While this is only her first solo single, Véyah is already an emerging starlet with a significant fanbase – thanks in part to her enormous success on TikTok, where she has close to half a million followers.
‘Almost’ is a perfected slice of melodic soulful R&B-pop that is near impossible not to be charmed by.
This is a debut that is sleek and finessed in tone, and serves as a perfect introduction for someone who might well become one of the America’s most promising new musical exports in 2023.
One of the most impressive releases of the week comes courtesy of multi-talented Australian newcomer Frazier Blue.
‘Sometimes’ showcases this Sydney-based creative’s extraordinary skills; the song was written, produced, mixed, mastered and performed by the artist. More so, the visuals for the track were directed and edited by Frazier himself.
Stylistically, the song presents listeners with an atmospheric blend of lo-fi indie and dreamy alt-R&B, while the lyrics focus on feelings of introversion and being unable to express your thoughts aloud.
We don’t say this often – but it seems inevitable that this kid will pick up a lot of momentum in a very short space of time.
London newcomers KIDS unveil two massive releases today, firmly marking themselves as one of the most exciting discoveries of the week.
Consisting of life-long friends Beau Blaise and Alex Harvey, this rising duo fuse elements of indie with Britpop, indie and punk – creating a sound that feels distinctly unique and fresh yet still relatable.
Described by the band as ‘a party song for sad people’, first single ‘Alcohol & Cigarettes‘ presents listeners with an energising and vibrant sonic soundscape.
“It tells the familiar tale of putting on a brave face whilst distracting yourself after a breakup. Unhealthy nights out, bad hookups and booze may distract us from our feelings but inevitably leave us unfulfilled.”
Meanwhile, follow-up single ‘Settle Down’ showcases the duo’s more mellow and tender style of sound:
“‘Settle Down’ happens later. Whilst still leaning on vices and going out, it describes the first time we start to have feelings for someone else. Even if the relationship doesn’t become romantic, having those feelings again means we have begun to heal. The good times will come again.”
With support from the likes of BBC Radio 1 and BBC Introducing already under their belt, KIDS should be on everyone’s radar for the year ahead. Debut EP ‘Love and the City 1’ is due for release soon.
Brooklyn-based Dutch artist Daytona Starsky is an emerging newcomer who’s approach to music-making has already seen him picking up significant traction across Spotify.
Fusing elements of alternative and experimental pop with classic rock, this talent constructs songs that feel nostalgic yet in future-forward in equal measures. These are sounds that carry with them essences of the cosmos, space travel and science itself.
New single ‘Movie Star’ is lifted from Starsky’s debut album, ‘Reality Station’ (out now), of which he says:
“I knew I wanted to write an album about something but had a hard time finding inspiration. But when the pandemic stopped the world, it gave me some much needed breathing room and got me thinking ‘since when are we in the future and how did we get here?’ This was that lightbulb moment that freed me up to experiment with sounds and topics. From that point on, the album wrote itself.”
As far as buzz goes, it’s safe to say that singer, songwriter and producer Yaz León is one UK talent who is gaining considerable momentum at present – thanks to her exquisite fusions of neo-soul and alternative R&B.
Lifted from the newly-released ‘It’s Only Takeout Ma’ EP (out now), ‘DUNYA’ looks at our ability to grow and evolve through the difficulties that life presents to us. Elaborating further on the EP, León explains:
“This project took over a year in the making. It really took everything and a complete character development to finish. I had hoped that where my voice could not carry, the songs would speak louder and reach further. Some family and friends blessed the tracks with love. The EP tells many stories and uses many voices so that it might resonate with more people. It’s less about relatability and more about the personal and the taboo. I hope people enjoy and start conversations.”
To date, León has secured the backing of noted outlets like BBC Introducing, Vogue Paris and Dummy Magazine, as well as support on Selector Radio from the British Council.
Emerging from Ontario in Canada are exciting new four-piece outfit Linebeck.
Formed just before the pandemic, this promising group construct sounds that incorporate elements of dreamy pop with shoegaze, resulting in songs that are emotive and arresting in tone.
Relatable new single ‘Waste My Time’ is a shimmering and anthemic release that was inspired by the perils of dating in the digital age.
Fans in Toronto can catch Linebeck performing live on the 11th November at Supermarket – tickets can be found here.
Hailing from Cincinnati in Ohio, singer and songwriter Joel Borton introduces his new musical project called Distance Sprinter.
Inspired by modern-day pop-rock groups like The War On Drugs and The Killers, Distance Sprinter crafts energising pop-rock anthems that lyrically touch on powerful human emotions like love, loss, shame and guilt. Speaking on new single ‘High Roller’, Borton explains:
“This song is about love and relationships being a rick or a gamble. You really have to bet every ounce of your emotional well being to commit to being with another person.”
Fans can look forward to an upcoming album entitled ‘Junglebird’, which is out soon. In the meantime, be sure to check out the project’s other releases on Spotify here.
London-based newcomer SOMOH creates a style of indie-pop that feels refreshingly raw and organic in tone.
New single ‘Anything’ is inspired by the feelings and emotions that come with falling in love.
“This song is about coming to terms with your love for someone and knowing that you’d do just about anything for them. It’s a scary but beautiful feeling to fall that deeply for a person.”
SOMOH will release her debut EP early next year. In the meantime, fans in the UK can catch this promising artist at The Finsbury in London on the 2nd November – details here.
Hailing from the city of Cambridge in England, British newcomer Charlie Watson releases an impressive debut today.
A former chorister at Ely Cathedral, this 21-year old talent is now embarking on a new musical journey that currently sees him experimenting with alt-pop sounds.
Delivering a dystopian twist on the genre, new single ‘2052’ presents listeners with a pessimistic yet impassioned view on the world in which we live in. Elaborating on the lyricism of the song, Watson explains:
“Generally I’m a happy, positive guy but sometimes I do get very pessimistic about the world we live in and it doesn’t take a long look at the news to feel like that. Writing this song was a way for me to express those feelings that a lot of people my age tend to get into a spiral about. I hope this song provides some sort of cathartic comfort to anyone that listens to it.”
An accomplished musician, Noah Klein is a German-American singer, songwriter, producer and mixer.
New single ‘dontyoufeel5s’ showcases a sound that is refreshingly unique and experimental in tone. With seemingly no clear genre present, the track encourages listeners to dive into the production’s soundscape, allowing for a brief moment of escapism.
To date, Klein has garnered praise from the likes of Wonderland and KALTBLUT, and worked with the likes of Bearcubs and Aud Syn.
With a brilliantly powerful style of sound, Chicago newcomer Kara Jackson presents one of the most impressive releases of the week.
‘no fun/party’ is enriched with character and intrigue. While the production feels warm, emotive and soft in tone, the song’s honest and thoughtful lyricism makes for an interesting contrast.
Jackson served as the National Youth Poet Laureate in 2019, and cites prominent Black feminist poets like Gwendolyn Brooks and Lucille Clifton as inspiration.
Showcasing some of the most exciting alt-pop to emerge from the UK this year, Quasi Qui is the musical project of siblings Yehan and Zadi Jehan
Together, these two musicians craft sounds that perfectly balance nostalgia with futurism. The end result is a collection of songs that are both innovative and timelessly classic in equal measures.
Melodic new single ‘Terminal 5‘ is lifted from the duo’s debut ‘Downloading A New Operating System‘ concept album (out 4th Nov), of which they say:
“It’s structured in a way that can take you from the starting point of transformation and through all the darkness and the struggles and the frustrations to the other end, and it might just make you feel better.”
Hailing from Kent is hugely promising musician BABY (aka Luke Wyatt), who has just unveiled his energising new single, ‘potholes’.
Delivering a sound that fuses elements of spoken word and poetry over raw, indie-rock productions, this newcomer’s work takes its inspiration from the likes of Jamie T, Rat Boy and Bakar.
With praise from the likes of BBC Introducing already under his belt (even crowning the artist with a ‘Track of the Week’), BABY is one UK talent to keep on your radars over the coming year.
Norway continues to deliver world-class pop artistry through rising singer and songwriter Natan Dagur.
Initially gaining prominence from an appearance on Norway’s edition of The Voice,Dagur has since accumulated a significant following that has resulted in over two million catalogue streams on Spotify alone.
New single ‘Holding On’ treats listeners to a perfected pop sound that feels understated yet emotive in tone, and serves as a promising introduction to this exciting newcomer.
The strongest debut of the week comes courtesy of UK-based singer and songwriter Torrence.
Already a noted artist under the name of Benjamin Torrens, this talent crafts evocative sounds that are unapologetically powerful and brutally honest in tone.
Released via Made Records’ new singles club (Made Arcade), ‘Violent Tendencies‘ was inspired by Torrence’s struggles with ADHD. As the artist elaborates:
“‘Violent Tendencies’ encapsulates the experience of undiagnosed ADHD. The story of a boy who goes to sleep after a Friday night fight, and wakes up to the bird song he knows and loves. The push and pull of growing up feeling repeatedly misunderstood and unable to control his emotions. It is jarring, it is unashamedly raw, and the lack of resolve leads to a powerful experience.”
Few talents have captivated us in such a way as Torrence has with this release; and in our view this is most certainly one artist to keep on your radars.
Emerging LA-based talent Holly Blair is a singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and filmmaker who creates art that is inspired by the different states of human emotion.
Produced by Tim Carr of Perfume Genius fame, new single ‘See This Through’ treats listeners to a stunning soundscape that feels ethereal and transcendent in tone. Elaborating on the lyrical concept behind the song, Blair explains:
“I wrote it as a love song. It was about the kind of love that transcends all bounds of time and space, but at the same time creates a deep undercurrent that something isn’t quite right. In retrospect, it’s not really a love song. It’s about wanting to give everything you have to go down a road despite knowing that at some point it ends.”
Blair has also unveiled visuals for the track today, which were directed by the artist alongside fellow creative Andicito.
Mikaela Stenmo continues Sweden’s proud tradition as being the home of electro-pop with the release of new single, ‘Heart Attack’.
Unmistakably Scandinavian in character, the song’s melancholic essence contrasts beautifully against an uptempo electronic production, while the lyrics tell of the stresses that come with being in love.
“The lyrics explore how I realise that I am the culprit in a fight between my ex boyfriend and I and try anything and everything to get him back. The song highlights the stress one feels when desperately trying to get a hold of someone they love.”
The song was originally conceived in 2020 with the help of Wille Enblad and Lucas Albrektsson, and has undergone two years of revisions before its release today.
Listeners who enjoy more challenging sounds will appreciate the work of four-piece experimental outfit fearofmakingout.
By fusing elements of lo-fi indie, rock and alternative pop, this American collective of artists construct unique and eclectic songs that are immensely satisfying to experience.
Boldly showcasing their creative versatility and love of pushing boundaries, new single ‘floor 20’ features the talents ofNyzahir and is lifted from the band’s 7-track ‘Secret Third Thing‘ EP (out now).
Emerging from Perth is promising singer and songwriter Jarrod Jeremiah. While still only 20-years of age, this rising talent is already amassing a considerable fanbase thanks to his universally loveable style of sound.
New single ‘Hold My Hand’ is lifted from Jeremiah’s forthcoming ‘IM-MATURE’ debut EP (out 3rd Nov), and serves as an uplifting slice of soulful pop that is sure to become a soundtrack for the Australian summer ahead.
“I always thought I needed to write love songs or make up intricate stories… when the real story was right in front me – my life. This track sets the scene for my upcoming EP, a look back on my life and childhood and excitement for my future”.
Jeremiah has seen his music featured on prominent playlists like Apple Music AU and Spotify AU/NZ, garnering over 180k career streams to date and solidifying this artist’s name as one to watch.
Representing some of Nashville’s most exciting new music, Dylan Dunn is a singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who crafts indie-pop sounds that are refreshingly experimental and bold in tone.
New single ‘I’m Not Clyde’ was produced by Adam Castilla from Californian rock outfit The Colourist, and tells of the times when we commit ourselves to someone who we know is not right for us.
“‘I’m Not Clyde’ embodies the idea of trying to force a square peg through a round hole. I really wanted to capture the sense of a match made in heaven that was bound to fall apart in the end, and using Bonnie and Clyde’s imagery felt too perfect to pass up.”
Dunn is currently readying himself for the release of a new upcoming EP. In the meantime, fans can enjoy his debut ‘Blue Like You’ project (out now).
