Category: Music

USERx – My Body Left My Soul (feat. Pusha T)

USERx (a collaboration between RIAA Gold-Certified singer/ songwriter Matt Maeson and producer/ designer Rozwell) team up with Pusha T on the sensational ‘My Body Left My Soul’.

The project’s unique approach to alternative RnB and hip hop feels groundbreaking and new, yet somehow also engaging and familiar.

“There’s a lot of kids out there who need a home in a cultural sense – the kids who aren’t necessarily accepted by the rap world or the alternative world, and feel out of place everywhere they go. We want to create some kind of tribe for all the people who check that box that says ‘other.’” – Rozwell, USERx

Taken from the self-titled album ‘USERx’ which is out now.

USERx | Pusha T

Boy Destroy – Beautiful Crimes

One of the most exciting exports to emerge from Sweden recently, Boy Destroy returns with a vibrant, emotive and nostalgic fusion of emo and alternative RnB.

“Everybody longs for connection. Togetherness. A need that can be fulfilled with flesh or love or peace or whatever. I used to be in a twisted relationship with a person that I didn’t really love. I wasn’t a very good person to her but I made it look like I was. I felt like the devil, but then and there it felt like it was exactly how it should be. She hates me now, and I deserve it. You can fix yourself if you’re lucky.”

Boy Destroy

Watch: bülow – First Place

Nearing half a billion (yes – billion) cumulative streams to date, bülow’s rise to stardom has been pretty meteoric to say the least.

And it’s with good reason; her uniquely original style of music making infuses alt-pop with clever observations, personal confessions and a boundary-breaking spirit.

The songs sound future-forward yet relatable, and the melodies are easy to listen to and connect with. That winning formula continues with the release of her new single, ‘First Place’.

“It’s about somebody who wants your attention but isn’t very genuine. Since we weren’t friends, why do you care today? I definitely went through this experience with a couple of people who only reached out when it was convenient for them. Quarantine was a big light to see who was actually in my life for the right reasons and who care about what was going on. Sonically, it pushed me in the direction I’m headed.”

bülow

Daecolm – Hot Topic

It’s been an exciting few years for Zimbabwean-born RnB songwriter and producer Daecolm.

After signing a publishing deal with Sony ATV in 2016, he secured three placements on Chris Brown’s album ‘Heartbreak On A Full Moon’, and went on to work with the likes of Ella Mai, Jacques, Mario, Mabel, AJ Tracey, MO, and more.

Now back with a solo release. ‘Hot Topic’ looks into the bittersweet nature of a deep relationship that can also feel obsessive and toxic.

“This one’s got a whole heart on the sleeve vibe to it. It’s by far the most honest I’ve been with my music and I hope people feel what I’m saying.”

Daecolm

Forever X2 – Everyone Is Famous

Nothing screams ‘LA’ more than Forever X2′s new indie-rock anthem, ‘Everyone Is Famous’.

With observant lyricism and a melody that will stay in your head for many hours and days, this is a song that truly packs a punch right from the start!

“Inspired by the overwhelming amount of actors I’ve gone on first-dates with, and the overwhelming amount of bands I’ve gone to see.”

Forever X2

Eric Lee – Walking in Your Shoes

Even though Alfitude is a multi-genre music site, it’s not often that Americana or country end up on these pages. So it’s beyond awesome to feature American Singer-Songwriter Eric Lee.

Lee’s approach to country is refreshingly unique; it’s bold, rousing, energising and frankly – quite epic.

“‘Maybe love’s meant for us to spread around’ is the takeaway from my new single. It started off with just an acoustic guitar but grew it into a big Country Rock anthem during my recording process. The ending feels like a moment people can sing with their hands joined high.”

Eric Lee

katie MAC – Not My Ex

Nashville native katie MAC has mixed elements of bubblegum pop and autotune with hyperpop to come up with one of the biggest bangers this week.

Touching on themes of sticky situationships, ‘Not My Ex’ looks at the dilemmas people face when they’ve fallen victim to a false relationship.

“I wrote ‘Not My Ex’ after a brutal heartbreak that happened this past year. The worst part was that person wasn’t even ‘technically’ my boyfriend… I dropped the demo on Tik Tok and I was blown away at the response – making music that is relatable is so important to me and I feel incredibly humbled that so many people already connect to this song.”

katie MAC

New Music: Kate Grahn

Hugely powerful vocals completely take you by surprise on Kate Grahn’s pop-rock banger ‘Into You’.

Subtlety is not a word that exists in this track, and rightfully so. This is a confident and striking take on the genre which makes a refreshingly bold statement.

Taken from the EP ‘Ragdoll’ which is out now.

Kate Grahn

New Music: What If Elephants

Contradictory to the song title, this release from Montreal indie pop outfit What If Elephants is anything but a guilty pleasure; it’s pure joy from start to finish!

The four friends aim to craft their sound in a way that looks at the brighter side of life, and find inspiration in the impact music can have on people. It’s a wonderful sentiment – and one which is very much welcome in these strange times we live in.

‘Guilty Pleasure’ also features the talents of Flara K.

What If Elephants

New Music: Hunter Moreau

A big talent hailing from a small coastal town in Massachusetts, 18-year old artist Hunter Moreau brings a sleek style of pop that incorporates elements of indie and soul to create something that feels easy on the ear and totally loveable.

“As simple as it may sound, ‘Hazy’ is about the pure bliss of summer nights. Doug [Schadt, producer]and I were reminiscing about stories with friends, both new and old, and the magic that seems to happen on warm nights where nothing seems to really matter. We wrote this song to capture the nostalgia of looking back on those carefree times, and the longing of that same feeling again.”

Hunter Moreau

Christopher – Fall So Hard

A long-established beacon in the Danish pop scene, wildly popular Christopher returns today with a summery slice of optimism; a song about how something (or someone) can step into your world and change your focus in life for the better.

To date, every single he’s released has been certified as Gold or Platinum, with ‘Fall So Hard’ looking set to join that illustrious record in a matter of time.

“‘Fall So Hard’ is a song of optimism and change. About how all of a sudden, something or someone can step into your life and make it fundamentally different. But the thing about this cliché is that it’s really true. I recently became a dad for the very first time and from one single moment I was a subsidiary person in my own life. Everything is turned upside down. It’s just a brand new and overriding dimension which is indescribable.”

Christopher

Retro Video Club – Checkmate

Scottish rockers Retro Video Club have been winning fans ever since bursting onto the scene back in 2017.

With their trademark blend of indie-rock and pop, this 4-piece outfit create a refreshingly energising style of music; and as is the case with ‘Checkmate’, a sound of pure indie joy.

“’Checkmate’ is a song about reflecting on your high school days & how the passing of time changes everything. It’s facing reality, realising you need to start growing up because life is starting to get serious. It’s ultimately life putting you in Checkmate, but you refusing to accept the game is over.” Liam Allison (Lead Vocal & Rhythm Guitar), Retro Video Club

Retro Video Club

Sŵnami – Uno, Cydio, Tanio

A totally mesmerising release from Welsh indie-pop band Sŵnami. Translating to ‘Unite, Embrace, Ignite’, their new single is proof that you can fall in love with a song despite not speaking the native tongue.

With previous accomplishments such as having their own BBC Maida Vale session and winning Welsh Language Album Of The Year, Sŵnami are delivering a blissful slice of Wales to the rest of the world, and I am here for it!

Sŵnami

Dan Caplen – Love Keeps Falling Down

Undoubtedly one of my favourite tracks this week, today sees the triumphant return of Dan Caplen (after two long years!) with the release of ‘Love Keeps Falling Down’.

British music talent at it’s finest, the Ivor Novello recipient is not only an established solo artist in his own right, but also a sought-after writer who’s work has been featured for the likes of Stormzy.

“I can’t believe it’s already been two years since my last solo single, but I couldn’t be happier or more excited to be finally sharing ‘Love Keeps Falling Down’. I feel the song reflects what has always been my passion and coming full circle back to the roots of strings. Being able to merge that with what I’ve been building in pop and RnB is really what makes this new music special to me.”

Dan Caplen

New Music: Mighloe

Emerging Canadian singer and songwriter Mighloe has created a stunning fusion of alternative RnB and indie with the release of ‘Don’t Call Me’, which also serves as an anthem for self empowerment.

Soulful vocals accompany the song, with lyricism that expresses the moment we reach the breaking point that leaves us jaded and weary of love.

“Writing ‘Don’t Call Me’ came from a place of being fed up. There are so many people that come in and out of our lives, and sometimes these people hinder our stability and sense of self. This song was my way of saying “enough!” I will no longer let these people take parts of myself. It’s me realising that my energy is sacred and will not be disturbed.”

Taken from the forthcoming EP ‘Desperate Times; which is out soon.

Mighloe

New Music: Mad3 for M3

Words can’t express how much I love this release by American outfit Mad3 for M3. Featuring the talents of Cris Cab, ‘In The Middle’ is a heartfelt piece of pop with nostalgic yet bittersweet undertones. It’s impossible not to feel some kind of connection with the song – I’ll guarantee you that!

“Mad3 for M3 originated in Miami during the beginning of quarantine when producers, musicians, and songwriters who normally create for others, were inspired to work on music made for themselves.”

Mad3 for M3 | Cris Cab

New Music: YINYANG

Exceptionally bold and hugely exciting hip-hop from Irish artist YINYANG (aka Lauren Hannan).

Listening to ‘BLOODHOUND / EARTHBOUND’ is not an easy experience at first. It’s raw, abrasive, thrashy and loud – but also refreshingly compelling and energising. No wonder she’s already been tipped as an ‘Artist to Watch in 2021’ by ATL.

“It’s about shedding your skin of a bad situation and understanding, on reflection, how much better you are without it. Realising you’re a ‘bad bisssh’. All my songs are characters, hence the playing cards; this is the next player in the series. All the players are an extension of me.”

YINYANG

BUNGALOW – Make It Right

The much loved Amsterdam alt-electro duo return today with one of those songs that reminds you summer is just around the corner.

‘Make It Right’ is a shimmering poolside track to soundtrack that first drink of the night at sunset, and the hazy walk to bed after the ocean sunrise.

“We wanted to write a track where we never played anything on the first beat. The track was originally called ‘Beat One’ until we took the lyrics from the bridge of another track and threw them in here where they stuck.”

BUNGALOW

New Music: Peaceful James

An immensely catchy track from Ugandan and Danish talent Peaceful James. Despite the fact that listening to James’ blend of pop and rap on ‘Still Not Good Enough’ is a cheery affair, the track mixes those feel-good beats with sad lyrics that focus on those feelings of self doubt we get after an unsuccessful date. An all too relatable topic for most of us!

“I found myself staring at my phone for half a week to see if she had written back or was online. I really liked her and actually thought our date had gone super well! So it was an even bigger blow when it dawned on me that she probably did not felt the same way. But like so many times before, I luckily got my frustrations out through the music and only when I had written the song ‘Still Not Good Enough’ it was as if I could let go and move on”.

Peaceful James

New Music: Jørgen Engebret

Hailing from the Norwegian city of Bergen, newcomer Jørgen Engebret’s style of minimal RnB and hip hop makes it easy to enjoy (and fall in love with) – even when you’re not a native from the Nordic nation.

Translating as ‘Are You Awake?’, the song takes nuanced lyrics and lays them over a smooth melody to create a sound that is not only beautifully mellow and emotive, but also feels inviting and charming.

Jørgen Engebret