Indie-pop – RCRD LBL

June 26, 2025

June 26, 2025June 26, 2025 Mew Zikwryder

‘WHERE U R (angel with no feathers)’ Showcases FiFi Zhang’s Hyperpop Evolution

(FiFi Zhang / Courtesy PR)

FiFi Zhang, the Shanghai-to-New York electronic music force, launched her new single ‘WHERE U R (angel with no feathers)’ on June 25, 2025, via her own Liquid Pearl imprint. She’s a one-woman powerhouse—producer, singer-songwriter, DJ, visual artist, and music engineer rolled into one. After her 2023 EP So Beautiful So Lonely turned heads and racked up over 2 million streams for its lead track, FiFi’s been a fixture at festivals like Head In The Clouds across continents and a staple in New York’s underground at venues like Elsewhere. Her latest drop cements her as a game-changer in the scene.

The track itself, ‘WHERE U R (angel with no feathers)’, is a hyperpop stunner—think crisp, quirky sound design layered with vocals that feel like they’re floating through a dream. “‘WHERE U R (angel with no feathers)’ is my 1999 apocalyptic dream – filled with fragile emotions and escapist sentiments,” FiFi explains, and it shows. She pulls from Drum ‘n’ Bass, UK Garage, and House, twisting them into a sound that’s equal parts vulnerable and expansive, perfect for late-night listens or cutting loose on the dancefloor.

Set to drop on June 27, the visualiser is where FiFi Zhang really flexes her creative muscle. Picture her suspended in a futuristic glow, draped in avant-garde threads by Rick Owens, Ann Demeulemeester, PerceptionF, and Sisio, with LED angel wings minus the feathers stealing the show. It’s not just a video—it’s a statement, tying her music to a visual narrative that’s as striking as her sound. FiFi’s proving she’s here to push boundaries, one beat and one frame at a time.

Stream ‘WHERE U R (angel with no feathers)’:

Follow Fifi Zhang:
TikTok – Instagram – Spotify – YouTube – X – Facebook

May 19, 2025

May 19, 2025May 19, 2025 Mew Zikwryder

Jacqui’s New Single ‘fries, bb’, Captures The Art of Unspoken Attraction

Jacqui’s latest single ‘fries, bb’, released on May 9, 2025, via Beeline Records, highlights her distinctive fusion of neo-soul and Korean heritage. Born in South Korea, raised in China & the U.S., and now based mostly in South Korea, Jacqui’s music reflects her global journey. With over half a million Spotify streams and performances at SXSW Sydney and Bangkok Music City, she’s swiftly gaining recognition. Her tracks have appeared in Netflix’s My Holo Love and Amazon Prime’s BUTTERFLY, earning her comparisons to neo-soul pioneers like Erykah Badu and FKA Twigs.

The song ‘fries, bb’ is a groove-driven track that captures the quiet intimacy of a late-night diner. Its production mixes clean neo-soul rhythms with subtle distorted elements, creating a modern twist. Jacqui’s vocals are warm and expressive, carrying the theme of unspoken attraction with ease. The lyrics focus on ordering fries as a reason to stay longer with someone, blending clever wordplay with a relatable scenario that feels personal yet widely appealing.

Jacqui has said about the song, “It’s set in a late-night burger shop where you order fries just to spend more time with that person you’re crushing on.” This choice shapes the track’s laid-back yet intentional vibe, with the distorted instrumentals adding a layer of tension to the lighthearted premise. It shows her skill in taking a simple idea and giving it emotional weight through production and delivery, connecting her personal vision to a broader audience.

With ‘fries, bb’, Jacqui keeps pushing neo-soul forward, blending her Korean roots into the genre’s core. Stepping off of The Great Escape Festival stage in Brighton on May 15 and 16, we’re excited to hear what influences she’ll weave into her upcoming projects.

Stream ‘fries, bb’:

Follow Jacqui:

Instagram – Facebook – X – TikTok – Spotify

May 9, 2025

May 9, 2025May 9, 2025 Mew Zikwryder

Discover Tommy Down’s breakout single ‘Mrs Blue’, a soul-rock masterpiece from 21st Century Living!

Tommy Down, the London-based multi-instrumentalist, is redefining soulful storytelling with his 2024 single ‘Mrs Blue’, a heartfelt track from his album 21st Century Living that’s amassed 5.7 million Spotify streams. Hailed by Radio X and Earmilk for its raw emotion, the song showcases Down’s evocative vocals and minimalist style, while his upcoming 2025 EP, previewed by the psychedelic ‘Do You Want It All?’ in CLASH Magazine, hints at an ambitious sonic evolution.

Rooted in his UK-Ghanaian heritage, Tommy’s music channels legends like Marvin Gaye and Al Green, blending soul with rock and introspective lyricism. His dynamic performances at Camden Rocks Festival alongside Frank Turner and regular London gigs, paired with six songs featured in HBO’s Industry—co-created by his brother Mickey Down—have solidified his rising star status. Down’s collaborations with producers like Jeffrey Silverman and Invisible Men (Jon Shave and Jason Pebworth) elevate his genre-defying sound.

The tender ‘Mrs Blue’, with its Al Green-inspired rhythm and vulnerable depth, captures unspoken longing. Tommy Down revealed: “The song was produced by Grammy and Brit award winning producer Jon Shave. I brought Jason Pebworth, one of the Invisible Men, a song I wrote about my girlfriend. It felt like a sixth sense and I wrote a song about that feeling. Jason suggested getting a sort of Al Green ‘Lets stay together’ beat for the track, which worked very well.”

Stream ‘Mrs Blue’ below:

Follow Tommy Down:

Instagram – Facebook – X – Spotify

March 17, 2025

March 17, 2025March 17, 2025 Mew Zikwryder

VELVET MOON Captures Magic with In The Moment Live EP

Swedish indie dream-pop trio VELVET MOON has unveiled their latest live EP, In The Moment With VELVET MOON, recorded during their December 2024 performance at the iconic Brinova Arena in Karlskrona. Released under Argle Bargle Studios, the EP highlights their beloved 2020 hit ‘Catch The Wave’, a track that has amassed over 15 million streams. With music featured in major commercials for brands like Kappahl and Bollinger, and performances at festivals like The Great Escape, VELVET MOON has carved out a reputation for their timeless, cinematic sound. Their upcoming album, Endless War In The Summer, set for release in April 2025, promises more haunting yet ethereal tracks, including ‘The Hour of King Kong’, ‘A Love Song’, ‘Hymn’, and ‘Daylight’.

The Stockholm-based band, led by lyricist and vocalist Sandra Bjurman, crafts deeply evocative songs that explore both personal and societal themes. Working alongside producers Stefan Örn and Johan Glössner, VELVET MOON blends nostalgic dream-pop with modern indie sensibilities, drawing inspiration from The War on Drugs, Joni Mitchell, and Ry Cooder. Their sound, reminiscent of Fleetwood Mac, Men I Trust, and La Luz, resonates across generations. Their live performance of ‘Catch The Wave’ captures a new intensity, with shimmery guitars, sweeping strings, and Sandra’s soulful, brooding vocals creating an atmosphere that’s both melancholic and electric.

VELVET MOON describes ‘Catch The Wave’ as a poignant reflection on modern disconnection, where fake news and emotional detachment leave people yearning for real connection. The live EP, filled with sweeping melodies and haunting lyricism, offers a raw, immersive experience that studio recordings simply cannot replicate. In The Moment With VELVET MOON is a testament to the band’s ability to channel passion, tenderness, and social commentary into their music, solidifying their place as one of indie pop’s most compelling acts.

Listen to VELVET MOON’s newest EP now