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Spotlight Feature: Isiah & the New People became the defining voice in modern folk with ‘Did You Run?’

Posted on 11 January 2025

‘Did You Run?’ by Isiah & The New People opens with Isiah’s natural finesse as a rhythmatist, his skill on the fretboard drawing you in before the Western psych melodies begin to swell and pirouette with the kind of synergy that only comes from a collective with a shared artistic pulse. The union between the instrumental energy and vocal emotion is undeniable; it’s a back-and-forth exchange that feels both intimate and uncontainable.

With some of the most affecting vocals heard from Isiah & The New People so far, the trembled timbres of vibrato are flawlessly pitched, amplifying the bittersweet poignancy of the questioning narrative. The affection that drives every progression offers a moving undercurrent, even amidst the uncertainty that saturates the vignette.

Following the success of their debut EP Boxes, which set a strong tone for 2024, Isiah & The New People have gone from strength to herculean strength. ‘Did You Run?’ is another clear step in their rise, demonstrating their ability to merge heartfelt storytelling with immeasurably talented artistry.

As we tentatively step into 2025, it’s becoming increasingly evident that Isiah & The New People are gearing up to be one of the most promising breakthrough acts of the year.

Did You Run hit the airwaves on December 28th; stream the single on all major platforms, including Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Fabio Salce’s ‘Summer rain’ is an acoustic Americana downpour of pure serotonin

Posted on 1 January 2025

Fabio Salce’s single Summer Rain, taken from his recently released 3-track single, Extended Play, delivers a sun-soaked slice of Americana that transcends the winter gloom. With twangy, upbeat acoustic guitar chords forming the heart of the track, Salce’s gruffed and euphonious vocals pour unfiltered emotion into every note. It’s a song that doesn’t demand perfection—it thrives on its deeply human and unapologetically real rawness,

The Brazilian-born singer-songwriter’s journey from teenage South American multi-instrumentalist to seasoned UK-based artist brings a wealth of authenticity to his sound. Having shared stages with Brazilian icons like Tom Zé during his Acidogroove days, earned a Dinamite Music Award, and performed at legendary venues such as the Barrowland Ballroom, Salce has carved out an eclectic and impressive résumé. Yet, with Summer Rain, it’s not about accolades; it’s about recapturing the cathartic simplicity of music.

The single’s infectious energy evokes comparisons to the effervescent hooks of Primal Scream and the breezy melodies of Deep Blue Something. Yet, Salce’s songwriting cuts deeper, transforming everyday moments into universal anthems of love and resilience. Despite a hiatus driven by personal crises, Fabio’s 2024 return to music feels like a homecoming, his acoustic storytelling steeped in years of lived experience.

As an antidote to festive-season fatigue, Summer Rain offers a glowing reminder of music’s ability to conjure light from the darkest corners. It’s proof that sometimes the rawest emotions resonate the most.

Stream Summer rain on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Avant Garde Expressionism went pop in PRI//’s single, See No Evil

Posted on 26 December 2024

With ‘See No Evil’, the independent artist and innovator PRI// cements their position as one of the most fearlessly uninhibited expressionists in alt-pop’s terrain. The lo-fi Avant Garde pop single is an entrancingly distorted dive into the artist’s singular creative world, blending artful dissonance with a touch of classic pop accessibility. Atop experimental beats that feel like the sonic equivalent of broken glass refracting light, PRI// drops layers of autotuned harmonies, anchoring the abstract chaos with a trace of familiarity. The accompanying music video only deepens the immersion, offering a raw glimpse into the unfiltered ethos driving this London-based maverick.

Since bursting onto the scene earlier this year, PRI// has uploaded over 80 songs online, each a condensed burst of raw emotion and sonic experimentation. Whether through the ghostly minimalism of Come Back Darling or the grunge-laced adrenaline of Begging, PRI// balances tension and release with an intuitive grasp of storytelling, both musical and lyrical. Drawing on influences as varied as Madonna’s remix culture and Tori Amos’ lyrical introspection, See No Evil is as cathartic as it is boundary-pushing.

Crafted in snatched moments with limited tools—an old Depeche Mode drum machine, acoustic guitars, and a self-taught flair—PRI//’s DIY ethos imbues their work with visceral authenticity. Yet, their ambitions stretch far beyond the lo-fi aesthetic, weaving together music, videos, and a rich visual world influenced by icons like Bowie and Grace Jones.

Stream the official music video for See No Evil on YouTube now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Lions Like Zebra riffed away complacency in their seminal rock-licked embodiment of the punk ethos, ‘Rise’

Posted on 21 December 2024

Lions Like Zebra—originally formed in Portugal in 2009—never simply coasted on tradition. After testing fresh sounds and ideas, they fused bold melodies with a stripped-back approach and a firm rhythmic backbone. Now, with their current line-up settled since 2024, including vocalist, composer, and guitarist João Pedroso alongside Sara Ângelo (rhythm guitar, vocals), Bruno Filipe (lead guitar, backing vocals), Tiago Mendes(bass), and Ruben Rodrigues (drums), they’ve forged a new legacy of raw sonic energy.

Their single Rise, taken from the decade-old seminal EP Lights Off, warrants rekindled attention for the way it scours rhythmic magnetism reminiscent of Queens of the Stone Age and injects the scuzzy grit of punk n roll. The percussion hits like fists in a riot, while the white-hot guitars screech through the atmospheric tension. In the verses, the vocals temper the intensity, holding it taut, only to erupt into a rallying cry during the choruses—urging listeners to rise above complacency and embrace a punk ethos that refuses to settle.

This is not a timeworn artefact—it’s an anthem of action, shaking off dust and lighting a fuse that still crackles with life.

Stream Rise with the rest of Lions Like Zebra’s EP, Lights Off, on all major platforms, including Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Sharpen your sense of self-worth in the groove pockets of TAZ’s latest RnB Funk release, tunnel vision

Posted on 10 December 2024

With her latest single, Tunnel Vision, TAZ claims her place as the goddess of groove, delivering a funk-wrapped celebration of self-love and empowerment. Hailing from Surrey, the rising star built on the acclaim of her debut, Summertime x, with an up-tempo Neo-Soul release that bursts with vibrant energy and candid lyrical storytelling.

The lush harmonies in Tunnel Vision pop with radiant colour, intertwining seamlessly with staccato guitar chops that electrify the track’s rhythmic pulse. As the song unfolds, the emotive intensity crescendos, with TAZ’s soulful vocals becoming a clarion call for romantic empowerment.

For anyone who suffered fools in the name of love, Tunnel Vision has what it takes to convince the new generation of RnB fans to take every fragment of their self-worth into the battleground, otherwise known as the modern dating scene. The live feel of the production amplifies the authenticity of her message, with each lyric cutting straight to the listener.

Inspired by legends such as Amy Winehouse, Lauryn Hill, and Alicia Keys, TAZ fuses Neo-Soul, Jazz, and Pop influences to scribe an arrestingly unique sonic signature into her critically acclaimed hits.

Stream tunnel vision on major platforms, including Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Thalia Jailene spun emotion into rhythmic gold with her standout single, Sueñitos

Posted on 9 December 2024

Thalia Jailene’s latest single, Sueñitos, weaves hypnotic rhythms straight into the soul. From the opening notes, choppy staccato reggae guitars tease the senses, making way for warm flamenco licks that unravel through the vibrant sonic fabric. Thalia’s smooth, serotonin-laced vocals glide effortlessly over the textured layers, delivering an exotic and arcane soundscape that feels as seraphic as it is unique.

The Latina singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer, and music educator, now based in North Carolina, demonstrates her ability to blend her eclectic influences—from Paramore and No Doubt to Amy Winehouse and Bob Marley—into a sound that transcends genres. Her self-described “music alchemy” transforms raw emotions into an intoxicating mix of pop, rock, and reggae, with Sueñitos embodying her commitment to organic euphoria while the rest of her discography attests to how she never shies away from darker themes.

Hi play and prepare for full immersion as your senses are flooded with colour.

Sueñitos is available to stream on all major platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

‘!! Stand’ by RoBB!EMAC: Reinventing Pop with Y2K Nostalgia and Emotional Cadence

Posted on 4 December 2024

The prolific pop prodigy, RoBB!EMAC, may have only made his official debut in 2023 with the drop of his LP, The Anecdotes of Mr. Songsmith, but he’s already delivered his fifth album, Howling at the Moon, proving that there’s no end to the flow of his creativity or his ability to find fresh alt-pop intersections to explore.

The standout single from his expansive 16-track anthology of pop-hooked vulnerability, ‘!! Stand’ kicks into rhythm through a melodic piano-driven prelude followed by a mash of pseudo-trap, Y2K nostalgia and the twang of alt-country pop; a synthesis which orchestrates a dreamy sense of reverie to drift within as you lock into the vocal cadence which sinks into synergy with the solid backbeats.

If anyone can bring back the trend of putting lighters in the air instead of iPhone cameras, it’s RoBB!EMAC, with his sound that leans into nostalgia while illuminating the path to the pop pantheon which is ready and waiting for his arrival.

RoBB!EMAC, the New Jersey-Hailing, Dallas-based innovator, is far from your average genre-fusionist; he’s mastered the art of ensuring every aesthetic at his disposal lends itself to the mood and meaning of his sound. In ‘!! Stand’, the singer-songwriter strips back all sense of pretence to outpour a vignette that assures the listener that, as we all make our way through the disillusionments of life, we’re all a work in progress, regardless of how perfect our facades appear to be.

Stream RoBB!EMAC’s Howling at the Moon LP on all major platforms, including Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

figaro heralded the new wave of darkwave indie with their ‘Good Bones’ EP

Posted on 1 December 2024

If your playlists are littered with tracks from White Lies and Editors, the latest EP, Good Bones, from the Brooklyn-based alt-indie trailblazer figaro is a homecoming for malaised souls seeking salvation in moody synth-driven indie guitar-licked pulsative euphony.

Haunting the borderlands between post-punk-tinged industrial indie sleaze and darkwave synth-pop, the 6-track release is an anthology of strobing ennui. The opening single, Maybe Cherry, has infiltrated swathes of influential indie playlists with its aching atmospherics, angular guitars and abstract crooned lyrics, which paint poetry throughout the hypnotic oscillations.

In Foreva, the indie artist wears their 80s influence on their guitar strings, harking back to the tonal mesmerism of Echo and the Bunnymen while delivering hymnally intimate installations of introspection. All I Know is yet another standout on the EP; with sweeping guitars which echo Interpol, polyphonic synths, a syncopated beat, and the delicious sonic dejection of PEACE and Jaws, figaro scorched their way through the oversaturated synth-pop scene, reigning supreme over the indie landfill pawns as one of the most organically original artists who has graced the darkwaves in recent years.

Stream figaro’s sophomore EP, Good Bones, which dropped on November 22nd, on all major platforms, including Spotify.

For more ways to listen and connect with figaro use this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Penny Taylor’s ‘Cuff’ Unchains the Soul of Modern RnB

Posted on 28 November 2024

‘Cuff’ by Penny Taylor smooths out the edges of contemporary RnB. With a trappy pulse, wavy oscillations of reverb wrapping around the melodies, and Taylor’s constantly in-flux vocal presence, it’s the definition of a melodious feat of sonic mesmerism. Hit play and sink into the single, which sees the singer-songwriter lay it all on the line while teasing salaciously hot imagery into the mix, ensuring it hits on every conceivable level.

Having honed his unique sound for over a decade—starting from humble beginnings with a USB mic hanging from his childhood room’s ceiling fan—Taylor has evolved into an unreckonable force in the music industry. Drawing inspiration from Bryson Tiller, Drake, Kendrick Lamar, and J. Cole, his distinctive hip hop, neo-soul, and RnB fusion makes him peerless, as does his ability to tune into universal emotion and make them hit with personal resonance.

Taylor may not have reinvented the RnB wheel with ‘Cuff’, but his authentic contribution ensures he has earned his place in the innovative vanguard as the genre shifts with the times, keeping the vibes raw, real, and relatable for this generation and beyond.

Cuff is now available to stream on all major platforms, including Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Gemma Felicity – AM I TOXIC: A Kinetically Electric Alt-Pop Candid Confession

Posted on 28 October 2024

‘AM I TOXIC’ by Gemma Felicity proves that a good pop hit is so much more than a polished set of hooks, a honeyed set of pipes and a catchy chorus line; it’s a songwriter who knows exactly how to stretch your perceptions to let new resonance in through the use of confessional candour.

Felicity’s personal flaws are laid bare in the accountability-driven dance-pop anthem, but even the most scrupulous critic would struggle to find a flaw in the single itself. The perennial pop earworm transcends an auditory experience through the way it alters your emotional state with the euphoric energy in the high-octane, kinetically electric pulse of the track, which is all too easy to get addicted to.

The London-based alt-pop artist has been honing her eloquent craft since the age of 9; in 2024, it has all paid off with AM I TOXIC, which will feature on her first EP, Baggage, which explores how personal baggage can weigh heavy romantic relationships.

Having performed at iconic venues and been featured on BBC Introducing, Gemma’s presence is both resonant and transformative, continuing to mesmerise and energise audiences worldwide as she prepares for a performance at the Miss Planet International Beauty Pageant.

Stream AM I TOXIC on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast