DISCOVERING THE NEW MUSIC UNDERGROUND AROUND THE GLOBE
Pop/Review Ava Valianti - Hot Mess
Ava Valianti is a 16-year-old singer-songwriter from Newbury, Massachusetts, blending pop and indie influences into music that's raw, heartfelt, and unforgettable. With spins on more than 300+ radio stations, multiple award nominations, and singles like Middle Ground, January, Buttercups, and Clean My Room, Ava has already made her mark. Her debut EP, petunias, is a striking coming-of-age collection that transforms vulnerability and resilience into indie pop anthems, positioning her as one of the most compelling young voices in music today.
Rock/Review West Wickhams - Sakura
West Wickhams are Jon Othello and Elle Flores, a psychedelique Noir Deux peace, originally from Tresco on the Isles of Scilly. Tresco is famously the island of lost souls and is home to subtropical plants and shipwrecked figureheads. They recently relocated to Richmond, Surrey, where the creatures rule. The West Wickhams are an imagined rival gang to punk-style icons the Bromley Contingent.
Jazz/Review B.I.T. - R-Esistenze
Since forming their duo in 2019, saxophonist Danielle Di Majo and pianist Manuela Pasqui have built a musical partnership grounded in shared curiosity, mutual listening, and a refined sense of lyricism. Together, they explore the boundaries between jazz, classical, and contemporary composition, crafting music that feels both intimate and conceptually bold. The name B.I.T. (Back In Time) carries a double meaning…
Pop/Review Rellyo Bambini - Cloned and Upgraded, Insert Soul Here
Rellyo Bambini is a genre-defying artist known for his bold, futuristic vision and immersive storytelling. Drawing inspiration from sci-fi cinema, cyberpunk aesthetics, and underground music culture, Bambini creates art that feels both ahead of its time and deeply connected to human emotion. With a growing fan base and a fearless approach to sound, Bambini is quickly establishing themselves as a unique voice in modern music.
Pop/Review Mark Anthony Bartolo - Up Brown
Mark Anthony Bartolo is a Maltese singer-songwriter, guitarist, and music teacher whose sound blends emotional storytelling with melodic indie-pop and acoustic textures. With experience in national competitions such as the Malta Eurovision Song Contest and X Factor Malta, Mark continues to grow as an independent artist, creating heartfelt songs that connect through honesty and atmosphere. His music combines intimate vocals, expressive guitar work, and cinematic elements, offering listeners a warm, relatable, and authentic sound.
Rock/Review Tom Minor - Bring Back the Good Ol' Boys
Hailing from London N1, singer-songwriter Tom Minor feels inspired by indie rock, new wave and punk, power pop, psychedelic and garage rock, soul, and R&B, etc. After several years of all kinds of uncredited hack writing for others in various parts of the globe Tom (né Miner) now focuses on his own brand of existential indie, gathering high praise all across the blogosphere for his debut album Eleven Easy Pieces on Anger & Disappointment.
Electronic/Review Camille Fischer - Fractools
Camille Fischer is a French sound producer and composer crafting music at the intersection of cinema and contemporary electronic experimentation. Inspired by the sweeping emotional scope of Hans Zimmer and the sonic innovation of Aphex Twin, Rival Consoles, Max Cooper, and Rone, his work blends immersive textures, minimal emotion, and forward-thinking sound design.
Afrobeat/Review Twodahh Bugg - Love Chokehold
Twodahh Bugg hails from the Bay Area, United States.
Hip-Hop/Review Switch The Mc - Smoke & Sex
Originating from Paris, France, Switch The MC presents his latest EP, "Smoke & Sex," with a bold and visceral musical offering as part of his Comme Moi trilogy. Embracing a fusion of Afrobeat and Franco-British rap, Switch delves into the tensions between sensuality, vulnerability, and cultural heritage in a project that is as intimate as it is impactful. Hailing from Benin and raised between France and the UK, Switch embodies a new generation of transnational artists, blending the edgy technicality of British grime with the melodic finesse and punchlines of French rap.
Rock/Review Luka & the Nightbirds - Last Resort
Luka & the Nightbirds hails from Metz, France, offering a unique blend of musical heritage and resilience. With a childhood immersed in the sounds of Chopin, Debussy, Duke Ellington, and the Beatles, Luka's musical journey began early on, evolving into a passion for Abbey Road at just 6 years old. Following a successful solo career with Mercury/Universal, including chart-topping hits like "Rêves polyesters" and "Je ne pars pas sans toi," Luka embraces a new chapter with the band, channeling his artistic fire and creativity into the project alongside longtime collaborators.
Electronic/Review Le Comité Restreint - Révolution
Le Comité Restreint, based in Paris, France, is a unique artistic collective blending music, poetry, and visual arts. Founded in 2017 by Sabine Bouyala and Léo Pouzoulet, the group expanded to include Geneviève Gleize, Max Imbert, and Jérémy Mahieu, creating a rich and sensory universe where the personal meets the political.
Electronic/Review SLAPPER - Hope
SLAPPER is the electronic project of Bucharest-based producer Claudiu‑Gabriel Tache, fusing retro synth nostalgia with modern melodic techno, trance, and atmospheric electronica. Active since the late ’90s, SLAPPER builds immersive, cinematic soundscapes shaped by emotion and storytelling.
Sleeper Signal Builds Serious Buzz With 2025 Songs and a 2026 Album on the Horizon
Hailing from the heart of Music City, Sleeper Signal fuses southern grit with alt-rock fire. Known for their electrifying stage presence and emotionally charged anthems, the band continues to break barriers and build momentum with each release.
A Working-Class Country Anthem with Real Bite
Cheyanne Summer is a rising Canadian country artist with a timeless voice and vintage flair, blending heartfelt storytelling with modern country-pop appeal. Kicking off a strong 2025, her single “Prom Queen” landed on Spotify’s “Fresh Finds Canada” editorial playlist, and her debut EP release drew over 200 fans to a packed hometown event in Calgary. With undeniable stage presence and songwriting rooted in honesty, Cheyanne is one to watch on the country music horizon. Her sound blends throwback charm with modern energy—authentic, compelling, and built for the stage.
Hip-Hop/Review Deadfaced Ghost - V2 Fuel
Based in Detroit, United States, Deadfaced Ghost is a versatile artist with a rich musical background. Drawing inspiration from iconic figures like Wu-Tang, Nas, Timbaland, and Just Blaze, Deadfaced Ghost's journey in music production began in 1999.
Metal/Review Apeiron Bound - Astral Reflection - Rebirth (feat. Jack Kosto, viile & Centerless)
Apeiron Bound is a progressive metal project blending cinematic soundscapes, genre-bending compositions, and deep philosophical storytelling. At its core is composer and guitarist Andrew Stout, whose vision drives the band’s boundary-defying fusion of progressive metal, extreme music, and orchestral textures.
Punk/Review Ramblin' Vision - Under the Sun
Ramblin' Vision - Under the Sun
Punk/Review ViperSnatch - Sweet Melodies
ViperSnatch is Lily, Riley, and Kailee—a Riot Grrrl trio characterized by powerful, break-your-heart vocals over punk-rock-inspired chord progressions; expressive, provocative bass playing; and dynamic, visceral drumming. ViperSnatch was formed in 2018 in Central Queensland, Australia, bringing a female perspective to the local alternative music scene.
Metal/Review The7thGatekeeper - Around This Edge Together
The7thGatekeeper, hailing from Barry, South Wales, UK, is a solo artist who is the mastermind behind his original album "Around This Edge Together." Influenced by bold and unapologetic music, his sound is a blend of heavy guitar music with softer reflective elements, drawing inspiration from the likes of Slipknot, Muse, Korn, and Tool, as well as Americana artists such as Jason Isbell, Brandi Clark, and Tyler Childers.
Country/Review Omer Netzer - Holiday Blues
Born in Nahariya, a coastal town in northern Israel, Omer Netzer grew up in his family’s music shop, surrounded by sounds from Johnny Cash to B.B. King. Music became both his passion and lifeline, especially during wartime. His path led him to serve as a combat medic and later as an equine therapist, using horses to help trauma survivors heal. Netzer’s debut album, Goodbye Song, produced three Israeli radio hits and launched him across Europe, including performances alongside global stars like Kendrick Lamar and Mumford & Sons.