Author Archives: Zara Hoffman

PHOTO: TOM J. JOHNSON | London-based newcomer flowerovlove proves she’s one to watch with the release of her infectious new single “breaking news,” out now.

Produced by Duck Blackwell and co-written with close friend Ines Dunn, the sun-soaked single is bound to put a smile on your face instantly. Talking about the single, the south London artist—also known as Joyce—says, “I was feeling sad when I wrote it, actually. I wanted to feel something lovey dovey, so I wanted to manifest feelings through a song. “breaking news” is about the thought process when you go from a crush to falling in love super uncontrollably fast and you can’t stop it, in combination with the shock of realising ‘whoa this is more than a crush.’”

floweroflove is not only an emerging fashion icon—having fronted campaigns for brands such as Gucci and Maison Kitsuné—but she is also a quickly evolving songwriter who champions self-love and womanhood. Definitely one to watch for 2024…

“breaking news” is in stores now.

Renowned for his genre-defying sound, Whitey has established a unique presence in the music industry, fusing rock, electronic, and punk elements to create a distinctive sonic experience. His latest project, MENTAL RADIO, is set to debut on October 3rd, 2024, with the album’s first preview being released as a AA-side single; “CHERRYADE / WHEN DID I LAY DOWN AND DIE?,” out now.

“CHERRYADE” and “WHEN DID I LAY DOWN AND DIE?” deliver a dynamic and vibrant mix of genres, styles, and moods from the very start. These tracks meld classic, alternative, and blues-infused rock, characterized by catchy hooks, unconventional riffs, and an intense energy reminiscent of Queens of the Stone Age and Pixies.

Drawing from decades of musical influences and blending them through the Whitey filter, MENTAL RADIO emerges as an album that is simultaneously furious, raw, humorous, politically incisive, and poignant. It serves as a satirical reflection on 21st-century life, akin to a musical pop art collage.

MENTAL RADIO is available to pre-save now.

Ease your way into the working week with Hohnen Ford and her mesmerizing new single “I Wish I Had A God,” out now. Her EP of the same name is due for release on 3rd August 2024 via Young Poet.

A beautifully performed piano ballad, “I Wish I Had A God” immediately pulls at the heartstrings in the best way possible. Written about losing a very close friend, the deeply personal single showcases Ford’s delicately weaved vocal, allowing her natural songwriting ability to shine through as well.

Talking about the single, Ford says, “‘I Wish I Had a God’ emerged from the depths of grief, as an attempt to make sense of losing one of my best friends last year. Songwriting can be a vessel for grappling with the ineffable. This is the most painful song I’ve ever written, and has also been a bittersweet gift to watch it resonate with so many as I’ve performed it live over the last year. Our shared human experience of grief teaches us so much.”

Upcoming EP “I Wish I Had A God” is a collection of five rich and emotionally intelligent songs, showcasing Ford’s ability to weave jazz, pop, and folk seamlessly together. Her music strikes a chord with a generation of fans who appreciate honesty, depth, and sincerity in their favourite artists.

Hohnen Ford’s single “I Wish I Had A God” is in stores now.

Art-pop aficionado Æ MAK—aka Aoife McCann—returns with the release of her bewitching EP “ABC Side Baby,” out now.

Known for creating other-worldly pop music with industrial beats, this latest collection of vignettes is no exception. These songs move through the magic and playfulness of sparkling new love into the deep depths of heartbreak; finding strength and a sense of self again at the lowest of lows. “I’d been listening non stop to Dijon and ML Buch, so the energy in the rhythm and production is definitely influenced by them,” Aoife elaborates.

Talking about the focus track “Low Down,” Aoife says, “Its’ about hitting rock bottom after a break-up, almost basking in it, and finding your power again—’but I’m coming back, like the phoenix, outta my blood bath.’ I made it in between chain-smoking out the window and lying on my best pals green corduroy couch all summer; until I finally felt some strength creep back in. I wanted the production to have a bit of a Dijon or Frank Ocean feeling mixed with some hyper pop moments.”

“ABC Side Baby” is in stores now.

The captivating voice of Cyrene has returned with a new single, a cover of Duran Duran’s “Ordinary World,” remixed by The Lost Voice.

Enigmatic and alluring, Cyrene is named after an ancient Greek huntress who vanquished wild beasts with a bronze-tipped javelin and charmed Apollo by wrestling a lion with her bare hands. To us, she is the singer who transforms familiar lyrics into new realms of meaning.

Her mesmerizing sound possesses an ethereal quality, transcending time and place. These renditions aren’t mere covers; they are re-interpretations that blur boundaries and break down differences, aiming to enchant and surprise, to soothe and excite.

Cyrene’s true identity will remain a mystery as her story unfolds, but with an album set to release later this year, she is definitely one to watch.

Alt-R&B artist Orion Sun returns after a two year hiatus with new single “Already Gone,” out now.

The soul-infused songwriter goes back to her ethereal roots with this latest cut, allowing her soft, subtle vocals to soar effortlessly over the majestic musicality. Fans of the likes of Hope Tala and Raveena will feel at home here.

Of her new release—produced by Rodaidh McDonald and Julian Ali—the LA-based artist says,“It’s about that first night alone when your partner moves out and it’s obvious nothing will ever be the same. You try to change it or fix it or run from it but you have to come home eventually. The silence becomes heavy like water. Everything was a task. Everything was hard. I was holding on to hope like a life raft. Only in retrospect is it kind of funny. It seems dramatic and annoying but it was so true to me then.”

“Already Gone” marks Orion’s first release since her 2022 EP “Getaway.”

Acclaimed vocalist, DJ, and activist NGAIO is on a journey to spread powerful messages that resonate with the soul, and her new single “Goddess” is no exception. The single is taken from her highly-anticipated, self-produced debut EP “Four Quarters,” which blends jazz, dub, and trip-hop creating a sound that is truly innovative.

Of “Goddess” NGAIO says, “‘Goddess’ is about understanding that we are connected to more than the physical space of here and now. It’s about knowing that we can find that connection in nature and ourselves.” “Four Quarters” sees NGAIO embarking on a deeply personal and introspective journey, delving into the exploration of identity, cultural heritage, and the challenges of authentic self-expression in a world often resistant to alternative perspectives. As a genre-fluid shapeshifter, NGAIO effortlessly blends sounds and shatters expectations.

As well as performing solo, NGAIO founded Booty Bass as a space for women and non-binary folk to come together and play big, bad, unapologetic bangers. Since its conception in 2018 it’s become a space that promotes an appreciation for different cultures and sounds worldwide where dancing and laughing is key. NGAIO was also recently a part of the Censored campaign highlighting female nipples being sexualized, which was part of a city-wide exhibition addressing the hypocrisy of it and the consistent policing of women’s bodies.

With her commitment to making the world a better through music, “Goddess” and “Four Quarters” are only the start for this formidable artist.

London-based alt-rock trio Honeyglaze announce the release of their sophomore album Real Deal with the release of their empowering new single “Don’t,” out now.

Anouska Sokolow of the band says, “Based on my favourite Destiny’s Child song ‘Bills, Bills, Bills’ (which is also a song about being done with waste men), ‘Don’t’ was written after the end of a particularly bad relationship and I had this anger at every man I felt had ever wronged me or spoken down to me. It’s really fun to be aggressive and direct sometimes, especially when it’s unexpected.”

The single is undeniably powerful from the offset, with Sokolow’s cutting edge vocals at the forefront throughout. “Don’t” is a striking calling card for Real Deal; the album which follows their 2022 self-titled debut.

Honeyglaze are a South London based, haiku-loving trio comprised of vocalist and guitarist Anouska Sokolow, bassist Tim Curtis, and Yuri Shibuichi on drums.

“Don’t” is in stores now via Fat Possum Records.

J. Bernardt—aka Jinte Deprez—may be best known as one half of Belgian favourites Balthazar, but his latest album Contigo proves he can certainly hold a tune on his own as well. The album hits a mark between sophisticated and loose, emphatic and subtle, and steely and warm. Combining influences of orchestral pop, soul, and funk, the album oozes with a rainbow of flavours for the listener to indulge in.

Opening with “Rio,” which was written on a trip to Brazil, we are immediately welcomed by majestic strings showcasing Deprez’s vulnerable side. The track then fades into “Taxi,” a literal trip as Deprez needs to escape so he can process the bad news. Throughout the album a backdrop of streamlined funk, with thick bass and guitar twangs, adds to the contrast of strings, creating something undeniably slick and suave.

“Don’t Get Me Wrong” once again showcases Bernardt’s unique ability to combine orchestral pop with funk-infused flavours, creating something truly mesmerizing. Talking about the release, Deprez elaborates, “’Don’t Get Me Wrong’ takes a walk-through on communication skills that are not on point, even fed by a sabotaging desire of two people that choose projection rather than self-reflection. It’s an old habit of most of us use to fuel the fire, until it burns the house down.”

Next up is “Last Waltz,” slowing the pace down but by no means the power in Deprez’ stunningly unique baritone. Tracks “Contigo” and “Matter of Time” fall into a similar vein, sounding akin to The Last Shadow Puppets and Jungle.

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EEVAH’s EP “Simplify Life” is a captivating blend of catchy hooks, haunting melodies, and electrifying guitar riffs, alongside personal and relatable lyrics that delve into profound themes. The four track EP explores different topics like relationships and people pleasing, and has revealed a new, raw ferocity that is propelling this emerging duo.

Of the EP, the band say “We’ve always been a singles band because in some ways I think we were exploring what we were about and what we wanted to sound like. That’s probably the reason behind our ever eclectic back catalogue. But with this EP we wanted to nail down the EEVAH sound once and for all. It’s called ‘Simplify Life’ but the journey to the finish line has been anything but. It’s taken the addition of live drums for us to realise what’s important. Dynamics, storytelling, truth, soul, everything that we love about music thrown into the melting pot and served up in sonic slices under three minutes long.”

The opening track “Say It’s Just Us” begins gently before erupting into a vibrant indie pop anthem, with the catchy synths providing a perfect backdrop for the poignant vocal delivery. The lyrics and theme of the song are about putting pressure on relationships to fit into a certain box, when really we should “say it’s just US.”

“Notice You” takes a darker, more melancholic turn on the EP. The deep piano notes and distorted guitar, paired with sorrowful vocals, make this track a true heartbreaker. Lyrics like “Can you see me, cause I’m holding on” are deeply relatable, navigating a path of sadness rarely explored by the band.

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Post-disco Welsh duo Martyrs recently released their vibrant single “Where Did You Go?.” The pair are influenced by an eclectic blend of artists ranging from Afghan Whigs and Billy Joel to Deerhunter and Cyndi Lauper, ultimately creating a sound that sounds like Bruce Springsteen dusting with Chic.

The track is taken from their sophomore album Luminism, showcasing the diversity of sound and influences Martyrs held dear to their heat. “Where Did You Go?” is a perfect jumping off point for first time listeners. Opening with a stylish narration, the track bursts into life through effervescent brass instrumentation before strutting into a sparkling beat. The vocals juxtapose with the sonics, creating an introspective, evocative landscape in what the band describe as a horror story set to a disco beat.

“Where Did You Go?” follows the successful release of “Sunset Thinking,” picking up support from UK taste makers such as God Is In The TV and Amazing Radio. Martyrs are using the release as way of giving back to their community, with profits from sales of both “Where Did You Go?” and Luminism to Trussell Trust: Stop UK Hunger.

“Where Did You Go?” is taken from album Luminism, in stores now.

PHOTO: HOLLY WHITAKER | Experimental duo O.—yes that’s it, that’s their name—are back with another wonderfully woozy delight for you to sink your teeth into. Their latest cut “Micro” is taken from their upcoming debut album WeirdOs, out via Speedy Wunderground on 21st June 2024.

Saxophonist Joe Henwood plays with an impressive amount of distortion, creating something that sounds like a synth or a guitar as a result, whilst drummer Tash Keary plays skitter-splat breakbeats, creating a feast for the ears that is certainly not for the fainted hearted! Get ready for your walls to shake…

Talking about their upcoming album release, the duo explain, “WeirdOs is a dark, heavy album based around our love of riffy basslines, blast beats, dub, noise, and all the weird sounds in between. It was recorded live across two weeks in the studio with Dan Carey and aims to replicate the feeling of being at one of our gigs.”

“Micro” is in stores now. Catch them at a festival near you this summer.

Having recently signed to Nice Swan Records alongside the likes of English Teacher and SPRINTS, Dublin’s latest rising star Kynsy is looking to make a splash with new single “Money,” out now.

Talking about the release on Instagram, Kynsy said, “This song dives deep into the complexities of love, nostalgia, and longing, offering a raw exploration of the heart’s journey. Produced in my bedroom with the help of Caesar Edmunds on mixing duty, this project pushed me out of my comfort zone, and I’m proud to say I took the leap.” “Money” is a scuzzy indie-pop delight from the offset. Fans of the likes of Soccer Mommy and Alvvays will feel at home here.

The Dublin based artist has developed her own songwriting rules that have given her the ability to experiment, push her own boundaries, and avoid being pigeonholed into any one genre. Kynsy is definitely one to watch…

“Money” is in stores now.

Singer songwriter Luke Fraser has returned with his theatrical new single, “The Curse.” Following on from Fraser’s debut album, Moth Eaten Romeo in 2022, the troubadour will unveil several singles as he builds towards EP “So Below” later this year.

Having spent many years performing on the London live circuit, both as a solo artist and with a band, Fraser has built a loyal fan base through his emotive style of music. Dramatic, literate, and heartfelt, Fraser’s sound sits neatly between the likes of John Grant and Andrew Bird.

“The Curse” is a perfect encapsulation of Fraser’s stunning sonics. Graceful piano, atmospheric percussion, and confessional lyricism play out, as Fraser’s reflective vocal takes centre stage. A mature, bittersweet piece of music from start to finish.

It’s easy to see why Fraser’s approach to songwriting has garnered support from tastemaker far and wide with the likes of Radio X, Absolute Radio, BBC Introducing, Clout Magazine and many more supporting the artist.

‘The Curse’ is available to stream now.