Kone Mara are a Swedish outfit consisting of three creative souls with three different creative backgrounds who, by chance, found each other both musically and artistically.
The resulting sound is a luxuriously dreamy and rich fusion of psychedelic indie and pop. ‘The Ordinary Place’ is a transcendental type of song, giving it a sense of timelessness that feels ethereal yet also humbling.
“We met at a breakfast table, and in the early morning hours, a friendship arose. We shared secrets and wrote music inspired by our stories. Coffee, poems, dreams and wishes.”
FUR are a Brighton-based indie-pop outfit who display a ton of character and charm into every song they create.
Having already acquired a considerable fanbase over the last couple of years (their early single ‘If You Know That I’m Lonely’ is nearing 20 million views on YouTube alone), the group are now signed to Boy Pablo’s 777 Music, and ‘The Fine Line Of A Quiet Life’ marks as their debut with the label.
“”The Fine Line Of A Quiet Life” is a documentation of mixed messages you give yourself and take from others about where you feel you should be in your life, and where you’re at. It’s about self reflection and understanding. It’s about detaching yourself from situations you’ve already been in and know the outcome of. Much like growing up, you learn not to do certain things and slowly but surely you learn that there’s a ‘fine line’ of what lifestyle becomes acceptable the older you get and also what you can hack as an adult (that maybe doesn’t feel too much like one).The feeling of regret and ‘how could I be so blind’ that everyone has felt in relationships that really only comes out once it’s done is something that also goes hand in hand with a mutual respect for a collapsed relationship, and that there’s no undoing of things you’ve done – it’s best to just move on and suck it up.” – Murray, FUR
A sound like none other that I have experienced all week, Arkuen is a London-based artist with a style of music making that is so rich in textures and styles that it transcends fitting into any one genre.
An infectiously addictive blend of electronica, pop and rock from tiLLie. This is a confidently bold sound that makes no apologies; electrifying synths, grungy guitars, and nostalgic Mario Cart-esque game chimes keep you hooked from start to finish.
LA-based artist and producer Evan Blum joins forces with singer-songwriter Alyce Weber on exhilarating new single ‘Into The Dark’.
A power-pop sound with an anthemic melody, this is a song that explores the impulses and desires we suppress to protect our emotions.
“To me, ‘Into The Dark’ is sort of a fantasy. In real life, when I know a person or a relationship is ultimately toxic to me, I don’t let myself act on my feelings. So this song is sort of an escape into a scenario where you allow yourself to say yes to that person you should probably say no to, and to feel the rush you would get in the moment without any of the consequences that would inevitably follow.”
It’s become incredibly rare for an artist to craft a sound that is as easy to listen to as that by British talent Isaac Anderson.
First and foremost, this is music that is written with a desire to connect to the listener. Through simple melodies, engaging lyricism and a warm vocal delivery, Anderson creates worlds that are both inviting and captivating.
So whether you’re already one of his army of loyally committed fans, or someone yet to discover this hugely promising talent, here’s some quickfire questions to pique your interest.
For those who aren’t familiar with your music, could you tell us a little about yourself?
I’m a singer, songwriter and guitarist from Nottingham, UK. I’ve been playing music my whole life – I started playing guitar when I was eight, joined my first band at ten and was doing music as a full time job by eighteen. It’s always been a major goal of mine to write and release music under my own name, as a solo artist, and it took me years of touring and playing in all sorts of different bands to gather the confidence to tackle it head on. It’s been a long road but it’s so exciting to finally be here!
In a very short space of time you have garnered huge acclaim for your releases. How does that make you feel?
Overwhelming – but incredibly humbling. It’s really easy to get sucked into obsessing over streaming numbers but the most important thing to me is that the music is connecting with people. I get a real sense that it’s starting to do that – it’s sparking conversations between myself and others – and that feels massively rewarding, even at such an early stage of my journey as an artist. I have to say, there is a bit of a bizarre disconnect watching it all unfold online though! If only people knew how often I’m sitting in my pyjamas when I chat to them on Twitter…
What inspires you when you write your music?
On my recent EP, there was quite a heavy influence from some of the songwriting greats – Bob Dylan, Adele, Elton John, and loads more. I love songs with a real story – I find myself drawing inspiration from just observing the world, and trying to interpret all the craziness that happens day to day. I hope that the music I write can help people figure things out a bit for themselves too.
Who would your dream collaboration be with?
I’d love to write a song with James Bay – he’s an incredible songwriter. I’ve admired him for years!
What does the rest of the year have in store for you?
I’ve got a couple more releases up my sleeve, but I can’t say too much yet! I’m also keeping my fingers crossed that I’ll get to do some live shows – I’d love to take these songs out and play them to people in real life after this bizarre year. Loads more writing, developing myself as an artist and above all, just strengthening the bond I’ve started to grow between myself and my listeners. I feel like it’s just the beginning!
Mazey Haze is the moniker of 21 year old Amsterdam-based artist Nadine Appeldoorn. Today marks the release of her fantastic debut, ‘Sad Lonely Groove’.
A sleek yet dreamy indie-pop sound with an infectiously memorable melody, the song is an honest reflection on a moment in her life where time felt like it was standing still.
“The song is about me feeling the lowest and loneliest I’ve ever felt in my life. I hadn’t built lots of friend relationships yet and I forced myself to be alone with myself. It’s about missing the guy I thought I was in love with. It’s a stream of thoughts that were circling around in my head all the time. It was the first time that I realised I wasn’t able to be happy by myself and was very dependent in the past relationship. Suddenly I had to meet and get to know myself, something I had never done before. When I wrote this song I was still running away from it all.”
UK-based duo Ivy Eye create a kind of disco that is impossible not to enjoy. With hints of funk, pop and soul added for good measure, this is a sound that is universally loveable and wildly infectious.
Indie-pop from one of Norway’s most exciting new talents of late. ‘Firm Foundation’ serves as a welcome return for SOFIA, with the legendary Coucheron on production duties.
A strikingly unique sound from London-based out Malady. This is a blend of genres that collectively form a style of music that is hard to define, yet refreshingly original and full of character.
A hugely exciting British indie-rock outfit, Pylons create a kind of sound that is not only melodically captivating, but also loaded with thought-provoking and introspective lyricism.
“I think the only way to keep up with the game of life is to stop keeping up entirely. We made ‘The Chase’ to spite the new world mediums and to remind everyone that you’ve got to be okay with just existing. The world has started to feel overly romanticised and skin deep to the point of being cosmetic, but living is a creative expression that this single pays homage to.” – Crosby Stewart, Pylons
Taken from the debut EP ‘Thanks For Coming’ which is out this autumn.
I’ve had my ears tuned in to mp.oxford for some time now, so it’s always a delight to hear a new release from this massively talented Copenhagen-based RnB-pop artist.
‘places’ is an effortlessly sleek number that feels finessed and emotive, serving as a refreshing anthem for the summer season ahead.
“The song is a physical and mental escape from the places, and the memories that follow, where you’ve spent the most of your time together with that person you thought was the love of your life.
It happened to me, but it is in no way a special feeling. I think it is one of the most common sides in the aftermath of heartbreak. And it is the constant reminding of the other person’s existence, when you visit these places that makes it so difficult to get over the person and move on.
That feeling is extremely frustrating, because it plants a doubt in your mind, asking you if you really want to move on.“
Taken from the debut EP ‘external heartdrive’ which is out on 4th June 2021.
The video you’re watching has racked up over 370,000 views since it’s launch on the 21st May. And it’s easy to see why; this is rock that is bold, confident and impactful while still easy to listen to and connect with.
The Warning are a trio of sisters from Monterrey in Mexico, who over the past few years have created momentum within the rock scene through their independent releases and sold-out shows, all the while amassing more than 120 million YouTube views and 10 million streams on their previous catalogue.
Danish-Welsh star Drew Sycamore returns today with an epic blend of power-pop and synth in the form of new single ‘Jungle’.
Drew’s latest album‘Sycamore’ (out now) was written and recorded in just 30 days, in collaboration with Fridolin and Frederik Nordsø and songwriter Lasse Boman.
“’Jungle’ is made under a violet sky where I found myself in a particularly melancholy nostalgic mood. I was involved and not in love at the same time and everything felt so overwhelming. Life has a funny way of sorting itself out and I guess the emotion that came out in ‘Jungle’ was this feeling of a backwards fall of a cliff into the deep sea. I had to just float and surrender to things unfolding by themselves.”
One of the most beautiful pop songs you’ll likely hear this week, the delicate piano production on ‘testosterone’ unwraps a vulnerable Grace whose captivating vocal focuses on poignant and relatable lyrics of infidelity, and accepting poor excuses to keep a relationship alive.
“Sometimes you come across a song that you wish you’d written, and this is one of them. Written by one of my close pals Lauren Aquilina – who I wrote two songs off my last EP with, along with Lostboy who also produced it – I literally begged Lauren for this song. I instantly connected with the lyrics, and sonically it is just so ‘me’. I’m so appreciative to Lauren and Lostboy for letting me have this one, and as a songwriter myself I always said a song I hadn’t written would have to be super special for me to take it – and special it is!”
Long Beach based trio half•alive return with their new song ‘TIME 2’, which was produced by the legendary Ariel Rechtshaid (Vampire Weekend, Adele, HAIM) and co-written with Dan Nigro (Olivia Rodrigo). The music video was self-directed by the band and long time collaborators JA Collective.
“The lyrical message of ‘TIME 2’ ended up shocking us in a very prophetic way… The song speaks about waking up in the chaos of life and remembering a child-like state of mind. It calls to reset, and return to the beginning. The moment we finished writing the song, the world was subdued into a global time-out. Production on the song, along with everything else, came to a standstill. A year has passed, and now in May 2021 we find ourselves looking down at the lyrics in awe…”
“I’m fleeing to the wonder I lost when I was younger, the simple child state of mind.
It’s comin’ like the sunshine, rising in the morning. I’m waking up it’s time—
Fighting the constant, forgetting to give it up.
I forgot what I wanted, now i’m waking up it’s time.”
A beautifully introspective and inspirational release from 20-year old rising star Audrey Mika. The lyricism on ‘Alive’ hits on so many levels, and shows us another side to this artist’s versatility.
“This song is a huge reminder to me to be thankful that I am even here and alive in this world and appreciating the ups and downs of life. It’s a reminder and affirmation that it’s okay to not always be okay and to surround yourself with people that look out for you. I’ve come to realise that I wanted to bring dancing and my music together and go back to this part of me. I think that dancing adds vulnerability and I felt it went hand in hand with this song. The dancing, the singing, and the lyrics show all the different sides of me and who I am. And I hope I can share, and inspire others to do the same and show them that they can trust themselves when things become uncomfortable.”
London-based talent Zola Courtney enlists California rapper Caleborate for the shimmering new RnB bop ‘Superstar’.
Written as a ‘punch-back’ to arrogance and self-righteousness, this is the kind of laid back summer groove that will immediately transport you to a sun-drenched LA road trip.
“The song is based around the arrogance that can come with power and influence. The lyrics aren’t specifically about ‘superstars’ but more about self-righteous people, and personal experiences I’ve had where I’ve been made to feel small from someone with more power or social status than me. I hope people enjoy the upbeat, sassiness of the song. It feels like it should be playing in Cher’s car during the scene in Clueless where the girls are all driving around Beverly Hills.”
