New Music: Brooks The Boy

Hailing from the iconic musical city of Nashville is singer, songwriter and producer Brooks The Boy (aka Brooks Barry).

With more than 500k career streams amassed on Spotify to date, Brooks is already an artist whose momentum is on the rise.

New single ‘Tastes Like You’ is the musician’s second release of the year, and showcases an interesting mix of hazy pop and fuzzy indie-rock. The song’s vulnerable and honest lyricism contrasts beautifully against the production’s gritty and raw sound, creating an interesting sonic experience for listeners to enjoy.

There’s no doubt in our minds that this is a talent who will continue to grow in popularity and traction. You can discover more songs by Brooks The Boy here.

Brooks The Boy

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New Music: Zane Penny

Alaska might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of emerging indie, but Zane Penny might very well change that soon.

‘Maybe the Moon’ is one of our favourite releases of the week, thanks to its stripped-back yet atmospheric blend of indie and acoustic pop. Alongside its immersive soundscape, the song also showcases Penny’s sincere and thoughtful lyricism.

“Written away from home on a walk when I was feeling uninspired. ‘Maybe the Moon’ is about learning to appreciate your hometown and the beauty in your life from an outside perspective.”

Penny has amassed more than 70k catalogue streams to date, and has already found praise on outlets as respected as Wonderland Magazine. An upcoming album called ‘New Skin’ is scheduled for release soon.

Zane Penny

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TA Thomas – W.I.A (Where I’m At)

American singer-songwriter, producer and artist TA Thomas is one of the most impressive R&B talents to have come across our radars this month.

Through its melodic mix of soul, pop and R&B, ‘W.I.A (Where I’m At)’ treats listeners to a stunning sound that is infectiously memorable and easy to connect with.

Having garnered support from the likes of Clash and The Hype magazines, as well as ThisIsRnB and MusicXclusives, it seems only a short space of time before TA Thomas hits the global mainstream.

TA Thomas

Temm – Good Decisions

TRACK OF THE WEEK

London-based starlet Temm has just unveiled her highly anticipated debut EP, along with a new single that shares the same name.

As a track in its own right, ‘Good Decisions’ is simply sublime. The production fuses a dreamy and melancholic style of pop with elements of indie and folk – and sets the scene perfectly for Temm’s flawless vocals to shine through. Speaking on her new collection of songs, Temm says:

“I am beyond grateful to be able to share this project with you, and forever thankful to each and every one that contributed to make this happen. This EP simply made me a better person. These songs allowed me to touch the darkest points in the depth of my soul, and bring them to you with strengths I never imagined I would have. They are all yours now.”

With support from the likes of BBC Introducing already under her belt, it’s clear that Temm’s traction will grow as the year progresses. The artist will perform at London’s Folklore Hoxton on the 12th July – tickets can be found here. Keep an eye on this kid – she’s one to watch!

Temm

Bad Heather – Yolo

American singer and songwriter Bad Heather (aka Porter Chapman) returns today with one of his most captivating releases yet.

‘Yolo’ is a bold and impassioned song that blends elements of indie-rock with alternative pop, resulting in a sound that is refreshingly raw in style. The track is lifted from the artist’s new ‘Sad Heather’ EP, which is out now.

Chapman’s work has found praise on noted tastemaker outlets as prominent as Going Solo and A1234. Bad Heather has also accumulated more than 100k catalogue streams to date, with that number likely to accelerate significantly in the coming months.

Bad Heather

New Music: Dumb Buoys Fishing Club

Dumb Buoys Fishing Club is the new collaborative project of rising British musicians and producers Havelock and DanDlion.

‘FORMULA’ features the talents of Merlyn Wood of BROCKHAMPTON and joe unknown, and delivers a vivid rap sound that makes an immediate impact from the moment you press play.

Dumb Buoys Fishing Club recently performed slots at the iconic Glastonbury and Great Escape festivals, and have also been garnering huge levels of support from heavyweight tastemakers as prominent as The Line of Best Fit and Mystic Sons.

The duo have sold out their next London show at Battersea Barge, but you can find details on other shows here.

Dumb Buoys Fishing Club | Merlyn Wood | joe unknown

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Kevin George – You’re In My Head Again

It goes without saying that one of the biggest success stories to have emerged from the Connecticut rap circuit in recent years has been Kevin George.

‘You’re In My Head Again’ is the artist’s latest single, and showcases an alt-R&B production that feels future-forward and experimental, but still maintains an emotive and sincere essence.

With more than twelve million career streams accumulated so far on Spotify, George has marked himself as a global star in the making. We see big things for this musician.

Kevin George

BAD CHILD – Tiramisu

BAD CHILD continues to showcase his musical brilliance through the release of his delicious new single, ‘Tiramisu’.

On the song, we find the rising Ontarian singer-songwriter delivering a heady mix of indie-pop and alternative R&B that feels smooth and dreamy in character.

With more than 22 million career streams under his belt on Spotify alone, BAD CHILD might just end up becoming one of Canada’s next big global stars.

BAD CHILD

Nevi – Westside

Nevi is one of the leading alt-R&B newcomers to emerge from the state of Texas.

Amassing millions of streams from the release of just one project (2021’s critically acclaimedonourown), this rising musician, producer and engineer is rapidly marking a name for himself as one of the State’s most promising talents.

‘Westside’ is taken from the artist’s new ‘genesis’ EP (out now), and showcases a finessed production that features hazy R&B and sleek vocals.

Nevi plays The Virgil in LA on the 10th July – tickets can be found here.

Nevi

New Music: Katrina Weissman

Katrina Weissman is a promising new starlet from Los Angeles who recently caught our attention.

By fusing elements of 90s indie with rock and pop, this singer-songwriter creates mesmerising sounds that are gorgeously dreamy and enchanting to experience.

Katrina’s latest single is called ‘Different Night’, and is inspired by themes of love and loss. The track’s lyricism is complimented with a beautifully constructed production that feels melancholic and pensive in tone.

“‘Different Night’ grapples with fleeting love and the idea that the happiest moments of our lives may inevitably be marked by loss.”

Katrina plays LA’s Genghis Cohen on the 12th July alongside Lola Rice and Sophia Bacino. Tickets can be found here.

Katrina Weissman

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Berlue – Impermanent

Nashville-based singer and songwriter Berlue returns with an energising slice of indie to get the weekend started.

‘Impermanent’ is an anthemic track that seamlessly blends shoegaze with rock and indie-pop, resulting in a sound that is really quite breathtaking to experience. Elaborating further, Berlue explains:

“It’s a little shoegazey jam about feeling transient and temporary in my own life. I hope it connects and I hope you are all doing okay today.”

Berlue continues to pick up traction with every release, and has been praised by outlets as noted as Glide Magazine, Obscure Sound and Popmuzik, while also landing placements on prominent Spotify playlists like Fresh Finds and Fresh Finds Rock.

Berlue

Loser – nobody

Despite the name, US artist Loser is one of the most hyped new talents to emerge from the West Coast alternative scene.

This California-based singer, songwriter and rapper has already amassed more than sixteen million career streams just on Spotify and Soundcloud alone to date – and the release of his bold new single ‘nobody’ will only add further momentum.

The song is lyrically inspired by the artist’s financial situation, and delivers an impressive rock-pop production that is sonically rich in texture and character.

“Even though he’s grateful for how far he’s come, he still has a long way to go. Eventually, he wants to be the biggest name in music. Wouldn’t that be something?  

Loser. The biggest name. Crazy.”

Loser | Instagram

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New Music: BOWIE

Photo / half.grain

We’re so happy to be sharing with you one of the most exciting independent newcomers to emerge from Germany in quite some time.

BOWIE is an art-pop musician who has just unveiled her spectacular new single, ‘Good All on My Own’.

The track was inspired by the musician’s transition into young adulthood, and her observations into the narrow-mindedness of society, and it’s unwillingness to accept the unconventional.

“I often wonder what is wrong with all the other guys – is it just me who doesn’t want to be a butterfly?

As an artist who embraces her identity and quirkiness, BOWIE represents a voice for those who feel out of place and misunderstood in today’s world.

This release serves as a taster to BOWIE’S upcoming ‘The Right Way Up’ EP, which is scheduled for release in September.

BOWIE

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Seren 4 Ever – Crash (Into You)

Since releasing her much-hyped debut Cellophanelast year, Seren 4 Ever has marked herself as a trailblazer within the UK pop scene, consistently pushing the genre’s boundaries in new and interesting ways.

‘Crash (Into You)’ is the artist’s latest release, and is a refreshingly unique piece of music that will have you hooked on every lyric, from start to finish.

Seren 4 Ever has found her music featured on prominent Spotify playlists (including New Music Friday UK), and has also held the first position Reprezent Radio for several weeks.

A debut EP is scheduled for release later this summer. Keep this talent on your radars for the year ahead- she’s one to watch!

Seren 4 Ever

New Music: Sheps

Photo / chrissypeaches

Hailing from East London is rising singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer Sheps, whose approach to pop is rapidly gaining traction across the country.

‘Share’ was inspired by the inner tensions that we experience when we first fall in love with someone, and is complimented by a production that feels tense and dark, but still maintains a strong pop sensibility.

To date, Sheps has achieved more than 350k career streams, and currently commands 54k monthly Spotify listeners. The artist has also received support from the likes of BBC Introducing, IGGY Magazine and A1234.

Sheps

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Otis Mensah – Sound of Sleep

Photo / Stephanie O’Connor 

Acclaimed British poet, artist and musician Otis Mensah returns today with their first new music since moving to Berlin.

Created alongside producer Jackie Moonbather, ‘Sound Of Sleep’ presents listeners with an abstract yet considered style of sound that blends elements of ambient R&B with jazz and hip hop.

“‘Sound of Sleep’ explores the concept of introversion in an industry and society that revels in extroversion.’

In recent years, Mensah’s creativity has acquired them a series of noteworthy accomplishments. They was awarded the role of Poet Laureate for their home city of Sheffield in 2018, and received support from establishments as noted Jerwood Arts and Arts Council England.

Mensah’s upcoming ‘Winterskin’ EP is out on the 29th September 2023.

Otis Mensah

New Music: The Burning Feathers

West London is known to be the birthplace of some of the most iconic British rock and roll acts – from The Rolling Stones to The Who. Today, this historic part of the capital introduces a new band to the rock scene, called The Burning Feathers.

Inspired by the the likes of Pearl Jam, Foo Fighters and Nirvana, this four-piece create music that recreates the classic rock sound and adds to it a modern twist. On their debut single ‘Start of an end’, they say:

“This track was written about relationships breaking down during the pandemic – the things that make you want to leave and the things that make you stay. We wanted to reflect the light and shade in both the music and the lyrics. Even though the verses are dark and heavy, we wanted the chorus to feel like an anthemic 80’s party song.”

Formed during the pandemic, the group aims to become ‘the rock band it’s okay to like’. And judging by their debut, we think they might just achieve it. The Burning Feathers consists of James Perryman, Soroush Shakeri, Rob Pennel and Alvin Ho.

The Burning Feathers

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Annie Scherer – Doll

Annie Scherer is an award-winning singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who is currently based in Nashville.

New single ‘Doll’ was written and produced by Annie herself, and treats listeners to a pop production that feels dark and mysterious, but still easy to form a connection with. If you’re a fan of artists like Lana del Rey and MARINA, then chances are high that you’ll fall in love with this song.

“‘Doll’ is about getting mixed signals after a relationship ends. It’s about thinking you have control over something, but constantly having to question where things stand.”

Scherer’s music has so far picked up praise from outlets as respected as American Songwriter, A&R Factory and Times Union. Alongside tastemaker support, the artist has also achieved several impressive accolades including ‘best local musician in New York’s Capital Region’, ‘Producer’s Choice – Celebration of Music PBS Special’, and runner up at Nashville’s Music City Mayhem.

There’s no doubt in our minds that Scherer is a musician with a great future ahead. Absolutely one to watch!

Annie Scherer

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New Music: The One Eighties

The One Eighties is the new musical project of American artists Autumn Brand and Daniel Cook.

If they already look familiar to you, it might be because of the fact that these two talents were formerly part of acclaimed outfit New Reveille (explore here), who were praised by the likes of New York Times, Rolling Stone and Billboard.

The duo have just released a fresh new single called ‘Two Jet Planes’, and it’s simply sublime. By fusing elements of Americana with indie and pop, the track feels sincere, heartfelt and emotive. Elaborating on its lyrical inspiration, Brand and Cook explain:

“‘Two Jet Planes’ is about two people getting lost together in their own little world and drifting further and further into the abyss. They begin to wonder whether they’ll ever land or if they even want to. The song questions which is more important, the journey or destination. But there’s also the idea of not wanting to get so lost that you lose yourself and can’t find your way back. We imagine that these two people will drift forever.”

You can catch The One Eighties performing at Kings Raleigh on 25th August – details here. Debut album ‘Minefield’ is out on the 18th August (pre-order here).

The One Eighties

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YAOUNDÉBOXINGCLUB – SNAKES

You’d be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t enjoy the sounds of YAOUNDÉBOXINGCLUB.

This London-based singer, songwriter and producer is building a reputation for herself as a musician who is unafraid to push sonic boundaries. She’s back today with an impressive new single, called ‘SNAKES’.

The song’s lyrics tell of the artist’s struggles with trying to navigate her way through life, and is complimented by a grunge-inspired style of production that is powerfully raw and arresting in tone.

“I wrote the song in about an hour, hence why it’s quite simplistic lyrically. It pretty much speaks for itself, and it’s something I needed to get off my chest. Sonically, it’s quite different from what I’ve done so far, but it’s pretty much inspired by all the music that I grew up listening to: Sum 41, Blink-182, Fall Out Boy then State Champs, The Story So Far and ROAM.”

Debut EP ‘I Thought I Knew You, Boy Was I Wrong’ is out now.

YAOUNDÉBOXINGCLUB