Indholdsfortegnelse for Issue 33 i TJPL News

NETHERLANDS, AMSTERDAM On June 13, 2025, the internationally renowned Snowapple Collective unveiled Utopia, a boundary-pushing album that defies genre while exploring themes of hope, human connection, and the search for emotional authenticity in uncertain times. Known for blurring the lines between music, theater, and art, Snowapple delivers a record that is as much an immersive experience as it is a collection of songs. The album was recorded primarily in Italy’s Casa della Musica San Michele with Owen Pratt, before being finalized under the direction of Zlaya Loud, who also produced, mixed, and mastered the project. Across twelve tracks, Utopia layers guitar, synths, clarinet, strings, and processed vocals into soundscapes that feel both steely and otherworldly, yet warmed by human presence. The music draws inspiration from Patti Smith, David Bowie, Laurie…

UNITED STATES, CHICAGO SCAN FOR MORE On July 24th, 2025, Chicago-based artist Lily Galin released her debut single “What’s Your Story”, a track that fuses raw honesty with shimmering pop production. Marking her official arrival onto the scene, the single draws on Lily’s own struggles and triumphs, weaving them into a song that is both deeply personal and universally relatable. With soaring vocals, electronic textures, and heartfelt lyricism, “What’s Your Story” captures the quiet power of vulnerability. It’s not just a song, but a statement: a declaration that every story — no matter how difficult — has the power to connect, heal, and inspire. “My life experience, my tough times inspired me to write this song,” Lily reflects. “It’s about showing my understanding of love, and how creativity gives us…

UNITED STATES, WINTER PARK On July 6, 2025, internationally acclaimed composer, pianist, and visual artist Karen Salicath Jamali released her latest single, Angel Raphael’s Touch. A deeply healing piano composition, the piece is inspired by the energy of Archangel Raphael—the Angel of Healing —and emerges from Jamali’s signature dream-guided creative process. For Jamali, music often begins in dreams. In the quiet hours of early morning, melodies appear fully formed, carrying with them an otherworldly clarity. Angel Raphael’s Touch is one such gift—a gentle, intuitive work intended to bring peace, stillness, and spiritual connection to its listeners. The piece radiates calm, offering what Jamali describes as “the serene vibration of healing.” The single’s release is a union of sound and sculpture. The cover artwork features Jamali’s original bronze sculpture of Archangel…

ENGLAND, LONDON SCAN ME FOR MORE Released on June 23, 2025, London-based artist Stephanie Happening dropped “My Groove”, a track born out of rebellion — not against others, but against the silence imposed on parts of the self that had long been edited away to please. With this release, Stephanie declares unapologetically: “We are no longer silent; we are here, and we are moving with power.” The track blends the energy of dance-pop with punk grit, layering shimmering synths and thumping basslines with flashes of distorted guitar and urgent vocal hooks. It’s equal parts war-cry and dance invitation, a reminder that difference is power, and identity is something to celebrate, not conceal. At its heart, “My Groove” is about embracing one’s full, unedited identity. For Stephanie, who lives with Dissociative…

GERMANY, HAMBURG SCAN ME FOR MORE Released on August 1, 2025, “Deep End” marks the debut of Hamburg-based singer-songwriter Sabrina Nejmah, a young artist with a voice and vision well beyond her years. Blending jazz-tinged progressions with the intimacy of contemporary pop, the track is a striking introduction to an artist who writes from a place of depth, clarity, and fearless honesty. Written in collaboration with her father, Norman Astor, “Deep End” tells the story of leaving behind a superficial relationship and the monotony of a routine that lacks meaning. Sabrina’s lyrics cut straight to the core — longing for a life that dives deeper, free from arbitrariness. It’s both a personal reflection and a universal anthem for anyone who’s ever felt the pull to live more authentically. Born in…

SWEDEN, HELSINGBORG SCAN ME FOR MORE Released on August 15, 2025, “My Darkness (Dorian Gray)” marks the latest chapter from Swedish-Balkan artist GINAxC, and it’s her final single before the arrival of her upcoming album MY DNA on September 16. Equal parts cinematic and club-driven, the track transforms themes of vengeance and allure into a pulsing, intoxicating dancefloor moment. Inspired by the 2009 film adaptation of Dorian Gray starring Ben Barnes and Colin Firth — one of her personal favorites — GINAxC captures the gothic intensity and psychological intrigue of the story and translates it into music. The result is a track that feels dark and cinematic yet refuses to stay in the shadows, instead thriving under flashing lights and pounding speakers. At its core, “My Darkness (Dorian Gray)” is…

ENGLAND, GUILDFORD SCAN ME FOR MORE When Zachary Mason writes a story in song, he doesn’t just tell it—he launches it into orbit. His latest single, The Funky Martians (released July 25, 2025), is the second chapter in a cosmic tale leading into his upcoming EP 5…4…3…2…1… Expect a soundscape equal parts humorous, psychedelic, and profound, a trip through outer space where funk holds the secret to survival. At its heart, The Funky Martians spins a bizarre yet hilarious narrative: a human colony lands on Mars, only to encounter hostile Martians. Just as tensions mount, the invaders reveal an unexpected weakness—funky music. With a sly wink, Mason turns sci-fi drama into a groove-soaked comedy, where basslines and beats become tools of interplanetary diplomacy. The song owes much of its irresistible…

ENGLAND, LONDON Ren Shelter’s latest single Bloody Wine, released on 1st August 2025, marks both a creative milestone and a bold artistic statement. Serving as the fifth and final track of his debut EP, the London-based Italian artist delivers a witty yet unsettling perspective on obsession, turning a familiar story inside out. Instead of portraying the stereotypical tale of a man stalking a woman, Bloody Wine dares to ask: what happens when the roles are reversed? Inspired by the critically acclaimed TV series Baby Reindeer, the song explores the darker side of obsession, where a man’s experience of being targeted by a woman’s fixation is trivialised, mocked, and dismissed. Ren uses this premise not only to highlight a rarely discussed perspective but also to expose the uncomfortable double standards society…

UNITED STATES, SEATTLE On July 7, 2025, guitarist Ari Joshua released Pork Fat, his latest single on Music Factory Records—a slice of groove-laden nostalgia that captures the raw energy of countless sweaty club gigs from the Pacific Northwest. Backed by longtime collaborators Delvon Lamarr (Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio), Skerik (Critters Buggin, Garage A Trois), and Grant Schroff (Polyrhythmics), the track oozes with analog grit, deep funk, and unfiltered chemistry. Pork Fat was once a staple of Ari and Delvon’s weekly organ trio sessions, a tune that always had audiences moving, sweating, and smiling. For this studio version, the ensemble revisits the cut with renewed firepower—this time joined by Skerik’s searing saxophone and Schroff’s tight, syncopated drumming. The result is a groove that feels both live and timeless, grounded in the…

ENGLAND, COLCHESTER SCAN ME FOR MORE On July 11, 2025, Colchester-based electronic producer and solo artist Truth Lamp released Droplets of God, his first single since the acclaimed debut album Electronic Spirit. Written, arranged, produced, and performed solely by Jamie Shavdia (aka Truth Lamp), the track represents a bold step into new creative terrain—one where ambient soundscapes, spiritual textures, and live instrumentation converge. Droplets of God carries the hallmarks of Truth Lamp’s artistry: a refusal to obey genre boundaries, a cinematic approach to texture, and an ethos rooted in meditation and spirituality. Inspired by electronic pioneers such as Orbital, Leftfield, Four Tet, Aphex Twin, Plaid, and Squarepusher, the track offers a unique blend of organic atmosphere and experimental electronics. But this release adds a striking twist—a searing rock guitar solo…

UNITED STATES, PORTLAND Independent artist ARENTUMINE (the creative moniker of Portland-based musician Justin Alvarez) released his debut full-length album, Wasting Time, on July 18, 2025. Written, performed, and produced entirely by Alvarez in his bedroom studio, the project is a powerful testament to the resilience of DIY artistry and the cathartic power of music. At its core, Wasting Time is a deeply personal narrative drawn from Alvarez’s own life—marked by heartbreak, displacement, career upheaval, and emotional struggle. What began as a raw outpouring of anger, frustration, longing, and loss has transformed into a carefully crafted record that balances intimacy with sonic vastness. Alvarez explains: “I distilled my catalogue down into these core songs which I find fit who I am. Raw, emotional, larger than life, I hope to capture an…

SWEDEN, STOCKHOLM On June 27, 2025, Swedish DJ, producer, and musician FREDRYD released his highly anticipated second album, The Way To The Good Life. A 16-track project that he describes as his most creative and ambitious work to date, the album brings together elements of EDM, progressive house, chill house, techno, experimental sounds, and vocal-driven dance-pop. The result is a vibrant mixtape of uplifting anthems designed to inspire reconnection, positivity, and the joy of living. Crafted over the course of more than a year, The Way To The Good Life carries a motivational message at its core. FREDRYD explains that the album is about “reconsidering how we see others socially, finding acceptance, and enjoying life with an open heart.” That message shines through in tracks like Social Acceptance, Against All…

UNITED STATES, SACRAMENTO SCAN ME FOR MORE On June 27, 2025, Sacramento-based artist Isaac Vino released Let Me Go, a hauntingly intimate single that marks a pivotal moment in his creative evolution. Known for his versatility as a songwriter, sync artist, and mix engineer, Isaac steps into rawer, more vulnerable territory on this track, blending Americana, folk-pop, indie, and blues-inspired textures with the honesty of a late-night confession. At its heart, Let Me Go is a breakup song—but not the kind that leans on clichés. Written and recorded in isolation following a painful relationship, the track unfolds like an unfiltered journal entry put to music. With tender acoustic lines, blues-infused undercurrents, and an almost ethereal indie-pop sensibility, the song captures the dissonance between heartbreak and healing. The single’s production was…

NEW ZEALAND, WELLINGTON SCAN ME FOR MORE New Zealand’s Rising Voice Turns Perfectionism Into Poetic Songcraft On August 8, 2025, 18-year-old New Zealand singer-songwriter Maddy Low released her original single Dragons — a raw and heartfelt acoustic ballad about the unseen battles of perfectionism. Honest, piercing, and deeply relatable, the track showcases Low’s ability to transform personal struggle into universal resonance. “Dragons is about the feeling you get when you’re drowning in your own unhealthy need to do everything yourself,” says Maddy. “It deals with the struggles of perfectionism and the way it feels like no-one can help you.” Built around intimate acoustic guitar, the song expands with piano, strings, synth pads, and ethereal harmonies, mirroring the suffocating weight of expectation before breaking into cathartic release. The lyrics carry striking…

CANADA, VANCOUVER ISLAND SCAN ME FOR MORE Released on March 18, 2022, I Don’t Think About You Anymore marked a defining moment for Canadian singer-songwriter Lorraine Baron. Known for weaving poetic lyricism with acoustic-driven production, Baron delivers a poignant ballad that speaks to the bittersweet tension between holding onto memories and convincing ourselves we’ve let go. Infused with melancholic guitar riffs, warm acoustic tones, and Lorraine’s emotive vocal delivery, the track invites listeners into the quiet, reflective space where unresolved love lingers. As Baron explains: “I wanted to explore that strange space where we try to convince ourselves we’ve let go — but deep down, the memories still echo. It’s a goodbye wrapped in a kind of tender denial.” The single’s understated yet powerful production was made possible through a…

UNITED STATES, WINTER PARK On July 16, 2025, acclaimed composer, pianist, and multidisciplinary artist Karen Salicath Jamali released Angel Haniel’s Clearing—a luminous solo piano piece born not of written notes, but of a dream. Guided by the energy of Archangel Haniel, known as the angel of grace, emotional clarity, and feminine strength, the composition extends Jamali’s unique journey of transforming dream visions into music and art. Jamali’s story is unlike any other. In 2012, a near-death experience left her with lasting physical challenges but also an extraordinary gift: the spontaneous ability to compose and perform music without formal training. After three years of recovery, she began receiving music in her dreams—fully formed, complete with tone, structure, and emotion. Angel Haniel’s Clearing is the latest in this lineage of dream-born works.…

SCAN FOR MORE UNITED STATES, ST. LOUIS On August 28, 2025, St. Louis-based artist Dez Rocket released his original single “Akashic Walker”, a vulnerable and emotional turn in his musical journey. Known for his high-energy alternative synth rock style he dubs “BombPop,” Dez takes a surprising step in a new direction with this release — his first-ever love song. The track departs from the explosive and electric to reveal something softer, warmer, and deeply sincere. At the heart of “Akashic Walker” lies a story. The song is based on Dez’s original tale, “Senya and Diama: A Cosmic Love Story”, which fans can read in full at his website (dezrocket.com/new-releases). This narrative backdrop adds a rich, cinematic quality to the single, as if each lyric and note exists within a much…

UNITED STATES, CALIFORNIA SCAN ME FOR MORE Released on August 22, 2025, Bay Area bassist, composer, and bandleader Mighty Joe Belson delivers “Basie Boy” — a swinging, blues-inspired cut performed with his ensemble The Doodle Cats. Infused with humor, warmth, and deep respect for jazz tradition, the track captures the spirit of 1950s and 1960s swing while reminding listeners that jazz doesn’t always have to be overthought: sometimes, it’s about having fun and letting the groove lead the way. As its title suggests, “Basie Boy” is an homage to the great Count Basie, opening with a signature piano lead before sliding into a laid-back, blues-drenched melody. Though arranged for a quintet, Mighty Joe always envisioned a big band voicing these lines, and that big, brassy energy hums beneath the performance.…

UNITED STATES, BOSTON, MA SCAN ME FOR MORE Released on 25th July 2025, Cool Like You finds Varun Sheel at his most fearless yet — marrying infectious, discotinged grooves with one of his most vulnerable lyrical narratives to date. Both deeply personal and universally relatable, the track explores the complicated moment when the person we’re pretending to be and the person we truly are drift dangerously far apart. “Cool Like You is about the complicated, bittersweet feeling of not being able to be yourself,” Varun explains. “So many of us put on a persona of who we think the other person will love, but deep down, it’s not us. This song lives in that moment of anxiety and doubt — where the facade is unsustainable.” The result is a glistening…

UNITED STATES, MIAMI On May 30, 2025, Miami-based producer and composer Di Stefano released Kotokashi, a single that transports listeners into the heart of Japan’s Edo period while reframing its traditional instruments through a modern electronic lens. Known for his “cultural fusion experiment” series, where each track explores a different sonic region, Di Stefano continues his journey of bridging global traditions with contemporary ambient electronica. Kotokashi stands out for its unique blend of authentic Japanese instruments—including the koto and taiko drums—woven with ambient synths, granular textures, and delicate electronic atmospheres. The title itself combines Koto, the 13-stringed Japanese instrument central to the composition, with Kashi, meaning lyrics, symbolizing “koto lyrics” or unspoken poetry expressed through sound. More than a song, Kotokashi is an immersion into philosophy. Inspired by Wabi-Sabi, the…

GERMANY, BERLIN On July 25, 2025, Berlin-based singer, pianist, DJ, and producer Marie Chain released her electrifying new single Holy Water—a track that embodies her unique “Global Soul” sound. Written in the stillness of the German Alps, recorded in Angola, and finalized in Berlin, the song captures Chain’s international spirit and creative flow. With its blend of soul, Afrobeats, retro grooves, and gospel-inspired vocals, Holy Water arrives as both a high-energy dance anthem and a ritual of release. The origins of the single trace back to a hike in the Bavarian Alps, where Chain was inspired by the clarity of a rushing mountain stream. “I often write my songs while traveling,” she explains. “The music and lyrics simply flow through me —usually within a few minutes. I see myself more…

SCAN ME FOR MORE ENGLAND, HOUNSLOW On July 3, 2025, London-based producer and vocalist Sicilian_Angel unveiled Neon Heartbeat, a single that merges pulsing deep house grooves with dream pop atmospheres and cinematic electronic textures. Originally from Sicily but now rooted in the UK, Sicilian_Angel is building a reputation for crafting electronic music that’s as emotionally charged as it is dancefloor-ready. Neon Heartbeat is a track built for night drives, late-night playlists, and those liminal hours when emotions run high under the glow of city lights. Lush synth layers rise and fall like waves of neon, while a hypnotic rhythm pulses steadily beneath. At the heart of it all lies Sicilian_Angel’s haunting vocal performance—intimate yet expansive, guiding the listener through a sonic landscape that blurs the lines between solitude and euphoria.…

IRAN, TEHRAN On May 16, 2025, the world was reintroduced to the unforgettable voice of Soheil, a gifted Iranian singer whose career was tragically cut short in the late 1970s. Thanks to the painstaking archival work of his great-nephew, composer and musician Farbod Biglari, The Lost Recording Season (1974–1978), Vol. 1 has now been released for the very first time under Farbod Biglari Music, bringing to light a chapter of Iranian music history that had remained unheard for nearly half a century. Drawn from Soheil’s original reel-to-reel tapes, these recordings were carefully digitized and remastered by Biglari with an unwavering commitment to authenticity. The album preserves Soheil’s artistry exactly as it was, avoiding modern overlays or instrumentation, and instead focusing on maintaining the spirit and intimacy of the 1970s. The…

GERMANY, BERLIN SCAN ME FOR MORE On July 24, 2025, Berlin-based darkwave innovators RADARFIELD unveiled Séance, a haunting original single that captures the spectral essence of spiritualist ritual through electronic sound. Known for their fusion of darkwave, synthpop, electronica, and new wave, RADARFIELD embrace a slower, more atmospheric tone here, delivering what may be their most thematically daring and emotionally resonant release to date. Built around the lyric “Sitting here to call — the undead minds”, Séance immerses listeners in a candlelit ritual where shadows flicker and whispered voices blur the boundary between the earthly and the otherworldly. Tom’s spectral, poetic vocals float above Marcus’s intricately layered synths, creating a soundscape where tension and tenderness coexist. The evolving structure feels like a séance of its own— voices rise, fall, and…

ENGLAND, LIVERPOOL Liverpool-based band The Armchair Captains unveiled their new album, The Shrub Layer, on July 25, 2025, delivering a vibrant fusion of progressive rock, funk, jazz, and neo-soul that pulses with both groove and imagination. True to its name, the record is inspired by the natural world, with each track drawing sonic and thematic parallels to the textures, tones, and unpredictability of life in the wild. At its core, The Shrub Layer is a progfunk record rich with jazzy harmonies, inventive melodies, and rhythms that are as hypnotic as they are unpredictable. From the opening track Apple Tree, with its swing-driven energy and neo-jazz flavor, through to the closing Rhapsody, the band crafts an immersive soundscape that feels alive and unrestrained. The 15-track release spans a wide range of…

AUSTRALIA, SYDNEY SCAN ME FOR MORE Independent Sydney artist Liv Adams has made her debut with Subway (released 25th July 2025), a playful yet heartfelt single that captures the bittersweet charm of young love, nostalgia, and the humour of putting people on pedestals. With its warm folk-pop sensibility and indie charm, the track provides a perfect first taste of her upcoming EP Inbetween Thoughts, set for release on September 5th. Produced by Owen Butterfield (Stephen Sanchez, Kingswood), Subway pairs breezy rhythms and candid lyrics with Adams’ witty, confessional storytelling. It tells the story of unfulfilled love — feelings rooted in memories from nearly a decade ago, reframed with both humour and tenderness. As Liv explains: “Subway is a snapshot of young love – when everything feels deeper, more dramatic, and…

SPAIN, PALMA DE MALLORCA SCAN FOR MORE Spain’s vibrant music scene continues to evolve, and at the heart of it is Emland, the Mallorca-based singer-songwriter and producer whose meticulous craft and sharp ear for detail have been steadily turning heads. On July 25, 2025, Emland unveiled You and I, a track described as an “emotional earthquake” – a song that shakes you at your core yet still manages to carry an effortlessly groovy, chilled, and easygoing vibe. It’s a paradox that works beautifully, resulting in a summer-ready tune that’s as catchy as it is profound. The inspiration behind You and I was disarmingly simple: a text message. What could have been a fleeting moment instead became the butterfly effect that rippled outward, shaping a musical narrative of intimacy, reflection, and…

Award-winning country artist Cali Tucker returns with “Last Name,” her boldest and most personal single to date, released on 18th July 2025. Known for her powerful vocals and unmistakable musical lineage—daughter of 1970s country hitmaker LaCosta Tucker and niece of the legendary Tanya Tucker—Cali’s latest track is not about the fame tied to her surname. Instead, it’s about rising without it. Co-written by Tucker alongside Derek Robertson, Tricia Battani, and Grammy-nominated G’harah “PK” Degeddingseze, “Last Name” captures the emotional weight of forging a path without the safety net of inherited support. It tells a story of vulnerability, self-advocacy, and the kind of determination required to be seen, heard, and valued on your own terms. “I want people to know—whoever you want to be, whatever you want to do, it’s within…

SCAN ME FOR MORE ENGLAND, BIRMINGHAM Released on 30th July 2025, CAN YOU FEEL IT? marks the second single from SPEAK!, the collaborative project led by Birmingham songwriter and producer Jake Parsons. With a sound shaped by childhood influences like Stevie Wonder, CHIC, and Daft Punk, alongside modern inspirations such as Remi Wolf, Jungle, and Olivia Dean, SPEAK! thrives on collaboration — and this new single is the perfect showcase of that ethos. Featuring the soulful vocals of DAME, CAN YOU FEEL IT? radiates pure summer energy. Blending indie-pop, retro soul, and vibrant production, the single captures both nostalgia and renewal, reminding us of the magic of music born in moments of collective hope. Written during the heat of 2020 as the world began reopening, the track carries a lyrical…

UNITED STATES, CHICO SCAN ME FOR MORE Released on August 29, 2025, “Nobody is Coming to Save Us” arrives as the latest chapter in the evolving journey of Chico-based artist peejmudd. Known since 2010 for crafting cinematic instrumental landscapes that blur the lines between electronica, post-rock, and experimental soundscapes, peejmudd’s latest work is both timely and deeply personal. Fresh off the momentum of his March album fight to keep from sinking and the May single Six Years Later, this new release coincides with another milestone — his first-ever live performances at the Legacy Stage Fringe Festival in Chico, CA, held on August 30 and 31. The timing makes the single more than just another track; it’s a statement of endurance, creativity, and forward motion. “Nobody is Coming to Save Us”…