Rising 18 year-old UK artist Tom Did It unveiled the visuals for infectiously catchy ‘Thinking Too Much’ today, which also happens to fall on Mental Health Awareness Week.
Initially released last year, the song has since become a fan-favourite, and one which firmly placed this talent on the music radar. Built over a captivating trap-infused production, Tom wears his heart on his sleeve as he takes us on a journey through his cluttered mind.
One of the most interesting projects to emerge from Germany in recent times, art & experimental-pop duo We Will Kaleid return today with the mesmerising ‘Lure’.
The track demonstrates a perfect balance between something that is conceptual and avant-garde, while also being emotive and thought-provoking. On the song and video, they say:
“‘Lure’ makes a subtle but profound statement about the changing nature of human relationships, rebuking a world that seems to prioritise followers over enduring connections. We tried to capture a feeling of uncertainty and confusion in the video, visualising the loss of our own sense of self through the progressive deconstruction of Marcia’s character, as it’s slowly taken over by leering digital phantoms. We chose an experimental visual approach, bringing together old and new techniques to create something appropriately dystopian yet nostalgic.”
Taken from the EP ‘Aphasiac’ which is released on the 21st May 2021.
Truly, Little Simz has blown me away more than I ever thought possible this year. Hot on the heels the from the release of sensational ‘Introvert‘ comes another outstanding piece of music.
Sonically and visually ‘Woman’ is just supreme; and with Cleo Sol as a feature, how can this record be anything less than perfection?
Taken from the upcoming album ‘Sometimes I Might Be Introvert’ which is out on the 3rd September 2021.
If memory serves me right, I think I first featured Fickle Friends back in 2014. And yet they still continue to surprise me seven years on.
The forward-thinking electro and indie-pop quartet have just released new EP ‘Weird Years: Season 2’ (out now), and to mark the occasion they’ve also unveiled some fabulous visuals for ‘Won’t Hurt Myself’.
“‘Won’t Hurt Myself’ reflects on when relationships end and you can’t help but criticise every decision you made. Did I jump in too fast? Why did I let myself get hurt for so long? Your heart aches so much you can’t feel anything else. You are numb.” – Natti, Fickle Friends
LA-based pop artist EMM releases the second instalment of a 3-part musical and visual experience today.
This video picks up from the character EMERALD (EMM) evolving into RUBY after slaying her first demon to take back her power. Talking about the video, EMM says:
“I’m not sure what people will have to say about it, but I can guarantee you won’t ever see another music video like this. Make sure you watch the whole thing; it only gets crazier as you go.”
Check out the precursor video ‘ACT 1: ADDERALL’ here.
Brooklyn-born and based experimentalist and multi-instrumentalist Taja Cheek (aka L’Rain) releases stunning visuals for new single ‘Blame Me’ today.
The song itself is a reflective piece that looks at guilt and loss, and the visuals accompany that theme with a surreal and esoteric essence.
“I am fascinated by clowns’ predilection for entropy and absurdity, and by their general role as the ultimate icon of emotional complexity (the tears of the clown…). There’s also something about “freaks” that make me feel at home: people who are deemed useless, dangerous, or too strange to understand. Who doesn’t feel misunderstood in this time of social media, social chaos, and social scarcity?”
Taken from the upcoming LP ‘Fatigue’ which is out on 25th June 2021.
Undoubtedly the most powerful British release of the year so far; no debates! Little Simz is here to make a statement in the most beautifully epic way.
Taken from the upcoming album ‘Sometimes I Might Be Introvert’ which is out on the 3rd September 2021.
The 23-year old South Africa-born, London-based artist is back today with an infectiously catchy power-pop bop that will stay with you all day.
“In school I was obsessed with this poem called ‘Dover Beach’ by Matthew Arnold and I always wanted to visit the Dover cliffs, so I went there alone on a writing trip in October last year. I actually wrote the melody and lyrics of this song while I was sitting on the beach. It’s about being infatuated with somebody and seeing them everywhere you look. I was kind of pissed that I went to look at the beach, all I could think about was this person, hence the lyric ‘you stole the view of Dover Beach.’ It’s another internal struggle with my own insecurities and a sort of acceptance of the fact that I can’t escape my daydreams of this person, even if I go to a different place.”
Born-and-raised East London talent Millie Turner’s ‘Concrete Tragedy‘ is a midnight dance-pop anthem-in-the-making. On the video, Millie explains:
“This video is a visual representation of dancing on your own. Combining the many parts of who we are when we’re by ourselves, I wanted it to feel like you’re entering a world of imagination that comes alive when we express ourselves.”
Taken from the upcoming 8-track mini-album ‘Eye Of The Storm’ which is out on 16th May 2021.
TRIBE are a British trio with a distinctively confident approach to indie-pop. Their sound feels emotive, impassioned and daring. It seems like only a matter of time before they start to gain significant traction, so I feel quite excited to share with you their debut music video today.
The video follows the separate stories of each band member while they experience different troubles. They all eventually find their own sense of relief and joy within a ‘blue light’, which eventually transports them into a studio space where they perform ‘Shining A Light’ together.
“‘Say Less’ is a transition song into this darker world I am exploring in my music. This video is a depiction of two people in a fleeting inferno of a relationship – one that can never be stable – but is too amazing to give up in spite of the inevitable outcome. They’re keeping a flame alive that will eventually burn out or explode. Not sure how it’ll end up, but in the meantime ‘Say Less’.”
I’ve often featured talent from Sweden’s most-watched television event, Melodifestivalen. You’ll be hard pressed to find a famous pop artist from the Nordic nation not to have been involved with the competition at some point in their career. It runs for six weeks and acts as a process to select country’s Eurovision entry.
This year saw the return of the hugely popular Eric Saade – one of the biggest names in Swedish pop from the last decade. And while he was declared as the runner-up eventually, he delivered one of the most experimental and avant-garde performances ever to be seen on the show’s 62-year old history.
Nearing half a billion (yes – billion) cumulative streams to date, bülow’s rise to stardom has been pretty meteoric to say the least.
And it’s with good reason; her uniquely original style of music making infuses alt-pop with clever observations, personal confessions and a boundary-breaking spirit.
The songs sound future-forward yet relatable, and the melodies are easy to listen to and connect with. That winning formula continues with the release of her new single, ‘First Place’.
“It’s about somebody who wants your attention but isn’t very genuine. Since we weren’t friends, why do you care today? I definitely went through this experience with a couple of people who only reached out when it was convenient for them. Quarantine was a big light to see who was actually in my life for the right reasons and who care about what was going on. Sonically, it pushed me in the direction I’m headed.”
Irish producer Welshy’s momentum continues to grow as he debuts visuals for the wildly successful dance anthem ‘Haiti’.
The track has already amassed over four million streams and just hit the Top 20 of the UK Shazam Chart.
“’Haiti’ originally started as a fun video I made of me slapping a rugby ball and turning it into a beat, and you’ll see some references to that in the video. TikTok played a huge part in this record getting recognition, so it was so cool to see those references too. I also love the amazing Irish dancing, which is a nod to my background. This was such a fun and rewarding experience, and I hope you enjoy it too.”
With Women’s History Month launching this week, Leyla Blue’s viral anthem for female empowerment ‘What A Shame’ has truly made an impact.
To date, the song has been featured on over 200,000 TikTok videos (using the original audio), and amassed over 15 million global streams after landing on more than 15 Spotify viral charts.
“I’m just starting out. There’s so much more I want to do and so many more people I want to reach. For me, the ‘I made it’ moment is some manifestation of inspiring or helping others to reach their potential – having a real effect on a life.”
Dreamy, almost cosmic fusions of RnB, soul, pop and jazz from London’s finest, Lava La Rue. This track is bliss in it’s purest form.
“The ‘Magpie’ music video is London’s subcultural history timeline personified into a person walking through a tube carriage. Showing many elements of how British Caribbean sound system culture, UK black punk, Notting Hill carnival, 2000s Grime and more, would become the blueprint of the contemporary music scene we know today. Pay close attention as each small detail represents moments of both the rise & sometimes the decline of these movements.”
Taken from the new EP ‘Butter-Fly’ which is out now.
“’Everything and Nothing’ makes us think about every first date we’ve ever had. In that moment the possibilities are endless. You could be sitting across the table from someone you will spend forever with, or they might just be here for drinks and maybe a one-night stand.
Sometimes you can be so infatuated by a person that you start to imagine every possible scenario with them play out in your mind, and in that fleeting moment you feel all the emotions at once? A visceral landslide. It’s almost too much to take in. Nevertheless, we continue with 21 questions and stare at each other from across the table, feeling both everything and nothing.
And when it does end up lasting longer than one night a whole new definition of everything and nothing starts. It becomes about the price we pay for being completely vulnerable with someone and all our ups and downs in relationships. The ability to feel on top of the world and also sometimes, unfortunately, the complete opposite.”
The rise of lilspirit has been quite phenomenal over the last year. Now garnering over 300k monthly listeners on Spotify alone, the pop and RnB crooner unveils visuals for new single ‘4ever’. It’s a confident sound that shows this LA-based talent has his eyes set on global domination.
“I just want everyone to know I’m not slowing down. I’m set on being the biggest”.
Taken from the upcoming project, ‘spiritworld’ which is due later this year.
