French synth-dance duo Caspian Pool likes to keep us on our toes with their wide-ranging selection of electronic music. Cue the colour-fuelled visuals for the foot-thumping ‘Insider’.
Sounds like: Nimmo, The Chemical Brothers, Hercules & Love Affair, Goldfrapp, Joe Goddard, Chvrches, Digitalism, Holy Ghost!, Boys Noize, Little Dragon, Cut Copy, Icona Pop
Anthemic alt-rock band Psyence returns with psychedelic sensibilities in rousing new single ‘Retrospect’, reminding us that every bitter end has a new beginning.
Distinctive Norwegian voice, Beharie shares his soulful, folk and ambient blend in the form of ‘Me and My Lonely’. Pastoral and beautiful, the track orbits a peaceful finger-picked acoustic riff.
Wigan-based four-piece Flechettes share the radio-ready and uplifting ‘Chasing Youth’, with blazing indie-pop guitar riffs and catchy vocals, making for a seriously dynamic record.
Sounds like: Sea Girls, Red Rum Club, The Blinders, Stanleys, Garden Party
22-year-old producer, songwriter and musician Ethan Bedell – aka Chillhum – shares ‘Dancing Alone’, a stripped back and melodic blissed-out track that celebrates the joys of being alone.
Sounds like: Gaspar Narby, Couro, Flume, Ed Sheeran, Flume, Louis The Child, Petit Biscuit, Troye Sivan, Robotaki
Songwriting heavyweight Bre Kennedy winds down for the cooler months with her acoustic track ‘Where Did Summer Go’, a nostalgic ballad that symbolises the passing and loss of time and dreams that never got to see the heat of summer.
Dark-pop artist Izza chronicles the ups and downs of dealing with anxiety and depression in a world where people are obsessed with the perceived perfection of their online selves, in new single ‘Lows’.
British electronic artist, FNP (“Fake Name Preferably”), likes his dance music fun and nostalgic. His new single, ‘Weeks Of Rain’ is perfect, disco-infused house with lashings of hazy synthwave and retro drums.
Inspired by indietronica, we asked FNP to put together a playlist for us, and here it is below:
Nina – My Mistake
Love a chugging bassline…Actually heard this first on a Mercedes advert and spent a long long time trying to find out what it was! Beauty…
Baynk – Settle
Really lush mix of organic and electronic elements. Sinead Harnett’s vocal just makes it pop as well.
Shura – 2shy
Massive fan of pretty much everything shura does but this is a favourite for me.. Proper summer vibes on this.
SG Lewis – Chemicals
This one is just summer in a bowl – The lyrics are quite clearly about getting off your bonce as well which is bonus points for me.
Breakbot – Be Mine Tonight
Pretty close to a perfect Nu-Disco track this. Can’t fault it in any way. The little synth melodies are so, so lovely.
Lou Hayter – Cherry on Top
Epic use of a classic sample. Really nice work on this, pure beach vibes and her vocal works perfectly on it.
Charlotte Gainsbourg – Sylvia Says
Charlotte Gainsbourg might just about be the coolest most chic person on Earth…Considering she does a lot of acting and other muse stuff, she ain’t bad at music either. Probably takes from her dad on that.
Confidence Man – Out The Window
Could have chosen any confidence man track to be honest but this one is a bit special. Proper screamadelica, uplifting 90’s vibes on show here.
Blood Orange – EVP
For me, the best of many great Dev Hynes productions – Those chords are just sublime, much prefer this album to the newer stuff, so much more funk.
Frances – Borrowed Time
Simple yet effective – The production here is really lush but there’s really not much to it. Love the chord sound contrasting the sharp vocal.
Chromatics – Cherry
An absolute monster of a tune this. Chromatics are absolutely stellar at what they do and for me, this is their best work. That guitar melody is just..
IRAH – Into Dimensions
Really powerful new artist from the Eastern Bloc – Thick, warm analogue synths are the order of the day on this one.
Our favourite producer Roosevelt (aka Marius Lauber) returns with the first new single since his sophomore album ‘Young Romance’ in 2018, and we are OBSESSED.
The new single ‘Sign’ focuses on all things digital, as luscious drum and vocal loops lead us into his spine-tingling world of early house and vintage synth-pop. Sparse and dazzling at the same time, ‘Sign’ is a prime example of Roosevelt’s deft craftsmanship.
Speaking about the emotive new track, he explains,
“I wanted to make something intimate, so I started with these spherical Juno 60 chords. When I added rhythmical elements, I realised that the track could work in a dance music world – I normally record a lot of real drums but stripped this one back to just an 808 beat. A nice contrast between the intimate feeling of the synth and the dancefloor qualities of the vocal sample, bass line and 808 started to emerge. I found it really inspiring to make something that’s initially made for listening alone on your headphones, but that hopefully can come alive in the near future when played out at a dance club or festival and create a form of unity again.”
Sounds like: Cut Copy, Goldroom, Day Wave, The Whitest Boy Alive, Caribou, Tourist, Jagwar Ma, Washed Out, Neon Indian, Du Tonc, Joe Goddard, Classixx
He’s Australian. Based in Los Angeles. And has made a distinctly European turn in his new song.
Harry Nathan‘s ‘Frontin Me’, ladies & gentlemen.
Speaking about the new lo-fi house track, he explains,
“The song was recorded into a 1984 SONY M-10 microcassette recorder. I wasn’t really sure what I was singing, I was just jamming and mumbling, stream of consciousness kind of thing. When entering this kind of trance, my lyrics tend to reflect unsurfaced emotions, and it wasn’t until after I had finished recording that I realised the song was about people that are fake, putting up a façade trying to impress all the time.”
We can’t quite work out if this is filmed before, during or after the party, but with visuals as quirky and comedic as always, we suggest you go check it out!
‘Frontin Me’ is available everywhere now via French tastemaker label, Kitsuné.
Sounds like: Moby, Joe Goddard, Roosevelt, Classixx, Goldroom, Hayden James
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
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.
Cubicolour is a duo composed of Amsterdam-based producers Ariaan Olieroock and Peter Kriek, and British singer-songwriter Tim Digby-Bell.
The second single ‘Wake Me Up’ – taken from their second attempt of a sophomore album, ‘Hardly A Day, Hardly A Night’, via Anjunadeep – explores the transient sense of identity in an uncertain, yet alluring manner.
Despite a period of losses – friends, loves, health, an album and each other – Cubicolor battled through and the result is an album that is undeniably true to themselves as a band.
Welsh musician, Ani Glass (also a former member of indie-pop group The Pipettes) shares the visuals for her new single, ‘Mirores’ – the title track from her forthcoming debut album, released in March.
The quirky and illuminating visuals wouldn’t go amiss in a Petit Meller or Yelle music video, as she shares a journey from dark desperation to motivation and inspiration.
Sounds like: Petite Meller, Giorgio Moroder, Vangelis
We’re very excited to share ‘Stay Fantasties’ by wife and husband duo, Hollie and Keith Kenniff aka Mint Julep, an expertly manicured electric-pop venture that stands in stark contrast to the nebulous and experimental Helios and Goldmund outputs for which the latter member is known.
The vulnerable track shimmers underneath an amalgamation of textures and is out now on Western Vinyl.
Sounds like: Beauty Sleep, Tame Impala, Electric Youth, The Naked And Famous, Cocteau Twins, Helios
From one lonely artist to another…introducing transatlantic duo FARR (by way of Los Angeles and London) vocalist Roméo and producer Linden Jay (who has also produced for Rejjie Snow, LION SNOW, RITUAL and more).
Born from London loneliness, the soulful new track, ‘Heal Me’, was written with Carl Barat and Olly Burden and is full of heartfelt longing for missed loved ones.
Sounds like: RKCB, Jadu Heart, Dan D’Lion, James Vickery
Renowned songwriter SHY Martin (Bebe Rexha, Astrid S, Kygo, Ellie Goulding, ALMA, Jess Glynne) picks up her beloved guitar again and shares the delicate, stripped back ballad, ‘Slow’.
Rich and organic, it shows another side to the popstar-in-the-making.
Los Angeles-based pop artist Steph Sandor is quite frankly over this shit.
Her pulsing new single ‘Circles’ is a straightforward pop statement shared from a place of vulnerability and frustration. It’s out now on BonFire Records
Los Angeles-based Australian artist Harry Nathan shares his blissed-out new single, ‘Sweet Release’.
It comes as a surprise to us how much Nathan loves house music. He grew up wanting to be a house DJ, and the new single sees a fluidic connection between soulful lyricism and a stripped-back house influence within the instrumentation.
Listen below.
It’s the first taste of his upcoming second EP, his new lo-fi house project, about a psychedelic relationship.
