Benson Boone – Slow It Down 

Benson Boone is commanding attention globally with his smash hit “Beautiful Things” that has topped the charts globally and taken over commercial radio with its unforgettable hook. The American singer-songwriter is ready to back it up with another future smash taken from his debut album “Fireworks & Rollerblades” out April 5. “Slow It Down” is a song Benson began teasing shortly after the release of “Beautiful Things” and it has grown from a piano ballad into this soaring pop moment that has a grand Elton John theatricalism to it. It hits you immediately with a singalong hook you can imagine screaming along to in an arena, which genuinely doesn’t feel long off with his rapid trajectory. The lyrics are vulnerable and raw as he details wanting to be there for someone while knowing that he’s the reason they’re hurting. “I hate that I’m the reason that you’re in your head right now. While your world is spinning out” he emotively sings. At just over 2 and a half minutes the captivating listen takes you on this theatrical journey of anthemic pop production that will leave you falling ever more in love with Benson Boone. 

Kita Alexander – Zodiac

Kita Alexander’s debut album “Young In Love” is finally out in the world, and it’s heralded by an infectious new pop anthem. “Zodiac” feels like a shiny centrepiece on the record within the fellow- unreleased tracks as it explodes with this confident and pulsating energy elevated from “Best You Ever Had”. Realising she no longer wants to find herself within a relationship anymore she asks to move on from the other person and admits she doesn’t need them anymore. “Yeah, I’m lonely, but I don’t wanna dance with you. So I’m touching myself up in this empty room. I can do everything with or without you” she sings before admitting “You wanna love me again. I don’t wanna be your friend. I just wanna movе on”. The smooth 80’s inspired production has this distinctive groove that leads the empowering energy behind the song. From the very first listen you will find yourself singing along and sassily dancing to the absolute banger. 

Sasha Alex Sloan – Me Again

Following the release of “Highlights” last month, Sasha Alex Sloan has revealed that her third studio album “Me Again” will be released on May 17 and has in-turn also shared the stunning title track. The minimalist song sets the tone of the forthcoming record with a list of vulnerable confessions that hears her questioning some raw thoughts she’s having that feel so existential, while also knowing deep down that things will get better. It’s ultimately a track that feels so relatable as it’s the inner-monologue a lot of us have majority of the time. It’s a feeling of dread, exhaustion and pain mixed with a sense of hope. “I can’t wait to wanna walk my dog. I can’t wait to wanna put weight on. There’s something broken inside my head. I can’t wait to feel like me again” she honestly sings during the opening verse. Her storytelling has always been so intimate, but this song is a whole new layer of vulnerability. It feels like a conscious stream of thoughts taken from her journal and sung to you one-on-one as she reveals some of her biggest insecurities. It’s heartbreaking stunning, and painfully relatable. 

FLETCHER – Ego Talking

FLETCHER has just unveiled her sophomore studio album, and as always it’s a confessional body of work that doesn’t hold anything back. The singles “Eras Of Us”, “Lead Me On” and “Doing Better” set the expectations high with the confident and vulnerable tracks that were to follow upon the albums release, and nothing could have got us prepared for one particular song. “Ego Talking” feels like a future FLETCHER hit and a definitive fan favourite in the live set. The anthemic track commands your attention upon the very first listen with its electric production that throws a real punch at the listener along with the pointed lyrics. Reflecting on the end of a relationship, she questions if they will still think of her even when they move on. It’s a thought process that most of us experience when going through a break-up, and she perfectly captures that angsty feeling. “If you’re moving on, I’ll still lie to myself that you’ll never love anybody else, right? You’ll never fuck somebody hotter, right? Hope my lips haunt you for life. Hearing my name twists the knife.” she sings. Accompanying that unravelling of thoughts with a punchy production and inescapable melody, she will have you screaming about that one person you wish you weren’t thinking of. 

Adrianne Lenker – Real House

Adrianne Lenker’s new album “Bright Future” is a stunning body of work that reminds you of the simplicity of great storytelling and beautiful melodies. The Big Thief lead vocalist thrives in the most vulnerable setting on this analogue record, and it all begins with the goosebump inducing album opener “Real House”. The tender track hears her reflecting back on her childhood with vivid memories flooding back and important questions framed. “When I was seven I saw the first film that made me scared. And I thought of this whole world ending. I thought of dying unprepared” she beautifully admits. But one of my favourite moments in the song (and on the whole record) is when she sings “I wanted to be an inventor. Collected scraps to make a portal. I wanted so much for magic to be real”, and as she sings the line about magic she audibly steps away from the microphone. It’s a moment that is so imperfect, and it makes the song feel so raw. The whole record is filled with moments like this, and it’s one that will live rent free in my mind for a while because of how stunning it is as a body of work. 

Charlie Pittman – I Don’t Wanna Be Here

After winning over a passionate fanbase during his time on The Voice Australia last year, Charlie Pittman has opened a brand new chapter that has seen him signing to Island Records Australia. The first single from his forthcoming EP is a powerful glimpse into the sonical world Charlie has built. “I Don’t Wanna Be Here” hears the Sydney-via-London artist bringing together an energetic burst of production that captures pop-rock influences along with a raw lyrical heartbeat. It highlights an elevated growth from his previous releases and finds a recorded energy that matches his live show. The coming of age track is all about navigating life and friendships in your twenties, with an angsty undertone shining through. “Living back with my parents. Trading in all my independence. Though I’m saving in rent, I’m paying in patience” he sings during the opening moments of the song. Charlie will be opening for Drax Project in Sydney next week which follows recently opening for The Band Camino in Perth, before then heading back to London for a headline show in May. 

Artemas – i like the way you kiss me

English singer, songwriter and producer is flipping everything and turning it completely upside down, and we’re obsessed. His newest single “I like the way you kiss me” is another brilliant release that genre-bends and creates a captivating listen for just under 2 and a half minutes. Blending hyper-pop, punk, and hip-hop elements together, Artemas has you ready to riot in a mosh pit with him where you’ll scream along to every word and sweat everything out your system. The song is all about lust taking over your thoughts and just carrying about sex over feelings, which is a big mood. “I like the way you kiss me, I can tell you miss me. I can tell it hits, hits, hits, hits. Not tryna be romantic, I’ll hit it from the back, just so you don’t get attached” he sings. The energy is undeniable, and it’s truly a chaotic song in the best way possible.