You might recognise the name Luke Friend if you have ever watched The X Factor here in the UK.
Not to shy away from the guy’s obvious talent, his acoustic-driven songs are filled with soul, love, heartbreak and happiness. His new single ‘Wonder’ is his most personal songs to date, as he tackles losing a friend to suicide.
It’s out now on Humble Angel Records.
Sounds like: Ed Prosek, Dermot Kennedy, Mumford & Sons
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daste. – About Us
Australian trio daste. shares the smooth electro / lo-fi-funk single, ‘About Us’.
As with all things daste., the “d” is in the detail. Delivering an inspiration message, the song is about battling with uncertainty. Listen below.
Sounds like: RÜFÜS DU SOL, Two Another, LEISURE, Tora
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uomo – All I Hear
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
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Tungz – Can’t We Just Be Friends Again
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
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Amtrac – So Afraid ft. Alex Metric
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.
Sounds like: Du Tonc, Cut Copy, Lane 8
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Dirty Nice – 100,000 Heartbeats
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
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Ekko – Off My Mind
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
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Langva – Different Things
‘Different Things’ by Norweigan artist Langva is the perfect antidote in these gloomy days we find ourselves in.
It’s a short and sweet burst of summer, with a groovy bassline that amplifies the affectionate feelings you may have for someone.
Sounds like: Easy Life, Yakul
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ELBA – Remember Me
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.
Sounds like: Mabel, Harlee, JUJ
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Discrete x Chris Collins – Better Days
Creative music producer Discrete teams up with Chris Collins on ‘Better Days’.
With a top-notch level of production and flawless vocals, combined with inspiration from an extensive range of genres, prepare to click repeat.
Sounds like: Goldroom, Le Youth, The Weeknd
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Emilie Nicolas – Who’s Gonna Love You
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.
Sounds like: Tove Styrke, Tove Lo, Susanne Sundfør, AURORA
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Ed Prosek – Mercy
The Berlin-based indie-folk troubadour, Ed Prosek returns with a luscious ode to his love affair with music, lifted from his forthcoming EP.
It plays out like a heart-wrenching ballad and is brought into a tender balance by Ed’s genuine delivery.
Sounds like: Dermot Kennedy, Frightened Rabbit, Bruce Springsteen, Chet Faker, Talos
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Nic Hanson – Crush on You
Boy, have we got a little crush on Nic Hanson.
Having just toured with the wonderful Moon Boots and with a flurry of viral Insta covers, Nic Hanson is sending his take on funky pop.
Sounds like: Prince, Ed Sheeran
The Endorphins – Dead or Alive
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
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Hedara by Wiktoria Slowikowska
Hedara creates rich electronica-tinged pop, which is a delight to listen to.
A BRIT School graduate, her musical career came to an abrupt halt after she fell into a diabetic coma and was forced to re-evaluate her outlook.
Finding her way back into music, she began working with Carey Willetts (Dua Lipa, Freya Ridings, Dermot Kennedy). Together they co-wrote Hedara’s first EP ‘Slow’.
Speaking about her new single ‘Hurts’, Hedara explains;
“Hurts is a self admission about having allowed someone to control a relationship, and the realisation of knowing that it is totally wrong, so you take the hold. It’s about realising you’re done with the excuses. Something worth having shouldn’t hurt and it’s time to walk away.”
Sounds like: Jessie Ware
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Time to strip it back a little with London-based singer-songwriter Hedara‘s latest single, ‘Numb’.
Hedara (aka Scarlet Billham) graduated London’s famous BRIT School, alongside Freya Ridings and others, and enjoyed some time performing under different alias’ and bands. It was only after a near-death experience, narrowly escaping a diabetic coma, that she learnt a harrowing lesson and took stock of what’s important in life.
Slowly finding her way back into music, she began working with different songwriters and producers on before finding a connection with Carey Willetts (Dua Lipa, Freya Ridings, Dermot Kennedy). Together they co-wrote and produced eight tracks, three of which now form the EP ‘Slow’, which includes the single ‘Numb’.
Speaking of the track, Hedara explains,
“Numb is probably the most honest song I’ve written. I wrote it when I was going through a tough time, and although people were around to support me, I was also being told how to feel. I was feeling everything but being made to feel nothing at all.”
Sounds like: Freya Ridings, Laura Marling, Chloe Foy, Banks, Melis
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