Track of the week. Few songs have hit us with as much impact as Danish trio Farveblind’s latest release, ‘Crooks’.
This is a sound that is immediately gripping – thanks to its bold, fiery and energising mix of dark electronica and punk.
Alongside the track itself, the matching visuals (directed by Snorre Fuglsang Ruhe) are equally as impressive.
‘Crooks’ is lifted from Farveblind’s brand new EP, ‘All Clubs are Bastards’ (out now).
🎵 Follow the Scandinavia Sound Playlist
A new lo-fi pop name to keep on your radars in 2023 is emerging US talent bixby.
With a refreshingly original approach to the genre, this rising newcomer creates sounds that feel uplifting in tone, resulting in songs that are easy to listen to and form connections with.
Since featuring bixby on Alfitude at the start of the year, this artist has consequently gone on to accumulate millions of streams on Spotify with the release of songs like ‘endlessly’ and ‘throw ur life away’.
While this is only her first solo single, Véyah is already an emerging starlet with a significant fanbase – thanks in part to her enormous success on TikTok, where she has close to half a million followers.
‘Almost’ is a perfected slice of melodic soulful R&B-pop that is near impossible not to be charmed by.
This is a debut that is sleek and finessed in tone, and serves as a perfect introduction for someone who might well become one of the America’s most promising new musical exports in 2023.
🎵 Discover more new music on the Ones To Watch Playlist
Already a hugely popular name across social media, Ethan Bortnick is a singer, songwriter and producer who is winning fans across the world thanks to his unique style of piano-infused electro-pop.
New single ‘arsonists’ continues to showcase Bortnick’s impressive skills as a pianist, and has so far garnered more than half a million streams on Spotify alone.
A seasoned performer since the age of 9, this 21-year old American artist looks set to take on the global pop mainstream over the next year.
UK R&B talent Saint Joshua returns with a sublime cut that continues to showcase this rising talent’s exceptional artistry.
Lifted from Joshua’s forthcoming ‘EP3’ (out 18th Nov, pre-save here), new single ‘Even If We Don’t’ serves listeners with a finessed slice of soulful perfection that feels both future-forward and nostalgic in equal measures. Elaborating further on the new EP, Joshua explains:
“Creating this EP allowed me to tap into emotions I display rarely because I’m ice-cold. In my last project, I shared about my reclusivity and journey of self-reflection. I’ve found beauty in sharing with you and it has been a driving force to make more thought provoking, vulnerable music. ‘EP3’ is the cultivation of my growing confidence to do what I want in my art. I hope the EP makes you scrunch your face, bop your head, dance, cry or something between them all. I would describe EP3 as ‘a break before the break up’, so expect some highs and lows – an emotional rollercoaster, if you will…”
To date, this emerging star commands more than 200k monthly Spotify listeners, while his catalogue of songs has so far amassed over two million streams.
One of the most impressive releases of the week comes courtesy of multi-talented Australian newcomer Frazier Blue.
‘Sometimes’ showcases this Sydney-based creative’s extraordinary skills; the song was written, produced, mixed, mastered and performed by the artist. More so, the visuals for the track were directed and edited by Frazier himself.
Stylistically, the song presents listeners with an atmospheric blend of lo-fi indie and dreamy alt-R&B, while the lyrics focus on feelings of introversion and being unable to express your thoughts aloud.
We don’t say this often – but it seems inevitable that this kid will pick up a lot of momentum in a very short space of time.
🎵 Discover more new music on the Ones To Watch Playlist
We’ve been following pop artist ISA’s work for quite some time, and if you’re as much of a fan as we are then you’ll be pleased to know that this Swedish starlet has today unveiled a new single and EP.
Serving as anthem for self-empowerment and liberation, ‘BLEED’ is taken from a wider collection of songs called ‘Anxiety Boulevard’, which is available now.
“‘BLEED’ is about evolving, breaking free and becoming the version of yourself who won’t be played with. If someone tries to hurt you they should be ready that you’ll bite back.
The EP shows more of me than ever before. By using more organic instruments, flirting with both punk, hip hop and R&B and combining it with honest lyrics, I’ve been able to find a new way of both writing and creating music. I’ve been inspired by artists like Eminem, Blink 182 and The Script which is the type of music I and my family listened to when growing up. This makes this it more me than ever before.”
Already an established name in her home country, ISA currently commands more than 62k monthly Spotify listeners and has accumulated millions of career streams to date.
🎵 Follow the Scandinavia Sound Playlist
London newcomers KIDS unveil two massive releases today, firmly marking themselves as one of the most exciting discoveries of the week.
Consisting of life-long friends Beau Blaise and Alex Harvey, this rising duo fuse elements of indie with Britpop, indie and punk – creating a sound that feels distinctly unique and fresh yet still relatable.
Described by the band as ‘a party song for sad people’, first single ‘Alcohol & Cigarettes‘ presents listeners with an energising and vibrant sonic soundscape.
“It tells the familiar tale of putting on a brave face whilst distracting yourself after a breakup. Unhealthy nights out, bad hookups and booze may distract us from our feelings but inevitably leave us unfulfilled.”
Meanwhile, follow-up single ‘Settle Down’ showcases the duo’s more mellow and tender style of sound:
“‘Settle Down’ happens later. Whilst still leaning on vices and going out, it describes the first time we start to have feelings for someone else. Even if the relationship doesn’t become romantic, having those feelings again means we have begun to heal. The good times will come again.”
With support from the likes of BBC Radio 1 and BBC Introducing already under their belt, KIDS should be on everyone’s radar for the year ahead. Debut EP ‘Love and the City 1’ is due for release soon.
🎵 Discover more new music on the Ones To Watch Playlist
Brooklyn-based Dutch artist Daytona Starsky is an emerging newcomer who’s approach to music-making has already seen him picking up significant traction across Spotify.
Fusing elements of alternative and experimental pop with classic rock, this talent constructs songs that feel nostalgic yet in future-forward in equal measures. These are sounds that carry with them essences of the cosmos, space travel and science itself.
New single ‘Movie Star’ is lifted from Starsky’s debut album, ‘Reality Station’ (out now), of which he says:
“I knew I wanted to write an album about something but had a hard time finding inspiration. But when the pandemic stopped the world, it gave me some much needed breathing room and got me thinking ‘since when are we in the future and how did we get here?’ This was that lightbulb moment that freed me up to experiment with sounds and topics. From that point on, the album wrote itself.”
🎵 Discover more new music on the Ones To Watch Playlist
Emerging US artist Gwyn Love is back again today with yet another impressive collaboration featuring producer La+ch.
Inspired by a cheating lover, the song presents listeners with a sombre and haunting mix of dark pop and electronica. Elaborating further on the track’s meaning, Love says:
“This was one of our top three favourite songs that La+ch and I made together. This song is emotional for me. This was the breaking point and the realisation that no matter what I did, I couldn’t break the pattern of cheating that had happened with the people before and now me. He swore he could never do that to me, but in the end, the pattern continued. I knew it was time for me to leave and quit hoping I could fix it some how.”
‘pttrn’ concludes an impressive year for this genre-defying talent, who has now accumulated more than a million career streams on Spotify.
As far as buzz goes, it’s safe to say that singer, songwriter and producer Yaz León is one UK talent who is gaining considerable momentum at present – thanks to her exquisite fusions of neo-soul and alternative R&B.
Lifted from the newly-released ‘It’s Only Takeout Ma’ EP (out now), ‘DUNYA’ looks at our ability to grow and evolve through the difficulties that life presents to us. Elaborating further on the EP, León explains:
“This project took over a year in the making. It really took everything and a complete character development to finish. I had hoped that where my voice could not carry, the songs would speak louder and reach further. Some family and friends blessed the tracks with love. The EP tells many stories and uses many voices so that it might resonate with more people. It’s less about relatability and more about the personal and the taboo. I hope people enjoy and start conversations.”
To date, León has secured the backing of noted outlets like BBC Introducing, Vogue Paris and Dummy Magazine, as well as support on Selector Radio from the British Council.
🎵 Discover more new music on the Ones To Watch Playlist
We are launching in to the weekend with Jack Panther’s latest release, ‘WEEKEND AT BERNIES’.
Through its perfected mix of quirky pop and melancholic indie, the song continues to mark Jack as one of New Zealand’s most promising rising artists.
“’Weekend At Bernies’ is a fun, playful track about the panic moment when a relationship is fizzling out. It all sort of just poured out of me, something I never set out to write about. As Tarn and I were writing it I began to realise that in order to grow with people sometimes you’ve got to have the conversations you don’t want to have. The chorus bursts out with a dilemma begging, ‘How are we going to address this? Are we going to address this?’ with the lyrics ‘How you gonna break it down for me?’. However, the tangy, sweet vocals lie perfectly with the quirky, bright production suggesting that if we’re as bad as each perhaps in some twisted way we belong together.”
Jack will close the year with a three-date tour across New Zealand, starting next month. More info can be found here.
Acclaimed singer and songwriter OLI returns today with a sublime piece of feel-good pop through the release of her new single, ‘Float’.
Dream-like in its essence, the song incorporates themes as varied as positivity, satisfaction, and space – as the artist explains:
“My dad actually came up with the lead melody, he was playing around on guitar and sent me the idea. It made me think of all those feel-good Disney songs that leave you really happy and satisfied at the end. The idea of Floating up above everything and everyone fit so perfectly with it too. I think it’s something many people imagine. We are pretty small in the grand scheme of things so it’s easy to feel existential from time to time. I just wanted the song to paint that emotion in a more positive way. I personally take a lot of comfort in knowing how much there is out there.”
Garnering acclaim from noted tastemakers like Wonderland, Notion, Music Crowns and Out Now, OLI continues to win critics and music-lovers alike with her charming take on pop.
Emerging from Ontario in Canada are exciting new four-piece outfit Linebeck.
Formed just before the pandemic, this promising group construct sounds that incorporate elements of dreamy pop with shoegaze, resulting in songs that are emotive and arresting in tone.
Relatable new single ‘Waste My Time’ is a shimmering and anthemic release that was inspired by the perils of dating in the digital age.
Fans in Toronto can catch Linebeck performing live on the 11th November at Supermarket – tickets can be found here.
🎵 Discover more new music on the Ones To Watch Playlist
Hailing from Cincinnati in Ohio, singer and songwriter Joel Borton introduces his new musical project called Distance Sprinter.
Inspired by modern-day pop-rock groups like The War On Drugs and The Killers, Distance Sprinter crafts energising pop-rock anthems that lyrically touch on powerful human emotions like love, loss, shame and guilt. Speaking on new single ‘High Roller’, Borton explains:
“This song is about love and relationships being a rick or a gamble. You really have to bet every ounce of your emotional well being to commit to being with another person.”
Fans can look forward to an upcoming album entitled ‘Junglebird’, which is out soon. In the meantime, be sure to check out the project’s other releases on Spotify here.
🎵 Discover more new music on the Ones To Watch Playlist
London-based newcomer SOMOH creates a style of indie-pop that feels refreshingly raw and organic in tone.
New single ‘Anything’ is inspired by the feelings and emotions that come with falling in love.
“This song is about coming to terms with your love for someone and knowing that you’d do just about anything for them. It’s a scary but beautiful feeling to fall that deeply for a person.”
SOMOH will release her debut EP early next year. In the meantime, fans in the UK can catch this promising artist at The Finsbury in London on the 2nd November – details here.
🎵 Discover more new music on the Ones To Watch Playlist
First featured on Alfitude back in 2018, SIIGHTS have since grown to become one of the UK’s brightest pop prospects.
New single ‘Fake It’ is a masterclass in the genre, and showcases the exceptional talents of songwriters, producers, multi-instrumentalists and bandmates Mia and Toni.
“Fake It’ has a drive and energy to it, but lyrically talks about the struggles of allowing yourself to open up to someone. There’s a theme of hopefulness throughout, which we want to be at the core of SIIGHTS.”
Commanding over 77k monthly listeners and garnering well over 7 million career streams to date, this rising duo have picked up praise from the likes of Elton John and Scott Mills, while also achieving airplay on national stations like BBC Radio 1.
London-based singer and songwriter Brave James returns today with one of the week’s most infectious bops.
Serving listeners with a refreshingly unique and eccentric sound that incorporates elements of jazz with dreamy indie-funk, ‘Spaceship’ is truly a song like none other.
“’Spaceship’ started as this never-ending harmonically-wild piano loop. As I was continuing to build the groove up, I knew that I had to reach out to my friend Louis Cole as the song really lent itself to his amazing drumming. The process felt very easy between the two of us despite being countries apart at the time of making this. There was something quite magical about the soundworld when all the elements came together.”
With support from the likes of BBC Sounds and BBC Introducing, Brave James is showing themselves to be one of the most interesting new artists to emerge from the Capital.
Hailing from the city of Cambridge in England, British newcomer Charlie Watson releases an impressive debut today.
A former chorister at Ely Cathedral, this 21-year old talent is now embarking on a new musical journey that currently sees him experimenting with alt-pop sounds.
Delivering a dystopian twist on the genre, new single ‘2052’ presents listeners with a pessimistic yet impassioned view on the world in which we live in. Elaborating on the lyricism of the song, Watson explains:
“Generally I’m a happy, positive guy but sometimes I do get very pessimistic about the world we live in and it doesn’t take a long look at the news to feel like that. Writing this song was a way for me to express those feelings that a lot of people my age tend to get into a spiral about. I hope this song provides some sort of cathartic comfort to anyone that listens to it.”
🎵 Discover more new music on the Ones To Watch Playlist
Barbados-born and LA-based singer and multi-instrumentalist Ayoni unveils an uplifting slice of R&B-pop today with her new single, ‘Vision’.
Lifted from the freshly-released EP ‘The Vision’ (out now), the song treats listeners to a joyous sound that lyrically focuses on the concept of manifestation; reminding us all to stay faithful to our hopes and dreams.
“Written at a time when I had no idea where I would land in this industry and sought to expand my team, this song was a personal reminder to trust the process and envision a limitless future for myself. Since writing it I’ve ended up exactly where I knew I could be, and I hope this project catapults me even further forward. I’ve always struggled to appreciate steady growth, especially in a world that worships clout, but this song has really pushed me to prioritise the process and to draw confidence from my ability to see my visions through – not my ability to be seen. I hope the people who enjoy my music will join me in celebrating life on Vision, and The Vision EP as a whole.”
Ayoni impressively commands more than 150k monthly listeners on Spotify at present, and has received critical praise from the likes of V, Fader, Clash, Essence and Paper magazines, as well as Earmilk, NPR and more.
