Category Archives: TVD UK

We’re getting dreamy this week with Australia’s AOHDAN and his vibrant new single “Flies In My Room,” out now.

AOHDAN—also known as Aidan Whitehall—may only be seventeen but the quality of his songwriting is matured and sophisticated way beyond his years. His new single “Flies In My Room” is taken from his EP of the same name and it’s a celestial delight from start to finish. The single falls somewhere between the genres of indie, dream-pop, and indie-folk, giving the song a wonderfully chilled vibe whilst feeling intricate and warm. Fans of Real Estate and Beach Fossils will feel at home here.

Aidan is no stranger to the music scene, having already caught the attention of Communion Publishing UK, so we have no doubt his latest EP will certainly spark further interest. He’s already racked up the streams on Spotify with his previous releases and with his new single he looks set to do the same.

“Flies In My Room” is in stores now via AntiFragile Music.

We’re getting a bit funky this week with multi-instrumentalists 88/89 who have recently released their vibrant new single “Bite The Bullet” and we can’t get enough of their psych-pop sound.

Channelling the likes of Jungle, Prince, and The Presets, 88/89 are a formidable force to be reckoned with. They combine all the best elements of ’80s dance-rock with indietronica and nu-disco creating a sound that will get your toes tapping in no time. The latest cut “Bite The Bullet” is no exception as pulsating beats are met with distorted guitar twangs and celestial harmonies, creating infectiously uplifting soundscapes.

88/89 consists of Michael Hornby (vocals) and Jack James (guitar) but they also take on other musical duties including drums, keyboards and bass. This dynamic duo have been honing their sound since 2019 and show no signs of slowing down.

“Bite The Bullet” is in stores now.

Cardiff-based newcomers Stereo Club bring the sound of the summer with their shimmering debut single “Parma Violet Gin,” out now.

It may be wet and rainy in the UK but Stereo Club aren’t gonna let it bring them down. Their infectious debut single is a dazzling ray of sunshine that effortlessly channels the likes of The Cardigans and Best Coast. “Parma Violet Gin” is about a group of kids achieving their dreams and we certainly hope this vivacious trio will get to achieve theirs.

Stereo Club are Ines Duarte, Dan Waggon, and Ben Morris. They may have only just formed and they may have only one song under their belts so far, but we’re sure we’ll be hearing plenty more from them in the coming months.

“Parma Violet Gin” is in stores now.

PHOTO: GEORGE VAN WETERING | Dutch artist Monokino has already built a name for himself in both Asia and North Americana and he’s now set his sights on the UK. His latest release “Your Underground” is a woozy fusion of alternative-rock and off-kilter electronics that certainly deserves your attention.

Channelling the likes of Twin Shadow and The Associates, Monokino is an artist who is hard to define. His new single is packed with a punch from the offset, as distorted guitar twangs are met with 8-bit samples and Monokino’s distinctively experimental vocals at the forefront. Talking about the single, Monokino explains, “The ‘underground scene’ appears to be very much into systematic exclusion, which was already clear recently when Burger Records came into the news.”

“Over here one creates a scene to unite people, by excluding people, because it fits into the zeitgeist. Something in me snaps. What is actually new and exciting is skipped while that what needs to be sold is promoted as something new. It serves the big players in the music biz to promote artists as being valuable to some underground community—either created or real—because of some Spotify playlist. There must be more interesting things artists can tell, right?” Some serious food for thought there.

With “Your Underground” Monokino hopes to captivate a new surge of listeners with his experimental blend of alt-rock and pop—and we’re here for it.

“Your Underground” is in stores now.

This week’s AOTW comes from London-based Spaniard Mike Walsh. His newest single “Ride” is a stunning slice of indie-pop that showcases Mike’s velvet vocals.

What a voice! Mike’s smooth, sultry tones will transport you to eternal bliss on his new single and we can’t get enough. The single showcases Mike’s more vulnerable side as he explores themes of loves lost and the challenges we face in overcoming heartbreak.

The poignantly relatable lyricism paired with mellow guitar tones and hushed melodies make for the perfect break up anthem that is bound to pull at your heartstrings—so be sure to have tissues at the ready.

“Ride” is in stores now.

Brighten up your day with Glasgow’s Crawford Mack and his infectious new single “Kicks,” out now.

You can’t go wrong with a classic slice of indie-rock can you really? Crawford Mack knows this and his latest release “Kicks” certainly is no exception. The new single is a sparkling, spangling indie-rock track that is bound to get your toes tapping in no time. Mack states some of his influences as the likes of Franz Ferdinand and Pulp and we can certainly hear those legendary artists creeping through as “Kicks” kicks off (sorry, we’ll stop).

Talking about the single, Mack explains, “I was out for a walk in Victoria Park and got caught by a wave of optimism by seeing a group of people hanging out with a speaker blaring Franz Ferdinand. I was actually taking a break from writing a slightly darker song, came back and changed the whole thing!”

Crawford Mack is a Glaswegian at heart but he currently resides in London. To celebrate the release, Crawford plays a headline London show at The Servant Jazz Quarters in Dalston. Tickets are here.

“Kicks” is in stores now.

Our Artist of the Week is the London-based collective The Arthur Brothers who have recently released their new single “Watson (Pt. 1)” and it’s a woozy delight from start to finish.

The Arthur Brothers consist of, funny enough, brothers Matt and Danny Arthur. The duo work closely with producer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist J. C. Wright to create their genre-defying sound. Channelling the likes of Animal Collective, The Flaming Lips, and even the legendary Queen, The Arthur Brothers’ latest single is wonderfully eccentric, innovative and endearing throughout.

“Watson (Pt. 1)” is the final single to be released from their epic debut album Nine, which came out last year. The single was originally clocking in at an ambitious nine minutes long, but you’ll probably be relieved to hear that it has been reconstructed to just under four minutes for this release.

“Watson (Pt. 1)” is in stores now.

Get woozy with Hollis Lomax and their super chill new single “Past Time,” out now. The Oxford quartet are definitely ones to watch…

Falling somewhere between Brian Eno, Easy Life, and Parquet Courts, Hollis Lomax are pretty hard to define, but let’s give it a go. “Past Time” combines elements of off-kilter math-pop, surf rock, and indie creating a sound that is totally mesmerising.

The single feels like the perfect sound for summer: glistening synths chime effortlessly over soft percussion and lead singer Will Rowland’s distinctively warm tones. The track reflects upon past relationships and how life has changed since; something we can all relate to surely?

Hollis Lomax met at Oxford University in 2019, so that makes them pretty darn smart in our opinion as well.

“Past Time” is in stores now.

This week’s Artist of The Week are Swiss electronic duo IRJA. Their latest single “Heavy State of Mind” is out now.

Channelling the likes of SOHN, the pair effortlessly blend ambient synths with delicate guitar strums and celestial vocals creating a sound that is undeniably atmospheric. The duo’s newest release “Heavy State Of Mind” is no exception as intimate soundscapes are met with haunting vocals, transporting you into another dimension as a result.

IRJA are Colin Lanz (vocals, guitar, synths) and Basil Steiner (drums, synths, backing vocals). They met in a bar in London and the rest, as they say, is history. We can’t wait to see where they transport us to next…

“Heavy State of Mind” is in stores now.

UK-based artist Alys Williams charms us with her stunning new single “You,” out now. The British newcomer combines woozy electronics with ethereal soundscapes on her latest cut and we’re extremely excited to see what the rest of 2021 has in store for the talented songstress.

The harmonies, the glitchy electronica, the poignant lyricism, Alys Williams’ “You” just has it all. Fans of the likes of Laura Mvula and Emily King will certainly feel at home here. Produced by Rich James Roberts in the Welsh mountains, the single feels instantly celestial as sparse electronic soundscapes compliment Alys’ majestic vocals effortlessly.

Talking about the single, Alys explains, “We recorded this one a week before the pandemic hit the UK, but I feel it sounds even more relevant a year on, with everyone trying to find their peace after a turbulent time of highs and lows. Hope you like it.”

“You” is in stores now.

Jaz Beeson brightens our day with “Feel Alive.” A relatable indie-pop anthem about making your way through life, which we’re sure many will relate to.

Shake off those bad vibes with Jaz Beeson and her infectious new single out now. “Feel Alive” is a shimmering bundle of joy from the offset and we can’t get enough. Channelling the likes of Maisie Peters, Jaz combines indie-pop soundscapes with fun-filled lyricism and charming vocals creating a sound that’s wonderfully effervescent.

Talking about the single, Jaz explains, “‘Feel Alive’ is my sophomore single. The song is the older sister who’s trying to find her way in life, navigating minimum wage jobs, nights at the pub, and defining where life is going next.”

Jaz Beeson currently lives in London and we can’t wait to hear what she gets up to next.

Newcastle based singer-songwriter Martha Hill’s vibrant new single “Change” is an indie-pop banger from the offset which certainly seems to be putting the newcomer on the map. 

Combining jangling guitars with colourful synths and colloquial lyricism, Martha reminds us what happens when indie is done right. Tackling the universally relatable themes of growing up, nostalgia, and paths not taken, it is drawn entirely from Martha’s own experience of leaving her hometown of Dunoon, Scotland when she was seventeen to busk around Europe.

“Change” tracks her journey from a teenager desperate to get out of home to returning as an adult with a fresh perspective and appreciating it in a new light. “After coming home as an adult and seeing how strong the community is and how supportive everyone is, I just felt really lucky and proud to have grown up there,” Martha says.

The track is the first new release from Martha since her “Summer Up North” EP which was released last year. “Change” is the first track to be revealed off an upcoming EP, which is due in stores in the summer—so watch this space!

This week’s Artist of The Week comes all the way from Milan and they’re pretty darn good if you ask us. Italian quintet The Ghibertins recently dropped their infectious new single “20149 – Milano” and it’s a delicious first taste of what’s to come from the group’s upcoming album.

Sounding akin to the likes of Editors and The National, The Ghibertins create anthemic indie-rock that is packed with a punch. A mighty cocktail of atmospheric soundscapes hits you almost instantly on their newest single “20149 – Milano” and we can’t get enough.

The single was apparently written by frontman Alessio Hofmann when he was drinking in Taojin and the next day he “found on a piece of paper, 20149 written obsessively over and over again. 20149—my home zip code.” Happens to the best of us…

“20149 – Milano” is the first single of the forthcoming album The Life & Death of John Doe, due for release in 2022.

Kick off the week the right way with Harry Gardner and his infectious new single “Oblivious,” out now. It’s an indie-pop delight from start to finish that is bound to put a smile on your face.

The Kent-based newcomer is already making waves for himself with his latest cut and we’re sure 2021 is going to be a good year for the young artist if “Oblivious” is anything to go by. Channelling the likes of Rex Orange County and slacker-pop faves Easy Life, “Oblivious” combines elements of jazz, pop, and indie, creating a feel-good sound that is upbeat and chill.

The single has already been featured on a bunch of playlists including New Pop UK and Fresh Finds: Pop, so we’re pretty sure this year is going to be an exciting one for Harry—and hopefully we may even get to see him at a festival or two. Lets not tempt fate though…

“Oblivious” is in stores now.

Kick-start the week the right way with Castells and their infectious new single “Falling For You,” out now.

Channelling the likes of Blossoms and Marsicans, Castells combine guitar-driven indie with celestial synths creating a sound that is totally vibrant and full of fun. Talking about the single, the band explain, “‘Falling for you’ is an honest love letter dressed up as a singalong indie-pop song.”

“Throughout the song you become aware singer, Connor Crooks, is falling in love with someone and is excited to start a relationship with her. The lyrics are very conversational lending the song a relatable feel, which is what we were aiming to do when writing it. The song itself feels like a journey too. Beginning slow and soft whilst steadily progressing through until it ends with a massive, jumpy, upbeat sing along hook.”

Castells are an indie-rock quartet based in Kent and we can’t wait to see what they get up to next.