London-based independent RnB singer songwriter Saint Joshua is a 25-year old talent with a flair for creating sounds that are sleek yet charmingly mesmerising.
This is an artist creating music that explores themes of love, romance and existentialism that take on new meanings thanks to his uniquely rich vocal tones and captivating lyricism.
“The song is about the meaning of love which can mean something different for us all. It sits on the thought of love can be anything you want it to be.”
Berlin-based Irish artist ORIAN has the kind of voice that immediately warms your heart, allowing you to connect with the music on a deeper and more emotional level. ‘Jewellery Box’ was created in collaboration with Grammy award winner Erik Alcock, who’s worked with the likes of Eminem, Celine Dion, and Pink! to name a few.
Centred around his mother’s jewellery box which he remembered from childhood, ORIAN crafts the song around the concept of personal history spanning generations, and the significance of passing things down to the ones we love. Through the object, he considers how people and love change, and how they stay the same.
“The idea for the song came about when I was in a bar one night with my girlfriend who asked me if I could place my heart physically anywhere, where would that be, and I immediately said ‘My mothers jewellery box’. Luckily, she remembered this the next day, and I thought it was a cool idea to form a song around.”
A refreshingly raw and captivating release from Melbourne-based experimental rap artist glu.
‘TOKYO’ brings a dark, atmospheric and intriguing approach to hip hop that blurs the boundaries of what to expect from the genre. The result is a sound that is hugely exciting to listen to.
“Reflective of the hollow serotonin-less void of a comedown, the lyrics flow smoothly with a slow, fragile cadence.”
British newcomer Isaac Jack is an 18-year old artist who’s style of incorporating raw emotion, passion and quirkiness into his music delivers a fresh sound that channels all kinds of feelings.
While on the surface, ‘Pointless Girl’ seems like a stripped-back indie affair, the lyricism intricately tells of a story, best put by Isaac himself:
“The song examines the despair of young breakups, following a protagonist who is blinded with anger and confusion. They can’t help but obsess over their previous love, attempting to overcome the feeling of yearning through other relationships. However, the protagonist can never shake his past love from his head, seeing all other attempts as pointless. The raw vocals and plosive lyrics further cement the feeling of despair. The protagonist doesn’t care for anything anymore, ‘you can say what you like’, however at the same time you can see the fragility that the break-up has caused, ‘promise you won’t be as mean’. The protagonist has been worn down by the anger, frustration and heartache. In essence, his break-up is broken down into being a ‘bitter taste’ – the break-up has ruined his palette for anything else. The bitter taste of what could have been envelopes everything.”
Taken from the debut EP ‘The Salt That Stays’ which is out now.
Oklahoma-based talent PawPaw Rod is a rapper and singer who’s just debuted with ‘HIT EM WHERE IT HURTS’.
Both raw and emotive, this indie sound carries a funk undertone which is not only captivating but refreshingly original.
Newcastle-based artist Angelene Holmes, who also goes by the alias of DELPHii creates a sound that feels so effortlessly finessed and cool that it really does leave you a little breathless. This is a gorgeously dreamy pop sound that is sure to take your mind to another place.
I don’t often feature songs with an 80’s twist, but this new release from British outfit Telemarkk is too good not to share.
If Dua Lipa’s recent ‘Future Nostalgia’ record gave you good energy then ‘Bloom’ is likely to do much the same; this is a catchy and euphoric bop that showcases some of the best synth-pop that I have heard so far this month.
“[Bloom] resembles holding on to positives in negative situations, particularly felt throughout the pandemic when dealing with isolation, expressing the feeling of falling out of touch with people and the realisation/evaluation of a breakdown in a relationship.”
Hailing from West London is new talent Shakota. With a style that blends indie and bedroom-pop seamlessly, this artist creates a sound that feels organic and honest while still being current and fresh.
It’s always a moment of excitement when Australian talent CXLOE debuts new music.
Ever true to being the princess of dark pop, her new release ‘Cry & Drive’ sees her display an honest vulnerability in a way she has not leaned fully into before.
With inspirations ranging from Amy Winehouse, Whitney Houston and Lily Allen through to Corrine Bailey Rae and TLC, 19-year old starlet Henjila‘s sound is likely will win you over in an instant. This is a fresh, woozy surf-pop style of music that flows with charm and charisma.
“The song is about being drawn to someone – you want to be around them because they make you feel euphoric. There is ‘something about’ them that is so captivating and the bond you share is almost too sweet to be real.”
It’s so incredibly refreshing to see a new talent stand their ground and challenge issues that are prevalent in the world today through music.
kezia is a 21-year old Tanzanian-American singer, songwriter, and guitarist who creates music that hits on topics like navigating life as a biracial woman, living with mental instability and depression, exploring spirituality, and learning to love through giving love.
“In a world where black women are uninvitedly sexualised, we need to take ownership of feeling strong and cemented in our sexuality. ‘south!’ is about liberty. It’s also about consent!”
British outfit TUITION formed at the start of last year’s lockdown, when they wrote and recorded music from their bedrooms and stayed in touch online.
They will ambitiously release six singles before the end of the year, one of which is ‘IDWTAI (idontwannatalkaboutit)’. This is a heartbreak anthem for everyone who is sick and tired of ending up with their hearts broken, when all they want is to feel loved.
“We called ourselves TUITION because our main writing influences stem from our own life lessons we learn along the way.”
Track of the week. Sometimes a song plays and you know right from the start that the talent will take over the world.
Case in point: LA-based artist OCTAVIO the Dweeb and his release of ‘Someday I’ll Be Happy’. This is anthemic indie-pop at it’s finest, leaving you rooting for this kid to become the next big thing.
“We’re all dweebs in our own way – just trying to fit in and find ourselves. Some people just hide it better than others. I don’t know how the hell I’ve made it this far but we all love to root for an underdog and I’m rooting for me. Hopefully you are too :)”
Distinctive vocals immediately captivate you to listen to ‘Slow’ by the emerging RnB-pop talent Kami Kehoe.
Kehoe’s songwriting has a sense of maturity and confidence that shows this young artist as someone with something to say; knowing how to make her statement heard confidently and clearly.
“‘Slow’ is about the relationships you’ve had as a young person – especially being in an unequal relationship where you’re expected to do things emotionally (or otherwise) that you don’t want do, and learning how to overcome those patterns so they don’t manifest in future relationships. This song is about learning how to be stronger, embracing the power of the word NO, and being more able to hold your own in regards to what your needs are.”
LA-based singer and songwriter Grace McKagan debuts fantastically confident new single ‘SO HYPER’ today.
This is a refreshingly original take on garage rock that carries a 60’s inspired twist, and speaks to the crush stage of meeting someone and getting ‘So Hyper’ about them.
“‘SO HYPER’ is a really fun song about the excitement of wanting to be with somebody and knowing they wanna be with you too. The video was filmed where we write all of our music and shows our process with writing.”
Izabel is a tremendously exciting new Montreal-based singer and songwriter. Having already amassed over a million streams on Spotify alone so far with her releases, this 19-year old talent crafts an alternative style of indie-pop that feels dark and vulnerable yet deeply captivating and engaging.
“’19’ is about ageing another year and reflecting on all that’s happened.”
Hailing from New Haven (Connecticut) comes Jake Simon, an artist and producer who seamlessly blends elements of alt-RnB with bedroom pop to create a sound that is refreshingly original and future-forward, all the while still feeling warm and familiar.
Watch out for the upcoming EP which comes out on 11th June 2021.
Describing his own style as ‘melodic trap’, London-based musician Harrison Walker crafts a sound that feels effortlessly sleek yet emotive and moving. It’s a refreshing approach to music-making that leaves me to believe this talent is one to watch out for.
“‘Commitments’ is in the essence about love and the development of a relationship between two people authentically growing to love each other.”
Hailing from Liverpool, multi-instrumentalist and visual artist Post Night Pictures (also known as Daniel Coughlin) releases his debut single ‘Get Down’ today; a song that offers a fresh take on themes of love, loss, regret and friendship.
With influences ranging from the likes of David Bowie and Brockhampton through to Billie Eilish and Tame Impala, this hugely promising talent blends elements of pop, RnB, soul and electronica together to create his sound.
“I’d say this track is mainly about a lack of commitment. It perfectly captures the moment of not wanting things to go any further or get serious with someone. A lot of people I think have been in situations like this where they want to take that next step with someone but they’re afraid of the outcome. This track is about taking a step back, playing it safe and not risking it.”
Gustaf has been one of the most exciting talents to emerge from Denmark so far this year, in my view.
If you’re a fan of LANY or LAUV then you’ll absolutely fall in love with this 26-year old musician, songwriter and producer. Scandinavian alt-pop at it’s finest, ‘lose u.’ is a sound that is infectiously catchy yet understated in a very cool way.
“‘lose u.’ originates from a fight I had with my girlfriend. In the heat of the moment I said something that I instantly regretted. In the time after the fight, she needed to think things through, it wasn’t really that dramatic looking back, but my feelings of losing her back then were nonetheless true for me. And as a coping mechanism I kinda told myself that what I said back then had some truth to it.”
