Vyka
Vyka is a Berlin-based Ukrainian singer, songwriter and producer. Her musical journey began in musical theaters, which in 2014 brought her to Berlin, Friedrichstadt Palast. In 2016 she took part in the Voice of Germany. Vyka now creates her music as a DIY producer. Vyka’s musical language is distinguished by dreamy melodics, retro beats and lush synths. Released in May this year, her eponymous six track EP delivers with dashes of dream pop, synth wave, piano balladry, and dynamic songcraft, tied together with hints of social problematics. Following the EP, she released her new 80’s inspired single ‘Dirty Dancing’. New single ‘Pam Param’ is a true ear worm. Behind a repetitive and playful facade of a chorus, there is a message we all sometimes need to hear – “this too shall pass“. Acoustic guitars, percussions, vintage keys and smooth vocals – all together it sounds like a soundtrack for a summer recap. Listen below.

Lylyth
New South London artist on the scene Lylyth released her debut single ‘Can’t Figure It Out’ in October featuring co-writer Alexander Anthony (Gold Baby). The dream pop track is about the confusion and frustration of trying to get over your first big heartbreak and wanting to keep your ex-partner close. It features vocals and guitars performed by Alexander Anthony along with drums, additional synths, recording, production and mixing by Sophie Nicole Ellison (aka HUSSY). Musical inspirations for the track are Lianne La Havas, Biig Piig, Crumb and girl in red. Beautifully jazzy guitar and groovy bass propel this song forward with vocal and synth layers that give it a sprinkle of magic. The uplifting melody and instrumentation through the chorus make this track soar into fluffy clouds and allows for the dynamics to shine through, creating a powerful piece of pop for both Lylyth and Alexander Anthony’s debut single as solo artists. Lylyth’s formidable vocals are divine from start to finish with delicate breathy tones mixed with bold, emotional choruses. Alexander Anthony radiates charisma and style resembling frontman Alex Turner with the melodic expression of early Lianne La Havas. Describing the feel of the song Lylyth states “I wanted this song to demonstrate the range of emotions we all go through in heartbreak. It’s not just as simple as feeling sad. There’s also a lot of confusion while you come to terms with learning that this person, that you thought was going to be your side forever, is now so far away. Then there’s the decision on both sides of whether to keep each other in your lives (which can be very frustrating and painful if you feel differently). At the time of the breakup, I believed more than anything that we would stay best friends. He felt like my whole world. There’s even a reference in the song to Wolf Alice’s ‘Don’t Delete The Kisses’ which was my ex and I’s song while we were together, ‘Please stay close, cause the signs of a lifetime are strong, they’re pleading.’. Even though the song is about the grief of the end of a relationship I wanted to make sure the chorus had an uplifting feel. Music is always such a comfort to me in dark times and I hope this song can be for other people too.” Listen below.

Saff Juno
Saff Juno is a 21 year old independent artist, exploring topics such as self love and the path of recovery from trauma. Juno hopes to open conversations worldwide and establish an inclusive community around her music. Having released 5 singles so far, and self-organised two successful tours this year to support her latest single releases, Saff is getting her debut EP ready for Feb 2024. Written on her 18th birthday, ‘5 O’Clock Sun’, intertwines Saff’s love of nature and an appreciation of life, that will inspire anyone to pause and smile up at the sky. Her third single release this year, ‘5 O’Clock Sun’ follows the story of her last two singles (all from the upcoming EP), adding a sense of peace to conclude the lyrical journey of leaving an abusive relationship. Shimmering guitars and gentle vocals are sure to bring some sunshine to your autumn. Listen below.

Radio Compass
Radio Compass has been performing together since 2016, playing at festivals, fundraisers, many a rock venues, has had songs featured in Harmonix products and recently released a new music video single for ‘Stay High’. Radio Compass combines riot grrl yip and yelp with the arch tunefulness of peak new wave songwriters, wrapped up and delivered by a loud band that’s equal parts bashing grunge and lockstep post-punk. The songs alternately plead, scold, and simmer. Aloha, the band’s third release, dropped summer of 2022 through Sound Investment Records (U.S.) Gunner Records (Germany). Prior works include 2016’s bedroom pop LP Papercuts and 2018’s PostPunk EP …for a girl. Their new single is called ‘California’. “‘California’ is a song about trusting your path, being open to endless possibilities, burning bright and owning your shine (and periodic chaos) and refusing to allow others to dull it,” says Angela Lee (Lead Vox/Guitarist). Listen below.

Frankie Morrow
Scottish indie rock quintet Frankie Morrow release brand new track ‘Cruel’. Paired with a comedy-horror music video directed by Felix Ursell to coincide with halloween, the surreal story follows three gothic teenagers tearing their way through the streets of London from what turns out to be a rather benevolent werewolf. Honest storytelling and driving Fleetwood Mac-esque guitars and backing vocals make this energetic song shine. Listen below.

Ophelia Sullivan
Ophelia Sullivan (they/them) is a composer, music producer, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist currently based in Leipzig, Germany. Previously known for their work in electronic and experimental music as well as having been a live vocalist for Progressive Metal band Soulsplitter, Ophelia’s new solo project is located at the intersection of electronic music, band music and orchestral music. Its stylistic components include but are not limited to Post-Progressive, Avant-Pop, Trip Hop, Electronica and Post-Rock. Some important influences are contemporary Prog bands like Bent Knee and A Perfect Circle, as well as artists like Björk and Massive Attack. Ophelia’s music is never confined to a single genre – the central idea is juxtaposing and merging supposedly unrelated styles. They recently releaed their debut album Disposable Identity. Stand out track ‘Hourglass’ is a good introduction to the nature of the album. “In a way it was the prototype, says Ophelia. “I’ve spoken about how the album is the culmination of eight years of work, which means it also somewhat documents eight years of my personal and creative development. ‘Hourglass’ was the starting point. I wrote the first draft and recorded a first demo of ‘Hourglass’ in late 2014 when I was going through a particularly painful experience with someone I loved. The song was originally written about my experience in that relationship, but over the years I’ve recognized more and more of a general truth in those lyrics. It is about certain patterns in some of my relationships and also in the way I relate to myself. It is about the powerlessness you experience when people you trusted turn out to have two faces, two distinct modes of interacting with you: one that is loving and relates to you as a subject and one that is cruel and destructive and makes you a mere object. The song contemplates dependency and denial just as much as the cyclical nature of abuse, the fragmentation of the self, becoming complicit in your own dehumanization. The song in its finished form contains a multitude of my own voices, forming a choir with myself, a multitude of instances of self in dialogue with each other. I used some of the original vocal recordings from 2014 and some recorded in 2021. A lot of the original percussion and drums from the 2014 demo are still present in the final arrangement, as well as the near endlessly reverbarating violin soundscapes I recorded back then. The most important change in the arrangement was the addition of the orchestral movement. I wrote it in 2020 and was lucky enough to be able to record it with a string quartet in 2021. The string arrangements of the album turned out to be much more central to the sound and narration of the album than I had expected, and again ‘Hourglass’ acted as somewhat of a prototype.” Listen below.

Twin Rains
Toronto dream pop act, Twin Rains, made up of producers/musicians Jay Merrow and Christine Stoesser, and drummer Greg Smith, has released ‘Laws of the Universe’, their second single of 2023, which follows April’s ‘You’re the Only One’. While a downtempo, psychedelic- tinged shoegaze track, ‘Laws of the Universe’ is nonetheless a noisy wormhole: a wall of sound with fuzzed out guitars, powerful drums, and the juxtaposition of Christine’s soft voice with her hard-hitting lyricism. “Inspiration can come from anywhere,” she explains. “The concept of this song was prompted by an episode of Succession, the one where Kendall speaks at his father’s funeral, saying basically: ‘Yeah we know he wasn’t a nice person—but look at what he accomplished.’ So one moment I’m watching TV and the next I’m in deep contemplation because I find this to be such a profound philosophical debate—what’s more important, your life and how you treat the people and places in it, or your legacy?” Perhaps fitting for such sweeping questions, ’Laws of the Universe’ has a lush and cinematic sound, and marks the first time Twin Rains have employed strings on a track (performed by Toronto musician Jessica Deutsch). The track comes from the sessions of the band’s forthcoming 3rd full-length LP. Listen below.

Safari Inn
Welcome to Safari Inn is Safari Inn’s debut EP, blending garage rock and psychedelia with a touch of stoner rock and dream pop. Unlike Lexi Clark’s and Jen Ahlkvist’s previous material as the drummer and lead singer/guitarist of garage rock band The Franklys, Safari Inn has darker and moodier undertones, built on a thunderous rhythm section, crunchy, swirling guitars and reverb-heavy vocals. The first single off the EP, ‘Drexl Spivey’, released earlier this year, presented a haunting and alluring introduction to Safari Inn’s sound. The EPs second single ‘The Sun Sets Slowly in the West’ embodies the heavier side of Safari Inn, with Sabbath-sequel stabs and a frenzied tempo change that brings the song to an epic close. Listen below.

Julia Segal
NYC-based singer-songwriter Julia Segal is excited to release her third single, ‘Run It Back’. ‘Run It Back’ follows the release of ’24’ and her debut single, ‘This Time Around’. ‘Run It Back’ is a reflection of the fallout of a relationship – memories that feel distant yet close, tumbling thoughts and re-running every moment. Simple, acoustic production supports the confessional songwriting. Repetitive piano melodies capture the longing and nostalgia. Missed calls are illustrated with a voicemail ringtone and a distorted sample of Julia’s voice saying, “please leave a message”. Julia’s vocals convey a deep emotional yearning, with a warm tone and probing lyrics. The mellow soundscape gives space for the silence of reflection and the silence of new loneliness. “’Run It Back’ is the most vulnerable song I’ve written,” says Julia. “It comes from the depths of heartbreak when you can’t stop replaying moments and memories. When you’re in that space of wondering if you’ll ever truly be able to move on and release your attachment to that person.” Listen below.

Francesca Morris
After the fantastic response to her debut single, Francesca Morris quickly follows up with the punchy ‘Where’d You Go??’, a song that fully explores the desperation and confusion of someone you thought you knew disappearing before your eyes, and wanting to shout about it from the rooftops. Drawing influence from alternative pop artists such as Holly Humberstone and BLÜ EYES, written entirely by Francesca and co-produced with Paul Stanborough (Kylie Minogue, Natasha Bedingfield, enedict Cork), she really puts her heart and soul into her music. Francesca says: “I wrote this song a week after having someone I loved seemingly completely change their attitude to me overnight, and I went in the studio straight away with Paul to produce the song. I think the initial anger, hurt and confusion I felt in those st few weeks really comes across in the final production”. As with her debut single ‘Never Will’, Francesca’s lyrics here also explore the vulnerabilities of caring and letting go. Listen below.

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

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Martina Gryntysz
Martina Gryntysz is an 18 year old independent artist from Buenos Aires, Argentina. Ever since she was a little girl she has loved music and going to concerts. Growing up, it was difficult for Martina to express her feelings because she is a shy person so she started to write music about those feelings and that’s when she found that she wanted to write songs and share her music with others. In 2021 she started making music in her bedroom with a guitar, a computer and a microphone. Her biggest inspirations are Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, Selena Gomez, Lorde, Coldplay and many more. Her latest song ‘Fake Friend Anthem’ is a song about a lot of fake friends that Martina had during her life. “I realized that I had a friendship where the person didn’t like me and were only using me,” explains Martina. “This really hurt me and affected me so I was really sad about it and I just came up with this song to show that I’m super angry but frustrated at the same time about all those friendships and also trying to communicate to other people that have suffered from these kind of “friendships“ to remember that they are not alone. I’m doing this anthem for them to scream and shake off the negative energy.” Listen below.

Leomi
Leomi has released her second self-published single, ‘Better Without You’. Leomi has written the song herself and composed it together with her producer Janne Nuutinen. Leomi describes the song like this: “Have you ever felt guilty when you were the first to move on from a breakup? But if you hadn’t moved on, what could you have lost, and would you be happy now? ‘Better Without You’ is about overcoming, empowerment and that sometimes you must think more about yourself than other people’s feelings.” The singer-songwriter, who listened to Rihanna, Nelly Furtado and Ariana Grande in her youth, combines modern R&B sounds and sensual pop. The intimate lyrics and soft melodies heard in her songs take listeners through themes of relationships and self-esteem. These past years Leomi has been making music and at the same time working behind the scenes in the event and music industry in Finland. Now she has taken a step forward towards the stage. Listen to ‘Better Without You’ below.

Eve Garland
Eve Garland is a singer-songwriter, part-time guitarist and occasional synth player. Eve’s influences lie heavily in the musical outpourings of the 1990s. Bands such as The Cardigans, Catatonia, Radiohead, Massive Attack, Nine Inch Nails, and Mazzy Star have all played a hand in shaping Eve’s sound. The song ‘Lilies (For Adam)’ is told from the perspective of Eve in the Garden of Eden. She is speaking with Lilith, who in Mesopotamian and Judaic mythology is the first wife of Adam. Lilith was recast as a “she-demon” for not being subservient to Adam. In this track, Lilith is encouraging Eve to also run away from the Garden. It’s titled ‘Lilies (For Adam)’ as lilies are often seen as a funeral symbol, a parting gift. Eve leaves lilies for Adam as she says goodbye to the Garden of Eden to chase her own destiny. Listen below.

Radio Compass
Radio Compass combines riot grrl yip and yelp with the arch tunefulness of peak new wave songwriters, wrapped up and delivered by a loud band that’s equal parts bashing grunge and lockstep post-punk. The songs alternately plead, scold, and simmer. Aloha, the band’s third release and second full length album, produced by Steven R. Lord and mastered by Alex DeTurk of The Bunker was released in May earlier this year. Just recently track 3 from the LP, ‘Stay High’ was released as a music video directed by Greyson Welch and filmed in Salem, Massachusetts. “This song is about when people get stuck– be it in a depressive web or simply just “shut down” and unable to take in another perspective,” explain the band. “And when someone starts shutting things out, their world gets smaller and smaller and the ability to be heard or hear lessens. There is a really particular heartache in seeing someone unwilling to explore blindspots or get out of their own way. And while I can totally appreciate that real self-reflection can in and of itself be a bit of a headache and uncomfortable, it also frees us and opens us up to more colorful and rich relationships to others and ourselves. This song touches on that helpless feeling and also a radical acceptance that we can control very little in life– but that we can influence and hold the hope for self and others when life starts to be or feel a bit much. It’s as much a song about certain relationships in my life as it is a message to myself.” Listen below.

Michaela Betts
“They will not cry for us, we are the outsiders” sings half-Swedish UK-based singer-songwriter Michaela Betts, on her debut single ‘Outsiders.’ Weaving hypnotic piano with theatrical vocals, harpsichord and industrial effects, Michaela creates a cinematic baroque-pop, which she calls ‘Dark Disney’. Her songs are adult fairy tales, about life transitions, self-perception, threaded with delicate tension, symbolism and ancestry. Recorded throughout 2022 in the shipping container studio in her garden, and co-produced with partner Jon Griffin (Ichinchilla, Lee Shale), ‘Outsiders’ starts with a romantic, cyclical, piano hook and intimate vocals about self-worth and the establishment. The song is a pagan hymn about power structures, class, and sacrifice, starting as an internal dialogue, moving into wild abandon with a soaring chorus and final drop. ‘Outsiders’ is beautiful, theatrical and brooding with industrial, rhythmic, synth loops (inspired by Vangelis Chariots of Fire), piano, harpsichord, pizzicato strings and electric guitar. The song concludes with oddly cadenced mezzo vocals, leaving the listener questioning. ‘Outsiders’ is a playful debut that encompasses many of Michaela’s influences – from game soundtracks to Wagner to Judee Sill, and composers like David Hirschfelder and Benjamin Britten. Listen below.

Darian June
Cork-born, singer-songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist, Darian June, is making the leap in 2022 with her fresh approach to the Electro Pop genre. A pop lyricist at heart, Darian June intertwines her passion for both electronic and R&B music to create catchy, hook dominated songs. Through her distinct use of relatable themes and lyrics along with her synth-driven progressions, Darian June creates a lasting impression on her listeners. ‘Love Ain’t As Cool’ was written, recorded and produced by Darian June in her tiny bedroom studio at home in Cork, Ireland. Inspired by the events of a bad break-up, the song delves into the idea of how love can be so much more exciting and thrilling when you are younger and haven’t had the experience of true heartbreak yet. Throughout the track, Darian June’s despair of the modern age of love is conveyed through a sweet yet strikingly powerful vocal accompanied by a deliciously funky bass line and driving guitar hook. The song is reminiscent of the great, upbeat indie pop tracks of the mid 2010’s and provides a hint of nostalgia with of course, a Darian June electro-pop twist. Whether it’s the killer groove between the drums and guitar or the catchy melody line, ‘Love Ain’t As Cool’ is the perfect “scream at the top of-your lungs-like” breakup anthem. Liste below.

Carolyn Marosy
Rooted in rock and roll, influenced by punk, blues and folk, Carolyn takes the listener on a journey of raw reality, riding on the ebb and flow of electric and acoustic guitars. She writes songs about life and death, tragedy and hope, resistance and survival. Digging deep to reach into her experiences, using music to find balance in a world that can be uncertain, unrelenting and unforgiving. Attitude and tenacity are keys to adapting and thriving. Inspiration is a constant flow of give and take, intertwining through the music, the listener and the musician.Growing up a stone’s throw from Manhattan, Carolyn played all over New York City and the metro area with her alt grunge band Sulkweed, and the blues/punk band she formed and fronted, RAW. She cut her teeth in every rock ‘n roll dive, including the legendary CBGB, Bitter End, Kenny’s Castaways and Maxwell’s (Hoboken, NJ) in the 90’s-2000’s. Her style echoes shades of Patti Smith, Joe Strummer and Pete Townshend. Sonic beauty and dissonance are ever-present, depending on how she strikes a chord, or rips the violin bow across her strings. After RAW disbanded, Carolyn spent many years as a side-guitarist (rhythm and lead) for several bands, but in 2019, she decided to delve into her solo music once again, and played a few gigs before the pandemic shutdown. Carolyn would not allow the pandemic to slow her down, and she went into the studio with platinum selling record producer Barb Morrison, to record her newest material – a 4 song EP, Loners, Misfits and Rebels. Engineered by Jeremy Kinney, Mixed by Jon Jetter, and Mastered by Grammy winner Ted Jensen, Loners, Misfits and Rebels is the fight back against all of the fears, demons and self-doubts that keep us from fulfilling our dreams. Listen to the song ‘1000 Angels’ from the record below.

Lonely Little Kitsch
Lonely Little Kitsch are an alt-rock duo comprised of Kristen Goetz, and her partner Nolan Jodes. Their new single ‘The New Scene’ is out now. Put simply, ‘The New Scene’ is an ode to fake people who like to “trend-jump” and try to appeal to new groups of people, over and over. To dig a bit deeper, it’s about the inauthenticity of social media content and the effortlessness of pretending to be someone you’re not. “Lyrically, it’s pretty straightforward,” explain the duo. “It outlines a person bandwagon jumping again and again, immersing themselves into whatever new scene they think will gain them the most favour, or following. It’s all about optics, and the false belief that the public is always interested in their new personas. Pair that with a few catchy melodies and Nolan’s rock riffs and addictive bass lines, and that’s ‘The New Scene’.” Listen below.

Ria Hanley
Liverpool-based singer-songwriter Ria Hanley has just release her new single ‘Hell For Leather’. It is Hanley’s first single back after taking several years of hiatus. She describes her new sound as “Rock n Roll wearing a Cowboy hat”. Having started out by singing soul music at the age of 10 and writing her first song at age 12, this up-and-coming artist has experimented with many genres before settling down into her new-found sound. Inspired by an eclectic mix of bands and artists including, Blondie, Fleetwood Mac, Emeli Sande, Marren Morris and Morgan Wade. These women in music have all developed her vocal tone and music sound. Hanley classes herself as a wordsmith, comprehending her emotions with metaphors that provoke imagery for the listener. Writing words that create an art gallery for the mind. ‘Hell For Leather’ is a song for the lost, soon-to-be-found. It’s about knowing your own self-worth and never settling for less than deserved. The journey is not about love or lust, Hanley’s journey is about knowing who she is and what she is capable of; owning her own power. Ria said, “’Hell For Leather’ was heavily inspired by a life in the fast lane”. Listen below.

Felicia Lase
Melbourne-based, Indonesian-born artist Felicia Lase has released her debut single ‘Sign’. A fully self-written and produced track, ‘Sign’ displays Felicia’s powerful R&B/Soul-inspired sound, combined with honest storytelling. Coming from winning several songwriting awards, Felicia does not shy away from being relatable and intimate in her song. ‘Sign’ is an emotive track which expresses the universal feeling of being lost. Throughout the track, Felicia’s powerful vocals emanate the emotional plea of having something – or someone – to hold on to in one’s life. “The first line, ‘Tell me something to believe in’, was what inspired the entire song,” Felicia shares, “in this day and age, we are pulled into so many different directions that it is so easy to feel lost and desperately desire one thing to hold on to.” The track, fully produced by Felicia herself, features the smooth and emotive qualities of R&B/ Soul music and is juxtaposed with the interlacing slick trap beats. I don’t limit myself by genres when creating any songs. I put sounds which are right for the track and not bound by conventions,” shares Felicia, who is currently studying music production further in university. ‘Sign’ is just a prelude to what is to come from this multi-faceted, soulful artist. Listen below.

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

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