Following on from the viral success of their single ‘Best Worst Year’ (which has garnered close to 7 million streams on Spotify alone), emerging duo STRABE release new single ‘Life on Pause’.
Channelling influences of alt-pop, electronic music and Gen Z’s trial-and-error experiences of growing up ‘On Pause’, the song represents singer Angelica’s idea “of appreciating being in the moment, and taking the time to be still.”
Emerging from Toronto is experimental artist Flowerless. Through his sleek blend of alternative pop, electronica and indie, this talent crafts sounds that are not only individualistic in character, but lyrically engrossing.
“LAB’ is a deeply emotive piece of music that carries with it an interesting story. Two years ago, Flowerless was in a relationship that wasn’t committed and about to express deeper feelings to the woman he was with, when she slept with her ex:
“Even though she said it was trash and she didn’t want to go back to him, the damage had been done and I wasn’t able to get past it to really continue things.”
A refreshingly bold, raw and totally gripping fusion of soul and indie-funk. Reminiscent of the likes of Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, this is a sound that hits you immediately the moment you press play.
Based in Hamilton, The HP’s are a funk & soul collective that were created drummer/bandleader ‘Parkside’ Mike Renaud, the founder and owner of noted music company Hidden Pony Records & Management – widely recognised as one of Canada’s premiere talent-development labels and artist management companies.
Taken from the upcoming debut album ‘Gritty City Soul, Vol. 1.’
Dominican-Irish, Los Angeles-based newcomer jame minogue has been one of the most exciting finds of the week.
With a style of pop that is playful, eccentric and charming in equal measures, it feels almost impossible not to be won over by this promising newcomer.
Emerging American artist BLAKSWAN constructs a kind of sound that is really quite engrossing to experience.
Dark, intense and cinematic in tone, these are songs that not only push the boundaries of alternative music, but also carry compelling and thought-provoking lyricism.
‘COLTRANE’ is the story of a man not only fighting for his life – but his identity. A true expression of the moments when you are fighting for life; for breath for survival.
Emerging from Australia is Perth’s very own sadgirl songstress, Lo. Praised by the likes of triple j and Phoebe Bridgers, this talent applies mature and complex lyricism over hazy, lo-fi pop sounds that are beautifully poignant and captivating. On new single ‘Giver, Lover, Pet’ she says:
“Lyrically, it’s a relatable situation where you find yourself stuck in an unhealthy relationship but can’t get out because you adore them so much.”
youproblem is a brand new and hugely exciting alt-pop collaboration between Sydney producer/ drummer Alistair Hayes and singer/ songwriter Alana Patmore.
Today sees the release of their impressive self-produced debut, ‘Wasting Time’. Written about the pull of codependency, infatuation, and neglecting your responsibilities for someone else, the song was mixed by Joel Quartermain and presents conversational pop melodies over bright and gritty sounds.
“’Wasting Time’ is an ode to all the time and sacrifices you make when you’re young, dumb, and in love. It’s about that obsession with someone that makes everything else seem like it doesn’t matter. The beginning of codependency in a naive love situation. It’s basically me dating in uni.” – Alana
“This song came together so easily when Alana told me what she wanted to write about. It was obvious we wanted to go almost sarcastically bubbly and boppy over the more personal and kinda depressing lyrics.” – Alistair
Track of the week. Emerging from the UK comes newcomer Dré Six. With a sound that seamlessly blends elements of mellow and alternative pop with R&B, this artist is creating a sound that is refreshingly original yet incredibly easy to connect with.
Sometimes you press play on a song and it immediately blows you away. I can safely say that is the case with ‘Ghosts’.
Crafted by Glaswegian singer-songwriter Murdo Mitchell, this track is not only intensely moving, but creates a sonic atmosphere that is nothing short of stunning – building to an ever-increasing intensity the longer you listen.
“I wrote ‘Ghosts’ during lockdown, when you weren’t able to go out of your house, and at the start you were stacking the cupboards like you were preparing for a zombie apocalypse, but there was an element of madness-but-also-almost-fun in the air, then further down the line you were tearing your hair out wanting to get out and away from all the feelings you didn’t know you’d had that were buried deep. It was around the tearing-my-hair-out phase that I wrote Ghosts.
Ghosts is about the vulnerability you open yourself up to in a relationship and the trust that both parties must have in order for it to function. But more especially, it’s probably more to the point of what happens when that trust breaks down.”
One of Lithuania’s most exciting prospects may also be one of its youngest. At only 16-years old, Lucid Kidd is already primed to become one of Gen Z’s newest rising stars.
Through his interesting blend of lo-fi pop and emo hip hop, this multi-talented artist is ready to conquer the world with his unique – and highly enjoyable – brand of music.
“Even though I’m young, I’ve had the amazing opportunity to see the world, see different cultures. I’ve been lucky enough to travel to Africa, Asia, America, and lots of other places. It’s been incredible, and it has opened my eyes to how big, mysterious and exciting the world is.”
With a refreshingly raw and honest take on alt-pop, Nashville-based singer and songwriter Kev Kelly delivers a sound that is immediately captivating to any discerning listener.
Punchy, mildly explicit and undeniably catchy, his latest release ‘Royal Blue’ is anthemic in character and wildly enthralling.
“There was a bar in Nashville called Crazy Town. It was the worst best bar on Broadway. If you had people visiting or it was your friend’s birthday, you went to Crazy Town. And when the DJ played a song that everyone knew, the whole place would erupt. I would like to think if ‘Royal Blue’ came on at Crazy Town in 2018 the whole place would go f*ckin’ nuts.”
London-born musician and songwriter Al Costelloe has been playing in bands since the age of just twelve. At seventeen she was signed to iconic label Mute as one half of Big Deal, going on to release three albums and amass over ten million streams.
Now Costelloe is creating music as a soloist, and what you’ll experience when you press play on ‘California’ is a perfected fusion of dreamy pop and indie that is sure to make you fall in love with this hugely promising artist.
The song deals with saying goodbye to a problematic relationship, and the places that were meaningful to it. Recorded in London, the song captures the melancholia of a difficult breakup alongside the sunshine-tinged feeling of Southern California.
It’s safe to say that London-based American multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter and producer Ian Janco is a master of many arts.
Janco creates beautifully emotive and sincere blends of indie and folk, with new single ‘Something New’ showcasing this artist’s extraordinary talent.
Based on real life experience, the track is peppered with hazy memories of a past relationship in contrast to the new reality post-break-up; emphasising all the complexity of emotion that’s wrapped up in this transition.
“‘Something New’ was written shortly after a breakup in the first Lockdown. It captures the feeling of knowing that a relationship is coming to an end, but still having love for a person even though they’ve moved on. On one of the darker days of that time, it just poured out of me – an expression of sadness and longing but also a kind of optimism for what’s to come. I hope that some people resonate with it and helps them get through whatever they may be going through.”
Taken from the forthcoming EP ‘Rapture’, slated for release later this year.
Emerging US talent Tucker Nichol’s take on alternative R&B is truly outstanding. Dark yet fragile in tone, these songs contain remarkably honest lyricism that is carried through with a Nichol’s confident vocal delivery.
New single ‘Over The Edge’ covers difficult topics like abuse, and the way that past experiences became emotionally crippling for Nichol due to their unpredictable and unstable nature.
On the song, we observe Nichol wrestling with doubt about leaving such a difficult situation – but ultimately her immense amounts of courage and bravery are what allowed her to finally walk away.
Taken from the upcoming album ‘Too Close to Home’.
Emerging from Norway comes 17-year old artist Ea Othilde. Inspired by the likes of Elliott Smith, PJ Harvey and early Bon Iver, this talent crafts a captivating indie sound that feels sincere, emotive and immensely captivating.
“‘I Couldn’t Be There’ is a little indie rock tune about all the things you want to do, all the places you want to go, everything and everyone that’s out of reach. It’s the sound of time slipping through your fingers, the soundtrack of roads leading nowhere.”
Hailing from Southern Sweden, Alissa Reah is a pop artist who is still only 18-years old. Today sees the release of her new single ‘YOU’, marking Reah as one of Scandinavia’s most exciting emerging talents.
Beneath the catchy melodic surface the song is a serious subject matter, about growing up and finding yourself:
“It’s okay to feel like you’re growing, evolving and maybe not wanting the same things as before. ’YOU’ is about progress but also about freeing yourself from the influence society and other powerful figures have on you.”
Kicking off the weekend with some outstanding Australian talent. Praised by the likes of Triple J, Brisbane’s Friends of Friends construct a vibrant sound that fuses indie-pop with alternative rock, while also drawing on the influences of British hard-house and drum and bass.
“This track is my absolute favourite. The lyrics are a series of memories I have about going out to raves and house parties only to end up staring into the bathroom mirror halfway through the night, wondering why I went out. I struggle with derealisation, especially in busy environments like parties, and I often feel as though I’m stuck watching myself in third person and can’t switch off the autopilot. This track is a little dark and cathartic at times, but ultimately it’s a tongue-in-cheek take on wanting to stay home and instead finding yourself asking pointless metaphysical questions at a party you’ve begrudgingly gone to.”
Hailing from North Wales come psychedelic rock collective Holy Coves. Led by Welsh singer-songwriter Scott Marsden, this outfit construct a richly dark and atmospheric sound that is both compelling and entrancing in equal measures.
‘The Hurt Within’ was created alongside producer Erik Wofford (The Black Angels/ Explosions In The Sky), and sees Wofford himself on mixing and mastering duties.
Emerging from Toronto is rising pop-rock starlet Dallas. Inspired by her real-life experiences, dreams, thoughts and perceptions, this artist constructs songs that are not only anthemic in tone, but also carry unique and soulful lyricism. On new single ‘R.I.P’ she says:
“Losing a friend is never easy, especially when there is no closure or explanation as to what went wrong. I wrote ‘R.I.P’ at a very pivotal moment in my life when a life long friendship of mine came to a very sudden end. Writing this song allowed me to make peace with the hurt I experienced, as well as my own wrong doings.”