10 great international tracks that are out now, keep reading for more.
1. Anabel Englund – Midnight Rapture
2. Grant – ‘What’s A Woman To You’
Swedish alt pop star GRANT has returned with her powerful new single and video ‘What’s A Woman To You’, via Sony Sweden. Stream here.
GRANT’s new single is an introspective reflection on what it means to be a woman who defies responsibility, exploring identity and how her sexuality is defined in relation to her partner.
The official music video provides a gorgeous backdrop for the airy and sensual indie pop banger, set on a summer evening by the beach.
About the new track GRANT explains “We are extremely defined by our choices and are either categorized as strong or broken, seldom indifferent. Women depicted as either madonnas or whores in these incredibly shallow portraits of how they handle struggles in their lives.”
“I feel like a lot of dynamic is lost in pop culture, when selling a brand or an image. Lately I’m thinking the nuances are incredibly interesting, maybe because I’m experiencing them for the first time being in my first long term relationship, but also seeing people around me succumbing to matters of ”forever”: having babies, getting married, keeping a job; fulfilling ideals they used to resent.”
“Everyday life naturally becomes less passionate, and I felt like I was failing somehow. Shedding my youth while still having the needs of a child. I didn’t realize how much effort and patience went into it, just keeping life together without hurting each other. I have never respected my mother, my sisters and my grandmothers more, for taking on so much responsibility.”
“I’ve had so many wonderful, insightful discussions with these women in my life, family and friends. For the first time I feel a sense of belonging. The kinship that comes from shared experiences. I’m still learning to accept and handle the dynamics of my person and my relationship, and I’m doing it with their help. I’m so thankful.”
3. Elias – ‘My Hope’
Stockholm-born singer-songwriter Elias has unveiled new single ‘My Hope’, out 17th September via his imprint Haale Records through the AntiFragile Music label.
Propelled by pure emotion, ‘My Hope’ pairs Elias’ impassioned vocals with sparse instrumentation before making way for a powerful crescendo. It sees the Swedish artist continue with his shift in sonic direction away from the ‘big sound’ that has characterised his career to date. Describing his new material as “striving after rawness”, Elias’ latest offerings reference artists such as Swedish Jazz piano legend Jan Johansson, Nick Cave and Tom Waits.
“To me it’s about having nothing to lose and giving away everything; throwing your heart out there for someone to catch.” Elias comments. “Everything on this song is recorded live, Kalle Erkenborn plays his incredible drums live, Teodor Wolgers the piano, bass and guitar and me on the vocals.“
4. Jung – ‘Somebody Like You’
Innovating indie-pop duo JUNG are releasing their latest single, ‘Somebody Like You’ on the 17th of September. The single is taken from their upcoming EP, She which will be released on the 29th of October via Universal Music Sweden. Since their debut in 2018, JUNG has surpassed 100 million global streams, as they’ve gone on to release the platinum-certified (SE) single, ‘Let Him Go (ft. Clara Mae)’ as well as the two certified gold (SE) singles ‘Wasteland’ and ‘Falling Free’.
The pair has previously worked with several accredited members of the industry including Fanny Hultman (a songwriter for the likes of Kygo and Ellie Goulding, LEON and Shy Martin), TIESTO’s composer Oskar Nyman, Sting and Melody Gardot’s songwriter Hilda Stenmalm, as well as BTS’ producer Tom Wiklund. The upcoming EP was mixed and mastered by Lars Norgren (who has previously worked with Tove Lo).
JUNG tell us about their latest single, “‘Somebody Like You’ is about trying to find the spark again. We humans tend to start taking things for granted as soon as we get used to a situation. It’s a dangerous thing, getting too comfortable. Whether you are in a long term relationship, just got your first child or in a long-distance relationship, it’s easy to slip away from each other and start losing the grip.”
5. The Damn Truth – ‘Tomorrow’
The Damn Truth – the critically acclaimed Montreal-based four-piece rock band, have released “Tomorrow” – an energetic, empowering, adrenalin-pumping, anthemic single on Friday September 17th. The single is accompanied with a spectacular, cutting-edge music video.
The video is a visual journey through the 60s, 70s, and 90s musical eras; all of which are major influences on the band.
The single follows hot on the heels of the band’s previous single “This Is Who We Are Now” that attracted heavy airplay on UK radio including Planet Rock. The single and album are available from www.Linktr.ee/thedamntruth.
“Working with the I/O team on the filming of this video was once again a mind-altering experience, says The Damn Truth’s lead singer and guitarist Lee-La Baum. “This time around, instead of turning us into Cirque de Soleil acrobats, we time travelled to some of our favourite musical eras. And what a trip it was!”
Yes, the guys really did shave off their facial hair for the 60s sequence! They had to wait till all the other filming sequences were shot before they shaved for the black and white retro scenes, which they clearly really enjoyed having fun with, especially TDT’s drummer Dave Traina.
“With a reputation like ours; cleaning up was a challenge,” reflects Dave. “My upper lip hadn’t seen the light of day in over a decade.”
6. Jeremy Loops – ‘This Town’ ft Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Jeremy Loops is an unstoppable musical force following a series of releases that have amassed him over 180 million streams and growing. Now, Jeremy comes full circle to celebrate one of the most significant and influential moments in his life … a collaboration with the legendary Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Taken from Jeremy’s upcoming EP released on October 8th, Souvenirs, the momentous This Town single with Ladysmith Black Mambazo unites generations of South Africans through their shared love of music.
“We would like people to get a sense of self-worth from the song and to be encouraged to work towards what they want in life and be patient and know that it will all work out in the end and don’t be shy to ask for help if things are tough.” – Ladysmith Black Mambazo
As one of the most iconic vocal groups in the world, Ladysmith Black Mambazo formed in the 60’s to create traditional world music with energetic, uniquely spirited harmonies. Throughout their celebrated career, the group have won five Grammy awards and seventeen nominations for music that honors their proud heritage. Jeremy Loops’ special bond with the group formed from an upbringing that brimmed with musical curiosity and included Graceland, the Paul Simon album that was inspired by and widely features Ladysmith Black Mambazo. His first experience of the astounding vocal power in Ladysmith Black Mambazo ended in tears for the young creative who was left in complete awe.
7. Kulick – ‘Time To Go’
Fast-rising modern pop-rock act KULICK has debuted “Time To Go” the intoxicating first single of his upcoming EP ‘Everyone I Know Will Die,’ due out later this fall on Enci Records.
Kulick says, “‘Time to Go’ is specifically about my own mortality, my upbringing, how I used to live life, and realizing how much control I have over my attitude and perspective on life. I really do love life and I don’t think I’ll ever be ready when it’s time to go.”
He adds, “This EP “Everyone I Know Will Die” has been a long time coming. I have struggled with the idea of death and mortality my entire life, and continue to do so. This year, I was forced to face it head-on when I became the caretaker of a loved one as they began to and continues to battle a series of health issues. Life changed very drastically and as I started to process that, these songs emerged. I felt a familiar angst and anger that I had when I first experienced these thoughts and emotions while growing up, and wanted it to sonically tell that story as well. The overall theme of the EP is about growing up, getting through difficult times, and accepting your own timeline and what life hands you.”
8. Whethan – ‘Think You Right’
Visionary producer Whethan is kicking off his new genre-blending era with the release of “Think You Right (feat. ericdoa & glaive),” available now HERE. Acclaimed filmmaker Ramez “Mezzy” Silyan (Lil Peep, Lil Uzi Vert, Playboy Carti) shot the cover art as well as the official music video, streaming now HERE. The track, featuring rising stars ericdoa & glaive, heralds the highly anticipated follow up to Whethan’s critically acclaimed debut project FANTASY.
Widely hailed as one of 2020’s most revolutionary and important electronic music releases, Whethan’s debut album FANTASY, was met by worldwide critical acclaim from Billboard, SPIN, Earmilk, Ones to Watch, Dancing Astronaut, EDM.com, This Song Is Sick, and more. The album – which features a genre-bending array of chart-topping artists including Oliver Tree, Chrome Sparks, Jaymes Young, Grouplove, The Wombats, The Knocks, Mr Gabriel, The Front Bottoms, and RL Grime – instantly affirmed Whethan among the highest echelon of contemporary electronic dance music creators.
9. The Marías – ‘Hush’
Acclaimed alternative-pop band The Marías released a remix of their hit single “Hush” (currently #1 on the Triple A radio charts) courtesy of Portland’s very own, Still Woozy (listen here). The remix comes on the heels of their debut late night performance of the track on Jimmy Kimmel Live! – (watch here).
The original version of the track was released earlier this year along with their debut full-length album CINEMA via Nice Life Recording Company/Atlantic Records (buy/stream HERE). The album was met with strong critical acclaim and has amassed 40 million streams globally and was #9 on Spotify’s Top 10 Album Debuts.
10. Afgan and Robin Thicke –
Jakarta-based rising star, Afgan, has joined forces with Robin Thicke, for the re-release of his original track “Touch Me,” out today. Afgan’s honeyed vocals pair seamlessly with the addition of Thicke’s recognizable talent, for an undeniably catchy fusion of artistry. Produced by Grammy award winning producer Troy Taylor [Trey Songz, Keyshia Cole], “Touch Me” was originally released on Afgan’s highly-anticipated English-language album Wallflower; released in February 2021.
Afgan explains ““Touch Me” is a song with a dark and sexy beat that tells the story of one’s physical attraction at first glance, and how that touch may trigger a series of feelings. Usually, these kind of messages are hard to communicate in Bahasa Indonesia, so this is my first time translating these feelings into a song as I’m now singing in English. This was a challenge for me but I am relieved and happy with the result.”
