CURIOUS
FOR MUSIC.

D4NN7 BL★CK’s “Heritage” feels like stepping into a neon-lit memory. The Chicago artist continues refining his futuristic hip-hop blueprint, and this latest release might be his most focused yet. Built on experimental production that flickers between digital sharpness and atmospheric haze, the track creates a space where tradition and innovation collide. There’s a clear sense of duality here; his Mexican heritage sits at the emotional centre, while the sonic palette pushes re

Zeroz has always operated like a signal bleeding through too many frequencies at once, and “Year of the Broken” is perhaps the clearest transmission yet from Aidan Christopher Haughey’s overloaded creative system. It’s messy, confrontational, and strangely disciplined in its chaos, as a protest chant refracted through broken glass and anime static. From the opening seconds, the track feels less like a song and more like an intrusion. Noise rock abrasion collides with hyperpop

French singer-songwriter Mary Milton taps into something deeply human on her latest single, “On My Shoulder.” It’s a track that blends emotional vulnerability with a polished, genre-blurring sound, landing somewhere between soul, pop, and cinematic balladry. Milton’s vocals are the undeniable highlight. Fans of H.E.R. will appreciate the warmth and subtlety she brings, while the power in her upper register channels the energy of Jessie J. Production-wise, the track is lush wi

Sev Karlsson’s Reverie arrives with a quiet confidence, unfolding like a series of half-remembered dreams rendered in sound. Across its four tracks, the EP balances delicacy and intention, drawing from the atmospheric sensibilities of artists such as Toro y Moi and Bon Iver while retaining a distinctly personal voice. Karlsson’s production is textured yet restrained, allowing space for each sonic detail to breathe—an approach that lends the project an almost cinematic intimac

On their debut album Dog Summer, Naarm/Melbourne outfit Damn Williams transform suburban Australian imagery into something mythic, strange, and unexpectedly moving. Led by Tasmanian songwriter Elliot Taylor and expanded into a full band with Olmer Bollinger, Carla Oliver, and James Campbell, the project arrives fully formed with a record that feels ambitious in both scope and personality. Across ten tracks, the band weave together punk dissonance, theatrical art-rock, and wa

The Great Escape’s reputation as a proving ground for the next wave of underground talent feels especially alive at the Secret Comedy Club this year, where Planetary Group and Impressive PR return for a third consecutive takeover that’s quietly become one of Brighton’s most essential Alternative Escape destinations. Far from a throwaway fringe event, the all-day showcase has built cult status through carefully curated lineups, sweatbox intimacy and the kind of industry buzz t

Avant-electro’s most uncompromising outfit is stepping into uncharted territory. Energy Whores are back, but the political fire and dancefloor tension they are known for have taken a deliberate, inward turn. Their latest single, ‘Fade to Gray’, doesn’t so much announce itself as materialise, emerging from a haze of pulsing electronic rhythms and layered synths. The release marks a major milestone for the New York project: the official transition from duo to trio. Grant NYC ha

Rising singer-songwriter Clarity Liao is back with her third solo single, “Love You More,” a tender and emotionally rich release that marks a sophisticated new chapter in her artistry. Blending polished pop with subtle R&B textures, the track captures the quiet intensity of unrequited love and the weight of words left unsaid. Having written songs since the age of seven, Liao is no stranger to the spotlight. Before her solo emergence, she served as the principal songwriter f

Indie electronic/post-punk duo, Vague Notion, hailing from British Columbia, Canada return with their new six-track EP Glow. Known for their signature cinematic sound, blending electronic production with guitar-driven arrangements, the duo have built a reputation for creating immersive listening experiences. On Glow, they continue that approach, delivering a project that feels both seamless and wide-ranging. From the opening track, ‘Visceral Reaction’, the EP immediately esta

For an artist whose career has been defined by reinvention, Peter Manning Robinson’s latest single feels strikingly intimate. “Bent Out of Shape,” the second release from his forthcoming neo-classical album Excursions, trades grandiosity for emotional immediacy, unfolding as a buoyant yet quietly complicated piano composition born from personal struggle and collective exhaustion. Robinson has described the piece as a response to difficult months in both his personal life and

For emerging and mid-career artists alike, The Great Escape remains one of the most strategically important festivals on the global circuit—and New Zealand’s 2026 Focus Country status amplifies that significance dramatically. Artists such as Jude Kelly and Muroki exemplify the dual nature of modern Kiwi artistry: deeply local in inspiration yet structurally built for international audiences. Whether through folk-tinged storytelling or sun-soaked groove-driven pop, both artist

The Songs of Butler & Cupples are quickly establishing themselves as one of the most intriguing songwriting-driven projects emerging right now, and their new single ‘What Use Is Peace Without Freedom’ only strengthens that reputation. Following the impact of ‘Bad Habits’, the duo return with a sound that is more refined, more intentional, and arguably more powerful. The track leans into an infectious electronic-pop style, combining shimmering synths with a rhythmic bounce tha