Category: New Music

New Music: White Novels

Formed in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, White Novels are an emerging outfit from Scotland who blend elements of pop, indie and alt-rock into a sound that, frankly, is impossible not to enjoy.

When you press play on new single ‘California’ you’ll realise that these chaps have mastered a sound that feels unique and experimental, all the while still being accessible for any listener to connect with.

“‘California’ is a love story about an experience Jack (band member) went through back in 2019. He was dating a girl from California while she studied at University of Edinburgh. Like most relationships nowadays, it started via online dating apps, and progressed to them meeting up regularly at ‘The Jazz Bar’ in Edinburgh. The song explores themes of heartbreak, teenage naivety, romance and cheating. It turned out the girl had a boyfriend all along, the lyric ‘When I held your hand, not knowing you’re the middle’ reflects the fact this girl was leading two lives without both guys knowing. Jack being 5000 miles away from the ‘real’ boyfriend.”

White Novels

New Music: Nick Rannikko

Emerging from Massachusetts is Nick Rannikko, a producer and engineer who crafts a sound that feels dreamy and emotive, yet still feels easy to listen to and make a connection with.

New single ‘More’ opens with a lo-fi ambience, before plunging the listener into a soaring chorus that shows off Nick’s captivating vocals.

“In a literal sense, ‘More’ is about being lied to and led on but you can’t help the fact that thinking about the other person only gets worse. You only want more of what they have to offer. ‘More’ to me means moving on. Finding new ground and releasing built-up tension. It means acceptance and growth.”

Nick Rannikko

New Music: ones

A stunningly meditative and melancholic piece of electronic soul from UK talent Ones. This is an artist who uses their work as a way of addressing human connection, whether that be with others or connection with our own selves.

‘Blessings’ is released on World Suicide Prevention Day alongside visuals that focus on the isolation caused by mental health issues, with an aim to encourage the breaking of the stigma that often leads people suffering to feel ashamed of seeking help. On the song, Ones says:

“I think the thing I noticed the most in the last year is how so many of us hadn’t taken time to process our past or ourselves until being forced into lockdown. Constantly moving forward in hope of everything working out with no real conversations. Some people made changes, some people started over but 4,902 people didn’t make it out of 2020 due to suicide in the UK. 

Mental health is something we all have and will struggle with at some point in our lives. The state of it is something we should care for. Sometimes it’s harder to talk about because the people around us – even family members don’t recognise it as an issue, let alone know how best to support us. A massive part of it is how the older generations were “treated” or how they were made to look at those who struggled. Sometimes it’s because there’s a guilt around the reasons for your upset but It should be just as important to support and understand as it is to love and have fun with those around us. Sometimes you can’t explain it. 

I’m not telling you tell to the world what it is you’re struggling with right now or how something has affected you. I’m just asking you to be honest with yourself and those you trust if ever in serious doubt. 

Writing this record broke me because it never felt good enough, but we got there in the end and it has allowed me to share this with you and write / understand so much more about myself. For that I’m grateful and I hope you enjoy it.”

ones | mind.org

New Music: SANNIA

Emerging from Melbourne comes artist SANNIA, who’s new single ‘Sad Rich Girls’ is likely to be one of the biggest pop bops you’ll experience this week.

The song serves as a statement on that one girl – who instead of lifting other women up will drag them down to get to the top; all the while forgetting that strength comes in togetherness. On the song, she says:

“I started by pulling some samples from early 2000s Paparazzi and fan-filmed celebrity interactions and stitched together the intro and ending of my homemade demo. I really wanted to capture that Paris Hilton-era of reality TV.” 

SANNIA

New Music: ANISE

Already garnering support from prominent tastemakers like Wonderland and Earmilk, it’s clear that RnB talent ANISE is destined for big things.

Ahead of her debut EP ‘Black Eve‘ coming out this October, she releases the title song of the project today. The song pays homage to Divine Feminine Power as the ideal response to brutality and violence; serving as a force-for-good.

“It isn’t simply a protest song, but a prophetic song of transformation and resurrection. I wrote it as a way of coping with my grief and overwhelm amidst the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and Elijah McClain. The song is a call to channel the Divine Feminine qualities of healing, compassion, nurture and light in response to brutality, as opposed to responding with imbalanced Divine Masculine energy (like unbridled aggression), which many of us are conditioned to believe demonstrates strength”.

ANISE

New Music: Paper Jackets

One of the most exciting indie-pop outfits to emerge from LA of late, Paper Jackets seamlessly craft sounds that feel both nostalgic and relatable, all the while carrying a modern edge. With bold vocals and infectious melodies, this band could well be ones to watch out for.

New single ‘1969’ is a love song that transports the listener back to the Summer of Love, and is taken from their new album ‘Souvenirs, Vol. 2’ which is out now.

Paper Jackets

New Music: TAPE TOY

Through their self-proclaimed style of bubble grunge, Dutch four-piece TAPE TOY are creating a sound which feels nostalgic yet future-forward at the same time.

Their new single ‘Phone Call’ is a perfected hybrid of pop, indie and alt-rock that is matched with powerful vocals singing about the final call you make with someone to quit a toxic relationship.

TAPE TOY

New Music: riela

Miami-based talent riela credits genres like disco, pop, RnB, and Panamanian reggaeton for the development of not only her musical soundscape but also her artistry as a whole.

And listening to ‘lyu2‘ really gives you a sense that she could well be the next Latinx RnB starlet to emerge from the US.

“‘lyu2′ brings up an experience that a lot of people have gone through when it comes to relationships. Where you’re not entirely sure if you’ve fucked something up with the person or if it’s just in your head. Either way, they’ve kind of ghosted you/switched up their energy towards you and you’re just tryna’ figure out what you did to get little to no reciprocation. We stay emo out here.” – riela

riela | marcos g

New Music: Lil Seyi

A hugely exciting blend of soul and pop from Maryland born singer-songwriter Lil Seyi.

This is a sound that feels controlled and structured, yet brims with a playful sense of energy that is both captivating and charming to any listener.

“I remember first hearing the word denouement in my 9th grade english class and thinking it was such a cool word. Fast-forward about 6 years when I was writing this song, the word came to mind because Adam (producer) said the beat reminded him of August. In his words, ‘every August it just seems like something ends and I almost dread it it’s weird.’ I wrote ‘denouement’ to capture that feeling; the dread of a good thing coming to an end.”

Lil Seyi

New Music: Chrissi

Refreshingly moving lyricism and stunning vocals take centre stage on ‘Back In The Day’ by Essex-born Trinidadian newcomer Chrissi.

This is a masterfully blended fusion of RnB and soul that is nostalgic and melancholy at it’s core, and ever so beautiful to experience.

Chrissi

New Music: kid apollo

Hailing from Brixton in London comes teenage outfit kid apollo. With a visceral and hushed hybrid of RnB and pop, this trio are crafting songs that are sonically interesting and lyrically engaging.

“We’re expressing our experiences within the way we live through our music. We aim to never restrict ourselves to one genre as this wouldn’t reflect the type of artists we are. Whether the songs are talking about relationships or our last function, all we really want when someone first listens to our music is for them to be in their own space and get lost in the songs.”

kid apollo

New Music: SOFY

Track of the week. Leicester-raised artist SOFY has to be the most exciting British talent that I have come across so far this month.

An understated and hazy indie-pop sound with a dose of cheekiness, it’s no wonder she’s already picking up support from prominent tastemakers likes Clara Amfo, Jess Iszatt, Gemma Bradley, and artists Tom Grennan, Sam Fender, and YUNGBLUD.

SOFY

New Music: Jharna Bhagwani

An outstanding debut from social media starlet Jharna Bhagwani. ‘Tell Me’ is a perfected alt-pop sound with dark undertones, carrying the message that no one deserves to be in a toxic relationship.

Thanks to an already huge following on social media (10 million followers on Tik Tok and over 3 million on Instagram alone), it seems only a short space of time before this talent takes over the pop world.

“Art has become my channel for exploration and experiment. I enjoy playing different characters. I create concepts, messages and how I want them to be perceived. People have seen my work in makeup videos. This time, I have the opportunity to express my alter-ego in a different form, a song and music video.”

Jharna Bhagwani

New Music: IMERIKA

If you’re looking for some premium Scandinavian sounds today then you may well be in luck. ‘Sorry For Me’ is an almighty bop thanks to it’s dark and intense blend of electronica and pop, and marks IMERIKA as one of Norway’s most promising new exports.

IMERIKA

New Music: Dana and the Wolf

Dana and the Wolf consists of two enormously powerful vocals, each with it’s own unique character and style. This is a duo who’s sound is refreshingly bold and honest, as is the case with new single ‘Candidates’.

“We weren’t always overly preaching polyamory, the idea that you can have multiple loving relationships at once. Recently we’ve become angered by ignorant comments we’ve received (mostly on Tiktok), so it’s pushed us to further write about our relationships. ‘Candidates’, another song about polyamory, was a 1-minute song we posted on Tiktok, which got an incredible response so we decided to finish it.”

Dana and the Wolf

New Music: AMEA

Hailing from Denmark, AMEA is a songwriter and artist who is crafting sleek pop numbers that have hit potential written all over them.

Catchy new single ‘Billion’ is inspired by 90’s RnB-pop, both sonically and visually, with the overall message being that there is ‘no such thing as too much’.

“‘Billion’ is your opportunity to dance on the table in stilettos and a sparkling dress while pouring champagne all over your friends and loudly proclaiming that you’ll handle the bill even though you’re aware that your money is probably better spent on something else.”

AMEA

New Music: Isabel Wood

Emerging from Queensland comes one of the most exciting Australian pop finds of the week. With a style of sparkling pop that delicately sets you in a better mood, Isabel Wood is one artist sure to win your hearts.

Working alongside legendary producer Konstantin Kerstin (who’s behind hits from the likes of Tones & I, Mallrat, Eves Karydas, Merci Mercy and more), ‘Allergy Season’ was written to encapsulate the familiar feeling of losing control of your emotions for no real reason.

“This track completely grew from the idea of using the phrase ‘Allergy Season’ as an excuse for crying, which I loved. Although the lyrics are sad, I always wanted this to be a happy bop because most of the time I’m crying over literally nothing and that just seems funny to me. Konstantin absolutely nailed the production and I had so much fun working with him.”

Isabel will play the Caloundra Music Festival on 1st October, and Tomcat (Bris) on 11th September.

Isabel Wood

New Music: pecq

pecq are an independent outfit who are currently crafting some of the finest new alt-pop sounds to emerge from the UK in quite some time. Not only that, but they also run the Upcycled Sounds studio and label in Oxford, which works alongside artists like feeo & LMNL.

Their new single ‘Over and Over’ blends elements of psych and experimental electronic music to form a sound that is full of gorgeous synths and ethereal vocals. 

“‘Over and Over’ is about moving from my small town to the city, trying to outrun my teenage identity and work myself out.” – Hannah ‘Jakes’ Jacobs, pecq

pecq