New Music - New Music

New Music: insha

– Flash Warning –

One of the most impressive introductions of the week comes courtesy of 19-year old indie artist insha.

Compelling new single ‘DGMTS’ was produced by Samir Alikhanizadeh (who has worked alongside the likes of FKA Twigs, Shygirl and Chloe & Halle), and provides listeners with a soundscape feels sparse and minimal – yet deeply emotive.

“I first started writing ‘DGMTS’ ages ago, in late 2020. I wrote it in a dark time in the middle of the night. It wasn’t completely done when Samir [Alikhanizadeh, producer] first went at it – it had a whole missing verse, and honestly I think it was really depressing. I write by letting random things come out of my mouth and sometimes being shocked at what comes spilling out. But that is music and that is art. Simply snippets of time. I meant every word. Up until a month ago, I really debated on whether I should soften some of the darker lyrics. It never felt right to do so – it didn’t feel honest. ‘DGMTS’ captures everything I was feeling at the time in music – I couldn’t be happier with it. Everything always gets better.”

The song serves as a follow-up to insha’s 2020 debut release ‘she’s watching’, which was praised by Billboard Magazine and achieved over 90k streams on Spotify alone.

insha

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New Music: Edie Bens

Edie Bens is a Welsh singer and songwriter who, at 21-years of age, is releasing some of the most promising indie-pop sounds to emerge from the UK.

‘Therapist’ is only Bens’ second single, yet the track showcases an artist who has the ability to pair beautifully melodic songs with thoughtfully written lyricism.

“’Therapist’ is about my uni boyfriend. We started seeing each other mainly because of the convenience and the familiarity of being housemates. It didn’t last very long as we were a terrible fit. And he was quite controlling. I was so scared to end things at first for fear of hurting his feelings despite knowing it was making me deeply unhappy. Writing this song was a way of me taking back my own narrative and happiness.”

To date, this rising starlet has collaborated with the likes of Benjamin Francis Leftwich and Flyte, while also touring alongside COIN and Felice Brothers among others.

Edie Bens

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New Music: Shady Baby

We are kicking the week off with a huge new release from British indie-rock newcomers Shady Baby.

Inspired by the iconic sounds of Madchester and Britpop, anthemic new single ‘Lonely Town’ makes an immediate impact from the moment you press play – and showcases this Brighton-based outfit’s immense potential.

“‘Lonely Town’ is about the creeping sense that you’re becoming detached from yourself and the people around you, whilst trying to keep a lid on it and act normal.” – Sam Leaver, Shady Baby

Having recently signed with iconic indie label Nice Swan, as well as picking up early support from the likes of BBC Radio 1 and Radio X, Shady Baby are rapidly marking themselves as one of the UK’s most promising indie groups.

Shady Baby

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Shady Baby – Upcoming Shows

24th August – Supersonic, Paris
24th/ 25th September – 234 Fest, Green Door Store, Brighton
29th September – Bermondsey Social Club, London

New Music: notfortheo

Track of the week. Undoubtedly one of the most exciting debuts of the month, Canadian outfit notfortheo create a style of hazy, psychedelic synth-pop that is utterly mesmerising to experience.

New single ‘just a little bit’ was co-produced alongside CAMP.30, and showcases the trio’s skills at crafting sounds that are truly unique in style.

Inspired by the hardships that the group encountered during the pandemic, the song presents deep lyricism over a lo-fi production that feels dreamy, and almost playful in tone.

“(the song) is a powerful declaration of entering a hedonistic lifestyle to combat the mundane loneliness of days spent in isolation during the pandemic.”

notfortheo

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New Music: Sötnos

As you may know, Scandinavians take their summer vacations very seriously. Around this time every year, the volume of new releases from the region dips, which is why we haven’t been featuring much Scandi music lately.

But that’s all about to change today, with the release of ‘Pancakes’ by Swedish newcomers Sötnos.

Thanks to it’s charming and playful blend of garage pop, indie and rock, the track serves as an immediate mood-booster and a perfect anthem for the weekend ahead.

Sötnos consists of Stockholm-based bandmates Albin Eidhagen and Tore Bojsten, who proudly self-produce all their work. Fans can look forward to the duo’s forthcoming ‘Care About Nothing’ debut album, which is released in September.

Sötnos

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* And for those of you wondering, Sötnos roughly translates to ‘cutie pie’, and is pronounced sœ:t.n:ous!

New Music: Westerner

With an irresistible blend of psychedelic indie-rock, electronica and synth-pop, Californian outfit Westerner could well be one of the most interesting newcomers to emerge this month.

‘Hell is Dull’ perfectly demonstrates this trio’s skill at crafting sounds that feel eccentric and underground while still maintaining some pop sensibilities.

“This song is about the tendency to overindulge in something to the degree that the sensation diminishes and you have to keep piling on the intensity to feel anything. I noticed that I got bored of my ‘vices’ if I did them the same way over again. So I found ways to make the experience more intense. After a while I started to feel a sort of ironic melancholy over the things I could no longer enjoy. Yeah, I was enjoying myself, but I couldn’t really go back. I tried to capture that irony in the music.”

Westerner currently command an army of over 90k followers on TikTok alone, while also picking up tastemaker support from the likes of BuzzBandsLA and American Pancake.

‘Kali Yuga Kama Sutra’ album is out now | Westerner

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New Music: Sylvie

Hailing from London is singer, multi-instrumentalist and producer Sylvie. As an artist who is unafraid to bare their true thoughts and emotions onto music, this pop talent is already gaining admiration from the likes of BBC Introducing and The Line of Best Fit, who recently remarked that ‘Sylvie’s clarity of expression is second to none.’

Through its intricately structured production and brutally honest lyrics, new single ‘Dull The Shimmer’ tells of Sylvie’s experience with anti-depressants, and the related feelings of numbness that come along with it.

“We should up the dose and keep the girl’s mouth shut, let’s all raise a toast until she’s all fired up”
SYLVIE – Dull The Shimmer

Sylvie readies the release of her debut ‘Particles of Paranoia‘ EP later this year, which was entirely written and produced by the artist herself.

Sylvie

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New Music: AYAKO

AYAKO could well be the next Japanese musical artist that has the potential to successfully captivate English-speaking nations.

This California-based talent fuses Japanese elements into her work – both sonically and visually, to create enthralling pieces of art.

New single ‘Something About You’ is a beautifully melodic slice of downtempo-pop that feels minimal and stripped-back, yet carries a darker undertone that leaves listeners hooked for more.

AYAKO

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New Music: Feinte

If there’s one song that’s certain to put a smile on your faces today, it’ll be ‘baby tee’ by Feinte.

Hailing from New York, this promising newcomer creates infectious blends of alt-pop and rock that are irresistibly charming to experience.

The song was inspired by the emerging American fashion trend of wearing undersized t-shirts, and its universality in appealing to people from all backgrounds, body shapes and sexualities.

Be sure to check out Feinte’s other releases – including his debut ‘Sloan’ and ‘SOS’.

Feinte

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New Music: Ed Staal

Hailing from Hertfordshire is promising British newcomer Ed Staal. Through an interesting fusion of old-school soul and classic pop, this talent crafts sounds that feel both timeless and cool in equal measures.

Self-recorded and produced, Staal’s sleek new single ‘Baby Blue’ is lifted from his upcoming ‘Battle Scars & Broken Hearts’ EP, and reminisces over an old relationship:

“The track is about looking back on a past relationship with hindsight and seeing how immature myself and the actual relationship became. Touching on how meeting new people has felt meaningless since the end of us.”

To date, Staal has picked up support from BBC Introducing and BBC Radio 1, while his catalogue of releases has accumulated over 150k on Spotify alone.

Ed Staal

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New Music: Len

Hailing from South London is much-acclaimed rapper and singer Len. Since the release of his debut project ‘DEAD END’ earlier this year, this newcomer has picked up praise from the likes of Complex, TRENCH and GRM Daily.

A familiar theme across Len’s work is the desire to push musical boundaries, and challenge people’s perceptions of how genres should sound.

This is a talent who is unafraid to experiment, and in doing so is crafting a catalogue of songs that are refreshingly bold and exciting.

Hypnotic new single ‘SOLACE’ presents listeners with heady fusion of club sounds – ranging from jungle to drum & bass, and showcases this emerging talent’s exceptional artistry.

Len

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New Music: Chanel Loren

Rising newcomer and BRIT School alumni Chanel Loren is currently crafting some of the most impressive fresh cuts of R&B and pop.

Since her debut single ‘Playlist’ earlier this year (which has accumulated over 200k streams alone so far), the Sydney-based Londoner has already picked up attention from heavyweight tastemakers like GRM Daily, CLASH and Dork magazines.

Serving as an uplifting anthem for the heartbroken, new single ‘Some Other Time’ was inspired by the effects caused from toxic relationships.

Chanel Loren | Arz

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New Music: Ashli

Sydney’s Ashli might well become one of your favourite new R&B starlets to emerge from Down Under.

Already praised and featured by the likes of triple j and MTV, Ashli has studied under the mentorships of Sampa the Great and Gretta Ray; marking herself as an artist to watch.

New single ‘Dance Again’ is reminiscent of Janet Jackson’s iconic collaborations with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis from the early 00’s, and fuses soulful pop with soft dance tones to create a sound that is truly charming.

Ashli

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New Music: Kayla Grace

As one of the UK’s most exciting emerging talents, Watford’s Kayla Grace showcases her immense potential with the release of new single ‘Nobody Loves Me‘.

The refreshingly honest track finds the 21-year old artist and songwriter contemplating her feelings of paranoia and insecurity, and encapsulates the thoughts that some of us may have while we are young and trying to figure out who we are.

“’Nobody Loves Me’ is basically the embodiment of the intrusive thoughts I have from my unhealed inner child. I had a complicated childhood and found a lot of my needs were ignored so I always believed that everyone hated me. Things are better now, but I think I dragged that cloud with me into teenage years/ adulthood and can’t shake it off.”

While still early in her career, Grace has already picked up attention from BBC Introducing and Clash, as well as being featured on flagship playlists like Spotify’s New Music Friday UK.

Kayla Grace

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New Music: Theo Sawyer

Hailing from the pop mecca that is New Zealand comes rising Auckland-based artist Theo Sawyer.

Drawing inspiration from the likes of Queen, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin and the sounds of Motown, this 22-year old talent creates radio-friendly pop anthems that are impossible not to enjoy.

Debut single ‘Forget Your Ex’ was entirely written, recorded and produced by Sawyer in his flat, and encourages listeners to move on from failed romances – and look forward to the future.

“‘Forget Your Ex’ is a song dedicated to those hesitant to take the leap back into the sometimes-scary world of dating; coupled with the thrill and excitement of meeting someone new. It is for those who want to dive back in, experience new things, and have no fear of living your best life.”

Theo Sawyer

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New Music: Olivia Kuper Harris

Emerging from Dallas in Texas is promising newcomer Olivia Kuper Harris. Not only is this artist a singer and performer, but also a songwriter and producer.

Drawing influences from genres as diverse as R&B to soul and jazz, this talent creates beautifully finessed sounds that feel melodic and organic in character.

With its empowering lyricism and sleek production, new single ‘Chains’ serves a perfect introduction to listeners who are yet to discover this promising musician.

“‘Chains’ is about breaking free from mental chains. I hope it’s relatable and that you enjoy the track!”

Olivia Kuper Harris

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New Music: ESS_WEST

Emerging from London’s creative hub of Brixton is hotly-tipped newcomer ESS_WEST.

Already a critic’s favourite (with praise from heavyweight tastemakers like Wonderland, Dummy and GRM Daily), this talent crafts refreshingly unique and emotive fusions of UK rap and indie.

Inspired by the action of putting yourself first, melodic new single ‘You’ showcases the artist’s work perfectly. With its summer-tinged production and thoughtful lyricism, the song presents itself as one of the most impressive releases of the month.

ESS_WEST

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New Music: VALÉ

Colombian artist VALÉ has to be one of the most interesting pop newcomers to emerge from Latin America so far this year.

Through its sleek blend of electro pop and R&B, relatable new single ‘red lights’ looks at the uncertainties of life, and the anxieties that come with not knowing what the future holds.

“‘red lights’ is such a raw song and is about what it really feels like to not know where you’re headed in life. I think this is a universal feeling; everyone can relate to feeling lost, anxious, and uncertain about one’s life.”

Having recently secured a successful collaboration with Cuban-American star Kat Dahlia entitled ‘oop’, it seems inevitable VALÉ will hit the global mainstream very soon.

VALÉ

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New Music: Sam Short

While the name may not (yet) be familiar to most, Sam Short is already an accomplished songwriter who has worked for the likes of Katy Perry, Shakira and NOTD.

So it comes as no surprise that Short’s own solo work is a masterclass in pop. Songs like ‘Naked’ feature punchy lyrics and catchy melodies over sleek electronic productions, giving Short’s music a strong sense of character.

“‘Naked’ is essentially an ode to self-love and sensuality. It encompasses all of what it means to not only be independent, but to be empowered as a female in today’s world. I wrote the song in an effort to help myself recover from a tumultuous break-up, and I hope it helps others do the same.”

While still on her second release, Short has already accumulated a significant fan base, with more than 350k followers on TikTok alone.

Sam Short

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New Music: LOLA

London-based artist LOLA unveils a stunning piece of futuristic R&B through the release of her new single ‘Back’.

With production from IGLOOGHOST, the song fearlessly pushes the boundaries of the genre – yet still maintains a beautifully melodic and emotive essence that is reminiscent of the early 00’s R&B sound.

LOLA’s work has picked up praise from established tastemakers like i-D and Wonderland, while her music has been selected for editorial playlists like Spotify’s New Music Friday and Fresh Finds UK.

LOLA

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