This is really as close to perfection as I can see for the future of British indie-RnB.
New Music: Downtown Kayoto
Category: New Music
New Music: Drew Austin
The rebirth of UK garage is strengthened with this soulful cut from newcomer Drew Austin and Chardanai.
New Music: Bklava
South Londoner Bklava is bringing 2-step back in to the mainstream with this release, out via Ministry of Sound.
New Music: Synead
A fusion of styles and genres are blended together in this fresh release from new York multidisciplinary artist Synead. Impossible to describe but irresistible to vibe along to.
New Music: Khamari
An exciting debut today from newcomer Khamari. You may already recognise the vocal; he had previously racked millions of plays and over 50k followers on Soundcloud with cover songs recorded in his bedroom while he was still in school.
This is a mellow indie pop sound, with hints of RnB, that creates a unique sense of emotion to the listener without trying too hard.
“I wrote and recorded ‘Jealous’ at home in Boston last year and brought it to Trackside [Selena Gomez, Tinashe, Majid Jordan], who I’ve been friends with for a while. They’ve been helping me finish production on songs and get things across the finish line. They’ve had a big influence on the quality of my own writing and production too, working with them has taught me a lot about the creative process.”
New Music: Constance
A charming fusion of indie and pop. Subtle, melodic vocals contrast against the explosive choruses to give us a representation of the hardships we face in life, and how expressing ourselves can help.
“I think often times when humans are faced with hardship it is easy to feel like we’re alone, unloved or misunderstood, but true liberation comes when you’re able to have honest vulnerable conversations around feelings of unworthiness or unhappiness. A good friend once told me – any burden is always lighter shared – and that stuck.”
New Music: Benfield
Australian indie with a uniquely distinctive vocal and a pensive essence.
Taken from the EP ‘Just to Know’ which is out now.
New Music: Jess Chalker
A beautifully constructed piece of indie pop from a London-based Australian talent who’s already got a songwriting Grammy under her belt.
This song has tones of nostalgia and melancholy, and those feelings of pining for someone, or something that you miss deeply.
“I guess it’s kind of a long-distance love song about my partner, who I was missing when I was spending a lot of time in LA, working as a songwriter… But it also feels equally like a love song for LA, and how much I miss it when I’m away.”
New Music: Archi & Pelago
A trio who are crafting some of the most engaging, playful indie pop that I have heard emerge from their native Sweden for some time.
New Music: Fred again..
This track evolved from a freestyle from Aminé, which was then reworked into a stunning piece of downtempo house which I am officially crazy for.
“Another line he says is “I bench press my problems like ‘add another weight’”. And that’s a really beautiful like modern macho line to me.”
New Music: Sanna Martinez
Having recently graduated from Musikmakarna (one of Sweden’s biggest music institutions), Sanna Martinez has already begun crafting her name as a talent who’s both a singer and song writer.
This release is an immediately arresting and shimmering blend of Swedish synth and disco. You’ll also hear some influences of Halsey, Zara Larsson and Ariana Grande on the track too, which is pure pop bliss.
New Music: Harry Fitzgerald
New Music: Peter $un
Hailing from Richmond, VA, Peter $un has crafted a kind of hip hop that makes you feel enriched through it’s introspective and thoughtful lyricism, in a way that’s so easy and enjoyable to connect with.
“When I wrote this song things in my life were chaotic and unexpected, much like 2020 has been so far. I’m a strong believer in history repeating itself so I try to capture moments that will be relatable not just now but twenty years from now. I think the unity and love between our people during this time is beautiful! Black is beautiful! The fact that the world is finally aware of the systematic racism in America that’s been going on for hundreds of years is an amazing first step in the changes that are necessary for true equality in this country. I wrote this music to comfort me through some of my darkest days so hopefully it can make someone else’s brighter.”
New Music: ST. NIKLAS
A rousing blend of Norwegian power pop and synth.
“In one moment you’re in loves’ intoxication, but in the next one you feel that love is a curse. It’s pretty weird, but while looking back on previous relationships even my very best friends couldn’t comfort me. It really makes no sense when I’m looking back on it. Is it because the need of being seen is biggest from that very person that just told you you’re not good enough?”
New Music: Drew Sycamore
New Music: RefraQ
Hailing from the South West of England, multi-discipled creative RefraQ (Joe Mawson) has blended intricately complex electronic beats with spectacular video art.
This release comes from the ‘Northlands’ EP, which is out now.
New Music: Sheila Carlito
New Music: Tim Kamrad
New Music: Emma Rena
A minimal indie sound, that still somehow carries through a sense of self-empowered energy.
New Music: TriOrca
TriOrca is a transatlantic trio comprising of multi-instrumentalist and producer Phil Simmonds, drummer and producer David Diaz and writer/ vocalist Whitney Myer.
‘Le Petite Mort’ is taken from the band’s sophomore record, and I fell head over heels in love with the track. The indulgent progression of the melody, the understated drama of the production, the raw tone of emotion from the vocals… There’s so much beauty in this song that it deserves to be heard in full.