Setting the mood with their live four-track EP, British alt-pop trio Flawes share ‘Lowlights’, out now via Red Bull Records.
With echoes of classical pianist Ludovico Einaudi and even the soundtrack for Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet, the stripped-back ‘Don’t Count Me Out’ gives the listener an opportunity to get to know the band on a much deeper level, as the band remove their invisible rockstar barrier.
Undeterred by lockdown, the band has also been recording and releasing a series of isolation sessions, with each member performing remotely from their own home.
State lights are an Irish band destined for big things.
Their latest single ‘Don’t Make Plays on My Heart’ grabs our attention from the outset, hitting hard with some solid drums, before laying down a luscious and quite frankly filthy bassline, reminiscent of the early works of Walk the Moon.
The song continues to impress throughout its 3:36 timestamp, with catchy vocal hooks and a gorgeous guitar solo like riff through the chorus. If you need some indie-pop with a rock edge, then this is for you.
Yorkshire isn’t particularly known for his pop heritage. That is until now. Meet singer/songwriter Franky.
Her influences range from funk, disco and R&B, and her new single ‘Follow My Lead’ will urge you to do just that, with its fizzy attitude and feisty pop sensibilities.
Estereomance is a trio from El Paso/Juarez comprised of Manu, Paulina and Adria.
The three artists may come from different experiences and backgrounds but they share one common goal – artistic fearlessness that invokes sensitivities of emotional fibres reachable through consciousness.
In a gentle nod to 70’s French dream pop, the single ‘Crimson Queen’ explores the themes of vanity, obsession, insecurity, gender and beauty through surreal and metaphoric music.
Kent-born, London-based indie-pop newcomer CHERITON (aka Nick Harrison) shares his catchy new single ‘Parallel’, out now So Good So Good.
The infectious single, full of guitar-pop and vibrant melodies, is produced by Andy Hall (Bastille, Fickle Friends, JamesGillespie) and reflects on social media and the damaging effects it can have on mental health.
Overcoats is made up of critically acclaimed Brooklyn duo, Hana Elion and JJ Mitchell.
Channeling punk emergy with vulnerable vitality, their champion new single ‘Fire & Fury’ is equal parts dark and brooding as well as hopeful and anthemic – a dichotomy which is mirrored in the its soaring chorus “there’s a fire, there’s a fury, the sky is falling, but we’ll get through it.”
Watch the her Productions-directed video below.
Sounds like: The Magnettes, HAIM, First Aid Kit, Cold War Kids, The Violent Femmes
We are super excited about Reva Devito‘s fresh hustle on soul and R&B.
The Portland native has already featured on some of the most recognizable tracks of KAYTRANADA, Young Franco, Chuck Inglish, and B.Bravo, as well and as the live vocalist for Australian indie-pop rising musicians Miami Horror.
Produced by longtime collaborator B.Bravo, ‘Bet You Stay’ is a nostalgic, slower jam. Smother this over your ears right now.
LeyeT (pronounced “light”) channels emotional vulnerability into alternative-pop songs with a solid heartbeat.
She’s teamed up her friend Labit on new single, ‘Here For You’ – a song about friendship, being there for each other through the highs and lows of life, and sticking together through it all. The song was written with the Make Sure Your Friends Are Okay initiative in mind, a community that encourages you to have meaningful discussions with people you care about – answering truthfully the question of ‘how are you?’.
The Sydney duo dekleyn shares new single ‘See Right Through Me’.
Writing infectious heartbreakers, their songs have meaningful influences throughout. Speaking about the new one – a lesson about love and forgiveness – they explain,
“The song is about giving so much to a person and becoming so close with them that they know everything about you, even more than you know about yourself. As the relationship begins to break down, it begins to become obvious that the two could never be without each other, “I don’t plan on leaving this feeling at all, this is all I have.”
Phew! This is what we’ve been waiting for. A big “Fuck You!” to anxiety anthem!
Cue Norweigan artist/producer Ruben Dawnson and his emotionally expressive tuneage, namely ‘FYALMA’. Speaking about the track some more, he explains,
“It’s a big fuck you anthem to anxiety! Like many others I’ve been struggling with it for a long time… hopefully this can lift people’s spirit and I hope people will connect with it and scream out the lyrics!! I really want it to reach as many as possible and help create a big “fuck you” wave towards anxiety!!”
Sounds like: Day Wave, Hazel English, Summer Heart
Connecting at a music school in the Netherlands, the now duo Small Talk is making music to the standard of industry veterans, as it’s clear the understand what it takes to put together a hit, and have achieved that with ‘Alarm’.
Running the length between upbeat indie-pop and melancholic EDM, the pair masterfully play with different shades and moods. Expect much more from the youthful duo in 2020.
Sounds like: The Him, Bastille, The Chainsmokers, Imagine Dragons
Fast-rising British alt-pop band Flawes is comprised of JC, Huss and Freddie. They’ve just released their debut 12 track album, ‘Highlights’.
The lead single – co-written with Nick Atkinson and Ed Holloway (LewisCapaldi, GabrielleAplin) – explores the band’s relationship with social media and its negative impact on the world.
Live
5 Feb – Jumbo Records (instore), Leeds
31 Mar – London, Omeara
1 Apr – Manchester, The Castle
2 Apr – Poetry Club, Glasgow
At the forefront of the neo-jazz revolution is Brighton-based fourpiece Yakul.
Echoes of Stevie Wonder courtesy of frontman James’ indulgent vocals, the unexpectedly cohesive new single ‘Blossoming’ offers playful percussion and razor-sharp fills to create a complex yet vibrant song.
We are intrigued by ORIION‘s genre-bending take on “nostalgic pop”. The musical nomad has lived off a diet of pop icons which has fuelled his cutting edge sound.
His new single ‘Ayodele’ straddles the retro past and the euphoria future. Listen below.
Brighton-based band Will & The People is comprised of Will Rendle, brother Jamie, Jim Ralphs and Charlie Harman.
The new single ‘Gigantic’ is an alt-pop number offering a raw seaside vibe. The video – which you can watch below – showcases their creative side, and features both their hometown and friends and family of the band.
NYC-based Dady is comprised of singer/songwriter Rachel Dady and songwriter/producer Jesse O’Connor.
Born from enemies, these two have somehow put their differences apart and now create delicate dream pop for the masses. ‘Failing’ effortlessly switches between tender moments and an anthemic hook.
Sounds like: Carly Rae Jepsen, Paperwhite, Taylor Swift, Haim
With it’s deceiving upbeat melody, Born Stranger‘s new single ‘Last Night on Earth’ is surprisingly about the sad topic of suicide.
An ode to those who have left our planet too soon, this track urges you to celebrate, live in the moment and be compassionate with each other.
Listen below.
Sounds like: Prinze George, Sia, The Wombats, Bastille, Major Lazer, Years & Years, M83, Foals, KAPTAN, The Brocks, Tears for Fears, Depeche Mode, Myzica
Dublin disco-noir trio Sleep Thieves shares new single ‘Sea of Shadows’.
With the song’s minimal lyrical attitude and looping darkly ethereal synths full of nostalgia that completely immerse your mind, it’s hard to believe the threesome met on Twitter.
Following his awesome collab with Broods and still buzzing from a second Coachella appearance, Whethan shares news single ‘Superlove’ featuring London-based alt-pop duo Oh Wonder.
It is essentially an extremely happy love song with delicate tropical rhythms. Expect no sullen vocals and sultry tones here!
It’s out now on Big Beat Records.
Sounds like: Fickle Friends, Bastille, Kid Astray, Banks, Paperwhite, Years & Years, Bipolar Sunshine, Broods, Draper
We are loving the husky vocal tones of London-native Mafalda and brisk piano keys in her current single ‘Goodbyes’.
The beautifully constructed ballad is easily something you’d hear in the charts, possibly as a result of Mafalda’s recent work with UK and US based producers.
After a brief hiatus, Alexx Mack returns to our stereos with her latest release ‘Your Car’, featuring EXES.
Alexx took the year long break to rediscover herself and her music, and the break has done her good. The reformed sound is ruminating and lustrous, everything a modern, dark synth-pop song should be.
Sounds like: Julia Michaels, Halsey, Kate Boy, The 1975, The Magnettes
It will feel like summer is still here if you take a listen to Wooshay‘s new single ‘Alone’.
A stripped-back and easy house melody bounces throughout the song, as the Californian duo blend Middle Eastern production with the warm and commercial vocals of Deanna.
Sounds like: The Him, Shift K3y, Karen Harding, Le Youth
Matt Wills has backing from all walks of musical life, so who are we to disagree?
Although Matt seeks collaborations from those in electronic music and grime scenes, ‘Lights Out’ is right up Indietronica’s street.
The video has been directed by Chris Parton and firmly showcases Matt’s knack for putting together an incredibly hook with romantic vocals and on point production.
Sounds like: Ed Sheeran, Aquilo, Bastille, The Kooks
Oxford quartet Low Island share the cleverly choreographed and colourful video for ‘The Lines’, which has a distinct 90’s vibe to it.
It features young dancer Olly Bell and focuses “on the current states of anger, protectionism, division and paranoia that have become so prevalent in today’s society.”
Sounds like: Four Tet, Alt-J, Glass Animals, Shy Luv, Hot Chip, Caribou, Aquilo
Despite the deliciously boozy bass-lines and woozy vocals in ‘High’ that conjure up feelings of warm stoner summers, the song was written and recorded during the coldest and darkest part of the year, which is only a testament to Florda Well for their positive outlook.
We are expecting great things from Sydney-based artist IDA based on the sound of her latest single ‘1111’.
Also the vocalist in Little Deed, IDA is well practised in recording and performing. ‘1111’ offers a great second solo single – delicate synths slow-burning beats and yearning vocals.
Expect her debut EP, ‘i’ to be out before the end of the year.
Tunbridge Wells (UK) locals The New Coast share ‘Sleeptalk’.
The addictive indie pop number swirls with heavy synths and echoey riffs, adding to The New Coast’s collection of distinct Southern sounds.
Speaking about the track the guys say,
“Writing ‘Sleeptalk’ felt massively cathartic for us and allowed us to explore a really personal moment in a cinematic, 3 minute pop song. Lyrically, for me, it pin points a delicate moment between two people, people who are just starting to get to know each other, but also notice these colourful and intense emotions in a very short period of time.
Even though the song is reliving a specific moment from last summer, I love the way that someone can take whatever personal vision and meaning they like from the lyrics. It almost feels necessary. I don’t think anyone is going to have the exact same sentiment sonically and lyrically, but thats the best part, its so expressive to create your own idealistic story from thewords. However, we like to make everything in our music feel cinematic and infectious, so we want to set the scene in peoples minds and hopefully it’ll take you to that place. Like you’re watching a cool movie with a soundtrack that sounds like your life.”
Sounds like: Bastille, To Kill A King, Imagine Dragons, Kodaline, KYKO, Draper
Jagara are three sisters from London making genre-bending mature pop music, or so their press release says.
When reviewing music, we usually enjoy having a good listen through what we get sent before we even cast our eyes on what we’re supposed to think about it, so putting the press release out of mind is a good starting point.
On first listen nothing about their new single ‘Real Love’ drags us in, then nothing is making us switch off either. Musically it is quite simple with an under-produced feel (in a good way), good arrangements with a strange and interesting appeal. There is a vague but pleasing sense of familiarity and that coupled with that by the third and fourth listens the vocals begin to become really catchy means that we can see how this three piece are building up a great reputation.
Jagara have recently been on tour supporting Bastille on their sold out arena tour and we can see and hear the link to a group like Bastille, and fans of Bastille will definitely be on board, even though we feel ‘Real Love’ displays a more pleasant subtlety to it than most of what we’ve heard from Bastille.
There are definite elements of past pop triumphs with plenty of influences rooted in the 80’s but Jagara have used only hints of these to give a sense of something you might know and their abilities as writers and musicians carry these through to make a good, albeit slightly uninspiring piece of music. On the whole ‘Real Love’ will no doubt push Jagara further to where they need to be, it’s catchy, it’s poppy, it’s familiar but it isn’t pushing the boundaries of their abilities let alone the boundaries of music. We feel there is much more to come from Jagara and we’re really looking forward to hearing how the next single or two develops from here.
Sounds like: Shura, Bastille, New Order, Grimes, Blondie
