Alexander Wesley – 19

Ontario’s finest, Alexander Wesley is back today with a gorgeously intimate and nostalgic release. ’19’ focuses on those first love feelings we’ve all experienced, perfectly encapsulating everything that a teenage love story has to offer.

“’19’ was written about that unconditional, euphoric and at times amusing state of being young and in love. It’s the kind of love that makes you forget everything else exists. When I sat down to write it, I remember reflecting on what it was like to be at that stage in my life; how innocent and pure every aspect of it was. It’s something for me, that’s hard to forget, and I hope those who listen will be taken back to those very moments that inspired the song.”

Alexander Wesley

ill peach – UP UP AND AWAY

One of indie-pop’s most exciting outfits to emerge from California of late, ill peach are back today with ‘UP UP AND AWAY’, which serves as a taster to their upcoming debut EP.

The duo have garnered considerable buzz since the release of ‘GUM’, even getting featured on noted playlists like LOREM and Superbloom.

The debut EP ‘EXCUSE US WHILE WE FIND OUR MINDS’ is set for release on 4th August 2021.

ill peach

Tall Heights – Hear It Again

I first featured Tall Heights back in 2016, and I am so stoked to see that this Boston indie duo have amassed over 275 million streams since, thanks to their lush soundscapes and emotive melodies.

They’re back with another sublime release in the form of ‘Hear It Again’, which serves as a joyous anthem of hope. 

“‘Hear It Again’ is a reverberating cry from the days of quarantine, a cry that has joyfully been answered. The writing process started on a pre-pandemic tour with Ben Folds, and was finished and recorded in pandemic isolation. The song is impregnated with this tension between two lost sanctuaries : home at home and home on the road. As the lines blur between the two, ultimately a feeling prevails that there is only one course back to peace for Tall Heights : back on tour.” 

Tall Heights

emie nathan – roses

One of my favourite newcomers to emerge from 2021, emie nathan returns with her uplifting new single ‘roses’.

Launching just three months ago, emie has already amassed over a million streams globally, as well as picking-up tastemaker support from the likes BBC Radio 1, Wonderland and Clash.

“The chorus describes how easy it is to look back on a moment in time with rose-tinted glasses, imagining everything better than it was in reality.  This song narrates how I see it for exactly what it was, the good with the bad and the sweetness that lies in both. The verses unpick my craving for a real and continued experience,  knowing that while it remains completely impossible – re-entering a more ‘normal’ way of life feels threatening without my people nearby to stick with and lean on.” 

emie nathan

Jordan Stephens – Wicked

A master of many talents, the musician, creative, writer and performer that is Jordan Stephens returns with an infectiously memorable anthem in the form of new single ‘Wicked’.

The track’s message is a simple yet powerful one: it’s a sign to feel good within yourself, own yourself, and value yourself from the inside out.

Jordan Stephens

New Music: Hana Lili

Hana Lili is a Welsh-born and London-based artist who’s debut ‘Stay’ is genuinely one of the most emotional songs that I have come across so far this week.

Entirely self-written and produced, the track is a gentle and dreamy introduction to the 21-year old’s sonic world, fusing intimate and confessional lyrics over a beautiful bedroom-pop production.

“I tend to gravitate towards writing songs about personal situations that are happening in my life. ‘Stay’ comes from a place of vulnerability and the need to be completely honest, something I find difficult to do in conversations in real life. As an artist, lockdown allowed me to go back to basics, just writing songs and submerging myself in the purity of the process. Not having to focus on anything else associated with music helped me to discover the songs I wanted to create and produce.”

Hana Lili

New Music: Miso Extra

Hailing from London, Miso Extra is a dual heritage producer who also sings and raps in Japanese and English.

Self-branded as ‘umami for the ears’, this artist’s music explores themes surrounding femininity, female empowerment and being of mixed heritage.

Taken from the forthcoming EP ‘Great Taste’ which is out later this year.

Miso Extra

New Music: I Feel Fine

I Feel Fine are a Brighton-based quartet who’s bold approach of blending indie with emo, punk and math makes an instant impact the moment you press play.

Raw and rousing vocals take centre stage on new single ‘Elemenohpea’, while also showcasing this band’s ability to mix nostalgic alt-rock tones with new and fresh textures, creating a uniquely distinctive sound.

“The song deals with complacency and how, with trying to settle every time we feel the smallest bit comfortable, we only set ourselves up to fall behind a little further on. It’s about understanding the traps we can set just by laying idle.” – Nathan Tompkins, I Feel Fine

Taken from the debut album ‘The Cold In Every Shelter’ which is out on 10th September 2021.

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Vantage – I Found You (feat. Benjamin Ingrosso)

Swedish superstar Benjamin Ingrosso seems to have a good instinct in what songs he decides to lend his distinctive vocals to.

His collaboration with French-born, Japan-based future funk pioneer Vantage is perfect proof; this is probably going to be one of the best summer bops of the year.

Vantage | Benjamin Ingrosso

Malaki – Head Highs

Undoubtedly one of Ireland’s most promising rappers of late, Dubliner Malaki’s superb ‘Head Highs’ serves as the lead single from the forthcoming EP ‘DFTTYM’ (Don’t Forget To Take Your Medicine), which due later this month.

“I wrote this song when I was living in London the summer of 2020. I wasn’t in the greatest of head spaces and I was confined to my flat due to the pandemic. I promised myself I would come back a stronger person and enjoy the life London had to offer. This music video definitely proves that.”

Malaki

New Music: Angel + Dren

Track of the week. Bronx-raised and Harlem-based twins Angel + Dren create a type of RnB that is truly timeless in it’s concept. The ethereal ‘Nirvana’ showcases a melting pot of sounds that the sisters have amassed through their life journeys and artistic explorations.

“’Nirvana’ is about feeling misunderstood. It’s about love and nostalgia.” 

Taken from the upcoming EP ‘Dark Summer’ which is out on 13th September 2021.

Angel + Dren

New Music: Leith

Canadian singer and songwriter Leith crafts a sound that transcends any one genre, instead creating tracks that tell a story through an emotive journey.

‘Love Vibes’ is a song that embodies the serenity of fresh love, and the nail-biting anxieties that come with embarking on starting something new.

Leith

New Music: Jeymon

A captivating blend of lo-fi pop, RnB and hip hop from emerging talent Jeymon. With rousing lyrics and an anthemic melody, ‘It Won’t Be Like This Forever’ is one of the most impressive releases to emerge from Canada this week in my view.

“The track is based on the fact that nothing will stay the same; the good, the bad, every moment will pass by so take it all in while you can.”

Taken from the forthcoming debut EP, which is due in September.

Jeymon

New Music: Finnegan Tui

Hailing from New Zealand, Finnegan Tui is a London-based multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and producer.

By fusing dark blends of indie and folk, this artist creates some of the most stunning soundscapes that I have yet to come across so far this year.

“‘More’ is about the yearning we all have to feel more alive. We are breathing humans with the miracle of consciousness, connected to something greater than ourselves. Life should not be limited by fear: we can love, live and experience more if we are not playing it too safe.”

Finnegan Tui

New Music: Toby Hobart

A distinctly unique and refreshingly exciting blend of pop, hip hop and RnB from Brisbane talent Tony Hobart.

Featuring a nostalgic (almost Disney-like) essence, ‘i think i’m in love with u’ is the kind of track which feels like none other that you may have heard, yet incredibly easy to fall in love with.

“Joy, happiness, not being taken too serious all the time. That being said, there’s definitely a time and place for more serious/sad/personally significant tracks and I will always continue to write and release those as well, however, I just really want to show people more of who I am most of the time.”

Toby Hobart