Rhys – Butterflies

An artist who has never been afraid to experiment with her work, Rhys seems to have finally found her sound through the release of new EP ‘Thanks a lot now I can’t smile’ (out now).

Featuring co-production by Elias Kapari, this creative and playful record takes inspiration from growing up in the hipster nest that is Portland.

“This EP is a projection of my frustration in life and relationships; filled to the brim with passive aggressive jokes, defence mechanisms, pettiness and sadness. It’s me looking back and admitting my flaws and worst tendencies, but also realising i’m not always fully responsible for how things turned out. You can’t predict how people will treat you, or how you’ll react to situations in life. You don’t always have to be reasonable or grateful, sometimes things just feel shitty. Relationships end, they leave, you leave, depressions happen. I found myself asking everyone I met if my feelings were normal, seeking some type of solace in that others could relate to my lows, but that’s never really enough. So instead I wrote songs, hoping they in turn could help others. I’m just writing about life and every teeny tiny emotion in between.”

Rhys

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New Music: Lovis

Emerging from the German city of Hamburg is independent duo Lovis. With an experimental take on music-making, this outfit construct sounds that feel fresh and new, while still providing listeners with a sound that is easy to connect with.

“Our ambition is to make music we love. Together with friends and family we try to push genre boundaries.”

Lovis

New Music: The China Blue

American talent The China Blue delivers a deliciously experimental mix of alternative R&B and funky pop with new single ‘out of my mind’.

Describing struggles with mental health and the feeling of losing your mind, the track plays itself as a danceable catharsis, with a paired visualiser that has The China Blue choosing to cope with these feelings by shaking them out.

The China Blue

Devon – BULLETS

British artist and producer Devon returns with a bold and potent sound in the form of new single ‘BULLETS’.

Haunting as it is anthemic, this surging alt-pop gem was written and self-produced by Devon at his home, in one of the most remote areas in the UK – the Forest of Dean. 

“The song is basically about being betrayed by someone and the stupid feeling you’re left with after someone walks all over you. You just feel like a ghost of yourself.”

Devon

Jenny Palacios – Grateful

Toronto based singer-songwriter and producer Jenny Palacios returns with a gorgeously dreamy and emotive fusion of indie and electronic pop.

‘Grateful’ explores the guilt that Palacios experienced when she was surrounded by abundance but still felt a lack.

“I wanted to elicit a sense of slow dreading numbness, because it can be really visceral hitting these low periods. It’s like everything is a little blurry, faded, and far away. Everything’s confusing but nothing’s urgent. No beginning or end.”

Jenny Palacios

Abby Roberts – Pink Champagne

Online sensation Abby Roberts continues her ascent into the musical mainstream with the release of new single ‘Pink Champagne’.

With more than 17 million followers and an accumulated total of 1.4 billion likes on TikTok alone, this social media starlet has shown herself to be a hugely gifted pop newcomer and as one to watch this year.

“I wrote ‘Pink Champagne’ because I wanted to have a go at writing a love song but without making it cliche, there’s so many love songs out there and I didn’t wanna be all soppy! It’s essentially a breakup song reminiscing about the nicer parts of a not so perfect relationship, I think it’s super visual and manages to bring you on a journey with the dreamy vibes.”

Abby supports Halsey across a string of shows on the ‘Love and Power’ tour in North America this summer.

Abby Roberts

New Music: roman around

DNT Music Video Still / Dir. Angel Orozco

Rising Californian creative roman around (Roman Rivera) is not only a recording artist but also an accomplished drummer and and multi-instrumentalist.

After touring the country as a drummer for various bands, Rivera began experimenting on their own music, with the creation of songs like ‘DNT’ coming to fruition.

The song applies intricate rhythms and lush textures to support passages on relationship red flags, and the recurring trauma of an abusive relationship.

“‘DNT’ started as a demo in April of 2021. I was using it as a project to design synth sounds and create random drum loops. It wasn’t intended to go anywhere, but when some friends heard it they became attached to the creation and encouraged me to finish it.”

roman around

New Music: April

Emerging from Ireland is newcomer April, who’s alternative approach to pop feels future-forward while still carrying a sense of 90’s nostalgia. Introspective new single ‘Hotel’ is subtly emotive and totally captivating.

April supports Matilda Mann on her UK tour from later this month.

April

Meg Mac – Is It Worth Being Sad

After a two-year hiatus, Australian singer-songwriter Meg Mac returns in magnificent fashion with new single ‘Is It Worth Being Sad’.

Retreating to the stillness of the countryside in 2020, Meg began work on what would become her most personal and powerful songwriting to date.

The song was produced by The Donuts (Joji, H.E.R., Kendrick Lamar) and sets the tone for what fans can expect to hear from her upcoming releases this year.

Meg Mac

New Music: Ayla D’lyla

Emerging from New York is recording artist Ayla D’lyla, who’s melodic and dramatic approach to dark pop is irresistibly captivating.

Bold and cinematic in essence, her new single ‘Money’ is a biting take on the struggles that afflict modern love. As Ayla explains:

“This song is exactly what you’d think it’s about. Many of the women in my life, including myself, seem to constantly feel emotionally unfulfilled by their relationships with men. Quite frankly, we just want your money.”

Ayla plays her debut headline show in NYC on 15th March at the Mercury Lounge. Tickets are available here.

Ayla D’lyla

New Music: BOYU

Photo / Neptune Art House

Emerging from LA is songwriter BOYU, who’s latest release blends indie-pop with rap in a refreshingly conceptual way. If you’re a fan of Dominic Fike, Jeremy Zucker or blackbear then chances are you’ll love this talent too.

‘Miata Trip’ was inspired by the highs and lows of a psychedelic trip – specifically by the globally acclaimed HBO hit show Euphoria.

“Akin to the euphoric peaks of a trip, the verses and bridge represents liberation of the soul, uplifting and carefree, paired with bright happy chords and melody. In contrast, the chorus and outro symbolise the dark downward spiral when stuck in a self-deprecating headspace, with minor chords, angsty flow/ production, and slowed BPM.”

BOYU performs at Spring Fest on 19th March 2022 with Tessa Rae, Banana Club, and Halo Kitsch.

BOYU

New Music: Joshoo

One of the catchiest releases this week comes courtesy of rising US artist, producer and musician Joshoo.

With its superb blend of indie and bedroom-pop, ‘Obsession’ carries lyricism about a situation in love that many of us will be able to connect with.

“This is a song about getting stuck in toxic relationships, and confusing stress or anxiety with the excitement of love!”

Joshoo

New Music: James Alphonse

Photo / Juri Alexandrowiz

Hamilton singer and songwriter James Alphonse crafts a style of sound that is not easy to describe. This artist bravely fuses elements of electro pop, pop-rock and chill R&B to form songs that feel original yet relatable.

New single ‘i dont need to choose’ is all about the relationship insecurities faced by his long-term and long-distance partner.

“People have described my music as diverse pop with a touch of guitar and R&B melodies… It’s tough to pin me down, but I’m hoping it’s more like opening a cookbook and seeing all the amazing things you can eat, rather than going to a pierogi shop for your favourite, standard pierogi and finding they’ve changed the menu (if you love pierogi as much as I do, that example will stick the landing, otherwise, fill in your own addictive food for effect).”

Alphonse’s upcoming debut solo EP will feature production from the likes of Andre Kaden Black (Fefe Dobson, Francesco Yates) and Tal Vaisman (21 Pilots, Imagine Dragons).

James Alphonse

ericdoa – fool4love

The musical phenomenon that is ericdoa shares his latest single ‘fool4love’, showcasing an experimental approach to pop that is not only bold and daring, but also features refreshingly candid lyricism.

“‘fool4love’ was probably my favourite experience making a song I’ve had, it was all of my close friends on the floor of my bedroom hearing me annoyingly hum a guitar melody into the amazing fortuneswan’s ear until 6 AM rolled around and the finished product was what your hearing now. A classic tale of my awkward stages of figuring out what being committed to a human being is all about.”

ericdoa embarks on his ‘Things With Wings’ headline tour soon, which will touch on major US cities including Atlanta, New York, Toronto and Los Angeles.

ericdoa

Brother Leo – Hello Life

Described by Music Week as ‘a non-conformist creating his own lane in the world of pop music‘, Swedish pop royalty Brother Leo has finally unveiled the first part of new album ‘PoP Poetry’ – and with it the release of ‘Hello Life’.

“In a way I’d say ’Hello Life’ is about me searching for answers, both inside and outside of my body. A search that in many ways became the start of Brother Leo and a more unafraid, playful, creative freedom. So it just felt right to open the album with that song. Some songs just come to you in an almost magical way. ‘Hello Life’ is definitely one of them.”

The album introduces star-studded collaborations with the likes of Neiked, Fat Boy Slim, Björn Yttling (Peter Bjorn and John), Fred Gibson (Fred again…), London Community Gospel Choir and Steve Mac.

‘PoP Poetry’ [pt.1] is out now.

Brother Leo

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gglum – Tangled

Singer-songwriter gglum unveils her latest track ‘Tangled’, featuring production from modern-day legends Mura Masa and Karma Kid.

The emotionally charged track was written during a period of extreme writer’s block and insecurity, as gglum states:

“It’s all about feeling frustrated when you feel like you’re not being treated fairly and how it can affect seemingly unrelated aspects of your life. I was almost looking at how one thing can cause a chain reaction that spreads into weird corners of your thoughts and behaviour. I think there was a little bit of venting of old anger involved when I was writing it.”

gglum

Aby Coulibaly – On My Ones

Photo / Finn Harney

Dublin-based rising star Aby Coulibaly unveils one of the stand-out releases of the week in the form of new single ‘On My Ones’.

With its 90’s inspired R&B sound, the track finds Coulibaly embracing the importance of space and time alone, and speaking openly about mental health.

“‘On My Ones’ is about enjoying my own company and being by myself. I’ve always been that person to leave functions/ parties early because I’m tryna go home to my bed. It’s also about disconnecting myself from everything like social media, even friends sometimes, because I just need to sit with my own thoughts and emotions and be in my own company for a while.”

Aby Coulibaly

New Music: Erica Manzoli

Track of the week. One of the most exciting newcomers to emerge from the UK over the last few months, London-based singer, songwriter and musician Erica Manzoli crafts beautifully melodic pop sounds that carry honest and raw lyricism.

‘My Best Friend Is My Therapist’ was written during lockdown, and narrates the feelings of disconnect that were suffered during the pandemic.

“This song explores feelings of loneliness and the irony that connecting virtually disconnects you from reality. I’d lost all contact with my friends during lockdown and the only person I was speaking to on a regular basis was my therapist via Zoom. Being in your house for months and trying to navigate things like love and friendships entirely through our phones is extremely difficult and tiring. You can’t ‘read the room’ when you’re not physically in the room and although screen time often makes you feel worse, if you stop using them then it’s easy to lose contact with the outside world completely.”

Erica Manzoli