London-born musician Puma Blue (aka Jacob Allen) seems to be one of those talents that everyone has a soft spot for.
Today sees the return of the Atlanta-based artist with the release of a sublime new single called ‘Pretty’. Speaking on the meaning behind the song, Puma Blue explains:
“it’s about feeling dissonance with what you see when you look in the mirror. it’s all my insecurity, all my ugliness, my confidence, sensuality, desire to give myself over to romance – in a song.”
The track is lifted from Puma Blue’s upcoming sophomore album, ‘Holy Waters’, which is scheduled for release on the 1st September.
The artist tours North America throughout the month of May, and Europe in September (including a show at London’s iconic Koko on the 28th) – tickets can be found here.
New York’s Strawberry Launch have been winning over fans ever since their formation back in 2018.
This much-praised collective of musicians have grown a reputation for crafting pop-rock anthems that are not only energising, but also thoughtful and emotive in tone.
They’re back today with another impressive new release that deserves your attention.
‘Ready Yet’ is a ‘coming of age’ song that was lyrically inspired by the thoughts and feelings which occur during our transition into adulthood.
“‘Ready Yet’ is an honest soliloquy about the fear of getting older. The warm and truthful pop ballad shares the familiar anxiety of losing one’s purpose and clinging to the small moments of early life, while easing into the waters of adulthood.”
To date, this emerging group have picked up support from noted industry outlets like Atwood Magazine, Rolling Stone India and Under the Radar. On Spotify, they have amassed more than 200k career streams and currently command 23k monthly listeners.
Strawberry Launch play New York’s Baby’s All Right on the 3rd May and The Sultan Room on the 7th June – tickets can be found here.
We’re still in April but it’s already been a busy year for acclaimed British electronic artist, songwriter and producer Geo Jordan.
Alongside the release of his self-created‘Fathom’EP today, Geo has also unveiled a sleek new single (… his third since January!) called ‘Close Enough’.
Through its finessed fusion of dance, alternative R&B and soulful pop, the song tells of the euphoric emotions that arise when a romance begins to blossom.
‘Close Enough’ is one of five beautifully-constructed tracks on the EP, which features songs that are lyrically inspired by themes as diverse as love, new energy, rebirth and relationships.
Geo Jordan has been a tastemaker’s favourite for some years now, and we firmly believe that the release of ‘Fathom’ will establish him as one of the UK’s hottest new musical exports.
US-based newcomer GIOVANNA has delivered one of the sharpest slices of R&B and soul this week.
‘i know best’ is sleek and finessed in its production, while also carrying with it some powerfully honest lyricism. This is a song that is bold and raw, but still somehow feels vulnerable and emotional too.
The track was produced by sahara and BUSCO, and sets the scene for what fans can expect in the future from this hugely promising talent.
Kiwi outfit Foley (aka Ash Wallace and Gabriel Everett) return with a sublime new single called ‘On the Rocks’.
Dreamy, soulful and sultry in tone, the song marks somewhat of a creative shift from the band’s usual sound, but still maintains a subtle hint of the sonic eccentricity that the duo have come to be known for.
“We write music that bonds people in their experience, through heartbreak, joy, the ups and downs of life. We aren’t afraid to experiment and push at the seams of pop to find our own place within that.”
‘On the Rocks’ follows on from Foley’s debut ‘Crowd Pleaser, Pt. 1‘ project (out now), and serves as a taster to their next collection of songs, which are scheduled for release soon.
Canadian singer-songwriter Charlotte Cardin is back after a two-year hiatus with one of the finest pop releases of the week.
‘Confetti’ heralds a new creative chapter for the acclaimed musician, and is inspired by all the introverted people out there who struggle to be themselves around others.
“‘Confetti’ is an ode to introverts. I had the realisation that at every single party I had ever been to, I would lock myself in the bathroom at some point and try to compose myself and gather my thoughts. And when I became aware of that, I thought ‘okay I should write a song about this’. It’s a party track for people who hate actually being at the party.”
Among her many accomplishments, Cardin has achieved praise from outlets as iconic as Fader, Nylon, Flaunt, Paper and W magazines, picked up several wins at the Juno Awards and has also been nominated for a prestigious Polaris Music Prize.
You may not be familiar with Canadian DJ and producer Hot Tub, but this talent has been active on the house music scene since 2019 and already amassed more than 400k career streams to date.
Sonically inspired by Elderbrook, Amtrac and Rufus Du Sol,‘Close Your Eyes’ is the lead single from Hot Tub’s new EP of the same name, which has just been released.
The track showcases an uplifting style of melodic house that is both emotive and energising in equal measures.
“‘Close Your Eyes’ was written on a small island in Indonesia while I was travelling the world.”
Hot Tub has been praised by respected industry outlets like DJ Mag, as well as artists as prominent as The Chainsmokers, jackLNDN and LEFTI.
Track of the week. REVII might be a new name to you, but this Minnesota-based rapper has already garnered attention over the last few years as Def Jam signee Nimic Revenue.
Now an independent artist, REVII has begun releasing some of the most impressive rap sounds that we have come across in quite some time.
‘Face Painted’ in particular, is a gorgeously dreamy, ethereal and emotive song that presents hip hop in a refreshingly future-forward and unique way.
“It has taken multiple different versions of myself to introduce the one I am most proud of… In this life you must learn to swim or you will drown. Not only have I learned to swim but amongst the waves throwing me back on to land, I learned to build myself a ship.. welcome to this adventure, I hope you all enjoy the next few years I have planned out.“
Nashville artist MORGXN first caught our attention all the way back in 2016, and has continued to impress us ever since.
Today’s sees the release of this ever-emerging talent’s new single, entitled ‘Beacon’. As we’ve come to expect from MORGXN, the song treats us to an anthemic melody, captivating lyrics and powerful vocals. Elaborating on the song, the musician explains:
“Sometimes the power of a song remains hidden until right before you release it. Just how the light seems darkest just before the rush of morning. ‘Beacon’ has and continues to save my life. It charges me and gives me hope even when I can’t see it myself. Writing it with Melissa Fuller & Drew Kennedy was one version of finding hope in the darkness. But as I set to release this song against the backdrop of all the unrest we have going on in Nashville… I’m reminded that we are only as strong as the most vulnerable in our community. And this song is my flag I’m raising.”
MORGXN’s work has so far garnered more than more 65 million career streams, and the artist currently commands more over 795k monthly listeners on Spotify alone.
UK indie outfit Vigilantes have been steadily gaining momentum for some time now, amassing critical acclaim along the way from heavyweight outlets like BBC Radio 1 and Radio 6 and being championed by noted names such as Mike Skinner, Huw Stephens and Tom Robinson.
Self-described as ‘moody pop for the introverted heart’, this emerging group specialise in thoughtfully-constructed sounds that are bold, raw and full of emotion, while still maintaining a relatable essence.
‘Tigerwall’ is taken from band’s ‘The Neighbourhood’ concept EP (out now), and treats listeners to an anthemic song the was inspired by the painting of a tiger which was featured in their neighbourhood’s bar.
We’re starting the week with some exciting independent talent from the US. Josh Passcde is a DIY musician who creates all his work solo, and is already releasing some very promising sounds.
‘Me And You Against The World’ is a classic love song written for the modern world. Rich in sonic textures, the track fuses elements of indie with alternative pop in an interesting and original way.
“A song about the feeling when you find a special person and it feels like the world falls away and it’s just you and that other person and all the feelings that come along with that.”
Having dabbled in the past with electronic music, Josh Passcde is now focusing more on crafting indie and rock songs. We can’t wait to hear what’s next for this prospect!
New Zealand’s Balu Brigada (aka Henry and Pierre Beasley) have been steadily building a loyal legion of fans over the last few years thanks to their infectious and captivating style of dreamy pop.
New single ‘Designer’ is our favourite release from this duo yet, and showcases the full potential of these two brothers – not only as singers, but also songwriters and producers.
As one of Atlantic Records’ newest signees, it seems likely that Balu Brigada will hit the global indie-pop scene by storm this year.
Maryland artist Melo Relo’s pop-punk anthem ‘Fix’ is one of those epic songs that perfectly blends a bold and energising production with thoughtful and impactful lyricism.
Playing at just over three minutes in length, the track follows the happenings of someone struggling with depression, and was produced by Melo himself along with Patrick Zappia and Sensu.
To date, Melo Relo has amassed more than 180k streams on Spotify alone. This talented musician, producer and video director aims to release more new music throughout the rest of the year.
In our view, maxime. has to be one of Canada’s hardest-working artists. He’s back again today with a refreshing slice of eccentric indie-pop that deserves your attention.
‘wedgie’ is taken from maxime’s brand-new ‘mile end (kiss ur friends)’ EP (out now), and showcases a genre-bending style of sound that is so distinctly unique that it’s near impossible to describe.
As the true definition of a DIY artist, maxime. produces, engineers and releases all of his work, and currently commands more than 225k monthly listeners on Spotify.
Acclaimed singer and songwriter Mcclendon returns today with an atmospheric new single that continues with his theme of ‘apocalyptic indie rock’.
In equal measures, ‘Loving For A Season’ is both nostalgic and future-forward. Lyrically inspired by the inevitable end of a relationship, the song feels emotive, sincere and melancholic in tone.
Interestingly, the track took only 90 minutes to write and record between Mcclendon and his collaborator Tommy Champion. Fans can look forward to a new 9-track album, entitled ‘The Garden’, which is scheduled for release soon.
Singer, songwriter and producer Vanda (aka Michelle Vanda) is a Chicago-raised talent who was born into a family of musicians.
Growing up in a creative environment allowed for Vanda to develop a natural flair for her artistry – and the result is a promising starlet who has just released a mesmerising new single.
‘Indigo’ serves as a taster to Vanda’s upcoming ‘Sober in Another Life’ debut album (out July 2023), and treats listeners to a melodic and enchanting blend of dreamy pop and mellow indie.
You’ll only need to play ‘Complicated’ once to know that Paddy Keyes is about to become Ireland’s next big star.
Lyrically inspired by the struggles that someone can face while they’re stuck in a toxic relationship, the track serves listeners with an anthemic fusion of rock and pop.
“No matter how horrible your partner is, making up stories or gas lighting you or whatever it might be to try control you, you still feel this attachment towards them, causing this never ending cycle of being in and out of this relationship, falling for them and their mind games”.
Produced alongside Daniel De Burca and Philip Magee, this is a song that’s impossible to ignore – and affirms the fact that Keyes has the talent to become a global name.
Keyes headlines Dublin’s Workman’s Main Room on the 1st June – tickets can be found here. Be sure to catch this kid now before he takes the world by storm!
This weekend’s anthem comes courtesy of rising California-based newcomer Tobey Lynn.
Already a star in the making, Tobey has released a string of hits that have so far amassed more than a million cumulative streams on Spotify alone, which is really impressive for a talent who is still in college.
Self-penned new single ‘LOSER’ is an anthemic slice of pop-rock that was inspired by the complexities that arise when two people transition from friends to lovers.
“I wrote ‘LOSER’ about loving someone so much to the point where you start calling them names – almost as if it’s so twisted and wrong to be this in love with someone, that you resort to self sabotage. You’re so obsessed and infatuated with this one person, you know nearly everything about them, you psychoanalyse all their traits, you wonder why they can’t be just as in love as you are. I wrote this song when I was feeling so heartbroken over trying to transition from best friends to a passionate romance. I became frustrated that it was moving at a slow and unsteady pace, constant hesitation and whether or not we were doing the right thing. I was ready to go full force into it and the other person just wasn’t. There’s nothing wrong with that, but my songwriter 19-year old drama queen self couldn’t help but want to dive straight into the friends to lovers trope. Calling this person a loser isn’t supposed to be offensive, it’s supposed to be endearing and that’s the whole point. Kinda like, “We’re best friends and right now you’re being a loser,”. It’s like hitting someone or nudging them when you’re trying to flirt with them. It isn’t the best way to get someone to notice you, but it sure works.”
Tobey plays the Flower Moon Festival at Garden Amp on the 28th April – tickets can be found here.
Over the last year, we’ve come to discover some great indie talent emerging from Austria.
Part of that movement has been Vienna’s peach tinted (aka Emil Paiker and Louis Springer), who are already gaining considerable traction within their home nation and all across Europe.
Inspired by the tensions and troubles that are associated with modern-day dating, new single ‘Hard To Get’ showcases a style of sound that seamlessly fuses nostalgia-driven indie-rock with alt-pop. The track is lifted from the duo’s freshly-released EP of the same name, which is out now.
peach tinted will play a series of shows as part of their ‘Hard To Get’ tour this May and June, starting in Prague and ending in their home city. Dates are below, and tickets can be found here.
Having amassed more than 19 million career streams to date, peach tinted look set to take on their biggest year yet – and are most definitely one band to keep on your radars.
sans is one of the most exciting newcomers that we have come across so far this week.
Based in South-West London, this independent artist and producer creates unique sounds that fuse elements of UK hip hop with other genres, resulting in songs that feel experimental but also relatable.
New single ‘eagle’ was inspired by the conflicting thoughts that we go through after a relationship ends, and presents listeners with an upbeat and feel-good style of production.
“I touch on the feelings experienced when leaving a relationship, from freedom to sadness, over a laid-back beat that picks up later in the song.”
