Maui-born, LA-based singer/songwriter Beauty Queen – aka Katie Iannitello – crafts music on the sonic edges of dreamy lo-fi and alt-pop haziness, lost in the reveries of loneliness and unrequited love.
Inspired by 1950s pop and doo-wop, as well as more nostalgic decades and modern pop, her new single, ‘Two Of Us’, is out now and was written and produced in three days at husband-and-wife duo Alaina Moore and Patrick Riley of the band Tennis‘ Denver, Colorado home studio.
The visuals are a tale of two Sasquatches who are desperately in love and oblivious to the Sasquatch hunter on their tail. Watch below
Sounds like: Chairlift, Tennis, Real Estate, The Aces, Haim, Neon Indian, Alvvays
Alt-folk singer, Esmé Patterson returns with her expansive and dream-filled ballad, ‘Light In Your Window’.
We’ve all been there, glancing up to a light in our ex’s house, longing and hoping that we might catch a glimpse of them. Patterson perfectly captures that moment – the desire for a person, a feeling, a space in time that no longer exists, and the desire to move on.
The song marks her first for BMG and was recorded with fellow Coloradans Tennis in their garage in Denver.
Sounds like: First Aid Kit, Paper Bird, Courtney Barnett, HAIM
LIA shares ‘Feed Me’, taken from her ‘Vasilia’ EP, which was co-produced with Montreal’s Lust and Thomas White.
Inspired by Baba Yaga from a computer game, the tracks in the EP depict Lia’s journey of finding resilience in the mind, resilience as a woman and resilience in her relationships.
There an great deal of exciting pop sounds coming from Germany at the moment. One such contender is Berlin based experimental pop artist Novaa.
Her intriguing visuals for ‘AI Am In Love’ explore the theme of love, specifically falling in love with artificial intelligence, and continues through to her unique and exciting upcoming album, ‘The Futurist’.
This is the first time we have supported Romanian music on the site, and it’s a corker from Zimbru.
A disco-punk band comprised of Teodora Retegan, Paul Bucovesan, Andrei Bobiș and Oana Pop, this band will make you want to dance and drench yourself in romanticism and nostalgia.
Sounds like: The Eurythmics, Goldfrapp, London Grammar
Jackie Charles – the love-child, band and alter ego of Kaja Bremnes – looks at the topic of ‘Time Travel’, because after all isn’t the past sometimes better than the future?
The new single is Scandi-pop blended with anarchic tendencies – inspired the times spent between the rooftop bars of Berlin and a Norwegian fishing boat.
The 26-year old Copenhagen-based producer & musician Molina (aka Rebecca Maria Molina) is channeling series 80’s synth vibes in her new single ‘Venus’.
Tinkering with experimental alt-pop sounds featuring heavy Japanese music
Sounds like: Wolf Alice, Tears for Fears, Kate Bush, Röyksopp, Georgia
The first time listening to Uffie‘s ‘Pop The Klock’ was nine years ago and it simply blew our minds. We couldn’t get enough of the French-American’s experimental and nonconformist pop sound. The original modern pop star.
Fast forward nine years and Uffie has definitely not lost her sparkle. Listen to her straight-up pop single, ‘No Regrets’ below.
One of our ones to watch for 2019 is Wild Moccasins, a beautifully crafted band fronted by the magnificent Zahira Gutierrez with her notable soaring pop melodies.
Their new single ‘Doe-Eyed Dancer’ is taken from the ‘Look Together’ album, which is a resilient and volatile break-up record co-written by Gutierrez and guitarist Cody Swann after their decade-long romantic relationship dissolved.
Listen now and be prepared to click ‘repeat’ over and over again.
Sounds like: Tennis, Oh Land, Wild Ones, Tame Impala, Anteros
KIDDO Feat. Decco – Drunk And I Miss You (Arturs Lapins Remix)
We don’t usually support remixes on the site, but it’s been a tough week and this track has got has raring to go for the weekend. It’s Arturs Lapins‘ remix of ‘Drunk And I Miss You’, by feisty Stockholm-based artist KIDDO
Sliced and diced into a more chill-hop vibe, check it out below.
We are intrigued by Belfast-based singer/songwriter Rebekah Fitch and her seemingly effortless avility to push artistic boundaries whilst still slotting into the mainstream with her memorable melodies.
Tinkering with 80’s pop and rock sensibiities, her new single ‘Poison’ considers the way we are taught to think and what we are taught to value by society, as well as the topic of control, stopping us from becoming the fullest version of ourselves.
Jinka’s track ‘Ghost 2 U’ is glitchy trip-pop at its finest.
Ghost 2 U” is the Transylvanian artist‘s most emotionally dynamic track to date.
It juxtaposes a heavy, industrial half-time drop reminiscent of acts like Cashmere Cat, Amnesia Scanner or Tommy Cash with touchingly fragile and intimate tale-telling verses.
Jinka’s vocals evolve over a loop of pluck-sounds that unavoidably take your imagination to an underground stalactite cave hidden in the souterrains of Berlin.
Australian trio daste. is comprised of Callum MacDonald, Braxton Tahi & Tyler Harden.
Focusing on the smaller details (with the ‘d’ in daste. standing for detail), their new track, ‘SOBER’ is a summery lo-fi number showcasing simple, yet effective songwriting, and shares the idea that a clear head is always better than a mediocre, intoxicated one.
There is always an air of romanticism with Italian culture and Italian duo Malihini are no exception to this rule.
Their new single ‘Delusional Boy’ has upbeat drums, neatly undercut by its recurring vocal refrain, “Delusional Boy/Delusional Girl” – the downbeat rejoinder conveyed with a typically euphonious duo vocal melody that juxtaposes between a falsetto male part with baratone-esq female vocals, which all in all, creates an extremely easy-to-listen-to pop track.
Expect their debut album ‘Hopefully, Again’, out on 8 March via Memphis Industries.
Sounds like: SAMA, Beach House, Tennis, Chairlift, Au Revoir Simone
Highschool Jacob is an indie pop artist who has a serious way with words, so don’t mess.
Based out of Los Angeles, this nu-funk extraordinaire weaves catchy and retro melodies and engrossing stories to make head-nod worthy and heartwarming music.
There is a definite lo-fi, funk theme in this week’s gems. Introducing Jesse Hite – an exciting solo artist who has just shared his debut ‘When It All Comes Down’.
An American artist living in France, Hite effortless blends sounds thanks to this move across the Atlantic, as well as travels through Asia.
‘When It All Comes Down’ is the first single of a three-song EP to be released. The song is full of character, soulful lyrics, in which Mite manages to create as much blooming sound as music troop, Jungle between a large number of them!
Taking on the challenge of a new anthem for millennials is youthxx (also one half of Golden Coast).
‘New Frontier’ achieves anthemic territory with an inspiring, unforgettable vocal and sharp contemporary production that mixes synthetic and organic sounds with finesse.
New York-based sister act Chaos Chaos share their new single, ‘Dripping With Fire’.
Formerly in the band Smoosh, who performed with the likes of Bloc Party and Cat Power, the siblings are no beginners when it comes to playing in the music scene.
‘Dripping With Fire’ sheds light on sisterhood, and all its conflicts and memorabilia. Watch the video below, directed by Stephanie Dimiskovksi and inspired by Tina Barney’s portraits of families and Crystal Moselle‘s documentary ‘The Wolfpack’.
Tour Dates
30 Nov – Neumos @ Seattle, WA
1 Dec – Biltmore Cabaret @ Vancouver, BC
2 Dec – Obsidian @ Olympia, WA
3 Dec – Aladdin Theater @ Portland, OR
5 Dec – Starline Social Club @ Oakland, CA
6 Dec – Catalyst Atrium @ Santa Cruz, CA
7 Dec – Soho @ Santa Barbara, CA
8 Dec – The Irenic @ San Diego, CA
9 Dec – The Regent Theater @ Los Angeles, CA
10 Dec – Constellation Room @ Santa Ana, CA
Sounds like: Tennis, Emma Louise, IDER, Lucius, Niki & The Dove
Another Montreal-based band to be included in this week’s SubmitHub gems.
Meet indie folk band, The Franklin Electric, who have shared their video for ‘Burning Flame’, a cinematic showpiece filmed in Toronto.
“This was a spontaneous last minute addition to the record about the fire that feeds us and brings us to do all the things we do, or ignore the things we don’t do but wish we had. A voice inside most of us that can easily be ignored but the burn is a constant reminder. This video was all about the casting! I walked in the day of the shoot and met George, who plays the main role in this music video. He is the most endearing, honest, pure, yet driven 17 year old kid I have ever met. From that moment I was sold on the director’s story & concept. I invite you to meet George for yourself.”
It’s taken from their sophomore album, ‘Blue Ceilings’.
Brooklyn-based singer Ava Raiin may have worked closely with the likes of Blood Orange, Carly Rae Jepsen and Solange, but what we are really interested in is her solo material.
‘Tree’, taken from Ava’s self titled album, has a sentimental R&B sound throughout, with modern vocal libs – a theme that runs throughout the album, and the main reason why she grabbed our attention.
Dreampop husband and wife duo Tennis ramp up the b.p.m on new single, ‘No Exit’.
It’s one of those songs that catches your breath upon first listen – woozy synths and vocals that are just about sensual enough to get you hot under the collar…no more, no less.
Sounds like: Niki & The Dove, Stevie Nicks, Alvvays, Beach House
Anti-folk artist, Erin K, has been keeping herself very busy. Originally born in London, but now residing in the States via Italy, she has just shared the video for ‘No Control’, filmed across Iceland, and released her album ‘Little Torch’, which you can listen to on Spotify here.
To celebrate, Erin K has put together a playlist for us.
Tennis – Night Vision I love the immediate hood of this cool drum beat and the contrast between the closeness of the verse against the dreamy delayed vocals in the chorus. I just walked to the flight gate listening to this in my headphones. Great walking song!
Perfume Genius – Learning The simplicity of Perfume Genius is a breath of fresh air, reminiscent of the honest lyrics encountered in Andrew and the Johnsons or (kids soundtrack guy). I especially love the lyrics “blah blah blah” at the end of this intimate song. I’m inspired by this artist! I have tickets to see him at Heaven in London in a few weeks!
Hospitality – Going Out I don’t have much to say about this other than it’s been my song to start my day with for the past 2 weeks! Makes me feel like dancing! I’d love to see them live.
Whitney – No Woman I LOVE this artist. It’s rare that you find a drummer that is also the lead vocalist. Check out their live sessions online, definitely one of my top favourite new discoveries at the moment.
Cass McCombs – Bum Bum Bum A friend of my from Fort Lauderdale introduced me to this band (amongst others) recently and I think I had this song on repeat for an hour after the first listen. I love songs that push along with a constant repeated beat and sound. Check out his other songs, they are all beautiful. Something very nostalgic about this sound.
Sufjan Stevens – All of Me Wants All of You This is one of my favourite songs at the moment. It’s so beautiful. He recently came out with a live version of this, amongst others. Personally, I prefer the live versions but worth checking out.
Leon Bridges – River When I first heard this I assumed it was an old recording from the 60s. I love the way this song builds and Leon’s voice is flawless and emotive. Goose bumps.
U.N.P.O.C. – Here on My Own What’s not to love about early Modest Mouse! Great build, beautiful lyrical rhythm, one to scream along to at home, or in my experience, the customs line at Heathrow Terminal 4 (in my head of course).
Shuggy Otis – Strawberry Letter 23 Yes Yes YES! I love the every part of this. If you like retro 60s jams, you’ll dance along to this.
CAN – Vitamin C I remember the first time I heard this in some shop in London. I couldn’t wait to get home and listen to it properly. I’ve loved this song for years. The vocal, the consisting arrangement and cool organ sounds. Might not be a new find for me but I’ve included it here nonetheless.
Sounds like: Fiona Apple, Regina Spektor, Alev Lenz, alt-J, Pam Ayres, Susan Vega, Kim Boekbinder, Lily Allen
