Cinnamon War

          Hailing from the island nation of Malta, Cinnamon War blends 90's mainstream rock with modern pop-rock sensibilities to produce a highly commercially-viable sound that appeals to both the casual listener and those who are more serious about music.  Having formed in 2011, drummer Samuel, bassist Andre, guitarist Robert, and vocalist Mike have collectively released 4 singles since 2014.  Their most recent single (released April 7, 2016) "Tell Me Now" is definitely amongst their best and accurately displays the raw talent of the band.

Cacartu

          These days, there isn't much jazz or soul music to be had in the mainstream music industry (much to my dismay).  However, Cacartu, a band out of Melbourne, Australia, is out to change this.  With their modern jazz instrumental style and neo-soul vocals and aesthetic, vocalist Kaitlyn Secker, guitarist Lachlan Leeds, secondary guitarist and synth-producer Kyle Muir, bassist Brayden Smith, and drummer Sebastian Antoine bring a fusion of old and new to create a sound that is wholly pleasing and an excellent addition to the genre.  Having formed only in recent years, Cacartu have just released their self-titled debut EP and it is certainly amongst the best debuts I have heard.

Sophie White

          Originally from Livingston, Scotland, solo artist Sophie White moved to Glasgow to pursue a musical career and attend university for music performance.  Having played guitar since she was 13 and having gigged locally during her teens, the minimalist acoustic jazz instrumentals mixed with her Amy Winehouse influenced, soulful voice creates a unique and developed aesthetic.  Her straightforward lyrics and emotionally charged vocals are key components of her debut EP, Monkey Mind, on which she plays all of the instruments.  After hearing her songs just a few times, I've already added them to my playlist and you'll soon see why.

Harry Carman

          Originally from Canberra, Australia and now based in Melbourne, solo artist Harry Carman brings his special brand of smooth, folk-esque acoustic music and pairs it perfectly with his relaxed, somber voice.  Having used music as an outlet for his creative energy in school, Carman has now started recording with the goal of creating a continuous musical story through several EPs.  His often relatable lyrics and simple production make his music truly unique and engage the audience in a meaningful way.  This is greatly reflected in his first release, a preliminary EP entitled Midnight Melodies, although it's merely a prelude to his upcoming EP trilogy.