Continuing to provide a constant stream of excellent releases this year, Glassio returns once again with new, upbeat track ‘One of These Days’.
The new single, lifted off his forthcoming debut LP ‘For The Very Last Time’, is a chilled-out, summertime tune, tinged with electro-pop nuances. Synth arpeggios carry you from verse to verse gracefully, keeping the song upbeat despite its more dark subject matter. In his own words, Glassio says this of his new single;
“I wanted to write a song that could help people who have felt bullied or silenced. Something that could serve as a hopeful, dance-y and optimistic song about feeling accepted whilst getting their message across. Like most of us, I’ve had the misfortune of knowing some pretty awful people in my life. This song is about all of them and me wanting to break away and fully accept myself for who I am.”
Keeping true to his modern style – whilst channelling 70’s soft rock influences – Glassio creates a new space for his sound, taking forward strides by looking back on his love of Paul McCartney is a testament to his musical intelligence, and we can’t wait to see what comes next.
Everything is far from ok at the moment, but perhaps we need a bit of light relief ahead of the weekend.
Cue PhilGood and his overtly optimistic attitude to what’s going on at the moment. Remember, someone always has it worse than you, so appreciate what you have. You can watch the Joren Cull-animated visuals below.
Sounds like: Honne, Joseph Salvat, Miike Snow, Glass Animals, Joywave, Just Kiddin’, San Holo
Unique band Artio share new single ‘All Things End’, released on Monomyth Records.
Embracing newly learned production techniques and taking an almost more mature approach to songwriting, with a feisty prowess not seen too often in modern bands.
US based Phoebe Ryan shares her former ‘Reality’ with us, taken from a time when she was very dishonest with herself.
The visuals for the wistful and fantastical story is inspired by the psychedelic production of The Flaming Lips‘ 2006 album ‘At War With The Mystics’, a formative album for Ryan’s music career.
Our favourte band in the UK right now, Sea Girls, share the visuals for ‘Do You Really Wanna Know?’.
Blurring the lines between reality and fansity, and touching on the topic of mental health, the video – directed by world class animator Francesca de Bassa – takes the band’s own self isolated photography and brings them to life as kaleidoscopic, animated collages.
Sounds like: Marsicans, The Maccabees, Bombay Bicycle Club, Swimming Tapes, Slow Riot, Two Door Cinema Club, Sundara Karma
Gia Woods is an emerging voice in the LGBTQ+ community, as well as in the pop sphere.
As a queer, Persian woman, born into a traditional Persian household in Los Angeles, Woods grew up a loner and used this time to make music. Her latest single, ‘Naive’ touches on the subject of discovering what you want out of an intimate relationship.
Remix connaisseur Macious has turned himself to Kidnap‘s classic track, ‘Start Again’.
As one of his biggest musical inspirations, the opportunity to remix the nostalgic original came about during a time when Macious was going through some exhausting changes. It’s offered as a free download.
Swiss jazz/soul collective Sirens of Lesbos shares ‘How Many Miles’.
Originally written about travelling the world with their future children, the song has since taken on an unexpected, larger meaning due to current travel restrictions. For those eager eared, it features some reworking of lyrics from The Fugees‘ ‘How Many Mics’.
Introducing the new project by Pietro Filippone – aka uomo.
His latest release, ‘All I Hear’, is the first song that Filippone has written by himself for the project. A decent bit of autotune in there, the softer house elements give the song a gorgeously gentle uplift.
Sounds like: Henry Green, Roosevelt, Goldroom, Hayden James, Elderbrook
Bristol-based quartet Tungz combines effortless funk riffs with infectious vocal melodies and indie-pop sounds in new single, ‘Can’t We Just Be Friends Again’, out now via Heist or Hit.
It speaks of the confusion and the weird frustration that comes with wanting to snap back to being happy with someone you’ve only ever really been cool with before.
Sounds like: Ben Khan, Christine & The Queens, Patawawa, Bamily
DJ and producer Amtrac has teamed up with Grammy Award-winning British musician, DJ and producer Alex Metric on vocals in new single, ‘So Afraid’.
Looping vocals contemplate a simple question, “why you so afraid of love?” as Alex Metric’s breathy, enunciated voice lends an edge to the droning synths beneath, forming a steady crescendo of sound and passion that blooms.
UK duo Dirty Nice releases ‘100,000 Heartbeats’. A synth-wave pop at the core, it’s the perfect counterpart to the more lo-fi B-side, ‘Love Team’.
Originally presented as a special Valentines Day release, Dirty Nice sent a number of personalised cards to fans. Continuing this theme on their Instagram, an intergalactic cartoon epic has unfolded with a new card revealed every day.
Sounds like: Elder Island, Camel Power Club, Gorillaz, Everyone You Know, 10 O’Clock Chemical
Norwegian native, singer/songwriter and producer Rebekka Danielsson – aka EKKO – shares the visuals for ‘Off My Mind’.
Highly energetic, glorious pop with addictive melodic hooks and immaculate production this tune ticks all the boxes to be a serious club anthem and floor filler.
Expect her debut EP ‘Symptoms’ out later in the year.
Sounds like: Tove Lo, Chelsea Lankes, Allie X, ALMA, Kim Petras
Rising Danish pop songstress ELBA is making waves.
Starting her musical journey in the local choir at the age of six, it was clear her destiny was singing. Her new single ‘Remember Me’ showcases her powerful vocal range, and perfectly fits with the electro-pop production.
The Norweigan artists are smashing it this week, and it’s truly great to see Emilie Nicolas return.
Showing a new side to her music – less “cool pop” and more reflective – ‘Who’s Gonna Love You’ is centred around the difficulties of letting go of a relationship, succinctly capturing despair, unbridled joy, and the desire to dance.
Stockholm siblings Alva & August Heldt are The Endorphins.
As their name suggests, their feel-good future pop is set to induce endorphins. As they put it – “It’s about love, friendship, parties and sex“, and what’s wrong with that!
Listen to self-expressive ‘Dead Or Alive’ below.
Sounds like: The Magnettes, Banks, Fabich, Pastel, Midnight Pool Party, Keljet
We covered Glassio a while back, and his melancholic and bittersweet take on electronica, disco and pop, what he describes as “melancholy-disco.”
The new single by the NY-based Irish-Iranian songwriter-producer is called ‘Nobody Stayed For The DJ.’ Inspired by early-80s UK-electro, the track is buoyed by trembling rhythms and emotional rumbles through its burbling synths. The expansive track still finds its place in a peaceful echo chamber as Glassio’s crooning guides us through a journey where tragedy and self-depreciation meet unexpectedly.
In his own words, Glassio says,
“I wanted to write a song about a DJ that has a micro-existential crisis during a set where they’re performing to absolutely nobody. I’ve definitely been there many times where I’ve DJ’ed or played live to an empty room and thought ‘what am I doing with my life?’ and know a lot of friends that can relate to that thought.”
Sounds like: Hot Chip, Metronomy, Foals, Jagwar Ma, Rüfüs, Flume, Odesza, Bob Moses, Glass Animals, Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs
We challenge you not to become obsessed with ALL THE REST, a band from Georgia comprised of best friends, Caleb Smith (vocals, guitar), Baylee Waller (vocals, guitar), Jud Harris (drums), and Tre Housman (bass).
Their electro-pop catch, ‘Our Youth’ represents captures the essence of the band – loneliness and love while representing those who are “all the rest” of society.
We don’t usually post remixes, unless they really grip us. Electronic producer and newcomer, Macious‘ remix of Tyne’s previously unreleased sample track of ‘Some Things’ does just that.
With it’s looping piano keys, the remix slots perfectly into the realms of hypnotic electronica and infectious melodic house, extending the original into a beautiful late-night crescendo.
Hailing from Milwaukee, CrystalKnives (aka Spencer Mutsch) is a 22-year-old jazz drummer turned electronic producer and songwriter.
His passion for melody and pop music illuminates through his production sound and style which has gained the attention of many listeners and industry watchdogs alike. He has teamed up with vocalist,
Sarah Warren and the track is out now via Elysian Records.
Quebec artist Claudia Bouvette shares her short’n’sweet new single, ‘Cool It’.
Switching things up throughout, the Sebastien Duguay-directed visuals for ‘Cool It’ were shot in Quebec and depicts Claudia reclaiming her self-empowerment.
Moving on from a relationship can be challenging. The best thing to do is to write it into a song. This is exactly what Nashville-based Mokita (aka John-Luke Carter) has done with ‘Til I Don’t’.
Mokita started playing the piano and at the age of six and singing in the choir shortly after. After adding the guitar to his list of skills later on, he eventually ended up in the world of music production; giving him everything he needed to begin crafting his body of work as an artist.
When two talented multi-instrumentalists get together, the result is Triptych Miró.
Effortlessly combining electronic jazz & soul, the duo – comprised of Erez Sivan & Sapphire Adizes from Los Angeles via Tel Aviv – melt boundaries with their ultra cinematic, but heartwarming production.
Rebellious band geeks, French Horn Rebellion shares new single ‘Renaissance Man’.
A combination of French horn played “really really loud” and laid back groovy beats, these two brothers – aka Brooklyn-based Robert and David Perlick-Molinari – know how to make you dance.
Since its inception, French Horn Rebellion has been an independent project, and the brothers now also co-own their very own label and studio in Williamsburg, Brooklyn – YouTooCanWoo. The studio has been responsible for producing musical artists such as MGMT and The Knocks, while also creating the audio identities for companies like Spotify, MTV and LOGO.
The track is taken from their ‘Graduation Compilation,’ an album comprised of past hits and new tracks, signaling the end of an era as they launch their new disco/house/dance label imprint, toucan sounds.
Australian trio, SAFIA, portray an endless summer with their music and their new single ‘Starlight’ is no exception.
Speaking on the release, SAFIA say,
“At its core ‘Starlight’ is a song about letting go, and the world that it creates is designed to capture that feeling. In retrospect the song also represents an important shift in perspective, both creatively and personally.”
Continuing to push boundaries, the band has also collaborated with VR/AR artist SUTU on animated single artwork that comes to life with the use of the Eyejack app. Download the EyeJack app HERE, tap ‘SAFIA’ and tap ‘Launch AR’ to watch.
Working with the likes of Alison Wonderland and Peking Duk and having reached over millions of streams, it’s about time SAFIA’s music reaches the British shores.
Sounds like: Owen Rabbit, RÜFÜS DU SOL, Twenty One Pilots
Sonic production leads the way for Francis Novotny‘s new single ‘The Wire’.
It’s a brooding, electro-soul song by the Swedish multi-instrumentalist that is extremely reminiscent of JackGarratt or Asgeir, and captures that addictive quality of a nonetheless-toxic relationship, and the feeling (says Francis) “when a person leaves you hanging on without answers – and you know you should get out of it – but you keep winding back towards them.”
It’s not often we see decent indie rock coming out of the US, and we wouldn’t blame you for thinking this foursome going by the name of The Rare Occasions is British.
Their new single ‘Mercy Mercy’ is pure garage rock – rough around the edges, but fully refreshing to see due to the saturated market of pristine pop tunes.
Young Brighton duo Suzi Island debuts ‘Show Me The Way’, a breezy and catchy indie pop number.
These two have already managed to get some decent names onboard, including Pete from The Vaccines, who produced the song. They are definitely on our watch list for 2018.
NYC-based duo Glassio share ‘Back For More’, a song for anytime of the day!
Built on an orchestral-electronic backbone that nods to the likes of MassiveAttack and Air, the pining, heartsick anthem is a penned love letter to a paramour after a strained relationship has come to a close.
Sounds like: Hot Chip, Metronomy, Foals, Jagwar Ma, Rüfüs, Flume, Odesza, Bob Moses, Glass Animals, Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs
London boys Colouring hit us unexpectedly with new single ‘Time’.
A slick and steady piano beat begins before frontman Jack Kenworthy’s heavenly vocals kick in, soon to be followed by some seriously addictive pop harmonies.
Just. Take. A. Listen. Now.
‘Time’ is the first single to come from Colouring’s debut album expected later this year on Interscope/Polydor.
Sounds like: Youngr, Ten Fé, Bruce Springsteen, Honne, The Japanese House, RÜFÜS, LANY, The 1975, Phoenix, Draper
Psychedelic pop infused four-piece, Captain Kidd once again showcase their songwriting capabilities with ‘LIMIT’.
Speaking of the track, they explain
“Limit” is our most collaborative effort as a band yet. We bounced a ton of ideas off each other and really stuck to our decision to not overthink anything, but rather let the song develop naturally as those ideas poured out. We had fun with this one. We were watching 007 Casino Royale and thought, “hey let’s write a James Bond dance song.””
