SANDY + Myra Molloy – Tear Me Up

Myra Molloy

It might still be Wednesday but we’re already in weekend-mode thanks to this new collaboration from acclaimed producer SANDY and emerging Thai-American artist Myra Molloy.

‘Tear Me Up’ presents listeners with a playful yet emotional fusion of alternative pop and electronica. Speaking on the song’s creation, SANDY says:

“Myra and I wrote this song during Grammy week in LA, feeling the social pressure and clout of going to the “cool” afterparties, but not being invited. ‘Tear Me Up’ is about battling with an unhealthy internal dialogue, self-confidence issues and FOMO. It speaks of the mental space we often live in as artists, especially in an industry that often values image over music, where being seen in the right scene feels like what it’s all about…” – SANDY

To date, SANDY has produced songs for the likes of Tei Shi and BEL, and collaborated with industry icons as noted as Max Martin, Kid Harpoon and Two Inch Punch.

Meanwhile, Myra Molloy is fast building a name for herself as a multi-hyphenate who is not only a rising musician (currently commanding more than 40k monthly listeners on Spotify alone), but also as a producer, songwriter and actress.

Myra Molloy | SANDY

Naethan Apollo – Pretty Boy

American singer, songwriter and social media star Naethan Apollo is one name that should be on everyone’s radars this year.

With more than twenty-five million career streams already under his belt, and almost two million followers across social platforms, it’s clear to see that Apollo’s distinctive mix of alternative pop and indie is resonating with a lot of people.

‘Pretty Boy’ is the artist’s first release since his highly popular ‘Tales From Cazilor’ project (listen here), and is lyrically inspired by the thoughts that run through our minds when we are experiencing a crush on someone.

Naethan joins BoyWithUke on tour across the USA in September – dates and tickets can be found here.

Naethan Apollo

Kimani – Lose You

One of the most powerful songs released this week comes courtesy of emerging London artist Kimani (aka Stefan Morgan).

Despite its minimal and stripped-back sound, ‘Lose You’ is a gripping and deeply emotive piece of melancholic R&B. Alongside its haunting production, the track’s raw lyricism defines the feelings of anxiety and insecurity that occur when we become attached to someone.

“I, just don’t know what to say to you
I, find it so hard, just replacing you 
And I, I just don’t know where I’d rather be 
‘Cause when I lost you, I lost the you in me”

Kimani’s momentum has been on a steady rise for quite some time. With support from the likes of BBC Introducing, as well as several features on flagship Spotify playlists, this is one British-based artist to keep on your radars.

Kimani

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New Music: Glou-Glou

Glou-Glou might be a new name to most of the world, but the artist behind this exciting project is already an established singer, multi-instrumentalist, producer, and even winemaker called Cam Hovsepian.

Hovsepian was previously involved with electronica outfit mAsis, whose songs were streamed more than 10 million times and received critical acclaim from the likes of BBC, as well as Nylon and Fader magazines.

‘Drink Slowly’ is Hovsepian’s first single under the Glou-Glou name, and treats listeners to a heady fusion of dreamy lo-fi pop, mellow electronica and indie.

Oh… and for those of you who are curious to know, Glou-Glou comes from ‘the French wine-term for ‘glug glugging’ your drink’.

Glou-Glou

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boyhood. – Winner

Acclaimed LA-based singer, songwriter and producer boyhood. has just unveiled a new song, and it deserves your immediate attention!

‘Winner’ was inspired by the feelings and emotions that we experience when we first meet a new person, as the artist explains:

“The track blends energetic drum & bass percussion, hyperpop glitch, and sprawling synths to depict the jitters, excitement, and embarrassment of meeting someone new and making a fool of yourself.”

boyhood. continues to grow in popularity with each release. Aside from countless seals of approval from tastemakers all across the globe, the musician has also found his music featured on prominent Spotify and Apple Music playlists (including New in Alternative and Wildflower).

An upcoming sophomore EP is out soon. In the meantime, listeners can experience boyhood.’s previous singles here.

boyhood.

Dance Yourself Clean – Baby Don’t Hold Back

Dance Yourself Clean might just be one of the hardest working groups out there. Aside from releasing countless indietronica anthems (and amassing millions of streams in the process), this iconic outfit are also responsible for some of the biggest parties in America.

They return today with a beautifully melodic new single, called ‘Baby Don’t Hold Back’. The song is taken from the duo’s ‘Summertime Madness’ EP (out now), and deserves to be on everyone’s playlists this season.

Dance Yourself Clean will be hosting their infamous events all across the country this summer – more details can be found here.

Dance Yourself Clean

New Music: Astral Bakers

French four-piece Astral Bakers make their first appearance on our pages with a stunning new single, entitled ‘One More’.

While all the members of this outfit are accomplished musicians in their own right (collectively working with the likes of Woodkid and Pomme), this is the first time that Sage, Theodora, Nico Lockhart and Zoé Hochber have joined forces under one project.

‘One More’ presents listeners with a sublime indie rock sound that feels organic, emotional and sincere in tone.

The attention to detail that the band has applied to the song’s production gives it a sense of timelessness that is really quite impressive, and serves as a powerful introduction to this hugely talented collective.

Astral Bakers

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Kwesi Foraes – Detroit (The Thread)

California-based singer and songwriter Kwesi Foraes is back after a 7-year hiatus, and we have to say… it’s been worth the wait.

‘Detroit (The Thread)’ is taken from Kwesi’s first instalment of his‘Trinity’ project (out now), and showcases a powerfully emotive blend of soul, indie and alternative R&B. The sound is intense, distinct, and instantly captivating to experience.

“June 2021 I recorded the demo for ‘Detroit’, January 2022 I was fortunate enough to get together with some amazing musicians and people to record the final version at Sargent Recorders. Now June 2023 I’m happy to finally share this.”

“I had to accept the memory of you and let go of the idea of forever.”

As a tastemaker’s favourite, Kwesi’s work has received praise from the likes of NPR, Fader Magazine and Vice, as well as Amy Winehouse’s manager, Ray Colbert.

Kwesi Foraes

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Ethel – Andromeda

Video Still / TROISIXZERO

Track of the week. French singer and songwriter Ethel has completely mesmerised us with her latest release, entitled ‘Andromeda’.

The lyricism for the song was inspired after the artist came across a reading that asked, ‘where does the white go when the snow melts?’

Sonically, the track delights listeners with a trip-hop infused style of R&B. Elaborating further on the single, Ethel says:

“I made it about growing, and sitting with the discomfort that comes along with it, accepting that parts of yourself disappear with time in order to become who you are now.”

With only three singles to date, Ethel has picked up more than a 1.2 million streams on Spotify, solidifying her name as one of France’s most exciting prospects.

The artist will be performing some July dates in Paris and London – details here.

Ethel

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IDMAN – Still

Photo / Khufu Najee

Rising Somali-Canadian R&B musician IDMAN returns with their first new music of the year.

‘Still’ is taken from the artist’s forthcoming ‘Risk’ EP (pre-save here), and is inspired by the emotions associated with heartbreak.

“‘Still’ is the song I think would hook me if I wasn’t me. I think of it as my undignified heartbreak song because with it I decided to put down my toxic, ‘too cool to care’ facade and opted to sit in the genuine pain of what I was still very much moving through in a real and deep way… no matter who’s looking.”

It’s been a busy few months for the emerging talent, who has just completed a US tour alongside iconic Zambian artist Sampa the Great.

Tastemaker support for IDMAN continues from outlets as noted as Fader and V magazines.

IDMAN

Ananya Birla – Caught Up

For those unacquainted with Ananya Birla, this immensely talented musician and entrepreneur is establishing herself as one of India’s most popular and successful English-singing artists.

New single ‘Caught Up’ looks set to propel Birla’s name even further into the global mainstream – thanks to its infectiously memorable melody and sleek production, which effortlessly mixes alternative R&B with pop.

With more than 500 million career streams to date, and an ever-growing army of fans across social media and Spotify (where she commands more than 200k monthly listeners), this is one talent to watch for.

Ananya Birla

Forest Claudette – Violence

Forest Claudette returns to our pages with a breathtaking piece of new music that is both sonically and lyrically captivating.

‘Violence’ is taken from the artist’s sophomore ‘Everything Was Green’ EP (out now), and is inspired by his feelings, thoughts and observations on the subject of racism.

“The themes are something I’ve been trying to capture since I started making music but I never felt I was coming at it from the right angle. I wanted to create something that spoke to the constant and pervasive nature of racism, the unavoidableness of being Black and just how often we are reminded that this society doesn’t value us equally if at all. Writing ‘Violence’ with lophiile was a healing experience. It dawned on me during our session that I wanted the track to reflect that. The purpose became to create something that would address trauma sonically and stylistically. Holding space for community to breathe and grieve or a moment to process these last few years.”

Forest performs across Australia on select dates in July – venues and tickets can be found here. If this is the first time you have come across this hugely promising talent, then be sure to check out his 2022 debut ‘The Year of February’ here.

Forest Claudette

New Music: Rhys

We’re launching into this gorgeous Saturday morning with one of the sweetest songs that we’ve come across all week.

Californian artist and producer Rhys has only released one track to date, ‘IoU’, and we’re already obsessed with what this talent’s music sounds like.

“‘IoU’ is a song I wrote not just for me, but those who don’t have a voice. For someone you love, for someone you trust.”

The song is proof that sometimes, the simplest melodies and productions are the most powerful. We’ll be surprised if you don’t have ‘IoU’ on rotation all day.

And while you’re at it – be sure to watch the visualiser, which was filmed in the desert and is inspired by cult black & white movies.

“All my life I just wanted to make noise, so I am. I’ve always been a little too wild to be still. My name is Rhys. Yes that’s my real name. Growing up in Tracy, CA we had no role models to look up to. No superstars from the city, That took a toll on me. I can’t lie.”

Rhys

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New Music: GhanamanB

Ghanian songwriter and producer GhanamanB is a promising newcomer who is currently based in Chicago.

‘Summer Time Chi’ is lifted from the artist’s new ‘Collage’ EP (out now), and treats listeners to a beautifully melodic mix of chilled soul and hip hop. The sound feels effortlessly cool and easy to connect with.

“Hoping to interpret my experiences from life, travel through my music, collaborate and bring awareness to causes I care about like clean water, mental health.”

While GhanamanB is still relatively fresh, he has already acquired several thousand streams on Spotify, and looks set to become one of the most interesting talents to emerge from Illinois this year. Be sure to keep this chap on your radars!

GhanamanB

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Mise en Scene – Reality Bites

It’s near impossible not to find enjoyment in Mise en Scene’s music. This Canadian outfit (consisting of artists Stefanie Blondal-Johnson and Jodi Dunlop) has been delighting fans for over a decade, thanks to their inimitable fusions of alt-pop and indie rock.

The band has just released a brand new EP, entitled ‘Reality Bites’ (available here), along with an accompanying single called ‘Beautiful People’. In equal measures, the song feels dreamy, nostalgic and utterly mesmerising to experience.

Aside from their status as a tastemaker’s favourite (with praise from the likes of NPR and Paste), the duo are also renowned for their live shows, and have performed on stages as iconic as at SXSW, Reeperbahn and The Great Escape.

Mise en Scene

You can experience Mise en Scene’s back catalogue here.

New Music: LUCIIA

Photo / Hannes Söderlund

Readers in Scandinavia will most likely have already come across Cuban/Swedish songstress LUCIIA at some point over the past year – and once you press play on her new single you’ll understand why.

‘SAME THING NEW MAN’ is taken from the artist’s forthcoming ‘WITH II EYES‘ EP (out in October), and showcases a finessed production that seamlessly fuses 90’s inspired R&B with pop. Explaining the lyrics behind the song, LUCIIA says:

“My self-confidence is starting to emerge, and the lyrics are written with a sense that what I receive in relationships is never enough. I feel misunderstood again and again, and with that comes men who don’t quite know how to approach me. In the song, I express that frustration.”

LUCIIA has become one of Sweden’s most hyped newcomers in recent times, with acclaim from outlets as prominent as Rinse FM, Reprezent, Wonderland and BBC, as well as recognition from the Swedish Grammis and Manifest awards.

LUCIIA opens for Coldplay at the Ullevi Stadium in July.

LUCIIA

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Almost Barely – GET DOWN

Today is a big day for Bay Area artist Almost Barely (aka Ty Cassutt), who has just released a fabulous new project called ‘CANDY’ (listen here).

‘GET DOWN’ is the first song on the record, and is one of the most interesting tracks that we’ve come across so far this week. The production doesn’t necessarily fit into any specific genre, but rather fuses a multitude of sonic styles together, resulting in a piece of music that is refreshingly original.

Elaborating further on his new collection of songs, Ty says:

“The idea behind this project was to disregard songwriting and production ‘rules’ and just make the songs that sound like candy for your ears. The project covers many different genres and I believe there’s something for everyone. I’m not a musician, I just make songs.”

To date, Almost Barely has garnered more than 140k cumulative streams on Spotify alone. If you’ve only just come across this artist, then be sure to check out his 2022 album ‘Rare Fantasia, Vol. 1’ here.

Almost Barely

New Music: Relya Voy

Germany-based musician Relya Voy is an artist who lives and breathes pop music. His passion for the genre comes through clearly when you press play to his new single, ‘Validation’.

Inspired by the iconic Max Martin style of sound from the late 90s and early 00’s (think Britney, Backstreet Boys and *NSync), the track delivers to listeners an anthemic bop that reminds us to just be ourselves and embrace who we are.

“I want to bring back the feel-good vibe of 2000s pop. ‘Validation’ is about letting go of other’s perceptions about you. You don’t need anybody’s validation to feel good about yourself!”

Relya’s music has garnered more than 60k career streams on Spotify so far. You can experience his previous singles here.

Relya Voy

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Maisie May x Virtualbl0nde – Nevermind

Maisie May

American musicians Maisie May and Virtualbl0nde join forces on their melancholic new single ‘Nevermind’.

The artists (and flatmates!) wrote the song together in their Silver Lake apartment one night, while contemplating men’s relationships with past lovers.

Through its distinct fusion of lo-fi pop and indie, the song tells of the emotions that some of us might experience when we realise that we are being used as a rebound.

“The song’s lyrics delve into the universal experience of feeling like the second choice. ‘Nevermind’ is an anthem for anyone who’s struggled with being someone’s rebound.”

Maisie’s work has already amassed thousands of streams on Spotify alone (you can listen to previous releases here), while Virtualbl0nde (aka Fiona Flynn) is not only a musician but, also film maker and director.

Maisie May | Virtualbl0nde

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Watch: Maleek Berry – My Way

London-based Afro-R&B pioneer Maleek Berry unveils new visuals for his acclaimed single, ‘My Way’.

Directed by Billy King, the video was shot over two days and carries with it a charming yet sleek 70’s flair.

The release serves as a taster to Berry’s forthcoming ‘If Only Love Was Enough’ debut album, which is out soon.

“Some of my favourite videos have been shot on film so we wanted to give my fans a taster into the next era of my music with the video ‘My Way’, the first offering from my forthcoming debut album.”

Since first posting Maleek’s music on Alfitude back in 2017, this talent has gone on to amass more than 200 million streams on Spotify, solidifying his status as one of the UK’s newest global stars.

Maleek Berry