For fans of Tom Misch and Rex Orange County, you may fall head over heels in love with this collaboration between Luke Royalty and SWEETS (as I have).
The track flirts between soul, jazz and indie in a very British style, and is an optimistic take on new beginnings.
An experimental yet beautiful blend of dream pop and downtempo from Swedish mega-talent Duvchi.
It’s not every day that you come across a song like this; polished bubble-gum pop that somehow flirts between being a little sexy, a little playful, and a little bonkers. It’s pure escapism and madly charming.
The LA-based talent behind the track is 21-year old Salem Ilese, who after initially being sought after by publishing companies as a songwriter, held out and eventually secured a record deal. Four million UK streams later, and we have a new starlet in the making.
I’m a sucker for nostalgic tracks, and I am probably one of the world’s biggest Kwamie Liv fans, so this song is the highlight of my weekend. Hope you like it too!
‘17 is about nostalgia. It’s about looking back and remembering what was, with bittersweet appreciation. We can never return to that time but the memories live on.“
A benchmark for quality British soul-pop, Elli Ingram releases a new track that tackles suicidal thoughts which have come about from the way the world is currently going.
It’s a beautiful yet sombre piece, and a reminder that you are never alone no matter how you feel.
“This world has been a really ugly place recently and I’m ready to move somewhere far far away. When I was writing heavy I wasn’t thinking about moving to a new city, I was quite honestly thinking about dying. Packing my bags and heading up to the sky. Trying to stay positive everyday in such a negative time became too much for me. I guess I just want people to hear heavy and not feel alone. Let’s hold each other’s hands and sing our little hearts out and wait for this pain to pass.”
It’s almost impossible not to fall for this new release by Anna Clendening; it’s just a very delicately emotive piece of pop with refreshingly honest lyricism.
“After many attempts at failed relationships, I have finally come to realise I need to love myself first before anyone else.”
Taken from the EP ‘Evolve’ which is out now.
A 17-year old talent from London who’s created one of the most distinctive rap sounds that I’ve come across all month. It’s a bold, confident and self-assured piece and I’m so excited to see what’s next from the kid.
The original version of ‘Backyard Boy’ went viral very fast, and to this day it’s still an incredibly infectious slice of pop. Now it’s got some vocals from Jeremy Zucker and it’s just too damn good not to have on loop.
Check out the EP ‘BeVerly Hills BoYfRiEnd’ which is out now.
A London-based outfit with a finessed approach to creating alternative electronic pop. This track is inspired by the mental health struggles that young people can face when they compare themselves against the seemingly perfect lives they see from others online.
“I’m slowly learning that our attention is becoming a currency that people want to buy and I wanted to gain back some control. I came off Facebook a few years back and genuinely haven’t missed it at all. I decided to come off Instagram a month ago which was a lot more difficult as I love to take pictures and share them but I was so dependent on the likes and ‘attention’ my photos would get that it was overtaking my love of photography. I want to be able to meet up with my friends and ask them if they’ve discovered anything new recently rather than following our friendship in a 1080×1920 box. I might return to it at some point but for now the break has gained me some brain space back and I’m now choosing what I give my attention to rather than a corporation deciding for me.” – Pete Coggan, Dutchkid
Look out for the debut album which is due next year.
Undoubtedly one of Norway’s biggest pop exports in recent years (she’s amassed over 2 billion streams to date), Astrid S has released new album ‘Leave It Beautiful‘ today, and each song is a shimmering slice of perfected synth pop (just like ‘Hits Different’, which is one of my personal favourites).
A blend of indie and bedroom pop, with subtle hints of RnB. The sound feels warm and engaging with a sense of youthful naiveté. If you liked the track then you’ll also enjoy debut EP ‘Blue’ here.
Australian talent trials is already pretty established in his homeland, having picked up 4 ARIA awards and 3 more nominations, as well as being accredited 2 double platinum albums and 10 gold albums for his work as a producer and composer.
Now venturing as a solo artist, he’s collaborated with American newcomer Daniyel on this release to create something that has immediate impact; this is a punchy, confident take on indie pop and a great taster for what’s yet to come.
The creator of her own self-described ‘BITCH PØP’ sound, BETSIE GØLD is back with one of those songs that stays locked in your head hours after you first play it. Which is fine by me, since it’s a slice of cute bliss.
“It’s about being completely overcome with every single emotion possible when starting a relationship with someone new after a really long time. It’s exciting, terrifying, fun, anxiety inducing. We basically made a list of everything that makes us feel overwhelmed or over stimulated and added a melody to it.”
There’s something special about this British 23-year old talent, who’s voice carries an essence of pure melancholy that is immediately engaging. The song itself looks at the ever-overlooked issue of mental struggles in youth, with raw yet introspective lyricism. There’s no doubt in my mind that this kid will be huge, it’s just a matter of when.
“After talking about my struggles with OCD and intrusive thoughts on JaackMaate’s Happy Hour podcast, I had hundreds of messages from a mix friends and other podcast listeners saying that they had been struggling too. It made me realise that everyone has some sort of battle going on in their head, but the majority of people don’t talk about it, so everybody ends up feeling like an outcast. Writing ’All My Friends Are Depressed’ was my way of processing this by opening up a blunt and honest conversation about it.”
London-based singer songwriter Sans Soucis brings a refreshingly unique approach to electro-pop with a sound that feels experimental and minimal, while still carries just enough tempo and bass to get you vibing along.
“I spent quite some time wallowing in my insecurities and fear of failure, that I almost forgot how much courage it takes in a time like this to be real, to still believe we can inspire each other, to believe we can support and help people around us by simply being a great example. It’s a tremendous responsibility that I can only actively do while I am alive.”
One of the most promising pop talents to emerge out of the Netherlands lately, HEBE returns today with a stunningly emotive love song that delicately describes the fragility of love when you first begin to fall for someone.
“‘Cards On The Table’ is a love song exploring the vulnerability and doubt that come with the early stages of a relationship. The frightening moment you put your cards on the table, you hope the time is right to let your guard down, expose yourself and be loved and accepted.”
Taken from the EP ‘Cards On The Table’ which is out now.
Hailing from the city of cool, Copenhagen-based trio Lemon Palace create a polished and finessed blend of indie and pop which feels effortless yet sleek in equal measures.
Watch out for the debut EP which will be released in early 2021.
Just you wait til that first chorus hits, because this is one of the most intense pieces of dark Scandinavian pop you’ll experience all week. The track looks at those sleepless nights we all experience when anxiety takes over, and how those thoughts can create a prison in our minds.
“I think everyone can relate to the feeling of not always being able to be your true self. You put yourself down and judge yourself based out of fear, and fear breeds fear. And the more space you give something, the more real it becomes.”
