Tag: alterative music

New Lease Music’s New Music Roundup – 20/04/2026

Welcome to a very interesting addition of NEW LEASE MUSIC’s New Music Roundup, your weekly snapshot of great music from indie and unsigned artists from around the globe. In the this lineup, you’ll find something that sits in your comfort zone – and a little something that REALLY push your musical taste buds. So if you’re ready to explore, why not get right down to it and check them out! If you like what you hear, give it a thumbs-up below in the comment section.

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.

Thank you for visiting and I hope you enjoy the music!

MADDIE LENHART – LET HIM FLY

MADDIE LENHART‘s take on ‘Let Him Fly’ feels less like a cover and more like a quiet moment you’ve been invited into. Recorded live in a single take at Treehouse Studios in Nashville, Tennessee, her version strips everything back to its emotional core, honoring the songwriting of Patty Griffin while gently nodding to the familiarity of The Chicks.

Maddie has written hundreds of songs, earned over 40 independent cuts, and released her debut single “Sober,” which has surpassed 800,000 organic streams. In 2025, she released eight new songs, all landing on Spotify and Apple editorial playlists, performed at CMA Fest, was named one of Holler’s 10 Artists You Need to Know, and earned a Billboard feature for her breakout track “Drive Me Crazy.”

‘Let Him Fly’ was released on Friday (17th April) across all leading music platforms. Check it out below…

PAUL MINNICH – YOUR CLOWN

PAUL MINNICH returns with a sweet, refreshing take on the classic love song in ‘Your Clown,’ leaning into the quiet truth that love isn’t always expressed perfectly. Somewhere between the silliness, the everyday ups and downs, and the unpolished moments, Minnich offers a “bouquet” of words – a reminder that even imperfect expressions can carry real meaning.

‘Your Clown’ is released last Friday (17th April) across all leading music platforms. Check it out below…

JAENESE – RIDE

There’s something immediately disarming about JAENESE‘s “Ride.” It doesn’t try to oversell itself – it just settles into a mood and lets you live there for a while. Built on a soft, hazy groove from Noturmood, the track leans into that dreamy, neo-soul space where indie textures meet quiet intimacy. You can feel a faint lineage that brushes past the emotional honesty of Willow and the airy, romantic pull of Alvvays, but Jaenese keeps it personal and grounded.

‘Ride’ was released last Thursday (16th April) across all leading music platforms. Check it out below…

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ZEE DYASI X MOTHERS FAVORITE CHILD – VACATION

ZEE DYASI and MOTHERS FAVORITE CHILD share their latest single ‘Vacation’, a modern soul record written and produced by Paris Mark Toon. Blending contemporary R&B with classic soul influences, the track features live instrumentation, layered harmonies, and a groove-driven foundation inspired by the Soulquarians era. ‘Vacation’ is coming out on 24th April across all leading platforms.

Built on fluid basslines and textured Rhodes, ‘Vacation’ captures a mood of emotional reset and escape while maintaining the live-band sensibility central to the Mothers Favorite Child sound. Check out the clip of the single here

BEKREATIVE – PROBABLY ASLEEP, PROBABLY AWAKE

BEKREATIVE promises to bring a string of hot releases in 2026 – from hip-hop, R&B, bubblegum pop, country music and everything in between! He hops right back into the spotlight with his latest album ‘Probably Asleep, Probably Awake’ a dope fusion of hip-hop and good old country music!

‘Probably Asleep, Probably Awake’ is now out across various music platforms. Check it out below…

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Song of the Day: Dancing (In the Palm of My Hand) – The Spikes

Following the politically and emotionally charged debut single ‘Guns For The Children’—which quickly drew attention with over 20,000 views on YouTube—Iago Haussman, aka THE SPIKES, returns with a hauntingly beautiful follow-up that could rival, or even surpass, his breakout release.

His latest single, ‘Dancing (In the Palm of My Hand)’, opens under a veil of mystery, quickly pierced by stark, minimalist guitar plucks that lay the foundation for an emotionally raw exploration of desire, loss, and longing. Heavily inspired by F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, the track casts Jay Gatsby as an elusive figure—haunted by the past and consumed by his pursuit of something forever out of reach.

“I’ve always seen Gatsby as an almost mystical being—an elusive symbol of desire and secrecy,” explains Iago. “We don’t really know much about him—his past, his emotions, or the depth of his longing. I wanted to step into that uncertainty, to feel what it means to chase something beautiful and unattainable.”

Also an acclaimed poet, Haussman channels his lyrical prowess into vivid, surreal storytelling, weaving dreamlike imagery throughout his music. ‘Dancing (In the Palm of My Hand)’ doesn’t offer easy answers—instead, it lingers in ambiguity, inviting listeners to sit with the unknown.

“I’m not sure there’s a message there, exactly. And that’s really not for me to say, is it—what the audience takes away?” Iago reflects. “A feeling, perhaps? Or an image? The song touches on joy, beauty, and loss. It’s a love song, really—more existential than political, unlike my last single.”

Where ‘Guns For The Children’ shocked and stirred, ‘Dancing (In the Palm of My Hand)’ invites listeners into a more abstract, introspective realm—revealing yet another layer of THE SPIKES’ evolving artistry.

Now’s your chance to experience the surreal beauty of “Dancing (In the Palm of My Hand)”—out now on all major streaming platforms.

Connect with The Spikes via:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/the__spikes
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@the__spikes
Website: http://www.thespikes.org/

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French pop luminary Bonnie Banane shares single, ‘Red Flags’ + Nini album

Lifted from her new album ‘Nini’,BONNIE BANANE shares latest single, the enchanting ‘Red Flags’.

Reflecting on the genesis of ‘Red Flags,’ Bonnie Banane shares, “Originally, this song was only in French and was called “les signes avant-coureurs” or warning signs. Do they really exist? Are we blind? This song is for those who finally see after being blind for too long.”

Drawing upon her introspective musings and unbridled creativity, Bonnie Banane weaves a tapestry of poignant lyricism and infectious rhythms in ‘Red Flags.’ Much like its predecessor ‘Franchement,’ this evocative track invites listeners on a journey of self-discovery and introspection, exploring themes of awareness and revelation amidst the backdrop of a rapidly changing world. With ‘Red Flags,’ Bonnie Banane continues to defy conventions and push the boundaries of artistic expression, solidifying her reputation as a trailblazer in contemporary music. Her ability to seamlessly merge disparate influences and craft melodies that resonate with the soul is a testament to her unparalleled artistry.

With her second album, the 12-track ‘Nini’, Bonnie once again devotes herself, in a rather new way, to the delicate art of doing what she pleases. She has chosen to broaden the spectrum, finding her own signature in the most uninhibited of eclecticisms. Beyond its form, this album is above all a “lucky charm”. Bonnie entrusts it to us like an invisible but present amulet, to take with us, to love somewhere, wherever we are, wherever we go, as far and as long as possible.

On the title of the album, Bonnie comments: “Nini was my nickname when I was little. I like being called that. There are lots of people called Nini. It’s also a restaurant I’ve never been to. A hairdresser, a hotel, a beauty salon. The name of a slot machine stand at the county fair. It has lots of different meanings in different languages. As a lonely child, my greatest dream was to embrace every single person on earth. The world has changed, and so have I. I spent a good chunk of the album production process feeling anesthetized, but getting it out shakes me awake and I want to feel everything again. I want to hug someone, I want everything to explode. We made this record as if it were my last. Take it with you, May it bring you happiness wherever you go!”

Since bursting onto the scene with her debut single ‘Muscles’ in 2012, Bonnie Banane has forged her own path with her distinctive style and fearless approach to storytelling. Collaborating with the likes of Chilly Gonzalez, Varnish La Piscine, and Hubert Lenoir, she has established herself as a formidable presence in the French music landscape.

Fans eager to experience the magic of Bonnie Banane live will have the opportunity to witness her unparalleled talent on stage as she is set to headline a sold-out performance at the prestigious Trianon in Paris on May 15, followed by her biggest headline show to date at the iconic Olympia Hall on 1st December

As anticipation builds for the release of Bonnie Banane’s forthcoming projects in 2024, ‘Red Flags’ stands as a testament to her enduring creativity and unwavering commitment to artistic excellence. Have a listen below…

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Song of the Day: A Good Life – Marie Dahlstrom

Ahead of the release of her second album ‘A Good Life’, Danish/London based musician, producer and vocalist MARIE DAHLSTROM shares its title track ‘A Good Life’. The new album will feature collaborations with acts including Kofi Stone, Jay Prince, Conor Albert, Delleile Ankrah and Sipprell.

Produced by south London producer and Young Poet/Ninja Tune signee Conor Albert, the single ‘A Good Life’ exudes blissful positivity. Accompanied by warbling keys, soulful guitar passages and uplifting brass sections, ‘A Good Life’ was written as an ode to Marie’s son and explores the wonders of the world from a child’s eyes.

Speaking more on its inspiration and lyrical meaning, Marie Dahlstrom said: 

“A Good Life is a song about the wonders of everyday life, if we choose to stay curious. These moments will eventually be what we remember, and become a part of our story. This song is for my son, and everything he’s already taught me.”

Marie Dahlstrom is supported and praised widely at press by the likes of Billboard, NPR, Complex, The Line Of Best Fit, Mixtape Madness, NYLON, New Wave Magazine, Wonderland Magazine and more, as well as being listed as a ‘Sleeper Pick’ by Joe Budden (twice) on TheJoe Budden Podcast (the most influential podcast in R&B and hip-hop globally). Marie Dahlstrom has also received substantial radio airplay from BBC 1Xtra DJ’s Jamz Supernova, DJ Target, Toddla T and Rinse FM’s Jyoty.

Marie Dahlstrom’s new album ‘A Good Life’ is out 22nd May via her label, JFH Records. Have a listen to the soothing single, ‘A Good Life’ below…

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Neru Thee Fourth Fugee Links Up With Bbymutha For New Track, ‘End Daze’

Three years after the release of her seminal debut album ‘The Almanac’, which was championed by the likes of COLORS, HotNewHipHop, and Ladygunn, among others, multidimensional Baltimore lyricist, songwriter, composer, and producer NERU THEE FOURTH FUGEE is finally ready to go again, as she begins to share details of her long-awaited sophomore album titled ‘Greater Than’, which is set to be released in the summer. To whet the appetite for the highly anticipated project, the Maryland native has unveiled the project’s lead single ‘End Daze’ featuring US rap royalty BbyMutha.

Written, arranged, and composed by Neru Thee Fourth Fugee herself, with additional production from Serbian beatsmith Shotta Beatz, ‘End Daze’ is a hard-hitting collaboration from two female rap powerhouses, which sees both Neru and BbyMutha in incomparable form, as both artists flex their lyrical prowess throughout the track from start to finish. ‘End Daze’ is signature braggadocious rap in its best form, with Neru and BbyMutha addressing any detractors, whether those are old school classmates trying to act familiar, or their rap competitors, or the “bxtches hating” on them.

Speaking about the inspiration behind ‘End Daze’, Neru says, “The song was inspired by MF Doom and Vince Staples, while the title itself is a double entendre on ‘End Days’, referencing a catastrophic end-of-the-world event, and ‘In Daze’ connecting those moments when you find yourself lost inside your thoughts. ‘End Daze’ brings a lot of boastful and confident energy, and that’s how I want my listeners to feel when they hear the single – powerful and confident like they can take on the world. I wrote ‘End Daze’ to continue to create balance with my music, but to also show that I cannot be categorized or boxed in – my music and style transcend genres”.

With a genre-defying sound that fuses hip-hop with neo-soul, ambient, funk and psychedelic music, to create her own musical universe, Neru Thee Fourth Fugee stands out for her abstract lyricism, transcendental harmonies, and trance-like kaleidoscopic soundscapes – her music offers a thought-provoking mind-bending listening experience that allows you to use both hemispheres of your brain simultaneously. Neru Thee Fourth Fugee might remind you of early Parliament Funkadelic music, with sprinkles of the great Ms. Lauryn Hill, but she remains firmly in her own artistic lane.

Neru Thee Fourth Fugee is also the founder of Baltimore creative community, AstroKnot Collective, which she birthed in 2021, and has grown to become a staple in Baltimore’s art scene. With a common goal to elevate, cultivate, reciprocate and be great, Neru currently mentors fifteen different artists across the US, through AstroKnot. Made up of diverse musicians, visual artists, designers, and activists, among others, Neru’s AstroKnot collective curate youth drives, art residencies, music videos, concerts, community events, and more, all over the city of Baltimore.

With two critically acclaimed EPs and a seminal album already under her belt, Neru has also shared the stage with stalwarts like The Roots, Danny Brown, Oddisee, Princess Nokia, and JPEGMafia, just to mention a few, while she counts the likes of Pigeons & Planes, COLORS, Brooklyn Vegan, HotNewHipHop, and Sway’s Universe among some of her supporters. In 2023, she plans to release her sophomore album titled ‘Greater Than’, which is set to feature Wu-Tang’s Killah Priest, Metaphor the Great, and BbyMutha, with whom Neru has unveiled her brand new single, ‘End Daze’. Check it out below…

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