Hailing from New Zealand comes psych-pop newcomer Smurgy. Through a unique style of music-making, this promising artist creates sonic experiences like none other.
Smurgy’s ‘Mess’ is a prime example of this talent’s extraordinary work. Inspired by heartbreak, the song presents listeners with a dreamy sound that is bittersweet yet also mesmerising in character.
With songs already featured on notable playlists like Spotify’s Fuzzy, Crush and Fresh Finds AU & NZ, Smurgy is most certainly one talent to watch for in 2023.
Emerging from Los Angeles is singer, songwriter and producer Joseph Brooks, who goes by the moniker of Bäckar.
Fans of PinkPantheress and Imogen Heap will most likely fall in love with Bäckar’s latest single, entitled ‘Self Reflection’.
The song showcases a soundscape that is both experimental and future-forward, while also paying homage to Brooks’s pop icons from the past – ranging from The Beach Boys to Depeche Mode and Prince.
An upcoming debut album is currently in production. In the meantime, listeners can enjoy Bäckar’s catalogue of releases on Spotify.
Hailing from Albany in New York, three-piece outfit Young Culture create a nostalgic kind of punk-pop that is impossible not to feel some kind of love for.
Anthemic new single ‘Not In Love’ treats listeners to a 00’s inspired blend of indie-rock, pop and punk. The sound feels sentimental and old-school in tone, but still maintains a fresh and current edge.
The trio are currently preparing for a North American tour, initially starting in December before picking up again from March next year. Tickets can be found here.
Fans of N*E*R*D’s earliest music will most likely enjoy American newcomer MCBALLER’s work.
Debut single ‘JUMPIN’ showcases an uninhibited sound that boldly blends alternative R&B with hip hop and indie, ultimately resulting in a song that truly is in a league of its own.
While not much is yet known about this exciting new talent, MCBALLER might well be one of 2023’s biggest surprises.
Singer, songwriter and rapper GOVAN has been one of the most exciting new finds this autumn.
Hailing from California, this emerging artist constructs sounds that feel fresh and future-forward, yet still somehow maintain an essence of nostalgia and playfulness that makes for an utterly charming audible experience.
With early support from outlets like Complex already under his belt, it’s safe to say that this is one talent worth keeping on your radars.
Stefan Lars is promising new creative based in Berlin, who is not only a singer and songwriter but also a composer, producer and videographer.
Drawing inspiration from his time as a child growing up in Sweden, Lars crafts a style of sound that melds essences of Scandinavian melancholy with the urban spirit that comes from being centred in an urban metropolis like Berlin.
The resulting songs are not only emotive and sincere in tone, but also feel refreshingly raw and authentic. Elaborating on new single ‘Turning Grey’, Lars explains:
“Thematically, it is about dreams with rejuvenating qualities and the lingering question to what extend they are real and/ or illusionary and may even function as a form of modern consumerist escapism.”
The song marks Lars’s third single to date, following the release of ‘Thin Ice’and ‘Xabian Elegy’.
It wouldn’t be a normal Friday without showcasing some new indie talent, and today it’s the turn of South Carolina’s all-female group, Sorry, Peach.
With a style of music-making that masterfully fuses elements of bedroom-pop and lo-fi indie rock together, this impressive collective of musicians create songs that are both sonically powerful and lyrically emotive.
‘In Saturn’s View’ is lifted from the band’s new ‘You Were Never Mine’ EP (out now), and presents listeners with a beautifully melodic slice of indie that feels vulnerable, melancholic, and utterly captivating in tone.
One of the most moving releases this week comes courtesy of Turkish-American newcomer Ela Ozturk.
By fusing elements of alternative R&B with pop, soul, jazz, blues and pop, Ozturk constructs expressive sounds that are bold and unashamedly unique in character.
New single ‘Roots’ finds the singer and songwriter sharing powerful words of wisdom and encouragement for those of us who feel as though we have lost our way in life:
“‘Roots’ focuses on rebuilding yourself after someone has broken your connection with who you are. The lyrics describe a comeback story.”
Ela Ozturk is a Turkish-American singer-songwriter who found her love for music as young as six years old. Her father encouraged her passion for music, which allowed Ozturk to engulf herself in sound. Growing up in the Bay Area and having a Turkish background helped expose her to a wide variety of artists, genres, and musical movements. She takes inspiration from strong female vocalists such as the likes of Etta James, Aretha Franklin, and Adele.
Her unique blend of blues, jazz, R&B, blue-eyed soul, and pop, fused with her powerhouse vocals and confessional lyrics set her apart from most up-and-coming pop artists.
“‘Roots’ focuses on rebuilding yourself after someone has broken your connection with who you are,” says Ela Ozturk on the deeper meaning of the song. Her inspiring message influences the audience to take control of their lives and build the person they want to be after losing their way. “The lyrics describe a comeback story,” explains Ozturk. Lyrics such as, “I’m coming back to my roots, the me before you, the calm before your storm, the light before your darkness. I’m returning, I’m returning, back to my roots, I’m coming back, I’m coming back, I’m coming back.” Ozturk describes the adventure of finding yourself after trials and tribulations. Combining powerful vocals with lively instrumentation, Ozturk has made a perfect track to help shine light after dark times and rejoice in the feeling of falling back into your own person after feeling lost. “Roots” was written by Ela Ozturk and produced and mixed by Morgan Clae Sanker and Tommy Sanker.
Another new name to add to Norway’s ever-growing roster of impressive pop vocalists, MAIH introduces herself to the world through single ‘Let Him Let Me Go’.
With its perfected style of melancholic dream-pop, the song presents itself as an anthem for the broken-hearted, and feels emotive and vulnerable in tone.
It’s a sound that is so typically Scandinavian in style, but never fails to win us over. Keep MAIH on your radars for the year ahead – this talent may well be one of Norway’s newest exports.
Hailing from Essex in England is promising artist DROZ. Today sees this multi-talented artist release his new single, entitled ‘back to me.’
With it’s infectious mix of nu-disco, electronica, indie and pop, the song’s lyrics look at the moment when you cross paths with your ex, and realise that you’ll never get back together again.
“Simply, it’s a song about seeing your ex at a party and knowing you’ve moved on, no matter what. Despite those good memories of the exciting times you had together, we move, and you know that’s what is best for you, and evidently for them too.”
Since his debut only last year, DROZ has gone on to acquire more than 140k career streams to date on Spotify alone.
Representing some of London’s newest and finest R&B-pop sounds is rising newcomer JVSMINE.
New single ‘forgive me’ was produced by Luke Osborne, and looks at the times in our lives when we fall into relationships without truly understanding what being love means.
“Being presented with love can really feel like holding a mirror up to yourself and to insecurities you didn’t even know you had. I wanted to write from a perspective of not knowing how to give and receive love. It’s something that everyone writes and dreams about in this society, however I’ve come to realise that I still have a lot to learn and this song is my personal reflection on that.”
JVSMINE will release more new music as well as a mixtape in 2023. With support from the likes of BBC Introducing already under her belt, this emerging artist looks set to take on her biggest year yet
Emerging from Sydney is promising singer, songwriter and producer jnr. (aka Ben Siva). While this talent is relatively new, it’s safe to say that his universally likeable style of pop will gain significant traction over the coming months.
Fans of The 1975 and LANY will delight in jnr.’s new single, ‘Say (Light Me Up)’, which treats listeners to an an anthemic sound that is both melodically catchy and lyrically captivating.
The track serves as jnr.’s third release to date, following on from his previous singles, ‘A Friend’and‘Remember’.
Emerging Australian outfit Priscilla create a kind of pop sound that instinctively gives you itchy feet.
New single ‘Lose Control’ presents listeners with an energising fusion of synth, disco and power-pop that is sure to win this duo a whole new legion of fans.
Listeners in Australia can catch Priscilla supporting The Veronicas on 2nd December at the Ice Cream Factory, and at Sunday Music on 11th December at the Fremantle Arts Centre.
As the musical project of P Gardner and Luke Minness, these two musicians have already garnered praise from heavyweight tastemakers like Wonderland Magazine.
While Varas may be a name new to many of you, this emerging 25-year old talent has been gaining momentum across the Nordic region since the release of his 2020 debut EP,‘Set One’.
Hailing from Sweden, Varas is the musical moniker for self-taught Chilean producer, singer and songwriter Benjamin Muñoz Varas.
Signed to the legendary TEN Music Group,Varas constructs a style of alternative indie-pop that feels understated yet melancholic, sincere and emotive in tone.
Elaborating on the inspiration behind his latest release, Varas explains:
“‘New Light’ got created out of surprise and by getting to know new sides of myself. It was equally scary and relieving when I realised I’d always replace me with another me. I was convinced the person I identified as was a constant thing, a solid rock. I change each year and each day.”
“It doesn’t matter if I’ve convinced myself into a certain direction, all it takes is romances, friendships, losing and getting jobs, letting go of dreams or creating new ones to lose the sense of it. It’s dumb. But don’t get me wrong, it’s a positive and vital ability. Although when I think about it, scratch what I said. It could also just be a song about falling in love at the wrong time. Ask me again tomorrow!”
The track serves a taster to Varas’ forthcoming EP, which is set for release early next year.
Track of the week. While we don’t know exactly who j maw is (yet), this emerging outfit is one of the most exciting finds we have come across recently. By being intentionally mysterious, j maw aims to encourage listeners to focus on the music above anything else.
Ambient yet captivating in tone, new single ‘Day Ones’ presents listeners with a perfected blend of lo-fi alternative R&B and hip hop. The resulting sound is nothing short of spectacular. Elaborating further on the song’s concept, j maw explains:
“’Day Ones’ is about friendship, Sangha, community – the people that were with you from the beginning and the ones that need to see you get back up after you’ve been hurt. It’s like UFO music because it comes from that other place, the kind of place you can only get to in your dreams.”
With such a unique approach to music-making, there’s no doubt in our minds that j maw will garner significant traction over the next year.
Hailing from the British city of Birmingham is rising talent SIPHO. With a style of sound that incorporates elements of soul with R&B, gospel and electronic pop, this artist is rapidly marking his name as an artist to watch.
Powerful new single ‘ARMS’ is not only flawlessly produced, but also serves as a platform for SIPHO.’s sensational vocals to shine through.
“‘ARMS’ is a continued exploration of the complicated relationships we create as a generation – there for the sensation, not the responsibility. It’s something we’re gonna have to face up to or drown in the problems of the next decade ahead of us.”
Garnering support from the likes of DIY Magazine, Dummy, BBC Introducing, NME, COLORS and Complex UK amongst others, SIPHO. is undoubtedly one of the biggest UK newcomers to keep on your radars in 2023.
Hailing from the city of Montreal, singer and songwriter Chloe Florence is steadily building momentum as one of Canada’s most exciting newcomers.
Featuring the talents of fellow artist Myles Lloyd, new single ‘Synergy‘ presents listeners with a sleek fusion of sultry alt-R&B and dark pop. Elaborating further on the song’s lyrics, Florence explains:
“Sonically, ‘Synergy’ embodies the tipping point, right before one confesses their feelings for the other. They’re addicted to playing with fire as they haven’t been burned (yet). There are feelings hidden under covers and subliminal messages found between the lines of their late-night conversations – in bed and during late-night drives. The lyrics depict the situationship as lustful, mysterious, dangerous, and intense.”
While still early in her career, Florence has already impressively garnered more than 500k career streams to date.
Rising Des Moines duo Elison [Holding Hour] unveil their new single ‘Fruit Flies’. By expertly blending elements of indie rock with shoegaze and dreamy pop, this emerging musical project craft sounds that feel raw and captivating in tone, while also maintaining an emotive essence.
‘Fruit Flies’ tells of the self-destruction that could occur if we allow ourselves to over-romanticise the memories of our younger years:
“When I started playing music during the pandemic, after decades of wishing I was brave enough to try, I found myself revisiting the girl that ignited the dream in the first place, my sixteen-year-old self. Through that process I started questioning the actual growth I previously thought I had achieved.” – Marissa Kephart, Elison
Elison comprises of lead singer and guitarist Marissa Kephart, and Scott Yoshimura – who also serves as a producer, engineer and multi-instrumentalist for the project.
Singer and songwriter Abby Simone will be a name that we suspect many people will come to know over the next year.
By crafting a finessed sound that seamlessly fuses melodic soul with jazz, R&B and pop, Simone looks set to become one of the most promising new artists to emerge from Asia.
Inspired by long-distance relationships, debut single ‘Same Sunrise’ serves as a perfect introduction to Simone’s work. Elaborating further on the lyrics, she explains:
“After a while you get used to the distance, but never the absence. This song was written for lovers, friends and families in a long-distance relationship to say, ‘Hey, that wasn’t easy but well done.’ We all know that the sun really doesn’t rise. But when you’re with your person and the world stops moving, science can wait.”
Hailing from Los Angeles is songwriter and producer Venus as a boy (aka Theo Lee), who today unveils his latest release, ‘When were you so low‘.
A recent winner of the Kenny Beats battle, this promising talent constructs intricate electronic sounds that result in soundscapes that feel immersive, intriguing and arresting in character. Elaborating further on his new single, Lee explains:
“‘When were you so low’ a song about coming to terms with the realities of chasing your dreams and the things one has to sacrifice in order to do so.”
Lee’s artistry has already led him to work alongside the likes of Adrian Cota, Cody Simpson, Nick Lee and Rowlan, while his music has been featured on flagship Spotify playlists like ‘anti-pop’.
