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INsiders Guide: Pool Girl, MANJA, Lauren Dejey, Elena Matei, ZEBEDEE, Spencer Barnett….

LA based alternative genre-bending artist Pool Girl shares her second single ‘Seeing You’. This sparkling, delicate yet textured track is the follow-up to her successful debut single, ‘I Liked It’ and offers a taste of her upcoming debut EP. ‘Seeing You’ captures the essence of the quintessential Pool Girl experience, blending sonic diversity with a distinctive synth-pop style. This new release radiates a beachy sound that combines nostalgic elements with a fresh, electronic quality.

Bali, Indonesia-based alternative pop/rock band MANJA share buoyant, lively track “My Oh My” out everywhere now with its matching video. Born from anger and disillusionment, “My Oh My” reflects on meaningful connections, urging listeners to pause and ruminate about what truly matters in life.

Frontman James Sukadana and brothers Nick Pratama (guitar) and Mark Saputra (keyboard) were troubled by the cultural shift overtaking their surroundings. “I understand that change is inevitable, but I hope the song can remind people that we can choose which changes are beneficial for us, both as individuals and as a community,” Sukadana explains.

The track grew from the band’s recognition of society’s hunger for cheap thrills, overnight fame, and material wealth. It has consumed humanity, so much so that people are starting to forget their human roots, which, according to them, are the ability to stick with each other and be kind. The group argue this hunger has eclipsed fundamental human values such as kindness and community, which the band believes amounts to more than mere shallow possessions. “Today’s society has emphasised toxic competitiveness and individuality too much, but life is so much more than that,” Pratama notes.

The profound lyrics and catchy chord progression were glued together by the track’s notable percussive aspect. The production process was helmed by renowned Indonesian drummer Brian Kresna Putro, who also worked on the band’s 2023 single “Last Night’s Kiss“. “Between him and our collaborator, percussionist Ayla Adjie, it was a rhythmic match made in heaven,” says Saputra. “Collaborating with Ayla was a highlight with him bringing all his ‘toys’ for us to play around with. I felt like a kid again!”

Lauren Dejey, a rising star in London’s electro-alt-pop scene, reveals her latest single ‘it’s only life’. Crafted with her longtime producers, Spacemen, the song is a masterclass in blending glitchy, production-heavy elements with pop sensibilities, creating a soundscape rich in dimension and texture. This new track further cements Lauren’s place as a one to watch, taking inspiration from artists like Rachel Chinouriri and putting her own unique spin on pop music.

Elena Matei has captured the essence of raw emotion with her new single, “Lost in Time.” The track delves into the complexities of a relationship at a crossroads, where feelings of doubt and hope intermingle. “Lost in Time” is out now on all digital platforms worldwide, with the video available on YouTube

Elena Matei masterfully captures the core of affection in her new single, “Lost in Time,” taking listeners through the trials and tribulations of love. The lyrics reflect Matei’s decision to hold onto love, with lines like “You used to tell me I’m your heaven, How could an angel fall apart from above?” Matei’s powerful vocal delivery brings these emotions to life, making the song a heartfelt experience for listeners. The music video for “Lost in Time” complements the song’s emotional depth with striking visuals set in the stark, colorless backdrop of a Los Angeles subway station. She stands out in a vibrant yellow coat and dress, symbolizing hope and resilience against a bleak background. The video features intimate close-ups of Matei inside and in front of a moving subway, contrasted with scenes of a man in the same pose, emphasizing their deep connection and tension. Their embrace at both the beginning and end of the video serves as a metaphor for enduring love and the cyclical nature of their relationship. “Lost in Time” was written and produced by Elena Matei, Greg Shilling, and Stephen Santa Teresa.

Brooklyn-based psych rock quintet ZEBEDEE share single and cinematic official video “Fast Edee” (Director’s cut) out everywhere now. The accompanying video, directed, produced, written and starring the band leader Zebedee Row, follows a lively character who gets into some trouble on limit-pushing adventures around New York City. The group’s sophomore studio album Going Nowhere Fast is due out August 2 and available for pre-order now.

This Thursday, ZEBEDEE will screen the music video for the first time for free at NYC’s Von along with an acoustic performance and later this month, the band will celebrate the project with an official release party on August 13 at NYC’s Mercury Lounge with Kirk Douglas’ Hundred Watt Heart of The Roots. Get tickets here.

With “Fast Edee” the group introduces listeners to a fictional character of the same name who is on a relentless pursuit of pleasure. Describing the character, lead guitarist and vocalist Row says, “He’s a wild hedonist that tends to get himself into more trouble than one would want, but he just can’t help himself. Go hard or go home is the old motto that he lives by. Sometimes, I feel we all need to push our limits and take a page or two out of Edee’s book. As the lyrics describe, ‘Take everything in moderation…even moderation.’”

On the 26th July, rising star Spencer Barnett returned to the music scene with a bang, releasing his highly anticipated single ‘Lost Boy’. This track, described by Barnett as a “labor of love”, encapsulates the frustration of repeatedly finding oneself stuck in the same place. As his first release of the year, ‘Lost Boy’ sets the tone for an exciting new chapter in Barnett’s career as a budding singer-songwriter.

Blazing Memphis four-piece Joybomb today share their new EP, Modern Scripture. The band aim to deliver what they deem the essentials by straddling the lines of pop-sensibility, cerebral indie punk, and unabashed hi-fi rock’n’roll oblivion. Undoubtedly with Modern Scripture, they keep it on brand. Lead off single  “Nanoplastique” harnessed some of Joybomb’s heaviest influences to deliver a tongue-in-cheek homage to a world consumed by microplastics. Leaving absurdity exposed in its wake, the scathing takedown of environmental degradation invoked the more dangerous of spirits and set the stage for the EP to come. 

A stylistic curveball arrived in the intense wake of “Nanoplastique” with follow-up single “Faith & Chemistry”. That sunny banger found the group reaching deep into their bag of tricks to pull out a bright stick of bubblegum that doubles as a plastic explosive. Describing the track, Joybomb singer/guitarist Grant Beatty calls it “toxic romance overdosed on the highs and lows of symbiosis, placating through sobriety, and the pursuit for dopamine in various forms.”

Midheaven emerges as the vibrant offspring of the romantic and creative union between Andy DeLuca and Sarah Eiseman. Their paths converged through a shared admiration of each other’s artistry, with Sarah leaving her mark in the Polaroid and film-photography sphere while balancing her work in healthcare and elderly care, and DeLuca immersing himself in the music industry as a touring photographer, visual artist, and video director. The pivotal moment of their meeting occurred during DeLuca’s 2018 tour, where they officially connected in New York City, initiating a creative partnership that proved inseparable. With Eiseman’s innate gift for poetry and singing complementing DeLuca’s background in drumming and instrumental demos, their collaborative journey naturally evolved toward music-making. Inspired by a mutual love for the 80s and 90s music, they discovered a unique blend of genres, refining their craft until they felt ready to unveil their sonic creations. Their debut single, “Heaven,” released in November 2023, showcased their mastery, blending ethereal shoegaze and new wave elements into a mesmerizing sonic landscape. Leveraging their skills as visual artists and music video directors, DeLuca and Eiseman brought their artistic vision to life, crafting their own visuals, single art, and press photos—all while basking in the comfort of their shared home, deep in love and surrounded by their beloved shih-tzu, Pebbles.

R&B pop artist shy FLW shares her latest single ‘Want You (Ain’t Nobody)’, which at its core is a track soaked in an upbeat, summery quality that stands as a powerful new offering from this emerging R&B singer.

‘Want You (Ain’t Nobody)’ is available now on your streaming service of choice via APOLLO Distribution.

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London’s ‘Rising Star’, Master Peace unveils an official visualiser to accompany his recent hit single ‘Home’, featuring esteemed American rapper Wale. Premiered on the 15th of July by Zane Lowe as his ‘World Record’, the track has garnered impressive praise and acclaim across the board, and introduced Peace’s upcoming EP, ‘How To Make A(nuva) Master Peace’ with a bang.

Grammy-nominated artist Porter Robinson released the official music video for “Easier to Love You” off his new album SMILE! 😀 via MOM+POP. [Watch here]. 

The music video directed by Japanese stop-motion animator and artist Tomoyasu Murata conveys the bizarreness and pain of wanting to be seen in the social media era.  Like the album, “Easier to Love You” touches on themes of self image, and the pain of trying to fulfill your potential. Reflecting the intimate sentiments of the track, the bittersweet video sees its main character find peace in their own self-worth while absorbing the playful, kaleidoscopic duality of SMILE! :D.

“I met Porter by fate and encountered “Easier to Love You.” This song evoked profound feelings within me. Although what has already happened cannot be undone, no conflict is ever necessary to end another conflict. “Easier to Love You” ignited the power of imagination in me. This is the most essential power to live in this world.” – Tomoyasu Murata

“Easier to Love You” is a further depiction of the intimate and vulnerable artistry showcased throughout Porter’s third studio album. In the week since its release, SMILE! 😀 has garnered widespread acclaim, with praise from the likes of Rolling StonePitchforkThe IndependentNMEThe Line of Best FitUPROXXThe Skinny, and more.

London via Leeds artist Eden Rain returns with brand new single ‘Figure it out’, a fiery follow-up to her widely praised track ‘Palo Alto’. Building on a year of remarkable growth in her career, this new release cements Eden’s status as a rising star, highlighting her bold, eclectic sound and emotionally charged vocals.

Eden shares the story behind ‘Figure it out’: “We started writing this song on the last day of a writing trip with two of my favourite writers, Jack and Conway. It was honestly a fever dream—just us throwing out stupid lyrics and ideas we hadn’t been brave enough to use in the other songs we wrote that week. Looking back, I think I put some really raw feelings into this song because I didn’t actually think we’d release it. But it’s stuck with me since January, and it’s such a messy, drunken rant. It captures that feeling of being in a fight and saying things just to hurt the other person, even if you don’t mean them.”

“I see this song as the ultimate drunken night out anthem. I hope it’s playing in a late-night kebab shop somewhere, the soundtrack to someone dropping their cheesy chips on the floor.”

Hailing from Manchester, R&B singer-songwriter Alex Ko returns to the ether with his latest poetic masterpiece “High On You”.  

Floating atop smooth, soul-infused production, Alex’s authentic and direct vocals take centre stage, with nostalgic harmonies and intimate wordplay representing vulnerability within his blossoming artistry. “I get high on you, it’s the vibe you give out, energy like oud, sends me to another place while still connected” he sings, exploring his connection to loved ones with uplifting affirmations whilst effortlessly showcasing his impressively vast range.  

Speaking on the track Alex tells us: “’High On You” is a love letter to the people in my life that have always supported my musicality, personal growth and happiness. The song’s a product of me taking time to find a sound that truly resonates, and I love it’s bluesy, soulful quality. Even though it was a product of patience, the lyrics were written in just an hour while sat in my friend’s South London barber shop. The peaks, valleys and joyful melodies make it an all-encompassing experience to perform.” 

emerging London-based indie pop artist Zoe Aronson shares her brand new single ‘With You’. This eclectic and atmospheric track showcases Zoe’s distinctive style, blending influences from indie, folk, and post pop-punk genres to create a sound that is entirely her own.

Hailing from the Australian island of Tasmania, Zoe Aronson recorded and released her first single ‘Spiderwebs’ in London in February of 2024. Since then she has gone on to record 3 more studio singles with Soho Sonic.

‘With You’ is the second single from Zoe Aronson. A far cry from the nostalgic trumpets and romantic guitar twangs of her debut single, ‘With You’ is an indie pop weapon aimed at your two feet and insists you start dancing.

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‘With You’ is a testament to Zoe Aronson’s musical versatility and sense of innovation. Drawing comparisons to post-punk sensations like Wet Leg, Zoe’s new single is characterised by punchy vocals and shimmery instrumentation that captivate listeners from the very first note. The track’s rich texture and dynamic arrangement reflect Zoe’s ability to seamlessly merge diverse musical styles, resulting in a listening experience that is both playful and one of a kind.

Zoe’s unique sound is a product of her diverse musical influences and her commitment to pushing the boundaries of conventional indie-pop. Keep an eye out for more to come soon!

singer/songwriter John K makes his much-anticipated return with the release of his new single “Lost.”  

A triumphant next step in a journey marked by an expansion of his creative bounds, “Lost” unleashes the Florida-bred singer’s piercing vocals and indelible songwriting. Alongside the single, today John K shares the official music video for the single, which was directed by frequent collaborator Erik Rojas (Dillion Francis, Jessie J).

Listen to “Lost” at all DSPs here and watch the official music video here.

John K’s brilliant ability is once again on full display, a welcoming sight and sound for his vast fanbase. With guitars and a subtle piano melody crashing into each other with powerful harmony, John delivers a gorgeous performance, plunging the listener into the rewarding depths of the feeling of finding true love – the type of true love one would be “lost” without.  

The official video for “Lost” represents the time-lapse of a forever love, with flashes of a young couple growing old together crossed with their real-time adventures as their love evolves. Throughout, John narratives their journey through an impassioned performance.  

There are two themes. The verses are very zoomed-in and personal. You’re standing next to the love of your life, holding her hand, and looking at the sunset,” John K shares. “The choruses and bridge zooms out to a bigger and more universal declaration of this realization. You’ve found the person you can’t imagine your life without. The only way to say it is, ‘I’d be lost without you’. Musically, we’re trying to create these moments.”

Multi-talented artist, model, influencer, and provocateur Britney Manson has announced her debut EP Hot Couture out August 30.

Alongside the announcement, Britney has unveiled her brand new single “Philipp Plein.” Listen HERE.

Dedicated to the controversial German fashion designer known for his polarizing presence in the fashion industry and once labeled “the most hated man in fashion” by British GQ, “Philipp Plein” pulses with the energetic beats, club-driven intensity, and unapologetic lyrics that have become Manson’s trademark.

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Speaking on the track, Britney Manson states, “Haters gonna hate but who cares when all his creations sell out before they are even released! This song is dedicated to the ‘bad boy’ of the fashion industry and a favourite designer of mine, Mr Philipp Plein. And maybe hate doesn’t make you look good, but studs and crystals sure do!

Philipp Plein” follows Britney’s previous releases “I’m Sorry My Lovely Boy” and “American Dream,” which was accompanied by her first-ever music video. Designed, written and co-directed by Britney herself, the daring visuals pay homage to Britney Spears, engaging viewers in a feast for the senses. “American Dream” arrived after her viral hit “FASHION,” which to date has garnered over 150M streams globally.

2024 has seen Britney hit the road with asteria and 6arelyhuman in the EU/UK, make her Paris fashion week debut; walking for the likes of Vetements and attending Valentino first row, and attending the 2024 Met Gala party in New York in partnership with TikTok. There is still so much more to come. Stay tuned!

Grammy-winning, Ivor Novello-nominated live electronic trio NERO have shared ‘Solar’, the final single ahead of their highly-anticipated third studio album Into The Unknown due out August 16. ‘Solar’ follows the album’s previous singles ‘Truth’, ‘Blame You’, ‘Draw Energy’, and ‘Too Many Questions’. 

The final taste of NERO’s impending album is an everlasting, cosmic array of the powerful vocals and whirlwind sounds that fans can anticipate on Into The Unknown. ‘Solar’ is a wondrous prelude into the album as it mirrors the ambitious production and fantastical songwriting threaded throughout the NERO universe. Led by Alana’s starry-eyed vocals, ‘Solar’ is equal parts anthemic and poetic, beautiful yet shadowy, and dynamically complex on a sonic level. 

“This track started with the lead line and the vocal topline. We tried a few different versions but it wasn’t until we started getting scenes back from the music video that we really honed the vibe. We were writing it whilst watching a rough cut of the video and as a result the song took on a cyberpunk-like, futuristic feel. A mix of energy and melancholy.” – NERO

Growing up in small-town Oklahoma, Gwyn Love knew they were destined for something bigger.

Now, as the first-ever American artist signed to Vancouver-based 604 Records — they’re ready to take on the world.

Born into a conservative family with eight siblings, Gwyn was introduced to music at a young age; picking up the cello at just 5-years-old and writing her first song at 11.

Over the past decade, her sound has continued to evolve — blending what the artist describes as a punk mentality with an electronic-pop vibe.

“I kind of just like to mesh all different styles together. I have a bluntness with my lyrics that you could find in punk music, but once I heard electronic dance music, that’s when my sound really clicked for me,” they explained. “That’s when I really understood how I wanted my music to sound and feel.”

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Drawing mainly from their own life experience, Gwyn maintains they hardly ever at a loss for words when it comes to song writing — musical motivation and vision are always priority one.

As a creative deeply invested in every aspect of their sound, and what they puts out to the musical world, it’s their song writing, they maintain, that makes their music special and different.

Grammy-winning live electronic trio RÜFÜS DU SOL have shared their ethereal new single “Lately” via Rose Avenue/Warner Records. Listen HERE and watch the official music video HERE.

The follow up to the group’s latest single “Music is Better,” “Lately” sees the band continue to roll out their first new music since their 2021 Grammy-nominated album, Surrender. “Lately” lends itself to RÜFÜS’ indie inclinations, balancing the club rhythms, intricate sound design, and heartfelt songwriting that continues to soundtrack the highs and lows of their fans’ most pivotal life moments. 

“Lately”’s lyrics explore a deep sentiment of interpersonal devotion and self discovery, an approachable lore for anyone who has fallen in or out of love – a common string throughout the euphoric RÜFÜS universe. Tyrone Lindqvist from the band calls out on the track with a sense of admiration, “It feels like I’m learning how to love again”. “Lately” captures the warm yet artful dynamics that have set them apart as innovators for over a decade.  

“Lately” arrives with an official music video, filmed in black and white and directed by Alex George, that illustrates the band’s artistry and sophisticated vision.

“Lately” is another window into the band’s new creative groove, an era that is defined by enjoying the process and creating from the now while binding organic and electronic.

Bearings have released brand new song, ‘Make Your Way Back To Me’.  A song about navigating a long distance relationship. The strain that has, but also the beauty of working through it and the hope of a future that is rooted in the same place. 

In the heart of the “sad girl” pop scene, Jenny Stenger emerges as a captivating voice, sharing her journey through songs that resonate with authenticity. Jenny makes music that speaks to complex human emotions and experiences, hoping that sharing her own story can help others feel less alone in theirs. Hailing from a small town in California that serves as the bedrock of her inspiration, Jenny’s musical roots trace back to her early days, when she self-taught basic chords on her sister’s keyboard at the age of 13. Transitioning from cover songs to improvising melodies and crafting full-fledged compositions, Jenny’s artistic evolution embodies relatability and vulnerability.

Taking cues from her musical influences like Gracie Abrams and Olivia Rodrigo, Jenny Stenger aspires to create raw and truthful music that resonates with listeners on a deep, emotional level. Her debut album, Trying My Best, released in November 2022, explores themes of unrequited love, jealousy, and mental illness, firmly establishing her mark on the industry. Jenny’s signature style, marked by soulful vocals and thoughtful compositions, sets her apart in the “sad girl” pop scene. Her latest singles, “Rose Colored Lenses” and “What Ifs,” have enthralled audiences with their depth. Working with producers Seth Wentland, Brady Sossaman, and Claudia Mills, Jenny skillfully navigates the nuances of falling in love, showcasing her ability to convey the simultaneous euphoria and apprehension of new relationships. Her introspective lyrics, coupled with her vulnerable voice, resonate with listeners, offering solace in shared experiences.

Jenny Stenger has made a notable impact on the music scene, accruing positive press coverage from Ones to Watch, Grimy Goods, and Divine Magazine. Described as creating “lush lovelorn pop” by Grimy Goods, Jenny’s music aligns her with contemporaries like Lizzy McAlpine and Phoebe Bridgers. As she continues to navigate the intricate balance between love and fear in her music, Jenny Stenger invites listeners to join her on a genuine and moving musical voyage. Stay connected with her journey on Instagram @JennyStenger.

Although they just celebrated 13 years together as life partners, the music duo of Clay and Kelsy blossomed in 2021, having been named one of Shazam’s “Top Movers.” Each having their own love for music at a young age, they eventually found their true voice in the music world as a unit. Producing from the comfort of their own home, Clay and Kelsy pull inspiration from life experiences they share and continuously craft electro-pop art. 
Clay and Kelsy’s sultry, symphonic rendition of Bob Marley and the Wailers’ “Three Little Birds” topped the Apple Music soundtrack charts, amassing over 478,000 organic streams on Spotify. This track was recently featured in Apple TV’s award-winning series, The Morning Show. As music artists, producers, and instrument designers founding CKI, a queer 
woman-owned software instrument company, partnered with notable industry powerhouse Native Instruments, their innovative take on the industry as female forward powerhouses is unstoppable. 

Jimmy & The Veil, the solo project of James Wright, is an indie/alt-rock artist from coastal Virginia who brings raw and emotional depth to his music. His moniker “Jimmy & The Veil” derives from his childhood nickname, “Jimmy,” and symbolizes the genuine substance he aims to unveil behind the elusive facade of everyday life. This project emerged as a form of music therapy, allowing him to pour his heart into his music and explore the darker feelings he faced.

Wright began his musical journey as a lyricist in high school and later began playing guitar in college. Although music has always been a part of him, he prioritized family and corporate life, which made his musical journey more of a marathon than a sprint. He has been involved in several musical projects in adulthood, learning a great deal from the musicians he has played alongside.

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Wright’s approach is mature and sometimes cynical, channeling his emotional battles with mental health, society, and faith. His sound, often likened to Jimmy Eat World getting “beat up on the playground,” promises a moody and introspective indie/alt-rock experience. Jimmy & The Veil’s debut single “Diamonds” offers listeners a glimpse into this raw and heartfelt journey.

Boy Jr. is the songwriting/production project of Ariel Allen-Lubman (they/them). Allen-Lubman has established a consistently viral internet presence through original music that is both catchy and creative, while staying true and personal. While Boy Jr.’s charming, energetic indie pop-rock flourishes from Allen-Lubman’s academic music production background, the immense genre versatility is the backbone of the project.

Through an entirely DIY ethos, Allen-Lubman’s career is just about to fully blossom. Through a combination of genuine musical talent, and high energy, oddball personality, Boy Jr. has attracted a variety of followers, from music lovers to critics to creators. As they gear up to promote their upcoming full length DIY album, I Love Getting Dumped, Allen-Lubman continues to use their platform to explore expression in artistry, gender, and influencership. Leading single “I Hope You Feel Terrible” is an honest and relatable narrative of wanting to confront the one who did you wrong. Boy Jr. confides, “You know how people will tell you to write a letter you’ll never send when you’re upset with someone? “I Hope You Feel Terrible” is like the letter I wasn’t supposed to send. It is for everyone who wishes they could have a romcom-like confrontation with someone who hurt them and tell them exactly how they really feel, with the perfect closing one liner and everything.” Second single “Bullying Myself” is all about those negative things we tell ourselves. Boy Jr. confides, “I find myself repeating a lot of the same unkind thoughts when I’m going through something, but if anyone ever said these things to me or a friend, I’d be pissed! So instead of letting it rot on the inside, I’m airing it out and releasing it outside.” Then there is the highly relatable track “Still Be Friends” a rather sarcastic way of showing the way the artist hears someone’s breakup spiel. The track is irresistible and witty, conveying the deep emotions many of us have after a breakup. 

Remember Summer are Northern Irish hailing Paddy Conn of indie pop band Swimming Tapes and English vocalist Angelina Dove.

Having a mutual indulgence for worlds gone by, Remember Summer use an enchanted distraction of dusty synths and wistful poetry to create their nostalgia drenched dream pop.  Songs that embody a poignant dream-state of long lost summer nights, or the cosy loneliness of a desert road trip on the cusp of September; the leaves will fall, the changing of the seasons inevitable but the magic days, in those last hours of summertime feel like they really could last forever.

The pair met in the summer of ’16 at the Forest Gate cafe where they both worked and started making up songs to pass days in a hot kitchen. Dove recalls, “Summer of ‘16 became the year of collaboration for Paddy and I. We started swapping ideas at work. It all started as a bit of fun really, sort of a distraction to stem boredom but when the cafe went bust the following year and we both got fired we realised that we’d started something we missed more than frying eggs. Since we live 5 minutes away from each other we’ve kept it up. This is ‘Remember Summer’”.

Now, the duo are beginning to unveil their new music, as they enter a fresh chapter. Following the release of their Miley Cyrus “Wrecking Ball” cover, Remember Summer have now dropped “All The Small Things.” The blink-182 track has been transformed into a slow-paced, hauntingly ethereal release, where Angelina’s echoing vocals float delicately over melancholy instrumentation. 

Angelina shares, “I came across the lyrics for that song and read them out of context, and it got me thinking. There was something haunting about them, a kind of disenchantment particularly in the line about roses left by the stairs. It took me right back to quite a lonely period of my life where flowers softened grief and became symbolic tokens vs romantic gestures. I asked Paddy to play the chords (again out of context and without bringing up the original) and it kind of went from there…”

emerging East London indie artist Humane The Moon is set to make waves with the release of his latest single ‘Tear It Down’. Known best for his raw vocals and use of grungy instrumentation and production, Humane The Moon’s new track offers a quintessential indie-rock sound, inspired by the likes of bands, Fontaines D.C, Radiohead and The Strokes. Alongside the release of ‘Tear It Down’, Humane The Moon announces his upcoming second EP ‘Debris Joice’, set to be released on the 13th September.

“The purpose of the ep is to broaden it and tear down what it was. isn’t always a bad thing it doesn’t always end in debris. It can light new fire and start rejoicing in it.” Humane The Moon

Makes My Blood Dance are a Brooklyn-based electro-goth-punk, disco-metal group. The four-piece incorporates elements of cyberpunk, synth-wave, metal, and pop on their newest record which goes by the same name as their seemingly endless tour “Zer02LGHTSp33d”. Lead singer EV0 infuses his cabaret pop tendencies with Jon Kristian on lead guitar and synth to create a unique combination of grit, groove and dance-oriented anthems. Some describe them as a “ballsier Panic at the Disco, with Ghost, Mindless Self Indulgence, and NIN rolled into one.”

Frontman EV0 founded MMBD with lead guitar/synth player Jon Kristian at a transitional time in life; early in recovery from addiction and wanting a fresh start.  EV0 shares: “My background is musical theatre and pop, JK brings a passion for technical metal and programming, so it took us a hot minute to learn how to integrate those influences. I think we became friends before we became bandmates.” 

Makes My Blood Dance full lineup is EV0 (Vox) Jon Kristian (Lead guitar/Program) “I Love” Lucy (Bass) and El “Rat Bastard” Ray Ray (Hybrid Beats), who have teamed up to become a touring machine post pandemic. MMBD hits the stage like a fork in an outlet with an urgency to bring people together. Their live shows are events that transform spaces and crowds into rave-like experiences. Big on crowd interaction and explosive lighting and theatrics, Jon Kristian simply says “we are the freaks.” 

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rising London-based creative James Casper shares his debut EP ‘If It Weren’t For Bad Luck, I Wouldn’t Have Luck At All’, which transports listeners into a vibrant realm of indie-pop. The project comes complete with new single ‘rn/today’, which emerges as a lively fusion, driven by an insistent drum groove and accented with bursts of psychedelic guitars. It captures the essence of an internal turmoil through its pulsating rhythm and dynamic instrumentation.   

‘If It Weren’t For Bad Luck, I Wouldn’t Have Luck At All’ is available now on your streaming service of choice via APOLLO Distribution.

Grand Rapids, Michigan based indie rock band The Crane Wives share hypnotizing, healing track and lyric video “Scars” out everywhere now. The self-produced, rousing fifth studio album Beyond Beyond Beyond is due out September 6 and available for pre-order now.The band is currently on tour in the Western U.S. and will celebrate the new album on release day with a show in Grand Rapids, MI. Get tickets here and catch them on their newly added dates this fall.

“Scars” is an intimate processing of past trauma and shines a light on the ways one’s life experiences–positive and negative–shape who one becomes. It is a murky exploration of how past trauma can follow a person their entire life, surprising them in how it manifests. The track was born from vocalist and guitarist Emilee Petersmark‘s own experiences as an adopted child and the hardships that come with it. The haunting, crawling guitar and bass riffs, dragging, bombastic percussion, and heavy counter-melodies help create a sense of underlying tension, while the lyrics paint a scathing picture of a relationship that struggles to exist. 

The personal track recalls an older song of the band’s and allows Petersmark to process her experiences, better understand the dynamics at play in a family and maturation, and ultimately learn more about herself as she continues to grow. I see ‘Scars’ as a companion piece to one of our older songs, ‘Never Love an Anchor’. I wrote both songs from a place of exploring how being adopted has touched my life, in good ways and in hard ways. I think we often forget how much trauma is involved in the process of losing a family, even when you gain another, and this song felt like a big step in accepting that trauma, particularly the painful, ugly ways it manifests and follows you into adulthood.”

Email:neill@outloudculture.com
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