Aly & AJ – ‘With Love From’
If you grew up on the Disney channel, you will likely remember Aly and AJ, the sisters who soundtrack pre-pubescent angst with the 2007 banger ‘Potential Break Up Song’. Fast forward 15 years, and the duo are carving out an impressive lane as country-folk artists. Following on from 2021’s underrated album ‘A Touch of the Beat Gets You Up on Your Feet Gets You Out and Then Into the Sun’, new single ‘With Love’ finds them in a reflective mood, pondering the passage of time over warm, cinematic Americana: “I told you that I’d change/but I guess I never did”…The first taste from a forthcoming album of the same name, they’re circling around a sound more endearingly distinct than perhaps even they realise.
Tempest – ‘Heathens’
Riding the wave of fresh, exciting US R&B, newcomer Tempest is an unmistakable one to watch. ‘Heathens’ sees the artist embrace her “villain era”, switching up the languid beat of the verses with a staccato, electro-bounce chorus that would hold its own in a back-to-back with SZA or Beyoncé. If you’re looking for a quick way to get turnt up before a party, this is it.
Elanor Moss – ‘Cosmic Memory‘
Having spent some time recording in Brooklyn, Yorkshire singer-songwriter Elanor Moss reveals the fresh fruits of her labour post-2021’s ‘Citrus’ EP. Her first full-band production, ‘Cosmic Memory’ does indeed sound suitably transatlantic, swooning and careering across dreamy folk-pop not dissimilar to Alvvays or Sharon Van Etten. Her voice might feel delicate, but this “criminally lonely” artist knows exactly what her heart is set upon: “I’m sick of playing it cool all the time/when you’re the only one who can still read my mind.” Go forth and shoot that shot!
Rose Gray – ‘Promise Me‘
Let’s face it; as the nights draw in and thoughts turn to saving our pennies for Christmas and/or winter heating bills, this time of year can be pretty depressing. But what would happen if you threw Donna Summer, Lady Gaga and Lana Rel Dey Rey into a delicious cocktail blender, shook it about a bit and declared the solo kitchen disco well and truly open? With ‘Promise Me’, Rose Gray has the answer, indulging her desire to ‘lose myself/ go get loaded’. Drink responsibility and all that, but she makes a pretty compelling case.
White Lung – ‘If You’re Gone’
Having decided that their upcoming fifth album would be their last, Vancouver punk band White Lung are not afraid to face difficult conversations head on, using riffs as both remedy and all-cards-on-the-table closure. Contending with themes of suicide and postpartum depression over clattering drums, the results are understandably raw, but there is a comfort in the rough’n’readiness that will likely speak to a great many folk for whom these subjects can still feel taboo.
Listen to these and more new tracks on our BRAND NEW playlist.
