London-based newcomer Seren 4 Ever unveils her debut to the world with the release of ‘Cellophane’.
Sonically, the track balances elements of experimental electronica with indie and sugary pop, creating a musical universe that is both entrancing and unique in character.
While the production feels fresh and future-forward, the introspective lyricism tells of the struggles that young adults face, allowing listeners to connect with the song on a deeper level.
As far as debuts go, this is one of the most interesting and captivating songs to be released this week.
Emerging from the UK is promising pop-rock outfit Dakota Avenue. If you’re already a fan of British indie talents like Sam Fender and Nothing But Thieves then the chances of you falling in love with this trio are exceptionally high.
With its dreamy and polished production, melodic new single ‘Slap Me Silly’ presents listeners with captivating vocals that carry thought-provoking and relatable lyricism.
“‘Slap Me Silly’ is a hypothetical plea for a saint-like figure to appear and click the reset button.”
The group will perform live at 33 Oldham Street in Manchester on the 11th June 2022, followed by Kendal Calling later in the year.
One of the most impressive debuts of the week comes courtesy of Australian based newcomers the eight five two.
Mysteriously dark, melancholic and intense in tone, ‘Shiver’ is a beautifully constructed indie-rock composition that feels truly unique in style.
Charged with deep emotion, the song is all about the disconnect of not being able to let go.
“A haunting past left behind that you can’t help but want more of. It’s the river flowing inside your mind, blocking out all other thoughts. With no hope of swimming against it, you’re left with a memory, a shiver, a sweet but violent current that runs down the back of your neck into your heart.”
With such an impressive introduction to the world, this collective of gifted musicians could well be one of Australia’s next big talents to garner global attention.
Little is known about Berlin-based newcomer Amore Audio. And yet, the mystery of who this artist is adds to the allure of the music that he creates.
‘Ait’ manages to achieve that almost-impossible feat of sounding raw, organic, experimental and future-forward, while still maintaining a sense of relatability. It’s a piece of music that feels mainstream and underground in equal measures.
“I wrote ‘Ait’ after losing a friend. The song is about ‘acceptance’, a gentle reminder about how little the universe cares about our lives.”
The further along you listen to the song, the more it rewards you with complex layers and beat structures. Overall, this is one very interesting artist worth keeping an eye out for.
Consisting of bandmates Josh Ford and Andrea de Varona, Fake Dad are an emerging outfit from Brooklyn who are currently creating some of the most interesting blends of indie, electronica and pop.
New single ‘How Do I Cry’ presents a refreshingly eccentric twist on the alt-pop genre, bouncing between tones of playfulness and melancholy.
“Crying is so easy, even babies can do it. But over the years, we learn to squish it down. Soon we walk around like a sponge, oversaturated in stale emotions – unable to cry even if we wanted to.”
It’s the kind of sound that lifts you up, while still reminding you that it’s OK to feel human and vulnerable.
Hailing from Los Angeles come pop-rock outfit The Christopher Brothers. With a rapidly growing army of devoted followers, this trio has already had songs feature on prestigious rankings such as the Billboards Hot Single Sales Chart and the Top 40 Radio Media Base Chart.
Garnering early praise from the likes of LA Times, Neufutur Magazine and none other than Simon Cowell himself, the group looks set to have their biggest year to date – thanks to their own infectious style of music-making that delivers a modern twist on the classic garage-rock sound.
Rising US singer songwriter Sydney Ross Mitchell creates magnificently atmospheric pieces of indie-folk that are in a league of their own.
This artist finds music more as a lifeline than a creative outlet, which may well explain why songs like ‘Bunny’ are so intensely captivating and emotive. Speaking on the single, Sydney says:
“A song that came to me in a dream, recorded in Los Angeles in October of 2021. It’s my first release since moving from Texas to LA and I can’t wait to start this new chapter.”
Hailing from Madrid is eccentric pop starlet irenegarry. Songs like ‘A W’ display a perfected mix of pop and R&B that enthrals listeners into this artist’s magnificent musical world.
This is one of the most exciting prospect to emerge from Spain in quite some time.
At just 18-years-old, Rio Rainz is fast becoming one of UK’s most exciting alt-R&B and rap prospects. Through beautifully emotive and melodic releases, this artist delivers refreshingly introspective lyricism with sincere vocals.
“‘Damaged’ is about my experiences over the past three years and the headspace I have been in. I’m talking about the times I missed being close to another person but I’m looking at myself in the mirror. I lost myself a little but that’s not the space I’m in any more.”
If there’s one soloist who’s likely to hit the mainstream in a big way anytime soon, I’d place my bets on US-born and London raised American-Spanish artist Sofia Lafuente.
With inspirations as varied as Kate Bush and Stevie Nicks to Shakira, this talent creates songs that feel timelessly classic, deeply emotive and refreshingly relatable. On new single ‘Domestic Bliss’, Lafuente says:
“It’s a look back at the time when I first met my partner. The excitement, the hope but also the complete question mark as to how it was going to work, especially dealing with distance and a pandemic. It was my way of capturing that feeling of a positive ‘what if?’. Instead of uncertainty giving you anxiety, using it as a reason to live fully in the present.”
While still only 15-years of age, rising Swedish starlet Ella Tiritiello is picking up significant momentum thanks to her phenomenal performance on new single ‘Say Something’.
Inspired by powerhouse legends like Diana Ross, Adele and Sia, this artist has constructed one of the finest pieces of Scandinavian pop so far this year.
“I loved to sing their songs in my room, but I never wanted anyone to hear, mostly because of my stage fright. I couldn’t see myself stand in front of people and sing.”
Track of the week. South London-born, Bristol-based Nate Brazier may be a relative newcomer to most, but this talent has in fact spent the last four years quietly making music.
With its unique style of alternative music, his melancholic yet introspective new single ‘Inertia’ features dusty garage beats, intelligent lyricism and intoxicating vocals.
Brazier wrote the track as an honest reflection of the most recent chapter of his life, and grapples with his generation’s fears of coming-of-age.
“Living in this world with my friends, every event feels monumental and every decision feels life changing. I wanted to make something that felt equally immersive and overwhelming.”
Continuing to prove that New Zealand is one of the most exciting places for new music right now, this new collaboration between emerging outfits ladiesmile and skinnyandsoft is just about the catchiest indie bop that I have come across all week.
‘Ice Cream’ is a combination of ladiesmile’s beautiful, live production and skinnyandsoft’s unique, cascading and soulful vocals, as he presents thoughts of self-reflection and coming to terms with his past.
“‘Ice Cream’ is about feeling isolated in my own thoughts. Allowing bad habits to get the better of me, this song is me talking on my struggle with the constant back and forth of knowing my self-worth and hating a lot about myself. Hoping for more, trying for more, continuing to grow. Believing in myself one step at a time.” – skinnyandsoft
Hailing from California, singer and songwriter Matt Sands creates a light-hearted pop sound that feels fresh and charming to experience.
New single ‘Zombie’ is an unconventional take on the love song, comparing rejection to feeling like a Zombie – wandering the Earth to find the love that almost was.
While niche and psychedelic in tone, King Monday’s ‘We’ve Run Out!’ captures a relatable situation to many of us; that distinct feeling of waking up disoriented at an after, after, afterparty and trying to piece together events of the night before.
The track finds the London-based indie artist muse over the pre-lockdown era of parties, inviting the listener into the various pubs, flats and clubs that were frequented by members of the UK underground scene during this time.
Oklahoma City’s Daniel Chrisman and Israel Lee – collectively known as Tree Giants, are already an established studio outfit who have worked alongside hip hop and R&B artists seeking to add electronic and dream-pop vibes to their music.
Today marks the release of their new single, entitled ‘Better Together’. Anthemic in tone and empowering in its lyricism, the song showcases a bold and invigorating edge to the dream-pop genre. So if you’re a fan of HONNE, Postiljonen or Friendly Fires then Tree Giants may well be one of your new favourites.
“No doubt, we’re all worn out by global fallout of the past two years, from a pandemic standpoint, but also with continual political divide and most recently, the crisis in Ukraine we’ve watched with aching hearts from the comfort of our own homes. What really stirred emotion in us, though – leading us to write ‘Better Together’ – was witnessing the inevitable, beautiful effects of unity amongst people – especially in desperate circumstances. It’s our genuine hope that the demonstration of humanity coming together to take care of each other in dark times will encourage us all to see that life is truly going to be better if we simply look out for each other, even when we’re in quieter, lighter seasons.” – Daniel Chrisman, Tree Giants
With her unmistakably captivating voice, Barbadian-Canadian artist Jenny Mayhem creates honest and relatable pop about high hopes and small worries.
Written as a heartfelt ode to breaking bad habits, Mayhem’s new single ‘Tightrope’ is the first of several singles leading up to an upcoming EP, and was co-produced in Toronto with frequent collaborator Sugar Jesus.
Featured by the likes of CBC Radio as well as Spotify’s ‘Fresh Finds’ and ‘Fresh Finds: Indie’, Mayhem is one Canadian artist worth keeping on your radars.
Hailing from South Wales, The Forest of Dean and Gloucester are promising indie newcomers Sub Cultures.
Atmospheric new single ‘Peeping Andrew’ is a confident and bold alt-rock sound that is immediately captivating. Produced by Gethin Pearson and mastered by Robin Schmidt, the track has already picked up praise by the likes of BBC Introducing.
With early support from BBC Introducing, Amazing Radio and Spotify, London-born and French-raised artist Fleur Rouge creates an interesting style of pop that straddles the line between dark, alternative beats and hard, digital future synths.
New single ‘Cold Feet’ is a song about the unapologetic, emotional unavailability that comes from an age where everyone craves validation from vapid likes and empty love.
