Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 31 i TJPL News

Welcome to Issue 31 of TJPL News Magazine — a curated journey through the artistry, urgency, and evolution of the independent music scene in 2025. This month’s central feature is a 12-page editorial on Playlisting in 2025 - an unfiltered look at how digital ecosystems shape artist discovery, revenue, and relevance. Whether you're navigating editorial playlists, independent curation, or the shadowy world of streaming algorithms, this feature lays out the truth - strategic, controversial, and essential. Surrounding this industry spotlight are the real stories that keep our pages breathing: • Julandjim delivers a cinematic postcard from France in Road to Monte Clerigo, where lo-fi folk meets spaghetti western soul. • Rosetta West returns with Gravity Sessions - a raw, livedin album that channels blues rock grit and spiritual fire. •…

ENGLAND, STOCKPORT With their debut single “Growing Up”, Stockport-based band James Stephen & The Good Ones make an honest and quietly powerful entrance into the UK-Americana scene. Released on 6th June 2025 and recorded at Liverpool’s Whitewood Studios, the track draws from influences like The Bros. Landreth and David Ryan Harris while offering its own distinct emotional fingerprint. Led by songwriter and vocalist James Stephen, the band brings together a seasoned group of musicians including Elliot Robertson (Lost Atlanta, Bastette) and Sam Lord (touring with Aquilo). What they’ve created in “Growing Up” is a song that speaks plainly, yet profoundly, about the painful mismatch between childhood expectations and adult reality. Lines about pretending fruit juice is wine and making small amounts of money stretch are simple but evocative — playful…

SWEDEN, MALMÖ In Shape Your Galaxy, Malmö-based artist Ulrich Jannert, alongside his collaborators in the Good Vibes Combo, delivers an earnest, soul-infused journey of self-trust and emotional realignment. Released on June 5, 2025, this eight-track album is steeped in groove-driven soul rock, married with the warm twang of modern country rock and soft pop sensibilities. From the opening title track “Shape Your Galaxy,” Jannert sets a deeply intentional tone. It’s a guiding mantra urging listeners to move beyond hesitation and into purposeful action. Each track unpacks a universal theme: daily doubts, personal crossroads, and the quiet battle between societal expectations and authentic direction. The lush arrangements provide a comforting, almost therapeutic backdrop for these messages, echoing the duality of gentle introspection and steady resolve. “Follow the compass in your soul”…

ENGLAND, SIDMOUTH With Lampin’, Synthonic returns to the roots of Acid Jazz while simultaneously propelling the genre into a modern groove renaissance. Released on May 23, 2025, this finely crafted album from Sidmouth, England is equal parts throwback and future-facing, offering a collection of richly arranged tracks that effortlessly blend funk, soul, jazz, and chillout vibes. Named after an old-school term for relaxing, Lampin’ lives up to its title. It’s a soundtrack for winding down without letting go of musical complexity — a balance Synthonic pulls off masterfully. From the bold opener “All Day, Every Day” to the title track “Lampin’,” there’s an undeniable smoothness and groove that permeates the entire record, setting the tone for a journey filled with warm horns, silky synths, and head-nodding basslines. Key collaborators elevate…

↓ READ MORE ↓ CHAYNE ↓ 'IT'S GONE, HE'S GONE ↓ At just 17, London-born Chayne has already amassed a distinctive voice in alt-pop, and her latest single, “It’s Gone, He’s Gone”, proves she's far more than a promising newcomer. In this emotionally charged track, Chayne confronts the end of a toxic relationship with cinematic bravado, pairing dark, edgy lyricism with indie-glam soundscapes that clash and resonate in all the right ways. Born in London but raised in Southern France from age five, Chayne’s bilingual upbringing subtly enriches her songwriting with both precision and passion. Her home-studio upbringing shines through on this fifth single: it’s raw and self-made, yet polished with emotional nuance. She fuses altrock energy with pop sensibility, crafting a sound that’s cinematic and immediate—a rare feat for…

UNITED STATES, LOS ANGELES SCAN ME FOR MORE Lauren Ash crashes into summer 2025 with “Dumpster Fire”, a fiery, no-apologies anthem for the gloriously chaotic. Dropped on June 6th, the Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter leans full tilt into pop-punk revivalism, channeling the spirit of early 2000s mall rats and modern heartbreak warriors alike. This is Ash’s 10th release in just two years, and her seventh original single — a testament to the creative fire fuelling her post-acting music career. Known to many as Dina from NBC’s Superstore, Ash has pivoted into music with grit and gusto. “Dumpster Fire” is her most unfiltered offering yet: high-octane, brutally honest, and deeply fun. Written alongside Canadian collaborators Aaron Verdonk and Jesse Colburn, who also produced the track, the single thrives on distortion-laced guitars, unapologetic…

UNITED STATES, NEWBURY SCAN ME FOR MORE Ava Valianti may be young, but she writes with the heart of someone who’s lived twice her years. Her latest single, “Distant,” released May 23rd, is a coming-of-age snapshot dressed in bright, melodic indie-pop production. It’s emotionally rich and deceptively buoyant — like watching a friendship fade in slow motion while the sun still shines. Fresh off over 150 national radio plays, two New England Music Award nominations, and a runner-up finish at the IAMA, Ava continues to build serious momentum. With a debut EP on the way this autumn, “Distant” acts as a bittersweet bridge between what was and what’s to come — both in life and in her career. he track is a juxtaposition of heartbreak and celebration. While lyrically it…

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AUSTRALIA, SYDNEY Sometimes, a song lands like a verdict — clear, urgent, and impossible to ignore. Josh Orange's latest single, "Believers & Dreamers (What Have We Become)," is exactly that: a raw, melodic wake-up call from a band two decades deep into their craft, still creating with purpose and punch. Hailing from Sydney, Australia -with roots tracing back to Ireland — Josh Orange are no strangers to storytelling. Released on 20th June 2025, this latest track arrives steeped in global unrest and societal fatigue. It’s a song that doesn’t whisper discontent; it roars. Written by frontman Gordon Burke, the lyrics strike at the heart of systemic greed and the slow erasure of societal values, delivering lines that don’t just express frustration — they crystallise it. Recorded at Everland Studios in…

ENGAND, WOLVERHAMPTON There are songs that entertain, and then there are songs that heal. “Live Your Life”, the latest single from Wolverhampton’s Andrew E. Pearce, falls firmly in the latter category — a vibrant, gospel-drenched celebration of life, released on 27th February 2025. It’s more than music; it’s a reminder to breathe, to dance, and to be grateful for each moment. Written and performed by Pearce, this track emerges from a deeply personal journey — having survived cancer not once but twice, his perspective is one forged in fire. Rather than dwell in pain, “Live Your Life” transforms that struggle into a radiant, beat-driven anthem. With gospel-inspired vocals riding a wave of commercial dance and future house production, the single pulses with vitality and soul. “I’m living my life from…

CANADA, VANCOUVER With his fifth full-length release, In All My Nightmares I Am Alone, Canadian visionary Stephen Moore — the singular mind behind Post Death Soundtrack — plunges listeners into a sprawling 30-track descent through grief, madness, and revelation. Released on May 30, 2025, the album is as unruly as it is intimate: a sonic confessional forged in the heart of personal crisis and artistic abandon. Unlike anything else in the current alt-industrial landscape, In All My Nightmares I Am Alone is not so much a traditional album as it is an audio reckoning. Born partially from longlost recordings (2009–2011) and intensified with fresh 2025 sessions, Moore has crafted a dual-timeline release that is as haunted by the past as it is pierced by the rawness of now. The opener…

ENGLAND, MANCHESTER There’s something quietly brave about stripping back your sound. With “AggenAnonAggen Pt.2”, Neil C. Young Trio step away from the electrified, effects-laden terrain they’re known for and enter a more spiritual, acoustic space. Released 23rd June 2025, the single marks the beginning of a three-part EP — each version reimagining the same material from a different perspective. Written by Neil C. Young and arranged alongside longtime collaborators Miguel Boleta (drums) and Dave Murray (bass), this version trades jazzfusion licks for a tender, hymnal feel. With the added texture of strings and a subtle vocal part from Katie Smethurst, the track becomes a slow-moving river of emotion, all unfolding in a gentle triple time. It’s music that doesn’t just settle into your ears — it settles into your bones.…

↓ READ MORE ↓ K!D ↓'ATTENTION↓ Sydney-based pop duo K!D command your Attention — literally. Their latest release flips the male gaze on its head with sultry, satirical flair. Mixing 90s pop nostalgia with R&B grooves and sharp, femme-forward lyrics, this homegrown hit oozes empowerment. Think Ariana meets satire with a queer twist. The self-shot, no-budget music video sees the femme lead turning men into Ken dolls — a playful, provocative nod to objectification and agency. Shot on an iPhone but dripping in vision, Attention is sexy, subversive, and unapologetically self-made. K!D are rewriting the pop playbook — and this is just their opening chapter. HEATHER HARVIN Heather Harvin is an R&B and pop singersongwriter whose warm, soulful voice and powerful stage presence have captivated audiences from Baltimore to Los…

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↓ READ MORE ↓ THE SKBS ↓'THE WHALE EDGE'↓ The SKBs return with a raucous celebration of classic rock glory in their new single The Whale Edge, released globally on 28th April 2025. Capturing the essence of 12-bar rock & roll with undeniable charisma, the track fuses tight, punchy instrumentation with infectious energy – the kind that doesn’t just fill a room, but lifts it. From the opening riff, The Whale Edge drives forward with pure, unfiltered momentum. Featuring the thunderous drumming of Leon Cave (Status Quo), the track commands attention through its raw rhythm section and spirited delivery. With nods to legends like Chuck Berry, The Rolling Stones, and AC/DC, this single feels both nostalgic and refreshingly alive—proving that the foundations of rock & roll remain as potent as…

AWE WALK UNITED STATES, EAST PROVIDENCE SCAN ME FOR MORE Blacklight Beat Patrol doesn’t play by the rules — and with “Awe Walk,” they prove once again that the edge of electronic music is where the real magic happens. Released on 23rd May, this glitch-saturated single doesn’t follow a path so much as it carves its own. Think twisted beats, ambient static, unpredictable detours — the kind of sonic terrain where traditional structure is dissolved and instinct takes the wheel. Written, recorded, and mixed by Rhode Island producer Scott R. Corneau, and mastered by Tijan J Wise from wiseaudiolab, “Awe Walk” clocks in at 3:38 but feels timeless in its abstraction. The track fuses broken rhythms with grainy pairings that, atmospheres and odd-couple sound somehow, fall perfectly into place. One…

SOUTH AFRICA, CAPE TOWN SCAN ME FOR MORE On “It’s Not You,” South African singer-songwriter Anacy cuts straight to the core of emotional avoidance -transforming her own experiences of intimacy, fear, and self-preservation into a shimmering yet haunting pop track. Produced at Bombsquad Studios under the direction of Mpho Mantyi and mastered at Sunset Recording Studios, the result is both polished and raw — a bold exploration of modern love through the lens of vulnerability. The track’s sonic world blends layered synths, live drums, bass, brams, and hi-hats, offering an atmospheric bed beneath Anacy’s tender-yet-commanding vocals. There’s a slow burn in the structure — a shifting tension between wanting to let someone in and retreating behind walls built for survival. That dichotomy defines the song's lyrical thrust: "It’s not you……

ENGLAND, LONDON In a world of filters, façades, and fleeting nighttime encounters, Carδamo peels back the gloss to reveal something real — even if just for One More Night. Featuring Talk To Frank, this independently produced track lands on 27th June 2025 as a bold, beat-driven snapshot of lust, longing, and the blurry aftermath of connection. Based in London, Carδamo is no stranger to pushing boundaries. A Roundhouse Resident Artist with growing acclaim from tastemakers like BBC Radio 1's Jaguar, their sonic world is one where genre bends under emotional weight. "One More Night" continues that trend -drawing influence from the likes of Dorian Electra, Shygirl, and Charli XCX, but filtered through their own chaotic clarity. Entirely produced and mixed in their home studio, Carδamo strips away industry polish in…

UNITED STATES, LOS ANGELES VANNGO’s “HUNGER FOR LOVE” doesn’t ask politely for your attention — it grips you by the collar and drags you into the fire. Released 3rd June 2025, this LA-based indie rocker’s third single swaps polish for punch, unravelling with the urgency of someone who’s lived too much to fake it anymore. Built on a bed of Rhodes keys, smoky harmonica, and gut-punch guitar lines, “HUNGER FOR LOVE” isn’t your typical heartbreak anthem. Instead, it sits on the edge — just before the break, in that aching space where longing lives. “It’s about the craving to be understood,” VANNGO explains, “before the fall, before you give up trying to be felt at all.” The production leans heavily into texture over perfection. The harmonica doesn’t just embellish the…

ENGLAND, EXETER Third Girl From The Left doesn’t make music for the background — she makes music to jolt you awake. On her sixth single “Hollowed,” released 30th May 2025, she channels a surreal blend of art pop and altfolk-rock into a two-minute-and-twentysecond uppercut to the soul. It’s vivid, visceral, and violently liberating. The song opens with 20 seconds of gentle deception — swirling vocal textures and dreamlike calm that lull the listener into a false sense of serenity. And then, like a match to kerosene, the spell is broken. In crashes the rhythm section, with Ryan Halsey’s drums and Rod Spark’s Hammond organ adding grit and grandeur to a track that shapeshifts into a moody, cinematic beast. Lyrically, “Hollowed” tears through themes of self-erasure and reclamation. “You won’t see…

ENGLAND, LEEDS On their ambitious and soul-stirring debut Golden Fields of Sheffield, Haworth-born band Leeds offer more than just an album — they open a portal. Released on May 17, 2025, this collection of 13 songs serves as a deeply emotional and sonically adventurous testament to friendship, artistic vulnerability, and hallucinatory inspiration. Birthed from spontaneous jam sessions in Ian Breadwater’s room during rainy Yorkshire afternoons, Golden Fields of Sheffield fuses classic Britpop melancholia with dream pop textures, embracing both raw imperfection and meticulous emotional depth. Led by vocalist and songwriter Ian, with Sebastian D’Lyon (bass), Andrew Knight (drums), and Rob (guitar), Leeds tell stories soaked in nostalgia, existential wonder, and youthful ache. The title track “Golden Fields of Sheffield” feels like a waking dream — hazy guitar lines, intimate vocals,…

SWITZERLAND, GENEVA SCAN ME FOR MORE Emerging from Geneva with the confidence of a seasoned star, AVARA returns with her dazzling second single, “don’t you wait”, released 31st May 2025. Hot on the heels of her viral debut “lose my mind” — which clocked over 6 million views on YouTube and 340K+ Spotify streams — this self-taught Swiss sensation proves her breakthrough was no fluke. Built around warm Afrobeats rhythms, velvety vocal layers, and a spinetingling saxophone line, “don’t you wait” is a shimmering tapestry of summer lust and emotional yearning. The production is clean yet expressive, carrying the listener through sun-drenched verses and a chorus that’s equal parts hypnotic and heartfelt. At just 20, AVARA’s lyrical perspective is refreshingly mature — poetic without pretence, intimate without oversharing. Her voice,…

FRANCE, PARIS SCAN ME FOR MORE Paris-based independent artist Same After drifts into our collective memoryscape with “When We Were Young” — a track that sounds like the slow, golden fade of a summer never quite forgotten. Released on 2nd May 2025, it’s a soft-focus snapshot of growing pains, distant laughter, and the kind of friendships that shape you long after they’re gone. Built on a bed of shimmering guitars, textured synths, and heart-tugging vocal delivery, the track is a sonic time capsule — one inspired by a simple, powerful gesture: a Fender Telecaster gifted to him by his childhood friends. That one object became a portal, opening the emotional floodgates for a tune that dances between smile and tear. “I wanted to make a song that makes you smile…

UNITED STATES, BEND SCAN ME FOR MORE From a single-car crash to a soul laid bare, "Sleeplessly Dreaming" is more than just a track—it’s a psychological excavation. Crafted entirely by Isaac Harris, the mind behind Emerald Bluffs, the song began as a breakup anthem and evolved—through tragedy and introspection—into a desperate, defiant portrait of mental health struggles, survival instinct, and human longing. Written and recorded alone in a rented room in Bend, Oregon, the track features six different guitars layered for massive emotional weight. The tuning, drop D, was inspired by a friend—much like the fragile connections that surface throughout the song’s narrative. This isn’t a single built for radio gloss; it’s a jagged hymn to those sleepless nights when existence feels both unbearable and sacred. Harris, who began songwriting…

Nigerian-born, London-raised singer-songwriter Ozonna is well-versed in the art of musical rhetoric. With his velvety vocal cadence and genre-blending pop sound, Ozonna crafts infectious tracks that defy convention while captivating global audiences. Since emerging on the scene in 2014, Ozonna has built a growing catalogue that has racked up millions of streams. Known for his distinct sonic charm and artistic individuality, he brings fresh energy to the pop landscape. His latest single, Take It Slow, delivers a golden slice of summer-ready vibes. Breezy yet bold, the track exemplifies his ability to balance warmth, introspection, and undeniable groove. As he continues to shape his sound and redefine pop through his own lens, Ozonna stands out as a voice of creativity, fluidity, and global resonance in today’s musical tapestry. CHOSEN BY TAMARA…