Looking incredibly familiar in their press picture, with a glint of political satire, the Avante-Garde German duo ÄTNA releases their dark and rebellious new single, ‘Grinding’.
Australian artist Benji Lewis shares the result of his recent lockdown songwriting, with ‘Everything’s Alright’. Written with Golden Vessel, the track touches on the importantness of freedom.
Sounds like: The 1975, The Kite String Tangle, Antony Hegarty, Active Child, Gallant, Sam Smith, Solomon Grey, James Blake, Yazz, Jack Garratt, Disclosure, Jeremy Zucker, Shallou, Emmit Fenn
Alex Frew – Antisocial Love Song Feat. A Is for Arrows
Alex Frew touches on the difficulties of being alone with new song, ‘Antisocial Love Song’, featuring the delicate tones of A Is for Arrows. A pop ballad at heart with harder hitting lyrics.
Nicole Chambers is confidence setting in her single ‘Warm Body’, taken from her debut album, ‘Voice of a Virgo’. A new voice on the R&B and neo-soul scene, with a killer falsetto that demands attention.
Showing how you can make music regardless of a lockdown, rising UK artist Asha Gold shares her sweet new single ‘Debut’, written on Zoom with producer Mitch Jones.
Gay comedian and musician Joe Parsons shows a vulnerable and serious side in his new single, ‘Repair’. With tinges of folktronica and alt-pop, the shimmering track is written about toxic masculinity.
Cornwall-based multi-instrumentalist and producer KarumCooper has a new lo-fi jazz/soul project called Webmoms. The new single ‘Summer Salad’ is a tasty selection of rich, audible treats with jazzy licks and organic grooves.
Our favourite German-based newcomer, ÄTNA shares the video for ‘Won’t Stop’, along with the release of their debut album, ‘Made By Desire’, both out now via Humming Records.
The striking visual from the avant-garde duo was filmed in Italy, close to the Croatian border, as the sun came up, and encapsulates the sense of alienation and dystopian unease which lies at the music’s heart, as well as the dramatic, celebratory feeling of emancipation embedded in the song’s lyrics.
Live
26.02 Ludwigshafen – dasHaus
27.02 CH-Baden – Royal
28.02 CH-St.Gallen – OYA Bar
29.02 CH-Biel – Le Singe
01.03 Esslingen – Cosmic Playgrounds / Dieselstrasse
06.03 Dresden – Objekt klein a
07.03 Wuppertal – Loch
08.03 Köln – Jaki
11.03 Berlin – Lido
12.03 Hamburg – Übel & Gefährlich / Turmzimmer
13.03 Nürnberg – Club Stereo
14.03 Jena – Kassablanca
18.03 AT-Wien – Fluc
19.03 AT-Salzburg – Rockhouse Bar
20.03 München – Milla
03.04 Lörrach – Between The Beats
16.04 Osnabrück – Popsalon / Haus der Jugend
16.04 Dresden – Beatpol
Sounds like: Grimes, Fever Ray, Vök, Kllo, Christine & The Queens, I Break Horses
The exciting Berlin-based duo combines dramatic electro-pop with an array of synth variations and visual art in an innovative manner. Their catchy single ‘Made By Desire’ is the title track from their upcoming album, released on Valentine’s Day via Humming Records.
Live
30.01. Rüsselheim – Theater
26.02. Ludwigshafen – Das Haus
27.02. CH-Baden – Royal
28.02. CH-St.Gallen – OYA Bar
29.02. CH-Biel – Le Singe
01.03. Esslingen – Cosmic Playgrounds / Dieselstrasse
06.03. Dresden – Objekt Klein A
07.03. Wuppertal – Loch
08.03. Köln – Jaki
11.03. Berlin – Lido
12.03. Hamburg – Übel & Gefährlich / Turmzimmer
13.03. Nürnberg – Club Stereo
14.03. Jena – Kassablanca
18.03. AT-Wien – Fluc
19.03. AT-Salzburg – Rockhouse Bar
20.03. München – Milla
03.04. Lörrach – Between The Beats
16.04. Osnabrück – Popsalon / Haus der Jugend
16.04. Dresden – Beatpol
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.
Meet intriguing twin sister duo FUSHIA. Both feminists and musical artists in their own right, their music pulls otherworldly inspiration from various continents.
Their highly vulnerable new single ‘Dreams & Stardust,’ is full of empowering messages daring you to believe in yourself and turn your words into actions.
Sounds like: Bat For Lashes, Kae Astra, Kate Bush, Björk
Stockholm-based Augustine follows up his debut single with ‘A Scent of Lily’ – a cinematic and melancholic interpretation of Ariana Grande‘s ‘Into You’, and the powerlessness of losing yourself in a relationship.
Once again, Augustine takes us on a journey through a future-retro, bombastic-pop soundscape.
Sounds like: PNAU, Foster the People, James Blake, Maggie Rogers, Phoebe Bridgers, Tame Impala, Phoenix
Drinker returns with their latest offering called ‘Wave’.
The partnership of bicoastal NY/LA duo of songwriter Aaron Mendelsohn and producer Ariel Loh, Drinker provides a sonic realm of enlightened experimental-pop and ambient productions.
Listen to the addictive ‘Wave’ below, taken from their upcoming debut LP, ‘Fragments’, released on May 3rd via B3SCI Records.
Sounds like: Yoke Lore, Thom Yorke, James Blake, Trentemoller, The Acid, Fever Ray, Sevdaliza, Tame Impala
Sometimes the best pop songs are the most simplistic, allowing them to be catchy and emotive.
One of these contenders is ‘Change Your Mind’ by New Zealand-based Abby Wolf. An effervescent track which depicts the internal struggle faced when you’re unsure of the right path. Something we all can relate to.
Exciting EDM and pop vocalist ROZES features on Sam Feldt & Yves V‘s new tune, ‘One Day’.
Sam Feldt fell in love with the vocals of ROZES when he heard it on the track she made with The Chainsmokers. So he decided to work with her on a new track, together with Yves V.
Their studio session resulted in a track with the perfect balance between Yves V’s pop dance sound, the uplifting summer tunes of Sam Feldt and the airy vocals of ROZES.
MIG50 & FRANK E MADDOX – Fearless (Gimme The Light)
Finally, to finish the gems off, is the frenetic ‘Fearless (Gimme The Light)’ from a new collaborative project between MIG50 & FRANK E MADDOX.
Both Chicago natives, the track loops in Chicago house basslines with as if it was Sofi Tukker on speed, combined with the fiesty originality of Georgia.
It’s a perfect way of the duo expressing their own artistic style outside of their work with other artists including SIA, NVDES and Empires.
Rising pop artist Malory shares the beautiful ‘Blue Umbrella’, which we have had on repeat all week.
Seeking inspiration from life actions, ‘Blue Umbrella’’ started life on a tube journey after Malory had observed a family and noticed the father had a sadness in his eyes and seemed strangely discontented.
The Londoner was later in the studio making an experimental instrumental with producer Danny George when they noticed there was a blue umbrella left in the studio, which Malory found represented the image of an unhappy corporate figure in the rain on his way home from work.
Expect her debut album ‘Cornucopia’ out on 1 March.
Raised between Hong Kong and Aix en Provence in France, Paris-born singer/songwriter Noé doesn’t want to fit inside a musical box any longer.
Not quite defining her sound, her low-tempo music gathers inspiration from a blend of Pop, R&B and alt-indie sounds, tied together through painfully honest lyrics.
Her new single, ‘Pity Party’ highlights Noé’s tendencies to overthink and sometimes feel sorry for herself.
Exciting new Argentinian/American artist Crow shares the sultry single ‘Go’.
The song channels the idea of courage – following brutality at the hands of bullies during Crow’s school years – with hypnotic and melodic soundscapes and introspective reflection.
Forming in London, Gold Spectacles is the collaborative output of two British songwriter/producers who create “baroque-pop”.
Their new single ‘Courtside’ focuses on dependence in a long distance relationship, and uses flute, spanish guitar with analog synths to create a post-modern landscape.
Sounds like: Lykke Li, Bombay Bicycle Club, San Fermin, Fyfe, Astronauts, Carousel, Dan Croll, Nick Leng, Bibio, ROSTAM
Brooklyn-based duo Drinker shares ‘Something I Want’ – a track slightly darker than your average musical tipple.
Inspired by a mututal love of James Blake, songwriter Aaron Mendelsohn and producer Ariel Loh “wanted to create a visually diverse and bold message with the video for “Something I Want” and enlisted the help of NY based LGBTQ focused film maker Tyler Byrnes. With the implementation of stop motion animation and found footage, we aimed for a stark and surreal aesthetic to paint America’s multi-generational story of consumerism.“
Sounds like: Thom Yorke, James Blake, Trentemoller, The Acid, Fever Ray, Sevdaliza, Tame Impala
Dutch DJ/producer duo 2CRE8 has today released their debut single ‘Naughty Boy’.
Having spent their time growing up together at high school, it was until a gig in December 2014 that everything fell into place and they decided to form a duo.
Check out ‘Naughty Boy’ with its bold dance-led lyrics and a catchy flute drop, which definitely hints at their playful side.
Sounds like: Harlee, Just Kiddin, Blonde, The Magician, Calvin Harris, Rihanna
Externalising her thoughts, Ariela Jacobs considers the concept of missing her old self in new song ‘Missing You’.
New York born and Melbourne bred, indie-pop singer-songwriter Ariela Jacobs was raised on a diet of literature and art. Her songwriting sends the listener on a journey both intimate and other-worldly; with melodies with clear folk-based lines, underscored by lush chords and pulsing rhythms.
We do like a good festival, and after hearing that NOS Alive in Lisbon, Portugal is up there as one the world’s best music festivals, we decided to plan a trip in July to find out what all the fuss is about!
In the mean time, buckle up and check out our ones to watch within the indietronica genres (looks like we’ll mainly see you at the Sagres Stage then!).
THURSDAY 12 JULY
Friendly Fires, Sagres Stage
Energetic Brit boys Friendly Fires return to the festival circuit after a hiatus.
Having already had massive success with hits such as ‘Paris’, ‘Jump In The Pool’ and ‘Skeleton Boy’, their new single ‘Love Like Waves’ doesn’t disappoint and continues the theme of tropical-tinged synth sounds.
Expect a highly fun and bold performance at NOS Alive.
Jain is a multi-cultural singer/songwriter and self confessed beat-maker, originally from France, but who has also spent time in Dubai and The Congo.
Jain means achieving liberation of the soul, and that’s exactly what this music embodies with its flecked sounds of African rhythms with simple, yet vibrant vocals.
Watch the video for highly recognised song ‘Makeba’ below and catch Jain at the Sagres Stage on Thursday.
One artist we are super stoked to check out live is Khalid.
The American singer/songwriter originally started writing music during his college years, where he was also declared prom king. Amalgamating an array of sounds from classical, pop to hip hop, Khalid shows a real sense of urgency in his music.
We can’t get enough of his track with Billie Eilish, and can’t wait to see him perform at NOS Alive.
Sounds like: Kendrick Lamar, A$AP Rocky, Father John Misty, Frank Ocean, Chance the Rapper, Lorde, James Blake, Billie Eilish
Indie rockers Wolf Alice have been our firm favourites from the UK for some time now. They never disappoint at a live show, fronted by a fresh-faced Ellie Rowsell’s seemingly blasé but endearingly nervous attitude.
Expect a set full of their most brilliant tunes…so that’s all of them then!
Sounds like: Black Honey, Peace, Superfood, Foals, Circa Waves, Harry
Sampha is to be one of the UK’s best musical exports in 2018.
He has a knack for writing songs with deep and personal lyrics of pain and reflection, some of which have unfortunately has stemmed from health hardships suffered with his family at home, and we can’t help but think we are supporting him on this journey.
Truly thought-provoking stuff, definitely worthy of a slot at NOS Alive.
Sounds like: Jessie Ware, Frank Ocean, Solange, Moses Sumney, James Blake, Chet Faker, SBTRKT, Dallas Green
Future Islands‘ front man Samuel T Herring’s dancing is reason enough to go watch these guys at NOS Alive. And of course, the US synthpop band are wildly brilliant in as many unique, refreshing and inspiration ways possible.
Feisty feminist attitudes and catchy lyrics is what CHVRCHES brings to the table.
Lauren Mayberry has faced her fair share of trolls online, but to her testament, the Scottish trio continue to go from strength to strength. We are very much looking forward to this show!
Sounds like: Kate Boy, Avec Sans, Purity Ring, Vogue Dots, R.A.B.B.I.I., Kaleida, Gems, IYES, For Esmé, ALMA, Pale Hands, Acre Tarn, Prinze George, Leitbur, Monogem, PALMEDO, NONONO, Still Corners, MUNA
Imagine if M83 and Joanna Newsom met one day and decided to make some music. The result would be the quirky and ambient tones of Portuguese Surma (aka Débora Umbelino).
Working with loop pedals, the solo artist works with analogue and digital sounds creating a primal yet sonic environment.
Kicking off Saturday’s ones to watch are Lisbon natives, Lotus Fever.
They fit somewhere in-between Alt-J and Pink Floyd and it’s really refreshing to hear. We are expecting a super tight performance, thanks to their longstanding stint together since 2011 and it being their local city.
Their music has tendencies to sway in the 60’s, psychedelic market – imagine riding on a surfboard in space. However, we expect their set at NOS Alive to be a relaxed affair, where you can chill out and have a cider…or ride a surfboard in space, whatever takes your fancy!
Less under the radar than the counterparts in this piece, but still worthy of a slot on one’s to watch at this year’s NOS Alive. The mighty MGMT!
The eclectic US-based duo are known for their otherworldly take on modern indie rock music, often combining psychedelic synths, crunchy guitars and stodgy vocals with fun videos.
Sounds like: Empire of the Sun, Foster the People, Tame Impala, Portugal. The Man
Covering topics such as sexual abuse, suicide and alcohol abuse, Perfume Genius (aka Mike Hadreas) is one such musical role model we want to be more involved with.
His music represents such struggles and recoveries in a camp but delightfully magnificent way.
Sounds like: Sufjan Stevens, St. Vincent, Kate Bush, M83, David Bowie, Future Islands, Fever Ray
With a warming lo-fi sound, Brooklyn-based dream team, Real Estate is our last act to consider watching at NOS Alive.
Run by childhood friends who played in their backyards during the summer months, Real Estate write simple and endearing songs full of luminous guitar riffs and delicate synths.
We envisage this show to be a perfect end to a perfect weekend.
London artist Austel creates highly emotive music, so we thought it would be worth asking her to put together a playlist for us of the same! The result is below, and includes her brand new single ‘Crows’.
Crows – Austel
Our debut single, which we’re very excited to be able to share with the world.
Love Me In Whatever Way – James Blake
I had this album on repeat for months after it came out. I love the recurring vocal riff and building tension in the first half of this track. The drop is immense – that saw bass synth riff… so good.
‘Tell me when I have to go / And then love me there’
The End – Daughter
This track embodies everything I love about Daughter – Elena’s cutting lyrics, their trademark washes of guitar and ever-evolving sections and poignant vocal chants.
‘Let’s spend the future talking about the past’
Dry and Dusty – Fever Ray
I’m a big fan of the self-titled Fever Ray record and Karin Dreijer’s androgynous vocal style. On ‘Dry and Dusty’, she combines her tribal voice with developing synth motifs and simple percussion, conjuring a surreal, dream-like mood.
‘I am a capsule of energy’
Sugar Pill – The Japanese House
This track opens with delicate, melancholic piano chords but soon evolves – introducing Amber Bain’s washes of vocoder-treated vocals, glitchy beats and expansive synths.
‘You can use my ribcage as a pillow’
Hazmat Suits – Kyle Dixon & Michael Stein
I went through a stage of being a bit obsessed by the Stranger Things soundtrack – it’s so hypnotic. The bass synth glide on ‘Hazmat Suits’ is huge and hits me in the stomach every time.
Form By Firelight – Jon Hopkins
Jon Hopkins’ Immunity is a huge sonic influence on us; it has so much life amongst all the electronic sounds. It’s just brilliant.
This Mess We’re In – PJ Harvey
One of my favourite songs of all time, on one of my favourite albums of all time. The addition of Thom Yorke’s ghostly vocals are a dream collaboration.
‘I have seen the sunrise over the river, the freeway / Reminding of this mess we’re in’
Outlier – Bonobo
Bonobo’s music has a great driving, energetic feel to it. Adam and I were both obsessed with Migration when it came out. The track ‘Outlier’ builds really strongly adding layer after layer. Tracks like this really influenced the Austel production process.
Sleaze – Klangstof
One of my more recent discoveries – I love the expansive space Klangstof create with those pulsing synths and soaring hooks.
‘The tide needs a night to set up and collide’
Europe Is Lost – Kate Tempest
Kate Tempest is one of the most powerful performers of our time – the rising tension and cutting message of this track is profoundly resonant, and a haunting reflection of the days we’re living in.
‘We have learned nothing from history / The people are dead in their lifetimes’
Silhouettes (I, II & III) – Floating Points
Adam’s a big Floating Points fan. ‘Silhouettes (I, II & III)’ has this amazing string part in the middle section which is a wonderful merger of electronic and acoustic instrumentation.
The Eraser – Thom Yorke
This whole record is incredible, another one of my favourites. The opening title track is Thom Yorke at his best – trademark moody piano chords, glitchy rhythms and those beautiful, haunting vocals.
‘You know the answer so why do you ask?’
Teardrop – Massive Attack
‘Teardrop’ was my entry ticket into trip hop. Elizabeth Fraser is one of the greatest singers of all time and this track perfectly exhibits how much power you can create with moments of fragility and dynamic range.
Time to start cruising with The Kite String Tangle‘s unusually upbeat new single, ‘This Thing We Got’.
It’s a song about the butterflies you feel when you first get with someone, cleverly represented by the rosy horn section (think MarkRonson, Rudimental). Originally planned to be 30 b.p.m slower than it now is, the slower melody is sampled in the chorus as a “song within a song”.
Watch the live video below.
‘This Thing We Got’ can be found on The Kite String Tangle‘s self-titled debut album which is available everywhere now via Exist Recordings.
Sounds like: RÜFÜS, Dead Ceremony, M83, TDeL2, Vancouver Sleep Clinic, The Weeknd, Active Child, Mount Kimbie, Fever Ray, James Blake, Cloud Boat
We’ve been fans of New Zealand talent, So Below, for a while now.
We wanted to find out what helps So Below write her incredibly reflective, dark electronic pop, so what better way than her expressing it in a playlist?
“In this playlist I feel like a have a memory or feeling associated with each song, they all have a nostalgic quality to them. Like The Dodos track for example makes me think of sitting on my mums roof at her old house in Auckland and drinking beers with my friends in summer. Or the Trentemoller track makes me think of waiting at the bus stop for the bus to go to work and its pouring down with rain. All such great songs!”
Sounds like: Raindear, Kate Boy, The Naked And Famous, MUNA, Ofelia K, Monogem, Bo Rocha
