Here is our picks this weeks of another 10 great international artists.
1. Deanna Drudge releases new track ‘June’
Settling soundly within this month of “June” comes Canadian folk-rock recording artist Deanna Drudge’s new single, video and album, Killing Time — available now!
At eleven tracks strong, the release is woven together with a lifetime of earnest experience left bare between the bars of song. The indie singer/songstress hails originally from Ontario farmlands, but has found herself among the wooded scenery of Squamish, British Columbia — a juxtaposition she says she leans on in her lyrics.
Enlisting the production talent of Kevin Ker, Drudge allowed the heaviness in her heart, brought on by anxiety and depression, to spin itself into the fabric of the record. And between her and Ker, Killing Time is an unmistakably honest offering and insight into a woman’s resolve to give herself license to heal, and ultimately create.
“Sometime during 2018, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to continue with music,” Drudge confides, but says it was the lockdown of 2020 that changed her perspective on writing. “I knew I needed to create something… Create something mostly for myself with no expectations of how it would turn out and what I would do with it after.”
2. Tove Styrke returns with ‘Mood Swings’
Tove Styrke returns with brand new single “Mood Swings,” out now. The song is available everywhere now here.
Her first single in 3 years, “Mood Swings” finds Tove Styrke back in top form and is just a taste of what’s to come in 2021. Exploring the complexity of human identity and her struggles with mental health and self-acceptance, Tove describes, “‘Mood swings’ is insane. It’s paying tribute to my best and worst sides. I really hate myself sometimes. But I’m trying really hard not to. These past three years I’ve been through depression, fell hard in love, survived a Swedish music reality TV-show, I got a car, I got stuck with millennial blues, I feel like an adult sometimes, I feel like I did as a child. I feel kinda free.”
Commenting on the video (directed by Gustav Stegfors), Tove adds,”It’s my idea and creative concept and I’ve really tried my hardest to portray these characters in a respectful and loving way. I love them. People are more complex than we allow them to be, and as different as these characters look on the outside, as much variation can be found inside one person.”
On her current musical direction, Tove describes, “This new project is musically like a fun puke! It’s all over the place, every song tells a story on its own and has its own mood. I got epic love songs that sound like the 60’s next to tracks like ‘Mood Swings’ and crazy bangers. I’M not even ready. I’m obsessed with it.”
3. Blow return with new single ‘One Life’
French electronic pop band BLOW return today with new single ‘One Life’, the second cut to emerge from the Parisian three piece’s forthcoming second album, Shake The Disease, due for release in late 2021. The follow up to BLOW’s 2018 debut Vertigo, the album has been produced by Kitsuné-fostered talent Crayon (who’s previously collaborated with Phoenix, Yuksek and Simian Mobile Disco). ‘One Life’ is now streaming across all platforms from here, alongside a live studio version of the track which is available now from here.
4. Alaina Castillo releases new track ‘Pocket Locket’
Houston born, Mexican-American bilingual singer-songwriter Alaina Castillo has delivered the visual to “pocket locket”, premiering on HUNGER MAGAZINE. The single is from her debut LP parallel universe pt. 1 which arrived last month and describes a strong bond between lovers though one may have an advantage. The music video, (directed by Munachi Osegbu- Kali Uchis, Megan Thee Stallion, Flo Milli etc.), takes Alaina out of her bedroom into a whimsical, fantasy world. Alaina recently made her debut award show performance at the Latin AMAs and her debut late night television performance of “stfu (i got u)” on Seth Meyers (the song got 40 NMFs upon release). Over 150 million streams later, Alaina’s received praise from the likes of NME, Dork, DIY, CLASH, The Line of Best Fit, NOTION, The Independent and more.
5. Tachys release ‘When The World Wakes Up’
Tachys is a new Danish duo consisting of Jonas Bjerre (Mew, Apparatjik) and Tobias Wilner (Blue Foundation, New York United, Ghost Society, Bichi) and is equal parts pop and experimentation. Their sound incorporates a unique blend of genres. With their catchy songwriting, Tachys uses their melodies as a guideline through a mix of modular synthesis exploration, quasi-psychedelic pop, synth/chillwave, and nostalgic swirling shoe-gazey guitars. It all progresses into a blossoming dream-pop, filled with layers of textural electronics, catchy melodies and driving beats.
Having known each other since early childhood, Jonas and Tobias have often collaborated, crossing over into each other’s respective projects, but this is their first joint effort as a unit.
Debut single ‘When The World Wakes Up’ from Tachys is an upbeat pop song with underlying dark tones. The lyrics deal with unexpected twists of fate, both on personal and global scales.
6. B Young releases new track ‘Come Alive’
B Young continues to ‘Come Alive’ with his latest single, this conceptual and passionate track, provides a hint of Afro-wave combined with his indulgent and signature sound. With potential to overthrow the previous bars he has set; B Young has arrived with further evidence of his hitmaking ability. An explosive track with a perfect summer vibe for his forthcoming album ‘Differences’, the long awaited and debut project is nearly here!
2017 saw B Young come into the spotlight following a run of hits that led to a viral stardom. The East London rapper, singer, songwriter is culpable for UK street anthems such as ‘Jumanji’ and the ‘Wanna Know (Remix)’. Crossing over the boarders of sounds, B Young fuses afro wave and dancehall influences, which is evident on this single and his upcoming album.
The beat is led by a masterful saxophone and supported rhythmically by a drum pattern with an Afro beat resemblance. Proving his ability to write and perform a timeless hook ‘Come Alive’ is another unique display of B Young’s rich and delightful vocals, switching from skippy melodic rap to a more extensive singing style throughout the track. This dynamic approach, matched with the romantic vibe that B Young portrays, really expresses the distinctive talent at his disposal.
7. Start The Week Over release
New York power-pop quintet Start The Week Over have debuted a new single. “Mr Independence” is out now.
The new track showcases Start The Week Over’s trademark, glimmering pop choruses; toe tapping indie-rock beats with hooks galore.
With the release of the debut EP ‘Wonderland’ in 2020, New York’s Start The Week Over stated their ambitions, with a punk seasoned, pop-rock collection, molding a sound that blends big hooks and intricate guitar work.
Moving into 2021, whilst circumstances have kept the band apart physically, the East Coast quintet have made the best of the situation, allowing their natural creative flair and writing talents to flourish on Discord. The unconventional method has made for not only a more collaborative process, but allowed Start The Week Over to marry a more dexterous array of influences from Dance Gavin Dance to The 1975; Modern Baseball to Carly Rae Jepsen.
8. Miles To Nowhere Release New Single “iLY”
Rising Phoenix, AZ-based pop-punk trio Miles To Nowhere are set to bring their self-described “Galaxy Punk” to music fans across the globe with the release of their upcoming album ‘The RaceCar Phenomenon’ later this year. The band will debut the album’s first single “i.L.Y” on June 15 in advance of their set opening up for Authority Zero at Phoenix’s Marquee Theatre on June 18th.
Lead vocalist and guitarist Kristen Taylor says, “I.L.Y. sheds light on the darker side of love and the frustrations it can bring. While I.L.Y, an acronym for “I love you”, dives into the shadows of relationships, it also brings a manically fun, upbeat sound that’s surged with catchy melodies.”
Pre-save the new single “i.L.Y” HERE: https://onerpm.link/6978058300
9. Cassadee Pope releases ‘What The Stars See’
GRAMMY-nominated singer-songwriter, Cassadee Pope, is kicking off the next chapter in her musical evolution by blending the two genres of music closest to her heart – the energetic angst of her pop-punk days and the soulful songwriting and storytelling of Country music. Cassadee’s latest single, “What The Stars See” featuring Karen Fairchild and Lindsay Ell, is an explosive anthem for anyone who’s been curious about an ex and wishing to get a glimpse of their life from a more celestial perspective.
Available now, “What The Stars See,” gets a vibe check from acclaimed Electronic/Dance producer, offrami. The mid-tempo dance cut of the track provides a whole new mood to the already powerful song just in time for summer! Listen here.
“To take a song from its original form and transform it into a completely different atmosphere takes such talent,” says Pope. “offrami did an amazing job of breathing a new energy into ‘What The Stars See.’ He has given it a new life and I’m so excited for fans to have this version to rock out to now!”
10. Gyakie release her new track ‘Whine’
High-flying Ghanaian music starlet, Gyakie, otherwise referred to as Queen of the Gold Coast launches today, the official music video to “Whine” – a Reggaeton bop sound taken off her incredible debut EP – Seed, released via RCA UK.
Gyakie is fresh from a round of goodwill gathered over time since her Seed EP debuted. From gracing the covers of some of the biggest and high-profile music playlists across Africa to being featured in the music & lifestyle section of top-tier international publications, the Forever crooner who recently was announced as the inaugural artist for Spotify Equal and was the only Ghanaian representation at the televised MTV Africa Day concert has showed no signs of slowing down on her takeover journey. Her incredible EP, Seed has grown immensely in leaps and bounds with the standout track ‘Forever’ and its swanky remix that features Nigeria’s Omah Lay, charting for several weeks long while amassing more millions of streams on digital platforms.
Even with all the show up she has enjoyed from Shazam to Triller Billboard, BBC 1Xtra and TikTok’s #IAmAfrican campaign, Gyakie is still not resting her oars. Music heads are excited by her talent, describing her as the gift that keeps on giving and we see it literally exemplified again in her latest release – the visual for Whine where she stuns in her finest female attributes with a lot of grace and youthful flair, confidently honing command on the record that aptly compliments the running theme for summer vibes.
