emerging London and Paris-based singer, songwriter, and producer, Sweet Maxime shares her brand-new single Rubies & Sapphires – a captivating track that beautifully blends indie-pop influences with a haunting, soulful delivery. A strong introduction to 2025, the track highlights Maxime’s strong vocal control and piano skills, creating a timeless, mellow acoustic ballad. Rubies & Sapphires is available now on your streaming service of choice via APOLLO Distribution.
BERRIES have released the official video for their power-pop tune ‘Narrow Tracks’, taken from their self-titled sophomore album, ‘BERRIES’, which arrived in the autumn of last year.
WATCH “NARROW TRACKS” VIDEO HERE || ORDER THE ALBUM ‘BERRIES’ HERE
In their new video for “Narrow Tracks”, Berries splice fuzzy live footage together with shots of lead vocalist Holly Carter ripping up jigsaws, devouring books backwards, and walking the pavement like a tightrope in her crimson Converse. Each shot reflects the indecision and doubt that runs throughout the song’s lyrics, with many playing in reverse or at an unnatural speed.
“Doubts tingle with the facts, like passing trains on narrow tracks,” the band sing as the video cuts to live shots of the band performing at their BBC Introducing session earlier this year. The new release also acts as a lyric video, layering handwriting-style text over each shot.
The band explain the themes of the song:
“‘Narrow Tracks’ is a song for anyone who struggles with OCD. It speaks of those tingling doubts, the constant stream of dark thoughts and the longing to be able to do the simplest of tasks, but ultimately it’s an optimistic track. It’s about fighting back and finding strength to keep those thoughts at bay.”
The video arrives just ahead of BERRIES’ support slot with Xtra Mile Recordings label mate FRANK TURNER & THE SLEEPING SOULS. The band will join Turner and co. at their Wolverhampton Wulfrun Halls show on Tuesday, 18th February – details here.
This March, BERRIES will also embark upon a run of shows in celebration of International Women’s Day. The three-date tour kicks off at Bodega in Nottingham on 5th March, before BERRIES take their jagged rock sound to Birkenhead and London in the days following. The full list of live dates can be found below.
Teaming up with production legend Adrian Bushby (Foo Fighters, Muse, Everything Everything), who took on mixing duties for the record, listeners will almost certainly feel that turbo-boost coursing through the veins of ‘BERRIES’.
Brighton-based indie-folk artist frances mistry returns with new hands to hold – a blissful, heartfelt song that drifts between moments of warmth and gratitude. With a delicate touch, mistry captures the kind of emotions that lingers. Her voice is soft yet certain, carried by dreamy instrumentals that feel both intimate and expansive.
new hands to hold is out now on your streaming service of choice, via APOLLO Distribution.
alternative recording artist and songwriter honestav releases his new single “Growin’ Pains.” Get it HERE.
Accompanying the song is the official video – watch it HERE.
Backed by the simple strum of a guitar as the budding star sings of his hometown friends and the feeling of growing apart, “Growin’ Pains” was first teased the track at the end of the year on socials, to immediate virality and praise – amassing millions of views and likes.
“I’m really excited to share this song with my fans,” says honestav. “This is a song I wrote shortly after my ‘hometown’ show in Missouri late last year that summed up how I was feeling at the time. I hope everyone likes it as much I do. Love y’all!”
“Growin’ Pains” gives listeners a taste of what’s to come as the budding singer/songwriter also announces the deluxe version of his EP hara-kiri.
Early August Rain, with its slapbacked, reverb-soaked drum production, is a tender, literate ballad offset with an assertive beat, electronic sound design, and glowing vocal harmonies. Performed and produced solely by Brock Geiger and Will Maclellan (Phoebe Bridgers, Boy Genius) at the iconic Sound City studios in Los Angeles, the song showcases avid multi-instrumental performances and a larger than life production vision that blurs the line between organic, classic balladry and modern three-dimensionality. Lyrically, Early August Rain is inspired by bearing witness to the increasingly omnipresent Canadian forest fire season. It’s an optimistic anthem for a healthier relationship with the natural world, and offers a humble appreciation for the new growth after a blaze.
The forthcoming ten-track LP, Some Nights is a mesmerizing debut. It’s a gloriously widescreen take on pop music, packed full of undeniably catchy songs with uniquely modern production. The album combines Geiger’s penchant for finely-wrought ear-worm melodies with his preternatural ability to sculpt sonically unique edifices for each one of these songs; as such, it is a perfectly distilled introduction to the mind of one of Canada’s most forward-thinking pop auteurs. Some Nights was produced alongside longtime friend and collaborator, Will Maclellan between Sound City (Los Angeles) and at Brock’s Studio B in Calgary, AB. With a long history of creative trust and a mutual openness to exploration, the collection of songs morphed and moulded, and as the insular collaboration process grew, it came to include a heavyweight crew of musicians including Matt Chamberlain, Sam Gendel, and Gabe Noel, as well as some of Geiger’s longest standing collaborators, Clea Anaïs and Kaelen Ohm contributing performances.
The songs unfold like character pieces, each containing their own personality, mood, and decisive sonic statement. As Geiger puts it, “the songs are a representation of the multiplicities of my experiences. I didn’t feel tethered by needing anything to sound a certain way because I wanted the record to be an honest reflection of what I’m interested in.” Glued together by strong pop sensibilities and immersive sonic worlds, the ten songs on Some Nights range from kinetic and groove centric to intimate and ambient while all maintaining a refined focus and grip.
At 39 years old, Nick Cain’s life took an unplanned but welcome detour that changed everything he knew about passion and determination. It began at The Gorge in Eastern Washington, at a country music fest – Watershed – that strummed the strings of his heart just as much as those of the guitar he would pick up following the event in 2019. With no musical background to speak of, Nick dove headfirst into the melodies and rhythms of country music, dedicating every possible moment to self-taught sessions that echoed through the basement of his home.
His regular life as a real estate developer was put on a pause by the Covid-19 pandemic, a break that proved to be a silver lining for Nick’s budding musical aspirations. With building permits on hold, his basement became a sanctuary where he nurtured his newfound love for music, strumming and studying with relentless enthusiasm.
The year-long confinement cultivated in him a desire not just to play guitar, but also to sing and craft his own songs. His unyielding resolve led him all the way to Los Angeles, where he had the good fortune of being mentored by celebrity voice coach Roger Love. It was Love who introduced Nick to the acclaimed songwriter Drew Lawrence. “Spending a week with Roger was a pivotal moment. Writing with Drew has been a great match,” Nick reflects on the experience that escalated his journey into the realms of music creation.
rising alt-pop artist ssolana unveils her latest new single, Clocks. Whisper-soft yet haunting, her delicate vocals create an eerie tension, perfectly mirrored by the song’s hypnotic, clock-like instrumental. This enchanting track feels like stepping into a lucid dream – equal parts fragile and bold, intimate yet unafraid.
| Pale Blue Eyes have announced details of their third studio album. ‘New Place’ will be released on the band’s Broadcast Recordings label on 7th March. The latest single, “The Dreamer” is out now. Watch “The Dreamer” video here |
| Guests on the album include two musicians who have featured in the PBE live line-up – Tom Sharkett, music producer and guitarist with W.H. Lung, and music producer and musician Lewis Johnson-Kellett. “The new album comes with a new landscape,” says Matt…“I hope the result is uplifting. The album reflects the end of an era and embracing new beginnings. But when we were unpacking in our new house in Sheffield we found an old slide projector that had belonged to my mum and Dad. We spent hours looking through the old 35mm slides and decided to use one for the album cover. The album arrives on the back of extensive and emotional transit, a record of time reflecting on a lifetime of memories – but now beside a world of new beginnings.” |
Philadelphia-based tastemaker label Julia’s War is excited to announce, Heavy Lifting, the debut album from indie rock group Fib, arriving April 25, 2025. Their first release since their self-titled 2021 tape, today’s announcement is heralded by “Mutuals,” a textured and rhythmic track with jubilant and incessant riffs. Lyrically, vocalist Gage Nelson explores unrequited feelings, grief-infused regrets and hidden emotions.
“‘Mutuals’ signifies the turning point of our songwriting,” say Fib. “In writing this track, we were trying to put the past to shame and take a step forward in our creativity as a band. ‘Mutuals’ sets the tone of the record with high-arching melodies, fast transitions, and intricate guitars. It truly encapsulates our goal as a band; to write songs that are beautiful, catchy, and complex.”
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.”
Email:neill@outloudculture.com
Socials: @neillfrazer
