Undoubtedly one of country music’s new trailblazers, Evil does not hold back in their approach to the genre.
Latest release ‘Wrecked’ comes across as a raw indie sound, yet still carries a nostalgic essence of soul, fused with some country tones. It’s pure genius, and really quite beautiful to experience.
The almighty re-emergence of punk-pop continues! It seems that the genre is on it’s way to making a comeback in epic fashion, and if Shai Skye’s approach is anything to go by, then I am here for it!
If you’re from London then you’ll instantly recognise the sample from this track. Shakota has taken a mundane voiceover from the Tube and turned it into a beautifully sweet track that is impossible not to enjoy.
On the surface, this song comes across as a sweet and nostalgic blend of soul and RnB. But listen closely to Shaolinn’s voice and you’ll discover deeply moving lyricism that looks into the fears and insecurities that many young people experience.
The 20-year-old Virginia Beach-based singer-songwriter creates music that is clearly beyond her years; these are songs that are smart, observant and powerful.
A story familiar to many of us, Danish artist Mattis never knew how to show or tell his feelings as a young man. His new single ‘Enough Of My Love’ marks the turning point in his life when he discovered the importance of being true to to his authentic self; and it’s a brilliantly rousing piece of Scandinavian power pop!
“‘Enough Of My Love’ is a love song that I feel I just now am ready to release. I have had a hard time expressing my feelings through life and lately I have taken some big steps towards becoming more authentic and brave enough to say ‘I love you’ to those I love. And what a perfect timing to release such a song going into the summer and with corona as a hopefully almost finished chapter in Denmark – and the World.”
If you loved the song then be sure to check out Mattis’ beautiful cover of ‘Everywhere‘ by Fleetwood Mac.
A fantastically chilled slice of summery pop from LA-based artist Ben Again. ‘My Baby Likes it! (On The Weekend)’ is the kind of track that is all about doing less, but still getting more from life. Perfect for the weekend ahead!
“This is all about doing less and getting more from life. I wrote this during the pandemic, while at home with my partner and 3 daughters (they are on the track too!).”
Faith Richards has a kind of expressive vocal that glides beautifully over soulful and dark indie notes. This is a sound that is effortlessly charming, all the while moving and captivating.
“I wrote ‘Same Language’ after falling in love with a man who was still learning the English language. Love itself sparked something new in me. Simultaneously, I felt free and safe, and words didn’t matter as much anymore – ‘We speak the same language in everything we’re not saying.'”
New York-bred Humble Braggers are back today with the electrifying and euphoric ‘Only’. Although infused with familiar old-school vibes, the song still retains an inordinate amount of modern pop sensibilities!
Whimsical pop-rock duo Rightfield are back today with a shimmering slice of hazy bliss, in the form of new single ‘Baby’.
“‘Baby’ is all about the slower parts of when Summer rolls around. It’s about being outside in the still of the night and feeling content with where you’re at and who you’re with. Enjoying the ordinary present and feeling gratitude for being alive in that moment.”
Hailing from London, pop talent Scott the Pisces is a songwriter and producer with a flair for creating bops that are infectiously catchy and near impossible not to love.
A perfect addition to your summer playlists, ‘Crazy About You’ took two months of producing, writing and mixing, and features vocals from Raene.
“I wanted to write a song about the experience we all have when we first get a taste of love. That magical feeling we embrace while we’re young, the simplicity of it all. How we begin to experience the excitement and all the little elements that come with it. I tried to create a summarising narrative of how I experienced my first love, the innocence of wearing your heart on your sleeve.”
Debut EP ‘Ocean Blue’ is out now.
Hyperpop comes in two forms: it’s either fantastic, or fantastically bad. Fortunately, Luke Black seems to be a master of the genre, crafting some of the finest blends tracks you could expect.
Hailing from the Serbian city of Čačak, this talent has been named by the media as ‘The Serbian Pop Alchemist’ for his songwriting style as well as his live performances, channeling modern mysticism through a uniquely distinctive sound. On ‘Amsterdam’, Luke says:
“It’s a coping mechanism, an escape from the real world into the smoke and mirrors of the beautiful city.”
Influenced by the likes of Frank Ocean, Brockhampton, D’Angelo, Kelis and Justin Timberlake, Phoenix-based Irish singer and producer Pop Wallace has created one of my favourite alt-RnB tracks this week.
A stripped-down and mellow affair, ‘Out Sick’ is a finessed and sleek sound that deals with self-sabotage, excess, and self-worth.
The brainchild of Liverpool-based artist Kate Hazeldine, NIIX is a musical project that perfectly blends hyperpop with deconstructed club sounds. The result is a style of song that is distinctly unique and intriguing, yet easy to connect with.
“Dance music for introverts. A floaty garage number exploring unrequited love beneath strobe lights and on cold nights.”
Taken from the EP ‘I’ which is out now.
A perfect blend of summery RnB and rap, just in time for the season ahead. UK talent HRTLSS teams up with LAYNE and Pre Kai Ro on the release of new single ‘New Coupe’. The track itself is all about the feeling of freedom that we’e all been craving for since the beginning of lockdown.
“This song is about being with the ones close to us and just letting go of everything.” – HRTLSS
HRTLSS | pre kai ro | LAYNE
Born and raised in Brighton, British alt-rock artist Edward Sansom is a singer, songwriter and producer who’s approach to music-making promises sounds that are electrifyingly energising and packed with intensity.
“The song reflects my feelings of isolation in a digital world. It acts as a circuit breaker to all the noise.”
Kicking off the weekend with a hugely promising Irish talent, Black Pope has a uniquely distinctive style of alt-rock that is immediately arresting. ‘Demon Stomp’ is a nostalgia-tinged sound that feels raw, dark and sinister – all the while still carrying a playful twist.
“I guess the song is about not belonging anywhere, and the emotional chaos that can cause,. We all find a balance of how much we’re willing to go along with other people’s expectations, but without a strong sense of self, it can be easy to get lost.”
Taken from the upcoming EP ‘Music for Girls Vol. I’ which is out soon.
One of the most exciting discoveries that I have recently come across, Cathy Jain is a 17-year old talent who was born in Salford and raised in China and Australia before returning to the UK.
With instantly recognisable vocals that flow over a wonderfully airy production, Jain’s approach to pop is refreshingly simple and totally endearing.
A stripped-back yet hugely catchy mix of lo-fi pop and indie from a new Norwegian talent.
Some of the most promising indie-rock to emerge from the UK lately, Jamie Button’s approach to the genre is unashamedly bold and impactful.
With previous singles ‘Flashbang’ and ‘Told You Things’ peaking at No. 3 and No.2 on the iTunes Singer/Songwriter charts, it’s only a matter of time before this talent becomes a big name.
“‘Strange Saints’ was written in lockdown and speaks of frustration, inner turmoil and a desire to break free.”
On this fantastically eccentric blend of pop and indie, Australian talent Sahara Beck creates a sound that feels emotive and intriguing in equal measures. Co-written by Tony Buchen, Sahara says:
“We created a lullaby of desperation. This song means different things to me. On one hand I’m singing it about everyone I’ve ever given my everything to… On the other hand I sing it to the music industry, my biggest desire. The only thing I’ve ever been sure of is that I love music. I love how it makes me feel and I love that what I create can make others feel something, whether it be sadness, hope or love.”
