Category: Music

margø – crawl

Despite its sinister title, ‘crawl’ by Canada-based starlet margø is a pop banger that we’ve been hooked on all day.

Inspired by jealous partners who somehow find ways to manipulate their lovers, the song balances honest lyricism with an energising production. Explaining the song further, margø says:

“Inspired by toxic relationships with manipulative partners, ‘crawl’ is a vulnerable yet sassy take on succumbing to intrusive thoughts caused by jealousy. I’ve unfortunately been involved with people who thrived on creating a jealous environment – it was almost like they took pleasure from hurting me with the possibility of being unfaithful. This song was written from the perspective of being consumed by the jealous and fearful thoughts as a result of being gaslit – and it felt like therapy to fully acknowledge the pain and damage that can be caused by mind games from a toxic partner. I hope this song reminds listeners to never accept anything other than what they deserve when it comes to a relationship – it isn’t worth it to chase after someone who makes you feel any less than the incredible and worthy person you are.”

With more than 350k monthly listeners on Spotify, as well as millions of career streams gained, it seems imminent that this artist will become a global pop star in 2024.

margø

New Music: Natalie Kilic

While we know very little of Turkish & New York artist Natalie Kılıç, we feel as though she might be a name to watch for in the coming months.

New single ‘gimme now’ is an impressively bold and intense piece of electronic pop. Although minimal in it’s style of production, the sound is confident and punchy. Lyrically, the song was inspired by the feelings of uncertainty that arise when you begin to fall for someone.

“‘Gimme Now’ is an empowering anthem for anyone who’s experienced the unpredictability of an exciting connection.”

An upcoming EP is due for release soon. In the meantime, listeners can enjoy more of Natalie’s music by checking out her Spotify here.

Natalie Kilic

🎵 Discover more new music on the Ones To Watch Playlist

Lazygirl – Withdrawals

If you’re in the mood for some dreamy pop then we’ve got the perfect song for you.

‘Withdrawals’ is by rising Liverpool-based artist Lazygirl, and serves listeners with a sparkly production that is both mellow and charming in character. Elaborating on the track’s lyricism, the Lazygirl says:

“Mental health has always been at the forefront of my writing. I still rely on my medication and, at times, resent that – the longer that thing is around, the worse it feels when you’re not around it. In a way, it feels like a relationship, but it’s also a boring part of my daily routine. So, I had the idea of writing a ‘love song’ about something ordinary, something with existential lyrics which could be read into as a codependent relationship or literally as just forgetting to take your pills. It’s my favourite song I’ve ever done, and I hope that even if people don’t relate to its meaning, it’s a fun song they can boogie along to!”

The song solidifies Lazygirl’s status as one of the UK’s most interesting new alt-pop talents. With support from the likes of BBC Radio 1 and CLOUT already under her belt, it looks like this musician will have a very exciting year ahead.

Lazygirl

🎵 Discover more new music on the Ones To Watch Playlist

néomí – garden

Acclaimed Surinamese-Dutch starlet néomí is marking her name as an artist to watch. Having garnered praise from pretty much every tastemaker out there, the singer and songwriter continues to impress with her beautiful new single, called ‘garden’.

The heartfelt song was written as an ode to her grandfather, and his struggles with Alzheimer’s disease. While most artists would shy away from approaching such a sensitive topic, néomí addresses it with thoughtfulness and sincerity.

“I wrote it for my granddad and it is a little ode to my grandmother as well. My grandfather is suffering from Alzheimer’s. He is at a stage now where he doesn’t remember who I am, and sometimes I wonder if he still knows or understands who he is himself. I see him walking around the garden or at family parties just completely lost but as long as my grandmother is there he will be fine. The beautiful part in this horrifying illness is that he still remembers my grandmother every day, just her, because she has been so important to him…I guess? In any occasion, either happy, scared or angry but in his case mostly loving, he looks at her. I think that is the most touching thing and a great example of how strong love is. Loving someone so deeply that even the illness can’t take over. Sometimes I’m scared that there will come a day where he forgets her too and then I think the battle he has been fighting will be over. Don’t get me wrong, I think growing old and dying is one of the most precious things there is, so this is not a sad story per se. I think he had the most wonderful life (except the 2nd world war) and I hope he will continue to remember her, and how much he loves her until his end. And if not, he has this song. And in the end, I strongly believe that they will find each other in another lifetime.”

You can catch the artist performing live over the next few months, with dates and locations listed below. With more than 79k monthly Spotify listeners, the demand for these gigs is likely to be high, so make sure you get tickets while you can.

néomí

néomí upcoming gigs

  • Tuesday Dec 12th – Amor, Antwerp (tickets here)     
  • Wednesday January 17th – Lutherse Kerk, Groningen @ ESNS 2024
  • Friday May 3rd – PAARD, Den Haag
  • Friday May 10th – Merleyn, Nijmegen
  • Saturday May 11th – EKKO, Utrecht
  • Saturday May 25th – Tolhuistuin, Amsterdam (headline show – tickets here)

New Music: JEmmanuel

One of Scotland’s most interesting soul outfits have just unveiled a powerful debut single.

‘Lonesome Man’ is by JEmmanuel and his band, and serves as an emotive reminder that we should never be afraid to show our emotions.

“I am tired of hiding my pain, ’cause the world is going to see it anyway”

Alongside the captivating vocals, the song’s refreshingly raw and heart-felt lyrics are sure to resonate with many listeners.

As a debut, this is highly impressive, and we can’t wait to see what the collective will release over the coming year.

JEmmanuel

🎵 Discover more new music on the Ones To Watch Playlist

Sweeney – Another Face

LA-based artist and musician Sweeney returns to our pages with an anthemic slice of indie-rock that deserves your attention.

‘Another Face’ treats listeners to a bold sound that is immediately gripping. Inspired by a failed relationship, the track encapsulates the conflicting emotions that arise when love subsides.

“‘Another Face’ is a story of longing for what could have been.”

As an artist on the rise, Sweeney currently commands more than 23k listeners on Spotify, while his songs have collectively amassed more than 4.5 million streams. Keep this kid on your radars!

Sweeney

The American Hotel System – Can You Hear It?

You can’t really ever go wrong with some good rock music, so we’re delighted to be sharing with you a fresh new banger from Michigan outfit The American Hotel System.

‘Can You Hear It?’ is taken from the band’s EP of the same name (out now), and is the type of song that is sure to energise and motivate you. In many ways, it’s the perfect weekend anthem, and one that deserves to be on everyone’s playlists!

C.S. Lewis frequently explored ‘Sehnsucht’ (a German word encompassing wistful, yearning desires) in his addresses, essays, and fictional works like Narnia and The Space Trilogy.

Lewis understood that our souls are created with a longing for something beyond this world—a “music we are born remembering.” Often, we mistakenly label these longings as nostalgia or beauty, but they merely hint at a deeper desire. Lewis writes, “The beauty, the memory of our own past… are good images of what we really desire; but if they are mistaken for the thing itself, they turn into dumb idols, breaking the hearts of their worshipers. For they are not the thing itself; they are only the scent of a flower we have not found, the echo of a tune we have not heard, news from a country we have never visited.”

Discovering the concept of Sehnsucht felt like a missing puzzle piece fitting perfectly within my heart, providing language to describe the profound yearnings I’ve carried throughout my life. I’ve been searching for a melody I cannot sing. I firmly believe that by paying attention to the echoes of these longings within my soul, I draw closer to the joyous life I was created to live (“my soul awakens when I hear the sound played on my heartstrings; this joy profound”).

The American Hotel System have had quite the ride so far. They opened for rock legends Bon Jovi on their 2022 tour, and have also received a seal of approval from iconic tastemakers CLASH magazine.

The American Hotel System

Lucy McWilliams – Plastic

Lucy McWilliams has undeniably become one of Ireland’s newest global stars. While still only 23-years of age, this talent has already racked up more than 16 million career streams – with new single ‘Plastic’ likely to push that number even higher.

Serving as a masterclass in alt-pop, the track invites listeners into an atmospheric soundscape that is somehow both vibrant yet haunting. Explaining the song further, McWilliams says:

“I wrote this song coming from a place where I was upset with myself for allowing a version of me to take over that I wasn’t comfortable with, wanting to be loved. I realised how easy it is to downplay your emotions to fit into a version of yourself that you think is more loveable. It’s exploring the desperation of love, and the anger you can have towards someone who holds it.”

There’s no doubt in our minds that McWilliams’ momentum will continue to grow in 2024… and deservedly so!

Lucy McWilliams

Joy Downer – Alright

Photo / francescapoly

Multi-faceted DIY artist Joy Downer is back today with one our favourite indie releases of the month.

‘Alright’ is an infectiously catchy bop that you’ll find yourselves humming along to all weekend. Cheerful in tone, this is the kind of indie that brings a smile to our faces. Explaining the song, Downer simply says…

“It’s alright.”

Downer has been a fan favourite since the release of her 2017 EP, ‘Radio Dreamer’. Over the years, she’s gone on to acquire millions of streams and thousands of followers across social media. You can explore more of Downer’s music here.

Joy Downer

New Music: Proph

Track of the week. Hailing from South London is 20-year old artist Proph. Already a favourite with tastemakers as noted as Clash and GRM Daily, this rising star looks set to hit the mainstream in the coming months.

Melodic new single ‘Trust Fall’ showcases Proph’s musical versatility by blending elements of UK hip hop with R&B in an understated yet finessed way. The track is not only sonically beautiful, but lyrically impactful.

Proph performs at Clash’s Next Up Showcase on the 30th November – you can find more details here. In the meantime, check out the artist’s debut ‘Lost In Translation’ EP here.

Proph

🎵 Discover more new music on the Ones To Watch Playlist

Michael Simon Armstrong – Truth & Dagger

After spending the last four years working on his new collection of songs, American artist Michael Simon Armstrong finally releases his new LP today, called ‘Be Vibrant, Michael Simon’ (listen here).

Among its ten beautifully written tracks is ‘Truth & Dagger’, which serves as an artistic ‘depiction of a relationship gone stale’. The song is thoughtful and melancholic in tone, showcasing Armstrong’s natural flair for crafting emotive pieces of music.

Alongside his work as a musician, Armstrong also runs a prominent studio (which has hosted the likes of Maggie Rogers and Medium Build) with Michael Blasky, who is known for his work with Haim and Rostam Batmanglij.

Michael Simon Armstrong

🎵 Discover more new music on the Ones To Watch Playlist

Tee Krispil – Big Loss

Running at just under two minutes in length, Tee Krispil’s ‘Big Loss’ is one of the shortest songs we’ve featured in quite some time.

Having said that, this is a superb example of alternative R&B done well. The track is intriguing as it is mesmerising, while its finessed production treats listeners to a sound that is rich in sonic textures. In summary, this is one of our favourite singles of the week.

Listeners can look forward to more releases from Krispil in the coming months, leading up to a new EP that will be out in the summer of 2024.

Tee Krispil

Rum Jungle – Make It Ez

Australian outfit Rum Jungle are back with a hazy slice of sonic bliss for us all to obsess over.

‘Make It EZ’ is lifted from the band’s freshly released ‘Hold Me In The Water’ EP (out now) and delights listeners with a melodic fusion of dreamy pop and indie.

Rum Jungle are preparing to boost their global presence in 2024, with upcoming shows planned in the UK (including a slot at iconic festival The Great Escape), as well as more releases. We’ve said it before, but we really believe that these lads could be one of Australia’s biggest indie groups.

Rum Jungle

New Music: Rómchie

If you’re in the mood for some melancholic soul-pop then we’ve got the perfect song for you.

Rómchie (pronounced Rome-chee) is an emerging artist artist hailing from New York City, who has already amassed more than 150k career streams through only a handful of releases.

Melodic new single ‘Your Touch’ is yet another impressive track by the artist, and serves as an anthem for anyone suffering from a broken heart. Rómchie explains:

‘I open up about being abandoned by my lover in the moment of crisis.”

With a distinctive vocal tone and a natural flair for writing refreshingly honest and heartfelt songs, it’s no surprise that this talent is gaining so much momentum. One to watch!

Rómchie

🎵 Discover more new music on the Ones To Watch Playlist

Jaya Bremer – Apartment 4

One of the most charming releases of the week comes courtesy of Canadian starlet Jaya Bremer, with her new single ‘Apartment 4’.

Co-produced by Austin Tufts from Braids, the track presents us with a cozy and dreamy mix of electronic indie and pop. Lyrically, the song was inspired by an emotional evening that the artist experienced while she was preparing to leave a home that she loved dearly.

“I went through a long drawn out reno-viction and was forced to leave an apartment that I had lived in and loved for four years. I wrote this song on my last night there, as a love letter and a goodbye. I wrote the song to the apartment as though it were a living being, which in a way, my grief around the loss of it felt akin to. I felt acutely aware that it was the end of an era, and I was already mourning it. It’s a tribute to an apartment that felt like a living entity.”

Bremer has long been associated with the music scene in Victoria, British Columbia. Aside from her work as a soloist, Jaya has also been involved in various other outfits that include local indie-rock heroes Wise Child.

Jaya Bremer

New Music: Red Ocean

Photo / Sebastian Schuetze

Red Ocean is a new musical project headed by Berlin singer and composer Bernhard. Latest single ‘Gotta Go’ could well be the outfit’s breakout single. The track not only features catchy lyrics, but also showcases a polished production that perfectly balances pop with indie.

The track somehow feels both classic yet fresh, and is sure to resonate with a large swathe of listeners. Unsurprisingly, Red Ocean is already gaining momentum, with placements landing on more than twenty significant Spotify playlists, as well as thousands of views on TikTok.

Red Ocean

🎵 Discover more new music on the Ones To Watch Playlist

Rob Giles – Some Stars

 Grammy-award winning singer and songwriter Rob Giles returns today with a meaningful new single called ‘Some Stars’.

The track serves as a comeback for the highly acclaimed artist, who has just released his fifth album, ‘Meditation Drive-Thru’ (listen here).

The song’s beauty lies in its simplicity. The melody flows with ease, while the lyrics focus on themes like humility and unity, reminding us of the importance of accepting one other – no matter our differences.

With more than 750k catalogue streams to date, it’s clear that listeners feel a connection to Giles’ work. It’s good to have you back, Rob!

Rob Giles

New Music: Lockyer Boys

This weekend’s pop bop is by Canadian duo Lockyer Boys (aka brothers Will and Charlie Lockyer), who have just unveiled a retro-tinged banger called ‘DRIVE!’

Alongside it’s synth-inspired production, the song’s lyrics serve as a motivator for us to push our limits and take some risks in life. We’re certain you won’t forget this track’s chorus for a long time.

“‘DRIVE!’ is about taking your shot, much like we are doing with our career. It’s about being confident, brave, and giving 100%. We think it ties into our overarching theme of spreading positivity and inspiration, but it can also be interpreted as a love song.”

With more than 320k career streams under their belt, these brothers may well become of Canada’s newest pop exports – and are worth keeping on your radars.

Lockyer Boys

🎵 Discover more new music on the Ones To Watch Playlist

[PREMIERE] Watch HunBjørn’s visuals for latest single ‘In The Eye’

Photo / Julie Montauk

We are so excited to be sharing with you a first glimpse of Scandinavian artist HunBjørn’s new music video, ‘In The Eye’.

Marking the return of this much-acclaimed Danish indie starlet, the visuals represent HunBjørn’s new style of sound, and serve as a taster to her upcoming suite of releases.

If you’ve yet to listen to the song itself, it’s a beautifully atmospheric piece of electronica that also incorporates other genres like dance and alt-pop, while the lyrics take their inspiration from the concept of ‘forbidden desire’.

“It’s that moment you didn’t see coming, but suddenly find yourself in, where the rush of temptation really threatens to overthrow all reason, and it takes serious strength not to give in.”

For listeners who are new to HunBjørn, this rising talent is not only a singer but also a songwriter, producer and arranger, and a key originator of industry community WeProduce.

HunBjørn

🎵 Follow the Scandinavia Sound Playlist

Kayla Thompson – Matter (feat. Nate Diaz)

Acclaimed American starlet Kayla Thompson returns with a sublime new single called ‘Matter’.

Created alongside fellow artist Nate Diaz, the song introduces listeners to Thompson’s more vulnerable side. Through its sincere lyricism and thoughtful alt-pop production, we think it’s one of Thompson’s most impressive releases yet.

With tastemaker support from the likes of Ones to Watch already under her belt, Thompson looks likely to hit the mainstream very soon – so be sure to keep this artist on your radars.

‘Matter’ is lifted from the Kayla’s ‘A Shot In The Dark’ debut EP, which is out now (listen here).

Kayla Thompson