The Australian duo MidnightPoolParty are back doing what they do best – bringing classic disco to the fore.
The new single – influenced by PNAU‘s remix of EltonJohn and DuaLipa‘s ‘Cold Heart’ – is a heavy dose of pop, making even the weariest of heads feel undefeated.
London-based multi-instrumentalist and singer George Gretton takes a turn in genre in ‘Morning’ featuring theMIND, ahead of his new EP, ‘Ordinary Life’ out in August.
Made during “a bit of a 90s boom-bap phase,” ‘Morning’ is about the predictability of taking some time out which ultimately leads to becoming a bit of a recluse.
Essex band Black Pines shares ‘SAINT,’ a hugely personal song about grief and loss.
Used as a therapy for the band, it is jam-packed with raw and passionate emotion and continues that rich and shimmering alt-rock direction the band have cultivated for themselves.
Expect their eagerly-awaited new EP ‘Talk Of The Devil’ on 29 July.
Cheeky Los Angeles-based singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Gavin Haley has just released his vulnerable new EP, ‘Unfolding’.
Presented as an irresistible alternative pop sound with a hip-hop undercurrent offset by acoustic guitar and confessional lyrics, his feel-good music is both modern and connective.
Unfolding “a series of growing pains through music“, it’s a complex juxtaposition of actions and feelings, as Haley explains in more detail,
“I grew up in church, but I also raced bikes and listened to rap music when I could hide it from my family. I feel like I brought elements to this music from every area I’ve drawn inspiration from, but still staying me. Each song is its own story, and I hope this project connects with the people who find it and brings us closer. I wrote Unfolding almost entirely in a few days.”
The track ‘Self Control’ features Izzy Bizu and you can watch the video below:
The new EP is out now on Red Bull Records.
Sounds like: Easy Life, Shawn Mendes, Gareth Pugh, Jack Hawitt
Gang of Four‘s singer, JJ Sterry shares the serene video for ‘Day Turns To Night’, written in the days following guitarist Andy Gill’s untimely death earlier this year.
Charming LoveLeo shares the self-directed visuals for ‘HEAD OVER HEELS’, which follows a miniature Leo getting up to mischief. Another great video from the TikTok star.
Imperfect indie artist ODDA shares the solemn track, ‘MAMA’, as he deeply explores all that is being human, from the judgement of others to the insecurities of ourselves.
Austin quartet The Bright Light Social Hour shares cosmic single ‘Enough’, taking us on a groove-rich journey through 70’s psychedelic rock, with a contemporary production sheen.
The new collaboration between London-based German singer, songwriter and producer Matilda Eyre and Devon-based producer PALMR dives us into a pool of strength and freedom in new single ‘Water’.
Canadian born popstar Mathew V releases his enigmatic single ‘Don’t Let Me Go’.
A bold, unabashed pop track, Mathew V is using his strong roots within the LGBTQ+ community to express himself and let the music do the talking. Listen below.
Debut act MΛD FVN has a lot to say, about a lot of things, including the light hearted topic of life, which she so nearly lost in two separate accidents.
A call to arms, this is emotional, raw and powerful.
Rising Los Angeles vocalist kauf is offering a rework of his first original track featuring another vocalist Overjoy – one of three artists on his burgeoning label ONE / HALF.
Taking a more “pop” approach to his music, he has added a UK garage style beat and some looped vocal samples, giving it more energy and bringing it into the dance world.
Only on her second release, 16 year old Romanian electro-pop act Francis On My Mind is proving that “Euro pop” is very much a thing of the past.
Sparing synth, melodic drums and fragile but still powerful vocals, this new song comes as a breath of fresh air in a saturated industry of overproduced singles.
Danish pop newcomer ELBA is 25-year-old singer and songwriter Ellen Bathum. She tells stories about the loss of control and the many nuances of love.
Her new single ‘700 Angels’ has a catchy pop hook, but it almost feels like it splits in two directions – experimental electronic music and indie that ultimately culminates into a fiery explosion.
Former death metal singer, Cloudy June, takes a proud new step into the world of pop.
Expect her new ‘Psycho’ to be an exhilarating ride of rock and pop. It proves once again how young self-made independent talent can make a real impact.
With a modern twist on an emo/pop-punk ballad, the song was initially written in the format of a love letter to an ex, and shows a more sentimental perspective to Mokita’s music.
Nashville bootgaze/indie-rock outfit Creature Comfort share the fuzzy ‘Arcade Fire’.
Not to be confused with the track ‘Creature’ Comfort’ by the band Arcade Fire (a cheeky nod to Arcade Fire unexpectedly releasing ‘Creature Comfort on the same day Clark and his bandmates performed at Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in 2017), this is a psychedelic explosion with wavy electric guitar and unrelenting percussion.
St. South is the moniker for Australian singer-songwriter-producer-multi-instrumentalist Olivia Gavranich.
She is known for creating blissful, nuanced and soulful electro on her own terms. Taken from her debut full-length album ‘Get Well Soon’, the visuals for ‘Growing Up’ refine the simplicity of life, out there in the world.
Sounds like: CAPPA, Tusks, Haux, Vancouver Sleep Clinic, Henry Green
Quite possibly their most commercial (and arguably most catchy) release to date, ‘Do You Really Wanna Know?’ is a beacon of hope during these anxiety-inducing days.
Expect their emotionally charged, deeply personal, hook-laden debut album ‘Open Up Your Head’ to be released on 14 August via Polydor.
Welsh Indie-pop quartet Kidsmoke releases the hypnotizing new single ‘The Bluest You’ on Libertino Records.
With a sensational and emotional build, the track picks apart the impact of mental health on loved ones, taking a more sombre tone than previous releases.
Pop-powerhouse and rebel LU KALA returns with her empowering new single ‘Want You,’ co-written and produced by Terrence Lam (Drake/Rihanna, Alessia Cara, Kaskade, Meghan Trainor).
Paving the way for female strength, she is ready to face herself when it comes to self-sabotage. Are you ready too?
The vibrant visuals for ‘Window’ from Portland-based Still Woozy is a short and sweet burst of summertime, cocktail-sipping bliss, full of playful melodies, complete with a sample nod to Marvin Gaye.
Want more? We’re also massively digging his Tame Impala isolation cover below.
Sounds like: Easy Life, Yakul, Clairo, Max Pope, Von Sell, Low Hum
We are slightly obsessed with the charm of LoveLeo (aka Leo Reilly).
The Los Angeles-based artist’s new single ‘ROSIE’ follows ‘BOYFREN’ in a visual sequel concept. The video, directed by Leo himself, is the psychological warfare of modern dating and features an immodest and vainglorious Leo in a satirical setting.
Australian artist Tessa Neale (fka Hoodlem) wants to leave her ego at the door whilst making music. Unfiltered and full of sass, this is TESSA at her core.
Produced with Jeff Hazin and featuring Toronto rapper Terrell Morris, her new single ‘Bad Bad Love’ is an upbeat anti-love song sending a message to the game-playing lovers everywhere…we see you.
Sounds like: Mahalia, Empress Of, Nao, Jessie Ware
Young Swedish songwriter Francis Novotny shares the beautiful ‘Someone I Wanted To Be’.
With modern rings of The Cinematic Orchestra‘s ‘To Build A Home’, the cinematic approach to this stripped-back song – about love, regret, and new perspectives – is delicately composed with an emotional piano progression, whilst his vocals take centre stage.
After months of anticipation, Swedish artist STRØM finally unveils his earnest chops, whilst, ironically sharing his new single called ‘Blurred Out’, taken from his debut album, ‘Immortal’ out now via This is Scandinavia / Sony Music.
With a cascading beat of drums and vocal loops, the track gives us an intriguing glimpse into the album.
Sounds like: Ben Khan, TENDER, Solomon Grey, James Blake
Sounds like: The 1975, The Kite String Tangle, Antony Hegarty, Active Child, Gallant, Sam Smith, Solomon Grey, James Blake, Yazz, Jack Garratt, Disclosure
Dublin-born Christian Cohle shares his haunting and melancholic debut single, ‘Breathe’.
Mixing majestic synthesizers and driving rhythms, ‘Breathe’ explores the emotional struggle of feeling interlinked with something that turns out to be artificial. Discussing the inspiration behind his new record, Cohle says: “Breathe was predominantly informed by experiences I was going through at the time, but also very much influenced by the neo-noir science fiction film, Blade Runner 2049.”
Sounds like: James Blake, Sampha, Jai Paul, Solomon Grey
Dallas-based songwriter, producer, recording artist and former band member of Austin based Nelo, Matthew Scott Ragland finds solace in a new project.
His double single, ‘Here and Now / Now is Here’ was written by Ragland from a purist point of view, where synthesizers, drum machines and string samples take the place of his trusted guitar.
Sounds like: The Stone Roses, Ulrich Schnauss, Jon Hopkins, Joe Goddard
French composer and “perfectionist machinist” Epic Empire brings joy to our ears with the new song, ‘Go On’.
Asking for us to search deep inside ourselves, the emotive track echoes both the old school touches of Moby as well as more modern producers, Model Man.
Norweigan band Sløtface shares ‘Tap the Pack’ – a raw and catchy self-pep talk about keeping fear by your side to drive you and not letting it bring you down.
Their album ‘Sorry For The Late Reply’ is out at the end of the month via Nettwerk/Propellor Recordings.
Wow, the German music scene is really blossoming at the moment. Munich-based band KYTES is bringing some positive energy in the new video for the indie-pop banger, ‘GO OUT’.
Reminiscing to a time when life seemed easier, ‘GO OUT’ is a throw-back tune through and through and celebration of teenage years.
Sounds like: Phoenix, Blossoms, High Tyde, Travis, Them Swoops, Native People, Strange Talk, Two Door Cinema Club, Parcels
Dan Croll returns with the release of double A-side single ‘Yesterday’ and ‘Stay In L.A.’ through Communion Records.
Following a transition to California from Liverpool two years ago, Croll’s writing has taken a more sunny demeanor, although there still remains a contemplative undercurrent with a gentle nod to his home town.
Sounds like: Sufjan Stevens, The Beatles, Elton John, Bombay Bicycle Club
Started by London-based Zygmunt Day, Joe Hyam and Nathan Kerntiff in 2019, Bad Progress is an experimental and refreshingly practical project that focuses on “the blend of musical styles playing in pubs and out of car windows in London” in a timeless and often scrappy style.
Their philosophy is “just make it easy”, which can be seen in their EP, ‘Moody Bangers’, out now.
Sounds like: Fontaines D.C., Black Midi, The Clash, Black Country New Road
Big Fox might not be a name on the lips of the UK music lovers, but she has had huge success around Europe, especially Scandinavia, Germany, Italy and France.
The fragility of her new single ‘Beast’ is moving – she interrogates the process of using violence and fear to enforce order, and frames through a plucky-pop lens.
Multi-talented Scandinavian songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, singer and producer Emil Wilk, better known as M.I.L.K releases new single ‘Need A Witness’ via Capitol Universal.
His new, self-produced single, ‘Need A Witness’ is a feel good and laid back jam full of technicolor. Expect his forthcoming debut album ‘Always Summer Somewhere’ set for release in March.
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.
