We have picked our international favourite tracks that are out now.
1. Chief State – Metaphors
Vancouver, BC pop-punks Chief State have just released their new single “Metaphors” via Mutant League Records.
The standalone single serves to tide fans over until their debut full-length, which is due out in 2022.
Nik Pang of Chief State says, “Metaphors is about being in a really dark place, but not knowing how to communicate that to your loved ones. Instead of saying what you mean, and exactly how you feel, it’s easy to gloss over it and be super generic and vague.”
This is the first new music from the band since the release of the band’s 2020 breakthrough ‘Tough Love”, which resonated with media and lovers of the genre alike.
2. Brynn Elliott – Breathe
Singer-songwriter Brynn Elliott has announced today’s release of her touching new single, “Breathe.” Co-written by Elliott and Pink Sweat$, who also produced the track, “Breathe” is available now at all DSPs and steaming services HERE; along with a sentimental official music video, directed by Austin Starrett Winchell (Hayley Kiyoko, Marshmello & Roddy Ricch) with creative direction by Lauren Dunn (Megan Thee Stallion, Ingrid Andress).
“Breathe” follows the recent release of Elliott’s new EP, CAN I BE REAL?. The EP is highlighted by “Tell Me I’m Pretty,” co-written with songwriter Michelle Buzz (Katy Perry, Kylie Minogue), which ascended to the top 25 at Hot Ac radio outlets nationwide. The EP also includes a stellar series of singles including “Without You,” “Letter To A Girl,” and “Can I Be Real.”
3. Jackie – Leaving Tomorrow
The new single from Toronto trio jackie explores the desperate struggle of a relationship that’s not working but persists anyway. ‘Leaving Tomorrow (Figure it Out)’ is the latest cut to be revealed from jackie’s forthcoming EP ‘Hey Angel’, which has been announced for release on 27 January 2022. It drops just before the band head out on their first ever tour of the UK. Dates below.
“It had been years since this horribly horrible relationship I’d been in, but I was still pissed about it,” says singer and guitarist Jackie Mohr when musing on the new single. “Our producer wanted me to write something on the acoustic guitar so I picked up this busted ‘62 black and white Harmony Roy Smeck and played the first chords of this song. I just sort of ran with this one… “hey angel, where the hell have you been?” I sang, not knowing ‘Hey Angel’ would later become the EP title. No one is an ‘angel’, but we put people on an impossible pedestal. I was in Willow’s (writer/producer) basement and Ruby Waters was upstairs making eggs (or having a beer, I can’t remember which)… I started to BELT, and I mean BELT “I’m leaving tomorrow, figure it out” and from upstairs Ruby yelled out “F**K YAAAA GIRL, WHOAA” and I knew we had a song. If I can give a word to the wise, if you’re thinking of leaving, just leave. They’ll figure it out.”
4. Amber Mark – Softly
5. Khamari – Doctor, My Eyes
Los Angeles based, Dorchester raised songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist artist Khamari releases a new song “Doctor, My Eyes”. Both sonically and emotionally, “Doctor, My Eyes” finds Khamari in an introspective space as he documents the weight of feeling too much and losing self-awareness. The new song is produced by Khamari, Trackside and Johan Lenox.
Khamari on “Doctor, My Eyes”: ‘Doctor, My Eyes’ is about looking for perspective. When I wrote it I had moved from Boston to LA and was trying to make sense of my life. A lot of things were shifting too fast to keep up with, but things I hoped would change stayed the same. I got put on to this Jackson Browne record, and the story resonated with me. That’s where I got the title. It’s about him being desperate to make any sense of his life and experiences. Then a friend played me Incubus, the song ‘Mexico’. I knew I wanted to lay out these thoughts over a guitar that intimate. In the outro my grandfather is the voice that gives me advice because he’s always been an anchor for me.
6. Diplo, Paul Woolford & Kareen Lomax – Promises
Dance music titans Diplo, Paul Woolford and Kareen Lomax have unveiled the official video for their latest hit single ‘Promises’, out 5th November
Featuring an array of awe-inspiring CGI landscapes, the captivating official video for ‘Promises’ is a perfect match for the energy of the track. Created by Actual Objects, a studio who have previously worked with Yves Tumor and Travis Scott and were recently supported by Fact Mag, the visuals are a breathtaking exercise in virtual world building. A certified club smash, the track was dubbed Clara Amfo’s ‘Hottest Record In The World’ on BBC Radio 1 has already racked up nearly 5 million Spotify streams in less than a month.
It follows the success of the trio’s first platinum-selling collaborative hit ‘Looking For Me’, a track that peaked at #4 in the UK Singles chart, spending three weeks in the ‘Top 5’, four weeks in the ‘Top 10’ and has amassed over 200 million combined streams to date.
The stunning official video for ‘Promises’ pushes the boundaries of music videos as a creative medium.
7. Hayley & Michaels – I Wish You Love This Christmas
With the holiday season fast approaching, Nashville-based duo Haley & Michaels (Shannon Haley and Ryan Michaels) are spreading the Christmas spirit with the release of their brand new festive single “I Wish You Love This Christmas”. The track, written by Haley & Michaels with Isabella Kearney-Nurse and David Spencer, is available to stream/download worldwide here.
Lining up to release new music next year, the duo explained: “We have spent much of the last year making new music and this past July, we turned our newly built home studio into a Holiday cave and got into the spirit. We talked about what our biggest wish for the world would be right now and wrote this song. We want to send a message of love and hope this Holiday Season, as these past two years have been especially difficult for so many.”
Haley & Michaels have also shared their festive favourites in a newly curated “Christmas Blend” Spotify playlist, combining new and old tracks to get everyone excited for the holidays.
Listen to “I Wish You Love This Christmas” here.
8. Martin Jensen – Faith
Martin Jensen continues to shine bright in 2021, providing fans with another standout moment on his latest single, ‘Faith’.
On ‘Faith’, Martin Jensen drafts esteemed songwriters Amy Allen and Dan Omelio to help craft his latest single. Amy Allen boasts impressive writing credits for the biggest names in pop, including Adam Levine, Halsey, Harry Styles and Selena Gomez. Dan Omelio, also known for his stage name Robopop, also boasts an equally awe-inspiring list of credits for some of the biggest names, such as Lana Del Rey, Sean Paul, Maroon 5 and Charli XCX.
Beautiful guitar licks set the tone for ‘Faith’ early doors, paving the way for the vocal to take centre www. The vocals are instantly catchy, upbeat, and a fine tonic to lift spirits as we enter the winter months. Warm piano chords provide the bed for the main break, developing the musical element of the track, placing it firmly in pop territory, balanced expertly with the electronic parts also present. A breaky interlude helps to enhance the dynamic feel of the track, making it memorable and sure to stick in the head from the first listen.
9. Why Don’t We – Mistletoe
Multi-talented band Why Don’t We get festive with a cover of the Justin Bieber holiday-classic “Mistletoe” – available now via Atlantic Records. The track arrives alongside a lyric video starring the group, celebrating the 10-year anniversary of the original’s release.
“We’ve always loved Bieber, and when it was time to get in the studio to make a holiday song we thought, ‘why not do our own version of one of the most catchy and fun ones we grew up with.’ This song could make anyone want to fall in love around the holidays.” – WHY DON’T WE
“Mistletoe” follows the band’s explosive new single “Love Back,” which finds Why Don’t We sounding refreshed as ever after a turbulent year, finding creative solace and marking the beginning an exciting new era. Already boasting over 19 million global steams, the JHart-produced track was featured by PEOPLE Magazine who touted the group’s “control over their own destinies” & Entertainment Tonight with a behind-the scenes look at the Dillon Dowdell-directed video companion (watch here). This past week also saw the band give an explosive tell-all interview with The Zach Sang Show, pulling back the curtain for the first time on their tumultuous experiences over the past few years (watch here).
10. Carrie Underwood – Stretchy Pants
Carrie Underwood delighted fans with a ‘Christmas Bonus’ – a comedic digital-only holiday track, ‘Stretchy Pants’, released globally today. The track is available here and is accompanied by a fun-filled animated video at stretchypantssong.com, created especially for the song.
According to Underwood, the song was inspired by the joys of holiday treats and feasts. “People know that I am a champion for a healthy lifestyle, but a big part of that is balance. There are times to be disciplined, and then there are times when we need to eat and drink and be merry and enjoy ourselves with family and friends,” says Underwood. “When Hillary, Chris, and I were writing some more serious Christmas songs, one day we took a fun detour and just had the best time writing this song. We knew it would bring a lot of fun and joy to people, but I also wanted to do something good with it that would help people. I immediately thought about Brad and Kim’s charity, The Store, and how we could use this song to help them and their mission to bring joy to folks that need it, especially during the holiday season. Everybody should be able to afford feasts for the holidays, and everybody should have the opportunity to break out those stretchy pants!”
