It’s been a short while since we featured talent from Down Under, but we’re happy to change that today with the introduction of singer, songwriter, producer, and guitarist ElementxL.
An artist already on the rise—with over 1.25 million career streams on Spotify, ElementxL (pronounced Elemental) is rapidly gaining traction thanks to his distinct sound, which fuses elements of pop and indie with alternative hip hop and R&B.
New single ‘Playing Games’ is a perfect example of this musician’s style of work. It’s groovy, melodic and utterly charming in character. Elaborating on the lyrics, ElementxL says:
“It’s all about the ups and downs of meeting someone new, not knowing what’s gonna happen. There’s so much uncertainty, but it’s also a part of the fun!”
We’re completely in love with this talent’s work and can’t wait to see what’s in store in 2025!
Track of the week. Elia Tomé is undeniably one of the most promising newcomers we’ve come across in quite some time. This rising Leeds-based songwriter and producer creates immense electronic productions that are simply breathtaking in nature.
New single ‘Stay Kids’ is a collaboration with the equally talented Zoe Cure and treats listeners to a sparse soundscape that, while minimal in concept, is still powerfully emotive.
“I felt a deep sense of familiarity when finding the synth lines on ‘Stay Kids’. It was like stumbling upon an old photograph from childhood, instantly pulling me back in time.”
The song serves as a taster to Tomé’s forthcoming debut album, which is out in January 2025. With support from the likes of BBC Introducing and Stereofox already under his belt, we anticipate big things in the future for this artist.
You can catch Elia performing at Hull’s Polar Bear on the 21st of January—tickets here.
Danish artist HISSY (aka Martin Grønne) has unveiled this weekend’s anthem, and it’s called ‘Silenzio’.
If you love your indie-pop with an electro twist, then you’ll adore this track. It’s an energising and breezy style of sound, which is really quite compelling to listen to.
Lyrically, the song looks at the effect that people’s words and opinions can have on us – and our desire to simply ‘switch off’ these thoughts.
“The song is about needing to shut out other people’s voices if they’ve moved into your head and make it hard to hear what you feel yourself.”
While HISSY is Grønne’s foray into solo music, this musician is already well known as a member of the acclaimed group Virgin Suicide, which he serves as the front-person for.
In turn, Virgin Suicide has gathered praise from the likes of The Guardian, while also selling out shows across the globe and performing on iconic stages like Roskilde and The Great Escape.
Manchester rap artist DBL A has been on our radars for some time now, so we’re really excited to be sharing with you his new single, ‘BLING’.
This track is unapologetically bold from start to end. It’s a raw and explosive piece of music that seamlessly fuses indie with rock and rap—or, as DBL A describes it, ‘punkrap’.
”BLING’ makes an instant impact from the moment you press play and showcases this talent’s willingness to push sonic boundaries and challenge the norms of rap.
DBL A has amassed more than 100k catalogue streams to date on Spotify, while also commanding over 7k monthly listeners on the platform.
Christian Sean has to be one of the most interesting indie talents to come across our radars in some time.
As one of Canada’s most hyped newcomers, Christian’s distinct take on pop has seen him pick up momentum globally, while also receiving praise from tastemakers like Fader Magazine and EARMILK along the way.
In anticipation for his forthcoming debut album (called ‘Hallelujah Showers’, out 31st January 2025), the artist has just released a striking new single called ‘Eventide’.
With its refreshingly eccentric approach to pop, the song’s production is not only intriguing but also captivating to experience. You can’t find many artists that are as comfortable with pushing sonic boundaries as Christian is, so we’re really excited to see what comes next.
Track of the week. We’ve made no secret of our admiration for emerging Danish music talent, so we’re stoked to be sharing with you another new outfit from the Nordic nation called 100%WET.
Signed to acclaimed label Crunchy Frog (home to The Raveonettes and Yune, among many others), this duo has caught our attention with their unique productions, which blend nostalgic 90’s sounds with shoegaze and electronica.
Euphoric new single ‘Ether’ will be our weekend bop and is very quickly becoming one of our favourite songs of the winter.
“‘Ether’ describes the juxtaposed feelings of being in an altered state of mind—the perception of momentary bliss while also experiencing everything at a dissociate remove.”
100%WET comprises of producers Jakob Birch and Casper Munns, while vocal contributions come courtesy of artists like Eir from Sweden (as featured on ‘Ether’), Polly from Denmark, and the UK’s Hockeysmith.
We’ve got a very exciting artist from Chicago to introduce you to today, going by the name of Abigail Arkley.
This hugely promising starlet beautifully creates complex soundscapes through electronic productions that also incorporate elements of indie and pop.
The new single ‘Never Too Young’ is a prime example of the rising 24-year-old’s style of work and treats us to a dreamy and emotive track that looks at concepts of self-doubt and resilience.
“I wrote this in a time of deep searching for meaning and purpose, desperate to break away from both societal and personal constraints and expectations. In your youth especially, the desire for a space where you can exist authentically is paramount. The chorus uncovers doubts about my resilience while acknowledging my eagerness to evolve and face the unknown without hesitation, despite the uncertainties about my worth or purpose. The final theme, expressed in my second verse, is searching for something beyond the visible world—a deeper truth or spiritual awakening. Ultimately, ‘Never Too Young’ captures a journey of self-exploration, a desire for renewal, and a confrontation with one’s inner self.”
‘Never Too Young’ is lifted from Abigail’s forthcoming EP, which is out soon, along with some accompanying visuals. Keep an eye out!
miufly is a promising Canadian newcomer who is masterfully crafting electronic pop songs that deserve your attention.
‘What I Told U’ is the Ontario-based producer’s latest release and presents listeners with a mesmerising and dreamy soundscape that lyrically addresses the anxious feelings we might experience when we realise that so much of life is uncertain.
“I wanted to do something that emotionally contrasted my previous release, and embraced the uncomfortable. This song is about being okay with having no idea what’s happening 95% of the time, and just going with it. It’s a bit more edgy, a bit sexy, and I hope listeners get lost in the atmosphere.”
The artist continues to explain:
“I’ve never been the type of person that has a clear idea in their head about what they want their life to be like, what they imagine their future will be like. This song is for everyone that’s ever felt that way as well, especially the ones like me who’ve felt stressed, self-conscious, or ashamed of it – you just have to live your life the way that feels right for you.”
We’re really excited with this talent’s style of work—it’s not easy to infuse pop into experimental productions, and yet miufly seems to manage it effortlessly. We’re looking forward to hearing what comes next!
Track of the week. We’ve got a really exciting new R&B-pop talent emerging from Denmark to share with you today, going by the name of Carlina de Place.
This 21-year-old Copenhagen artist left school at only 17 to pursue music, and it’s safe to say that the gamble is already paying off. Her new single ‘Selfish’ was produced by Morten ‘Rissi’ Ristorp, who is known for collaborations with Lukas Graham, Kanye West, and Beyoncé.
The track itself is beautifully emotive and gathers its inspiration from relationships that ought to end but continue to exist. The artist explains:
“’Selfish’ delves into a perspective of love that represents the opposite of fighting for it. Sometimes, that’s what we pretend to do when we’re only holding on to the dream of what we could have been.It can be hard to face the truth, but what if the greatest declaration of love would be to let go of it.”
While only Carlina’s third release to date, it’s clear to see that this newcomer is destined for great things, so keep this kid on your radars.
If you’re on the hunt for a new pop artist to obsess over, then we might have the perfect newcomer for you! London-based singer and songwriter LAMBERT has caught our attention this week, thanks to her mesmerising style of sound.
As the musical project of artist Grace Lambert, listeners can expect a special brand of ‘sad girl’ pop that is sonically related to works by Allie X and Air.
The new single ‘After Dark’ is not only flawlessly produced but presents us with a beautifully written melody that is sure to stay in your heads all day. On the lyrics, the artist simply explains:
“It is a song about independence and embracing solitude in order to find the voice within.”
In addition to the audio release, LAMBERT has also unveiled self-directed and edited visuals for the song, of which she says:
“Centred around a bedroom situated in a fishbowl, it beautifully illustrates the conflicting emotions of isolation and observation. The narrative follows LAMBERT as she navigates three distinct states: 1. Vulnerability: Inside her bedroom, she watches the water rise ominously through her window, embodying a sense of entrapment. 2. Isolation: Alone in an empty, distorted glass bowl, she confronts her feelings of exposure and uncertainty, grappling with her desire to break free from her confining environment. 3. Liberation: Finally, she emerges into an expansive, clear space, symbolising newfound freedom and clarity. Throughout the video, water serves as a powerful visual motif, representing renewal and transformation. Initially, it stands as a barrier that LAMBERT must overcome, but as the narrative unfolds, she learns to accept and ultimately embrace it, reflecting the journey from struggle to empowerment.”
With support from the likes of Wonderland and BBC Introducing already under her belt, this talent might hit the mainstream sooner than you think. A debut EP is on the way, so keep an eye out!
Track of the week. If you’re in the mood for some sleek R&B-soul sounds, then we’ve got the perfect song for you, courtesy of American artist Amal Zenab.
‘coulda saved us’ is quite timeless in style. The production is finessed and perfected, while the lyrics contrast subjects like societal unrest and broken hearts. It’s a powerful piece of music, delivered with sincerity, honesty, and emotion.
“‘coulda saved us’ explores themes of loss, regret, and the chaos of a broken world.”
The track is partnered with another (equally gorgeous) single called ‘flowing thru’, which is also available for streaming right now.
And while you’re at it, be sure to check out Amal’s 2023 EP“Safe ‘n Sound,” which treats listeners to four sensational songs that deserve your attention.
Track of the week. Words can’t express how much we’ve fallen in love with rising indie artist Mila Degray. The Floridian newcomer has gained momentum rapidly in recent months thanks to her distinctive style of sound, which fuses pop with alternative rock, bubblegum grunge, and punk.
‘Two Bridges’ is an stunning track that serves as a taster to the artist’s highly anticipated ‘Silver Meteor 98’ album, which is out on 18th October 2024.
It’s been a busy year for Mila, who has not only won a tonne of fans across the globe but also garnered praise from outlets like Atwood Magazine and The Joy of Violent Movement. And to top it all off, she was even featured on Charli XCX and Billie Eilish’s ‘Guess’ remix video a month ago.
Clara Pople has to be one of the most original indie-pop talents out there right now. The rising starlet is winning fans globally thanks to her refreshingly distinctive approach to music, which features ethereal sounds created by elements like live-looping.
New single ‘Hot Moon’ is a perfect example of what this artist has to offer. The track is beautifully melodic, while its inspiring lyricism encourages listeners to consider the power of nature that surrounds us.
“This is my empowerment anthem for all women and people who can feel overpowered by the forces of nature. ‘Hot Moon’ is a song about the ebbing and flowing tides of being a woman. How nature can control our mood and how, whilst infuriating, we just have to give in sometimes and let the madness take over.”
You can catch Clara performing live at London’s iconic St Pancras Old Church tonight – tickets can be purchased here.
Fans of Daft Punk may well have a new artist to obsess over, going by the name of Jean-Baptiste Beltra, aka Welcome John.
The French-born, Canada-based producer, composer, and songwriter has unveiled a fabulous new single called ‘Never’, which serves as a taster for his upcoming debut EP, which is suitably titled ‘Debut’.
Impressively, all the instruments on the record were played by the artist himself, with the help of Alex Dodier on saxophone.
‘Debut’ is scheduled for release on the 25th October 2024. In the meantime, listeners can enjoy more of Welcome John’s music on Spotify right here.
Every now and then we come across a talent who instantly stands out, just like New York’s Germano.
From listening to his songs, you get a sense that this singer, songwriter, and producer possesses something truly unique in his artistry. And we’re not the only ones who think so – Germano’s momentum is already on the rise thanks to the thousands of online followers he’s recently won over.
‘panic!’ presents us with a haunting alternative pop production that is both refreshingly experimental and intriguing in character, while the song’s lyrics address the artist’s self-imposed pressures to succeed in the music industry.
“I used to put so much pressure on myself to succeed that when my plans didn’t turn out exactly the way I hoped, I’d get terrible anxiety to the point that it was paralyzing – I didn’t know how to continue moving forward. It can be hard keeping the spark on in a career like this especially when you’re not yet where you want to be. So now I create music and art for my inner child and for my liking only, which brings me content and confidence in my work. This song is a reminder to myself that I have what it takes to accomplish my goals. I stumbled upon this blatantly self-assured character while writing this song and it has helped me deal with self-doubt in a lot of ways. That’s what this song represents to me – it’s a reminder to myself that I have what it takes to accomplish my goals and become the artist I’ve always dreamed of being.”
Germano’s work has received the seal of approval from the likes of EARMILK, PopDust, and LeFutureWave, and his catalogue of songs (of which there are only three so far) has achieved more than 200k streams.
Hailing from the city of Boca Raton in Florida is 22-year-old singer, songwriter, and health advocate Sophia Gonzon.
This artist has caught our attention thanks to her captivating voice as well as memorable melodies and interesting productions. The new single ‘A1A’ is stripped-back in its style of sound but is still highly charged emotionally.
Gonzon’s work has achieved streams of over 4 million on Spotify while also garnering the top spot on ReverbNation’s regional pop rankings.
Alongside her music career, Sophia is also a passionate advocate for people who suffer from invisible illnesses, contributing to causes like the Association of Migraine Disorders and Music Beats Cancer.
London has a promising new R&B-pop star in the making, and he goes by the name of July.
Already an emerging talent with more than a million streams under his belt (and that’s just on Spotify), we feel as though it won’t be long before this singer and songwriter hits the mainstream.
July has developed a name for himself as an artist who is unafraid to experiment with different styles of sound, thanks to his diverse tastes in music and an open mind to genres. He cites icons like P. Diddy, Lionel Richie, and Phil Collins as some of his influences.
Melodic new single ‘Trip’ treats listeners to a finessed blend of alternative R&B and electronic pop, and is matched beautifully by July’s soulful vocals and honest lyrics.
“I hope it connects with listeners on a profound level.”
We are excited to share with you one of the most original and unique talents to come across our radars in quite some time.
Lisa Sereno is a rising Portuguese talent who creates cinematic pieces of indie-pop that are not only sonically interesting – but also tell a story.
The musician’s new single is called ‘Mystery’, and it really is something to behold. The song’s production reflects Lisa’s artistic background, which is rooted in classical music and folk.
In the space of just two days, the video to this track has already amassed almost 7k views on YouTube alone. Fans in Portugal can watch Sereno performing live on tour next month, with stops in Leiria, Coimbra, Porto, and Lisbon.
One of the most exciting discoveries of the week is Vienna-based singer, rapper, songwriter, and producer Thoughty.
‘Outta My Head’ is the artist’s debut single and presents us with an energising fusion of pop and rap. Alongside the catchy lyrics, the melody will be repeating all day in your minds.
The song is fresh and playful while also maintaining a sense of relatability, which is sure to resonate with many listeners. Elaborating on the song’s meaning, Thoughty says:
“I think one of the most beautiful feelings is when you first meet someone and can’t stop thinking about them. You get butterflies, can’t stop smiling, and feel like you’re living in a movie. We chase that rush like it’s adrenaline, but we forget that real, lasting love is something steadier. These days, people are so hooked on the thrill that they run away when love becomes more routine. It’s a shame, and I believe it’s one of the main reasons so many relationships never get a fair chance. We crave a constant high and mistake the absence of it for the end of love when, in reality, love is just evolving into something deeper. I recently went through this and had to capture it in a song.”
Despite the track being Thoughty’s first release, this musician has been performing across Europe from as early as 2016. We’re quite certain that this is an artist who is likely to gain tonnes of traction across the continent over the next year!
Stockholm-based Londoner Orlando Hotopf is a rising singer and songwriter who has just unveiled an impressive new song that deserves to be heard by you all!
‘High Road’ is the first of two singles that the artist will release this year. The track fuses indie with folk in a way that almost feels timeless—in part thanks to clever production, which layers 22 different guitar parts that were recorded using 1936 Levin.
The production creates a captivating soundscape that perfectly complements the song’s nostalgic lyrics, which were inspired by Hotopf’s early adulthood.
“The song is about the nostalgia of my early 20’s, the endless nights and countless bad decisions (which I don’t regret) I made whilst searching for something I couldn’t quite find…”
Hotopf’s music has been championed by the likes of Mahogany and Indie Folk Central, while also receiving airplay on stations such as KX FM and 88.5 FM in the US and Radio Nord Norge.
