Category: Music

New Music: Big Stuff

A beautifully constructed blend of alt-RnB, soul and pop from Big Stuff. This East Coast outfit initially formed as a songwriting duo, but had their plans scuppered once shutdown kicked in. Finding themselves stuck in isolation with no artist to speak through, they became their own performers – and what a fantastic idea that was!

“The inspiration behind ‘Don’t Get Me Started’ is falling in love with your partner’s joy. We actually based each verse line on the little things we witnessed about each other. From discovering pockets in a new dress or buying two for one when we only needed one – that burst of happiness over something so small can be seriously contagious.”

Big Stuff

Betta Lemme – Ce Soir

Canadian starlet Betta Lemme is back today with one of the catchiest bops of the week. This is disco-pop with the perfect dose of sugary kitsch that will almost certainly get you up and dancing.

With lockdown serving as a backdrop, ‘Ce Soir’ invites you into Betta Lemme’s daydreams about a distant partner as she longs for connection. In this time alone, she’s reminded that the real luxury is being with a loved one; all the Zoom calls and retail therapy just can’t compete.

“On a night where crying seemed like my newfound and mastered hobby, and overthinking became my full time job, I pretended this little Gucci box was my friend and asked her if she could ‘flip this frown.’ In that moment, material goods became insignificant, a thing I’ve known all along, This song is about letting those daydreams free and realising that the only thing that will bring meaning to these things is enjoying them with the one you love. I wanted to have fun with loneliness and remind myself that some of the lowest points always bring us the perspective that we need.”

Betta Lemme

New Music: Linda Diaz

Press play on ‘Blessed’ and you’ll experience a truly stunning vocal over a beautifully smooth and soulful melody. Hailing from Manhattan, Linda Diaz is a singer, songwriter and performer who recently won the 2020 NPR Tiny Desk Contest.

This song is all about the growing pains that accompany big life changes. While we often stand in our own way when we focus on our shortcomings, ‘Blessed’ serves as an affirmation and reminder to acknowledge our talents, successes and blessings as we work toward meeting future goals.

Linda Diaz

New Music: Dpart

Hailing from North West London, Dpart is a rapper and songwriter who sites the likes of NF and J Cole as influences.

A passion for soccer comes through on ‘Showboat’, wherein Dpart uses various football skills as punchlines, while also sticking to his gritty reality-based lyrics that combine both football and his own experiences growing up in London to great effect.

Dpart

New Music: 4B2M

The Netherlands has been a hotbed for eclectic pop recently, and today brings another superb new act in the form of 4B2M.

The two sets of brothers create the most luxurious blends of indie and pop that you could ever possibly hope for, all the while infusing a ton of charm and whit in the form of their lyricism.

‘Money For Sale’ is a searing commentary on the cost of capitalism, showing the band’s sense of humour while also making a statement.

4B2M

Emi Wes – Take Me To The Moon

Undoubtedly one of my favourite Danish talents of late, Emi Wes returns with an infectiously catchy blend of soul of indie-pop that gives you dreamy, summery vibes.

This is a playfully quirky sound that still feels effortlessly sleek, all the while glistening with hints of nostalgia.

“‘Take Me To The Moon’ is about a very short-lived fling where you just want to have fun while it lasts, feeling confident in your desires, knowing that you have to go soon. ‘Cause you’re too busy.”

Emi Wes

New Music: Sam Seccombe

A sincere and heartfelt style of music-making from UK talent Sam Seccombe. ‘Crocodile Tears’ is a beautifully written pop-ballad featuring Sam’s rich vocals, emotive lyricism and a captivating melody.

“This track is something that I wrote months after a break-up, in an attempt to try to escape the anger and bitterness that had come from it all. I wanted to write something that would help me move on: something that would acknowledge the good bits, that would address the bad bits and that would see it for what it was at the time.”

Sam Seccombe

ViVii – Smackdown

Swedish outfit ViVii have long been a blog favourite for years now, thanks to their trademark indie style captivating listeners across the world.

Now they’re back with a new take on their sound, and it’s a flawless slice of uptempo hazy dream-pop that is perfect for the summer weeks ahead.

“We had enough mid-tempo songs and were eager to do something more danceable. What does it take to make a simple dancing song? We thought two chords at first but then we indulged in a third chord and suddenly it became complete! A tribute to our Swedish music heroes ABBA who we mixed with a little Fleetwood.”

Taken from the new album ‘Mondays’ which is out now.

ViVii

OLI – Think About It

London-based singer and songwriter OLI has that distinctive type of voice that immediately draws you in.

With a style of music-making that is tender and reflective, ‘Think About It’ is an easy mid-tempo pop number that provides a soothing balm to anyone who’s experienced increased anxiety or worry over this last year.

“There are days when you won’t have any control over your thoughts, you’ll think of anything and everything all at once. I wanted the song to show how that felt. When it’s late at night and all I can tell myself is ‘don’t over think’, whilst knowing I absolutely will anyway.”

OLI

Ruben Dawnson – Safely

One of Norway’s most promising indie-pop talents of late, Ruben Dawnson has rocketed past 1.5 million streams on Spotify alone since the release of his debut.

And there’s good reason for it; this is a talent who is deeply connected with this work, constructing everything in his own bedroom and not shying away from showing raw honesty and vulnerable emotions.

Look out for the forthcoming EP ‘Sunshower’, which is scheduled for release this summer.

Ruben Dawnson

New Music: Dexter Francis Mason

Hailing from Berlin is songwriter and producer Dexter Francis Mason. This artist creates an eccentric style of music that blends lo-fi pop with electronic funk, resulting in a sound that is not only intriguingly experimental but refreshingly original.

Taken from the debut album ‘I’m Sorry You Feel That Way’ which is out on 28th May 2021.

Dexter Francis Mason

New Music: Ellison

If you know your Danish pop then you may recognise Ellison from his previous project, SHERPA (who was featured on here countless times).

Now he’s venturing solo with the fantastic debut release of ‘I Could Be Your Lover’. This is premium synth-pop that was made for the dance floor, taking inspiration from the New 80’s vibe which is spreading all across Denmark.

Ellison

New Music: Piper 57

by  Rico Zartner / @itsricozartner

Berlin-based newcomer Piper 57 crafts a style of pop that feels future-forward, dark and atmospheric yet still easy to connect with. The danceable bass-driven music compliments a powerful vocal, and lyricism that is thoughtful and true-to-life.

“I want to learn new stuff, be around interesting people and see inspiring places. There are so many experiences waiting out there, and I can’t wait to turn them into music.”

Piper 57

SOMA – In the Night

Starting the weekend off with a belter of a pop song from Stockholm-based artist, producer and creator SOMA. ‘In The Night’ exudes good vibes, sleek beats and one hell of a catchy melody.

“This is a song I’ve had with me for the past 3 years. It has seen many phases, several different productional styles and finally found its form on the cusp of the pandemic that we’ve all come to know so well. In March 2020, I made the decision to put the release on hold. At a time when the world was, and still is, struggling to cope with deep shock, friends and family members losing their jobs, and some their health and lives, a song that so brutally celebrated the body felt like a sin.“

“Today, the same song that started out as a catchy tune with no remarkable depth, is nothing short of a tribute to our magnificent human bodies. Big or small, confined or free to move, in pain or in bliss, our human bodies are the containers and the pure expressions of life-stories. From our nearly unbearable intergenerational trauma to our secret one-night-stands.”

Taken from the upcoming EP ‘Make Me Human’ which is due on 27th August 2021.

SOMA

New Music: Vanessa Gimenez

A stunning debut from Vanessa Gimenez, who’s single ‘Make It Rain’ follows on from the disbandment of her previous project with Swimming Girls.

This is a piece of dreamy indie-pop that flows beautifully, making it instantly captivating and tremendously catchy.

“‘Make It Rain’ was the first song written for this project. To me it’s about retaining that childlike sensibility that is full of hope and dreams. A mindset that a lot of people lose once they grow older.”

Vanessa Gimenez

Louis Baker – Brighter Day

New Zealand modern soul talent Louis Baker’s ‘Brighter Day’ is one of those songs that immediately connects with you, all the while giving a heady dose of hope… Something we could all do with!

This is a warm and soulful track that pays tribute to the triumphs and adversities faced by Baker’s grandfather, who served in the 28th Māori Battalion.

“I wrote ‘Brighter Day’ for my grandfather who I never met. The song is inspired by a letter he wrote to his cousin during World War II, and of the many harrowing experiences he went through. During the war he was shot through the mouth at El Alamein, 1942. After returning home and having surgery on his face, he would spend time repeating the words ‘today is a beautiful day’ in front of the mirror, to train his mouth and muscles to speak again. He was incredibly determined and courageous. No matter what happened, he kept a positive mind-set and looked for brighter days ahead. This is my letter to him.”

Taken from the upcoming EP ‘Love Levitates’ which is set for release on 18th June 2021.

Louis Baker

Lucy DK – Queen Bed

East London starlet Lucy DK is back today with a silky-smooth and finessed piece of RnB-pop that was written during her time battling with depression. This artist not only blends genres but culture; putting new twists on hardship, friendship and the art of growing up.

“‘Queen Bed’ is a reminder that our mental health as black women is important, and that we are deserving of grace and empathy.”

Lucy DK

emie nathan – upstream

emie nathan returns today with the sensational and deeply moving ‘upstream’, a hauntingly beautiful piece that looks at life’s highs-and-lows, capturing the internal and external battles we all go through.

“’upstream’ is a reflection of an incredibly polarised mindset I found myself in at the end of 2020. Within the space of 48 hours, I experienced skyrocketing personal highs and plummeting lows. I had a birthday where I turned 24 years old, received news of my Platoon deal and then found out I had lost a family member who I was unable to see in person for the entire year. Going through the sheer emotional rollercoaster of my achievements, celebrations and relief to the crashing and deeply saddening news of loss, I really struggled to know how and what to feel. And even, what was okay to feel. It was quite frankly, one of the best and worst moments of my career to date. Upstream describes the internal battle I had with myself, reckoning with the spectrum of deep seated emotions and searching for a guiltless equilibrium in the depths of grief.”

emie nathan