Grammy-nominated artist and producer Terrace Martin joins forces with Nick Grant for his latest song ‘Can’t Let You Go’, which is a finessed blend of soul, alt-RnB and jazz that feels fresh yet timeless in equal parts.
“Can’t let you go is a song that came from the feeling of being in love with someone or something that kills you slowly. Some people are in love with the Internet, or control, or perception, and if you’re not careful those can kill you slowly as well.” – Terrace Martin
Track of the week. At 21-years old, Californian talent keni can fly creates a captivating blend of hip hop and pop that’s packed with a youthful sense of energy, charm and character.
A melodic fusion of indie and folk from London talent Max RM. Not much is known of this artist yet, other than he’s also a composer for films, spoken word and art installations. Nonetheless, the mystery just adds to the beauty of this sound even more, and I can’t wait to hear what comes out next.
A new independent singer-songwriter from the Philippines, Matthew Abapo has been singing since childhood.
His debut single was released last summer and garnered over 100,000 streams in the first few months alone.
Now he’s returned with another tremendously catchy pop bop in the shape of ‘Forget You’, and it’s sure to win him even more new fans.
“This is a breakup song that captures the emotion of losing someone and wanting to move on when one cannot.”
“‘Say Less’ is a transition song into this darker world I am exploring in my music. This video is a depiction of two people in a fleeting inferno of a relationship – one that can never be stable – but is too amazing to give up in spite of the inevitable outcome. They’re keeping a flame alive that will eventually burn out or explode. Not sure how it’ll end up, but in the meantime ‘Say Less’.”
I’ve featured Tyler Mann before, albeit as a vocalist with other artists. This is the first time I have truly discovered his own solo material, and it’s damn excellent. ‘Truth’ is a melancholic fusion of indie-soul and dark pop, exploring the dangers and excitement that comes with a new love.
“My dad always says I live a very charmed life and I think in some ways that’s definitely true and I’m very grateful but it absolutely does not apply to my romantic life. So when I sat down with my collaborator nicopop to make this record I was thinking about the fear that comes with a new attraction. I think anybody out there who’s ever been heartbroken and then had to open themselves back up should know what I mean by that and really this song is for all of you.”
Sometimes (albeit, very rarely), you listen to new artist sing just a few notes and you instantly know there’s something immensely special about them. I can now say that in April 2021, one of those moments occurred with the discovery of Australian singer-songwriter Tassia Zappia.
A sensationally mesmerising vocal is paired with a classic soul production to give this song an essence of timelessness that is just so magnificent to experience. Watch out for this lady – she’s going to take over the world by storm, mark my words!
“I pour my heartache, the agony and ecstasy into every one of my songs. I’m being very straightforward and saying, ‘This is my life. This is how I feel. I hope you feel the same way.’ When you hear a song where you relate to every lyric, it reminds you somebody else is going through the same things, and it makes the world ten times better. You know you’re not the only person in bed crying about this.”
Hailing from Tulsa (Oklahoma) Wyatt Sanders is no stranger to making hit records; he’s already a platinum-selling talent who’s written and produced for the likes of Diplo, Trippie Redd, and Iann Dior to name a few.
Now releasing solo material under the moniker of WYATT, this phenomenally talented artist has crafted one of the most impressive releases of the week with ‘Me Against You’. A pop song with deep substance, it tells of an on-and-off lover, painting the cycle from chaos to comfort and love after war.
To mark the release of Valley Boy’s debut EP ‘Thursday Friday’ (which is out now), the ingenious duo have launched ‘Gummi Bear’ as a single to entice us all into their wonderfully unique world of indie rock.
“The songs on this EP cover territory spanning from our personal relationships to our family ones, and even our relationship with each other as friends, and are all shaped through the lens of having grown up together in our beloved San Fernando Valley. We hope you stick around as we continue to unpack more of our childhoods and accumulate more tiny keyboards.”
A very sweet blend of dream-pop and indie, matched with two vocals that compliment each other beautifully.
“I wrote this song around two years ago about Katie Buxton, the featured artist. She’s always been one of my best friends in the world. When I wrote it, I was ridiculously in love and the song poured out of me. Getting to then work on the record with Katie was a really special experience for both of us.”
A magnificent slice of hyperpop bliss from American talent Miss Madeline. ‘Platinum’ is a twisted love song that follows Miss Madeline’s quest for pop stardom. It’s wildly infectious and bursting with feel-good vibes; perfect for the weekend ahead.
“This song is about demanding a pop star love story from one of my producer bro crushes… cuz sometimes you gotta spell it out for them. It doesn’t have to be forever… we can break up in the morning, but let’s at least make it hot and reckless. I’m excited to continue to play with different sounds within the pop and dance realm, and explore my version of vulnerability”.
A deeply emotive piece of ballad-pop that feels haunting and heartbreaking. A truly beautiful debut release from American newcomer Abby Siler.
“I wrote it in a place of heartbreak and loss but also in a place of finding myself and understanding love in new dimensions from heartbreak.”
A magnificently glorious blend of soul and power-pop from 27-year-old Canadian singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer Conor Gains.
‘Light Shine In’ makes an instant impact and serves as a lament about missing home. It speaks of the space in any relationship being the air that keeps the fire burning. Just like a good fire needs air, every relationship needs your own air to breathe.
Taken from the forthcoming EP ‘Threë’ which is out on 16th April 2021.
An atmospheric and eclectic indie sound with a dreamy and melancholic essence. Listening to ‘Make This Real’ is a fully immersive experience; it’s a track that transports you to your inner thoughts and lets you face them head on.
“By asking questions about the foundational human experience of needing and asking for help, this song wrestles with the difficult concepts of depression, self-harm, honesty and listening to others’ cries for help, all while maintaining a strong thread of hope.”
Canadian talent Ben Robertson‘s style of pop is charmingly fun at it’s core. Mixing smooth acoustics with wonky synthetic sounds, Robertson’s approach to music-making is not only playful and feel-good, but also carries an essence of coolness that is totally captivating.
New York pop band Beat The System are the kind of outfit who take a glass-half-full approach to both music and life.
Founded in 2005 by brothers Gerald and Stewart, the pair decided to move from Malaysia to the States and pursue music full time. Currently, they’re also joined by songwriter Adrian and singer Shannon, who’s a former American Idol qualifier.
‘Chasing the High’ is a track that sets them on a mission to positively influence the world through the power of their uplifting pop!
Toronto-based artist Sam Louis creates a perfect fusion of alt-pop and RnB with his music. This is a talent who curates feelings of loss and regret while still inducing euphoria with his sounds.
His new single ‘Driftin’ is about feeling lost and alone, surrounded by so much beauty that you can’t reach or access. A very relevant sentiment in these strange times we live in.
A hugely exciting Dallas-based pop collective, TREZR are a three-piece outfit who create emotive songs that feel nostalgic yet future-forward in equal measures.
“‘Cold’ is a story of love fading with time and the struggle of letting go of something that is no longer there. This song synthesises elements of winter with emotions of heartbreak to convey the elongation of a broken relationship.”
Hailing from Bristol (England), Sasa Zola is a talent in many ways. The Italo Senegalese artist is not only a singer and songwriter, but also a model and an ex pro windsurfer.
Written as an anthem for those who struggle to make themselves heard, ‘What If’ blends powerful lyricism into a richly dark pop production that feels intensely emotive yet still easy to connect with.
“This song is for all those who have a voice but have not been able to express themselves freely. We hid in fear, in anger, in the shadow of a society that has never accepted us. Not anymore. Our time has come. Let us be.” –
Quoting Martin Luther King in ‘I Have a Dream’ speech from 1963, ‘Let Freedom Ring’.
The first thing that catches your attention when you play Etaoin’s new single is the sheer emotive energy coming through from that incredible voice. The Irish talent has really caused quite the stir since January this year, having already garnered over 500,000 streams from just two singles.
‘I Dare You’ is a blazing act of self-assertion, written in response to someone who was talking badly about Etaoin behind her back.
“I was so furious, I had heard from my friends this boy had been badmouthing me for literally no reason. I was like: If you wanna do that, fine. I dare you, keep going, see what it does for you. A lot of my life especially as a female I have felt underestimated. It’s a general feeling of being talked down to, people not expecting you to win. In life it’s not always about who turns up for you, it’s about the times you turn up for yourself. Self-respect is often used in such a screwed up way, in this case I was respecting myself by cutting contact with this person. It’s me finding my voice again.”
