Each week, we feature some fresh new releases from emerging and established talent from around the world, these are highlighted on our New Music Spotlight playlist on Spotify, but we also share a handful of artists in our round-up who are making waves.
You can read more features in our Music + Culture section.
Raveena – Asha’s Awakening
After performing at the first weekend of Coachella this past Friday, Raveena shares the self-directed video for her song “Love Overgrown.” Somewhere between animation and live-action, the visuals for “Love Overgrown” meet in a vibrant and prismatic alternate-world to show Raveena and her love interest, played by Salem Mitchell, move through the emotions of falling in and out of love. “Love Overgrown” is a track from Raveena’s recently released sophomore album Asha’s Awakening out now via Warner Records.
Raveena kicks off her North American headline tour dates this Sunday in Oakland. Supported by Fana Hues, the 19-date tour includes stops in Seattle, Denver, Toronto, New York City and Dallas before wrapping up in Los Angeles on May 29.
Asha’s Awakening is a 15-track concept album that tells the riveting tale of a space princess from ancient Punjab who, through a fantastic journey across the centuries, learns about love and loss, healing and destruction. Asha’s Awakening cascades through various musical eras for inspiration, melding the genre-defying influences of Alice Coltrane and Asha Puthli from the 60s and 70s with those of Timbaland, Missy Elliott and M.I.A from the early 2000s. Album contributors include Grammy-nominated producer, Rostam, as well as Vince Staples and the legendary Indian singer-songwriter herself, Asha Puthli. Asha’s Awakening features the previously released tracks “Mystery” which arrived with a performance video filmed as a part of Raveena’s collaboration with Billboard for their Honda Stage series, “Secret” featuring Vince Staples and “Rush,” about which Pitchfork stated, “Raveena brings a joyous curiosity to the forefront of her music and gives her imagination room to grow.”
Asha’s Awakening marks the first full-length offering from Raveena since her 2019 debut album Lucid, which them. said, “established Raveena as an emerging star” and thrust Raveena further into the conversation, showcasing her undeniable talent and multi-dimensionality as an artist by blending contemporary R&B with elements from the South Asian diaspora. Asha’s Awakening also follows 2020’s Moonstone EP and Raveena’s single “Tweety” released last year.
Julie Hicklin, Las Bibas From Vizcaya – Defender
With a variety of different soundscapes, as the track comes with three iconic remixes, Defender, a collaborative track from Las Bibas From Vizcaya and London-bases singer Julie Hicklin is designed for multi-dimensionality.
“Face the truth and say, you are not pretending…” sings Julie Hickin emotively on the tracks, delivering an assertive message as she expands with “I’m the heart’s defender…”
It’s clear that Julie knows who she is with the fierce soundscape and artwork, as she delivers a strong and cohesive message. We are obsessed with the Big Room 7″ Remix and the vocal design with epic orchestral hits.
Speaking on the meaning of the track Julie says it is “more than a nod to the 80s and 90s, [and] depicts the scene of a woman scorned via court room drama.”
Linda Bugatti – speak my mind
Immersing us with a vibrant synthscape, vocal details and a hybrid-drum&bass percussive vibe, we are mesmerized by Linda Bugatti‘s new single, speak my mind.
The result is a genre bending experience, which invites us to a sweet liberating escape, filled with luxurious harmonies juxtaposed with lo-fi elements, that delivers a transcendental experience.
speak my mind tells the story of expressing one’s true thoughts and being authentic with yourself and those close to you. The rising artist from Stockholm expands, that is is about “releasing control over others perception of you and indulging in being your truest self.”
Speaking on the track, Linda says, “I’m really excited to share this new sound from me, as I’m still developing my sound and continue to create whatever moves me, I hope you feel its ease and release”.
Maria Pellicano – You Carry Me
“When I’m weak you make me strong” sings Maria Pellicano on her latest release, You Carry Me which features elegant vocals and a vulnerable, yet uplifting message.
The Melbourne, Australia based singer and songwriter has delivered an emotive, optimistic and spiritual song that references the human condition, connection with a higher power and life’s challenges.
Speaking on the track, the rising artist says, “To me, Carry Me is to believe that it’s not the end of the road.. that we’re supported.. if you believe and you reach out; if you ask, you will receive.. leaving you with a sense of being carried and lifted through your hard times.”
We love the song and the message and have been exploring Maria’s wider discography including Cover Me and Forever and Ever!
PinkPanthress – Where you are (feat. WILLOW)
BBC Sound of 2021 winner PinkPanthress has teamed up with WILLOW on her latest single, Where you are. With a sound aligned with what first made PinkPanthress break through, the track features her signature soft vocals and atmospheric cutesy sound as WILLOW delivers a more emo edge.
The video for the TikTok sensation and Hollywood royalty is an epic adventure directed by BRTHR!
Kyla Tilley – Bloom and Grow
With a sensual guitar and intricate vocal delivery, we are hypnotized by Kyla Tilley‘s latest single, Bloom and Grow.
Speaking on the track, Kyla describes the opus as “A letter to your inner child, Bloom and Grow urges the listener to let go of regrets, fears, and worries, and go out there and live the way they want to live.”
We love the rising artist’s inspiring message laced with hope and optimism for a better collective future. Kyla Tilley is a Canadian singer-songwriter known for her intimate and emotionally turbulent live performances, her gymnastic guitar playing, and “her fabulous shoe collection”.
Inspired by everything from the sacred to the mundane she writes sometimes sad, often funny, occasionally disconcerting, songs which rarely rhyme. She lives in the woods of Newfoundland & Labrador and has spent the pandemic writing these songs on Twitch.
We have also been exploring her wider discography including Curmudgeon, Swimsuit & Axe and Patron of the Arts.
Ringo Harrison – 8
We last featured the brilliant Ringo Harrison for his cinematic opus, Line 4. Today, the rising artist from Pennsylvania has released his song titled, 8.
Featuring a vibrant and pulsating beat that expands into a trap-esque frequency with bright synthetic details, we love the dimensional vibe that Ringo has created with the release.
Ringo cites People Under the Stairs, NOFX, Frank Zappa, JPEGMAFIA and System of a Down as his diverse influences, we feel more of this energy come to life on 8.
The bright notes in the song remind us of Nicki Minaj’s Beez in the Trap, and the composition could once again score the emerging producer synch deals and commercial opportunities.
Markus Blue – Already Blue
Giving us a power-pop, retro energy, we are love the mesmerizing new song from Markus Murphy, titled Already Blue.
Opening with the vulnerable lyrics, “Want you to know now that I was a fool…”, the song has an introspective yet sunny disposition with bright and vibrant instrumentation including a dimensional horns.
Inspired by Motown and created by Markus and his band of jazz slayers in Montreal, we love the instrumentation which features strings, Latin percussion, rhodes keys, vocals and a backbeat rhythm section in addition to the exquisite and memorable horns.
The song has a chilled yet optimistic energy and was mixed and mastered by industry legend Paul Mahern. We have also been exploring Markus’ wider discography including ROLLING and his EP, Crashing Waves.