Track of the week. While still a relative newcomer, New York-based Ohioan Jojomber is already showing signs of musical greatness.
New single ‘think too hard’ perfectly balances blissful tones with hints of melancholy, resulting in an indie sound that feels vulnerable yet mesmerising to experience.
Fans in New York can catch Jojomber performing on the 6th December at Rockwood Music Hall Stage 2 (tickets here) and 9th December at Berlin Under A (tickets here).
Emerging from England’s south coast are four-piece indie outfit RAYGO BLOOM, who have recently unveiled their new single, ‘False Promises’.
Unapologetically bold in character, the song expertly fuses raw indie tones with elements of pop, resulting in a sound that feels impassioned yet relatable in equal measures.
“The song represents a feeling that the person talking, doesn’t need the person they are talking about and could be happy without them.”
With praise from the likes of BBC Introducing already under their belt, these chaps might well be ones to watch in 2023.
South London born-and-bred artist Asher Ossn has been one of the most interesting finds this week.
Freshly-released debut single ‘Bound’ showcases a sound that really is like none other. While the production is future-forward, experimental and unique in tone, the song maintains a beautifully emotive core thanks to Ossn’s soulful vocal delivery.
With his fearless approach to music-making, this is one London artist worth keeping on your radars for the year ahead
J.E.S.S. is a promising new singer, songwriter and producer hailing from North America.
As an independent artist, this talent crafts work on her own terms – resulting in sounds that are refreshingly original to experience.
Debut single ‘Phoenix’ features the work of Berlin-based electronica project Unkenny Valleys, and presents listeners with an energising production that seamlessly fuses elements of alternative pop with indie-rock.
“It’s a song about rebirth, resilience, and strength. Bursting with power and energy, meant to inspire and ignite the fire within. My favourite part of the track is the explosive feel at the outro, as if to resemble the break through and liberation after the transformation of a Phoenix.”
While still at the beginning of her musical journey, J.E.S.S. looks set to become one of the most interesting newcomers in the year ahead.
An artist of many crafts, Bri Oglu is an emerging singer, songwriter and actor based in Los Angeles.
Specialising in a genre that we don’t come across often, Oglu delivers a style of cinematic pop that very few have been able to construct so successfully this early in their creative journey.
Today sees the promising talent unveil her debut EP, entitled ‘Somewhere Else‘ (out now). Within the collection of six songs, Oglu showcases original works alongside beautiful renditions of classic hits like Christina Aguilera’s ‘Genie In A Bottle’ and Soundgarden’s ‘Black Hole Sun’.
“This EP was a product of the pandemic. It was something to focus my attention on and look forward to when the live music scene shut down. It was the ‘somewhere else’ in my head, a compilation of songs written when I was anything but present, and my escape.” – Bri Oglu
With praise from countless tastemakers and publications including Celeb Mix, Lefuturewave and Divine Magazine, this newcomer is well worth keeping on your radars.
Your weekend anthem has arrived, and this time it comes courtesy of California-born singer, songwriter and producer Courtney Farren.
Energising as it is revitalising in tone, ‘White Rabbit’ presents listeners with a bold yet lighthearted mix of indie-rock and electronic pop. Elaborating further on the lyrics, Farren explains:
“As an *unnatural* blonde, I created this song to play with people’s expectations of me. It’s pop, it’s fun, and it’s an exploration of a new relationship.“
Aside from her own solo work, Farren is also an accomplished songwriter who has worked alongside artists as prominent as Naomi Scott, Lexi Jayde and Buck Betty.
Hailing from the musical mecca that is Nashville comes rising indie-pop singer and songwriter Eliza Harrison Smith.
‘Got Away With It’ presents listeners with a beautifully melodic and emotive piece of music that was inspired by the pains of a break-up.
“I wrote this song a few years ago – right after I first made the move to Nashville. I wanted to capture the raw hurt and anger that you feel after a breakup, when you’re heartbroken and the other person seems perfectly fine. I wanted the song’s production to mirror those feelings, with the piano in the beginning capturing that hurt and vulnerability, and the electric guitars capturing the anger in the lyrics. I wrote this song years ago, but it has always felt so special to me, and I’m grateful to finally be sharing it.”
Recognised as an artist to watch by Nashville Songwriter Association International, Harrison Smith has already worked alongside the likes of Kendall Bowser and Koli Kohler.
Sharp-eyed fans of Scandinavian pop may already recognise singer and songwriter Sarah von Reis as a former member of Swedish pop phenomenon Dolly Style.
Since breaking with the band in 2018, von Reis has focused on her work as a solo artist, and is now setting her sights on becoming one of Sweden’s newest stars.
Written alongside Maja Francis and produced by Andreas ‘Hyena’ Söderlund, ‘All My Ghosts’ treats listeners to a dark yet playful sound that feels both haunting and intriguing in character.
“It’s the first love song I ever wrote. Maybe it’s not a classic love ballad, but it’s more about feeling naked, closing your eyes and hoping you’re good enough. The text is based on a love letter I wrote to a girl. When I realised I am gay, love suddenly felt a lot scarier. Like suddenly there was more at stake. I have something to lose if she doesn’t want me.”
Upcoming debut EP ‘Melancholia High Season’ is scheduled for release in March 2023.
Your weekly dose of premium alt-pop comes courtesy of Canadian-born singer and songwriter Ryan Chambers.
Chambers presents listeners with songs that are highly original in character, thanks to his unique approach to music-making which thoughtfully and seamlessly blends a multitude of genres together.
While sonically, new single ‘Spend On You’ is a beautifully intriguing piece of music, the lyrics convey a highly relatable problem most of us face – that of not having enough money or time to spend with those who we love.
“This song sort of fell out of me over two days and it’s always felt right and true. I’ve viewed my life through many different lenses and not one has made me feel like I’ve had enough time or money to spend on the one’s I love. This is the first of many but it stands tall on its own all the same and I got a lot off my chest in the process of making it. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.”
Freshly signed to buzzy LA-based label Avant Garden (home to Emotional Oranges, Chiiild, Unusual Demont and more), Aáyanna looks set to become one of the most interesting newcomers to emerge from the States in 2023.
Crafting sounds alongside producer Juberlee (credited for works with Playboi Carti, Smino and Big Latto), Aáyanna delivers a finessed fusion of R&B, alternative pop and indie.
New single ‘Risky’ showcases this starlet’s potential perfectly, and treats listeners to a melodic track that feels both future-forward and classic in style.
“‘Risky’ is about taking your power back. It’s about cutting ties with people and situations that no longer serve you. It’s also about having fun, sometimes we take life too seriously and realise that we aren’t enjoying it. Risky is the definition of work, play and having your way.”
Originating from South London is five-piece outfit The Queen’s Head, who are currently responsible for some of the most exciting rock sounds to emerge from the UK.
Lifted from the band’s debut ‘Haunt’ EP (out now), ”Til Death Do Us Part’ is a refreshingly bold mix of rock, indietronica and punk-pop that instantly grabs any listener’s attention.
To date, The Queen’s Head has garnered praise from the likes of BBC Introducing, Radio 1 and 6 Music. The group will perform at Windmill Brixton in London on the 2nd December 2022 – tickets can be found here.
Emerging from the American state of Maryland is Graham Bright, who has been steadily building momentum recently thanks to a run of consistently impressive releases.
New single ‘Redland’ blends elements of indie with soulful lo-fi pop and rock to create a sound that is anthemic as it is emotive.
A talent who initially turned to music-making while recovering from a back fracture, Bright is rapidly marking his name as one of 2023’s most exciting newcomers. Keep an eye out for this kid – he might well hit the mainstream very soon.
Hailing from Los Angeles is producer and songwriter Michael Adubato, who also goes by the project name of baej Lambeaux.
With a refreshingly raw and honest style of indie-rock, this emerging talent crafts sounds that make an immediate impact from the moment you press play.
While still only on his second single as baej Lambeaux, Adubato has already found his work included on tastemaker playlists as established as Fashionably Early and Crack in the Road.
Track of the week. One of the freshest talents to stumble across our way this month has been King Kwn, who released debut single ‘Heartbreak Hill’ just two weeks ago.
With its shimmering blend of lo-fi pop and alternative R&B, the song presents listeners to a sonic experience that is immediately inviting and utterly charming.
Not much is yet known about this promising starlet, but one thing’s for sure – this kid needs to be on everyone’s radar.
Another week, another stellar newcomer to emerge from Norway. This time it’s the turn of Bergen-based Bo Milli, who has just unveiled her new single, ‘FOMO’.
Demonstrating a natural flair for writing catchy pop songs that carry with them intelligent lyrics, the track finds the 21-year-old starlet wondering how things would unfold if we were more honest with our feelings towards each other.
“I like writing lyrics that sketch out what someone would say to another person if they were actually honest. In that vein, ‘FOMO’ is about the breaking point in a casual relationship where I lose my cool — in a very literal sense: while that other person is out partying with cool people, I’m unable to hide my true feelings on the matter, unable to stay emotionally distant and hard-to-get. It’s about losing a game you’ve been engaged in with someone, because you care more. And it’s about the ‘fear of missing out’ that constant digital insight into other peoples life has fostered.”
With support from the likes of The Line of Best Fit, The Luna Collective and When The Horn Blows, Bo Milli might well be one of Norway’s next big pop exports.
Hailing from London, PRIESTESS is a critically acclaimed alternative-pop project formed by musician Kate Fleur Young.
New single ‘HOOKS’ is lifted from the artist’s debut ‘Landscapes’ EP, and presents listeners with an immersive sonic experience that is as haunting as it is intriguing in character.
“This track was written about my experience within an abusive relationship and the relatability I felt about people that ‘go back’ to their partners even when they know it’s unhealthy and bad for them. This experience was one that was very hard for me to extricate myself from and I felt it was like an intoxicating monster that had its hooks in me making it very hard to leave.”
With praise from established tastemakers as notable as CLASH, Wonderland and M magazines, PRIESTESS looks set to become one of the UK’s most interesting newcomers in 2023.
We’re starting the day by introducing you to Belgian singer and songwriter Ben Wolf. With a style of sound that is sincere and emotive in tone, Wolff creates pop songs that present powerful and impactful lyrics over beautifully melodic productions.
Wolf’s journey into songwriting began as a way for him to process the grief that he suffered when his best friend passed away, as he explains:
“I picked up the pen for the first time on the night after my best friend passed away. At that moment I felt numb, but wanted to feel something. I wrote her a letter, but that didn’t suffice.”
An artist who is already gaining traction in his home nation, Wolf has so far garnered more than 200k career streams from only a handful of releases.
Hailing from South East London, rising singer, rapper, producer and model Luchi Blue has marked himself as one of the Capital’s most promising new talents this year.
While on the surface Blue’s work features distinct hip hop elements, this is an artist who is unafraid to fuse other genres and musical styles into his productions – resulting in sounds that feel refreshingly original. Speaking on his new single ‘3AM’, Blue explains:
“This song is about waiting for that late-night reply from the person you love and all of the thoughts about your relationship that go with that moment in time.“
With support from the likes of 9Bills, EQUATE and 1987 magazines, Blue is one UK talent to keep on your radars over the next twelve months.
The boroughs of North London have always served as a hotbed of musical talent for the city, and today’s introduction of singer, songwriter and rapper Sidders continues to build on the iconic area’s legacy.
‘Paper Kisses’ fuses British hip hop with alternative pop, and adds extra touches of old-school jazz and nostalgic bossa nova for good measure. Elaborating on the lyrical concept behind the song, Sidders explains:
“I wrote the track when there was a lot of pressure to stray away from the love of things. It’s a reminder that you can trust in yourself and not get lost in the noise of always chasing money.”
To date, this promising musician has picked up praise from the likes of COLORS and Clash, sold out a series of shows in London, and also performed gigs in the city and further out into Europe alongside Bone Slim, Edbl, Mom Tudie and Danny Sanchez.
