Introducing Anna Klein, a Toronto based singer-songwriter, producer, and performer.
Originally acoustic-focused, her punchy new take on electro-pop is both relatable and catchy. Her song ‘Lonely’ has a classic Scandi-feel with an everso slightly delicate approach to her production.
Sounds like: Anna of the North, The Aces, EXES, Zella Day, Ralph, Fickle Friends, Vera Blue
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
Love You Later is the brainchild of synth-pop artist, Lexi Aviles.
Based in Los Angeles, the singer has spent intermittent periods in pop-loving Nashville and has used this time to create her own shimmery sound full of wide-eyed optimism, all while casting an unwavering grasp on the ideologies behind self-love, unresolved longing, and complicated romance.
Her painfully honest new single, ‘Making Plans,’ is taken off her forthcoming sophomore EP, ‘Heaven Is Without You,’ released on 10 April. Speaking on the track, she explains,
“‘Making Plans’ is about I tend to ‘make plans’ just to keep myself busy and get lost in it all. It sounds crude but if I really was honest with myself and with you, I think sometimes – even if we don’t realize it – we use people to pass time for our own selfish reasons. To escape or feel something. We don’t want to be alone.”
Sounds like: LANY, MUNA, The Aces, Paperwhite, The Japanese House
London-born, now US-based singer/songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist Sophia Gripari shares her first self-produced single, ‘Lesson Learned’.
The electro-pop track is written about the liberation found in realising and subsequently walking away from a toxic relationship.
REYNA is feeling pretty ‘Clueless’ in their fun new karaoke based video.
The upbeat pop single, taken from their highly anticipated upcoming debut EP in Spring 2020, is written about learning to accept and love yourself even when you’re feeling clueless about life.
Effervescent pop maker la lune releases the delectable ‘holding onto u’.
The 20 year-old, London-born singer-songwriter and producer has been releasing music with a DIY ethos since she was 18. Masked beneath her pseudonym and subtle social media presence, la lune is using obscurity to ‘protest’ against the over-sexualisation of women in music, stating that her music should be listened to and judged at ‘face value’.
Sounds like: Shallou, Fickle Friends, The Japanese House
The Millennial Club is SoCal melancholic-synth pop band comprised of friends and jazz musicians, singer/guitarist Andres Owens, bassist/keyboardist Jared Ortiz, guitarist/saxophonist Jake Stevenson, and drummer Tyler Kamei.
Their lovelorn new single ‘Coffee In The Morning’ displays Owen’s wisdom beyond his 23 years of life through his powerfully intimate lyricism which puts listeners directly into the relationship at stake. It features guest vocals from newcomer Tori Romo.
Romanian-born Edith has been writing songs since at song, and creating music was her only path to express her emotions from a young age.
Her new single, ‘No Matter What You Do’ is an emphatic, contemporary-pop banger that showcases her natural songwriting ability. Drawing on personal experiences, for an upbeat piece of pop bliss.
Sounds like: Blithe, Mabel, Dua Lipa, Baker Grace, Just Kiddin
Manchester-based synth-pop outfit Hot Minute returns with ‘Hell Is Empty’.
An effortless “fuck you” to the bullshit frequently found in the music industry, this song arrives perfectly in time for Halloween.
Speaking of ‘Hell Is Empty’, frontwoman Keely Hutchinson explains,
“Hell is Empty is a modern-day anthem about taking back the power that you believe you are owed – and by any means necessary. When we formed, this is the first song we wrote after we realised we’d all experienced the all too familiar music industry bullshit.”
Sounds like: Pale Waves, The Aces, The 1975, Charley Stride
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.
All-female synthpop newcomers Hot Minute might well be making music in a DIY manner, but they are here for the long run.
Working their own label called Hotter Than Hell Records, these girls are running the show without being at the mercy of a male-dominated industry.
“Can you imagine an all-male band who can actually play their instruments being told, ‘we can get you a deal based on how you look’, in f-cking 2019? I can’t – and I’ve had label interest from some pretty big hitters in the past”, fires off Hot Minute frontwoman Keely Hutchinson.
“We’ve all experienced these types of comments from male industry members over the years and in many respects, Hot Minute is the culmination of our individual frustrations from receiving such comments whilst apart of other projects we’ve been involved in” agrees Bella (guitar/BVs).
“Even male videographers we’ve met have casually insinuated that without their input into Hot Minute, we’ll end up with nothing professional on a visual level”, states Courtney (keytar/synths).
Word.
Sounds like: Pale Waves, The Aces, The 1975, Charley Stride
Synthpop sisters REYNA may want you to forget it, but baby please don’t!
Comprised of Victoria and Hannah Gabriela, the girls have already worked with the likes of Drew Pearson (Kesha) and performed with CHVRCHES.
Speaking of their new single ‘Baby Forget It’, Vic says,
“The song is about a former love who kept something of mine after a dramatic breakup. I wasn’t the best version of myself in this relationship and I can admit that I really messed up. That’s why I was so surprised when I saw that she would wear my jacket, I was like hmm maybe it wasn’t so bad, maybe every time she puts the jacket on she thinks about the good times instead of the bad. This song is for everyone who has had their heart broken then somehow muster the courage to put their hearts out there again. It’s learning from those sour episodes in your life and making them part of who you are like a scar you’re proud of.”
