In The Spotlight

Tomode – “Golden Retriever”

Finding a joint love for funk and disco, this Swedish duo found the definitive blend of 70s glitter and modern Scandinavian pop. Carl Leanderson and Viktor Westerberg draw inspiration from artists ranging from Daft Punk and Robyn to George Duke and Earth, Wind & Fire. Still working regular 9 to 5 jobs, they debuted their funk-pop stylings with their disco-dipped single “Destiny No. 20” in 2020.

Glistening with the sound of gleaming synths, their new single is soaked in summery, neon 80s vibes. Bursting with elated retro pop waves, invoking images of a sunlit roadtrip down the coastline, it’s the invigorating drums, scintillating keys and optimistic lyricism, that makes this groove truly sparkle. Filled with the playfulness and joy of its namesake, this jam radiates a happiness-inducing glow.

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In The Spotlight

The Rungs – “Not In Love”

When this duo met in Ithica NY, Diwas was a guitarist in a psychedelic rock band and Mandy was studying botany. Soon however, they were writing songs together and playing shows around town. Inspired by 90s indie rock and 80s synthpop, they’ve created an uniquely refreshing strain of pop by layering electric guitars with analogue synths. They released their debut single “BFF” in 2015.

Dealing with the difficult question of how to break it to someone that you’re just not in love with them, their new single takes your heart on an emotional journey. Forging a dreamy soundscape with hypnotic vocals to slowly put your ears under its spell, the track soon slides into an 80s synth-pop touched realm. With her enchanting voice and sparkling synths, this is a mesmerizing and luscious gem.

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In The Spotlight

Raina Sokolov-Gonzalez – “Better For You”

Based in Brooklyn, this intoxicating singer and songwriter was born into a family of professional musicians and grew up surrounded by jazz, R&B and soul from an early age. With her unique cross-genre sound and lyrical poetry, she opened for artists like Starchild & The New Romantic and worked with jazz composer William Parker, both on stage and on his albums. She debuted with “Unarmed” in 2018.

Brewing an auditory blend of various musical leaves, her new single is the warm sonic beverage you crave. While stirring smooth R&B with rhythmic jazz and infusing it with some Latin flavors, it’s the mellow keys, swinging bossa-nova rhythm and her fierce, alluring vocals singing about empowerment, that make this sexy jam sound like you’re in a smoky bar on a swampy New Orleans evening.

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In The Spotlight

NevilleSounds – “Don’t Stop Rolling”

Born as Aaron Kieran Neville, this London-born singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist created a one-of-a-kind blend of pop, rock and classic soul. Inspired by some his favourite, genre-spanning, artists, ranging from Prince and Stevie Wonder to Pearl Jam and Faith No More, he shaped a vibrant, compelling soundscape. He debuted with his ironically named single “Ending Scene” in 2019.

Giving the old-school Motown vibes their well-deserved pride of place, his new single still manages to trim the classic sound with contemporary hues. With an upbeat rhythm, bouncy bass and retro horns transporting your ears back to the swinging 60s, the ascending chorus and his deep, emotive vocals, chronicling trying to make it as an artist, add some modernity to this vintage soul banger.

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In The Spotlight

Luna Li – “Cherry Pit”

Born and raised in Toronto, this Canadian vocalist, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist grew up training in classical music and studied violin at McGill University in Montreal. Inspired by local bands and the new garage rock scene, she dropped out at 18. Playing guitar, harp, violin and keyboards, she debuted her dreamy, classically touched indie-pop sound on her 2017 single “Opal Angel”.

Cherry-picked for your listening pleasure, her new single combines her classical background with contemporary vibes. Opening with dramatic drums and electric guitars, the track suddenly enters her mellow and shimmering world. A simple electronic rhythm and lavish sunlit keys accompany her mesmerizing, silken vocals and lead you by the ears through her hazy and sumptuous soundscape.

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In The Spotlight

Joel Culpepper – “Thought About You”

Hailing from South-East London, this British singer and songwriter grew up with classic soul music from artists such as Donny Hathaway and The Temptations. His time at college added rock influences from bands like The Doobie Brothers. Cultivating his own style from modern soul with funk flourishes and his distinctive vocal tones, he debuted with his mixtape “The Adventures Of Pensmith” in 2009.

Instantly dazzling with an 80s bassline and funky guitar riffs, his new single is refreshingly groovelicious. Taken from his upcoming debut album “Sgt Culpepper”, expected on July 23rd, it’s the bopping rhythm, retro synths and his sparkling falsetto vocal acrobatics, that are dancing over the melodic juice. Sensual and spellbinding, blending neon with contemporary hues, this electrifying jam is sublime.

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