Originality matters more than ever, and this could be in your lyrics, your voice, your performative energy, your production or intentions. It could be combination of all of these. In this case, Sara Diana walks along a line that’s fairly nostalgic and familiar, but quickly captures a sense of pure identity and story that’s entirely her own.
Songwriter
Soulful pop-rock with stunning vocals, a poetic songwriting thread and catchy melodies, organic grooves – a touch of harmonised wonder to light up the bigger moments. MCVEIGH capture a lane somewhere between the likes of Sam Fender and Nothing But Thieves, with The Thief Of Leaving.
Queensland contemplative pop singer and songwriter Shar gets introspective and confronting, with the lo-fi indie-rock single misery.
Quite possibly the most interesting and enchanting original single to grace the space around me this month – Mimi’s Revenge deliver a stunning introduction to their creative depth and performative ability, with the superb new single Dire.
Acoustic beginnings lay down an organic festival vibe, as singer and songwriter Freddy Even delivers a catchy anthem of an indie track – and one that seems perfectly well-suited to the incoming summer season.
Piano-pop of a fearlessly stripped-back, vulnerable arrangement – clean vocals, short lines and a poetic, metaphorical intertwining of love and natural landscapes. Songwriter and artist Dailla highlights the thoughtful writing and unique vocal delicacy and warmth of her style, with Garden.
We’re in a king of Hard-Fi realm with this voice and writing, but then as we move into the more world-music sway and bass-play of Pet Sematary, Zweng is quick to recapture his own lane. The voice is softer, the lyrics compelling and unusual, before we return to another uplifting pop-rock anthem for Goodbye To You.
Poetic ballads from ambient and intimate to uplifting and powerful – Bobek’s Mind celebrates the creative production and songwriting of the modern era, with the heartfelt originals of Echo In Love.
Huge vocals and heartfelt songwriting, a clear sense of rising anticipation and emotion – an impassioned ode to a broken heart. Singer and songwriter Craig O’Keeffe masters the craft with meaning and power, for Without You.
“They like it when I smile, not when I speak.”
Raina Wiles sets the mood beautifully for this project – an opening line and ambiance fit to captivate, for an EP that evocatively follows suit.
Glass Skin is divine, a lo-fi trip hop project with a soul-pop vocal lead, and lyrics that pierce through the noise as soulful reflections on life for a girl in the modern world.
Reflecting on the subject matter of survivor’s guilt, everything from the writing to the performance of Martyr breathes authenticity and meaning into the creative ambient space. The idea of being thought of as strong, when deep-down you feel devastation, and still haven’t healed from the trauma, is one that’s perhaps more common than expected, and yet it’s rarely – if ever – brought about in contemporary music and songwriting.
A thoughtful earworm of a return – Storyteller and songwriter Litt Bueno, focused on intention and connection as a musician, showcases the very best of his heartfelt and engaging style, with the organic and melodically engaging single Yesterday.