milk. – I Hate the Way You’re Looking at Me (Lately)
Hot on the heels of The 1975 is Dublin-born alt-pop quartet, milk.. Their bright new offering, ‘I Hate the Way You’re Looking at Me (Lately)’ is full of looping synths, catchy riffs and lulling vocals that immediately lure you in for more.
Benji Lewis has been busy songwriting during 2020. Written with his new friend Tom Eggert and bonding over their love of home-made smoothies, ‘Stay Around’ is about the progression of love in every subsequent relationship.
Sounds like: The 1975, The Kite String Tangle, Antony Hegarty, Active Child, Gallant, Sam Smith, Solomon Grey, James Blake, Yazz, Jack Garratt, Disclosure, Lauv, Boy In Space, Zachary Knowles
UK R&B artist Asha Gold shares new single ‘Oscar’. It’s written about award-winning liars and cheats who deserve to be called out for their deception and good-for-nothing behaviour.
Norwegian songwriter Solå strongly encourages us to value ourselves in new single ‘B Mine’. It’s a hazy piece of electro-pop that perfectly showcases her talent as both a intricate songwriter and performer.
Intriguing newcomer whatshisface is on the precipice of jumping into our hearts. His new single ‘Magic Disaster’ is a gloriously melancholic invitation, brimming with dense and warming aesthetics, creating an altogether sweeping atmosphere.
Sounds like: James Blake, George Gretton, Billie Eilish
Introducing eclectic Ohio-based outfit Mungbean. Performed as only seasoned performers would, new single ‘Slow Motion’ has layered and heavy synths to accelerate the track’s dreamy and kaleidoscopic intention.
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
British electronic artist, FNP (“Fake Name Preferably”), likes his dance music fun and nostalgic. His new single, ‘Weeks Of Rain’ is perfect, disco-infused house with lashings of hazy synthwave and retro drums.
Inspired by indietronica, we asked FNP to put together a playlist for us, and here it is below:
Nina – My Mistake
Love a chugging bassline…Actually heard this first on a Mercedes advert and spent a long long time trying to find out what it was! Beauty…
Baynk – Settle
Really lush mix of organic and electronic elements. Sinead Harnett’s vocal just makes it pop as well.
Shura – 2shy
Massive fan of pretty much everything shura does but this is a favourite for me.. Proper summer vibes on this.
SG Lewis – Chemicals
This one is just summer in a bowl – The lyrics are quite clearly about getting off your bonce as well which is bonus points for me.
Breakbot – Be Mine Tonight
Pretty close to a perfect Nu-Disco track this. Can’t fault it in any way. The little synth melodies are so, so lovely.
Lou Hayter – Cherry on Top
Epic use of a classic sample. Really nice work on this, pure beach vibes and her vocal works perfectly on it.
Charlotte Gainsbourg – Sylvia Says
Charlotte Gainsbourg might just about be the coolest most chic person on Earth…Considering she does a lot of acting and other muse stuff, she ain’t bad at music either. Probably takes from her dad on that.
Confidence Man – Out The Window
Could have chosen any confidence man track to be honest but this one is a bit special. Proper screamadelica, uplifting 90’s vibes on show here.
Blood Orange – EVP
For me, the best of many great Dev Hynes productions – Those chords are just sublime, much prefer this album to the newer stuff, so much more funk.
Frances – Borrowed Time
Simple yet effective – The production here is really lush but there’s really not much to it. Love the chord sound contrasting the sharp vocal.
Chromatics – Cherry
An absolute monster of a tune this. Chromatics are absolutely stellar at what they do and for me, this is their best work. That guitar melody is just..
IRAH – Into Dimensions
Really powerful new artist from the Eastern Bloc – Thick, warm analogue synths are the order of the day on this one.
Right in the forefront of Italy’s buzzing electronic music scene is enigmatic Iranian-born singer Nava Golchini and her band, aka NAVA.
A unique blend of culture and electronic twists, they create music that is truly visceral, both musically and visually. Their new single ‘Skin’ is soft and edgy, as it explores the darker side of human nature.
Out to set the message straight and spread an empowering message to her fans, Talitha is doing ‘Fine On My Own’.
Having only released a smattering of singles over the past two years, Talitha is creating her own definition of R&B in the UK, slowly emerging as one to watch within the genre. The predominantly R&B track hits with a unique vibe, taking pop influences from artists like SIA whilst adding an urban twist.
Indie pop duo Hoofa makes a big splash with their follow up single to ‘Alone‘, called ‘Water Balloons’.
Based on summertime fun in their youth, playing water balloon fights, this is a generous pick up to remind us that being 2m apart outside can still be fun!
We haven’t shared music from electronic duo, Kaleida since 2015, so it was a pleasant surprise to see a new release appear in our inbox!
A lesson in sonic minimalism, the Glashier-directed stunning visuals features an array of solo dancers filmed on the streets in a fully locked-down Berlin.
Sounds like: Aquilo, New Order, Depeche Mode, The Human League, VÉRITÉ, Salt Ashes, Evvy, Monogem, Paperwhite, Chvrches, Palmedo, Prinze George, Nina Yasmineh, Day Wave, Poliça, Rhye, MS MR, Roisin Murphy
Berlin-based electronic pop band NIHILS shares the pop-kissed new single ‘Lost in L.A.’.
In an era of instant gratification, will we ever truly find what we are looking for? This song imagines driving through a desolate Los Angeles looking for purpose and a sense of belonging in an era of never lasting joy.
Lisbon trio Vaarwell is back with a sultry new single, ‘New Woman’.
Set in a dreamlike scene, warm keys underpin the delicate, ethereal vocals we have come to expect from Margarida Falcã. Accompanied by subtle electronic elements, we join Vaarwell on their journey to becoming vulnerable.
East London songwriter Runrummer‘s new single ‘Toronto’ speaks about her experience living in Ontario when she was 19.
It’s about growing up with big dreams, but being confined to aprehensions, “about being gay, coming out, experimenting with drugs, living far away from home for the first time, and trying to live up to people’s expectations.”
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.
Elecro-pop duo The Bliss (aka pop songstress TYSM (Chelsea Davenport) and hip-hop/electronic producer/guitarist Felix Snow) shares new track, ‘Shiny Days’.
Described by Felix as the “dining room table anthem,” ‘Shiny Days’ is a true charmer that encapsulates a summertime love.
We are huge fans of quirky Icelandic electro-pop provacateur Máni Orrason‘s new single ‘Numb’. In fact, we are slightly obsessed with all of the visuals for his last few releases, portraying a broken yet endearing persona of desperation and a need for love.
The visuals for ‘Numb’ flashback to straying and emotional neglect, “I had this desperate need to be seen and to be comforted. I guess i was really lonely at the time”, Máni recalls.
The EP ‘BABY ANGEL’ is out now via Humming Records.
It’s time to end this week’s gems on a funky number from cross Atlantic trio, TriOrca.
Comprised of multi-instrumentalists and writers, who between them have an ecclectic array of work connections – including Jessie J, Sam Henshaw, Empire of the Sun – their modern, yet nostalgic music fuses neo-soul, hip hop and 70’s psychedelica.
Stockholm-based, dreamy pop artist Dominique Tey has just shared her highly anticipated ‘Heartstream’ EP.
The five-track release in part sees the artist in an even more tranquil and atmospheric light, as well as channelling more synth-heavy and dynamic electronica.
Dominique has put together a playlist for us, check it out below.
Björk – Yoga I love Björk’s music and her ability to be her own artist. Throughout her career, she has stood her ground and refused to compromise when it comes to her unique vision. In my opinion, her music is as relevant today as it was ten years ago. And this song is one of many favorites.
Tame Impala – Feels Like We Only Go Backwards I really like the euphoric yet melancholic vibe in this song and I’m a real fan of Kevin Parkers melodies and productions. Listening to ”Currents” never gets old.
Moses Sumney – Doomed Sumneys has such a soulful voice, it’s so captivating, calming and silky smooth and the music and lyrics are very touching.
Barrie – Michigan I just discovered Barrie, a indie pop band from Brooklyn. I really like their sound and vibe and this song is a favorite at the moment.
Frank Ocean – Ivy I started listening to Frank Ocean when he first released channel ORANGE and I’ve been hocked every since. He’s a true genius in my opinon.
Nina Simone – Sinnerman Nina Simone has been a big inspiration and I’ve listened to her a lot during my teens. I believe that she was ahead of her time in many ways. Not only did she create some of the greatest masterpieces but she also used her voice to advocate for the civil rights movement and took a stand for what she believed in.
The Beatles – Strawberry Fields Forever This song takes me back to my childhood. The Beatles was a favorite at home and their songs crack open the door to so many cherished memories.
Nancy Sinatra – Bang bang I first started listening to Nancy when I was about thirteen and was captivated by her voice and her storytelling.
The Japanese House – Follow My Girl The Japanese house have a way of combining funky rhythms with modern pop melodies witch I really like. I also have a soft sport for Brains a dreamy sound that really get me.
Hockeysmith is the exciting solo project of Annie Hockeysmith.
Spending time traveling between Cornwall and Copenhagen, in her new single ‘Lonely Loving Me’, Hockeysmith explores the theme of underground music communities in an adventurous and refreshing way, tempering post-punk with rave-infused electronica and pop intentions.
Expect her new EP ‘Tears At My Age’ out on 25 Jan via Ex-Local.
