Tove Lo by Kenny Laubbacher
Our favourite pop track this year, Tove Lo doesn’t disappoint with ‘No One Dies From Love’.
A heartbreak bop you can dance to, the Alaska-directed video follows movie star Tove and a robot named Annie 3000 get it on in a steamy dystopian love story.
Watch below.
Sounds like: Charlie XCX, ASTR, Broods, Hayley Kiyoko, Nina Yasmineh, Tove Styrke
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Josefine is the latest LA-based female pop sensation out of Stockholm.
She quicked built an audience with her first 5 singles, having already pushed over 15M streams on Spotify alone and features on Swedish national radio NRJ and UK national radio BBC Radio 1 with renowned curator, Jack Sanders.
Her brand-new single “Dreamin’” is an irresistible pop banger produced by Martin René (Meghan Trainor, H.E.R, Snoop Dogg, and Madcon).
Speaking about it, she says: “‘Dreamin’ is one of the personal and intimate testimonies for me immortalising those high endorphin and super nostalgic moments when you first begin to fall in love and you need to pinch yourself to see whether you are dreaming or not and whether this other human in front of you truly feels the same crazy feelings. I wanted to capture those butterfly-filled and super passionate and irreplacement moments which are engraved in time. To complement this, I wanted to make a song and production that just has super dancey energy to take you away from all the craziness of 2020 and dance the night away too.”
Sounds like: Frances, Aimee, Robyn, Tove Lo, Icona Pop
Releasing her first single of 2020, Josefine delights us with her alt-pop track, ‘Let It Go’. Living in Los Angeles, the Rytmus Music High School (Stockholm) graduate is in good company, with previous alumni including global pop icons Robyn, Tove Lo and Icona Pop.
Produced by Martin René (Meghan Trainor, H.E.R, Snoop Dogg, Madcon) the L.A. beach chill track could be her most popular song to date, although this is no easy feat, having racked up over nine million streams from her previous seven singles.
Sounds like: Frances, Aimee, Robyn, Tove Lo, Icona Pop
The wonderful Dagny drops the video for ‘Somebody’ – possibly the ultimate love song to exist.
Strong words…but that’s how much we love her.
It’s a dance-floor-ready rhythm with bubbling synths open up around Dagny’s magisterial pop vocal. A song written with a goal of conveying the ultimate “in-love” experience, Dagny explains,
“It’s the all-consuming and exciting feeling when everything is still new. I’ve been lucky to experience it. I find that when I’m in love I feel everything ten times more than usual. With ‘Somebody’ for me it’s not just the lyrics but the whole vibe of the song that represents that: when I listen to it I get a lot of positive energy and I just wanna throw myself into something new and exciting.”
Dagny will release her long-awaited debut album this September.
Sounds like: Evvy, Tove Lo, Icona Pop, Sigrid
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St. South – Growing Up
St. South is the moniker for Australian singer-songwriter-producer-multi-instrumentalist Olivia Gavranich.
She is known for creating blissful, nuanced and soulful electro on her own terms. Taken from her debut full-length album ‘Get Well Soon’, the visuals for ‘Growing Up’ refine the simplicity of life, out there in the world.
Sounds like: CAPPA, Tusks, Haux, Vancouver Sleep Clinic, Henry Green
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Sea Girls – Do You Really Wanna Know?
Quite possibly their most commercial (and arguably most catchy) release to date, ‘Do You Really Wanna Know?’ is a beacon of hope during these anxiety-inducing days.
Expect their emotionally charged, deeply personal, hook-laden debut album ‘Open Up Your Head’ to be released on 14 August via Polydor.
Sounds like: Marsicans, The Maccabees, Bombay Bicycle Club, Swimming Tapes, Slow Riot, Two Door Cinema Club, Sundara Karma
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Ayelle – Fast Life
Ayelle by Polly Hanrahan
Rising R&B artist Ayelle returns with ‘Fast Life’; a lesson in self-care, especially important during these trying times.
Part of the lesson includes yoga, drinking tea. as Ayelle explains, “…making time for yourself to slow down and conquer fomo“. Listen below.
Sounds like: Banks, 4AM, Wet, IYES, Tove Lo
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Kidsmoke – The Bluest You
Welsh Indie-pop quartet Kidsmoke releases the hypnotizing new single ‘The Bluest You’ on Libertino Records.
With a sensational and emotional build, the track picks apart the impact of mental health on loved ones, taking a more sombre tone than previous releases.
Sounds like: Boy Azooga, Penelope Isles, Swimming Tapes
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LU KALA – Want You
Pop-powerhouse and rebel LU KALA returns with her empowering new single ‘Want You,’ co-written and produced by Terrence Lam (Drake/Rihanna, Alessia Cara, Kaskade, Meghan Trainor).
Paving the way for female strength, she is ready to face herself when it comes to self-sabotage. Are you ready too?
Sounds like: Tones & I, Paloma Faith, Duffy, Macy Gray, Vera Blue, Thelma Plum, Ava Max
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pluko x Panama – higher
Bedroom producer-turned main stage act, 19-year-old pluko teams up with Australian vocalist Panama for a lush indie electronic single, ‘higher’.
Amassed glistening synth-work, ethereal vocal work, and a steady, rhythmic drum beat, this is is a treat for the ears.
Sounds like: Bon Iver, ODESZA, Petit Biscuit, Ásgeir
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CLUBHOUSE – Weekend
Who cares if it’s not shining right now, because it is sure as hell shining wherever these five go.
The release of ‘Weekend’ – a jazzy summer bop that creatively balances simplicity and swagger – kicks off the summer for rising pop band CLUBHOUSE.
Sounds like: Surfaces, Peach Tree Rascals, Tom Misch, Yakul, Easy Life, Still Woozy
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With a melting pot of sounds, a tapestry of multicultural influences, and a female crew that M.I.A. would be proud of, 21-year-old Ghita (pronounced Rita) is shaping up to be an international future pop icon.
The visuals for the self-directed ‘On My Mind’ is set in her homeland of Morocco. Sporting Balmain and Balenciaga, Ghita and her friends exude captivating charisma and class wherever they go. Their journey takes them from urban locations to the country’s beautifully desolate wilderness.
Ghita comments, “‘ON MY MIND’ is about the deeply personal nature of each individual’s journey through life. I believe in my dreams and my ambitions, and I want to inspire people to do the same. I also wanted to address female empowerment. In Morocco, more and more women are fighting for their right to be heard. They’re standing up for emancipation, for equality between genres, and to bring down this patriarchal society.”
Sounds like: Tove Styrke, Tove Lo
Ant Antic – Good News
We’re all dealing with the overload of impressions and information we’re all exposed to, which often leaves us numb.
Woozy-R&B auteur, Ant Antic interrogates the onslaught of clickbait in his Rupert Höller-directed visuals for ‘Good News’
Sounds like: Ben Khan, Moderat, Jai Paul, 5K HD, Sega Bodega
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Beth Duck – Nomophobia
British pop singer Beth Duck shares her cyber-inspired electro-pop single, ‘Nomophobia’, inspired by a realisation of our generation’s phone obsession.
With a clear European influence – the track is produced and co-written by One by One, a songwriter and producer duo from Berlin.
Sounds like: Ralph, Dagny, Tove Lo, ALMA
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Opus Vitae – Carry The Weight
“Love isn’t perfect, and neither is life, and that’s the real fairy tale” says Los Angeles-based songwriter Banah Winn, aka Opus Vitae. Ain’t that the truth.
His new single ‘Carry The Weight’ is driven by the fired up angst about the current political climate of the world.
Sounds like: Empire Of The Sun, Sufjan Stevens, Porches
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Future Jr. – Back To You
Inspired by missing home, Australian-born, pizza-loving, Los Angeles-based Future Jr. shares ‘Back To You’.
Conjuring all the nu-disco, dream-pop vibes one could ever wish for, the song was written by Future Jr. and a friend after attending a cliche house party in the Hollywood Hills.
Sounds like: joan, XY&O, Colouring, EXES, Akurei, Nightly
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School of X – Bad Love
Following the extremely well-received release with Lord Silva, School of X releases ‘Bad Love’.
Inspired by Eks-skolen – an anti-establishment art collective that was based in Copenhagen in the 1960s – the emo-tinged song by School of X’s Rasmus Littauer (MØ, Liss, Clairo) is about the loss of trust or faith.
Sounds like: MØ, Máni Orrason, Soleima, Goss, Mura Masa, Clairo, Röyksopp, Lo Moon, Mew
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Tigerpunsh – Shade
Born from a remote connection via Instagram and a mutual love of big cats, London-based Welsh/Finnish electro-pop duo Rochelle and Vee are Tigerpunsh.
Brand new onto the scene, their single ‘Shade’ holds a bursting energy throughout, with delicate Eastern synths and experimental pop elements. A great start to what could be a very exciting future for the girls!
Sounds like: Broods, EXES, MS MR, Vera Blue, RAINDEAR, Nova Club, Georgia
Alex O’aiza – Out Of My Mind
Alt-pop whizzkid Alex O’aiza shares the Instagram video for ‘Out Of My Mind’, produced by Austin Bello from Dallas pop-punks Forever The Sickest Kids.
Combining snappy pop melodies with gritty rock riffs and layered samples, the visuals show a fun side to O’aiza, whilst still conveying a timely message of pushing through adversity and hard times.
Sounds like: Kasabian
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juuku – healing Feat. wilo wilde
Commencing with delicate piano keys and leading to chill electronic production, juuku‘s new single ‘healing’ does just that.
Raw and unfiltered – like the body of his work – his collaborative single with wilo wilde is both angelic and moody.
Sounds like: Madnap, yetep
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Olivia Lunny – Think of Me
Canadian singer/songwriter Olivia Lunny shares the catchy and radio-ready ‘Think of Me’.
Channelling pure pop vibes with vibrant electronic production, this post breakup anthem is one for all the broken hearts out there.
Sounds like: Halsey, TESSA
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HUDSUN – Shutdown
Having entered the music scene from the early age of 17, this rising star has already received national recognition within the UK.
In his signature soul-infused, pop sound, HUDSUN’s latest offering ‘Shutdown’ speaks of the frustration in attempting to break someone out of an emotional prison they have created for themselves wrapped up.
Sounds like: Imagine Dragons
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Last Youth – Violent Ends
Last Youth has returned following their debut album release with new single ‘Violent Ends’ – an array of genre-bending vibrant pop and alt-rock.
Full of emotional angst, the track portrays the violent ends that the human race faces.
Sounds like: Imagine Draons, Bring Me The Horizon, Thirty Seconds To Mars
Italian-based, Russian-bred fashionista and singer/songwriter Patricia Manfield – aka HĒIR – oozes cool.
Whilst she has travelled the world modelling, music has always been at the centre of HĒIR’s universe. Her debut EP, ‘Daddy Issues’ is a collection of songs described as “a gallery of thoughts” inspired following her parent’s split whilst she was a kid.
Speaking about the EP, she explains,
“I guess I just kind of grew up with a crazy desire of wanting to be independent, especially from a male figure. I always wanted to wear the pants and make the decisions. I think part of my ambition comes from a sense of emptiness and lack of satisfaction in a father figure. But I also wanted DADDY ISSUES to be an awareness, something positive, that makes you more of a woman, instead of the great cliché of being needy. It’s more of a “yeah I got em and I’m so fine with it. But I’VE GOT THE RIGHT TO SAY IT, you don’t.””
Her new single ‘Get Down Dance’ inspires excitement. It’s a nocturnal electro-pop tune built upon a modern production enriched by HĒIR’s seductive and hypnotical vocals.
Sounds like: Tove Lo, Tove Styrke, Lorde, Banks
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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German producer and multi-instrumentalist De Rien demonstrates his versatility with hazy sophomore through his new release “Chimes”
“Chimes” is about looking behind your own facade – discovering the flamboyance of thought and mind. As every step towards a dear person can be hard, it is easier to do so while sunken into reveries. – De Rien
Residing between neo-soul, organic electronica and a splash of nu-disco, De Rien not only showcases his ability to create wonderfully warm soundscapes as a producer, but proves he has the vocal chops to boot, with “Chimes” presenting itself as easy-going yet intricate piece of songwriting.
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Sounds Like: Flume, Khalid, Tove Lo