New Music: Thaddeus

Today sees the debut release for Danish-American newcomer Thaddeus. With an emotive fusion of indie, synth and pop, this artist has created one of the most impressive releases of the week.

Beautifully melancholic in tone, ‘Do I Wanna Know’ questions whether we should always try to help solve the problems of those we care about, or if it’s better to take a step back and just be there for them.

“How are you? What’s wrong? How can I help? – when our loved one battles with their mental health, we’re supposed to reach out, offer our help, give a f*ck. But what do you do when your efforts aren’t working, if you aren’t really capable of fully understanding the problem and your well-meaning advice risks belittling or misunderstanding the issue?”

The song serves as a taster for an upcoming conceptual EP entitled ‘Reasonable Doubt’, which is out soon.

Thaddeus

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New Music: TiZ EAST

While still a relative newcomer, UK hip hop artist TiZ EAST has already caught the interest of influential tastemakers like Clash, Earmilk, Viper and Rollacoaster Magazine.

And it’s easy to see why – this is a talent who expertly delivers polished rap productions with mainstream potential. Songs like ‘Streets Calling’ showcase a sound that is not only fresh and current, but also has broad appeal.

I’ll safely predict that TiZ EAST will be one of the UK’s biggest new artists by next summer; this is one talent worth keeping an eye out for.

TiZ EAST |  Ka’Reema

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Chris Kyle – Space Flower

If you’re a fan of Cautious Clay (and let’s face it, who isn’t?) then you may have recognised guitarist Chris Kyle, who has often performed with the critically acclaimed artist.

Taken from the forthcoming ‘Stardust EP’, Kyle’s new single ‘Space Flower’ showcases his artistry in crafting psychedelic indie-rock sounds that feel nostalgic and trippy in tone.

This is a dreamy slice of musical bliss that allows listeners to escape their realities briefly to enjoy Kyle’s beautiful sonic universe.

Chris Kyle

Ina Forsman – Love Me

Finnish music sensation Ina Forsman returns with an uptempo slice of nostalgic soul today through the release of new single ‘Love Me’.

Inspired by the moments that one feels when they first express their love to someone, the track continues to showcase Forsman’s exceptional style of fusing retro soul with modern indie. The song is taken from Forsman’s upcoming album, ‘All There Is’, of which she says:

“My new album’s theme is ‘Cinematic Soul’. I wanted to make soulful music with a retro approach and a BIG sound; Strings, choir, horns, the whole package. I didn’t check too much what is considered as ‘Cinematic Soul’, instead I created what I believe that kinda music should, could, be.”

The album is released later this month, and you can also catch Forsman across Europe this summer on tour – with stops in Germany, France and Switzerland among other places (full schedule here).

Ina Forsman

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Gustaf – love me less

It’s been a short while, but rising Danish talent Gustaf is back today with his fifth release – and it’s been worth the wait.

‘love me less’ is a beautifully melodic pop power-ballad, infused with essences of synth to offer listeners a sound that feels both classic and current at the same time. Speaking on the song’s inspiration, Gustaf says:

“‘love me less’ is based on a former relationship where I felt that I couldn’t match the other persons feelings and devotion towards me. I felt she was way ahead of me. Whenever we would ‘fool around’ I’d try to be sincere, but I just wasn’t emotionally connected as much as she was. I was basically just hoping that one day she would stop loving me. I felt my heart was so cold and I was too shy and afraid to end it, afraid to be alone.”

Musician, songwriter and producer Gustaf has frequented Alfitude’s pages often since his debut last year, consistently showcasing himself as one of the most promising pop artists to to emerge from Denmark.

Gustaf

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New Music: Gorran

Emerging UK talent Gorran creates powerful songs that focus on the raw emotions that humans feel and express.

New single ‘Are You Mine?’ is a perfect example of this promising artist’s work. Inspired by the desperation of trying to fix a broken relationship, the track feels gripping, intense and extremely moving.

“‘Are You Mine?’ is a song about fighting for a one-sided relationship. The lyrics came together really quickly to tell this story of one person desperate for the other to stay, but finding only isolation and misery at the hands of the person they love. It’s one of the most vocally challenging songs I’ve ever written but I’m glad I wrote it in the key that I did. It’s really hard-hitting.”

To date, Gorran has received acclaim from the likes of The Line of Best Fit and Earmilk, while his catalogue of songs has reached almost 1.5 million cumulative streams on Spotify.

Gorran

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London Concerts 2022

  • July 7th – Laylow, London, Notting Hill 
  • July 11th – The Half Moon, London, Putney 
  • July 27th – The Bedford, London Balham 

Nother – US (feat. Moon Leap)

The musical partnership between multi-disciplinarian Italian artist Nother and Moon Leap is one which has always delivered sublime pieces of work.

Today’s release of their new collaboration, entitled ‘US’, is hauntingly captivating. The song’s sparse yet bass-heavy soundscape sets the scene for lyrics that serve as an anthem for new beginnings.

 “A way of facing your fears, asking for help to someone you love.” – Nother

The song’s music video was directed by Marco Santi – and portrays the freedom that people can embrace following hardship, through the performer’s slow dance movements.

Nother | Moon Leap

Rooftop Heroes – I Can’t Breathe

Pop-rock trio Rooftop Heroes unveil their most powerful single to date with the release of ‘I Can’t Breathe’.

Created alongside acclaimed producer Kiko Masbaum, the song is inspired by the BLM movement – and serves as an anthemic call to action by highlighting the ongoing problems with racism globally.

Mike, Dani and Sam formed Rooftop Heroes in 2019 through their mutual passion for songwriting. Since then, this promising group have garnered millions of streams online, and are gearing up for the release of their second album.

Rooftop Heroes

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Mere Raj – inmyhead

One of the finest rising talents to have emerged from North Carolina in quite some time, Mere Raj returns today with a sublime release that is nothing short of flawless.

Tastefully future-forward in its concept, ‘inmyhead’ is a soulful and emotive track that thoughtfully fuses elements of melodic rap with alternative R&B.

Created by Mere Raj alongside heavyweight industry icons Mike Hector, Based1 and Greg Sekeres, ‘inmyhead’ may well be the song that propels this enormously promising artist into the mainstream.

Mere Raj

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New Music: Nadedja

Brazilian-born newcomer Nadedja releases a summery pop anthem today in the form of new single ‘Holographic Sickening Love’.

Produced by Bob Mackenzie, the song’s infectious melody and beautifully sung lyrics tell of those euphoric moments we all experience when we start to fall in love.

“I guess it all comes down to that fascinating, irresistible and addictive feeling of taking a risk every time you open your heart to someone new. I’ve been trying to capture the electrifying danger of loving, especially when you’re young.”

The emerging UK-based artist has already picked up media attention from the likes of BBC 6 Music and BBC Introducing, as well as support from esteemed organisations like Help Musicians, Sage Gateshead and Generator. 

Nadedja

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Kevin George – If Looks Could Kill

Today marks the return of Connecticut-born musician Kevin George with the unveiling of his energising new single ‘If Looks Could Kill’. Through its sleek fusion of R&B, hip hop and pop, the track continues to showcase this LA-based talent’s exceptional artistry.

Originally an NFL prospect, an injury prompted George to go in to the world of music – and he has been pushing the boundaries of alternative R&B ever since.

Now commanding well over 100k monthly listeners on Spotify alone, the artist looks set to take on the musical mainstream with his unique yet relatable sounds.

Kevin George

Saint Djuni – Drifter

One of the most interesting collaborative projects to have emerged from Europe over the last couple of years has been Saint Djuni. With their eccentric and playful take on indie-pop, this outfit has consistently surprised and delighted with their choice of releases.

Uplifting new single ‘Drifter’ is one of those songs that leaves you with a smile you on your face, and reminds us that a positive mindset is something we can all achieve.

“We all seem to have the urge to see and follow what is trending. Yet we don’t stop and think how it would be if you choose to decide to drift away and live your own form of perfection. A song dedicated to the dreamers. The ones that dare not to let negativity cloud their journey.”

Saint Djuni is a musical duo consisting of musicians Rasmus Viberg and Clifford Goilo, who have each achieved notable successes in their own rights with various projects including Bakermat, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, and Next To Neon.

Saint Djuni

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New Music: Modern Diet

Hailing from Brooklyn is an ever-evolving indie project called Modern Diet. If you’re already fan of artists like Andy Shauf, Peach Pit and Young the Giant then chances are you will also fall in love with this group.

New single ‘Older’ delivers a charming take on the alternative rock genre, while the lyrics offer listeners an insight into the band’s home city.

“Inspired by the community at our local coffee shop/ cafe, the song follows a New York City adventure across various venues and states of consciousness.”

The song is also accompanied by some impressive visuals created by Jaron Lionel. Modern Diet are set to release a full-length record entitled ‘The State of Things’ later in the summer.

Modern Diet

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New Music: badxyou

American trio badxyou are introducing a new style of pop to the world; one that is heavily inspired by the internet and its culture.

Taken from the group’s forthcoming debut EP ‘Skrillo and Diplex present BAD Ü’, new single ‘Discord Nitro‘ is a sugary slice of hyperpop that somehow also manages to carry an essence of 80’s nostalgia.

“We wanted to write a true love story in the context of Discord. There are some parody type videos with discord text, but no music videos – so we’re actually making history by creating the first music video ever made on Discord, which is why Ethan [Heckard – guitar,] is a video genius too.”

With their unconventional and experimental style of music-making picking up praise from the likes of Rain Mag, Daily Beat and CULTR, this emerging outfit might well be setting new trends within the pop universe.

badxyou

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New Music: Isabel LaRosa

If there’s one song that will instantly command your attention today, then Isabel LaRosa’s ‘HELP’ will be it.

This is a bold, haunting and intensely gripping approach to dark pop that sounds like nothing else you may have come across. Lyrically, the track is inspired by the thoughts that one can get when they devote themselves to others – but don’t get anything back in return.

Still only 17-years of age, Annapolis-born LaRosa has already had work featured on flagship Spotify playlists like Pop Sauce, Pop Rising and Fresh Dance Pop.

“I kinda hated singing when I was a kid, so it’s a little odd that it’s my whole life now.  My dad brought me and my brother up playing music at local Annapolis jazz jams and open mic nights where my older brother played guitar and my dad played saxophone. Even though our Mom isn’t a musician she raised us on a steady diet of classic rock and salsa, a true Cuban. I don’t think any of our family members were shocked when we started to write our own material in elementary and middle school. To this day, we write everything in our bedroom; the middle school writing process still seems to be the best. “

‘HELP’ serves as the second release in a trilogy instalment, which also includes previous single ‘HAUNTED’.

Isabel LaRosa

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katie MAC – Bodies In Between

Rising L.A based starlet katie MAC is back today with a fabulously catchy Y2K-inspired pop bop, in the form of new single ‘Bodies In Between’.

A perfect song for the summer ahead, the track’s infectious melody sets the scene for lyrics that focus on the artist’s road to self-discovery following a breakup.

“I wrote ‘Bodies in Between’ after the ending of a really significant relationship in my life. I was in a place where I felt the need to rediscover myself and what I wanted, and a large part of that meant exploring relationships with new people. Ultimately, I realised that you can’t love your way out of heartbreak with somebody new, and the song illustrates my journey of figuring that out and coming to a greater understanding of myself.” 

Garnering a significant following on social media (with over 100k followers on TikTok alone), as well as praise from the likes of Earmilk, Huffington Post and Lefuturewave, katie MAC is rapidly marking herself as an American electro-pop talent to watch.

katie MAC

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Wolfskind & Bayuk – Cry Cry

Berlin-based duo Wolfskind & Bayuk are back today with one of the sweetest releases of the summer season so far.

While just over two minutes long, new single ‘Cry Cry’ perfectly infuses essences of nostalgia into a lo-fi production that features elements of bossa nova, pop and mellow electronica.

It’s a sound that is charmingly loveable, and serves as a taster to the outfit’s forthcoming EP, ‘Your Social Battery’. If you’re already in love and want to explore this duo’s work, the be sure to check out their previous project, ‘Overdose’.

Wolfskind | Bayuk

Lil Silva – Another Sketch

Accomplished artist Lil Silva is back with ethereal new single ‘Another Sketch’. Meaningful and well-constructed lyrics glide over a production that intricately balances elements of soul and alternative R&B with synths and orchestral strings.

Having previously worked alongside the likes of Adele, BANKS, Mark Ronson and serpentwithfeet, few talents garner as much admiration as Lil Silva within the UK industry.

The song is taken from his upcoming album ‘Yesterday Is Heavy’, which is out 15th July 2022.

Lil Silva

New Music: Sleepy Head

Remaining mysteriously illusive while commanding 50k monthly listeners on Spotify is quite the impressive feat for multi-talented newcomer Sleepy Head.

According to their Soundcloud, all songs are constructed from start to finish by Sleepy Head themselves – from the songwriting through to production and mixing.

New single ‘Boyfriend’ thoughtfully fuses elements of indie and alt-pop with hyperpop, creating a sound that feels both fun and melancholy in equal measures.

“It’s about liking someone who has a shitty boyfriend and knowing you’d be a better one.”

Sleepy Head

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Just Wondering – idk, maybe

Photo / Daan Dam

One of Ireland’s most interesting musical prospects to emerge in recent years, Just Wondering are back with their first music of 2022.

Stylistically, new single ‘idk, maybe’ finds the acclaimed Dublin trio experimenting with indie, electronica and pop tones – creating a sound that is really quite unique in character.

“It’s about really wanting something or someone that you don’t have right now, and finding genuine peace and happiness in the uncertainty. We wrote it in the middle of a summer just before we went to a party with our mates and to us… it sounds like it.”

To date, this collective of songwriters and musicians has achieved support from the likes of The Independent, The Line of Best Fit and BBC Radio 1. Catch the group live in London on July 16th at the Community Festival.

Just Wondering

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