Norwegian triple-threat Andrea returns today with an ode to 90’s music which is sure to win this talent a whole new legion of fans.
The singer, songwriter and producer connected with Carl-Viktor (Guttormsen) and Jørn Erik (Gundhus) to create this Big Bang of a song. ‘Body Talk’ consists of a handful of acoustic guitar, a spoonful of Moog bass and a sprinkle of Spanish.
Two emerging talents from India, Sparsh Dangwal and Semwal join forces on new indie-pop bop Deja Vu.
With it’s infectious melody, the song’s lyrics are all about how falling in love with someone can make you go crazy – to the level that you start seeing them in strangers passing by.
Emerging from Miami comes Cesar Santalo. Inspired by the melting pot of cultures that his home town represents, his approach to music-making fuses genres seamlessly to form sounds that are refreshingly original, all the while carrying a pop sensibility that makes songs like ‘IM DONE CALLING’ so easy to bop along to.
London-based artist Sophia Alexa crafts a gorgeously delicate indie-pop sound on new single ‘House of Cards’.
“I remember the day I wrote the song! I was pulling out words from my notes, such as “house of cards” and “bullet to my daydream,” which is how the song started. RISC, the producer, started playing chords and the melody started to come to life. After that, he added drums to lift the chorus, and I added a bunch of harmonies. It ended up coming together naturally.”
Glaswegian artist Broken Chanter creates a rousing style of indie-rock that fuses elements of pop to form songs that feel both catchy and relatable.
Anthemic new single ‘Dancing Skeletons’ is taken from the upcoming album ‘Catastrophe Hits’ (out 29th October 2021), of which he says:
“I didn’t want to have an album that spent it’s entire running time reflecting on the past year and a half. Folk need a lift. They don’t need to relive the pandemic, and the associated trauma, right now. It’s impossible to avoid completely, but it’s not ten songs about cutting about the house – despite being written almost entirely in a box room/glorified cupboard in my flat.”
I am so delighted to be introducing you to a hugely promising new talent. Australian born, California based Anabl is a 19-year-old songwriter and singer who’s approach to indie is refreshingly authentic.
Blending elements of alt-pop and rock into her sound, this artist creates songs that have a universal appeal while still feeling individualistic. And thanks to her fascination with the sound and movement of language, listeners can expect captivating lyrics alongside beautifully constructed melodies. On her upcoming EP, she says:
“My music is an ode to the expectations and experiences of my teenage years. It’s a catalog of my emotions, desires, and notable high school moments. As every age is, fifteen to eighteen was a foreign encounter. I wanted to make music in the form of a soundtrack of my life because listening to music became the most consistent thing throughout the years where everything seemed to be changing.”
Emerging from Nashville comes alt-pop talent TAROT. Fusing hints of soul into her sound, this artist crafts songs which are not only infectiously memorable but also carry lyricism with substance.
“In a generation of “ghosting” and “breadcrumbing” when it comes to dating, I wrote this song about reclaiming my power after constantly feeling like my energy is being used by a person who doesn’t deserve it. It’s so easy to fall in love with potential, but I’m searching for a love that will add to my life rather than take. These days, I feel like so many people can resonate with that message! It is a fun song with a little bit of angst, driven by strong guitar leads and ethereal vocal stacks.”
Marking one of the rare occasions in which he lends his own vocals to a song, Indigo Eyes is back today with a reworking of Holly Humberstone’s ‘The Walls Are Way Too Thin’ that sees him completely transform the indie-pop gem.
“I never thought I’d cover someone else’s song, especially since I’ve been solely a producer and haven’t ventured into singing before. However, I was completely in awe when I heard the original from Holly, the song resonated with me hugely and I became obsessed with how personal the lyrics felt. I wanted to recreate the track in my own style, with a kind of late night, comforting feel to it. It started out as a bit of an experiment over a few days, where I tried out using my own voice over this warm, soft production, as it’s something I’d never done before, but became something I really loved. This sound marks a new kind of direction for my music, one which you’ll be hearing a lot of over the next few months.”
A gorgeously stripped-back yet haunting release from London talent Lauren Dejey.
New single ‘Yours’ was produced by Lauren herself, and is an introspective R&B ballad with some subtle eccentricities that define this artist’s unique approach to music making.
“‘Yours’ is probably the most personal song I’ve written. There’s part of me that wants to let people take this song and let it be what it will be to them. The other part knows I definitely wrote it for myself as a form of therapy. For me it’s about taking back power after someone deeply hurts you in a way you could never see coming, reclaiming my body and my memories so I can stop blaming myself. I won’t let someone live in my mind, in every moment, taint every memory, I won’t be anyone’s. Sonically this is that journey from start to finish.”
The new EP ‘Kali Ma’ is out now.
Tadhg Daly returns today with an alt-pop gem in the form of new single ‘Still Not Made It’.
A moving piece that was written about the struggles and pressures related to pursuing success, the song serves as a perfect taster to his upcoming EP ‘Forever Young’.
“So much pressure is put on people (especially creatives) to keep striving for success and the next big thing and whilst that drive can be inspiring it can also be crippling! Constantly hearing people from back home saying ‘I really hope you make it’ is just such a weird feeling to me like I don’t even really know what that means when I’m supposed to have made it. That sums up the song really. I think there is a lot of frustration, fear and then hope in the track.”
Tadhg performs at London’s Strongroom Bar and Kitchen on the 28th October, while new EP ‘Forever Young’ is out on 29th October 2021.
As a platinum-selling, Grammy-nominated, and national radio P3 Guld ‘Pop Artist of the Year’ recipient in her native Sweden, it’s safe to say that Tove Styrke has firmly established herself as a pop powerhouse.
She returns with a premium bop in the form of new single ‘Start Walking’, which was written alongside some of the biggest writers and producers in pop currently: Caroline Ailin (Dua Lipa), Sly (Shawn Mendes), Lostboy (Tom Grennan, Anne-Marie) and Pablo Bowman (Marshmello, Alan Walker).
“It’s an upbeat song with sad lyrics, which is my favourite combination. It’s about a person who knows a relationship is over, and how it sucks to actually be the one to leave but you know there is no other way.”
Having sold close to a million singles in just over a year, UK artist Wes Nelson returns with infectious new R&B single ‘Say Nothing’.
Pairing light Afrobeat rhythms with a breezy tropical production, the track exemplifies Wes’ talent as both a vocalist and a songwriter.
“I wrote ‘Say Nothing’ the day after I wrote ‘See Nobody’ over Facetime with Ayo Beatz. The song means a lot to me as it was right at the beginning of my journey as a songwriter, and I was in such a good place creatively. I’m so excited to finally release it.”
London artist DEJA applies doses of her distinctly unique attitude over perfectly blended R&B-pop tracks, creating sounds that are immediately impactful and packed with character.
“This song is for when you ditch that deadbeat, put on your sexiest outfit and show your ex what they’re missing. I’m not one to get too deep with feelings so ‘Like That’ is playful. Nostalgia from an old nursery rhyme served with that DEJA attitude.”
Having already performed alongside the likes of Stormzy and Etta Bond, DEJA is fast becoming known for delivering a soul-baring vocals with an unrivalled energy.
West London talent Hope Tala seems to be that one artist right now who turns everything she touches into gold.
Recently chosen by Clara Amfo as BBC Radio 1’s Hottest Record In The World, ‘Tiptoeing’ is an intricately crafted bossa nova inspired R&B cut that was created in collaboration with Greg Kurstin (who produced Adele’s return track, ‘Easy On Me’).
“‘Tiptoeing’ is about the dance we do when we’re at the threshold of romance. It’s about treading carefully when you’re not quite sure what the other person is feeling, but desperately wanting to take a risk because you’re young and life is short.”
Layered with punchy bass lines, sensual electronics and a guest appearance from Chicago rapper Mick Jenkins, HARLOE’s latest release ‘PWR RNGR’ showcases just how dauntless this pop talent can be when it comes to her artistry.
“‘PWR RNGR’ is a celebration of feeling strong and confident in your own skin. Feeling like a teenager with crazy passion and excited emotions, all because you let your guard down. It’s that balance between allowing yourself to be vulnerable but also self-assured. Sometimes it feels so good to let go!”
Venezuelan talent LexMo is a Miami-raised multi-disciplinarian who is not only an emerging musician, but is also skilled in creative direction, video production, choreography, marketing and digital media.
Her new single ‘Think Of Me’ is a poignant heartbreak ballad about lost love and physical heartache. Through the use of beautifully honest lyricism, the song provides listeners snapshots into the changes of a past relationship.
“I’d just gotten out of a toxic relationship that was a constant cycle of fighting and forgiving, when I met someone who showed me it’s possible to have a healthy relationship based on more than just sex and jealousy. I found my first love in him. When life got in the way and I got sick, he gave his all to ensure I was okay. He lost himself over time trying to be there for me, and eventually ended things via text. I’ve never felt such physical heartache before. If my previous relationship tore me apart, this one opened up a new level of emotional pain I never thought I would recover from.”
Chartreuse bring a gorgeously moving approach to indie that is really quite mesmerising to experience. Deeply uniquely special, this is reverent music for emotional people.
“This song is for people who find themselves away from the people they love. It’s about working through the frustrations of a long-distance relationship although there are difficult parts of the song it is essentially a love song about wanting to be with the person you love. A few years ago, I took a short trip to Stockholm to visit my girlfriend who was working over there at the time. There’s a lot of water that runs through the centre of Stockholm, it moved in a certain way and looked different, different enough to notice. I think it was something to do with the summer light, it looked like oil moving around swelling up and down it was something special. This being something precious I decided to put into words as a snapshot of my life at the time.” – Mike Wagstaff, Chartreuse
The band go on tour soon, kicking off at Green Door Store in Brighton on 29th November, The Lexington in London on the 30th, The Cluny in Newcastle, Birmingham’s Hare & Hounds and finishes up in Manchester on 4th December. Tickets here.
Track of the week. Australian artist Dritic teams up with US talent Lani Rose to create one of the most emotive releases of the month.
Sonically, ‘Distance’ carries a multitude of textures while still giving a sense of minimalism, leaving the vocals to relay some beautifully raw lyricism.
Sega Bodega’s ‘‘Angel On My Shoulder’ draws on electronic, pop and classical piano influences to form a heartfelt track, showcasing this multi-faceted creative’s experimental sound.
New album ‘Romeo’ is out on the 12th November 2021, followed by a UK and European tour at the start of 2022.
AUSTN already commands over 250k monthly listeners on Spotify alone, while still only being 19-years old.
With a significant following all across social media, this is one artist who is sure to hit the mainstream in a very short space of time.
