Track of the week. A hugely exciting release from UK-born Nigerian artist Nissi. This emerging talent crafts a universally likeable sound that blends pop with elements of R&B and afrobeat in a seamlessly exquisite way.
New Music: Nissi
Elujay – Tenfold
Oakland talent Elujay has consistently served us with some of the finest blends of R&B, jazz, and soul over the years.
New release ‘Tenfold’ is no exception, thanks to it’s feel-good tones and compelling lyricism.
Debut album ‘Circmvnt’ is out on 21st January 2022 via AWAL.
Benjamin Francis Leftwich – Tinsel In The River
With an unconventional yet refreshingly moving take on the Christmas single, Benjamin Francis Leftwich releases ‘Tinsel In The River’.
The song features his trademark acoustic guitar playing, intimate, honest vocals and lyrics with a heartbreaking perspective on the festive period.
“‘Tinsel In The River’ is a song about sitting alone over the Christmas period and reflecting over the previous year of love, loss and what could have been – but flew out of one’s hands. The song is set against the Christmas party season in the town in Yorkshire where I am from. The city comes alive with: the party, the bag, loving fellowship – and also chaos.
To me the song is about that feeling of isolation, set against the backdrop of bright noisiness at that time of year and how the sparkle of it all can also be the trigger for the pain that was so nearly disappearing in the normal stillness of the town, which suddenly is turned upside down.”
Jonathan Floyd – Tarantino
Undoubtedly one of my favourite emerging Norwegian talents, Jonathan Floyd continues to impress with his dark take on R&B-pop.
Bradley Baker – Younger
Cornwall artist Bradley Baker returns today with a deeply moving new release, further marking this talent as one of the UK’s most exciting musical prospects.
‘Younger’ tells of the time when Bradley found out his sister (who he grew up with) wasn’t his real sister. The song captures the emotions surrounding that, and in essence reassures his sister that it doesn’t change anything for him.
Mallika Vie + Aero Austaire – Lately
Mallika Vie and Aero Austaire collaborate on a song that exemplifies the soulful beauty of R&B.
‘Lately’ is a track that feels timeless in style; this is music that immediately transports you to another space, all the while carrying thoughtful lyricism.
“Just as internal sadness can be masked by an amiable exterior, ‘Lately’ presents itself to the listener as mellow and warm, while, upon closer listen, reveals a dark underbelly of pain and pervasive hardship.”
FERGUS – More Than I Deserve (Acoustic)
London based singer-songwriter FERGUS releases a gorgeously stripped-back version of his latest single ‘More Than I Deserve’.
This acoustic edit serves as a reminder of FERGUS raw talent as an instinctive singer and musician; the song’s evocative soundscape is created solely by his emotive vocals and a guitar.
“‘More Than I Deserve’ was born out of conflict in a relationship. I wanted to convey that restless angst of turning things over and over in your mind, trying to find a way through that conflict. It’s a song about commitment and persevering, even though it hurts. So, although it sounds dark and painful, really, it’s a message of dedication and hope. A declaration of love.”
FERGUS continues to garner traction across the UK, with recent support from the likes of BBC Radio 1, 6 Music, Radio X, Clash, HUNGER, Wonderland and Atwood.
New Music: Fjord Mustang
Another week, another superb talent from Canada! This time it’s the turn of indie-rock outfit Fjord Mustang.
This Toronto group create a sound that feels current yet nostalgic in equal measures. Their melodic new single ‘Fortune’ is all about taking chances, and how you can miss out on life if you don’t attempt to face things and act before it’s too late.
New Music: Glooms
If you’re a fan of MGK, Yungblud and jxdn then chances are Glooms could be your next new favourite.
Hailing from Los Angeles, this artist constructs sounds that are authentic, and raw in emotion. With captivating vocals and powerful productions, this emerging talent is one to watch.
“This song is about being so traumatised by a past relationship, that no matter how hard you try to forget them you can’t. Not in the corny way where you only remember the good times and miss the person, but in a way where little things throughout your day trigger an emotional response that you’d rather not have. This is not a love song. It’s a song about desperately wishing you could forget.”
New Music: Bambi L
Finnish music doesn’t come over often to us, but when it does it always seems to be a beautiful experience to play.
When she’s not busy helping to write music for the likes of Karl Killing and Junge Junge, Bambi L creates a unique style of indie-pop that feels immediately relatable, while still carrying a subtle and measured sense of playfulness and eccentricity.
“With this song I want to send a message to people, that it’s okay if you’re feeling sad or lonely, or going through a hard time on Christmas. You are not alone.”
New Music: Aminta Skye
American artist Aminta Skye introduces herself to the world with debut single ‘Ring Around the Sun’.
A true fusion of genres, the song starts with a gentle guitar and ringing vocals, progressing to a groovy chorus with elements of chill-pop, and finally reaching its destination with a full rock bridge and ending.
“I just think we’ve all felt let down before, truly disappointed by someone. I view songwriting as a way to connect with people but also as a therapy for myself. I actually wrote this song at sixteen, it felt like I couldn’t rest until it was done.”
New Music: BURNR
Emerging Dutch project BURNR unleashes impressive debut single ‘Move’. This is an epic slice of tech-house music, and a perfect addition to your weekend playlists.
Yuphoric + Sedric Perry – Changes
Berlin-based outfit Yuphoric release a new collaboration today, featuring vocalist Sedric Perry.
Combining the musical energies of the collective’s home cities (Berlin, New York and Tel Aviv), ‘Changes’ is groove-filled anthem that feels charmingly nostalgic and deeply emotional in equal measures.
“The song and whole experience has been about growth and internal reflection. Learning how to take what comes, and making the most of hard times. We all have them, and sometimes it’s best to relax and let it all play out. In the end everything will be okay. Throughout the past year and a half, we’ve all gone through lots of hardship, tests of patience and persistence. ‘Change’ is about learning to acknowledge the tough times, keeping your loved ones close and focusing on growth.” – Yuphoric
New Music: Araya
Thai-Chilean talent Araya constructs sounds like none other. This is a highly impressive blend alternative R&B and electronica that feels elevated and conceptual.
’02’ is addictively listenable and intriguingly unique in tone; be prepared to have this song on loop all day…
New Music: Ellur
Hailing from Halifax is emerging artist Ellur. Writing music since the age of 11, this talent is crafting some of the most exciting new indie-pop sounds to currently come out of Northern England.
With shimmering synths, sleek slinky guitar lines and a driving pulsating rhythm, ‘Innocent (Dreaming)’ is an emotionally introspective bop that deserves to be heard.
Taken from the new EP ‘Moments’ which is out now.
Lance Redeker – CAN I?
An invigorating fusion of soulful indie-pop and rock from one of California’s most exciting recent talents, Lance Redeker.
Porches – Adore You
New York City artist Porches creates one of the most haunting covers of the year by taking on the Harry Styles song, ‘Adore You’.
“I thought it would be interesting to strip down ‘Adore You’, this huge pop song, and see what happened. I feel like I was really able to get lost in it and create this kind of eerier and darker version.” – Porches via Domino
New Music: Renao
Newcomer Renao is an emerging singer, songwriter and producer who puts his own pop-influenced spin on guitar-led alternative R&B.
With a strong sense of authenticity coming through his music, this artist eschewed a career as an Olympic Badminton hopeful, so that he could create art that references the aspirations of American youth and pop culture.
St. Panther – Places
Irvine-based artist, producer, singer, multi-instrumentalist and rapper St. Panther returns with reflective new single ‘Places’.
“As artists, I think we’re expected to just be ready to rip the bandages off of some of the most intimate parts of our lives as soon as we sit down to record – this song served to open the dialogue between me and a younger self that is still working to share. As people, I think we grow up told what our paths should be. This song is a space where I put the feeling of having a life farther from that – that a lot of the time I had to go my own way and take myself through so many spaces to find my path. I would say this is a song welcoming the idea that all those detours in life are valid, they brought us here.”
Taken from the latest two-track bundle that also includes ‘Greatness’.
New Music: Jim Legxacy
Hailing from South East London, Jim Legxacy is a highly experimental and creative artist who isn’t afraid to be vulnerable.
The producer, rapper and singer constructs a sound that fuses essences of rap, drill, indie and pop into mesmerising songs that are exceptionally unique in character.
Taken from the new project ‘CITADEL’ which is out now.