NEW SINGLE RELEASE – Dalia ’11:11′
NEW SINGLE RELEASE – Dalia ’11:11′ 20.09.23 Words by Caitlin Taylor Dalia on a toxic relationship, fuelled by both her partner’s reliance on drugs and her own temper ’11:11’ is the third release by London based singer Dalia and details a toxic relationship fuelled by both her partner’s reliance on drugs and her own temper. She moves away from the more traditional pop sound of her two previous singles (‘Pink Clouds’ and ‘Nothing But Pain’, both also written about unhealthy love) and instead experiments with different sounds as the backing track transitions between what seems like a muffled radio, clapping, and harmonising throughout the song. It begins with a soft piano accompanied by distorted vocals, the juxtaposition of the two matching the tone of the lyrics as she lovingly describes someone who won’t treat her well. There are a couple times where she switches to her native Spanish as she describes her frustration with the way they’re both slipping into darkness: ‘no puedo dejarte fingirlo mas, y no puedo dejar de hundirnos en esta oscuridad’. Dalia cites Billie Eilish as one of her main inspirations and there are definitely elements of her debut album “don’t smile at me” in this release with the vocal effects and emotional lyrics but Dalia adds her own European, bedroom pop spin as to not just be an Eilish clone. This and her previous two singles are all part of her upcoming EP ‘every beginning ends’ which is set to release in November. On Instagram she writes that the project “has been a dream of mine ever since I was litch in nappies & I’m so so grateful I finally get to do it”. She’s also just dropped a music video for the song, directed by Hans Hansen and co-starring fellow musician Elliott Herrington. You Might Also Like Uncategorised
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
AUG FLASHBACK – Aziya ‘wundagirl’
AUG FLASHBACK – Aziya ‘wundagirl’ 19.09.23 Words by Jack Webb Aziya’s third single in 2023 spreads a vital message about self-worth. On August 24th, East London-based singer/songwriter Aziya released her final single as part of a trio collection of songs, released over a four-month period in 2023. Writing songs for over a decade, it is perhaps little surprise that the multi-instrumentalist has continued her guitar-based poppy sound, similar to bands such as No Doubt and GreenDay, both of whom she grew up listening to. Much like her preceding two tracks released earlier this year, “Wundagirl” produces a stomping tune characterised by distorted guitars and powerful vocals, with as light menacing edge reminiscent of inspiration Gwen Stefani. Although make no mistake, Aziya has used her influences to create a sound that is unlike any of her contemporaries, much down to the fact that her songs are also entirelyself-produced. Written in homage to Canadian hip-hop and R&B producer WondaGurl, the London hitmaker stated that she was inspired to create her latest piece after listening to one of her releases, claiming that she felt it “struck an obvious frustration inside [her] of not feeling… adequate to produce music.” “I wrote this track to remind myself and others that in these moments of feeling insufficient… what you do is greater than adequate…,” Aziya further added. With this thought in mind, the overlying message from Aziya in this song appears to be that of a determined, ambitious young woman, eager to prove her worth. Being in an industry still dominated by men, it is perhaps no wonder that the singer appears keen to convey a message of assertiveness and independence in her songs, particularly her lyrics. These themes manifest themselves no better than in the lines, “I don’t need anyone, owe any one anything,” and, “you could be their wunda,” where Aziya’s messages about not allowing other people to be obstacles in the way of one’s own destiny remain clear and simple for the listener. As previously mentioned, the self-assuredness is further reflected in the track’s consistent drum pattern, alongside the noisy and distorted guitar and bass, all of which provide the perfect backing for Aziya’s snarly vocals. Overall, this is the perfect type of up beat music for when you’re feeling down, when you need that extra boost of self-confidence. Meanwhile, this is further proof as to why Aziya remains a breath of fresh air within the music scene.https://youtu.be/uIT_DVNrkTU You Might Also Like Alternative, Aziya, Dream pop, East London, FLASHBACK, Indie, On the Rise
AUG FLASHBACK – SOFY ‘Ashley Cole Type Beat’
AUG FLASHBACK – SOFY ‘Ashley Cole Type Beat’ 19.09.23 Words by Scott Rudd Former England left-back is targeted on SOFY’s witty banger about adultery and living on the wild side London-based hip-hop-influenced indie-pop up-and-comer SOFY has taken aim at former Chelsea and Arsenal left-back Ashley Cole in her recent banger “Ashley Cole Type Beat” from her upcoming mixtape “Chaos & Commotion” (Chess Club Records), set to release on October 27th. The single showcases SOFY’s ability to effortlessly blend genres and influences without detracting from the originality and singularity of her sound. Following “supermarket” and “socks,” which will also be featured on “Chaos & Commotion,” “Ashley Cole Type Beat” takes a much rowdier approach compared to the more laid-back vibes of the two previous singles. However, she doesn’t lose any of that infectious festival-ready energy in her lyrics and delivery. In the verses, she opts for rapping rather than singing, dropping references to Tom Cruise, Elon Musk, and a more favourable nod to the legendary Mike Skinner, emphatically declaring, “Ruler of the streets, Mike Skinner,” in the second verse. I couldn’t help but think about how reminiscent, in a good way, the tune is to Lily Allen’s (whom also notoriously had an issue with Cole) “Knock ‘Em Out,” particularly in the way she elegantly transitions her delivery, shifting from the blunt cadence of her cheeky and punchy rapping in the verses to the grand and melodic singing in the festival-ready chorus. I can easily imagine myself at a festival, surrounded by a large group of friends all belting out the lyrics, “Coz I’m a reckless driver, Got no self-control / When you’re a semi-pro liar, Life’s an open goal.” Already having achieved success in the industry, including having a song featured on FIFA 23 (which is always a positive sign for any up-and-coming artist in the UK) and being featured on BBC Radio 1’s Future Pop playlist for her debut single “Strawberry Milkshake” back in 2021, it’s reassuring to see that she’s not wasting any time in delivering a full project to her fans. Based on the content we’ve been fortunate enough to experience so far, it seems that SOFY’s rise in the music scene could be a relentless one, and I’m eager to witness and support every step of her journey. “Why’d you be a saint when you can be a sinner?” Well, with the number of times I’ve returned to this incredible track, she’s starting to convince me that perhaps living on the wild side is the way to go. And if Ashley Cole hasn’t had the chance to hear this song yet, I sincerely hope that he eventually does. SOFY is embarking on a UK tour, kicking off in Glasgow on the 28th of November, with stops in Leeds, Nottingham, Bristol, London, and Leicester along the way, and concluding in Manchester on the 10th of December. You Might Also Like FLASHBACK, Greater London, Indie, Leicester, SOFY
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 – Abbie Ozard ‘i don’t know happiness without you.’
NEW SINGLE RELEASE – Abbie Ozard ‘i don’t know happiness without you.’ 17.09.23 Words by Teguan Harris Abbie Ozard sings, ‘You don’t need to have your life figured out’: Singing through the most difficult times in her life, Abbie Ozard releases ‘i don’t know happiness without you’ under House Anxiety Records. Manchester alternative indie artist Abbie Ozard releases ‘I don’t know happiness without you,’ a song about letting important people around you know how meaningful they are during a difficult and chaotic time of growing up in your twenties with your life supposed to be all ‘figured out’. In this alternative melody about meaningful moments and the most difficult time of growing older, Abbie sings about how confusing and chaotic life can be in your twenties with the pressure of having your life figured out. With a single like ‘I don’t know happiness without you,’ young adults could resonate with every single lyric because the simple truth is that not everyone needs to have their life figured out just yet. ‘I don’t know happiness without you’ was released after her Water Based Lillies EP in 2022, making it her first release of 2023. Ozard is open and honest about letting people know how valuable and meaningful they are while holding a tight grip on her youth during her confusing and chaotic twenties, living a “shelf life”. ‘I don’t know happiness without you’ isn’t just a simple love song; it’s a love letter to friendship, to friendships, and to meaningful bonds that stay strong and firm. Every young adult should stream a song like ‘I don’t know happiness without you.’ Your twenties are a confusing and chaotic time, but despite that, letting loose, having fun, and saying screw it to the pressures of having your life figured out before your thirties would help you find more meaningful moments in your life and in your friendships. Everyone should hold their heads up high and not wait “till crunch time” to grow older. By letting go and enjoying valuable moments with your friends, you will be fine forever. Stream ‘I don’t know happiness without you’ by Abbie Ozard on all streaming platforms. You Might Also Like Abbie Ozard, Britpop, Indie, Manchester, New Releases, On the Rise, Single
NEW SINGLE RELEASE – Pixey ‘Daisy Chain (Lullaby Version)’
NEW SINGLE RELEASE – Pixey ‘Daisy Chain (Lullaby Version)’ 18.09.23 Words by Ella Porteous Pixey’s stripped-back take on ‘Daisy Chain ’will have you transcending into another dimension The Liverpool-based singer-songwriter and producer has stripped back her summer anthem ‘Daisy Chain ’into a mellow lullaby full of soft harmonies and stunning instrumentation. A swift departure from the original song, the lullaby version perfectly demonstrates Pixey’s delicate yet powerful vocals. Self-professed “indie Britney Spears”, Pixey made her debut in 2019 with her self-released EP ‘Colours’. In 2020 she signed with Chess Club, a London-based independent record label and quickly released her debut professional single ‘Just Move’. A year later she was included in NME’s list of “essential emerging artists for 2021”. Pixey released the original version of ‘Daisy Chain ’in June which featured Nigerian-Scottish singer-songwriter Tayo Sound. Tayo’s alt-pop and hazy late-summer soul was a perfect fit for the song. Sampling ‘Steal My Sunshine ’by Canadian alternative group LEN gave the track an irresistible 90s-style summertime nostalgia that made it the ultimate bop of the summer. ‘Daisy Chain ’was a huge success for Pixey; recently hit one million streams on Spotify and marked her first music release since her album Dreams, Planes, and Paper Planes last September. On making the lullaby version, Pixey told DIY Mag that “Everyone just seemed to enjoy the tune so much; I was chatting to the label and they asked if I fancied doing a stripped-back version, and because I’m a producer I can just sit down and do that – I don’t have to go into a studio. That came out nicely, so we just thought ‘Let’s release it and see if anyone listens to it’. And people have been, which is so nice!” If ‘Daisy Chain ’is summer, the lullaby version is its autumnal little sister. The soft yet somewhat eerie folk and whistles that sound like birdsong transport you to an early autumn morning, when the leaves are slowly beginning to fall and there’s a crispness to the air that’s still warm from summer. It’s the perfect transition into autumn time, perhaps transitioning Pixey into her next music venture. Pixey will be one of the support acts for Crawlers this autumn, and will also be playing Live At Leeds Festival in October. We can’t wait for more music announcements from the queen of bedroom pop. You Might Also Like Folk-Rock, Indie, Industry Breakthrough, Liverpool, New Releases, Single
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
NEW SINGLE RELEASE – Alex Amor ‘Like The First Time’
NEW SINGLE RELEASE – Alex Amor ‘Like The First Time’ 17.09.23 Words by Iole Dexter In anticipation of her latest EP dropping November 3rd this year, Glasgow born singer, Alex Amor has teased us with three new singles. Her latest release, Like The First Time is a gorgeous anthem that goes out to anyone reminiscing how intense their love for someone used to be. The desperation to “go back to the beginning” of a relationship is longingly sung in the first verse before escalating to a “crawl back to the first stages” in the second. In her own words, the single is about “not giving up on a long-term love and recreating the magic [of] when you first met”. The song was born out of a day long period of writer’s block where Amor didn’t do much recording of her own in the studio, but instead spent the day blasting some of her favourite tracks, particularly HAIM’s first album, Days Are Gone – a massive influence for her new direction in music. Amor’s dreamy vocals mixed with an alt-pop beat that crescendos on the chorus solidifies this track as a hopeful and hearty ballad that really feels like home. There’s something about this one that feels nostalgic – the song itself garners a familiar feeling of falling in love for the first time, of staring into the eyes of another and realising how much you care about them. But in addition to the dream-like, main character energy that this track generates, the lyrics are what make this song. There is a beautiful sense of hope among most of Amor’s discography, a reason I find myself coming back to her work a lot. She starts off guns blazing with this one: “I want you to face it and tell me we’ll fight”. Her direct address confronts the listener but sets a positive tone, shedding light on the beauty of wanting to fight for what you have, and desperately wanting to be fought for. A more delicate tone permeates the rest of the track, with lyrics that stay true to Amor’s form using a conversational tone. As the song moves forward, the lyrics too mature. Her words begin to reflect the kind of non-confrontational, gentle way we should all strive to approach difficult conversations with those we love. Perhaps most of all, Amor’s word play makes me want to hit repeat and repeat. Cleverly curated, her pre chorus goes: “When do we stop trying, I’m trying to show you that I’m not ready to give up, so give us another chance? I’ve been realising that reasons don’t mean a thing so why don’t we go back to the beginning?” Amor’s repetition of words and alliteration feels empowering, both to listen to and to sing yourself. Not to mention the rolling rhythm is addictive to listen to. If you’re looking to be cheered up, whether going through heartbreak having lost love; have found yourself falling out of love; want to remember the feeling of your first love; or find yourself falling more deeply in love every day, give Like The First Time a listen – I assure you it won’t be your last. You Might Also Like Uncategorised
NEW SINGLE RELEASE – Lime Garden ‘Love Song’
NEW SINGLE RELEASE – Lime Garden ‘Love Song’ 17.09.23 Words by Georgina Shine Brighton-based quartet Lime Garden is here to prove the doubters wrong with their recent release – Love Song. With the release of so many new tracks in the modern day comes the usual comments of everything sounds the same and oh not another love song, but Brighton-based quartet Lime Garden is here to prove the doubters wrong with their recent release – Love Song. The track has been an eagerly anticipated release for existing Garden fans as it has been a much-loved setlist track for a while at the group’s live shows. Love Song is not only a new single for the group but it has also been announced as one of the tracks on their newly announced debut album ‘One More Thing’ so it can be assumed that this release will give a little insight into what sort of sound fans can expect to hear from the album. This is indeed not another love song as the piece is an alternate take on the age-old declaration of love with the lyrics themselves stating ‘this ain’t a love song’ and in the most basic sense it’s completely right in that this isn’t a romantic ballad playing in the background of a movie. This song about love is a funky, upbeat, groove-filled dedication to the one you love that shows the raw side of love that is sometimes avoided. This is all about taking an alternative look at love and focusing on the areas of love that get overlooked by focusing on the smaller details of adoration and affection for someone you care about. Rather than over-the-top poetic descriptions of a partner and how the world is all sunshine and rainbows because of them; this piece focuses on the fact that even in the darkest of times we go through in life, the object of your affection is the one person you want navigating those times with you. There is something beautiful in the composition choices made for Love Song because it isn’t what you would expect, the lyrics look into the unexplored side of love and the melody is a vibrant pulsation of sonic energy. This is a love song for the alternatives, the misfits, the people who don’t want mushy, lovey-dovey bubblegum ballads. This is a sonic romance for the people who can’t put into words how they feel, this is a new-age love song that will live on forever. Love Song is a modern hit and Lime Garden’s take on a musical concept that has been around for ages but with the iconic ‘wonk pop’ twist that the group emit with their uniquely crafted sound. This female four-piece are a force to be reckoned with and we can’t wait to watch this Lime Garden continue to bloom and grow as their career blossoms. https://youtu.be/36FF-R8EwyU You Might Also Like Brighton and Hove, Britpop, Dream pop, Indie, Lime Garden, New Releases, On the Rise, Single