It’s been a minute or two, but we’re back with a pretty powerful trio to treat your ears. Need new music fast? Here are some artists you should get on your radar ASAP.
Singer-songwriter and producer Maeve has definitely captured my attention with her single ‘Martyr’. Hailing from the Cayman Islands, the 21-year-old crafts distinctly dark alt-pop, and this track is as razor-sharp as it is beautiful. There is something distinctly Lorde-like about her delivery and FKA Twigs-esque about her approach to pop music, and while such comparisons sometimes only stand to box an artist in, this one only stands to prove that Maeve is an absolute force to be reckoned with. Ethereal beauty that cuts like a knife, and haunting melodies that hook you in – there’s a lot of promise in only her second single.
While this next artist may not be a new find for everyone, she’s a relatively new discovery for me, and I’m so excited to share her latest single with anyone who is also a little late to the fan club. We’re talking about London artist Nilüfer Yanya. Building a steady following with her previous two EPs released across the last two years, it’s her third Do You Like Pain? or more specifically one of its singles, ‘Thanks 4 Nothing’ that peaked my attention. Raw and stripped-back, her breezy guitar-driven jazz-pop is as effortless as it is ear-catching. She’s working to release her debut album early next year, so now’s a really good time to get acquainted.
Let’s chat about Swedish producer and singer Thea Gustafsson AKA Becky and the Birds. After releasing her gorgeous self-titled EP last month, she’s now turned the whole record into an 11-minute film following six moments in six women’s lives – the perfect accompaniment for anyone who likes something visual with their music. It was the frustration of featuring on tracks by all-male producers that led to Gustafsson stepping out as Becky and The Birds – “I always had this voice inside me…that was like ‘No, you can’t, ‘cos you’re a girl, that’s for the boys” she told Hunger TV – that same voice fuelled the video’s creativity. The whole EP is awash with shimmering electro-pop beats, trip-hop glitches and R&B soul – it’s a mosaic of layers that clash and blend to create a stunning debut.