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.
SE.V.EN – Poison
Rising Australia and London based artist, SE.V.EN just released her music video for Poison to tease her upcoming era, with a new single set to drop on 7 July.
The visual is a high end and subversive adventure directed by Louis Mackay and featuring an iconic cast. The story sees our protagonist, SE.V.EN entangled with live serpents, experiencing a hedonistic night in line with the lyrical themes of the song, driving through the city and a vibrant performance scene inspired by The 5th Element.
Speaking on the release, SE.V.EN says with wisdom, “I wanted to juxtapose the duality that lives in all of us. Shadow and Light. Poison is about the battle within; between the decisions we wish we made vs the stronghold our desires may have.”
She continues, “How one tiny decision in a night can lead you on a path of destruction. It was my cry to close the gap between both ends of the spectrum and finding balance and harmony in existence.”
FKA twigs – Killer
After performing it during her “Tiny Desk (Home) Concert,” FKA twigs has officially released her new single “Killer.” She wrote the song with Jimmy Napes, Amanda Ghost, and Jonny Coffer. The track is produced by FKA twigs and Jonny Coffer and has additional production by El Guincho.
In a statatement, FKA twigs said:
“It’s dangerous to be a woman in love”—when at its worst the effects of heart break can define one’s trajectory much more than the beauty of the love itself, in my song “Killer” I explore this concept. The navigation, the hunt and the kill. The death of promises, dreams and the future that was once promised. But like the wildest plucked roses, I find myself more beautiful delicately wilted, in shadow, forced solace, darkened at the edges and achingly thirsting to be tended to again.
Joe Pope – When The Wind Blows (feat. Lucia)
Setting the tone with intricate bells and glistening acoustic guitar, Joe Pope opens When The Wind Blows with the emotive lyrics, “Echoes down the hall with a bitter sweet nostalgia, guess that goes to show that I haven’t yet forgot you…“
The song expands into an acoustic country-folk frequency. Speaking on When The Wind Blows, Joe Pope tells us, “This is a song about the ghosts that we love. I wrote it about my folks who both passed too soon. It seems when I least expect it, they wander into my thoughts and I even see them in myself.”
The rising artist from Atlanta picks out the lyrics, “when the wind blows open the door, I wonder if it was you just saying hello, and when the wind blows open the door I wonder if you’re home“, as those that really sum up the message of the song for him.
We appreciate Joe Pope‘s vulnerability on the song and have added it to our New Music Spotlight playlist.
The ROLF – Looks Like Shimmering
Establishing a mood with enigmatic layered guitars and immersive drums, The ROLF opens Looks like Shimmering with the situational lyrics, “You and I, we’ve been like this now, watching skies, go sliding by….”
The song expands into a melodic and nostalgic alternative rock frequency recounting tales of the human condition. Speaking on the release, The ROLF tell us that Looks like Shimmering is “mainly about the everyday struggle. Sometimes you’re up, sometimes down and sometimes, what looks like a real disaster from a distance could be a blessing in disguise.”
The ROLF tend to sing about the theme of alienation, so Looks like Shimmering fits perfectly into their sonic universe. They cite themes of “Love, Hate, the ever expanding Universe, good coffee and Peggy Lee” as their influences. We love the energy and passion that they bring to life with their sound and the guitar solo is out of this world.
Maya Yenn – Better Luck Next Time
We recently featured Maya Yenn when she released her epic sci-fi video for How Much Sadness Can You Swallow?, so we were thrilled to hear that Better Luck Next Time had just come out!
Setting the tone with layered vocal ooohs, fused with cosmic textures as she sings the situational lyrics, “The pill has worn off, burning a hole in my screen, burning a hole in my screen…”
Maya Yenn tells us that “Better Luck Next Time is written from the perspective of a young man who has prioritised his career above everything else, so much so, he’s still trying to get a report out while his plane is going down. It’s a disturbing analogy for for hustle culture, burnout and the consequences of climate change set to the backdrop of buoyant, playful pop.”
We love the empowering lyrics, “I’m gonna speak my mind, blue sky thinking too…” and it is no surprise that Maya has already amassed over 50,000 streams from two singles, has recorded a BBC Home Session and her latest music video has been selected for the British Independent Film Festival.
HASZNAT – ADRENALINE
We recently featured HASZNAT for his music video and debut single, REAL ROTTWEILER, so we were thrilled to hear the rising star just dropped ADRENALINE.
A diversion from the darker, more atmospheric sound of their rambunctious debut single, ADRENALINE, produced by Yusha is a brighter energy and hyperpop adjacent.
It also comes with a remix entitled ADRENALINE (NIGHTCORE EDITION) which is produced by Klaudio Mati, which both contrasts and compliments the A-Side with tailored elements of EDM and Electropunk.