10. Lia D’Sau – Bird
Inspired by SZA’s ‘good days’, Lia D’Sau composed a song to evoke a feeling of fresh air, of awakening, and of being freely alive. ‘Bird’ is the kind of song that makes you want to soar. It’s chorus, where Lia magnetically sings ‘fly high and never look down‘, never lose my crown is immediately uplifting. It’s not loud or abrasive whatsoever, instead adopting a soft and spacey tone to convey a feeling of freedom and floating.
The video, which as Lia riding down an empty road in the bicycle is precisely how I imagine myself while experiencing this song — moving forward blissfully without a care in the world tying me down. It’s such a wonderfully expressive tune that I only wish lasted a little bit longer. But I guess its succinctness adds to its appeal. It feels like a complete journey, one that has you yearning to release and let go of all the stress around you by the time it ends. Fly, fly, and fly more.
9. Natalie Grace – Driver’s Seat
No, not Drivers License. Natalie Grace’s latest single is loud, confident, and just exuberant in every sense. It’s a powerful contemporary pop piece that combines elements of r&b and soul with electronic pop production. Locked and loaded with an immediately addictive chorus, Natalie is on a mission to grab your attention swiftly and keep you hooked. On the track, Natalie says ‘This is my most “me” song yet. It completely sums up the sound that I want people to attribute with me’.
Sex positive, but radio friendly, it’s a liberating and emotive piece that breaks from existing norms both musically and lyrically. Natalie’s got a sense of pride to her craft, something that comes out wonderfully in her expressive singing on this piece. Even if you’re just looking for a pop song to sing along to all day, ‘Driver’s Seat’ is a great place to go to. An energiser that you’ll eagerly look forward to.
8. SlaqMajik – Something Strange & Liar Liar
The two part release from London based funk outfit SlaqMajik is an injection of energy bound to widen your eyes on a sleepy day. The first part, ‘Something Strange’ starts off like a soundtrack from some kind of science fiction movie with all kinds of assorted ambient sounds littered across. When the vocals hit, it entirely shifts to a groovy and soulful funk piece that calls you to dance. The bass driven disco anthem features Twenea Terrons on vocals and serves as an unabashed dance anthem for even the most awkward of crowds.
‘Liar Liar’ is even more eccentric, with an almost cacophonic collection of unique sounds falling around the pulsing tribal-esque percussive elements. In the midst of this frantic soundscape, you find yourself catapulting from sound to sound, yearning to cling on to something stable. Eventually, you just let the flow take you where it may, enjoying all the little oddities wholeheartedly as they combine to create something strange, yet fantastical.
7. Vana Liya – Round n Round ft Pepper
It’s not often you come across an artist who is quite truly creating a style of music that is entirely their own. Vana’s unique blend of indie pop and reggae is far from explored territory, but when you hear her music, it’s almost unfathomable that it hasn’t been experimented with more. ‘Round n Round’ is just an absolute delight to hear, it’s so quantifiably pleasurable that I’d be astounded if anyone heard it and came out without feeling a little bit better about their today, tomorrow, and yesterday. Hooking American reggae rock legend alongside, it’s as authentic as it is imaginative.
On why Pepper was such an essential piece to the Track, Vana explains from her own experience. “I remember one time when I was driving,” reflects Vana, “I heard Pepper’s ‘Sitting on the Curb’ and was like, ‘This is a really happy song so next time I have an anxiety attack, I’m gonna listen to this song.’ And that’s literally how I got over the anxiety. I just put the headphones on and play it over and over and over again”.
Round n Round is about as rejuvenating and relaxing as Vana would hope. From the very first chord to the last minute, it’s a mellow and melodic piece that’s bound to put you in a great mood.
6. Tyler Cain – Forever & Always
Forever & Always is about as cheesy as the name would suggest; but that doesn’t make it any bit less endearing. After having to postpone a wedding last year, artist/producer Tyler Cain chose to focus on the silver lining of how love can still persevere with his new single “Forever and Always”. The heartfelt and catchy rock pop tune sees Tyler hook up his acoustic and sing his heart out as passionately as he comes.
Tyler wrote the song alongside his good friend, experienced drummer and producer Rob Chianelli. His fiance also added a few lyrics to complete the tune, making it all the more wholesome. Personally, the fact that the tune might come across a bit corny doesn’t devalue the heart behind it. It’s got so much raw emotion to it that you’re bound to find yourself feeling something, reimagining your own relationships, and looking forward to a feeling as strong and powerful as the one Tyler’s ballad is for.
5. Mr. StarZ – Blastback ft. WIser Observer
‘Blastback’ starts from 100 and doesn’t relent for a second. The dark electronic house track is meant to be a rave classic that’s meant to keep you on your toes at all moments. The featured artist, Wiser Observer, is a Hip-Hop and R&B rapper from Africa with a unique delivery that is fiery, punchy, and perfectly complementary to the pulsating rhythm of Mr. StarZ’s frantic beat.
I can picture this tune being a firebrand of a track at any rave. As the crowd builds and the DJ starts to amp up the intensity, bringing out a fast paced, blistering, and pumping track like Blastback is bound to turn the entire crowd up. There’s not a moment to gather yourself on this piece, just every waking moment needs to be spent taking yourself higher and higher, elevating your energy levels to their absolute peak until they absolutely can’t go any further, and then take it a notch above that as well.
4. Voxur – Down
As someone who grew up on house music that was almost eternally hopeful and hopelessly optimistic, I love it when electronic artists just stick to that winning formula. Voxur’s ‘Down’ is emblematic of that era, a house song that is positive to a fault in its lyricism, composition, and overall energy.
The uplifting track is embedded with the message that it’s ok to feel “down”, that you can meet someone where they’re at without trying to change it. And in that moment where you meet them, perhaps just maybe the connection will make them feel a little bit better. “We can lay here on the ground, just close our eyes and turn this floor into a magic carpet!”
At the end of the day, it’s all about belief in a better tomorrow and a more optimistic future. Voxur is going to have you dancing in the club for the same.
3. Eddz – Sorry
Northampton based singer-songwriter EDDZ has come out with a debut single that is a fuzzy sprinkle of indie rock and synth. The colourful summery track is a very archetypical alternative indie pop tune; filled with atmospheric production, emotive lyrics and vocals, and an overbearing sense of nostalgia prevailing over the entire piece.
The moniker of Liam Taylor, EDDZ is a complete package. Combining music, lyrics, visuals, art and fashion together and presenting them through his three minute modern alt/indie pop anthems, he sees each track as an opportunity to express his creative energy in a myriad of ways.
“I know I said I will change this time, here I am stuck in the coldest rain”
The chorus, repeated on and on towards the end, is absolutely anthemic in every sense of the word. You’ll feel the need to belt it at the top of your lungs when you’re done.
2. Luna Kat – Anxiety
‘Anxiety’ is a generational track. I don’t mean that it’s just a song only relatable for the young; but that through Luna’s very personal vocalisation of her own condition, she’s able to instantly connect with so many people who probably struggle with the same overbearing feelings. It’s about living, but living through and with a condition that constantly seems to impact every facet of your lives. But what makes Luna’s track so special to me is the way she’s conveyed it.
A seemingly morose topic is sung about with such an upbeat, optimistic, and carefree production and performance to contrast the more serious lyrics. It’s in that smiley indie pop bop of a tune that Luna is able to bring out a much more real and grounded topic.
The New York based artist grew up in Sydney, Shanghai and the Big Apple all the while accruing a deep appreciation for the global art and music scene. Her visual talent is a huge facet of her work, with Luna taking the reigns on each track’s graphics and lyrical videos. If you’re interested in indie pop whatsoever, ‘Anxiety is bound to make itself a regular on your playlist.
1. Nauria – Instinct
Few beats this year have had me as intrigued and excited as Nauria’s ‘Instinct’. Her unique fusion of r&b and electronic is chillwave music exemplified. Coming from a multicultural and music loving family, Nauria grew up on a myriad of sounds; 80’s rock, jazz, Latin, African, funk, and house music to name a few genres. This rich musical background lead Nauria to experiment with song writing as early as seven years of age, an experience that remains strongly influential to her today.
‘Instinct’ takes inspiration from the punk rock band “The Smiths”, filled with lyrics that illustrate the invasive and uncomfortable thoughts that swarm you when you’re unsure about what your place is in a relationship.
If you’re looking for a mellow, relaxing, and simultaneously invigorating piece of r&b music, ‘Instinct’ is bound to perk your ears. It’s such a unique blend of pacey electronic beats with a slow jam r&b performance that its very composition demands your attention.
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