A gorgeously melodic and thoughtful approach to alt-pop.
Watch: Kojaque – Coming Up
“‘Coming Up’ was written after I’d come home from a party like last year. This dude who used to bully me in school was there and I remember him being a dickhead at the party. I could never stand up to him when I was a kid but I stood up to him that night, I think it took him by surprise and I remember being so pissed off because I let it effect me, it felt like being 15 again. It’s the sort of feeling that makes you wanna give up, but I snapped out of it and thought, no fuck that, I won’t let it affect me, I’m not a kid anymore. And I wrote ‘Coming Up’ that night. I think the tune was an effort to shake that feeling, it was kind of a fuck you.”
Elise Eriksen + Shoffy – Less
Norway’s Elise Eriksen lends some stunning vocals on Shoffy’s new track, which is a slice of chilled disco that is immediately loveable.
New Music: Apricot Ink
Alt-pop Australian trio Apricot Ink have a wildly distinctive sound that is not only dark and mysterious, but intriguing and captivating. On this song, they say:
“Gussy [band member] used to live in this sharehouse. One month of partying, meeting new and interesting people and experiencing plenty of come downs. It was a time. ‘Not OK’ is about that time figuring out if ‘is it OK to be not OK’, whilst being under the influence and living in a highly stimulated environment. Sometimes, getting through it by drawing a smile on the mirror to help lift you. Then sometimes you’re looking at yourself and not vibing it, that’s OK too.”
Soft Glas – Cyclones
A beautifully introspective release from the Cuban-born singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist that is Soft Glas.
“‘Cyclones’ is an inner dialogue with my anxiety. It’s almost like an ongoing discussion with my own turbulent thoughts. I am aware of how compromised my faith, confidence, hope, and general well-being are. However, I am actively trying to dig out of that hole, with a tinge of optimism powering me along.”
New Music: DWLLRS
Dreamer Boy – Don’t Be A Fool
A song that is quite timeless in it’s production, Dreamer Boy has created something that is so moving and magical that it’s bound to pull on your heartstrings a little.
“When I wrote this song, I was in love with someone who had no idea of my feelings. I was growing more and more frustrated with myself for my lack of initiative. I needed gumption. I needed to look at myself say, ‘You’ve got this!’ This song is sort of a conversation and an encouragement to anyone who has ever been in the same place. If you love someone, let them know. You never really know how much time you have with someone you love, and I think your love deserves to be free.”
New Music: YDE
As a singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and actress you could safely say that 17-year old LA-based talent YDE has the full package.
And with this release we get to experience a pop sound that not only carries a sleek production but an interesting narrative, having been inspired by the chaos and turbulence of 2020.
“‘BlindLife’ is my end of the world anthem.”
Lo Village – Out The Window
Track of the week. A confident approach to RnB that blends subtle hints of rock and soul with hip hop to create something that is immediately striking.
Shango SK – Shot
This release from UK talent Shango SK has a very unique vibe; the sound comes across as a chilled RnB production, but low-key is quite the banger.
“It’s about partying and having a buzz. That feeling when you’re out with ya mates, meeting someone and catching a vibe, not thinking about tomorrow and living in the now.”
BBC Sound of 2021 announced
What a year it’s been… But through all the horrible peaks that everyone’s experienced, the output of music has remained as strong as ever.
With that said, this year’s long list for BBC Sound of 2021 is a solid reflection of just how much talent has emerged recently.
As usual, I’m glad to see that I managed to catch some of the artists while they were still emerging…
- Alfie Templeman – first featured on Alfitude in December 2018
- Berwyn – first featured August 2020
- Bree Runway – first featured December 2017
- Girl In Red – first featured April 2020
- Greentea Peng – first featured August 2018
- Griff – first featured July 2019
- Holly Humberstone – first featured August 2020
- Pa Salieu – first featured October 2020
- Dutchavelli
- The Lathums
The winner will be announced in January 2021 on BBC News and BBC Radio 1.
We the Commas – The RZN
Written three days after the George Floyd tragedy, the genre-bending trio of brothers created a song that turned their thoughts and feelings into something so beautiful and deeply moving that I would say; if there’s just one song you can listen to today, make it this one.
“This song was our way to express the pain we were experiencing in the midst of the turmoil. We never planned on releasing it because it was just a song for us as brothers to hold onto. Long story short, about a month after the song was created we were getting haircuts and our barber randomly told us he heard a snippet of the song. He said that if even just a few people were touched by the song like he was, then it would have a huge impact. So here we are releasing it!”
SORAN – Anchor
This is one of those tracks that immediately captivates you and leaves you gripped right until the end. A beautifully powerful pop sound from one of Canada’s biggest recent exports. If you haven’t heard of this kid yet, get familiar with the name!
New Music: Middle Part
“Art is important, no matter how you decide to approach it. There’s no age or formula so just create. It’s the most healing form of therapy I’ve ever experienced.”
Taken from the EP ‘I Wish I Was Alive’ which is out now.
New Music: BINNY
While this is a finessed blend of RnB and pop, it’s the self-assured and confident lyricism that takes centre stage on this release from bedroom-pop newcomer BINNY.
“By the time I entered my 20s, I worked on finding peace within myself and started embracing everything about myself. I became more confident, outspoken, and creative.”
New Music: Mabes
A talent emerging from Billericay in Essex, Mabes has a style of pop that is simple and charming at it’s core, complimented with refreshingly honest and grounded lyricism.
“In the song I talk about going out for the night with my friends, dancing the night away and putting on a smile. But when I’m all alone in my bed, I’m longing for my lost love who is not there and doubting my decision to break it off with them. Maybe it’s human nature to need someone to hold at night, or maybe I’m not that good at being alone. it’s that classic catch 22 situation where I can’t win either way.”
Finn Askew – Same Old Love
Finn Askew has been steadily gaining momentum since the release of ‘Roses‘ earlier in the year.
Now he’s back with his third single and it’s another piece of indie-pop that is instantly loveable.
“’Same Old Love’ is super unique I feel, experiments with a lot of sounds. I love the fact that the overall sound of the song is happy but the meaning is actually pretty sad, a kinda audio oxymoron.”
Taken from the upcoming EP ‘Peach’ which can be pre-saved here.
New Music: Sage Ray
To hear so much intensity packed into a song is quite an extraordinary experience; more so when you learn that the talent behind ‘Goodbye Stage‘ is a singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who is still just 21-years old.
Sage Ray creates a sound that blends elements of emo-pop, rock, hip-hop and electronica all together to create something that is truly unique to listen to.
This song came about as a result of a dream that Sage had, after taking a break from a relationship and realising that they were not supposed to be together.
“Music is therapy for me. I’m able to set landmarks and then look back and see the process I was in at that moment in time. I keep making music not just because it’s my calling, but also because I hope that I can help someone heal or find truth regardless of what culture is saying.”
New Music: Daimy Lotus
Hailing from the Netherlands, singer and songwriter Daimy Lotus crafts pop songs that are both powerful and intense, while still feeling emotive and personal.
This track looks at Daimy’s own struggles with overcoming depression, and hopes to inspire any listeners going through the same thing right now.
august brodie – Best Kept Secret
One of Canada’s most exciting indie-pop talents from 2020, august brodie is back today with a banger of a track that feels raw and alternative but still a lot of fun.