Swedish artist STORME has a unique talent for making luminous electronic pop songs about nature. She spent much of her childhood exploring local woodland – a paradise of pine trees and untouched wilderness, punctuated by lakes that shimmer in sunlight in daytime, then lap quietly beneath sprawling stars at night.
The result of this is pretty evident on her new single ‘Kite‘, a sun-drenched paean to the mindfulness of relaxing made unique by her signature, angelic voice.
Speaking about the song, she explains: ““Kite is the first real Summer song I’ve written – it’s about an inner journey. There was a day in early June when I was walking in the woods. I felt my body relax, and I could really breathe again, for the first time in a long time. I almost felt like a bird chasing the sun.”
The album is a collection of thoughts and feelings, prepared whilst working alongside the best in the business. All the tracks on ‘EMPIRE’ have been written or co-written by Ellie Delvaux, recorded between London and Brussels and co-produced by Rich Cooper (Banks, Mystery Jets, Lucy Rose) and François Gustin (Girls In Hawaii).
So, take some time out, listen and digest the album in order, in one sitting, from start to finish.
Sounds like: Aurora, Elohim, BANK, Rhye, FKA Twigs, Abra, Oscar And The Wolf, Empress Of
Belgium beauty BLANCHE shares the new atmospheric and analog-led single ‘Fences’.
It’s once again, inventive melancholic pop that, deep down, spreads a positive message. Speaking about the track, BLANCHE explains,
“Fences is this cheesy but forever important message: tear down the fences of rejection, open yourself to the other, accept and respect their differences; try and think with your heart.”
Sounds like: Aurora, Elohim, BANK, Rhye, FKA Twigs, Abra, Oscar And The Wolf
Introducing the new project by Pietro Filippone – aka uomo.
His latest release, ‘All I Hear’, is the first song that Filippone has written by himself for the project. A decent bit of autotune in there, the softer house elements give the song a gorgeously gentle uplift.
Sounds like: Henry Green, Roosevelt, Goldroom, Hayden James, Elderbrook
Bristol-based quartet Tungz combines effortless funk riffs with infectious vocal melodies and indie-pop sounds in new single, ‘Can’t We Just Be Friends Again’, out now via Heist or Hit.
It speaks of the confusion and the weird frustration that comes with wanting to snap back to being happy with someone you’ve only ever really been cool with before.
Sounds like: Ben Khan, Christine & The Queens, Patawawa, Bamily
DJ and producer Amtrac has teamed up with Grammy Award-winning British musician, DJ and producer Alex Metric on vocals in new single, ‘So Afraid’.
Looping vocals contemplate a simple question, “why you so afraid of love?” as Alex Metric’s breathy, enunciated voice lends an edge to the droning synths beneath, forming a steady crescendo of sound and passion that blooms.
UK duo Dirty Nice releases ‘100,000 Heartbeats’. A synth-wave pop at the core, it’s the perfect counterpart to the more lo-fi B-side, ‘Love Team’.
Originally presented as a special Valentines Day release, Dirty Nice sent a number of personalised cards to fans. Continuing this theme on their Instagram, an intergalactic cartoon epic has unfolded with a new card revealed every day.
Sounds like: Elder Island, Camel Power Club, Gorillaz, Everyone You Know, 10 O’Clock Chemical
Norwegian native, singer/songwriter and producer Rebekka Danielsson – aka EKKO – shares the visuals for ‘Off My Mind’.
Highly energetic, glorious pop with addictive melodic hooks and immaculate production this tune ticks all the boxes to be a serious club anthem and floor filler.
Expect her debut EP ‘Symptoms’ out later in the year.
Sounds like: Tove Lo, Chelsea Lankes, Allie X, ALMA, Kim Petras
Rising Danish pop songstress ELBA is making waves.
Starting her musical journey in the local choir at the age of six, it was clear her destiny was singing. Her new single ‘Remember Me’ showcases her powerful vocal range, and perfectly fits with the electro-pop production.
The Norweigan artists are smashing it this week, and it’s truly great to see Emilie Nicolas return.
Showing a new side to her music – less “cool pop” and more reflective – ‘Who’s Gonna Love You’ is centred around the difficulties of letting go of a relationship, succinctly capturing despair, unbridled joy, and the desire to dance.
Stockholm siblings Alva & August Heldt are The Endorphins.
As their name suggests, their feel-good future pop is set to induce endorphins. As they put it – “It’s about love, friendship, parties and sex“, and what’s wrong with that!
Listen to self-expressive ‘Dead Or Alive’ below.
Sounds like: The Magnettes, Banks, Fabich, Pastel, Midnight Pool Party, Keljet
Welsh musician, Ani Glass (also a former member of indie-pop group The Pipettes) shares the visuals for her new single, ‘Mirores’ – the title track from her forthcoming debut album, released in March.
The quirky and illuminating visuals wouldn’t go amiss in a Petit Meller or Yelle music video, as she shares a journey from dark desperation to motivation and inspiration.
Sounds like: Petite Meller, Giorgio Moroder, Vangelis
We’re very excited to share ‘Stay Fantasties’ by wife and husband duo, Hollie and Keith Kenniff aka Mint Julep, an expertly manicured electric-pop venture that stands in stark contrast to the nebulous and experimental Helios and Goldmund outputs for which the latter member is known.
The vulnerable track shimmers underneath an amalgamation of textures and is out now on Western Vinyl.
Sounds like: Beauty Sleep, Tame Impala, Electric Youth, The Naked And Famous, Cocteau Twins, Helios
From one lonely artist to another…introducing transatlantic duo FARR (by way of Los Angeles and London) vocalist Roméo and producer Linden Jay (who has also produced for Rejjie Snow, LION SNOW, RITUAL and more).
Born from London loneliness, the soulful new track, ‘Heal Me’, was written with Carl Barat and Olly Burden and is full of heartfelt longing for missed loved ones.
Sounds like: RKCB, Jadu Heart, Dan D’Lion, James Vickery
Renowned songwriter SHY Martin (Bebe Rexha, Astrid S, Kygo, Ellie Goulding, ALMA, Jess Glynne) picks up her beloved guitar again and shares the delicate, stripped back ballad, ‘Slow’.
Rich and organic, it shows another side to the popstar-in-the-making.
Los Angeles-based pop artist Steph Sandor is quite frankly over this shit.
Her pulsing new single ‘Circles’ is a straightforward pop statement shared from a place of vulnerability and frustration. It’s out now on BonFire Records
German-based duo ÄTNA is raising pulses in their new video for ‘Come To Me’.
Retro and futuristically avant-garde at once, ÄTNA is creating their own work of art in a musical world, frequently pushing boundaries and playing with gender roles.
The visuals for ‘Come To Me’ feature a notable number of transport methods, as Demian attempts to reach confident singer Inéz in his last attempt to make an effort in their relationship before disappearing once and for all.
You can pre-order the album, ‘Made By Desire’ here.
Salt Cathedral asks for the simple pleasures in ‘CAVIAR’.
An impassioned rejection of materialism in relationships and a celebration of the liberation that comes with it, the track combines warm rhythms with icy vocal undertones.
Salt Cathedral is the duo of Nico and Juli, genre-defying artists who effortlessly draw from the vanguard of electronic music, a scope of Caribbean rhythms, and Colombian dance culture to create an infectious sound that transcends borders. Expect their debut album to be released in 2020 on Ultra.
West London-based Asha Gold sticks to her guns against the sceptics in her beat-led new single, ‘Too Good’.
After battling with the pressures and opinions of those close to her, who, at the time, were persuading her to persue more “practical” endeavours than music, Asha took to her bedroom where she recorded a voice note of the pre-chorus and chorus for ‘Too Good’. The next day, Asha finished up the song in around ten minutes on the piano; this being all the reassurance she needed to stay on track with her music career.
Love You Later is the brainchild of Nashville-born, synth-pop artist, Lexi Aviles.
She creates heartbreaker bangers with dreamy landscapes and an infectious pop vulnerability.
Her new single ‘Said You’d Be There’ is about not getting caught up with the small things that happen in life, but to let go, be free, and dance your way through the endless horizon ahead.
Sounds like: The Japanese House, MUNA, Soccer Momm, Snail Mail
Singer-songwriters Zoe Konez and Antonio Lulic combine on the rousing alternative-pop anthem “Echo”. Drawing on influences from Zoe’s indie background and Antonio’s stadium-filling pop tones, it’s an epic piece of pop-fusion that details a longing for adventure at the expense of personal relationships.
Sounds like: Oh Wonder, Of Monsters and Men, Ben Howard
British duo BOII have us quite taken aback with their ‘Footwork’. Seems like we’re not the only ones expressing our feelings through the mode of movement.
The track focuses on the time when you can truly experience the “moment” by moving away from a challenging place and escaping reality.
After a two year hiatus, the greatly awaited single from Tensnake arrives. Titled ‘Rules’, the feel good track features vocals from Chenai in an ode to 90s house, with a modern twist.
It’s out now on Armada Electronic Elements.
Sounds like: MNEK, Le Youth, Joe Goddard, Disclosure, Fred Falke, Louis La Roche
Self-taught rock fan turned esteemed pop-writer Ben Kidson has given his hand to producing and the result is the energetic ‘Money’.
Featuring heavy sampling of 90s video game sounds hidden throughout the track, ‘Money’ calls on people who have said they can help you to “put your money where your mouth is”.
Sounds like: Billie Eilish, Yungblud, Twenty One Pilots
UK-based rising stars Eli & Fur provide lush and haunting vocals in their new single ‘Wall To Wall’.
Released on Big Beat Records/SIKR (Gavin Koolmon from Disciples new label) the progressive electronic track works perfectly listening to at home as it does on the dancefloor.
Swedish project STORME shares the effervescent ‘Queen’, an inspiration song for all the queens out there who need to be moving forward with their lives.
“Queen is inspired by the worst day of my life”, explains lead singer, Amanda Liedberg. “I realized I’d suffered enough, my eyes were dry and I was ready to walk away from a toxic relationship. With this song, I could let my frustration out – but also regain my power. It’s a sort of goodbye letter, with a twist.”
Sounds like: Rae Morris, KATE BOY, Björk, Aurora, RAINDEAR, CILVR, Bat For Lashes, The Knife, Róísín Murphy
Introducing the wonderful Swedish project, called STORME.
Their new song ‘Ticket To Heaven’ is not your typical Scandi-pop ballad. Oh no. Expect to be fully awakened on a spiritual journey to ethereal rebirth.
Listen below.
STORME plays a London live date at The Slaughtered Lamb on 28 June and will play Latitude Festival in the UK and Virzskana Festival in Latvia later this Summer.
