Continuing to make a strong push into the alt-mainstream, feminist pop artist GRAE releases new single, ‘Ex Lovers,’ alongside a self-directed music video.
Her haunting vocals grab the attention from the get-go, with a tone resembling the likes of a darker Halsey and taking inspiration from the 90’s alternative scene.
GRAE says about the making of the almost confessional video;
“The idea for the video for ‘Ex Lovers’ was to have me talking to my computer / phone like a diary and letting out all my emotions to the guy I was and to the guy I was trying to get over. It was interesting to film a video in my bedroom and be creative with it. Due to the virus we had limited resources but were able to pull through! It will be interesting to look back on in a few years and remember the state of the world we were in at the time.”
New alternative pop act Kate Lynn returns with her second single of 2020. Following her debut single ‘Summer 09’ and sophomore release ‘Told You to Stay’, ‘Easy For You’ is the summer pop break-up anthem we all need to hear at least once in our lives.
Now living in Nashville, the young singer-songwriter draws from personal experiences, specifically in this case discussing the emotions she felt during an awkward run-in with her ex. “It just made me think about how you can go from knowing someone on such a deep level to strangers in only a few months, I was still frustrated with how things ended and couldn’t understand how it was so easy for him to move on.”
The song begins with a perfect introduction to Kate’s softer tones and sublime vocal control. As the track grows, the power within the delivery builds to match culminating in a huge anthemic finale. Full of luscious synths and a catchy hook in the chorus, ‘Easy For You’ is a hard tune to ignore.
Introducing Anna Klein, a Toronto based singer-songwriter, producer, and performer.
Originally acoustic-focused, her punchy new take on electro-pop is both relatable and catchy. Her song ‘Lonely’ has a classic Scandi-feel with an everso slightly delicate approach to her production.
Sounds like: Anna of the North, The Aces, EXES, Zella Day, Ralph, Fickle Friends, Vera Blue
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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
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.
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.
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
Nashville-based singer-songwriter Molly Svrcina – aka SVRCINA – shares the wonderful Bree Marie Fish-directed visuals for ‘Flowers’, ahead of her debut full-length album release.
Having scored her first publishing deal ten years ago (she is only 23 years old!), this talented artist has blossomed and blossomed with her sparkling, yet vulnerable take on sync-ready synth-pop.
Speaking about the song, SVRCINA explains,
“‘Flowers’ is about the beauty that can be seen and created in every circumstance. It’s about clinging to an anchored hope that nothing in and from our lives will be wasted – even the worst, most painful aspects,” she admits. “The truth is that pain and suffering in life are unavoidable. Choosing to search for beauty in everything doesn’t ignore reality, but it believes and resolves that our spirits won’t be eternally crushed or blemished by the valleys we walk through.”
Ambient grunge-pop band Crush will be your latest just that.
Their latest single, ‘All My Plants Are Dead’ exhales Millenial dilemmas, of struggling to look after your houseplants, and yourselves in a bittersweet yet discordant offering.
Alt-pop band Sarpa Salpa always strive to create upbeat, danceable tracks with unexpected changes and hidden meanings. The new video for their single ‘Lost Time’ aptly features a selection of tour clips showing this.
With support from Jack Saunders and Bombay Bicycle Club, definitely tune into these guys.
Sounds like: Island Club, Larkins, FEET, Two Door Cinema Club
Very much up to date with indie-pop trends, UK based trio Cassia, shares latest jam, ‘Do Right’, which talks about waking up to what’s happening in the world and making a conscious decision of wanting to make a positive change.
The video is set in sunny isolation. We love their all round positivity and sun drenched calypso sound.
Sounds like: Dancing on Tables, Vampire Weekend, Bombay Bicycle Club, Still Woozy
R&B artist Chloe Tang shares her latest single, offering a less rosy-colored side of love and youth.
Full of angst, she tells us how it is in ‘Fanning The Flame’. This isn’t a romantic gesture, this is a slow burn about knowing you’re trapped in a bad romance and knowing you’re powerless to escape it.
Magnus Bechmann‘s new release, ‘What Do You Know’ is the first single out from his upcoming album, which chronicles nine awkward situations from everyday life.
Considering a situation where you find yourself in a relationship that is better to get out of than to stay in, this is glistening indie pop that marks a bright new chapter in Magnus’ career.
Sounds like: Two Door Cinema Club, Bombay Bicycle Club
We know very little about experimental pop newcomer, This Boy from Denmark.
The duo’s first single, ‘Heart Is Broken’ drops just a few weeks ahead of their debut album – an unusual and bold move in a single release-dominated pop landscape.
Runrummer – I Like Getting High (But Not All The Time)
Whilt growing up, 25-year old East London-based singer-songwriter Runrummer (real name Livi Morris) faced a struggle to find herself as she came to terms with her sexuality and gender identity.
Addressing serious issues in the juxtaposed context of upbeat, electronic-pop anthems, she aims to inspire and strives to work with other creators in the LGBTQ+ space.
Younger Hunger is making waves with new single ‘Second Best’.
Inspired by 90’s indie-rock guitars, chart-topping pop hooks, and emo lyricism, their sound is quite difficult to pin down, especially when they refuse to make the same song twice.
Musically sitting somewhere between APRE and Sea Girls, the Orange Country-based upstarts present us with a perfect contradiction.
Blog-house promoter Urchin (aka London-based producer Leo Appleyard) shares his new single, ‘Without No Fear’, out now on BonFire Records.
‘Without No Fear’ is the third track from the jazz-turned-indietronica musician’s sophomore EP, due out in January 2020, and features luxurious R&B vocals from Black Rose.
Sounds like: Kudu Blue, Kllo, Two Door Cinema Club, Von Sell, Ratatat
Jazz and neo-soul musician Birthh (real name Alice Bisi) was raised in Florence on a diet of Tom Waits and Bob Dylan.
The new video for her single ‘Yello / Concrete’ was filmed between the Tuscan countryside and Milan and, as the visuals suggest, merge two unconventional sounds
Swedish duo I AM KARATE (aka producer and songwriters, Marta Pettersson and Erika Ahlström) shares new single, ‘Hey Love’.
Speaking about insecurity, the girls explain,
“The song is about insecurity and not feeling sure you’re being honest with your love. Like he’s got a secret world when he’s dreaming that you’re not a part of, and you wonder if it’s more than just dreams.”
Sounds like: Ralph, Say Lou Lou, MIYNT, Doe Paoro, Sirena, Susanne Sundfør, Shura, Kyla La Grange
German born, Los Angeles-based artist NoMBe shares his vibrant new single, ‘Paint California’, the first single from his sophomore breakup album, ‘Chromotopia’.
The leftfield leaning pop single perfectly encapsulates NoMBe’s butter-smooth vocals over the intricately created arrangement.
Sounds like: Du Tonc, Friendly Fires, Jungle, Vampire Weekend, Local Natives
Nottingham-born singer/songwriter/producer/multi-instrumentalist Ronika is back and sounding distinctively disco-noir.
Continuing Ronika’s inclination for all things funk and dream pop, the track features spoken-word contribution from Lee-Ann Curren (a French female pro-surfer and fellow musician) whilst also forming part of Ronika’s latest longer-form project.
Sounds like: ABBA, Chaka Khan, Aeroplane, Breakbot, Ballet School, Ladyhawke, Color War, The Human League, Little Boots, Bananarama, Annie
George Eve‘s music is quite frankly a melting pot of different sounds and rhythms.
From bold, expansive and inventive melodies to candid lyrics touching on love, heartbreak and isolation, it’s clear Eve will be forming his own path in the industry.
He has teamed up with Sam Duckworth as co-producer for the brooding single, ‘One track Mind’.
Canadian singer/songwriter Constance shares her effervescent sophomore single, ‘Work Hard’.
With smooth electronic production and lush vocals, her music continues to shed light through her raw and emotional lyricism exploring heartbreak, love, and loss.
20 year old Berlin-based artist Nina Chuba shares her most vulnerable release to date.
Written about treating herself better and muting those negative voices in her head, ‘Lips Shut’ is another urban leaning pop hymn from the unique artist.
Bristol-born pop three-piece KOKO have a natural wall of energy which they call the “KOKO traingle”.
They’ve just dropped the acoustic version of their debut single, ‘Freak’. Stripping back the electro-tinged original of their debut singl, it’s all about embracing individuality – “It’s a FU to the man!”
Has Gigi Rowe travelled from the 80’s just to release ‘Promises’? We think so.
The bright and eclectic artist brings the retro/futuristic sounds of that decade to life in the new single, as she boldly showcases her hot pink characteristics.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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
We love RALPH and her new single, ‘Last Time’ is distinctly addictive.
The track, inspired by a breakup, grooves with a mid-tempo beat and pulsating synths. RALPH says about the inspiration for the track,
“We all know break-ups are brutal. You miss your ex like crazy and spend so much time and energy trying to get over them, regardless of who broke up with whom. But when you inevitably see them at a bar or at a party, you’re suspended in this dreamy moment where the only thing that matters is touching them again and reliving those familiar moments of tenderness and passion. ‘Last Time’ is about ignoring that inner voice saying “don’t do it” because even though you know giving in will make everything more complicated, the temptation is too sweet.”
‘Last Time’ is the third single from RALPH’s upcoming EP titled ‘Fantasies & Flashbacks’, due 13 November.
