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  • Steve Croydon

STEREO SPOTLIGHT #7


Another month, another heap of amazing artists and bands that are on the rise and ready to take the music world by storm. Remember, each month I highlight upcoming, independent acts and throw all of them into a giant playlist which you can check out on Spotify now! If you or someone you know fits this bill and deserves more recognition, get in touch by clicking the ‘Recommend a song’ button at the top of the page! And as always thanks to all the musicians who take their time to talk to me and help make these articles as detailed as possible. Keep scrolling to see what I’m spotlighting this month!


Mirror Trash – Faraway

Today I’m kicking off with another awesome Cumbrian act, Mirror Trash. So many Cumbrian artists and bands have been in touch interested in a feature, and I have never been disappointed at their talent and determination, and four-piece Mirror Trash are no exception. Influenced by other great bands such as The Cure and Beach Fossils, their new track Faraway feels regretful and dark, but full of emotion and pain, something you can feel throughout a lot of their discography so far. With a couple of lovely instrumental sections thrown in for good measure, you really go on a journey with this song, and if you like what you hear, they’ve already released an impressive three albums since 2018, so you can truly turn the lights off and get lost in them!


Aiela Angela – Dance with the Devil

On the rise and showing loads of promise is Aiela Angela with her brand-spanking new track Dance with the Devil. Citing musical influences of mega names such as Miley Cyrus, Dua Lipa, and Halsey shows Aiela means business, and is ready to take the pop scene in a new direction. A track about infidelity in relationships, it grips you instantly with a vibe which sounds fresh and current and would slot in well with the aforementioned superstars as Aiela continues to develop and mature her sound. Her aesthetic is exciting and as an artist she feels polished, like she is ready to accomplish anything!


Lakes – Talk!

Hailing from my old stomping ground of Watford, UK, upcoming band Lakes released their second LP Start Again last month. An album created and composed across nine months and various lockdowns, they describe the record as ‘a testament of the human condition’, focusing on themes of mental health, addiction, but also recovery and having the power to come out the other side. A stellar album full of poppy choruses and a through-line which feels authentic and confident, my favourite track is Talk! as it’s a fun and positive song all about addressing your demons and being honest. The band have certainly found their groove and are owning their sound, which is so refreshing to see – check them out now!


Jimi C & The Waves – Forward Future

Arizona-born, now LA-based Jimi C has always had a passion for a music, and the endless lockdowns in 2020 allowed him to rekindle his love for song-writing. Having written over thirty new songs during the pandemic, he plans to release a new song and video per month, starting with his debut Forward Future, the video for which you can check out here. The track has a chilled, modern jazz vibe, with trumpet solos and positive lyrics about being optimistic. One thing is for sure, both Jimi’s voice and writing abilities prove he absolutely SHOULD look forward to the future. With many more tracks ready to be released, I’m sure we’re barely scratching the surface of this exciting new artist.





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