Hailing from planet Earth, sister duo Girl Tones are trashing the party in the official video for their raucous debut single ‘Fade Away.’ Directed by Casey Pierce the video is full of color-blocked primary tones as the duo hosts a rageful pity party. Crushing flowers, tearing through walls, and rigging drum kits with balloons, Girl Tones thrashes over being burned over and over again. On the video, Girl Tones shared, “Everyone loves a party. But when does it stop being a party and become a chore?”

Rising indie-pop artist Kiki Kramer is set to captivate listeners with her debut single, ‘Relevant,’ out now on Suretone Records. The record is a moody, honest, and playfully insincere track that critiques society’s obsession with fame fueled by social media. The song combines elements of hyper-pop and jazz to create a sound that is both unique and entirely relatable. A distinct lyricist, Kiki’s writing echo the struggles of seeking validation in a digital world: “Give me your views, likes, all your attention babe. I try so hard to win it. I’m not the bad guy, but I’m not benevolent. Maybe I’d kill just to be relevant,” she sings. Her aesthetic is as important to Kiki as the sound, and the video captures this, with nods to her influences as disparate as Japanese anime and horror flicks, BDSM and rococo. Video director Marc Klasfeld (Charli XCX, Sky Ferreira, Foo Fighters, Lady Gaga, Jessie J, Prince, Britney Spears, Wiz Khalifa and more) perfectly captures the divinely creepy, the mood and message. “I had gotten annoyed trying to film videos for TikTok. I felt that my music would never be valid unless I had a following behind it” she says. “The song highlights how far someone might go for that kind of attention.”

Rising dance-pop sensation Ella Rosa unveils the captivating music video for her latest single, ‘FUN.’ The video plunges viewers into a kaleidoscopic world of playful mischief and trippy visuals, perfectly matching the track’s hypnotic melodies and pulsating beats. True to its title, ‘FUN’ is a vibrant, tongue-in-cheek celebration of the wild and wonderfully unhinged side of life, drawing you into Ella Rosa’s charismatic universe.

Charlotte Plank has released her new single ‘Ellen’. The track follows her recent single ‘Stargirl’, and serves as a letter to her younger self, with its title drawn from her own middle name. “Ellen is my middle name – signifying the girl in between,” Charlotte explains. “The song was written about a time in my life where I had lost faith in music (with it being such a heavenly but hellish place at times) and myself. I was working two jobs, trying to figure out a way to make music work whilst being on a bit of a path of self destruction and being lost with who I was. I had so much bubbling under the surface and more to give than my jobs in customer service – but I was scared to try. And when I wrote this at 20 years old I thought: if I could hold on, battle the demons and ‘make it’ by 27 – beyond some of my idols like Amy Winehouse & Kurt Cobain, I’d be okay.” [via Dork]

San Francisco shoe gaze x grunge pop trio chokecherry — comprised of vocalist/guitarist Izzie Clark and bassist/vocalist E. Scarlett Levinson, along with drummer Abri Crocitto — have dropped the incredibly buzzy EP Messy Star, their debut release for Fearless Records. chokecherry have also shared the epic video for the title track, in which the band pulls back the curtain on some of its unexpected influences. Often the band’s closing number during their live sets, ‘Messy Star’ is a thrashing nod to their heavier sound, taking inspiration from artists like Turnstile, Ty Segall, and Mannequin Pussy. The track tells a story of metaphorical demonic possession, and being at the mercy of a mischievous and destructive “shadow self.” “This song is truly meant to make you dance and lose your mind in the moshpit,” the band states. “Lyrically, the song touches on themes of being at war with yourself (or rather, your shadow self) and peeling back the curtain on the dark parts of the human psyche. The narrator of the track sits in a more fictional role than our other songs, which was fun to explore and build a narrative around — a sort of villain arc, if you will. The nature of the ‘possession’ is open to interpretation, but listeners can relate to its references to addiction, insecurity, and self-destruction. For us, it invokes memories of the sweaty L.A. punk shows that shaped our musical repertoire.”chokecherry continue, “We wrote this song as a homage to our doom, psych rock, and hardcore influences. This is the earliest chokecherry track that made it to a record. From the track’s inception, it was an odyssey that took different forms from its live performances to its eventual recording for this EP.” [via Metal Heads Forever]

Madeline Goldstein channels raw energy into ‘1996 Expectations’; a tightrope walk through the complexities of the music business. Imagine Madonna fronting Violator-era Depeche Mode—her voice both smoky and commanding, exuding confidence and control. Goldstein’s performance is a challenge to the restrictive roles often imposed on women, as she navigates the tension between vulnerability and strength. Her sultry, bold vocals cut through the synth-driven track, embodying the struggle of maintaining authenticity in an industry that often demands compromise. With each note, she pushes against boundaries, embracing power and independence in a world eager to define her. “Expectations are the gun – the killer – of a pure thought or action,” Goldstein asserts. “And when you’ve shown everyone yourself, inside-out, and they still want more, what’s next? It’s an introduction to the themes of voyeurism and constraint on the new record, whether that be inside the mind, inside the body, or in the open spaces of the everyday world.” Tyler Carlin’s retrofuturistic video for ‘1996 Expectations’ traps Goldstein in a stark, stylized cell, where every tick of the clock and tilt of the scales of justice marks the relentless grind of time and the burden of societal roles. She paces, anxious, her movements echoing the weight of those unspoken rules that press harder with each passing second. The nods to German expressionism linger in the harsh angles and the cold geometry of the space, while early ’80s video aesthetics creep through the cracks, reminding us that we’ve seen this all before. [via Post Punk]

Bambie Thug has released their new single ‘Fangtasy’. The song follows the release of ‘Hex So Heavy’ earlier this summer, and sees them explore themes of self-empowerment and breaking free from control. The accompanying video, directed by Marco Pavone, features an animated gothic mansion party. Speaking about the new single, Bambie says: “probably one of the best Halloween songs ever that you can also listen to all year round.” Of the video, they add: “I wanted to create something fun and playful that would resonate with fáns of all ages in my Coven. We teamed up with an Italian animation studio to bring the vision to life, but the creative direction and storytelling were all conjured up by my sister, Holly. The characters’ aesthetics were inspired by the incredible fan art I’ve received, especially from a fan named Broonney. “The video is filled with Easter eggs and inside jokes from my time on tour and stars The Darklings, who have my back against all kinds of vampires, both on and off-screen. The animation pulls in references from iconic favourites like The Powerpuff Girls, The Love Witch, Grease, and Sabrina: The Animated Series (1999).” [via Dork]

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Glasser, the electronic music project of Cameron Mesirow, has shared the music video for her recent song ‘Vine,’ the first single off of her upcoming album, crux. Julia Crockett directed the video, which features Mesirow posing for art students. Crux is due out October 6 via One Little Independent. This is Glasser’s first full-length album release in 10 years. Crux becomes a melting pot of sorts, pulling from unavoidable hardships and making it into something a bit more digestible. Of the album’s lead single ‘Vine,’ Glasser says, “It was like an attempt at making something where all the parts sound like they’re very separated. I was thinking like jazz, actually. It was about getting back to writing music after feeling a bit disconnected from the machinery around making it your profession.” [via Under The Radar]

CIEL have released a new single, ‘So Scared’. Following on from ‘Somebody’, it’s the latest track from the Brighton band’s upcoming EP Make It Better, set for release on July 7 via Jazz Life. Michelle Hindriks (vocals, bass) says: “’So Scared’ is about being scared to be vulnerable and open up yourself towards someone else. But at the same time it’s about actively wanting to change that part of yourself and working hard to be able to be vulnerable, as it’s an important part of making valuable connections with others. The song started out with just one cute sounding synth line with the vocal part over it and in the studio we kept adding layers of guitars to create a much bigger sound.” [via Dork]

Nashville, Tennessee’s GAL — short for GIVE ART LIFE — is an avant-garde artist consistently pushing boundaries. As she tells stories of love, heartbreak, and rebellion, she blurs the lines between reality and imagination and blends rap, singing, and songwriting into cohesive tracks. Her newest single, ‘Roxx Off’, details the emotions that arise as a love turns into heartbreak. Speaking on the track, GAL explains, “Love never truly disappears; it just transforms into pain, regret, forgiveness, or sometimes even hate, but it always circles back to love. ‘Roxx Off’ is about that someone you love to hate, but can’t seem to let go of. It’s relatable to any situation where you struggle to maintain what you truly want, or try to shake off something you don’t.” Below, you can watch the single’s music video, directed by Christopher Scholar with creative direction and styling by LaDonna Wittingham. Green and pink florals create a flower power-esque setting, while long nails and experimental fashion complete the picture. Whether camouflaging into the wallpaper or starring on the screen of an old television set, GAL plays with special effects and experimental, trippy visuals to captivate the audience. Ending with a reference to The Addams Family’s Thing, a disembodied hand, the video tells a story of its own while also bringing the lyrics and soundscape to a new dimension. Cinematic, expansive, relatable, and honest, the song and video will lure you into the world of GAL. [via Wonderland]

The Japanese pop-rock band CHAI have announced a new self-titled album, their follow-up to 2021’s WINK. It includes ‘We The Female!,’ which came out last month, and now they’re sharing the breezy, groovy ‘PARA PARA.’ “There’s not a deep meaning to that song, it’s really just about the dance,” the band’s MANA said, referencing Japan’s ’90s two-step dance trend. She continued: “As long as you can feel the two-step, any dance is possible! Let your body just move to your dancing heart ♡ When your body moves to the beat of your heart, you’ll realize that the world is smaller than you think, and all your problems are easier than they seem. ‘Cause two-step and music is the best way to communicate in this world ♡ Let it START! CHAI’s two-step dance music ☆☆” [via Stereogum]

twst is back with a new single called ‘Off-World’. Following April’s ‘Most Viewed’, the track comes paired with a music video co-directed with Sam Kinsella. Speaking about the track and its accompanying visual, twst said: “‘Off-World’ resonates with a universal desire to give oneself completely, forging connections that transcend societal norms. The music video serves as a visual representation of the song’s themes, depicting a cyborg girl who descends upon Earth, yearning to break free from the confines of this world and find solace in another realm. In this transcendent journey, ‘Off World’ encapsulates the concept of liberation. The cyborg girl symbolises the struggle for personal freedom and self-expression, embodying twst’s own quest for authenticity. The lyrics vividly portray longing and transformation, urging listeners to break free from predetermined moulds and embrace the unknown. The chorus becomes an empowering anthem for those seeking to transcend their current state and embrace a new existence beyond societal boundaries.” [via Our Culture Mag]

Kesha has unveiled a video for ‘Only Love Can Save Us Now’. The intense track features on the singer-songwriter’s recently released Rick Rubin-produced album, Gag Order, which is described as a record that excavates, “the deepest recesses of her soul.” The clip also finds the singer channelling a variety of emotions into a surreal performance of the song. [via Stereoboard]

Rising pop artist Gabi Sklar reveals the music video for her new single, ‘Good Kisser.’ ‘Good Kisser’ is a sultry and sophisticated pop anthem that highlights Gabi’s captivating vocal range. “The song explores the ‘maybe I should, maybe I shouldn’t’ relationship with a really good friend — it’s about that push-and-pull of intuition vs. temptation,” she says. For the ‘Good Kisser’ music video, Gabi collaborated with director Justin Thorne (House of Giuseppe) to bring the song to life. “What I like most about the music video is that it allowed me to step outside of myself and play various characters,” Gabi elaborates. “I also really adore 60s glamor which made it that much more fun to experiment with different vignettes, personas and aesthetics inspired by that decade.”

Alice Merton makes her long-awaited return with a new single entitled ‘Charlie Brown.’ The track is a catchy indie-pop song that tells the story of a man who is stuck in a rut. His days are repetitive, and his past keeps coming back to haunt him; he is searching for a higher meaning in life, something that makes him feel fulfilled – unfortunately, he has yet to find it. The chorus comes in as a push out of the daily grind: “Hold tight we’re moving on! Keep that dream just a little bit longer!” ‘Charlie Brown’ is a wake-up call to get back into the driver’s seat of your life. It’s a hymn to keep going – no matter how big the obstacles may be. Stop settling for the apparent security of everyday life, but fight for what is important to you. Thus, the song’s message is not only addressed to Charlie. All of us could do with leaving our comfort zone sometimes, try things and to stand up for our dreams. After having finished a North American and European Tour with the British indie-pop band Bastille last year, Merton found herself back in the studio, writing with Chris Wood aka “Woody” (drummer from Bastille) and songwriter/producer Matt Wills. Merton recalls, “It was honestly one of the best times of my life, getting to tour with such a lovely group of people, and then creating music together.” William Farquarson (bass player in Bastille) joined the session a few weeks later and out came ‘Charlie Brown.’ The track was finished off with production by Paul Whalley, mixing by Jon Kelly (Kate Bush, Freddie Mercury, Duffy), and mastering by Sascha Busy Bühren. The accompanying video for ‘Charlie Brown’ was filmed in London and written and directed by Alice. At her side was choreographer Lyn Lim, with whom she worked with on ‘Lash Out’ and ‘Blindside,’ and her trusted Director of Photography Elias Koehler. Together, they created a world where Charlie seems to be a bit confused and depressed with his life situation, but Alice is adamant that he realizes how special he is.

Caity Baser has shared a new single, ‘Leave Me Alone’. The accompanying video sees her take inspiration from a number of Hollywood films, including American Beauty, Lady & The Tramp, Love Actually and more. Caity says: “I wrote ‘Leave Me Alone’ about this boy that I was seeing. And then after we stopped seeing each other I was like ‘fine we were seeing each other anymore’ but then he was still bugging me and calling me and bothering me all the time on nights out, trying to get in my ubers home and I was saying “no, no, no, sir! I don’t want that. “Then he would tell me all these sweet, sweet nothings and make promises filled with love but actually meant nothing and then I’d say “I don’t even care if you don’t mean it just leave me alone”. So this song is about that one person that were not leave you alone – that is grinding your gears, making you sick to your stomach and you don’t want to say anything so you just say: say leave me alone!” Of the video, she adds: “The video was so much fun to make! I made it with Callaway Breeze and we recreated scenes from Love Actually, Say Anything, Romeo and Juliet, Lady And The Tramp and Wolf Of Wall Street. It was really cool to recreate some of my favorite movies and incorporate them into my music video. It was also so fun to be with everyone during the day of the shoot and have all these slay outfits I must say. Also there was a sexy, slay boy there the whole time. Watch it!” [via Dork]

Enigmatic Los Angeles songstress Madeline Goldstein steps back into the spotlight, leaving a poignant imprint on the darkwave scene with her latest EP, Other World, thoughtfully curated by à La Carte Records. At its essence, Other World is an intoxicating melange of charm and command. Though concise, it serves as a formidable artistic descendant of her first full-length debut, yet confidently carves its unique place as a breathtaking tour de force. The titular track and single, ‘Other World’ immerses its listeners in a mesmerizing dreamscape woven from the shards of erratic drum beats, echoing synthesizers, and the celestial aria of a soaring soprano. Goldstein’s main vocal thread, delivered with her trademark elegance, intensifies in passion as it surges towards the climaxing third act. The sparkling requiem draws from the deeply intimate realm of Goldstein’s solitude, echoing the emotionally charged ballads of musical theatre and the heightened drama of 80s romance anthems. The track reverberates with traces of The Motels, Aimee Mann, and Tuxedomoon, especially apparent in Byron Burchard’s saxophone epilogue, acting as an emblem and embodiment of tears. As the song ascends towards its pinnacle, the chorus of backing vocals weaves and hovers above the sonic tapestry, heralding the distant saxophone’s soothing warmth to the track’s closure. The monochrome visual accompaniment, crafted by director and cinematographer Tyler Carlin, portrays an enchanting, intimate dance between two women, with the second role embodied by Margot Rhodes (Mirror of Venus). The nature of their relationship remains tantalizingly elusive: are they rivals? Sisters? Lovers? Or perhaps they are merely apparitions within each other’s minds? Yet, their languid, abstract dialogue unfolds in a hypnotic ballet. Byron Burchard also graces the frame with his saxophone. Both the song and the video are steeped in the profound influence of David Lynch – and in keeping with this spirit, perhaps it’s more fitting to allow this Other World to remain a stunning enigma. [via Post-Punk]

20-year-old nu-punk artist BEX has shared a brand-new single and killer video. Detailing the “struggles and emotions within a relationship”, the song goes by the very apt name ‘Don’t Date The Devil’, and arrives ahead of her performances at 2000trees and Y Not? this summer. Speaking about the full meaning behind the single and video, BEX shares: “I have used extremes to emphasise the pain, dread and guilt the main character of the track should feel, but doesn’t. The first verse explores blame – it is the character taking the guilt away from themselves and blaming their partner for choosing to be with them; when they should be taking responsibility for their own actions. The track moves through an abusive relationship, constantly comparing the character to the devil and displaying themes of pain and harm combined with love. The music video conveys the relationship as a personal battle. An inner love fight rather than a two – or more – person relationship. A battle of self-hate and harm. Throughout the music video we see the ‘weaker’ character gain power to finally result in the eye gouge scene, where the ‘weak’ character takes charge of their inner demon and kills it/them. Overall the track and video display power dynamics within different situations, relationships, friendships and between your external and internal self. Loving is hard, whether that’s with yourself or with another. Being aware of your actions and your own love language can be a helpful way of making it slightly easier. We cannot have love without hate and we cannot hate without love.” [via Kerrang!]

Sydney-based alt-pop duo Cat & Calmell, consisting of Catherine Stratton and Calmell Teagle, has announced their upcoming mini-album How Do You Feel? will be released on September 29. From the mini-album, the duo released the second single called ‘Feel Alive’ along with a music video. The track was written by Catherine Stratton, Calmell Teagle, and Taka Perry who also produced it. The accompanying video was directed by Joshua Moll, Oliver Kirby, Calmell Teagle, and Catherine Stratton, who filmed on location in Sydney. The duo said of the song, “When we wrote this, Calmell and I were in a really dissociative state. I had just turned twenty and was getting really, really scared and existential about everything, I had a lot of anxiety, and I didn’t know what to do with myself and nothing made me feel good. So, the main sentiment of the song is that only when I think about dying do I actually even feel anything at all—whether it’s fear or excitement.” [via pmstudio]

Filipino-American multidisciplinary artist and activist ((( O ))) shares her latest ‘Sanctuary’ and announces her album, ((( 4 ))), out this summer on August 27. An unpronounceable symbol, ((( O ))) represents an all-seeing eye, the big bang, birth, rebirth, the female anatomy that makes birth possible, a ripple in an otherwise still body of crystal clear water… or whatever else that might resonate with you. Sonically, ‘Sanctuary’ is ethereal, but the way the beat grooves is a little grungy and sweaty, for fans of FKJ (to whom she is married)’s sound with a bit of Jhene Aiko or Kehlani crossed with Medasin and Raveena RNB stylings. It’s gooey and precise but free. Of the track, ((( O ))) says, “’Sanctuary’ is about the cyclical nature of menstruation. This song explains the discovery of our ability to harness the power of our menstrual cycles as superpowers through our ‘inner seasons.’ It’s about tuning into my own inner rhythms as our guide for unraveling the layers of album ((( 4 ))) for the rest of this year – finding solace and harmony, utilizing the power of ritual and inner cycles as a portal to deeper connection and understanding.”

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‘Other World’, a tranquilizing follow-up to Goldstein’s ‘Seed of Doubt’ released last December, is a continued exploration of the artist’s marriage of synth-drenched dark wave and spacious new wave iconography. At its entrance, ‘Other World’ lures its listeners in with weaving, segmented drums, droning synths and a soaring soprano delivery bridging the ethereal yet danceable trademark of Goldstein’s style.

As described by Goldstein, “‘Other World’ is a fever dream of a song lifted from the darkness of my loneliness. It’s about looking at the edge of your own desires but not being able to say what you really want. It’s about not advocating for yourself and the spiral of self-doubt in love and creativity.” Of its creation, she continues: “I wanted to create a soundscape that was reminiscent of theatrical ballads from musicals and the most dramatic of 80s love songs. I dreamed of a saxophone to cry for me, as I said, ‘I never ask for more’ – but the music can do the asking for me. To me, it is currently the song I’m most in touch with, and feel is the closest to me personally.”

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