INsiders Guide: MEGHAN TRAINOR, Sunshine Express, Fake Dad, N’Kenge, Chloé Caillet, Adam Ten… (2024)

GRAMMY® Award-winning hitmakerMeghan Trainoris taking time to celebrate all she’s accomplished on her latest song,“I Wanna Thank Me” (feat. Niecy Nash-Betts). The uplifting track is the latest offering off Meghan’s forthcoming sixth full-length album,Timeless, outJune 7. Listen to “I Wanna Thank Me”HEREand watch the visualizerHERE.

Inspired by award-winning actress and producer, Niecy Nash-Betts’s 2024 EMMYs acceptance speech, “I Wanna Thank Me” serves as a much needed reminder to appreciate your strength, beauty, and inherent power. Meghan’s confidence radiates from the song as she takes a well-deserved moment to pat herself on the back.

On creating the track, Meghan shares,“I think we often forget to take time to appreciate the hard work we’ve done – when I heard Niecy’s speech at the EMMYs, I was so moved and so inspired. I knew I had to write a song about it. I still can’t believe I got to work with THE Niecy Nash-Betts in my studio AND have her amazing wife and daughter sing on the song with me! It was a moment I’ll cherish forever. Working with her and getting to know her has been a dream come true as I have been a huge fan of hers for so many years! I’m too excited for everyone to hear this empowering anthem!”

“Meghan is not only a friend but an incredible and super talented artist so I am thrilled that she was inspired by my Emmy Speech and wanted to do a collab together,”Niecy Nash-Betts shares about the collaboration.“Who would think that our 2 different worlds would collide in the music space, but here we are with a whole song together, ‘I Wanna Thank Me’ is a whole vibe, with significant meaning and we’re excited about sharing this exciting moment of empowerment with our fans, this is just the beginning for me in this music space so get ready, I think it’s time for a GRAMMY too!”

Experimentation is the soul ofSunshine Express, one of the most prolific bands to emerge from Niagara’s fast-growing alternative scene.MattUU(vocals & guitar),JassChau(sampler), &AidanR(bass) embody an unorthodox pioneering spirit, with colourful songs, striking visuals, & a dazzling, electronic approach to rock ‘n’ roll.

S.EXbegan as a recording project, fusing rock instrumentation with auto-tune, ambient guitar, & MPC sampling. For early shows & releases, MattUU drew influence from Oneohtrix Point Never, Oasis, Daft Punk, The Stone Roses, Ride, Nirvana, J Dilla, & Radiohead, exploring futuristic sounds that wayfared into the realms of plunderphonics, shoegaze, & glam.

With the additions of JassChau & AidanR, S.EX graduated to a living, breathing band. The group tracked live-off-the-floor for their 2023 singleI LUV SEX, aiming to capture (rather than manufacture) galvanizing, rock ‘n’ roll dynamism. This was followed by an unplugged-style acoustic album,Live in Welland, recorded impromptu at a benefit concert.

OnUNSHINE,Sunshine Express’ audacious new single, the band further embraces their affinity for live recording, pushing spontaneity and experimentation to the max. MattUU delivers dry-humour nihilism—first slow, then fast, then faster—with anthemic zeal. An icy, warped piano cuts through a turbulent rock instrumental—first frenetic, then dizzying, then kaleidoscopic. The ambient b-side,(Intermission), takes a sharp left turn, sending off with an unexpected, freeform jazz punch.

In the age of laptop mixes, algorithmic niches, & lonely doomscrollers, S.EX is spearheading—and invites you to join—an alternative charge; venturing outside the box, fusing genres, & championing the chaotic, communal spirit of rock ‘n’ roll.

Andrea de Varona (she/her) and Josh Ford (he/him) aka Fake Dad are a Los Angeles based bedroom synth pop meets indie rock duo. Formed in 2020, the two met at a college party in the East Village and have been inseparable ever since. Melting their own unique artistic visions to build ashared sonic shorthand, Fake Dad creates an intoxicating and colorful musical fusion complete with quirky synths, catchy pop-laden hooks and sun-soaked layered guitars.With a signature production sound and distinct vocal warmth, the two write and record expansive musical moments from their apartment. Although Andrea and Josh come from different musical backgrounds, they share a common goal: to create music that understands you.

The duo’s EP,Yerba Mala,took a deep diveinto interpersonal relationship dynamics in an ever-changing world. In particular, the project explores frontperson Andrea de Varona’s nuanced relationship with a first-gen Latinx identity.The five-track EP is a genre-bending adventure of sound with elements of rock, pop, synth and electronic all colliding for an unforgettable listen. The EP received acclaim from the likes ofLive Nation’s Ones to Watch,LADYGUNN, The FADER,as well as being added to over 57 stations and charted #17 on the NACC Top Adds.

Their latest single “Crybaby” details a relatable and important narrative. The band confides, “The song is aboutsomeone who’s obsessed with being famous, but no one takes them seriously. It’s about the toxic cycle of success/attention for a whole generation who see ourselves as temporarily disgraced superstars.” While working on their debut LP, Fake Dad has returned to their indie rock roots, with influences like The Stones and PJ Harvey.

Fake Dad aims to create music that is an invaluable source of comfort for their listeners. The duo are open with their own struggles of battling anxiety, depression, and body dysmorphia, hoping their transparency will help others know they are not alone. With a unique musical perspective, and an unparalleled communal bond with their listeners, Fake Dad have already garnered much deserved attention, landing over a dozen official Spotify playlists and selling out shows in their hometown.

With the US music marketplace seeing a growth in international music, NYC powerhouse vocalistN’Kengecapitalizes on the trend with the release of her titillating new world pop single“Goosebump Moment”(Randall House), which she co-wrote and co-produced, out now on all streaming platforms.

N’Kenge’s new single “Goosebump Moment” is a testament to her versatility and talent in an increasingly diverse and global music industry. N’Kenge has a vocal and musical range covering five octaves and 11 languages, performing multiple genres from pop to opera, jazz, R&B and Broadway musicals. She has sung for Presidents and Dignitaries around the globe, and has performed in opera houses and concert halls throughout Europe and the US.

As the co-writer and co-producer of “Goosebump Moment,” N’Kenge displays her versatility and global appeal as an artist. She produced the song alongside an A-list team, which includesChris Willis(who has worked with David Guetta) andAndre Danek(who shared stages with Toni Braxton, Maxwell, Nikki Minaj and others). She co-wrote the song with six-time BMI Award winnerPreston Glass(Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Diana Ross, Natalie Cole, Earth, Wind & Fire), with his brother,Alan Glass(Stacy Lattisaw, Deniece Williams, The Temptations) and the artist, Versatile. N’Kenge also wrote the song’s lyrics, including verses in German, French, Spanish and Romanian.

N’Kenge wrote “Goosebump Moment” as an homage to her life as an international artist. She stated,“The title of the song was inspired by Oprah Winfrey when she had her television show, and she used to always reference a ‘goosebump moment.’ The song is about my life as a singer, where I’ve had the blessed opportunity to travel around the world, learning different cultures and languages.”She added,“It’s also about having many suitors, but finally finding the one and only.”

“Goosebump Moment” is available worldwide on all streaming platforms. The single is a preview of N’Kenge’s new album to come. Watch out for more singles and updates from this multi-talented artist!

global house wonder Chloé Caillet releases her massive new remix for Flight Facilities, who have enlisted her to take on their newest single, “Trouble,” featuring longtime friend and collaborator Owl Eyes.

If the original mix of “Trouble” harnessed the sunshine-soaked beaches of Ibiza, where Flight Facilities wrote the track in 2023, Chloé Caillet’s remix is a plunge into the peak hours of the island’s storied nightlife. Still serving as an ode to the golden era of Sydney club culture in the late ‘00s, Caillet does what she does best here, flipping the track into a proper rave tool.

“Chloé is an incredible producer, and it just took one night in Miami to know we could trust her to give Trouble that… je ne sais quoi 🤌” — Flight Facilities

Chloé Caillet is a writer, producer, performing artist, and dancefloor sensation with releases on CircoLoco, Defected, and HE.SHE.THEY has received support from the likes ofCRACK,Notion,Wonderland, andDJ Mag, as well as notable BBC Radio mainstays like Pete Tong and Sarah Story.

In 2023, Chloé debuted the first iterations of her free-spirited event concept series and forthcoming label SMIILE in Barcelona and London. The culmination of Chloé’s extensive experience in nightlife coupled with her identity as a queer artist and advocate for fellow creatives, SMIILE embodies her vision of a truly communal space that harnesses the unifying power of music.

Tel Aviv-based artists Adam Ten and Rafael unite to release a new collaborative single, “Toys,” out now via Diplo’s Higher Ground label. The release marks a return to the label for Adam Ten, who, last year, climbed the Beatport charts to No. 1 alongside fellow Tel Aviv producer Maori with “Spring Girl.”

“Toys” shares the same playfulness of the previous record, as Adam Then and Rafael skillfully wind down the tempo and energy of their psytrance influences while keeping the buzzing synths and warping basslines and injecting an irresistible groove.

“I had this one groove going, but didn’t know what to take it in,” Adam Ten says about the writing process. “But then Rafael heard it, and he had some great ideas. We sat down together to build a story, recording a funky lead with some atmosphere around it.”

“We tried to push the sounds to be trippy and unexpected, but at the same time make you groove,” says Rafael.

Martha Johnson is a founding member and the lead singer of the Canadian art pop band Martha and the Muffins which formed in 1977. Her career, spanning more than four decades and eleven albums, three of which were co-produced with Daniel Lanois, has had many highlights: the worldwide success of ‘Echo Beach’ (JUNO Award for Single of the Year, 1980), touring the UK with Roxy Music, reaching number 2 in the US Billboard Dance charts with ‘Black Stations/White Stations’, and finding herself with another top 10 hit in Germany, Austria and Switzerland with the song ‘Troy’ that she co-wrote with German hip hop group Die Fantastischen Vier. The song went on to be used in the O2 mobile phone company’s advertising campaign for the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

After the birth of her daughter, Martha released ‘Songs From The Tree House’, a collection of children’s songs. The album was recognized with another JUNO Award for Best Children’s Album in 1996. She then embarked on a career as a children’s performer for several years with Prologue To The Performing Arts. In 2000, Martha was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease and was eventually forced to stop performing live. She instead concentrated on recording projects, Martha and the Muffins reissues and new releases.

In 2013, Martha released her debut solo album ‘SOLO•ONE’ with co-producers Ray Dillard and Mark Gane. She co-wrote three songs for the album with JUNO Songwriter of the Year winner Ron Sexsmith. Today, Martha continues to collaborate with younger singer/songwriters and work on new recording projects. Recently, a Martha and the Muffins cover version of the Buffalo Springfield classic ‘For What It’s Worth’ generated over fifty thousand views on YouTube.

Martha’s latest endeavour began with the suggestion of her neurologist, Dr. Fasano at Krembil Research Institute/University Health Network in Toronto. He encouraged her to collaborate on a song with another of his patients, songwriter/musician Fabio Dwyer, to help promote awareness of Parkinson’s to a wider audience. The resulting song, ‘Slow Emotion’, was largely performed by musicians and singers with PD and will be available worldwide on all platforms on April 11, 2024 which is World Parkinson’s Day. With the support of Krembil Research Institute/University Health Network and Parkinson Canada, there will be an accompanying documentary by Toronto filmmaker Jason Cipparrone on the making of the song.

ScarLip makes her latest viral sensation official with the release of her new track, “Have You Seen My Boyfriend?,” featuring NYC native social media sensation Zeddy Will. The song, which originated from a January TikTok post, has had fans brimming with anticipation, from social media to frenzied reactions at Scar’s headlining shows. Now, the hotly-coveted release is available for all to enjoy. Stream it here.

After over a year of silence, Violet Whimsey drops their eighth single “Can’t Remember”. A country blues tune with a pop melody that sings about the joy of forgetting and the beauty of letting go. If you’re surprised to hear organs and an electrifying solo, that was certainly the plan. The song is after all, a story that starts about a hopeless situation, then transforms into a rock and roll anthem to embody the freedom found in love of self, and love of music. Violet Whimsey is a music project led by Ann Kim, and on this particular track features Bergen County musicians; Arthur DeRosa (Electric Guitar), John Merchant (Bassist), Joshua Kim (Keyboard), and Jimmy Meier (Producer and Drummer). Ann credits the shared love for the classics for bringing them altogether on this special track.

EIDOLA,the enigmatic existential rock bandhave released their new albumEvisceratetodayvia Blue Swan/Rise Records.

The third and final single ofEidola’s new album Eviscerate is a 2 and a half minute whirlwind of fast, dissonant guitar licks, blisteringly heavy drums, and emotionally charged layered vocals from Andrew Wells and Matt Dommer. The chaotically urgent anxiety of Fistful Of Hornets can be summed up in the song’s lyrics, “Do you ever wander aimlessly through life? Meandering through the pointlessness of existence? Feeling like the weight of the world could crush you at any moment and like nothing you ever do even matters?

Rising New York-based artistElla Galvinsharesher new single, “Do Not Disturb,” out on all streaming platforms today. “Do Not Disturb”is the second offering from Ella’s forthcoming debut EP andfollows the project’s first single, “Spare Me.”

Guided by atmospheric bedroom-pop production and Ella’s serene vocals, “Do Not Disturb” is a dreamy listen. There’s a levity to the song — driven home by the playfully interpolated voice note that concludes the track — that makes it utterly captivating.

“I wrote this song about a situationship I was in last year,” Ella says. “Late at night on the weekend when I didn’t go out, I would put my phone on ‘Do Not Disturb’ but allowed notificationsfrom this person. The lighthearted and energetic vibe, with a touch of playful over-editing, mirrors the carefree attitude I had towards this relationship. The song reflects my strange indifference but intrigue towards this relationship.”

up-and-coming indie-rock artist Aniwa releases her brand new single ‘show up’. Hailing from London, Aniwa is a rising musical force celebrated for her versatile sound and introspective lyricism, which is showcased in today’s divine new release. ‘show up’ is available now on your streaming service of choice, via APOLLO Distribution

Listen to ‘show up’ below:

https://apollodistro.lnk.to/aniwa

“Show Up captures the heartbreak between friends rather than a romantic partner. It is about yearning for a reconnection with an old friend who was once dear to you, but they have long moved on, while you are still stuck in the nostalgic past. It grapples with the reality of coming to terms that they won’t come back to you, but you still naively wait for them and hold onto the very small hope that you can reconnect again.”

In true Aniwa style, her new single is built on a foundation of atmospheric, dreamy notes which showcases her delicate vocals and nack for articulating her innermost thoughts and feelings.

Currently, Aniwa is collaborating with producer James Casper on an upcoming EP, in which this project immerses yourself in her world of heartfelt narratives and infectious melodies where vulnerability takes centre stage. With ‘show up’ being the first song to introduce her upcoming debut EP, stay tuned for lots more to come soon from this up-and-coming artist…

Today’s release comes off the back of Aniwa’s latest single ‘You Know I Want You’, which was supported by Jess Iszatt on BBC Introducing and was described by Lefuturewave as “wonderfully written”.

CHLOE STROLL
“Extremes”

• Chloe Stroll releases her emotional new single “Extremes,” written with and produced by Kevin Bard. It follows her February release of “Dizzy,” which she promoted with performances on bothThe Kelly Clarkson Showand FOX 5’sGood Day New York.

•“‘Extremes’ truly embodies the strong, ever-present emotions we can feel with love. We all know the saying ‘there’s a fine line between love and hate,’ and that is very much the basis for the lyrics and the idea behind this song.”– Chloe Stroll

Philadelphia’sJulia Prattannounces her new EPFamily Feudwith the release of “Chronos, Cruel Handler.” Set to arrive on May 10 viaRECORDS, Pratt bares her most core anguish through music, from the destruction of her family, to her lived experiences as a woman of color, in hopes that laying it all out there makes some sense of her journey. While applying R&B techniques to indie-folk, her sky-grazing music exists as a deeply necessary form of therapy that aims to let listeners know they were never truly alone — Pre-saveFamily Feud.

Today’s new single, “Chronos, Cruel Handler”centers Pratt’s beatific voice over lithe, looping guitar lines and shifting brushed percussion. Named for the ancient Greek mythological symbol of time, the track’s imagist lines center on domestic imagery and questions of fault, the energy ramping to a pained confrontation.“Product of the past/ Don’t you know they lied to you?”Pratt’s heavenly falsetto wonders, more in sorrow than accusation —Stream.

“‘Chronos’ is the personification of time, and that is exactly what this song represents. In some sense writing ‘Carolina’ felt like it killed a part of me, and ‘Chronos’ is what came after a period of reflecting on that death,”Pratt contemplates. “It arose from thinking about generational trauma and about my father. In this song I contrast our upbringings, and unpack the cycle that has repeated in both of our lives — the cycle that has most likely repeated over and over again in the lives of those that came before us as well.”

“Feeling small and misunderstood, shunned and shut down, repressed and silenced. In this song, I come to understand how that led to the violence and destruction that was unleashed on me as a child. I empathize deeply, and yet it was wrong and undeserved.”

Italian-born, London-basedAndrea Giudicehas made his main label debut with his new single ‘Dragon’ out now viaDirtybird Records.

Instantly kicking into high gear, Andrea Giudice doesn’t hold back with his electrifying grooves and relentless rhythms. Fueled with deep-tech energy, ‘Dragon’ commands attention as Giudice unleashes zippering synths and snappy percussion around the feisty vocal sample. An impressive offering from the rising artist, ‘Dragon’ is a magnetizing heater set to take over underground dancefloors worldwide.

“For this release, I wanted to bring together the ideas of having a fat bass that moves nicely, as well as percussion parts that can provide a little of that Latin rhythm to match the vocal, so I collaborated with one of the singers I work with here to give the track that intensity and exact footprint. Almost all of the sounds were built using my own synths, such as the Minimoog Voyager for the fat baseline, the Korg MS 20 for a synth sequence that can raise the track to a particular level, and the drums using my kit instruments, followed by a little magic and art to finish.” – Andrea Giudice

Weightless production and soaring vocals make this track a must listen for anyone looking to tap out of the stresses and strains of everyday life. A strong believer in a healthy dose of escapism,Kirsty Grantshares more;With “Wish On Me”, I wanted to lean into the Disney elements as much as possible, as the song itself feels like it encapsulates the child-like/dream state of having a crush. The idea behind the title was longing for a person to like you back, and for them to take a chance and “wish on me”.

Being able to bottle a feeling in such a way has proved to be second nature forKirsty Grant. Along with her two collaborators Nova May and 444BOY, the trio unlocked a special chemistry when they createdWish On Me. Intentionally not going too deep, the track is born for daydreaming and indulging in your muse.

Wish On Meis the follow up to euphoric pop release‘Outerbody’, which arrived back in January. The blissful bop was warmly received amongst music fans and tastemakers including Consequence of Sound, Ones To Watch, The Line of Best Fit and The Skinny.

Originally hailing from Scotland but now based in London, emerging artistKirsty Granthas been nurturing her undeniable talent for merging personal lyricism with hypnotic pop-hooks, not to mention pinning herself as a budding producer too.

Since she launched her debut EP ‘Chain Reaction’in 2021, Kirsty has won many hearts and been the recipient of much acclaim. With support already under her belt from the likes ofBBC Introducing, Wonderland, The Line of best Fit, Euphoria, Notionand more, it is evident that great things lie ahead for this exciting young artist. Not to mention she’s already racked up a cool one million streams on Spotify.

Kirsty Grant‘s pop power lies within her ability to make us feel things with her music. Promising and continuously delivering, this Scottish talent issaton a wealth of exceptional unreleased material destined to soundtrack your greatest moments of 2024.

New York metal bandBrotalityhave released their newest single“Black Abandon”. The new single shows the band at their best, mixing classic thrash metal together with modern melodies, progressive grooves, and bouncing riffs, culminating in a refreshingly energetic and compelling track that is sure to leave listeners coming back for more. “Black Abandon” places listeners into a nightmare of the underground: an elusive beast dwells beneath the floors, stalking its prey in the shadows. It’s this terrifying unknown that the song feeds on, gnawing on the ears of the listener until the very ending, when the song’s passions crescendo into a fist of methodical ferocity.

emerging Brighton-based singer-songwriter, Annabel Lauren shares her latest single ‘three a.m.’, which is a melodic indie pop song that articulates the all too familiar thoughts that consume you as you are trying to sleep at night. ‘three a.m’ is available now on your streaming service of choice, via APOLLO Distribution.

Take a listen to ‘three a.m.’ below:

“When I wrote this song I was having some really weird dreams and I was struggling big time with my sleep paralysis. The song is me taking accountability for the issues I was having at the time, like missing deadlines or not speaking to friends because I wasn’t sleeping enough, or I was giving into vices a bit too easily. I felt like I had been slacking a bit and that I needed to get a grip, but I was really struggling to do that because of mental health issues and my surroundings. So the song is me letting out a bit of frustration, it’s me telling me I need to work on myself for my own benefit.”

Inspired by the likes of Modern Baseball and Frank Ocean, Annabel Lauren brings a strong sense of personality and sentimentality into the music she creates. ‘three a.m.’ is the prime example of this as lyrically she gives the listener an insight into the workings of her mind, and the unwelcomed tricks it plays. With her narrative driven lyrics at the forefront of her artistry, Annabel tells a story through her music and subsequently connects with her listeners on a personal level.

‘three a.m.’ is the follow up to Lauren’s debut single ‘Cauliflower Cheese’ which was released earlier this year. The track was supported by BBC Introducing Sussex and Surrey and introduced her artist project with a wave of indie-pop brilliance.

Americana rising star,Madeline Hawthorneis thrilled to announce her new albumTales From Late Nights & Long Drivesdue out everywhere on June 12. The new album was produced by the famed Ryan Hadlock (Zach Bryan, The Lumineers, Vance Joy) and recorded at Bear Creek Studios near Seattle, WA.

Tales FromLate Nights & Long Drivesis heralded by last year’s release “Neon Wasteland” and Hawthorne’s newest single “Chasing The Moon,” out on DSPs today.

“I wrote “Chasing the Moon” about my many late nights driving through Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Utah, Wyoming, and Colorado. The song was born while driving down Highway 191 in Montana from Big Sky to West Yellowstone. I often drive that highway alone, late at night. Sometimes I pull over to get out of my car and look up at the night sky. It’s powerful to stand in the quiet of the night and listen with your heart. I find that many ideas come to me at those times.”

Email:neill@outloudculture.com
Socials: @neillfrazer