Category: Music

New Music: updog

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.

updog

Internet Girl – Be My Guest

One of South Africa’s hottest outfits over the last year, Internet Girl have garnered a huge amount of buzz from their unique approach of mixing indie rock with pop.

Today they release their debut EP, of which ‘be my guest’ is a part of. If there’s one collection of songs I recommend you listen to this weekend, this should be it.

Taken from the EP ‘the world i love’ which is out now.

Internet Girl

New Music: Distant Lovers

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.”

Distant Lovers

Watch: EREZ – They’re Coming

NYC born, Israeli-raised artist EREZ returns today with her immensely entrancing dark-alternative number, ‘They’re Coming’.

This is song that carries with it a moody and cinematic soundscape, accompanied by an eclectic electronic production and powerful vocals. The rebellious track is a stand against government power plays, and the stunning visuals expand on the concept further:

“This video is about resisting the corrupt powers that try to control us by using fear. Putting a spotlight on how those powers escalate hate between people instead of cultivating peace. In this video we resist their attempts to silence our critique. The character is protesting those tainted powers by dancing his way through LA and occupying space in a peaceful way. He’s showing he is present, full of life, and not defeated by their darkness. He is very much present and alive and is inspiring others to feel the same.” – EREZ

EREZ

New Music: Moanday

I’ve had my attention on Madrid-based duo Moanday for some time now, and it’s so great to see them continue building momentum for themselves.

This indie-funk outfit have already garnered over a million streams online, and after listening to ‘Blue Ceiling’ you’ll understand why they’re so loveable.

Moanday

Jon Bryant – Candied Tangerines

A perfect slice of summer bliss, courtesy of Canadian alternative singer songwriter Jon Bryant. This nostalgic and soulful track was inspired by Jon’s visit to Los Angeles’ historic Sportsmen’s Lodge for one of their weekly, iconic poolside Sunday Fundays:

“It was as though all of old Hollywood was there. Drank margs with some silver foxes til my face was pink. I had a lovely time making new friends and lazily going about the day with my newfound 50+ crew.” 

Jon Bryant

New Music: C∆IRNS

With a sound that feels eccentric yet dreamy, Minneapolis talent C∆IRNS has released one of the most original songs of the week.

Featuring Runo Plum, ‘Claw Printz‘ is a wonderfully atmospheric slice of lo-fi pop… and it’s all about being friends with a werewolf!

Taken from the album ‘Exothermia’ which is out now.

C∆IRNS

New Music: emmanuelle

Born in New York City and currently residing in South Florida, multi-instrumentalist singer and songwriter emmanuelle creates a powerful and self-assured style of music that blends elements of pop with alternative rock to form something that is truly quite impressive to listen to.

New single ‘relapse’ looks at the uncontrollable feeling that you have for that one person, even though you know that the relationship is toxic.

“Every time something not-so-great happens in life, I just think to myself, ‘It’s okay, I’ll write a song about it.’ Songwriting is my therapy. It helps me release any emotions I don’t know how to express just by speaking. That’s why my songs are so dark. It’s the side of myself that I don’t often show to other people. I’m an open book, but I don’t let everyone read the chapters.”

emmanuelle

New Music: jasper dean

Still only 17-years old, Detroit talent jasper dean has the kind of voice that is instantly captivating. With a style of lo-fi pop that draws inspiration from the likes of Aries and Dominic Fike, this is a sound that feels relatable yet still future-forward.

“‘split lip’ is about the consequences of faking your personality in order to impress someone.“

jasper dean

Kev Olden – Time We Have Left

Irish indie artist Kev Olden returns today with the beautifully melodic ‘Time We Have Left’. A lofty mix of indie folk and alternative rock come together to form a song that feels atmospheric, sincere and tremendously moving.

“It is a song inspired by the many turbulent situations that many have experienced in a problematic relationship during lockdown.”

Kev Olden

New Music: Rikas

Hailing from Stuttgart in Germany, indie-rock outfit Rikas create a kind of colourful sound that is bursting with character, charm and personality.

It’s no wonder that they’ve already seen themselves opening for the likes of Bilderbuch, The Lemon Twigs, Parcels, AnnnenMay Kantereit, and Von Wegen Lisbeth. 

Rikas

Tom Williams – Heads Down

An intensely captivating release from Hastings singer songwriter Tom Williams, who celebrates ten years since his breakthrough debut album ‘Too Slow’.

Lyrically, ‘Heads Down’ nods to dystopian modern life. Williams uses a fictional city of the future to describe a people who have become so disconnected by a fear of human interaction, that they would rather keep their heads down than help each other in their hour of need.

“’Heads Down’ is a late-night walk through a city on its knees. Crime runs rampant, the sea has frozen over, no help or law enforcement to be found. No one looks out for each other; everybody keeps their heads down and keeps on walking.”

Taken from the upcoming album ‘Follow The Leader’ which is out 30th July via Wire Boat Recordings.

Tom Williams

Dear Sara – Stupid Things

One of my favourite Scandinavian talents of the year, Dear Sara returns today with the beautiful ‘Stupid Things’, finely balancing elements of electronic pop with an essence of melancholy.

The song contemplates Dear Sara’s idea of love, while also opening up about her innermost thoughts, wishes and dreams.

“I hope that the listener can relate to the song no matter if they’re newly in love, just got dumped, single, married or just completely heartbroken.”

The new EP ‘I’m Not That Sad:)’ is out now.

Dear Sara

Jafunk – You Got Me (feat. Dana Williams & Nic Hanson)

Here’s comes your official weekend banger, in the form of Jafunk’s new release ‘You Got Me’.

Inspired by funk and disco from the 70s and 80s, the song thrives with an electronic and modern twist, all with the help of singer Dana Williams and rapper Nic Hanson.

“Sometimes the best strategy in life is to not take things too seriously, let your hair down and just do what feels good, and this was exactly the approach we took when making this track.”

Jafunk | Dana Williams | Nic Hanson

New Music: Rallie

Another week, another hugely promising talent from Sweden! This time it’s the turn of Rallie, who’s debut song ‘Too Good’ delivers a refreshing twist on pop music.

Minimal yet eccentric, the production feels sultry and devilishly sexy, while the seductive lyrics look at all the exciting ways of connecting when two people meet.

Rallie

Patrik Jean – Gravitate

Following on from his sensational appearance at Swedish Melodifestivalen (the country’s most watched music series), Patrick Jean returns today with a shimmering and captivating slice of synth-pop; taking you on an intergalactic journey of emotions.

“‘Gravitate’ is a tribute to that person you will always orbit around. With this song I went very conceptual and I let my mind run free with metaphors to describe that love you can’t stay away from.”

Patrik Jean

Klaptrae – Space, Changed

A gorgeously balanced fusion of dream pop, indie and shoegaze from Danish artist Klaptrae.

This is a sound that feels intimate and delicate, and lyrically sets the tone for upcoming EP ‘Changes’, where the songs looks inward; questioning the paths of life and the doubts that may lie in it.

New single ‘Space, Changed’ is an emotional piece about moving away from the familiar and chasing a dream, to suddenly realise that ‘everything has changed.’

The new EP ‘Changes’ will be released on 25th June 25 2021.

Klaptrae

Crystal Cities – Hold Me Close Hold Me Tight

A rousing and anthemic release from Sydney-based indie dream rock outfit Crystal Cities. Interestingly, this is the band’s seventh single to be lifted from their upcoming album.

“‘Hold Me Close Hold Me Tight’ is about the love and truth that exists within all of us. It’s about trying to latch on to those healing frequencies when you find yourself in an emotional attachment that is unserving. This song is related to a point in my life when I felt trapped in an unhealthy pattern of behaviour. My addiction was beginning to affect not just myself, but the people close to me. I knew that if I was going to heal I needed to find my way back to vibrations of love and truth; the true essence of our being. It was that sensation of being held close and tight by the energy of unconditional love that saved me.” – Geoff Rana, Crystal Cities

Once the release of each single from the album is complete, the band will re-package each song as one full body of work that will be their sophomore record, ‘Hold Me Close Hold Me Tight’.

Crystal Cities