Juana Molina – Halo

Philly based singer, songwriter and spoken poet Christinna O shares ‘Hot Head’, a deeply honest and self-reflective single produced by Daniel Lynas (Kanye West, A$AP Rocky). A song about living with bipolar disorder, ‘Hot Head’ is a personal expression of “how hard it is to speak and be heard for your truths, especially as a Black woman, as a queer Black woman”. Christinna’s words paint a picture that is only heightened and more vivid with Lynas’ powerful and driving beat. Listen to the single above and if you haven’t already done so, be sure to listen to Christinna’s ‘Girl In Passing’ EP which was released last year.

Swedish duo lennixx (aka Hanna Larsson and Andrea Kallström) return with another dazzling slice of silky R&B with ‘Bold Me’. Having already impressed with their stunning debut EP ‘Split By’ last year, the rising duo take things to another level with latest offering ‘Bold Me’ which encompasses a dreamy, luscious soundscape with the pair’s heavenly vocals magically blending together. Tuck into ‘Bold Me’ here and be sure to keep an eye out for more from lennixx this year.

Indian singer/songwriter and COLORS alumni Prateek Kuhad shares a breathtakingly beautiful new single in the form of ‘Kasoor’. Kuhad’s soft vocals wash over the spirited piano-led instrumentation that boasts hopeful handclaps and gorgeous guitars to create a consoling and heartwarming atmosphere. Enjoy the song here and be sure to check out Prateek’s performance of ‘did you/fall apart‘ for COLORS if you haven’t already.

Consider yourself introduced to Nottingham, UK based alternative pop artist Blle who captivates with her new single ‘Under Pressure’. Having already impressed with the likes of ‘Calling Me’ and ‘Don’t Be Surprised’ last year, Blle makes it three out of three with ‘Under Pressure’, a dazzling and vibrant pop song that boasts a slick beat laden with crisp electronics and handclaps to serve as the perfect backdrop for those infectious melodies. Check out ‘Under Pressure’ here, it’s an absolute bop.

Having performed for our HOME/BRED series earlier this year, London based singer/songwriter Matilda Mann shares gorgeous new single ‘As It Is’. The single serves as the lead single to her forthcoming new EP and follows up ‘If That Makes Sense’, her stunning EP which features a collaboration with COLORS alumni Lucy Lu. On ‘As It Is’, Matilda Mann’s consoling, heartwarming tones wash over gentle guitars that create an entirely immersive and intimate atmosphere. Check out the single here and be sure to keep an eye out for her new EP which is out later this year.

Montreal based songstress Shay Lia serves up the summery vibes with another delectable cut in the form of ‘All Up To You’. Serving as the follow up to last year’s superb ‘Dangerous’ LP, the rising singer/songwriter continues to showcase her irresistible vocals over a tropical beat that encompasses an ever so smooth and relaxing atmosphere. Dive into the lush soundscapes of ‘All Up To You’ here, it’s a stunner!

London based singer/songwriter Tora releases her powerful debut EP ‘Cavalier’ which features previously released singles ‘Vein’ and ‘Call Your Name’. The five-track EP captures Tora’s brilliant songwriting and unquestionably soothing tones on new tracks ‘Below’ and ‘Escape Room’. With ‘Cavalier’, Tora has cemented herself as one of the most exciting voices around, see for yourself by streaming the gorgeous EP here.

South African artist Moonchild Sanelly shines on latest single “Bashiri’, an explosive and psychedelic extravaganza from start to finish. Accompanied by an equally vibrant and atmospheric music video, the track encompasses Moonchild’s infectious melodies and unique vocal delivery which weaves its way through the rhythmic instrumentation with ease. Check out the single (which is out via Transgressive Records) and visual here.

Boston based duo Brevin Kim (aka Cal and Bren Paulhus) unveil explosive, genre-bending double single ‘i need water / he doesn’t love her’. Serving as a taster for their forthcoming debut album, ‘i need water’ and ‘he doesn’t love her’ encompass the pair’s shape-shifting sound which incorporates elements of Hip-Hop and Rap with Alternative Rock to create a truly original sound. Check out both singles here and keep an eye out for Brevin Kim’s record which is out later this year.

Consider yourself introduced to Belgian singer, songwriter and producer Christine Denamur who dazzles with her magical new single ‘Dust’. The simple, twinkling soundscape serves as the perfect backdrop for the singer’s impeccably smooth and alluring tones to melt your heart. Dive into the serene sounds of ‘Dust’ here, it’s an absolute stunner!

Glasgow based production duo VARDI and Rory Comerford team up as Zazim Soundsystem to share their incredible new EP ‘AYÉ’, which means “Life” in Yoruba and “Yes” in Scots. Opening with the lush soundscapes of ‘AYEE’, the three-track project expertly combines UK bass, Latin and West African percussion along with traditional Celtic music to create a sound unlike anything else. Check out the sensational EP which features ‘BAND TUNE’ and ‘EVERYTHING’ here.

Chicago based rapper Noname shares ‘Song 33’, a powerful and heartfelt Madlib-produced commentary on the Black Lives Matters movement. Over the course of the 70-second track, Noname references the deaths of George Floyd and Toyin Salau as well as a response to J. Cole’s ‘Snow on tha Bluff’. Check out the single here, it hits harder and packs more of a punch than anything you’ll hear in a long time.

Consider yourself introduced to Canadian singer/songwriter Emanuel who shines on ‘Addiction’, a standout cut from his debut EP ‘Session 1: Disillusion’. Having already impressed with his gorgeous debut single ‘Need You’ (which was accompanied by a music video creative directed by Idris Elba), Emanuel takes things to another level on ‘Addiction’ as his ever so smooth vocals glide across the rich instrumentation. Dive into the soulful cut here and be sure to give his ‘Session 1: Disillusion’ EP a spin too.

Enigmatic group SAULT follow up 2019’s ‘5’ and ‘7’ albums with another stellar project in the form of ‘UNTITLED (Black Is)’. The empowering and utterly captivating record, which features a collaboration with COLORS alumni Michael Kiwanuka, boasts twenty spellbinding cuts that wonderfully showcase SAULT’s poignant songwriting and vibrant atmospherics. With ‘UNTITLED (Black Is)’, SAULT continues to show why they’re one of the most innovative and exciting acts around in music today.

If you’re looking for a sparkling pop gem, look no further than ‘Ex Lovers’, the stunning new single from Canadian singer/songwriter GRAE. Having already impressed with her ‘New Girl’ EP last year and ‘Slow Down’ earlier this year, the rising Toronto based artist continues to shine as her infectious melodies and sugary sweet vocals sweep across the guitar-heavy soundscape. Check out the single and it’s DIY-style music video here.

American R&B duo Dante Jones and Andrew Langston Neely aka THEY. share another stellar offering in the form of ‘Count Me In’ which is lifted from their forthcoming new project. Serving as the follow up to previous cuts like ‘Till I Die’, ‘Stop Playin” and ‘Red Light Green Light’, the single encompasses a raw and gritty atmosphere as vocalist Drew’s raspy vocals glide across those haunting guitars and beats. Check out the single here and be sure to keep an eye out for the duo’s upcoming project which is out later this year.

RAAJA BEATS is the musical project of Bangalore, India based producers Raka Ashok and Malfnktion who share their explosive new self-titled EP. Featuring previously released singles ‘POONGATRU’, ‘NINNUKORI’ and ‘RAJA RAJATHI’, the nine-track project encapsulates edits of iconic songs from Tamil film composer and songwriter, Ilaiyaraaja. A wonderful blurring of Eastern and Western sounds, ‘RAAJA BEATS’ is one of the strongest instrumental EP’s you’ll hear all year.

London based singer, songwriter and producer Piers James serves up the smooth vibes with bouncy new single ‘Can’t Be My Girl’. Soundtracked by a slick trap-inspired beat which features glorious guitar licks and synths, the track sees James alternate between his ever so smooth vocals on the chorus and the sharp and gritty verses. Check out the laid-back single which is taken from his forthcoming project here.

Hawaii-born, Long Beach–based songwriter Lionel Boy shares sparkling new single ‘Lately’, taken from his forthcoming debut EP ‘Who Is Dovey?’. Serving as the follow up to previously released singles ‘Lost’ and ‘Summer Fun’, ‘Lately’ is a solemn single that is soundtracked by thumping drums courtesy of Brett Kramer and shimmering guitar lines that carry Lionel Boy’s rich, yearning tones. Check out the single here and keep an eye out for ‘Who Is Dovey?’ which is out June 25th via Innovative Leisure.

Norwegian artist Sassy 009 aka Sunniva Lindgaard delivers an explosive electronic-led single in the form of ‘Ghost Town’. Recorded in collaboration with Spotify’s Oyster Playlist, the single serves as the striking follow up to last year’s exceptional ‘Thrasher’. On ‘Ghost Town’, Sassy 009 works her magic over a potent bassline that boasts equally frenetic breakbeats that’ll get your heart racing from start to finish. Dive into the single here, it’s a stomper!