Nick Ryan’s ‘ArchNemesis’ — a remixed reimagining of his earlier album ‘Nemesis’ — wastes no time making an impact. From the opening track, ‘Welcome To The Nightmare’, listeners are thrown into a vivid sonic landscape bursting with oversized synths and thunderous drums, clearly inspired by Rated R Remixed by Rihanna.
And that intensity never lets up. The album is relentless in its energy, pushing the listener to move as basslines grow deeper, more progressive, and increasingly infectious across the sprawling tracklist. There’s a playful, bubblegum sheen layered into tracks like ‘Bow Down’ and ‘Don’t Hold Your Breath’, offering a carefree contrast. Yet ‘Bow Down’ in particular flips that tone lyrically, as Nick Ryan confronts past experiences with narcissistic manipulation, transforming them into something defiant and empowering.
Diving further into the project, ‘Nemesis’ and ‘Joshua Sea’ immerse the listener in rich, 90s-inspired deep house textures. From there, ‘Politics & MindGames’ bridges deep house with EDM influences, exposing a more vulnerable side of Ryan as he explores themes of frustration and emotional strain tied to manipulation and deceit.
The album then takes a nostalgic turn with ‘Toast’, channeling the familiar, commercial pulse of 90s house music, before closing with an ambitious megamix that ties the entire project together.
Originally released in 2021, ‘Nemesis’ leaned more toward alternative rock and pop with subtle electronic elements. In contrast, ‘ArchNemesis’ dives into darker, deeper territory — both sonically and thematically — amplifying its focus on societal issues, personal relationships, and unapologetic self-expression.
‘ArchNemesis’ is now available across all major platforms — and it’s a journey worth taking; why not check it out below…
Must Listens: Bow Down – Don’t Hold Your Breath – Nemesis; What U Did 2 Me– Good People Are Hard To Find– ArchNemesis – Mega Mix
Blending classic country charm with a modern twang, KIMBERLY DAWN‘s latest single ‘Quitting On You’, taps into a topic that’s all too relatable – trying getting over that great love that was once experienced. It creates that raw emotive heart-on-sleeve moment, where Kimberly bares all her vulnerability. After convincing herself she’s moved on, she confronts the truth: breaking away from a deep love can feel far harder than giving up even the toughest habits, like cigarettes or alcohol.
Kimberly Dawn is a true force to be reckon with. Recently named a 2025 Artist to Watch by Got Country Online, Kimberly has firmly established herself with the Country music scene, earning accolades from reputable publications including CMT, Holler, COWGIRL Magazine and Earmark. Her knack for crafting lyrics that truly hits the soul, has earned her a nomination for Songwriter of the Year at the 2024 Texas Country Music Awards for single, Cowboy’s Church’, as well as a Song of the Year nomination at the 2019 HMMI.
A voting member of the Recording Academy (GRAMMYs), the Country Music Association (CMA), the Academy of Country Music (ACM), and the Americana Music Association, Kimberly uses her platform as a Music Ambassador for NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), seamlessly blending her artistry with a message of wellness and resilience. A longtime collaborator with acclaimed producer Kent Wells, Kimberly continues to refine her signature sound while connecting with fans on a deeper level, delivering performances and songs that feel both timeless and modern.
‘Quitting On You’ is now out on all leading platforms...why not check out the stunning single below…
Welcome to another addition of NEW LEASE MUSIC’s New Music Roundup, your weekly snapshot of great music from indie and unsigned artists! Remember, 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!
BRI FLETCHER – HELP MYSELF
Country singer-songwriter BRI FLETCHER‘s latest single, ‘Help Myself’ is about using other people’s chaos as a distraction. Fletcher says, “I’ve mastered being the strong one, the dependable one — just not the vulnerable one.” The result is an intimate and relatable track that highlights her vocal control and emotional delivery.
Bri gained national attention on Season 25 of The Voice, earning a spot on Team Chance the Rapper and standing out for her raw delivery and depth as a vocalist. Since then, she’s collaborated with artists including Sammy Arriaga and Jake Hoot, and her debut EP Chapter One has surpassed 3.5 million streams.
After their debut on the blog with single ‘DND – Do Not Disturb’ which recently claimed the Song of the Week title over on Instagram, Nashville trio INDIGO SYNDICATE continue to define their sound with latest single, ‘Let Go Of Me’ Their newest offering takes a completely different direction from the previous bass-driven release, adopting a fresh pop sound with hypnotic synths. Based on their own experiences, ‘Let Go Of Me’ touches on the tough decision of cutting off toxic relationships, particularly with family members and long term partners.
Veteran country singer- songwriter PAUL MINNICH‘s laid-back carefree single, ‘In The Sand’, is about clocking out of the daily grind and heading for the shoreline, where the worries of the week fade with the tide. With breezy guitars and a wide-open hook, ‘In The Sand’ taps into that universal feeling of escaping the workweek and letting the rhythm of the waves take over.
Paul has over 20 years of experience of crafting songs about life’s highs and lows through a lens of reflection and honesty. His music celebrates the simple traditions of gathering outdoors with friends and family, drink in hand, and a guitar close by. His lyrics are heartfelt and grounded in everyday life, delivered with a voice that feels raw, real, and unmistakably his own.
Paul closed out 2025 with recognition on Got Country Online’s 2026 Artists to Watch list, and in the past has been featured with Holler, The Academy of Country Music, and more.
Welcome to the first NEW LEASE MUSIC’s New Music Round-up of 2026, where you can discover your next favourite track at a flick of an eye!
If you do happen to find a new favourite, why not let us know 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.
INDIGO SYNDICATE– DND
Nashville-based trio INDIGO SYNDICATE steps into 2026 with ‘DND’ (Do Not Distrub), a sleek, R&B-leaning departure that trades their usual alt edge for something darker and late-night ready. Built on a pulsing groove and moody production, the track moves through mixed signals and emotional stalemates, anchored by the hook: “You haven’t heard a thing I said / I’ve been getting left on read / I’m stressing, now you’re messing with my head, I’ll come around so wait on me.” The repetition of “wait on me” becomes the heartbeat of the song — a phrase that feels equal parts defensive and desperate, capturing the toxic push-and-pull at its core.
Comprising of Preston Pospisil, Samantha Sanford, and Jharyss Granger, Indigo Syndicate became quickly known for their genre-fluid blend of alternative, pop, indie and soul. The band continues to carve out a distinct space within the modern alternative music landscape.
Their rapid rise includes multiple placements across Apple Music’s New in Alternative and New in Indie, along with several singles featured on Live Nation’s Ones to Watch playlist.
Why not check out ‘DND’ below…
XO SOUNDTRACK – TALK ABOUT ME
Nashville-based pop-rock/alternative outfit XO SOUNDTRACK‘s latest single, ‘Talk About Me’ sits in that familiar grey area where feelings linger longer than commitment. XO Soundtrack keeps things grounded sonically, with production that echoes glimmers of Walk the Moon, The 1975, and other indie rock darlings, pairing a clean synth line with a subtle pop-rock edge that lets the emotion while keeping intentional polish.
“Talk About Me” is inspired by the all too common “situationship.” The song tells the story of a couple who have been seeing each other off and on, and when the breakup happens, one person keeps talking about the other, even though THEY were the one to end it. I think everyone can relate to a “what are we?” kind of situation, and this song describes the emotions that come from it all.” – XOS
Renowned for high-energy, emotionally immersive live performances, XO Soundtrack – comprising of drummer Kai Clark, guitarist Austin Henderson, and vocalist Rock- has captivated audiences at notable Nashville venues including The End and The Basement. With a clear vision and a modern, emotionally driven sound, the band continues to carve out its place in the pop-rock/alternative landscape.
Check out ‘Talk About Me’ below…
BEKRATIVE – LET IT BREATHE
New Orleans–born artist BEKREATIVE returns with his new single, ‘Let It Breathe,’ a slick R&B offering that reflects a period in which he stepped away from the music scene to spend more time with his family.
With over 11 million streams across all music platforms, the Houston-based artist has built an extensive music career, writing more than 300 songs and releasing five albums to date.
Now back on the scene, BeKreative plans to release a new single every week, so be sure to keep an eye on his latest work…and why not start by checking out ‘Let It Breathe below…
CLARITY LIAO – LIKE I DO
Written as an English assignment before evolving into a fully realised studio release, ‘Like I Do’ captures the ache of unrequited love through the vivid metaphor of wandering endlessly through a desert. Stripped back and intimate, the track places Clarity’s delicate yet commanding vocal performance at the forefront, allowing her lyrical maturity and emotional nuance to shine.
“‘Like I Do’ was a song written just as homework given from my English tutor at first. The song really brought out my emotions from the current situation I was in at the time, also exploring a genre I’ve been liking but never really got to pursue, so I decided to take it to the studio. This song has so far been one of my favourite tracks to sing and listen to, also being one of the best expressed in my lyrics.” – Clarity Liao.
San Francisco-based singer-songwriter CLARITY LIAO continues to establish herself as one of pop’s most promising young voices with the release of her latest single, ‘Like I Do’. The mesmerising piano-led ballad follows the poignant alt-pop debut “Hurt My Heart” and further cements Clarity’s transition from award-winning band songwriter to compelling solo artist.
Listen to ‘Like I Do’ below…
BELLA WOOD – DIRTY CHERRY
Rising pop artist BELLA WOOD returns with her most defining release yet in the intoxicating new single ‘Dirty Cherry’, a lust-fuelled, sharp-edged alt-pop statement that announces her arrival as one of 2026’s most compelling emerging voices.
Bella learned early that “home” isn’t always a safe word. At just thirteen, she was forced to leave behind instability and move in with her grandparents in Kelowna, trading chaos for quiet nights and the hum of crickets. But even in the stillness, music never stopped playing in her mind. By seventeen, determined to carve out her own future, Bella packed a duffel bag and moved to Vancouver with one goal: make it in music.
“I wrote this song at a time when the gap between who I was and who people said I was felt like a really big jump,” Bella explains. “Instead of internalising my frustration, I write – it’s kind of like keeping a diary for me. Songwriting is the only way I really know how to process my emotions. Me and my producer Nic Charuk explored several iterations before landing on the final version.” – Bella Wood
‘God Is There’, the latest single from MICHAEL UPSHAW, featuring Raquel Britton, serves as a comforting reminder to all believers that, regardless of the challenges we encounter—be they positive or negative—He is consistently present, aware of every circumstance. He stands alone as the one who can aid and guide us through the obstacles, trials, and situations we may face in life.
Michael pulls together yet another top-notch line up who brought the single to life. With long term collaborator Mark A. Walker on bass guitar, Rakim Harris on Drums and Austin Woodlin on Keyboards and String arrangements, ‘God Is There’ blooms with breath-taking soothing soulful textures that’s soothing and comforting to the soul. Backing vocalists Gabrielle Jackson (Soprano), Gwen Jackson (Soprano), Brittany Pleasant (Soprano), Juanita Harvey (Alto), Tashanna Logan-Garrett (Alto), Janay Wilson (Alto), Jenée Shawnice Batts (Tenor), CJ Price and (Tenor), Christopher Paul Freeman (Tenor) adds emotional depth to the offering, reinvigorating for anyone in a place of darkness.
Born into a family with a rich heritage and legacy of singing and preaching the Gospel, Raquel began singing in church at the tender age of two; leading and singing solos regularly. Raquel went on to become the director of the youth choir at The Galilee Baptist Church – at the impressive age of 12. Under her leadership, the choir grew to over fifty members. Showing such achievements in her formative years, it was clear that the future was very bright for Raquel…
A firm pillar in the church community across several US states, Raquel also has a fruitful singing career. Releasing her 2018 debut single ‘I Do Worship’, Raquel has been a backing vocalist for gospel greats including Vickie Winans, Vanessa Bell Armstrong and Charles Butler. Her sweet, harmonic vocals are also a firm fixture across TV and theatre: Raquel has sung in Broadway play Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat and provided background vocals for Tyler Perry’s I Don’t Want to Do Wrong. She also guest starred in his movie, Love Thy Neighborhood.
Michael Upshaw has an extensive career as a singer/songwriter and producer. As a featured artist, Michael soulful baritone vocals could be heard on more than 60 recording projects internationally.
In 2012, Michael started his record label MiParis Music, which covers Smooth Jazz and Inspirational music. With regular collaborations with multi-Grammy Nominated musicians, saxophonist Gerald Albright and Producer Chris “Big Dog” Davis, the Philadelphia-based label has produced a number of well-received singles, including Mark A Walker’s instrumental ‘Duke’s Walk,’ featuring multi-Grammy award–winning trumpeter/arranger Paul Lassiter and, ‘I Love Me Too’, featuring acclaimed soul songstress Carol Roddick. A smooth jazz instrumental dedicated to the legendary George Duke, ‘Duke’s Stroll’ topped the CHBN Radio’s Playlist chart for four consecutive weeks. ‘I Love Me Too’ was met with acclaim from soul and jazz stations across the globe. For more information, please MiParis Music.
Now Michael Upshaw join forces Raquel Britton to offer solace in difficult times with ‘God Is There’, out now Apple Music and Spotify.
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