Ann Helene Hagen
Ann Helene Hagen was born in Oslo, Norway and grew up immersed in music in Seattle, Washington. Encouraged by her musically inclined family, she honed her exceptional vocal talents from a young age through singing classes and local choirs. By 16, Ann was already a prominent figure in Seattle’s music scene, known for her versatile voice that effortlessly crossed genres, from soulful ballads to energetic rock anthems. At 25, Ann embarked on a solo career, releasing her Norwegian debut album Brenne Deg Ned.
New single ‘Sleep of Reason’ is a song that holds a special place in Ann’s heart—”it’s a deep exploration of the moments when the line between reality and dreams begins to blur. With haunting melodies and evocative lyrics, it speaks to the quiet struggles we all face when navigating uncertainty and self-discovery,” she says. Listen below.
mayday mae!
mayday mae! is a dreampop singer-songwriter from the San Francisco Bay Area. Hailing from the influence of San Jose underground house shows, 1950s-60s queer culture, and indie dreampop artists before her, her musical journey involves telling unheard queer stories to the world.
Her new single, ‘new moon’, is about starting anew, self-exploration, and finding out about new parts of yourself you never knew existed. A whimsical and spacey song to ring in the new year. Listen below.
Sophia DeLeo
Sophia DeLeo is back with the release of her brand new single ‘Peter Got Engaged’. Following the release of her critically acclaimed sophomore EP Drama Queen in 2023, this will be the NYC based songwriter’s first new release after a nearly 2-year long hiatus. Known for her “diary-style lyrics” and “complex narratives,” Sophia’s songwriting explores themes of womanhood, personal trauma, and the complicated journey of healing–and this new track is no exception.
‘Peter Got Engaged’ marks a deeply personal and raw examination of sexual assault from a survivor’s perspective. “It is a song about discovering what has happened to you years after the fact, and yes, it is a song that tells my story,” Sophia opens up. The track confronts the aftermath of trauma with unflinching honesty from its very opening lines: “Peter got engaged, and I feel really weird / ‘Cause I’m still thinking about his fingers in my mouth, on a mattress on the floor.”
Throughout the track, Sophia’s lyrics skillfully juxtapose seemingly mundane details of life, like a casual conversation at a party, with the visceral emotional reality of confronting her past demons. The song’s most powerful and heartbreaking lines, though, are perhaps its most simple: “Blacked out in a party house / If a girl falls and there’s nobody around to hear it, did she make a sound?” From beginning to end, ‘Peter Got Engaged’ unfolds with a cathartic tension, giving voice to a story that many survivors are unable or unwilling to share. Listen below.
JŮNE
JŮNE is a Ukrainian independent artist based in London. Her music transports listeners to a dreamy retro world. The real name of the artist is Anna Denysova. At the age of 16 Anna started singing in a pop-folk ensemble and later with local rock bands. At around 20 years old she started writing her own songs. After she experimented with a commercial pop sound and collaborated with several music producers, she realised it didn’t work for her, so she came back to her authentic music path, discovering niche genres like lo-fi and alt-pop. Her early art was inspired by such artists as Radiohead, FKA Twigs, Sevdaliza and Bjork. In 2022, right before the russia’s full-scale invasion, Anna and her friend sound producer recorded some songs. In 2023 under the artist name JŮNE, she released a lo-fi and r&b single ‘Dark Horse’.
Her latest single ‘Little Bird’ is a romantic synth-pop track that evokes a sense of nostalgia with its dreamy vocals and vintage melodies that feels both timeless and brand new. The song explores themes of love and transformation, creating a romantic journey of heartfelt emotions for listeners to immerse themselves in. Listen below.
Bitter Ruin
In follow-up to the electrifying comeback single ‘Criticise’, Bitter Ruin returns with the acoustic saga ‘Through the Bricks’—the second single, rootsy and epic in equal parts, from their highly anticipated new album, slated for May 2025.
Through the Bricks’ isn’t just a song—it’s a journey. From its raw, intimate opening to a powerful, choral crescendo, the track captures a spectrum of emotion with nothing but an acoustic guitar and the unmistakable vocal harmonies of Bitter Ruin.
A throwback to the band’s original sound, ‘Through the Bricks’ strips away excess production, leaving space for the hauntingly layered vocals of Georgia Train and Ben Richards to shine. The song explores themes of loss, identity, and the painful yet liberating act of letting go, delivered with a striking simplicity that amplifies its emotional impact.
With its theatrical edge and rich storytelling, ‘Through the Bricks’ is both nostalgic and fresh—a perfect blend of vulnerability and catharsis that showcases the core of what Bitter Ruin is all about. Listen below.
May Flower
May Flower is an illustrator and musician from Poland, currently living in London. She’s been in love with music ever since she can remember and although she finished music school in the class of violin, her favourite part of music school was always choir. She owes her understanding of music to her parents, who brought her up with classics such as The Beatles, Tori Amos and Fiona Apple. She started writing her own songs around the age of 12, but started treating her music more seriously when she turned 17. She then went on to self-release her music as May A, performed at a few student festivals.
She’s back as May Flower now, with a refreshed dreamy and shimmering sound. She makes all her music and visuals by herself in her room. She hopes that her songs will (as Mary Oliver once said about poetry) keep her listeners company and be like temples or green fields – places to enter, and in which to feel. Her biggest influences are Kate Bush, Perfume Genius and Danny Elfman’s Alice in Wonderland soundtrack. Following her first release of the EP songs from gardens, in 2025 she plans to lean into darker sounds and blend her previous folky influences with a more dark ambient, experimental direction.
Inspired by the Slavic winter solstice celebration Szczodre Gody, ‘winter song’ blends samples of Polish winter birds with May Flower’s vocoded vocals to blur the line between nature and nurture. The result is a harmony of dissonance, culminating in a powerful vocal release. Though wordless, it evokes the end of darkness and rebirth. Listen below.
myah
Independent artist myah has released her new 8-track synthpop EP, IS THIS WHAT I SEE?, an exploration of love and existentialism. Inspired by the 2010s synthpop era, the project blends alternative rock and pop influences with storytelling-driven songwriting, allowing each song to play like a scene in a movie.
“I struggle a lot with existentialism and how time moves too fast,” says myah. “I miss the memories of the past a lot, and I often wonder what life would be like if it moved a little slower. This EP is my way of capturing those feelings.”
Inspired by classic films (Titanic, Holes, Hitch) and nods to beloved cultural touchstones (The Twilight Saga, Talking Heads Track, ‘Naive Melody’) gives the project a layered, nostalgic, cinematic quality.
Stand out track ‘Flames’ is a metaphorical take on heartbreak and avoidant attachment styles, incorporating a Holes reference in it’s outro. This track was written just days before the most painful breakup myah ever experienced. Listen below.
Danielle Swagger
Danielle Swagger is a epitome of courageous and determined amongst the rest. She is a 30 year old rapper, entrepreneur and model from the village of Tonota, Botswana (Father’s side) and Bulawayo, Zimbabwe (Mother’s side), more so the multi-talented artist was born and raised in the vibrant city of Gaborone, Danielle Swagger’s journey into the world of music and fashion began at a young age.
From her early years, Danielle Swagger displayed a natural inclination towards the arts, captivating audiences with her dynamic performances and undeniable stage presence. Her passion for music led her to explore various genres, but it was in hip hop where she found her true voice. Infusing her lyrics with personal experiences, social commentary, and empowering messages, Danielle Swagger’s music resonates deeply with listeners from all walks of life.
Seeking to expand her artistic horizons and explore new opportunities, Danielle Swagger made the bold decision to relocate to Reunion Island, France. This move allowed her to immerse herself in a diverse cultural landscape and collaborate with international artists, producers, and designers. It was in this new environment that Danielle’s creative spirit flourished, fueling her artistic growth and widening her artistic network.
‘Lost Ones’, produced by StanRecords, is a tribute to those who have passed, wrapped in a rich tapestry of soulful melodies and raw, honest lyrics that capture the bittersweet essence of love, grief, and resilience. Listen below.
Kat Yvonne
Kat Yvonne is a casual singer songwriter that uses music as an outlet from her day job as a scientist. Kat is Canadian born on the east coast but has been moving from city to city for work, so that wandering comes across a lot in her poetry and lyrics. She started connecting with musicians online through her instagram page during the pandemic as well as friends she has met along the way, and working on music. It has brought her both healing and joy, she is so grateful for the chance to turn her poetry into songs. ‘Wildflower’ is the lead single from her EP that is coming out this spring.
‘Wildflower’ was born of a poem written ona roadtrip to Yellowstone, brought to life in song form through a beautiful long-time collaboration with her friend Shawn down in Lake Tahoe. The lyrics and vocal delivery earnestly yearn for wildness and freedom, and speak to the fragility of our very own existence as we search for a place to call home. Listen below.
Check out more of our recent submissions via the playlist below!
