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.
Australian duo dekleyn are back with a new single titled ‘What We Could Be’.
Fans of LANY, Lauv and Shallou will fall in love with this one, thanks to its powerful combination of indie vibes and glossy textures. This is their more chilled track so far, but they’ve still managed to maintain that catchy element which seems to flow throughout all of their music.
Speaking about it, they share: “This song came out super quick and basically all at once. We were pretty much all set with our album tracks, but there was one song that we weren’t so keen on but decided to keep pushing ahead with it. Then one day this new demo idea came along and we instantly knew it had to be a part of the album, so we switched the two songs and ‘What We Could Be’ was created. We love this song as it is more relaxed and chilled but is also happy and catchy at the same time. It combines a bunch of laid-back pop elements that drive the song. It’s a song that fits all moods and settings and that’s why it came so easy to us and is such easy listening.”.
Stay tuned for their self-titled debut album which is set for release on 7 October.
Lauv is a name that’s known worldwide, and for good reason, hit after hit has left the young artist on a meteoric rise leading him to over 26 million monthly listeners.
His latest offering ‘Dishes’ is the first track of the brand new EP ‘Without You’ – unbelievably his seventh EP of 2020. In keeping with his chill pop vibe, ‘Dishes’ opens with a slow acoustic guitar, and a rare showing of Lauv’s lower vocal range shortly before the dulcet tones we all know and love, to take over on a hypnotising chorus line.
Having surpassed the majestic and almost unheard of five Billion stream mark, need we say more to encourage you to join us in some Lauv love.
Sounds like: gnash, John K, SHY Martin, FINNEAS, Ruel
What a way to kick off the gems this week! Welcome back XY&O.
Teasing a debut album (finally!) comes ‘Left Alone’ – another slice of hazy pop with simple and effective melodic structures, and of course, Skip Curtis’ luscious vocal mix.
When you are in flow, you are completely engrossed in the task in hand. Hours can pass without even noticing. This appears to have happened to South London multi-instrumentalist, performer and bedroom producer Jamws whilst working on his debut EP ‘Toronto’.
The five heartfelt tracks describe various stages of heartbreak, starting with a separation, following his partner of ten years moving to Toronto.
Max Alexander is a new alt-pop singer/songwriter from London.
Originally an acoustic artist by heart, he’s decided to go straight in with the electric guitar, to create an all together fist-to-chest sound in ‘Stay Where You Are’.
It’s always worthwhile to take a step back sometimes, and reflect.
NYC-based singer-songwriter/vocalist VictorPerry does exactly that in his lyrically mature new song ‘What I Observe’. As he croons in a poetic form of self-expression, we witness a subtle electro-pop space in which the track really starts to breathe.
Singer/songwriter Amy Milner shares her new single, ‘Wildside’.
Written about catching yourself before you lose control, facing those demons and welcoming the dark side of your mind, it’s energetic commercial alt-pop at its finest.
Following the successful release of debut single ‘Eyes Wide’ and follow up ‘Hollow’, new Scottish sensation Keir Gibson treats us to ‘Circles’, an emotional journey with an alt-pop twist.
From the outset, Keir’s powerful voice and soulful tones reminiscent of Lewis Capaldi take centre stage. However, Keir has no issue separating himself from the obvious comparison, the record itself builds a stunning radio-ready space in which we can delve into the meaning behind his lyrics, and showcase his talents to the full, culminating in a huge, emotion-filled grande finale.
As we approach possibly the strangest ‘summertime’ in most of our memories, there isn’t much for us to do other than hope the weather is nice and lay outside catching the rays. Thankfully, dekleyn brings us their new single ’One More Night,’ to give us all the energy the rest of us are missing.
A depth to their lyrical content is a certain talent coveted by many artists that few manage to obtain – to create uptempo catchy songs whilst also delivering an underlying feeling of emotion. Speaking about how they achieved this, dekleyn says,
“We finished it, scrapped it, re-worked it, and eventually after months of work we got the track to a place where we love the energy it brings, whilst also having an emotional aspect that shines through when you focus on the lyrics.”
Cactus? is an innovative three-piece band from the industrial plains of Northern Italy.
Combining influences from the dance-punk phenomenon of mid-00s with the current Lo-fi Bedroom movement, adding to the mix 80s synths and samples – their new single ‘Shitdisco’, out now via Costello’s Records, is full of frenetic and unpredictable energy of crazy synths and poppy vocals.
Sounds like: Does It Offend You, Yeah?, Bloc Party
Indie-pop savant Stevie wolf is paving the way with his refreshing approach to unconstrained honesty.
Diagnosed with Tourette syndrome and major anxiety disorder, as well as meeting a lot of set backs when it comes to making music, hasn’t stopped him exploring the constaints of both personal and societal expectations.
On’Yu is the creation of Australian multi-instrumentalist and producer, Rob Eggleston.
His new single ‘Done Without’ is a sweet slowburner with crisp 80’s influenced electric piano mixed with a soulful-synth bass and blushes of neo-emo in there.
Sounds like: Patternist, LOYALS, 90’s Kids, La Bouquet, MILKK
Alexander 23 is calling it as it is, in the new song, ‘Loving You Gets Hard’.
Further showcasing his lyrical genius, the multi-million streaming Chicago-born singer/songwriter wishes to maintain normalcy as possible, and share his views on a compassionate relationship.
The single is full of breezy vocals with a full-fledged pop essence, written about navigating the complications of losing someone, something close to Linney’s heart.
The Surf Rock Is Dead (SRiD) boys are back with the sweeping ‘Immaculate’, lifted off their debut LP ‘Existential Playboy’ out on 1 May.
Whilst appearing genteel, this is anything but. A juxtaposition that addresses the bleakness of societal affairs and corrosion of daily life amidst the capricious decisions made by those in power.
Sounds like: Day Wave, Hazel English, Swimming Tapes, The Cure, Beauty Sleep
Yorkshire isn’t particularly known for his pop heritage. That is until now. Meet singer/songwriter Franky.
Her influences range from funk, disco and R&B, and her new single ‘Follow My Lead’ will urge you to do just that, with its fizzy attitude and feisty pop sensibilities.
Estereomance is a trio from El Paso/Juarez comprised of Manu, Paulina and Adria.
The three artists may come from different experiences and backgrounds but they share one common goal – artistic fearlessness that invokes sensitivities of emotional fibres reachable through consciousness.
In a gentle nod to 70’s French dream pop, the single ‘Crimson Queen’ explores the themes of vanity, obsession, insecurity, gender and beauty through surreal and metaphoric music.
Kent-born, London-based indie-pop newcomer CHERITON (aka Nick Harrison) shares his catchy new single ‘Parallel’, out now So Good So Good.
The infectious single, full of guitar-pop and vibrant melodies, is produced by Andy Hall (Bastille, Fickle Friends, JamesGillespie) and reflects on social media and the damaging effects it can have on mental health.
Overcoats is made up of critically acclaimed Brooklyn duo, Hana Elion and JJ Mitchell.
Channeling punk emergy with vulnerable vitality, their champion new single ‘Fire & Fury’ is equal parts dark and brooding as well as hopeful and anthemic – a dichotomy which is mirrored in the its soaring chorus “there’s a fire, there’s a fury, the sky is falling, but we’ll get through it.”
Watch the her Productions-directed video below.
Sounds like: The Magnettes, HAIM, First Aid Kit, Cold War Kids, The Violent Femmes
We are super excited about Reva Devito‘s fresh hustle on soul and R&B.
The Portland native has already featured on some of the most recognizable tracks of KAYTRANADA, Young Franco, Chuck Inglish, and B.Bravo, as well and as the live vocalist for Australian indie-pop rising musicians Miami Horror.
Produced by longtime collaborator B.Bravo, ‘Bet You Stay’ is a nostalgic, slower jam. Smother this over your ears right now.
LeyeT (pronounced “light”) channels emotional vulnerability into alternative-pop songs with a solid heartbeat.
She’s teamed up her friend Labit on new single, ‘Here For You’ – a song about friendship, being there for each other through the highs and lows of life, and sticking together through it all. The song was written with the Make Sure Your Friends Are Okay initiative in mind, a community that encourages you to have meaningful discussions with people you care about – answering truthfully the question of ‘how are you?’.
The Sydney duo dekleyn shares new single ‘See Right Through Me’.
Writing infectious heartbreakers, their songs have meaningful influences throughout. Speaking about the new one – a lesson about love and forgiveness – they explain,
“The song is about giving so much to a person and becoming so close with them that they know everything about you, even more than you know about yourself. As the relationship begins to break down, it begins to become obvious that the two could never be without each other, “I don’t plan on leaving this feeling at all, this is all I have.”
Phew! This is what we’ve been waiting for. A big “Fuck You!” to anxiety anthem!
Cue Norweigan artist/producer Ruben Dawnson and his emotionally expressive tuneage, namely ‘FYALMA’. Speaking about the track some more, he explains,
“It’s a big fuck you anthem to anxiety! Like many others I’ve been struggling with it for a long time… hopefully this can lift people’s spirit and I hope people will connect with it and scream out the lyrics!! I really want it to reach as many as possible and help create a big “fuck you” wave towards anxiety!!”
Sounds like: Day Wave, Hazel English, Summer Heart
Connecting at a music school in the Netherlands, the now duo Small Talk is making music to the standard of industry veterans, as it’s clear the understand what it takes to put together a hit, and have achieved that with ‘Alarm’.
Running the length between upbeat indie-pop and melancholic EDM, the pair masterfully play with different shades and moods. Expect much more from the youthful duo in 2020.
Sounds like: The Him, Bastille, The Chainsmokers, Imagine Dragons
The multi-faceted talents create infectious, experimental pop in their basements studio in a London warehouse. They also run their own underground audiovisual club nights, as well as producing and remixing for other artists.
Scottish-born Keir Gibson releases his debut track ‘Eyes Wide’.
Despite being brought up on a dose of Scottish music, the 18 year old’s sound borders the electronic, pop and folk realms in an alt-pop fusion.
‘Mixed & mastered by Grammy-nominated mixer Matty Green and Grammy award-winning mastering engineer Joe LaPorta, ‘Eyes Wide’ showcases what’s more to come from the talented singer/songwriter.
Sounds like: James Arthur, Maggie Rogers, Julia Michaels, Lauv
Indie pop duo Apollo LTD share the sway-inducing visuals for ‘Man That I Used To Know’.
Much like their last single, ‘Misfits‘, this one is incredibly easy listening with its smooth production skills, twinkling synths, and luscious vocals.
Australian artist cln shares his downtempo new single ‘Change My Mind’.
Whilst the track’s production appears minimalistic in it’s electronic approach, there is a dark undertone of R&B that lingers throughtout the song in a contemplative manner.
Zanski is the electro-R&B project of Tom Probizanski.
With a sound captivating and emotive, Zanski’s sound is refreshing, yet relevant. His new single ‘Smoke In My Lungs’ echoes of the wonderous Ben Khan in it’s distinctive groovy sound.
Napoleon Gold – Love Don’t Cut Me Down (feat. Haiva Ru)
French-born Antoine Honorez aka Napoleon Gold returns with his latest single ‘Love Don’t Cut Me Down’ featuring the vocals of Haiva Ru’s Allie Merril.
The track can be compared to an 80’s Fleetwood Mac song that’s been given an electronic boogie re-skin.
Speaking of the unique late-night feel of his music, Napoleon credits his life-long struggle with insomnia, “During my first year in Brussels for university, my insomnia became more and more frequent. I remember staying awake night after night, making music, watching the sunrise from my music desk – it had this beautiful orange and golden colour, I knew seeing this colour meant I had once again failed to sleep, but it also symbolised a new day, a new beginning. I decided to name that colour ‘Napoleon Gold'”.
Sounds like: Goldroom, Chela, RAC, Le Youth, JackLNDN
Grammy-Award nominated producer and vocalist, and Mura Masa collaborator, Tom Tripp returns with his latest single ‘TAM’, the first release off his forthcoming project ‘FLAG’.
The electro-laced funk track started life back in 2016, undergoing various iterations on Tom’s Laptop until a session with Grades earlier this year led to a final version that the self-proclaimed perfectionist was finally happy to share with the world.
Exciting London-based singer Thailah shares the banger, ‘Feels Right’.
Ramping up the BPM, her fourth ever release, has been produced by the up and coming producer J.AR.K. to create a track that will work equally well in the car as in the club.
Brooklyn based duo, Tropic (aka electronic producer & DJ, Phuse, and R&B singer/songwriter Jo-B Sebastian) shares their breezy new tune ‘Lights Out’.
With delicate falsetto vocals that energetically loop around syncopated beats, the track explores the regret and denial that comes after a breakup in both nostalgic and futuristic manner.
Nashville-based alternative pop act, Daniella Mason, is back with a dreamy new visual that continues her ‘Mental State’ EP and ‘State of Mine’ sound series in which she aims to explore different parts of our humanity.
With her latest music video release – shot and edited by Dylan Reyes – Mason aimed to create a dream sequence that visualises the feeling of wandering throughout her mind and expands on its aimlessness.
Sounds like: Imogen Heap, The Japanese House, Robyn, Maggie Rogers, Billie Eilish, George Gretton, Luna Pines
Northern Irish four-piece Hunkpapa have been kicking up a storm in their native country, as well as across Europe.
Their new single ‘Cappuccino’ is as addictive and energetic as a caffeine high and encapsulates the band’s personal journey from paths of conventional careers to where they find themselves now.
Expect them to play a town near you in the Autumn.
Her latest single, ‘Stripes + Squares’ has received the remix treatment from producer veteran Penguin Prison (Chris Glover).
Further highlighting Julietta’s independent and spontaneous spirit, the percussive rework from the fellow NYC native injects body-shaking bass and warm tones from marimbas to turn the original rock-influenced bop into a truly anthemic tune.
Sounds like: Sofi Tukker, Ralph, Mating Ritual, Morgan Saint, NVDES
Reintroducing the music world to producer Darragh Nolan (aka Sacred Animals).
As the visuals for his new single, ‘Maya Liminal’ build into an electronic-fused, dream-like state, he draws the listener into an intense world, where one is asked to consider what it means to be a spirit living a human existence.
Expect the forthcoming LP, ‘Odin’s Wain’, out later in the year.
Sounds like: Thom Yorke, James Blake, Son Lux, Ry X & Chromatics
