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INsiders Guide

INsiders Guide: Valentime, jxdn, Truman Sinclair, TANIS, STELLA LAIN…

  • Rising electronic-pop artist Valentime makes a powerful
    entrance with the release of his debut EP, ‘Hand2Heart’ – a six-track project built
    on dancepop vibrancy and electronic influences. Featuring collaborations with
    Alice Cartwright, AIM, and Noah Onaga, the EP pulses with high-octane beats,
    glitchy textures, and heartfelt lyricism

Ushering in a bold new era, jxdn makes his return with the electrifying single “Reputation” marking his first release under a brand new partnership with LAVA and Republic Records. The track introduces a dynamic sonic era for the 2X RIAA Gold-certified artist, spotlighting his evolution as a vocalist and songwriter while staying true to the raw emotion and energy that made him a global phenomenon.

“I think there is a moment in everyone’s life where ‘I want to’ becomes ‘I have to’ …this is that for me. Life is too short to wonder ‘what could’ when you were born feeling ‘I should.’” -jxdn

Following the success of his acclaimed albums Tell Me About Tomorrow (2021) and WHEN THE MUSIC STOPS (2024), “Reputation” captures jxdn at his most confident and creatively free yet. Driven by anthemic melodies and an undeniable hook, the single signals a shift toward a larger, emotionally charged pop sound that nods to his earliest musical influences — but through a sharper, more mature lens. Watch the official music video for “Reputation” HERE.

Photo Credit Travis Bailey

Following a standout performance at this summer’s End Of The Road Festival and a packed-out headline show at The Elephant’s Head in Camden, indie-rock/folk artist Truman Sinclair shares new single ‘dustland’, out now via Capitol Records/Polydor Label Group. The new tune captures the qualities that fans love about the Los Angeles-based and Chicago-born singer, songwriter, guitarist, and producer — slack vocals, vivid storytelling, and a recording approach that splits the difference between intimately informal and sharply detailed. Listen HERE and watch the live music video HERE.

Though he’s a buzzing solo artist, Truman is also known for founding cult-beloved farwest emo outfit Frat Mouse. From his bedroom studio, he recorded and produced all four of the band’s LPs, while honing his skills across 300+ live gigs. His attention to craft also earned him work as an assistant engineer to Grammy-winning producer Dave Sardy (Johnny Cash, Oasis, Slayer).

‘dustland’ carves a hypnotically catchy rhythm out of a shuffling drum beat and an acoustic guitar riff. With a little twang in his grainy voice, Truman spills raw poetry that goes down easy: “Now you’re sitting at the military fair and / They’re cutting off all your golden hair / You look at me with a thousand-yard stare and / You tell me, ‘Baby, take me anywhere.’”

The ‘dustland’ video was filmed in L.A. by Truman’s good friend (and fellow bandmate in their alternative band Fat, Evil ChildrenNic Skrabak. The intimate clip not only brings the song to life as Truman performs it with palpable heart, it also captures off-the-cuff backstage footage of the unassuming young troubadour as he prepares to take the stage.

Breakthrough artist Tanis releases her latest single, ‘Turn Off The News’, a witty and relatable exploration of post-breakup antics and the challenges of moving forward. Set in the aftermath of a relationship, the track captures lingering connections while celebrating the humor, perspective, and personal growth that come with starting over.

Lyrically, the track is an open confession – confronting the difficulty of cutting ties while highlighting the stupid things people do after a breakup. Lines like “Though I laugh and I smile, don’t tell me you got wild” and “I know you like to talk, but please stop showing off. Let me have some salvation” illustrates her intimate and witty storytelling that runs throughout the song, allowing listeners to join her on her emotional journey.

Musically, Tanis pairs themes of raw honesty and sarcastic wit with nostalgic electropop production that is both deeply personal and universally relatable. With its dreamy synths, driving beats, and anthemic energy, ‘Turn Off The News’ moulds a soundscape that mirrors the push and pull of letting go. At times it can be yearning and at others just laughable. The verses of the track hold an intimate vulnerability, whilst the chorus swells with uplifting energy – a compelling blend that keeps the song feeling fresh and relatable, showcasing Tanis’ ability to capture the often absurd and humorous moments that follow a breakup.

Speaking on the new single, Tanis said: “The song was inspired by my brother actually, who was complaining about how much amazing content his ex-girlfriend suddenly started posting right after they broke up and how he didn’t really need to know that much. It made me laugh at first but then it made me think back to how many times I’ve heard this same pattern of post break up behaviour and thought maybe I’d tell a little story about it.”

The up-and-coming UK country superstar, Stella Lain, is set to release her highly anticipated debut EP ‘Stella’ on 17th October. This vibrant body of work encompasses exactly who she is as an artist – a celebration of authenticity, sparkle and soul. The blend of twinkling guitars, honeyed vocals and unapologetically feminine flare perfectly mirror her candy-floss pink, girly-girl persona. 

Stepping into this era with her rhinestone boots planted firmly in the ground, Stella has already made waves with three standout singles that showcase her range and charm. Each track offers a glimpse into her world – where confidence meets vulnerability, and storytelling reigns. The final two tracks will be unveiled with the full EP, rounding out a collection that is equal parts empowering and heartfelt. 

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Drawing inspiration from country-pop icons like Carrie Underwood and a young Taylor Swift, she brings a fresh British twist to Nashville’s signature sound. With her playful yet poignant lyrics and shimmering vocals, she is full with charisma that is quickly making her one of the most exciting new voices in the UK country music scene. 

Speaking on the EP, Stella said: “This EP is something I’ve been working so hard on creating. It’s a little taster and introduction to me as an artist, a welcome into my Pink World, showcasing the different sides of Country music that I love to write. Each song brings something different, both musically and emotionally. It’s a real mix of sub-genres and themes, with lyrics that come straight from my own experiences, with themes that I hope others can connect to as well. I was lucky enough to work with an incredible team of talented musicians on this project. My producer, Ariel Delgado, understood exactly what I wanted every single time, and recording in the studio with my vocal engineer, Edward Sargisson, was such a fun and inspiring experience.” 

Talking Violet seamlessly melds shoegaze, grunge, and dream-pop into a genre-defiant wave they’ve coined “dreamo”—a sound that’s as lush as it is emotionally piercing. The Windsor, ON four-piece, formed of Jillian Goyeau (vocals, guitar), Jayden Turnbull (guitar, vocals), Jeremie Brousseau (drums), and Dylan Iannicello (bass), craft a powerful sound, touching on themes that wrestle with the grief of personal change, especially in relationships.

Now, the band returns with their latest single “Destroy,” following the release of their recent track “In Your Mind.” Where “In Your Mind” explored the helplessness of loving someone through pain and uncertainty, “Destroy” turns inward, offering a sense of closure and acceptance. “Destroy is about closing a chapter in my life where I experienced a lot of change which I talked a lot about throughout our Everything At Once record,” shares Goyeau. “Before moving on I kinda needed to say goodbye, so that’s what Destroy does. It’s me finally accepting that people can both love you and hurt you at the same time and vice versa. You can love someone even when they aren’t meant to be in your life anymore.”

“Destroy” continues the emotional thread of their recent album Everything At Once, drawing from the grief of interpersonal change. “These tracks draw on a lot of grief of change, most specifically, the grief of relationship changes in our lives,” Goyeau explains. “I was going through changes that I now see as necessary but were incredibly painful at the time. It made me realize how much I had depended on my relationships with others for my identity. I had to slowly relearn who I was—and spent the next few years healing my people-pleasing baseline. It’s still something I work on every day.”

There’s something deliciously dangerous about the kind of anger that doesn’t need to scream to be heard. Ger Carriere’s new single, Almost Lovers,” captures that exact voltage. It’s a track that feels like it’s smirking through gritted teeth, teetering between heartbreak and vengeance.

Carriere has strutted with confidence before on “Blessed In My Heels”, but this time she’s bitten down. Built on electric guitars that snarl over a hip-hop pulse, Almost Lovers turns disappointment into defiance. It’s the pure female rage that comes from someone who is done waiting around for a guy to finally decide to do better.

Australian shoegaze artist Singer. Mattress. Cat. sinks into the mundane and celebrates connection as he dreams of something greater on ironic “Postcard Sort of Day” out now. The artist’s lo-fi debut album Subtropical Personality is due out December 1 and available to pre-save now. Led by Martin Cooke of cult favorite indie rock outfit Gaslight Radio, the new project is an ode to survival and meets the longtime musician where he is today as he positively reflects on the passage of time, hardship and failure.

With an ironic song title, “Postcard Sort of Day,” explores the gig economy and short-end jobs, and the bond that can grow in a monotonous routine, even while daydreaming of a life beyond. Cooke shares, is, about the desire to leave your hometown, perhaps a postcard-perfect world to some, but an emotional straightjacket to others.” Over a slow groove, Cooke croons, “just to watch you wait tables for all those rich dudes in their khaki shorts/We shared a dart, behind the Safeway in the alleyway.” The musician says, “As an artist, you treat everyday, washing those dishes as though it’s a Postcard Sort of Day; picture perfect.” What matters most, however, is human connection. “That idea of having each other–sharing a cigarette in the alleyway–human companionship is all we have.”

Toronto-based blues and rock outfit 5 Neat Guys are getting into the festive spirit with the release of their cheeky new single “Unwrap You At Christmas”, out now on all digital streaming platforms.

The upbeat, vintage-inspired track offers a playful spin on the holiday genre, serving as the first taste of their upcoming album PLAY CHRISTMAS MUSIC!!, set for release on November 7th, 2025.

“Okay, so… maybe this song has a coy little double entendre aspect to it,” says lead vocalist Ed Lounsbury. “On the other hand, maybe it’s just about a kid unwrapping a puppy on Christmas morning, right? We’ll let you decide.”

The inspiration for PLAY CHRISTMAS MUSIC!! came a few years ago when the band was booked to perform just before Christmas. With only a handful of seasonal songs in their set, they filled the gaps with their usual rock and blues repertoire – until the event organizer passed them a note that read, in no uncertain terms: “Play Christmas Music!!” The phrase stuck, eventually becoming the name of their fifth studio album and second holiday collection.

One of the album’s standout moments is the mid-song solo on “Unwrap You At Christmas.” Originally intended as a placeholder, the band’s ad-libbed mouth-trumpet part was so perfectly goofy that it made the final cut.

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Kentucky (Jordan Holman) arrives with “Born American”, a warning set to melody, born in the shadow of a crumbling promise and aimed squarely at America’s most fragile foundation, the right to citizenship by birth. Where his debut album SECOND CHANCE MUSIC traced survival and redemption, this new work shifts its focus outward. It’s not an anthem, not quite a protest song either. It’s a warning.

The track is deceptively bright, driven by energy that almost sounds celebratory. Underneath, though, the message is clear: when the life of a child born on American soil can be denied, it signals danger that crosses every border. Kentucky doesn’t sermonize; he delivers it plain, leaving space for listeners to wrestle with the contradiction of melody and meaning.

  • Email: neill@outloudculture.com
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