Track of the week. We came across Iraqi-New Zealander talent Mikeyy a few days ago, and we’ve had his new single ‘lift’ on rotation ever since.
This track not only serves us with a refreshingly eccentric and unique take on hyperpop, but its joyful playfulness is so infectious that it’s really become a perfect anthem for the weekend.
Mikeyy is inspired by a wide range of artists—from Brakence and Glaive to The Beatles and Kanye West. He’s garnered more than 300k streams on Spotify so far, while also attracting almost 6k monthly listeners on the platform.
Orlando singer and songwriter Cat Ridgeway has to be one of America’s most interesting indie-rock newcomers.
Her songs all carry a very distinctive sound—distinctive vocals, captivating lyrics, and bold productions.
New single ‘Sprinter’ is no exception to the rule. This track explores themes of life and death and also touches on the topic of mental health in a sincere and thought-provoking way. Speaking on the single, Cat says:
“When my friend lost her battle to depression, we were all shocked, and had no idea she was struggling at all. Mental health so often gets treated like a nuisance, something that should be ignored, hidden, or not taken too seriously. Most anyone who’s lost someone to it will tell you they never saw it coming. The best metaphor I could think of, and what I kept coming back to in the lyric, was how there’s never a convenient time to deal with a check engine light on your car. People just ignore it, keep driving, and hope it turns off… but you can’t do that with a car, and you can’t do that with your life. My friend was a runner, a sprinter, which I found poetic because of how much she metaphorically ran from her problems. I felt like I was doing the same thing. But then I realized by writing this song and album, I was running straight into everything I’d been avoiding processing. It may have been in different directions, but we both ran, so it only felt right to call the record ‘Sprinter.’”
The song is lifted from an upcoming album that shares the same name, which is due for release this March.
Kylie Rothfield returns with a sensational new single today, and we’re very excited to be sharing it with you.
‘Old Man’ is a powerful indie-pop song that was inspired by someone who falls in love with an older partner, only to then realise that they only dated you for their own ego and self esteem. It’s a unique concept, and is really quite interesting to listen to.
Rothman has had quite the career, having worked with musical icons like Alicia Keys, Ryan Tedder and Ester Dean. In addition, her songs have amassed over a million streams to date, with that number sure to grow even more over the coming year.
Track of the week. With a new year comes a fresh wave of talent that we’re really stoked about—one of which is US-based artist RHNO.
‘Gowithyou’ fuses synth with distorted pop and adds some soulful R&B into the mix for extra goodness. The sound is bold and distinct but also feels relatable and easy to connect with on an emotional level.
The track marks a new direction for the already hyped New Yorker. We think you’ll be hearing about this kid more often in the future, so be sure to keep this one on your radar.
Lucas Player is an alternative 21-year-old artist from New York who initially picked up attention at only 15 under the moniker of Kibishi.
After going on a short hiatus, Player is back with a new name and a captivating style of sound. ‘More Than You’ is a lo-fi track that is intriguing and somewhat haunting to experience.
And while it is refreshingly experimental in its production, the song still maintains a powerful sense of emotion thanks to Player’s heartfelt lyricism.
“A confession from a former music composition student who left everything behind to pursue his dream. Now at 21, I’m breaking my silence with a song that’s been keeping me awake at night. It’s the most important song I’ve ever written, and my first words after years of holding back.”
We can’t wait to see what’s next for this very interesting talent—one to watch in 2025!
We’re starting the new year with a massive new release from acclaimed London-based producer and DJ Higgo, called ‘Sunrise’.
Perfectly balancing UK garage with techno and house, this track seamlessly flirts between nostalgia and futurism.
It’s one of those rare garage-style tracks that both millennials and Gen Z might collectively find resonance with, and we’re certain it’ll get a tonne of momentum over the next few weeks.
Higgo plays London’s Night Tales Loft on the 17th of January alongside Matty Chiabi & Scruz—get your tickets here.
American alt-pop musician Lisa Heller has been on our radars for quite a while now, and still, to this day, she manages to produce some very impressive belters.
‘U LIKE THAT’ is a bop that is impossible not to fall in love with straight away. The lyrics were inspired by the feelings that you sometimes get from falling for people who you know are a bad influence, while the production blends pop with rock in a very special way that only Heller can craft.
“Perfect for anyone who’s been in a ‘right now, not forever’ situation.”
Heller’s music has already amassed more than four million streams on Spotify (we’re not surprised, to be honest). While releasing her music, Lisa has also performed on stage with global names like Yung Gravy, Misterwives, and Peach Tree Rascals.
Track of the week. We’ve long been fans of UK talent Martin Luke Brown, and we’re pleased to see his return this week with another brilliant new release called ‘animal’.
The song focuses on themes of escapism, and tells of the artist’s desires to switch off from the modern world and return back to basics – experiencing life the way it was meant to be.
“About once a week I get a deep urge to retire from capitalism and run off into the woods to become Tarzan in a cabin somewhere eating berries. This is about that urge for a simple life away from the abstract chaos of the modern world.”
The track’s production blends elements of dreamy, lo-fi pop with indie, creating a soundscape that allows listeners themselves to escape from the manic chaos of current life.
Alongside his recent run of solo releases, Martin has also had a busy few months supporting global stars Sam Tompkins and Emily King on their respective tours.
If you’re in the mood for some sweet indie pop, then we’ve got the perfect song to share with you today, courtesy of rising Scandinavian starlet Sarah von Reis.
‘Nest’ is a beautifully warm track that starts slow and hazy, gradually evolving into a euphoric climax that epitomises the emotions we experience when we’re deeply in love.
“‘Nest’ is a steamy, dreamy makeout song about one of those nights you wish would never end. There is this running joke in the lesbian community that a typical first lesbian date lasts until you break up. You meet at a bar, have drinks, go to her place and then you just never leave. You ‘U-haul’ and move in together in the first week and talk about the wedding on the second. Nest is about a first night like that, when you put down your sword and cease to exist beyond her arms. Hope this will be a song to keep the heat going through this winter!”
The track serves as another example of this Swedish singer and songwriter’s exceptional talent. Fans can expect Sarah’s debut album to drop next March, with a tour in her native homeland to follow. Exciting times for an exciting prospect!
Track of the week. Netherlands-based musician Joshua J returns with one of the most impressive songs of the week, and we can’t wait to share it with you.
‘In My Phone’ presents listeners with a finessed production that fuses neo-soul with afrobeat. Complimenting the sublime production are the introspective lyrics, which focus on the artist’s journey of self-discovery while visiting Ghana.
“As a child, I felt intense anger towards my mother for her inability to care for me and my siblings due to her struggles with drug addiction. However, as I matured, I gained a deeper understanding of her plight and realised that addiction is a battle that many face. I wrote this song to humanise addiction and to forgive my mother, using the mobile phone as a modern symbol of the addictions that affect us all.”
The track is lifted from Joshua J’s sophomore album ‘Polygamy,’ which was also released today and features contributions from Xenia Manasseh and AE (listen here).
Your weekend anthem comes courtesy of New York’s Emeryld and her synthpop banger ‘Lights Camera Baby!’
Let’s be clear: we’re obsessed with this track. It’s dramatic, punchy, and energising but also feels really emotive in tone. It’s perfect pop and reminds us of the sounds of icons like Robyn and Tove Lo.
The song serves as a taster to Emeryld’s next chapter as an artist and was written with Heather Sommer and produced by Slush Puppy, who has worked with the likes of Brooke Candy and Nessa Barrett, among many other global names.
“‘Lights Camera Baby’ was the first song I wrote with Slush Puppy and my first day back in the studio after a messy breakup and even messier relationship. We were two girls in the same friend group which led to us feeling like local bar celebrities, turning heads and sparking controversy, when in reality, it was just embarrassing and narcissistic to think we were anything serious but a spectacle, mirroring and magnifying each other’s issues.”
And as if being America’s next pop superstar isn’t already enough work for this talent, she’s also the name behind LA’s U-Haul party, which has become one of the city’s biggest lesbian events.
Rising Leeds newcomer Cole LC is back with a playful new bop called ‘Weight Of Love,’ and it’s so catchy you’ll probably have it playing on rotation in your mind all weekend long.
The song was written with Far Caspian’s Joel Johnston, while production comes courtesy of Alfitude favourite Sfven and the legendary Andy Gannon. Speaking on the song’s meaning, Cole LC says:
“‘Weight of Love’ is a song about how someone can have such an effect on you without even communicating with them. When there’s chaos and things getting in the way, but feelings remain the same.”
With more than 50k monthly listeners on Spotify and continued support from outlets as prominent as BBC 1Xtra and The Guardian, we think this talent is likely to have a very successful year ahead.
B.Miles has graced our pages for almost a decade, and yet this hugely talented artist still continues to surprise us with her ever-evolving sound.
While we don’t usually feature festive releases, ‘Xmas Sox’ is an exception. This is a beautifully produced piece of music that thoughtfully blends dreamy pop and indie and sets the scene B.Miles’s gorgeous vocals to shine through.
“You know how certain objects can trigger a flood of memories? For me, it’s Christmas socks—specifically, my ex’s Christmas socks. While going through a breakup, I found something of an unlikely metaphor in those socks: they’re an item everyone has but are often hidden, just like the emotions I kept buried about our relationship. There’s a certain romance in continuing to wear something that once held such comfort and charm, especially around the holidays, even as the meaning has shifted to something more sombre.”
B.Miles has built a name for herself as one of New York’s indie-pop darlings, with a natural flair for pushing sonic boundaries and crafting songs that are easy for any listener to form connections with. You can explore more of her work on Spotify here.
Acclaimed Nashville starlet Caroline Romano unveils a powerful new single today, called ‘Born to Want More’.
The track is intense, raw, and very moving to experience. It was inspired by the moments in life when you think you’re close to achieving something, only to realise it was false hope.
“I wrote ‘Born to Want More’ during a time when I was grappling with a series of ‘almosts’—those moments where things felt so close but still just out of reach. This song captures that wits-end feeling where you’re wondering if you’ll ever find what you’re looking for. You’re chasing experiences and feelings that you know exist but you haven’t yet found. It’s something I know all too well. It’s by far one of the more vulnerable songs I’ve released, and it’s one of my favorites for that reason.”
Fans won’t have long to wait for Romano’s next EP, ‘How The Good Girls Die’, as it’s been announced that it will drop early in the new year. In the meantime, you can listen to more of this much-hyped singer and songwriter’s work on Spotify.
Lenn has to be one of the most interesting UK-based pop talents to have emerged in recent years.
The much-hyped artist returns today with a gorgeously emotive new single called ‘older sister’, and we’re totally mesmerised by it.
It’s a thoughtful and introspective track that is not only refreshingly original in lyrical concept but also encourages listeners to think about their own family dynamics.
“The lyric ‘would life be soft in a hand me down?’ poses the core question at the heart of this song and is indicative of a deep-rooted longing for the wisdom and counsel that an older sister can provide when life gets hard, heads get turned, and a clear sense of direction is nothing more than an alien notion.”
Lenn is no stranger to the Alfitude pages. We’ve been in love with this artist for a while now, and we’re pretty confident she’ll hit the mainstream in 2025. One to watch.
Track of the week. We’re kicking the weekend off with a brilliant new artist emerging from Jersey City in the USA, going by the name of Libby Jade.
Today’s release of ‘Courtyard’ is really quite the treat. This energising blend of indie-pop and rock offers us a taste of the singer & songwriter’s impressive talents, with its beautifully textured production and thoughtful lyricism, which takes listeners on a journey to Libby’s home and community. Speaking on the song, she says:
“Dedicated to anyone that’s lived in my neighborhood, ‘Courtyard’ is a celebration of community and those ‘third places’ that people crave to build connection. The courtyard of my Jersey City apartment building has built friendships and seen love and loss.”
Libby’s music has already picked up support from tastemaker outlets like The Luna Collective, Glasse Factory, and Lefuturewave. You can explore more of her sounds on Spotify right here.
It’s been a short while since we featured talent from Down Under, but we’re happy to change that today with the introduction of singer, songwriter, producer, and guitarist ElementxL.
An artist already on the rise—with over 1.25 million career streams on Spotify, ElementxL (pronounced Elemental) is rapidly gaining traction thanks to his distinct sound, which fuses elements of pop and indie with alternative hip hop and R&B.
New single ‘Playing Games’ is a perfect example of this musician’s style of work. It’s groovy, melodic and utterly charming in character. Elaborating on the lyrics, ElementxL says:
“It’s all about the ups and downs of meeting someone new, not knowing what’s gonna happen. There’s so much uncertainty, but it’s also a part of the fun!”
We’re completely in love with this talent’s work and can’t wait to see what’s in store in 2025!
Canadian starlet Housewife (aka Brighid Fry) returns today with a sensational new single, intriguingly called ‘Divorce’.
The track was inspired by the intense feelings of heartbreak that the artist once experienced and translates the power of those emotions into a raw and gritty yet elevated piece of shoegaze music. Elaborating on the lyrics, Fry says:
“‘Divorce’ is a really personal one for me- I wrote it after experiencing really bad heartbreak that kind of blindsided me and completely uprooted me. It’s about not only mourning the person and the relationship you have with them, but also the life you were building together. It’s about starting to rebuild and the struggle between needing to protect yourself, but also not wanting to be involved in something adversarial with someone who has hurt you. The process of making this song was completely different than any others of mine- it was written in about half an hour which is definitely the fastest I’ve ever managed. I then took my time to record it though, co-producing with my friend Hans Li over the course of about a month. We slowly recorded everything ourselves in his bedroom. It’s the first track I have co-produced in years which I’m really excited about.”
Despite being only 21 years of age, Housewife has already garnered over three million catalogue streams on Spotify to date, while also attracting more than 17k monthly listeners on the platform. ‘Divorce’ is lifted from the acclaimed musician’s next EP, which is scheduled for release next spring.
Track of the week. Elia Tomé is undeniably one of the most promising newcomers we’ve come across in quite some time. This rising Leeds-based songwriter and producer creates immense electronic productions that are simply breathtaking in nature.
New single ‘Stay Kids’ is a collaboration with the equally talented Zoe Cure and treats listeners to a sparse soundscape that, while minimal in concept, is still powerfully emotive.
“I felt a deep sense of familiarity when finding the synth lines on ‘Stay Kids’. It was like stumbling upon an old photograph from childhood, instantly pulling me back in time.”
The song serves as a taster to Tomé’s forthcoming debut album, which is out in January 2025. With support from the likes of BBC Introducing and Stereofox already under his belt, we anticipate big things in the future for this artist.
You can catch Elia performing at Hull’s Polar Bear on the 21st of January—tickets here.
Danish artist HISSY (aka Martin Grønne) has unveiled this weekend’s anthem, and it’s called ‘Silenzio’.
If you love your indie-pop with an electro twist, then you’ll adore this track. It’s an energising and breezy style of sound, which is really quite compelling to listen to.
Lyrically, the song looks at the effect that people’s words and opinions can have on us – and our desire to simply ‘switch off’ these thoughts.
“The song is about needing to shut out other people’s voices if they’ve moved into your head and make it hard to hear what you feel yourself.”
While HISSY is Grønne’s foray into solo music, this musician is already well known as a member of the acclaimed group Virgin Suicide, which he serves as the front-person for.
In turn, Virgin Suicide has gathered praise from the likes of The Guardian, while also selling out shows across the globe and performing on iconic stages like Roskilde and The Great Escape.
