London-based Alicia Clifford is still a new name but is already winning a tonne of fans, including names as noted as Sam Fender and Gigi Perez.
‘Torn’, produced by Song Higginson (tmdistant, YAOUNDÉBOXINGCLUB), is track that will be relatable to anyone who’s witnessed their former lover move on to someone new.
It’s a refreshingly alternative mix of indie, pop, and rock and makes an instant impact from the moment you press play.
We’re excited to see what the rest of the year has in store for this hugely promising singer and songwriter.
We’ve got an exciting British debut to share with you today – and if you love rock, you’ll absolutely appreciate this outfit.
Hailing from South Wales, The Amber Lens only formed this year, but if their introductory single ‘Spectral Machines’ is anything to go by, we think these guys will go far very quickly.
The track presents listeners with an industrial alt-rock sound that is full of grit and character. It’s bold, confident, and infectiously energising – mirroring the group’s love for bands as iconic as NIN, My Vitriol and Deftones.
New Zealand has long been a hotbed for new talent. January Blue is another artist to emerge from the nation, and her single ‘Midas’ is one you have to hear.
The indie-pop production is simple in its style, allowing for some really quite captivating lyrics to shine through. This is a song that addresses the toxic side to being ambitious – when the quest for success becomes so obsessive that it starts to take a toll on your mental well-being.
“‘Midas’ explores the darker side of ambition. It’s about becoming so consumed by the pursuit of success that you stop questioning what it’s costing you. While society celebrates achievement, status and wealth, we rarely talk about the emotional toll that often comes with them. The song uses symbolism like the white rabbit and the golden ticket to question whether the things we’re taught to chase are worth losing ourselves for. It’s both a personal confession and a broader critique of a culture that mistakes success for fulfilment.”
January Blue still only has a handful of songs released to date, but from what we’ve heard, this talent has everything she needs to go global.
The most powerful song to come across our radar this week has been ‘Moonface’ from UK newcomer GRIM.
This track is truly epic. It’s painfully raw, intense, and deeply personal. The cinematic dark-pop production creates a beautiful soundscape that serves as a perfect setting for GRIM’s honest lyricism. Speaking on its inspiration, GRIM explains:
“‘Moonface’ is about trying to heal from the trauma of losing both of my parents to cancer, and from the nightmares and memories that still follow me. It uses the medical idea of ‘moon face’ and the phases of the moon as a metaphor for illness, grief, and transformation. The song is not about forgetting that pain, but learning to carry it, face it, and turn it into something that can make other people feel less alone.”
We haven’t heard music this grand in scale from a newcomer since Woodkid’s 2013 masterpiece, ‘The Golden Age.’ Impressive work from a very talented emerging artist.
Fans of early 00s electronic disco-pop will revel in Silver Otto’s work. This rising American talent creates a charming and utterly delightful sound that is impossible not to fall in love with.
‘Higher’ is somewhat of an ode to the recklessness of youth, just like the times when our primary aim each weekend was to chase the next dopamine hit in a club with a group of our favourite people.
“Our initial sonic inspirations were Scissor Sisters, The Knife, and Simian Mobile Disco. But my hangover and search for another place to bury my feet in front of a DJ turned us to Deelite and ConMan. Half in-flight safety instructional, half Passion Pit music directing Sister Act 9000, ‘Higher’ fell out of us. In the spirit of my partying we decided to keep it light bright and tight. No over writing, no second guessing. What could be worse than a buzz killer of trying to hard. We imagined a world down the line were this song, although not exactly a dancefloor track, could be used to play on the dancefloor. Pop with the spirit of the rave. Now I see it as an anthem for the moments when I had no responsibility, no direction. Just good times and new friends.”
Silver Otto is an LA-born and New York-based musician who has gained recognition from tastemaker outlets like Ladygunn and AnalogueTrash.
Every now and again we come across an outfit that is so unique that it reminds us just why we love discovering new talent so much.
This is the case for Norwegian trio Mind Tides, who caught our attention with their mesmerising blend of psychedlic rock, lo-fi indie and dreamy pop. It’s a heady sound that really is quite unique in style.
Sonically, the new single ‘Intertwined’ is refreshingly unpredictable. In one moment it’s a hazy, tropical affair; then it’s playful, then haunting.
On its concept, the band explain that it ‘reflects on humanity’s impact on the natural world. Balancing wonder and concern, the song serves as both a celebration of life and a reminder that everything on earth is connected’.
Micah Sol is a London-based artist who recently came across our radars and caught our attention thanks to his distinctive alt-pop sound.
Impressively, Sol writes, produces, and mixes all of his work. Despite studying music tech, he went into the corporate world, with music becoming a way to express his emotional observations.
‘Let Me Know’ was originally crafted back in 2019 and speaks of the insecurity that arises from dating someone who doesn’t make you feel like you’re the one. The lyrics are powerful and raw, while the production showcases a sound that blends indie with glitch pop and R&B.
“I never knew if it was her not giving enough or me needing too much I wrote it because I genuinely didn’t know. The song isn’t an accusation. It’s a question.”
Your summer bop of the week comes courtesy of emerging London and Paris based artist bothsxdes.
The (deservedly) much-hyped French singer and songwriter has just unveiled a new EP called ‘wholehearted’ (listen here) and, along with it, ‘saysorry’. This melodic song treats listeners to a luxurious and heady fusion of psychedlic-inspired indie, pop and R&B.
Impressively, the entire EP was self-made – from the writing and producing through to the recording, mixing and mastering.
bothsxdes headlines London’s Folklore Hoxton on the 25th June, with support from dréa szn – get your tickets here.
LA-based artist Brice Blanco is one of our favourite discoveries of the week, and once you play the new single ‘B Here’ you’ll know why.
Originally hailing from Houston, this musician crafts a distinctive sound that confidently blends alternative R&B with indie and psychedlic pop. This track is both playful and light-hearted, without losing its finesse.
It’s hard to make upbeat music that is both experimental and fun at the same time, yet Blanco does so with ease. We’re excited to see the evolution of this talent. Debut album ‘AFRO URF’ is out soon.
Margate-based artist and producer Jaime Rosso will release a new EP soon, titled ‘Keep Stepping!’, from which ‘Walk’ is lifted.
“I started ‘Keep Stepping!’ spurred on by the simple tonics of everyday life: walking, talking, dancing and dreaming. Over time the EP became an ode to these daily rituals, the sources of optimism that keep us moving through turbulent times.”
There’s not much known about Cora Flux (the musical project of Danish artist Jonathan Schultz), but from what we’ve heard so far, this talent will go far.
Melancholic single ‘haunted’ showcases a slowcore-inspired sound, with its stripped-back production blending indie, rock and pop. The song is minimal and raw, but moody and emotionally impactful.
Cora Flux has only released a handful of songs to date and has already gained traction through prominent Spotify playlists like Indie Nights and No More Good Girls.
Hailing from Teesside in north-eastern England is James Witham, who is already building significant momentum across the region.
This artist has the rare ability to completely expose his feelings in his songs. New single ‘George III’ is a perfect example of this singer-songwriter’s work and speaks of toxicity that arises from going out too much.
“‘George III’ is a track I wrote about how the going out culture has ruined people around me. It depicts the feeling of drug induced highs and their crashes, leaving friends in f***** up states. The repetitive chorus aims to portray how the action is habitual for many people despite the negative consequences. Being surrounded by this culture I find it hard to express the way I feel and I think this song does that for me. I just think people destroy themselves all for a night out and it seems really sad to me. Maybe this song is a way of getting this whole feeling out there.”
Witham sites artists like Sam Fender as his inspiration, and if he carries on releasing songs like ‘George III’, then he might well become one of the UK’s new solo stars.
We rarely come across songs these days that stop us in our tracks from the first few seconds of pressing play. ‘Surely They Won’t’ by London newcomer patch_t41b is very much one of those pieces, though.
This is a beautifully captivating track that doesn’t fit into any one particular genre. It’s sonic artistry at its most exciting, showcasing this promising pianist, producer and vocalist’s potential.
Impressively, the song was improvised during a studio session, starting with a piano sequence and then adding layers of instrumentation from the rest of the band.
“This tune was made spontaneously. We’d hit a bit of a wall in the studio and things had slowed down. On the seventh morning I was on my own at the piano, just playing this short, irregular chord sequence. I suggested we record a jam, didn’t give the band any instructions, and just started playing the sequence. They took it in their own direction from there.”
SOLEYA is a new artist emerging from California’s Bay Area who is rapidly gaining traction with her finessed approach to alternative R&B.
New single ‘west coast’ was written as a dedication to the cultures around her that helped shape the person who she has become and treats listeners to a melodic production that is dreamy and charming. And there’s a surprise around the two-minute mark, which we absolutely adored.
“Lyrically, the track celebrates ownership – of space, energy, and identity. The West Coast isn’t sold as a fantasy – it’s lived in. There’s luxury here, but it’s understated. Aspirational, but grounded.”
Despite still being only 22 years old, we see a tonne of potential from this singer, songwriter and producer. One to watch!
Vera Kay is an artist who has caught our attention lately with her distinctive take on electronic pop.
This rising starlet creates sounds that are unexpected and highly unique, without being too abstract or alienating. Kay’s new single, ‘Rude’, is a perfect introduction to anyone who’s yet to come across her work.
The track seamlessly blends dark pop with trap, resulting in an atmospheric sound that is seductive and intriguing.
“The track captures the rush of giving in to temptation and wanting someone who knows exactly the effect they have on you. ‘Rude’ explores the thrill of chasing chemistry with someone who’s a little trouble – and loving every second of it.”
Canadian outfit A Days Wait are an interesting musical project that release music for a good cause. All proceeds from the songs go to charity, which is quite a beautiful commitment to make.
‘First Time’ is a synth-pop song that feels nostalgic in tone but still has a sense of modernity to it. Produced by Mitch Bowden, the track offers listeners a glimpse of a new album, scheduled for a release later in the summer.
Be sure to check out A Day’s Wait’s back catalogue until then – stream previous songs over on their Spotify here.
Despite Tiger Bear Wolf only coming across our radars just this last week, we were surprised to learn that this American indie outfit has been going since 2002.
Hailing from Greensboro, NC, this four-piece (consisting of Jonathan Moore, Noah Howard, Matt Bostick, and Lawrence Holdsworth) crafts a refreshingly authentic style of garage rock that is full of sonic texture and character.
New single ‘Wolf’ is lifted from their forthcoming self-titled third LP, which is scheduled for release on 17 July. On the song’s lyrics, vocalist Howard explains:
“The bad news is that you got bit by a robot werewolf, imperiling everyone you love. The good news is that for one night each month, you experience the perfect unification of your appetites and your higher purpose. It’s compelling to see which of our parents’ musical influences stick with us, and even more so, which of those influences end up rubbing off on our friends. When Jonathan and I were rooming together in college, it was a Mose Allison record, Wild Man On The Loose if memory serves correctly, via Jonathan’s father that had a lasting impact. Allison opened a door to the world of Jazz that continues to expand my sphere of musical influence. A few years later, Jonathan and I shared a house together. This time, it was Captain Beyond that found its way into the house record rotation via Noah’s father. That first, self-titled Captain Beyond record proved to have a heavy influence on the increasingly progressive song structures of Tiger Bear Wolf. We learned so much about the ride a song can take a listener on with that record. ‘Wolf’ dutifully salutes Captain Beyond, and marches on.” – Noah Howard, Tiger Bear Wolf
The new LP will mark the last chapter of a three-part trilogy that originally started 17 years ago. This is a classic example of good things coming to those who wait, because we’re looking forward to hearing more!
Silje Strange is a promising newcomer emerging from Denmark who crafts a gorgeous alt-pop style of sound that is deeply emotional, haunting, and raw.
New single ‘How Lucky You Are’ touches on themes of emotional manipulation and the mental anguish that comes with being in toxic relationships. The lyrics are honest, brave, and really quite powerful.
“This song is about a relationship where the narrator describes how they control their partner through manipulating threats, lies guilt tripping. The lyrics move between reassurance and menace, exposing how psychological abuse often hides behind ‘care,’ jealousy, and the fear of abandonment. The song was inspired by curiosity about how a manipulative partner thinks, showing why someone might keep hurting the person they claim to love.”
While we still don’t know much about this artist, something tells us that she’ll grow to become one of Denmark’s most interesting musical exports.
“‘Mad House’ had to be the first release, because it’s my foundations, it’s where I come from. No matter how hard I try to write about other things, the majority of my life has been devoted to caring for and battling with someone who is unwell. ‘Mad House’ is representative of my resilience. I kept my mum’s cries in at the end of the song because although it might not be palatable, it’s been my theme tune for years, and I haven’t ever been able to turn it off, this time I can.”
UK artist Tiger Adopt has been releasing songs from as early as 2021, but we’ve only just come across his work this week.
This talent crafts immersive electronic productions that build soundscapes which tell stories. His new single ‘MORTLAKE’ is an emotionally driven blend of electronica, indie and synth that touches on the topic of grief in a very unique and moving way.
“I made this song to document delayed grief, to escape the claustrophobic anxiety of being trapped in one time and place but wanting to go back to another. It’s 120bmp which matches the racing speed of thoughts replaying in my mind. The track moves through three sections, panic, reflection and recovery.”
A very unique artist, creating very unique pieces of sonic art. Make sure you check out his discography here.
