Genre (Copy): Folk Pop

      NEW SINGLE RELEASE – Ellie Bleach ‘Lakehouse’

      NEW SINGLE RELEASE – Ellie Bleach ‘Lakehouse’ 01.10.23 Words by Holly Wilson Ellie Bleach Takes Us On a Trip To The Lakehouse. London-Based Singer/songwriter Ellie Bleach takes a little inspiration from her hometown in brand new single, “Lakehouse”. The 23-year-old, who was raised in the seaside commuter town of Southend, indulges us with melancholy daydream type fantasies, Ellie says, “Lakehouse is narrated by a silver spoon heiress with marriage at breaking point. She’s attempting to patch this up with a trip to their family’s lake house”. Ellie narrates a world of peculiar characters through her music, her wry wit and esoteric lyrical style examines the strange eccentricities of modern life. Her new single follows standalone track “Pamela”, which was released earlier this summer. “Lakehouse” follows direction from previous tracks with Ellies character-driven, witty, and cynical but harbours a country twang. “I just really enjoy writing from the perspective of a character that might be a little bit more unhinged than me” says Ellie. Her short stories echoed through music create a phenomenal experience, playing with sound and fantasized imagery. Named 2023 ‘One To Watch’ by both Dorl and Gigwise Ellie has a bright future ahead and we look forward to following her journey – we’re about to be hit with an insanely powerful album. https://youtu.be/oR11NaaRA8M You Might Also Like Ellie Bleach, Folk Pop, General and Greater London, Indie, New Discovery, New Releases

      NEW SINGLE RELEASE – Joely June ‘Time & Space’

      NEW SINGLE RELEASE – Joely June ‘Time & Space’ 28.09.23 Words by Isla Mcrobbie Youtube Link Address-card On the tail night of the indie rock grassroots festival Outer Town (Bristol), I was first introduced to Joely when taking shelter from the rain.   As I rushed into the nearest bar, the warm mist of a modest and hushed 20-something crowd enveloped me, the atmosphere filled with the soft embrace of bedroom-like folky words. This was a performance that stuck with me. 5 months on, Joely June has been keeping busy. With a new name dawns a new era for the Oxford-based soulful songwriter. This exciting rebrand promises a soft gut punch of anthemic sweeping vocals, gritty guitar, and earworm hooks, and we are not disappointed in the ‘Joely June debut’ single “Time & Space” released on Sept 15th. I had the privilege of witnessing Joely’s talent for connecting with her audience during her recent single-release show at the Louisiana in Bristol. Her set flowed flawlessly, showcasing her past and future releases, with credit due to her band, including Matt Shelbourne (drums), Phil Spencer (bass), Evie Norman (backing vocals and keys), and Ryan Chan (guitar)*. Charming against the backdrop of soaring layered electric acoustic guitar, and heart-racing instrumental progression “Time & Space” begins to spin a desperate tale of dedication. June’s performance is one of emotional intimacy and vulnerability, her tone beautifully delivering a tender and soothing longing, making the listener feel as though they are being comforted or reassured, but is the outcome one of hope or loss? Written by both Joely June and Phil Spencer, the lyricism mixed with seemingly effortless musical synergy radiate a newfound clarity of well-tuned confidence in her exciting take on folkloric indie pop. “If you wanted time I’d wait, And if you want the world I’d give you all eight, Still wouldn’t be enough space for you.” Breathing fresh air into a genre which has arguably been given a backseat in recent years (arguably – being the recent spark in the “Sad” Folk-Pop TikTok Movement caused by the likes of Boy Genius) in no doubt has been something Joely June has always been capable of, saying that – this new energy is propelling her as one of the grassroots circuit performers to keep your eye on.   On the new track Joely voices: “Time & Space is a fun, soaring festival-friendly song, about an imbalance in a relationship, be it friendship or romance. I think it’s common for women especially to feel like the love and care they’re willing to give goes undervalued and unnoticed, and I wanted to tell my experience of the desperation of just wanting to be seen and heard by someone. It’s the beginning of the important realisation that no matter what I do, it might never be enough for them, and an empowering discovery of self-worth.” It is safe to say her passion lies at the core of honest and meaningful songwriting, playing a few unreleased tracks I have had my ear to what’s to come, and I strongly urge anyone in the radius of a Joely June show to hear it for yourself. The growth for Joely June in the last 5 months alone has been spectacular…God only knows the heights she will be skyrocketing to in the not-so-very-distant future.   *Credits on the official song recording are said to be (Joely June · Stuart Jones · Harry Quinn · Tim Turan · Phil Spencer · Matt Shelbourne · Phil Spencer · Joely Rendle) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4h11qSlLzk You Might Also Like Folk, Folklore, Joely June, New Releases, On the Rise, Oxford, Pop-Folk, Single

      NEW ALBUM RELEASE – MAVICA ‘sometimes a person never comes back (but thats ok)’

      NEW ALBUM RELEASE – MAVICA ‘sometimes a person never comes back (but thats ok)’ 20.09.23 Words by Hannah Fitzhugh ‘Sometimes a person never comes back (but that’s okay)’. London based, Spanish born singer-songwriter MAVICA has dropped her debut album with this though-provoking title and the artist certainly isn’t afraid to take risks. The album explores everything from personal growth to friendship breakups and Catholic guilt. Incorporating electronic elements and cleverly placed auto-tune with folk-pop, the ex-ballet dancer creates her unique sound. MAVICA’s passion for dance can be seen in her ethereal music videos and seems to strengthen her natural musical talent. When discussing the concept of combining dance with the hard-hitting themes of the album, the singer said, ‘I’m going to make this into a positive thing where people can dance. It’s not necessarily a bad thing to be sad, but something where they can feel the duality of the music.’ Packed with powerful lyrics and stunning melodies, the record seems to evoke emotions in a way that’s comparable to the likes of Pheobe Bridgers and Bon Iver. One particularly compelling track was the first single of the album. In a refreshing contrast from the typical themes of romantic heartbreak, ’Are You Back?’ perfectly captures the grief and complexities of the ending of a friendship. Delving into the inspiration behind the song, MAVICA explained, ‘The fear of loss and abandonment you feel is just as present in a non-romantic breakup. Eventually, I accepted fate and learned how to deal with the frustration of seeing the relationship go downhill without being able to save it.’ Several of the tracks on the album shift effortlessly between Spanish and English. One that stands out is the mesmerising single ’Empty House’, featuring singer Khazali. Revealing a discovery she made when recording her album in this way, MAVIKA says, ’Sometimes I force myself to share things in my own language to challenge myself. There’s a big difference in the melodies I come up with depending on the language I write in.’ The use of the artist’s mother tongue adds a raw vulnerability to her sound and truly makes the listener feel like they’re following her on a spiritual journey. Although the album initially strikes you as melancholy, an array of human emotions is explored along the 10 tracks. Hinted in the album title, ‘Sometimes a person never comes back (but that’s okay)’, the artist intended to maintain an element of hopefulness throughout: ‘I have always written from a very sad and nostalgic perspective. I wanted to approach this album from a totally different perspective: from a point of acceptance and positivity. You Might Also Like Album, Greater London, Indie, Lo-Fi, MAVICA, New Releases, On the Rise, Pop-Folk

      NEW SINGLE RELEASE – Luz ‘not going anywhere’

      NEW SINGLE RELEASE – Luz ‘not going anywhere’ 19.09.23 Words by Lauren Hadeed ‘not going anywhere’ – Luz: A Track That is Here to Stay. Irish-born singer songwriter Luz Corrigan or ‘Luz’, the mononym we know her best by, never fails to disappoint as she releases her soothing and dreamy new track, bringing Narnia to music. From the confines of her bedroom walls, 16-year-old Luz rustled up a touching series of anonymous covers on social media in her early days, touching the hearts of many. In 2020, Dean Lewis became part of the artist’s proliferating fan-base after she caught his eye in a cover of his heart-rendering hit single ‘Lose My Mind’ and has since unmasked her flair for songwriting. The soon-to-be superstar has addressed contentious themes in her writings, exemplified in her LGBT-pivoted release ‘The Author’, expressing the untold romance of two teenage girls; a tendentious topic in Ireland, home to the soloist. Right from the first few seconds of the song, it becomes apparent that this is the ideal song to sip a warm mug of hot chocolate to in the cosy winter months to come. Starting off smoothly with two repeated chords, lullingly carrying us through the verse with her mellow vocals, the listening ears are enchanted by her cascading harmonies as we are reassured of her presence both lyrically and mellifluously in the words ‘promise you don’t have to be scared, I’m not going anywhere’. The artist craftily capitalises on her emotions, as she uses them to word paint her lyrics; we are met with a prolonged vibrato on ‘can’t’ as she confesses to her audience that she is ‘forcing myself up a ladder I can’t climb’, using the magic in her tones to capture the attention of the listener. Goosebump-provoking, Corrigan’s single takes a repetitive nature, emphasising the desperate desire to keep someone you love around. Following in the footsteps of tear-evoking artists like Lauv and Maisie Peters, the 21-year old presents a vulnerability in her music by touching on the naivety of youth and the assailable emotional instability that comes with that. Proving herself to be a diamond amongst the rough, Luz’s ‘not going anywhere’ has made a name for itself as an indisputably loveable winter blanket, very much sticking to its word and staying firmly with us in the magical winter season to come. Grab a cup of infused tea, get snug and turn up the tranquillity with ‘not going anywhere’, Luz. You Might Also Like Uncategorised

      NEW SINGLE RELEASE – Edie Bens ‘Poster Child’

      NEW SINGLE RELEASE – Edie Bens ‘Poster Child’ 17.09.23 Words by Ella Porteous Edie Bens Returns with ‘Poster Child’: A New Era for Edie The Welsh singer-songwriter Edie Bens has returned to the music scene with her single ‘Poster Child’. This is the 23-year-old’s first single since the release of her debut EP ‘Playing Pretend ’in January. ‘Poster Child’ is a slight departure from Edie’s usual sound. Her previous work has had clear folk and country influences which although still present in her latest song, there is a defined electro-pop overtone that suggests we are entering a new era for Edie. In a reel posted to Instagram, Edie delves into the meaning behind the song, writing “It’s for those of us who can’t get enough of our clumsy golden retriever exes coming back to accidentally break our hearts for the 100th time.” Despite the pop chorus that makes it the perfect song for all those who fantasise about having a Perks of Being a Wallflower car moment on a warm autumn’s evening, mental health is a defining theme. Edie perfectly illustrates the ongoing stigma behind mental health struggles: “Sat in the white rose You tell me that it’s fine But you’re drinking like your father And you’re crying like a child” On what inspired her to write the song, Edie said, “I wrote Poster Child about buying into my first love in my hometown’s local pub on Christmas Eve. But really it’s a commentary on how growing up in sunshine-deprived small towns can affect mental health (especially in the winter).” ‘Poster Child ’has already been a huge success for Edie; last week Mollie King added the song to Radio 1’s future pop tracklist. The music video, which has received over 270,000 views, shows Edie in a picturesque rose garden, surrounded by crumbling brick walls and stunning nature on a hazy day in late summer. Matching her cowboy boots to her guitar, it’s clear that Edie Bens is set to be the next cool girl on the indie scene. Edie will be joining The 502s for their Pure Serotonin tour across the UK and Europe this autumn, and we can’t wait to what the next few months will bring for this up-and-comer. You Might Also Like Uncategorised

      SEPT SINGLE FLASHBACK – Cori Nora ‘Fake Flowers’

      SEPT SINGLE FLASHBACK – Cori Nora ‘Fake Flowers’ 15.09.23 Words by Zoe McGarrick The forest-fairy-floats-through-space vibe of a song is one of Cori Nora’s five singles this year to be released. With ‘Flowers and Fences’ out the same month, previous singles in August and July have been ‘Force Quit and ‘Junio’ as well as the February release ‘Easy Way Out.” All part of her upcoming album Flowers and Fences from Irascible Records. The new artist seems to perform in every part of song-making when it comes to her art. Multi-instrumentalist, singer, writer, recorder and producer. She will surely hit the charts by storm, especially with the Enya-sounding background to her latest track ‘Fake Flowers.’ Cori Nora has seemed to find a unique genre on her own; you cannot pin this artist to jazz, indie pop, or funk. The textured layers to the song are bewitching as Cori Nora lulls you to relax, with perplexing stops to keep the listener in suspense at the beginning. An artist who is not afraid to experiment when it comes to her art and without fear of expressing herself abstractly. This is very true when it comes to the music video for ‘Fake Flowers’, images played with a kaleidoscope structure flit across the scene as Cori Nora sings to us in a desert location among the rocks adorned in bright red. She has been described as a “huge talent on the verge of something spectacular, we’ve had an early listen to Cori Nora’s debut album and it is an embarrassment of riches. Esoteric, but infinitely listenable, she reminds us a little of PJ Harvey, her music distant and yet so, so personal” (Folkroom Records, 2023). Lonely eyes falling in love with fake flowers Neatly arranged to sweeten the hours Cori Nora is currently performing across Europe, her next stop is Switzerland before heading off to Germany. More information on tickets for her tour can be found on the TNAM Gig Guide. You Might Also Like Uncategorised

      NEW SINGLE RELEASE – Morgan Harper-Jones ‘Main Character’

      NEW SINGLE RELEASE – Morgan Harper-Jones ‘Main Character’ 11.09.23 Words by Hannah Ross Morgan Harper-Jones ‘Main Character’: A brutally honest take on relationships, regret and acceptance. Harper-Jones describes this song as a breaking point of feeling shame, guilt, fear and regret over past relationships that you can’t forgive yourself for. For anyone who has experienced breaking a loved one’s trust and regretting it for years to come, this song is as relatable as it gets. Harper-Jones recollects the ugly feeling of having the power to hurt someone and using it, “You were trusting…I couldn’t keep it. Don’t wanna hurt you like this… but I can.” ‘Main Character’ takes us on a journey from feelings of regret and “the sweet mess and the aftertaste” of a breakup to growing up, accepting past mistakes and letting go. The inspiration for the title of the song, ‘Main Character,’ came after a friend of the artist reminded her that not everyone thinks about you the way that we think about ourselves and that “you’re only the main character in your own story.” The song provides some solidarity for our feelings of regret from relationships; everybody has regrets and it’s how we learn from them that matters. Harper-Jones sings with passion, honesty and conviction in her lyrics making it hard not to relate to her musical storytelling. ‘Main Character’ crescendos from a slow, guitar melody with soft vocals before gradually increasing speed, volume and power for a final burst of haunting vocals surrounded by a symphony of sound. This looks like the beginning of a promising year for Harper-Jones with her upcoming album and live concerts in Leeds, Manchester and London this October. Her music will also feature in the soundtrack for a new Netflix movie ‘Love At First Sight,’ set to increase her exposure as a new artist. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjEHwxYep4U You Might Also Like Folk, Folk-Rock, Lancashire, Morgan Harper-Jones, New Releases, On the Rise

      DEBUT EP RELEASE – PEARL ‘Where Do I Go’

      DEBUT EP RELEASE – PEARL ‘Where Do I Go’ 21.07.23 Words by Isla Mcrobbie Synths, Beats, and Organic Sounds: The Garden Oasis of PEARL “Music is very visual for me, and I love to create little worlds around it. This EP is verdant, a secret spot in the garden with round velvet chairs, cocooned and warm, with soft edges and lots of plants. I look at the music as biophilic, the synths, drums and production are the architecture, and my voice, the organic sounds, and the lyrics are the green and natural elements that run through…I’ve always had an overactive imagination!” A brief exploration on Instagram unveils the tale of a girl, undisturbed and absorbed in her studio. Meet PEARL, the singer-songwriter and producer, whose name is an ode to her birthstone. I can only imagine she is the kind of artist that would welcome you to her house through the gate, entwined with Marigold and Gaillardia there’s this sunset coloured tranquil to her artistry. Reminiscent of a 2017 Maggie Rogers, this debut EP is incredibly exciting, her organic synths and pulsating beats bring life to the world of her words. Hinted by the title of the EP – ‘Where Do I Go’ touches on themes of acceptance, each song was written as a way of processing emotions and events and moving on from them in a positive way, on this PEARL says: “Writing these songs was a really reflective process, I would look back at a memory, make sense of it, and plot a path through. It was really cathartic.”  Recorded and co-produced at Urchin Studios with Matt Ingram, the EP is inspired by the likes of Sylvan Esso, BANKS and Maggie Rogers, as well as the lyrical imagery of Ben Howard. Dancing delicately between indie pop, alt pop and synth pop, WHERE I GO is an intoxicating amalgamation of celestial vocals, echoing synths, pulsating beats and shimmering melodies.    Tracklist: 1. Go! 2. Years 3. Fish 3. Words You Might Also Like Dream pop, EP, Greater London, New Releases, On the Rise, PEARL, Pop, Pop-Folk, SynthPop

      NEW SINGLE RELEASE – MAVICA ‘sometimes a person never comes back (but that’s okay)’

      NEW SINGLE RELEASE – MAVICA ‘sometimes a person never comes back (but that’s okay)’ Unveiling the Emotional Odyssey: MAVICA’s ‘Sometimes a person never comes back (but that’s okay)’ Explores the Complexities of Love and Resilience Words by Isla Mcrobbie 07.07.23 Raised in Spain, MAVICA’s artistic journey began with a foundation in ballet and flamenco. As a dancer with a profound emotional depth, her ability to convey feelings through movement has mesmerized both myself and many others. However, it is her unique approach that has elevated her beyond being a dancer, transforming her into a lyrical folk-pop storyteller. Now residing in London, her latest release, ‘Sometimes a person never comes back (but that’s okay),’ she presents a heart-wrenchingly beautiful exploration of pain, self-reflection, resilience, and the complexities of love and relationships. Scheduled for release on September 8th ‘sometimes a person never comes back (but that’s okay)’ serves as the title track of MAVICA’s debut album. Described by the artist as the most honest manifestation of her emotions translated into music, this highly anticipated album follows the success of her debut EP. With over 5 million streams and accolades from reputable sources like The Line of Best Fit and The 405, MAVICIA’s EP garnered editorial support from Spotify’s esteemed playlist, “Most Beautiful Songs In The World.” The song ‘sometimes a person never comes back (but that’s okay)’ delves into the anguish of a shattered relationship, delving into the struggle to comprehend and process overwhelming emotions. MAVICA’s lyrical prowess shines through, as she crafts an introspective narrative that resonates with listeners. Her music offers a poignant glimpse into the complexities of love, showcasing the profound impact of hurtful actions and the internal battles we face in our quest for healing and growth. MAVICA’s artistic evolution from an expressive dancer to an emotive storyteller is nothing short of captivating. Through her music, she artfully captures the multifaceted nature of love and the resilience required to navigate its trials and tribulations. MAVICA’s work is a testament to the power of artistic expression in conveying the depths of human experiences, and we can’t wait to find out what else she has in store.