Newly signed with acclaimed label Mind Of A Genius (home to Gallant, THEY. and ZHU), London-based Gambian artist BINTA unveils her new single, ‘Do You Wanna’.
Produced alongside noted producer KDDO, the track showcases a finessed style of electronica-infused pop that compliments BINTA’s trademark dreamy vocals perfectly.
“Do you wanna is ultimately just a cute question you have when you like someone. Like you know you don’t want to get into anything serious but at the same time you don’t want to stay in this awkward stage. like why stay here on earth when what we feel for each other is like were flying through space.“
Infectiously memorable as it is charming in tone, ‘Do You Wanna’ marks an exciting stage in this rising starlet’s career.
One talent that’s picked up our interest this week has been singer and producer Frank Heaney, aka Good Jester.
If there’s ever such a thing as the perfect Sunday morning jam, ‘Deep End’ is it. Created alongside fellow artistpfreaky, the song treats listeners to a soulful fusion of indie, pop, R&B and jazz.
It’s a sound that is utterly charming and instantly captivating to experience. More of Heaney’s work can be heard here.
Emerging from London is Portuguese singer, songwriter and guitarist Raquel Martins.
Melodic new single ‘Empty Flower’ is taken from Martins’ freshly-released EP of the same name (out now), and treats listeners to a beautifully dreamy yet vulnerable sound that blends alternative soul with latin influences.
With support from the likes of BBC Introducing, The Line of Best Fit and Dummy, as well as praise from prominent tastemakers including Gilles Peterson, Jamie Cullum and Casskid, Martins is one name to watch for in 2023.
Danish newcomer your hands (aka Johannes Brandstrup) unveils a charming slice of mellow indie-pop with his new single, ‘down here waiting’.
Inspired by the small (but significant) surprises that come across us in our everyday lives, Brandstrup creates refreshingly authentic songs that are lyrically thoughtful and insightful. Speaking on his new single, he explains:
“I wanted to write a song about the youth and social life. My generation has become addicted to communicating with one another – which is good – but when you agree to meet up with someone it often creates a clash between expectation and respect of each other’s time. We rely on communication more than we rely on each other and I hope this catchy little pop song reflect those mellow thoughts and frustration of modern living.”
The track follows on from Brandstrup’s 2022 debut‘floating’, which received acclaim from several music blogs from across the globe.
Green Rays is the new indie project from acclaimed My Sad Captains singer and songwriter Ed Wallis.
Today sees the release of a self-titled debut album (out now), as well as a taster single called ‘In Between’.
Written during a time of significant change within his life, the new 8-track record offers listeners a collection of works that are sonically beautiful and lyrically emotive. Speaking on the album, Wallis explains:
“My partner and I had just had our first son and the songs I was writing reflected that in different ways. Partly practical: a lot of quiet ambient tunes composed on keys with headphones on. But it also brought an open heartedness I’d never really countenanced before, playing songs on an acoustic guitar while my foot tapping kept a baby bouncer going. We’d also decided to leave London, where we’d lived for twenty years, to find more space in the country.
Life changed even more profoundly when our second son died. I’d just handed over the finished recordings to my brother Jim to mix before it happened. And in the weeks and months after, I have to say I didn’t want anything to do with these songs.
But after some time had passed, Jim sent me a couple of mixes he’d been working on. I listened to ‘Getting Back Again’, the first song you hear on the album. The love and care in his mix picked me up off the floor. He’d used our Grandma’s old cello to create a beautiful coda, without discussion but with perfect execution, intertwining with Leon’s Fripp-esque lead lines. And it really did make me believe in the whole thing again.”
Green Rays performs at London’s iconic Servant Jazz Quarters on 2nd March – tickets can be found here.
The most exciting newcomer to emerge from Scandinavia this week has been jazzygold (aka Jasmin Mote).
Hailing from the Faroe Islands by way of Kenya, this R&B-soul starlet has just released a sensational new single called ‘boring like me’ that deserves your immediate attention.
“‘boring like me’ is the new soundtrack for your most self-sabotaging moments in life. You know you’re a 10, but you still settle with the bullsh*t from a 5. That’s what sparked a fire for the making of the track. The breakup leaves you in the exact position you knew it would, and the track captures the irony perfectly.”
Prior to her work as a solo artist, Mote was part of award-winning outfit JASMIN, who toured across the Nordic region and played at festivals as prominent as Uhørt and Sørveiv.
After leaving the group, Mote travelled to Stockholm and London to focus on her own sound, and has now finished a collection of ten songs that she is ready to share with the world. Keep an eye on this artist!
Sistir is the musical project of Thailand-based, Irish artist Aisling McCarthy. Already an accomplished talent with extensive experience touring across Ireland, the UK and Europe, McCarthy has now focused her attention on creating ‘celestial soundscapes’ that address topics as diverse as ‘femininity, trauma, sexuality and living in emotional urgency’.
Sonically similar to artists like Anna of the North, Lykke Li and Florence and the Machine, Sistir’s music feels dreamy and ethereal, while still maintaining some pop sensibilities.
“Because I express my ideas and feelings through music, it’s difficult for me to describe. I know what I’m saying is somewhat universal. It helps me and maybe it will help someone else feeling something similar.”
Melodic new single ‘bridge’ was inspired by the situations within a relationship when one person gives too much of themselves to the other.
“The bones of this track were written when I was living in Dublin in 2017. I was in a difficult relationship, but the potential I saw in it kept me trying. I dreamed of moving away (which I had never done) and being in a harmonious relationship (also had never done!). I have since met a loving partner and am living in Thailand focusing on writing music.”
Emerging from the Australian city of Melbourne is singer, songwriter and producer Ceeko.
Emotional new single ‘Muddy Waters’ presents listeners with a perfected blend of indie, alternative R&B and soulful pop, while the lyrics look at themes of conflict.
Having garnered more than 200k catalogue streams to date on Spotify alone, Ceeko is one name to keep on your radars over the coming months.
It’s safe to say that four-piece outfit Pentire are behind some of the most exciting indie-rock sounds to emerge from the UK right now.
Influenced by the likes of The Killers andStereophonics, this promising group create energising and anthemic songs that are immediately captivating.
Powerful new single ‘Spinning’ is inspired the mental support that we sometimes seek from the people that are closest to us.
“For us, ‘Spinning’ represents a feeling of being trapped in your own thoughts, looking for a light. Embodied within a romanticism, this single represents looking to a loved one for help during hard times”.
While still early in their career, Pentire have already picked up attention from industry heavyweights as respected as Steve Lamacq and John Kennedy. The group will shortly embark on a UK tour alongsidemilk.(dates below, tickets here).
You may recognise Cole Bleu as a former member of much-acclaimed outfit The Let Go, who took over the tastemaker world by storm following the release of their 2022 mixtape, ‘Delete My Feelings’.
Today’s release of ‘HEARTBREAKERS’ serves as Bleu’s first solo single, and touches on topics of pain and regret from a break-up.
“‘HEARTBREAKERS’ is about breaking up with someone but then realising you regret it after seeing them with someone else. It’s a different kind of pain when you know it’s all your fault in the end.”
Bold, expressive and energising in character, the song marks Bleu as one of the most exciting soloists to emerge from the UK this spring.
Elaborating further on this exciting new chapter in her musical journey, Bleu explains:
“I’m so excited about my first solo project because it’s authentically me. There’s no name I can hide behind, because it’s just who I am. I’ve found a new found confidence sharing my music with the world as Cole.”
One of the most exciting new indie-pop talents to emerge from Australia over the last twelve months has been Hallie.
Garnering inspiration from their experiences as a queer artist, Hallie writes exceptional songs that lyrically touch on themes like identity, gender and sexuality.
‘Shift the Focus’ is taken from debut EP ‘This is Love’ (out now), of which Hallie says:
“I hand over to you a journey of my time with love; the good parts, the hard parts, the bittersweet moments. I am so proud of this body of work and the way in which I articulated my journey in discovering how I experience love and what I have learnt about myself through love!”
With support from the likes of The Line of Best Fit, NME, PopBuzz and Scenestr Mag, as well as an ever-growing legion of fans across social media, Hallie is most certainly one to watch.
The first thing that strikes you when you press play to a Hannah Hill song is the sheer power of this talent’s incredible voice.
Add to that the impressive pop productions and strong melodies, and you have yourselves a promising new American star in the making.
Despite its unconventional title, ‘Dog In Your Purse’ is very much a love song that is lyrically relatable and beautifully written.
While Hannah Hill may be a new name to many, this emerging artist is already growing a solid fanbase across social media, and has amassed more than a million cumulative streams from just four singles.
London-based Mancunian artist Glimji has been one of the most exciting discoveries of the week for us.
With an innovative yet playful approach to music-making, this talent creates rave-inspired, life-affirming sounds that are entrancing, energising and totally euphoric.
Created alongside fellow rising starlet Elphi, ‘Blush’ treats listeners to an instant boost of serotonin. While stripped back in its sonic character, this is a track that is guaranteed to bring a smile to your faces.
“‘Blush’ bottles the feeling of being love drunk in the sunshine. I wanted it to feel like sunshine on your face at a party in summer, walking into a festival arm in arm with your friends who all look really cool, or a drunk kiss on a rooftop at sunset. It’s a burst of excitement and euphoria. It’s about living in the moment and not thinking about tomorrow, being young and embracing mistakes.” – Glimji
Emerging from the city of Uppsala in Sweden is musician and actor myie (aka Miriam Ingrid), who has just unveiled an impressive new single entitled ‘Mary’.
Written as an ode to self empowerment and personal freedom, the song’s captivating lyrics compliment a beautifully melodic and uplifting alternative-pop production.
“‘Mary’ is a song about freedom, liberation from ideas or people holding one down. The song’s main character convinces ‘Marie Antoinette’ to elope together, there’s a lot at stake but at least they have each other. ‘Mary’ encourages people to live by their own sets of rules- and if anyone cares: let them eat cake.”
‘Mary’ is taken from myie’s forthcoming debut album, ‘Feel Real’, which is out soon. With support from the likes of BBC’s Jack Saunders already under her belt, myie is one Scandinavian starlet to keep on your radars.
Track of the week. Running at under two minutes, Mya Mehmi’s ‘Parivaar (Interlude)’ might be one of the shortest-running recipients of this accolade in some time.
Distinct and captivating in tone, the track presents listeners with a luxurious style of alternative R&B that is sonically captivating. Elaborating on the powerfully moving lyricism featured within the song, Mehmi explains:
“I made this song in 2020 for my cousin and my dad, after the passing of my beloved Thaya (uncle). I was drowning in emotions, smoking a score of weed a day and feeling so helpless watching my family grieve a loss that we will without a doubt never truly recover from. This was my effort to console loved ones and immortalise someone that continues to be so influential in my life.”
Written, produced and performed by Mehmi, this talent is proving herself to be a musical powerhouse in the making, and has already received praise from the likes of BBC Radio 1 and 1xtra, BBC Asian Network, CLASH and The Line of Best Fit.
Mehmi also hosts a fantastic podcast called ‘Straight No Chaser’, which can be heard here.
Magz is a promising new starlet hailing from New York. As an independent musician, Magz is not only a singer but also a songwriter and producer.
‘For Good’ is a perfect representation of this talent’s exceptional artistry. Beautifully vulnerable and honest in tone, the song’s lyricism is both moving and relatable. Elaborating on the meaning behind the track, Magz explains:
“It’s been said to accept the things you cannot change. You keep on moving, though nothing stays linear. Somehow you find something to hang on to, even when nothings left. Somehow you’re strong but also fragile. But there is strength in fragility, and fragility in strength. My mental health has not been a journey, but an odyssey. I never thought that I would make it to age 25, yet here I am. I hope with this song that people feel less alone in this darkness.”
‘For Good’ is lifted from an upcoming EP which is currently in the works. In the meantime, listeners can explore Magz’s other releases here.
Just in time for the weekend comes this almighty bop from up-and-coming duo BOY2K.
Consisting of Boy Untitled and Boy Apocalypse, BOY2Kis an experimental music project that gathers its inspiration from societal topics as diverse as technology, friendship, social media and sexuality.
Sonically, listeners can expect to hear productions that feature elements of electronica, pop, techno, nu-disco and house music. Speaking on their new single, BOY2K explain:
“To us, ‘Close Friends’ embodies the idea of ‘Music For The People’ in its use of world sounds and the hilariously relatable experience of someone sliding into your DM. It’s fun, it makes you move, and honestly, makes us LOL when we sing it. It feels like a bop you can get down to with your bestie. Just like us when we made it.”
With support from the likes of Billboard, Nylon, and OUT! magazines, BOY2K might just be one of the most interesting electro-pop outfits to emerge from the US this year.
Hailing from America is Naia Lika, who has already become one of our favourite pop discoveries of the month.
Inspired by artists as diverse as Remi Wolf, Dua Lipa, Leon Bridges and YEBBA, Lika creates a refreshingly eccentric style of pop – as you’ll experience when you press play on her debut single, ‘Gas Station Bouquet’.
The song treats listeners to a captivating mix of soul, funky R&B and pop. Playful, charming and melodically memorable, the track serves as an impressive introduction to Lika.
“Creating the song was an impactful moment for me. I had just experienced one of the toughest years of my life and it was such a valuable opportunity to actually sit down and write about something positive in my life amidst all the negativity swarming my mind. I don’t think I take enough time to appreciate what I have in my life.”
Fun fact: Lika’s great-grandfather sang alongside legends as iconic as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Peter Lawford, Joey Bishop and Sammy Davis Jr.
Nicky Tats may not be a name known to many around the globe, but this DJ-producer has been a fixture within America’s nightclub scene for the last fifteen years, curating and playing songs for both clubbers and A-Listers alike.
The musical project of New York’s Nicholas Legakis, Nicky Tats creates energising productions that blend house music with pop, resulting in sounds that have universal appeal.
New single ‘Just Stay’ presents listeners with an anthemic mix of techno and future rave, and serves as a perfect addition to your playlists for the weekend ahead.
Hailing from Australia is promising indie-pop singer and songwriter Noah Vernon. Already an artist on the rise, Vernon has found himself building a loyal legion of fans across social media with the release of only a few singles.
Inspired by the everyday struggles of life, Vernon’s work feels relatable to most listeners. New single ‘IN TOO DEEP!’ continues with this theme, by addressing the times when we fall into toxic relationships.
“The song is about toxic relationship and not knowing how to pull yourself out.”
Vernon currently commands more than 16k monthly listeners on Spotify alone, while his catalogue of works has impressively accumulated well over 1.3 million streams to date.
