After making her entry on the blog, scooping the Song of the Day spot with single ‘House Wife’, singer/songwriter EMILI returns with a stunningly ethereal single, ‘Izabela’, released last Friday (19th September), across all leading platforms.
The single is arguably Emili’s most personal work to date as it was written for her sister. While it touches on heavy themes of domestic violence, ‘Izabela’ serves as a love letter and a comforting hug to her sister, wishing her a safer, happier, more magical life.
‘Izabela’ is the second glimpse into Emili’s upcoming album, slated for release in early 2026, and follows the release of the project’s first single, ‘Just Chill’.
As he prepares to release his twelfth studio album Spirit’s Not Broken, Irish troubadour BEN REEL offers a heartfelt preview with his brand-new single ‘I Will’, available today (12th September) on all major streaming platforms.
‘I Will’ radiates the warm, golden tones of ‘70s soft rock, laced with a smooth, soulful disco groove. Ben’s unmistakable raspy vocal — often compared to the likes of John Hiatt and Roy Orbison — brings a raw emotional edge to the track, elevating its tender declaration of love. The single continues Ben’s rich musical journey that spans rock, folk, soul, and Americana — a unique fusion that earned him the title “the Irish Springsteen.”
With a career spanning over three decades, Ben has performed extensively across the globe and has made notable appearances on BBC, RTÉ, and Dutch NPO Radio. He’s shared the stage with artists such as Jools Holland, The Cranberries, Nanci Griffith, and Eric Andersen, carving out a respected space in the international music scene.
His 2020 album The Nashville Calling topped the Euro Americana Chart, and his recent releases — Locked in & Live (2022) and Come a Long Way (2023) — further cemented his reputation as a fearless, ever-evolving artist.
Slated for release on 23th January 2026, ‘Spirit’s Not Broken’ promises to be one of his most dynamic to date. Opening with the raw rock energy Ben is known for, the album flows seamlessly into soulful and R&B-inspired grooves, channelling the spirit of Marvin Gaye, Otis Redding, Van Morrison, and Sting. It’s a journey that balances grit and grace, offering a powerful reminder in a divided world: to simply love one another.
Rising acoustic and indie pop singer-songwriter SOFIA LILY follows up her stunning debut single ‘All We Have Is Now’ with her deeply moving new track, ‘Montana’. Known for her raw lyricism, stripped-back melodies, and a voice that lingers long after the last note fades, Sofia once again delivers music that feels like a personal conversation with the soul.
Blending the tenderness of country storytelling with a pop sensibility made for heartfelt singalongs, Montana captures the bittersweet emotions of losing a friendship — a kind of heartbreak rarely spoken about but universally felt.
Drawing comparisons to Kacey Musgraves, Gracie Abrams, and even touches of Miley Cyrus, Sofia Lily’s ethereal yet grounded vocals glide over delicate acoustic guitar and layered melodies, building into a chorus that feels both intimate and anthemic. With just her second release, she continues to showcase limitless potential, cementing her place as an emerging artist to watch not only in the U.S. but globally.
She shares; ‘“‘Montana’ is about the kind of heartbreak no one prepares you for—when a friendship ends. It’s about learning the truth, letting go, and realizing that not everyone who walks with you is meant to stay.”
With ‘Montana’, Sofia Lily continues to carve out a unique space in today’s indie pop scene. Her ability to transform deeply personal experiences into universally relatable music has already begun to resonate with listeners worldwide. The single showcases her growth as both a songwriter and performer, proving that even early in her career, she possesses a rare emotional depth and authenticity that few artists manage to capture.
Sofia Lily has this effortless ease to craft emotional landscapes. ‘Montana’ is a testament to her gift for storytelling, pulling listeners in and refusing to let go until long after the note ends. Have a listen below…
Zimbabwe-born/Scottish-based house/electronic producer Mani S – aka MERITTOCRACY – gets ready to unveil his third single ‘Desire’, featuring the instantly recognisable soulful vocals of legendary singer Jocelyn Brown. The deep soulful house cut is coming out 26th September via his record label, Black Sugar Music.
‘Desire’ is a reworked track that Mani S had previously written and produced with Jocelyn Brown for YOYOHONEY – an electro-soul group he formed with singer Anita Jarrett. Known for her cult classics like, ‘Someone Else’s Guy’ and ‘Always There’, with British acid jazz group Incognito, Jocelyn Brown’s infamous powerhouse vocals inspired Mani S to drop a remix. Drawing from the raw energy of the Chicago House movement, ‘Desire’ now pulses a seriously deep gutsy groove with an infectious electronica edge. “Her timeless vocals and energy got me really excited and I decided to redo and produced it on a different vibe for Merittocracy,” says Mani S.
A songwriter, producer and bass guitarist, Mani S, started is musical journey at the age of just 14, playing at countless shows and was fortunate to work with some of the industry greats such as Bootsy Collins, DJ Pierre, Tony Humphries, and Steely & Cleevie.
Main S’ love for dub, hip-hop and soul led him to form YOYOHONEY, a UK soul project which blends elements of electronica, techno and ambient sounds. Along with Anita Jarrett, Mani S released soulful/acid jazz-tinged singles, ‘Groove On’ in 1991 and ‘Voodoo Soul’ in 1992.
Mani S’ other biggest love is house music, particularly of the deep cut kind; a genre that was with him from the start of his journey. He formed Merittocracy in 2024 to push house and electronic sounds to the forefront – and give them the full attention it deserves. Along with pushing out genres he loves – and not churning out hits for streams and views – Mani S is extremely passionate about music development and has helped shape the creative direction of emerging acts.
Merittocracy’s new single ‘Desire’, featuring the great Jocelyn Brown, drops 26th September via Black Sugar Music.
International electronic trio under:tones open a bold new chapter in their musical journey with their debut album ‘Encounters’, arriving March 2026. Their first single, ‘Dreaming (Wide Awake)’, marks the inaugural release on Through ‘Dreaming (Wide Awake)’, a freshly launched label dedicated to forward-thinking, emotionally rich electronic music. This milestone not only sets the tone for under:tones’ evolution but also celebrates the birth of a new creative platform bridging cultures, genres, and generations.
Blending cinematic textures, euphoric rhythms, and soul-stirring vocals, ‘Dreaming (Wide Awake)’ marks a defining moment for under:tones, a project that moves seamlessly between dancefloor energy and introspective atmospheres. Written and recorded between California, the UK, and Italy, the track embodies the group’s signature sound — analog warmth meets digital precision, driven by emotion and storytelling.
Sun-soaked and dream-drenched, the song feels like a golden hour reverie. Reeves’ airy vocals float over lush synth layers and a pulsing beat that pulls you in before you realise you’re moving. There’s a bittersweet nostalgia in its tone — a longing for a past summer, a rush of first love — yet a hopeful, life-affirming energy runs through every note.
The music video, directed by Cristina Principe, is set in Los Angeles and brings this feeling to life through the eyes of Zeno, a 14-year-old navigating adolescence under the constant surveillance of social algorithms that track his every move, thought, and mood. The film captures fleeting moments of escape; wired headphones, laughter with friends, surrendering to music, reminding us that real connection and freedom still exist beyond screens and systems. Shot with a cinematic lens, the visual feels like a coming-of-age short film, perfectly matching the track’s dreamlike yet uplifting atmosphere.
They share; “For us, ‘Dreaming (Wide Awake)’ is that golden-hour moment when life feels too vivid to be real – when you stop imagining and start living your own story. It’s about clarity, love, and the thrill of catching up with your dreams.”
Through The Void Records was created as a home for projects that aims to become a hub to launch Italian artists internationally, as well as to introduce global talent to the Italian and European scenes. The release of ‘Dreaming (Wide Awake)’ serves as the label’s official launch, setting its ethos: music that moves both the body and the heart, bridging underground club culture with timeless songwriting.
Following their debut EP, under:tones step boldly into a new era with ‘Dreaming (Wide Awake)’ — with a full-length album envisioned as a series of sonic short films exploring connections across cultures, emotions, and generations. With Neri’s pioneering house legacy, Zarcone’s hybrid instrumentation, and Reeves’ soulful touch, the trio is redefining electronic music as an immersive experience for both body and mind.
’Dreaming (Wide Awake)’ by under:tones is out now via all leading streaming platforms. Why not check out the video for the summery cut below…
New Lease Music 