Closing out the year with an electro-pop banger, UK talent Ro Nova’s self-produced single ‘Silver’ is a a synth-driven belter that is sure to get you in the party mood.
Already making headway in the music industry, Ro has worked with Fred Again.. and Kamille, and written with the likes of Raye, MNEK and Farrah.
Michael Sebastian’s style of music-making results in songs that are always rich in character and texture. ‘Afiye’ is a perfect example of this, with its enchantingly immersive soundscape.
Sometimes the best music an artist can make is that which serves as a form of therapy. Case in point is emerging New York rapper, singer-songwriter and producer Genuardi.
Created with Kenny Lehman, ‘letter from orpheus’ is one of the most impressive releases that I have come across this month. This is a deeply moving piece that fuses alternative R&B with hip hop in an exceptionally thoughtful and heartfelt way.
“Right before COVID hit in 2020 I lost my father which affected me and opened my eyes to what’s important in life. I started questioning the choices I’ve made in life but accompanied by heavy drinking and getting high. I was anti-social, and just trying to numb myself and quarantine definitely wasn’t helping. After realising I wasn’t helping myself I tried turning things around and trying to make pops proud. Lyrically this song is about not letting life beat you up and the responsibility of overcoming adversity to become the best version of yourself.”
Gutter Punk’s ‘Fighting For My Life’ is just about one of the most sublime releases of the week. This is a sound like none other; intriguing, original and refreshingly captivating.
Propelling classic rock to a new generation, New York outfit The Moon City Masters create a style of sound that is near impossible not to enjoy.
Fusing elements of funk and soul into rock, these twin brothers deliver music that is brimming with charm and joy, while still pushing the boundaries of the genre.
American collective Illusion Hills is a group of artists and digital curations who create the unexpected.
‘weirdo’ is a refreshingly original genre-bending sound that is both experimental and future-forward.
Hailing from East London, Juvenal Maze is an emerging producer and singer-songwriter who delivers an emotive approach to R&B that feels effortlessly cool and finessed.
“The idea behind this song came after going through trials and tribulations while in the pursuit of success. Being in a relationship and realising that during this pursuit the weight of broken promises and being disappointment due to things not working out as I had intended were also becoming weight in my relationship.”
Emerging newcomer Skøien is a Swedish born, Danish-Norwegian artist who is rapidly gaining traction thanks to an impressive fusion of dark pop and alt-R&B.
This is a sound that is sleek, well-constructed and thoughtfully produced – making Skøien one Scandinavian talent to watch out for in 2022.
Delivering a perfected blend of synth and indie-pop (just in time for the holidays), Merchant’s ‘I Hate It Here’ is an infectiously memorable song that is impossible not to love.
No stranger to the industry, Merchant first honed his songwriting and production skills working with Grammy award-winning songwriter Sam Martin (Maroon 5, Jason Derulo, One Direction), ultimately co-producing Martin’s debut album for Atlantic Records.
As Covid’s second wave loomed in late 2020, Merchant also saw himself collaborating with Duran Duran’s John Taylor, resulting in a new and distinctive synth-pop sound.
While we are stuck in the middle of winter, the release of ‘Sunroof’ comes as a welcome news.
This summery bop is a catchy and feel-good blend of indie and pop from Californian newcomer Nicky Youre.
London-based producer and composer SINK crafts a sound that is refreshingly unique in concept. This artist delivers a new approach to pop that is not only texturally rich but also incredibly emotive.
New single ‘Laid’ is a beautifully intense yet experimental piece of electronic music that feels atmospheric and ethereal in equal measures.
“‘Laid’ is about our relationship with time and the way we experience connections, goals and anxieties. Perhaps time is our most ancient enemy and the social media reshaped it for us. It’s an intrusion, a violation.
I wrote this song when I was still in north Italy, when my music didn’t seem to have a purpose for me anymore as I was feeling unheard and I hope this will help others not to feel the same.
I’m suggesting we could stop for a while, enjoy each other’s presence, touch and closeness.”
An Australian fusion of alternative R&B and hip hop that feels melancholic, emotionally raw and deeply captivating.
Track of the week. A hugely exciting release from UK-born Nigerian artist Nissi. This emerging talent crafts a universally likeable sound that blends pop with elements of R&B and afrobeat in a seamlessly exquisite way.
Another week, another superb talent from Canada! This time it’s the turn of indie-rock outfit Fjord Mustang.
This Toronto group create a sound that feels current yet nostalgic in equal measures. Their melodic new single ‘Fortune’ is all about taking chances, and how you can miss out on life if you don’t attempt to face things and act before it’s too late.
If you’re a fan of MGK, Yungblud and jxdn then chances are Glooms could be your next new favourite.
Hailing from Los Angeles, this artist constructs sounds that are authentic, and raw in emotion. With captivating vocals and powerful productions, this emerging talent is one to watch.
“This song is about being so traumatised by a past relationship, that no matter how hard you try to forget them you can’t. Not in the corny way where you only remember the good times and miss the person, but in a way where little things throughout your day trigger an emotional response that you’d rather not have. This is not a love song. It’s a song about desperately wishing you could forget.”
Finnish music doesn’t come over often to us, but when it does it always seems to be a beautiful experience to play.
When she’s not busy helping to write music for the likes of Karl Killing and Junge Junge, Bambi L creates a unique style of indie-pop that feels immediately relatable, while still carrying a subtle and measured sense of playfulness and eccentricity.
“With this song I want to send a message to people, that it’s okay if you’re feeling sad or lonely, or going through a hard time on Christmas. You are not alone.”
American artist Aminta Skye introduces herself to the world with debut single ‘Ring Around the Sun’.
A true fusion of genres, the song starts with a gentle guitar and ringing vocals, progressing to a groovy chorus with elements of chill-pop, and finally reaching its destination with a full rock bridge and ending.
“I just think we’ve all felt let down before, truly disappointed by someone. I view songwriting as a way to connect with people but also as a therapy for myself. I actually wrote this song at sixteen, it felt like I couldn’t rest until it was done.”
Emerging Dutch project BURNR unleashes impressive debut single ‘Move’. This is an epic slice of tech-house music, and a perfect addition to your weekend playlists.
Thai-Chilean talent Araya constructs sounds like none other. This is a highly impressive blend alternative R&B and electronica that feels elevated and conceptual.
’02’ is addictively listenable and intriguingly unique in tone; be prepared to have this song on loop all day…
Hailing from Halifax is emerging artist Ellur. Writing music since the age of 11, this talent is crafting some of the most exciting new indie-pop sounds to currently come out of Northern England.
With shimmering synths, sleek slinky guitar lines and a driving pulsating rhythm, ‘Innocent (Dreaming)’ is an emotionally introspective bop that deserves to be heard.
Taken from the new EP ‘Moments’ which is out now.
