In The Spotlight

Ariana & The Rose – “I Just Came To Say Goodbye”

Born as Ariana Di Lorenzo on Long Island and now Brooklyn-based, this glittery singer and songwriter began playing piano and to this day writes her songs behind a piano. She got enamoured by synths and synth-pop while living and recording in London, UK for 4 years. Having a love for performing live, she’s played various festivals like SXSW, The Great Escape and Milwaukee Summerfest. Inspired by Kate Bush, David Bowie and Prince, she released her debut single “Heartbeat” in 2013.

Returning with her first new music in three years, her new single bids adieu to a romance that has run its course. Taken from her upcoming album “The Breakup Variety Hour”, expected this fall, the song starts with an emotive piano and is quickly joined by soft strings and finger-snaps. Injecting some passion in the chorus with the added shimmering synths and a pulsating percussion, it’s the intricate layering of her stirring vocals that shows us the frayed edges of her broken heart.

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In The Spotlight

Josh Orange – “Believers & Dreamers (What Have We Become)”

Formed in 2004 by long-term friends Gordon Burke and Andrew Wass, this Australian folk-rock band was expanded by Blaine Munnings and Alex Miller. After the start of their career they went on to win the Rock category in the Great American Song Contest in 2015 and played the St. Patrick’s Festival in London, UK in 2016. They also won the Americana category in the 2021 Mid Atlantic Song Contest. Inspired by The Eagles and Tom Petty, they released their debut “Big Day Tomorrow” in 2007.

Written as a protest song reflecting on the state of the world and the need for more believers and dreamers to turn things around, their new single is a reworked version of their song “What Have We Become” from their 2024 album “Birds For The Bayou”. It starts off with crisp harp plucks and leads into a blend of 90s rock and retro pop. With lively percussion, lavish electric guitars and riveting vocals, this infectious rock anthem highlights the state of imbalance our current world is in.

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In The Spotlight

ZADA – “Breath Away”

Born in Ethiopia and raised in Whistler, Canada, this sultry singer and songwriter began teaching herself to play guitar by ear aged 7 and added the piano aged 12. A year later she forayed into songwriting and later attended the Songwriting School of Los Angeles. Vancouver-based, she’s created a seamless blend of R&B, neo-soul and rich afro-beats. Inspired by the beauty of nature in all her imposing forms, as well as Erykah Badu and FKA Twigs, she released her debut “Nomad” in 2022.

Being in awe of the endless gifts of nature and how the resonance of small moments can have such an impact on our hearts, her new single celebrates life in all its facets. In order to capture her inspirational words, she delved into an alluring retro-pop sound. Starting with a pulsating beat, which carries on through the song, she adds sparkling 80s-dipped synths and crisp guitars. And with her entrancing vocals showing us that there’s still beauty in the world, this is a striking gem.

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In The Spotlight

Little Quirks – “Honey”

Formed in 2015 in Gosford by sister Abbey and Mia Toole when they were only 15 and 11 years old and their cousin Jaymi aged 17, this Australian band was later joined by Jaymi’s brother Alex in 2019 and Jordan Rouse in 2021. In the early years they started busking covers by The Cranberries and Vance Joy. Since they’ve played the National Folk Festival in Canberra and SXSW in Texas. Inspired by The Lumineers and Mumford & Sons, they released their debut EP “Where We Hide” in 2016.

Telling the story of a complicated relationship where the love is still there but somehow things are just not working out yet, their new single merges the emotional lyrics with a fun-filled, nostalgic melody. Enveloped in a 60-inspired, summery soundscape, the song starts off with a fresh acoustic guitar and develops into a vibrant, retro-dipped chorus. With lively drums, spirited guitars and a whole lot of sunlit jollity, this sprightly folk-rock groove celebrates joyful summer love.

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In The Spotlight

Jack Watkins – “Hurt By My Healing”

Born with a love for music in his veins, this British singer, songwriter and producer asked his parents for piano lessons aged 6 and was classically trained. Just graduated from SAE Institute in Liverpool, a competition took him to L.A. which led to him becoming a sought-after producer. Temporarily suspending his career for a stint in web design, he returned to music aged 30. Inspired by George Michael, Boy George and Adam Lambert, he debuted with his EP “Light In The Dark” in 2022.

Singing about choosing to find comfort and peace instead of chaos and strife in life, his emotive new single embraces the mental freedom that a healing process can bring. Wrapped in a dreamy melody, the song has an impressive cinematic flair. Starting with a lavish heartbeat drum, it evolves with mesmerizing synths and enchanting guitars. Layering celestial harmonies on top of the melancholic notes, it’s the intimacy of his vocals that make this beauteous tune sound authentic and warm.

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In The Spotlight

Jacquie Roar – “Boots In The Sand”

Born in Chicago, this singer and songwriter shares her love for music with her brother, who is a singer and multi-instrumentalist in his own right. Although originally wanting to be a chef, music won out in the end. She was a member of Lace+Thorn before going solo and entered Season 24 of The Voice reaching 4th place. Having created a fusion of rock and country and inspired by Heart, Gretchen Wilson and Carrie Underwood, she released her debut “Fire On The Mountain” in 2023.

Trading in her signature rock-infused firepower for summertime, beachy vibes, her new single is a country-pop ditty that is ready for sunlit road trips. Instantly cheeky and cheery, the song starts with a jaunty acoustic guitar and a laid-back rhythm. Injecting some buoyant fun, she steps it up with a perky percussion and a singing slide guitar. And with the addition of a jolly tambourine and her sun-filled vocals, this breezy, feel-good groove captures the carefree days of summer.

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