Summer is upon us and we've got some sizzling hot acts to heat up your sunshine listening in this instalment of Townsend Music Breakthrough. From timeless indie-soul to social media singalong sensations, now's your chance to discover another five essential new artists before their names are everywhere.
Skinny Living - Day By Day
For Fans Of: Tom Speight, Tom Grennan
Wakefield trio Skinny Living have announced details of their debut album Day By Day. Made up of Ryan Johnston, Will Booth and Danny Hepworth, the sound of the debut album is strongly influenced by soul music, drawing inspiration from timeless indie, folk, pop, RnB and alternative music.
Active since 2014, Skinny Living have amassed over 75 million streams worldwide. They released their Acoustic Soul EP earlier this year to give a flavour of what is to come on their highly anticipated debut album. Day To Day will be released on 11th October 2024.
"Day by Day moves through the emotions of life. Lyrically, it shines a light on relationships between family and close friends, those we dedicate our care and time to" - Skinny Living
Day By Day can be pre-ordered on the Official Skinny Living Store, available on Signed Red Vinyl, Signed CD, Red Cassette and merch bundles.
Natalie Shay - Champagne EP
For Fans Of: Pixey, HAIM
Upcoming North London pop artist Natalie Shay releases her latest EP Champagne which contains singles 'The Edge' and 'Doing Well' as heard on BBC Radio 1's Future Pop Show.
A BRIT School graduate, Shay's influence ranges from Taylor Swift and Sam Fender to The 1975 and HAIM. Natalie writes relatable lyrics touching on love, self-discovery and the everyday experiences of a twenty-something, and the EP chronicles real episodes and feelings from her own life; a traumatic falling out with her best friend, dreaming of future successes and nostalgic looks back on first loves, including her teenage pinups.
"Every song was written during things I’ve learned and experienced with friendships and relationships over the last 2 years since my last EP, MILK" - Natalie Shay on Ones To Watch
Order the Champagne EP now on Signed CD with a free metallic gold sticker from the Official Natalie Shay Store.
Crystal Tides - The Middle EP
For Fans Of: The Royston Club, The K's
Based in the coastal town of Portsmouth, Crystal Tides is an indie rock band taking influence from classic noughties guitar riffs and modern feel-good pop melodies. They have recently grown over their latest releases and now are set to release their EP The Middle.
The band will release their EP on vinyl for the first time, including four brand-new tracks. The band says it displays their growth as musicians, songwriters and people, with themes of love, loss and lust.
"Crystal Tides are a band who are going from strength to strength, and I am really excited to see where they are heading next" - Hannah Kenyon, Strong Island
Pre-order The Middle on Yellow 12-Inch Vinyl from the Official Crystal Tides Store.
The Joy Hotel - Ceremony
For Fans Of: Courtney Barnett, Weyes Blood
In the summer of 2018, The Joy Hotel met and formed as a duo, from there the band has grown to a seven-piece. The Glasgow alt-rock band have announced their debut album titled Ceremony, due for release on the 19th of July, recorded live-to-tape over eleven days at the legendary Rockfield Studios in Monmouth, Wales.
The band combine their songwriting sensibilities of pop and country with arrangements reminiscent of the psychedelic scene of the 60s, six-part vocal harmonies with elements of noise rock, and beautiful balladry with a sense of humour. The album is accompanied by a short film documenting the creation of the album called Come The Ringing Bell.
"Ceremony is twelve songs strung together to form one continuous piece of music. In our minds it’s the soundtrack to a film that doesn’t exist"- Luke Boyce, The Joy Hotel
Pre-order Ceremony available on Blue/Red Double Vinyl With White Splatter and CD along with merch bundles from the Official The Joy Hotel Store.
The ODDS - Keep On Keeping On EP
For Fans Of: The Reytons, The Sherlocks
Finding fame on social media, The ODDS are described as one of the most exciting live bands in the UK. The Widnes-based band were filmed having a pub singalong to The Waterboys' 'Whole Of The Moon' which then went viral. The band have now released their EP Keep On Keeping On.
The band describe the EP as about making it through hard times and overcoming difficulties in life, even when it can feel hopeless. Keep On Keeping On is a reflection of reality for ordinary people, and the message is to keep positive and look for brighter days ahead.
"We are not a political band, far from it, but you are influenced by your surroundings and as working-class lads with working-class mates, we can see the struggles for real" - The ODDS
Order Keep On Keeping On now on CD along with merch bundles from the Modern Sky Store.