milk. – I Hate the Way You’re Looking at Me (Lately)
Hot on the heels of The 1975 is Dublin-born alt-pop quartet, milk.. Their bright new offering, ‘I Hate the Way You’re Looking at Me (Lately)’ is full of looping synths, catchy riffs and lulling vocals that immediately lure you in for more.
Benji Lewis has been busy songwriting during 2020. Written with his new friend Tom Eggert and bonding over their love of home-made smoothies, ‘Stay Around’ is about the progression of love in every subsequent relationship.
Sounds like: The 1975, The Kite String Tangle, Antony Hegarty, Active Child, Gallant, Sam Smith, Solomon Grey, James Blake, Yazz, Jack Garratt, Disclosure, Lauv, Boy In Space, Zachary Knowles
UK R&B artist Asha Gold shares new single ‘Oscar’. It’s written about award-winning liars and cheats who deserve to be called out for their deception and good-for-nothing behaviour.
Norwegian songwriter Solå strongly encourages us to value ourselves in new single ‘B Mine’. It’s a hazy piece of electro-pop that perfectly showcases her talent as both a intricate songwriter and performer.
Intriguing newcomer whatshisface is on the precipice of jumping into our hearts. His new single ‘Magic Disaster’ is a gloriously melancholic invitation, brimming with dense and warming aesthetics, creating an altogether sweeping atmosphere.
Sounds like: James Blake, George Gretton, Billie Eilish
Introducing eclectic Ohio-based outfit Mungbean. Performed as only seasoned performers would, new single ‘Slow Motion’ has layered and heavy synths to accelerate the track’s dreamy and kaleidoscopic intention.
Dublin quartet Inhaler shares their psychedelic visuals for ‘Falling In’.
A song written about the ego, the band worked with renowned filmmaker and former Jesus & Mary Chain bassist Douglas Hart (Paul Weller, TheHorrors, My Bloody Valentine) and Antony Genn on the vibrant clip, which was shot entirely over Zoom with each member in isolation during the worldwide lockdown.
Expect a forthcoming album soon.
Sounds like: Sam Fender, Sports Team, U2, Sea Girls, Blossoms, Joy Division, The Strokes, The Cure, Interpol, Depeche Mode
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.
Matt Couchois of atmospheric indie-pop project, fakelife, releases invigorating new single, ‘Drugs All Night’.
You can almost sense the energetic tension as Matt sings about a tumultuously toxic romantic relationship – what more could you want from a nightclub pop anthem?
Sounds like: The Knocks, Great Good Fine Ok, RAC, La Poré
Born from a simple plan – make music friends in a flatshare in former East Berlin, BLOODHYPE is a Berlin-based, independent gang of four that demand to be noticed.
Masterminded by frontman Weyland and UK producer John “P Nut” Harrison (AmyWinehouse, AliceMerton), their new single ‘Violent Heart’ caught us from the get-go. It’s an addictive slice of modern indie pop full of 80’s inspired self-pity.
Churchgoer-turned-open mic singer Tina Boonstra has shared her interesting new track, ‘Out of my depth’.
With a sharp emotional intensity, you can feel the angst bubbling underneath as the track progresses into a crushingly honest rage against the universe, God and insomnia.
German-born, Los Angeles-based indie artist NoMBe shares ‘HEELS’, a catchy AF funk-laden jam.
Oozing sass upon sass, it’s taken from his upcoming concept album, ‘CHROMATOPIA’ which is built upon the spectrum of colour and the spectrum of sexuality.
Foreign Fields is US-based Eric Hillman and Brian Holl, who create a bewitching melting pot of acoustic sounds.
As with all promising folk contenders, the duo wrote and recorded their upcoming album, ‘The Beauty of Survival’ in the winter in a back-to-basics cabin with no heating built by a two-man father-and-son team in Western Wisconsin.
Bronze Whale like to walk a lot. During this time, they talk about things they want to accomplish, music stuff and dinner.
This where the lyrical inspiration came for ‘Let’s Go Walk’, a resonating and atmospheric electronic piece about love, loss and learning. It’s out now on their own label, MagicMagic.
Sounds like: Glass Animals, Alt-j, OTR, CLN, Golden Vessel, Autograf
Multi-instrumentalist Zoë Phillips combines country with beautiful folktronica. Think DollyParton meets BombayBicycleClub.
Set for the same level of fandom, Phillips has already seen plenty of support from the BBC, and her new single ‘Love Is Gone’ is going to propel her closer.
Looking like they are having the best time, the video footage was taken from many of their past videos plus some extra shots from 2010 to 2019.
HUMANS is a Canadian indie-electronic duo made up of musicians Robbie Slade and Peter Ricq. Focusing on performance and production styles of both the past and present, HUMANS have consistently impressed upon audiophiles with their technical and compositional skills.
Introducing Zach DeGaetano and Bridget Boltz – aka Mannequin Online.
Pushing sonic and ideational barriers with gritty, yet refreshing off-kilter pop, may their sound forever remain bright, gritty, and unapologetic. Listen to ‘I Do’ and check out the glorious Gorgeous guitar solo.
Sounds like: Goldroom, Poolside, VHS Collection, The Knocks, Miami Horror
The brilliant Australian artist Saint Barae returns with an intimate and nostalgic offering through his latest single ‘Power + Control’.
In a raw and empowering message behind the song, Saint Barae begins to open up as he takes us into a very personal and intimate tale of handling his sexuality with the people that mean the most to him.
Since listening to Die Orangen‘s single, ‘Sonne’, we’ve become slightly obsessed with their psychdelia approach to industrial sounds.
Having originally forged their partnership in the diverse electronic music scene of Australia, Kris Baha and Angus Gruzman recently decamped to the thriving Berlin scene to develop their dark and pulsing industrial-inspired productions.
Irish-born, indie artist, Somebody’s Child returns his frenetic new single ‘Jungle’.
Usng music as a platform to discuss topics of mental health, ‘Jungle’ is a nervous yet honest display of indelible guitar riffs and beautifully coarse vocals.
These ladies are having a fun time, and we want to be involved.
Royal Cinema was formed by longtime friends Johanna Cranitch, Isaac Carpenter and Sydney Wayser who, having spent years playing in their own solo projects and in other various touring bands such as The Cranberries, LORDE and Awolnation, decided they wanted an additional musical outlet where they could let loose and have fun.
Their new single is ‘CHA-CHING’ – a self-produced, pulsing pop track.
Tessa Dixson is back with another bittersweet single, in the form os ‘Hiding’.
Once again produced by Reinhard Vanbergen and mixed by Neil Comber (M.I.A., Charli XCX) is a silky and bittersweet affair.
Tessa’s torn but soulful voice is high up in the mix, locking you in from the first verse. The chorus is huge, there’s a sitar hook and warm backing vocals guiding you through the raw emotions of the song.
Sounds like: The xx, Kllo, Grace Carter, Lorde, Billie Eilish
The darker shades of pop music have risen to the top of the pile of late, with artists like Banks consistently enthralling a captivated audience and Billie Eilish sensationalism reaching much of the world. Aiming for a slice of that pie is Montreal’s Aaricia, who balances her darker ethos with a soaring, honeyed vocal.
Her new single is equal parts sugar and spice, with Aaricia outlining ‘For Two’ is about desire and fantasy. It’s about that one person you can’t resist. You can try to play it cool but, in the end, you know you’ll succumb to temptation.
Sounds like: Liyv, CLAVVS, Charlee Remitz, Tessa Rae
From the west coast of Ireland comes a distinct blend of alternative rock and post-punk that simultaneously rides a wave of nostalgia whilst sitting ahead of the contemporary curve. archmotors, a duo with prowess and skill that extends far beyond their meagre membership, second single to date ‘Sitcom’ is darkly humorous in the most compelling way.
Fans of older video games will be charmed by the ‘point and click’ style video accompaniment – a perfect pairing, tune in below.
Italian artist GINEVRA shares her Francesco Fugazzaco-produced new single, ‘Burning’.
It’s gentle poetry of spoken word flowing amongst minimalistic and delicate melodies.
She says about the single, “‘Burning’ is the last sunset of the summer, running to catch the train just to see your lover and share that one last kiss, the feeling that – for one moment – everything is possible. It makes me feel light, like dancing under a pink sky, until the sun sinks into the sea. It’s a song I’m very proud of, just like I’m of the close team that works with me.”
Manchester-based artist Mike Dignam challenges himself by self-producing his first-ever single. Titled ‘Under the Influence,’ it contemplates the idea of heartbreak having control over you like an addiction.
Tt marks a soulful turn for the British songwriter, as well as his new role as producer.
Sounds like: Lewis Watson, JP Cooper, Gavin James, Zak Abel
Crossing emo with dance can be a tricky one, but Midoca has no trouble in ticking this box in his latest single ‘Dry of the Rose’.
Described as “a visceral journey through complex sound”, the song is unique in it’s style – a deeply personal encounter with melodic and melancholic tendencies.
Belgian DJ/Producer and EDM prodigy Lost Frequencies teams up with Nash-ville based Mokita the instrumentals start to release a modern music gem titled ‘Blue’.
The melodic composition is quite simple, yet the chorus is super catchy in a way that showcases the talent from the two up artists. ‘Black & Blue’ is definitely a gem that’ll hang out onto your personal playlists for a while!
Elise Hayes’ new single, ‘New York City’ is a dreamy, danceable mid-tempo that chronicles distance in a relationship, and the spontaneous choices that are made as a remedy.
Speaking on the track, she explains; “This song is a true story. In my own relationship, we are both touring constantly. I have a fierce desire to be independent, but missing someone makes you so vulnerable at the same time. Sometimes you’ll fly to New York City on a whim, or do something out of the blue just because you miss your person.”
The Dublin-based singer and songwriter Aimée hits us again with a beautiful acoustic piece untitled ‘Break Me’, featuring The Gardiner Street Gospel Choir who is one of Ireland’s most renowned gospel choirs.
Once again, her beautiful voice is backed by a great piano melody and spiritual vibrancy that sets her apart from other pop stars of her generation.
Irish alt-rock quartet The Academic leaves a glorious ‘Aftertaste’ with their new single.
Comprised of Craig Fitzgerald, Dean Gavin, and brothers Matthew and Stephen Murtagh, the tight-knit group focus on blistering indie-pop songs underpinned by a hidden layer of emotional manoeuvring.
Their guitar-pop track ‘Aftertaste’ was co-produced by the band alongside Dublin producer, Cormac Butler.
Live
Oct 5th: Derry, UK @ Guildhall Theatre
Oct 9th: Belfast, UK @ The Empire Belfast
Oct 10th: Glasgow, UK @ SWG3
Oct 12th: Manchester, UK @ NBHD Festival
Oct 15th: London, UK @ Scala
Margot Polo (aka David Provenzano) releases his new single, ‘Let’s Get Out’.
A song about breaking out of routine ruts (something he is guilty of), Polo has teamed up with esteemed producer, Brad Wood, and their main goal with the track was to create a fun and huge chorus…and they have definitely succeeded.
Expect a five-song EP out this fall.
Sounds like: Von Sell, Foster the People, Tame Impala, Vampire Weekend, CHAPPO, The Beatles
We all have safe pillars in our lives and London based self-taught singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Holt is no exception.
Using her father as the reference in her new single, the lyrics tell a non-linear story about that is capable of transporting the listener to another world.
Sounds like: RUNAH, Bat for Lashes, Björk, Enya, Massive Attack, Nils Frahm
Indie-funk band Bokito releases their new single ‘Freckle Leather’. Often mistaken for a heavy metal band, Bokito bring back their combination of signature hooks, unshakeable melodies and playful lyrics. A tightly-packaged, uproarious mix of indie, rock and perfect pop cadence that hooks listeners in straight at the first beat.
At first, ‘Freckle Leather’ reminds of Vampire Weekend, however, the five-piece stand their ground pretty quick and combine a lot of different styles. Drawing inspiration from artists such as Jeff Buckley and Justin Timberlake, the group created a completely new sound of modern indie regulated by ergonomic melodies.
Sounds like: Vampire Weekend, Two Door Cinema Club, Stereohoney, Shiners
Inspired by the cool glamour and fast life of the Miami Vice era, The Hails share their new song ‘Sugar’.
With its danceable beats and 80’s synth pop influence, ‘Sugar’ is a crafty juxtaposition that melds truth and fiction with the lyrics telling the story about a girl who lives life brazenly and recklessly.
The five-piece from Miami have met at Florida University and since then have dedicated their unique sound with classic drum machines to create an irresistible trademark sound of their own.
American indie band Halfloves releases their latest release ‘Polvo’ from their forthcoming sophomore album ‘Dazer’, out on August 30.
‘Polvo’ is a fresh new indie addition with melodic riffs and upbeat drums. With its carefree instrumentals and dreamy lyrics, the song is only a taster of what the upcoming album has to promise.
“We recorded this song in a barn in the middle of a cornfield in Iowa where the classic NY studio ‘Magic Shop’ has found a new home, now dubbed the ‘Magic Barn’.”
The band praise themselves on having recorded ‘Polvo’ in the same studio that Bowie, Björk, Coldplay and many others used to make some of the most defining records of our time.
‘Always Or Never’ is the latest single released by the edgy, yet colourful band Vacation Club.
Written and produced by the band themselves, the laid back and catchy pop song elevates the perfect combination of upbeat beats and Helena Hahn’s beautiful vocals. The band has taken a raw and youthful approach towards the journey of love heightening both the highs and the lows.
Sounds like: LANY, Pale Waves, The 1975, Donna Lewis
Canadian-born, singer-songwriter Noble Oak has released his latest single ‘Evaporate’.
The song features his melancholic, beautiful vocals combined with captivating instrumentals he’s Oak yet again managed to create a dreamy release that will sound even better performed live on a big stage.
Noble Oak’s full-length debut album with Last Gang is set for worldwide release in 2020.
Dublin’s Somebody’s Child re-emerges with his upbeat, yet pensively honest new single ‘Distance’.
A relatively fresh face to the Irish and international music scene, Somebody’s Child has made strides into the fore, despite his part-anonymity. There’s something to be said about artists that separate their identity from their music, and ‘Distance’ truly speaks for itself.
Spinning a tale of young love, ‘Distance’ hits that sweet spot of joyful indie anthemia perfectly.
