New Lease Music’s New Music Roundup – 06/11/26

Welcome to NEW LEASE MUSIC’s New Music Roundup, your weekly snapshot of great music from indie and unsigned artists from around the globe.

This lineup brings together some must-listen acts spanning the genre spectrum – from a hip-hop lyrical playboy making a comeback after battling a life-threatening lung condition, to an EDM producer expressing sheer gratitude after coming through what could have been a life-changing ordeal. So, go ahead and check them out! As always, give the releases a thumbs-up in the comments section if they tickle your fancy.

NEW LEASE MUSIC’s New Music Roundup is featured on Mondays or Fridays.If you are an 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.

Please note: there is a small submission fee for artists whose music is selected for the roundup. Selection is based on the music, not payment, and the fee helps cover the running costs of the website and the production of the feature.

Thank you for visiting and I hope you enjoy the music! Have a great weekend.

CHARLOTTE HAN – THE DIARY OF A TWENTY-SOMETHING

CHARLOTTE HAN makes her debut with ‘The Diary of a Twenty-Something’, an 11-track album exploring the complexities of love, heartbreak, self-discovery and personal growth. Blending contemporary singer-songwriter pop with an anthemic sensibility, Han draws on the emotional honesty of artists such as Taylor Swift, Gracie Abrams and Noah Kahan while establishing a distinct identity through her candid lyricism and considered arrangements.

Rooted in the messy realities of growing up, ‘The Diary of a Twenty-Something’ captures the idealism, uncertainty and humour that define early adulthood. Across the record, Han moves between vulnerable reflections on relationships and more playful, energetic moments, balancing emotional depth with an accessible pop sensibility. Her background as a classically trained violinist and recording engineer informs the album’s melodic detail and production, bringing an additional level of craftsmanship to her songwriting.

At the heart of the record is lead single ‘In Another Life’, a brooding, emotionally driven track that gradually unfolds from an intimate ballad into an expansive pop arrangement. Exploring the themes of love and loss, the song captures the lingering weight of relationships and the possibility of imagining how things might have turned out differently. Its measured opening gives way to a fuller, more dynamic production, creating a natural sense of momentum that mirrors the emotional progression of the songwriting.

‘The Diary of a Twenty-Something’is out now across all leading digital platforms. Listen below…

HANDSHAKE IN SPACE – GUARDIAN ANGELS

Swedish EDM artist and producer Stefan Haling – aka HANDSHAKE IN SPACE – shares latest single ‘Guardian Angels,’ out now on all major streaming platforms. The song marks one year since Haling survived a serious brain emergency. But he’s clear about what it isn’t.

“This isn’t a sad story, and it’s not really about me,” Haling says. “It’s about how many people it takes to get one person through something like this — before it happened, in the middle of it, and every single day since. I’ve been grateful to every one of them from the very first night, and I still am.”

‘Guardian Angels’ is available now on all major streaming platforms. Why not check it out below…

RIKKE – UNAFRAID / VÆRE TRYGG

Norwegian singer-songwriter RIKKE closes the year with her only release of 2026 ‘Unafraid / Være Trygg’, an intimate acoustic double single that pairs the original English-language track with ‘Være trygg’, which means “to be safe”, a Norwegian translation written by Rikke herself. Bringing together personal vulnerability and a wider message of compassion, the release reflects her commitment to creating music that connects with listeners through honesty, empathy and shared human experience.

Originally released in 2023, ‘Unafraid’ was written by Matthew Attard, April Bender and Rikke Normann. The song explores the struggle to confront personal fears and move beyond the insecurities that can shape our relationships and sense of self. For Rikke, its themes are rooted in self-doubt and the anxiety that comes with fearing that we are not loved. Reimagined in an acoustic, singer-songwriter setting, the track places the emotional weight of its songwriting at the forefront, allowing its message to resonate through a stripped-back arrangement and a deeply personal vocal performance.

The accompanying Norwegian version, ‘Være trygg’, extends the song’s emotional reach towards children growing up amid war, instability and uncertainty. Through its translated lyrics, Rikke expresses a wish for every child to experience the safety and freedom of childhood: to play, explore and grow up without fear. The two recordings offer distinct perspectives on vulnerability, connecting the internal work of overcoming personal struggles with the wider need for safety, care and security in the world.

‘Unafraid / Være Trygg’ is available across all leading digital platforms. Listen below…

BACKWOOD BALLERZ – BACKWOOD THRILLER

CURT-DOG, T-Bone, Super Dav and Jo Jo Bagz – otherwise know as Alabama’s hip-hop collective –BACKWOOD BALLERZ — have dropped their latest album ‘BACKWOOD THRILLER’ out now for your pleasure across all leading digital platforms. Why not check it out below…

SKIP-DAWG – LYRICAL PLAYBOY

Veteran rapper SKIP-DAWG steps back into his most confident persona with latest single ‘Lyrical Playboy’, a sleek and seductive rap-R&B duet exploring the divide between the man behind the music and the larger-than-life character who emerges when he picks up the mic.

Blending introspective rap verses with a sensual R&B hook and touches of alternative rock, ‘Lyrical Playboy’ brings a cinematic edge to SKIP-DAWG’s sound while reflecting on his return to music after nearly a decade away.

“‘Lyrical Playboy’ is really about the two sides of me,” SKIP-DAWG explains. “There’s the regular person I am in everyday life, and then there’s SKIP-DAWG, a more confident and expressive version of myself that comes out through the music.”

His return carries extraordinary weight. Having already released five albums, SKIP-DAWG’s career was brought to an abrupt halt by a life-threatening lung condition. After suffering more than 20 collapsed lungs and undergoing eight major lung surgeries, he spent close to a decade away from recording. He continues to live with significant nerve damage and severe chronic chest pain following his surgeries.

Now, SKIP-DAWG is also using his platform to raise awareness of what he refers to as Bleb Disease and the life-altering experiences of recurrent collapsed lung sufferers.

‘Lyrical Playboy’is available across all leading digital platforms. Listen below…

New Lease Music’s New Music Roundup – 30/10/26

Welcome to NEW LEASE MUSIC’s New Music Roundup, your weekly snapshot of great music from indie and unsigned artists!

This lineup brings together another three amazing female artists who are begging for your ears, so why not check them out? If you like what you hear, give them a thumbs-up and let us know what you think in the comments below!

NEW LEASE MUSIC’s New Music Roundup is featured on Mondays or Fridays. If you are an 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.

Please note: there is a small submission fee for artists whose music is selected for the roundup. Selection is based on the music, not payment, and the fee helps cover the running costs of the website and the production of the feature.

TAJONYX – THESE HANDS

Independent pop and R&B artist TAJONYX returns with ‘These Hands’, a bold, sensual single that draws on the precision and spectacle of early-2000s pop while embracing the sleek production and confident attitude of contemporary pop. Centred on sexual liberation, self-assurance and performance, the track marks another step in Tajonyx’s ongoing development of a distinct artistic identity on independent terms.

Blending hypnotic melodies, rhythmic production and expressive vocals, ‘These Hands’ channels the spirit of the Y2K pop era, with echoes of Destiny’s Child and Britney Spears, while maintaining a modern sonic identity. Its flirtatious energy and commanding delivery place performance at the heart of the track, balancing nostalgic influences with a contemporary sensibility.

“‘These Hands’ is an unapologetic track about sexual liberation and taking what’s yours,” Tajonyx shares. That sentiment captures the confidence driving this new phase, as the artist explores sexuality, control and adulthood with greater freedom. Where earlier work leaned towards a more polished, emotionally led blend of bubblegum pop and R&B, ‘These Hands’ embraces a more sensual and assertive identity without sacrificing the emotional substance or storytelling that have long shaped Tajonyx’s music.

Why not check out the fiery track below…

EAU THE MUSIC – LIGHT IN THE DARK

EAU THE MUSIC, the Toronto-born, Montréal raised and now Ottawa-based indie rock and dream pop artist, arrives with her debut album ‘Light in the Dark’, an ambitious introduction to an artist whose musical journey began not through formal training, but through instinct, experimentation and a desire to translate deeply personal experiences into sound.

Pronounced “O” the Music, Eau the Music occupies the space between dream pop, shoegaze and alternative rock, pairing hazy atmospheres with fuzz-driven guitars, melodic hooks and emotionally direct songwriting. Her music is shaped by a distinctive duality, balancing melancholy with hope, vulnerability with strength and softness with rawness. Across ‘Light in the Dark’, themes of love, loss, grief and self-discovery are explored through a cinematic and immersive sonic palette.

The album’s title track, ‘Light in the Dark’, captures the project’s central tension particularly well. Built around brooding guitars, atmospheric production and expressive vocals, the song moves between dream pop and grunge-inflected shoegaze while maintaining a strong melodic focus. Throughout the album, Eau the Music embraces the contrast between darkness and optimism, drawing on personal experiences of loss and grief, as well as a renewed connection to the hopeful and curious perspective she associates with childhood.

Listen to ‘Light in the Dark’ album below…

LENUSH SAF – LIPSTICK

LENUSH SAF returns with ‘Lipstick’, a hypnotic contemporary dance-pop single, out now across major digital platforms, distributed by The Orchard via Totally Imported. The track marks the beginning of a new chapter for the Armenian artist and serves as the first release from her forthcoming debut solo album, currently in production and scheduled for 2027.

Blending contemporary pop, club-driven production and intimate atmospheres, ‘Lipstick’ introduces a sound that balances rhythmic energy with a strong sense of vocal identity. Built around an infectious groove, dynamic synth work and Lenush Saf’s wide-ranging vocal delivery, the track moves between understated intimacy and greater intensity, creating a polished dance-pop production designed to translate equally well to the club and everyday listening. Her influences emerge within the chorus and synth textures, adding a distinctive cultural thread to the track and reflecting Saf’s personal journey.

‘Lipstick’ represents the first stage of a broader creative project that will unfold through a series of singles over the coming months before culminating in Saf’s first solo album in 2027. The release follows her earliest original singles, ‘Refugee’ and ‘Ghost’, which arrived in 2008 after she signed with an international record label. While her professional path subsequently expanded into digital communications and fashion, music remained a consistent part of her creative identity.

Check out the official video for ‘Lipstick’ below…

A Quick With…P.Peeva

Recently featured in NEW LEASE MUSIC’s New Music Round-up, P.PEEVA pops into the interview seat to discuss her debut single, ‘SOMADAYLESS’ and how she uses AI as part of the creative process.

NLM: Hey, thank you for taking part in an interview with NEW LEASE MUSIC. Please introduce yourself to the world!

PP: My name is Petya Peeva, and I am the creator behind the music project P.Peeva. I’m from Bulgaria. I have a corporate career, which is how I earn my living, and I create alongside that.

When we introduce ourselves through our jobs, a lot gets left out. For me, that’s writing and everything that has gradually grown from it. I don’t decide in advance which idea will become a poem, a story or a song.I follow the way I feel it. Sometimes the words come with such a clear sense of music that I want to hear them outside my own head. SOMADAYLESS is my debut single. It introduces a part of me that a job title or a professional biography couldn’t really explain.

NLM:You released your debut single, ‘SOMADAYLESS’, in August. What is the public perception of the single so far?

PP: I’m still discovering what happens to a song after you release it. While you’re creating it, you make the decisions. Then it reaches people who don’t have all your explanations and hear it through their own lives. I find that part just as interesting as making it.

SOMADAYLESS has already received media attention and given me opportunities to talk about the idea behind it. This interview is part of that journey too. At the same time, I’m actively working to help it reach more people. I send it out, introduce it and look for places where it might connect. When you’re starting independently, people have no reason to know you exist yet.

It’s still early to make big claims about its reception. What I can talk about are the first opportunities it has opened up, and the work that continues after the release.

NLM: What inspired you to write/produce the single?

PP: The feeling that ‘someday’ sounds like a promise, even though it guarantees nothing. It’s easy to put things there when they need more courage, more time or a difficult conversation. And because we haven’t given up on them completely, we can go a long time without noticing that we keep putting them off.

I created the word SOMADAYLESS from ‘so many days less’. Each time we put something off, there are fewer days left to do it. There’s also a play on ‘someday less’: less of that constant ‘someday’ we leave so much of our lives to.

Those two meanings meet in the song. Time keeps passing, but we can still change how we respond to it. We can’t do everything immediately. But we can ask ourselves whether we’re really waiting for the right moment, or whether we’ve simply become used to waiting.

NLM: How would you describe the single’s sound to potential fans?

PP:R&B, soul and hip-hop, both the music and the culture, have always meant a lot to me. They’ve shaped the way I listen to voices, rhythm and how a phrase can carry more than the words alone. When I imagine the sound of a song, I also hear how the words should be delivered. The same line can sound like a confession, a plea or an accusation. That changes the whole song, even if the words stay exactly the same.

With SOMADAYLESS, I wanted the music to give the subject of time and postponement room to breathe, without turning it into a lecture. I wanted the emotion to come through in the delivery and leave listeners room to find their own connection to the lyrics.

NLM: You use AI to help produce ‘SOMADAYLESS’. What initially inspired you to use AI as part of your music-making process?

PP: The possibility of developing a musical idea when I already have the lyrics and a clear sense of how I want it to sound. In my head, there’s a genre, a particular kind of voice and a way of singing the words. The challenge is turning that into something I can actually hear and work on. A music creation platform gave me a way to do that. I can try a direction, hear where it doesn’t match what I had in mind and keep developing it.

I have a corporate career and other responsibilities in my daily life. Being able to start working on a song myself makes a practical difference. I can begin, rather than leave the idea for some future moment when all the conditions are right.

NLM: Can you take us briefly through your creative process when using AI to produce your music?

PP: I start with the concept – what the song is saying, where it’s coming from and how I want the emotion to develop. The lyrics are part of that, but before I hear any version, I already have a sound in mind. I decide on the genre and style, and imagine a specific voice, its character and the way it should deliver the words. Then I work with the music creation platform to develop that direction. There are a lot of decisions between what I imagine and what I hear. Does the voice have the right feeling? Does the rhythm work with the lyrics? Does the chorus arrive with enough strength? Is the music bringing out the emotion, or making it too obvious?

A version can sound finished and still not feel like my song. It might be pleasant to listen to, but take the words somewhere I didn’t intend. Then I have to work out what isn’t right and keep refining it. A lot of the process is listening and making choices. I need to tell the difference between something that impresses me for a moment and something that belongs in the song. The final choice has to hold up after that first excitement wears off.

The lyrics, concept and creative direction are mine. I use AI for the music and vocals, and I’m open about that.

NLM: What would you say to musicians and other creatives who strongly oppose using AI in music?

PP: I think we first need to understand exactly what someone objects to. Consent, the use of other people’s work, voice imitation and payment are specific concerns. Saying that technology is moving forward doesn’t answer them.

I can speak most clearly about my own work. I write the lyrics, develop the concept and decide on the direction. I’m open about using AI, and I don’t present the generated vocals as my own singing. Those distinctions matter to me because they help listeners understand what they’re hearing.

I wouldn’t compare my process to the years a singer has spent developing their voice, or a musician learning their instrument. What I can do is explain the work I’ve put in and stand behind my decisions. I’d like the conversation to allow for those details. That gives us a way to discuss specific uses and the responsibility behind them, rather than judging every use of AI in the same way.

NLM: What plans do you have in store for 2026?

PP: I’m planning to release my next song in early November. I’m keeping the title to myself for now.

In this one, I’m experimenting with bringing together two styles that aren’t usually mixed. I’m really happy with how it turned out. For me, the interesting part is whether those styles can work together naturally within the song. An unusual combination isn’t enough on its own if you can constantly hear the effort to make it work. That’s something I want to keep exploring. I have strong influences, but I’m curious about what else I can do with the music I love.

NLM: How can potential fans find you?

PP: You can find me on music platforms by searching for P.Peeva and SOMADAYLESS. My website is petya-peeva.com, and I’m @ppeeva on Instagram and @p.peeva_ on TikTok. You can follow my upcoming projects there too.

NLM: Finally, if music didn’t exist, what profession would you do?

PP: I already have a professional life outside music. I work and have a corporate career, so there’s a very real answer to that question in my everyday life.

Writing would still be there too. It doesn’t depend on whether a piece of writing can become a song. My ideas take different forms, and I’d keep following them.I think you can take something very seriously even when it isn’t your profession. The fact that my creative work doesn’t pay my bills doesn’t decide how much care and effort I’m willing to give it.

Song of the Day: You’re Not A Lover – LayDee KinMee

Behind the bold, colourful presence and larger-than-life personality, Jace Pearson — better known as award-winning Australian entertainer LAYDEE KINMEE — had been carrying the heartache of losing his first true love for more than two decades. He began putting pen to paper to capture the aftermath of the break-up, but the song remained unfinished. Years later, another painful break-up brought those long-buried emotions rushing back to the surface — and let’s just say, this time, the experience put fuel in his rocket!

Known as the yodelling drag queen following his outstanding performance on Australia’s Got Talent, LayDee KinMee releases ‘You’re Not A Lover’, a break-up anthem reflecting the love and devotion he gave to two relationships that were not reciprocated. Rather than wallow in self-pity, he turns his anger and resentment into a stark realisation that there’s no room for unreciprocated love. This reinvigorated blend of racy pop and country gives LayDee KinMee the courage to slam the door on two messy chapters and walk away with a spring in his step.

‘You’re Not A Lover’ is not just LayDee KinMee’s story — it’s also an ode to anyone who’s been in a similar situation, encouraging them to draw a line in the sand, say ‘enough is enough’ with conviction, and look towards a brighter future, just as LayDee KinMee did.

‘You’re Not A Lover’ adds to KinMee’s critically acclaimed recording career, where pop, country and cabaret meet the real-life experiences of the person behind the persona. Why not have a listen below…

Connect with LayDee KinMee via:
FB: https://www.facebook.com/laydee.kinmee.9/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/theldkm/https://open.spotify.com/track/10BkgBWtavnbw2SEElqOCB?si=dacd6cbef41747a8
Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theldkm
Website: https://www.laydeekinmee.com/home

New Lease Music’s New Music Roundup – 16/10/26

Welcome to NEW LEASE MUSIC’s New Music Roundup, your weekly snapshot of great music from indie and unsigned artists!

This lineup brings together three amazing female artists who are well worth a listen, so why not check them out? If you like what you hear, give them a thumbs-up and let us know what you think 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.

Please note: there is a small submission fee for artists whose music is selected for the roundup. Selection is based on the music, not payment, and the fee helps cover the running costs of the website and the production of the feature.

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

BRI FLETCHER – NEW HER (EP)

Nashville-based country artist BRI FLETCHER returns to NLM roundup with six-track EP, ‘New Her’, a project about two years of personal growth, changing relationships, and self-discovery.

Throughout 2025 and 2026, Fletcher has continued building on her country roots while incorporating R&B and pop influences. ‘New’ Her brings together her singles ‘what the hell?,’ ‘Rocket Science,’ ‘Detox,’ ‘Help Myself,’ and the title track, alongside ‘Now You Know Better,’ to tell a cohesive story about finding direction, navigating relationships, and learning to give herself grace.

“I wanted to create New Her because this EP tells a story of growth in so many different ways. The last two years of my life have been filled with so much change, revelation, and self-discovery. I wanted to create a project that felt just as dramatic, emotional, and transformative as those experiences.” – Bri Fletcher.

‘New Her’ EP is out today. Listen below…

LAUREN ANDERSON – A RIDGLAN BEAGLER

LAUREN ANDERSON is not shying away from standing her ground. Written from the perspective of a Beagle, ‘Ridglan Beagle’ tells the story of life on Ridglan Farms, a breeding and research facility in Wisconsin that has experimented on Beagles. Anderson uses the song to shine a light on the animals’ suffering while combining two of her greatest passions: music and animal advocacy.

​“I feel it in my bones when I hear about animal cruelty. So when I heard about the Ridglan Farms beagles, I couldn’t help but get involved in any way I could. I wanted to write a song to help spread the word about everything: the continued pain we’re causing animals that needs to be stopped, the kind people who released the beagles who are now in jail for it, and the thousands of beagles that are now given a 2nd chance in life! Let’s spread the word and end animal testing!”

​Bringing her signature bluesy sound to a deeply personal subject, Anderson turns ‘Ridglan Beagle’ into more than a song. It’s a call for awareness, compassion, change, and giving a voice to animals that cannot speak for themselves.

‘Ridglan Beagle’ is out today. Why not listen below…

P.PEEVA – SOMADAYLESS

‘SOMADAYLESS’ is P.PEEVA‘s debut R&B/Soul single, released on 11 August 2026. Its title comes from “so many days less” and captures the choice to stop postponing what matters. The Bulgarian writer, creator and songwriter wrote the lyrics and developed the concept and creative direction, using AI tools in the production and vocals. Listen to ‘SOMADAYLESS’ below…