introvertbad – mazzara
The verdict
“mazzara's 'bad' is a beautifully gorgeous slice of queer pop, all whispered desire and perfect 2000s shimmer”
'bad' opens with sensual breaths and whispered vocals that pull you straight into its world. it's a track about shedding innocence and embracing authentic desire, written in a rush before a date, shower melodies, tube-ride lyrics, a recording session in vauxhall park. that origin story shows in how alive it feels. there's falsetto runs, beatboxing elements, and a production that nods to early 2000s pop while staying unmistakably now. recorded across east london studios including pirate and qube, the song's collaborative freedom with producer kevin shoemaker lets unconventional choices land exactly right. the celebration showcase at jaguar shoes, with cabaret performers jaye sanchez and sodra matic, feels fitting. honestly, it's a wonderfully unguarded pop moment.
mazzara is a london-based artist channelling the sultry essence of early 2000s pop through a distinctly queer lens. drawing from britney spears, justin timberlake and tate mcrae, with vocal layering that recalls ariana grande, they've built something nostalgic yet refreshingly present. their partnership with producer shoemaker, which began at a networking event in september 2025, has unlocked a space where their vision can flourish. as a performer embracing cabaret alongside music, mazzara brings theatrical sensuality to everything, backed by east london's vibrant queer arts community. we just love this.
thank u for making this mazzara 💋
good times – rian hart
The verdict
“rian hart's 'good times' is a brilliant debut, its nostalgic hooks and electronic shimmer landing somewhere irresistibly bittersweet”
'good times' opens on a wave of bright, melodic production that immediately pulls toward something reflective. it's a track built around the ache of looking back, holding onto what's left of a relationship after the ending. hart layers emotionally honest lyrics over an upbeat electronic backdrop, finding that space where gratitude and loss sit together. there's chainsmokers dna in the synth work and a touch of avicii's euphoric push, but the vocal delivery has a indie flavour, almost as much confession as celebration. as a first release it's a confident statement, all polished edges and a hook that sticks around. it's warm, nostalgic and a banger.
rian hart is an alt-pop and electronic artist from napa, california, blending big melodic hooks with emotionally direct songwriting. after years playing drums, he stepped out front to build something of his own, pulling from dance music, indie pop and the late-night end of alternative. influences like ellie goulding and blackbear sit alongside the festival-ready side of his production. 'good times' marks the start of a new chapter, with more music planned through 2026 and 2027. a really promising debut, and this one should do well.
thank u for making this rian hart 🌙
andas – lotta svart
The verdict
“lotta svart's 'andas' is a breathtaking piece of melodic electropoetry, all warmth and quiet emotional power”
'andas' builds from a soft, steady pulse into something immersive and deeply felt. it's a song about presence, about staying close to someone who's struggling, even when there are no words that help. the swedish lyrics work almost like a meditation, with 'andas in, andas ut' grounding the listener in breath and connection. acoustic drums and piano sit alongside atmospheric synths and electronic textures, layered by producer oona kapari into something that feels both intimate and expansive. released just ahead of world mental health day, the timing is deliberate; svart begins a year-long collaboration with mieli mental health finland as an ambassador for its swedish-language crisis helpline. it's important, tender and genuinely moving.
lotta svart is a finnish singer-songwriter and producer based in turku. she first emerged in the early 2000s as part of pop group i'dees and later the soul/pop project tears apart, but her current solo work marks a clear shift toward what she calls melodic electropoetry: swedish-language songs built around pulsating rhythms, layered vocals and emotionally honest writing. 'andas' is the second single from an ep due spring 2027, following 'magi' earlier this year. that emotional honesty is all over this one, and we really love it.
thank u for making this lotta svart 🌬️
sha la la – january blue
The verdict
“january blue's 'sha la la' is a sun-drenched retro-pop gem, all breezy guitars and a lovely dose of doo-wop warmth”
'sha la la' arrives like summer through an open window. it's a track about the moment an ex comes crawling back, only to find you've already moved on without them. january blue pairs bright horns from ben hunt and christopher buckland with breezy guitars and 60s doo-wop shimmer, all polished into something unmistakably contemporary by producer toby lloyd at tiny triumph recordings. written as the brighter counterpart to earlier single 'boys club', it closes out a four-song arc following the same protagonist through heartbreak and out the other side. it's road trip warm, playful and built for windows-down. a great, retro-pop track with teeth.
january blue is a wellington, new zealand singer-songwriter with a knack for melody-driven storytelling and emotionally candid lyrics. her sound moves between nostalgic pop, dreamy indie and darker alternative edges, shifting with each story while keeping a cinematic thread running through everything. there's a real confidence in how she balances polish with personality here, and 'sha la la' feels like a statement. we'll be eagerly waiting whatever comes next.
thank u for making this january blue 🌊