In The Spotlight

Claire Ridgely – “Can We Be Friends?”

Orginally from Northern Virginia, USA, but now based in Montreal, Canada, this eclectic singer and songwriter has had her voice featured on many DJ projects of the likes of Said The Sky, Pat Lok and Robotaki. She took to the stage with the latter at Osheaga in 2019. Also focussing her creative energy on a solo career, she debuted her catchy indie-pop sound on her 2018 single “Days Under The Sun”.

Employing the healing power of music, her new single highlights a traumatic experience from her childhood. In order to balance the heavy subject, she dipped her story in an infectious, danceable groove. With a funky rhythm, authentic, poptastic vocals and a touch of neon disco violins, this effortlessly blends her honest, inspirational storytelling with a vibrant, upbeat and foot-tappin’ tune.

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In The Spotlight

Emily Zeck – “Run Right Back”

Hailing from Vero Beach, Florida, this radiant singer and songwriter grew up dividing her time between surfing and playing music. As a teen she started using her popular Instagram account, That Pineapple Girl, to promote her music and share her love for the beach and surfing. In 2015 she debuted with the beach-friendly single “Pacific Blue” and featured on “After Midnight” by KLYMVX in 2017.

With a fresh, sunlit acoustic guitar and her effervescent vocals, her cheery new single sounds like the first sip of a tropical cocktail on a sweltering beach. Smooth, laid-back and basking in golden sunshine, it’s the added infectious rhythm and her contemporary, luminous voice that surfs over the sonic swells and make this sunny tune a sparkling summertime jam that your ears will keep running back to.

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In The Spotlight

PREP – “Pictures Of You”

This unlikely quartet, consisting of a hip-hop producer, a classical composer, a house DJ and a singer/songwriter, got together in 2015 in order to explore a mix of modern and vintage sounds. Inspired by the likes of Steely Dan, Michael McDonald and Bobby Caldwell, they fuse funk, R&B and jazz into a melting-pot of pop. Playing with a 6-piece band, their debut show sold out within the week.

Dipping their funky synths in glorious West-Coast sun, their new single is sweltering, luscious and gleaming with sonic bliss. Lyrically rather apt in the current situation, Tom Havelock is singing about a person you keep thinking about but can’t be with. While the bass line tickles, the mellow rhythm pulls and the synths sizzle, this beaming groove is a picture of summery rays of smooth jazzy funk.

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In The Spotlight

Yard Arms – “Mantra”

Hailing from the heart of the creative diversity of Bristol, this British duo, consisting of Noah Villeneuve and Billy Golding, got together in 2018. Inspired by the music of the likes of Death Cab For Cutie, The Cure and Radiohead, they forged their own taste of melancholic pop. They debuted with their EP “Maiden” in 2018, catching the attention of national radio and press such as BBC Introducing and NME.

Described as a triumphant love letter to the anxious, their new single finds a balance between emotion, anthemic pop and summer time sun. Some sweltering synths and crisp electronic guitar licks guide the pulsating melody, giving it a slight 80s coating, while the strength of Noah’s emotive, hypnotic vocals lead you by the ear to a riveting guitar solo and make this pop groove music’s new mantra.

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In The Spotlight

Debbie Nunn – “World On My Shoulders”

Described by her fans as the British Dolly Parton, this Buckinghamshire-based country girl combines her fun personality with a stunning voice. Her 2005 debut album “Always In My Heart” earned her three nominations at the British Country Music Awards. She recorded her next album “Here For You” in Nashville with Grammy winner Larry Franklin. Now independent, her music is still soaring.

Although she wrote it when she was going through some rough times, her new single radiates some foot-tappin’ country vibes. An exhilarating beat, joyous electric guitars and a playful fiddle blend together into a spirited melody, while her happiness-inducing, joyful pipes line-dance over the cheery notes. She sonically turned a challenging time in her life into pure positivity and good ol’ fashioned fun.

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In The Spotlight

Cally Rhodes – “Downfalls”

Inspired by the music of Kate Bush and Fleetwood Mac and having grown up surrounded by music, this Welsh singer and songwriter creates honest, catchy pop songs about love. She debuted with “Anyone But You” in 2018, but it was her second single “System” that got the music scene buzzing. Labelled BBC Introducing Artist Of The Week in 2018, her music has been played on national radio and TV.

Forging a mystical electronic soundscape, her new single sprinkles some contemporary magic on the tune. Using a simple bass strum and bouncy beat to accompany her alluring airy vocals, asking a potential lover to accept both her good and bad sides, it leads into a lively, upbeat and very infectious chorus. With high-spirited vibes beaming from the modern melody, this is a refreshing pop groove.

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