Tag Archives: Liss

Weekly Gems 108

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Ant Antic – Good News

Ant Antic - Good News

We’re all dealing with the overload of impressions and information we’re all exposed to, which often leaves us numb.

Woozy-R&B auteur, Ant Antic interrogates the onslaught of clickbait in his Rupert Höller-directed visuals for ‘Good News’

Sounds like: Ben Khan, Moderat, Jai Paul, 5K HD, Sega Bodega

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Beth Duck – Nomophobia

Beth Duck - Nomophobia

British pop singer Beth Duck shares her cyber-inspired electro-pop single, ‘Nomophobia’, inspired by a realisation of our generation’s phone obsession.

With a clear European influence – the track is produced and co-written by One by One, a songwriter and producer duo from Berlin.

Sounds like: Ralph, Dagny, Tove Lo, ALMA

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Opus Vitae – Carry The Weight

Opus Vitae - Carry The Weight

“Love isn’t perfect, and neither is life, and that’s the real fairy tale” says Los Angeles-based songwriter Banah Winn, aka Opus Vitae. Ain’t that the truth.

His new single ‘Carry The Weight’ is driven by the fired up angst about the current political climate of the world.

Sounds like: Empire Of The Sun, Sufjan Stevens, Porches

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Future Jr. – Back To You

Future Jr.

Inspired by missing home, Australian-born, pizza-loving, Los Angeles-based Future Jr. shares ‘Back To You’.

Conjuring all the nu-disco, dream-pop vibes one could ever wish for, the song was written by Future Jr. and a friend after attending a cliche house party in the Hollywood Hills.

Sounds like: joan, XY&O, Colouring, EXES, Akurei, Nightly

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School of X – Bad Love

School of X

Following the extremely well-received release with Lord Silva, School of X releases ‘Bad Love’.

Inspired by Eks-skolen – an anti-establishment art collective that was based in Copenhagen in the 1960s – the emo-tinged song by School of X’s Rasmus Littauer (MØ, Liss, Clairo) is about the loss of trust or faith.

Sounds like: MØ, Máni Orrason, Soleima, Goss, Mura Masa, Clairo, Röyksopp, Lo Moon, Mew

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Tigerpunsh – Shade

Tigerpunsh

Born from a remote connection via Instagram and a mutual love of big cats, London-based Welsh/Finnish electro-pop duo Rochelle and Vee are Tigerpunsh.

Brand new onto the scene, their single ‘Shade’ holds a bursting energy throughout, with delicate Eastern synths and experimental pop elements. A great start to what could be a very exciting future for the girls!

Sounds like: Broods, EXES, MS MR, Vera Blue, RAINDEAR, Nova Club, Georgia

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Alex O’aiza – Out Of My Mind

Alex O'aiza

Alt-pop whizzkid Alex O’aiza shares the Instagram video for ‘Out Of My Mind’, produced by Austin Bello from Dallas pop-punks Forever The Sickest Kids.

Combining snappy pop melodies with gritty rock riffs and layered samples, the visuals show a fun side to O’aiza, whilst still conveying a timely message of pushing through adversity and hard times.

Sounds like: Kasabian

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juuku – healing Feat. wilo wilde

juuku - healing (ft. wilo wilde)

Commencing with delicate piano keys and leading to chill electronic production, juuku‘s new single ‘healing’ does just that.

Raw and unfiltered – like the body of his work – his collaborative single with wilo wilde is both angelic and moody.

Sounds like: Madnap, yetep

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Olivia Lunny – Think of Me

Olivia Lunny

Canadian singer/songwriter Olivia Lunny shares the catchy and radio-ready ‘Think of Me’.

Channelling pure pop vibes with vibrant electronic production, this post breakup anthem is one for all the broken hearts out there.

Sounds like: Halsey, TESSA

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HUDSUN – Shutdown

Hudson

Having entered the music scene from the early age of 17, this rising star has already received national recognition within the UK.

In his signature soul-infused, pop sound, HUDSUN’s latest offering ‘Shutdown’ speaks of the frustration in attempting to break someone out of an emotional prison they have created for themselves wrapped up.

Sounds like: Imagine Dragons

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Last Youth – Violent Ends

Last Youth

Last Youth has returned following their debut album release with new single ‘Violent Ends’ – an array of genre-bending vibrant pop and alt-rock.

Full of emotional angst, the track portrays the violent ends that the human race faces.

Sounds like: Imagine Draons, Bring Me The Horizon, Thirty Seconds To Mars

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Weekly Gems 107

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Alara – Demons

Alara

Accomplished singer Alara shares the beautiful, ‘Demons’, a perfect antidote to current times.

Despite being heavily influenced by the power of Grimes, Alara’s music is also soft and hazy, with a soul-healing quality. Her new single is about finding solace in the idea that everyone is going through something, and we’re not so different after all.

Sounds like: VÉRITÉ, Skott, Ryn Weaver

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Chris Wills – Pyro

Chris Wills - Pyro

Los Angeles-based artist Chris Wills shares the addictive ‘Pyro’.

Finally in a place to accept himself, Wills decided to write music and just give it a go. The result is a quirky inner reflective track, which he uses to find the answers he’s been craving.

Sounds like: Myylo, Michael Medrano

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GRAE – Slow Down

GRAE - Slow Down

Introducing Toronto artist GRAE.

Delivering powerful and mystical R&B leaning pop, her new single ‘Slow Down’ touches on the topic of feminism and empowerment, and considers the topic of women finding difficulty in expressing their wants and desires.

Sounds like: RALPH, Willa, ASHS, Louise Burns

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Mt. Wolf – Tayrona

Mt. Wolf

After a long hiatus, dream pop band Mt. Wolf returns with their misty new single ‘Tayrona’ featuring Tamsin Wilson from Wilsen.

This is the first single from a forthcoming collaborative project, to be released via Akira Records, and is complete with hazy, layered soundscapes that ebb and flow into a folktronica masterpiece.

Sounds like: Daughter, Phoria, Still Parade, Vancouver Sleep Clinic, Active Child, Bon Iver

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Ernest – Never Leaving

Ernest - Never Leaving

Despite the inflicted isolation, Copenhagen-based Ernest keeps us moving with their smooth and funk-tinged single, ‘Never Leaving’.

A story conjured up following the band’s encounter with a beautiful cashier during a recent visit to the supermarket, the guys manage to dig up and present big emotions from everyday situations.

Sounds like: Liss, School of X, Frank Ocean, SILQUE

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Aaron Smith – Brother

Aaron Smith

Scottish singer/songwriter Aaron Smith shares his new single ‘Brother’, which touches on the topic of addiction.

A subject close to his heart, this release once again penetrates to the core of your emotions, fuled by experiences of both love and trauma.

Sounds like: Frightened Rabbit, Ed Prosek, Amber Run, Novo Amor, Talos

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Love You Later – Blindfolded

Love You Later

Love You Later is the brainchild of US-based 21-year-old singer/songwriter Lexi Aviles.

‘Blindfolded’, the final song on her latest EP, ‘Heaven Is Without You’, is the perfect crescendo to the lush and dreamy collection of songs, and pushes for self-realisation and liberation after shedding old skin from a recent breakup.

Sounds like: Imogen Heap, Broods, The Japanese House

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Syd Silvair – The Moth

Syd Silvair - The Moth

Syd Silvair is endlessly inspired by the rich visual narratives of the deck, and the ways in which their divine messages manifest in our physical realm.

Using The Magician tarot card as her guide, her single ‘Moth’ encourages to reclaim the power on your own terms, and is equally as fierce in its presentation.

Sounds like: Lana Del Rey, Harry, Stevie Nicks

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Raven Artson – Notice Me

Raven Artson

Ever-evolving LA-based multi-instrumentalist and producer Raven Artson releases his single, ‘Notice Me’.

It’s a lofty not-so-classic love song that takes an otherworldly opinion with eerily sweet vocals and piano-led composition.

Sounds like: How To Dress Well, ANOHNI

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OCTAVIO – Nineteen (Sad For No Reason)

OCTAVIO

Born in Monterrey, Mexico, Octavio Herrera aka OCTAVIO is a 19-year-old artist making a unique concoction of hip-hop and indie music.

Whilst in his new song ‘Nineteen (Sad For No Reason)’, there are plenty of reasons to be feeling glum at this moment in time (and he’s by no means alone), we should join Octavio in celebrating his past year.

Sounds like: Rex Orange County, Mac Demarco

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Jillian Steele – New Orleans

Jillian Steele - New Orleans

Nashville-based pop artist Jillian Steele‘s new single is written about unexpectedly falling in love in New Orleans.

But this isn’t her first crush, Steele has been performing from a young age, having formed an early love for performing, including singing and acting in commercials. Listen below.

Sounds like: Savannah Sgro, Violet Skies, Charlotte Sands

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Off Bloom – Are You Feeling It Too?

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Off Bloom

Picking up their pop pace following support slots on Dua Lipa‘s European tour in 2017, Off Bloom‘s sound is a mixture of edgy 90’s with modern-day guitar-pop riffs.

Are you feeling it too? There are no guesses as to what the title of their new single implies.

This song shows that whilst they are making music and still having fun, underneath they pose a heavier question – are you feeling the pressure of modern society? The answer is probably “Yes, we all are”.

Sounds like: Soleima, Liss, Charlie Puth, Vera

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Weekly Gems 76

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fluxx.world – Like Me

Fluxx.world

Introducing the playful duo, fluxx.world.

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.

Check out ‘Like Me’ below.

Sounds like: Allie X, Sofi Tukker, Phantogram, MØ

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Keir Gibson – Eyes Wide

Keir Gibson

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

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Apollo LTD – Man That I Used To Know

Apollo LTD

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.

Sounds like: LIONLION, Phoenix, Foster The People

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cln – Change My Mind

cln

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.

Expect cln’s debut album in September.

Sounds like: Aquilo, Bon Iver

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Zanski – Smoke In My Lungs

Zanski

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.

It’s out now via CloudKid.

Sounds like: Ben Khan

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Napoleon Gold – Love Don’t Cut Me Down (feat. Haiva Ru)

Napoleon Gold - Love Don't Cut Me Down

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

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Tom Tripp – TAM

Tom Tripp

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.

Sounds like: Mura Masa, LISS, Ben Khan

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Thailah – Feels Right

Thailah

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.

Sounds like: Just Kiddin, The Him, Tove Lo

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Tropic – Lights Out

Tropic - Lights Out

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.

Sounds like: Great Good Fine Ok

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Daniella Mason – Deepest of Wells

Daniella Mason

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

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Slowes – Tell Me Why

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Slowes - Tell Me Why

Danish dream pop duo Slowes have released their new single, ‘Tell Me Why’, a song about discovering a lying lover.

Much like their previous material, ‘Tell Me Why’ reflects in a melancholic hopeful kind of way, and is led by a strong hook, perfectly amalgamating alternative pop sounds with chillwave.

Sounds like: Fleetwood Mac, Future Islands, Sundara Karma, Tame Impala, Day Wave, Jo Marches, Liss, Mew

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Weekly Gems 21

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Katherine Evans – Take It Slow

Katherine Evans

Meet 22 year old Katherine Evans. It says on her SoundCloud page that she likes to sing and sleep. We are not sure about her knack of sleeping, but she sings a damn good song!

With plenty of awards under her belt, she is far from taking it slow, unlike her new single, which is about capturing a fleeting and reckless moment.

It’s out now via Afromartian, an indie record label based in Italy.

Sounds like: Dominique, Billie Eilish

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Jarami – Hear This

Jarami

Dynamic Swedish production duo Jarami share the cool new video for ‘Hear This’.

It features a children’s choir singing and dancing alongside a perfect slice of percussive, psychedelic funk with bass heavy tones.

Sounds like: Day Fly, Amber Mark, Everything is Recorded, Love Ssega, Frank Ocean

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Teflon Sega – NEØN

Teflon Sega

Enigmatic singer Teflon Sega is right on point in the modern music scene having wracked up high numbers of streams on Spotify with his previous releases, and we are sure ‘NEØN’ will do just as well.

The track perfectly highlights Teflon Sega’s magnificent range of sultry lows and stirring highs. Listen below.

It’s out now via Majestic Casual.

Sounds like: The Weeknd

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Louis Futon – Restless Sea Feat. Opia

Louis Futon

Louis Futon is bringing the funk with new single, ‘Restless Sea’, featuring rising duo Opia.

Quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with, Louis Futon flies high on the track with his buzzy production methods and soft melodic touches.

Sounds like: Ben Khan, Gallant, ODESZA, Louis The Child

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Vera – Nobody Else

Vera

Standing firmly on his own two feet is the young Copenhagen-based Vera (aka William Asingh).

His latest single, ‘Nobody Else’, was a collaborative effort with Off Bloom, and is influenced by the Caribbean novel ‘Wide Sargasso Sea’ by Jean Rhys, which is about a landowner’s Jamaican wife who is locked up in an attic for allegedly being mad.

The ‘Good Job – No Conversation’ EP is released on 8 December through Ultra Records/Ministry of Sound.

Sounds like: Banks, Off Bloom, Soleima, MØ, Liss

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FKL – 1-800

FKL

FKL is an experimental London/Seattle-based duo comprised of Joe Gillick and Sage Redman.

We’ve not heard anything like this in a long time, and can’t quite pinpoint their sound, which we think is a great thing!

So…pick up the phone, dial ‘1-800’ and order some sweet, trippy beats blended with highly seductive vocals.

Sounds like: The xx

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Sacre – Stereo Feat. Dopize

Sacre

Sacre are hitting some serious Drake vibes with their new single ‘Stereo’.

It’s not the usual sound we hear from the French duo, but we kind of like it. The contrast between the classic electro vocals works well with the addition of rising French artist, rapper Dopize.

Sounds like: Goldroom, Chela, Miami Horror, Autograf, The Knocks, Cut Copy

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Year of the Brother – Slow One

Year Of The Brother

Finally, we have the brilliant new indie-pop trio from Portland called Year of the Brother.

We are particularly excited about these guys as they seem to have something special about them. Perhaps it’s the soaring, yet delicate production? Perhaps it’s the on-point falsettos? Or perhaps it’s the enticing lyrics? You decide.

The ‘Filling Empty Pools’ EP is out now.

Sounds like: Kyko, Will Joseph Cook, Owl City

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Vera – In And Out Of Love

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Vera - In And Out Of Love

Copenhagen-based Vera might be a newcomer in the vocal world, but he has already earned a lot of respect as producer and co-writer for a crop of Norwegian breakout acts including Liss, Soleima, Goss and Off Bloom.

His latest track ‘In And Out Of Love’ is a sultry number, reminiscent of Sade, that anchors on the vocalist’s Banks-esq tone seesawing with the 90’s styled saxophone.

Sounds like: Banks

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Slowes – I Need You

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Slowes

Slowes

Slowes are a Danish duo, who formed in 2015 and like to merge alternative psychedelic pop with the dreamy sounds of chillwave.

One of the results is ‘I Need You’; a track comprised of textured lo-fi vocals, phased-out synths, and melodic waves from the retro keys. The trackwas recorded and co-produced by Christian Alex Petersen (Mew, Virgin Suicide, LISS).

‘I Need You’ is released on 8 July. Expect an EP in early 2017.

Sounds like: Sundara Karma, Tame Impala, Day Wave, Jo Marches

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Soleima – Wasted

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Soleima

Soleima

It’s Monday morning and some of you may still be wasted from the weekend’s antics, or even contemplating how the weekend was wasted.

One woman heavily discussing the wasted topic is Copenhagen-based singer Soleima (aka Sarah Mariegaard, formerly of Danish hip-hop outfit Flødeklinikken).

“Off-sounding” writings merged between electronic pop and hip-hop, luxurious synth arrangeents and majestic instrumental touches, ‘Wasted’ is a summery track. Production is courtesy of Vera (Liss, MØ)

Previously living in Tanzania for a portion of her life, some of the vocal melody structures could arguably be inspired by the Sukumaland song tradition, the specific region in Tanzania where Sarah lived.

According to Soleima, “…the song is about allowing yourself to run away from a crazy and awful world. Using a disguise and forgetting everything for a moment. But also it is a song about having blinders on. Not recognising, or choosing to forget – that we are living in a fucked-up world.”

“To me the term “wasted” gets double sided in this song,” Soleima explains. “The obvious meaning is of cause being drunk/high and therefore unable to process thoughts and logic. The other way to look at it, is that some people, like myself, are able to lead a certain kind of life whereas many don’t have the same possibilities as me – and sometimes that chance can be wasted.”

Sounds like: LIVI, MØ, Zara Larsson, Alice Jemima, FØRTE, Dominique, Hotel Garuda

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