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TODAY’S SINGER-SONGWRITER BOPS // LEE FEATHER AND THE NIGHT MOVERS & SAMUEL CARRANCHO

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This edition of Singer-Songwriter Bops dives into humour, honesty and emotional grit. Today’s two picks move between playful storytelling and heartfelt reflection, showing how singer-songwriters can turn lived experience into something warm, sharp and unmistakably human.

Lee Feather and The Night Movers – Drugs for Christmas

Lee Feather blends wit, chaos and tenderness into a winter love song that is equal parts mischievous and strangely moving.

Lee Feather and The Night Movers return with Drugs for Christmas, a tongue-in-cheek yet unexpectedly heartfelt December single that offers a refreshing detour from glossy Christmas standards. Beneath the cheeky title and glockenspiel sparkle is a genuinely charming story of two people wandering the city with nothing but each other’s company to keep them warm. Feather’s signature half-spoken, half-sung delivery captures late-December chaos with sly humour and poetic detail, from “blood in the sink” to angels drinking outside a takeaway.

The track swells with layered harmonies, trumpet and violin interplay and a cosy, pub-singalong energy that wraps the whole thing in warmth and hope. As noted in the press release, it stands as a celebration of those messy, memorable holiday nights that sit somewhere between chaos and comfort.

With an eclectic, instinct-driven approach to songwriting, Lee Feather and The Night Movers build each release as its own sharp, characterful left turn. Drugs for Christmas continues that pattern, offering humour, depth and a very different kind of seasonal glow.

Samuel Carrancho – Ghosts in a Glass

Samuel Carrancho channels longing, doubt and vulnerability into a powerful acoustic-leaning pop-folk moment full of emotional clarity

South African-born, UK-based songwriter Samuel Carrancho brings a raw and heartfelt edge to Ghosts in a Glass, a track that deals with the fear of not being enough and the desperate hope for something you worry you’ll ruin. Sung with striking honesty, the song leans into vulnerability and emotional openness, reflecting the confessional storytelling at the heart of Sam’s craft.

As detailed in his bio, Sam is a one-man creative force, writing, singing, producing and recording his work while blending pop-funk brightness with folk and country undertones. His breakout tracks like Never Fade Away and Beneath Your Eyes have earned growing global attention thanks to his relatable lyrics and lively, soulful delivery.

In Ghosts in a Glass, Sam strips things back to let the emotion breathe. The result is a striking singer-songwriter moment, carried by lived experience and delivered with the intensity of someone who feels every line they write.

Follow Singer-Songwriter BOPS for more great artists like this ❣️

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TODAY’S ROCK BOP` // SOUR BLOOD

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This edition of Rock Bops leans into introspection, raw feeling and the shifting edges of progressive alternative rock. Today’s pick captures a moment of emotional reckoning, pulling softness and weight into the same breath.

Sour Blood – Elegy

Sour Blood reveal their gentlest side on Elegy, shaping a thoughtful rock ballad that glows with vulnerability, doubt and quiet resilience.

Poznań-based alternative rock band Sour Blood return with Elegy, a tender, reflective single that steps away from their usual darker, heavier edges in favour of something more spacious and emotionally open. Built on simple acoustic chords and a steady strumming pulse, the track unfolds like a slow exhale, tracing the journey from fear to clarity. Themes of change, uncertainty and the fragile nature of hope sit at the heart of the song, capturing the moment where anxiety softens into acceptance and a new path begins to form.

Elegy feels like a contemplative chapter within the band’s growing series of genre-shifting singles, each one expanding their sonic identity while keeping the human core intact. The lyrics linger on doubts, years of adaptation and the quiet tension between possibility and loss, echoing the emotional landscapes explored by artists like Steven Wilson, Riverside and Blackfield. Yet the approach remains unmistakably Sour Blood: raw, honest and anchored in the belief that there is beauty inside pain.

With its gentle instrumentation and introspective mood, Elegy adds a new emotional contour to Sour Blood’s evolving sound, proving the band’s commitment to exploring fresh textures without sacrificing depth or authenticity.

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TODAY’S POP BOPS // HANNE LELAND AND NOVA WHITE

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This edition of Pop Bops brings together two striking releases shaped by emotion, storytelling and glowing pop craft. From festive warmth to late-night heartbreak, today’s picks reveal the breadth of what pop can hold when artists lean fully into honesty and feeling.

Hanne Leland – The Christmas Songs

Hanne Leland brings tenderness, nostalgia and a soft festive shimmer to pop, reshaping Christmas classics with sincerity and crafting originals full of warmth.

Norwegian pop artist Hanne Leland unveils The Christmas Songs, her first full holiday album and a heartfelt collection spanning beloved classics and emotional originals. With expressive, crystal-clear vocals, she moves between cosy, stripped-back moments and bright, joyful arrangements, delivering a seasonal record that feels both classic and personal. Tracks like It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas, Blue Christmas and Winter Wonderland carry her distinct pop sensibility, while originals such as This Time of Year and Snowflake highlight her talent for emotionally sharp, gently aching songwriting.

With more than 17 million Spotify streams and praise from outlets like CLASH, The Line of Best Fit and Norway’s national press, Hanne has shaped a career defined by independence, resilience and heart. The Christmas Songs stands as a warm, glowing milestone in that journey, turning holiday tradition into something beautifully her own.

Nova White – Split Personality

Nova White channels teenage heartbreak, late-night doubt and quiet catharsis into a pop track that aches with vulnerability and sharp emotional bite.

Rising English artist Nova White returns with Split Personality, a standout single from her EP Hard Fool and a raw portrait of missed connections and almost-love. Written during a sleepless night, the track captures the messy, fragile tension between wanting to reach out and knowing you shouldn’t. Haunting vocals, sharp pop instincts and a touch of emo-tinged intensity shape its core, drawing influence from Sugababes, Pink, We Are Scientists and the kind of emotional grit an alt-Taylor Swift might have explored.

The song digs into unspoken feelings, self-protection and the lingering ache of what might have been, delivered with Nova’s signature mix of honesty and melodic clarity. As her press release notes, it is the “standout track” of the EP, and it marks her as a rising storyteller with a deeply personal edge.

Split Personality is a compelling reminder of how pop can hold complexity, heartbreak and self-discovery all at once – and why Nova White is one to watch.

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TODAY’S DREAM POP BOPS // STILL RUINS

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This edition of Dream Pop Bops drifts into shimmering nostalgia, cinematic warmth and softly glowing emotion. Today’s pick takes the elegance of the 80s and filters it through a modern haze, creating something timeless and quietly transportive.

Still Ruins – Our Penance

Still Ruins turn longing into light, crafting a sophistipop daydream that feels both vintage and vividly alive

Los Angeles trio Still Ruins return with Our Penance, a lush and transportive track that folds 80s sophistipop into dream pop’s soft-focus glow. Built on aching vocals, warm guitars and a cinematic atmosphere, the song carries the elegance of a lost classic while opening the door to something strikingly present. Touchstones like Choir Boy, Tears for Fears and Prefab Sprout echo through its edges, yet the band shape these influences into a voice distinctly their own.

Formed in 2020 by Frankie Soto, Jose Medina and Cyrus Vandenberghe, Still Ruins have carved a sound rooted in emotion and refinement. Their blend of sophistipop, dream pop and post-punk subtlety gives Our Penance its distinct pulse, capturing both longing and clarity in equal measure.

With its glimmering textures and modern take on 80s romanticism, it’s one of my favourites of the year, and a radiant showcase of what Still Ruins do best, marking another luminous step towards their full-length album arriving in 2026.

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TODAY’S ALT POP BOPS // MAY REI

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This edition of Alt Pop Bops slips into dark elegance, cinematic tension and intricate emotional storytelling. Today’s pick blends analog warmth with electronic clarity, shaping a world that is both intimate and mythic in tone.

May Rei – Tender Hands

May Rei turns emotional tension into artful alt pop, weaving orchestral drama and electronic depth into a track that feels both vulnerable and commanding.

Italian songwriter, producer and singer May Rei returns with Tender Hands, a stirring and atmospheric single that began from a spontaneous vocal melody and evolved into one of her most evocative works yet. Known for crafting immersive sonic worlds, she builds the track around analog bass, evolving strings, dramatic piano and rhythmic guitar, all carried by a pulsing four-on-the-floor beat. The result is a sound that moves between fragile emotion and propulsive energy, creating a space where intimacy and confrontation coexist.

The song’s narrative roots lie in a reflection on narcissism and emotional emptiness, following a character May Rei calls James, a man convinced he can buy affection while deceiving both others and himself. This emotional weight carries through to the visuals, where May Rei appears in a corridor with a mysterious suitcase, symbolising buried truths and unresolved burdens. Her red dress stands as a powerful gesture, highlighting the track’s deeper themes of respect, awareness and the realities of emotional harm.

With its orchestral flourishes, electronic richness and lyrical bite, Tender Hands marks May Rei as a sharply defined voice in alt pop, continuing to expand her artistry ahead of her next album in 2026.

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TODAY’S HIP HOP BOPS // SWITCH THE MC, MIKE CHEK AND TRAV B RYAN

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This edition of Hip Hop Bops cuts through raw emotion, cinematic edge and cross-continental vision. From Afro-fusion introspection to Detroit grit and comic-book catharsis, today’s picks highlight three artists shaping hip hop with personality, purpose and fire.

Switch The MC – Smoke & Sex

Switch The MC blends sensuality, introspection and Afro-rap finesse, creating a sound that moves between vulnerability and power with effortless style.

Paris-based rapper Switch The MC returns with Smoke & Sex, the second chapter of his Comme Moi trilogy. It is an EP built on intimate tension, exploring romance, tenderness and confrontation across bilingual flows and Afrobeat-driven production. Raised between Benin, France and the UK, Switch folds together the sharp precision of British grime with the melodic punchlines of French rap, forming a sound that is globally minded and deeply personal.

Produced with Nigerian and Beninese beatmakers, the project embraces organic percussion, warm textures and danceable rhythms. Yet beneath the groove sits emotional honesty, marking this EP as a turning point in the trilogy’s journey from rage to reflection. Smoke & Sex shows an artist expanding his scope while holding tight to cultural heritage and lyrical depth.

A bold and human body of work, it cements Switch The MC as a visionary voice in a widening rap landscape.

Mike Chek – The Ghostface Tape 3

Mike Chek channels horror, hunger and determination into a cinematic project that turns fear into fuel.

Detroit rapper Mike Chek unleashes The Ghostface Tape 3, the latest instalment of his Halloween-themed series. Built on eerie beats, sharp lyricism and a relentless drive, the EP dives into themes of survival, identity and ambition. Tracks like It Ain’t Safe and What Iz You Sayin’ showcase Chek’s signature mix of dark atmosphere and forceful delivery, fusing grit with storytelling.

Recorded, mixed and mastered independently, the project embodies Detroit’s underground spirit. Chek continues to grow his presence across playlists, radio and college stations, staking out a lane defined by intensity and self-made momentum. His quote, “facing your demons and coming out stronger”, sits at the heart of the tape, capturing its blend of aggression and empowerment.

The Ghostface Tape 3 stands as a defining chapter in Mike Chek’s catalogue, asserting resilience as both theme and weapon.

Trav B Ryan – Red Stars

Trav B Ryan turns comic-book mythology into something deeply human, emotional and fiercely personal.

Brooklyn artist Trav B Ryan delivers Red Stars, a powerful video-driven release inspired by his connection to the DC character Red Hood. Recorded at Jambox Studios in New York, the track folds childhood memories, anger and vulnerability into sharp storytelling. His bond with the character, shaped by experiences with his father, fuels the emotional weight behind every line.

The recording process itself became a moment of transformation, even converting the sound engineer into a comic fan. Trav’s partnership with the Inshot video app also positions him uniquely in the hip hop space, making his music accessible for creators royalty-free.

Red Stars shines because it bridges personal pain with universal themes, offering a narrative that resonates far beyond comic culture.

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TODAY’S INDIE FOLK BOP // BOXER

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This edition of Indie Folk BOPS drifts into the quiet glow of Boxer, a project shaped by reinvention, reflection, and the soft ache of beginning again. Their new track Capped The Duke is tender, atmospheric, and deeply introspective. It is indie folk that feels lived in, full of small truths, and illuminated by the fragile courage of moving forward.

Boxer – Capped The Duke

“Boxer turns vulnerability into something luminous. Capped The Duke is delicate, raw, and quietly breathtaking.”

Boxer returns with Capped The Duke, a song that captures the hush that follows change. Emerging from the disbandment of Glasgow outfit The Exhales, the track is built on gentle guitar lines, intimate vocals, and an emotional weight that never overwhelms but stays close, like a memory that still matters. It feels quiet, but it speaks loudly.

The project was born from a point of personal reset. After more than twelve years performing in various bands, Boxer sought a sound that was smaller, truer, and more emotionally honest. What emerged sits somewhere between The National, Bon Iver, and Big Thief, blending lyrical vulnerability with warm, melancholic arrangements. It is music for the end of long days, for quiet walks home, for anyone who has ever felt the strange mixture of loss and relief that comes with change.

Developed within a collaborative creative industries program, Boxer’s work carries a sense of collective intention. Musicians, producers, and students came together to explore what it means to build art from the ground up. The result is a project that feels personal but also shared, shaped by open conversations and a commitment to authenticity.

Capped The Duke threads themes of disconnection, reflection, and cautious hope. There is a stillness in the sound that invites listeners inward, creating a space where longing and resilience meet. Boxer writes with a diaristic honesty that lingers long after the song ends.

If you have ever stood at the edge of change, unsure but quietly determined, this track will stay with you.

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TODAY’S PUNK ROCK BOPS // THE SMACKBAR

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This edition of Punk Rock BOPS dives straight into Rotterdam’s gloriously chaotic underground with The Smackbar, a band who turn trashy garage swagger into something strangely artful and completely irresistible. Their new track Donnie Giovanni is loud, weird, political, and proudly unpolished. It is punk that remembers punk should be fun, furious, and a bit absurd.

The Smackbar – Donnie Giovanni

The Smackbar deliver punk that is wild, fearless, and defiantly original. Donnie Giovanni is the kind of track only The Smackbar could make.”

Rotterdam’s own The Smackbar return with Donnie Giovanni, a frantic burst of garage punk that snarls, grins, and refuses to sit still. Built on a fat, distorted riff and a blitz of chaotic energy, the track arrives alongside a bizarre, anti bullfighting video packed with homemade props, puppets, and offbeat visual madness that has become the group’s signature.

The Smackbar are more than a band. They are a full art collective, working with Eruption Artistique to create dense, visually surreal worlds around their music. Every costume, every prop, every bit of special effects magic is crafted by hand, echoing the band’s DIY ethos. Frontman Emil leads the charge with raw vocals and a charismatic edge while Sara, Rotterdam teacher and alternative songwriter Bas, and the wider creative team push the sound and visuals into new, unpredictable directions.

Donnie Giovanni is one half of a double single the band spent over a year shaping. It is messy in the best way, blending punk ferocity with theatrical flair, giving listeners something that feels both nostalgic and freshly unhinged. If you want punk that still feels dangerous, still feels handmade, and still feels like a group of artists throwing themselves in with absolute conviction, The Smackbar are your band.

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TODAY’S INDIE POP BOPS // BETTINE SOLF

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This edition of Indie Pop BOPS dives into a bilingual, cross continental spark of colour and emotion. Bettine Solf arrives with a vibrant dose of rhythm and heart, blending Peruvian roots with London edge to create something bold, hypnotic, and unmistakably her own.

Bettine Solf – NN

Bettine Solf turns cross continental tension into indie pop electricity, creating a pulse you feel long after the song ends

Peruvian born and London based artist Bettine Solf Persivale brings a dazzling new moment with NN, an upbeat indie pop track that lives between two worlds and one heart. Blending traditional Peruvian rhythm with modern shimmer, NN pulses with bilingual energy and the unmistakable warmth of Latin pop. It is infectious, bright, and full of emotional movement, exploring the feeling of being pulled between places yet belonging to both.

Written and recorded between Peru and the UK, with production shaped at Abbey Road Institute London, the song turns distance into sound. Vibrant percussion, layered harmonies, and a rhythm that refuses to let go form a track that feels both cinematic and intimate. Bettine’s voice glides across the beat with quiet confidence, grounding the song’s restless spirit in something deeply human.

Bettine’s background in film scoring, performance, and sound engineering gives her music a distinct storytelling quality. Her earlier projects, including Soy Opuesta and Map the Gaps, set the stage for this unique blend of emotional depth and experimental flair. With NN, she leans fully into her hybrid artistic identity, delivering a bilingual indie pop moment that moves with a steady pulse between Lima and London.

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TODAY’S ELECTRONIC BOPS // TOM WILLS X SHOLZ-Y

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This edition of Electronic Bops dives into late-night neon energy and vocal-driven club euphoria. With a magnetic presence on the mic and a modern European dance edge, tonight’s pick brings pure after-hours electricity.

Tom Wills x Sholz-Y – Mid-Night Moves

Tom Wills channels self-expression, chemistry and club-floor adrenaline into a sleek, euphoric anthem built for the small hours.

Manchester artist Tom Wills makes a striking debut under The Dance Division with Mid-Night Moves, a hypnotic electronic release crafted alongside Stockholm producer Sholz-Y. Soulful vocals, deep bass and late-night synths collide to form a track built for that exact moment when the lights drop, the room locks in, and the dance floor becomes its own world.

The single blurs boundaries between techno, house and vocal-driven pop. Tom’s magnetic performance leads the charge, merging Northern attitude with bold, expressive club energy. Sholz-Y’s production brings a polished international edge, fusing melodic textures with driving rhythms and big emotional peaks. It is both atmospheric and immediate: the sort of track that pulls bodies into motion without hesitation.

Already climbing the German Dance-Charts Top 100 and hitting No. 5 on the Commercial House Chart across the GSA region, Mid-Night Moves is gaining serious traction in clubs and radio rotations. The press release highlights its impact across Europe, as well as strong algorithmic momentum on Spotify, reinforcing the track’s undeniable pull.

Tom’s presence is as important as the production. An openly queer vocalist and performer, he brings authenticity, individuality and visibility onto the dance floor. His voice cuts through the mix with soul and clarity, capturing that rush of connection and attraction that defines a true club moment.

With its hypnotic pulse, sleek vocal energy and European club sheen, Mid-Night Moves stands as a confident, modern dance anthem, marking Tom Wills and Sholz-Y as a pairing built for the midnight crowd.

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