Classic indie rock, a contemporary instrumental lightness but with short lines and two-vocals combined for that snappy, anthemic rise. messier bring unrivalled energy and pace to the scene, with the dreamy hook and up-tempo guitar-work and drums of Baskervilles.
Singles
Imagine an old-school RnB to soul-pop performance, call and response backing vocals and a long-form, meandering verse both delicate and impassioned in equal parts. Then weave in a uniquely rhythmic, almost gentle industrial backdrop, and some nostalgic synths but from a slightly different era, all leading towards a catchy and uplifting question of a hook.
Hungarian producer and artist OIEE, whose single Marathon recently debuted on BBC Radio One, has gone from strength to strength as a composer and an expressive, heartfelt modern creative. Seamlessly uniting styles in a subtle but enchanting fashion, his music proves both hypnotic and quite bold by nature, and Callous offers a sublime example of precisely that kind of masterful balance.
Self-penned as electronic instrumental music, the idea with Inverted was to capture a harmonic area / modal mood in contrast with its inner movement, ‘achieved through using inversions of the chordal structure’. This stylistic approach could then artistically represent the emotional state of an individual with a multi-layered humanity about their daily experience – something relatable but ultimately very personal.
Supremely unique alternative metal, a Gospel-like opening choir vocal and contrasting distortion promising a quickly catchy metal groove and set-up – Hope Seed capture a clear sense of personality and original flair, with the depth and intention of Non Believer.
This is something like pirate radio from back in the day, captured with a contemporary tone, a clear hook, some soulful lingering vocal melodies, and a clear sense of identity from the central artist OneDa.
An ambient soft rock realm – distinct but gentle guitar riffs and clear sense of rising anticipation. Lana Crow carves out a nostalgic indie arena of sound and expression, with the depth and intention of Your Mini Me.
Featuring unique production akin to the atmospheric trip hop of simpler times, Lucky Star follows a single to multi-layered vocal delicacy, through a near-falsetto progressive melody, as we fall further into the embrace of this other-worldly concept and mood.
Laying down a mysterious chemistry of elements – a dash of grunge, conceptual intrigue, cinematic fragments, hip hop and indie rock – Razrfish lets concept and mood guide the way, for the compelling theatrical single Howl at the Moon.
Introducing the creatively unconfined album ZZZs Day (Strictly Dead Edition), Last Zombie Tango is an addictively interesting groove and original track, taking subtle influence from the likes of The Cure or The Smiths, but quickly injecting an original sense of musicianship and concept alongside that.
From bold releases and an elusive persona, to signing a solo deal with Empire for 2025, the music speaks for itself, but the question running through the hip hop scene remains – who t.f is Kofi Santana?
Finally something addictively brilliant in its organic simplicity. Budapest creatives The Hybrid Drummer Duo have built something of a cult following in recent years, their commitment to the rhythmic versatility of impassioned drum-work standing tall amidst a nostalgic and memorable approach in each and every case. Most recently, EH AH makes for a rather iconic independent hit.