Introducing Stereo Spotlight: a new feature on the site where I shine a light on new, up-and-coming artists! If yourself, or someone you know fit this description and you believe they deserve more recognition, feel free to get in touch using the ‘Recommend a song’ feature at the top of the page. I have a passion for discovering and sharing new music and would love to hear your thoughts – any genre, any style is permitted, so go wild! You can also listen to all of the tunes via the playlist link on the right-hand side, which will be added to every month, until there’s a megamix of up-and-coming talent! So, without further ado, thank you for your requests, and let’s get to the music!
Sam Hague – For You
We start with an acoustic track from new artist Sam Hague. A trained actor, Sam has always had a passion for music, and at the end of last month he released his first single For You. Citing Ed Sheeran and Lewis Capaldi as influences, Sam fits right in with these heavyweights with this track: a touching, stripped-back love song in which his voice is the driving factor. The track went straight to the Top 5 on the iTunes singer-songwriter charts after its release, showing Sam could well be a force to be reckoned with as he bursts onto the scene. His next track What Makes You Happy is coming at the beginning of March and is said to be a more upbeat number – I for one can’t wait to hear it!
marblmoon – Eus
Up next is someone I’ve been following since her first release back in 2019, marblmoon, who is featuring here with her newest track Eus, which dropped at the end of last year. marblmoon always manages to create a heightened and ethereal sound, and the waltz-esque time signature, combined with the intense instrumental interludes really give the impression we are trapped in this station with her. With musical inspirations including First Aid Kid and Florence & the Machine (some of my faves), the fusion of storytelling and poetry we see in Eus suggests marblmoon is a new singer-songwriter we should all be keeping our eyes on. The production on this track is also particularly impressive, and I can’t wait to see what she does next!
Wallis – Pleasures
Ever since new Cumbrian artist Wallis came onto the scene with her debut Never Gonna Be in 2020, I’ve been desperate to hear what was next in her arsenal. Inspired by musical powerhouses such as Ariana Grande and Mariah Carey, Wallis’ music feels new and current, and would slot in perfectly with today’s market. Her newest track Pleasures is the one I’m spotlighting this month, a song all about independence and female empowerment. Quite simply, Wallis is ready to make her mark on the music scene, and with a sound as fresh as this, there’s no reason she won’t succeed! She’s been featured multiple times on BBC Introducing, both locally and nationally, hopefully meaning GLOBAL domination isn’t far away.
Liar Liar – Young
Indie pop four-piece Liar Liar describe their sound as ‘synthpop that will make you dance away your existential crisis’. I don’t know about anyone else, but that sounds like the perfect antidote for hard COVID times. Their latest track Young is the fourth single to drop on Spotify, with more very much in the pipeline. Inspired by some of my favourite groups Fickle Friends and PVRIS, this song is a perfect slice of indie pop, and lead singer Darcy Willison has a unique tone that sets her apart from the rest. Check them out on Spotify and prepare yourself for new track Pretending dropping at the end of the month!
Clayton – I Have My Problems, You Had Your Ways
Finally, we have Clayton, an artist who has already got a full LP available for streaming, Between Two Places, which he released last year. In 2021, he’s continued to create, and at the end of last month he dropped his new song I Have My Problems, You Had Your Ways. Very much driven by guitar and drums, the vibe reminds me of some of the indie rock greats, such as The Vaccines, or Vampire Weekend. Clayton has been continuing to work on new material during lockdown, so expect more from him coming very soon!
Be sure to check back next month for the next edition of Stereo Spotlight. And don't forget to send your requests, using the 'Recommend a song' button at the top of the page! Thanks to everyone for your support so far and I hope you have all enjoyed the music!
