New Lease Music’s New Music Roundup – 31/03/26

Welcome to NEW LEASE MUSIC’s New Music Roundup, your weekly snapshot of great music from indie and unsigned artists! In this addition you’ll hear cross rhythms of genres – from alt-pop, country/folk and R&B/soul. 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!

MAXX NIES – GIVE ME A REASON

New York-based alt-pop artist MAXX NIES continues to carve out a compelling space in the modern pop landscape with the release of her deeply personal new single, ‘Give Me A Reason’. At just 25, Nies has already forged a musical path rooted in vulnerability, resilience, and emotional honesty, using songwriting as both a creative outlet and a means of healing. Inspired to write her first song at the age of seven following the passing of her great grandmother, Maxx discovered early on the transformative power of music to process complex feelings and personal experiences.

‘Give Me A Reason’ is out now across all leading platforms. Listen below…

NATALIE DUNCAN – BLACK MOON

Nottingham-raised and London-based singer-songwriter and keys player NATALIE DUNCAN returns with her highly anticipated third studio album, ‘Black Moon’, out now for your pleasure across all leading platforms. The album, produced and mixed in-house with her trio, Alan Mian (bass) and Dave ‘Big D’ Browning (drums), marks a bold, expansive statement from one of the UK’s most compelling jazz, soul, and R&B artists. Leading the record is the stirring first single, ‘Crashing Into The Dark’, a track that perfectly captures the depth, soul, and vigour of the new collection. Have a listen below…

STARSPIRE – UNCLAIMED BAGGAGE

London-based creative strategist and Managing Director Ranj George steps fully into his artist identity with the release of his debut album under his multi-genre project, STARSPIRE. Titled ‘What Is Meant For You’, the record is an ambitious and emotionally resonant body of work spanning 13 genres, from hip-hop to country, pop to indie, unified not by sound, but by storytelling.

The album’s lead single, ‘Unclaimed Baggage’, is a sharply observed country-pop reflection on modern male loneliness, following a mid-40s divorced man navigating dating apps, emotional fatigue and the quiet pressure to stay confident while feeling overlooked. Warm but unresolved, the track carries a lived-in quality, with intimate husky vocals and stripped back acoustic textures that mirror its bittersweet honesty. Have a listen to below…

DANI IVORY – NO OTHER WAY

DANI IVORY is back with her four-song EP ‘No Other Way’, a raw, unfiltered exploration of love, loss, and devotion. The project is a collective of soul, R&B, rock, country, and folk-pop, blending organic instrumentation with emotionally rich storytelling.Opening with ‘Looney Bin’ Ivory sets the tone immediately — messy, self-aware, and emotionally charged. Bright on the surface but layered with heartbreak underneath, the track blends organ, twangy guitars, and soulful textures that evoke Maggie Rose and Marcus King while staying rooted in Ivory’s signature sound: “I’ve been beating down every single door / I got no good shoes left to throw I’m looking for some more / I just can’t wrap my head tight around the thought / You’ve had enough of my love, don’t want me no more.”

The song captures the exhaustion, disbelief, and chaos of realising the love you’re giving isn’t wanted, with a chorus that makes the unraveling fully visible: “I turn into a wreck, a nasty mess / Mascara dripping, big hair flippin’ party bitch / I drink too much wine, I stay up all night / I’m a different woman when you’re roaming / Yeah I’m losing my mind to the looney bin.” Listen to ‘Looney Bin’ below…

VIANNA ROSE – I’M A GOOD WOMAN

Taken her new EP, ‘Echoes of Time’, available now on all streaming and download sites, VIANNA ROSE unveils focus track, ‘I’m A Good Woman.’ Channeling the bold attitude of Barbara Lynn’s original, pairing Southern soul grit with a warm R&B groove, ‘I’m A Good Woman.’ hooks listeners early with its turning-point lyric, “Now I know what I’m going to do… I’m gonna leave you,” before landing its emotional payoff through a striking, repeated outro refrain.

Check out the video for ‘I’m A Good Woman’ below…

SHEYNA GEE – TWO WEEKS

Traditional country artist SHEYNA GEE releases her highly anticipated new EP, ‘Two Weeks’, out now. Entirely written and produced by Sheyna herself, the project serves as a bold artistic statement—one that captures lightning in a bottle while showcasing her undeniable depth as both a songwriter and producer.

The EP’s title, ‘Two Weeks’, reflects the intense and deeply personal creative sprint during which Sheyna brought each track to life. The result is a cohesive, emotionally rich body of work that moves seamlessly between raw vulnerability, soaring resilience, and even a playful, tongue-in-cheek drinking anthem

‘Two Weeks’ was released last Friday (31st March) across all leading platforms. Why not check it out below…

OUT TODAY: Ainsley unveils inspirational track ‘Pray Everyday’ ft Double S

AINSLEY has teamed up with Double S, a former member of grime collective Marvell, for new single, ‘Pray Everyday’ out today, 25th March on all leading music platforms.

The pair met at a competition set by Timbaland, where the winning single earns a spot on his album. Although Ainsley reached the quarter finals in the competition, she struck up an invaluable connection with Double S. Their pair are currently working a string of singles which will form part of Ainsley’s debut album coming out later in the year.

Their budding collaboration starts with ‘Pray Everyday’, a noughties-inspired hip-hop/R&B fusion, where Double S moves away from his infamous rapid, “skippy” flow and adopts a more laid-back delivery to tell the story of confronting the hustle and bustle of everyday life with optimism, perseverance and faith. ‘Pray Everyday’ serves as an anthem to encourage anyone who are at their lowest ebb. 

Influenced by icons like Timbaland and Michael Jackson, Ainsley is a female producer hailing from the vibrant city of Glasgow. She has carved out a signature sound by blending old-school and new-school R&B, collaborating with some of the UK’s most sought-after voices to bring fresh energy to the genre.

‘Pray Everyday’, ft. Double S, drops today (25th March) across all leading platforms

Follow Ainsley via:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/iamtheainsley/
Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/search?q=Iamtheainsley

Song of the Day: Benched – MaryAiAnne & Me

After release of their well-received single, ‘Checkmate’, which is currently #1 on CHBN Radio’s The Playlist chart, MARYAIANNE & ME make a quick return with single ‘Benched’ out now across various music platforms.

‘BENCHED’ may be a bright, summer-ready pop bop, but it explores the hidden pressures many young people face. It tells the story of a girl juggling the demands of school studies, a part-time job, and the expectations of being part of a sports team she loves. From the outside, she seems capable and driven, but the repeated feeling of being benched — not chosen, not good enough — slowly begins to take its toll.

At her lowest point, she reaches out to the one person she trusts most — her mother — and begins the first step toward getting help. While she is fortunate to have someone to turn to, the song also acknowledges that many people suffer in silence, isolated and unsure where to find support. Professional help does exist, but it often comes at a cost that many cannot afford.

‘BENCHED’ captures that fragile moment when pressure threatens stability — the tipping point where something has to give — shining a light on the importance of support, understanding, and speaking up before the struggle becomes invisible.

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 Incredible Shrinking Dickies and produced their album The Incredible Shrinking Dickies. 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 Me’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.

‘BENCHED’ out now across various music 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

Song of the Day: City of Stars – Amity

On the back of his headline show at Hoxton’s Folklore last month, the rapidly acclaimed powerhouse AMITY has unveiled his latest single, ‘City Of Stars’. The single adds to his impressively expansive discography, boldly confronting topics that are often considered taboo or uncomfortable.

‘City Of Stars’ stands as the ultimate self-liberation anthem confronting the abuse of coercive control. Driven by a compelling yet ominous bassline, the track gradually builds through a tense, murmuring atmosphere before giving way to a reinvigorating orchestral swell. The sonic progression captures a powerful sense of release, embodying the idea that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Anchored by the 18-year-old’s raw and emotionally charged vocal performance, it’s almost impossible to believe that ‘City Of Stars’ was written during the final 40 minutes of Amity’s Physics GCSE exam.

The song quickly became a key moment in Amity’s live sets; its pulsing crunchy chords and gut spilling lyrics have moved listeners to tears in scores of shows up and down the country, notably both on the main stage at The Royal Albert Hall and on Elton John’s red piano at Amity’s sold out solo concert in The Royal Albert Hall’s Elgar Room in July.

‘City Of Stars’ is Amity’s first offering of 2026, which follows a explosion of support in 2025. From November’s iTunes pop chart success with the viral TikTok hit, ‘To Make A Man’, which was also featured in the prestigious industry insider bulletin, Record of the Day, to December’s success in the Future Hits Radio Top 40 of The Year and current double nomination by Radio Wigwam as ‘Breakthrough Artist 25’ and ‘Best Solo Act 25’, Amity’s rapid rise shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, after making it into the top picks of 25 for taste makers such as Jeff Thomas (FMOF) and Nick Tann (Fresh Music Fix), Amity’s also a current top ten finalist for Record Store Day’s Unsigned Artist competition and a current shortlist contender to play at The Musos.

With all the accolades rushing in all directions, it would be a very wise to keep Amity on your radar. With an EP on the horizon, ‘City Of Stars’ offers an very intriguing glimpse of what’s to come — and sets the stage for what could be a striking run of releases this year.

Connect with Amity via:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amitysings/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/amity_sings/
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@amity_sings
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/amitymiller
Website: https://amity.music/

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