Psychedelic-glamour duo Juno Francis shares ‘Queen’s Anthem’, a glistening song with lush disco synth-scapes and dreamy vocals.
The now Berlin-based duo (originally from Sweden) enjoy ocean kissed winds and musical trips to the woods, and the new single is a nostalgic swim in the memory river, back to the roots in the north of Sweden.
Sounds like: Susanne Sundfør
Young Australian-based artist Lola Scott transports us to Scandi-pop territory with her new song ‘Take Me Back’.
Written from the perspective of being at the end of a long term relationship, it’s easy to reminisce at how easy it was to dive right into love with no fears.
This frankness in her songwriting is thanks to Scott’s hard work over the last 12 months, as well as learning piano and guitar at an early age, courtesy to her dad’s record collection of new-wave, post-punk synth-pop and alternative rock.
Sounds like: Lykke Li, Billie Eilish, Susanne Sundfør, HAIM, Clairo, Niki & The Dove, Oh Land, The Knife, Broods
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daste. – About Us
Australian trio daste. shares the smooth electro / lo-fi-funk single, ‘About Us’.
As with all things daste., the “d” is in the detail. Delivering an inspiration message, the song is about battling with uncertainty. Listen below.
Sounds like: RÜFÜS DU SOL, Two Another, LEISURE, Tora
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uomo – All I Hear
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
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Tungz – Can’t We Just Be Friends Again
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
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Amtrac – So Afraid ft. Alex Metric
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.
Sounds like: Du Tonc, Cut Copy, Lane 8
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Dirty Nice – 100,000 Heartbeats
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
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Ekko – Off My Mind
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
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Langva – Different Things
‘Different Things’ by Norweigan artist Langva is the perfect antidote in these gloomy days we find ourselves in.
It’s a short and sweet burst of summer, with a groovy bassline that amplifies the affectionate feelings you may have for someone.
Sounds like: Easy Life, Yakul
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ELBA – Remember Me
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.
Sounds like: Mabel, Harlee, JUJ
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Discrete x Chris Collins – Better Days
Creative music producer Discrete teams up with Chris Collins on ‘Better Days’.
With a top-notch level of production and flawless vocals, combined with inspiration from an extensive range of genres, prepare to click repeat.
Sounds like: Goldroom, Le Youth, The Weeknd
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Emilie Nicolas – Who’s Gonna Love You
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.
Sounds like: Tove Styrke, Tove Lo, Susanne Sundfør, AURORA
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Ed Prosek – Mercy
The Berlin-based indie-folk troubadour, Ed Prosek returns with a luscious ode to his love affair with music, lifted from his forthcoming EP.
It plays out like a heart-wrenching ballad and is brought into a tender balance by Ed’s genuine delivery.
Sounds like: Dermot Kennedy, Frightened Rabbit, Bruce Springsteen, Chet Faker, Talos
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Nic Hanson – Crush on You
Boy, have we got a little crush on Nic Hanson.
Having just toured with the wonderful Moon Boots and with a flurry of viral Insta covers, Nic Hanson is sending his take on funky pop.
Sounds like: Prince, Ed Sheeran
The Endorphins – Dead or Alive
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
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Younger Hunger – Second Best
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.
Sounds like: APRE, Sea Girls, Low Island
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Urchin – Without No Fear
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
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Birthh – Yello / Concrete
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
Sounds like: Mallrat
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I AM KARATE – Hey Love
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
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NoMBe – Paint California
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
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Ronika – Solitaire
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
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George Eve – One Track Mind
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’.
Sounds like: Metronomy, Glass Animals
Constance – Work Hard
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.
Sounds like: Lorde, NEONHEART, Billie Eilish
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Nina Chuba – Lips Shut
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.
Sounds like: Lorde, Billie Eilish, Lauren Sanderson
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KOKO – Freak (Acoustic)
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!”
Sounds like: Everyone You Know, 10 O’Clock Chemical, Travis Scott, Kendrick Lamar
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Gigi Rowe – Promises
Gigi Rowe by Chase Leonard
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.
Sounds like: Ralph, Great Good Fine Ok, LANY
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Introducing Illyin Pipes, a blissed-out pop duo from Toronto.
Their mutual affinity for textured soundscapes, layered harmonies and heavy electronic synths, fully presents itself in their melancholic debut EP, ‘Waking Up’.
We asked Illyin Pipes to put together a playlist for Indietronica to coincide with the EP release.
Little Dragon – Feather
Have always loved Little Dragon and Feather feels like a dreamy modern take on 80s synth-pop meets 90s trip-hop. I love a vibey vocal and airy synth over a driving bass line.
Arthur Russel – That’s Us/Wild Combination
I heard this song for the first time two years ago and fell deeply in love with it. I had a challenging couple of months shortly after finding it and truly couldn’t listen to any other song. Just this over and over. And it’s still my very top favourite.
Radiohead – House of Cards
Everything Thom Yorke touches is a dream to me. His solo releases are beautiful and I love his contemporary dance music videos. House of Cards is on this list because it’s so perfectly vulnerable, and my top pick from “In Rainbow’s” which I come back to all the time.
Brian Eno – The Big Ship
I usually listen to Brian Eno’s hour-long tracks, but Big Ship is a cinematic, emotional shorty.
10CC – I’m Not In Love
I discovered this song in high school and burned it onto a CD with a bunch of my other favourites at the time. Still playlisting it a decade later! It’s so soft and I love the weird whisper section partway through.
Hundred Waters – Murmurs
I love Hundred Waters’ quiet vocals and acoustic piano over bold drum choices/effects.
Solange – Losing You
Such a sweet pop song. Dev Hyne’s nails the writing/production.
Talking Heads – This Must Be The Place/Naive Melody
David Byrne’s lyrics are amazing and the repetitive bass line makes me want to listen to it forever. The live version from “Stop Making Sense” is so good.
Jon Hopkins – Open Eye Signal
This song transports me to a dark club fantasy in my mind. I have closed my eyes and danced to this song many times.
Aphex Twin – #3 (Rhubarb)
This song is what got me into ambient music. Airy/calming/sweet/meditative. I often listen to it when I’m writing.
Blood Orange – Best to You Feat. Empress Of
Another Dev Hynes track but a duet with Empress of. So dancy!
Beach House – Sparks
I love the steady shoegaze-y guitar and alto vocals. I’m also a sucker for songs that don’t change chords at the bridge: altering the melody of the vocal for a moment, or going to an interlude is always my songwriting instinct.
Massive Attack – Teardrop
The vocals are an inspiration: so close they’re almost whispered, then building dynamically at all the right times.
Washed Out – Feel it All Around
Dreamy, lo-fi, psychedelic, synth-pop <3
The Cars – Drive
Total 80s heaven. I love the subtle and emotional lyrics. We’ve covered this live a couple of times and it feels really nice to play.
You can listen to the EP below.
Sounds like: Susanne Sundfør, Lykke Li, RALPH, Vera Blue, BANKS, Washed Out
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More Giraffes & Sweater Beats – Playground
Los Angeles-based duo More Giraffes (aka Mark Hadley and Keeley Bumford) team up with Sweater Beats in the Zac Wolf-directed video for ‘Playground’.
In the video, the crew embrace their inner kids and turn a futuristic pop party into one heck of a playground.
The track is taken from their upcoming EP, ‘Bermuda’ – a signature mix-n-match of synths, chill pop tracks, and infectiously catchy and weird vocals.
Sounds like: Charli XCX, Manila Killa
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HOAX – Could
HOAX is an indie pop-rock outfit from Queens, New York, comprised of Michael Raj and Frantz Cesar.
With a sound that is familiar to UK-based indie rock from the naughties, their modern vintage vibe captures, in their own words, “the beautiful sound of sadness”.
Listen to ‘Could’, the first single off their debut album, ‘b?’.
Sounds like: Manic Street Preachers, Hers
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Emma Elisabeth – Cavalry
Swedish singer/songwriter, Emma Elisabeth gets nerdy in her new single, ‘Cavalry’.
With a classic band set up, the lush unfurling folk track captures stiring indie rock riffs and delicate vocals, all whilst giving a gentle nod to folk-rock kings’n’queens of the 70’s.
Sounds like: Lana Del Rey, Lucy Rose, Laurel, First Aid Kit, Susanne Sundfør, Sunflower Bean, The Japanese House, Jakob Ogawa, Fleetwood Mac, Neil Young
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Demetrius – Sacrifice
Reprsenting a new wave of electro-pop music from the tech capital of the world, Berlin-based Demetrius shares his introspective single, ‘Sacrifice’.
A slow burner (like all good tech tracks), ‘Sacrifice’ is a groovy indie dance heartbreak song with hypnotic vocals.
Sounds like: Blood Orange, Suntalk
The dewy folktronica tones of Swedish-raised artist Emma Elisabeth have immediately struck a chord with us.
Her slightly eery single ‘Soul Traveller’ is the first release from her coming debut album, something that was not initially planned by Emma during her creative outburst in Berlin, where she now resides.
Listen below.
She plays SXSW, as follows:
Barracuda Backyard on Monday, March 12 from 8:30 PM to 9:10 PM
Esther’s Follies on Friday, March 16, Time TBA
Barracuda, German Haus Event, March 10 from 22.10 PM to 22.50 PM
Second Play Stage – SFA / Thursday 15th / 4:00pm (stripped back set)
Second Play Stage – Hilton Cannon + Bell / Friday 16th / 6:00pm (stripped back set)
Sounds like: Lana Del Rey, Lucy Rose, Laurel, First Aid Kit, Susanne Sundfør
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Weslee – Boy Like You
Mysterious UK-based duo Weslee share their visuals for ‘Boy Like You’.
Another lip-smacking and dreamy song, the Alexandra Gavillet-directed video for ‘Boy Like You’ takes inspiration from Kanye West and centres on the infatuation of the lead male figure through a series of personal camcorder style shots filmed around a hazy American summer.
Sounds like: Ben Khan, Kacy Hill, Blood Orange, Wet, Off Bloom
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Scene Writers vs Cookin’ on 3 Burners – Real Life Baby
Exciting Berlin-based duo Scene Writers (aka Christian Huerter and Sebastian Nouvortne) take inspiration from the art amidst the urban sprawl of Berlin.
They have produced a vibrant re-work of 3 Burners‘ ‘Real Life Baby’, which you can listen to below.
Sounds like: Becky Hill, Kungs, Draper
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joan – Tokyo
We are still massively crushing on duo joan.
Continuing their knack for producing heartbreaking pop songs with a retro twist, ‘Tokyo’ is inspired by that moment of falling for someone but your time is running out.
Sounds like: Shura, Two Door Cinema Club, St. Lucia, LANY, Great Good Fine Ok, The 1975
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Argonaut & Wasp – Radio Sound
Boom! Argonaut & Wasp are back with a funky new number called ‘Radio Sound’.
It is part of a double single, and combines elements of alternative, pop, indie, and funk to provide a bright sound, inspired by the bustling streets of Brooklyn.
It is released on the band’s own Bang! Jango Records.
Sounds like: The Strokes, Bad Sounds, Modest Mouse, Talking Heads, Phoenix, Miami Horror, Bag Raiders
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ELD – Desire
Swedish trio ELD share their brilliant new single ‘Desire’.
Creating a big emotions and an anthemic sound reminiscent of Arcade Fire and The National, ‘Desire’ amalgamates electronica with post punk elements, and even enters the shoegaze realm in parts.
Listen below and prepare to be blown away.
Sounds like: Arcade Fire, The National, Interpol, Ulrich Schnauss
Amanda Mair – Empty Blockings
Rising Swedish teenager Amanda Mair shares ‘Empty Blockings’.
In the video, Amanda broaches the highly important topic of anxiety and depression,
“I wanted to show the feeling of the continuously searchers desperation. The every day hope for running away from anxiety and sorrow but the faith is to weak and puts you in a circle of running and running until you don’t know what you’re running away from.”
It’s out now via Despotz Records.
Sounds like: Susanne Sundfør, OH Land, Zola Jesus
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Moving can be a great form of therapy, so why restrict it? That’s exactly what Vera Blue is doing in the video for her single ‘Regular Touch’.
Vera Blue’s delicate and ethereal vocals in the track are led by her dancing performance in the beautifully shot New Zealand-based location, giving us a glimpse of what it’s like to watch Vera Blue on stage,
“I dance a lot when I’m performing on tour, because the songs make me want to move.” explains Vera. Before this project, I was sort of hiding behind my guitar when I was on stage, but now I can really go for it. That’s what the electronic side adds to the music.”
She heads to the US to support Jacob Banks on his North American tour.
Sounds like: Susanne Sundfør, Zara Larsson
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Nashville-based dream pop trio, Bien share the beautiful new single, ‘Flashback’ with a distinct Scandinavian feel.
Elegant pop hooks and an amalgamation of lo-fi and hi-fi sounds perfectly encompass the sensory-overload of emotion you find when, out of nowhere, you are hit with memories that remind you of a person or time in your life.
Sounds like: Lykke Li, First Aid Kit, Susanne Sundfør
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