ArtistDirect News
New Releases: 14 Tracks to Add to Your Playlist This Week
This week’s Happy’s Mixtape drops a vibrant collection of 14 songs that span the spectrum from funk‑laden R&B to experimental collage, showcasing fresh voices from every corner of the world.
The opening quartet sets a bold tone. Honey Plant’s “why dont you start” fuses tight funk, soulful R&B grooves and a punchy vocal line that begs listeners to move. New York singer‑songwriter Coco Smith follows with the indie‑folk single “Multiform,” a preview of her forthcoming album You Won’t Get My Message but You’ll Hear It, released on 10 July 2026 by Vinegar Hill Sound Records. Glisten Trick’s “Worn Thin” cuts a darker narrative about stolen goods and blackmail, layered over sharp, warped production that keeps the listener on edge. Sydney’s Cruise Baby turns up the surf‑rock energy with “Break It Off,” a track that captures the band’s bright, restless sound since forming in 2024.
The next four tracks explore more niche textures. Berlin‑born, Brooklyn‑based Yvonne Ambrée offers the dreamlike “himbeeren,” a fusion of analogue warmth and electronic oddities that feels intimate yet expansive. Melbourne trio Skiptracer returns with “Liminal,” a post‑punk piece that channels 2002‑era vibes through chiming guitars and a driving bass line. Grime artist Nevmore’s “8 to a 10” delivers a drum‑heavy beat and a Wayne Rooney metaphor, accompanied by a London‑set video that journeys from Primrose Hill to the Tube. Nigerian‑Scottish R&B singer LOLA! debuts “what did you expect,” a track already receiving BBC Radio Scotland airplay and a preview of her forthcoming EP slated for spring 2027.
The following quartet widens the genre palette. Chicago rapper Moss Da Beast returns with “3 for 10,” a nod to classic hip‑hop influences such as Snoop Dogg, 2Pac, Scarface and Nas. North England duo Solar East drops the dancefloor‑ready “bus stop crowd,” blending club production with indie songwriting. Lancashire pianist Zeynep Sophia presents the ambient “parallels,” a piano‑led piece that offers a pocket of calm through nostalgic strings and ambient textures. Southsea and London trio The Monday Smile cuts “slow dive,” a rough‑edge indie‑alt‑rock track that mixes 90s nostalgia with modern disillusionment.
The final two tracks close the roundup with distinct flair. Birmingham singer‑songwriter SHANNON. releases “paradise,” a soulful pop single that marks her return to music after a 2025 hiatus, featuring atmospheric production and choir‑like crescendos. Sydney producer and collage artist marrak offers “excursions,” built from field recordings, jazz samples and synthesizers, released on a jade‑green cassette that unlocks a digital space where marrak’s photography becomes audio‑reactive light.
Together, these 14 songs illustrate the breadth of contemporary independent music, inviting listeners to explore each track’s unique sonic palette and discover the stories behind the artists.
The opening quartet sets a bold tone. Honey Plant’s “why dont you start” fuses tight funk, soulful R&B grooves and a punchy vocal line that begs listeners to move. New York singer‑songwriter Coco Smith follows with the indie‑folk single “Multiform,” a preview of her forthcoming album You Won’t Get My Message but You’ll Hear It, released on 10 July 2026 by Vinegar Hill Sound Records. Glisten Trick’s “Worn Thin” cuts a darker narrative about stolen goods and blackmail, layered over sharp, warped production that keeps the listener on edge. Sydney’s Cruise Baby turns up the surf‑rock energy with “Break It Off,” a track that captures the band’s bright, restless sound since forming in 2024.
The next four tracks explore more niche textures. Berlin‑born, Brooklyn‑based Yvonne Ambrée offers the dreamlike “himbeeren,” a fusion of analogue warmth and electronic oddities that feels intimate yet expansive. Melbourne trio Skiptracer returns with “Liminal,” a post‑punk piece that channels 2002‑era vibes through chiming guitars and a driving bass line. Grime artist Nevmore’s “8 to a 10” delivers a drum‑heavy beat and a Wayne Rooney metaphor, accompanied by a London‑set video that journeys from Primrose Hill to the Tube. Nigerian‑Scottish R&B singer LOLA! debuts “what did you expect,” a track already receiving BBC Radio Scotland airplay and a preview of her forthcoming EP slated for spring 2027.
The following quartet widens the genre palette. Chicago rapper Moss Da Beast returns with “3 for 10,” a nod to classic hip‑hop influences such as Snoop Dogg, 2Pac, Scarface and Nas. North England duo Solar East drops the dancefloor‑ready “bus stop crowd,” blending club production with indie songwriting. Lancashire pianist Zeynep Sophia presents the ambient “parallels,” a piano‑led piece that offers a pocket of calm through nostalgic strings and ambient textures. Southsea and London trio The Monday Smile cuts “slow dive,” a rough‑edge indie‑alt‑rock track that mixes 90s nostalgia with modern disillusionment.
The final two tracks close the roundup with distinct flair. Birmingham singer‑songwriter SHANNON. releases “paradise,” a soulful pop single that marks her return to music after a 2025 hiatus, featuring atmospheric production and choir‑like crescendos. Sydney producer and collage artist marrak offers “excursions,” built from field recordings, jazz samples and synthesizers, released on a jade‑green cassette that unlocks a digital space where marrak’s photography becomes audio‑reactive light.
Together, these 14 songs illustrate the breadth of contemporary independent music, inviting listeners to explore each track’s unique sonic palette and discover the stories behind the artists.