Annika Kilkenny – Tango

Photo / Ciara Kilkenny

“I remember being in my room finding all these James-Bond-type chords and thinking about how I could something quite moody with them. The idiom ‘the ball is in your court’ drove the lyrical concept for this song with how the verses embody a back-and-forth, my-move-your-move motif. Only later did this inspire the title of the track to be dubbed the name of the fiery latin dance.”

Annika Kilkenny

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New Music: Ebubé

TRACK OF THE WEEK

Hand on heart, we haven’t heard something this sublime in a very long time. Today we introduce you to UK-based R&B talent Ebubé. A name on the rise, and one that will very likely become globally recognised very soon.

‘Where I Wanna Be’ showcases this rising singer and multi-instrumentalist’s artistry beautifully. Alongside the sincere vocals, the track’s flawless production (crafted by RELYT, who has also worked with the likes of FLO and Ayanna) treats listeners to a finessed and perfected R&B sound.

It’s quite an impressive piece of music, and really quite extraordinary that this musician is only 22 years of age. It’s looking bright for this kid… keep him on your radars.

Ebubé

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k?d – s c a p e g o a t

We don’t feature k?d as much as we like, so when we do, it’s always a special time. This hugely popular Floridian talent has amassed a considerable fanbase in recent years and now reaches more than 200k listeners every month on Spotify.

His new single ‘s c a p e g o a t’ is a euphoric piece of breakbeat-infused drum & bass. It’s sonically sublime and will undoubtedly become one of our favourite releases this month.

The track is lifted from k?d’s latest EP, which is out now, called ‘LISTEN WHILE DRIVING LATE AT NIGHT’.

Speaking on the new collection of songs, the producer and DJ explains that it is ‘a 6-track EP about JDM nightlife culture… Something in me wanted to get this kind of music off my chest so this is more of a passion project for me than the usual k?d release.’

k?d

Nia Chennai + Ella More – Give It Up

Photo / Amy Lauffer Neff

TRACK OF THE WEEK

Two of the UK’s most hyped, rising starlets have teamed up to create a sensational R&B track that requires your immediate attention.

‘Give It Up’ is a collaboration between Nia Chennai and Ella More, and serves us with a finessed, perfected R&B sound that feels fresh and future-forward while also maintaining a sense of timelessness. On the song, the artists say:

“Me and Ella just bounced ideas off each other, and it flowed like we had been friends for years. It was both our first female collab, so the energy was already high, it was good vibes from the start. When we got in the studio, we were just talking about life — how sometimes you really gotta stand on business and walk away from stuff that’s not serving you. That vibe really shaped the whole track. I want people, especially women, to know that it’s more than okay to put yourself first. It’s about walking away from what doesn’t serve you without feeling bad about it. Know your worth and move with that confidence, but keep it real and true to who you are.” – Nia Chennai

“I’ve admired Nia’s artistry for a while, and collaborating with her firsthand has deepened my respect for her talent and vision. We made this song during our very first session together over a year ago. It felt so easy working with her and we creatively bounced off each other. I can’t wait for everyone to hear it and, hopefully, love it as much as we do!” – Ella More

If you’ve yet to come across these two talents, then now’s the time to go and check out their catalogues. Chennai has been featured by outlets as prominent as COLOURS, Earmilk, and Viper magazines, while More has received support from the likes of Spotify and Stereofox.

Nia Chennai | Ella More

Public Order – Joker

Public Order really are marking themselves as one of the UK’s most promising indie newcomers. Today’s release of ‘Joker’ only goes to further showcase their incredible talent, and we’re thrilled to be sharing it with you.

It’s a bold and energising indie-rock anthem that grips you from the moment you press play. Elaborating on the lyrics, Public Order say:

“‘Joker’ is a bittersweet snapshot of youth. It’s about living in the moment, embracing the chaos, the messiness, and the beautiful but fleeting moments. It’s the realisation that not everything is meant to last, and that’s okay.”

The track is taken from the group’s debut ‘HELLO’ EP, which is out on the 28th of March (pre-save here). Until then, you can catch the guys on a UK-wide tour with Alfitude favourites Everyone You Know, starting in Birmingham this Friday. Full dates and venues are below.

Everyone You Know UK Tour 2025:

  • February 7th – Birmingham, O2 Institute2 
  • February 8th – Manchester, Club Academy
  • February 9th – Leeds, The Wardrobe
  • February 11th – Bristol, Thekla
  • February 12th – Brighton, Concorde 2
  • February 13th – Nottingham, The Bodega
  • February 15th – London, Electric Ballroom
  • May 2nd – London, Notting Hill Arts Club, CloseUp’s £3 Series
  • May 9th – Wrexham, The Rockin’ Chair, FOCUS Wales
  • May 24th – Bristol, Dot To Dot
  • May 25th – Nottingham, Dot To Dot

Public Order

New Music: Chris Youmans

Californian artist Chris Youmans has to be one of the most promising pop newcomers to emerge from the US in recent times.

This talent is building traction globally thanks to his distinct take on music—which blends electronic pop with elements of funk, soul, and jazz.. Youmans cites his musical icons as Nile Rodgers, Quincy Jones, and Max Martin—and you’ll hear all of those inspirations come through when playing any one of his many brilliant songs.

‘Too Close’ is lifted from the album ‘Electric Love Connection,’ which is out now. You can also catch Youmans performing at LA’s iconic Viper Room on the 8th of March—tickets available here.

It’s almost impossible not to feel some kind of connection with this musician’s work, and for that, we think he’s a star in the making.

Chris Youmans

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New Music: ZenToy

Hailing from Brussels in Belgium is an interesting composer, producer, and DJ called ZenToy.

We recently came across one of his latest releases, called ‘Your Eyes,’ and we think it’s pretty fab. The track showcases an electronic style of production that is fresh yet also carries a sense of retro nostalgia, which is really quite charming to experience.

The song reminds us a lot of the classic sounds by disco icons like Sylvester and Patrick Cowley, so if that’s your kind of flavour then be sure to check out ZenToy’s work!

ZenToy

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Healthy Junkies – Dead Souls

Acclaimed London-based punk-rock outfit Healthy Junkies have released one of the catchiest songs that we’ve come across for a good while.

Despite its dark title, ‘Dead Souls‘ is an energising punk bop that not only showcases singer Nina Courson’s captivating vocals but also treats us to a melody that is sure to stick in your head all day.

Healthy Junkies are about to take part in a series of shows across the UK and in Paris—so if they’re in a town near you soon, be sure to check them out!

Healthy Junkies

Pentire – Being Underwater

Photo / Colin Hawkins

Herefordshire indie chaps Pentire kick off their year with not only a new single but also a UK-wide tour, which we highly recommend you try and catch.

‘Being Underwater’ serves as the group’s focus track on their new EP, titled ‘Love On TV’ (out now). The song itself is a sincere and mellow, yet emotive, piece of music that mirrors its lyrics beautifully.

“‘Being Underwater’ is about moving out to the city and finding life beyond your hometown. Growing up and succumbing to real life can feel isolating and often as if you’ve been ‘underwater’ all these years. This song was written during a visit back to my family home, in a break from the newfound city life.” – Jack Morgan, Pentire

Pentire’s momentum has continued to grow recently, with the band’s music gaining support from outlets like BBC Radio 1 and 6Music, and their headline concert shows selling out nationwide.

Pentire

Pentire Love on TV UK Tour 2024

  • 13th Feb – Bristol Thekla
  • 14th Feb – Manchester Deaf Institute
  • 15th Feb – Leeds Brudenell Social Club
  • 17th Feb – Glasgow King Tuts
  • 18th Feb – Newcastle Zerox
  • 19th Feb – Sheffield Yellow Arch
  • 20th Feb – Nottingham Rescue Rooms
  • 22nd Feb – London Oslo

bog berries – Overcommitted

Your weekend indie-pop bop comes courtesy of Cooper Evello’s music collective bog berries.

New single ‘Overcommitted’ was inspired by the pressures that we put on ourselves to make the most of life, to the point where things become overwhelming and chaotic. Alongside its relatable lyrics, the song’s melody is sure to stay in your mind for a good while!

“I am deeply afraid of death and I think I battle that fear by trying to do as much as possible and live life to‬‭ the fullest.” – Cooper Evello‬‭, bog berries‬‭

With support from the likes of Atwood Magazine under their belts, as well as thousands of streams amassed on Spotify, we think there’s an exciting future ahead for this Bostonian outfit.

bog berries

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townsend – hard truth

US talent townsend is back again this week with a captivating new bop called ‘hard truth’.

As we’ve come to expect from this immensely gifted artist, the track serves us with a catchy melody and a pop production that is both experimental and alternative but still easy to listen to and connect with.

Dare we say, ‘hard truth’ is our favourite release from townsend so far. If this calibre of work continues, then we have no doubt that this talent will not only hit the mainstream in the US, but perhaps the rest of the world too.

townsend

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Ex Habit x BURY – let me fall

Ex Habit

TRACK OF THE WEEK

Our first post this week is a brilliant collaboration between two very promising artists: US-based musician Ex Habit and rising Istanbul newcomer BURY.

‘let me fall’ delivers a beautiful mix of alternative pop, soul, and R&B. The sound is cinematic and dark, without coming across as too heavy or overwhelming.

Alongside the impressive production, these two artists’ vocals complement one another perfectly. Speaking on the track’s lyrics, Ex Habit says:

“This song encapsulates the feeling of deep all encompassing devotion and infatuation with a lover.”

Ex Habit has amassed more than 155 million streams on Spotify to date, while BURY has garnered 23 million streams herself on the platform. Two names to watch for in 2025—mark our words!

Ex Habit | BURY

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New Music: clovers daughter

We’ve got a gorgeous newcomer to share with you today, going by the name of clovers daughter.

This American-Palestinian singer and songwriter is garnering traction thanks to her distinctive style of music, which infuses folk and pop elements into delicate indie productions.

The new single, ‘are you coming home’ is a perfect introduction to the artist’s work and touches on aspects of longing and self-discovery.

“it captures the bittersweet ache of trying to hold on to something fleeting.”

You can catch clovers daughter performing live in Las Vegas on the 15th of February—tickets are available here.

clovers daughter

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Housewife – Work Song

If you’re in the mood for some fresh new indie pop, then Housewife’s latest release should hit the spot nicely.

‘Work Song’ is the artist’s first single of the year and treats us to an energising sound that is not only melodically catchy but is also filled with captivating lyrics—focusing on the expectations that we set ourselves.

“‘Work Song’ is about feeling unsatisfied with yourself and where you’re going. I have really high expectations of myself but also have really unhealthy habits and so oscillate between being a workaholic and being burnt out. I wanted to poke fun at myself, while still processing it as a valid issue in my life. This song is for anyone else out there with executive functioning issues who sometimes feel like a hot mess.”

Housewife’s momentum has grown from strength to strength over the past year, rapidly becoming a critic’s favourite. She releases her next EP on the 7th of March, titled ‘Girl Of The Hour’. Until then, you can explore more of the highly praised Canadian artist’s work over on Spotify.

Housewife

New Music: Mikeyy

Track of the week. We came across Iraqi-New Zealander talent Mikeyy a few days ago, and we’ve had his new single ‘lift’ on rotation ever since.

This track not only serves us with a refreshingly eccentric and unique take on hyperpop, but its joyful playfulness is so infectious that it’s really become a perfect anthem for the weekend.

Mikeyy is inspired by a wide range of artists—from Brakence and Glaive to The Beatles and Kanye West. He’s garnered more than 300k streams on Spotify so far, while also attracting almost 6k monthly listeners on the platform.

Mikeyy

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Cat Ridgeway – Sprinter

Photo / Gabe Lugo

Orlando singer and songwriter Cat Ridgeway has to be one of America’s most interesting indie-rock newcomers.

Her songs all carry a very distinctive sound—distinctive vocals, captivating lyrics, and bold productions.

New single ‘Sprinter’ is no exception to the rule. This track explores themes of life and death and also touches on the topic of mental health in a sincere and thought-provoking way. Speaking on the single, Cat says:

“When my friend lost her battle to depression, we were all shocked, and had no idea she was struggling at all. Mental health so often gets treated like a nuisance, something that should be ignored, hidden, or not taken too seriously. Most anyone who’s lost someone to it will tell you they never saw it coming. The best metaphor I could think of, and what I kept coming back to in the lyric, was how there’s never a convenient time to deal with a check engine light on your car. People just ignore it, keep driving, and hope it turns off… but you can’t do that with a car, and you can’t do that with your life. My friend was a runner, a sprinter, which I found poetic because of how much she metaphorically ran from her problems. I felt like I was doing the same thing. But then I realized by writing this song and album, I was running straight into everything I’d been avoiding processing. It may have been in different directions, but we both ran, so it only felt right to call the record ‘Sprinter.’”

The song is lifted from an upcoming album that shares the same name, which is due for release this March.

Cat Ridgeway

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Kylie Rothfield – Old Man

Kylie Rothfield returns with a sensational new single today, and we’re very excited to be sharing it with you.

‘Old Man’ is a powerful indie-pop song that was inspired by someone who falls in love with an older partner, only to then realise that they only dated you for their own ego and self esteem. It’s a unique concept, and is really quite interesting to listen to.

Rothman has had quite the career, having worked with musical icons like Alicia Keys, Ryan Tedder and Ester Dean. In addition, her songs have amassed over a million streams to date, with that number sure to grow even more over the coming year.

Kylie Rothfield

New Music: RHNO

Track of the week. With a new year comes a fresh wave of talent that we’re really stoked about—one of which is US-based artist RHNO.

‘Gowithyou’ fuses synth with distorted pop and adds some soulful R&B into the mix for extra goodness. The sound is bold and distinct but also feels relatable and easy to connect with on an emotional level.

The track marks a new direction for the already hyped New Yorker. We think you’ll be hearing about this kid more often in the future, so be sure to keep this one on your radar.

RHNO

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New Music: Lucas Player

Lucas Player is an alternative 21-year-old artist from New York who initially picked up attention at only 15 under the moniker of Kibishi.

After going on a short hiatus, Player is back with a new name and a captivating style of sound. ‘More Than You’ is a lo-fi track that is intriguing and somewhat haunting to experience.

And while it is refreshingly experimental in its production, the song still maintains a powerful sense of emotion thanks to Player’s heartfelt lyricism.

“A confession from a former music composition student who left everything behind to pursue his dream. Now at 21, I’m breaking my silence with a song that’s been keeping me awake at night. It’s the most important song I’ve ever written, and my first words after years of holding back.”

We can’t wait to see what’s next for this very interesting talent—one to watch in 2025!

Lucas Player

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