In The Spotlight

Melina Malone – “Stuck On You”

Hailing from Dublin, this Irish neo-soul singer and songwriter was born to musical parents. Her dad was in a local Ska band and her mother was involved with country music. In college she discovered a wide-variety of genres from R&B to Bossa Nova. Since starting her career she’s played many festivals such as the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival and opened for Macy Gray and Gregory Porter. Inspired by Erykah Badu, Jill Scott and Amber Mark, she released her debut “Now Or Never” in 2019.

Narrating the relatable vulnerability of feeling attracted to someone you know cannot be trusted, her new single combines reflective lyrics with a lively melody. Intricately blending warm jazz with a bouncy bossa-nova rhythm, the song travels from a laid-back vibe to a sonic buoyancy. Starting with a mellow acoustic guitar, soon the Latin sun-beams begin to shine. With easy-going drums, bright keys and her seductive vocals, this airy groove packs a whole lot of musical delight.

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In The Spotlight

BabĂ© Sila – “Come Back”

Hailing from Budapest and based in London, this Hungarian singer and songwriter grew up with a love for music, but only as a hobby. She attended a music school and played violin for a bit. It wasn’t until a guitarist friend invited her to sing in his jazz-soul band at 20 that she started taking it seriously. Since then she’s played festivals such as Primavera Sound in Barcelona and ESNS in The Netherlands. Inspired by Erykah Badu, Alicia Keys and Sade, she debuted with “A Bit” in 2015.

Trying to capture the coping mechanism your brain employs in the aftermath of a breakup, her new single describes the mental twists from the hurt of losing to wanting your lover back. Taken from her EP “I Told The Sun About You”, the song captivates from the get-go with a sleek R&B bass and soft drums. The melody then fills up with multi-layers of guitars, keys and classy brass. And with her rich, mesmerizing vocals casting a sonic spell, this tune is an enchanting smooth groove.

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In The Spotlight

Leo Walrus – “Old Words, New Mess”

Born in Southend and based in South-West London, this British singer and songwriter started writing little stories as a child, which later evolved in writing songs. He went to BIMM Music Institute to hone his musical skills. Having forged a folk-rock sound steeped in the hazy 60s and early 70s, he’s been performing live in venues like The Troubadour and on festivals such as Friends Of Friends. Inspired by Lou Reed, Nick Drake and Steve Lacy, he released his debut “Creeper Star” in 2022.

Reminiscent of the softer songs by The Beatles, his new single is a warm and inviting throwback to the 60s. Taken from his upcoming album “Moontime”, expected in the coming months, he created a smooth, analogue sound with a mellow piano, which is later joined by punchy drums and melodic electric guitars. Taking us by the ear on his breezy trip to yesteryear, it’s his captivating, retro-touched vocals that give this smooth groove a sense of style and a distinct earworm quality.

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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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