She Walks Through Dusk
Hobart-based rock band, She Walks Through Dusk, have released their new single ‘Ghosts’. Described by the band as a “gothic power ballad”, ‘Ghosts’ begins by evoking a dark, moody atmosphere with piano and strings, then gradually builds to a symphonic metal finale. The lyrics, written by singer Imogen Duske and pianist Amelia Kohl, tell the story of a young woman who is visited by the ghost of her dead lover, who implores her to join him in death. With its polished production and epic instrumentation, ‘Ghosts’ marks a significant departure from the simple, raw rock arrangements of the band’s previous releases. “When you listen to bands like Nightwish and Within Temptation, there’s something about those orchestral elements that can give you goosebumps,” Imogen Duske said. “That’s the type of music I want to create.” Listen below.

Alina
Alina, an indie-pop singer-songwriter, is thrilled to announce the release of her latest single, ‘Ultimate Cheerleader’. This new track explores themes of camaraderie, overwhelm, hope and gratitude with a chorus horn section that’ll have you singing it all day. “‘Ultimate Cheerleader’ is a song for all the self proclaimed ‘dreamers’ who actually find themselves wanting to give up a lot more often than they’d care to admit,” she says. “The song explores the nuances of imposter syndrome and, most importantly, the recognition of a friend who will simply never let me give up. The friend to whom I send every new demo, the friend who helps me find that one word I can’t quite figure out to complete a song, and the friend who will drive across the country to see me perform, so I’ve always got at least one familiar face in the audience. My Ultimate Cheerleader.” Initially inspired by “Ultimate” from the movie Freaky Friday, this song was written for Alina’s friend, Thea. After writing the song and producing a demo as a gift for her birthday last year, Alina then drew inspiration from Madonna’s ‘4 Minutes’, Harry Styles’ ‘Music For A Sushi Restaurant’, and Katrina and the Waves’ ‘Walking on Sunshine’ for the final track. The song showcases upbeat pop musicality, a reworked brass sample and honest lyrics that will make you giggle. Listen below.

ANI HAN
ANI HAN is an emerging artist and singer-songwriter whose heartfelt lyrics and dreamy sound create a comforting haven for listeners. After the loss of her mother in 2021, she channeled her grief into songwriting, finding solace and purpose in the music she creates. With a keen ear and a commitment to intentionality, ANI HAN crafts honest, emotionally resonant tracks that cultivate a unique space for connection and reflection. Her music invites listeners to explore their own emotions, making each experience deeply personal. “I don’t know what life has looked like for you, but as I’ve grown older, I’ve found relationships to be just as complex as we humans are. ‘First to Call’ is an attempt to capture a portion of those complexities–particularly, the struggle between wanting to reconnect, the fear of vulnerability, and how pride can keep people apart. My purpose in making music is to capture the human experience so that others feel seen and heard.” Listen below.

Jade Garisch
Jade Garisch is thrilled to announce the release of her latest single, ‘The Castle.’ This vibrant Drum and Bass track weaves a captivating blend of energy and emotion, inviting listeners into a world where playfulness meets a hint of darkness. In ‘The Castle,’ Jade draws inspiration from her diverse musical background, creating a soundscape that resonates across varied audiences. This rejuvenating track transports listeners to towering heights where adventure and fantasy collide, allowing them to take flight in their imaginations. With its bouncy beats and eerie undertones, ‘The Castle’ captures the essence of joy and whimsy. Picture this infectious tune resonating through an underground club in Berlin at 4 a.m., igniting a dance floor frenzy, while also enchanting the ears of youthful souls dancing in their living room. Jade’s ability to blend the magical imagery of soaring high in a whimsical castle engages both nightlife revelers and the young at heart. “I hope ‘The Castle’ makes you dance and feel uplifted,” Jade shares. “It’s all about letting go and indulging in the magic of imagination!” Listen below.

Mia Joan
Mia Joan is an alt rock dream pop songwriter with a country twist. Inspired by telecaster tones and honest vocals, telling stories of heartbreak, addiction and love, Mia welcomes you to her haunted house with her debut EP, Monsters. Monsters reflects her twenties in three songs. Love, women, obsession and a drinking problem. Listen to stand out track ‘Crush’ below. “I wrote ‘Crush’ in a haze of fantasising over a girl I shouldn’t have been fantasising about. It’s a twisted love song about queer obsession,” she says.

Eryn Michel
Maryland songwriter Eryn Michel has been writing folk, Americana, and country songs for nearly 25 years, since she was raised in Los Angeles against her will. She shocked everyone who knew her when she enlisted in the Army not long after 9/11. Everywhere the Army sent her, a cheap guitar came too, so she could leave it with whoever was inspired to learn. After serving as a Civil Affairs sergeant and convoy gunner in Iraq, Michel earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from UCLA (covered here in Parade Magazine), and then worked in the Obama White House and in the misinformation field. She finally soured on war and politics, and turned to music and motherhood to restore her soul. She can occasionally be cajoled into performing, as she didn’t muster the courage to try her first open mic until age 32. She has since opened for folk legend David Buskin and performed at the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville as well as stages in her local Washington, D.C. area. Michel only recently started releasing her own music, as she considers herself foremost a songwriter who likes to help others through the collaborative process of co-writing. She now makes her living entirely with her voice: voice acting, session singing and songwriting. Nihilistic pop-rock anthem ‘We Tried!!!’ from Eryn (featuring Alexandria’s Emily Henry and Silver Spring’s Kimberly Shires) makes no moral judgment on how humanity has irreversibly damaged the planet—only a grim acceptance that our end is nigh and a call to “dance while we drown” to pulsing synths, ironic violins, and wailing electric guitars. Listen below.

Waxheart
Waxheart breaks all the conventions of the modern hard rock genre by evoking sounds from Alternative Emo bands such as Sweet Pill, and Free Throw, while retaining the heavy rhythm section that put bands like Royal Blood on the map. Above the rhythm section sits layered, multi-faceted guitar parts, and rich harmonizing vocals that read like the poetry of a group of misanthropes untangling the net of angst and disillusionment, themes that the band are exploring in their upcoming concept release. ‘Numb’ is a mid-tempo, moody alternative rock song that starts by plunging into the muck of losing control of one’s feelings with both hands. Ambient guitars and feedback noise underneath a vulnerable lead vocal in the verse give way to a crushing dual-vocal chorus that laments the duality of man, and the “feeling” of feeling nothing at all. Listen below.

Check out more of our recent submissions via the playlist below!

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Just A Leo
Following a series of lineup changes, countless covid caused setbacks, and a year of introspection, Melbourne electro-pop duo Just A Leo can say they’ve finally discovered their true artistic identity with their latest release, ’15. How Do You Live With Yourself’. Inspired by the evocative vocal stylings of Bon Iver and the glitch-infused production of Flume, ’15. How Do You Live With Yourself’ is an ethereal meditation on human suffering and the rampant lack of empathy that we are all guilty of. “Think of when most people encounter a homeless person on the street. More often than not, they choose to look away. The suffering is too much to bear,” explains the duo. “Imagine for a moment how much this dismissal of human tragedy devastates the person who is suffering. ’15. How Do You Live With Yourself’ is asking more of all of us: In a world where tragedy and suffering are guaranteed, why not spread a little more kindness?”. ’15. How Do You Live With Yourself’ was entirely produced, recorded and mixed by the duo, with the mastering being handled by Adam Dempsey (Angie McMahon, Courtney Barnett). ’15. How Do You Live With Yourself’ was written with a unique songwriting process they call ‘songwriting blind.’ This technique sees Kalliope (vocals, keys, producer) and Andie (drums, bass, keys, producer) contributing to the song separately, unaware of each other’s parts. This method adds an element of surprise and has so far yielded successful results for the duo. Listen below.

Alina
Alina, a 22 year old British singer-songwriter living in Amsterdam, has released her third single entitled ‘Pillars’, bringing strawberries and sunshine to the pop-rock genre. Looking at the pillars of life (generally these are love, family, health and wealth), all of Alina’s seemed to be falling into place simultaneously for the first time. This doesn’t mean that life was perfect, but the song is about a recognition of gratitude… a thing that is often overlooked. ‘Pillars’ immerses us in a world of appreciation, reminiscence and savoring the now. It is a pop-rock, self-written, personal yet relatable song that feels timeless. Writing songs since she was twelve and singing before she could talk, Alina has been working towards the career of a singer-songwriter and performer since before she can remember. Influences for Alina’s music come from a wide spread; these include Adele, Lily Allen, Maisie Peters, Fleetwood Mac, Billie Eillish, Alannis Morrisette, Carole King, Miley Cyrus, dodie and Katy Perry to name a few. Listen to ‘Pillars’ below.

Cheery
Kansas-native and current Liverpool resident Cheery releases their single, ‘True Lover’. “This track was written in the midsts of being trapped in an extremely abusive relationship and daydreaming of a time when this will not be the norm,” explains Cheery. “It acts as a warning to anyone who believes you get infinite chances at happiness, to appreciate what you have and to recognize true love. It also warns those experiencing violence in their relationships to retreat as opposed to building up a tolerance.” All of this dark lyricism is set to a tense and choppy instrumental, meant to replicate the feelings of being tied down and pushing and pulling your way out. This track was produced by Eric Davis (Hembree). Listen below.

L33A.P
Electronic artist L33A.P releases her second track of the year, ‘L1K3 TH3 RAIN,’ a simultaneously moody and euphoric dance track, featuring UKG/Bassline and House influences. “Her tears fall slowly like the rain” is the opening vocal line that drives the track, which eventually develops into an all out euphoric but stormy ending, complete with thundery cymbal crashes. The track is entirely written and produced by L33A.P. L33A.P (pronounced Leah P) is a producer, singer and songwriter from NY. She grew up playing classical music and learned 10 instruments by age 13. She started dabbling in music production in college and exploring different styles of electronic music. Her current productions express her love for UKG, as well as various other musical influences collected throughout the years. Listen to ‘L1K3 TH3 RAIN’ below.

AlexStella
AlexStella, the visionary London based singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer, is wired to constantly push the boundaries of her sound. The Swedish native, ventures into a captivating blend of EDM, avant, alt and art-pop genres. Influenced by artists like Sevdaliza, Poppy, BABii, ARCA and FKA Twigs, her music delves into creating immersive sonic landscapes. With the inclusion of operatic vocal sections and an interplay between synthesizers, pianos, and guitars, her sound is rich and dynamic. Vocal delays and irresistible grooves fuel AlexStella’s music. Her lyrics often delve into themes of love and anger, rooted in a sense of not fully belonging. Growing up as a second generation Polish immigrant in Sweden, her songs are a reflection of her own journey as an artist, and a woman, capturing the highs and lows of life. She stands behind the meaning of embracing yourself, and so, fueled by anger built up from life experiences and encounters she stands prepared to unveil her true essence with her new single ‘Methe’. Listen below.

YVA
Amy Holford is the independent singer and writer behind the moniker YVA, based in the north of England. She released her debut EP, HYPE MACHINE in 2021 and she also features heavily on producer and composer Nitin Sawhney’s recorded works, as well as touring live as a permanent fixture in his band. ‘I Have Seen’ is the first single from her second EP, Delusions of Grandeur. “Written when I was 17 and carried through much of my twenties, it’s a song about confronting, even accepting your demons,” she explains. “It’s about every dude who secretly wanted me to stay in my place, not to learn. It’s the devil in me, the demon on my back, the anxiety that doesn’t want me to try. To name it and it be known and not let it overwhelm me. Recorded and co-produced at my own home studio with Khushi and Jonathan Hibbert.” Listen below.

Beige Girl
Beige Girl is a 22 year old conscious female rapper on a mission to shake up the hip-hop scene and ignite change through her politically charged rhymes. With a fierce commitment to feminism, social justice, and inclusivity. Her music is a reflection of her values and experiences, tackling issues of race, gender, and class head-on. Through her music she embraces the fluidity of gender and sexuality, recognizing the spectrum of identities beyond the traditional binary. Her commitment to social justice extends beyond her music, as she actively uses her life to advocate for change. With a mix of Hiphop, rap and rock Beige Girl is one to watch. Her latest single is called ‘Weareyourfriends’. “‘Weareyourfriends’ is about abortion laws, norms and women not supporting each other but mostly care for the attention of men and career building,” she says. “Its a fucked up game to destroy each other when we need each other the most. I made this text, I made this song to express my mind and frustrations. hopefully some good can come out it.” Listen below.

ELLA FAE
Essex-based artist Ella Fae drops her highly anticipated debut EP Magazine Dreaming. A 5 track alt-pop project exploring her fairy world, where she bravely tackles topics such as heartbreak, mental health and finding her way in the world.The EP Magazine Dreaming channels the dreamy and trippy vocoder-based pop of fellow contemporaries such as Allie X, Caroline Polachek, Muna and Billie Eilish, with swirling electronic production, washed-out pianos and catchy gang vocal choruses that interweave with Ella’s haunting vocals. The fragmented style of the instrumentation throughout the EP frames Ella’s lyricism well and was a key part of the writing process with producer Tragic Sasha: “‘The hardest song on the EP to write was definitely ‘Pretty (Fucked Up)’. I want to start an honest conversation about mental health that others may be able to relate to after hearing my music. I have found that Eating disorders is a taboo subject within the music industry, so I wanted to break that boundary and openly discuss the topic, so that others who may be struggling or have struggled feel seen and not alone. In the studio, I remember it being a glorified therapy session. I spilled some of the darkest parts of my teenage years to my producer and cowriter Tragic Sasha, who sprinkled her magic on the production and made this song everything I ever dreamed it could be,” says Ella. Listen below.

Melissa Menago
Echo The Optimist is Melissa Menago’s 2nd full length album, releasing everywhere Aug 25.A multi-instrumentalist and seasoned songwriter, Menago blends a unique mix of indie and alternative pop, singer-songwriter and modern folk on Echo The Optimist to touch on love, loss, grief, reflection and relationships of all kinds. Menago’s solo career started off on NYC’s Chesky Records with her debut album, Little Crimes. Also known as the lead singer and songwriter of indie rock band, June Divided, Menago has shared the stage with Twentyone Pilots, The Pretty Reckless, Walk The Moon, Rise Against and others. “I knew ‘Echo The Optimist’ would be the title track as soon as I wrote it.” says Melissa. “This album is like a snapshot of my life thus far, and this song is a bit of an explanation of myself. The way we are wired is often determined by influences and circumstances beyond our control, even things that happen before we arrive. This song touches on that idea. This is one of a few songs on the album where the guitar part was set in stone before much else. I had the lyrical concept running around in my head, but sitting down and writing this guitar part was one of those magic black-out moments. It wasn’t an easy part to figure out or play but I suddenly just sort of… had it. Then everything else fell into place. It’s the first track on the album and I think it sets the tone for the rest of it.” Listen below.

Check out more of our recent submissions via the playlist below!

The post appeared first on She Makes Music.