Dreamy indie pop arrangements with surprisingly bold and energising vocals – Nia Perez pours her heart into soul into both the writing and performance process, and the result is a compelling and intimate yet often euphoric, personal EP.
Music
Indie music raising the bar as ever for the true and expressive creative freedom that drives things forward. Zuko Sian captures something cool and artistic, a sound rhythmically dancing between alt-folk festival vibes, hip hop, RnB and alternative pop or trip hop.
Music made for visual media, a careful combination of cinematic, classical and playful melodies and arrangements, built out of hybrid orchestral sounds and synths. Toby Tune captures a creative edge that’s artistic and intriguing, for ELEMENTS OF SUBSTANCE.
Stripped-back realism that the music worlds needs to cherish right now. Tia Gostelow continues her Low Lights series, with the intimacy, gentle fingerpicking, and light and breathy vocals, of Always.
If you’ve ever made the journey home from the rave in the early hours, found yourself mildly tripping on the early morning tube of the London Underground, this one’s for you.
Personally a highlight for its slick riff work, overall distortion, two tones of guitar, and the throwback style akin to the mighty Smashing Pumpkins – Matt Cruz delivers depth and darkness, with the stylish alt-rock weight and poetry of Throne.
If you’ve lost someone, a partner in particular, this one will hurt, but is almost certainly still worth the listen. The raw humanity and heart of I Still Say We is cordially genuine.
Lush riffs, an old-school pop-rock warmth that’s organic and immersive, with vocals and storytelling that again lean towards the softer rock tones of the nineties and early noughties. US songwriter Zach Outman captures a sense of groove and emotional refrain that’s beautifully uplifting, memorable, and just distinct enough to stand out right now.
Really cool production brings out the best in a softly piano and female vocal led song, which ultimately explodes into view, with a soaring cinematic rock arrangement that’s fully immersive.
Soaring rock soundscapes both soulful and intense – meandering guitar lines and contrastingly smooth vocals, elevating the beauty of the Azerbaijani language. Alihsan delivers a fine fusion of power-ballad depth and alternative, poetic wonder, with 12 original rock tracks, and the opening power and melody of Cesaretin var mi.
Beachside summer vibes to warm up the winter months, a modern reggae jam with catchy vocals and colourful production – Andy Kinley reaches out to the golden coasts of California, Florida, Hawaii, Thailand, Australia and beyond, with the uplifting earworm Happy Hour.
From the ambient and cinematic, to the lo-fi jazz café and smooth, soulful indie pop vibes – counterglow follow instinct and emotion, throughout the colourful highs and lows of the intimate, immersive and rather classic album echoes of self.