Songwriting Credits… best new music playlist [May 2024]

Here’s our previous selection of 40 tracks from June 2023

	HEAD FULL OF SOIL BY HOLLY HENDERSON Recorded in a farmhouse in the English countryside, vocals, harpsichord, guitars, bass and percussion interknit like a garden that’s grown beautifully wild. Each element brings its own colour and scent, when combined they present a blanket of wonder. SONGWRITER(S): HOLLY HENDERSON PRODUCER(S): HOLLY HENDERSON, ROWAN (KNOWLE STEREO) LABEL: IVY RECRODS LYRIC: CAN I LEAVE YOUR WANDERING EYES?
	BEAUTY HIDDEN IN PAIN BY YAZ Inspired by London’s homeless crisis, this tale of perseverance in the face of hardship is brought to life by Yassine Belkhou’s heartfelt vocals. Feeling every word that is being sung, his bandmates provide a supportive blanket of sound. SONGWRITER(S): ANTOINE LESAGE, KRISHNA KASIM, OSCAR JOE GROSS, YASSINE BELKHOU PRODUCER(S): TONY SAGE LABEL: SELF-RELEASE LYRIC: IT’S THE COMFORT IN KNOWING WHO I AM/KNOWING IT’S ALL PART OF THE PLAN
	RIGHT KIND OF CRAZY BY DEVON GILFILLIAN The rising Nashville soul artist continues to create a hazy groove here. With an unexpected percussive breakdown adding the melodrama, it’s a moment of contemplation before Gilfillian returns to bring the song home. SONGWRITER(S): DEVON GILFILLIAN, HENRY BRILL, RAN JACKSON PRODUCER(S): JEREMY LUTITO LABEL: FANTASY LYRIC: BABY PLEASE COME BACK/DANCE AROUND MY MIND/WE CAN WORK IT OUT
	SUNFLOWER BY NABIHAH IQBAL With lyrics that repeat like the cycle of the seasons, Nabihah Iqbal’s poetically spoken deliver only adds to the meditative feeling created by the blissful synths and percussion. A performer and DJ, those twin talents merge in the glorious daylight. SONGWRITER(S): NABIHAH IQBAL PRODUCER(S): NABIHAH IQBAL LABEL: NINJA TUNE LYRIC: MEET ME UNDER THE SUNFLOWER/FIND ME THERE IN THE GOLDEN HOUR
	EVERY DAY IS THE WORST DAY OF MY LIFE BY THE LEMON TWIGS As the title refrain is repeated and shared by Brian and Michael D’Addario, sung over a bewitching guitar arrangement, you switch from agreement to disapproval and back again. The repetition is both lulling and disconcerting and commands complete attention. SONGWRITER(S): BRIAN D’ADDARIO, MICHAEL D’ADDARIO PRODUCER(S): THE LEMON TWIGS LABEL: CAPTURED TRACKS LYRIC: EVERY DAY IS THE WORST DAY OF MY LIFE/THE WORST DAY OF MY LIFE
	BANG BANG BY MOMMA A purposefully crude song written about great sex, Bang Bang was created when songwriters Etta Friedman and Allegra Weingarten caught COVID at the same time. Drunk in isolation together they crafted this raunchy alt-rock fever dream. SONGWRITER(S): ALLEGRA WEINGARTEN, ARON KOBAYASHI RITCH, ETTA FRIEDMAN PRODUCER(S): ARON KOBAYASHI RITCH LABEL: LUCKY NUMBER LYRIC: I KNOW THAT YOU FANTASIZE/LIFE IS GOOD BETWEEN MY THIGHS
	ALRIGHT BY RYAN HAHN AND THE BELIEVERS The cheeky guitar licks, swinging rhythm, and sing-song harmonica all help Ryan Hahn with his mission to keep things positive. So golden is the glow here, it makes you want to drop what your doing and follow this Americana Pied Piper over the horizon. SONGWRITER(S): RYAN HAHN PRODUCER(S): RYAN HAHN, JUSTIN GARIANO LABEL: SELF-RELEASE LYRIC: WITH YOU BY MY SIDE I CAN FINALLY BREATHE
	INSIDE OUTSIDE BY THIS IS THE KIT hProduced by Gruff Rhys of Super Furry Animals, the skittish drums and reoccurring horns bounce around Kate Stables as she contemplates nature, nurture and freewill. If that’s not enough, Simpsons fans will pick up on a favourite Ralph Wiggum quote. SONGWRITER(S): JAMIE WHITBY-COLES, JESSE D VERNON, KATE STABLES, NEIL SMITH, ROZI LEYDEN PRODUCER(S): GRUFF RHYS LABEL: ROUGH TRADE LYRIC: ALL THE MOLECULES/WERE FOCUSED ON YOUR NEXT MOVE
	SOMETHING’S GONNA KILL ME BY COREY KENT The Oklahoma native/Texas-based country star leaps on his motorcycle and takes to the road on this freewheelin’ homage to living life to the fullest. A blink-and-you’ll-miss-it romp of a song, Kent sure knows how to get it done. SONGWRITER(S): AUSTIN GOODLOE, COREY KENT, JOYBETH TAYLOR, LYDIA VAUGHAN PRODUCER(S): JAY JOYCE LABEL: RCA RECORDS LYRIC: IF SOMETHING’S GONNA KILL ME MIGHT AS WELL BE WHAT MAKES ME FEEL ALIVE
	COOL WHIP BY BELOT The bigger the present, the worse the misdemeanour – that’s the message undermining this squelchy and vibrant number. Cutting, ruthless, hilarious, instantly catchy… this is everything that pop music can be in the right hands. SONGWRITER(S): ALICE IVY, BEN WYLEN, MAYA BELOT PRODUCER(S): MAX MARGOLIS, MAYA BELOT LABEL: SUBMARINE CAT RECORDS, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LYRIC: BEGGING, PLEADING, OH, SO PATHETIC/GOT THE ICK LIKE IT’S ANAESTHETIC
	SOLO BY THE ACES Solo is synth-heavy electro-pop that cascades like rainbow drops around Cristal Ramirez lead vocals. Reflecting both the song’s vulnerability and liberation, the lyrics dip in and out of focus as her gaze turns inward. SONGWRITER(S): ALISA RAMIREZ, CRISTAL RAMIREZ, KATIE HENDERSON, KEITH VARON, MCKENNA PETTY PRODUCER(S): THE ACES, KEITH VARON LABEL: RED BULL RECORDS LYRIC: I KNOW THAT I’M VERGING ON A MASOCHIST/AND THIS FEELING’S GETTING KIND OF SCARY
	UNDER A BLUE SKIY BY HAFDÍS HULD With little more than a crisp acoustic guitar and crystalline vocals, this song has absolutely nowhere to hide. Gaining strength from such simplicity, the Icelandic singer delivers a soothing lullaby that feels as timeless as the glaciers of Vatnajökull. SONGWRITER(S): HAFDÍS HULD PRODUCER(S): ALISDAIR WRIGHT LABEL: ALDA MUSIC LYRIC: WE CAN GO AND WATCH THE SEA/THROW SOME PEBBLES YOU AND ME
	LOVE HZ BY THOM SOUTHERN With the end of a relationship we don’t just mourn the person that we’ve lost, but also the person we ourselves were when we were with them. It’s these dual sorrows that Southern artfully laments on this poignant alt-folk ballad. SONGWRITER(S): STEVIE SCULLION, THOM SOUTHERN PRODUCER(S): STEVIE SCULLION, THOM SOUTHERN LABEL: SELF-RELEASE LYRIC: SO MUCH LONGING AND CONFUSION/PARALYTIC KNOWING
	THERE’S A MOUSE IN MY HOUSE BY DOG RACE Whether this unwanted visitor is the paranoid thoughts in your own mind, or indeed the titular rodent, what’s for certain is the Bedford-based indie band have created a quivering and delusional counterpoint to the song’s lyrical themes. SONGWRITER(S): ALI CHANT, JAMES KELLY, JED FINKELSTEIN, KATHRYN HEALY PRODUCER(S): ALI CHANT LABEL: SELF-RELEASE LYRIC: I TALK TO THE SHRINK ABOUT HAVING ADHD/THEY SAY I JUST WANT TO AVOID TAKING RESPONSIBILITY
	ALCO BY HALF MOON RUN Aaron’s choice: “The Montreal trio have honed plaintive folk-rock to perfection, but Alco offers something gorgeous and euphoric. Their signature ukulele arpeggio builds to a widescreen, cinematic experience before a surge of strings in the middle eight sends chills down the spine.” SONGWRITER(S): CONNER MOLANDER, DEVON PORTIELJE, DYLAN PHILLIPS PRODUCER(S): CONNOR SEIDEL LABEL: BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT LYRIC: YOU JUST WANT ME TO JUMP BOTH FEET DOWN/INTO THE BOTTOM OF THE RIVER WITH YOU
	SING IT WITH ME BY JEMMA JOHNSON We’ll always have a soft spot for songs that swell and intensify with each passing bar. Here, a piano ballad starts gently before gaining momentum. Then, like the devastation of a broken heart, that cacophony of emotion eventually fades into quiet acceptance. SONGWRITER(S): JEMMA JOHNSON, ANDY GATFORD, THOMAS BACON PRODUCER(S): SUPERTONIC LABEL: SELF-RELEASE LYRIC: MUSIC SO LOUD/DROWNING OUT MY DEMONS
	BULLETPROOF BY LIAM BARRACK Listening to this pop banger transported us back to the genre’s heyday of the mid-nineties. If you’re still missing peek Backstreet Boys or the days when NSYNC weren’t just the band that Justin Timberlake used to be in, this is the song for you. SONGWRITER(S): BRIAN HOWES, LIAM BARRACK, RYAN WORSLEY PRODUCER(S): RYAN WORSLEY LABEL: FLYING COLOURS MUSIC LYRIC: YOU’RE AN ELEVEN I’M ONLY HALF THAT
	FATHER’S DAUGHTER BY SHANGRI-LASS Duncan’s choice: “Imagine Goldfrapp being commissioned by Count Dracula to write an eerie piece of synth-pop and you get close to this after-dark masterpiece. And what would Allison and Will call themselves for this special performance, ‘Gothfrapp’ of course!” SONGWRITER(S): ROSE LOVE PRODUCER(S): ROSE LOVE, LEIA GRAHAM LABEL: REDUNDANT SPAN RECORDS LYRIC: IS IT WET OR DRY/MY SENSES, THEY HAVE DIED
	YOU WON’T BE THERE BY BROKEN RECORDS This rousing indie-rock gem finds Jamie Sutherland in an introspective mood. Ruminating on the loss of friends and the clouding of memory over time, his bandmates provide a suitably sympathetic landscape through which he can explore these feelings. SONGWRITER(S): JAMIE SUTHERLAND, RORY SUTHERLAND PRODUCER(S): TONY DOOGAN LABEL: J SHARP RECORDS LYRIC: STRANGERS PASS AND TALK, HOLDING HANDS/BUT YOU’RE ALONE
	FEEL YOUR FEAT BY YOVA Jova Radeyska’s dynamic vocals alone could carry this genre-defying song. Yet, with the help of the thumping percussion and aching saxophone, it becomes just one ingredient of a particularly boisterous sonic soup. SONGWRITER(S): JOVA RADEVSKA, MARK VERNON PRODUCER(S): MARK VERNON LABEL: YOVA MUSIC LYRIC: I SEE YOU CRYING IN MY DREAM/I FEEL YOUR FEAR IS TAKING ME
	THE CROWN BY LA FAUTE Dreamy pop that will appeal to fans of Lana Del Rey, Peggy Messing/La Faute is an art school dropout from the chilly prairies of Canada. She’s at her haunting best here, her voice a conduit to the other side. SONGWRITER(S): PEGGY MESSING PRODUCER(S): TOPHER MOHR LABEL: SELF-RELEASE LYRIC: I COULD REARRANGE MY FACE OR LET IT FADE OUT
	WASTED ON ME BY BERTIE NEWMAN Like Ed Sheeran at his most wistfully romantic, the Hackney singer-songwriter does his best not to get buried under the weight of a new love. His wholesome delivery makes you root for the relationship that little bit more. SONGWRITER(S): GETH, BERTIE NEWMAN, GETHIN WILLIAMS, JENNIFER MAUREEN STEWART PRODUCER(S): GETH LABEL: BUCKS MUSIC GROUP LYRIC: YOU’RE ADDICTIVE TO BE AROUND/I’M SCARED I MIGHT DRAG YOU DOWN
	LITTLE PRINCESS BY CHRISTINA MARTIN Augmenting this rocker with a swelling string section (think Everything Must Go Manic Street Preachers), the Canadian singer and songwriter pays tribute to her brother who sadly lost his life in 2013. As bold as it is moving. SONGWRITER(S): CHRISTINA MARTIN PRODUCER(S): CHRISTINA MARTIN, DALE MURRAY LABEL: COME UNDONE RECORDS LYRIC: I TURNED TO YOU TO READ MY POEMS/I LOOKED UP TO YOU TO WAVE YOUR WAND
	FAMILY BY SOUKOU Whether over simple piano chords or courageous soundscapes, Ena Soukou manages to capture the attention as she sings about generative trauma and letting go. Don’t be fooled by how effortless Family sounds, it’s clear that much thought has gone into it. SONGWRITER(S): ENA SOUKOU PRODUCER(S): NIKOLAOS “UNIK” GIANNULIDIS LABEL: LAUTER LAUTER LYRIC: LIKE ICE CREAM WITHOUT A CONE/A CUP CAN SOMEHOW BE SOMEONE′S HOME
	TALK TO YOU BY DAN CROLL Don’t let the breezy charm of ‘Talk To You’ fool you, there’s a sadness at the heart of this song that even the twinkling electronics and bright arpeggios can’t hide. That contrast between lyric and composition rewards those who listen closely. SONGWRITER(S): DAN CROLL PRODUCER(S): DAN CROLL, MATTHEW E. WHITE LABEL: COMMUNION RECORDS LYRIC: CLOTHES STACKED IN A PAPER BAG/THERE’S NOTHING LIKE THE END OF AN ERA
	EVEN MIAMI IS COLD BY SARAH SEGAL-LAZAR Love turns sour as the Canadian songwriter heads to Miami for an ill-fated rendezvous with her boyfriend. Despite the 30℃ heat, the experience leaves her feeling cold. This is storytelling in song form, and it’s deftly told. SONGWRITER(S): SARAH SEGAL-LAZAR PRODUCER(S): MATTHEW BARBER LABEL: GRASSWATER RECORDS LYRIC: YOU TAUGHT ME THE ONLY WAY TO KEEP A MAN/WAS TO LIE AS OFTEN AS I POSSIBLY CAN
	DIFFERENT ANIMAL BY THE HIGH STRUNG A melodic maelstrom of Americana, the kind that Mumford & Sons do so well, Mark Owen leads his band on a rollick of romantic recovery. The vocal harmonies Allison Laakko add to the feeling that both sides of this relationship are better off apart. SONGWRITER(S): JOSH MALERMAN, MARK OWEN PRODUCER(S): ZACH SHIPPS, JASON BERKOWITZ LABEL: PAPER THIN RECORDS LYRIC: OUR HOME WAS DESTROYED IN NERO’S FIRE/WHILE I WAS BALANCING ON A PIANO WIRE
	BREATH BY OSLO TWINS The electronic beat acts as the paper bag, helping the Bristol outfit remember to breathe and return to the world they feel so cut off from. A trippy and dreamy affair, Tom Connolly’s violin hints at a lingering sense of peril. SONGWRITER(S): CLAUDIA VULLIAMY, ERIC DAVIES PRODUCER(S): ALI CHANT LABEL: FASCINATION STREET RECORDS LYRIC: FROM THAT SILK UNDER THE MOON/NOW IT’S DARK INSIDE
	HEY ALL TOGETHER BY IVAN NEVILLE With help from Bonnie Raitt, Aaron Neville, Michael McDonald and David Shaw, the New Orleans soul icon wants to bring a feeling of togetherness back to communities both small and large. Lofyt ambition it may be, but this is one catchy start. SONGWRITER(S): IVAN NEVILLE PRODUCER(S): IVAN NEVILLE LABEL: THE FUNK GARAGE LYRIC: I DON’T WANNA BELIEVE IT, BUT IT’S TRUE/YOU DON’T LIKE ME THAT MUCH COS I DON’T LOOK LIKE YOU
	BACK TO THE START BY MAZEY HAZE Seeped in jangling Rickenbacker flourishes that would pry open even the most ominous nimbostratus, this is the sound of the Californian summer filtered through the eyes of a rising star of the Amsterdam indie scene. SONGWRITER(S): NADINE APPELDOORN PRODUCER(S): NADINE APPELDOORN, PIETER VONK LABEL: LUSTRE LYRIC: WHEN I’M UP THERE ALL WILL BE GOOD/I’LL WALK FOR DAYS JUST TO FIND AN EMPTY CUP
	BIG HOUSE BY NIEVE ELLA The verses take their time, building brick by brick, but any structural solidarity is undone when the chorus comes in to blow the roof off. Lovers of indie-pop won’t care though, melody this memorable deserves to be sung to the heavens. SONGWRITER(S): IAIN BERRYMAN, NIEVE ELLA PICKERING PRODUCER(S): IAIN BERRYMAN LABEL: SELF-RELEASE LYRIC: I WANNA LIVE INSIDE YOUR BRAIN/AND TAKE AWAY THE PAIN THAT GETS YOU DOWN AFTER YOU WAKE
	FEVER DREAM BY ADAM YOUNGMAN Devin’s Choice: “From the first lines of Fever Dream, Adam’s powerful lyrics pull you into the story of a developing infatuation. In addition, his vocal and instrumental skills make the song hypnotic, touching, and relatable for listeners.” SONGWRITER(S): ADAM YOUNGMAN PRODUCER(S): ADAM YOUNGMAN LABEL: SELF-RELEASE LYRIC: YOU CAME OUT OF THE BLUE/AND KNEW JUST WHAT TO DO
	DEAD BODY BY KEHLI Crunching guitars and gang vocals help create an anthem for everyone who has been in a toxic relationship and come out of the other side a stronger person. Turn this up loud and remember that you deserve better! SONGWRITER(S): AIDEN HALLIDAY, KELLY IRWIN, OLI FOX PRODUCER(S): OLI FOX LABEL: ROUGH BONES LTD LYRIC: I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN WHEN I WENT DIGGING/THAT YOU WOULD ALWAYS PROVE ME RIGHT
	WHEN IT HURTS BY JAKE ISAAC This modern soul number features the entwined and complimenting vocals of Jake Isaac and Jack Savoretti. Together, unafraid to connect on a deep emotional level, it’s the sound of two people sharing their hopes and fears and a welcome tonic. SONGWRITER(S): JACK SAVORETTI, SOPHIA AYANA, CHRISTINE OSBORNE, JAKE ISAAC, LITENING PRODUCER(S): JAKE ISAAC LABEL: OIL + WATER, AMLOR MUSIC PUBLISHING, HOUSTON COMMA, UNIVERSAL MUSIC PUBLISHING LYRIC: I’LL MEET YOU IN THE VALLEY/I’LL BE THERE WHEN YOU’RE LOW
	SLEEPOVER MOOD BY FREAK SLUG Peppered with strange SFX, a distinctly 80s production and a slyly Latin groove, the Manchester alt-pop artist is on a mission to woo that shy introvert who just can’t conquer their nervousness. SONGWRITER(S): XENYA GENOVESE PRODUCER(S): XENYA GENOVESE LABEL: OUR HOUSE LYRIC: YOU WANT SOMETHING DIFFERENT AND I CAN GIVE YOU EVERYTHING
	ANOTHER WAY BY THE HORN Like a classic Britpop banger that’s been injected with a shot of modern production to bring it back to life, ‘The Horn’ swaggers its way onto the dance floor, clears the room of all pretenders and reminds us that we all need a bit of bravado in our worlds. SONGWRITER(S): DANIEL MONK, JONATHAN TAYLOR, NICK TRUE PRODUCER(S): DANIEL MONK, NICK TRUE LABEL: LITTLE BIG HORN MUSIC LYRIC: I WANT ANOTHER WAY/TO DANCE WITH EACH OTHER/ANTHER WAY TO ROMANCE
	SOBER BY SIOBHÁN WINIFRED A scratchy guitar and fragile voice kick things off before being joined by swirling synths and an insistent rhythm section. That dynamic ebb and flow cleverly matches the push and pull of a song wrapped up in a difficult relationship. SONGWRITER(S): SIOBHÁN WINIFRED PRODUCER(S): SHUTE LABEL: SELF-RELEASE LYRIC: ONE DRINK AND YOU’LL SAY EVERYTHING I WANNA HEAR/BUT, WITH TOMORROW COMES APOLOGIES
	MAN OF THE YEAR BY JOSHUA RADIN Intimate lyrics that invite you in and a melody that’s so unforgettable it borders on dangerous, the troubadour has absolutely done it again. Expect to hear it soundtracking your favourite television show very soon. SONGWRITER(S): JOSHUA RADIN, MAX GRAHN PRODUCER(S): FAT MAX GUS LABEL: NETTWERK MUSIC GROUP LYRIC: YOU’RE THE COAL I’M THE FIRE THAT DIES EVERY NIGHT
	BERGEN STREET BY THE CHAPIN SISTERS An ode to a particular stretch of road in Brooklyn, Abigail and Lily’s wistful harmonies capture the song’s intimate nature. Vocal alchemy that you long for from sibling bandmates, the spell endures long after the last note. SONGWRITER(S): ABIGAIL CHAPIN, LILY CHAPIN PRODUCER(S): EVAN TAYLOR, SETH THOMAS, JESSE LEE, THE CHAPIN SISTERS LABEL: LAKE BOTTOM RECORDS LYRIC: GOODBYE TO THE SOOT IN THE WINDOW RUTS/AND THE AIR THAT SMELLS OF THE TIRE DUST
	EYES ON ME BY DAVE OKUMU & 7 GENERATIONS With the help of a raging electronic thrum and throbbing percussion, the Mercury-nominated singer, songwriter, and producer tackles the racist structures that help to prop up a rigged system. There’s both depth and pop immediacy. SONGWRITER(S): DAVE OKUMU PRODUCER(S): DAVE OKUMU LABEL: TRANSGRESSIVE LYRIC: THE SYSTEM’S BROKEN

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