LA-based artist BRAY is not only a singer but also songwriter and producer. Feel-good bop ‘Reset‘ was made in it’s entirely by this talent, and blends summery vibes with hyperpop to create a shimmering slice of audible bliss.
“‘Reset’ is a song about discovering ones self and being who you truly are.”
Houston transplant (by way of Chicago), Natalie is back today with a luxuriously dark fusion of alt-RnB and pop.
New single ‘Guilty Pleasures’ sees this massively gifted talent croon about the guilt of being gay and cheating, all the while utilising vocal pitch manipulation to make the lyrics sound as masculine as possible. This is to contrast the way the world views her as a feminine-presenting lesbian.
“Because I appear ‘straight’, or don’t fit the stereotype of how a gay woman should present, some people invalidate my experiences and sexuality. I wanted to make sure that there was no wavering in my presentation with ‘Guilty Pleasures’.”
Alt-pop outfit Prince George return today with a melancholic slice of indie-pop which is so beautifully emotive and intense, yet still feels refreshingly easy to listen to and connect with.
“‘Off My Ass’ is really the first hug I have ever given myself through my work. I am a deep feeling person and become very angry/explosive when I am hurting. I make mistakes. I don’t know how to lie about how I feel. No matter how awful I’ve been to other people in moments of weakness, I have always been, without a shadow of a doubt, the absolute hardest on myself.” – Naomi, Prinze George
Toronto-based talent Jenny Palacios is a Vietnamese, Peruvian and Canadian artist with a distinctive sound that blends influences from early 2000’s emo rock and modern alternative pop.
‘Convenient’ is a richly textured synth-pop track that serves as a perfect introduction to one of your new favourite Canadian exports!
Multi-talented artist Lhasa Petik not only performed the vocals on new single ‘Here and Gone’ but also wrote, recorded and produced the song herself.
To date she’s accumulated well over a million streams with previous releases, and it’s clear why the world feels connected with this future star; her style of music is uniquely eclectic and totally captivating.
“When I was writing ‘Here and Gone’, there was a point where all of my insecurities and fears were coming true. As someone who always needs change and excitement, routine is one of my biggest fears, but being stuck at home has forced me to sit with my thoughts. I’ve had to take a step back and appreciate life and relationships for what they are without all the crazy parties and travelling. Instead of avoiding the lows or turning to vices to cope I’ve been forced to appreciate them for what they are.”
Hailing from New York City, Caro Miller is a 22-year-old artist and songwriter who seamlessly blends elements of pop and RnB together to create some almighty bops. ‘No Time For That’ is an explosive dance-pop banger that radiates confidence and self empowerment!
Franki is a Dublin-based artist who has managed to craft some of the finest chillwave pop that I have heard all week. This is a sound that feels fresh and new, yet still carries a certain essence of nostalgia that is charmingly loveable.
“’Redo’ came at a time when I was second-guessing myself a lot and questioning all of my decisions, wanting to go back and do them again. Especially when it came to relationships. I think people generally have an issue with absolving themselves of responsibility and I wanted to honestly reflect my own arrogance. I think doing that and being this honest with myself in my songwriting has been extremely valuable to me since then and that honesty in my songs is something I hold quite close.”
A hugely exciting indie-pop talent from Ireland, SVEN brings an understated yet highly finessed approach to music-making.
‘Frustration’ is a melancholic yet warm sound that feels dreamy and subdued, offset by an uplifting rhythm and backed by some gorgeous vocals.
I first featured Swedish artist Ulrik Munther back in 2011, when the then-teenager was just starting out on what has ultimately became quite the career.
Having achieved viral fame with his cover of Lady Gaga’s ‘Born This Way’ and competing at Melodifestivalen, Munther released three albums that all charted top-five in his native homeland.
Now he’s back with the beautifully sincere ‘Stay Awake’, a subtle fusion of indie and pop that feels deeply emotive and endearing.
“What I want to say most with this music is probably, be yourself and be honest. To think about things a little more.”
Taken from the album ‘Put Your Self Out There’ which is out now.
The Glaswegian alt-pop wonder-kid that is Leif Coffield returns today with the refreshingly eccentric ‘Just Wanna Be Strange’.
This is a deliciously dark and twisted (almost sinister release), with lyricism that looks at obsession, infallibility, and idolisation.
In an age where we are so driven by the idolisation of celebrity status, ‘Just Wanna Be Strange’ aims to portray the perspective of the obsessor. Often times we idolise those we see ourselves in, or see ourselves with, and it’s not difficult to think of someone with fame or celebrity that we haven’t adored simply because they seem ‘quirky’ or ‘weird’, and that it’s a travesty-debt owed to the universe that they haven’t become friends or lovers. This song represents that. All of that.”
A fundamentally honest approach to music-making from British talent Split The Dealer. On ‘Dreamstate’ we experience a light-hearted and fun sound that very quickly uncovers a darker and deeper lyrical context.
“I think over the years of social media growing, it’s sucked most of us in at one point or another where we’ve compared ourselves to how someone else looks, or how they are living. It’s easy to feel like you’re falling behind in life, when you compare your day to day life to somebody’s highlight reel, and it can plunge you into a rabbit hole of scrolling through other peoples best bits.”
Scottish talent Bethany Ferrie crafts the kind of rousing pop that is instantly loveable. The 23-year old singer/songwriter from Glasgow was shortlisted for the BBC Radio Scotland Singer/Songwriter Award 2019, and signed her first music publishing contract with EMI in 2020.
“This song is all about reminiscing, letting go and opening up: to allow yourself to feel the things you’ve been running from.”
Sweden really is delivering some outstanding pop artists so far this year, with Hugo Andersson being another fantastic talent to emerge from the Nordic nation. A power-pop anthem with an infectiously catchy chorus, ‘Easier’ is all about that terrible feeling that comes to you after a breakup; when the person you’re used to talking to about everything isn’t that person anymore.
“I received a DM on Instagram from the songwriter and producer Isac Halldin after my debut release ‘Eleven’. Isac invited me and my companion, Rasmus Gustafsson, to come to his studio to write with him. Weeks after that we all met up and wrote ‘Easier’ that day, and after just one day it felt like we’ve known each other for years.”
It’s already been a busy year for Stockholm talent Julia Alfrida, having just recently competed at this year’s Melodifestivalen (Sweden’s biggest music competition) with the equally impressive song ‘Rich‘.
‘GIRLS GIRLS GIRLS’ is a Scandinavian pop banger in every sense; this is the kind of track that commands you to get up and dance your ass off!
American talent Jill Blutt’s airy vocals glide over a perfectly balanced mix of synth-pop and indie on ‘Breathing in Manual’.
The result is a song that flirts between nostalgia and a more future-forward sound which is tremendously exciting to listen to.
“I make music for crying at the club/ on your way to the club/ in your bathroom when you were getting ready to go to the club but couldn’t quite make it out the house.”
There’s truly nothing quite like Banji’s sound. This is a quirky and eccentric blend of indie, pop and rock, all of which come together to form something playfully charming and hugely fun.
Hailing from Seattle is new 29-year old talent Wuwon, who’s song ‘I Like It’ is a wildly catchy bop that blends elements of pop, rock and indie together in perfect measures. This is a song that will stay in your head all day – be warned!
London based singer- songwriter Lu Wright has the kind of voice that immediately draws you in and keeps you hooked. A beautifully stripped-back fusion of soul, RnB and funk, her new release ‘Lovely’ shimmers like the soundtrack to a balmy summer’s day.
“‘Lovely’ represents a more positive me, looking back through my life. It’s far too easy to dwell on past mistakes and bad life choices, it’s much harder yet far more rewarding to acknowledge your growth and proudly move forward. ‘Lovely’ is less of a song about overcoming hurdles and more of a change in perspective. Whilst the lessons I have learnt are now the foundations of me, I can’t help but sympathise with those going through similar struggles without the benefit of hindsight.”
Taken from the debut EP ‘Notes To Self’ which is out on 27th May 2021.
A compelling and intimate indie sound that blends elements of 70’s psychedelica with a hazy and lo-fi modern twist.
Raised in the London suburbs, Paolo Ruiu is a second-generation Sardinian-Brit who is not only singer and songwriter, but also a multi-instrumentalist and producer.
“‘Run and Hide’ is an impassioned, bitter response to the faint-hearted ending of a relationship, circles around an evasive argument – never fully resolving.”
Australian indie-pop doesn’t get much more emotive than with this release from hugely talented artist Austen.
‘North South East West’ is a stripped-back and understated song that still packs a punch. Clever lyricism and beautifully distinctive vocals glide over a beautiful melody to create something that’s really quite special.
“The song was born from a super fun co-writing session with my friends Evan Klar (Berlin) and Hailey Collier (LA). It’s love letter to the honeymoon period. Ironically stemming from a dark place, I went into that studio session having just found out ten minutes earlier that a person really close to me had been telling me loads of lies – which is where the first verse started from: wondering what makes someone feel the need to lie? We took that, tried to laugh at it, and went on to spin it into something positive, imagining the flip side of the situation where things are easy breezy, simple, and comfortable.“
