Singer, songwriter and rapper GOVAN has been one of the most exciting new finds this autumn.
Hailing from California, this emerging artist constructs sounds that feel fresh and future-forward, yet still somehow maintain an essence of nostalgia and playfulness that makes for an utterly charming audible experience.
With early support from outlets like Complex already under his belt, it’s safe to say that this is one talent worth keeping on your radars.
Rising UK artist Charlotte Plank returns with yet another impressive fusion of pop and DnB in the form of new single ‘Lost Boys’.
In what might well be her most commercially-friendly release yet, the track addresses the inner struggles that most of us face during our younger years:
“It speaks about the difficulties of young boys/ people in general who are of a certain age who are finding out who they are through some of the best but most turbulent years.”
“The song highlights particular issues with trying too hard to be something you’re not/ feeling lost with who you are – and trying to fill those feelings with temporary quick fixes e.g. chemicals/ girls/ rebelling/ bad habits/ finding ways to inflate their egos etc. and how these things usually won’t solve those issues.”
Charlotte plays The Prince Albert in Brighton on the 13th January 2023 – tickets can be found here.
Stefan Lars is promising new creative based in Berlin, who is not only a singer and songwriter but also a composer, producer and videographer.
Drawing inspiration from his time as a child growing up in Sweden, Lars crafts a style of sound that melds essences of Scandinavian melancholy with the urban spirit that comes from being centred in an urban metropolis like Berlin.
The resulting songs are not only emotive and sincere in tone, but also feel refreshingly raw and authentic. Elaborating on new single ‘Turning Grey’, Lars explains:
“Thematically, it is about dreams with rejuvenating qualities and the lingering question to what extend they are real and/ or illusionary and may even function as a form of modern consumerist escapism.”
The song marks Lars’s third single to date, following the release of ‘Thin Ice’and ‘Xabian Elegy’.
One of California’s most exciting pop prospects to have emerged recently has been LA-based singer and songwriter Natasha Hunt Lee.
With critical praise from heavyweight tastemakers as notable as Ones To Watch, PAPER and Wonderland, it’s been quite the year for this deservedly much-hyped artist. Elaborating further on today’s release of new single ‘Half Baked’, Hunt Lee explains
“‘Half Baked’ is about the in-between – when you aren’t necessarily writhing in pain but you’ve definitely been better. It’s coming from the perspective of someone who is finally ok enough to ruminate more objectively than emotionally. But there’s a weird numbness to that. It’s about going out, putting on the same show, but knowing that a deep sense of fulfilment or wonder or naivety or whatever is it has been temporarily taken. And hoping that (but not knowing how) it will come back.”
The single follows on from of Hunt Lee’s ‘The End of the World‘ debut EP, which was released earlier this autumn and has already amassed more than 300k streams.
It’s not as though you need even more reasons to fall in love with Australian talent BENTLE’s work, but today’s unveiling of shimmering new single ‘Darkest Blue’ might well solidify this New York-based artist as one of your favourite indie-pop newcomers. Elaborating on the beautifully dreamy release, BENTLE explains:
“‘Darkest Blue’ is very much about the connection between colour, texture and circumstance. There’s been a few times over the past year where it feels like I’m not able to stop myself from sinking or falling into a certain state of mind or state of being. ‘Darkest Blue’ is kind of an exploration of that falling sinking feeling and what it would feel like if I embraced it…the visual I had when writing the song was that I fell into the night sky (which was scary and unknown) but I woke up in this ethereal new environment where, though it was still unknown, it was equally intriguing and enlightening.”
BENTLE is the musical project of singer, songwriter and producer Josh McVey. As an accomplished musician, McVey writes and produces all of his own work by himself, and is currently readying the release of his forthcoming debut EP.
It wouldn’t be a normal Friday without showcasing some new indie talent, and today it’s the turn of South Carolina’s all-female group, Sorry, Peach.
With a style of music-making that masterfully fuses elements of bedroom-pop and lo-fi indie rock together, this impressive collective of musicians create songs that are both sonically powerful and lyrically emotive.
‘In Saturn’s View’ is lifted from the band’s new ‘You Were Never Mine’ EP (out now), and presents listeners with a beautifully melodic slice of indie that feels vulnerable, melancholic, and utterly captivating in tone.
London-based newcomer Bonze has impressed us throughout the entire year; with each release showcasing this rising artist’s extraordinary skills at music making. He closes 2022 with another new single today, entitled ‘(Mercedes)’ – of which he explains:
“This song syncs song-writing and dance music together. It is my fourth single of the year, releasing with Bad Apple Records. It’s about a girl called Mercedes.”
To date, Bonze has garnered acclaim from the likes of CLASH, Wonderland and Rolling Stone while also accumulating more than 80k career streams on Spotify alone.
Fans in London will be pleased to know that Bonze performs at Camden’s PowerHaus in March 2023.
Former Miss Tennessee USA and aspiring R&B starlet Tucker Nichol is back with a sensational new single today, entitled ‘Nah’.
With subtle hints to that iconic Y2K R&B-pop sound, the track seamlessly fuses the nostalgic with the current, while the lyrics address the importance of boundaries within relationships.
Nichol has already achieved more than 900k streams to date from the release of just three lead singles, and picked up placements on VEVO’s DSCVR R&B playlist, MTV Live and BET Soul.
Representing some of Devon’s finest emerging talent, Will Heggadon is back with an anthemic slice of indie and synth-pop on his new single, ‘So Awake’.
“‘So Awake’ is about being afraid to get too deep into a relationship and always leaving before it gets to that point – being tired of this becoming the norm so trying to make it work this time.”
Currently commanding more than 38k monthly listeners on Spotify and accumulating well over ten million career streams to date, Heggadon is one name that should be on everyone’s watchlist for 2023.
Heggadon performs at The Waiting Room in London on the 6th December 2022 – tickets can be found here.
One of the most moving releases this week comes courtesy of Turkish-American newcomer Ela Ozturk.
By fusing elements of alternative R&B with pop, soul, jazz, blues and pop, Ozturk constructs expressive sounds that are bold and unashamedly unique in character.
New single ‘Roots’ finds the singer and songwriter sharing powerful words of wisdom and encouragement for those of us who feel as though we have lost our way in life:
“‘Roots’ focuses on rebuilding yourself after someone has broken your connection with who you are. The lyrics describe a comeback story.”
Ela Ozturk is a Turkish-American singer-songwriter who found her love for music as young as six years old. Her father encouraged her passion for music, which allowed Ozturk to engulf herself in sound. Growing up in the Bay Area and having a Turkish background helped expose her to a wide variety of artists, genres, and musical movements. She takes inspiration from strong female vocalists such as the likes of Etta James, Aretha Franklin, and Adele.
Her unique blend of blues, jazz, R&B, blue-eyed soul, and pop, fused with her powerhouse vocals and confessional lyrics set her apart from most up-and-coming pop artists.
“‘Roots’ focuses on rebuilding yourself after someone has broken your connection with who you are,” says Ela Ozturk on the deeper meaning of the song. Her inspiring message influences the audience to take control of their lives and build the person they want to be after losing their way. “The lyrics describe a comeback story,” explains Ozturk. Lyrics such as, “I’m coming back to my roots, the me before you, the calm before your storm, the light before your darkness. I’m returning, I’m returning, back to my roots, I’m coming back, I’m coming back, I’m coming back.” Ozturk describes the adventure of finding yourself after trials and tribulations. Combining powerful vocals with lively instrumentation, Ozturk has made a perfect track to help shine light after dark times and rejoice in the feeling of falling back into your own person after feeling lost. “Roots” was written by Ela Ozturk and produced and mixed by Morgan Clae Sanker and Tommy Sanker.
Hailing from Minneapolis is indie-rock outfit Harbor & Home, who have released their latest single today, entitled ‘Change’.
Through its thoughtful and considered lyricism, the track encourages listeners to fight through life’s trials and tribulations, and reminds us that good days always come.
“A song about embracing change and hardships; accepting that the rain needs to come in order to grow when the sun finally comes.”
Lifted from Harbor & Home’s latest EP of the same name (out now), the song continues to highlight this promising band’s unique approach to the rock genre, which has so far garnered them more than ten million catalogue streams on Spotify alone.
We’ve been following the work of US starlet B.Miles for quite some time now, and consistently found ourselves ever more impressed by this artist’s releases.
Today’s unveiling of new single ‘One Trick Pony’ continues to showcase B.Miles‘s musical versatility, and treats listeners to a mesmerising blend of dreamy indie and alt-pop. The sound feels playful and enchanting, yet still maintains a raw essence of emotion.
To date, B.Miles has acquired tens of millions of streams across all digital platforms, secured a sync deal with Netflix and received critical praise from the likes of Fader and Paper magazines.
Danish-Guatemalian pop artist Soluna Samay releases one of the grooviest cuts of the week with her new single ‘Make Them Stay’.
Through its sleek fusion of alternative pop and soft jazz, the track treats listeners to an upbeat sound that lyrically serves as a reflection on the perils of modern-day dating,
“About misfortune in love, feeling cursed – and with no other way out – finally making peace with ‘being on my lonely’”.
An established and well-loved name in Denmark, singer and songwriter Samay has garnered more than 500k catalogue streams to date on Spotify alone.
Another new name to add to Norway’s ever-growing roster of impressive pop vocalists, MAIH introduces herself to the world through single ‘Let Him Let Me Go’.
With its perfected style of melancholic dream-pop, the song presents itself as an anthem for the broken-hearted, and feels emotive and vulnerable in tone.
It’s a sound that is so typically Scandinavian in style, but never fails to win us over. Keep MAIH on your radars for the year ahead – this talent may well be one of Norway’s newest exports.
Hailing from Essex in England is promising artist DROZ. Today sees this multi-talented artist release his new single, entitled ‘back to me.’
With it’s infectious mix of nu-disco, electronica, indie and pop, the song’s lyrics look at the moment when you cross paths with your ex, and realise that you’ll never get back together again.
“Simply, it’s a song about seeing your ex at a party and knowing you’ve moved on, no matter what. Despite those good memories of the exciting times you had together, we move, and you know that’s what is best for you, and evidently for them too.”
Since his debut only last year, DROZ has gone on to acquire more than 140k career streams to date on Spotify alone.
Representing some of London’s newest and finest R&B-pop sounds is rising newcomer JVSMINE.
New single ‘forgive me’ was produced by Luke Osborne, and looks at the times in our lives when we fall into relationships without truly understanding what being love means.
“Being presented with love can really feel like holding a mirror up to yourself and to insecurities you didn’t even know you had. I wanted to write from a perspective of not knowing how to give and receive love. It’s something that everyone writes and dreams about in this society, however I’ve come to realise that I still have a lot to learn and this song is my personal reflection on that.”
JVSMINE will release more new music as well as a mixtape in 2023. With support from the likes of BBC Introducing already under her belt, this emerging artist looks set to take on her biggest year yet
Emerging from Sydney is promising singer, songwriter and producer jnr. (aka Ben Siva). While this talent is relatively new, it’s safe to say that his universally likeable style of pop will gain significant traction over the coming months.
Fans of The 1975 and LANY will delight in jnr.’s new single, ‘Say (Light Me Up)’, which treats listeners to an an anthemic sound that is both melodically catchy and lyrically captivating.
The track serves as jnr.’s third release to date, following on from his previous singles, ‘A Friend’and‘Remember’.
Critically-acclaimed Canadian songstress Ruby Waters returns today with an intensely beautiful new single that has to be heard.
Stripped-back and minimal in its production, the sparseness on ‘Heather’ allows for Waters’ distinctly raw and soulful vocals to shine through, resulting in a sound that is powerfully emotive and sincere.
The song closes an impressive year for Waters, who recently completed a series of sold-out shows in the US. Keep an eye on this artist in 2023 – she is most certainly one to watch.
Emerging Australian outfit Priscilla create a kind of pop sound that instinctively gives you itchy feet.
New single ‘Lose Control’ presents listeners with an energising fusion of synth, disco and power-pop that is sure to win this duo a whole new legion of fans.
Listeners in Australia can catch Priscilla supporting The Veronicas on 2nd December at the Ice Cream Factory, and at Sunday Music on 11th December at the Fremantle Arts Centre.
As the musical project of P Gardner and Luke Minness, these two musicians have already garnered praise from heavyweight tastemakers like Wonderland Magazine.
While Varas may be a name new to many of you, this emerging 25-year old talent has been gaining momentum across the Nordic region since the release of his 2020 debut EP,‘Set One’.
Hailing from Sweden, Varas is the musical moniker for self-taught Chilean producer, singer and songwriter Benjamin Muñoz Varas.
Signed to the legendary TEN Music Group,Varas constructs a style of alternative indie-pop that feels understated yet melancholic, sincere and emotive in tone.
Elaborating on the inspiration behind his latest release, Varas explains:
“‘New Light’ got created out of surprise and by getting to know new sides of myself. It was equally scary and relieving when I realised I’d always replace me with another me. I was convinced the person I identified as was a constant thing, a solid rock. I change each year and each day.”
“It doesn’t matter if I’ve convinced myself into a certain direction, all it takes is romances, friendships, losing and getting jobs, letting go of dreams or creating new ones to lose the sense of it. It’s dumb. But don’t get me wrong, it’s a positive and vital ability. Although when I think about it, scratch what I said. It could also just be a song about falling in love at the wrong time. Ask me again tomorrow!”
The track serves a taster to Varas’ forthcoming EP, which is set for release early next year.
