Sparkling like a diamond in a rough – once forgotten in barren rock; now it’s SPARKLING like a diamond in a rough. this is the return of YOUR HIDDEN GEMS.
This is HIDDEN GEMS: A collection of artists you’ve evidently been sleeping on where their ever-growing fanbase is no where near represented in the efforts they pour out to their work. So get stuck in and find out your worth amongst these lot. If you get lost with all the “newness”, fret not – I’ve made a handy playlist for you at the end of it all x
JOSHUA IDEHEN: LEARN TO SWIM, A MIXTAPE
The future looks so bright if you’re listening to the lush backdrops of Idehen’s spoken bops. This world’s a madness, don’t let it get you down. Highly devoted to the cultivations of jazz rap in the UK, Idehen has been the leading figure in collaboration, lending a keen ear and voice to the likes of soulful Son of Kemet, jazz punk outfit, The Comet is Coming and LA maestro Daedelus. While this is his first project to his name alone, it’s a name that has been thrown around the underground networks of London jazz for some time now. A conversation that often starts with, “what about Joshua, shall we get him in” and ends with a Mercury nomination, Joshua himself has penned his own take on proceedings. And it’s a personal one. A wealth of intimacy is thrown throughout this project, as Josh’s spoken words enthuse around a sonic tapestry of indigenous instrumentals. I Got You Every Step of the Way is a marvel to listen to. Josh’s low-tone swooning is met with euphoric gospels and curious piano trills: “Ma’am I have no business having you as a friend / But trust You were one person I can’t afford not to know / I hope one day I can pay back all this kindness you shown / And if you find yourself in a bad hour / Never doubt it , I will be by your side and singing…”
PACIFIC AVENUE: FLOWERS
The Gerringong-based indie rock quartet have enthused a coast-to-coast fanbase with their coastal drive soundtracks since their 2017 inception. From debut EP of Strawberry Skies in 2019 to debut album with Strawberry Daydream, the Aussies have become something of a perplexing phenomenon across our waters has brought a synergy of Primal Scream and most recently, Blossoms bringing that brazen-faced Aussie alt-rock part nostalgic, equal part forward-thinking. Touring with fellow comrades with DMAs and Louis Tomlinson, they could be your new sound for this Summer.
KACIA: YOUNG FUN DUMB
Drawing inspirations from fellow alt-pop contemporaries The 1975, 20-year old Kacia has laid his stick in the sand with his first song of many – Young Fun Dumb. If anything, he is a testament to the new generations of rising creatives tittering on the border of possibility. Warbled vocals binding together with a rich piano melody line and a fresh garage beat marks Kacia’s statement of intent and undoubtedly one of many for his journey.
FROZEMODE: STICK DAT
Without a doubt, Frozemode are the talk of the town right now. Sitting somewhere between Brockhampton for the hard-hitting bars and Sleaford Mods for the inventive instrumentals, Frozemode are young, fresh and hungry. Above all else, the rap trio strive to keep their music as raw as possible, laying it all out on the table for us to bare witness. The alternative misfits of independency, they are the last crumb of integrity and they’re here to shed their frustrations.
Ash Olsen: Golden Child
Scandinavian female rapper artist Ash Olsen sees herself as being no content creator. But her highly-anticipated follow-up of Golden Child tells us the exact opposite. Spanning eleven captivating tracks, the album serves as a sonic chronicle, as a young woman traversing the intricate landscapes of same-sex love and relationships. No doubt, thorny and twisted at more times than not, Olsen’s genre-fluid pour-outs have seen zealous support from fans and critics alike. Spanning the depths from Norsk rap, African beats and Latino acoustics; it’s a triage of elementals warped from every corners of the world: no doubt echoing societies’ disobedience to all inclusion. It’s hypnotic pop at its best spearheading the next generation of pop supers.
DAVID ARLO: SPEEDING
Speeding sees a new chapter for David Arlo; a versatile visionary with a “sky’s the limit” ethos. Instilled in him from a tender age, the London-born Nigerian brings together a melting pot of lucid R&B and alternative pop to bring a soulful catharsis embraced with his vocal delivery. A voice of one sorrow and passion that has undoubtedly done the mileage through life’s challenges. Speeding comes about after three years of silence from David with Changing bringing a more compulsive electronic-pop sound. Speeding is more embracing, more confessional and more vital to the next steps in Arlo’s future work. Certainly one to watch if the momentum is matched… there goes the river.
FIEVES: LOSS IS LOSS
Fast rising, pensive and stalwart in writing, Mancunian duo of Fieves are here to flaunt their take on the world. Bringing together conscious rap – that conjures up Carner to mind – and the subtler tones of UK dance music, they have already made a dent in the Manchester music scene, which is no easy feat considering how many other creatives are festering for listens in a saturated market up North. Fieves first pioneered themselves in the second lockdown of 2021, but it’s not a sound that will get lost to the confines of their home like most. They have since gone on to perform at MC’s Deaf Institute in 2022 and are charting their next course for liquid DnB domination. Manchester Hip hop is a colour scene of fresh faces and Fieves are the next to be pegged for mainstream success. They have hit us with another – this time with Loss is Loss. A spoken statement of broken relationships and denial, a funk-cool beat is whipped up along with deep lyrical integrity.
ARZ: EMIRATES
Taking a love for music at a youthful age, it was only a matter of time before 19-year-old Arz would make a name for himself. With vulnerability at the forefront of his work. Dabbling in lo-fi bedroom beats and warbled vocal samples has led Arz to become ‘One To Watch’ in the span of 12 months. His indelible print was etched as soon as Alone With You was released – a mellow vibe certifiying its plays over TikTok. Arz now plans to upkeep momentum with Emirates. Using Eilish’s pitched up vocals and a trap beat, it sees Arz entering into more brazen territory. Less woozy; more substance.
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