New Year, New Music

We can’t believe it’s already 2023 - in fact, we still think it’s 2019, but you can thank covid for that… A new year brings new resolutions, but how often do we find ourselves not actually committing to these? I can’t tell you the number of times friends and I have promised ourselves we would actually use our gym memberships this year, just to see them still collecting dust by March… This year we’ve decided to provide you with an alternative to the “New Year, New Me” (because who says you need to change, anyway?). Instead, we give you “New Year, New Music”. It works in the same way as a resolution, but instead of changing yourself, it alters and updates your music playlists. Tired of the same old tracks you’ve had on repeat for half the year but can’t be bothered to search for new music? We’ve got you covered. Take a look at these artists below who have (or are about to drop) fresh new tracks for 2023!

Hot and Clumsy – Quiet Houses
After their successful debut EP, ‘Big Town’, that came out last year, the Edinburgh-native pop duo have entered the new year with their hottest (literally) single to date, Hot and Clumsy. Known for their dreamy vocals and upbeat tempos, this track is one that’ll get you up on your feet and dancing. Quiet Houses sing about the raw awkwardness that comes with being young and in love, navigating the confusing and oftentimes frustrating experience of a new crush. Check out the track in their music video below!

Disconnected – Isaiah Dreads
Hailing from Dorchester, Isaiah Dreads raps about the importance of gauging separation from the daily grind and prioritising time to unwind, slow down and enjoy life in his newest soulful rap track. With laid-back flows and an easy beat to relax to, Isaiah provides some visuals for the track in his music video, where he spends time out in the countryside of his home town.

I Want U Back - Will Bryant
Feel all the feels in Will Bryant’s newest track, ‘I Want U Back’. With slow vocals, a melancholic melody and lush lyricism, the alt-pop singer-songwriter croons about heartache and longing to have a past relationship back. The track starts with raw guitar strumming, followed by soft vocals, before flipping to a sizzling, electronic alt-pop sound halfway through. All in all, an enriching, lovely listen. Catch the music below!

dead 2 me - MaZz ft. felicia buena

UK based MaZz is a neo-soul and jazz musician who takes inspiration for her tracks from Amy Winehouse and Lily Allen, the influence of which you can hear strongly in her tracks. Newest single dead 2 me, featuring soft-soul singer-songwriter felicia buena, keeps up with this refreshing energy. They sing about the struggles of going round and round in circles with someone who doesn’t seem to understand when you say you’re done with them, that means you’re done with them, no questions asked. Have a good, slow boogie whilst you listen to the track below…

Divide and Rule - Kate Bond

Taking inspiration from hip-hop and R&B, Kate Bond’s freshest track ‘Divide and Rule’ takes us down an ethereal, dreamy soundscape. The name for the song was inspired by her mum’s use of the phrase when referring to politics and the news. The lyrics and message behind the song in particular, however, come from politics surrounding violence against women - the spark of inspiration for this track was ignited at the time of the ‘Kill the Bill’ protests, when people fought against the government’s restrictions on protests and thus freedom of speech across the country. Have a listen to this empowering track, below…

blind - CAITLIN, max and i Remix

South-London electro-pop artist is debuting her newest artist pseudonym CAITLIN with the track ‘blind’ next month. Starting out as a raw piano track that was recorded in only one take, CAITLIN has revisited the song three years after writing it and has found she is in an entirely different headspace to her mindset at the time. Using this mental growth and development to her advantage, the singer has collaborated with Nashville-based musician, max and i, who has produced an unreal remix that relates more to CAITLIN’s current musical headspace. Keep an eye on CAITLIN and max and i’s socials, and watch out for the release on February 24th!

Sleeping - NEEVE

Having just released an album in the new year, German indie-pop band NEEVE brings a feel-good melody and beat to the track ‘Sleeping’, which is perfect to scream along to at 2am on blast. Despite this upbeat feel, however, the lyrics tell us a different story: the band drives home a sad twinge to listeners by singing about losing sleep over someone you long to be with again and can’t help missing. Check out the track below!

Your Love - Carlos Abril

This funky hip-hop tech beat with soulful vocals by Carlos Abril is the perfect track to groove to. The second half of ‘Your Love’ drops the funk beat and morphs into more of a disco bop, with the continuous slinky guitar riffs accompanying in the background. The track features on Carlos’ newest EP, ‘Flow’, made entirely in his bedroom across the year last year. Carlos excitedly described this as his first serious project as an artist - we can’t wait to see what’s yet to come! Have a listen to ‘Your Love’ below…

Gabrielle Aplin - Anyway
Singer-songwriter from Bath, Gabrielle Aplin has been making waves in the industry since her signing to Parlophone in 2012. You have likely heard her breathtaking piano ballad cover of “The Power of Love” that was featured in the John Lewis Christmas advert back in 2012. The artist has just released her fourth groundbreaking LP in the New Year, titled ‘Phosphorescent’. Her track ‘Anyway’ really stood out for us, its raw lyrics dripping with subtle hints of regret. She sings over the top of soulful bass and piano, with gospel influenced backing vocals in the chorus.