Hamburg duo counterglow arrive with echoes of self sounding like they’ve stepped straight out of a neon-lit reverie and onto centre stage. It’s a debut soaked in dreamy synth haze and indie-soul warmth, but there’s a sharpness beneath the glow that gives the whole thing a quiet confidence. Lauren Goodley’s voice feels almost vaporous, drifting through Jonas Grell’s widescreen production with the poise of someone who knows exactly how much space to take up—and when to pull ba

ÆTHR’s official music video for Santa Maria emerges not merely as promotional content, but as a vision statement : a deliberate, cinematic claustrophobia married to gothic surrealism that feels audaciously ambitious for an independent release. From the first frame, the video telegraphs tension — a world that is half ritual, half fever dream — and commits fully to its own visual rules, offering a rare example of how a music video can expand a song’s narrative into something c

On the back of his stunning Christmas single, Welsh pop star Samuel Evanson has been making waves in 2025 with his infectious and enthralling brand of alt-pop. 'Christmas Bells' possesses that Evanson magic, with those nostalgia filled melodies that remind you of WHAM! but that modernised polish that feels fresh and easy to spin on repeat. We sat down with Sam to learn the 5 songs he loves right now, here at FLEX! -- 1. CMAT - Stay For Something This track changed everything

Nino Mayanna’s latest single, “Aje”, is the kind of track that immediately pulls you in and refuses to let go. It’s playful, confident, and unapologetically fun while carrying a serious message about independence and hustle. From the first beat, the song’s Afrobeat-infused rhythm grabs your attention, but it is Nino’s personality that really shines. She has a way of making you feel like you are right there in the moment with her, moving, celebrating, and asserting yourself al

London-based alt-pop artist Lucy Deakin has returned with a vibrant new single titled ‘Sunburn’. Pairing sun-drenched production with wistful lyricism, the track channels the emotional residue of a summer romance that lingers long after the heat has faded. Written in November 2025, 'Sunburn' is a nostalgic anthem for anyone clinging to connection, even when it hurts. Blending upbeat energy with bittersweet undertones, Lucy captures that familiar feeling of refusing to let go

Blues-rock guitarist and songwriter Jonathon “Boogie” Long has released his latest single “Baby, I’m Through,” offering a restrained, emotionally grounded preview of his upcoming album Courage In The Chaos , due March 6 via Myrical Media. Known for his technical ability, Long takes a more measured approach here, allowing space and phrasing to drive the track. Rather than showcasing speed or flash, the song leans into mood and clarity, pairing direct lyrics with understated gu

Rising alternative artist Silent Child has unveiled ‘Get Well Soon’, the emotional closing track from his newly released EP 'Voices In The Dark'. A poignant and atmospheric anthem, the single sees the Atlanta-raised, LA-based producer and multi-instrumentalist (real name Rodney) at his most vulnerable, delivering a heartfelt message of survival, healing, and hard-earned self-acceptance. Built around shimmering synths, restrained guitar lines, and Silent Child’s signature raw

Fresh from a sell-out launch show at Dartington’s Great Hall, Devon-based quartet Los Costureros unveil their self-titled debut album – a sultry, modern take on rumba, Brazilian rhythms and street-corner storytelling. The band – Jovi (vocals), Eliot (congas), George (bass) and Anthony (trumpet) – wrote and recorded much of the record during an extended spell in Spain. What began in Jovi’s late grandmother’s apartment in Mataró soon spilled into a mountain commune populated by

British singer-songwriter Henry Grace returns with 'California Rain', the fourth and final single from his forthcoming second album 'Things Are Moving All Around Me', due January 23rd. Co-produced by Blaine Harrison of Mystery Jets and recorded live to tape at Middle Farm Studios, the track is a wistful postcard from Grace’s early twenties in Los Angeles, a city that helped shape his identity and songwriting voice. Built on tumbling drums, reverb-soaked guitars, and Grace’s g

Dover-based alternative artist quinn bailey returns with “Glass Castle”, a haunting and emotionally charged single that cements their place among the most compelling emerging voices in the UK’s introspective alt scene. Blending post-punk urgency with the shimmering melancholy of shoegaze, Bailey crafts a soundscape that feels both brittle and immense — a space where wounds echo, and healing begins in the quietest corners. Born from solitude and shaped entirely in-house, writt

India International Music Week (IIMW), the country’s first-of-its-kind international music trade conference and showcase festival, unveils its first lineup announcement for the 2026 edition, marking the beginning of an expanded, globally inclusive programme set to take place from February 10th to 12th, 2026, in Mumbai. Following a landmark debut in Goa in February 2025, which brought together nearly 400 delegates from over 30 countries, including representatives from PRS, EME

Independent musician and creative maverick Aaron Koenig returns with Blow My Mind!, the title track from his second full-length album, and a mission statement for an artist determined to bring depth, intention, and genuine value back into modern music culture. While Koenig has long been known for fusing spiritual insight with irresistible grooves, this release feels like a bold leveling-up: a vibrant intersection of meaning and movement designed not just to be heard, but to b

Late Night Feelings returns with In Your Dreams , a warm, introspective EP that shows just how much he has grown since previous project Heartbreak Hotel . The Brooklyn-born, New Jersey-based artist leans deeper into his signature bedroom pop style, blending soft textures, gentle vocals and late-night honesty into a project that feels effortless and genuine.   Across six tracks, Late Night Feelings  explores the blurry space between dreams and reality, touching on love, distan

Milan-born Giulio Greco steps into the spotlight with his debut single, “I’ll Be Your Home,” a stripped-back, emotionally charged pop track that proves vulnerability can be powerful. Known for his work in theatre, film, and television, Greco channels his global experiences, living and performing in Paris, Los Angeles, New York, and Tbilisi, into a song that feels both intimate and universal. Produced by Francesco Arpino, the track blends melancholic pop with heartfelt lyricis

ACE MEDA4’s debut album 'Life / Stories' doesn’t announce itself with theatrics, it arrives with the quiet confidence of an artist who knows exactly who he is and what he wants to say. Based in Fredericksburg, Virginia but shaped by his Long Island roots, ACE presents a body of work that pairs lived experience with a sharp understanding of the genre’s evolution. He’s not chasing trends; he’s contributing to a conversation that started decades before and continues to grow up w

Following a string of bold anthems like 'HUSH', 'Afterlife', and 'neckdeep', alt-pop powerhouse Charlotte Sands returns with 'one eye open', a raw and cathartic track about the moment you choose peace over chaos. Laced with her signature mix of emotional intensity, hook-heavy choruses, and fearless honesty, the song dives deep into the reckoning that love shouldn’t feel like survival. Known for transforming vulnerability into empowerment, Charlotte continues to blaze her own

Reading alternative trio doops arrive at their debut full-length with the confidence, curiosity, and raw inventiveness of a band who have already lived several musical lives. The Space Between , out 28th November, is a record that crystallises everything the group have spent years quietly building: a swirling collision of psychedelic rock, punk bite, and indie introspection, threaded together by a fiercely DIY ethos and a newfound emotional weight. The album’s formation refle

D'chrome Foster’s latest single “Right Now” featuring BBass feels like walking straight into the chaos and thrill of a cinematic night out. From the first beat, the track sets a mood that is lively, impulsive, and packed with personality. It is clear Foster is tapping into his R&B and hip hop roots, but he does it with a looseness and charm that make this release stand out. The song builds around a moment many listeners will recognise. Foster steps into a club feeling fresh a

Dublin singer-songwriter KK Lewis is making a quiet but powerful return with 'Pigeon Man', a piano-driven ballad out November 27th. The single marks the start of a new chapter for the artist, exploring the emotional terrain of early adulthood, those moments when innocence fades and the realities of love and friendship become sharper. KK first gained attention in 2021, when Hot Press named her "One to Watch". Her debut EP Dreaming established her as one of Ireland’s most pro

Cheshire’s genre-blurring four-piece The Zangwills return with 'Drawing From Memory', an electrifying new cut born from a flash of inspiration and fuelled by instinct. Originally not even meant to be recorded, the track was written just a week before a scheduled studio session, but quickly stole the spotlight. The band made a last-minute call to scrap a previously planned song and capture this one instead. That decision pays off. 'Drawing From Memory' is urgent, anthemic, and

With “Mamacita,” Scottish producer AKIRAH reasserts his command over the heavier end of bass music, delivering a bruising riddim anthem that manages to feel both combustible and deliberately sculpted. The opening motif—an intriguing blend of Latino flair and UK drill sensibility—sets a taut atmosphere, as though the track is holding its breath before plunging into a maelstrom of sub-shaking bass and razor-edged synth work. Subtlety is not the point here; AKIRAH intends for ev

Frankie 5Ø3 is back with “P0C0 A P0C0,” a track that feels instantly warm and breezy on the surface, yet carries a real emotional sting once you lean in. The Virginia artist, who proudly represents his Salvadoran roots, has been carving out a lane where bilingual songwriting, identity and vulnerability naturally coexist. This single continues that path with confidence and personality. “P0C0 A P0C0” glows with sunlit production built on clean guitar lines, mellow synths and a

Multi-hyphenate artist, producer, and engineer James Laurent charges straight into the turbulence of desire with his explosive new single, “Dangerous Love.” Equal parts pop-punk adrenaline and pop precision, the track is a tight, high-voltage burst of emotion that showcases Laurent’s rare ability to marry grit with gloss and make it feel effortless. Created entirely overnight in his bedroom studio, “Dangerous Love” captures the dizzying extremes of infatuation. It’s the kind

Following the introspective 'Fear Bangs The Drum', singer-songwriter Tessa Rose Jackson returns with the gentle, reflective new single 'By Morning', a stripped-back folk song born from the heat of an argument and the quiet clarity that often follows. Written in real time during a disagreement with her partner, 'By Morning' explores the stubborn tug-of-war between ego and empathy. With soft acoustic textures and an unfiltered emotional core, the track captures that all-too-hum

New York alt-pop artist B.Miles returns to the raw emotional terrain that first defined her breakout, revisiting the wounds of 2015 with piercing new single '+1'. Ten years after her debut EP 'Twenty Fifteen' and the viral success of 'Salt', she picks at the threads of a love that was never really hers to hold. '+1\' is a slow burn of late-night vulnerability, where fleeting intimacy blurs into emotional self-erasure. “If you want fake, I can fake it right,” she sings, her vo

Dublin’s Big Sleep continue building momentum for their debut album 'Holy Show' with the release of their latest single 'Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo', a lively detour from the band’s usual introspective sound. Self-described as a “doo wop/rockabilly break-up tune,” the track finds Big Sleep leaning into playful energy and classic pop stylings while retaining the emotional weight and lyrical charm that have become their signature. It’s a surprising, infectious moment that hints at the

Bay Area singer-songwriter selena feliciano continues her journey of reflective folk storytelling with new single 'Desert’s Calling', a sun-soaked meditation on solitude, ancestry, and the pull of memory. Built on gentle acoustic layers and her quietly powerful vocals, 'Desert’s Calling' explores what it means to seek belonging in unfamiliar landscapes. Written during a solo bike trip through the Southwest, the song blends raw imagery with a grounded spiritualism, painting th

K A T R I N A makes music for the late hours, the ones where your chest is tight, the room is dim, and the only thing keeping you standing is the beat beneath your feet. With her new single 'Different Life', the Asheville alt-R&B shapeshifter folds sorrow into something warm and liquid, creating a track that feels like watching someone you love disappear through a doorway you knew they’d never walk back through. What sets K A T R I N A apart, even this early in her career, is

Òran Mór’s packed audience found themselves part of the story as Dystopia: The Rock Opera transformed the venue into a full-blown satirical state. The space was decked out in flags and propaganda, and every audience member received their own Dystopian flag. By the finale, every single person was waving it — cheering, laughing, and unwittingly enacting the show’s darkly comic message about obedience, spectacle, and the seduction of power. Written, produced, and performed by Ju

Blue Capricorn has unveiled his latest single, “MISERICORDIA,” a brooding and emotionally charged track that signals the first taste of his upcoming EP, slated for early 2026. Clocking in at 3 minutes and 55 seconds, the song blends downtempo, darkwave, and experimental electronica, delivering a cinematic soundscape that captivates from the first note. The single is a collaboration with Dallas-based producer Black Taffy, whose unique blend of ambient textures and beat-forward

York’s rising alt-rock outfit YouVee are back with a surge of energy on their thunderous new single ‘Walk Of Fame’, a track that crystallises the momentum the four-piece have been building across the northern alternative scene. Blending razor-sharp riffs, pounding rhythms and soaring, dream-tinted vocals, the band deliver a sound that’s as cinematic as it is visceral, a whirlwind portrait of ambition, chaos and the magnetic pull of modern-day recognition. The single arrives s

Burlington’s genre-melting quartet Robber Robber have signed to Fire Talk Records, kicking off the next chapter with new single 'Talkback', their first release since 2024’s acclaimed debut 'Wild Guess'. The track bristles with tension and wit, pairing Nina Cates’ biting delivery with Zack James’ razor-sharp percussion and a barrage of fuzz-soaked riffs. The band also shares a self-directed video for 'Talkback', stitching together infrared nightcam footage and animated overlay

Rising alt-pop artist Ocean Tisdall returns with 'Jealous', the third and most emotionally raw chapter of his breakup series. Written with longtime collaborator Prentice in Edinburgh, the track explores the gut-punch feeling of watching someone move on while you’re still paralysed by pain. Channelling the timeless ache of 'Someone Like You' and the emotional clarity of 'Someone You Loved', 'Jealous' finds Ocean at his most stripped-back and vulnerable. Inspired by the story o

Introducing themselves with a bold dose of emotional nuance and sonic shimmer, new indie-pop duo Soma Please unveil their debut single 'Pockets On My Sleeves'. Built on pulsing rhythms and glowing synth textures, the track explores escapism and emotional weight through poetic, surreal imagery. Blending introspective songwriting with luminous production, 'Pockets On My Sleeves' carves out Soma Please’s identity as one foot in emotional depth, and the other in contemporary indi

Guildford-based alt-rock five-piece Aqualine have released their new EP, Tripwire , a five-track collection that blends post-punk, grunge, and indie with inventive production, hip-hop undertones, and soaring guitar work. Building on the momentum of their 2024 debut EP, the band have become known for raw, high-energy performances and emotionally charged songwriting. Their music has earned airplay on BBC Radio 6 Music with Steve Lamacq and BBC Introducing, including a live sess

Experimental duo Allegories return with 'Mid Century Nothing', a spacey, shoegaze-laced electronic track that fuses quiet defiance with cinematic depth. Rooted in a ukulele demo and reshaped through rare live rehearsals, the song captures a tension between introspection and confrontation. Marking one of Allegories’ most band-oriented recordings in two decades, 'Mid Century Nothing' is deliberate and insurgent, built from layers of texture and friction. The single feels like a

London-born singer-songwriter Alexander Wolfe returns with the soaring new single 'To Feel Love', the latest offering from his upcoming album 'Everythinglessness'. Opening with gentle intimacy before swelling into euphoric layers of guitar and drums, 'To Feel Love' captures the chaos of searching for meaning in all the wrong places. The track follows a string of emotionally raw releases, including 'Talk', 'The Toughening', and 'The Softening', songs that mark Wolfe’s most per

Emerging indie five-piece Isla Rico have announced their highly anticipated new single, Smell The Roses , out now via Regent Street Records. Arriving this Autumn, the track signals a bold new chapter for the band, blending 90s-inspired anthemic energy with heartfelt, modern storytelling to create an evocative yet irresistibly catchy indie sound. Born out of late-night writing sessions in Brighton university flats, Isla Rico first took shape as the creative project of Callum R

Multi-platinum producer and instrumentalist Kaelin Ellis returns with a triumphant collaboration, joining forces with Chicago heavyweights Saba and Mick Jenkins on the genre-blurring single “Come and Go.” Serving as the first glimpse of Kaelin’s highly anticipated 2026 album, the track is a masterclass in modern hip-hop fusion, seamlessly merging groove, jazz, and reflective lyricism into a cohesive, forward-thinking sound. From the opening bars, Ellis’ signature production s

Toronto-based indie artist Echo the Screen steps into the spotlight with 'Frankenstein'. A cinematic surf-pop confessional, the track blends sun-soaked guitars and nostalgic textures to reflect on burnout, heartbreak, and emotional distance. Inspired by the hazy dreamscapes of Beach House and the twang of Dick Dale, 'Frankenstein' finds beauty in exhaustion; a raw, melodic reflection on giving too much and being noticed too late. Vocals by Ethan Conway (The Voice Australia),

Rising indie artist DLG. (David De La Garza) makes a striking entrance into the music world with his debut 11-track album, I Learned It the Hard Way. The record is a bold, emotionally charged journey that showcases DLG.’s ability to blend introspective lyricism with expansive, genre-defying production, establishing him as one of indie music’s most compelling new voices. From the opening notes of 'The Trade', the album strikes a balance between nostalgia and modernity, creatin

Newbury, MA’s rising pop force Ava Valianti returns with a punchy, unapologetic anthem in 'Hot Mess'. At just 16, Ava channels her raw honesty and indie-pop edge into a track that’s chaotic, cathartic, and totally self-aware. Known for singles like 'Middle Ground' and 'Buttercups', Ava continues carving out a space where imperfection is power. Playful yet poignant, 'Hot Mess' is a bold reminder to embrace your chaos and own your story.

Rising artist Truman returns with the quietly powerful new single 'Tell Him', a stripped-back collaboration with Isabel that drips with vulnerability. Built on airy percussion and ambient textures, the track thrives in its restraint, letting emotion breathe between the lines. Directed by Oscar®-qualifying filmmaker Saul Abraham (ENJOY), the music video deepens the emotional weight. Adolescent boys mouth the lyrics directly to camera, intercut with touching footage of Truman a

Hackney-born artist J Appiah steps into his own light with the release of his debut album 'That’s the Thing About Time'. The record blends soul, R&B, and cinematic textures shaped by personal growth, world travels, and Appiah’s Ghanaian heritage. Alongside the album comes powerful lead single 'Father', a raw and reflective piece inspired by the passing of Appiah’s estranged dad, released just days after Appiah became a father himself. Having toured the globe as a vocalist for

From the first pulse of drums and shimmer of synths, j dylan paul’s debut single “sisyphean” feels like standing at the foot of a mountain. The track traces a seven-year journey from a simple instrumental to a fully realised piece of emotional honesty. paul started the track back in 2018 and over the years brought it to life with vocals, live drums, and real guitars. Inspired by the myth of Sisyphus and the idea of imagining him happy in his endless task, the single translate

Bren.d.o: Southern Illinois’ Neo-Soul Storyteller Readies His Breakout Moment Southern Illinois native Brendan “Bren.d.o” Jennings is closing out 2025 with the momentum of an artist on the verge of a defining breakthrough. His alt-R&B and neo-soul fusion has already drawn national attention, bolstered by two iTunes-charting singles — ‘Electric Love Affair’ featuring Kendra Chanae and the bass-driven ‘Boom Boom’ — positioning him as one of the year’s most promising new voices.

Zay Jackson is entering a new chapter with his latest EP Cheat Code , and it feels like the point where all his strengths click into place. The Virginia artist has been steadily growing a reputation for clean vocal runs, a smooth falsetto, and lyrics that cut to the core without trying too hard. This project doubles down on all of that. It is a six track experience built around a relationship that should have never started, and Zay takes listeners through every high, mistake,

London’s genre-blurring quartet The Open Wild return with “Escape,” a track that feels both intimate and cinematic in equal measure. The band have always excelled at pairing heartfelt songwriting with rich, orchestral textures, but “Escape” pushes that fusion into even more immersive territory. It is a song built from vulnerability, shaped by personal struggle, and lifted by the collective strength of four musicians who understand how to translate emotion into sound. “Escape”

Cork’s own Jason Busteed returns in triumphant form with “Paradise,” a radiant slice of dance-pop euphoria that reaffirms why he remains one of Ireland’s most quietly influential producers. Released through his label Lefty Shades Records, the track captures the emotional uplift and rhythmic finesse that have defined Busteed’s two-decade career behind the decks. “Paradise” wastes no time establishing its intentions. Bold, insistent drums propel the track forward before opening

Gold Coast pop artist Chloe Styler strips back the gloss and dives deep into raw emotion on her new single 'Placeholder'. Known for her shimmering melodies and heartfelt lyrics, Styler trades bright energy for quiet reflection, delivering a song that aches with honesty. Built on warm acoustic guitar, subtle mandolin, and gliding electric textures, 'Placeholder' captures the heartbreak of realising you were never truly chosen, only kept around. Following the momentum of 'Push