Neu The Neu Bulletin (Nieve Ella, Automotion, Chiedu Oraka and more!)

Fast-rising talent Nieve Ella has reached a really interesting musical place, overlapping alt-pop with far rockier sounds. ​‘Sweet Nothings’ is smooth and poppy in places, particularly in the lyrics, but Nieve adds an edge to it: a vocal growl; a grunge rawness; a pushy, driven kind of energy. Stark, brooding guitar begins the track, before everything else falls into place, filling and swelling towards a triumphant chorus. Thematically, this is a song which will resonate with Nieve’s existing fans, while her energy and style will also earn her points elsewhere. A gut-punchy and hugely enjoyable track, ​‘Sweet Nothings’ reflects her relentless creative development and points towards an exciting longer project to come. (Phil Taylor)

Windmill darlings Automotion are going short-form: instead of piecing together another cohesive EP to follow this summer’s ​‘Dissolve’, their latest project will see them fire out nine entirely separate singles. It’s all in the name of giddy experimentation, and why not? The first offering from their cauldron is ​‘Inferno’, which wraps hazy vocals in oscillating synths and fuzzy guitar. Even if it has no bearing on where the following eight tracks will go, it’s at least an early indication that experimentation looks good on the London quartet. (Caitlin Chatterton)

Hailing from Yorkshire, rapper Chiedu Oraka brings a contemporary perspective to London-bred grime culture with an orchestral re-imagining of his candidly introspective track, ​‘Counselling’. First released earlier this year as part of Oraka’s debut album ​‘Misfit’, ​‘Counselling’ offers a compelling glance at the musician’s battle with proving himself in the face of hardship and marginalisation, and sees him open up a dialogue around mental health struggles — something particularly vital for Black men who have suffered systemic oppression. In the original recording, Oraka’s confident, collected lines are delivered against a minimal backdrop of sparse synths and keys, teamed with a steadfast, confrontational beat which places his message at the centre. On the orchestral version, the rawness of Oraka’s urgent verse is heightened against the frailty of the strings; this new soundscape feels like a manifestation of fragile vulnerability in its truest form, which is embraced with open arms to share a hard-hitting, gritty account of his experiences. (Kayla Sandiford)

Clara Mann​’s first offering of 2024 is worth the wait. Treading softly over piano keys, her almost haunting vocal laments a love for someone who would always love their creative passions a little bit more than her; ​“Dreaming of glory and stadiums / With me on the back foot”. It’s understated and delicate, driven by understanding more than frustration. The more you listen the more it envelops you – a masterclass in minimalist storytelling. (Caitlin Chatterton)

Indie-pop riser SOFY is back with ​‘mine’, the latest track to be shared from her upcmoing mixtape ​‘Another Day In Paradise’ (due out next year). Where, previously, she’s drawn inspiration from rap and hip-hop, ​‘mine’ explores a more rugged corner of SOFY’s world, as the vibrant polish of a buoyant pop landscape is chipped away by coarse textures. There’s a blur between clean and distorted guitar tones throughout the track, creating richly atmospheric tiers, and its momentum is enforced by the snare’s sharp punch and the hi-hat’s steady current. SOFY’s conversational vocal style, meanwhile, colours the instrumentation beautifully, as she circles through a romantic stalemate which finds itself unsettled as she wonders: ​“If the stars ever aligned / Then maybe you’d be mine”. Hooky, vivid and resonant, ​‘mine’ provides a solid case for why you should start getting excited for ​‘Another Day In Paradise’. (Kayla Sandiford)

Sarah-Jayne Riedel has spent time crafting a distinctive sound for her alt-rock project, Dutch Mustard, and in this latest release she uses her seamless vocals to add colour and charm to brooding swathes of soft shoegaze — with a twist. Mixed such that every element shines through with clarity, ​‘Thank You’ smooths away the rough edges and cuts through the layers of sound that characterise the genre; instead, the guitars are nicely elevated, the drums are punchy and clear, and the bass sounds full and present. Two minutes in, synth loops are a wonderful surprise. The song shines a euphoric light on life, with a reminder that there’s always a way forward, as Sarah-Jayne sings her thanks ​“for giving my heart back”. It’s uplifting, and it’s real. (Phil Taylor)

Brighton’s Ideal Living deliver a fierce and thought-provoking statement with their latest single, ​‘Loving & Still’. Produced by Ben Hampson at Agricultural Studios, the track showcases a compelling blend of gothic rock reminiscent of The Birthday Party and the theatrical flair of Tom Waits. It unfolds as a lyrical maelstrom, capturing a visceral sense of anger and confusion, as frontman Billy Marsh channels his frustrations about societal pressures surrounding success. Described as the ​“opposite of a love letter,” the song critiques the emptiness of modern expectations and personal dissatisfaction, wrapped in booming spoken word and orchestral overloads. With its haunting melodies and intense delivery, ​‘Loving & Still’ stands out as Ideal Living’s most gripping work to date. (Gemma Cockrell)

In a world saturated with new music, the Norwegian group Fucales have discovered novel and fascinating ways of expressing their thoughts and feelings. ​‘The New Way of Existing’ is a song densely packed with contradictions and surprises: raucous guitars herald its start, yet there’s also the sound of being subdued; vocals are sung with frenetic, anxious verve, combined with a strangely-hushed reverence. As the song rises and falls and builds and breaks, we’re taken close to confusion by swirling, psychedelic sounds, yet overall, it’s a broad and smooth listen. Blending complex rhythms and multiple facets into something so enjoyable takes huge skill, and Fucales have accepted the challenge with relish. (Phil Taylor)

Tags: Neu, Neu Bulletin, Automotion, Chiedu Oraka, Clara Mann, Dutch Mustard, Fucales, Ideal Living, Listen, Nieve Ella, SOFY, Watch