Category: New Music

New Music: Holly Wild

Australian newcomer Holly Wild is a name to watch for in 2024. With a natural flair for crafting supreme alt-pop songs, this artist has already proven herself as one of the nation’s most promising starlets.

New single ‘Cuts Me Up’ is taken from the musician’s debut ‘Fire’ album (listen here). The song seamlessly fuses pop and rock with electronica, and tells of the inner conflicts we experience when we are ‘cut up’ over a situation, even when it’s the result of our own actions.

The track showcases Wild’s ability to craft sounds that are not only melodically memorable, but also lyrically intelligent. On her songwriting process, she explains:

“I’ve been into personal growth for as long as I can remember. I want to be the best version of myself, and I want to inspire people around me to be the best versions of themselves, too.” 

Holly Wild

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New Music: Kristo

Kristo (aka Kristiaan Deruytter) is an up and coming singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist emerging from Belgium.

Born into a musical family (he is the son of famed saxophonist Frank Deruytter, while his mother is a musical teacher), this talent has a gift for songwriting which shines through on songs like ‘Morning Blues’.

The track is lifted from the artist’s freshly-released ‘Childhood’ EP, and delivers an emotive piece of music that is beautifully stripped-back and melodic in character.

Other songs on the EP include ‘Do I Miss You More’, which explores his vulnerabilities in having a long-distance relationship, and ‘I Am Not Enough’, which centres around his father.

“Although my father wishes for my freedom above all else, my deep admiration for him unintentionally adds to the sense of expectation.”

Kristo

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New Music: Cmplxtra

Melbourne’s Cmplxtra (pronounced complextra) is one of the most interesting artists to come across our radars this week.

At only 21-years of age, this musician creates a distinctive style of alt-pop that somehow feels cutting edge yet also timeless in style.

The music is refreshingly raw and heartfelt, which comes down to the fact that this talent writes, records and produces all of their work.

Cmplxtra succinctly describes their new single ‘inertia’ as a ‘melancholy ballad that builds to an explosive break’. The song is bold, intense, and utterly gripping. You can follow the artist on Spotify here.

Cmplxtra

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New Music: club hearts

If you’re in the mood for some fresh indie-pop then we’ve got a fantastic talent to introduce you to.

Created during quarantine and debuting in 2021, club hearts (aka Barrett Bleeden) has been steadily gaining momentum in recent times.

In fact, the artist sold out iconic American venue El Cid after releasing just one single – a feat never accomplished by anyone before.

As a musician who writes, records and produces all of his songs, it’s no surprise that his new single ‘sweet things’ carries with it a special meaning:

“This song is for your drive home at the end of the night, where the whispers of what could have been are the only thing on your mind. Imagine that first look at your significant other: the warmth, the butterflies, the hope. You envision countless futures in your mind. Years after splitting up, you cross paths again and familiar feelings return.”

If you enjoy clubs hearts as much as we do then you’ll be pleased to learn that the artist has eight songs scheduled for release this year.

club hearts

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New Music: Nellie Charles

Manchester has a new R&B starlet and her name is Nellie Charles. If ‘Boss’ is anything to go by, then we anticipate that this artist will hit the mainstream before the end of the year.

With it’s finessed production, smooth vocals and empowering lyricism, the song showcases the very best in emerging British R&B. Speaking on the track, Nellie says:

“As an artist, ‘Boss’ is more than just a song to me – it’s a statement. It embodies my journey of self-discovery and self-respect. This song came from a place of realizing that in any relationship, my voice matters. It’s a celebration of knowing your value and not being afraid to demand the respect you deserve. ‘Boss’ was born out of a moment where I felt the need to express my strength, not just as a woman, but as a person who understands her worth. It’s a reminder to myself and to others that in love and life, we are our own bosses. The process of creating ‘Boss’ was deeply personal and liberating. It’s a blend of my experiences, dreams, and the musical influences that have shaped me as an artist.”

The track sets the tone for Nellie’s upcoming debut EP, which is scheduled for release in the summer. With support from the likes of Notion and WORDPLAY, we think this is one of the UK’s biggest music prospects for 2024.

Nellie Charles

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New Music: Jake Timeline

One of the most eccentric pop singles released this week comes courtesy of California-based artist Jake Timeline.

‘miss connection’ is a refreshingly unique song that is as intriguing as it is charming. Inspired by romantic mishaps, the track’s playful lyrics are not only relatable, but also entertaining.

“i struggled with only pursuing unavailable people when i first got single as an adult. awkward one night stands, brief intense flings, long-distance flameouts, jilting and getting jilted. on a memorable one my date learned she wasn’t straight mid-hookup 

self-destructive as those relationships may have been, i never found scolding myself to help as much as finding some humor and grace about it all. sure sometimes people find mr./mrs./mx. right, but a lot of life is getting comfortable with ‘miss connection’ 

let my new song ‘miss connection’ be the light and loving soundtrack to your next failed rendezvous”

Alongside his work as a musician, Jake Timeline is also a filmmaker, comedian, and adman. Despite only having four songs under his belt, we think this talent is likely to build up a lot of traction in the future.

Jake Timeline

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New Music: KITES

British newcomers KITES prove that Northern England is still one of the world’s most prominent pop-rock powerhouse regions.

Anthemic new single ‘Innocence & Gold’ showcases a style of sound that is bold, emotive and confident in tone. The song’s lyrics are inspired by themes of regret, as lead singer Kane Teal explains:

“‘Innocence & Gold’ is a song about longing – about wishing you had spoken to someone, but perhaps you missed the timing, or felt that the right moment never came. It is these fleeting moments of missed opportunity that we tend to regret the most, and can find ourselves haunted by them long after they have passed.”

Despite their relative newness, KITES have already picked up praise from the likes of BBC Introducing and Amazing Radio. Keep an eye out for these lads – they could quite possibly hit the mainstream soon!

KITES

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New Music: Stinkus

We don’t often get a chance to share slacker rock on Alfitude, so we’re very excited to introduce you to American outfit Stinkus.

Impressively, this talent manages to create a style of music that feels both nostalgic and current at the same time.

New single ‘Rodeo Mary’ is lifted from his upcoming debut album, which is scheduled for release this April. On the lyrics, he says:

“It’s about someone with undiagnosed BPD.”

While we still don’t know much about Stinkus, we can confirm that we’re already big fans. You can explore more of the artist’s music on his Spotify here.

Stinkus

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New Music: LONA

Fans of UPSAHL and PVRIS will most likely enjoy German newcomer LONA. This promising artist has just unveiled her debut – and it’s a banger!

‘Crash’ is self-described by LONA as her ‘taking someone for granted anthem’. In terms of the sound, the track showcases an impressive production that treats us to a bold and energising fusion of pop and indie-rock.

“As a hypersensitive person, I demand a lot from my partner and regularly rely on their support. Fully aware that our protective shield thins with each instance, I seek stability while inadvertently sabotaging myself.”

While this is the first time we feature LONA, we suspect it won’t be the last – she might just be one of Germany’s newest rock prospects!

LONA

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New Music: LXSTBØY

LXSTBØY has to be one of the UK’s most exciting music prospects right now. With support from heavyweight tastemakers like BBC Radio 1 already under his belt, it’s clear that this talent will hit the mainstream at some point in the near future.

Fusing alternative rock with punk, grime and hip hop, LXSTBØY’s sound certainly makes an impact from the moment you press play.

New single ‘JACKAL’ is refreshingly raw and unashamedly bold in tone. The track’s lyrics touch on themes of anxiety and mental health, as the artist explains:

“‘JACKAL’ explores the feeling of fear felt when being pursued by dark thoughts and anxiety.”

You can catch LXSTBØY performing live at London’s iconic Old Blue Last later this year – tickets can be found here.

LXSTBØY

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New Music: OWZA

We’re really excited to be sharing with you an emerging talent from Scandinavia called OWZA.

Born in Iceland and now based in Sweden, this gifted singer, songwriter and producer creates beautifully melodic pieces of alt-pop music that feel almost ethereal in tone.

Hypnotic new single single ‘hush hush’ thoughtfully presents listeners with melancholic sounds and vulnerable lyricism. Elaborating further, the artist explains:

“I wrote ‘hush hush’ alone in bed, and later co-produced it with a friend. It’s a sonic embrace with a melancholic blend of synths and drums, perfect for road trips or moments on a bus/ train. ‘hush hush’ is more than a melody; it’s my personal reassurance. The lyrics echo a conversation with myself during tough times, urging the strength to persevere.”

You can experience more of OWZA’s music on her Spotify here.

OWZA

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New Music: GIRLBAND!

Photo / Rachael Halaburda

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.

GIRLBAND!

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New Music: Cara Hart

You’ll realise something very special about LA-based newcomer Cara Hart from the moment you start to play ‘Hypelist’.

This is a loud, confident and utterly captivating piece of alt-pop that is lyrically inspired by our tendencies to obsess over the things we like.

The track was written and produced by the artist herself, and created in collaboration with a new app that shares the song’s name. Hart explains:

“In its essence, ‘Hypelist’ is a song about your obsessions, but not in a negative way. We all have obsessions, it’s a natural thing. We just treat it like something we are sometimes ashamed of. And I say ‘no’ to that. You should never be embarrassed of the things that make you quirky in your own unique way. That’s why when Alfonso (Cobo, the Creator of the Hypelist app and platform) told me about this idea and asked me to take part in it, I didn’t hesitate for a second.”

Having already garnered support from heavyweight tastemakers like Notion and Wonderland, it seems inevitable that Hart’s name will be propelled into the mainstream over the next year. And we’re here for it!

Cara Hart

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New Music: bikethrasher

For when life feels like it’s getting a bit too much, you can thank bands like Boston’s bikethrasher for their music.

On their energising alt-rock anthem ‘Hillside’, the group explain that it was written to ‘make you feel the joy of starting a new chapter, and the pain of closing a good one.’ Alongside its sincere vocal delivery, the track treats listeners to a style of sound that is bold, powerful and sonically daring.

There’s no doubt in our minds that this outfit are crafting some of the most genuine new rock music to come out of the US, and they are most certainly ones to watch in 2024. You can explore more of bikethrasher’s work on Spotify here.

bikethrasher

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New Music: Isla de Luca

Hailing from NYC is rising alt-pop talent Isla de Luca, who has just released a huge banger for us to enjoy.

If you’re a fan of Gwen Stefani, Paramore, or MARINA then chances are you’ll also fall in love with this artist’s sound. It’s refreshingly loud, confident and arresting in tone, and serves as the perfect anthem for the weekend ahead.

New single ‘I Already Am One’ was sonically inspired by Y2K rock-pop, while the lyrics focus on themes of femininity and unconventional relationships. Speaking on her artistry, Isla says:

In all of my songs, I play the persona of a hedonistic, ultra-confident, maybe-evil siren type– she’s having fun, and you should be too! This song is also inspired by an interview with Cher in which she shares how her mother told her she needed to marry a rich man, and she responded, ‘Mom, I am a rich man.’

Isla de Luca

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New Music: OTHERS

We’ve got some fresh new UK talent for you today, in the form of Pontypridd trio OTHERS.

Consisting of Grammy nominated songwriter Danny, award-winning director Lewys, and professional guitarist Mark, this promising outfit create a style of alt-pop that is both future-forward and bold in character.

‘Lose It’ is the band’s latest single, and was lyrically inspired by the raw emotions that can arise from losing your composure.

“’Lose It’ felt like the culmination of years of searching for our sound. The moment we wrote it, I knew it had to lead as the debut single. It captures that sensation of losing grip on reality, when every attempt at calm evaporates, and you cross the threshold of no return.” – Danny Lafrombe, OTHERS

Despite only releasing a handful of songs to date, OTHERS have already gained more than 350k cumulative streams on Spotify.

OTHERS

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New Music: Maina Doe

Australian starlet Maina Doe is here with a sensational new single called ‘Witness’. Serving as a taster to the artist’s upcoming EP, the track delights its listeners with a finessed fusion of alternative R&B and stripped-back pop.

Doe’s music has been streamed more than a million times on Spotify. In addition to her ever-growing base of followers, the artist has also picked up support from the likes of Triple J, Notion Magazine, BBC Radio 1xtra and Rinse FM.

Maina Doe

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New Music: Daisybox

Hailing from the US is promising newcomer Daisybox (aka Taylor Hottenstein). With each single that this musician releases, he finds his fan base growing – thanks to his captivating style of sound which can be described as melancholic pop rock.

Hottenstein began writing music following the death of his brother. The artist realised that songwriting was a meaningful way for him to process his emotions, and facilitate his healing.

‘Someone Else’ is the singer’s latest release, and tells the story of two lovers who are starting to drift way from one another. Hottenstein explains:

“This song is about a couple who love each other, but have lost their spark. The verses refer to their relationship real time while the chorus is a hypothetical situation where the main character sees their lover out in public with someone else. It’s meant to be about holding on to love.”

Daisybox

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New Music: Gaby K

Photo / Amy Lauffer Neff

If you’ve yet to experience Gaby K’s music then get ready to fall in love with this rising UK singer.

Inspired by modern-day icons like Amy Winehouse, Jessie Reyez and Amber Mark, this musician crafts a distinctive style of R&B-pop that has already picked up praise from tastemakers as respected as Wonderland and Earmilk.

Melodic new single ‘Call Me’ is lifted from the artist’s freshly released ‘Get to Love You’ EP (listen here), of which she says:

“Although the journey starts with falling in love with someone, this is just the beginning of how I grew to be the person I am now; alone, happy and I have finally found love for myself as an individual. I still have me and I am enough. I hope others will resonate with this too and that it helps them not only heal from any pain, but also reminds them not to sacrifice their well-being for others. It is a journey of losing someone but also finding yourself again. I believe that the most important love is self-love and putting your own health and happiness at the forefront.”

Gaby K is also a skilled live performer, and has supported Olivia Dean and Pip Millett on the respective tours. As far as emerging UK talent goes, this is one artist to watch for in 2024.

Gaby K

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New Music: Amelie Lucille

At only 15-years of age, New York’s Amelie Lucille has to be one of the youngest singer-songwriters that we have ever featured on Alfitude.

And once you play her new single ‘See me’ you’ll understand why. This is a beautifully intense, sombre and heartfelt piece of music that focuses on toxic relationships. Elaborating on the lyrics, Lucille says:

“I wrote ‘See me’ as a way to reach out to people that are in a toxic relationships, whether it is with a partner, friend, or family. The song is written as a ‘cry for help’. My goal is to always be sincere in my lyrics and therefore hopefully relatable to the listeners.”

“‘See me’ was a release, and I hope it feels like that for others too.”

Fans in NY can catch this artist at The Bitter End, where she often performs as part of their Urban Garage series. Otherwise, listeners can stream more music by Lucille on Spotify here.

Amelie Lucille

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