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.
Sky Ferreira – Don’t Forget
Critically-acclaimed, multi-dimensional artist Sky Ferreira makes a stunning return with Don’t Forget – her first new single since 2019’s Downhill Lullaby. The new track offers a tantalizing glimpse into her forthcoming album Masochism, which ranked in the top five of Stereogum’s most anticipated albums of 2022. Sky produced Don’t Forget with longtime collaborator Jorge Elbrecht at Capitol’s historic Studio B in Hollywood, CA.
Don’t Forget features assertive and raw lyricism that comments on the state of reality and the human condition, whilst Sky insists emotively that she won’t forget and doesn’t forgive. We love the production, soundscape and Sky’s delivery and can see this as the start of a refined new era for her, in line with her recent appearance at the MET Gala.
Next month will also see Sky playing a string of highly anticipated live shows, kicking off at Primavera Porto, before heading to Primavera Barcelona and culminating in a headline show at Grace Jones’ Meltdown Festival in London on June 16th.
M.I.A. – The One
Groundbreaking global trailblazer M.I.A. returns with a brand-new track titled The One. Produced by Rex Kudo & T-Minus, ‘The One’ signifies a compelling new era for the multi-talented artist and activist, who remains one of the most captivating and innovative creators of a generation. The track comes with confirmation that a new album titled MATA is on the way.
Delivering a pop-trap fusion with M.I.A.‘s signature vocal production and delivery, we love the nostalgic elements and the overall soundscape.
Undoubtedly, one of the most important and potent multi-medium artists of this millennium, M.I.A’s career spans 5 studio albums, international performances, multiple sold-out world tours, GRAMMY® and Academy Award recognition, while continuously pushing the boundaries of digital and ideological possibilities.
Karen Harding – Not About Angels
We recently featured Australia’s Karen Harding as she bared her soul on her single, Something Special, so we were thrilled to have the chance to review her latest release, Not About Angels.
Setting the tone with passionate key-work on the piano, Karen opens with emotive and atmospheric vocals, whilst she delivers a poetic and soaring performance.
Speaking on the meaning of the track, Karen says, “Not About Angels has always meant a lot to me. Lyrically, the song is ambiguous, however to me it represents the space, or limbo between holding onto something, or someone, you love from your past, and taking the step towards something for your future.”
“Sometimes, we long to hang on to those things that we love, but those things can often hold us back from moving forward to amazing things that the future holds for us”, concludes the rising artist.
Stay tuned for Karen Harding’s upcoming debut EP release, due to be announced over the coming months.
Frank Joshua – Loneliest Place In The World
We recently featured enigmatic artist Frank Joshua for his profound, cerebral and emotive masterpiece, Sense Life, so we were thrilled to hear that he had just released one of our favourite tracks from the record, Loneliest Place in the World, as a single! We loved it so much that we added it to our New Music Spotlight playlist when we first heard the album.
Loneliest Place in the World opens with an intricate piano protagnist in the rain (we also see a waterfall in the visual), with engaging and textured percussion which keeps us moving along with the mysterious artist’s profound visual brand of storytelling, and saxophone details that further dimensionalize the track.
Lyrical highlights include the cosmic “I can dream around music
and distort the whole universe I can”, and the incredible hook “This could be the Loneliest Place in the World“, which can be perceived in a multitude of ways, but certainly as a connection with source.
The song comes with a cinematic visual by Diego Monfredini, further amplifying the meaning and evocative vibe of the composition.
Indoor Friends – I Hate It Here
Setting the tone with a pop punk frequency with vibrant electric guitars, serving nostalgia in tone and futurism in clarity, Indoor Friends open their new single I Hate It Here with the existential lyrics, “Every single day, I wake up depressed cos the world is bleak and my life’s a mess…”
Expanding with solution driven introspection, I Hate It Here is an anthem that comments on recent times where “the events happening around the world are dragging people into the darkness”.
Elaborating on their message, Indoor Friends say, “The lyrics express a strong disappointment fuelled by the fact that even if everyday life offers a chance to do the right thing people tend to be selfish and mean.”
Graham Turner, Elle Cato – Out of the Darkness
Immersing us with an astral vocal texture, the sound of tides and a magnetic dance beat, Graham Turner and Elle Cato open their collaborative single, Out of the Darkness with atmospheric and transcendental vocals.
The story of the song is very unique as it reflects on the trauma of Graham losing his sight two years ago, and for catharsis and healing, he has created Out of Darkness which is an anthem about coming through adversity.
Speaking on working with his collaborator, Graham says, “What I’m particularly stoked about, apart from even being able to see again, is the fact that this song features the amazing vocals of Ms Elle Cato.
Graham cites Van Morrison, Robbie Williams, Anastasia as references for the song, although it is clear that Graham and Elle are creating a sound of their own. He will be donating half of any sales proceeds to the Local Sight Charity who helped him through his darkest of days.
Maddisun – Don’t Say No
Entwined with a dreamy 80s synthscape and rolling drums, Maddisun opens her single, Don’t Say No with the lyrics, “I’ve been trying to back down, I’ve been trying to get out…”
The song expands to deliver an optimistic message about “saying YES to life and it’s crazy opportunities.”
Speaking about the creative process of Don’t Say No, Maddisun shares, “I travelled to LA to record this song with PSY Sound records. After feeling like I got a million no’s from the universe, I decided to say yes. I was manifesting greatness and feeling in my power.”
The result is a profound and positive, uplifting bop with a bright indie pop vibe with a driving beat. Maddisun adds, “This song will make you want to cruise around at night with your friends, walk around in ur fav jeans, and just inspire you to take a chance on yourself.”
Don’t Say No is the first single from Maddisun‘s upcoming album Home is Where the Music is.
Akso Heart – Not Easy
With enigmatic textures and celestial details, we are already hypnotized by Akso Heart‘s new single, Not Easy. The rising artist based in London opens with, “It’s not easy seeing all your dreams ahead, it’s not easy doing something else instead…”
With a dimensional bass and a progressive alternative R&B meets trap soundscape, Not Easy delves into the difficult theme of being one’s true self.
Speaking on his creation, Akso Heart, who has already garnered airplay on BBC Radio London says, “Changing your perspective is always challenging. My past singles have looked at stepping beyond one’s comfort zone, accepting and loving change, and changing one’s social circle.
He continues, “Not Easy is about the mental hurdles we face when going on these journeys. We might accept the principles and concepts of self-improvement, but the process is never simple. That’s where this song takes place, the restless nights, the disapproval from the outside world – It’s difficult but sometimes you need to say that out loud to move forward.”