Following the release of his latest single, "Karma", Flex caught up with Daniel Leckerman to find out what inspires his emotionally charged electro-pop sound. Blending atmospheric production, honest lyricism and themes of identity, belonging and personal growth, the Scottish singer-songwriter creates music that explores the connections that shape who we are. If you enjoy Daniel's picks, be sure to check out "Karma" at the end of the article. Icona Pop - Fall In Love Icona Pop

Richmond, Virginia’s The Sugar Hollows embrace the freedom of not fitting neatly into one genre. Across 'Resonance', the five-piece blend southern rock, Americana, folk, blues, indie and jam influences into a sound that feels both deeply rooted and refreshingly open-ended. Acoustic warmth, electric grit and lap steel textures give the record plenty of character, while its ten tracks draw on themes of love, loss, triumph, uncertainty and personal growth. More than simply a sho

Photo Credit: Respective Collective Following the release of their latest single 'Devórame', Flex caught up with multicultural Latin collective Vale! ULB to discover what influences their eclectic sound, which sees the collective balance the likes of Latin pop, Cuban rhythms, hip-hop soul and New Orleans bounce in their music. If you enjoy Vale! ULB's picks, be sure to check out 'Devórame' at the end of the article. 1. Lil Wayne Lollipop (Deezle) "This song is special to me b

Mexican composer, producer and multi-instrumentalist Oriana Gidi steps confidently into her own sonic universe with iloteca, a richly textured second album that sits somewhere between experimental pop, cinematic composition and adventurous songwriting. Entirely self-produced, the record feels less like a collection of conventional songs and more like a living soundscape, shaped by curiosity, instinct and a willingness to follow an idea wherever it leads. Gidi’s multidisciplin

With their new album, Time in the Light now out, Strawhouses have given us a chance to dig a little deeper into the music that has shaped them. For this feature, the band (Stuart, Rishi, Michael, Paul and Chris) have picked five songs they love, offering a glimpse into the artists, records and moments that have influenced their own approach to making music. From personal favourites to tracks that have left a lasting impression, these five choices reveal a different side of St

After more than five decades spent writing, performing and refining his craft, Bob Stewart has accumulated the kind of songwriting perspective that can only come from a life lived alongside music. As the longtime frontman of the Ohio-based Bob Stewart Band, Stewart has built an ever-growing catalogue rooted in Americana storytelling, drawing inspiration from artists including John Prine, James Taylor and Jimmie Rodgers. His songs often find humour and irony in the everyday, r

Following the release of her latest single (with Richandell), "Can't Trust", Flex caught up with Shelana Azora to find out what inspires her soulful blend of R&B, hip-hop and contemporary storytelling. Known for balancing smooth vocals with confident lyricism, the East London artist creates music rooted in honesty, resilience and self-discovery, turning personal experiences into relatable anthems. If you enjoy Shelana's picks, be sure to check out "Can't Trust" at the end of

FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | SPOTIFY Some artists spend years in the background before they get their moment out front, and Wayne Banks has earned his. A Nottingham bass player with credits alongside Robin Gibb, Saxon and The Classic Rock Show, Banks has been the reliable name behind other people's spotlights for a long time. With 'World We Share', his debut solo single, he finally claims one of his own. And what an opener it is. This is big, unapologetic indie rock built for singi

Nashville singer-songwriter Nanseera is premiering her new single ‘Poison Rain’ with us today, and it’s one of those tracks that sits with you long after it ends… Written in the aftermath of the US Supreme Court’s ruling to weaken the Voting Rights Act, the song pairs gothic Americana with a message that feels impossible to ignore right now. FOLLOW: THREADS | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | FACEBOOK | LINKTREE WEBSITE | SPOTIFY | YOUTUBE | APPLE MUSIC | BANDCAMP Nanseera has called the

Following the release of her debut single 'The Hunter', Flex caught up with comedian and YouTuber Jaime French to discover what influences her dark-pop sound. If you enjoy Jamie's picks, be sure to check out 'The Hunter' at the end of the article. 1. “Talk to Me” by Stevie Nicks This song just puts me in a good mood. The instrumentation really does it for me, and Stevie’s vocal is always incredible. 2. “Woman” by Mumford & Sons I don’t know what kind of magic they put into t

In an era where hip-hop often oscillates between escapism and confrontation, Chuckmate’s latest single, "BLACK MAGICK," manages to occupy both spaces at once. It is a record designed to make listeners think without sacrificing groove; a song that carries weighty themes of empowerment, resilience and self-belief while remaining smooth enough to soundtrack a late-night drive. The Nigerian-American artist has steadily built a reputation for blending cultural influences, sharp ly

Following the release of his latest album 'Chapters', Flex caught up with British singer-songwriter Tom Moriarty to discover what influences his folk-rock style. If you enjoy Tom's picks, be sure to check out 'Chapters' at the end of the article. 1. Bruce Springsteen, Meeting Across the River I was 17 when I first listened to Springsteen’s album Born To Run. I had to be one of the best albums ever made. People will know the track “Born To Run” however this was from a time w

Following the release of their latest single 'please', Flex caught up with London shoegaze band sadplanet to discover what influences their alternative blend of shoegaze, dream-pop, and indie rock. If you enjoy sadplaent's picks, be sure to check out 'please' at the end of the article. 1. Dinosaur Jr - Little Furry Things - AIDEN KNOWLES (GUITAR) My favourite song by one of my favourite albums of all time, and I feel like this record is the perfect portrayal of their iconic s

Photo credit Michael Biddinger Following the release of his latest single “Still Goin’”, Flex caught up with New Jersey singer-songwriter Steven Lemonto explore the influences behind his heartfelt blend of indie pop, rock and folk. If you enjoy Steven’s picks, be sure to check out “Still Goin’” at the end of the article. The Luckiest - Ben Folds I was a huge fan of Ben Folds Five when they were putting out records. Ben released his first solo album and this was the closing tr

Following the release of his latest single, "Fog Rap Melancholy", Flex caught up with Pure Speculator to find out what inspires his immersive electronic sound. Blending atmospheric production, experimental textures and introspective songwriting, the Los Angeles-based artist creates music that explores adaptation, reflection and the endless possibilities of the human mind. If you enjoy Pure Speculator's picks, be sure to check out "Fog Rap Melancholy" at the end of the article

Following the release of his latest 12-track album 'News From Delphi', Flex caught up with Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter Atticus Kane to discover what influences his alternative folk-pop sound. If you enjoy Kane's picks, be sure to check out 'News From Delphi' at the end of the article. 1. Judit Halasz - A Luca Babám Judit Halász’s music is the soundtrack to my early childhood. Her music is universally loved across the country, there are 3-4 songs of hers you could start s

Following the release of “TENDERNESS”, Flex caught up with queer singer-songwriter and producer vincethealien to explore the influences behind his genre-blurring sound. If you enjoy Vince’s picks, be sure to check out “TENDERNESS” at the end of the article. Janet Jackson: “I Get Lonely” This is one of the best R&B/pop songs ever written. The structure of the track, the way the hi-hat is swapped out for this dry yet comforting snap, Janet’s silky, technically jazzy vocals drip

Some records document a place; Moments documents a state of mind. Across its 19-minute, 20-second runtime, Austyn Gillette captures the emotional afterglow of movement—the feeling of returning home changed, carrying new perspectives that are difficult to articulate but impossible to ignore. Written in the wake of extensive travel and recorded at Rancho Deluxe in Nashville, the EP possesses a cinematic quality. There is an understated sense of motion throughout these songs, as

Some bands need an entire album to establish their identity. Ychabods manage it in just four songs on Message Through Meadows. The EP is a confident showcase of a group comfortable moving between genres while maintaining a clear creative voice. Equal parts reflective and energetic, it demonstrates the band's growing maturity as songwriters and performers. From the opening moments of "Time Traveller," listeners are introduced to a world where big concepts meet accessible songw

Macro/micro's A.fter I.ntelligence finds Tommy Simpson pushing beyond the boundaries of conventional electronic music into something more conceptual and cinematic. Drawing on IDM, ambient, and experimental production techniques, the album unfolds as a carefully constructed exploration of artificial intelligence and its potential consequences. It's a record that prioritises atmosphere and narrative over immediate gratification. The production is consistently impressive. Glitch