Artificial Flame

From vulnerable melodies to the raw power of rock—welcome to today's Weekly5 edition. Curated from an array of astounding new songs, the following five tracks encompass contemporary (but not dull) pop sounds, nostalgic shoegaze, and haunting compositions.

Tusks – Artificial Flame

After two celebrated albums, London-grown singer-songwriter Emily Underhill, aka Tusks, returns to the spotlight with the new single, Artificial Flame. Juxtaposing a fragile piano with cathedral-esque synthesizers, the composition remains reduced but also overwhelming. It's gigantic intimacy.

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HOME – JOHJI

Founded in 2020 in Okinawa, Japan, the trio HOME haven't yet found their way to European ears. But if their second single, JOHJI, is any indication, their global aspirations become evident. Combining a pop melody with post-punk-styled drums and wrapping everything in an 80s vibe—it's an intriguing recipe.

ill peach – HUSH

Jess and Pat wrote for Pharell, SZA, Miley Cyrus, and K. Flay. But in 2020, they sailed off to new shores with their own project, ill peach. THIS IS NOT AN EXIT, the duo's eclectic, synth-infused pop-rock debut album, was released on Friday. HUSH feels a bit like Metric—melodic, yet aggressive, loud, and radical.

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A Certain Someone – Pathetic Fallacy

René Arbeithuber, member of the bands Slut and Pelzig, embarks on his solo journey as A Certain Someone. Pathetic Fallacy, the German's debut single, promises excellent guitar work in a melancholic shoegazing soundscape, clearly inspired by the likes of Depeche Mode or Interpol.

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Stainwasher – Circle Trails

Residing in Stockholm, the enigmatic sound of Stainwasher invites you to lay in darkness and fall into an ethereal universe. Circle Trails, the musician's latest single, features a faint, slow banjo sound, overshadowed by eerie, vast synths and commanded by Stainwasher's mystical singing.

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