Category: Music

Apollo Mighty – Smile

Some of the most blissful RnB and soul tones you will likely hear today come from Chicago-based talent Apollo Mighty, who’s new single ‘Smile’ is nothing short of being utterly sublime.

The song explores the initial feelings of finding happiness and love in someone else, and the excitement that comes with those moments.

“When I wrote the song I pictured a girl waking up the morning after she had a great first date with someone. She’s recalling all the little moments that made her heart race. I really enjoyed the imagery of her catching herself smiling throughout the day. There’s  something really sweet and innocent about that kind of excitement. And it feels good to give yourself permission to be excited about something. Nowadays I think we all need something that sparks our joy and making this song was that for me.”

Apollo Mighty

New Music: glu

A refreshingly raw and captivating release from Melbourne-based experimental rap artist glu.

‘TOKYO’ brings a dark, atmospheric and intriguing approach to hip hop that blurs the boundaries of what to expect from the genre. The result is a sound that is hugely exciting to listen to.

“Reflective of the hollow serotonin-less void of a comedown, the lyrics flow smoothly with a slow, fragile cadence.”

glu

Jonah Zed – Horizons

I first featured Canadian indie talent Jonah Zed earlier this year when his fantastic debut ‘tired’ was unveiled.

Now he’s back with follow-up single ‘Horizons’ and it’s every part of perfection that I was hoping for. This is the kind of sound that is truly timeless in it’s style; it’s a mellow, hazy and sleek affair that is impossible not to feel moved by.

Jonah Zed

joe p – Off My Mind

by Cody Cutter

Hailing from Asbury Park, joe p releases his latest single ‘Off My Mind’ today as the newest signing to hugely iconic label Neon Gold Records (of Matt Maeson, Charli XCX, HAIM, and The Knocks fame). 

“This is the happiest sad song I have ever written I think. When I started coming up with the line ‘now you’re off my mind’ I loved how just saying that out loud contradicts the very thing it is trying to prove.”

Taken from the debut EP ‘Crown Vic’ which will be released on 25th June 2021.

joe p

Titus Bank – I Do Yeah

A tremendously catchy pop bop from Canadian talent Titus Bank. This artist had previously made waves with an ambitious project called the 365 Songwriting Challenge, during which he wrote, recorded and released an incredible 185 songs in the span of a year.

Now he’s back with the next chapter of his music career with the unveiling of ‘I Do Yeah’. The song is somewhat of a testament to sticking to your artistic vision, even if it takes years of hard work before you get it right.

“When we initially wrote [I Do Yeah’], the idea was about trying to better yourself as a person, and proving everyone who doubts you wrong. But when we wrote the bridge, it also became about letting go of expectations to be this perfect person. It’s a tug-of-war between self-betterment and letting go of social pressure.”

TITUS BANK

Cosha – Run The Track

Cosha has managed to craft a sound that is stripped back and minimal yet still feels like a full-on almighty banger with the release of ‘Run The Track’.

Taken from the upcoming album ‘Mt. Pleasant’, which is out on 2nd July 2021.

Cosha

New Music: Isaac Jack

British newcomer Isaac Jack is an 18-year old artist who’s style of incorporating raw emotion, passion and quirkiness into his music delivers a fresh sound that channels all kinds of feelings.

While on the surface, ‘Pointless Girl’ seems like a stripped-back indie affair, the lyricism intricately tells of a story, best put by Isaac himself:

“The song examines the despair of young breakups, following a protagonist who is blinded with anger and confusion. They can’t help but obsess over their previous love, attempting to overcome the feeling of yearning through other relationships. However, the protagonist can never shake his past love from his head, seeing all other attempts as pointless. The raw vocals and plosive lyrics further cement the feeling of despair. The protagonist doesn’t care for anything anymore, ‘you can say what you like’, however at the same time you can see the fragility that the break-up has caused, ‘promise you won’t be as mean’. The protagonist has been worn down by the anger, frustration and heartache. In essence, his break-up is broken down into being a ‘bitter taste’ – the break-up has ruined his palette for anything else. The bitter taste of what could have been envelopes everything.”

Taken from the debut EP ‘The Salt That Stays’ which is out now.

Isaac Jack

New Music: DELPHii

Newcastle-based artist Angelene Holmes, who also goes by the alias of DELPHii creates a sound that feels so effortlessly finessed and cool that it really does leave you a little breathless. This is a gorgeously dreamy pop sound that is sure to take your mind to another place.

DELPHii

New Music: Telemarkk

I don’t often feature songs with an 80’s twist, but this new release from British outfit Telemarkk is too good not to share.

If Dua Lipa’s recent ‘Future Nostalgia’ record gave you good energy then ‘Bloom’ is likely to do much the same; this is a catchy and euphoric bop that showcases some of the best synth-pop that I have heard so far this month.

“[Bloom] resembles holding on to positives in negative situations, particularly felt throughout the pandemic when dealing with isolation, expressing the feeling of falling out of touch with people and the realisation/evaluation of a breakdown in a relationship.” 

Telemarkk

Watch: Tom Did It – Thinking Too Much

Rising 18 year-old UK artist Tom Did It unveiled the visuals for infectiously catchy ‘Thinking Too Much’ today, which also happens to fall on Mental Health Awareness Week.

Initially released last year, the song has since become a fan-favourite, and one which firmly placed this talent on the music radar. Built over a captivating trap-infused production, Tom wears his heart on his sleeve as he takes us on a journey through his cluttered mind.

Tom Did It

Alex Porat – dimension

I have to admit that I’ve had ‘dimension’ playing on loop since I first heard it earlier; Toronto-based singer-songwriter Alex Porat has created one of the sexiest pieces of disco-pop so far this year. This is a sleek yet understated bop that you will instantly fall in love with.

“’dimension’ is about being tormented by the idea of wanting someone you can’t have. No matter how hard you try to get this person out of your head you just can’t seem to get rid of them. This song is an acceptance speech acknowledging that some relationships aren’t meant to be, but imagining a world where it could work out.”

Alex Porat

Watch: We Will Kaleid – Lure

One of the most interesting projects to emerge from Germany in recent times, art & experimental-pop duo We Will Kaleid return today with the mesmerising ‘Lure’.

The track demonstrates a perfect balance between something that is conceptual and avant-garde, while also being emotive and thought-provoking. On the song and video, they say:

“‘Lure’ makes a subtle but profound statement about the changing nature of human relationships, rebuking a world that seems to prioritise followers over enduring connections. We tried to capture a feeling of uncertainty and confusion in the video, visualising the loss of our own sense of self through the progressive deconstruction of Marcia’s character, as it’s slowly taken over by leering digital phantoms. We chose an experimental visual approach, bringing together old and new techniques to create something appropriately dystopian yet nostalgic.”

Taken from the EP ‘Aphasiac’ which is released on the 21st May 2021.

We Will Kaleid

CXLOE – Cry & Drive

It’s always a moment of excitement when Australian talent CXLOE debuts new music.

Ever true to being the princess of dark pop, her new release ‘Cry & Drive’ sees her display an honest vulnerability in a way she has not leaned fully into before.

CXLOE

New Music: Henjila

With inspirations ranging from Amy Winehouse, Whitney Houston and Lily Allen through to Corrine Bailey Rae and TLC, 19-year old starlet Henjila‘s sound is likely will win you over in an instant. This is a fresh, woozy surf-pop style of music that flows with charm and charisma.

“The song is about being drawn to someone – you want to be around them because they make you feel euphoric. There is ‘something about’ them that is so captivating and the bond you share is almost too sweet to be real.”

Henjila

Indigo Eyes – Where Were You

London-based producer Indigo Eyes consistently exceeds expectations with every release.

‘Where Were You’ is a beautifully melodic song that explores deep house elements through an entrancing soundscape that feels spellbindingly hypnotic.

“Over the winter period this year I got really into deep house, likely because I was missing clubbing, but also because it weirdly helped me study for my exams, which definitely inspired this track a huge amount. I had it in an almost finished state for months with the feeling it needed just one more thing but I couldn’t put my finger on it, then one day I went to my piano and played the melody you hear half way through the track in one take and I knew that’s what I was looking for!”

Indigo Eyes

New Music: kezia

It’s so incredibly refreshing to see a new talent stand their ground and challenge issues that are prevalent in the world today through music.

kezia is a 21-year old Tanzanian-American singer, songwriter, and guitarist who creates music that hits on topics like navigating life as a biracial woman, living with mental instability and depression, exploring spirituality, and learning to love through giving love.

“In a world where black women are uninvitedly sexualised, we need to take ownership of feeling strong and cemented in our sexuality. ‘south!’ is about liberty. It’s also about consent!”

kezia