Soul-Pop vocals and mellow production, harmonies and heartfelt sentiments – Stay In My Arms marks a distinct introduction to the contemporary audio project of Maurice Norwood.
USA
An instant favourite from recent submissions. Despite the animated artwork, hedas captures something incredibly real, pure, and evocative, with the low-key passionate tone and tempo of a wanderer ascends.
Immersive synth-hop production and honest vocals carve out a hypnotic earworm of a modern track – something like alternative, lightly anthemic dance-pop, with an indie twist in both story and tone. maverick raises the passion softly but surely, throughout the hypnotic waves of STREET LIGHTS.
Cool tribal hand rhythms and a programmed kick lay down a unique foundational beat, as Marco Palmieri presents the melodic ethereal tones and escapism of an aptly-titled Explorer.
Modern pop-punk with emotional vulnerability and unfiltered passion. Mira’s Age brings through an album of energising riffs, licks, live drums and hooks, whilst diving into stories that reflect on issues like anxiety, attention craving, accountability, mental anguish, and heartbreak.
For those who have been following Donna Dafi’s trail, this level of poise is hardly a surprise. Born in Stuttgart and shaped by a rich cultural heritage (her mother is Nigerian-German and her father is Kosovo-Albanian), Donna has always operated at a unique crossroads of sound and identity.
Poetry Amaru’s lyrics are second to none, a focused delivery holding closely to the details and realism of this journey. We get a tribal wind instrument on the front line, distinct and calming, then a female RnB vocal softly breaking up the poetic weight and poignancy of the verses.
Promising a crisp acoustic guitar groove, live drums, and female vocals gorgeously harmonised, I Want The World achieves a style and tone somewhere between the likes of Jewel and Morcheeba – a breathy poetic lead, a hypnotic acoustic groove, and a level of conviction and relevance that’s subtly woven into an uplifting, colourful, creative embrace.
As the romantic journey gathers momentum, so too does the performance and musical euphoria, making this a personal but accessible love song for modern listeners across the board – the ‘our song’ of the current indie realm, ready and waiting.
“The fast bars were inspired by racing thoughts and determination. When you’re upset or under pressure, your mind moves quickly, and I wanted the delivery to reflect that urgency.”
To coincide with the launch of the unmissable topical rap release Internet, we caught an interview with songwriter and artist Leavell, to talk about his journey, the inspiration for the track, and his plans for the future. Here’s how it went.
Huge vibes and ambient, hypnotic melodies take precedence – a producer with a clear love for the escapism of deep house, melodic techno, and wholly immersive dance instrumentals. Diego Lee blends atmosphere and intention, with the euphoric wonder of Carpe Diem.