Listen: Turn Up The Colour by EtaCas

The debut single from Oxford, UK, based duo EtaCas, Turn Up The Colour starts with a restrained synth-pop verse. Gentle synths introduce Jefferson Duke’s echo-treated vocals, as a steady drum beat and gleaming guitars underline the melody.

It isin the song’s chorus that the dream-like qualities really come to life, though, EtaCas seemingly obeying the instructions in their latest song’s title. With composition and synths handled by Rob Reng, he launches into the chorus with a beautiful synth melodies, as Duke’s vocal really begins to soar.

The way the Oxford-based duo channel a gleaming vision of electronic pop reminds me very much of the way Cut Copy took so much inspiration from Fleetwood Mac on their similarly neon-tinged, excellent sophomore album In Ghost Colours. There is a futurist-like optimism here, on Turn Up The Colour, with a dash of rave-y desire to connect and love. Describing the song, the duo say:

“Turn up the Colour is a song for all the hopeless romantics who feel the full euphoria of meeting someone new. At a music festival, these two people find each other, journey through the colour, trip the light fantastic and fly higher than the stars.”

Watch: Literally Everything by Brimheim

Dealing in brutal honesty, authenticity, and self-loathing, Literally Everything is the new single from Danish-Faroese artist Brimheim. It follows up on her 2022 debut album, Can’t Hate Myself Into A Different Shape, and teases her planned sophomore album.

The person behind Brimheim is Copenhagen-based singer-songwriter Helena Heinesen Rebensdorff, whose stage name references her Faroese roots, translating to “home of the breaking waves”.

Literally Everything is a heart-wrenching piece of electronic pop, taking a dash of the experimental aesthetics of Caroline Polachek, then applying them to the melodic drama of Kate Bush, and the darkness of PJ Harvey. Here on her latest single, Brimheim’s vocal sits in line with the song’s melodies, sliding between the song’s soft, muted instrumentation. Atmospheric drums and deep bass tones provide the song with just a touch of reassuring certainty, even whilst the vocals tell a different story:

”Throughout my life, I've behaved in a lot of self-destructive ways, attempting to fill this deep, barren void inside of me with everything from drugs to self-harm. But more than anything else, I’ve had to reckon with an unquenchable desire for other people’s approval and adoration, both as a human being and as an artist. That’s what 'Literally Everything' is about – the overwhelming impulse to sacrifice everything, including my self-respect, in exchange for a moment of admiration.”

Check out the music video for Literally Everything, shot on the Faroe Islands by Faroese artist Heiðrikur á Heygum, below:

Listen: Middle Class Alcoholic by Bruce James

Bruce James is the work of American musician Michael Bartlett. Originally from Washington DC but now in Raleigh, NC, Bartlett began making music as young as 11, after getting a guitar and a copy of (music production software) Cakewalk for his birthday.

Bartlett became the chief sound engineer at the Black Cat venue in DC, but ultimately felt it wasn’t his calling, questioning his own abilities and, ultimately, choosing to move on. In talking to him, Michael is open about his self-doubt, and the fact he wrestles with imposter syndrome.

In Bruce James, Bartlett has a different kind of outlet. Typically, he works alone, with his guitar and equipment, maybe hauled up in a hotel room. And whilst he may struggle with a sense of self-doubt, he states that the one thing he is confident of is his own sound. The uniqueness of Bartlett’s musical voice, means that he doesn’t see his sound as being directly derived from anyone. Based on Middle Class Alcoholic, I’m inclined to agree.

As a song, Middle Class Alcoholic has a textured, slightly folksy aesthetic, but whilst the production techniques are subtle, there is actually a significant amount of purposeful detail here. The song’s first half sits on a crisp drum beat, Bartlett’s initial haunted-sounding vocal gradually joined by processed vocal harmonies and synth melodies. In the song’s second half, the percussion melts into a clattering drum solo, guitar work picking out a beautiful melody as the song reaches its climax. The result is impressive – definitely not derivative, but I find myself pleasantly reminded of Kurt Vile, and The Long Winters.

Talking about the song, Bartlett found himself reflecting on a podcast he once heard, regarding alcoholism:

“(The podcast) defined (a) middle class alcoholic as someone who doesn't drink to excess but drinks every day, and it's harder to NOT have a drink than to have that one beer. Which I felt really defined me for a long time. I still drink, but not every day.”

I’m intrigued by the creativity clearly on display by Bruce James, coupled with his candour and vulnerability, and can’t wait to hear more.

Watch: What’s The Movie by Ayelle

Having previously appeared on BlackPlastic.co.uk back in 2019 with her minimal, crisp R&B Regrets, and then again, a year ago, with her emotive single Get Away, London-based musician Ayelle is back with her latest single.

Taken from her forthcoming release Shadowselflove, What’s The Movie stays true to Ayelle’s trademark style. Emotionally vulnerable lyrics combine with clean lines and stark melodies to create something with a minimal yet dramatic resonance. Restrained melodic touches sit alongside Ayelle’s vocals, underpinned by powerful drum kicks and bass.

Shadowselflove is designed as part one of Ayelle’s debut album, and together with part two, Higherselflove, it forms a concept album exploring “the duality of human experience”. Shadowselflove is designed to be “an invitation to identify and see past our illusions and fears, whilst processing and integrating our shadow aspects from a place of curiosity, acceptance and self-compassion”.

Describing the process of writing Shadowselflove, Ayelle says:

“I wanted to create a safe space for processing difficult emotions, which is what these songs have been for me. I wrote them during a period of my life where I was doing a lot of shadow work and recognizing tender and weary parts of myself, along with limiting beliefs and things that needed to change in my life. I implemented a lot of changes after writing these songs, and the continuation of this healing journey is chronicled in Part 2 of this exploration, set to release next year.”

Check out What’s The Movie below:

Listen: Waiting For Dawn by The Seshen

The Seshen are a Bay Area sextet, focused on creating sounds that blend R&B and indie. The sound here reminds me of the electronic stylings of husband-and-wife duo Sylvan Esso, both in tone and style.

Which is to say, The Seshen are crafting purposeful, distinctive pop music. Vocalist Lalin St. Juste provides an emotive focal point for the instrumentation that surrounds her, here in Waiting For Dawn. Layers of electronic melody combine with low slung bass tones and snappy drums to create a sound that feels stark and clean, whilst benefitting from a slight fuzziness at the edges.

Taken from their forthcoming album, Nowhere, Waiting For Dawn is an exploration of the “restlessness and tumultuous thoughts one experiences while grappling with grief and the aftermath of a significant life transition”. During times of shock and insomnia, sometimes the dawn of a new day is the only salve available. It’s a beautiful, distinctive song and I can’t wait to hear the rest of the record.