Ten great new tracks out today, here are our top picks.
1. CANNONS – Bad Dream
Cannons have released new song “Bad Dream” via RCA Records UK. The ethereal track is the Los Angeles-based band’s first offering of new music since signing to RCA UK and will be featured on their forthcoming project due later this year.
In speaking about the track, CANNONS say: “We’re excited to share our new single ‘Bad Dream’ and hope you find yourself connecting to it as much as we have been during this time of such uncertainty in the world.”
CANNONS took 2020 by storm with their hit song “Fire For You.” Lifted from their sophomore album Shadows, which was independently released in 2019, “Fire for You” reached #1 on The Hollywood Reporter’s Top TV Songs Chart in May following a sync in a pivotal episode of the NETFLIX smash Never Have I Ever. With early radio support from KROQ LA, Alt 987 LA, SiriusXM Alt Nation, KKDO Sacramento and more, the track hit #1 at Alternative and spent multiple weeks atop the chart. CANNONS were named to Sirius XM’s ‘Class of 2020’ and featured as one of YouTube’s ‘Artists on the Rise’ earlier this year.
Stay tuned for more music from CANNONS coming soon!
2. Cloves – Manic
The conversations we have when we’re alone with ourselves, when we’re at our most anxious, can lead us to spiral and struggle to navigate our way back. CLOVES’ rendition of her own spiralling thoughts on new single “Manic” brings a sleek and compelling song that you’ll instantly latch your own experiences to. The song is out immediately via Interscope/Polydor.
“Manic isn’t meant to be coherent, it’s written like a spiralling mood/feeling that you’re struggling to articulate to yourself and others, it’s lack of punch line is it’s meaning, it’s “idk what’s going on in my head but everything feels wrong”, we wanted to give that feeling by stringing together oddities, words to throw sentences off balance, that’s also why it’s the first track and opens the album because it’s so unresolved.”
In the build-up to CLOVES’ yet-to-be-named sophomore album releasing later this year, there has been a growing consensus around its critical potential, with recent support from the likes of key Radio 1 tastemakers Annie Mac & Jack Saunders who have the latest single “Sicko” on heavy rotation, whereas at press there’s been recent support on Sicko and other album single “Dead” from the likes of NME, DIY, Clash, The Line of Best Fit, Coup De Main & The Sunday Times amongst many others.
Her individuality when approaching music creation is certainly something that draws attention to the London-via-Melbourne songstress, and her cover of Charli XCX & Christine & The Queens hit “Gone” is a prime example of her singular style HERE.
3. Sol Croft – If I Veiled My Look
Sol Croft has released his first release of 2021, the brilliant single “If I Veiled My Look”, out today.
“If I Veiled My Look” is a haunting, atmospheric piece of music. It’s sparse instrumentation with a mournful violin line creates an intense backdrop to Sol’s remarkable voice.
The track was recorded with Gam and Dante Traynor of Sweat, old friends of Sol, with whom he has collaborated on previous releases. Sol has been writing and recording continually over the last 12 months, and these new recordings are his most fully-formed to date.
“If I Veiled My Look” is taken from the forthcoming EP “The Black Paintings”, released on 7th April.
4. Joesef – A Colors Encore
Today sees Joesef share ‘A COLORS ENCORE’ performance of ‘Everything Belongs To You’, the opening track off his critically lauded EP Does It Make You Feel Good?
This beautiful COLORS Encore session of ‘Everything Belongs To You’ follows on from Joesef’s intricate COLORS SHOW performance of EP standout ‘Comedown’ last year, which has amassed over 1.7million views on YouTube. Fans have come to love the devastating beauty of the Scotsman’s work and while he admits that the rawness of his music makes it difficult for him to get around his past, putting out difficult songs like ‘Comedown’, “helps him understand them more.”
The songs on his new EP ‘Does It Make You Feel Good’ were written after Joesef got back together and consequently broke up with the subject of his debut EP. The title track is a perfect slice of emotive soul-pop whilst closing track ‘Comedown’ is a soothing ballad that sees Joesef’s harmonies complimented with strings; the perfect summation of the record.
5. Flo Gallop – Can’t Be Friends
Flo doesn’t want to change the world, just get your attention. She lives to perform, yet she feels, writes and lives like an antidote to this world of filtered fakery and ‘pick me!’ poses. Honesty is the only policy here, even when it hurts.
The fun and flirtatious “Can’t Be Friends” narrates falling for the wrong person and happily overlooking the consequences. The infectious song sparkles with colourful melodies, a move-inducing beat and Gallop’s distinct vocal delivery. The songwriter shares, “This song came from another deluded boy crush and was based around the nerves of seeing someone when you know you shouldn’t and that they’re not good for you, but also knowing you really want to, attempting to make someone jealous and just generally being up to no good.”
All of Flo’s music is food for the heart and words for the wise. This is a writer of depth, already a collaborator with established giants Tom Fuller and Will Thomson but, rather than stand on their shoulders, she has hands on the wheel.
Being a young woman in your 20s isn’t always easy today, but Flo only sees ‘good and great’ in her life and her work, and you will too. So, if you’re looking for Bad then head for Neverland, but if you want songs to fly, cry and die for then don’t just run with the herd- go with the Flo.
6. Wild Youth – Can’t Say No
Soaring off the back of January’s sublime pop banger “Champagne Butterflies”, Irish indiepop band Wild Youth unveil their latest bop “Can’t Say No” – which they announce today will be taken from their forthcoming new EP Forever Girl, out March 26th.
With razor sharp lyricism and gritty, hypnotic rhythms, “Can’t Say No” hears the band confidently calling out an unfaithful partner and is yet another example of the band’s capacity to evolve and transcend genre barriers. The contrast between the floor-shaking bass and the euphoric pop hooks create a track so immense, whilst simultaneously encapsulating their down-to-earth, homegrown nature and lyrical vulnerability.
Leaving listeners clamouring for more with every release, Wild Youth have continued to consistently build a solid fanbase through unforgettably catchy choruses and an ear for hits. With their new Forever Girl EP still to look forward to, “Can’t Say No” is sure to continue Wild Youth’s captivation of audiences across the globe.
7. Matt Taylor and Kirsty Grant – Daylight
Following the release of his striking and cinematic track ‘Rush’, rising Brighton-based pop artist Matt Taylor has today unveiled the music video for his infectious single ‘Daylight’, co-written with acclaimed emerging Scottish singer/songwriter Kirsty Grant.
Produced by Afterparty, and recorded at the Spotify Secret Genius studio in Metropolis, ‘Daylight’ is a journey through self-reflection, despair, hope and euphoria. With honest lyrics and vibrant indie-pop energy, the track encapsulates the reality of today, anxiety and frustration of lockdown, and the burning desire to see someone you feel connected with, but are being asked to keep your distance from.
LISTEN HERE: https://ffm.to/dylght
Both of the singers have different interpretations of the song. Matt says, “It’s a happy song, which is a nice change for me! What I like about it is that everyone seems to have a different interpretation. For me, the chorus is about wanting to be with someone who isn’t afraid to be open about loving you, but for a few other people it’s been about being able to go and see the people you love again, in the daylight.”
Kirsty adds, ‘For me, the song reflects the “interesting” year we’ve had. The line “2020 hindsight” in the chorus was written meaning 2020 vision, but looking back, it ironically represents looking back on the year that was 2020. To me, it is about a relationship and wanting to be able to experience things in real life, not just online.’
8. Junodream – Travel Guide
Junodream’s recent single ‘Eden Burns’ set the standard for what looks set to be a huge year ahead. The track was premiered by Jack Saunders as Radio 1’s Next Wave, with the DJ drawing parallels between them and early Radiohead, before he again supported them with an enthusiastic introduction on the Indie Show. Further airplay soon followed, including being playlisted at Radio X and support at BBC Introducing.
Growing in confidence with each release, Junodream take another strident step forward as they share their new single ‘Travel Guide’. It’s immediately apparent that the quintet possess a rare flair for infusing their immediately compelling alt-rock with an abundance of creative sonic embellishments. Once again Ed Vyvyan’s vocals are a real strength: elegant and understated, but capable of soaring to rousing highs. Meanwhile, from the country-twang of the psychedelic guitar to the beauty of the piano, his bandmates employ intricacy and intelligence in equal measure. Lyrically, ‘Travel Guide’ toys satirically with the advertising fantasy of a holiday offering an escape from your demons.
The band commented: “‘Travel Guide’ explores the concept of holiday escapism and destructive tourism. For a short while you live a fantasy where your problems melt away. But when you travel, you discover that your expectations are unrealistic: the beaches and the resorts aren’t quite the treasure island you had imagined. It’s fundamentally a sad concept. You’re so far from home, but you still can’t escape your problems.”
9. Jace Heyman x Jaq Moon – One By One
Jace Heyman is a UK Pop/ R&B artist whose star is very much on the rise. His new single ‘One By One’ follows last years acclaimed debut single ‘Drunk Text’ and both are taken from forthcoming E.P. ‘Lovin’ Under the Influence’ which will be released in July 2021. ‘One By One’ is released on Friday 12th March 2021 across all download and streaming platforms
Growing up in Hertfordshire, Jace always knew he was meant to be a performer and he also knew he had to work hard to be the best. His passion for music and dance began when he was just 10 years old- a young lad who maturely chose to study the artists that he aspired to be, instead of playing football in the park with his friends. Consequently, as he hit secondary school, he began to shine, all his hard work at singing, performing and emulating his favourite artists such as – Michael Jackson, Chris Brown, Mario, Usher, Justin Timberlake, Ozuna and J Balvin – made him stand out amongst his peers. He says: “I grew up listening to old school R&B where my main influence comes from and I still listen to these artists today and new R&B such as Ella Mai, Drake and The Weeknd.”
He became known as ‘the dancer’ and started performing at charity shows locally. By then he had completely caught the performing ‘bug’ and he decided to take it even further by studying Performing Arts where he focused on perfecting his dance style and his singing technique. Later, at University studying Business and Spanish, he continued to perform at bars and University competitions. It was only a matter of time before Jace decided this was the career path for him.
10. Feather – Juke
After dropping her debut single, “Juke,” last week, Chicago-based R&B sensation Feather returns with the official video for the track. While the single puts the spotlight on her remarkable voice, the video also highlights another one of her talents. Feather, who has toured the world with Jeremih as lead feature vocalist and choreographer, faces off in a footwork dance battle with some of her hometown’s most acclaimed dancers, including D Low and Lil Kemo.
The clip, which was directed by Noyz (Ashanti, Ty Dolla $ign), also features popular Chicago comedians SkinBone and Korporate. Noyz, David Leonard and Mikkey Halsted produced. Kiira Harper (Beyoncé, Lizzo, Janell Monáe) served as choreographer. Download / stream “Juke” HERE.
Feather has created a buzz by posting a series of intimate videos that feature her accompanying herself on keyboards as she delivers unique interpretations of classic hits. Her emotional mash-up of Chris Brown’s “Go Crazy” and Aaliyah’s “At Your Best” was a viral smash.
