Track of the week. Rising American artist SAINT KID continues to showcase his natural flair for songwriting through his latest release, titled ‘Shooting Range’.
The track presents us with a refreshingly alternative approach to the classic love song, by blending elements of indie and rock with dark pop. The sound feels haunting, but also sincere in tone.
Bleeding out in the rain
This time I’m gonna stand my ground I’ll do whatever it takes
I don’t wanna live without
You know I want you to stay
Now we’re face to face, at the shooting range
Ever since I met you it’s been hunting me down
To date, SAINT KID has amassed more than 1.2 million streams on Spotify, while also commanding 36k monthly listeners on the platform. This kid is one to watch, so be sure to keep him on your radars.
Track of the week. Gabriela Bee’s rise has been meteoric, to say the least. With more than ten million followers on TikTok alone, it was always going to be inevitable that this star would hit the mainstream.
What makes Bee’s music extra special is the fact that she always writes from the heart – exposing her thoughts and emotions in their truest form, as is the case with her new single ‘IT GETS OLD’. Explaining the meaning behind its lyrics, the artist says:
“I wrote ‘IT GETS OLD’ about the stuff I hate feeling, and the stuff I hate talking about even more. But I figured if I sang about it, I could look at these emotions the face and even find the beauty in them. It’s a song about how I approach my vulnerability, and often suppress it.
Growing up, I always felt like everything I did had to be perfect (which I put onto myself), and honestly I still feel that way about most things, adding this level of pressure to everything I do. It’s like there’s this Divine voice (that sounds like my own) that I am constantly trying to impress, and I just end up feeling dissatisfied with myself. It’s like no matter how many times people tell me how much I’m doing for my age, I never really see it, and the feeling started to get old.
I wanted to let it go. Not allowing myself to be proud of where I was in life led me to even avoid the emotions that surrounded that incomplete feeling.
Near the end of the song, the story turns gentle, where I discover a lot about myself. “Just wanna find my place” was a lyric that felt good to write. Just a little line like that can mean so much. It’s the ultimate answer to feelings of self-doubt as a teenager.
It even felt good recording it as the last line as the song ends. Almost like a little ‘the end’ to the song. I’m proud of myself and where I am, and it takes shutting out your own voices in your head, telling you you’re not enough, to finally find that affection you really have for yourself.”
Alongside her huge online following, Bee’s work has also found love from noted tastemakers like Wonderland, Clash, Ones To Watch and Rolling Stone Magazine.
Track of the week. We’re excited to be sharing with you a hugely promising newcomer from the UK called Seth Gauton.
Debut single ‘Right This Time’ serves as a masterclass in indie-pop, thanks to its anthemic melody, thoughtful production and sincere vocals.
On its relatable lyricism, Seth explains that the song is about ‘exploring the realisation that you’re losing perspective in an argument but your stubbornness hinders your ability to apologise.’
The artist cites Sam Fender, Holly Humberstone and Damien Rice as his influences, and with such a strong debut under his belt, we can only assume that he too will become a big name very soon.
Listeners can look forward to the release of four more singles in the coming months.
Track of the week. Welsh indie-rockers Public Order are back with one of their biggest releases to date. If you’re craving some raw, powerful sounds then we’ve got a treat in store for you.
‘HELLO’ is almost cinematic in style, and showcases the band’s immense potential. With each release, Public Order seem to be one step closer to becoming a global name. On their new single, they say:
“It’s been a while but we’re buzzing to be back with new music! The last 18-months have been a bit of a roller coaster for us but we took some time out to work on new music and even managed to sign a new record deal. ‘HELLO’, produced by fellow Welsh residents Damon Minchella and Tom Manning, is the first track to be taken from a forthcoming EP. It’s a pulsing, guitar driven indie banger which we love and have been champing at the bit to get out into the world.”
Since 2022, Public Order have gone from strength to strength. Their music has been featured on the FIFA 22 soundtrack, and has also been hyped on prominent outlets like BBC Radio 1.
Track of the week. If you’re in the mood for some mischievous electronic punk-pop then we’ve got the perfect anthem to share with you today.
‘DIRT’ is the huge new single from rising newcomer Zoe Ko, and was inspired by the artist’s ties to New York City. She explains:
“I’m from NYC baby!! Raised there my whole life. I wouldn’t be the crazy bad bitch I am without it. NYC is often looked down upon for its grit, intense hustle and bustle, garbage on the street, rats, pigeons, cockroaches, scary subways, etc. But to me, though sometimes admittedly not the most wonderful things to endure, those elements of the city were fun, real and influenced me into becoming an adaptable and adventurous person.
When I moved to LA I missed all the grit and dirt NYC had. I missed its rawness and the people in it. Though this is an exaggeration, I found myself surrounded by more girlies in lululemon outfits and drinking Hailey Beiber smoothies in their snazzy cars than ever before. There was a fakeness and showiness to this city that I wasn’t used to.
So a few weeks into living here I walked into Jonny’s (prod and co writer) studio and started ranting about how much I miss NYC and it’s “dirt” and how I didn’t understand where LA was hiding theirs. I loved the word DIRT so much I decided it needed to be turned into a gritty dance track I would hear in one of my favorite clubs in NYC, so I could bring some of NYC’s dirt to the city of angels.
I’d like to say, now living in LA for 7 months I actually love it here lol. And when I wrote this song I was being a bit insane, dramatic, and homesick HAHAAH.”
Written in collaboration with Jonny Shorr, the track showcases Ko’s phenomenal talent. She’s just been signed to Big Loud Rock, and looks set to take on her biggest year to date.
If you’ve not yet experienced Ko’s work then be sure to check out her 2023 EP ‘Baby Teeth’ (listen here), which landed placements on flagship playlists like Spotify’s New Music Friday and Apple’s New in Pop.
Track of the week. Sydney’s Maina Doe returns with a sensational new single that deserves your immediate attention and praise.
‘Lucid Dreams’ delivers a finessed mix of alternative R&B and indie-pop, similar to sounds crafted by iconic artists like Frank Ocean and Kelela.
Lyrically, the song draws on themes of self-compassion and vanity, with words like ‘How can you go up if you’ve never gone down?’ giving listeners some food for thought.
The artist is currently preparing the release of a new EP, which is scheduled for release soon via Valve Sounds.
Track of the week. It’s been quite the while since we featured some high-grade experimental music, so we’re excited to be sharing with you this fabulous new song from Finnish-Canadian star Erika Sirola.
‘BERNADETTE’ is lifted from the artist’s freshly released ‘THE FOUR FACES’ EP (out now), and presents listeners with an intelligent fusion of experimental electronica, alternative pop and hints of funk.
“This EP delves into the core of the self. I’m such an advocate for fluidity in artistry. I’ve witnessed so many who feel they’ve had to sacrifice interesting avenues out of fear they wouldn’t be accepted or understood. The creation of this EP and design collection also marks the first significant step for me in letting go and embracing freedom in ‘all the everything and nothing’ that I am. The Jungian Archetypes profoundly influenced my journey of self-exploration to such an extent that they became the foundation of the songs. Together, they represent ‘the four faces,’ with each song telling the story of a character.”
In addition to the release of the EP, Sirola has also unveiled a corresponding visual world that compliments each of the four songs. Blending sustainability with antiques and armoury, the collection can be found through Basic Space.
Track of the week. We’ve got a very exciting group emerging from the UK to share with you today called GIRLBAND!
Hailing from the English city of Nottingham, this promising trio craft an energising style of music which seamlessly fuses punk-rock with alternative pop.
Anthemic new single ‘Not Like The Rest’ encapsulates the essence of youth through its lyricism and playful production. For anyone who feels like they’re growing up in a community that is too small for their dreams – this is the song for you.
The band will go on tour across the UK soon – dates and tickets can be found here.
Track of the week. Can we ever get enough of Jon Vinyl? The short answer is simply no! The Canadian soul superstar returns today with yet another mesmerising song called ‘Clouds’.
The track further affirms the Canadian’s ease at crafting beautiful tracks that are not only impressive in their production, but also lyrically and melodically enchanting.
It’s no surprise to learn that this talent has already found praise from some of the world’s most respected tastemakers – from BBC Radio 1Xtra, Billboard and MTV to Beats1 and Apple Music.
If you’re based in North America then you can catch the artist live on his HEARTBREAK HILL tour from March – with shows all across the US and Canada. Full details here.
Track of the week. dom champ is a promising rapper, singer and spoken-word artist based in the coastal city of Brighton.
Melancholic new single ‘The Cycle’ presents listeners with a hazy and soulful style of production, while the intricate lyrics tell of the artist’s innermost thoughts and feelings.
Wish I could isolate with nothing but the vinyl Music is my teacher I’m a fully fledged disciple If you’re an artist you’re an idol I pray that one day, artist is my title
dom champ is planning to release new music every month this year, which is something that we’re very excited about.
If you’d like to experience more of his work, you can check out his catalogue of singles here.
Track of the week. ‘In My Head’ is the latest release from Yorkshire based alt-soul artist August Charles.
Charles was born in Zambia and raised in Doncaster, and cites modern-day icons like Frank Ocean and D’Angelo as his musical inspirations.
On the song, we experience a style of soul that feels heartfelt and passionate, while also sounding future-forward and fresh.
There really are no words to describe just how mesmerising this single is. In our view Charles is destined to become one of the UK’s newest stars. One to watch!
Track of the week. Swedish artist Limandi is already one of our favourite Nordic newcomers this year.
As a nominee for the prestigious Denniz Pop Awards, this rising starlet is not only building a fanbase among listeners, but also acclaimed industry professionals.
‘Hopin’ You’ll Be Fine’ is taken from the musician’s latest album, which is called ‘F*CK.IT.’ (listen here).
The song showcases an eccentric style of alt-pop which is beautifully melancholic, but also refreshingly experimental in character. Explaining the lyrics, Limandi says:
“About saying goodbye to someone who’s going down a destructive spiral, and realising the best you can do for them and you is let them go – and wishing them the best on their journey.”
Track of the week. We’re absolutely obsessed with American starlet Jessy Lipton and her anthemic new single ‘LABEL’.
While still only 21-years of age, this talent has already proven herself as one of New Jersey’s most promising musical newcomers, and is likely to hit the mainstream very soon.
With her bold and refreshingly punchy approach to indie-pop, this singer-songwriter is likely to become one of your new favourites of the year. Keep this kid on your radars… she’s one to watch!
Track of the week. BINA. was one of the first names to be featured on our pages this year, and she’s back again with a sensational new single that deserves your attention.
‘Dopamine’ is a luxurious and finessed song that blends elements of jazz with soul and alternative R&B. The track is produced beautifully, and further showcases BINA.’s exceptional artistry.
There’s no doubt in our minds that BINA. will become one of the UK’s biggest musical exports in the months to come.
Track of the week. Indi Star is one of those emerging names that will almost certainly hit the global mainstream in 2024.
Despite being only 16-years of age, this multi-talented artist is already an acclaimed singer, songwriter, actor and performer, as well as a social media star with legions of followers across platforms.
‘Hurt A Little’ is a finessed song that weaves a memorable melody into a dark-pop production, and has been one of our favourite bops of the month.
Track of the week. Multi-talented Australian artist yergurl is back with another impressive piece of music that deserves your attention.
Serving as the fourth song from her upcoming mixtape, ‘ripe n sweet’ treats us with an ethereal blend of indie and dreamy pop. The track was written by yergurl while she was abroad in Thailand, and showcases the musician’s flirtier side.
“in this song I am essentially building a case around why someone should commit to me, what I can offer as a lover and how ripe, sweet & delicious I am lol. however the song warns not to take one’s time “or baby I’ll rot, turn sour and clot, dry up like a weed when it’s too hot”
yergurl’s work continues to grow in momentum, with the artist currently attracting close to 30k listeners on Spotify. Her songs have also accumulated more than a million streams to date, proving that this is a talent to watch.
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.
Track of the week. Hailing from Connecticut is rising musician ammar. New single ‘(nevermind)’ is taken from the artist’s ‘WHAT’S BEHIND BLUE SKIES?’ project, and showcases an experimental fusion of alternative pop and punk.
The sound is bold, confident and rebellious in tone, while the lyrics expose listeners to the inner workings of ammar’s mind.
“‘(nevermind)’ is a puzzling tale of love that’s all in my head,” ammar explains. “I envisioned the song as a love letter that I wrote and instantly threw away. I had no intention of telling this person how I truly felt, as love has been my relentless adversary, challenging me in all its forms, including the love for myself,” he adds. Capturing what ammar describes as his “fear of love “the song’s story concludes with everything falling apart; “I’ve always wanted to believe that magic isn’t hard to find, only to surrender to the inevitable conclusion: nevermind.”
Aside from his work as a solo artist, ammar is also a noted writer and producer who has worked with the likes of 070 Shake, Channel Tres, AUGUST08, Duckwrth and Bipolar Sunshine.
Track of the week. We’ve had Ghostryder’s ‘Tootsie Rollin” on all weekend and we’re still obsessed.
Undeniably one of the catchiest alt-pop bops of the season, the track showcases this emerging singer, songwriter & artist’s talent perfectly.
Having already amassed more than a million cumulative streams to date, Ghostryder is marking his name as one of the most exciting queer artists to emerge from the US, and we can’t wait to see what comes next.
Track of the week. The high calibre of fresh Canadian talent never ceases to amaze us. ELLES is a newcomer whose style of sound is so beautifully emotive that her new single ‘i do’ is already one of our favourites of the season.
Through its thoughtfully constructed fusion of indie and pop, the song tells of the complexities of human relationships:
“‘i do’ is about pure duality and contrast surrounding love in the human experience. i love someone, they hurt me, i should dislike them, i don’t. i made mistakes in this relationship, does that mean i deserve to be hurt like this? is it right that i still wish them the best regardless? love is f*cking weird man and this song was me allowing myself to feel pain, love, longing, and loathing in the same breath. in ‘i do’ i am the victim and the perpetrator. sometimes we are both but assign ourselves one role so we can justify our own or others’ actions. it’s important to be real with yourself, especially in times of high emotions. see the situation from all sides, then heal.”
To date, ELLES has amassed more than 110k streams on Spotify alone from only a handful of releases. We can’t wait to see what’s in store for this hugely gifted singer-songwriter.
