In The Spotlight

Brooke Combe – “How Can I Tell You? (To Love Me More)”

Born near Edinburgh and based in Liverpool, this Scottish singer and songwriter discovered her love for music at 5 years young, when she got a toy drum kit. She also plays saxophone, trombone, guitar, bass and piano. Since the start of her career she’s played renowned venues such as King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut, festivals like Neighbourhood Weekender and supported Miles Kane. Inspired by Michael Jackson, Amy Winehouse and Fleetwood Mac, she released her debut “Are You With Me?” in 2021.

Filled with a raw and authentic honesty, her new single captures her desire for a connection with her father. Enveloping the emotive lyrics about a struggling daughter trying to be heard and seen, she’s created an upbeat, classic soul melody. With a soft drum, colourful piano and a striking string section filling the notes with soulful nostalgia, it’s her powerful, retro-touched vocal vigor, coasting on the vivacious tune, that make this an exhilarating groove you could not possibly love more.

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In The Spotlight

Matías Roden – “On The Run”

Born in the UK and raised in Peru, this Peruvian-Canadian singer and songwriter is now based in Vancouver, where he moved to at 18. Immersing himself into the vibrant local music scene, he began to hone a synth-pop sound, dipped in global influences. He’s performed at festivals like Khatsahlano and the Summerlight Festival and played shows from North America to Europe. Inspired by Pet Shop Boys, Depeche Mode and Annie Lennox, he debuted with “Snow Angel” in 2023.

Written after a short-lived relationship, his new single captures the fear of commitment and the natural instinct to flee when things get real. Enriching a retro-touched pop-rock vibe with a drop of synth-pop and a dash of country, he’s created a melancholic, bittersweet melody. With a driving percussion, joyful guitar and fresh keys feeling both upbeat and laid-back, it’s his lighthearted vocals telling the compelling story about fleeting love, that make this wistful tune sound irresistible.

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In The Spotlight

Cherise Michelle – “Flatline”

Hailing from Gary, Indiana and now based in Los Angeles, this singer and songwriter grew up with gospel harmonies and classical voice training. She studied Ethnomusicology at the University of California, Berkeley, exploring black musical traditions. Since she’s opened for Lucky Daye and Coi Leray and performed at venues like Breaking Sound: LA and festivals like Juneteenth In The Park. Inspired by Chaka Khan, Aretha Franklin and Mariah Carey, she debuted with “MoonGirl” in 2018.

Stemming from observing the world and capturing fleeting intimacies, her new single is about giving enough pause to notice the world around you and not take it for granted. Creating a deliciously warm, 90s R&B vibe with just a touch of jazz, the song starts with a mellow mood. With a laid-back rhythm, soft keys and soothing brass emulating life’s ebbs and flows, it’s her Sade-infused velvety vocals and Jian J’s rap bridge that make this  silky smooth groove stand out like a tender gem.

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In The Spotlight

Nathan Sykes – “Butterflies”

Born in Gloucester, this British singer and songwriter began singing at 6 years young and attended Sylvia Young Theatre School from 11. In the early 00s he won various singing competitions and in 2004 entered the national selection in order to represent the UK at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest. He became member of the successful band The Wanted in 2009 and when the band went on hiatus in 2014 he started a solo career. He released his solo debut single “Kiss Me Quick” in 2015.

Describing the sheer joy of feeling butterflies in your stomach when falling in love, his new single perfectly captures the nervous giddiness that overwhelms you. Taken from his upcoming album “Ultraviolet”, to be released on October 17th, the song has a delightfully nostalgic pop vibe. First teasing our ears with a synth and guitar strums creating a soft soundscape, it opens up with a laidback rhythm and a glittering pop sparkle. And with his alluring vocals, this is a sophisticated tune.

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In The Spotlight

Ria Hanley – “Golden Girl”

Hailing from Liverpool, this British singer and songwriter grew up with music in her life. She sang in soul choirs and at the age of 11 wrote her first lyrics. At 13 she performed her originals on stage for the first time. Since the start of her career she’s performed at Carnival Cruises, as well as festivals like Victorious Fest and Liverpool Celebrates Festival. Inspired by artists such as Shania Twain, Stevie Nicks and Maren Morris, she debuted her rich country-pop blend on “Hell For Leather” in 2022.

Appreciating both the beauty and chaos that comes with living life to the full, her new single celebrates the wild and messy moments freedom can bring. She’s weaving a colorful sonic tapestry of an effulgent driving piano, a punchy beat and infectious guitars. Adding another layer of a steel-guitar gives the pop-infused sound a touch of country. Filled with empowerment, it’s her silken vocals spinning a golden weave through the warm notes, that make this tune irresistible.

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In The Spotlight

Fanny Lumsden – “Look At Me Now”

Grown up on a farm, this award-winning Australian singer/songwriter was definitely influenced by her musical family, which includes opera singers and musical theatre performers. Since the start of her career she’s performed all over the world, including at Glastonbury, UK and the Tamworth Country Music Festival. She also won 2 ARIA awards, 9 Golden Guitars and 3 AIR awards. Inspired by artists such as Laura Marling and Josh Pyke, she released her debut album “Small Town Big Shot” in 2015.

Reflecting on the struggles of the sheer amount of rejections she got in building her career, her new single is filled with gratitude for those hard moments as they shaped who she is now. Recorded on the road in Europe, the song eases us in with some bass plucks and a soft rhythm, before the sonic brightness starts to radiate. With a bustling beat, joyful guitars and a cheeky banjo creating the dynamic melody, it’s the twangy sparkle and her blissful vocals that make this a celebration.

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