“Have YOU ever been dumped? We here at courtship understand. Text us if you like the song and/or need a free therapy session from ya boys Eli and Micah 818-338-6877.”
Los Angeles duo courtship. is always here to help with their new single ‘Number 1’ and its sweet AF basslines, cascading piano keys and retro-inspired vocals.
The duo elaborates, “We wrote this song because we all know what it feels like to be number 2. Not good. The line ‘baby you’re fun, but you’ll never be number one’ sums it up perfectly.”
Sounds like: Cut Copy, Van She, Summer Heart, Jagwar Ma, Two Door Cinema Club, MGMT, Passion Pit
Fiery LGBTQ artist Lauren Sanderson has incredible drive. That’s clear from her music and attitude (not many people can say they’ve given a TED Talk at the age of 18).
Her new single ‘Upset’ flips the issues of the despondent Generation Z on it’s head.
Australian pop artist Phoebe Sinclair is a self-confessed emotional wreck, and this makes for intoxicating music.
Her new single ‘OMG’ is Sinclair taking ownership of her mistakes whilst not letting them define her.
Backed by a four-piece all girl ensemble, oozing confidence and power, and armed with a massive pop vocal, Sinclair smashes out electro pop tunes with an inescapable energy.
British artist Tallsaint releases the highly chic and addictive ‘Model Effect’.
Taking inspiration from early 2000’s tracks as well as a more modern pop culture of now – born from a visual scene in Killing Eve where Villanelle sees Eve in the bathroom for the first time and makes a comment on her hair.
Sounds like: Bat For Lashes, Anna of the North, Stereo Honey, RALPH, St Vincent, Lykke Li
Self-taught musician Beau Diako shares his new single called ‘Flamingo’, taken from his debut EP, ‘Flutter’.
Featuring neo-soul artist Jordan Rakei, the track is probably his most “pop” song from the EP, which is a glorious fusion of indie, jazz, folk, electronic and soul.
ANDRO may have plenty of experience touring in Jungle‘s band, but now it’s his time to shine.
His debut single, ‘GYMH’ (Give You My Heart) kicks off a new collection of theatrical pop melodies that balance between the ethereal and emotional, perfectly encapsulated by the beautifully shot video below.
Also from Nashville is singer/songwriter/producer John Luke Carter, aka Mokita.
Known for his lyrical and buoyant electronic-based pop, Carter was classically trained in piano in his youth and first started performing in his church. Later, he taught himself to play guitar and eventually transitioned into electronic music production.
His new single ‘Colorbind’ is an attempt to try and describe depression to someone who has never experienced it.
Sounds like: EXES, Handsome Ghost, joan, FRND, Nick Anthony, Luna Pines
Named after a harbour road that lead to the sea, unique Welsh songwriter based in London Penniless Cove, is a vocalist and multi-instrumentalist that writes raw, affecting music drawing from a number of different genres.
The music obsessive shares ‘Too Tight’ – a weird and wonderful array of jazz, blues and folk.
Sounds like: Regina Spektor, Björk, Ibeyi, Alev Lenz, Kate Nash
Introducing Berklee graduate LANEY LYNX and her soulful take on electro-pop.
On the new single, ‘Bad Attitudes’, Laney has teamed up with songwriter Brooke Tomlinson about hitting it off with a dreamboat only to find out that his friends aren’t as down to earth as he’s made out he is.
Sounds like: Monogem, Dagny, Carly Rae Jepsen, HAIM, Sigrid, LÉON
French-American pop singer and songwriter Ariane speaks to champion the underdog. Combining Lorde’s dreamy and atmospheric vocals with the moody sound of Banks and Billie Eilish, Ariane creates a refuge for her listeners.
Ariane’s rhythms build up together with a simple drum kit toward a heavy bass/kind of solid drop highlighted with her smooth progressive voice.
Toronto based Tasha Angela is back with a new single entitled ‘Lost in Nostalgia’ in which she explores groovy productions mixed with tender vocals performance. ‘Lost in Nostalgia’ starts sharp with a minimalist approach that progresses smoothly and perfectly backed by Tasha’s beautiful voice.
‘A Little More’, is the dreamy new collaboration between singer-songwriter Amy Milner and producer Tim Larcombe (Lana Del Rey/Halsey).
The second track from a stunning forthcoming project, it’s a breathtaking piece of electronica that’s right at home among the likes of The Japanese House or Bon Iver. The track is accompanied by a visual, created from clips of Amy & Tim’s process recording the album, showcasing the depth and creative flair involved in their artistic process.
Sounds Like: The Japanese House, Luna Pines, James Blake, Bon Iver
DAD debuts her project with her new single ‘Alligator,’ with visuals from designers and illustrators Beverly Johnson & Cam Chan.
‘Alligator’ weaves lush instrumentation, catchy vocals hooks, and cheeky lyrical content as an ode to her ex-boyfriend, who, despite all his questionable actions, she still has to thank for leading her to Los Angeles.
Rising Swedish pop artist Ellen Krauss releases her brand new single ‘Let Me Have it’ through Tiller Inc. licensed to BMG Recorded Music.
An empowering stripped-back track about standing up to your oppressors and your inner demons, the song’s intro is calm. It features beautiful vocal progressions throughout and a guitar-based buildup, all the while reflecting Ellen’s strong and personal songwriting.
Sounds Like: Isak Danielson, Hov1, Smith & Thell, Carly Rae Jepsen, Tove Lo
Mental health is a hot topic at the moment, but we’ve never come across a musician exploring the science behind mental health. That is, until now.
Produced by Aaron Anktum at Ariel Studios, ‘Chemicals’ by Whosah is another slice of bold and refreshing indie-pop.
Speaking to the motivation behind Chemicals, lead singer Spencer Grimes shares,
“Chemicals is about trying to understand each other. It explores the mystery about how our mental wellness is an emotional and spiritual experience, while simultaneously being a physical and scientific one. Chemicals digs into the uncomfortable space between how our thoughts can be both explainable and unexplainable at the same time and pushes us to draw together in the midst of that loneliness and find our shared humanity, our “beautiful soul” “Call it science or magic, I need to know your heart, and be whatever it is.”
Sounds like: Imagine Dragons, Interpol, Walk On The Moon, Bleachers, MUNA, Chappo
Introducing Derbyshire-born Sophie Kilburn and her debut single ‘Indigo Fever’.
It’s a beautiful fiery alt-pop number that showcases Kilburn’s powerful songwriting with an anthemic backdrop – “How can you love your body, when nobody is loving you?”
Listen below.
Sounds like: KT Tunstall, Florence & The Machine, Angie McMahon, Emma McGrath, PJ Harvey, Jade Bird
Touring drummer for MØ and Major Lazer, Copenhagen-based Rasmus Littauer spends the majority of his time on the road. When he does get some rare downtime, he spends it writing and producing tracks for his solo project, School Of X.
His evocative synth single, ‘Write My Name’ is the final single release before his ‘Destiny’ EP, which takes us on a journey of leaving doubts behind and looking forward.
Indie music often alludes to themes of adolescence, but what happens when indie bands grow up? Should their songwriting not follow suit? Stranger Girl are the perfect example of that, they retain all the trademark sonic tropes but their songwriting addresses navigating love in their twenties, hoping to ‘Find The Humour’ post-breakup.
Listen below and check out the warm fuzzy guitars set the perfect backdrop for frontwoman Melissa’s Blondie-inspired pop-rock vocal melodies.
We’re not going to feel bad for digging a band that racks up similarities to The Killers and U2.
The band in question is vibrant Leeds-based The Chevin, and we can’t help but admire their nod to energetic, 90’s rock in the new single, ‘Big Machine’.
Sounds like: The Wombats, The Killers, INXS, Duran Duran, U2
Basement band Future Thieves is comprised of Nashville-based Elliot Collett (vocals, guitar, keys), Austin McCool (guitar), and Nick Goss (bass).
To say these guys have had a tough year is an understatement, yet they come back with the same pop ambition and handcrafted grit as before.
This musical strength is clear in new single ‘Get Up’.
Live
^ with The Weeks
Oct 15 New Orleans, LA @ Gasa Gasa ^
Oct 16 Houston, TX @ White Oak Music Hall ^
Oct 17 Austin, TX @ Antone’s Nightclub ^
Oct 18 San Antonio, TX @ The Rustic ^
Oct 19 Dallas, TX @ The Rustic ^
Oct 22 Denver, CO @ Bluebird Theater ^
Oct 24 Phoenix, AZ @ The Rebel Lounge ^
Oct 25 San Diego, CA @ The Irenic ^
Oct 26 Los Angeles, CA @ The Hi Hat ^
Oct 29 Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge ^
Oct 30 Boise, ID @ The Olympic Venue ^
Nov 1 Seattle, WA @ Columbia City Theater ^
Nov 3 Billings, MT @ Pub Station Taproom ^
Nov 5 Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court ^
Nov 7 Wichita, KS @ Wave – Indoor ^
Nov 9 St. Louis, MO @ Off Broadway ^
Expect the band’s upcoming EP, ‘Emotional Cost’, out on 22 November.
Sounds like: XY&O, Sea Girls, Brett, The Weeks, Hardcastle, Night Traveler, Local Natives, Hardcastle
London based alt-pop trio STIIR shares their upbeat new single ‘Heartstrings’.
Produced by the band’s drummer Prem Rupawala, the track – about the dilemas of love – is a delectable dish of psychedelic pop, making for a truly dreamy and warming listen.
Nottingham-based artist Blle is set for the bright lights of pop stardom.
Started out by writing songs in her bedroom, she soon saw herself performing in every venue she could. The most recent result of all her hard work and dedication is ‘Don’t Be Surprised’, written about the downfall of a relationship.
Los Angeles queer pop duo TWINKIDS share their second release of 2019 called ‘I Luv You.’
With their bittersweet, nostalgic and cinematic approach to music, the single explores the complicated feelings that follow a breakup in a mid-tempo, yet soaring synth-pop tune.
Sounds like: The 1975, Matt & Kim, Tame Impala, Oli Hannaford, Boxed In
London-based electro-pop duo SHiiVERS releases dark new offering, ‘Crook And Flail’.
Taking into account the crook and flail symbol used across Ancient Egypt, the song considers the unsettling impact of slavery and exploitation in Ancient, and perhaps, more Modern times.
The resurgance of R&B and soul sounds in pop music is well recieved across the board due to it’s multifaceted appeal, and Emily Litta is the perfect example of that.
Inspired by her love of old-school hip-hop, funk and jazz records, her inspirations perfectly collide on latest single ‘+1’.
Growing up in Sweden, surrounded by her Kurdish and very musical family, KELAA naturally gravitated to mixing the bold and sugary sounds of Scandipop with elements of traditional Kurdish folk – breaking new sonic grounds in the best way.
With this being her second single to date, expect this inspired artist to continue pushing boundaries.
With its luring bassline and nostalgic vocal-led melodies, ‘Honey Do List’ by Lonely Benson and Low Talker is a heavy, down-tempo and synthy Bossa Nova number.
Combined with the witty, introspective songwriting and instantly memorable melodies of Lonely Benson, the result is a truly collaborative output.
Sounds like: RAC, Goldroom, Tame Impala, Roosevelt
