Dance-pop and synth-wave crossover artist Barbara Romanov, building tracks out of dreamy, impassioned vocals and purposeful writing, lights up the indie space with a handful of originals this year – not least of all the anthemic eighties groove and infectious hook of Do It With You.
Rebecca Cullen
For a gunslingin’ good time, upbeat rhythms and slick guitar riffs, an old-school western vocal and a classic country rise and fall in both the story and melodic progression – Ace Diamond captures the good vibes of times past, with The Baddest Gunslingin’ Man.
An old-school drum-line with a Philadelphia groove about it, blending smoothly with world music tones and organic layers of synth / string / voice… An intoxicating mystique, and a melancholic aura from the chords to back up the instant escapism of the track. Beth Gladen sets herself apart from the crowd, with the beautifully original, piano-led trip-hop and alternative essence of Re-Birth.
Fighting to continue the embrace of organic creativity – an electronic track both distinct and nostalgic in its fusion of melody and weight – Kaleel Zibe delivers an outright instrumental beast of a track, for Let’s Get Out Of Here.
Lovely live acoustic vibes, primed and ready to light up the summer festival scenes – The UK’s own Life in Session highlights the value of a strong groove, organic music and snappy songwriting, with the naturally catchy She Can See Right Through You.
Instantly presenting with the raw purity of a live piano performance, complete with the weight of the keys and the natural reverb from the pedals, The Awakening is quick to intrigue for its sense of melodic originality. We progress through almost 4.5 minutes of music, an explosive mid-section injecting sheer power and tempo and fullness, in between two halves that feel both united in their tuneful direction, and unconfined by the walls of expectation.
We hear fragments of anger, gritty reflections and ideas, but otherwise it’s the music that takes precedence – which is actually a brilliant encapsulation of the very concept at hand. The voice of conscience is quiet, taking a backseat over the stylistic requirements of a mainstream audience. “I sold out… I f*cked up…” These words are nearly silent echoes amidst an otherwise celebratory instrumental wave of music.
An intoxicating ensemble, both immersive and distinct from the outset, sets the listener off on a journey that’s perceived to be something specific, and soon reveals itself to be something else entirely. Octopus Fugue is a project newly founded in 2024, a creative collaborative venture, inspired by rock and metal but drawing influence from a … Continued
Born out of a genuine need for the cathartic process of making heartfelt music – Francis’ Scream writes songs from a place of authenticity and struggle, and delivers them with an air of organic folk-pop that’s both acoustic and vocally distinct.
Introducing a rather fearless and artistic representation of genuine emotional realism – Sierra Stone injects an unwavering degree of character and originality into the pop format, with the boldly evolving power and presence of A Man Like You.
Classical guitarist, composer and poet Giueseppe Bonaccorso, compiles three enchanting original works this season, under the intriguing and historically familiar concept of Enemies in Love.
Standing tall on the strength of a catchy RnB hook and fast, sharp bars from Prince D TNB – If U Mine is an X-rated old-school anthem that’s naturally uplifting, and introduces the sound of the quickly rising artist on a defiant high.