New Music - NEW MUSIC

New Music: Philip Jonathan

Hailing from Northumberland is promising singer and songwriter Philip Jonathan, who has unveiled a beautifully moving new single today, called ‘Headlights’.

The lyrics were inspired by a chance meeting that Jonathan had with a man who was conflicted about his life’s choices.

“A couple of friends and I run an arts-based community engagement activity at a local market called ‘Poems for a Pound’. People give us £1 and a story and we write up a poem for them on an old typewriter. I got talking with a man in his mid 50s who described being at a real crossroads in life. He described being torn between the safety of a predictable road and the yearning inside him that there must be something more than this. I wrote a poem for him that resonated deeply with me too – that night I wrote this song based on the words of the poem.”

On its production, the track thoughtfully balances elements of indie with folk and acoustic pop, resulting in a piece of music that is sincere and heartfelt and in tone.

‘Headlights’ is taken from Jonathan’s upcoming EP, which is scheduled for release later this year. In the meantime, listeners can enjoy the artist’s 2022 debut ‘Pluma’ here.

Philip Jonathan

🎵 Discover more new music on the Ones To Watch Playlist

New Music: Berlue

Singer, songwriter and producer Berlue is a rising talent hailing from Nashville in Tennessee.

‘Existential’ is the artist’s latest release, and features an energising fusion of alternative pop and indie. Explaining the inspiration behind the lyricism, Berlue says:

“It’s about feeling uncertain about what I know and what really matters and that I don’t think there are any answers.”

With more than 500k catalogue streams already achieved on Spotify alone, Berlue is one talent to keep on your radars this year. If you’re in love with this musician as much as we are, then we recommend checking out their 2022 EP ‘A Flooding Within You’ here.

Berlue

🎵 Discover more new music on the Ones To Watch Playlist

New Music: Casey Urban

Multi-disciplinarian creative talent Casey Urban is one of the most interesting discoveries of the week.

Aside from her work as a musician, Casey is also prominent pole-dance artist who has performed in front of thousands of people and worked with the likes of Snoop Dogg.

Empowering new single ‘Other People’s Minds’ features XEVEN and producer Sher, and tackles the toxicity which is sometimes present within the music industry:

“This song is a response to a producer saying I can’t mix music with pole dancing as ‘serious musicians’ wouldn’t take me seriously.”

Casey is currently planning a one-woman show, which she hopes to perform in New York soon. In the meantime, listeners can enjoy the artist’s previous singles here.

Casey Urban | XEVEN | Sher

🎵 Discover more new music on the Ones To Watch Playlist

New Music: The Silver Doors

If you’re in the mood for some hard rock then today’s release of ‘Losing Hand’ by American four-piece The Silver Doors will most likely make you very happy.

Sonically dark and raw, the song serves listeners with captivating vocals over an anthemic melody. The track is both mysterious and arresting in equal measures, and showcases the group’s distinct style of sound.

‘Losing Hand’ serves as a follow up to the North Carolinian’s debut single, ‘Redeemer’, which was released earlier this year. You can catch the group at Asheville’s Static Age Records on the 25th May – more details can be found here.

The Silver Doors

🎵 Discover more new music on the Ones To Watch Playlist

New Music: JO universe

Our introduction to JO universe proves that Denmark is currently one of Europe’s leading nations for emerging musical talent.

As the creative project of artists Johanne Marie Theill (singer & writer) and Nicolai Absalon (co-writer & producer), these two musicians are creating some of the most exciting and interesting sounds to emerge from Scandinavia in quite some time.

In equal parts, the duo’s infectious new single ‘Sweet Deal’ is an eccentric, camp, quirky and high-drama slice of alternative pop that you’ll likely have on repeat for the rest of the day.

This is a sound that is bravely playful and utterly captivating to experience – and marks a promising taster to the band’s upcoming releases.

JO universe

🎵 Ones To Watch Playlist 🎵Scandinavia Sound Playlist

New Music: Fourth Daughter

Scottish multi-hyphenate Fourth Daughter (aka Emily Atkinson) unveils an impressive anthem today, entitled ‘Take The Fall’.

Serving as a taster to the artist’s upcoming debut ‘HYPERREAL’ EP (out 28th July), the song showcases an impressive style of sound that effortlessly incorporates dark pop with indie and electronica.

While still only Atkinson’s third release, the track’s production tells us that this is a talent who is unafraid to push sonic boundaries to create bold and captivating pieces of music.

With praise from the likes of BBC Introducing and TikTok, as well as features on prominent playlists like Apple Music’s Breaking Dance and Amazon’s Fresh Dance, its safe to say that Fourth Daughter is a talent on the rise.

Fourth Daughter

🎵 Discover more new music on the Ones To Watch Playlist

New Music: Nicknames

Nicknames is a rising American singer, songwriter, bassist and producer who has been drumming up considerable attention amongst tastemaker circles over the last few months.

Thanks to his highly individualistic style of music-making, this talent creates songs that bravely feature an array of genres.

From self-produced alt rock anthem ‘Go Big or Go Home’, through to his bouncy electro-pop gem ‘fwm’, this musician is unafraid to showcase his artistic versatility and open-mindedness.

With praise from the likes of Fashionably Early, RockDaFuqOut and RGM already under his belt, this is one talent to watch for!

Nicknames

🎵 Discover more new music on the Ones To Watch Playlist

New Music: Celia

American musician Celia is a name to watch for this year. With only four singles under her name so far, this talent has already racked up more than 430k Spotify streams – with new release ‘Dumber’ looking set grow that momentum even further.

Through it’s beautifully constructed fusion of indie and alternative pop, the song treats listeners to an infectiously catchy and upbeat sound that is sure to stay with you for the rest of the day.

We don’t yet know much about this artist, but we don’t think it’ll be long before her name picks up prominence among tastemakers.

Celia

🎵 Discover more new music on the Ones To Watch Playlist

New Music: Dodo Museum

London-based newcomers Dodo Museum have created the perfect song for a lazy Sunday afternoon.

Inspired by the unpredictabilities that come with being in love, ‘baby’ effortlessly fuses mellow, hazy pop with beautifully airy vocals.

In equal parts, Dodo Museum’s sound feels chilled and contemplative, but also playful and light-hearted in tone.

“Just as the long-gone dodo bird fades into history, Dodo Museum’s music invites you to explore a headspace of mystery.”

The track serves as an impressive debut for this promising duo, who seem to have already perfected the art of creating universally likeable and charming songs.

Dodo Museum

🎵 Discover more new music on the Ones To Watch Playlist

New Music: Dylan Guy

Hailing from Melbourne is producer and videographer Dylan Guy, who has just unveiled a sensational new single that deserves your attention.

‘Garden’ features vocals from acclaimed UK artist EDÁJA, and treats listeners to a mesmerising mix of hazy lo-fi pop and alternative R&B. The sound feels dreamy and ambient, and serves as a perfect addition to your summer playlists.

Interestingly, a shortened edit of the track has already picked up momentum across social media, garnering more than 250k views on TikTok alone. The song has also been embraced by playlist curators worldwide, including spots on editorials like Fresh Finds UK and Fresh Finds R&B.

Dylan Guy

🎵 Discover more new music on the Ones To Watch Playlist

New Music: Wilja

It wouldn’t be a normal weekend at Alfitude if we didn’t share with you some fresh Scandinavian pop, and this time it’s the turn of singer, songwriter and producer Wilja.

Despite being sung entirely in Swedish, ‘Håll mig Hårt’ (which translates to ‘Hold Me Tight) has a style of sound that makes it universally appealing. Through its stripped-back blend of mellow pop and alternative R&B, Wilja’s airy vocals sing lyrics that tell of the loneliness that follows a breakup.

“‘Håll Mig Hårt’ is about the feeling of being alone after having a relationship with someone who has been both good and bad for you. You are willing to drop everything for that person just to have and feel that closeness once more, no matter how long it lasts.”

While the song marks Wilja’s solo debut, she is no stranger to the industry. This accomplished musician also runs hugely successful EDM project JEN, which has amassed millions of streams through its collaborations with the likes of Sevek and Man Cub.

Wilja

🎵 Ones To Watch Playlist 🎵Scandinavia Sound Playlist

New Music: Sam Cullen

Today’s introduction of Auckland’s Sam Cullen continues to affirm New Zealand’s status as a powerhouse nation for emerging indie talent.

Cullen’s style of work seamlessly fuses classic rock sounds with modern alternative pop, resulting in songs that somehow feel both nostalgic and current at the same time.

His work has resonated with a lot of people, so much so that Cullen has already amassed more than 120k cumulative streams on Spotify alone.

New single ‘Forever’ presents listeners with an upbeat and anthemic mix of stadium-style rock and indie-pop, and is sure to propel Cullen’s name even further into the spotlight.

Sam Cullen

🎵 Discover more new music on the Ones To Watch Playlist

New Music: amilost

London-based trio amilost is a musical collaboration between Sigrid Zeiner-Gundersen, Ross Craib and Charlie Fowler. Together, these three artists create cinematic and immersive pieces of pop that are both captivating and emotive to experience.

New single ‘The Good Kind of Love’ is lifted from the group’s upcoming ‘Introspective Souvenirs’ debut EP, and features none other than Parallax Orchestra themselves. Lyrically, the song looks at the dynamic between two lovers who seem to have a missing connection with each another.

“We want other people to channel their pain and their questions through listening to our songs.” – Sigrid Zeiner-Gundersen

Aside from amassing thousands of catalogue streams to date, amilost’s music has picked up support from outlets as respected as NRK P3 and Amazing Radio, while also being featured on prominent playlists like Spotify’s ‘New Music Friday’ and ‘Fresh Finds: Pop’.

amilost | Parallax Orchestra

🎵 Ones To Watch Playlist 🎵Scandinavia Sound Playlist

New Music: NiwrianCreature

NiwrianCreature is an emerging alternative musician who is currently crafting some of the most interesting and experimental sounds to emerge from Sweden.

‘Hummingbirds’ is a gripping piece of dark pop which sets a haunting soundscape that is filled with intensity and tension. On the lyricism, Niwrian explains:

“The lyrics is steeped in metaphors, but is about friendship with bad intentions. The purely physical anxiety when people you trust don’t want you well. It is the voice of the person who experienced the text, so it is only reasonable that it is heard on the recording.”

Interestingly, the production for the song was completed just before the start of Niwrian’s testosterone treatments, meaning the voice that you hear on the track is one that no longer exists.

You can experience more of this artist’s work through his ‘From My Wounds’ EP, which can be found here.

NiwrianCreature

🎵 Ones To Watch Playlist 🎵Scandinavia Sound Playlist

New Music: Golden Vultures

If you’re looking for a heavy dose of bluesy rock then you’ve come to the right place! Swiss musical collective Golden Vultures have been around since 2021, but new single ‘Cry Wolf’ is only their second release to date.

The track makes an immediate impact from the moment you press play. It’s a bold and confident sound that addresses human’s attitudes towards wolves, and how our preconceptions are threatening their existence.

“The song is presented from the perspective of a wolf and explores how humans tend to demonise these mystical animals, viewing them as threats to be eliminated rather than as integral parts of the natural world. The lyrics touch on the ongoing debate surrounding the coexistence of humans and wolves in the Swiss Alps, questioning why a smarter solution to preserve these magnificent creatures while respecting nature and protecting farmers and their animals cannot be found.”

Golden Vultures consists of artists Yari Copt, Yannick Rinvi, Andrea Zinzi, Eveline Lucchini, Sebastian Rigo and Enea Adami. Between them all, they have performed in hundreds of live shows (some of which were alongside outfits as iconic as Papa Roach and The Misfits), and also released several studio albums.

Golden Vultures

🎵 Discover more new music on the Ones To Watch Playlist

New Music: COMBSY

Oklahoma might not be the first place you’d think of when looking for future-forward indie rock, but Tulsa’s COMBSY look set to change that.

This promising four-piece outfit construct distinctly unique and experimental sounds that really are in a league of their own. Captivating new single ‘Melody Calls’ presents listeners with a beautifully atmospheric yet bold soundscape that is rich in sonic complexity and texture.

The group are currently working on their debut album, ‘Neon Eyes’, which is scheduled to drop this autumn. In the meantime, local fans can catch the band performing live at Tulsa’s Four. Seven. Three. Bar on the 25th May 2023 – more details here.

COMBSY

🎵 Discover more new music on the Ones To Watch Playlist

New Music: nainami

UK-based Italo-Japanese singer, songwriter and producer nainami has spent the last three years working on her style of sound – with today’s release of ‘cheated out of love’ being the result of all her hard work.

Through its perfected mix of alternative R&B and pop, the song invites us into a soundscape that is luxuriously dreamy yet melancholic in character. Mirroring the song’s emotive essence, the lyricism tells of heartbreak and a failing romance.

Despite this being nainami’s first ever standalone single, the artist has already found early praise from BBC Introducing. While not much is yet known about nainami, we definitely think that this is a musician who is worth keeping on your radars.

nainami

🎵 Discover more new music on the Ones To Watch Playlist

New Music: keatsu

We don’t often come across new indie talent from Poland, so today’s introduction of keatsu is very exciting for us.

Growing up to the sounds of music legends like Red Hot Chili Peppers, Gorillaz and Radiohead, this promising singer and songwriter creates songs that fuse elements of indie with folk and alternative pop, resulting in a sound that feels relatable but also unique and subtly eccentric in tone.

‘Clown’ is taken from the keatsu’s forthcoming debut album, entitled ‘Struggles’ (out 1st June), and lyrically explores ‘dark themes of identity and the desire for validation’. Elaborating further, keatsu explains:

“The song celebrates the power of humour and comedy – a defence mechanism that repels others but is also a source of joy and a way to cope with pain.”

Alongside the audio release of ‘Clown’, keatsu has also unveiled accompanying visuals which mirror the song’s lyricism in beautifully captivating way.

keatsu

🎵 Discover more new music on the Ones To Watch Playlist

New Music: Astrid Cordes

No song sums up the midweek blues as well as ‘Stop Dreaming’ by Danish singer and songwriter Astrid Cordes.

Aside from its beautifully raw and introspective lyrics, the track’s flawlessly blended fusion of soft disco and dark indie-pop has convinced us that this is one of the most impressive Scandinavian releases so far this spring. Elaborating further on the song, Cordes explains:

“It seems like yesterday, I pulled my beloved idol posters and the luminescent stars off the walls of my teenage bedroom and moved out of my dad’s house. But here I am; happily stuck in a new role and part of life. I found myself reflecting on the success and lives of others, inevitably feeling insecure and losing faith in who I am as an artist and what I can achieve as a human being.”

“‘Stop Dreaming’ is a mental and artistic state of emergency. It’s also kind of a paradox ’cause I’ve never been more creative than I am right now. Inspired by the frustrating emotions I was going through, I sat down by the piano and wrote the song in less than 30 minutes. ‘Stop Dreaming’ is a bittersweet salute to anyone who has felt like giving up on their dreams and goals in life.”

‘Stop Dreaming’ is part of a trilogy of EP’s by Astrid, which will all come together to form her upcoming album, entitled ‘Hurry Up and Kiss Me While the Baby’s Still Asleep’ (out later this year).

Astrid Cordes

🎵 Ones To Watch Playlist 🎵Scandinavia Sound Playlist

New Music: Luukhanyo

If you’re in the mood for some finessed R&B-rap then we’ve got the perfect song for you.

‘Hii ROLLER’ is the new single from rising Cape Town vocalist Luukhanyo. Smooth, dreamy and immersive in tone, the track highlights the incredible talent that is currently emerging from South Africa.

“Watching this song develop from a rough idea to what is undeniably my favourite piece of music right now, has been one of the greatest pleasures I’ve ever experienced. I feel nothing but grateful.”

While still a relatively new artist, we firmly believe that Luukhanyo has the talent needed to become a global name – so be sure to keep this future star on your radars.

Luukhanyo

🎵 Discover more new music on the Ones To Watch Playlist

Like this:

Like this:

Like this:

Like this:

Like this:

Like this:

Like this:

Like this:

Like this:

Like this:

Like this:

Like this:

Like this:

Like this:

Like this:

Like this:

Like this:

Like this:

Like this:

Like this: