New Music: Garvie

Prior to lockdown, UK-based Garvie had spent years writing for other artists and cutting his teeth on the London live scene. With the music world on hiatus, he began learning how to produce his own songs, and the result is a sound that is immediately captivating.

New single ‘Villian’ has a production taking the swagger of AM-era Arctic Monkeys and the soul of Jack Garratt, and blends them in with Garvie’s pop sensibilities. On the single, he says:

“We’re always told we shouldn’t get angry. I think anger gets a bad rep – it can push you forward and motivate you more than a lot of other feelings. Whether it’s a celebrity, politician, an annoying co-worker or your ex – we’ve all got our villains. Sometimes it’s OK to embrace that.”

Garvie

School of X – New Friend

Danish wonder-kid School of X returns today with a song that’s written about always treating others with respect. Taken from his upcoming album ‘Dancing Through The Void’, the single thoughtfully balances indie and pop tones with emotional strings and captivating lyrics.

“‘New Friend’ is the song that represents this album in the best and broadest way… it contains the width of the album. I wanted to make a laid-back song as grand as possible.”

Pre-save or pre-order ‘Dancing Through The Void’ here

School of X

New Music: Yoza

An anthemic rock sound that feels refreshingly raw and full of character. Perfectly balanced between being underground and commercial, Yoza’s sound is sure to pick up a ton of traction globally over the next few months.

Yoza

New Music: Funky Neno

It’s not often that I receive music from Costa Rica, so when I do I’m always a little excited. And with talent like Funky Neno, it makes the wait worthwhile.

‘Close To Me’ is a kind of song that feels warm, authentic and easy to connect with. Thanks to a beautiful melody, charming vocals and sweet lyrics, this track could well take off on a global scale.

Funky Neno

Everyone You Know – Radio

Multi-talented sibling duo Everyone You Know unveil new single ‘Radio’ and as a personal fan of 90’s UK garage, this track is music to my ears. The single gives us all an insight into what to expect from the forthcoming EP ‘Just For The Times’.

“We’re buzzing to have ‘Radio’ as our next single. It was the last song added to the EP and it instantly felt like the missing piece to the project and a great follow up from ‘Just For The Times’. Throughout the whole EP you can hear the influences of the artists and genres we grew up listening to. And this tune is us paying homage to the late 90’s/ early 2000’s garage scene. The project as a whole feels like a journey of our lives over the last 18-24 months and this was made just as we were coming out of lockdown, so it feels like a great party tune too. You can imagine people singing along to the chorus on the dance floor or at an after party. And that’s that’s exactly the type of tune we wanted to make.”

To date, Everyone You Know have had a rapid rise to success in a short space of time, with over 100 million worldwide streams, a sold out UK tour, as well as a UK mainstage festival debut at Reading & Leeds.

Everyone You Know

DYLAN – Nineteen

Rising London pop newcomer DYLAN’s latest single ‘Nineteen’ is a gorgeous and uplifting ode to being young.

This is a song about the carefree joy of youth, of ‘blue dresses‘, ‘coffee and cigarettes‘ and ‘running from responsibilities‘.

“‘Nineteen’ is a nostalgic song about youth, love and heartbreak. It’s just about being young, and the summer of [being] 19 was so superior to every other summer because I had no responsibilities, and no school, and no reason to be anywhere.”

Dylan

New Music: LONA

A spellbinding sound from rising alt-pop artist LONA. With a hauntingly dark production setting the scene for some deeply captivating lyrics, ‘Let’s Just Chill’ is a heartfelt and vulnerable song that has the power to connect with you on a very deep level.

“I wrote ‘Let’s Just Chill’ during a dark time where I found that I was being sucked into this void where I was being bombarded with highlights of how great everyone’s lives were online. You only really see snapshots of people doing well and it’s hard not to compare your own lives to these highlights. I even fall guilty of doing this sometimes. I find myself posting pictures of me having the best time when really on the inside I felt like shit in that moment. It’s a weird juxtaposition – like taking the perfect picture with a smashed iPhone screen. You can hide in plain sight and the world has gotten really good at it. ‘Let’s Just Chill’ is a reminder that sometimes it’s best to just turn my phone off, turn the volume of the world down and just take a breather.”

LONA

Banji – TalkieWalkie

One of the catchiest indie bops you’ll likely experience all week, ‘TalkieWalkie’ from Utrecht-based quartet Banji is an exhilarating and refreshingly original release. It is yet another example of the band’s ear for memorable tunes that keep popping up in your head days after listening.

“This song was meant to be a continuation of our other song ‘Listen‘. I wanted to write down some of the conversations I had with myself in the shower, cause that’s really the only place I can actually win arguments. I thought that was a fun concept for a song, but I ended up writing about frustration. Being tied up and missing a sense of freedom and forwardness. Trying to handle that, but failing to consider a different perspective – all the way up to the point you’d rather spend your energy screaming at a wall.”  – Morris Brandt, Banji

Banji

New Music: VanIves

Very few songs this month have moved me as much as ‘Nothing’ has, from emerging Scottish duo VanIves.

Childhood friends Stuart Ramage and Roan Ballantine make up this multi-genre-bending outfit, creating soundscapes that are not only audibly stunning but beautifully intense.

VanIves

New Music: Owen Hamlin

Presenting garage rock at it’s finest, LA-based indie artist Owen Hamlin not only writes his lyrics and melodies but also produces, mixes and engineers songs that are boldly raw and true to his own ideas.

“I Don’t Like New Things, Old Things Are Better, Time Breaks Down Most Things, Few And Far Things Ever Find Away To Last”

Owen Hamlin

Bakar – The Mission

Bakar releases his first single of the year with ‘The Mission,’ a superb track that is taken from his upcoming album.

This talented artist has been on the rise for quite some time, having collaborated with the likes of Dominic Fike, BENEE, Kenny Beats and Lancey Foux, and has fans in everybody from Kendrick Lamar and Elton John to Skepta and the A$AP mob.

“​​To me, the song is about the want and need for a better future, especially for 1st generation kids of immigrant backgrounds – telling our stories is so important. I’m trying to represent and reclaim my Islamic faith for a new progressive generation. This is ultimately about peace but so often our symbols and flags have been hijacked for the wrong purposes. I see what’s happening in Kabul this week and pray for the people there.”

Bakar

New Music: Oliver Keane

Track of the week. Only recently just turned 18, Derby born and London based Oliver Keane launches one of the most impressive debuts that I have had the pleasure of listening to so far this year.

Stunningly tender through it’s simple construction, ‘in the morning’ showcases this artist’s mesmerising vocals and beautiful lyricism. Despite his young age, this is a sound that is raw and exceptionally emotive.

Since hitting his teens Oliver was determined to forge his own path, barely pausing for breath. And this debut is a testament to the commitment he has given to his craft.

“I’ve probably written something in my notes or made a voice note every single day for the past six years. We’re talking about thousands of songs. I can’t remember the last time I went without making music, or having some form of an idea just sitting in the back of a train, singing to myself like a weirdo…”

Oliver Keane

Sainté – No Love (feat. Miraa May)

Emerging UK rapper Sainté releases new single ‘No Love’ featuring vocals from the equally talented Miraa May. This is a song that is propulsive, intimate and atmospheric, further proving that the Leicester talent is one to watch.

“I am taking my time to tell a three-dimensional story and show you all angles. Now, I want to take people into a place where they can learn how to enjoy life as [the pandemic has shown] it’s so short.”

Sainté | Miraa May

Teddy Failure – Pure (feat. ELIO)

Consisting of two highly requested writing & producing talents known as TeoFrans, it’s little surprise that Swedish project Teddy Failure crafts supreme sounds that are immediately captivating to any listener.

As a production duo, TeoFrans have collaborated with some of the most exciting new talents to emerge recently, including LOVA, Naaz, Bearson, Rhys, Felix Sandman and Eli.

Their new single ‘Pure’ conjures a sense of teenage apathy, with killer lyrics like ‘We mix vodka with fire’ luring you in. But keep listening until the end, when the track’s live-fast-die-young naivety reaches a cathartic conclusion thanks to ELIO’s beautifully moving vocals.

Teddy Failure

New Music: Slopes

One of Norway’s most exciting indie-pop exports so far this year, Slopes creates a kind of sound that is universally loveable. With distinctive vocals and rousing melodies, it’s only a matter of time before this talent achieves global recognition.

“Sometimes, if I’ve let someone down, I can feel as if those tears shouldn’t be wasted on me – kind of like, save them for someone better! Tears is about avoiding or escaping relationships in fear of letting people down.”

Slopes

New Music: LiLi Joy

Photo / Kyoko Sadoshima

LiLi Joy creates indie-pop songs that include hints of old-school jazz and modern alternative styles.

The track’s lyrics tell stories, and lead listeners on emotional journeys. When you press play to ‘Dandelion’ you’ll understand just how beautiful her approach to music-making is.

“‘Dandelion’ is a song about growing up and hearing so many different opinions about who you should be and what you should accomplish. Eventually, all the criticism turns to white noise and you have to follow your own path.”

LiLi Joy

New Music: Cape Weather

With recognition from the likes of  NPR Music and The Line of Best Fit already under their belts, Los Angeles-based outfit Cape Weather’s fabulous style of blending indie and folk is winning them legions of new fans.

‘Get It Right’ is a song about enjoying the moment, feeling free, being yourself, and consequently finally getting it right.

“The chorus came to me while walking through a California native garden at the LA Arboretum. I thought to myself, how can a simple gesture such as walking through wildflowers feel so right? When I got home, I plunked out the chords on the old upright piano in my living room and everything else just flowed out.”

Cape Weather

New Music: Zola Simone

US singer-songwriter Zola Simone wrote her first song when she was just 12 years old, and hasn’t stopped since. She’s used music as a coping method for her struggles with anxiety and bullying, and she’s no stranger to judgment as an LGBTQ+ woman.

On meaningful new single ‘Sideways’, Simone reflects on the current state of the world “…and my experience of it, particularly as a teenager in America.” 

Taken from the album ‘Now You See Me‘ which is out now.

Zola Simone

New Music: Angelnumber 8

With a sound truly like none other, LA-based singer-songwriter Angelnumber 8’s ‘Last Laugh’ is a proclamation of him realising his self-worth in the face of situations and people that tried to diminish it.

This is a bold and conceptual sound that is unafraid to push the boundaries of experimental hip hop to new levels, making Angelnumber 8 an artist well worthy of your attention.

Angelnumber 8