Tag Archives: La Roux

Weekly Gems 117

NAVA – Skin

NAVA by Matteo STROCCHIA

NAVA by Matteo STROCCHIA

Right in the forefront of Italy’s buzzing electronic music scene is enigmatic Iranian-born singer Nava Golchini and her band, aka NAVA.

A unique blend of culture and electronic twists, they create music that is truly visceral, both musically and visually. Their new single ‘Skin’ is soft and edgy, as it explores the darker side of human nature.

Sounds like: GINEVRA, Kill J, Purity Ring

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Talitha – Fine On My Own

Talitha - Fine On My Own

Out to set the message straight and spread an empowering message to her fans, Talitha is doing ‘Fine On My Own’.

Having only released a smattering of singles over the past two years, Talitha is creating her own definition of R&B in the UK, slowly emerging as one to watch within the genre. The predominantly R&B track hits with a unique vibe, taking pop influences from artists like SIA whilst adding an urban twist.

Sounds like: SIA, Lili Kendall

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Hoofa – Water Balloons

Hoofa

Indie pop duo Hoofa makes a big splash with their follow up single to ‘Alone‘, called ‘Water Balloons’.

Based on summertime fun in their youth, playing water balloon fights, this is a generous pick up to remind us that being 2m apart outside can still be fun!

Sounds like: Kodaline, Larkins, Sea Girls, PEACE, The Beautiful South, Little Comets

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Kaleida – Other Side

Kaleida

We haven’t shared music from electronic duo, Kaleida since 2015, so it was a pleasant surprise to see a new release appear in our inbox!

A lesson in sonic minimalism, the Glashier-directed stunning visuals features an array of solo dancers filmed on the streets in a fully locked-down Berlin.

Sounds like: Aquilo, New Order, Depeche Mode, The Human League, VÉRITÉ, Salt Ashes, Evvy, Monogem, Paperwhite, Chvrches, Palmedo, Prinze George, Nina Yasmineh, Day Wave, Poliça, Rhye, MS MR, Roisin Murphy

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NIHILS – Lost in L.A.

NIHILS

Berlin-based electronic pop band NIHILS shares the pop-kissed new single ‘Lost in L.A.’.

In an era of instant gratification, will we ever truly find what we are looking for? This song imagines driving through a desolate Los Angeles looking for purpose and a sense of belonging in an era of never lasting joy.

Sounds like: alt-J, filous, Foreign Air

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Vaarwell – New Woman

Vaarwell

Lisbon trio Vaarwell is back with a sultry new single, ‘New Woman’.

Set in a dreamlike scene, warm keys underpin the delicate, ethereal vocals we have come to expect from Margarida Falcã. Accompanied by subtle electronic elements, we join Vaarwell on their journey to becoming vulnerable.

Sounds like: IYES, Frances, Caswell, Daughter

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Runrummer – Toronto

Runrummer

East London songwriter Runrummer‘s new single ‘Toronto’ speaks about her experience living in Ontario when she was 19.

It’s about growing up with big dreams, but being confined to aprehensions, “about being gay, coming out, experimenting with drugs, living far away from home for the first time, and trying to live up to people’s expectations.”

Sounds like: Shura, Lilly Allen, Georgia, La Roux

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joan – Magnetic

joan

New single ‘Magnetic’ from Arkansas duo joan is the result of an almost fairytale story of how the band came together. Working in separate projects at the time, the two first met at a show performing in different groups and became fast friends.

Steven from joan tells us “this song is sentimental. We started writing together while we were still in two separate projects. When I heard Alan working on “magnetic” for his band in the studio, I fell in love with it. we joked back and forth for several years about making it a joan song.”

The pure pop ballad is the band’s second single release of 2020, full of catchy hooks and gorgeous harmonies, the track builds nicely culminating in a memorable final chorus with attractive adlibs from the boys. If you’re going to listen to one new track this weekend, make sure it’s this one.

Sounds like: LANY, Two Door Cinema Club, Great Good Fine Ok, COIN, flor, La Roux

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joan – love me better

joan

Freshly signed to Photo Finish Records, joan shares ‘love you better’.

Winning hearts (and probably breaking them), joan – aka Alan Benjamin Thomas and Steven Rutherford – are everything. Soaring pop ballads infused with the sweetest hint of 90’s R&B and boyband influences.

Sounds like: LANY, Two Door Cinema Club, Great Good Fine Ok, COIN, flor, La Roux

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Weekly Gems 96

Epic Empire – Go On

Epic Empire - Go On

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.

Sounds like: Model Man, Joe Goddard, Moby

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Hundreds – Body of Water

Hundreds by J Konrad Schmidt_

Hundreds by J Konrad Schmidt_

Introducing electro-pop band Hundreds.

The serene new single ‘Body Of Water’ is, according to lead singer Eva Milner, “an ode to the spirits of the water and its power”.

With a focus on nature, especially the sea, Hundreds reminds us of being care-free creators in nature with great poignancy.

Sounds like: Róisín Murphy, Austra, St. Vincent, La Roux, The Knife

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Sløtface – Tap the Pack

Sløtface

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.

Sounds like: Wolf Alice

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KYTES – GO OUT

KYTES

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

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Dan Croll – Yesterday

Dan Croll

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

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Bad Progress – Bad Progress

Bad Progress

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

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Big Fox – Beast

Big Fox

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.

Sounds like: Feist, Lana Del Rey

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M.I.L.K – Need A Witness

M.I.L.K

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.

Sounds like: Easy Life, Rex Orange County

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Savannah Sgro – Stable

Savannah Sgro

Nashville based independent singer/songwriter Savannah Sgro is another addition to the sad girl pop revolution.

Her new single ‘Stable’ comes ahead of her SXSW debut, and features heartfelt lyrics and plenty of other pop sensibilities.

Sounds like: CILVR, Chelsea Cutter

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Weekly Gems 88

Surf Rock Is Dead – Our Time

Surf Rock is Dead by Jacqueline Harriet

Surf Rock is Dead by Jacqueline Harriet

Introducing Surf Rock Is Dead (SRiD for short) – aka Kevin Pariso and Joel Witenberg from Chicago and Melbourne.

Their new wave and billowy single, ‘Our Time’ captures the moment where you are forced to face fear head-on and look within.

Expect the band’s debut LP in the spring of 2020.

Sounds like: My Bloody Valentine, DIIV, Day Wave

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Lauren Sanderson – Upset

Lauren Sanderson

Fiery LGBTQ artist Lauren Sanderson has incredible drive. That’s clear from her music and attitude (not many people can say they’ve given a TED Talk at the age of 18).

Her new single ‘Upset’ flips the issues of the despondent Generation Z on it’s head.

Sounds like: Post Malone, Rihanna, Sizzy Rocket

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Phoebe Sinclair – OMG

Phoebe Sinclair

Australian pop artist Phoebe Sinclair is a self-confessed emotional wreck, and this makes for intoxicating music.

Her new single ‘OMG’ is Sinclair taking ownership of her mistakes whilst not letting them define her.

Backed by a four-piece all girl ensemble, oozing confidence and power, and armed with a massive pop vocal, Sinclair smashes out electro pop tunes with an inescapable energy.

Sounds like: La Roux, Robyn, Vera Blue

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Tallsaint – Model Effect

Tallsaint

British artist Tallsaint releases the highly chic and addictive ‘Model Effect’.

Taking inspiration from early 2000’s tracks as well as a more modern pop culture of now – born from a visual scene in Killing Eve where Villanelle sees Eve in the bathroom for the first time and makes a comment on her hair.

Sounds like: Bat For Lashes, Anna of the North, Stereo Honey, RALPH, St Vincent, Lykke Li

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Hank Compton – Judge Me

Hank Compton

Nashville native, Hank Compton, shares his head nod-inducing single, ‘Judge Me’.

Combining his love of classic rock and 80’s pop, Compton’s music and rich storytelling creates a modern sound with a nostalgic feel.

Sounds like: Sam Fender, Bruce Springsteem

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Beau Diako x Jordan Rakei – Flamingo

Beau Diako

Self-taught musician Beau Diako shares his new single called ‘Flamingo’, taken from his debut EP, ‘Flutter’.

Featuring neo-soul artist Jordan Rakei, the track is probably his most “pop” song from the EP, which is a glorious fusion of indie, jazz, folk, electronic and soul.

Sounds like: Tom Misch, Bombay Bicycle Club

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ANDRO – GYMH

ANDRO by Johnny Diaz Nicolaidis

ANDRO by Johnny Diaz Nicolaidis

ANDRO may have plenty of experience touring in Jungle‘s band, but now it’s his time to shine.

His debut single, ‘GYMH’ (Give You My Heart) kicks off a new collection of theatrical pop melodies that balance between the ethereal and emotional, perfectly encapsulated by the beautifully shot video below.

Sounds like: Kyri

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Mokita – Colorblind

Mokita

Also from Nashville is singer/songwriter/producer John Luke Carter, aka Mokita.

Known for his lyrical and buoyant electronic-based pop, Carter was classically trained in piano in his youth and first started performing in his church. Later, he taught himself to play guitar and eventually transitioned into electronic music production.

His new single ‘Colorbind’ is an attempt to try and describe depression to someone who has never experienced it.

Sounds like: EXES, Handsome Ghost, joan, FRND, Nick Anthony, Luna Pines

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Penniless Cove – Too Tight

Penniless Cove

Named after a harbour road that lead to the sea, unique Welsh songwriter based in London Penniless Cove, is a vocalist and multi-instrumentalist that writes raw, affecting music drawing from a number of different genres.

The music obsessive shares ‘Too Tight’ – a weird and wonderful array of jazz, blues and folk.

Sounds like: Regina Spektor, Björk, Ibeyi, Alev Lenz, Kate Nash

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Fjord – Lay Down Your Veil

Fjord

Quebec-based duo Fjord are masters at creating lush, ambient pop, rich in both synthesized and recorded textures.

‘Lay Down Your Veil’ is the first single off Fjord’s forthcoming ‘Shallow Waters’ EP, which was written in Quebec City, produced in London with the help of Tim Bran (Bloc Party, London Grammar, La Roux), and features live string recordings from the Quebec Symphonic Orchestra.

Sounds like: Imogen Heap, Japanese House, Daughter, Solomon Grey

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Autograf – Sleepless In NYC Feat. VÉRITÉ

Autograf - Sleepless In NYC Feat. VÉRITÉ

We believe Autograf have just released the song that is going to make them. Big time.

It’s called ‘Sleepless in NYC’ and features New York songstress, VÉRITÉ.

‘Sleepless in NYC’ perfectly showcases who Autograf are, with its layers of detailed production techniques that create a deep sense of familiarity, even on first listen, but also a sound that stands out against the crowd.

Sounds like: Banks, La Roux, Noosa, Evvy, Ellie Goulding, ASTR, MS MR, Gryffin, Le Youth, Goldroom

Autograf
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VÉRITÉ
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Tei Shi – Keep Running

Tei Shi by JJ Medina

Tei Shi by JJ Medina

Tei Shi is back!

The Agostina Gálvez-directed video for ‘Keep Running’ by the Brooklyn based songstress oozes sex appeal and instantly takes us back to that Flake advert from the 80’s, but this time it’s a mic and not a chocolate bar.

Tei Shi’s debut album, ‘Crawl Space’, is out 31 March on Downtown/Interscope Records.

Sounds like: ASTR, Tinashe, Shura, Claire, Ballet School, VÉRITÉ, La Roux, Ronika, Kitten, Depeche Mode, Lykke Li, FKA Twigs, Rilo Kiley, Dominique

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VÉRITÉ – Phase Me Out

VÉRITÉ

VÉRITÉ

US based VÉRITÉ oozes sophistication and talent.

Her first release of 2017 is ‘Phase Me Out’, something that we certainly won’t be doing to VÉRITÉ anytime soon.

VÉRITÉ explains about the track,

“The song is about all of the invisible lines I draw in my interactions with others. I wrote ‘Phase Me Out’ on a blind date writing session in London. It was a trip I had taken around a small UK tour, where I decided to completely overbook myself. I had the phrase ‘stand up straighter with my back against the wall’ written in my notes on my phone before the session. I remember feeling exhausted and isolated and confined. I wanted to make a shift into a sound I felt was less trendy and more timeless–a mix of organic and electronic, distorted and pristine, driving and melodic.”

Her debut album is expected later this year.

Sounds like: Banks, La Roux, Noosa, Evvy, Ellie Goulding, ASTR, MS MR

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Boxed In – Forget

Boxed In

Boxed In

There is some decent hype surrounding Boxed In, a band fronted by Oli Bayston and named after a painting by Francis Bacon.

Their new single, ‘Forget’ has an addictive “Madchester” style, driving beat with elements of positivity throughout, effortlessly spurring the track on.

Boxed In will release their second album, ‘Melt’, via Nettwerk Records on 23 September.

Sounds like: Nimmo, Teleman, La Roux, Hot Chip, New Order

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