Here are 10 great top International hits that we have picked out. Some you may have heard of, some you may not …. Have a listen here
1. Eric Bolton – ‘The Home Light’
Following the success of his debut solo release ‘Genesis (Let There Be Love)’, Canadian rock singer and songwriter Eric Bolton returns with his brand new single ‘The Home Light’, out now on all streaming platforms.
The release of ‘Genesis’ marked Eric’s coming out as gay and beginning to celebrate the big life and big love he always knew he was meant to live. ‘The Home Light’ is the song where he bares his soul about the struggle of having to hide who he was for all those years. With this track, Eric wants to encourage his listeners to find a way to quiet the noise around us and get back to looking within for what’s really right for ourselves.
Showcasing Eric’s talent for storytelling, ‘The Home Light’ presents simple yet beautifully raw lyrics, expressing that even though he was suppressing who he was, the real Eric Bolton was always there pushing him to become the man that he proudly is today.
Speaking of the track, Eric says, “I wrote this song back in 2015/2016 in a time of leaving the church world I’d been brought up in. Back then, I was really starting to see that what I’d been raised to believe about myself and what I was told to do with my life didn’t align with what I felt inside and what I really believed was right. I began trying to pursue that inner light that was real and honest. After coming out and learning to build a life that is authentic to me and my true self, now felt like the right time to release this song. It was like past Eric wrote it for this present Eric.”
2. Ben Abraham – ‘I Am Here’
Award-winning Australian-born, LA-based singer/songwriter Ben Abraham has released his latest single “I Am Here,” Listen to the new track HERE.
The high-energy track is lifted off his forthcoming sophomore album Friendly Fire – due out January 21st on Atlantic Records (pre-order here).
Of the track, Ben shares: “I Am Here” is a celebration of being alive. Each verse charts the evolution of things we ask for from the day we are born to the day we die. It’s unique on the album in that it’s not dealing with personal experiences so much as it is a treatise on existence. One of the early songs written for the record, the bridge ‘let me be angry and wrong in my youth, let me find fire in searching for truth’ became a manifesto for the album.
Upon announcing Friendly Fire earlier this month, Abraham also released the powerful track “Runaway” – listen here – which found the acclaimed artist delivering an intimately raw and personal narrative juxtaposed against a driving beat and glittering synths. The song arrived paired with a powerful one-take visual inspired by the film “Shame,” starring a young runner traversing through the dark, late-night streets of Los Angeles – watch here.
3. Sam Austins –
Another stop on the HOMELESS STAR journey, Sam Austins arrives today with “DRIFTING AWAY.” The track seamlessly nestles into Austins’ world – a world inspired by the fusion of energies from nineties alternative with the R&B melodies of Frank Ocean, the aspirational aesthetics of high fashion with the authentic storytelling of Detroit culture. It comes quickly after “JOY FOR YOUTH,” a sonic time capsule that nostalgically captures the rebellion, bravery and bliss of adolescence alongside Sir Chloe. Due in October via Atlantic Records, Austins’ debut project HOMELESS STAR is a genre-defying coming-of-age album telling the story of a young man finding his place in a world he’s never fit.
““DRIFTING AWAY” is about losing your inner core, finding yourself distant from what was within your soul before, and coming to accept that you might not know exactly what it is you’re looking for out of life,” notes Sam Austins.
4. Wallows – ‘I Don’t Want To Talk’
Wallows make a triumphant return today with “I Don’t Want to Talk,” produced by Ariel Rechtshaid (Vampire Weekend, Haim, Adele). The single, their first release since February’s Remote (Deluxe) EP, is accompanied by the Jason Lester-directed official music video. “I Don’t Want to Talk” was also featured on Apple’s New Music Daily today- check it out here.
“’I Don’t Want to Talk’ is ultimately a song about insecurities. Not only in yourself, but in this case, particularly in a relationship. It centers around the fear of being away from someone for too long and that ultimately allowing the other person’s head to be turned by someone else, and instead of expressing those fears, completely shutting down and not wanting to talk about it at all.” – Dylan Minnette
5. Toby Johnson – ‘Plot Twist’
The escapist, feel good pop style of Toby Johnson’s latest single ‘California’ gave the singer-songwriter a fresh impetus. He earned a new round of radio play courtesy of BBC Introducing, while both Spotify and Apple Music helped him build upon an early career tally of 15 million streams with a range of playlist support. Most recently, the track’s official video was launched alongside a New Noise profile courtesy of Wonderland.
Next for Toby comes today’s release of his brand new single ‘Plot Twist’. Both ‘Plot Twist’ and ‘California’ will feature on his upcoming EP ‘Chaos’, which follows on 5th November via Mahogany Records. Pre-save HERE.
After using California as a metaphor for an idealised relationship, ‘Plot Twist’ finds Toby developing that style of lyricism further. It’s a whole-hearted expression of optimism, in which he dreams of how a relationship and their accompanying careers will unfold in the future. He believes that they’ll get there in time, but the real magic is the surprise of what’s to come, of never being able to anticipate the plot twist. As he sings to a backdrop of warm acoustic guitars and swooning vocal harmonies, “As the lights come on, are they crying as the final credit rolls?”
6. Kiefer Sutherland – ‘Bloor Street’
After announcing details of his upcoming third album ‘Bloor Street’ as well as an extensive UK and European tour
The ‘Bloor Street’ single provides a taste of what to expect from the album. A serene country-tinged rock ballad, ‘Bloor Street’ finds Kiefer reflectin
The single is released alongside an accompanying video. Directed by Tom Kirk at Hidden Road Studios, it extends the song’s poignant sense of nostalgia. Interspersed between cuts of Kiefer’s performance of the track are a montage of images of snapshots from Toronto’shistory. That tender mood is enriched by personal photographs of Kiefer, dating all the way back to childhood.
Kiefer says, “They say you can never go home. This song, for me, says in your heart you never leave.”
7. Manny Blu – ‘Doin Fine’
Manny Blu has unleashed “Doin’ Fine” today (1/10), the first single from his upcoming Country Punk EP. The single is available on all streaming services here.
This track mixes heavy bass guitar, elevated drums, and Blu’s powerhouse voice to give it a punk rock vibe with the lyrical style of country music storytelling. Written by Stephen Allbritten, David Brown, and Nathan Dohse, “Doin’ Fine” sets the tone of Blu’s new EP as it embodies his Country Punk attitude and energy. The single tells the story of what it feels like to try to make it in Nashville. It is a song to be embraced by all dreamers who can relate to the grind, struggle, and joy that accompany artists’ journeys to the top of the entertainment industry.
Blu elaborates, “Doin’ Fine” is a song about being in Nashville and chasing the dream with a community of people doing the same thing. We’re all figuring out our own path, having fun, but constantly wanting more. We are all out here grinding until we reach the big lights of a stadium, and until then, we’re all out here doin’ fine.”
8. The Maguas – ‘Shapeless’
Established in 2018, the band released their debut EP, ‘Good Beer,’ the following year. The six-track, self-produced record was a demonstration of the collective’s unique songwriting capabilities, boasting songs written by each member prior to their coalescence. The notable exception, however, was, “Funeral.” The closing track brought them back together for an anthemic display of their aggressive pop-punk power, which soon accentuated performances alongside the likes of Forever Came Calling, Assuming We Survive, and We Were Sharks.
Partnering with producer Nik Bruzzese (Man Overboard, The Wonder Years), The Maguas set to work on their sophomore release in early 2020. ‘One of Us Is Lying’ dropped later that year, quickly garnering significant traction within the scene and earning them recognition from an array of outlets.
Once again working with Bruzzese, the band is now setting forth on their third iteration with an anticipated release in 2021. With a solid foundation underfoot, they’re diving deep into dark and vulnerable lyrical thematics to advance their signature “novel yet nostalgic” emo sound. Following the successful release of their first single of 2021 “Drifter”, The Maguas are beyond excited to share their highly anticipated second single “Shapeless.”
9. B.I x Afgan xBipolar Sunshine – ‘Lost At Sea’
South Korean Rapper, Singer-Songwriter, and Record Producer, B.I, has teamed up with Indonesian Artist, Afgan, and Manchester-based Electronic Artist, Bipolar Sunshine. Out today via IOK and Transparent Arts, B.I x Bipolar Sunshine x Afgan – Lost At Sea (Illa Illa 2) is a fusion of cultures from all across the globe; effortlessly putting together their talents into one track. The release of this remix arrives one day ahead of B.I.’s highly anticipated return to live performing. On Saturday, October 2 at 11pm EST / Sunday, October 3 at 12pm KST, B.I will be teaming up with LiveXLive for an exclusive global livestream Pay-Per-View concert. Purchase tickets HERE.
B.I speaks on the collaboration; “Bipolar Sunshine was an artist that I always enjoyed listening to, his unique vocals have such a distinct sound that I’ve always imagined what it would be like to be on a track together. I try listening to as much music as possible from all around the world, so that I myself can evolve as a producer. I also think Indonesia is one of the most culturally diverse countries in Asia. Especially in terms of music, and I learn a lot from listening to music created by Indonesian artists. When I first heard Afgan’s voice, his soulful vibe really made an impression on me and as a producer, I really love how he represents a new age of artist. I thought the balance of this collaboration was just perfect.”
10. AB6IX – ‘Cherry’
AB6IX have released their sophomore album MO’ COMPLETE. This comeback marks the last chapter in a 2-episode series that started off with their EP, MO’ COMPLETE: HAVE A DREAM. However, this is the first full album the band has dropped since the release of 6IXENSE in 2019.
“It’s been a while since we’ve put out a full album, so we made sure to show the best of us. Hope you are ready for it!”- PARK WOOJIN
The 10-track album represents the development and improvement of AB6IX since their debut in May 2019. The focus single of this MO’ COMPLETE is “CHERRY”, a pop track that describes the blossoming feelings of falling in love with someone. DAEHWI, who recently produced the final track for PRODUCE 101 JAPAN, participated in writing and producing the track, alongside WOOJIN who wrote the rap lines. Known for being a “self-producing” group, all the members of AB6IX participated in the producing and writing processes for each of the tracks for the album, just as they have with their previous releases.
