New Music: Rae Travers

UK singer and songwriter Rae Travers is one of those rare artists who has a natural ability to create timelessly classic pop songs.

Inspired by the likes of Joan Baez and Laura Marling, Travers crafts music that puts a heavy emphasis on honest lyricism and memorable melodies, resulting in songs that instantly form a connection with any listener.

‘Love in the City’ was written as an ode to the unwavering acceptance and support that the LGBTQIA+ community fosters within itself, as the artist explains:

“I wanted the song to depict the moment I walked into my first queer bar and instantly felt at home and understood. It also references my first queer relationship and the yearning to be back in that moment after having to leave London.”

Rae plays Birmingham’s Sunflower Lounge on the 30th June as part of the Future Sound Project – tickets are available here.

Rae Travers

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Gemma Hayes – High & Low

Mercury Prize nominee Gemma Hayes makes a triumphant return today with her atmospheric new single, ‘High & Low’.

Produced alongside frequent collaborator David Odlum, ‘High & Low’ showcases a finessed fusion of stripped-back folk and pop, while the lyrics address the human’s desire for connection.

“High & Low’ is about feeling disconnected – but desperately wanting to connect. In the song, this idea is placed in the context of grief and longing for a person who is gone, leaving a ghostly feeling of not fully being alive because of their departure. A nice, happy dance floor anthem this is not!”

The track marks a comeback for the acclaimed Irish singer and songwriter, who has not released any new music in nine years.

You can catch Hayes performing tonight at VISUAL Carlow, and tomorrow at Drogheda’s Crescent Concert Hall in Ireland. Tickets can be found here.

Gemma Hayes

Femke – Safe In The Suburbs

Singer, songwriter and producer Femke unveils her new single today, entitled ‘Safe In The Suburbs’.

As we’ve come to expect from this hugely gifted musician, the song treats us to a gorgeously constructed pop sound that is sincere and emotive in tone. Lyrically, the track gathers its inspiration from America’s suburban life in the modern age, as the artist explains:

“I wrote this song when I just moved into the suburbs a little outside of Nashville. There are a lot of Neighbourhoods around here with incredibly big houses but when I walked through this one specific area I never saw anyone outside, no kids playing, people running and it just felt so lonely. I wondered what was going on in these houses and if it was as lonely on the inside as it was on the outside. At the time there was also another big school shooting and I wondered what it would be like for all those kids in those houses, if they ever really felt safe.”

The track continues to showcase Femke’s natural flair for not only writing music that is both contemporary and classic in equal measures, but also features powerful lyricism that is relevant and relatable to most of us.

Femke

New Music: crysometimes

If you’re in the mood for some introspective alt-pop then you’re in luck, because we’ve got a beautiful new single to share with you courtesy of British-Swedish duo crysometimes (aka Megan from Brighton and Marjo from Stockholm).

‘Nadiya’ is Megan and Marjo’s third single to date, and was entirely self-funded and produced by the musicians themselves. Through its melodic and thoughtfully constructed production, the song tells of the personal insecurities that creep up in our minds when we prepare to meet someone ‘in real life’ after sparking an online connection with them.

Aside from an ever-growing fanbase, the duo have also received significant attention from heavyweight outlets like BBC Radio 1, where they’ve already been featured on several shows. Be sure to keep these kids on your radars!

crysometimes

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New Music: megalashhh

megalashhh is an emerging trio hailing from South London. Self-described as ‘three stay at home parents weaving tunes and scheming big hits’, this collective of talented musicians create unashamedly distinct and unique songs that fuse elements of pop with indie, rock and shoegaze.

‘The Mare’ is the band’s first single of the year, and was self-recorded by the artists themselves. The production is sonically rich in texture, and draws listeners into a soundscape that is really like none other you’ll likely experience.

‘The Mare’ follows on from the group’s well-received debut EP ‘Cheap Thrills’ (listen here), and sets the tone for what fans can expect to hear in the future.

megalashhh

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Oh Bummer! – Listen Up

Photo / Wes & Alex

LA-based singer-songwriter Oh Bummer! (aka Tanner Houghton) returns today with a fabulous new single that commands your attention.

Produced by The KickDrums, ‘Listen Up’ treats listeners to a melodic fusion of indie, pop and alternative rock. And while the shimmering production feels whimsical and playful, the song’s reflective lyrics gather their inspiration from a particularly personal issue, as Houghton explains:

“‘Listen Up’ an empathetic take on what I know about my late father. He was taken by brain cancer when I was five, and lost the ability to walk long before that. I have memories of him trying with all his might to get up out of his wheelchair and walk, only to hit the ground. He contained multitudes, and seemed to carry so much darkness and light in his heart. Even though he hurt people I love, I stand firm in the belief that love is what heals. This all relates to me and my younger self too – lost, angry, confused. Constantly falling and sinking deeper into that black hole. I needed love and support more than anything, but you can only receive those things if you let them in.”

While still a relative newcomer, Oh Bummer! has already amassed more than 200k cumulative streams to date and shared stages with the likes of Roe Kapara and Bay Ledges.

In addition to his growing popularity, Houghton has also picked up critical acclaim from the likes of Under The Radar, Buzz Bands LA and Stereofox. An upcoming EP is scheduled for release later in the year, along with a new series of shows.

Oh Bummer!

Sam Short – I Wouldn’t Love Me

LA-based singer, songwriter and social media artist Sam Short is back with a powerful and relatable new single called ‘I Wouldn’t Love Me’.

Inspired by the personal struggles we face against ourselves, the track serves as a reminder that we all have moments in life when we feel low and insufficient.

“I wrote this song when I was at my lowest. Despite the fact that I was in a happy, flourishing relationship, I personally had never felt worse. I couldn’t understand how both of these things could be true, and more so, I couldn’t understand why my partner would choose to love someone as difficult and defeated as me. Throughout this songwriting process, I put myself in their shoes, and came to the conclusion that I wouldn’t love me.”

With more than 3.8 million views on TikTok already, this song looks set to become one of Short’s biggest hits yet. The artist is currently readying the release of her full-length debut EP, which will be out later in the summer. In the meantime, you can stream more of Sam’s music here.

Sam Short

New Music: Scasca

Sometimes you come across a piece of music that is so intrinsically beautiful that it stops you in your tracks. This was the case when we first played ‘Glue’, by Belgrade-based electronic artist Scasca.

The song invites the listener into a soundscape that is both intriguing and captivating to experience. Alongside its flawless production, fellow collaborator Talipes Valgus performs some ethereal vocals that glide over the instrumentation in a way that is both haunting and emotive in tone.

“The lyrics of ‘Glue’ delve into the realm of unhealthy relationships, capturing the painful side of first love.”

Fans can enjoy more of Scasca’s work on Spotify here.

Scasca | Talipes Valgus

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New Music: Mariella

If you’re looking for some fresh new British R&B-soul, then Mariella is the one for you.

Inspired by the likes of Lianne La Havas, Jorja Smith and Lauryn Hill, this promising starlet creates impressive songs that are not only melodically mesmerising, but also feature vivid and captivating lyricism.

‘Naturally’ is Mariella’s third release to date, and looks at the effects of being heavily in love. The track was produced by Federico Bigonzetti, and co-written alongside acclaimed musician Javeon.

“‘Naturally’ captures that sense of intoxication and passion you get in love, and its capacity for destruction that has frequently come alongside.”

As an artist whose momentum is already on the rise, this professionally-trained singer and songwriter has picked up attention from tastemakers as respected as BBC Radio 1, 6 Music and NPR, while also landing placements on flagship Spotify playlists like New Music Friday UK.

Mariella

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New Music: smythy

Ireland’s new-music scene has flourished in recent months, and today’s introduction of Dublin-based talent smythy (aka Andrew Smyth) is further proof that the next wave of pop artists to take over the world might well come from this small but thriving nation.

Inspired by mental struggles and coping mechanisms, shimmering new single ‘Good Time’ presents listeners with a charming yet melancholic sound that seamlessly fuses lo-fi pop with indie.

“Written after a night of heavy drinking, ‘Good Time’ captures that feeling of depression and anxiety felt when we rely on sources of instant gratification to provide happiness.”

Having amassed more than 60k Spotify streams from just a handful of releases, this is one talent to watch for. An upcoming 4-track EP is scheduled for release this October.

Fans can catch smythy and his group performing live at Whelan’s Dublin on the 1st July (tickets), and at Tipperary Festival’s When Next We Meet on the 23rd July (tickets).

smythy

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New Music: Zion Isaiah

Hailing from Kansas City (and soon to be based in Nashville), Zion Isaiah is one of the most refreshing indie-pop newcomers to come up on our radars so far this month.

‘is it alright ?’ is lifted from Isaiah’s freshly-released ‘bad habits’ EP (out now), and features a summery, nostalgia-tinged pop production that is reminiscent to the sounds of modern-day icons like LANY, Troye Sivan and The 1975.

“A year ago, I dropped out of college to pursue music and haven’t looked back since. Songs are way more fun than school. Anyways – this music thing is either gonna work out one day or I’m gonna die trying.”

To date, this budding artist has amassed more than 50k cumulative streams on Spotify, sold-out solo shows and also shared local stages with acts as prominent as joan and No Love For The Middle Child.

Zion plays KC’s recordBar on the 5th July – tickets available here.

Zion Isaiah

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Alicia Creti – Strange

There’s really very few artists to have emerged from the US in recent times that have matched the singing capabilities of Alicia Creti.

‘Strange’ treats us to a fusion of gospel-inspired pop and soul, while Creti’s impeccable vocals glide over the song’s luxurious production.

“Thank you for all the love on this song. It’s interesting because I related so heavily to it when I was at my lowest, like how I felt after writing ‘Congratulations’ where I needed to rebuild myself after losing myself in that relationship, and even more so now, where I’m learning to put myself first and am growing everyday. I think it’s telling that growth is hard and uncomfortable, and that’s okay. When I think of the ‘you’ in the outro today, I think of all of you, my family, and myself showing up for me like I wished others had done in the past. I hope that this song can help you heal and offer you some support in the way that it has for me. All of your kind words and heartfelt stories mean the world to me and have touched me beyond words. ‘Strange’ is what feels like the summary of my life and is the prelude to my story…”

Since releasing her debut single ‘Congratulations’ last year (listen here), Creti has received support from heavyweight outlets as noted as Billboard, Rolling Stone and Vents magazines.

Alicia Creti

Cherise – Calling

Photo / Paul Green

Acclaimed UK-based soul artist Cherise is back today with one of our favourite summer releases yet.

‘Calling’ tells of the wonderful and positive things that can happen when you nurture and support your children’s creativity.

“My mum and the rest of the family had the sense that being creative was something I was meant to do. It wasn’t until I became a musician that I realised how uncommon that is, especially for families that moved to this country and would live with the fear that their child wouldn’t find their grounding in the arts.” 

As Cherise’s name continues to gain traction across the British and European soul scenes, this gifted musician has never forgotten her roots – and continues to recognise her heritage and culture through her work.

The artist will perform as part of the futuretense: Windrush Day Special at London’s iconic Southbank Centre on the 22nd June – more details can be found here. Cherise’s debut album ‘Calling’ is out on 7th July 2023 (pre-save here).

Cherise

Austin Dean Ashford – Black Harry Potter

Independent artist Austin Dean Ashford returns today with a superb new release that deserves your attention.

‘Black Harry Potter’ is taken from Austin’s ‘Boujetto’ album (out now), and offers listeners inspirational and empowering lyrics that cover themes as diverse as ‘racial prejudice, societal expectations, and the importance of self-worth’.

Sonically, the track flirts between nostalgic soul & jazz, pop and hip hop – resulting in a summer-friendly anthem that is energising and universally appealing.

“‘Black Harry Potter’ transports listeners through a lyrical journey, delving into the experiences of personal growth, overcoming adversity, and challenging societal norms.”

Dean Ashford’s music has been captivating listeners since 2019. The musician has amassed more than a million career streams, and released three albums to date. You can explore more of Austin’s work here.

Austin Dean Ashford

Nate Brazier – Teasing The Thread

Photo / Joe Howat

This isn’t the first time that we’ve crowned Nate Brazier as our track of the week, so we can safely say that we’ve grown to become huge fans of this UK-based vocalist and producer.

‘Teasing The Thread’ is an immensely powerful and beautifully intense song that presents listeners with a cinematic mix of dark, soulful electronic pop with alternative R&B.

“I wanted it to feel haunting; equal parts vulnerable and confident. You can hear it in the elegant piano versus the knocking beat, which pretty much represents the headspace that I was in at the time of making the song.”

Brazier’s momentum has increased significantly over the past year, with the artist garnering praise from respected tastemakers as noted as Wonderland, NME, Notion, BBC 6 Music, Pigeons & Planes and Clash Magazine. A remix package of Brazier’s debut project ‘YSK’ is available here.

Nate Brazier

Tash – 787

Australian singer and songwriter Tash has graced our pages in the past, thanks to her finessed approach to music-making.

New single ‘787’ is inspired by travel, and features Tash’s unmistakably perfected fusions of soul, pop and alternative R&B.

“I do a lot of travel (back and forth from Australia to USA) and wanted to write about the flight anxiety I experience. I’m not a good flyer and i find it hard travelling by myself and being away from my loved ones and family.”

Alongside her huge following across social media (the artist already commands over 588k fans on TikTok alone), Tash has also released more than 50 singles and 25 music videos to date, amassing 60 million career streams in the process.

Tash

UraelB – Moonlight (feat. Mick Jenkins)

UraelB (aka Urael Blackshear) is rapidly marking his name as one of California’s most interesting emerging rap talents.

Following on from the release of his ‘UraelB (Unplugged)’ EP (listen here), the promising Inglewood musician returns today with a new single called ‘Moonlight’.

Featuring none other than acclaimed rapper Mick Jenkins, the track showcases a chilled and melodic style of hip hop that feels dreamy and hazy in tone, while the vocals deliver thoughtful and introspective lyricism.

“Each verse cuts into a deep train of thought for both artists but is glued together by a succinct and potent chorus that sticks.”

With support from respected outlets like Hype Magazine already under his belt, UraelB is one American artist to keep on your radars this year.

UraelB | Mick Jenkins

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Xadi – sodium lights

Rising West-London singer and songwriter Xadi unveils one of the most powerful songs of the week.

By blending elements of indie and rock with alternative R&B, ‘sodium lights’ demonstrates the artist’s versatility beautifully.

The track was written as a way of portraying some of the hardships of living in London, as he explains:

“The second single from my upcoming project ‘Black Rock’. I had never heard someone singing about the darker side of growing up in London on an indie/ rock instrumental and wanted to discuss some of the grittier aspects of my upbringing through a different lens.”

Xadi currently commands more than 85k monthly listeners on Spotify, and has amassed over five million career streams to date. He’s also picked up support from prominent social media accounts like Charli D’Amelio and Kim Kardashian’s ‘SKIMS’.

Xadi

New Music: HAFFWAY

Some of the most exciting sounds to come out of Nashville right now are by Oklahoman singer, songwriter, producer and engineer HAFFWAY (aka Sam Westhoff).

Already an accomplished musician, Westhoff not only runs his own studio but has also worked with outfits as noted as In The Valley Below and Windser.

‘East Coast’ showcases Westhoff’s solo work, and treats listeners to a sublime fusion of indie and pop. This is a sound that is powerfully captivating, and feels almost cinematic in style.

‘East Coast ‘ is only HAFFWAY’s third release to date, but we’ve already become fans of this hugely talented artist.

HAFFWAY

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Alice Merton – Charlie Brown

Photo / Jidoh

Alice Merton is one of those artists who always keeps you on your toes. As a talent who consistently pushes the boundaries of pop, you never quite know what to expect… But whatever she does release is always guaranteed to be brilliant.

‘Charlie Brown’ is the musician’s latest offering, and serves as a powerful reminder to keep pushing ourselves, and to not settle for less than what we wish for.

‘Charlie Brown’ is a wake-up call to get back into the driver’s seat of your life. It’s a hymn to keep going – no matter how big the obstacles may be. Stop settling for the apparent security of everyday life, but fight for what is important to you. Thus, the song’s message is not only addressed to Charlie. All of us could do with leaving our comfort zone sometimes, try things and to stand up for our dreams.

To date, Merton’s music has amassed more than a billion cumulative streams. She’s also toured all around the world, performed on primetime shows internationally, and shared stages with outfits as prominent as Bastille.

Alice Merton