Cheeky Los Angeles-based singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Gavin Haley has just released his vulnerable new EP, ‘Unfolding’.
Presented as an irresistible alternative pop sound with a hip-hop undercurrent offset by acoustic guitar and confessional lyrics, his feel-good music is both modern and connective.
Unfolding “a series of growing pains through music“, it’s a complex juxtaposition of actions and feelings, as Haley explains in more detail,
“I grew up in church, but I also raced bikes and listened to rap music when I could hide it from my family. I feel like I brought elements to this music from every area I’ve drawn inspiration from, but still staying me. Each song is its own story, and I hope this project connects with the people who find it and brings us closer. I wrote Unfolding almost entirely in a few days.”
The track ‘Self Control’ features Izzy Bizu and you can watch the video below:
The new EP is out now on Red Bull Records.
Sounds like: Easy Life, Shawn Mendes, Gareth Pugh, Jack Hawitt
French synth-dance duo Caspian Pool likes to keep us on our toes with their wide-ranging selection of electronic music. Cue the colour-fuelled visuals for the foot-thumping ‘Insider’.
Sounds like: Nimmo, The Chemical Brothers, Hercules & Love Affair, Goldfrapp, Joe Goddard, Chvrches, Digitalism, Holy Ghost!, Boys Noize, Little Dragon, Cut Copy, Icona Pop
Anthemic alt-rock band Psyence returns with psychedelic sensibilities in rousing new single ‘Retrospect’, reminding us that every bitter end has a new beginning.
Distinctive Norwegian voice, Beharie shares his soulful, folk and ambient blend in the form of ‘Me and My Lonely’. Pastoral and beautiful, the track orbits a peaceful finger-picked acoustic riff.
Wigan-based four-piece Flechettes share the radio-ready and uplifting ‘Chasing Youth’, with blazing indie-pop guitar riffs and catchy vocals, making for a seriously dynamic record.
Sounds like: Sea Girls, Red Rum Club, The Blinders, Stanleys, Garden Party
22-year-old producer, songwriter and musician Ethan Bedell – aka Chillhum – shares ‘Dancing Alone’, a stripped back and melodic blissed-out track that celebrates the joys of being alone.
Sounds like: Gaspar Narby, Couro, Flume, Ed Sheeran, Flume, Louis The Child, Petit Biscuit, Troye Sivan, Robotaki
Songwriting heavyweight Bre Kennedy winds down for the cooler months with her acoustic track ‘Where Did Summer Go’, a nostalgic ballad that symbolises the passing and loss of time and dreams that never got to see the heat of summer.
Dark-pop artist Izza chronicles the ups and downs of dealing with anxiety and depression in a world where people are obsessed with the perceived perfection of their online selves, in new single ‘Lows’.
Nashville-based singer and songwriter and all-round rock’n’roller Beau Turrentine shares his new single ‘Animals’, taking a closer look at how unpredictable and animalistic human nature can be.
Continuing the rock vibes is Kip Macklejar and his new single, ‘The Coal Miner’s Daughter’. Surprisingly, Kip is from Copenhagen, and this is not your usual Scandi-music affair – you won’t find any ethereal dreamscapes here.
Reckless Norweigian punks, Lazy Queen shares ‘Last Call’. Reminiscent of raw garage demos recorded in garages in the early Noughties, the track sees lead singer Henrik take an objective view on personal struggles surrounding addiction & mental health.
Time for some authentic indie from Liverpudlian four-piece SHARDS. Their new single ‘2020 (I want to go home)’ sums up how we’re probably all feeling about the year in a hazy and nostalgic manner.
Seattle’s Slow Shudder releases her lockdown single, the self-produced, mixed and mastered, ‘Time Now for Ghosts’.
The track is inspired by unusually vivid dreams that sparked introspection about past relationships that never felt fully resolved. To celebrate the creative process of making the single, Slow Shudder has put together a playlist for us.
Ninajirachi – Alight
I’m a huge Ninajirachi fan. “Alight” is one of my favorite songs from 2020. The lyrics get me every time, as does the melody that effortlessly goes from introspective to soaring. The production is absolute fire. Just perfection.
Dizzy Fae – I’m Good
Dizzy Fae is such a star. Her artistry is next level. The production on “I’m Good” is so fresh. Highly recommend her entire discography, super inspiring all around.
The Motion – 3AM
I met Max when we were both at uni at Goldsmiths and I LOVE his music so much. “3AM” is my jam. The crunchy drums, the minimal slowed bridge when the melody skyrockets! Stunner of a song.
Zack Villere – Hair Cut
I’ve been listening to zack villere since his project, froyo ma, and he’s one of my all-time faves. His production is consistently super original and his writing is so versatile.
Claud – WISH U WERE…
OK so I love the original of this one but I CANNOT HANDLE how good this remix is. I think I’ve listened to it every day since it came out. All of Claud’s songs are phenomenal. If you don’t know their work already, go listen to all their songs and treat your ears.
Knapsack- valid thru the year
Knapsack is such an incredible artist. I’m obsessed with their new album, “the buzz of a lifetime”. The overall narrative arc stirs up tons of memories for me, their lyrics are perfection, and their production is unlike anything else.
Matilda Eyre, PALMR – Water
I met Matilda Eyre at a music production workshop in London a few years back and we’ve been friends ever since. She’s an exceptionally skilled vocalist, songwriter, performer and producer. “Water” is such a tune – amazing melodies, ultra cool production, and so interesting structurally. Love!
Jay Wile – Can’t Wait
I first heard Jay Wile’s work earlier this year and I was instantly hooked. Love his songwriting, his production, and his voice. “Can’t Wait” is such a dream, as are all his other songs.
Liyv – Toro
Liyv and I met in early 2018 and we’ve been close friends ever since. I’ve been a fan of hers since before we met and am repeatedly amazed by her talent, originality, and commitment to exploring new territory in her music. “Toro” is just one of many gorgeous songs within her exceptional body of work. I’m inspired by her every day and can’t wait for her to release the music she’s been making recently.
Holliday Howe – Rather Forget
Holliday Howe is another friend of mine from Goldsmiths and I’m such a massive fan of her songs. I could write a 10 page paper about how much I love this song. It breaks my heart every time I listen to it. The music video makes me cry every time.
Slow Shudder – Time Now for Ghosts
This song means a ton to me and I’m so happy that it’s out in the world! I hope people enjoy listening to it as much as I enjoyed writing and producing it.
Toronto-based singer/songwriter Alex Frew shares some nostalgic visuals for his new single ‘Antisocial Love Song’. It has a modern emo aesthetic with a pop tinge. Watch below.
The wonderful Seraphina Simone returns with her deeply personal and moving single ‘O M D’. It’s a ruminating love affair that sees Simone tackle the minefield that is life in your early twenties.
Sounds like: Celeste, Lana Del Rey, Laurel, Chløe Black, VÉRITE, Blondie
Introducing UK/Stockholm based producer/artist Danny George. His new single ‘Thinking Out Loud’ is a harmony-led ode to dating in your twenties, from a male point of view.
Multi-instrumentalist and all-round talent, Mokita shares his emotionally-charged pop/EDM single ‘Ready Yet’, continuing to explore songwriting themes such as depression, anxiety, and relationships.
Uniquely talented songwriter Aimée Steven is sharing her view on the fragility of the current world in new single ‘Today’. Taking a classic approach to the single, it’s reverb-drenched and full of retro charisma.
Hedara has just released ‘We’re Not The Same’, the final track from her stunning, effortlessly powerful new EP ‘Sad Girl Syndrome’, full of piano-led, electro-pop.
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
Rising Norwegian pop songwriter jens shares ‘Tough Love’, taken from his new EP, ‘Call Me Back When You Get A Moment’. It’s another feel-good pop anthem, firmly rooted with a potent chorus hook and instant danceability.
Sounds like: Troye Sivan, Myylo, Charlie Puth, Dagny
From one Norweigan act to another. At completely different ends of the spectrum, alt-rock outfit Lazy Queen shares brazen new single, ‘Gutted’. Discussing the topic of self-destruction, addiction and recovery, it’s spirited punk rock with an upbeat pop hook throughout.
Chicago producers Chase Durrett and Casey Bruce – aka j. pastel – formed in the summer of 2019, and have been fusing 80’s synths and dreamy guitars with funk moves in their bedroom ever since. Listen to ‘Senegal’ below.
Los Angeles Phil Good is back with a new breakup-inspired track called ‘Falling’. Despite being laid-back, the music video manages to convey the emotion of the song.
Sounds like: Honne, Joseph Salvat, Miike Snow, Glass Animals, Joywave, Just Kiddin’, San Holo
At just 16, it’s hard to believe that pop singer-songwriter Gillian Heidi is already creating such raw and emotive tracks that reflect about relationships in a poetic eloquence not often seen of this age group. Listen to ‘Fray’ below.
Looking incredibly familiar in their press picture, with a glint of political satire, the Avante-Garde German duo ÄTNA releases their dark and rebellious new single, ‘Grinding’.
Australian artist Benji Lewis shares the result of his recent lockdown songwriting, with ‘Everything’s Alright’. Written with Golden Vessel, the track touches on the importantness of freedom.
Sounds like: The 1975, The Kite String Tangle, Antony Hegarty, Active Child, Gallant, Sam Smith, Solomon Grey, James Blake, Yazz, Jack Garratt, Disclosure, Jeremy Zucker, Shallou, Emmit Fenn
Alex Frew – Antisocial Love Song Feat. A Is for Arrows
Alex Frew touches on the difficulties of being alone with new song, ‘Antisocial Love Song’, featuring the delicate tones of A Is for Arrows. A pop ballad at heart with harder hitting lyrics.
Nicole Chambers is confidence setting in her single ‘Warm Body’, taken from her debut album, ‘Voice of a Virgo’. A new voice on the R&B and neo-soul scene, with a killer falsetto that demands attention.
Showing how you can make music regardless of a lockdown, rising UK artist Asha Gold shares her sweet new single ‘Debut’, written on Zoom with producer Mitch Jones.
Gay comedian and musician Joe Parsons shows a vulnerable and serious side in his new single, ‘Repair’. With tinges of folktronica and alt-pop, the shimmering track is written about toxic masculinity.
Cornwall-based multi-instrumentalist and producer KarumCooper has a new lo-fi jazz/soul project called Webmoms. The new single ‘Summer Salad’ is a tasty selection of rich, audible treats with jazzy licks and organic grooves.
One of our favs of 2020, South-African born songwriter-producer Julia Church, unveils her breezy new cut ‘Marionette’. A catchy track with clear intentions that showcase her stunning vocal range and innate ability to create a wonderful pop earworm.
Jimi Somewhere combines unique Christian rock and modern, sheeny emo. Inspired by Christian summer camps and his frustration & feeling of loss growing up as a Christian, the track features the angelic vocals of Kacy Hill.
Lucky Idiot is an exciting new project from Maxwell Byrne (Golden Vessel), Kalem Woo (Rei So La) and Rei Sakakibara (Sweater Curse). Expect an upcoming debut EP, ‘Low Ceiling’, to be released in October via sumoclic.
Liverpool’s Dr Orange – aka Chas Moody – draws on indie alt-rock. His new single, ‘Take’, is luscious, high-frequency rock n roll with authentic nuances of a leftfield nature.
Move over Charli XCX, rising UK popstar GRACEY teams up with US newcomer Alexander 23 on new single, ‘Like That’.
From our home town of Brighton, GRACEY started out as a songwriter for the likes of Jonas Blue, Sub Focus, and MJ Cole, but soon developed her own style of UK influenced pop with a mischievous and fun flair.
