New Lease Music’s New Music Roundup – 06/03/26

Welcome to the first NEW LEASE MUSIC’s New Music Round-up of 2026, where you can discover your next favourite track at a flick of an eye!

If you do happen to find a new favourite, why not let us know in the comments below!

NEW LEASE MUSIC’s New Music Roundup is featured on Mondays or Fridays. If you are a indie or an unsigned artist and would like your music featured on the list, send your music links and a short info about the release to submit@newleasemusic.com, with NEW MUSIC ROUNDUP in the subject line.

INDIGO SYNDICATE – DND

Nashville-based trio INDIGO SYNDICATE steps into 2026 with ‘DND’ (Do Not Distrub), a sleek, R&B-leaning departure that trades their usual alt edge for something darker and late-night ready. Built on a pulsing groove and moody production, the track moves through mixed signals and emotional stalemates, anchored by the hook: “You haven’t heard a thing I said / I’ve been getting left on read / I’m stressing, now you’re messing with my head, I’ll come around so wait on me.” The repetition of “wait on me” becomes the heartbeat of the song — a phrase that feels equal parts defensive and desperate, capturing the toxic push-and-pull at its core.

Comprising of Preston Pospisil, Samantha Sanford, and Jharyss Granger, Indigo Syndicate became quickly known for their genre-fluid blend of alternative, pop, indie and soul. The band continues to carve out a distinct space within the modern alternative music landscape.

Their rapid rise includes multiple placements across Apple Music’s New in Alternative and New in Indie, along with several singles featured on Live Nation’s Ones to Watch playlist.

Why not check out ‘DND’ below…

XO SOUNDTRACK – TALK ABOUT ME

Nashville-based pop-rock/alternative outfit XO SOUNDTRACK‘s latest single, ‘Talk About Me’ sits in that familiar grey area where feelings linger longer than commitment. XO Soundtrack keeps things grounded sonically, with production that echoes glimmers of Walk the Moon, The 1975, and other indie rock darlings, pairing a clean synth line with a subtle pop-rock edge that lets the emotion while keeping intentional polish.

“Talk About Me” is inspired by the all too common “situationship.” The song tells the story of a couple who have been seeing each other off and on, and when the breakup happens, one person keeps talking about the other, even though THEY were the one to end it. I think everyone can relate to a “what are we?” kind of situation, and this song describes the emotions that come from it all.” – XOS

Renowned for high-energy, emotionally immersive live performances, XO Soundtrack – comprising of drummer Kai Clark, guitarist Austin Henderson, and vocalist Rock- has captivated audiences at notable Nashville venues including The End and The Basement. With a clear vision and a modern, emotionally driven sound, the band continues to carve out its place in the pop-rock/alternative landscape.

Check out ‘Talk About Me’ below…

BEKRATIVE – LET IT BREATHE

New Orleans–born artist BEKREATIVE returns with his new single, ‘Let It Breathe,’ a slick R&B offering that reflects a period in which he stepped away from the music scene to spend more time with his family.

With over 11 million streams across all music platforms, the Houston-based artist has built an extensive music career, writing more than 300 songs and releasing five albums to date.

Now back on the scene, BeKreative plans to release a new single every week, so be sure to keep an eye on his latest work…and why not start by checking out ‘Let It Breathe below…

CLARITY LIAO – LIKE I DO

Written as an English assignment before evolving into a fully realised studio release, ‘Like I Do’ captures the ache of unrequited love through the vivid metaphor of wandering endlessly through a desert. Stripped back and intimate, the track places Clarity’s delicate yet commanding vocal performance at the forefront, allowing her lyrical maturity and emotional nuance to shine.

“‘Like I Do’ was a song written just as homework given from my English tutor at first. The song really brought out my emotions from the current situation I was in at the time, also exploring a genre I’ve been liking but never really got to pursue, so I decided to take it to the studio. This song has so far been one of my favourite tracks to sing and listen to, also being one of the best expressed in my lyrics.” – Clarity Liao.

San Francisco-based singer-songwriter CLARITY LIAO continues to establish herself as one of pop’s most promising young voices with the release of her latest single, ‘Like I Do’. The mesmerising piano-led ballad follows the poignant alt-pop debut “Hurt My Heart” and further cements Clarity’s transition from award-winning band songwriter to compelling solo artist.

Listen to ‘Like I Do’ below…

BELLA WOOD – DIRTY CHERRY

Rising pop artist BELLA WOOD returns with her most defining release yet in the intoxicating new single ‘Dirty Cherry’, a lust-fuelled, sharp-edged alt-pop statement that announces her arrival as one of 2026’s most compelling emerging voices.

Bella learned early that “home” isn’t always a safe word. At just thirteen, she was forced to leave behind instability and move in with her grandparents in Kelowna, trading chaos for quiet nights and the hum of crickets. But even in the stillness, music never stopped playing in her mind. By seventeen, determined to carve out her own future, Bella packed a duffel bag and moved to Vancouver with one goal: make it in music.

I wrote this song at a time when the gap between who I was and who people said I was felt like a really big jump,” Bella explains. “Instead of internalising my frustration, I write – it’s kind of like keeping a diary for me. Songwriting is the only way I really know how to process my emotions. Me and my producer Nic Charuk explored several iterations before landing on the final version.” – Bella Wood

Listen to ‘Dirty Cherry’ below…

Bonnie Freechild Teases With Sultry New Single ‘Peach’ From Aftertaste EP

R &B-pop songstress BONNIE FREECHILD bares all in her latest single, ‘Peach’, out now on all major streaming platforms. The sensual track arrives alongside her new five-track EP, ‘Aftertaste’, released on 23rd February — a date that also marks Bonnie’s birthday.

Described as the ultimate wink emoji in musical form, ‘Peach’ is suggestive, cheeky and playful. Built around minimal, intimate production, the track leaves space for Bonnie’s honey-toned vocals to take centre stage. Rooted in imagination — where anything could happen — ‘Peach’ blurs the line between fantasy and reality, inviting listeners into a world that feels flirtatious yet freeing. The single artwork, featuring Bonnie bare-faced with her hair tied back, mirrors the song’s essence: stripped-back simplicity with a spark of mischief.

‘Aftertaste’ sets the tone for a new era. The EP traces Bonnie’s journey through love, loss, sensuality and self-discovery. Each track was born from emotional overflow — a process of releasing, reckoning and rebuilding. The project marks a pivotal shift: a shedding, a letting go, and the beginning of something more self-possessed.

Born in Australia and raised in Borneo, Bonnie’s love of music has long been her anchor. After losing her mother at 14, that passion deepened into solace and survival. Her voice first found an audience across Southeast Asia, amassing nearly two million YouTube views singing songs she learned growing up in the jungles of Borneo. Now based in the UK, Bonnie crafts lush, layered Pop R&B that is intimate and vocal-forward, balancing softness with quiet edge. Her music centres around connection, sensuality and self-expression.

Over the past year, Bonnie has released a steady run of singles building toward this cohesive body of work. Her music has been championed by publications including EARMILK, C-Heads, Lock Magazine, Rotate Magazine, Mixtape Madness, No Transmission, Wordplay Magazine, and The PitLDN, alongside placements on curated playlists across Spotify. Rotate Magazine has described her as “one of the UK’s most compelling emerging voices.” She has also gained support from BBC Radio 1Xtra and written and performed original pop/R&B work as part of the BBC Proms.

Bonnie has performed at major London venues and cultural landmarks including Trafalgar Square, the Natural History Museum, Notting Hill Arts Club, and Clapham Grand — spanning intimate rooms to large-scale landmark events.

While independently releasing music, Bonnie has also sought more human, outside-the-box ways to connect — from handing out handwritten compliment notes on the street to curating intimate gatherings centred around conversation, art and shared experience.

Now, as she prepares to enter another milestone in her journey — a bold new live chapter of full-band shows, beginning with a performance at Soul Mama on 13th May, supporting soul singer Ricky Jones — Bonnie slips out her rather cheeky single ‘Peach’, taken from her EP Aftertaste: a playful, intimate teaser that sets the tone for everything still to come.

‘Peach’ is now available across all streaming platforms.

Connect with Bonnie Freechild via:
IG:https://www.instagram.com/bonniefreechild
Tik Tok:https://www.tiktok.com/@bonniefreechildofficial

Handshake In Space returns in 2026 with track, ‘If You Are Waiting’.

Swedish producer and DJ HANDSHAKE IN SPACE gets the weekend started with new single ‘If You Are Waiting’, out now on all digital platforms.

With a melodic, atmospheric sound, ‘If You Are Waiting’ moves on the border between electronic pop and cinematic house, focusing on emotion, dynamics and a clear melodic theme. The song is created for both late-night listening on headphones and electronic club music playlists.

In November, Stefan Halling – the producer behind Handshake in Space – suffered a brain hemorrhage during a visit to his daughter in Malaysia, which led to emergency surgery and a long recovery with medical restrictions. Despite fatigue and limited creative energy, working on ‘If You Are Waiting’ became a way to reconnect with creation and find a way back to focus.

I am often tired and it affects creativity, but when I listen to If You Are Waiting, all problems disappear for a while. The song took on a new meaning for me – it is about waiting, but also about not giving up hope“, says Stefan.

Handshake in Space has established itself in recent years with a series of digital releases in electronic music, focusing on melody-driven house and emotionally charged productions. The new single marks the start of a new phase after a life-changing event and will be followed by more releases in 2026.

‘If You Are Waiting’ is now out for the pleasure…so go on, why not check it out below…

Connect with HANDSHAKE IN SPACE via:
FB: https://www.facebook.com/handshakeinspace
IG: https://www.instagram.com/handshake_in_space
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@handshakeinspace

Source: Stefan Halling (Handshake In Space)

OUT TODAY: Artist/Producer/Writer Christof Jennings returns with sensual earworm ‘Taking Over’

After a short hiatus from producing critically-acclaimed projects, including ‘Ghostin’ and ‘Excuse Me’ from his debut project ‘The Damian Mixtape’, CHRISTOF JENNINGS makes a sensuous return with single, ‘Taking Over’, released today (14th February) on Bandcamp.

Perfectly timed for a Valentines release, ‘Taking Over’ is a steamy slow-burn that has been quietly waiting in the archives for its moment. Originally produced for an indie record label, the track was shelved due to creative and personal differences, leading Christof to part ways with the label before the song ever reached the spotlight — until now.

Reimagined and reclaimed, ‘Taking Over’ is a stripped-back, Motown-esque soul offering that drips with intimacy and restraint. The track pulses with raw desire — an overwhelming attraction so powerful that words begin to fail. Serving as a tantalising preview of his forthcoming EP ‘XLV’, slated for release later this year, the single signals a confident and seductive new chapter for Christof.

Beginning his career as a vocalist, Christof toured across the UK with function bands The Young Drifters and The Benidorm Stylistics before turning his focus to music production. He honed his craft at ACM Birmingham and Tileyard Education London, earning both a BA (Hons) and a Master’s degree in Music Production. His creative momentum surged after securing a place on the Sony Writing Camp in 2021, where two of his co-written songs were later featured on hit TV shows, Love Island USA and Hollyoaks.

Puffed with a new-found confidence from his time at Sony writing camp, Christof dropped his debut project, ‘The Damian Mixtape’ in 2022, collaborating with various upcoming artists from and around his home city in Birmingham. ‘The Damian Mixtape’ received widespread accolades from reputation blogs, magazines and radio stations across the globe. Standout R&B track ‘Ghostin’, performed by Nigel Hinds, topped the CHBN radio’s The Playlist chart for four consecutive weeks while ‘Excuse Me, performed by Zara Sykes, was aired on BBC Radio London, where Jacqueline Shepherd praised Christof’s production prowess.

After a brief sojourn in his native Canada, where he collaborated with a number of artists further expanding his skill as a composer and writer, Christof felt it was time, invest in HIMSELF.

Despite his burgeoning music journey, Christof occasionally allowed the demons to creep in with insecurities and low self- esteem, which held him back. Now that he has pushed those demons aside, Christof Jennings is more than ready to step into the limelight. His new sultry single, ‘Taking Over’ – out today(14th February) exclusively via Bandcamp – marks a bold and unapologetic  chapter in his journey. Check out the lyric video below:

Follow Christof Jennings via:
FB: https://www.facebook.com/christof.jennings
IG: https://www.instagram.com/christofjennings
Website: https://durhamrecords.com/

MaryAiAnne & Me make their move with new single ‘CheckMate’

Checkmate’ is the latest release from duo MARYAIANNE & ME, which playfully compares love to a game of chess—make the right moves, win the heart, and its checkmate! Blending a vibrant fusion of country storytelling with a sparkle of bubble-gum pop, ‘Checkmate’ was released yesterday (8th February) on all major platforms.

MaryAiAnne & Me is a burgeoning collaboration between upcoming artist Me and seasoned music pro John Hewlett – whose impressive CV stems back to the 60s, with collaborations with iconic acts including The Beatles, T. Rex and Sparks. John also managed McGuinness Flint, Gallagher & Lyle, Sparks &The Dickies and produced their album The Incredible Shrinking Dickie. The pair met when volunteering for a charity where John was impressed by Me’s storytelling and began working on the MaryAianne project with her early 2025.

MaryAianne & Me began releasing singles in October 2025, committing to a bold schedule of one track per week for a full year. The project aims to build a diverse catalogue of original songs that will ultimately be brought to life in live performances. Every release features the duo’s own lyrics and arrangements, with AI production support courtesy of SUNO. United by a shared love of music, MaryAianne & Me embrace experimentation across styles while exploring relatable themes such as unrequited love, self-discovery, and personal growth.

Now MaryAianne & Me are ready to make a brave move in 2026 with new single, ‘Checkmate’, released yesterday (8th February) across all major platforms.

Connect with MaryAianne and Me via:
FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581770475003
IG: https://www.instagram.com/maryaianne_and_me
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@maryaianne.and.me
YouTube: youtube.com/@itzafuni?si=RD5JVRPdkk1m4WRD