Beloved both in his native UK and across the pond, King Charles has garnered acclaim for this multifaceted sound and self-reflective lyrical style, becoming the first British artist to win Nashville’s Songwriting competition. Since then, King Charles has gone on to tour with some of the most acclaimed names in the music industry, such as The Rolling Stones and Mumford & Sons, as well as headlining shows of his own at prestigious venues like 02 Shepherd’s Bush, Koko and Scala. 

In 2020, Brighton-based quintet Slant burst onto the music scene with a hair-raising mix of glam-rock flamboyance and riot-grrrl vigour, and they have no intention of slowing down. Having gained support from BBC 1, BBC 6 and BBC Introducing Sussex, as well as acquiring a substantial fan following due to their sold-out shows, the band have been picked up by the indie record label Pool Valley Music and are now looking to release their debut EP ‘My Friends Are All Machines’ this March.

Dubbed as the “perfect balance between Jack Garratt and Mumford & Sons”, David Ost is a Hamburg-based singer-songwriter with the power to make you stop and listen. Having grown up enjoying a mixture of Rap, Progressive Rock and film scores, David has only recently found a connection to popular music, albeit twinged with his own singular take on the genre. Since his DIY beginnings, the songwriter has gained support from radio stations across Germany and beyond, racking up over 190k streams worldwide and earning spots on multiple playlists.

Five years since the release of her critically acclaimed debut album, Redefined, Norwegian singer-songwriter Marianne Engebretsen is back with an art-pop follow up, Something New. Inspired by the multiple changes that have occurred in her life since the first time she came to public attention as a semi-finalist in the Norwegian version of The Voice, this alum is an uplifting resolve to overcome life’s difficulties and to celebrate its joys. With the power to turn the most delicate of ballads into the most explosive of soundscapes, Marianne’s voice is still at the forefront of her music, supported by an enchanting blend of atmospheric textures and catchy pop hooks.

Swedish songwriter and producer Juliander is no stranger to the magic of anthemic pop and electrifying beats. Having been featured on Alan Walker’s ‘All Falls Down’ alongside Noah Cyrus, and collaborated on projects together with The 1975’s producer and mixing engineer Jon Gilmore, Juliander is deeply imbedded in the sounds of contemporary popular music. With his first break coming after the release of his 2017 debut single ‘Same Moon’, the artist has gone on to open for Zara Larsson on her European tour and to perform at some of the world’s most prestigious festivals such as Coachella, Summerburst and SunBurn.

Black Country natives Baudelaire are a post-punk band with an industrial edge and gothic undertones. Like their poet namesake, the six-piece are not afraid to explore the darkest corners of the human psyche and to find semblances of beauty in despair. Having already supported well-established acts such as Cabbage, Document and King Nun, Baudelaire make their official debut with the single ‘Prayers’ that encapsulates their darkly searching sound. Recorded with the help of acclaimed producer Gavin Monaghan, it will be part of Baudelaire’s set when they will play the Sonic Wave Festival in Birmingham.

Fronted by bassist and vocalist Tara Noble, TASH are a Brighton/London act with oodles of attitude and guitar-laden sound. Angsty, chaotic and packing an emotional punch, their music explores the difficulties of relationships and expectations, injecting the sound of weighty alt-rock with modern pop sensibility. Inspired by acts such as Wolf Alice and Royal Blood, TASH seek to push the boundaries of rock, ready to shock and surprise all who may listen.

London five-piece Leogang have already made a name for themselves in the capital’s underground rock scene, while their dynamic blend indie and psychedelia has also earned them sold out shows at iconic venues such as a Camden Assembly and Soho’s Spice of Life. Like the post-punkers IDLES, Leogang use their music to shine a light on difficult emotions and personal struggles, writing about mental health with great empathy and vigour. 

Ibrahim Munir – aka ibbi Too Vicious – isn’t afraid of a bit of experimentation. Blending the guitar led post-punk with the breezy ease of shoegaze, this modern day rocker has also dabbled in other genres, like rap and emopunk. Having played at Newport’s Thompson House and Cincinnati’s Madfrog, Munir is currently in the process of building up his own record label – We Die We Die Records – with the aim to host his own events in the coming year. 

The purveyors of “a modern punk mentality for the playlist generation”, Leopard Rays are known for their explosive melodies and catchy guitar-driven hooks. Consisting of Luke Dawkins, Sean McCloskey, Tom Pattison and David Wilcox, this Hartlepool alternative-rock quartet incorporate their loves of Oasis, Nirvana and Manic Street Preachers into their own blend of rock, pop and shoegaze. Backed by BBC Music Introducing, the band have gone on to play Heelapolooza and Gathering Sounds Festivals, as well as supporting Pulled Apart by Horses and Estrons.

Forming in 2018, Ski Lift is the project of Welsh songwriter Benji Tranter, supported by an evolving ensemble of friends. Together, they craft bijou tracks that capture a wide range of everyday experiences in the space of two minutes. Since their inception, Ski Lift have received great praise and support from leading industry taste makers, with BBC Wales’ Adam Walton commending them for releasing “three of the best singles this year”. You can find their music across multiple Spotify editorials and even in an episode of ‘Made in Chelsea’.

Tom Cambell – aka UncleBoy – is a writer and producer creating magic in his Bristol home studio. Blending hypnogogic sounds with the sensibilities of modern psychedelia, his music doesn’t shy away from complex topics dealing with loneliness, climate anxiety and failure, convey the depths of his mind through the incantation of his song. UncleBoy’s latest track, ‘Blue Forever Blue’ looks forward towards his second album of the same name that is to come in the Spring of 2022, bringing more of his singular charm and indulgent, synesthetic sounds.

Cardiff’s Tom Auton is back with yet another punchy rock track, ‘Devil On My Shoulder’. Following a supporting spot for the Welsh legends Feeder and in preparation for his own UK headline tour, Tom has returned to his studio – dubbed ‘The Syncopation Station’ – to explore the darkest corners of his mind. By recording, mixing and producing everything himself, Tom ensures that his work stays true to his own unique sound – one which earned him support from Sirius XM, Amazing Radio, BBC Radio Wales and Radio 1’s Jack Saunders. 

Hailing from Motherwell, Scotland, A Sudden Burst of Colour are a band unafraid to explore and push musical boundaries. Continuing to build on the electronic elements of their previous release, ‘Transgressor/Decoder’, their latest track, ‘Pulsator’, is a dive into “shimmering, sun-blushed style of post rock.” In adherence to the band’s DYI ethos, the single was produced, recorded and mixed by bass player Calum Farquharson, with artwork and accompanying music video produced by drummer Liam Shaw. 

Making mesmerising music from the depths of their Brooklyn studio-apartment, Andrea de Varona and Josh Ford – aka Fake Dad – are a couple and a creative duo. Despite coming from different musical backgrounds, Andrea and Josh merge their sounds into a resonant and magical concoction, that seeks to both surprise and comfort their listeners. Their latest track, ‘I Like The Beach’ celebrates their playful romance, and draws inspiration from Trent Reznor’s haunting film-scores. Self-produced under the mentorship of Grammy award winning producer Swagg, Fake Dad are ready to make their mark on the Brooklyn indie scene and beyond.

Hailing from all over Scotland, Pizza Crunch came together in Glasgow, where after only a short time together, they produced three debut singles that gained the attention of multiple blogs and radio stations, including BBC Introducing, BBC Radio 6 Music and Amazing Radio. Blending together 80s hooks with 00’s nonchalance, Pizza Crunch are not afraid to couch darker topics in upbeat sounds, wryly playing with their audiences and their expectations.