Big indie pop vibes blend multi-layered production with soulful vocals and vulnerabilities that feel authentic and intimate. SHTEEL captures the modern appeal of acts like Rag’n’Bone Man and Alex Warren, but also brings through a twist of something like RnB and dream pop in the stylistics.
Music
Spoken word artist Queen Majeeda takes on the depths of grief with poetry, passion, and subtle sound-design, for the initially intimate and ultimately powerful Bye Bye Grief.
Great production and songwriting creatively unites hip hop and alternative pop, as the neo-classical strings and modern beat of Trigger My Aria let Maria Rosa La Kakiee deliver a modest but striking ode to self-preservation.
Big indie alternative vibes light up a strong riff and groove that naturally draws you in. NYC band Why Another capture creative structuring and mood beautifully, with the highs and lows of this deeply confronting, thoughtful and intimate yet colourful new single.
Better Red Than Dead loops out to intensely hypnotise its audience, as we fall deeper under the spell of this intricate analysis and presentation of psychological strain and suffering; daily life consumed by nuclear threat, inner turmoil, and cultural division.
Svartsengi emerges at just the right time it seems, when it can often feel as if music has lost its way, lost its depth, lost its magic. OUTER and Arve Henriksen capture something profound and powerful with this composition and song. The subtle artistry is phenomenal. An easy highlight from the year.
With a classic rock and roll sound as ballsy as its artwork, singer and songwriter Walter Miller brings an edge of pop character and charm to the scene, with the fierce riffs and massive anthemic chorus of Basic Instinct.
Award-winning cinematic and classical composer and pianist Antonija Pacek turns her passion and expression towards the Christmas classics this season, offering a refreshingly warm, intimate and honest instrumental album, perfectly titled Heartwarming Christmas Compilation.
The album title is on point, the comfort of melody and acceptance, crafted under a blanket of responsibility and grown-up references that are absolutely not for the younger listeners. PJ Pajamas strikes a fine balance, and these songs are a pleasure to dive into, time and time again.
Lush songwriting and equally ethereal, colourful and consuming production. Raymnd captures a fine sense of escapism and story, with the natural embrace of Godspeed & Goodbye.
Acoustic soul-pop of crisp, finger-picked guitar and sultry, nostalgic vocals. Zyan Reign captures a timeless warmth and realism, with the vulnerability and evocative depth of I CAN’T MAKE YOU LOVE ME.
Clean-cut raps unfiltered and free, a smooth jazz backdrop of keys and trap rhythms – DaKurse keeps the flow honest and nostalgic, for the catchy rap anthem Kiss & Tell.