Lo-fi, post-punk duo Go Hawaii release new single, ‘Dolphin’s Touch’.
Taken from their debut album, ‘Trespass,’ it fuses distant vocals with present, melodic guitars for an introspective indie track that steadily builds into a grungy and reflective masterpiece.
Hard grafter Manchester-based songwriter and producer IORA (aka Holly Phelps) shares ‘Brother, Sister’.
Supported by the PRS Open Fund, the project is a futuristic blend of alt-pop with layers of electronica, field recording and punchy samples providing the backdrop for Holly’s top-line.
Classically-trained, Berlin-Based Songwriter LIAS explores vulnerability in new single, ‘Need Me Now’.
Emotionally-charged vocal energies effortlessly blend with a warm production of glorious chord progression that leads to a beautiful interlude of vintage keys.
His new EP ‘Run Boy Run’ is out now via his own label, Moontune Music.
Australian artist Tessa Neale (fka Hoodlem) wants to leave her ego at the door whilst making music. Unfiltered and full of sass, this is TESSA at her core.
Produced with Jeff Hazin and featuring Toronto rapper Terrell Morris, her new single ‘Bad Bad Love’ is an upbeat anti-love song sending a message to the game-playing lovers everywhere…we see you.
Sounds like: Mahalia, Empress Of, Nao, Jessie Ware
Young Swedish songwriter Francis Novotny shares the beautiful ‘Someone I Wanted To Be’.
With modern rings of The Cinematic Orchestra‘s ‘To Build A Home’, the cinematic approach to this stripped-back song – about love, regret, and new perspectives – is delicately composed with an emotional piano progression, whilst his vocals take centre stage.
After months of anticipation, Swedish artist STRØM finally unveils his earnest chops, whilst, ironically sharing his new single called ‘Blurred Out’, taken from his debut album, ‘Immortal’ out now via This is Scandinavia / Sony Music.
With a cascading beat of drums and vocal loops, the track gives us an intriguing glimpse into the album.
Sounds like: Ben Khan, TENDER, Solomon Grey, James Blake
Sounds like: The 1975, The Kite String Tangle, Antony Hegarty, Active Child, Gallant, Sam Smith, Solomon Grey, James Blake, Yazz, Jack Garratt, Disclosure
Dublin-born Christian Cohle shares his haunting and melancholic debut single, ‘Breathe’.
Mixing majestic synthesizers and driving rhythms, ‘Breathe’ explores the emotional struggle of feeling interlinked with something that turns out to be artificial. Discussing the inspiration behind his new record, Cohle says: “Breathe was predominantly informed by experiences I was going through at the time, but also very much influenced by the neo-noir science fiction film, Blade Runner 2049.”
Sounds like: James Blake, Sampha, Jai Paul, Solomon Grey
Dallas-based songwriter, producer, recording artist and former band member of Austin based Nelo, Matthew Scott Ragland finds solace in a new project.
His double single, ‘Here and Now / Now is Here’ was written by Ragland from a purist point of view, where synthesizers, drum machines and string samples take the place of his trusted guitar.
Sounds like: The Stone Roses, Ulrich Schnauss, Jon Hopkins, Joe Goddard
German artist Jinka shares her explosive new single ‘U Bit My <3'.
Channelling emo and urban vibes with a playful way with wonky arpeggios of synthesized steel drums and piano samples that intertwine with a trap-leaning beat.
DAD (aka bedroom pop singer/songwriter Kei Wells) shares her new single ‘Fresher’.
DAD has teamed up with Grammy-nominated Austrian producer, artist and pianist Yakob. Our favourite of hers to date, this declaration of independence is the ultimate single girl’s anthem, with electrified pop sequences infused with synth-pop juice.
Wrabel and Gallant will feature on her forthcoming EP.
We’re super excited about the sounds of Norwegian artist Jon Olav.
His new single ‘I Am The Thing’ opens with sparse piano chords (we instantly think James Blake), and bubbles into itself with deliciously sinister pop hooks and crystalline vocals as Olav looks inward to contemplate the pluses and minuses of attention.
Approachable Members Of Your Local Community – Small Change
With the best name we’ve seen for a long while, Approachable Members Of Your Local Community (let’s call them AMOYLC for short) releases the catchy ‘Small Change’.
The quartet – who met at school – fuse elements of indie, electro, funk and disco into their unapologetically spirited sound. But their new single ‘Small Change’ has a serious message. Dedicated to the firefighters and communities affected by the Australian fires, “it’s clear that small change can have a big impact.”
Self-made art creator and songwriter Molina shares her bold single, ‘Vanilla Shell’, the title track taken from her new EP.
The sparse and inventive song weaves textured vocals with a fluttering flute and fretless bass into a psychedlic trip about love and youth, with captivating nods to the eras of 1960, 70 and 80.
Gold Member is a three-piece of producers and singer/songwriters.
Crossing genres between funk, soul and pop, their new single ‘Stay On’ is an easy, breezy piece of charge-soaked, soulful pop with a topical headline about Indigenous identity in white Australia, and the struggles of living in a system of cultural oppression.
What an anthem – ‘Not Ok!’ by Nashville based pop lothario Chaz Cardigan, released on Capitol Records/Loud Robot.
The track is an infectious tune about human imperfection, which sees Cardigan laid bare, both lyrically and visually. The Al Kalyk-directed video also features an astonishing number of gummy bears…
A daydream about endless summer days, it’s the perfect antidote for a wet and cold January. The song was crafted early one morning using a drum loop and an oberheim synthesizer and is a call to a honeycoated time of romance and yearning.
Karim is the solo electro pop project of Italian-born singer, songwriter and producer Karim Afas.
Combining ancient cultures, art and music, Karim’s latest endeavour, called ‘Dance’, explores the complexities of modern love within an alt-pop ballad.
“‘Dance’ is the love, pop song I’ve always wanted to write and then sing at the top of my lungs.
It’s gloomy yet so vivid, it celebrates a triumph filled with melancholy – ‘Dance’, among other
things, is a song about the fickleness of love and life.”
Sounds like: Sampha, Tobias Jesso Jr., David Bowie
MATTIS takes us ‘Into The Night’ with his enigmatic new single.
His baritone vocals offer a soulful elegance whilst remaining respectful to the darkness and delirium that often accompanies a period of sadness and loss.
Sounds like: Rationale, Ben Pearce, James Blake, Sampha
Introducing Sunan, the vibrant new project from Pete Robertson.
Despite taking himself away from the music scene after departing The Vaccines, Sunan has had a “controlled explosion” of ideas from “minimalist string quartets to maximalist 80s-style prog pop.”
One of these results is ‘Faster’, which covers a kaleidoscope of unshackled themes and variations.
We absolutely love Copenhagen-based viking soul MATTIS.
His new single ‘The Chain’ is written about the demise of a failed relationship (we’ve all been there). Ultimately life is tough but there is always a light at the end of the tunnel.
Sounds like: Rationale, Ben Pearce, James Blake, Sampha, Thomas Azier
Futuristic pop duo MoreGiraffes (aka Mark Hadley and Keeley Bumford) are pinned to grab your attention with their short and snappy production techniques, colourful vocal loops and fresh melodies.
Josh Jacobson is effortlessly combining modern R&B with dance-pop in his new single ‘Sideline’ featuring co-production from Gigamesh.
On the subject of the song, he explains,
“Sideline is a song about growth and building in new directions, learning to let go when it’s necessary to move forward. It’s about those inner voices at times of transition that are at once exciting but so challenging emotionally. I think these lyrics will resonate with a lot of people in different ways, so I’m excited to hear how people relate to the song.”
Sounds like: Le Youth, Drake, Justin Timberlake, The Weeknd
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.
Copenhagen-based superstar in the making, MATTIS, shares his stunning debut, ‘Loverboy’.
This self confessed “viking soul” uses somewhat minimalistic production, relying heavily on his vocals (think James Blake or Sampha), but ‘Loverboy’ also tells an emotive story, driven from a dark place that MATTIS found himself in three years ago, having lost his apartment following a break up, and generally feeling like a lone wolf away from the pack.
The single is out via Sony Music in Scandinavia and Tigerspring/TheOrchard elsewhere.
Sounds like: Rationale, Ben Pearce, James Blake, Sampha
His ‘When You Go’ EP offers an array of cleverly packed beats with smooth grooves, retro riffs, and soul-enhancing vocals.
Charlie has put together a pretty special playlist for us, listen below.
Sampha – Blood On Me
I have been a huge fan of Sampha ever since his work with SBTRKT. I’ve been awaiting his first solo record for sometime now and after hearing this track from it I am sure it will be one of the best records of 2017. The sound he is creating by combining his voice and piano parts with his own unique production style is for me the most exciting and innovative thing happening in pop music today.
Soft Hair – Jealous Lies
Great funky, psychedelic record, awesome vocals and electronic instrumentation.
Childish Gambino – Redbone
So much sole in this tune. Love the delivery of the vocal and laid back rhythm section.
Grace Jones – She’s Lost Control (Long Version)
Only recently discovered this gem. Everything I hear by Grace Jones is always gold and this one certainly follows suit. So much energy especially towards the end of the track, great cover.
D’Angelo – Sugah Daddy
Piano and vocals are on point in this track, so much groove.
Tourist – Trust In You
I think it’s great when artists don’t conform to typical pop or electronic structures. This tracks a great example of how you can make a beautiful piece of music by thinking outside of the box.
Tycho – Receiver
Tycho’s ‘Past Is Prologue’ record was a huge part of my life when it was released. This track from his new album proves in my opinion that he is still one of the most forward thinking producers around today.
Ata Kak – Obaa Sima
I discovered ‘Awesome Tapas From Africa’ a while back and have been delving through all of the fantastic artists he has re-discovered ever since. This ones one of my favourite tracks he has been apart of. The vocals are so strong and the story of the origin of the track makes every listen all the more enjoyable.
