In The Spotlight

Julia Zahra – “Heaven”

Born in Indianapolis, USA and raised in The Netherlands as Julia van der Toorn, this lauded Dutch singer and songwriter first started taking saxophone lessons and began singing in a band with her brother and the boy next door aged 9. After 5 years they split up and she learned to play the guitar. Since then she’s won The Voice Of Holland in 2013 and The Best Singers Of The Netherlands in 2015. Inspired by artists like John Mayer and Dutch singer Anouk, she debuted with “You And I” in 2014.

Inspiring us to create a little bit of heaven on earth for ourselves and everyone around us every day, her new single encourages some positivity in an otherwise negative world. Wrapping her plea for change in an cushiony-soft, soulful melody, this song gently strokes our ears with laid-back, sunlit notes. With a soothing rhythm, rippling guitars and a touch of smooth horns creating a mellow summer vibe, it’s her enchanting vocals that feed this tune with a tender warmth.

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In The Spotlight

Stefan Mahendra – “Come Home”

Hailing from London and with half Sri-Lankan, half German roots, this British singer and songwriter’s musical exposure was shaped by his rich cultural background and the gospel music in church. He’s toured the world with bands that opened for Sting and Melanie C, before becoming a quarter finalist on The Voice UK in 2019. With his band BrownSugar he opened for Olly Murs. Inspired by Marvin Gaye, D’angelo and Donny Hathaway, he released his debut “Lovin’ You Is Easy” in 2020.

Pleading with a former lover to return home after they broke up with you, his new single is sheer delectable soul-dripping sweetness. Paying homage to the Al Green-style classic soul, combined with his signature smoothness, this song is an intricate amalgam of 60s/70s soul and a touch of modern neo-soul. With a mellow percussion, rousing organ and full-bodied horns laying down the suave melody, it’s the delicate silkiness of his vocals that take us back to the glory days of soulfulness.

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In The Spotlight

Nadia Kadek – “Always Almost Losing You”

Born and raised in the countryside of Norfolk, this British-Indonesian singer and songwriter grew up as a self-professed ‘festival baby‘. Remembering the long car journeys to various campsites, her childhood was filled with music. Now based in London, she spends her festival visits on stage instead of in the audience and performed at The Great Escape and Pitchfork London. Inspired by Florence + The Machine, Lizzy McAlpine and Jeff Buckley, she debuted with “Feeling It All” in 2025.

Singing about the juxtaposition that loving someone intensely can also make you worry about them intensely, her new single has a lyrical honesty and a warm textured melody. Taken from her upcoming debut EP “Green Car”, expected on October 17th, and layered over a tranquil indie-folk instrumentation, the song captures an introspective tender-ness. And with a mellow rhythm and intricate acoustic guitar, it’s her dulcet vocals that give this lovely smooth groove an intimate sincerity.

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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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