Category: Music

Creature Canyon – Give Me Life

If you’re looking to shake off those midweek blues, then we’ve got the perfect anthem to share with you today, courtesy of Californian rockers Creature Canyon.

‘Give Me Life’ is a bold, raw, and utterly captivating song that is sure to energise and motivate you to take on the day like a champion.

For listeners who are unacquainted with this acclaimed outfit, Creature Canyon consists of members Austin Steele, Ryan Amyot, Aaron Lund, and Luc Fralic. They currently command more than 28k monthly listeners on Spotify and have amassed more than 1.5 million cumulative streams to date.

You can catch the band performing at Pappy + Harriet’s in Pioneertown on the 28th June, with tickets available here.

Creature Canyon

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Kan Wakan + SAÍGO – IO

Track of the week. Bulgarian-born wonder-kid Gueorgui Linev (aka Kan Wakan) unveils a dreamy new collaboration with emerging talent SAÍGO that is not only one of our favourite songs of the week, but also of the summer.

‘IO’ is a refreshingly unique-sounding track that blends indie with electronica in a way that feels both textured and finessed in equal measures. Elaborating on the lyrics, Gueorgui says:

“‘IO’ tells the story of humans being replaced by AI, our ambivalence about this process, and poses the question of how we’ll be treated by our synthetic descendants (if they keep us around).”

Kan Wakan currently commands more than 27k listeners on Spotify, and has amassed more than 7 million career streams to date. The acclaimed musician has also worked alongside modern-day legends like Thundercat and Moses Sumney.

Kan Wakan | SAÍGO

New Music: Slice

Photo / Debbie Cho

If you’re on the hunt for some exciting new indie rock, then we’ve got a fantastic band to introduce you to, who go by the name of Slice.

The emerging US-based trio have just released an impressive single called ‘Shopping’, which is sonically energising and lyrically meaningful. The track tackles the subject of homelessness in a hard-hitting and impactful way, as songwriter Alex Hattick explains:

“When I was writing the lyrics, I was thinking about the different clear-outs of unhoused communities in Echo Park, in Santa Monica, even in Downtown Long Beach. The irony of unhoused communities being cleared out while unaffordable high-rise loft apartments are being built is impossible to ignore. When you’re removing people from these spaces, where do they go? Where do you expect people to go when there’s nowhere to go?”

‘Shopping’ is taken from the outfit’s forthcoming ‘Slice III’ EP, which is out in August. The group has been billed as ‘Best Indie Band’ by OC Weekly while also building a loyal fan base, thanks to their electrifying indie sounds and fierce commitment to social causes.

Slice
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New Music: blue pablo

There’s not much known about US-based newcomer blue pablo, but we’ve been very intrigued by this artist’s distinct style of indie-pop.

New single ‘Mother Nature’ presents listeners with an eccentric and refreshingly experimental sound, while the lyrics address the concept of the celebrity. blue pablo explains:

“‘Mother Nature’ is a metaphor for celebrities, emphasizing their allure, power, and influence over society. These lyrics explore themes of obsession, desire, and the pursuit of perfection, while also touching on the consequences of fame and the complexities of human nature. It paints a picture of a world where people are captivated by the glamorous facade of celebrity culture, yet also grappling with its darker aspects and the longing for something more meaningful.”

The track showcases a type of sonic artistry that we’ve not yet come across, which is not only bold but also interesting to experience. You can explore more of blue pablo’s songs on Spotify.

blue pablo
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New Music: Cold Fame

Your weekend anthem comes courtesy of Canadian outfit Cold Flame and their massive new single ‘Hello Reaper’.

Whether you’re pop-leaning or a committed rock fan, you’ll likely enjoy this track’s production. With hints of classic No Doubt and Paramore, the sound makes an instant impact from the moment you press play… and the melody is sure to stick with you for a very long time!

“Fierce. Feminine. Revenge – ‘Hello Reaper’ is our latest alt rock addition from our upcoming debut album.”

Since forming in 2021, Cold Fame has been on a mission to make a mark on the North American pop-rock scene. They’ve played shows and festivals alongside heavyweights like Fleet Foxes and Peach Pit and are currently preparing to release their debut album, which is due in the autumn.

Cold Fame
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W. Y. Huang – Living With Ghosts

Photo / Zach Prebeck

US-based singer and songwriter W. Y. Huang is back today with a stunning indie-folk release called ‘Living With Ghosts’.

The song showcases Huang’s sincere and emotive vocals, while the production treats us to a stripped-back style of sound that feels delicate while still exuding a sense of warmth.

“when did I stop feeling when did I forget / when did my companions become voices in my head / maybe I can face what I’ve been running from / maybe there’s still time to find my way back to the sun“

The track’s lyrics focus on themes of pain and hope, and are sure to resonate with a lot of listeners. Fans can look forward to an upcoming EP from the artist called ‘Knots’, which is out next month.

W. Y. Huang

Noak Hellsing – Empty the Bags

Photo / Rassmus Bjornson

Track of the week. Swedish artist Noak Hellsing kicks the weekend off with a shimmering new single called ‘Empty the Bags’.

Through its finessed fusion of dreamy pop, disco, and indie, this track treats listeners to a hypnotic sound that leaves you wanting more. It’s a sound that feels distinctly unique and is complimented by evocative lyricism, which is inspired by the emotions of love.

“‘Empty the Bags’ is more than just a song. It’s a powerful narrative about dedication and unconditional love. It’s about how far we’re willing to go to protect what’s dear to us.”

The song serves as a taster to Noak’s forthcoming ‘SHIFT’ EP, which is out on the 18th of July via Ten Music Group. Until then, you can check out more of this emerging talent’s music over on his Spotify.

Noak Hellsing

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Bo Baskoro – Give You Up

Bo Baskoro is back with an anthemic pop-rock bop that deserves your immediate attention!

‘Give You Up’ is the artist’s latest offering and continues to showcase his ease at writing songs that are not only melodically memorable but also lyrically captivating. The new single addresses the vulnerabilities that we experience after a breakup, while still reminding us that there is always hope of finding new love.

“‘Give You Up’ is about finding unconditional love after a devastating loss leaves one frightened to love and trust again.”

Alongside the millions of cumulative streams that this artist has amassed in recent years, he has also garnered praise from respected outlets like Atwood Magazine and Prelude Press. This kid is one to watch!

Bo Baskoro

Pablo Say – Reflections

If you’re preparing for a night out this evening, then we’ve got the perfect track to get you in the mood.

Spanish DJ Pablo Say is already making waves within the techno circuit, and his new single ‘Reflections’ looks set to become one of the summer’s biggest tracks across Europe.

The track is lifted from Pablo’s new EP of the same name (listen here), and delivers an energising style of sound that is bold and immediately arresting. Elaborating on the song, he says:

“The lead track of the EP ‘Reflections’ was an idea that I created one morning after my daily training and it was a magical moment when it all came together. The music has my signature style with a modern techno touch, and it’s been going off when I’ve played it at Input Barcelona, Miniclub Valencia, Fabrik Madrid, Momentum Isla Reunion among others…”

Pablo’s music has been streamed more than 1.3 million times on Spotify alone, solidifying his status as one of Spain’s most hyped emerging techno artists.

Pablo Say

Samm Henshaw – FADE (feat. KIRBY)

Two modern-day heavyweights in soul music join forces to create one of the most sensational releases of the spring.

‘FADE’ sees accomplished singer and songwriter Samm Henshaw collaborate with KIRBY on a song that is mesmerising on so many levels. The production is mysterious, eccentric, and magical, while the melody flows so beautifully that you’ll likely have this track on repeat all day.

Henshaw’s music has been featured on noted outlets like COLORS, GQ Magazine, and NPR, while his catalogue of releases has amassed more than 400 million streams to date. KIRBY is also rapidly marking her name as a future global star, and currently commands more than 1.7 million monthly listeners on Spotify alone.

Samm Henshaw | KIRBY

Jae Soto – Best of Us

Acclaimed Brooklyn artist Jae Soto subtly addresses the subject of trauma on her beautiful new single, ‘Best of Us’.

This is the kind of track that proves that sometimes the simplest productions will touch our hearts the most. Despite its minimalism, the song’s lyricism is rich in thought and reminds us that we are much stronger than we give ourselves credit for.

“I’ve been performing this song live for about a year, and it’s been a privilege to share it in intimate settings, hearing people’s thoughts about it. Since it’s a fairly earnest and melancholic song, I sometimes feel uncomfortable introducing it as a song about trauma. So, I’ve decided to introduce it as “a song Mr. Rogers would write about trauma if he were still on TV in 2024, because we all know he’d be talking about it.”

The artist continues, “‘Best of Us’ is sort of a collective sigh. It’s about letting yourself feel validated and giving permission to stop blaming yourself. It’s an acknowledgement that some of us grew up in such dysfunctional environments that our experience can make us feel deeply alienated and almost like we’re living in an alternate dimension. It’s offering solidarity to a friend by asking: “wouldn’t it be weird if you didn’t feel bad about that bad thing?”.

Listeners can look forward to an LP from the musician, scheduled for release later this month. In the meantime, you can join the other 26,000 monthly listeners who enjoy Soto’s music on Spotify.

Jae Soto

Anderson Hao – the end

US-based talent Anderson Hao returns with an interesting new single today, called ‘the end’.

The song showcases Anderson’s distinctively airy vocals, while the production treats listeners to a stripped-down fusion of indie and alt-pop, which evolves into a raw and refreshingly bold conclusion.

“This is the first single off my project coming in August. It was made with my partner in our music collective’s (Harcourt Paloma) garage studio in Los Angeles, California.”

Fans will be happy to learn that they don’t need to wait until August for Hao’s next release, as the artist plans on releasing a new song every three weeks until then. You can also catch Anderson performing a release show, with details being announced soon.

Anderson Hao

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New Music: sunsetto

Track of the week. Canadian singer and songwriter sunsetto is a name to watch in the coming months.

The artist’s new single ‘GREEN TXTS’ caught our attention this week, thanks to its finessed production, which layers melancholic vocals over an experimental pop base.

The song was inspired by the notion of humans drifting apart – and the realisation that the connections you once had with old friends are sometimes left in the past.

sunsetto initially rose to prominence in 2020, when a clip of his gorgeous track ‘don’t leave’ gained momentum across social media, amassing almost 500k streams. He’s built up a solid fan base since then, which is sure to grow with each new release. Keep this talent on your radars!

sunsetto
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Edgar Homeros – Upset

Photo / Szymon Kowalczyk

Edgar Homeros has already proven himself as one of Scandinavia’s most promising emerging music artists, and the release of his new single ‘Upset’ only further adds proof to this.

Lifted from his latest EP, ‘Crying Dove’ (listen here), the song presents listeners with a melodic blend of indie and soulful pop. The sound is minimal in style, but carries with it so much emotion and sincerity. Elaborating on his new EP, Edgar says:

“This is a special project for me. It’s been a year in the making, compared to ‘Volatile’ which was written & produced in a month. When writing the songs, it wasn’t with a specific concept in mind, but as I started to compile them I saw the red thread – it was a diary of me growing up in Stockholm, through both heartbreak and joy.”

The track was created in collaboration with Jake Gosling, who is noted for his work with global names like Shawn Mendes and James Bay.

Edgar Homeros

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Jorge. – When it Rain

Rising UK artist Jorge. returns this week with an impressive new single called ‘When it Rain’. As we’ve come to expect from this much-hyped talent, the song showcases alternative UK hip-hop at its best.

The track focuses on the musician’s personal feelings about life and work in a thoughtful and considered way. Alongside its introspective lyrics, the track’s melodic flow will stay in your minds all weekend.

You can catch Jorge. performing live at Dalston’s The Victoria on the 30th May – tickets can be found here.

Jorge.

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Bess Atwell – I Am Awake

Bess Atwell has to be one of the UK’s brightest indie-folk newcomers. And with support already garnered from the likes of The Guardian and The Independent, we think it’s fair to say that Atwell’s name will become a prominent one within the British music scene soon.

The artist has just released a new album called ‘Light Sleeper’ (listen here), of which ‘I Am Awake’ is lifted. This is a gorgeously tender piece of music that draws listeners into a hazy soundscape, which is utterly mesmerising to experience.

Atwell’s songs have amassed more than 18 million streams on Spotify alone. You can explore more of the artist’s music here.

Bess Atwell
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Indira May – don’t feed the sharks

If you’ve yet to come across UK starlet Indira May, then… where have you been?! This hugely gifted artist has been building solid momentum for some time now, which is sure to grow even more with the release of her mesmerising new single, ‘don’t feed the sharks’.

The track expertly weaves alternative pop with soul, resulting in a sound that feels both fresh and nostalgic in equal measures. Elaborating on the song’s lyrics, Indira simply says…

“these sharks are not your friends!”

Aside from her own impressive catalogue of songs, Indira is also known for her collaborations with the likes of Jaded and Saffron. To date, the musician has amassed more than a million cumulative streams, and received recognition from outlets as noted as BBC Radio 1, Radio 6, and Kiss FM.

Indira May

Katie Cruel – Close To The Sun

We don’t often come across songs that have moved us as profoundly as Katie Cruel’s ‘Close To The Sun’.

The production on this track is really quite sublime. Blending dreamy pop with hints of indie and folk, the sound transports listeners into the artist’s world and leaves them captivated throughout. The song’s lyrics convey a story about love in a way that is sincere, heartfelt, and relatable.

If you enjoy Katie’s music, then be sure to explore her album, ‘Lost Vagus’, which is out now. You can also catch the artist performing live in Canada alongside Wilco on select dates this summer.

Katie Cruel

New Music: Tess Clare

Independent LA-based musician Tess Clare came across our radars today, and we have to say, we’re really impressed with this talent’s natural flair for songwriting.

New single ‘Never Be a Boy’ is a masterclass in pop. The melody is memorable, the vocals are distinct, and the lyrics are beautifully honest.

The track was inspired by the artist’s self-discovery of her sexuality, and the complex thoughts she felt about her best friend during her teens.

“The song captures the essence of innocence, portraying typical childhood experiences like sleepovers and parties with the intrusion of deeper, unspoken desires. Looking back, it wasn’t just sleepovers and making hypothetical best friend plans about their future, but also intrusive thoughts about a world where maybe they could actually be together.”

To date, Clare’s music has amassed more than 800k streams on Spotify alone. We think this artist has a very bright future ahead!

Tess Clare

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Lily Buns – Monkey Business

We must admit that we don’t know much about Lily Buns, but one thing we have ascertained is that this is a talent to watch for in 2024.

The artist has just unveiled a brand new song called ‘Monkey Business’, and it’s one of the catchiest, most fun pieces of indie-pop that we’ve come across. With hints of funk infused into the mix, the track feels fresh and uplifting while still maintaining an experimental edge.

“‘Monkey Business’ is a summer song for the girls. The driving base line, funky guitars, and whimsical lyrics all feed into the nature of this song and the freeing feeling of needing no external validation.”

You can check out more of Lily’s music on Spotify right here.

Lily Buns