April Fools in February’.
While drawing inspiration from Pete’s tendency to learn life’s lessons the hard way, the song chooses to lighten the load of heartbreak – by allowing herself and the listeners to laugh at it together.
“If I wouldn’t have stayed in a hotel that night, With free HBO and room to decide. Oh maybe we’d have figured out a way to get by. Cheat codes always would have been assigned to your side, I’ve never said sorry so much. And neither have you, it’s fucked up”
April Fools in February
Taken from the new EP ‘Scared of Everything, Pt. 1’, which is out now.
Ivor Novello-award nominated multi-instrumentalist Kamal. is back with a summer-tinged and upbeat release through his new single ‘better’.
Directed by LOOSE, the accompanying video was shot in Kazakhstan and sees Kamal. and his friends driving through the terrains.
Following the phenomenal success of his debut EP ‘war outside’ (which has amassed 114 million streams to date), Kamal. has also just commenced a UK and EU tour, with tickets here.
Today marks the return of Canada’s finest, TITUS BANK. Summery new single ‘Radio’ is one of the catchiest alt-pop bops that I have come across so far this month.
With its pristine production, 80’s synth hooks, a wash of harmonies and an anthemic chorus, this could well be one of the stand-out hits for the season ahead.
“I wrote this song with the amazing and talented Jack Newsome while I was away on my first writing trip in LA. This tune ended up being inspired by one lyric that I had written down in my notebook ‘love is only better on the radio’. We sat there and explored and talked and eventually came up with the concept that the love that can rival my wife and I’s is only possible in the ideals of songs and artists on the radio. It’s a song about growing up being an awkward kid and how the early stages of my relationship with my now wife were so clammy and classically cringey. I would love to be like the great swooners and songwriters of our time but in reality, our love still rivals anything that actually exists in this world and the only love that can come close to our cute little awkward love would be the stuff you hear on the radio. The sound is definitely a new exploration for me as it has a lot of 80’s elements and this sort of age-old four on the floor upbeat feel in the chorus.”
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Formed during the onset of the Pandemic, Brisbane-based outfit Alta Falls create an alternative style of melodic indie-pop that incorporates elements of nostalgic synth – resulting in sounds that feel charming and distinctive in equal measures.
The lyrics for ‘Trust Me’ were inspired by a bittersweet trip to the 2017 AFL Grand Final:
“My team, the Adelaide Crows, were in their first grand final after almost twenty years, and my hopes were riding high to achieve a childhood dream of watching them win a flag. Unfortunately it wasn’t to be. And although it was a heartbreaking result there are still plenty of fond memories, including taking in the post-match The Killers concert along with the other half of Alta Falls, Matt.” – Nathanael, lead singer.
Rising UK R&B star JVCK JAMES is back with a dreamy slice of soulful perfection in the form of his new single ‘Hennessy Tears’.
With its smooth beat and rhythmic vocals, the profound lyrics tell of the overwhelming feelings of falling in love.
The song is taken from stunning new project ‘ON THE ROCKS’, of which JVCK JAMES says:
“‘ON THE ROCKS’ is a journey through the different emotions of falling for someone in your early 20’s (Generation Z). When sex is so accessible it’s hard to differentiate the blurred line between love and lust. However, there comes a point where temporary love is not an option anymore.”
Emerging form Germany is singer songwriter, artist and producer Micayl. With a luxuriously finessed approach to R&B and soul, this artist constructs sounds that feel timelessly classic while still maintaining a current edge.
New single ‘Half Hearted Lover’ is a gorgeously emotive slice of melancholy that is sure to win this rising star a whole new legion of fans.
‘Oh Me Oh Life’ is out now | Micayl
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Now my life’s a downward spiral, got my broken heart recycled.
Please tell me where are I’ve lost sight of what to do, don’t spend one day in my shoes now
Tell me where you are.
You tell me it will be okay but I know we will never be the same.
I know that I can’t work with maybe’s, please tell me that you want to meet again.
Rising Scottish starlet Bow Anderson is back with an anthemic new release in the form of new single ‘Mama Said’.
Emotive and melodic in tone, the song’s production fuses Anderson’s lifelong love of 60’s soul with the R&B-leanings of early Rihanna, giving the sound a fresh yet classic feel.
“‘Mama Said’ is a song about my first relationship. It was new and I didn’t really know what I was doing. My mum could see it was unhealthy but I never listened to her, and in the end it got pretty toxic. I wanted to write this song because I finally realised she was right and that maybe I should have listened to what my ‘mama said’. This song is dedicated to my mum for helping me get through the heartbreak.”
Canadian singer-songwriter Mia Baron may still only be 14-years of age, but this rising starlet is already proving herself to be one of the nation’s most exciting emerging prospects.
Relatable new single ‘Hypochondriac’ is all about the fear that something bad will happen every time you get hurt, and observes our natural instinct to overreact and assume the worst.
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Continuing to showcase excellence within the R&B musical spectrum, London-based artist Tora-i returns with spectacular new single ‘Lounging’.
Produced by Grammy-winning producer & saxophonist Venna (WizKid, Burna Boy), the song serves as an exploration of separation and making tough decisions.
“’Lounging’ is an everyday conversation between partners, they’re going back and forth but still there isn’t any movement. A pretty common and unnecessary stage and it’s ultimately about deciding what’s more important ego or the betterment of you both. This was my first quarantina song, prior I never used to write on beats and to be fair there’s nothing better than being in the room with someone and creating. However it came quite naturally despite the circumstances and once Venna and I were able to get into a studio it was really just about fine tuning. This was written about a relationship close to me so there’s a certain level of separation but sometimes when you’re not as close you can see aside the smoke.”
Tora-i is already experiencing an immense year, having racked up Ones To Watch features from the likes of British Vogue, British GQ, Nylon, Pigeons & Planes, Complex UK, Notion, Line Of Best Fit and Hypebeast.
Acclaimed Brooklyn born and raised talent Chloe Lilac treats fans with the release of fresh a mixtape today, alongside visuals for her new single, ‘lily’s backyard.’
“‘lily’s backyard’ is about betrayal. When you let someone in and they let you down.”
Speaking of the mixtape, Lilac says, “This mixtape is all about losing the people you love most. Whether that’s losing a best friend, losing a romantic partner, or losing yourself. It can be hard to let go when people come in and out of your life, you could feel betrayed, you could feel heartbreak, you could feel anger, but at the end of the day, it all comes back to love.”
American pop songstress Ruelle returns today with one of the catchiest releases of the week.
With over 500,000,000 career streams on Spotify alone, this Nashville-based artist and songwriter never disappoints – and ‘In It’ continuing to impress.
Being so online, most of us never take the time to go beneath the surface and dig deep in our connections anymore. The track is all about committing to do the work in your personal relationships – being ‘in it’ for good in our friendships, romances, and so on.
Taken from Ruelle’s forthcoming 5-song EP, out later this year.
One of my favourite newcomers to emerge from Denmark this year has been guitarist & songwriter Freddy Madson. Today sees his return through a new collaboration that features the talents of fellow Danish artist Lleoh.
Just in time for the weekend, ‘Feels Right’ is a finessed slice of dreamy Scandinavian dance-pop – the kind that uplifts you in the most subtlest of ways.
“Imagine a club with an irresistible dance floor full of seemingly amazing people you wish you were partying amongst. But you don’t dance like them or fit their dress code and the music is anything but your taste. Anyway, here you are, considering to compromise with oneself to be part of the crowd. ‘Feels Right’ is about being true to who you are. It celebrates the outsider in every single one of us – all the flaws and peculiarities that make you and me unique and beautiful in our very own way” – Freddy Madson
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Three of European pop’s most promising acts from Germany and Austria come together on the anthemic new single, ‘Losing Streak’.
Featuring the talents of Felicia Lu, Mael + Jonas and Aron Matthews, the song was written as a hymn for everyone feeling like they’re on a losing streak; describing the story from the singers’ perspectives.
I predict this track will pick up a lot of traction in the coming weeks leading to the summer – so be sure to check it out!
Having already worked with the likes of Oscar Scheller, Future Cut, Imanbek and Rasster, Gen Z starlet Erin Bloomer returns today with new single ‘Therapy’, out via TikTok’s brand new label, Sound On.
The track serves as an ode to working on your mental health, and appreciating partners who do the same.
“With everything that’s happened in the world over the last couple of years, so many people have struggled with their mental health and Therapy holds a mirror up and says it’s okay to be honest about it, it’s completely normal. When I played it to my friends, they laughed and loved it. Very slowly there seems to be a positive change in people’s attitudes towards mental wellbeing and I wanted to be a part of that. I’m aware that many people, especially boys, will suffer in silence because they’re embarrassed and see it as a weakness. In fact I struggled with anxiety myself during lockdown, I couldn’t see my friends, a family member was seriously ill and I had been planning to dive head first into my music career straight after A-levels and of course all of those plans were suddenly on hold. I did a few zooms with friends and with music colleagues and I did write and record from home too, but I found myself needing some extra help to process everything; I met with a therapist, in a socially distanced way, every Tuesday afternoon, to help me work through my thoughts and deal with the new life I was leading, it was unbelievably cathartic and it’s had a very positive outcome.”
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Virginia native Khi Infinite unveils his first new music of the year through the release of uplifting and melodic new record, ‘KEEP YOUR HEAD UP’.
A self-produced acoustic tune, the song packs a calm and collected instrumental, beautiful vocals, and impactful lyrics all into one.
“As humans we believe progress is what we see, forgetting progress really starts within. Looking inside and trusting myself, my vision, and the process has allowed me to receive a lot more than just fans, I’m gaining family through the music. ‘KEEP YOUR HEAD UP’ is an affirmation we can all live by.”
Khi Infinite is already enjoying momentum on IG Reels – having garnered over three million views on Videos Using The Sound.
American indie-rock outfit POP ETC mark a triumphant return today through their dreamy new single ‘Slips Away’.
Written as a meditation on the passage of time and learning to let go, the track features actor Jason Schwartzman and serves as the lead single to POP ETC’s forthcoming album, ‘Over The Moment’.
“We all try to hold on to the past. No matter how futile or ridiculous it may seem. Why do we have so much trouble accepting that everything comes to an end? I know I’m still fighting it. Still trying to be a kid. Still trying to hold on to the joy and carefreeness of that time. There’s an energy and life to the past that we keep grasping at, and yet it always slips away. But it’s not just a sad story. There’s real liberation that comes with acceptance. A freedom and richness that we can tap into once we embrace that everything is fleeting. “Slips Away” is about trying to get there.”- Chris Chu, Frontman
Tadhg Daly’s momentum continues to rise this year, having just completed a successful European tour while also garnering acclaim from the likes of Amazon Music and BBC Introducing.
Today sees the release of his melancholic new single ‘Fall Apart’. Through Daly’s rich vocal delivery, the song offers listeners an intensely moving and powerful musical experience.
“I wrote ‘Fall Apart’ the morning after breaking up with my girlfriend. We had an argument the night before and it felt like anything we said or did was just moving us further away from where we were when things were good. It got to the point of our relationship where it felt we were literally just taking turns to ‘fall apart’ and need the other person more than is healthy. I was trying to explore the idea that maybe there is a time in any relationship when you need to look at each other and decide whether either of you have anything left to give, or whether you just leave things where they are and try to be friends.”
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