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
Cactus? is an innovative three-piece band from the industrial plains of Northern Italy.
Combining influences from the dance-punk phenomenon of mid-00s with the current Lo-fi Bedroom movement, adding to the mix 80s synths and samples – their new single ‘Shitdisco’, out now via Costello’s Records, is full of frenetic and unpredictable energy of crazy synths and poppy vocals.
Sounds like: Does It Offend You, Yeah?, Bloc Party
Indie-pop savant Stevie wolf is paving the way with his refreshing approach to unconstrained honesty.
Diagnosed with Tourette syndrome and major anxiety disorder, as well as meeting a lot of set backs when it comes to making music, hasn’t stopped him exploring the constaints of both personal and societal expectations.
On’Yu is the creation of Australian multi-instrumentalist and producer, Rob Eggleston.
His new single ‘Done Without’ is a sweet slowburner with crisp 80’s influenced electric piano mixed with a soulful-synth bass and blushes of neo-emo in there.
Sounds like: Patternist, LOYALS, 90’s Kids, La Bouquet, MILKK
Alexander 23 is calling it as it is, in the new song, ‘Loving You Gets Hard’.
Further showcasing his lyrical genius, the multi-million streaming Chicago-born singer/songwriter wishes to maintain normalcy as possible, and share his views on a compassionate relationship.
The single is full of breezy vocals with a full-fledged pop essence, written about navigating the complications of losing someone, something close to Linney’s heart.
The Surf Rock Is Dead (SRiD) boys are back with the sweeping ‘Immaculate’, lifted off their debut LP ‘Existential Playboy’ out on 1 May.
Whilst appearing genteel, this is anything but. A juxtaposition that addresses the bleakness of societal affairs and corrosion of daily life amidst the capricious decisions made by those in power.
Sounds like: Day Wave, Hazel English, Swimming Tapes, The Cure, Beauty Sleep
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.
Introducing Los Angeles-based duo LAYNE (aka lead-singer/guitarist Layne Putnam and drummer Alex Rosca).
Their new song ‘The Fog’ follows on from the viral success of their previous two singles, ‘Good’ and ‘Somebody’, and has everything you’d want from a decent electro pop track – lush vocals, bright lyrics, and catchy hooks sculptured around modern production.
Moscow based Boneage share curious new track ‘G.N.P.M’ which stands for ‘Good Nights – Pale Mornings’. It follows on from the spiritual single, ‘Crystal Rainbows’.
Speaking to the duo, we were told ‘G.N.P.M’ is about MDMA (also the name of their EP – ‘My Dreams Mean All’, out now) – that feeling you have when you are high, followed by the downward spiral of reality the following morning.
We are super excited by Oddnesse, a music project by Rebeca Arango and producer Grey Goon. The duo amalgamate flamboyant and infectious music with heavy rock sounds.
‘Are You Down’ is their “‘Pina Colada’ song”, about the lure of a future lover.
Seattle pastel pop artist Liyv shares ‘Weeknight’.
‘Weeknight’ is an easy-going song that encourages friends to get together on a weeknight and stay up late. There is just enough upbeat production to entice you to do just that. Get inviting!
Sounds like: Charli XCX, Dua Lipa, Evvy, Kyla La Grange, Kimbra, Ellie Goulding
We are suitably winding things down for our last song – ‘Real Love’ French-born artist NUUXS.
The soothing, minimalist-pop track has been co-written and produced by Jake Gosling (Ed Sheeran, Hot Chip, Wiley, The Libertines), so no wonder it has a level of sophistication!
Always the ones to make heart-wrenching pop songs for ‘Good Girls’, your favourite boy band LANY share a new video and release their debut, self-titled album.
The video for ‘Good Girls’ focuses on lead singer and songwriter Paul Klein’s hunt for his girl in a bittersweet manner, one that LANY are becoming all too well known for.
‘LANY’ is out now on Polydor Records.
Sounds like: Crozet, Pistol Shrimp, Brotherun, Goldroom, Scavenger Hunt, Still Corners, Paperwhite, Pawws, Sykes, Washed Out, New Navy, X Priest X, Roosevelt, Great Good Fine Ok, Lostboycrow, MOTHXR, X Ambassadors, Halsey, Tove Stryke, Twin Shadow, The 1975
Devastating pop trio, LANY, have cheered us right up with the new video for ‘ILYSB’ (I love you so bad), probably our favourite LANY song to date.
Speaking of the video, lead singer, Paul Klein, says, “I turned ‘ILYSB’ into a tragedy of unhealthy obsession and unrequited love that ultimately led to psychotic behavior and total derailment.” We’ve all been there, Paul.
LANY create new wave electronica with heart melting lyrics and pop riffs, and you can catch them at one of their shows below.
Tour Dates
Feb 28th Sydney, Oxford Art Factory
Mar 1st Melbourne, Howler
Mar 4th Manilla, Wanderland Festival
Mar 6th Birmingham, O2 Institute
Mar 7th Manchester, Gorilla
Mar 8th London, KOKO
Mar 10th Brussels, AB Club
Mar 11th Cologne, Artheater
Mar 12th Utrecht, Tivoli Vrendenburg – Pandora
Mar 13th Amsterdam, Melkweg (Old Hall)
Mar 15th Copenhagen, Vega Small Hall
Mar 16th Stockholm, Kagelbanan
Mar 17th Oslo, Parkteatret
Mar 19th Hamburg, Nochtspeicher
Mar 20th Berlin, Privatclub
Mar 21st Warsaw, Hydrozagadka
Mar 23rd Milan, Tunnel Club
Mar 24th Zurich, Exil
Mar 25th Paris, Nouveau Casino
Sounds like: Crozet, Pistol Shrimp, Brotherun, Goldroom, Scavenger Hunt, Still Corners, Paperwhite, Pawws, Sykes, Washed Out, New Navy, X Priest X, Roosevelt, Great Good Fine Ok, Lostboycrow, MOTHXR, X Ambassadors, Halsey, Tove Stryke, Twin Shadow
Musicians, Brittany and Andrew Tolman, met in college. They soon formed a jazz band, but their relationship went further than jazz music.
After marrying, the duo performed with the band, ImagineDragons, but sometimes less is more, and the couple decided to work on their very own, intimate project, aptly going by the name of TOLMAN.
TOLMAN have shared ‘Chaperone’; a track that effortlessly combines retro synths and lush vocals.
Of the track, Brittany explains,
“‘Chaperone’ is about being independent and recognizing your own worth, even when somebody else can’t. One afternoon, we had an intense conference call and I stuck up for myself and it felt really empowering. We were both fired up and needed a way to express our frustration so we immediately went to our Moog synthesizer and wrote the song’s bass line and chorus vocals. It was very cathartic.”
80’s music lover, RALPH, is questioning whether there is ‘Something More’ in her new track, asking whether the grass is always greener?
“‘Something More’ was inspired by Aziz Ansari’s Netflix show ‘Master of None’,” explains RALPH, continuing “The show honestly narrates the existential issues faced by young adults now. Consumed with social media and dating apps, we’re obsessed with the idea of something more or someone better, often leading us to sabotage the good things we have.”
