Sincerity and self-discovery, a conceptual realism and intimacy expressed through the intricate layering of dreamy synths, keys, and light rhythms. N!cole presents an ethereal walk through introspective thoughts and feelings, with the evocative embrace of getting there (somewhere).
Dream Pop
Introducing the brand new 2025 album Radio Reception, from Vincent Projects. Loose Sleep presents an ambient, atmospheric lo-fi groove to open things up – rising through colourful and aptly dreamy layers of synth and rhythm, towards a uniquely wave-like progression.
Tribal-industrial rhythms and warped vocals create an instantly alluring space – a sound akin to the nostalgic trip hop artistry of a simpler era, soon elevated by a much more bold vocal lead, a meandering production style, and a lyrical depth that’s profoundly captivating.
Ellyott setts the vibe well for this late night admiration, a sense of bright lights on the horizon, a rightful edge of the unexpected in both the style and substance of the song. We search for meaning, or signs, and as such, we ride this wave of attempting to recognise the subtle and dreamy presence of Echoes In The Night.
Epic electronic arrangements and the poetic exploration of topics both thoughtful and fierce – HeartherLee Sounds creates from a place of conceptual inspiration, and as such, her album Battleground features a boldly eclectic array of styles.
“I definitely struggle with finding good places to walk away from a song, and really the whole album was made simultaneously, with me bouncing between songs to avoid having to finish the other ones. Even If I’ve already written the whole song on one instrument, when I begin recording the song feels like it’s buried under a thick fog, and overtime I slowly clear away the fog until the song is completely clear.”
Fearlessly vulnerable songwriting from Nami Shafaghi, emerging under the moniker of NumyNumyNumy – Lovely Headache is a dreamy deep-dive into personal struggle and uncertainty, and blends poetry and personal anecdote throughout a modest, keys-led arrangement and intimate performance that naturally suits the depth and emotion of the writing.
Having climbed higher and higher with each new evocative and stylishly original release from recent years, Lithuanian-Canadian songwriter and producer Aistis returns this year with a sublime new album, and continues to highlight the profound thoughtfulness of both his songwriting and musicianship.
London songwriter and artist Lola Wild softens the weight of the world, with a dreamy soundscape and Lana-esque vocals quietly luring us into a state of poetic contemplation and vulnerability.
From smiling, laughing, and connecting with nature, to embracing the simple pleasures of food and daily life, Don’t Forget is a creatively distinct ode to all that makes life wonderful, and it speaks volumes on behalf of the creative intentions of producer and songwriter Bee-Pet.
The perfect title for a well-grounded but uninhibited collection of creatively free songs. Erik Louis James celebrates the freedom of honest expression and musicianship, with the distinct but aptly diverse album Eclecticism.
It’s a devastating ending, but the calm and quiet of the music, the humility and tiredness of the vocal, all counters the impact of this – making it feel like a necessary surrender of sorts, to the unsolvable desperation and ache of searching for someone who can’t be found.