Category: Music

Coby Sultan – The Moon Song

Photo / Nate Napoli

If you’re a fan of Tom Odell then chances are high that you’ll also fall in love with rising American singer and songwriter Coby Sultan.

‘The Moon Song’ is a sincere and emotive piece of music that presents heartfelt lyrics over a thoughtfully produced fusion of indie and folk. Elaborating further on the song’s inspiration, Coby says:

“I had been holding on to a really beautiful chord progression for several months, feeling like I had nothing left to say anymore about my relationship with my ex-girlfriend, Margo. Around May of 2022, I got an unexpected call from her. Time spent reminiscing over past memories and old polaroid photos re-inspired me to write another song for the project. Hearing her voice after such a long time brought up old feelings that made me realise how deeply I cared for this person still. Margo and I used to have this inside joke that she was constantly going through different phases. She would be really into one thing for a brief period, and then suddenly wake up feeling completely different about it. This was incredibly challenging for me, and I always wondered if I was just another phase she was parading through.”

Aside from his craft as a musician, Coby Sultan is also an accomplished soccer player who has competed professionally with teams in North America and the Netherlands.

‘The Moon Song’ is lifted from the artist’s forthcoming ‘Memories From Your Polaroids’ EP, which is out soon.

Coby Sultan

Julianna Joy – APOLLO

Your anthem for the weekend ahead comes courtesy of US-based artist and songwriter Julianna Joy.

‘APOLLO’ is a refreshingly punchy piece of experimental pop that serves as an ode to the power of music – and its ability to unite us together through the hardest of times.

“This song is about the importance of music in our culture, especially on LGBTQ culture. Throughout the pandemic, one of the only ways I felt connected to anyone was through music. That connection music gives us is a more important outlet than i think a lot of us realise. that’s what ‘APOLLO’ is. A celebration of how we are human. Even though queerness wasn’t the main focus of this track when I first wrote it, this song for me is now about a celebration of it. Of drag queens, of the word gay, of pride.”

With more than six million career streams to date, it’s clear to see that Joy’s style of sound is loved by a significant number of listeners. You can follow the artist on all social media, as well as her own dedicated discord here.

Julianna Joy

L E M F R E C K – After

Artist and producer L E M F R E C K has firmly marked his status as one of the most exciting new talents to emerge from Wales.

The musician returns today with an impressive single called ‘After’, which treats listeners to a perfected mid of alternative R&B and hip hop.

“It’s about understanding that regardless of the past, there are some people that are still there for you. Mistakes can sometimes create bonds to become stronger.”

The production showcases L E M F R E C K’s natural flair for crafting sounds that boldly push boundaries. We think this talent could be one of the UK’s next big music exports, and is definitely an artist to watch.

L E M F R E C K

New Music: two kalme

One of the most impressive debut songs to come across our radars this summer has been by UK-based newcomers two kalme (aka Tobi Adenaike and Paul Runzo).

‘love?’ is a gorgeously moving piece of alternative music that feels sonically distinct and unique, but still hooks the listener in on a deeper and more personable level.

“Love is me daydreaming. I’m imagining the qualities and characteristics that I would/ should have in a relationship, I liken my reliability as the opposite to clouds, which are largely random and only exist where there is a lot of water in the atmosphere, water equating to the physical or emotional feeling = love.”

To date, the track has been streamed more than 20k times on Spotify, and found its way onto prominent outlets like BBC Introducing, Before The Data, 1Xtra Radio and DMY.

With such an original and captivating style of sound, we anticipate that this duo will very quickly become a critic’s favourite.

two kalme

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New Music: 101ycfm

Banish those midweek blues with some fresh new music courtesy of New York freestyle artist 101ycfm.

‘after party’ is lifted from the musician’s ‘lost & found’ album (listen here), and presents listeners with a luxurious blend of alternative R&B, soul and mellow pop.

This promising talent is already building up a loyal legion of fans on TikTok, where he has amassed more than 1.3 million likes. And with support from the likes of Early Rising and Fashionably Early under his belt, the future’s looking bright for this kid.

101ycfm

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Sasha & The Bear – Easy On Your Mind

 Brooklyn’s Sasha & The Bear (aka Sasha Daniel and Dov Igel) return with a dreamy new single today, called ‘Easy On Your Mind’.

The track is lifted from the collaborators’ debut EP, and treats listeners to a shimmering fusion of indie and electronic pop. The sound feels almost meditative in essence, so as to mirror the song’s beautiful lyrical concept:

“‘Easy on Your Mind’ is about introspection, acceptance of the unknown, and finding solace in the present moment. It signifies a desire to be still and fully immerse oneself in the experience, seeking a moment of calm and contemplation. Life is filled with mysterious elements that unfold at their own pace, and instead of rushing or forcefully trying to decipher them, they should be accepted and embraced.”

Sasha & The Bear have consistently impressed us with their ability to create productions that are distinct and future-forward in character, yet also powerfully emotive and sincere in tone.

 Sasha Daniel | Dov Eagle

Ben Kidson – Heaven

It’s been a very busy year for UK artist Ben Kidson. After gaining support from rock legend Robert Plant, this emerging talent found himself signing with respected label Wolves Records.

Listening to Kidson’s new single ‘Heaven’ gives you an idea as to why this musician’s work is so well-received.

The production’s unique mix of indie, alternative rock and pop intensifies as the song plays, culminating in a peak that will leave you in awe.

Alongside his work in the studio, Ben also recently competed in several high-profile music competitions like American Express Unsigned and Isle of Wight New Blood.

Ben Kidson

New Music: CLAVIS 7EVEN

Photo / egara_nneka

Track of the week. CLAVIS 7EVEN is one of the most exciting artists to emerge from the Midlands in a very long time.

Born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and currently residing in Wolverhampton, this talented singer, rapper, songwriter and producer creates future-forward hip hop sounds that also incorporate other genres as diverse as Afrobreat, R&B and electronica.

‘LOSIN U’ is CLAVIS 7EVEN’s latest release, and is likely to become one of the summer’s biggest anthems.

The artist has been supported by the likes of BBC Introducing and Fashionably Early, while his music has found its way onto prominent playlists like Spotify’s Fresh Finds, New Music Friday UK and Essence.

CLAVIS 7EVEN performs his ‘King of The West’ headline show at the NAC in Newhampton on 8th September – tickets can be found here.

CLAVIS 7EVEN

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BASH! – Captain Sensible

We’re starting the new week with an energising slice of alt-pop from London-based outfit BASH!

‘Captain Sensible’ is taken from the band’s upcoming ‘After My Happy Ever After’ EP, and showcases a sound that is vibrant and uplifting in tone.

“It is simply about being head over heels for someone. You think they’re the best for you but you lose your sense of self in the process. You feel like nothing without that person and if they were to leave you’d cease to exist.” – Amanda Bashmakova (vocals), BASH!

Alongside the release of the song, the trio have also unveiled a visuals that portray Amanda collecting all the pieces to make ‘the perfect man’. The video was directed by Cainan Alpin and filmed in England.

BASH! have been winning fans and critics alike ever since their formation in 2018, with support from the likes of NME Magazine, BBC Introducing and Spotify.

BASH!

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Watch: Chris LaRocca – breakup coach

Photo / Frank Lin

Acclaimed singer, songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist Chris LaRocca is back with some new music that deserves your attention!

The artist has just released his latest EP, ‘smile because it happened’ (listen here), along with a fresh single called ‘breakup coach’. Elaborating on the track’s inspiration, LaRocca says:

“Every artist has their breakup song, but I wanted to put a spin on mine. After a breakup I went through in 2019, I found myself in a situation with my ex where we would give each other advice for moving on. We’d check in on each other and share our stories about what being single was like, which ultimately helped us get over one another through these types of conversations. I thought it was kind of funny that we were coaching each other through our own breakup. The person I used to share all my deepest feelings with was now the person I was turning to for advice when it came to new partners, and it helped us both get to a new stage in our lives. With all this in mind, I wrote a self-deprecating and quirky breakup song.”

If you’re unfamiliar with LaRocca’s work, then it’s worth noting that his music has so far amassed more than 13 million streams globally. The artist has also been featured by tastemakers as iconic as Complex, Billboard and FADER magazines.

Chris LaRocca

New Music: carego

We’re starting the weekend with a thoughtful piece of music from emerging US-based talent carego.

‘Easier’ is lifted from the artist’s forthcoming debut EP (out 25th August), and showcases an indie-pop sound that feels pensive and melancholic in tone, but still maintains an upbeat essence. Elaborating on the song’s lyricism, carego says:

“It’s about wanting to change every physical and mental aspect of yourself, and realising that trying to change it all is way harder than it originally seems.”

While carego is still a relatively new name, this musician has already picked up traction through the release of his previous singles ‘inside this dream’ and ‘i’ (listen here), which have cumulatively amassed more than 790k streams on Spotify alone.

With such a natural flair for crafting emotive and relatable songs, we anticipate that carego’s work will continue to grow in popularity.

carego

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Madeline Megery – Indigo

Rising American musician Madeline Megery has been gaining steady momentum in recent months, thanks to her distinctive yet considered style of songwriting.

New single ‘Indigo’ is a beautifully ethereal piece of music that delicately blends electronica with folk and indie, while the lyrics address the natural cycles of life. The artist explains:

“The lyrics are some of my favourite I’ve written about seeing and celebrating the end as a new beginning. Life shows us this in many areas – the cycles of the moon, the cycles of a day, the cycles of human experiences and even being alive, it is the endings that make life more potent and offer up another phase.”

To date, Megery’s music has been streamed more than 17 million times on Spotify alone, marking her name as one of indie-folks brightest new starlets. This is one talent to keep on your radars.

Madeline Megery

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Sadye – Keep It To Myself

Sadye’s ‘Keep It To Myself’ has to be one of the most lyrically vivid songs that we’ve come across in quite some time.

“I wrote it about the same relationship I talked about in my first release, ‘Biblical‘. I was embarrassed to be stuck in a loop with this person, sneaking them out of my apartment. The song is definitely me sarcastically biting back, telling them I know it isn’t love and all the non-feelings are mutual.”

And to compliment this refreshingly candid lyricism, the track’s production presents itself in a playful way – treating listeners to an infectiously memorable fusion of alternative pop and indie.

Sadye’s music is inspired by topics that are close to her heart – from the battles she endured with cancer, through her struggles with self-worth, and toxic relationships.

With such a personable style of songwriting, it’s no wonder that this talent has already amassed more than 300k cumulative streams from just two other releases.

Sadye

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New Music: RÓISIN

If you’re in the mood for that 90’s indie-pop sound then we’ve got the perfect artist for you.

Hailing from New York is promising singer-songwriter RÓISIN, who cites iconic acts like Sheryl Crow and The Cranberries as some of her inspirations.

‘Right By You’ is RÓISIN’s new single, and serves as somewhat of an anthem for self-empowerment.

The track is lyrically driven by the artist’s truest and most sincere thoughts, in the hopes that listeners feel encouraged to believe in themselves and value their worth.

“Ever since I was young, I have always found it easier to communicate my feelings through carefully thought out written letters. If I didn’t write out what I wanted to say, I would usually start to cry and forget every word. These lyrics are a letter to someone I once trusted more than I trusted myself.”

As a testament to her artistry, RÓISIN has already collaborated with globally-recognised names as noted as Charlotte Wilson, Aire Atlantica, Pink Slip, Yung Bae and Sofia Quinn. An upcoming EP is scheduled for release soon.

RÓISIN

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Oliver Malcolm – What Am I To Do?

Acclaimed musician and producer Oliver Malcolm marks his comeback today with a bold new single.

‘What Am I To Do?’ presents listeners with an energising mix of alternative pop, indie and rock, while the lyrics look at the times in our lives when we are uncertain of how to shape our futures.

“I made this song kind of by accident; one of those things where I only created a hook and decided to tease it on the internet, and boom; it reacted so I knew I had to finish it. It’s quite literally a song about not knowing what to do, not being sure of what the next move is.”

The track is Malcom’s first release in over a year, and sets the tone for what fans can next expect from this hugely exciting artist.

Despite his recent absence, Malcolm’s music still commands an impressive 270k monthly listeners on Spotify. The artist has also amassed more than 25 million career streams to date, thanks to hit releases like ‘Switched Up’ and ‘Baby Don’t Go’.

Oliver Malcolm

TALIA – lilac

Brooklyn-based creative TALIA is one of those artists who seems to have a natural flair for constructing songs that feel timelessly classic yet future-forward at the same time. It’s a skill that few have the ability to perfect, yet TALIA does so with ease.

‘lilac’ is the musician’s new single, and presents listeners with a distinct style of sound that is dreamy and ethereal in character, but is also filled with interesting and unexpected layers and textures.

“‘lilac’ takes you on a sonic adventure, evoking deep emotions.”

The song serves as the latest addition to an already impressive catalogue of releases from this rising talent, whose work has been praised by the likes of Lyrical Lemonade, Early Rising, Earmilk and Atwood Magazine.

‘lilac’ was written and produced by TALIA and Joep Le Blanc, and is lifted from the artist’s forthcoming EP.

TALIA

Davey Legend – somebody

@CASWELLSTUDIOS_LA

Californian musician Davey Legend first appeared on our radar last summer, and has been growing in popularity ever since.

The artist returns today with an anthemic slice of experimental electronic pop called ‘somebody’.

Through its bold style of production, the song tells of the insecurities that being in love can bring, and is sure to connect with many listeners who have shared similar experiences.

“‘somebody’ pleads for just one more chance to hang out.”

The track was written, produced and recorded at Davey’s own studio, and showcases this artist’s impressive musical versatility. You can explore more music from this talent here.

Davey Legend

Tobi Tunis – Adaptor

Australian singer, songwriter and producer Tobi Tunis is back today with a sublime new single which we are certain will end up on your ‘Best of 2023’ playlists.

‘Adaptor’ is only Tobi’s second solo release to date, yet it showcases a finessed sound that effortlessly blends soul with dreamy pop and alternative R&B.

This is a refined piece of work that is not only sonically flawless, but also carries a beautiful melody and thoughtful lyrics.

Aside from his solo work, Tunis is noted as one of the founders of hugely successful pop group Tora. The musician is currently preparing his upcoming EP, which is due in December.

Tobi Tunis

New Music: Sick Love

Photo: Glen Bollard / Sick Love

Irish outfit Sick Love might be a new name to most readers, but this rising group are already building significant momentum across Europe, thanks to their energising productions and anthemic melodies.

New single ‘Holly’ is an instantly catchy summer track that presents listeners with a charming fusion of nostalgia-driven pop and rock.

When asked to elaborate on the song’s inspiration, they explain that ‘Holly’ is about “not knowing whether you love and admire your best friend, or if you’re actually IN love with them. It’s a coming of age story about questioning who you are, your sexuality, friendships and being afraid of your own feelings.”

To date, Sick Love have impressively amassed almost two million catalogue streams on Spotify alone. The group will be supporting indie icons We Are Scientists on their Irish dates in August – more details can be found here.

Sick Love

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Cate Tomlinson – Blueberry Season

This isn’t the first time that we’ve featured LA-based artist Cate Tomlinson, and judging from her recent releases, it definitely won’t be the last!

New single ‘Blueberry Season’ is an anthemic summer bop that blends pop with punchy rock, and acts as the title track to Tomlinson’s forthcoming sophomore EP (out 25th August).

Lyrically, the song focuses on the notion of reinvention, and encourages listeners to always look for ways to grow in life. While we wait for more new music, be sure to check out Tomlinson’s previous singles here.

Cate Tomlinson