Slotting in perfectly amongst some of the wonderful female-led acts music has to offer in 2020 is FIERO – a duo comprised of Los Angeles-based Kelsey Bulkin and Nashville-based Joseph Bogan.
They have just released their new EP, ‘Reunion’ – a collection of four indietronica based songs. With their breezy vocals that glow with a vintage aesthetic, you feel wrapped in a warm musical blanket, that invigorates the ultimate euphoric and dream-pop state.
Speaking about the new EP, the band says,
“Everything in existence is one. this oneness has never been more clear than now with the cause and effect of individual actions affecting the whole. when you see more of life you realize everything eventually comes together or collides or collapses. all appearance of separation or division are temporary and are serving an eventual and inevitable reunion. the oneness cannot be divided; not in any real sense. these songs are sensitive and pulsing as the heart is as it journeys through the wilderness into that promised land. fiero means bold and i like to think of it as the abandon that comes when you have nothing left to lose and everything feels cheap except what’s in your heart.”
Sounds like: Shura, Anna Of The North, Say Lou Lou, Wet, Paperwhite, Scavenger Hunt, HAERTS, Prinze George, MS MR, Mr Little Jeans, Men I Trust
After what seems like an eternity, the London Grammar trio is back with a new single, ‘Baby It’s You’.
Co-produced with George FitzGerald, there’s no hiding away from Hannah’s glorious vocals, driven deeply amongst the deeply dreamy and ambient electronic production.
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.
“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
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
French Horn Rebellion – Rooftops Feat. Natalie Duffy
Brooklyn brothers Robert and David Perlick-Molinari, aka French Horn Rebellion, ask us to meet them on the ‘Rooftops’ in their new single, which also features the delicate vocals of Natalie Duffy.
The boys maybe harnessing down the electro funk on this one, but it doesn’t mean ‘Rooftops’ lacks energy, quite the opposite. Take a listen below.
Their label YouTooCanWoo will be expanding its ‘Night Out’ series of collaborative performances including dates in New York and London. More info here.
Sounds like: Monogem, RÜFÜS, Flight Facilities, Van She
Melbourne-based folktronica artist BATTS returns with her beautiful new single ‘Somedays’.
Using space as a reference (specifically the NASA recording of Saturn’s rings), ‘Somedays’ showcases BATTS’ knack of creating psych-tinged pop that is extremely grounding, but also feels otherworldly at the same time.
Expect her mesmerising and melancholic debut EP ’62 Moons’, to be released through the newly announced THAA Records.
Sounds like: London Grammar, Ficci, GEMS, MS MR, Daughter, James Blake, Jon Hopkins, MØ, SOHN, Broods, M83
Quirky songstress Jinka shares the ‘Shock Mounted’.
The surrealist video, directed by Ossian Melin (Yung Lean, Little Dragon), features Jinka reading Swedish porn magazines and microwaving sushi. As you do.
Following on from the brilliant ‘Colors‘, Finnish trio Lake Jons release ‘Call Me’.
Once again ethereal vocals clash and blend with tinny drums. We can’t help but think severe isolation in the woods is the way forward – it really does produce inspirational music!
Expect their forthcoming self-titled debut album to come out on 19 January through AntiFragile Music.
Sounds like: Midlake, Band Of Horses, Paul Simon, Ásgeir, Bon Iver, Nick Mulvey
Wow, ‘You’ is some serious spine tingling stuff from Dream Estate, an exciting ambient pop outfit on the scene.
The band was originally founded by William Tse in 2015, but later was joined by Dan Hvorostovsky (bass, backing vocals), Dan Noble (lead guitar, backings vocals), and Joe Dawson (drums) in 2017. Since then, the band have been working alongside producer Sam Winfield (Fickle Friends, Pixel Fix, Amber Run, Motherhood).
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
Having recently signed to Different Recordings (Anna Of The North, Kllo, Claptone), LIMITS manages to perfectly blend slices of ethereal, tech-house with melodic pop-inspired vocals.
The track is out now.
Sounds like: Shy Luv, Claptone, Tube & Berger, Rüfüs, The Magician, The Aston Shuffle
German-based Satin Jackets teams up with British singer, David Harks on ‘Northern Lights’.
As with all of Satin Jackets’ music, ‘Northern Lights’ has a distinct cosmic vibe, which is to be expected with the title of the song. Add to the mix, nostalgic vocal tones and reflective melodies, to create a breathtaking listening experience.
It’s out today on Eskimo Recordings.
Sounds like: Empire Of The Sun, Goldroom, RAC, Hot Chip, Cut Copy, Du Tonc, Future Islands, Phoenix
San Diego native, singer-songwriter and visual artist Alice Gray shares her debut single ‘Pink Cadillac’.
Describing her music as “sad songs you want to dance to”, Alice’s sound has a bittersweet edge to it thanks to beautifully planned pop hooks and wistful lyrics.
Love songs don’t have to be all about the doom and gloom of a relationship, they can be about the music you adore. Brooklyn locals, Secret Weapons do just this with uplifting new single, ‘Comeback Season’.
The twosome deliver a positive message about overcoming the odds (specifically the struggles they encountered whilst writing their album), which is further highlighted by the delightful addition of a gospel choir!
It’s out now via Epic.
Sounds like: Youngr, The 1975, Lionel Richie, The Levity, The Island Club, Ghost Beach, Backstreet Boys, LANY, Great Good Fine Ok, The Knocks
Talking of love songs…Atlantic artist/producer Seersha has written a gorgeous track called ‘Typical’ for her husband to listen to on his summertime drives.
Seersha’s ethereal vocals immediately make you feel free, as if you are screaming with joy at the top of a mountain in the middle of nowhere.
Sounds like: MS MR, CHVRCHES, Tears For Fears, Lights, Paramore, Phil Collins
Los Angeles producer, AWAY, shares the stunning new video for ‘Sleepwalker’, featuring London Thor.
Paving the way for the next generation of sound, AWAY likes to expose mixed feelings in his music, often touching on confusion, sadness, apathy, and anger.
BATTS is the project of Australian-based artist Tanya Batt.
Cue the beautiful video for their ambient track, ‘For Now’, which has used free footage from NASA’s archives.
“The aim of this song was to try and sonically create a feeling of floating through space, so naturally BATTS wanted to pair it with space footage and spent many hours going through space footage and nasa archives to find footage she felt suited.”
Sounds like: London Grammar, Ficci, GEMS, MS MR, Daughter, James Blake, Jon Hopkins, MØ, SOHN, Broods, M83
LPX is the new solo project of Lizzy Plapinger (frontwoman of MS MR and co-founder of Neon Gold Records).
Lizzy has just released her debut track, ‘Tightrope’. It may feel like a daunting prospect for most, but for Lizzy, she means business,
“I’m here to assert myself – harder, louder, and stronger – as a woman and an artist. A force to be reckoned with, wrapped in amplified distortion, emotion and chaos. To create music that RIPS through your speakers and shakes you to your core, the kind of music that gets into your blood, takes hold and doesn’t let go.”
Fighting talk, and we like it.
Sounds like: MS MR, Christine and The Queens, Austra, Karen O, Florence + The Machine, Metric
Is EMILIE Edinburgh’s finest indietronica export? We think so.
EMILIE’s upcoming single, ‘Never Enough’, is straight talking (it tackles themes of unnecessary greed that exist in today’s world), but has a soothing charm that keeps your attention.
