This feature spotlights artists who have submitted their tracks/videos to She Makes Music. If you would like to be featured here then please send an e-mail to helen@shemakesmusic.co.uk. We look forward to hearing from you!
Roo Elizabeth
Blending alt-rock grit with intimate storytelling, Roo Elizabeth is carving her own space in modern Irish music. Her sound moves between the intensity of alt-rock and the warmth of indie pop and folk, showcased on her debut EP, set for release in 2026.
Born in a small Irish studio, her new single ‘Crazy’ is a Indie/Alt new wave, post-punk revival anthem inspired by the legacy of women and outcasts that want to reclaim their power. Punchy bass and guitars, pounding drums and ethereal vocals, ‘Crazy’ is a modern keening of the Wild Irish Feminine.
“’Crazy’ is about how society treats women, or anyone that steps outside of the typical social expectations,” says Roo. “It’s an expression of the cycle that so many of us experience when being gaslit and doubted until you start to question your own sanity.”
den of dog
den of dog is a 2-piece electro-pop/rock band composed of Olive and Zak in the United Kingdom. The duo formed in 2022 after meeting at a gaming tournament, sharing mutual admiration for video game soundtracks. The band’s current objective is less conformative to any specific genre or aesthetic but to present a playful and experimental approach to alternative music.
Personal influences draw from Hideki Naganuma, Deftones, and Jockstrap, along with Zak’s interest in the sounds and styles of the Japanese rock scene in the 80s and 90s – taking inspiration from artists such as Hide Matsumoto and Tomoyasu Hotei. Their unique brand of composition fuses hypnotic hooks and tightly folded harmonies, along with digital synchronicity, to pay homage to the nostalgic era of the early internet.
New single ‘Any Guy’ explores the poetic ramblings of a heartbroken lover who is looking for anyone or anything to fill the gaps left by someone’s absence in their life. Its melodies are delivered gently as a passage of self-reflection and confession, describing a fragile and obsessive emotional state. The lyrics deliver an immediate tone of vulnerability, supported by soft, glitchy synth patterns and acoustic guitar.
Virginia MacNaughton
Critically acclaimed singer and songwriter Virginia MacNaughton has announced her third album The Thread for release on February 27.
Marking the moment, she has released the lead single and album opener ‘Gravity’. The bright majestic song introduces the power and pull of an ultimately doomed encounter, setting the captivating theme running throughout The Thread.
With the piano theme leading the song, reflecting the triggers of obsessive back and forth messaging, Virginia’s vocals soar with optimism on ‘Gravity’, carried further by weightless harmonies into a bold progressive chorus rich in orchestration capturing the excitement of blossoming new love.
Regarding the single Virginia says, “The piano theme derives from the ubiquitous iPhone xylophone ringtone – It wasn’t intentional, it had seeped into my brain. With each new message, the sound would trigger the thrill and desire for connection – the dopamine rush. The song is about the gravitational pull of that which feels inevitable – to be caught up in space and time.
“The object of desire and the pursuit became the black hole that would eventually consume me. Physicists describe the intense gravitational force in the approach to a black hole, as reaching the ‘event horizon’ – literally meaning, there is no turning back. Your feet are drawn to the centre faster than your head, and your body stretches until it breaks up, a process known as spaghettification. That’s what was happening to me – I was going to be spaghettified.”
Lauren Ray
British Artist Lauren Ray returns with her chill but empowering new single ‘Bring You Home’, out now.
Following the success of her three albums We WIll Need Courage (2016), Woman In The Arena (2020) and Quarter Life Crisis (2024), Lauren is yet again showcasing her talent for songwriting and an ability to effortlessly blend genres. ‘Bring You Home’ is an inspiring neosoul-pop track about reconnecting with your heart – to let go of the stories and burdon’s from the past and find freedom within yourself.
“It’s about finding safety, love and belonging from within and letting go of stories and experiences keeping you stuck in the past” says Lauren.
Hannah Lou Larsen
Hannah Lou Larsen, the Danish-born, Oxford-based multi-instrumentalist, releases ‘Move Like Rivers’—the first single from her upcoming EP Peach Pine Ocean.
Known for blending chamber pop, craft-folk and electronic sound worlds, Hannah’s musical journey began with childhood experiments overwriting church sermon cassettes with found sounds like hairdryers and her brother’s breathing. “I was the kid who would record everything—conversations at dinner, the sound of rain on windows, my grandmother humming while cooking,” she explains. “The most interesting stories live in the spaces between intended moments.” ‘Move Like Rivers’ showcases this philosophy through its unique instrumentation: acoustic guitar riffs, layered harmonies, electronic beats, pots and pans percussion, and tape cassette cut- ups with hydrophone recordings from Oxfordshire rivers and canals.
The catchy, head-bopping track sounds, according to her, just like “Sylvan Esso taking an afternoon bike ride in Björk’s ever-evolving soundscapes.”
Elli Glyn
Rising pop artist and songwriter Elli Glyn returns with her most ambitious release to date, the anthemic single ‘Don’t Let Go.’ Produced by Zak Lloyd and written by Elli Glyn and Joe Rose, the track is a sweeping statement of resilience, catharsis, and personal growth.
Opening with a raw and vulnerable acoustic melody, ‘Don’t Let Go’ gradually expands into a cinematic soundscape, elevated by dramatic orchestral arrangements and soaring layered vocals. The result is a track that captures the transformation of heartbreak into triumph – a journey from fragility to strength.
“This song is about turning the pain of past love into something victorious,” says Elli. “It’s my most personal and powerful release yet, and I hope listeners can find their own strength within it.”
Louisa Rowley
Artist Louisa Rowley returns to the music scene with the release of upbeat blues- funk track, ‘Move On’, out now.
Back in your ears for the first time this year, Louisa Rowley’s newest single, ‘Move On’, is the final track set for release before her EP release at the very end of the year. Here Rowley has managed to turn her troubles into triumph, bringing exciting new influences for an exciting new release as Louisa decides, once and for all, that it’s time to ‘Move On’…
Inspired by the “funk-meets-blues” style of Eric Gales and Shemeika Copland, Louisa once again revisits her chronic anxiety with her signature honesty, in a confession of unfiltered truths, regarding her own shortcomings, her “unhealthy habits” and her ability to be “her own worst enemy”. Unlike her typical bluesy backing, Louisa has paired these stark confessions against a sprightly, funky bassline, written and performed brilliantly by Aiden Mustafa. Written at what she feels is a turning point in her life, ‘Move On’, was written as a promise to herself that she would no longer allow herself to be held back or hindered by her struggle with anxiety. With Richard Marc’s sleek production and classic bluesy guitars, once again arching over the entire track, ‘Move On’, allows Rowley to explore the less attractive and, at times, darker parts of her psyche, through the lens of optimism and the promises of a better tomorrow.
Kate de Rosset
Kate is an artist and musician who began sharing music in 2014. As a live member of Cemeteries, in her former project Pat Moon, and now as her given name.
After releasing her first studio recorded album, For the Small Bird, she moved to her hometown in North Carolina and has been creating a studio in her home. It’s become a safe space for her to re-discover what she loves most. The start of a new chapter. It Will Burn, her fifth full-length album, is out January 9 via La Double Vie.
Latest single ‘What Wish’ was inspired by self-reflection and those moments when we close our eyes and make a wish. In the song, the artist shares her wish for deeper self-compassion, acceptance and gentleness. Not just for herself, but for those closest to her. The artist hopes that the song captivates like a shooting star, offering the listener a moment to look within and feel their hearts’ deepest desire.
Julie Hicklin
Julie Hicklin’s songs have compelling hooks, conjure emotion and resonate with the listener. From slow burning, dance floor friendly tracks to cinematic, melancholic, haunting ballads and dark sexty pop. a sonic journey of life, love and human experience.
‘Rumour’ is a fierce synth-pop breakup anthem where suspicion turns to truth and revenge. Julie’s bold Gaga-esque vocal rides Alan’s sharp production of punchy percussion and moody layered synths. The figurative lyrics conjure up the “hell hath no fury” style emotion of a woman scorned.
Selkie
Named after the mythical seal-folk who lose their voices when kept from the sea, Selkie traces its roots to a year when speaking and even breathing felt fragile, when sudden anxiety made it hard to trust voice or body. Sitting at the piano each day became a quiet act of returning, of finding sound and a connection to nature’s rhythms.
‘Heartspeak’ is the latest single from Scottish artist Selkie. Out now, a minimal, airy companion to August’s ‘Hours’. Where ‘Hours’ swelled toward a widescreen crescendo, ‘Heartspeak’ leans into restraint: centered on a close vocal, breath-light pad harmonies, a soft synth arpeggio, and a gentle, wandering piano line.
The song is about trust, fear, intimacy, and quiet intensity. It holds openness and alertness. The wonder that makes you feel held by something larger, and the small pulse of fear that keeps you moving in the dark.
Check out more of our recent submissions via the playlist below!
