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.
Khasaia – Surround Sound
With pulsing baselines, luscious vocals, poetic prowess, infectious and exquisite production, West Londoner, Khasaia has released her debut EP, Surround Sound. The release follows her recent single, What I Do 4 U which served as the lead single from the record. She just hosted a listening party (and early birthday party) in London, where she played the EP in full for friends and fans, to much success.
We love Khasaia‘s charisma and nods to 2000s R&B in aesthetic and her sonic universe. Fans of TLC, Destiny’s Child, Janet Jackson, Doja Cat and Normani will definitely be able to connect with Khasaia‘s sound, though she is certainly creating a vibe of her own.
With dance breaks and breathy vocals, we can’t wait to see the EP performed live, and there is no doubt that Khasaia proves her songwriting, vocal arrangement and collaborative-production ability to be of mind-blowing quality. Khasaia is also driven by the desire to represent the power of South Asian women in music. We have added What I Do 4 U to our New Music Spotlight playlist, whilst we stream the EP on repeat!
Sevdaliza – Woman Life Freedom
Dutch-Iranian experimental pop artist Sevdaliza, who was born in Tehran, has shared Woman Life Freedom, a new song that was written “in support of women in Iran”, according to a press statement.
Speaking directly about the song, Sevdaliza says:
I wrote a song for oppressed women around the world.
I stand proud as an Iranian woman and I am supporting the fight of my sisters who shed their blood, hair, hearts and brains to give us all the hope, that one day, we will be free.
At a young age I became aware of the systematic means of forcing women into obedience through violence and intimidation.
To persuade women that their minds, bodies, and freedom do not belong to them.
Our humanity demands we stand up against the oppression of women. Now. And forever.
We must continue to speak up and fight institutions that condone oppression, violence and murder. We must face the people that deny the dignity and respect for all of us women. We are so tired of being told how to be, what to be.
FEAR OF MARKO – Blood For Tears
Rising legend, FEAR OF MARKO has just re-released his single, Blood for Tears. Originally debuted under his former identity, FEAR OF MARKO channels a powerful and emotive pop punk edge on the track as he sings introspectively, “I’m worried that I might have, a psychopathic moment…”
We love his charm and ability to create excellent hooks and his dynamic performance style. It has been great to see him perform live recently all over the UK, building recognition and expanding his identity.
FEAR OF MARKO just announced his upcoming EP, Violent Ends, out November 30th, and featuring five songs including Sting! and Dizzy!
Biig Piig – This Is What They Meant
With her debut mixtape Bubblegum due on 20 January, Biig Piig just shared her latest single This Is What They Meant.
Speaking on the track, she confesses that it is about “experiencing the city through someone else’s eyes, and wanting to stay in that moment regardless of the consequences.” We love the dimensional and immersive nature of the production, cohesively intertwined with Biig Piig‘s expansive vocals.
Harmony: Lokah Samastah – Sarves Thiru
Drawing us in with elegant flute and immersive keys, Sarves Thiru takes us on a transcendental journey as she sings affirmative words of expansion and knowledge in Sanskrit and English.
We immediately appreciate the auric soundscape that Sarves Thiru creates with her divine vocals, and the connected energy that she delivers with her universal, magnetic sound.
The Sanskrit words Lokah Samastah Sukinho Bhavantu comprise one of the most popular chants in modern times. Translated into English, the words mean May All Beings (Everywhere) Be Happy and Free. The composition is Sarves Thiru‘s second single, and the mantra is designed to bring healing and awareness of one’s place in the world. She tells us, “The intention behind this song is to spread the message of peace and harmony. It is suitable for relaxing, easy listening, healing, yoga and meditation.”
We appreciate the depth and purpose that Sarves Thiru shares with her artistry, and have added Harmony: Lokah Samastah to our New Music Spotlight playlist whilst we also stream her debut, Guru Brahma!
MADAME NEPTUNE – The Ghost in Me
Enveloping us with a psychedelic synth and immersive guitars, MADAME NEPTUNE open The Ghost in Me with mesmerizing vocals and astral lyricism as they take us on a cerebral and immersive journey.
The instrumental segments are out of this world, we love the guitar and the marching drums which deliver intrigue and dimensionality to the already authentic trip that MADAME NEPTUNE are taking us on.
Speaking on the release, the duo from Germany tell us, “The Ghost in Me is something more dramatic, theater-like song, like Tim Burton having a female fronted rock band, that goes up touring with ghost.” We love the analogy, and the metaphorical depth that they create with. The Ghost in Me has been added to our New Music Spotlight playlist, whilst we explore more from the celestial pair.
Adri-Anne Ralph – Make Me Feel
Immersing us with luscious synth notes and a meditative soundscape, Adri-Anne Ralph opens Make Me Feel with metaphorical lyricism and atmospheric vocals.
We appreciate the escapism and adventurous prose, which showcases Adri-Anne Ralph romantic tendencies, whilst allowing her soaring vocals to command us. Fans of Aaliyah and H.E.R. will definitely be able to connect with Make Me Feel.
The narrative style story telling is relatable and charming, and we appreciate the dynamic sonic landscape and Adri-Anne Ralph‘s exquisite vocal timbre.
Speaking on the release of Make Me Feel, Adri-Anne Ralph confesses, “I wrote this song back in 2018, and I wanted to to be a feel-good song about how first love makes you feel, like the two of you are on a brand new adventure and that anything could happen.” The intention definitely came to life and we are transfixed!
Louis and the Shakes – TIME HAS COME
We recently featured Louis and the Shakes for their powerful and thought-provoking new single, TRAILBLAZR, so when we heard that they had released the brand new, TIME HAS COME, we couldn’t wait to experience it!
Setting the tone with a luscious and dimensional indie-rock soundscape, Louis and the Shakes open TIME HAS COME with the lyrics, “I know what you’re thinking, cry me a river, when there’s cracks in the mirror, the end feels like it’s getting nearer…”
The composition expands into a vibrant and fierce energy that fans of Placebo and Arctic Monkey would be able to connect with. We love the poetic prowess and the minimalist middle eight is simply of this world. The meditative silence that we deserve before Louis uses his enchanting vocals to rebuild the track and slay the final reprise!
We learn that TIME HAS COME depicts the biographical experiences of lead singer, Louis’ mental health issues as he clambered out of the darkness of lockdown. He says, “I wanted to write a song about overcoming demons, facing them head on, staying strong. Writing an empowering song for people out there that deal with mental health.”
Aisha J – Cool Girl
Setting the mood with intricate guitar and atmospheric vocals, Aisha J opens Cool Girl with the assertive lyrics, “You like when I listen, though I never really get a word in…”
The opus expands into an emotive and authentic journey as Aisha J shares her perspective on a romantic connection. Speaking on the release, the rising artist from London confesses, “It’s a soulful condemnation of male validation, and women being forced to become shells of their former selves for the appeasement of men.”
She adds with depth and introspection, “Writing this song put me through some tough self-reflection and improvement, and all I can hope is that it can to the same for every other woman who listens to it.”
We appreciate Aisha J vocal range, the poetic nuance that she creates with and her perspective on love, and have added Cool Girl to our New Music Spotlight playlist, whilst we stream her brand new EP, day in the life, in full!
stiLLbe, Rebecca Meagher – I’ll Be Alright
Drawing us in with immersive keys, stiLLbe and Rebecca Meagher open I’ll Be Alright with an emotive vocal performance as Rebecca sings, “When everything I thought I wanted just tears me apart…”
The power ballad expands with intensity to create an empowering opus with a cinematic vibe, and nostalgia for some of the most iconic ballads from the 80s. We learn that I’ll Be Alright is designed to encourage us “to find the strength to move on and brings the message of hope even if you are encountering major upsets and your life is falling apart.”
We appreciate the intention of the piece, and the dynamic vocal performance and harmonies from Rebecca Meagher, whilst stiLLbe build and iconic soundscape with epic strings and textured drums. We have added I’ll Be Alright to our New Music Spotlight playlist!
Golden Richards – Will I Be Cool
Establishing the mood with indie-rock guitars, Golden Richards opens Will I Be Cool with the lyrics, “Will you be there tonight? I’m not feeling alright…” and an emotive edge.
The piece evolves into a dynamic and vibrant pop-punk meets alternative rock energy as Golden Richards take us on an introspective journey, with relatable, situational lyricism and charm. We learn that the song is about lead singer Gil Golden’s first experience when a girl told him that she liked him, and he was not sure what to do but wanted to “be cool”.
Golden Richards cite Cheap Trick, the Cars, Sloan, and Fountains of Wayne as some of their influences, although it is clear that they are crafting a universe of their own. The band, based in Chicago, just played the 2022 International Pop Overthrow Festival in April, and we can only imagine how great it muse be to experience Will I Be Cool live.
We love the tangible authenticity demonstrated by the band and have added Will I Be Cool to our New Music Spotlight playlist.
Bartosch McCarthy – Zeigarnik
Drawing us in with a question and answer style melody between a plucked bass and keys, Bartosch McCarthy opens Zeigarnik with a dimensional neoclassical energy. Strings envelope us further as the emotional identity of the composition is unveiled. This marks the artists debut release, and we learn that Bartosch McCarthy recorded the opus with the Budapest Film Orchestra’s string section. It is the first release from his upcoming EP Latitude North, which will be released one track at a time over the following months.
Zeigarnik comes with a powerful and emotive music video directed by filmmaker Justin Suttles, starting with cinematic scenes of a woman getting on a train, capturing her emotions and then a series of subjects each with their own profound backstory, reacting to camera.
We appreciate the depth and emotive nature of Bartosch McCarthy‘s debut and have added Zeigarnik to our New Music Spotlight playlist.
Clay Joule – Memories
Kicking off with a luscious 80s-style electric guitar, Clay Joule draws us in with charm and nostalgia as he opens his single, Memories. With reflective lyricism, Clay takes us on a raw and authentic journey laced with introspection.
What stands out is his profound gratitude and poetic nuance. Memories holds the message, “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” We appreciate the sense of wisdom that the opus holds.
We learn that it was created with the intention to serve as a timely reminder that “our lives are shaped by the people and experiences we’ve had, whether or not those experiences end up going the way we had hoped.” We have added Memories to our New Music Spotlight playlist, whilst we explore, Clay’s wider discography.