Track of the week. Swedish artist Noak Hellsing kicks the weekend off with a shimmering new single called ‘Empty the Bags’.
Through its finessed fusion of dreamy pop, disco, and indie, this track treats listeners to a hypnotic sound that leaves you wanting more. It’s a sound that feels distinctly unique and is complimented by evocative lyricism, which is inspired by the emotions of love.
“‘Empty the Bags’ is more than just a song. It’s a powerful narrative about dedication and unconditional love. It’s about how far we’re willing to go to protect what’s dear to us.”
The song serves as a taster to Noak’s forthcoming ‘SHIFT’ EP, which is out on the 18th of July via Ten Music Group. Until then, you can check out more of this emerging talent’s music over on his Spotify.
Track of the week. Canadian singer and songwriter sunsetto is a name to watch in the coming months.
The artist’s new single ‘GREEN TXTS’ caught our attention this week, thanks to its finessed production, which layers melancholic vocals over an experimental pop base.
The song was inspired by the notion of humans drifting apart – and the realisation that the connections you once had with old friends are sometimes left in the past.
sunsetto initially rose to prominence in 2020, when a clip of his gorgeous track ‘don’t leave’gained momentum across social media, amassing almost 500k streams. He’s built up a solid fan base since then, which is sure to grow with each new release. Keep this talent on your radars!
Track of the week. MADI LEEDS is a new prospect emerging from Australia, whose new single ‘Long Distant Memory’ has totally mesmerised us.
The track is in essence indie-pop music, yet somehow it still infuses an essence of summery nostalgia which is utterly charming to experience. Alongside its memorable melody, Madi’s vocals also captivate listeners as she sings about memories of the past.
“Wrote this a while back about being in a time I knew I’d feel future me would be nostalgic about … so this feels meta now. All about grief and trying to hold onto fading memories and feelings that come with that. Hope you like it and can connect with it in your own way.”
In addition to her talents as a recording artist, Leeds is also a performer who has been featured at noted events like the Melbourne Music Festival and Sydney Fringe.
Track of the week. We have a sensational newcomer to share with you today, who goes by the name of Finn Doherty.
This London-based artist has already been making waves across the UK scene for some time, with support from outlets like BBC Introducing under his belt.
His latest release, taken from the new EP ‘if you’re bored of this city’ (listen here), is called ‘Your Love Won’t Take Me Home‘. The song treats listeners to a powerful indie-pop sound that is sincere and emotive in tone. Explaining the lyrics, Finn says:
“‘Your Love Won’t Take Me Home’ serves as the acceptance, the realisation that some love remains unrequited beyond the realms of simple pleasure. Falling for someone who will never reciprocate is one of the most universal experiences as a queer individual, and this song speaks directly to that feeling. It feels like a long car ride home. A walk in the rain under soft orange street lights.”
You can catch Finn performing some shows through the spring and summer, with dates and locations listed below.
Track of the week. It’s been a little while since we shared with you some premium Scandinavian pop, so we’re delighted to introduce you to Swedish starlet Louise Lindberg, aka Lucky Lou.
Already an accomplished songwriter who has worked with the likes of Zara Larsson and Astrid S, ‘Space’ marks the artist’s first foray as a soloist. And as to be expected, the track is a pop masterpiece.
Lifted from an upcoming debut EP (out in June), the song was inspired by the demise of a cherished friendship. The artist explains:
“Throughout making the EP, I had quite a few fallouts with people in my surroundings, and I felt overstimulated and taken for granted. The song is about the sorrow of breaking up with someone close to you, whom you love and have known for a very long time.”
It won’t come as a surprise to know that the track was written and produced by Lindberg herself. We’re excited to see what comes next!
Track of the week. Rising American artist SAINT KID continues to showcase his natural flair for songwriting through his latest release, titled ‘Shooting Range’.
The track presents us with a refreshingly alternative approach to the classic love song, by blending elements of indie and rock with dark pop. The sound feels haunting, but also sincere in tone.
Bleeding out in the rain
This time I’m gonna stand my ground I’ll do whatever it takes
I don’t wanna live without
You know I want you to stay
Now we’re face to face, at the shooting range
Ever since I met you it’s been hunting me down
To date, SAINT KID has amassed more than 1.2 million streams on Spotify, while also commanding 36k monthly listeners on the platform. This kid is one to watch, so be sure to keep him on your radars.
Track of the week. Gabriela Bee’s rise has been meteoric, to say the least. With more than ten million followers on TikTok alone, it was always going to be inevitable that this star would hit the mainstream.
What makes Bee’s music extra special is the fact that she always writes from the heart – exposing her thoughts and emotions in their truest form, as is the case with her new single ‘IT GETS OLD’. Explaining the meaning behind its lyrics, the artist says:
“I wrote ‘IT GETS OLD’ about the stuff I hate feeling, and the stuff I hate talking about even more. But I figured if I sang about it, I could look at these emotions the face and even find the beauty in them. It’s a song about how I approach my vulnerability, and often suppress it.
Growing up, I always felt like everything I did had to be perfect (which I put onto myself), and honestly I still feel that way about most things, adding this level of pressure to everything I do. It’s like there’s this Divine voice (that sounds like my own) that I am constantly trying to impress, and I just end up feeling dissatisfied with myself. It’s like no matter how many times people tell me how much I’m doing for my age, I never really see it, and the feeling started to get old.
I wanted to let it go. Not allowing myself to be proud of where I was in life led me to even avoid the emotions that surrounded that incomplete feeling.
Near the end of the song, the story turns gentle, where I discover a lot about myself. “Just wanna find my place” was a lyric that felt good to write. Just a little line like that can mean so much. It’s the ultimate answer to feelings of self-doubt as a teenager.
It even felt good recording it as the last line as the song ends. Almost like a little ‘the end’ to the song. I’m proud of myself and where I am, and it takes shutting out your own voices in your head, telling you you’re not enough, to finally find that affection you really have for yourself.”
Alongside her huge online following, Bee’s work has also found love from noted tastemakers like Wonderland, Clash, Ones To Watch and Rolling Stone Magazine.
Track of the week. We’re excited to be sharing with you a hugely promising newcomer from the UK called Seth Gauton.
Debut single ‘Right This Time’ serves as a masterclass in indie-pop, thanks to its anthemic melody, thoughtful production and sincere vocals.
On its relatable lyricism, Seth explains that the song is about ‘exploring the realisation that you’re losing perspective in an argument but your stubbornness hinders your ability to apologise.’
The artist cites Sam Fender, Holly Humberstone and Damien Rice as his influences, and with such a strong debut under his belt, we can only assume that he too will become a big name very soon.
Listeners can look forward to the release of four more singles in the coming months.
Track of the week. Welsh indie-rockers Public Order are back with one of their biggest releases to date. If you’re craving some raw, powerful sounds then we’ve got a treat in store for you.
‘HELLO’ is almost cinematic in style, and showcases the band’s immense potential. With each release, Public Order seem to be one step closer to becoming a global name. On their new single, they say:
“It’s been a while but we’re buzzing to be back with new music! The last 18-months have been a bit of a roller coaster for us but we took some time out to work on new music and even managed to sign a new record deal. ‘HELLO’, produced by fellow Welsh residents Damon Minchella and Tom Manning, is the first track to be taken from a forthcoming EP. It’s a pulsing, guitar driven indie banger which we love and have been champing at the bit to get out into the world.”
Since 2022, Public Order have gone from strength to strength. Their music has been featured on the FIFA 22 soundtrack, and has also been hyped on prominent outlets like BBC Radio 1.
Track of the week. If you’re in the mood for some mischievous electronic punk-pop then we’ve got the perfect anthem to share with you today.
‘DIRT’ is the huge new single from rising newcomer Zoe Ko, and was inspired by the artist’s ties to New York City. She explains:
“I’m from NYC baby!! Raised there my whole life. I wouldn’t be the crazy bad bitch I am without it. NYC is often looked down upon for its grit, intense hustle and bustle, garbage on the street, rats, pigeons, cockroaches, scary subways, etc. But to me, though sometimes admittedly not the most wonderful things to endure, those elements of the city were fun, real and influenced me into becoming an adaptable and adventurous person.
When I moved to LA I missed all the grit and dirt NYC had. I missed its rawness and the people in it. Though this is an exaggeration, I found myself surrounded by more girlies in lululemon outfits and drinking Hailey Beiber smoothies in their snazzy cars than ever before. There was a fakeness and showiness to this city that I wasn’t used to.
So a few weeks into living here I walked into Jonny’s (prod and co writer) studio and started ranting about how much I miss NYC and it’s “dirt” and how I didn’t understand where LA was hiding theirs. I loved the word DIRT so much I decided it needed to be turned into a gritty dance track I would hear in one of my favorite clubs in NYC, so I could bring some of NYC’s dirt to the city of angels.
I’d like to say, now living in LA for 7 months I actually love it here lol. And when I wrote this song I was being a bit insane, dramatic, and homesick HAHAAH.”
Written in collaboration with Jonny Shorr, the track showcases Ko’s phenomenal talent. She’s just been signed to Big Loud Rock, and looks set to take on her biggest year to date.
If you’ve not yet experienced Ko’s work then be sure to check out her 2023 EP ‘Baby Teeth’ (listen here), which landed placements on flagship playlists like Spotify’s New Music Friday and Apple’s New in Pop.
Track of the week. Sydney’s Maina Doe returns with a sensational new single that deserves your immediate attention and praise.
‘Lucid Dreams’ delivers a finessed mix of alternative R&B and indie-pop, similar to sounds crafted by iconic artists like Frank Ocean and Kelela.
Lyrically, the song draws on themes of self-compassion and vanity, with words like ‘How can you go up if you’ve never gone down?’ giving listeners some food for thought.
The artist is currently preparing the release of a new EP, which is scheduled for release soon via Valve Sounds.
Track of the week. It’s been quite the while since we featured some high-grade experimental music, so we’re excited to be sharing with you this fabulous new song from Finnish-Canadian star Erika Sirola.
‘BERNADETTE’ is lifted from the artist’s freshly released ‘THE FOUR FACES’ EP (out now), and presents listeners with an intelligent fusion of experimental electronica, alternative pop and hints of funk.
“This EP delves into the core of the self. I’m such an advocate for fluidity in artistry. I’ve witnessed so many who feel they’ve had to sacrifice interesting avenues out of fear they wouldn’t be accepted or understood. The creation of this EP and design collection also marks the first significant step for me in letting go and embracing freedom in ‘all the everything and nothing’ that I am. The Jungian Archetypes profoundly influenced my journey of self-exploration to such an extent that they became the foundation of the songs. Together, they represent ‘the four faces,’ with each song telling the story of a character.”
In addition to the release of the EP, Sirola has also unveiled a corresponding visual world that compliments each of the four songs. Blending sustainability with antiques and armoury, the collection can be found through Basic Space.
Track of the week. We’ve got a very exciting group emerging from the UK to share with you today called GIRLBAND!
Hailing from the English city of Nottingham, this promising trio craft an energising style of music which seamlessly fuses punk-rock with alternative pop.
Anthemic new single ‘Not Like The Rest’ encapsulates the essence of youth through its lyricism and playful production. For anyone who feels like they’re growing up in a community that is too small for their dreams – this is the song for you.
The band will go on tour across the UK soon – dates and tickets can be found here.
Track of the week. Can we ever get enough of Jon Vinyl? The short answer is simply no! The Canadian soul superstar returns today with yet another mesmerising song called ‘Clouds’.
The track further affirms the Canadian’s ease at crafting beautiful tracks that are not only impressive in their production, but also lyrically and melodically enchanting.
It’s no surprise to learn that this talent has already found praise from some of the world’s most respected tastemakers – from BBC Radio 1Xtra, Billboard and MTV to Beats1 and Apple Music.
If you’re based in North America then you can catch the artist live on his HEARTBREAK HILL tour from March – with shows all across the US and Canada. Full details here.
Track of the week. dom champ is a promising rapper, singer and spoken-word artist based in the coastal city of Brighton.
Melancholic new single ‘The Cycle’ presents listeners with a hazy and soulful style of production, while the intricate lyrics tell of the artist’s innermost thoughts and feelings.
Wish I could isolate with nothing but the vinyl Music is my teacher I’m a fully fledged disciple If you’re an artist you’re an idol I pray that one day, artist is my title
dom champ is planning to release new music every month this year, which is something that we’re very excited about.
If you’d like to experience more of his work, you can check out his catalogue of singles here.
Track of the week. ‘In My Head’ is the latest release from Yorkshire based alt-soul artist August Charles.
Charles was born in Zambia and raised in Doncaster, and cites modern-day icons like Frank Ocean and D’Angelo as his musical inspirations.
On the song, we experience a style of soul that feels heartfelt and passionate, while also sounding future-forward and fresh.
There really are no words to describe just how mesmerising this single is. In our view Charles is destined to become one of the UK’s newest stars. One to watch!
Track of the week. Swedish artist Limandi is already one of our favourite Nordic newcomers this year.
As a nominee for the prestigious Denniz Pop Awards, this rising starlet is not only building a fanbase among listeners, but also acclaimed industry professionals.
‘Hopin’ You’ll Be Fine’ is taken from the musician’s latest album, which is called ‘F*CK.IT.’ (listen here).
The song showcases an eccentric style of alt-pop which is beautifully melancholic, but also refreshingly experimental in character. Explaining the lyrics, Limandi says:
“About saying goodbye to someone who’s going down a destructive spiral, and realising the best you can do for them and you is let them go – and wishing them the best on their journey.”
Track of the week. We’re absolutely obsessed with American starlet Jessy Lipton and her anthemic new single ‘LABEL’.
While still only 21-years of age, this talent has already proven herself as one of New Jersey’s most promising musical newcomers, and is likely to hit the mainstream very soon.
With her bold and refreshingly punchy approach to indie-pop, this singer-songwriter is likely to become one of your new favourites of the year. Keep this kid on your radars… she’s one to watch!
Track of the week. BINA. was one of the first names to be featured on our pages this year, and she’s back again with a sensational new single that deserves your attention.
‘Dopamine’ is a luxurious and finessed song that blends elements of jazz with soul and alternative R&B. The track is produced beautifully, and further showcases BINA.’s exceptional artistry.
There’s no doubt in our minds that BINA. will become one of the UK’s biggest musical exports in the months to come.
Track of the week. Gamborg is a rising Norwegian artist who looks certain to hit the Nordic mainstream in 2024.
New single ‘Burdens’ is a beautifully intense piece of music that not only features refreshingly raw lyricism, but also showcases an epic pop-rock production.
“This world feels so overwhelming. Feeling anxious like all the time. Wait, is it self-indulgent for me to talk about my problems when people obviously suffer much worse problems than I do? You know what, I’ll just carry on and not tell anyone. That usually makes things a lot better”
Gamborg’s music has amassed close to 100k Spotify streams, from just 4 songs. Be sure to keep this kid on your radars!
