Rising indie-rock talent Peri Rae kicks off 2025 with her electrifying new single, Are We Friends? – a raw and energetic anthem that delves into the conflicts of toxic friendships. Blending explosive drums, shimmering indie-rock inspired instrumentals, and her strikingly emotive vocals, Peri delivers a track that is as personal as it is universally relatable.
‘Are We Friends?’ is available now on your streaming service of choice via APOLLO Distribution.
Jordan Venn and the Slizneys has been a band in Toronto for over 20 years. Formed first when Jordan moved to Toronto in 2003, the band is comprised of fantastic musicians from all over Canada. They have played numerous shows around the Toronto area and have charted on Satellite Radio earning the Verge’s Fresh Five top spot.
Their current main focus is on producing interesting and eclectic concept records. They currently have four studio albums, the most recent being M@GIC W*RDS. This rock work is an homage to the grunge era of the early 90s and more specifically the wonderful summer of 1994.
For this record the Slizneys whittled down to a trio style format. It features Tyler Emond (Alessia Cara, Hylia), Trevor Falls (Miles Jones, Brad Turner), and Devon Henderson (Vallens, Megan Bonnell), and Jordan Venn.
Philadelphia-based indie rock quartet Mo Lowda & the Humble announce their spirited, sweeping fifth studio album Tailing The Ghost due out June 20 and available for pre-save now. Recorded entirely on the road across America’s most scenic settings, the spellbinding LP promises to be the band’s most commanding, cohesive body of work yet. The project’s first taste arrives today with “Canary,” out now–a melodic, atmospheric tune that sinks into the nerves of a promising new love alongside its matching vibrant animated music video.
Alongside the big news, the group announces a lengthy North American tour this summer and fall, with support from French Cassettes and Illiterate Light and a slew of festival appearances at Boston Calling, Green River and more. See a full list of dates below and find tickets this Friday, February 14 via molowda.com.
The highly anticipated forthcoming fifth studio album, Tailing The Ghost, was written fully on the road with four members setting up their instrument stations in a circle, facing each other and working through the arrangements in real time between home-cooked meals, poker games, and movie viewings. Breathtaking views in Joshua Tree, Lake Travis, TX, Colorado and Tennessee inspired its magnetic sound–the arrangements vary from sparse and spacious like the California desert, glistening like various lakes to lush and sweeping like the Rocky Mountains–taking on the energy of the environments in which they were created.
Jeff Lucci (bass, guitar, keyboard, vocals) explains, “More spontaneity, gut and sense of self assurance was embodied in my approach to writing and recording this record than any other.” The album captures who they each were in the moment, fleeting and on the move, which pushed them to record tightly and quickly. Lucci adds, “It inspired confidence–the cocktail of quickly writing something and recording it rid the band of self-doubt.” The warmth of their true camaraderie is heard in the gang vocals throughout, and each melody lingers long after each track ends.
JAY1 stands as a transformative force in the U.K. rap scene, captivating audiences with his powerful lyrics and irresistible charm. Hailing from North London, his ascent to fame skyrocketed after the release of “Your Mrs,” which climbed to the 18th position on the U.K. charts. His latest project, Sorry I’m Late, showcases his undeniable talent, highlighted by the infectious single “Prettier.”
“Prettier” is an Afroswing gem led in production by KVRIM (Chris Brown, Fridayy) exemplifies JAY1‘s unique ability to create something truly special. Rich instrumentation intertwines seamlessly with his captivating rap-sung verses, bringing the song’s essence to life. As the song unfolds, drums infuse an island flair into the rhythm, while JAY1’s vocals enthrall listeners with the memorable hook: “Cuz she always gettin’ prettier… Getting finer, bad gyal, fire… Girl, you bring the heat like a lighter… And ya’ always gettin’ prettier.”
Singapore-born, New York-based artist Kyle Waves has established himself as a notable new arrival within the Asian and queer communities of his generation. Kyle is influenced by the works of both Eastern and Western artists such as Lexie Liu, Troye Sivan, NewJeans, and Tinashe, and has delivered a variety of synth-heavy and vocal forward tracks in the pop, R&B, and house genres.
In his music, Kyle explores the multiple and often complicated sides of love, loss, and friendship that many can resonate with. Paired with over a decade of singing and dance training, he is able to deliver strong choreographed routines to align with his up-tempo tracks and a variety of music video concepts that have helped to further highlight the narrative that unfolds through his lyricism and production.
Kyle’s music has been featured on the OutLoud Radio Show, received multiple entries on the aBreak48 Radio Chart, and has been spun on 987FM in Singapore. Kyle’s music also served as the basis for “Going to the Top,” a play presented at The Tampa International Fringe Festival.
Canadian musician Keegan Powell makes songs that explore the mystery of pain, the release of demons and how through it all, life actually may be some kind of miracle. Start with the lofi experimental EP’s from 2019 ‘Is+Was’ and ‘Headspun’, doused in reverb, guitar solos and electronic drums.
Lines from songs like ‘All That Is and Ever Was’ describes the mundane process through one’s day ‘Can’t quite decide how to pass the time/Forever on call to be great’ On ‘Previous Pain’ from 2022, Powell melancholically sings ‘Tonight everybody wants you/To be a star and sit upon your throne’ Foretelling if anything, the record garnered his first bout of serious airplay, racking up five radio single rotations on SiriusXM Radio.
The soothing acoustic howls that made Powell’s sophomore record,‘Fear Be Gone’, a college radio staple across North America proves something very clear-Powell has never stayed in one spot artistically. Not because he doesn’t want to, but because he is incapable of it. If evidence of this is his past work, Alien Radio is the sentencing in which nails his hand to the coffin.
In 2024 Powell released “Alien Radio” a compilation album composed of tracks previously released and unreleased from Powell’s archive, spanning across several separate recordings from the years 2016-2019. The tracks are a glimpse into an artist trying to overreach his ability and achieving it, only to forget about it altogether. Unearthed years later, what remains is an ultimate companion piece to his current released work. The results are crystal clear pop songs in the guise of quarter life angst that make for some of the most exciting rock music heard this decade.
After playing and touring throughout 2024, Powell has unleashed his live band “Keegan Powell and The Jetpacks”. With their first and unabashedly fierce display of live showmanship, the two song EP opens with 2019’s “Beginning Of Life” from ‘Is+Was’, closing with 2023’s “My Maker” from ‘Fear Be Gone’. The band weaves through eccentricities that any classic rock band has displayed, while being firmly rooted in the modern howl cries of the 21st century.
GRAMMY®-nominated, multi platinum Hip Hop superstar Coi Leray formally announces her new partnership with Epic Records today with the release of her brand new EP, What Happened to Forever, available now.
The five-track EP, marks Coi’s first new project since May 2024’s Lemon Cars.
Stream the What Happened to Forever EP today.
Genre-defying artist Empara Mi returns with her brand new single ‘I Can’t’, a heartbreak anthem that blends poignant lyrics, soaring melodies, and ethereal production. A haunting exploration of love and loss, the track captures the aching beauty of grief, setting the stage for her upcoming album ‘Monsters & Masochists’, and ultimately preparing the ground for her boldest, most vulnerable era yet.
Discussing her new single, Empara Mi said: “I didn’t realise I was foreshadowing my own fate when I first wrote this song. The mere thought of losing the thing I loved the most was enough inspiration for me to write that day, just for it to actualise right after, in a very cruel life imitates art kind of way. I wanted this song to be the first chapter in a much bigger story, as it very much opened the door for me to go to hell and back and everywhere in between when writing the album.”
Showcasing herself as a visionary artist who sees music not just as sound, but as an all-encompassing sensory experience, Empara Mi sets the bar high with her latest offering. Her ability to shift effortlessly between styles, from soul-stirring ballads to electrifyingly raw compositions, exhibits her as one of the most unique voices of her generation. Beyond the music, Empara Mi expertly tells sonic stories, creating vivid, cinematic landscapes that both challenge and inspire.
Designed as an emotional odyssey, Empara Mi’s upcoming album is an intentional narrative where each song plays a vital role in an overarching story. ‘Monsters & Masochists’ is set to display the artist’s daring fusion of heavy indie soundscapes and theatrical ballads, further solidifying her reputation as one of the most innovative voices around.
Australian drill collective ONEFOUR taps British pop superstar Mabel for “Phone Call” – dropped alongside an incendiary music video directed by the prolific creative duo Don Prod (Central Cee, Lil Yachty, Unknown T).
Battling love, loyalty and temptation on the roads between London and Mount Druitt, ONEFOUR’s expressive approach across “Phone Call” continues to elevate their artistic evolution and integrity in the drill landscape. With sleek, vibrant undertones contrasted only by the heavy-set basslines, the collective quickly lays groundwork with intricate wordplay before Mabel joins the fold with stunning vocal harmonies as she
pleads; ‘I wanna love you // And treat you right.’ Reworking Bob Marley’s lyrics from the iconic record “Is This Love”, the two reminisce on intimate moments that left their affirmations in disarray, clashing desire and broken trust at the heart of their turbulent lifestyles.
Holding significant weight across international spaces since their recent collaboration “GANG TIES” (watch) with drill pioneer Headie One, ONEFOUR continues to connect with some of the UK’s hottest talents right now including Nemzzz on “SPINNIN” (watch), further viral status earned across Segway’s official remix (listen), and the return of Abra Cadabra on “MOVIE” (watch). Collecting 17M+ streams on Spotify alone and serious acclaim across WONDERLAND, COLORS, CLASH, VIPER and more, ONEFOUR also delivered key performances last year supporting The Kid Laroi (watch) and their highly anticipated debut headline show in Central Coast. An immense moment for the collective defiant in the face of police’s efforts to stop them at all costs, in a story reminiscent of our very own Giggs or further back, iconic US rappers N.W.A.
Bristol-based indie-rock powerhouse HUNNY BUZZ are back and bolder than ever with their electrifying new EP, Growing Pains – a collection of music that captures the polarising duality of human nature perfectly in an indie-pop melancholy yet bubbly style.
Growing Pains is available now on all streaming services, distributed via Apollo.
Listen to Growing Pains below:
Continuing their enduring journey from releasing their first EP, to adventuring the grounds of Europe on tour Hunny Buzz are yet to strike their charm again; with a refreshing collection of tracks on their second EP, Growing Pain. Whether resonating with painful and loving friendships or naive and youthful romantic relationships, there is something for everybody to take away from these ear-grabbing tracks.
The EP features fan-favourite tracks Chess Game, Nice Guy and the recent single Maisy, alongside three brand-new releases – Blistered, Hush Hush and Blue. While the earlier tracks set the tone with punchy melodies, the new releases drive the band’s sound forward with a bold, dynamic energy and confidence.
Email:neill@outloudculture.com
Socials: @neillfrazer
