London based duo, La Nouvelle Musique, mix psyche folk elements with an ethereal vocal style that falls somewhere between Vashti Bunyan, Hope Sandoval (Mazzy Star) and Nico. Made up of husband-and-wife Joanna Beck and Ian de Silva, the baroque orchestration on some of La Nouvelle Musique’s songs also reflects a big screen aesthetic. Singer/Bass Player - Joanna is also a composer and performance artist who creates electro acoustic music, sonic art, and has scored for theatre and film.
Production wise La Nouvelle Musique work as a self-contained unit, writing, recording and producing their music at Berwick Street Studios in Soho London, where Ultravox recorded 'Vienna' and The Sex Pistols made their version of 'My Way'.
Their self-titled debut album, which follows their recent acclaimed ‘Premonitions’ EP, is a sumptuous and haunting collection of deeply effecting tracks that drips with nostalgic mysticism. The album was released on vinyl on 30th June via Fruits de Mer to much acclaim, including a rave 5-star review from Shindig Magazine and is now released digitally, alongside new single ‘Spirit Level’.
‘Spirit Level’ is a hypnotic song about the passing of time and the difficulty many people face day to day just to keep their emotional equilibrium. It’s also about the beauty of nature and how if we sometimes take a moment to focus on it, it can give us a sense of perspective and peace. The track operates in a Velvet Underground style psych-rock territory, with an epic wall of effervescent electric guitars kicking in as it wildly escalates.
============================================================================
 |
| Photo - Alessandro Favero |
South London-based jazz and neo-soul songwriter, vocalist, and multi-instrumentalist Monterey J just released his anticipated sophomore album Welcome 2 South London.
An ode to the sprawling creative underbelly of South London, the album features some of the best talent from south of the river, aiming to champion and tell the story of a thriving artistic community. As well as his own saxophone, bass, guitar, piano and synth work across the album, the album features a cast of talented instrumentalists; Joey Robbins (drums), Tay Harvey (bass), Dan McConkey (tenor sax) as well as as guest appearances from Telica (guitar), Marika (vocals), Hillarynx (vocals) and Southsidefinn (rapper). Fronted by Monterey J’s own elegant vocals and brilliant alto sax work, the album captures a series of compelling, groove orientated tracks.
Recorded across Cable Street Studios and Lightship 95, and produced by Grammy-nominated Teo Marangon (best known for his work on Keyon Harrold’s Foreverland), Welcome 2 South London showcases rich musicality - from its sprawling jazz flavoured instrumentals, to melancholic, melodic and inventive songwriting that capture a true and pure essence of artistic creativity through rich soundscapes which bring together elements of neo-soul jazz and R&B.
Speaking about the album, Monterey J explains: "This project tells the story of my personal experience in the creative community of South London. After producing and recording my previous album almost exclusively on my own, I decided to experiment with the process of collaboration, treating these songs as if they were a story told by a multitude of different voices. In my experience, South London is a place of great artistic freedom with a touch of healthy competitiveness and I really wanted to share my journey through music showing both the highs and the lows of navigating through an exciting time of my life in the city.
============================================================================
Indie-soul artist Rachel Ruzumna just unveiled her evocative new single, “Sunday Blues.” The song offers a candid and intimate glimpse into a quiet, soul-searching Sunday morning—marked by solitude, a lingering hangover, and the emotional echoes of the night before.
Written in the aftermath of a night that left her emotionally bare, “Sunday Blues” channels the unvarnished weight—both physical and emotional. “It’s that heavy, hollow feeling,” Ruzumna shares. “Where you just want someone, anyone, to be beside you, even if you don’t know who.”
With unfiltered lyricism and soul-soaked vocals, “Sunday Blues” captures the bittersweet beauty of longing. More than a reflection of a single moment of sadness, the song stems from a lifelong sensitivity to the emotional weight of weekends—when the high of Saturday fades into the quiet ache of a spent, yearning Sunday. “Since childhood, Sundays have always felt hard for me—filled with that creeping dread of the week ahead, of endings and beginnings and quiet loneliness,” says Ruzumna.
“Sunday Blues” blends melancholic melodies with soulful instrumentation, offering a sound that is both soothing and heart-wrenching. It’s a meditation on vulnerability, a soundtrack for anyone who’s ever felt the ache of needing comfort in a world that’s too quiet.
============================================================================
Good Day is the new single from Cassidy-Rae and it delivers the hit soundtrack to better moods, brighter mornings, and unforgettable sing-alongs. The song you didn’t know you needed!
Cassidy-Rae is an artist to watch with mesmerising vocals, an electrifying stage presence, and authentic performances on guitar and keyboard. Her talent has earned her accolades like the Australian Country Music People's Choice Awards Best Female Vocal 2022, ICMA New Female Country Artist 2023 and Gympie Muster Talent Finalist 2023.
Described as "one of country's most energetic young talents" by KIX Country, Cassidy-Rae's journey has been marked by success after success. From winning Sutherland's Entertainer of the Year to achieving back-to-back number one iTunes charting singles, she’s a rising star with an unstoppable momentum.
Her singles have graced popular playlists like Spotify's Fresh Country, Apple Music's Today's Country, and Aussie Country, just to name a few. She's been featured on Top 30 charts, premiered on Country Music Television, and gained attention from esteemed publications like CountryTown Australia and Amnplify. Her success went global when USA’s country music singer-songwriter & ACA’s New Artist of the Year Thomas Rhett, raised a glass joining the ‘Cheers Y’all’ movement.
============================================================================
