DJ, artist and cultural trailblazer Charisse C is set to release her first single of the year “Siren’s Interlude”, the first of many that show why she is regarded “a bridge between continents” and a multi-faceted creative force.
As she continues to explore her bass-heavy, curious yet soulful soundscape, on “Siren’s Interlude” we hear new dimensions to her voice taking us to an undiscovered place within her music. A brooding atmosphere envelopes this record, which combines elements from the worlds of Afro House, Melodic House and Alternative R&B, produced by Kinder.
Charisse C holds a powerful presence in dance music with her label Abantu; insistent on boundary pushing artistry rooted in Southern Africa, presented with a high level of care and quality. Running events, podcasts, and cultural happenings such as her NTS radio show, as well as releasing her own music and debut EP “EVERGREEN” last year.
When asked about the release Charisse C said “When I released EVERGREEN last year, I made a statement that the EP was a commitment to myself to always exist in my multitudes, to not be confined or limited.
Siren’s Interlude is a continuation of that; exploring my voice and bridging genres as I have always done. The song leans into Melodic House & R&B, always with my African soul. That 3-Step kick, the percussive shakers and the angelic vocal layering staple to my sound.
As we’re still easing out of the cold European months and Southern Africa is easing out of Summer… I felt it was the perfect time to share this more mellow, yearning love song for Valentine’s Day. The next single may be one to get you Spring dancefloor ready (wink wink).”
rising Belgian pop artist RAPHA is back with her latest single, broken love – an upbeat, empowering anthem that’s bound to resonate with her growing fanbase. With its vibrant pop sensibilities and relatable, emotive lyricism, broken love delivers a powerful message: “Love shouldn’t break you, and sometimes the strongest move is to walk away.”
Australia’s Radio Free Alice releases their first single of the year “Empty Words.” A dissonant and paranoid track, frontman Noah Learmonth’s throaty, yet operatic, vocals sail in alongside a jagged guitar tone to take a shot at hollow activism. He reels both internally and towards society about talking a big game with no follow through — Stream / Watch the official video directed by Finn Robilliard.
“‘Empty Words’ came out of a jam like most of our songs do,” shares Learmonth. “It was in some downtime between shows while we were in the UK last year. Lyrically it’s about the feeling of social stagnation that I think a lot of young people in our generation feel.”
Irish newcomer Altara reveals his second EP ‘asp’.
Arriving with one brand new tune ‘istillgetthefeelingyoumissme’, it’s a stimulating dose of electro-pop, arriving as a reminder to live in the moment and to not take anything too seriously.
Canadian artist Jordan Holman, known as Kentucky, has released the official music video for “No More Tomorrows”, the first single from his upcoming debut album Second Chance Music. The video, filmed in the historic Almonte Old Town Hall, mirrors the song’s raw emotion, taking viewers on a visual journey through pivotal moments in Holman’s life—both the darkest and the most triumphant. Through a series of loosely reenacted vignettes, he invites audiences into his personal history, capturing the essence of struggle, survival, and self-reclamation.
Set in a grand yet intimate performance space, the video follows Kentucky as he moves through the empty venue, its quiet presence amplifying the weight of his story. The Almonte Old Town Hall, with its century-old architecture and deep ties to the community, holds personal significance for the artist. One year to the day before the video’s release, Kentucky stood on that very stage for his first major show in town, opening to a sold-out audience at the Folkus Concert Series. With this video, he pays tribute not only to his own journey but also to the town that embraced him as one of its own.
Nashville femmecore outfit The Dreaded Laramie return today with the new single “Agency”. The track is released courtesy of Smartpunk Records and is the band’s first outing since their July 2024 debut album Princess Feedback.
“Agency” finds singer/guitarist MC Cunningham contemplating the double-edged promise of freedom. Backed by the band’s trademark irrepressible guitar hooks, Cunningham wrestles between both the utopian possibilities of her own freedom, as well as the very real dread that arrives when one accepts responsibility for their own destiny.
Producer Dave Schiffman (PUP, Vampire Weekend, Bayside) returns from helming the Princess Feedback sessions to once again provide a trusted guiding hand over the evolving Dreaded Laramie sound. “Agency” is the first release from recent sessions convened to explore the new sonic attitudes that have developed in the baptism of fire that has been the band’s significantly increased touring schedule (including recent dates at Fest and on the road with Rozwell Kid, Teens In Trouble, and Rodeo Boys).
UK rap sensation JAY1 has joined forces with acclaimed American rapper and singer Hunxho for the highly anticipated remix of his smash hit “Prettier.” Get it HERE today.
“Prettier” has become a cultural phenomenon, racking up over 100 million views on TikTok and inspiring an array of creative video content from notable figures such as Law Roach, Jayda Wayda, La La Anthony, Cardi B, and many more.
This Afroswing masterpiece, expertly produced by KVRIM (who has worked with stars like Chris Brown and Fridayy), has proven to be more than just a song; it’s a rallying anthem celebrating women around the globe in their moments of self-empowerment. With an impressive 192,000 user-generated videos on TikTok and a stunning cinematic music video released just a few months ago—watch it HERE—”Prettier” is making waves globally.
Today’s remix enhances this vibrant narrative of unity, showcasing the dynamic collaboration between JAY1 and Hunxho. Together, they deliver an exhilarating link-up set to dominate the global music scene.
At just 24 years old, Kina has reached multiple platinum certifications with his moody, lo-fi pop anthem ‘Get You The Moon’. Utilizing the talents of writer and vocalist Snøw, ‘Get You The Moon’ saw a snowball effect on social media. ‘Get You The Moon’ flooded TikTok For You pages all over the globe and went viral on Soundcloud, earning its status as a viral sensation. The single’s unique flavour of melancholy lo-fi brought to the forefront a new sound; before Kina, very few lo-fi producers had reached the global success and recognition that Kina has seen since its release. In fact, it secured Kina’s place as the first Italian artist to reach one billion Spotify streams for an original single. Catching the attention of renowned record labels, Kina’s track was re-released through Columbia Records during its rise to fame. After spending 450 days on Spotify’s Global Daily Charts, ‘Get You The Moon’ is now certified platinum in seven countries (US, Australia, France, Mexico, Poland, Portugal, and Canada) and reached gold status in five more (Denmark, Germany, Italy, Spain and UK). From self-releasing on Soundcloud to a global sensation, Kina’s story is a testament to the unstoppable power of the internet when it discovers an incredible song.
Rising singer-songwriter Avery Lynch continues to pull on our heartstrings with her stunning new single, “think about it,” out today on RECORDS. Known for her emotionally charged, piano-driven ballads, Avery has captivated audiences worldwide, amassing over 100 million streams since she made her debut in 2020.
“think about it” offers a poignant exploration of heartbreak and unanswered questions, inspired by Avery’s sister’s breakup. “She came to me with what she was experiencing and feeling and wanted to see if I could make something out of it,” Avery shares. “The song is ultimately about being left to piece things together after a breakup by yourself—having all of the realizations and none of the answers, and there being nothing to do about it.”
For Avery, this song holds special significance. “When I first started writing songs as a kid, I would write them about my sisters—how cool they are and how much I love them—and I would give those songs to them as gifts. So it feels very full circle writing this one for my sister and releasing it,” she explains. Notably, “think about it” also marks a milestone in Avery’s career as her first self-produced release.
Heather Mae isn’t just writing songs—she’s writing revolutions. A genre-defying artist-activist, she fuses the grit of alternative rock, the infectious hooks of indie pop, and the storytelling depth of folk to craft anthems for the outsiders, the survivors, and the seekers of radical joy. Her music is an unflinching mirror reflecting the raw realities of mental health, queer liberation, survivor empowerment, and the fight for justice.
Mae has released “WHAT THEY HID FROM ME” (alternative) and “kiss & tell” (pop), a groundbreaking double album project that is both a reckoning and a reclamation. These records dive into the pain of unlearning, the fire of self-discovery, and the freedom of living unapologetically. Produced entirely by women and nonbinary music makers in Nashville, they are more than music—they are a movement.
Raw, raucous, and deeply introspective, “WHAT THEY HID FROM ME” is Mae’s most unfiltered work yet. Produced by ZDAN and featuring an all-female band—including Grammy winner Allison Russell and the powerhouse duo SistaStrings—the album explores religious trauma, survival, and resilience. “What I Know Now” is a gut-wrenching survivor anthem that unpacks consent and self-blame, while “All’s Not Lost” transforms the daily battle with depression into a folk-rock catharsis. “Black Lives Do” is a searing call for racial justice, written from the perspective of someone whose partner is Black. With an unrelenting blend of Americana, alt-rock, and raw storytelling, WHAT THEY HID FROM ME is a reckoning with the past and a rallying cry for those reclaiming their truth.
If “WHAT THEY HID FROM ME” is the reckoning, “kiss & tell” is the rebellion. Co-produced by Mae and Nashville’s pop mastermind Lollies (Timbaland, Hayley Williams), the album is a celebration of queer joy and unapologetic love. “take it slow” drips with R&B-infused sensuality featuring a rap verse from ATL’s Yani B Fly, while “shook” and “ode to joy” explode with hands-in-the-air queer euphoria. The breakout single, “Kissing Girls,” released in June 2024, is both a bi-anthem and a love letter to LGBTQ+ folks who grew up in spaces where their queerness wasn’t an option.
Email:neill@outloudculture.com
Socials: @neill_frazer
