Category: New Music

New Music: Belot

Undoubtedly, one of my favourite alt-pop talents of the week has to be London-based songwriter Belot.

Her new single ‘Harmless Fun’ channels an almost Prince-like aura through its bouncing production and glittering guitar hooks, and is certain to win you over after just one listen.

“‘Harmless Fun’ came about during the first lockdown in the UK. I found myself binge watching Modern Family, and it led me to this idea. The concept was essentially: What if the Dad character Phil Dunphy turned up to a conference thinking it was going to be a very legitimate and educational work conference and then all of a sudden he sees a whole bunch of businessmen absolutely hammered. He swiftly realises this is an adult version of spring break. The song is about giving in to the lighter side of life, and not being afraid to let your hair down. After all that’s what life is about, having fun!”

Already garnering praise from the likes of BBC Radio 1, The Line Of Best Fit, Earmilk, Official Charts and Record of the Day, this artist’s style of ‘awkward pop’ is rapidly winning her a legion of fans.

Belot

New Music: Jillian Lake

Hailing from Vancouver, indie artist Jillian Lake creates heartfelt songs that blend vivid lyricism with beautifully constructed melodies.

While on the surface Lake’s sound feels stripped-down and simple in tone, each song’s intimacy transports you into her own world of sweet sorrow in a way that will make you want to take your broken heart out dancing.

“This song is one of my earliest, when I first started spewing my feelings into songs. Back when I loved swimming in my heartache and indulging in overthinking every moment once had. Without holding back or diving in metaphorics, I just poured my heart out onto the page – a messy and mumbling depiction of every feeling I was feeling as I felt it.” 

Taken from the upcoming debut album, which is set to be out in early 2022.

Jillian Lake

New Music: Madeline

Madeline is a Dallas-raised alternative singer-songwriter who writes beautifully simple yet powerfully emotive songs; so much so that her work has so far picked up placements on both Spotify and Apple’s flagship new-music playlists, as well as support from tastemakers like Paper Magazine, Early Rising and A1234.

Today she releases her new A-B single ‘Nice/Wake Up’, comprising of two stunning songs that are both equally superb.

On first single ‘Nice’, Madeline says, “The word ‘nice’ kept popping into my head, and I thought about how people always just say ‘nice’ as kind of an empty, passive answer. It made me think of people who think the world revolves around them and that it’s nice of them to give people the time of day.  The more and more you look at this person’s actions, they might not be that nice of a person.”

Meanwhile, ‘Wake Up’ was written as an anti-love song, telling the story of a couple who are infatuated with each other but not in love:

“The song is actually two years old, but it was the first time I felt like I had something interesting and exciting to me. For a while, ‘Wake Up’ was the only song I would show anyone and so it was important to me that this one came out.”

Madeline

New Music: IMGfound

Norwegian outfit IMGfound craft a style of music that blends multiple genres together in a very organic and compelling way.

With elements of alt-hip hop, hyperpop and ambient, ‘Eversnow’ is a refreshingly unique sound that takes you on a very special sonic journey.

“Since we’re a duo we often open up and talk about what we feel at the moment, which often impacts the theme of the songs we make. This song in a lot of ways a journey the same way we felt we’ve been through. Here in Norway the winters get very cold and brings you in a special state of mind and we think this song can speak to that in people.”

IMGfound

Tom The Mail Man – NOTHINGTOLOSE

Georgia’s finest, genre-bending multi-talent Tom The Mail Man returns with ‘NOTHINGTOLOSE’.

Produced by Yung Spoiler, this vulnerable and emotive track comes with stunning visuals that show Tom reflect on the past, while grappling with life in his eerie and isolated present-day reality.

“‘NOTHINGTOLOSE’ is an anthem for kids in poverty, kids who never had what they needed growing up, just kids without. The kids who have the world stacked against them and are still ready to conquer any obstacle in front of them. I was a kid like that growing up and this is our national anthem.”

Tom The Mail Man

New Music: Poppy Baskcomb

Just three months ago Poppy Baskcomb was working in retail store JD Sports, and this week her co-write for Joel Corry and Mabel’s new single ‘I Wish’ is #23 in the UK charts.

Now, her debut single (and dance floor anthem) ‘Teardrop’ is released, showcasing this artist is one of pop’s newcomers to watch out for.

“’Teardrop’ came about in a session I did with Paul Harris and James Hurr where we decided we wanted to write a big pop tune. Something that you could hear the likes of Miley Cyrus on with influences from Robyn and Stevie Nicks. When it came to the lyrics we just had fun with them, combining all of our experiences from nights out and club romances. It’s the first song where I really felt like there was a lot of me in it. And that’s why I’m so gassed to have it as my first single and I hope everyone else is too.”

Poppy Baskcomb

New Music: Marianna Winter

American-Faroese emerging starlet Marianna Winter crafts a style of soul pop which is nothing short being completely mesmerising.

Born and partly raised between Tórshavn and California, Winter is one of the few female artists currently pioneering the lo-fi underground scene in the Faroe Islands.

“I tend to spend a lot of time making sure that the people around me are good, but sometimes I just wish I could be someone who doesn’t feel the need to answer every text within 2 seconds or fix every problem, and just say ‘fuck it, I’m busy’. You know? ‘BMM’ (Busy Making Money) is an anthem to anyone who secretly pretends to be a ruthless, champagne-popping, cut-throat, money-making bitch.”

Marianna Winter

New Music: clovo

Emerging from Australia’s Gold Coast comes alt-pop artist clovo. With a polished approach to music-making that feels confident and self-assured, her powerful debut single ‘Girls’ was written as an anthem for all women who stand against sexual assault and discrimination.

“I wrote this song on International Women’s Day and being inspired by that, it outlines issues of women being sexualised and objectified in society and it is an anthem for all women to have a voice against sexual assault and discrimination. I was listening to a lot of Grimes, Mia Rodriguez and Billie Eilish at the time and felt empowered to be part of this revolution of women speaking their mind. I always feel inspired when I hear songs from women taking a stand with their music, and I wanted to do the same and hopefully inspire other women.”

clovo

New Music: TEOSE

Photo / Aodhan Gallagher

Glasgow-based 3 piece TEOSE were self-releasing a series of DIY recordings over lockdown, eventually leading them to signing to Kaleidoscope Records earlier this year.

With a deceptively simple yet distinctive style of indie-rock, their songs feel refreshingly raw and impactful – leading me to feel confident that this alternative outfit will acquire a solid fan base over the coming months.

Part of a double single package which is out now.

TEOSE

New Music: Alysdare

As a fantastically exciting new talent emerging from LA, Alysdare brings a refreshingly original approach to alternative R&B.

The Ohio born and raised songwriter, producer, and multi instrumentalist releases his new single ‘STUPID JAZ BUBBLE GUM POP’ today, and it’s just about the most unique track that I have come across all day.

“The song spilled out in an hour the day after I broke up with a girl named Jaz… My favourite person to this day but the timing was all wrong. I was in the studio with my engineer when he played this drum beat and i started immediately laying these pretty jazz chords but in a very pop sense of voice hence the title and little double entendre ‘stupid jazz bubblegum pop’. The lyrics literally happened almost entirely freestyle and I think it’s still one of the most honest pieces I’ve wrote to date.”

Alysdare

New Music: Finches

UK-based newcomer Finches crafts a new kind of pop that is not only expressive and vulnerable, but also fresh and engaging at the same time.

With it’s lo-fi production and acoustic essence, ‘Simp Song’ provides a dreamy and lucid listening experience.

“Over the last year with the in the lockdown, the way I approach expression and my own sense of masculinity changed, I learnt to look into my expression of vulnerability as authentic, genuine and more in touch with my fragile side.”

Finches

New Music: Hope Wilkins

Emerging from Australia is Canberra singer songwriter Hope Wilkins. With a unique approach to indie pop and folk, this artists crafts songs that are melodically quite beautiful, while her lyricism is refreshingly honest and captivating to experience.

Since the release of debut EP ‘Coffee Cups’ in 2020, Hope has sold out a string of live shows, gained airplay on triple j, and garnered a nomination for Best Live Act in the ACT – National Live Music Awards.

Hope Wilkins

New Music: Havva

Already garnering over 2 million catalogue streams on Spotify to date, it’s safe to say that British singer songwriter Havva is on her way up.

Even more impressive is knowing that this artist is independent, and rapidly building a solid and committed fan base across social media (her TikTok alone has close to 100,000 followers).

With a sleek blend of pop and R&B, Havva showcases her raw lyricism through sublime vocals; leaving listeners feeling both captivated and connected with this promising newcomer.

On new single ‘Fed Up’, Havva tells of the effects that deep pain can do to your character and mind, and how badly she was effected by the tragic loss of her father.

Havva

New Music: CD

Emerging from Melbourne, CD crafts a finessed sound that is nothing short of being utterly sublime. With a style of R&B that is classic and future-forward at the same, this is one Australian talent to keep an eye out for.

CD

New Music: tyler drama

Hailing from New Jersey, alternative artist tyler drama fuses elements of punk and rock into his music to create tracks that feel both current and relatable.

Matched with captivating lyrics and distinctive vocals, this is a sound that is near impossible not to enjoy. On new single ‘her body lol’ tyler remarks:

“A body-positive song inspired by stories/feelings shared by young adult women.”

tyler drama

New Music: BOY SODA

One of the standout R&B-pop releases of the month comes courtesy of Australian talent ‘BOY SODA’.

‘WELCOME TO THE GLOW UP’ is a kind of track that is impossible not to feel some kind of love for.

Playful tones are presented through a tastefully nostalgic production, complimented with vocals that are full of character and charm.

BOY SODA

New Music: Sam Rappaport

Brooklyn-based talent Sam Rappaport spent most of his life believing he was headed for the NBA. When his dream didn’t materialise, he went travelling across the country – working as a case manager for a welfare office, being a reporter for local newspapers and even bartending at a Sichuan restaurant.

No matter where he was or what he was doing, Rappaport was always connected to his music. With a style of songwriting that feels relatable and warm, it’s near impossible not to feel a love for this artist’s work.

Sam also co-fronts indie-rock band Gooseberry.

Sam Rappaport