A charming and emotive blend of soulful alternative R&B and indie-pop, topped with captivating vocals.
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New Music: Mike Spector
okayceci – purse bottle
Rising pop artist okayceci unveils her first single of the spring, entitled ‘purse bottle’. Presented as a dreamy fusion of R&B and bedroom-pop, the song perfectly encompasses the starry-eyed feeling of having a crush.
With over ten million career streams to date from only a handful of releases, this emerging LA-based talent is one to watch.
felicita + Kero Kero Bonito – Cluck
PC Music collective member felicitaĀ has built a reputation over the years for broadening the horizons of what pop music can look and sound like, often taking elements of the mainstream and twisting them by their own design into pioneering works of the future.
Latest single āCluckā sees this renowned artist, composer and sound designer team up withĀ Kero Kero BonitoĀ for what is undoubtedly one of the most original and eccentric tracks of the year.
Released as part of PC Musicās Volume 3 compilation.
New Music: Lee Sugar
LeeĀ Sugar’s ‘What I Don’t Know’ is one of those songs that is near impossible not to fall in love with. The track was written as an ode to those magical first moments in a relationship – getting to know your partner, and discovering the little quirks that present themselves along the way.
With a uniquely endearing flair for creating playful yet charming indie-pop songs, this rising jazz-trained multi-instrumentalist could well be one of Australia’s next big artists.
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ladiesmile + skinnyandsoft – Ice Cream
ladiesmile & skinnyandsoft
Continuing to prove that New Zealand is one of the most exciting places for new music right now, this new collaboration between emerging outfits ladiesmile and skinnyandsoft is just about the catchiest indie bop that I have come across all week.
‘Ice Cream’ is a combination of ladiesmileās beautiful, live production and skinnyandsoftās unique, cascading and soulful vocals, as he presents thoughts of self-reflection and coming to terms with his past.
“‘Ice Cream’ is about feeling isolated in my own thoughts. Allowing bad habits to get the better of me, this song is me talking on my struggle with the constant back and forth of knowing my self-worth and hating a lot about myself. Hoping for more, trying for more, continuing to grow. Believing in myself one step at a time.” – skinnyandsoft
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Yoshi Flower – Wishing Well (Juice WRLD Cover)
After parting ways with his label and management company, Yoshi Flower began to reassess his next steps in life.
With that in mind, a new EP was born that serves as a compilation of songs – all originally written and recorded by artists tragically lost too soon to addiction.
The first single released is an acoustic take on Juice WRLD’s ‘Wishing Well’, of which Yoshi Flower says:
“At the time Juice WRLD passed, I was struggling with my own battles with drug addiction. I was so saddened by his passing. I simultaneously saw it as a catalyst for my own attempt to really try to live. He was such a bright light, someone who gave us hope and inspiration, to see him and others like him pass again and again is more than heartbreaking. His tale is more common than discussed and it was the last straw for me. This cover of Wishing Well, and the other songs coming, are my attempt to pass on the healing. I’ve been in recovery for over a year, and now with my second chance I would love to stand with the message of life… however imperfect it may be it’s still worth living.”
Tomi Owo – Go On Woman
Combining for millions of streams under their belt, Nigerian female rising starsĀ Tomi Owo, Mz Kiss, Lady Donli and Bella Alubo have come together with non-profit organisationĀ Red Hot OrgĀ for an exciting musical project titledĀ ‘Keleā¢le’.
The collection of songs plans to raise awareness and provide financial support for womenās health clinics in Nigeria, and their fight against the countryās growing HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Tomi OwoĀ opens theĀ project with the stripped back āGo On Womanā, led by her captivating vocals and uplifting life-affirming lyrics encouraging her fellow woman to be all that she is made to be.
JMSEY – First Time
Alt-pop artist JMSEY unveils one of his most vulnerable tracks to date, entitled ‘First Time’.
Released during AAPI Month, the song explores his personal experience as an Asian American male, and how the mediaās portrayal of Asian men affected the way he was treated by others while growing up.
Is it in my mind, donāt know if itās not, Is it because of my eyes? Youāre thinking too much ~ First Time
New Music: Matt Sands
Hailing from California, singer and songwriter Matt Sands creates a light-hearted pop sound that feels fresh and charming to experience.
New single ‘Zombie’ is an unconventional take on the love song, comparing rejection to feeling like a Zombie – wandering the Earth to find the love that almost was.
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Casper The Ghost – Cool Kids
One of the catchiest songs of the week comes courtesy of Swedish cross-genre duo Casper The Ghost.
As is typical with their recent run of singles, ‘Cool Kids’ is a polished and well-constructed pop-rock sound that also feels grounded, relatable and genuine in tone.
The track is taken from their freshly-released new EPĀ ‘Holding on for dear life’, of which they say:
“It feels great to release this EP since it really represents what Casper The Ghost has become, and ‘Cool Kids’ is probably the best example. Our sound has developed a lot and we’ve both grown, as artists and people, which we hope will be heard when listening to the EP. Something that hasn’t changed though, is our collaboration and love of creation, that’s been constant since the beginning.”
‘Holding on for dear life’ is out now via Asylum | Casper The Ghost
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New Music: King Monday
While niche and psychedelic in tone, King Monday’s ‘We’ve Run Out!’ captures a relatable situation to many of us; that distinct feeling of waking up disoriented at an after, after, afterparty and trying to piece together events of the night before.
The track finds the London-based indie artist muse over the pre-lockdown era of parties, inviting the listener into the various pubs, flats and clubs that were frequented by members of the UK underground scene during this time.
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Keni – Bev Hillz
Rising LA-based starlet Keni is back today with an infectiously charming and nostalgic homage to one of her musical heroes – Weezer.
“I love Weezer. always have, always will. Beverly Hills is a staple of my childhood. I grew up in LA and Hannah Montana was my favourite show so what else would anyone expect. I live and have lived in the San Fernando Valley forever. I love it here. itās my home but i want to move up. I donāt take myself too seriously, similar in that sense to this song. in my silliest, wildest dreams I do want a star on the boulevard. I know how that may sound but I WANT one. A big fat star with my name on it. And thatās okay, because you probably want one too. thatās what this song is about.”
Glooms + Baby AK – low;
A refreshingly raw and painfully honest collaboration between emerging artists Glooms and Baby AK.
Taken from a forthcoming concept EP, new single ‘low;’ provides listeners with an intensely moving mix of electronic rock, emo and pop tones.
“After the most traumatic night of my life, my good friend Baby AK had me over to his studio to write because he knew I had some emotions I desperately needed to get out. Little did we know it would lead to an EP that we would later realise showcased the manifestations of my five stages of grief.” – Glooms
New Music: Tree Giants
Oklahoma CityāsĀ Daniel ChrismanĀ andĀ Israel Lee – collectively known asĀ Tree Giants, are already an established studio outfit who have worked alongside hip hop and R&B artists seeking to add electronic and dream-pop vibes to their music.
Today marks the release of their new single, entitled ‘Better Together’. Anthemic in tone and empowering in its lyricism, the song showcases a bold and invigorating edge to the dream-pop genre. So if you’re a fan of HONNE, Postiljonen or Friendly Fires then Tree Giants may well be one of your new favourites.
āNo doubt, weāre all worn out by global fallout of the past two years, from a pandemic standpoint, but also with continual political divide and most recently, the crisis in Ukraine weāve watched with aching hearts from the comfort of our own homes. What really stirred emotion in us, though – leading us to write āBetter Togetherā – was witnessing the inevitable, beautiful effects of unity amongst people – especially in desperate circumstances. Itās our genuine hope that the demonstration of humanity coming together to take care of each other in dark times will encourage us all to see that life is truly going to be better if we simply look out for each other, even when weāre in quieter, lighter seasons.ā – Daniel Chrisman, Tree Giants
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FERGUS – Fight Forever
Acclaimed rising artist FERGUS unveils his debut album today, alongside new single ‘Fight Forever’.
Deceptively simple in its sound, the song delivers a melodic approach to alternative pop that is both intriguing and refreshing to experience.
“‘Fight Forever’ started as a fun song I made when a brief came through to soundtrack an ‘ironic fight scene’. I wrote a song about two people falling in love whilst having a physical fight. Although I didnāt get the job, I really loved the chorus of the song! So, I rewrote the verses to be less comedic and more dramatic, then added some context in the middle to keep it personal.ā
Ā Debut album ‘LoveĀ Upside Down’ is out now via Goldun EggĀ
Bonze – Give In
One of the most exciting British artists to have emerged so far this year has been Bonze.
Today marks his return with another sharp and unique release through new single ‘Give In’, further displaying this artist’s incredible skill at crafting interesting sounds using elements of electronica, pop, indie and rock. On the track Bonze says:
“It is about giving in to external pleasures. Itās about giving in to that bad thing that you know you shouldnāt do, but you do it anyway because it feels good/ offers pleasure in the moment.”
New Music: Jenny Mayhem
With her unmistakably captivating voice, Barbadian-Canadian artist Jenny Mayhem creates honest and relatable pop about high hopes and small worries.
Written as a heartfelt ode to breaking bad habits, Mayhem’s new single ‘Tightrope’ is the first of several singles leading up to an upcoming EP, and was co-produced in Toronto with frequent collaborator Sugar Jesus.
Featured by the likes of CBC Radio as well as Spotify’s ‘Fresh Finds’ and ‘Fresh Finds: Indie’, Mayhem is one Canadian artist worth keeping on your radars.
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New Music: Sub Cultures
Hailing from South Wales, The Forest of Dean and Gloucester are promising indie newcomers Sub Cultures.
Atmospheric new single ‘Peeping Andrew’ is a confident and bold alt-rock sound that is immediately captivating. Produced by Gethin Pearson and mastered by Robin Schmidt, the track has already picked up praise by the likes of BBC Introducing.
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New Music: Fleur Rouge
With early support from BBC Introducing, Amazing Radio and Spotify, London-born and French-raised artist Fleur Rouge creates an interesting style of pop that straddles the line between dark, alternative beats and hard, digital future synths.
New single ‘Cold Feet’ is a song about the unapologetic, emotional unavailability that comes from an age where everyone craves validation from vapid likes and empty love.
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New Music: Almost Orange
Just in time for the weekend, Swedish newcomers Almost Orange release an infectious slice of electro-pop with new single ‘Infatuation’.
Retro-infused grooves mix with a funky dance beat, as lyrics tell of those times when there is so much chemistry and love for someone that it spills over – leaving you unable to see any red flags.
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