Stone Mile are an emerging indie-rock outfit based in Manchester. Today’s release of ‘Sunset Kisses’ is the band’s third single to date, and showcases an impressive sound that deserves to be heard.
Through its melodic fusion of indie, pop and rock, the song tells of those simple, yet unforgettable summer moments that happen every so often.
“‘Sunset Kisses’ is all about the nostalgic feeling of that one amazing summer you just can’t recreate. That one holiday that’s messy: cocktail drinking at 2pm, sunburn, melting ice cream and kisses at sunset.”
With the band garnering praise from the likes of BBC Introducing, momentum for Stone Mile is growing. They play Manchester’s Retro Bar on the 30th May, and tickets can be found here.
Stone Mile are also in the running to perform at this year’s Y Not Festival – so if you like their sound then be sure to cast your vote!
The world might not yet know Cate Tomlinson, but this talent is very much a star in the making.
After a recent slew of successful singles, this hugely promising American singer and songwriter returns with a stunning new track, entitled ‘Damage Control’.
Serving as a taster to Tomlinson’s upcoming sophomore EP (out soon), the song features an atmospheric production that fuses indie with pop and rock, while the powerful lyricism offers listeners a glimpse into the artist’s thoughts and feelings.
Since releasing her 2020 debut EP ‘Missing‘, Cate has gone on to accumulate more than 400k career streams on Spotify alone. Be sure to keep this talent on your radars!
Brooklyn-based project Middle Part return today with an impressive and hard-hitting new single called ‘Choke’.
In an interesting juxtaposition, the song’s uptempo and energetic indie-pop production contrasts with its powerful lyrics, which address the mental health struggles that many people faced while the world was in lockdown.
The track is taken from the project’s freshly released ‘Time Is Elastic’ EP, which can be heard in full here.
To date, Middle Part have amassed well over 3.5 million career streams on Spotify, while also commanding more than 50k monthly listeners on the platform. You can catch them live at New York’s Heaven Can Wait on the 18th May – tickets can be found here.
vi0let is no stranger to the Alfitude pages – and with good reason. This promising talent continues to impress us with her ever-evolving work, and today’s release of ‘Lonely’ is no exception.
As the title implies, the song looks at feelings of loneliness – particularly after the breakdown of a relationship.
As we’ve come to expect from this artist, the production delivers a finessed sound that seamlessly fuses pop with R&B. Elaborating further on the track’s lyricism, vi0let explains:
“I wrote ‘Lonely’ during a time where I was going through a lot of change. I got out of a long-term relationship and was planning my move to London. I was really scared of my future, scared I would feel lost and lonely at the start and having to land on my feet again. It made me just want to resort back to all the comforting things I still had in my life. One of them was going back home a lot. It was a nice escape from adult life, even if I would only go back for a few days. Lonely describes the desperation of seeking comfort when things feel like they’re falling apart. It’s an honest and raw admission to staying in the same place out of fear of change. The chorus really embodies that mentality. Being in your 20’s is great and I’m aware of how much I need to enjoy these times but I also feel like my time is running out sometimes, like in the second verse of Lonely I describe the fears of not being where I want to be in my career and the pressures I feel as a woman in music to reach certain milestones at a young age. This song really encompasses the coming of age anxieties of a 20-something year old!”
‘Lonely’ serves a a follow up to vi0let’s previous single, ‘Dreams‘, which was featured on playlists as prominent as Spotify’s Fresh Finds: UK & IE and A Breath of Fresh Éire.
Hailing from Denver in Colorado is singer, songwriter, DJ and rap artist Chris Waters, who unveils his brand new single today, entitled ‘Blue to Purple’.
Created alongside producer Matthew Tryba (who has worked with the likes of Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande and Maroon 5), the song presents listeners with a stripped-back style of electro-pop that allows for Waters’ captivating lyrics to shine through.
“‘Blue to Purple’ is about two people who are both in a dark place. Together, they help each other to get out of it. I guess you could think of blue as being the dark winter, and purple as being a brighter spring.”
Since the release of his well-received debut EP ‘Rise’ in 2018 (listen here), Waters has gone on to amass more than 500k streams across digital players – thanks to his ever-changing production styles and his natural flair for writing relatable songs.
Memory Of Jane is the moniker of 21-year old British-French musician Maïlé Doremus-Cook.
As a creative child, Maïlé grew up listening to the experimental and bold sounds of iconic musical pioneers like Aphex Twin, Radiohead and Squarepusher. These influences helped shape the artist’s distinct style of sound, which is truly quite impressive.
‘So Pacific’ is taken from the Maïlé’s upcoming debut EP, entitled ‘In The Double’ (out 15 June), and showcases a beautifully haunting production that infuses lo-fi pop with electronica, indie and jazz.
“This track is meant to portray a feeling of inner peace. It’s about finding solace in a world full of noise. That’s mainly what it means to me but it could also hold a less abstract meaning, like just enjoying the calm.”
With only two singles released so far, this rising singer-songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist has already picked up attention from heavyweight tastemakers as noted as The Line of Best Fit, as well as Clash, Wonderland and DMY magazines.
Maïlé performs at London’s iconic Servant Jazz Headquarters on the 15th June – more details can be found here.
Accomplished singer, songwriter and producer Raia Was unveils a brand new single today, entitled ‘Tough To Love’.
Through its dreamy fusion of dark-pop and indie, the track invites listeners into an atmospheric soundscape that is both emotive and intriguing in equal measures.
“This song is about being out of your depth, like a fish out of water, acting without thinking and realising you’ve hurt those around you. I’m of two minds about where this song came from – both an apology I needed to make, and a song I might be singing back to myself.”
‘Tough To Love’ is released via new music cooperative Switch Hit Records, which has been set up with the commitment of enabling artists to profit fairly from their songs.
Raia’s work has so far garnered acclaim from the likes of NYLON, All Things Go, Flaunt Magazine and Audio Femme. The musician has also amassed more than 500k cumulative Spotify streams since the release of her debut EP in 2019.
American artist and producer charlø returns today with a sensational new single that deserves your attention.
‘Lemon’ is no holds barred track that was inspired by the artist’s struggles within the music industry.
Through its brutally honest lyricism and raw style of dark alternative-pop, the track immediately captivates you from the moment you press play.
“‘Lemon’ came about from a general frustration around being written off by people in the music industry and just wishing that I could tell people to shut the f*ck up sometimes. I hate feeling like you can’t risk burning bridges by speaking up for yourself in relationships where there is a clear power dynamic, especially being a female artist in a male-dominated industry. I look forward to the day when I can prove those who doubted me wrong!”
‘Lemon’ follows on from charlø’s debut single ‘numb‘, which was not only praised by the likes of The Line of Best Fit, but also featured on playlists as prominent as Spotify’s ‘Fresh Finds Indie’.
British artist VC Pines is back with one of the catchiest songs that you’ll likely come across today.
‘Colours’ presents listeners with a vibrant and eccentric fusion of soul, alternative R&B and indie, while its lyricism is inspired by the drama that comes from drunk dialling an ex lover.
“‘Colours’ was written between myself, Ross MacDonald (The 1975) and songwriter/ producer Ed Thomas. It takes the p*ss out of drunken calls to your ex. The mid section hits like a sudden wave of regret that you’d feel the morning after, until inevitably you get drunk again and your cares are thrown back out the window. I also wanted the song itself to sound and move like a London night bus journey on the top deck. Certain elements come in and out like the characters you encounter. We wrote the song at Ed’s studio, and later me and Ross built on the production together. I loved each step of the process and letting the tune grow and grow until it explodes into the fast paced traffic that it is at the end.”
VC Pines will release his debut album, entitled “MRI’ on the 3rd September. Elaborating further on the LP, the artist explains:
“MRI encapsulates the shifts and the scoops that my brain goes through on a daily basis. It covers themes of neurology, love, jealousy, addictions, confusion, nurture and most of all nostalgia. I wanted the opening track, ‘Chamber’ to feel and sound like a seizure. It’s warm and welcoming and soft, much like the pre-sensations I have, but stitched to it is the huge juxtaposition of an MRI scan, stabbing into your ears and carving mental scars like some aggravated, untamed beast until it eventually falls asleep. The album rises and falls, a bit like growing up in London. Sometimes you feel like jumping out into the world or out the window, and other days you need to dive down and be alone in your thoughts. As an independent artist, creating this was a difficult but rewarding process, especially being able to retain full creative control. It’s tough exposing yourself and your insecurities on a record, but I really feel like a weight has been lifted.”
You can catch VC Pines live at Lafayette in London on the 15th September – tickets available here. With all the traction that this talent has picked up so far, it looks like VC Pines might just become a household name before the end of the year.
LA-based artist Ryan Ritual is no stranger to the limelight. Already known for fronting acclaimed groups Mating Ritual and Pacific Air, this talented singer, songwriter and producer is now releasing music under his own name.
Recorded during a short stay to London, Ryan’s new single ‘Rip Me Apart’ showcases an energetic style of New Wave-inspired indie rock, and was created alongside famed producer Chris Zane (who has worked with the likes of Passion Pit and The Walkmen).
“‘Rip Me Apart’ was written at a point when I was moving a mile a minute, but feeling more lost and lonely than I ever had. After spending over a year living in isolation, my re-entry into the social world was difficult and I took everything too fast, sending me into a spiral that I didn’t know if I could come out of. ‘Rip Me Apart’ is about watching your desire to be normal crush you.”
The track serves as a taster to Ryan’s forthcoming debut solo album, which features songs that address the emotional strains and traumas that resulted from being isolated during the pandemic.
Bolton-based duo Guri Yeller (aka Harry Paterson and Matthew Banton) are one of the most exciting UK newcomers to come across our radars so far this week.
With its distinctly unique style of psychedelic indie, the band’s charming new single ‘Dream Forever’ is like nothing you will have heard before. This is a sound that is not only fresh and future-forward, but also intriguing in tone.
While this is only Guri Yeller’s second ever release, it’s safe to say that this is a British outfit to keep on your radars. With support from the likes of NARC Magazine already under their belts, the future looks bright for these chaps.
With the months gradually turning sunnier and warmer, it seems like the perfect time for Irish starlet ESSIRAY to release one of the first summer bops of the year.
Uplifting new single ‘Floating Up’ treats listeners to a shimmering slice of feel-good indie-pop, and is lyrically inspired by themes of self-confidence and the desire to take on new adventures in life.
“This song is about finding confidence in yourself, exploring new possibilities, and the excitement that comes with liking someone new.”
The song continues ESSIRAY’s impressive run of recent releases. Her last single, ‘Mr Perfect’ was picked up by tastemakers globally, and also found its way onto notable Spotify playlists like ‘New Music Friday’ and ‘Fresh Finds Pop’.
Hailing from Cork in Ireland is promising singer and songwriter RM Hyde (aka Ronan O’Driscoll), who has just unveiled a gorgeously dramatic new single called ‘Chasing Angels’.
Serving as a taster to O’Driscoll’s upcoming ‘Dark Humour’ debut EP (scheduled for release this summer), the track treats listeners to a captivating style of alt-pop that is bold is cinematic in tone.
Elaborating on the song, Ronan explains that it ‘alludes to the feeling of uncertainty faced by young people growing up in today’s society, more specifically highlighting the toxic traits of fatal attraction and the helplessness one can experience when they are truly besotted with another person.”
‘Chasing Angels’ follows on from O’Driscoll’s first single, ‘Cages’, which impressively shot to the top of the Irish iTunes charts upon its release last year.
American pop artist CASEY (aka Casey Brenning) is one of the most interesting newcomers this spring.
‘I HATE MY BRAIN’ features bold and honest lyricism, while the production presents listeners with an electronic sound that is raw and distorted, but also maintains a strong pop sensibility.
While still a relative newbie (Brenning’s first single was only released last year), we think that CASEY’s rise to the mainstream will be imminent… so keep an eye out for this promising talent!
There’s no doubt in our minds that Forest Claudette is one of Australia’s biggest exports in the making.
Since the release of his first EP, The Year of February’ in 2022, this talent has gone on to amass millions of streams, garner thousands of followers and pick up tastemaker support from the likes of Rated R&B, Teen Vogue, A1234 and Atwood Magazine.
Claudette is back with yet another sensational new single, called ‘Motor In the Sand’. The song presents listeners with a bold and refreshingly distinct mix of alternative R&B and pop, and serves as another reminder as to why this talent is so promising.
You can catch Forest on tour in Australia over the summer – dates and tickets are available here.
Rising indie-pop starlet Rainlights (aka Rachel) is back today with an exciting new single, entitled ‘Brand New Sneakers’.
Through its beautifully dreamy style of sound, this introspective and inspiring song looks at themes of acceptance and embracing change. Elaborating further on the track, Rachel explains:
“I started writing this song about the difficulties of breaking new shoes in, and by the end it became a track about letting go and accepting new beginnings.”
The song continues to showcase this talented New Yorker’s natural flair for storytelling, and sets an exciting precedent for what fans can expect to hear going forward.
As with Rainlights’ previous releases, the track was written, produced and mixed by the artist herself.
‘Brand New Sneakers’ is taken from Rachel’s ‘the girl who sits beneath the surface skin’ project, which you can check out here.
While the world is in no shortage of emo bands right now, we can safely say that emerging newcomers skooters are unlike anything you may have heard before.
With their perfected fusions of punk and pop-rock, this group create playful and energising sounds that are immediately captivating and charming.
New single ‘mojo jojo’ is likely to become one of our favourite summer bops of the year. So keep these chaps on your radars – they’re most definitely ones to watch!
Brooklyn musician Cale Hawkins is probably one of the most in-demand talents out there right now.
When he’s not working on his own solo material, Hawkins is writing or producing songs for artists as prominent as Arthur Moon and Joshua Thew, or performing live alongside the likes of as Amber Mark and Charli XCX.
Freshly released today, Cale’s new pop single ‘Renting’ was inspired by the inner struggles that we can face when a relationship ends:
“‘Renting’ is about the loss of identity, and the process of rediscovering of your identity, following a breakup.”
The track serves as a taster to Cale’s upcoming ‘I Broke My Shoulders’ album, which is scheduled for release on the 22nd July 2023.
Track of the week. We are so excited to be sharing with you some of the finest Afrobeat-pop sounds to have recently come across our radars.
Hailing from London, Ebun Yelé is a British-Nigerian musician who is not only a singer, but also a songwriter. Yelé’s debut single, ‘Underwater’, is a luxuriously produced piece of music that pairs the artist’s sublime vocals with an infectiously memorable melody.
We’re sure that after just one play of this song, you’ll absolutely fall in love with this immensely promising newcomer.
The first thing that strikes you when you press play to Konyikeh’s debut single ‘Sorrow’ is the artist’s bold and arresting vocals.
If you have yet to come across this London-based future starlet, Konyikeh crafts a style of soulful R&B which is deeply rich in character and beautifully moving in tone. Elaborating on the lyricism behind the song, she explains:
“I was very rebellious and religion wasn’t a thing to me even then, I was calling myself an atheist – but my parents weren’t religious either, but my mum would go to church and pray for me still.”
While still early in her career, Konyikeh’s music has already been featured on notable outlets like The Line of Best Fit, Mystic Sons and New Wave Magazine.
