Scottish talent Bethany Ferrie crafts the kind of rousing pop that is instantly loveable. The 23-year old singer/songwriter from Glasgow was shortlisted for the BBC Radio Scotland Singer/Songwriter Award 2019, and signed her first music publishing contract with EMI in 2020.
“This song is all about reminiscing, letting go and opening up: to allow yourself to feel the things you’ve been running from.”
Sweden really is delivering some outstanding pop artists so far this year, with Hugo Andersson being another fantastic talent to emerge from the Nordic nation. A power-pop anthem with an infectiously catchy chorus, ‘Easier’ is all about that terrible feeling that comes to you after a breakup; when the person you’re used to talking to about everything isn’t that person anymore.
“I received a DM on Instagram from the songwriter and producer Isac Halldin after my debut release ‘Eleven’. Isac invited me and my companion, Rasmus Gustafsson, to come to his studio to write with him. Weeks after that we all met up and wrote ‘Easier’ that day, and after just one day it felt like we’ve known each other for years.”
It’s already been a busy year for Stockholm talent Julia Alfrida, having just recently competed at this year’s Melodifestivalen (Sweden’s biggest music competition) with the equally impressive song ‘Rich‘.
‘GIRLS GIRLS GIRLS’ is a Scandinavian pop banger in every sense; this is the kind of track that commands you to get up and dance your ass off!
American talent Jill Blutt’s airy vocals glide over a perfectly balanced mix of synth-pop and indie on ‘Breathing in Manual’.
The result is a song that flirts between nostalgia and a more future-forward sound which is tremendously exciting to listen to.
“I make music for crying at the club/ on your way to the club/ in your bathroom when you were getting ready to go to the club but couldn’t quite make it out the house.”
There’s truly nothing quite like Banji’s sound. This is a quirky and eccentric blend of indie, pop and rock, all of which come together to form something playfully charming and hugely fun.
Hailing from Seattle is new 29-year old talent Wuwon, who’s song ‘I Like It’ is a wildly catchy bop that blends elements of pop, rock and indie together in perfect measures. This is a song that will stay in your head all day – be warned!
London based singer- songwriter Lu Wright has the kind of voice that immediately draws you in and keeps you hooked. A beautifully stripped-back fusion of soul, RnB and funk, her new release ‘Lovely’ shimmers like the soundtrack to a balmy summer’s day.
“‘Lovely’ represents a more positive me, looking back through my life. It’s far too easy to dwell on past mistakes and bad life choices, it’s much harder yet far more rewarding to acknowledge your growth and proudly move forward. ‘Lovely’ is less of a song about overcoming hurdles and more of a change in perspective. Whilst the lessons I have learnt are now the foundations of me, I can’t help but sympathise with those going through similar struggles without the benefit of hindsight.”
Taken from the debut EP ‘Notes To Self’ which is out on 27th May 2021.
A compelling and intimate indie sound that blends elements of 70’s psychedelica with a hazy and lo-fi modern twist.
Raised in the London suburbs, Paolo Ruiu is a second-generation Sardinian-Brit who is not only singer and songwriter, but also a multi-instrumentalist and producer.
“‘Run and Hide’ is an impassioned, bitter response to the faint-hearted ending of a relationship, circles around an evasive argument – never fully resolving.”
A gorgeously finessed fusion of soul, hip hop and reggae from Dominican singer-songwriter Navy.
Canadian born artist margø brings a confident and sharp approach towards her style of music-making, fusing elements of electro-pop with an almighty epic rock twist. Her latest release ‘fool’ is a powerful song that focuses on empowerment and self worth.
“‘fool’ is about not letting toxic people hold power over you. This song is written from the perspective of facing someone who has continually treated you poorly, and finally finding the courage to cut them out of your life. This song is meant to empower anyone who has ever been in a dynamic where they were taken for granted – and remind them that they are worth more than how that person made them feel.”
Siena Bella is an 18-year old singer-songwriter from Cleveland in Ohio. Already making significant headway in her career, Bella has already garnered over 600k followers on TikTok in the last three months and 100k on Instagram alone.
And when you play ‘Carousel’ it’s easy to understand why; this is a talent who lays her emotions and vulnerabilities in a way that captivates you and makes you feel a connection almost instantly.
“This song is about battling with feeling stuck, as if life is a ‘Carousel'”.
A captivating fusion of electronica, indie and pop. A sound that feels raw and chaotic yet emotive and so easy to fall in love with.
Bucky Boudreau’s ‘‘History (Is Made At Night)’ is reminder of how special a night out in a room full of bodies all listening to the same sound can be.
“‘History (Is Made At Night)’ is a love letter to nightlife and the culture of music that is played at loud volumes for people in dark rooms. Written from that early perspective of a dance floor rookie at art school, there’s an almost academic/ bookish appreciation of the club – as for years I was only experiencing dance music on headphones whilst walking in the woods of suburban Boston. This is about the transition from wallflower to participant, from headphones to speaker.”
Matilda Cole crafts a kind of indie-pop that is so refreshingly honest and genuine at it’s core. ‘Afternoon Haze’ shines a light on a condition she’s been dealing with called dissociation, and how she deals with pushing herself to be present in the moment.
“’Afternoon Haze’ was written about a condition I’ve suffered with called disassociation, which is a disorder that causes extreme ‘spacing out’ or disconnect from your body and the world around you. The song is about dealing with that around other people, trying to feel present in situations you’re supposed to be having fun but being unable to connect to those experiences in the same way as your friends.”
Taken from the forthcoming EP ‘Milk Teeth’ which is out on 4th June 2021.
Citing Prince and Bowie as two inspirations, Kristofer Greczula’s sound feels nostalgic yet future-forward in equal measures.
‘Leaving You For Another’ was a song written about and for his brother – the two had drifted apart for two years prior, but have since found their way back to each other.
“He cried the first time he heard it. That felt like a confirmation that I was on the right track. If I write songs that touch me, chances are they will also touch other people.”
An infectiously catchy bop that balances between the charming and the melancholy, by emerging Romanian electro-pop artist IOVA. This is the kind of song you could play on loop all day and still want more.
A melodic and emotive approach to lo-fi pop from aboynamedblu. This is a song that starts with vulnerability and subtlety, only to shift gears and turn into a sound that feels chaotic, raw and refreshingly moving.
Taken from the project ‘ALONE ON MOST DAYS’ which is out now.
A happy-go-lucky pop sound from a new Danish talent that blends old-school soul and funk into a sound that feels pleasantly whimsical and tremendously catchy.
Punchy, bold and sassy dance-pop from a new British talent who’s already garnered attention from the likes of BBC Introducing and Wonderland.
Based in Texas, Masati is a multi-talented artist who crafts the most sublime RnB cuts you could imagine.
In addition to writing his own music, he also plays guitar, bass, and piano to form sounds that feel organic, heartfelt and rich in emotion.
“This song sounds like a conversation between two people but it’s really about me and what felt like a toxic in-again, out-again relationship i’ve had with music. Over the years it’s been a confusing journey but I’m finally giving it a fair run this time. I want people to be inspired to dream. Becoming an artist felt like a far-fetched idea for me, and I would have never expected to find myself in the position I am today. But I hope I can be proof that if something is meant for you, it can still happen – you just have to pursue it. From that point, it’s just a matter of time before your moment comes.”
An infectiously catchy hyperpop bop from American talent partyONE. This track is pure joy from start to finish, and a perfect mood upper – just in time for the weekend!
