Welcome to the OnesToWatch newsletter, the best way to discover your new obsession and keep up with the best releases of the week.
It’s been years since beloved indie singer-songwriter Ella Jane has put together a project of music, and for good reason. Between fulfilling a label deal, falling in love for the first time, ending the long-term relationship, and embracing her lesbian identity, there was a plethora of life to be lived in order for Sparkwheel to piece itself together. Inspired by the mechanism on a lighter that strikes the flame, she learned what it’s like to take life by the reins. The one thing that stayed consistent through it all was sitting down at the piano and writing lyrics so timeless and classic they feel like they’ve always existed. We chatted about Ella’s path to producing her own music, the timeline that allowed these songs to find a home with one another, and of course, her OnesToWatch.
In a Pride month conversation between two of Norway’s finest, girl in red and Sassy 009 strip the artist personas away and chat as Marie Ulven and Sunniva Lindgard. Clocking in at just over an hour, the two creatives sat down for a conversation that was, at times, silly and carefree, though predominantly ultra-personal and nuanced. They allowed for a peek behind the curtain with comprehensive details about their creative processes.
Phoenix Laoutaris has somehow transformed the anxiety-ridden, uncomfortable almost-lover’s tension into a soulful, desirable song. “About You” naturally embellishes romantic longing — and the uncertainty that comes with it — with sparkling saxophones, velvety vocals and a quiet confidence that leaks into every note.
We love when old friend come to visit, especially when they are a witty & cheeky talent with a British accent who streams gregarious energy in a way that makes life feels so full. On, AMA, the namesake of the singer and latest album, a vexing combination of honesty, R&B sultriness and perspective unfolds over thirteen tracks highlighted by the smash single, “Need It Bad.” With a classic sound (think peak Brandy) Ama capably indulging the listener into a tent of nostalgia and relationship realness that begs repeat plays. Excited to host her in our content confessional room, we chased a bunch of insights into the album and more.
Fresh off the release of their latest album, Machine Machine, we caught up with electronic duo Brothel in Belize. The album explores the omnipresence of machinery, and how modern life is intertwined with the mechanics, sonically navigated through modular synths and inventive musical hardware. Eager to learn more about this unique approach, we sat down with the duo.
Before he was soundtracking campaigns for YSL Paris, working with hip-hop juggernauts like Ciara and Vince Staples, and collaborating with luxury brands, Ishmael was just a kid from Rochester, New York, trying to figure out where he fit in. “I was in the street, in the hood, but I always felt adjacent,” he says. Rather than chasing trends, he’s focused on creating a body of work that feels complete and unmistakably his own. In the conversation ahead, Ishmael explains how he’s building that world one record, one visual and one idea at a time.
Pop icon, EMELINE, sat down with us to chat through her debut album, EMOTIONAL VIRGIN. Spanning a period of 4 years from conception to completion, we navigate the twists and turns of creating a debut album, as well as being a queer woman in the music industry, a writer of a rebel-Disney-princess-Broadway musical in-the-making, and embracing anti-shame.
Bella Kay took the internet by storm with addicting hit “iloveitiloveitiloveit” and is gearing up to release her debut album, My Reckless Abandon this month, making her our July Artist of the Month.
Press play on our #NowWatching playlist - with new releases from SIENNA SPIRO, overtonight, AKRILLA, and more.
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