A stunningly finessed blend of RnB and pop, matched with one of the most impressive vocals you will likely experience all month.
A recipient of the ‘Andrew Lloyd Webber Scholarship’ at the Urdang Academy, it’s clear that it’s only a matter of time before this talent becomes an established name.
Taken from the EP ‘Happy Now’ which is out now.
British singer and songwriter coupdekat (Katherine Reilly) creates a kind of pop that feels instantly relatable to a whole generation of younger listeners. Combining modern beats with strong melancholy vocals, this artist creates catchy songs that tackle subjects like mental health, love, social media and loneliness.
‘Little Tescos’ is dedicated to coupdekat’s best friend, and their summer adventures last year as the lockdown started to lift in England.
“‘Little Tescos’ is the soundtrack to teenage oblivion in a post lockdown summer in Britain. The late night drives and the celebration of friendship.”
A beautifully emotive blend of indie and lo-fi pop from Dutch outfit Go Fishing! The project came to life when the world began shut down in the spring of 2020.
The two lovers decided to move in together, and began collaborating in their living room for fun. Soon enough they realised that they were on to something special.
“During lockdown, we were experiencing a winter dip in ourselves and in others around us. We wrote this song in a moment in time where one looks forward, unknowing of what the near future might bring.”
Mayfly are a Montreal-based duo composed of singer-songwriters Charlie and Emma, who not only perform their music but also self-produce it. With a sound that feels dark yet vulnerable and honest, this is some of the finest Canadian indie-pop that I have had the pleasure of discovering so far in June.
Taken from the new EP ‘ESSENCE’ which is out now.
Already a noted writer who’s worked with the likes of chloe moriondo, Peach Pit and Valley, Charli Adams releases am electro-pop gem that blends nostalgic tones with a more future-forward approach.
Anwar crafts a magnificently raw and highly charged blend of grunge and pop that is not easy to miss. Bold, confident and intensely emotive, this is one name to watch for.
A haunting and almost ethereal sound that is stripped-back and minimal, yet beautifully moving.
Carpark are a relatively new face within the UK indie-rock scene, having been born out of the recent lockdown. Their sound feels refreshingly confident and bold, while also maintaining a sense of nostalgia that adds a dose of charm to their songs.
The three-piece outfit have spent the past year writing about everything that hurts and frustrates them, from love and climate grief, to missing the taste of warm beers on tour.
‘Countdown From Ten’ explores the psychological effects of climate change and deals with the band’s own experience with climate grief.
“It often feels as though all the problems in the world are created by humans, climate change and Covid have been the themes for the last year while we’ve been writing. ‘Countdown From Ten’ is the result of us contemplating this and casually daydreaming about human extinction” – Scottie, Carpark
Nairobi-born and Bristol based artist Richie Gathu is a 24-year-old self-taught producer who’s musical craftsmanship embraces both his African heritage and his British home.
Just in time for the summer, ‘Cosa Nostra’ is a distinctive, guitar-led blend of indie-pop and rap with an infectious melody and up-tempo beat.
“As soon as I press play on ‘Cosa Nostra’, I’m teleported to Havana, Cuba or to the Amalfi Coast. In my mind, I see a beautiful sunset on the horizon, my body fuelled by 15 (or more) tequila shots as I hit the salsa across a pebbled street toward my lover who is in the exact same vibe as I am. The inspiration for the song stems from lockdown, the endless months of being separated from a lover and planning to ‘pull up’ as soon as I could. I even had to sprinkle some Swahili in there to add extra flavour to the tune!”
Sometimes the simplest productions make for the best kind of pop. Australian newcomer Thomas Porter is a perfect example, with the release of his debut single ‘Tired’.
This is a summery bop featuring ukulele strums that usher you into a glorious lo-fi medley where warm, breezy vocals muse on a life with the person you love.
“For me this feels like pop music for people that don’t necessarily want to admit they love pop music in a lot of ways. I’m hoping that people see the honesty of it. That they see real rawness. Authenticity is so hard to come by now. I’m a lot of things and I’m not a lot of things, but I realise that all I have is this.”
A hugely exciting talent emerging from London, Deijuvhs crafts songs that serve to represent an underground scene made up of skaters, punks, rappers, rebels and misfits.
‘Scumbag Anthem’ is a guitar-heavy, raw and wildly infectious release that balances between the artist’s fiery frustration and thoughtful self-awareness.
One of the most exciting finds of the weeks comes from Irish-Nigerian artist Cherry Dragon, who’s blend of soul-pop with alternative RnB is something that is really quite captivating to experience. ‘Starlight’ is a raw and emotive piece that inspires us to live the way we want.
“I noticed so many people were struggling because they didn’t have the job or the relationship or the house they feel that they are ‘supposed to have’. It’s easy to fall for the pressure that society can project on to us but really it’s our lives and we only have the one. I decided I’m gonna live it how I want to.”
For fans of the very early Amy Winehouse and Corinne Bailey Rae releases, you may appreciate the tones of new talent Honey Mooncie.
This is British neo-soul at it’s very finest, seamlessly blending just the right amount of pop and RnB into the mix to create a sound that feels distinctively unique and totally captivating.
‘Here For Me’ is taken from an upcoming project that is produced by the legendary Fred Cox and Owen Cutts.
“This project for me tells a love story from start to finish. ‘Here For Me’ comes towards the end of this relationship and is about feeling like you need more from someone and coming to terms with knowing that you need to let them go.”
Montreal artist Mint Simon’s musical project serves as a vehicle for self-discovery and expression through the form of outstanding pop.
‘Some of Everything’ encourages listeners to resist the narrow boxes of society and embrace the complexities of who they are.
“I feel like as time goes on, we’re seeing more and more fluidity in gender and sexual expression especially in the younger generation. This song is a celebration of that not only for my queer fluid ass self, but for all the queers and the gays who want to celebrate with me.“
Track of the week. As far as debuts songs go, this has to be one of the stand-out releases I have heard so far this year.
A self-described grunge-pop songstress, SACHA is a Scottish-born and London-based artist who’s immense vocal immediately draws you in, while the epic production from Lewis Gardiner keeps you hooked from start to finish.
“’Something We’ll Regret’ is about my repetitive bad choices when it comes to men. I always go for someone I know is bad news or a situation that will inevitably end badly but can’t help myself! I had just broken up with my last boyfriend and started dating someone who had already told me he didn’t believe in monogamy! I knew this wasn’t going to work for me long term but couldn’t help myself as it was fun at the time – it’s about the mentality of going for things knowing that the outcome will most probably end in tears!”
Contrary to the band name, ‘Jupiter’ is anything but bad. This is a tremendously fun disco-funk concept that feels playful and joyous, with hints of nostalgia added in for good measure.
Still only 18-years old and yet this Danish wonder kid has created one of the best blends of RnB and indie pop that I have heard so far this month.
Hakami paints a picture of being young and in love on new singe ‘bS’ – from the hard-hitting love intoxication, to turbulent break-ups and everything in between.
Taken from the debut EP ‘pOLAROID dREAMING’ which is set to release later this year.
Copenhagen-based talent updog is already setting himself up as a force to be reckoned with.
Garnering over 200k monthly listeners on Spotify alone, this artist’s quirky approach to alt-pop is winning him fans across the world at a very fast pace. ‘skellies’ is a hugely catchy track and serves as the lead single to his upcoming EP, of which he says:
“‘skellies’ set the foundation for the overall theme of this EP. It’s inspired by one of my personal worst periods. A time in my life where I was the most self conscious and struggled to ever be real and honest about anything. ‘Mama said I’m keeping the deposit’ as true as that statement and excitement was back then, for me represents the need to always seek approval. ‘Mama’ is an overused word throughout the EP, and represents my youthfulness but also fear of being real.”
Upcoming EP ‘skellies’ is out on 1st October 2021.
Hailing from San Francisco, Distant Lovers is the musical project of artist Alex Lasner. Initially developing his style while touring as a guitarist with the band Day Wave, this is sound brings a beautifully thoughtful approach to indietronica.
Dreamy, melancholic and sincere, ‘On a Wire’ takes the listener on a deeply emotive journey like none other.
“‘On a Wire’ is a song from the shadowlands we all live in from time to time. Composed during a year of massive personal and professional upheaval that was the backdrop to my touring the world with Day Wave, it all but wrote itself.”
