No stranger to the pages of Alfitude, Essex wonder-kid tmdistant returns with the excellent ‘so bipolar’.
Fusing multiple genres like alt-RnB, funk, trap and pop, the song was written as anthem for fake love; and the fake people who change and leave – only to expect to be welcomed back when they return.
“Even friends I’ve had in the past have been the same, always changing. I would hear different things people have said about me from others, while these same people show me love then they see me. I just wanted to share my experience and hope listeners can relate to it.”
Liverpool’s Turquoise Noise are an outfit who are seemingly unafraid of pushing the boundaries of alt-rock.
As is the case with new single ‘Closer’, this is a bold and confident approach to music-making that incorporates elements of indie, electronica and psychedelica to form a sound that is uniquely distinctive.
Not only a magnificent singer, American artist Nefertitti Avani is also an actress, songwriter, and producer who crafts some of the sleekest new RnB you could wish for right now.
Speaking on the inspiration behind ‘Serious’ Nefertittiexplains that the song does what it says on the tin ‘It’s serious‘.
Taken from the forthcoming new EP ‘Oh, Ok’ dropping this summer.
German-born and now London-based emerging artist Ella Eliza has one of those vocals that is immediately arresting. Matched with an intriguing and captivating blend of soul, alt-RnB and pop, this talent crafts some of the most interesting new music to emerge from the UK right now.
“The narrative could be perceived as me urging another person to ‘let go of their ego’, almost as if I am speaking to a love interest or a close friend, however, my creative intention behind this track is that I am talking to myself in the mirror just after I got up in the morning. This track is especially important to me as I feel it is the most reflective song I have ever created and it documents my journey of self development.”
Taken from the self-produced debut EP ‘INTROSPECTION’ coming out this summer.
If there’s one European nation that has consistently excelled with new musical talent so far this year, it’s been Switzerland.
A prime example is DANA, a Swiss singer-songwriter who’s style of indie-pop carries a soulful twist, helping people understand what it means to be vulnerable. Her new single ‘Undefined’ speaks on the emotions surrounding being caught up in a love story with someone where the ‘definition’ isn’t so clear.
It’s an experience most of us can relate to, yet somehow this 23-yer old talent has managed to put those feelings into a song that is so beautifully moving.
Norwegian artist Farida returns today with a stripped-back mix of pop and rock in the form of infectiously catchy new single ‘365 Days’.
“‘365 Days’ is about meeting someone during a summer vacation, drinking, having fun, but at the end realising it’s not ideal to wake up hung over every morning and the anxiety kicks in too often, so she starts eating healthy and saying good riddance to the summer fling who never wanted to be sober. It’s a nostalgic feel to the song reminding us about summertime and the many memories we create, good and bad.”
Swedish artist Joel Malka returns with a finessed yet intimate release today. ‘Monte Carlo’ fuses ambient tones of pop with RnB to create a sound that feels dreamy and mysterious, all the while carrying a beat that keeps you hooked until the very end.
”It’s about looking for fun distractions. To me, ‘Monte Carlo’ just represented this state of mind where you can get a break from all your worries for a while. I’ve definitely felt that I could use a break like that, especially in these times, so I hope this song can take the listeners there with me. Like just three minutes without a care in the world.”
‘Exotic Bird’ is the first single from Dutch outfit Sheila and the Kit’s upcoming album. This is a deliciously dark and melodic slice of electronica, fused with hints of indie and pop.
Written as an ode to those nights on the dance floor before lockdown kicked in, the song serves as a reminder that good times are almost among us again.
It’s impossible not to feel some kind of joy when you play ‘Praise’ by Monticolombi. A sleek blend of RnB, soul and hip hop combine effortlessly to form a sound that glistens with finesse and feel-good energy.
Akira Kai is a UK-based artist who’s style of music-making effortlessly combines elements of pop, hip hop and indie into a sound that feels emotive, raw and deeply expressive.
“‘NO MANS LAND’ is a product of Millennial misery. Expressing the loneliness and lack of connection in today’s age.”
Aussie pop starlet Yorke returns today with her first single of the year. Created over the course of just a few hours, ‘Window Shopping’ is a shimmering fusion of electro-pop and disco that looks into the desire of impressing a potential love interest while retaining your natural personality.
“I think sometimes the anxiety of wanting to make a good first impression (in any respect) can overshadow the ability to establish a meaningful connection.”
A dreamy pop release from RVBY, and one that feels euphoric in a gentle and subtle kind of way. It’s the type of song that softly builds momentum, leaving you feeling on top of the world as it concludes.
“I’m chasing this physical ‘sparkle’ on a journey. The meaning behind my new single is that I’m chasing this dream which in the video takes the form of a moving magical cluster. The sparkle is calling me to follow it and it symbolises something I really want.”
Hailing from Cape Town, HONEYMOAN are one of the most exciting alt-pop acts to emerge from South Africa recently, thanks to their ability in creating distinctive soundscapes that set the scene for some seriously addictive hooks and relatable lyrics. On ‘Super Emotional’, singer Alison Rachel explains:
“We sometimes try out a bunch of stuff like identities, relationships and careers in attempt to figure out who we are.”
Taken from the upcoming ‘Palace’ EP which lands on 18th August 2021.
Irish duo AMIN have created one of the strongest pop-dance hybrids to emerge so far this year. Immediately arresting, this is a refreshing sound that seizes your attention with its distinctive combination of melodies, lyrics and vocal.
“‘Count To Ten’ first came about following a pretty incredible moment for me watching the sunrise at Burning Man festival in the middle of the Black Rock desert in Nevada. I was working on a demo of it here and there for about 3 years. I thought it really had potential but needed someone with both underground & commercial sensibilities to give it a bit of a scrub & gleam to get it to where it needed to be. Once Mark entered the picture, it came together pretty quickly.” Darren Rice, ANIM
LA-based singer, songwriter and producer frogi has received quite love since releasing ‘moonlight’ just eighteen months ago.
She’s since ascended Hype Machine and been embraced by the fashion world, with in-store playlists from H&M and Ralph Lauren; not bad considering she’s released everything to date independently,
Today marks the release of the beautifully written ‘phantom limb’, a song that brings a warm and hyper-modern take on heartbreak.
“I like to travel in time when I write songs and visit different versions of myself, This song is a visit from present me to a younger me. I look back at myself when I was a teenager and send her love. Her self esteem was pretty low, and her self worth was so based on a relationship that was doomed from the start. I find it healing to talk to my younger self and show her love she didn’t know back then. I think it pieces broken parts of my present self back together.”
Irish international phenomenon Picture This are back today with the beautifully emotive ‘If Ever However Whenever Forever’.
The track marks the announcement of the band’s fan album, ‘Life In Colour‘ which comes out on 25th June 2021 via Republic Records. On the album, they say:
“Our fans have been amazingly patient with us over the last two years and allowed us to get a body of work together that we feel is really worth the wait for them and we’re excited for them all to get their hands on it! We will be back with even more music a lot sooner than you would think too!”
Not only that – but they’re also going on tour across the UK later this year, kicking off on 6th October in Nottingham. More info here.
I first featured Sigrid all the way back in 2014, but it wasn’t until 2018 that the world finally caught up to this Norwegian talent.
Here we are in 2021, and this superstar has already toured the globe, amassed over 1.2 billion streams and sold a million album units.
Now she’s back with a disco-filled bop in the shape of ‘Mirror’, continuing to hold her ground as one of Scandinavia’s biggest musical success stories.
One of the most exciting discoveries this week comes from London-based talent ivee. A fusion of rap, trap and dark-pop come together to create a sound that feels atmospheric and arresting.
Featuring the talents of hip hop artist VILLAIN, ‘Fallen Angels’ explores the inevitable tragedy of coping mechanisms.
A self-producing artist and composer, ivee developed her skills at the prestigious BRIT school and was spotted there by Little Cousin Records – who then released her debut ‘Paris In The Winter’back in February.
Born in São Paulo and now based in London, PIE is one of those artists who creates a sound that delivers a ton of character, yet does so in such a finessed form that it wins you over within seconds.
With inspirations ranging from Latin and Bossa Nova tones to the ever-growing UK Jazz scene, as well as soul queens like Cleo Sol, Erykah Badu, and Aretha Franklin, PIE’s music tells captivating stories in the most effortlessly cool way imaginable.
“The opening line for the track ‘She had it coming to her but she is too independent’ introduces my reflection upon the process of getting to know the true meaning of solitude, the most valuable gift a heartbreak can give you, the lonely path to yourself. The track contains excerpts of the real phone call that triggered the creation of the song, bringing the listeners close to my own experience in an attempt to tell a story that may have happened elsewhere, in a different time and place.”
British composer Lindsay Wright is already an established name who has worked on compositions for film and TV (Netflix’s The Crown; Sky Atlantic’s The Tunnel; and period drama The Aftermath to name a few).
While in lockdown over the past year, Wright also created a beautiful EP entitled ‘LINES’ (out 4th June 2021), which includes new single ‘On Fire’.
Here you can experience deeply emotive tones gliding over a rich soundscape that was built on cinematic electronics, fragile strings and haunting vocals. Talking about ‘LINES’, Wright says:
“The current times and my personal observations over the past year shaped each track, going between the strangeness, the novelty and the distress that I was feeling all at once. How so many people could only see loved ones through the glass of a window or across a garden pathway. How nobody was unaffected by these changes in the world.
I also wanted to explore contrasting experiences, perhaps how having constant company with no change in scenery could result in overwhelming loneliness of a different kind. How small everyone’s world had to become in order to keep others safe. How I could cycle through these feelings of isolation and morph them into lines of connection instead.”
