Emerging artist ASHLEY SAVAGE is quickly proving herself to be one to watch in 2026, carving out a lane entirely her own.
Raised in the culturally rich state of Indiana — on the very same street where the Jackson family’s legendary journey began — her artistry is rooted in the soul of ‘90s R&B while embracing sleek, modern textures that feel both cinematic and radio-ready. Although she shares a geographical connection to music royalty, Ashley Savage is firmly focused on shaping her own future with a bold and innovative creative vision.
Her latest single, ‘Pressure’, offers the perfect introduction to her unmistakable sound. Blending elements of contemporary indie K-pop and atmospheric R&B, the track unfolds as a smooth mid-tempo anthem exploring the complexities of relationships. Each verse carries themes of resilience and emotional growth, while Ashley’s expressive vocal delivery captures the struggle of overcoming pressure, embracing healing, and emerging stronger through adversity.
‘Pressure’ is part of a wider body of work that Ashley Savage describes as a blueprint for “Commercial Crossover” — a sound that masterfully balances raw street-edge authenticity with polished luxury and mainstream appeal.
Step into the surreal yet captivating world of Ashley Savage and experience her latest release, ‘Pressure’, below.
MS ALISHA B, hops into the hot seat to discuss her latest single ‘What’s Done Is Done’.The promising R&B singer also shares come exciting upcoming plans for emerging artists, so why not dive in to find out more!
NLM: Hey, thank you for taking part in an interview with NEW LEASE MUSIC. How is 2026 treating you so far?
MAB: 2026 has been a very intentional year for me so far. I’ve been focusing on growth, both personally and creatively, and being more structured with how I approach my music and purpose. It feels like a year of alignment, where everything I’ve been building internally is starting to come together externally.
NLM: You released your single, “What’s Done Is Done” (10th April). What is the public perception of the single so far?
MAB: People have been saying they really like the song online, which has been really encouraging. In terms of the deeper message, I haven’t received much detailed feedback yet on how it has impacted listeners personally, but I believe that will come in time as people continue to connect with the song.
NLM: What inspired you to produce/write the single?
MAB: The original inspiration for the song came from experiences of sexual violence, and it was first written around 2016. That was the starting point. As the song developed, particularly in the second verse, co-writer Luke Grant (GKID) helped shape it into something more universal. It moved beyond one specific experience and became something that also reflects toxic or unhealthy relationships more broadly, making it more relatable to others.
NLM: How would you describe the single’s sound to potential fans?
MAB: The sound is rooted in R&B, but it carries a fusion of Gospel, soul, and subtle reggae influences. It has a smooth and reflective feel, with an edge in the melodies and rhythms that give it depth. The message is Gospel-influenced, while the sound stays soulful and relatable.
NLM: What message would you like the listeners to take away from your single?
MAB: The main message is that your past does not define your future. Whatever someone has experienced, they don’t have to carry it as their identity. The song is about release, healing, and choosing to move forward. It also points people towards the understanding that through GOD, there is always an opportunity for restoration, clarity, and growth.
NLM: Are there any plans to release an official video for the single?
MAB: We originally filmed a video for the song in 2017, but due to some issues at the time, it wasn’t released. However, I’m currently releasing an AI version of the video this month, and after my EP release, I plan to rework and release a full official version.
NLM: If you had to feature one mainstream artist on “What’s Done Is Done”, who would it be and why?
MAB: I would say H.E.R., because of her ability to express emotion and vulnerability in a very honest and soulful way. Her style would complement the depth of the message.
NLM: What plans do you have in store for 2026?
MAB: I’m currently working on my first book, “How to Write Songs From the Heart”. I’m also developing my songwriting community and preparing a compilation project for emerging artists. Musically, I’m in the early stages of working on a 5–6 track EP and focusing on releasing music intentionally this year.
NLM: How can potential fans find you?
MAB: All platforms use the same handle: Instagram / Facebook / YouTube: @msalishabmusic
NLM: Finally, if music didn’t exist, what other profession would you do?
MAB: If music didn’t exist, I would still be doing something that involves mentoring and developing people. Teaching or coaching would naturally align with who I am.
Singer/songwriter Maryanne – aka MARYAIANNE & ME – invites us into her world withlatest single, ‘I’ll Find The Light’. The inspiring ballad chronicles her ongoing battle against depression and her unwavering determination to move towards for a brighter future. A moving anthem of resilience and strength over adversity, ‘I’ll Find The Light’ is now available on all major streaming platforms.
Music has always been central to Maryanne’s life. From a young age, she found joy in singing in choirs and performing. However, following experiences of abuse as a child, she became increasingly reclusive. Over the past six months, she has turned to AI music tool SUNO as a creative partner, helping her bring her songs to life in a way that fully captures the depth of her emotions and intentions.
Since Maryanne met her manager, John Hewlett, she has found a pathway to share her voice with the world and is now able to publish her lyrics and express herself through the tracks she is creating, under the moniker, MaryAianne & Me.
Maryanne continues to prioritise her mental health and is engaged in ongoing counselling. Alongside this, her songwriting and the development of MaryAianne & Me have become a vital therapeutic outlet—not only for herself, but also for listeners facing similar challenges.
As part of her journey managing depression and anxiety, Maryanne plans to perform her singles to a live audience in the future. She’s currently taking singing lessons to fine tune her vocals.
Existential singer-songwriter showcases songwriting craft with eleven new songs
The new studio album ‘Pale Fire Catch Me’ by Man at Sea is a striking first full-length statement that pitches classic songwriting craft within a modern, searching landscape.
The album leans into a classic sensibility not unfamiliar to fans of Rufus Wainwright and Father John Misty: understated arrangements led by strong melodies, and an emphasis on song craft that recalls the enduring legacy of classic songwriters from the sixties and seventies.
‘Pale Fire Catch M’explores themes of doubt, whether in love or life as well as themes of devotion, or lack of in an increasingly secular world. Across eleven songs, Man at Sea wrestles openly with modern disillusionment and isolation — not offering answers so much as honest questions, held together by rich arrangements and deeply expressive vocals.
11 tracks reveal a songwriter coming into his own, displaying a highly tuned sense of song craft by a songwriter drawn to melody and emotional depth over trend-driven production. ‘Pale Fire Catch Me’is the sound of an artist standing at the edge of a renewed belief in something— perhaps just in himself.
Together, these tracks establish ‘Pale Fire Catch Me’ as an album built on classic songwriting values — melody, narrative lyricism, and emotional intelligence — while staying unmistakably rooted in the contemporary.
Swedish EDM artist HANDSHAKE IN SPACE returns with the new single ‘Am I coming over or what’, a pulsating up-tempo club song about late texts, broken boundaries and that person you can never really say no to. The single, which was written together with American songwriter and producer Tim Heller, is out now on all leading digital platforms.
With a lyrical universe that follows a protagonist through a night at the club – from the crowded dance floor to that last question on the phone – the song captures the feeling of trying to set boundaries but still ending up outside the door of the same apartment time and time again. The verses describe how the promise to “draw a line” falls apart as the bass thumps, the city sparkles while the chorus culminates in the straightforward and vulnerable question that also gave the song its title.
The colorful cover reinforces the theme: a cartoon superhero character, wrapped in a glittering cape and with his fist in the air, becomes a symbol of the inner strength you try to mobilize – even when you know you might give in anyway. The pop art-inspired aesthetic reflects the song’s mix of euphoria, nostalgia and self-distancing, and makes the single instantly recognizable in streams and playlists.
Sonically, ‘Am I coming over or what’ combines HANDSHAKE IN SPACE’s melodic signature with heavy, modern club grooves and a vocal production that sounds as much after-party in the kitchen as it does on the main stage. The result is a song that feels as natural in a late DJ set as it does in a late night drive home – a soundtrack to all those times you’ve promised yourself you won’t go back, but you’re still standing there, “just this last time”. Why not check out the single bellow…
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