BOKO might be a new name for most, but this artist is already a seasoned musician who has been practicing the drums from the age of 9.
Inspired by the likes of Bob Dylan, Jack Johnson and Ed Sheeran, the singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist has an ability to create songs that have mainstream appeal while also maintaining a sincere and soulful essence.
Inspiring new single ‘HUH?’ centres around BOKO’s views on his artistry, and encourages fellow musicians to follow their true creative visions.
“This new single not only symbolizes the necessity of staying true to your art but also the importance of allowing it to lead the way and not the other way around.”
To date, BOKO’s music has garnered more than 500k cumulative streams, while also landing features on prominent platforms like Cloudkid’s YouTube channel.
One of our favourite Norwegian artists of late has been Fig Tape, who returns today with a new single called ‘Holy Ponies’.
As we’ve come to expect from this talent, the song presents listeners with a euphoric and polished fusion of techno and alternative pop. This is a sound that makes you crave for a night out in a sweaty underground club, and we’re living for it.
Living in Berlin heavily inspired me musically. I made a lot of up-tempo, techno-inspired music when living there. It was a good feeling to go back last year and visit your old hometown. I had such a great time there, and it was so nice to meet up with BAUGRUPPE90 and do the session we did when we made ‘Holy Ponies’.
In a nod to his ever-growing popularity, Fig Tape’s music was recently featured on the iconic Netflix series ‘Young Royals’. Fans can expect more singles to be released in the coming months.
If you’ve yet to come across Ghanaian-American talent Queen Drie then get prepared to fall in love with a very special new artist.
By blending elements of poetry with hip hop, alt-R&B and Afrobeats, this musician creates music that is not only lyrically intelligent, but also sonically captivating.
New single ‘WOMAN’ serves as an empowering anthem for women worldwide, and inspires its listeners to embrace their inner strengths – and be confident in who they are.
Alongside her work as a rising musician, Queen Drie is also a Psychology student at the University of Chicago. You can explore her previous singles on Spotify here.
The first thing that caught our attention when we played June’s ‘Not The Guy Of My Dreams’ was the sheer elegance of the artist’s vocal.
Hailing from Houston in Texas, this rising starlet’s distinctive style sound has already seen her amass a committed and ever-growing fanbase across Spotify and social media.
The music is heartfelt, pure and sincere in tone, allowing for the artist’s beautiful vocals and lyrics to shine through. On her new single, June says:
“‘Not The Guy Of My Dreams’ crafts a hazy, dreamy atmosphere that can really transport listeners on a journey. That was my goal creating this record, to showcase my vulnerability through my lyrics/ vocals.”
We’re very excited to be sharing with you a bright new indie talent from Sweden called john hugo.
This promising singer and songwriter creates an impressive pop-rock sound that feels classic yet fresh in style – which makes sense when we learn that his work is influenced by the likes of The 1975 and Alexander 23, as well as Fleetwood Mac and even Prince.
Anthemic new single ‘Friends’ has just been released, and showcases the artist’s brilliant potential. Speaking on the track, hugo explains:
‘Friends’ is a deeply personal song about the uncertainty and confusion that develops when a relationship ends and you lie to yourself and to the other person that ‘we can still be friends’.
While still early in his career (hugo has only released two other singles on Spotify), we think this is a talent to watch for. More music can be found here.
EEVAH are back with an energising new single that deserves your immediate attention.
‘Heartbeat Is Missing’ treats listeners to a bold mix of indie, rock and pop, while the lyrics address moments in our lives when we feel the need to become people-pleasers.
“It’s about pleasing people, changing yourself to fit in and losing who you really are. Becoming desensitised to peoples apparent lack of boundaries or empathy, weaving together negative attention into a protective armour that keeps away the darkness but also blocks out the light, realising that then lashing out”. – Nicole Smith, EEVAH
EEVAH’s music has picked up praise from national outlets as respected as BBC Radio 1, 6Music and Radio X. Their songs have amassed more than 400k streams on Spotify alone, with that figure certain to spike up even more as their momentum grows.
An upcoming EP titled ‘Simply Life’ is scheduled for release soon. You can catch the band live on tour across the UK soon – dates can be found here.
Acclaimed LA-based producer A/S/L returns today with a sublime fusion of electronica and retro-inspired disco.
‘Candy’ brims with nostalgic charm, and is certain to bring a smile to any listener’s face. Alongside its polished production, the track continues to showcase A/S/L’s extraordinary skills at crafting finessed sounds.
The track serves as a taster to the artist’s freshly-released mini EP of the same name, which you can enjoy here.
A/S/L’s music has been featured on playlists as prominent as Spotify’s Fresh Finds and Fresh Finds Dance. Fans can expect more new music later in the year, in the form of an upcoming project titled ‘Live From Selby’.
With praise from the likes of Conan Gray already under her belt, it’s safe to assume that American singer-songwriter Jessiqa Jones will become a household name in the near future.
Haunting new single ‘it’s milk, DON’T CRY!’ showcases a style of alternative pop that is bold and confident in tone, while still maintaining an essence of vulnerability. Explaining the song’s meaning, Jones says:
“The track ‘it’s milk, DON’T CRY!’ emphasizes on the feeling of adolescence and consoling oneself by minimizing and downplaying the conflicts one faces in life. This song was one of the most meaningful songs I’ve ever written and most seemingly effortless to write. Going through so many changes in the time I wrote this, switching jobs, moving, and leaving everything that felt comfortable to me, I ended up writing a song in a genre I had grown up loving, but always felt dismissive of creating in. It wasn’t ‘comfortable’ for me. Always hearing the phrase ‘Don’t cry over spilt milk.’ has made it a super interesting quote to me just because I cry over everything, but also the Importance of turning your cheek to things that aren’t worth your time. But on the other side of things, it’s incredibly easy to do the same and substitute or push past roadblocks in life to keep moving forward. This song helped me learn a lot about myself and deal with things of the past, head on. To also make a song that I feel represents so much insecurity, it’s just brought a lot of sense of self.”
To date, this rising starlet has amassed more than 8 million TikTok views, and also landed placements on prestigious playlists as noted as Spotify’s ‘Young and Free’ and Apple Music’s ‘New In Pop’.
We’re not quite sure how she managed it, but singer-songwriter and Columbia University student Kacey Fifield has found the time to release a new EP (‘Nostalgia Haunts Me’, listen here), as well as a fresh single called ‘Left Behind’.
The track presents listeners with a powerful and energising blend of electronica, synth and pop. Explaining the song’s inspiration, Kacey says:
“I came up with the idea for this song when I was in the thick of receiving my college decisions. It was the end of the year, all of my relationships felt like they were falling apart, and I was terrified of the future. Since ‘Nostalgia Haunts Me’ I felt terrified of ‘living in the past my whole life’ and getting ‘left behind’ by those around me. This darker lyrical theme is juxtaposed with an upbeat, danceable instrumental. This pairing is meant to express the catharsis of finally letting go of my fears and recognizing that my worries are out of my control.”
“This EP serves as a diary entry, a confession, and a goodbye letter to my high school experience along with all the bittersweet memories it brought about. I’m an incredibly nostalgic person, to the point where I become addicted to scrolling through old photos, messages, and posts, always yearning for this past. As a project, ‘Nostalgia Haunts Me’ confronts this feeling of being stuck in the past, facing it with a unique blend of haunting melodies, danceable production, and vulnerable lyrics.”
There’s no doubt in our minds that Kacey will become a global name in a short matter of time, so keep her on your radars!
We’ve been big fans of American artist PawPaw Rod for several years, so we’re delighted to be sharing with you another fabulous new single from the talent.
‘Hello Dear’ is a charming song that fuses elements of alternative R&B with indie and bedroom pop. Alongside PawPaw’s unique vocals, the track’s melody will stick with you all day.
The musician recently performed on first headline tour in the US, while his music has amassed more than 100 million cumulative streams on Spotify alone.
Australian newcomer Holly Wild is a name to watch for in 2024. With a natural flair for crafting supreme alt-pop songs, this artist has already proven herself as one of the nation’s most promising starlets.
New single ‘Cuts Me Up’ is taken from the musician’s debut ‘Fire’ album (listen here). The song seamlessly fuses pop and rock with electronica, and tells of the inner conflicts we experience when we are ‘cut up’ over a situation, even when it’s the result of our own actions.
The track showcases Wild’s ability to craft sounds that are not only melodically memorable, but also lyrically intelligent. On her songwriting process, she explains:
“I’ve been into personal growth for as long as I can remember. I want to be the best version of myself, and I want to inspire people around me to be the best versions of themselves, too.”
Kristo (aka Kristiaan Deruytter) is an up and coming singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist emerging from Belgium.
Born into a musical family (he is the son of famed saxophonist Frank Deruytter, while his mother is a musical teacher), this talent has a gift for songwriting which shines through on songs like ‘Morning Blues’.
The track is lifted from the artist’s freshly-released ‘Childhood’ EP, and delivers an emotive piece of music that is beautifully stripped-back and melodic in character.
Other songs on the EP include ‘Do I Miss You More’, which explores his vulnerabilities in having a long-distance relationship, and ‘I Am Not Enough’, which centres around his father.
“Although my father wishes for my freedom above all else, my deep admiration for him unintentionally adds to the sense of expectation.”
Melbourne’s Cmplxtra (pronounced complextra) is one of the most interesting artists to come across our radars this week.
At only 21-years of age, this musician creates a distinctive style of alt-pop that somehow feels cutting edge yet also timeless in style.
The music is refreshingly raw and heartfelt, which comes down to the fact that this talent writes, records and produces all of their work.
Cmplxtra succinctly describes their new single ‘inertia’ as a ‘melancholy ballad that builds to an explosive break’. The song is bold, intense, and utterly gripping. You can follow the artist on Spotify here.
Track of the week. If you’re in the mood for some mischievous electronic punk-pop then we’ve got the perfect anthem to share with you today.
‘DIRT’ is the huge new single from rising newcomer Zoe Ko, and was inspired by the artist’s ties to New York City. She explains:
“I’m from NYC baby!! Raised there my whole life. I wouldn’t be the crazy bad bitch I am without it. NYC is often looked down upon for its grit, intense hustle and bustle, garbage on the street, rats, pigeons, cockroaches, scary subways, etc. But to me, though sometimes admittedly not the most wonderful things to endure, those elements of the city were fun, real and influenced me into becoming an adaptable and adventurous person.
When I moved to LA I missed all the grit and dirt NYC had. I missed its rawness and the people in it. Though this is an exaggeration, I found myself surrounded by more girlies in lululemon outfits and drinking Hailey Beiber smoothies in their snazzy cars than ever before. There was a fakeness and showiness to this city that I wasn’t used to.
So a few weeks into living here I walked into Jonny’s (prod and co writer) studio and started ranting about how much I miss NYC and it’s “dirt” and how I didn’t understand where LA was hiding theirs. I loved the word DIRT so much I decided it needed to be turned into a gritty dance track I would hear in one of my favorite clubs in NYC, so I could bring some of NYC’s dirt to the city of angels.
I’d like to say, now living in LA for 7 months I actually love it here lol. And when I wrote this song I was being a bit insane, dramatic, and homesick HAHAAH.”
Written in collaboration with Jonny Shorr, the track showcases Ko’s phenomenal talent. She’s just been signed to Big Loud Rock, and looks set to take on her biggest year to date.
If you’ve not yet experienced Ko’s work then be sure to check out her 2023 EP ‘Baby Teeth’ (listen here), which landed placements on flagship playlists like Spotify’s New Music Friday and Apple’s New in Pop.
Ahead of the weekend comes one of the catchiest bops to grace us here at Alfitude in quite some time, courtesy of London-based trio Husky Loops.
‘Again Replay’ is lifted from the critically acclaimed band’s freshly released ‘ultrarama’ EP (listen here), and treats listeners to an energising blend of indie and electronic pop.
“When I pause for a second and think about all the reasons why I started making music in the first place, ‘ultrarama’ is what being in Husky Loops should feel like. It’s not about pleasing others or fitting to a format: I am writing music that satisfies the need inside me of expressing something real, without overthinking it. We are making the art we want to listen to, the music that can fill the gap between our imagination and what comes out of the speakers. And if no one cares… we do, and that’s the point. We value caring, free flow, curiosity. No social media will change this mindset as our inspiration makes us confident and able to become what we desire to be.” – Danio Forni, Husky Loops
Husky Loops have already picked up praise from the likes of BBC Radio 1’s Annie Mac (garnering Hottest Record and Tune of The Week on her show), and have toured with global outfits as noted as The Kills, Placebo and David Byrne. They currently command close to 30k listeners on Spotify, while their songs have amassed more than 6 million streams to date.
If you’re in the mood for some fresh indie-pop then we’ve got a fantastic talent to introduce you to.
Created during quarantine and debuting in 2021, club hearts (aka Barrett Bleeden) has been steadily gaining momentum in recent times.
In fact, the artist sold out iconic American venue El Cid after releasing just one single – a feat never accomplished by anyone before.
As a musician who writes, records and produces all of his songs, it’s no surprise that his new single ‘sweet things’ carries with it a special meaning:
“This song is for your drive home at the end of the night, where the whispers of what could have been are the only thing on your mind. Imagine that first look at your significant other: the warmth, the butterflies, the hope. You envision countless futures in your mind. Years after splitting up, you cross paths again and familiar feelings return.”
If you enjoy clubs hearts as much as we do then you’ll be pleased to learn that the artist has eight songs scheduled for release this year.
Track of the week. Sydney’s Maina Doe returns with a sensational new single that deserves your immediate attention and praise.
‘Lucid Dreams’ delivers a finessed mix of alternative R&B and indie-pop, similar to sounds crafted by iconic artists like Frank Ocean and Kelela.
Lyrically, the song draws on themes of self-compassion and vanity, with words like ‘How can you go up if you’ve never gone down?’ giving listeners some food for thought.
The artist is currently preparing the release of a new EP, which is scheduled for release soon via Valve Sounds.
Rising singer-songwriter, actor and filmmaker Jason Ivy has just unveiled a new single called ‘Crush’.
The track treats listeners to an ethereal fusion of dreamy pop and alternative R&B, while also featuring Ivy’s distinctive falsetto vocals.
Sonically reminiscent to works by Tame Impala and Sadé, this piece of music demonstrates why Ivy is such a hyped talent.
Hailed by Nick Cannon as ‘Chicago’s Future Superstar’, Ivy’s songs have charted globally – from Iceland to Nepal. To date, the artist has amassed more than 600k Spotify streams and picked up support from the likes of Dummy Mag, GQ South Africa and NPR.
Manchester has a new R&B starlet and her name is Nellie Charles. If ‘Boss’ is anything to go by, then we anticipate that this artist will hit the mainstream before the end of the year.
With it’s finessed production, smooth vocals and empowering lyricism, the song showcases the very best in emerging British R&B. Speaking on the track, Nellie says:
“As an artist, ‘Boss’ is more than just a song to me – it’s a statement. It embodies my journey of self-discovery and self-respect. This song came from a place of realizing that in any relationship, my voice matters. It’s a celebration of knowing your value and not being afraid to demand the respect you deserve. ‘Boss’ was born out of a moment where I felt the need to express my strength, not just as a woman, but as a person who understands her worth. It’s a reminder to myself and to others that in love and life, we are our own bosses. The process of creating ‘Boss’ was deeply personal and liberating. It’s a blend of my experiences, dreams, and the musical influences that have shaped me as an artist.”
The track sets the tone for Nellie’s upcoming debut EP, which is scheduled for release in the summer. With support from the likes of Notion and WORDPLAY, we think this is one of the UK’s biggest music prospects for 2024.
Track of the week. It’s been quite the while since we featured some high-grade experimental music, so we’re excited to be sharing with you this fabulous new song from Finnish-Canadian star Erika Sirola.
‘BERNADETTE’ is lifted from the artist’s freshly released ‘THE FOUR FACES’ EP (out now), and presents listeners with an intelligent fusion of experimental electronica, alternative pop and hints of funk.
“This EP delves into the core of the self. I’m such an advocate for fluidity in artistry. I’ve witnessed so many who feel they’ve had to sacrifice interesting avenues out of fear they wouldn’t be accepted or understood. The creation of this EP and design collection also marks the first significant step for me in letting go and embracing freedom in ‘all the everything and nothing’ that I am. The Jungian Archetypes profoundly influenced my journey of self-exploration to such an extent that they became the foundation of the songs. Together, they represent ‘the four faces,’ with each song telling the story of a character.”
In addition to the release of the EP, Sirola has also unveiled a corresponding visual world that compliments each of the four songs. Blending sustainability with antiques and armoury, the collection can be found through Basic Space.
