Brazen queer pop/rock band Queen Cult are back blasting our eardrums with ‘A Song About Consent’.
It does what it says on the tin, a no nonsense track about the patriarchy, as front-woman Maisie Johnson defiantly calls out to being unheard and sticks two fingers up at typical womanising patterns, as well as more disturbing cases of oppression in the modern age. Maisie says,
“Watching the news about the murder of Sarah Everard by a policeman hit us immensely. Seeing it unfold into what didn’t seem real. We questioned our upbringings, what our mothers told us whilst growing up. Things to remember to keep safe. And realising just how messed up that is. We wrote this song because we were shook by the idea of having to change anything about simply existing as a woman in this world. We do not stand for inequality. We do not stand for abuse. We stand for consent, decency and respect.” – Maisie Johnson
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.
Birmingham electro-pop, jazz-inspired trio Lycio shares new single, ‘Young Ties’.
A moody yet enjoyable journey full of musical and emotional contrast between deliberate and powerful textures, using vulnerable versus, massive choruses and driving bass lines.
Of the track, frontwoman Genie Mendez explains,
“Young ties is about mental health. Trying to understand how my head works, whether it’s a gift or a curse (‘the beauty that’s inside my mind’), and then trying to accept it (‘I’ll go where you are taking me’). Then of course everyone’s getting on with their daily routine not knowing the struggle of those around them (‘all the young men in long ties…’). And of course ‘can you bring me home/can you take control’ is a question for my own head. I’m asking my mind if it can really handle this, if we can bounce back from it.”
Sounds like: Foxes, Dua Lipa, Birdy, London Grammar, Grace Carter, Jack Garratt, YONAKA, Gwen Stefani
Formed in 2013 by a group of musicians in the sleepy town of Senoia, Georgia, All The Rest makes honest music for a disoriented and systematic generation.
Their new single, ‘Waste My Money’ is about spending literal and mental money on your significant other.
Nakala is a refreshing nu-R&B duo comprised of South Coast based Nakala and long-term production partner Brad Baker.
Their new track ‘Never Changed’ melodically free flows between the indietronica and hip hop genres and is reminiscent of a late-night drive through the city suburbs.
Alt-pop romantic RAIGN today releases her album ‘SIGN’, which features a dark and dreamy cover of ‘God Only Knows’, the Beach Boys‘ classic.
RAIGN runs her own record label, Millionaire London Records, designs clothes, writes songs for some of the biggest names in music and is currently penning an audiobook (scored by herself), and after taking a listen to her album, we’ve decided that this girl is badass!
Break-ups suck, we all know that, and Kent-based Gabriella Vixen perfectly describes the process of bumping into an ex in her new single, ‘Old Mistake’,
“Old mistake is about the empowering realisation that comes after that brief moment that we all at some point have experienced. When you bump into someone from your past, a flash of memories, followed by belly flipping butterflies, losing the ability to talk without stuttering, rosy cheeks and even an exchange of new numbers.”
Feisty! Gabriella is on our ones to watch list for 2019.
Sounds like: Zara Larsson, Ariana Grande, Mura Masa, Rita Ora
Introducing New Arcades, a cinematic synth duo comprised of Dean Canty and Adam Sullivan.
They have today released their new single ‘Hideaway’, which is a slow-burning ballad that gently builds to a powerful synthetic harmony of electronics and an epic guitar finale.
Laélia is an energetic, Brazil born, London based femme fatale. Her music is eclectic to say the least, channelling the likes of Madonna and Cyndi Lauper.
She has teamed up with producer Inu The Strange on ‘Television’.
Listen below
Sounds like: Madonna, Cyndi Lauper, Kate Bush, Gwen Stefani, Lady Gaga, Yonaka
French Horn Rebellion – Rooftops Feat. Natalie Duffy
Brooklyn brothers Robert and David Perlick-Molinari, aka French Horn Rebellion, ask us to meet them on the ‘Rooftops’ in their new single, which also features the delicate vocals of Natalie Duffy.
The boys maybe harnessing down the electro funk on this one, but it doesn’t mean ‘Rooftops’ lacks energy, quite the opposite. Take a listen below.
Their label YouTooCanWoo will be expanding its ‘Night Out’ series of collaborative performances including dates in New York and London. More info here.
Sounds like: Monogem, RÜFÜS, Flight Facilities, Van She
Melbourne-based folktronica artist BATTS returns with her beautiful new single ‘Somedays’.
Using space as a reference (specifically the NASA recording of Saturn’s rings), ‘Somedays’ showcases BATTS’ knack of creating psych-tinged pop that is extremely grounding, but also feels otherworldly at the same time.
Expect her mesmerising and melancholic debut EP ’62 Moons’, to be released through the newly announced THAA Records.
Sounds like: London Grammar, Ficci, GEMS, MS MR, Daughter, James Blake, Jon Hopkins, MØ, SOHN, Broods, M83
Quirky songstress Jinka shares the ‘Shock Mounted’.
The surrealist video, directed by Ossian Melin (Yung Lean, Little Dragon), features Jinka reading Swedish porn magazines and microwaving sushi. As you do.
Following on from the brilliant ‘Colors‘, Finnish trio Lake Jons release ‘Call Me’.
Once again ethereal vocals clash and blend with tinny drums. We can’t help but think severe isolation in the woods is the way forward – it really does produce inspirational music!
Expect their forthcoming self-titled debut album to come out on 19 January through AntiFragile Music.
Sounds like: Midlake, Band Of Horses, Paul Simon, Ásgeir, Bon Iver, Nick Mulvey
Wow, ‘You’ is some serious spine tingling stuff from Dream Estate, an exciting ambient pop outfit on the scene.
The band was originally founded by William Tse in 2015, but later was joined by Dan Hvorostovsky (bass, backing vocals), Dan Noble (lead guitar, backings vocals), and Joe Dawson (drums) in 2017. Since then, the band have been working alongside producer Sam Winfield (Fickle Friends, Pixel Fix, Amber Run, Motherhood).
Brighton four-piece, YONAKA are back with a video for ‘Bubblegum’.
Directed by Ali Kurr (Loyle Carner), it exposes the chaotic world of YONAKA, both on stage and off (remember the guitarist cutting his head open at The Great Escape this year?!), as the band play to a packed and sweaty room.
Watch below and try and spot the giant bubblegum.
It’s out now on Atlantic Records.
The band will also be playing their biggest headline show to date at The Garage in London, on 28 February. Get your tickets here.
Sounds like: Gwen Stefani, Pat Benatar, Charli XCX, Karen O, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Drenge, Black Honey, Skindred
Introducing Los Angeles-based duo LAYNE (aka lead-singer/guitarist Layne Putnam and drummer Alex Rosca).
Their new song ‘The Fog’ follows on from the viral success of their previous two singles, ‘Good’ and ‘Somebody’, and has everything you’d want from a decent electro pop track – lush vocals, bright lyrics, and catchy hooks sculptured around modern production.
Moscow based Boneage share curious new track ‘G.N.P.M’ which stands for ‘Good Nights – Pale Mornings’. It follows on from the spiritual single, ‘Crystal Rainbows’.
Speaking to the duo, we were told ‘G.N.P.M’ is about MDMA (also the name of their EP – ‘My Dreams Mean All’, out now) – that feeling you have when you are high, followed by the downward spiral of reality the following morning.
We are super excited by Oddnesse, a music project by Rebeca Arango and producer Grey Goon. The duo amalgamate flamboyant and infectious music with heavy rock sounds.
‘Are You Down’ is their “‘Pina Colada’ song”, about the lure of a future lover.
Seattle pastel pop artist Liyv shares ‘Weeknight’.
‘Weeknight’ is an easy-going song that encourages friends to get together on a weeknight and stay up late. There is just enough upbeat production to entice you to do just that. Get inviting!
Sounds like: Charli XCX, Dua Lipa, Evvy, Kyla La Grange, Kimbra, Ellie Goulding
We are suitably winding things down for our last song – ‘Real Love’ French-born artist NUUXS.
The soothing, minimalist-pop track has been co-written and produced by Jake Gosling (Ed Sheeran, Hot Chip, Wiley, The Libertines), so no wonder it has a level of sophistication!
Whilst watching YONAKA perform at The Great Escape this year, we decided that the band should best described as follows;
“If GwenStefani, PatBenatar, KarenO and CharliXCX had a late night jamming session and Arctic Monkeys turned up with some cocaine, the end result would probably be YONAKA”
The Brighton locals’ latest single, ‘Wouldn’t Wanna Be Ya’ sums up this analogy, and has been produced by Ross Orton (Arctic Monkeys).
Sounds like: Gwen Stefani, Pat Benatar, Charli XCX, Karen O, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Drenge
Another well trained, and self-taught musician. This time it is CaitlynScarlett.
Caitlyn moved to London at age 17 to pursue her dream of music, and cites influences from the likes of M.I.A and Kate Bush to Bob Dylan and GwenStefani.
Her emotive, downbeat pop single, ‘Rust’, produced by Jack Gourlay (TomOdell, JackGarrett), sung in Caitlyn’s signature soulful style, tells a haunting and raw story about love.
“Writing Rust was therapy for me. It’s about that very sad point that some relationships reach, where both people grow in a separate direction and things become beyond repair. Especially if there’s been a betrayal of trust. I’m a hopeless romantic so when my first relationship ended, it shattered a lot of my idillic beliefs about love and how the story of my life was going to look. I’ve spent so much time mentally pacing down memory lane, at times it’s felt like my address.”
Sounds like: Xan Young, Folly Rae, Tom Odell, Jack Garrett, Leo Kalyan
It’s not always about the girls, but sometimes it is.
The lovely Dragonette have put together a playlist for us called “Indietronica – an indie pop girls only mix”.
Listen below!
Santigold – Can’t Get Enough Of Myself (feat. B.C) I was told that this song was inspired by an Iranian disco song from the 80’s. I’ve been listening to a lot of world music and I love how well they mashed this up. So unique.
Lucius – Born Again Teen I feel deeply in love with Lucius’ first record. There are so many awesome songs on this new one of theirs Good Grief. But I’m choosing “Born Again Teen” on our playlist because i think its such an strange arrangement. Where’s the chorus!? I don’t know! Who cares?
Dua Lipa – Be The One Every time I go back to London to work with other musicians I learn about artists who are up-and-coming over there. Last time I was there it was Dua Lipa. Maybe everybody already knows her but I just discovered her and I love the vibe of this tune.
Niki & The Dove – Coconut Kisses Niki & The Dove’s The Drummer is one of my favourite indie pop albums of all times. I’ve been waiting a long time for their follow up. It almost reminds me of Empire Of The Sun. But with Stevie Nicks‘ voice.
Christine And The Queens – iT My friend showed me this song the other day, I don’t know anything else of theirs. It’s the beginning of a new love I suspect.
Petite Meller – Barbaric
I think she’s a style genius. We played a show with her in Florence and I drank her up like pink lemonade.
Sounds like: Niki & The Dove, Charli XCX, Gwen Stefani, Icona Pop, OH Land, Little Boots, Girl Friend
