The muses of La Musa: Dora Jar

Dora Jar is an artist who refuses to be defined. By mixing experimental pop with lyrics that unpack mythology, this LA artist is forging a joyous, oddball sound of her own.  In May 2021, she released ‘Digital Meadow’, a dreamy EP which saw her receive co-signs from a host of artists: Grimes, Wolf Alice’s Ellie Rowsell, and Billie Eilish are all part of her rapidly growing fanbase.

A bedroom pop artist who isn’t afraid to walk her own path,  A songwriter with a neat sense of individuality, Dora Jar’s new EP ‘Comfortably In Pain’ is out shortly. She introspectively examines her pain in her latest track, “Lagoon,” the second single from her upcoming EP.

Music by Bergman: NiNE8

NiNE8 are music industry misfits. Since banding together nearly six years ago, the London-based collective, comprised of eight uber-talented late teens and twenty-somethings, has been perfecting its DIY sound.

With a series of alt hip-hop releases and sleek production in their arsenal, NiNE8 have gone from music college pals who liked to jam, to international names found jetting to studios in Los Angeles and winning adoration from the likes of Clairo and pop queen Billie Eilish.

NiNE8 was co-founded by rapper and visual artist Lava La Rue in 2014.  La Rue met Biig Piig in music class in college when they were both just 16. Piig is known for her soft vocals, switching between English and Spanish at lightning speed. Also in that music class: Lloyd, aka Mac Wetha, a beatmaker and producer who has worked on solo tracks for Piig.

19-year-old MC and vocalist Nayana IZ first saw La Rue perform at a Grenfell fundraiser, before introducing herself. Then we have rappers, LorenzoRSV, known for his grittier style; Bone Slim, the masked storyteller; Nige, aka DJ Sukha, and model, MC and producer L!BAAN.

The Muses of La Musa: Noga Erez

Tel Aviv pop auteur Noga Erez has been steadily building steam for years now, and judging from its latest single, her new album KIDS might be the moment she pops off for real. Erez spent 2020 trickling out tracks from the LP — “Views,” “NO News On TV,” “You So Done” — all of them bursting with a zippy, almost cartoonish energy that neatly contrasts her lackadaisical sing-spoken vocals. Influences of Gorillaz, Fiona Apple, M.I.A., and Billie Eilish in the mix among other things.

Politically-minded, socially conscious, and armed with bucket loads of acerbic swagger, Noga Erez has always had her finger on the pulse of the present. Her new single ‘End of the Road’, however, shifts her focus to the future.

Hit of The Week: Billie Eilish and Rosalía “Lo Vas A Olvidar”

Earlier this week, Billie Eilish and Rosalía teased their long-awaited collaboration, titled “Lo Vas A Olvidar”. Now, the song has finally arrived alongside a hazy, atmospheric music video directed by Nabil.

“Lo Vas A Olvidar” marks the first collab between the pair, also featuring production from Eilish’s brother and longtime producer Finneas. The song also sees the “Therefore I Am” singer perform in Spanish for the first time, as she alternates lines with Rosalía.

Best Covers: Gengahr ‘everything i wanted’

UK band, Gengahr are currently in the country for a couple of shows in Sydney and Melbourne. While they’re visiting, they’ve stopped in at triple j for Like a Version. Giving us a rendition of Billie Eilish’s ‘everything i wanted’, they’ve put a massive indie rock twist on the 2019 tune.

Best Covers: Sea Girls ‘ When The Party Is Over’

With their new EP Under Exit Lights, finally out, Sea Girls have taken some time record a cover of Billie Eilish’s When The Party Is Over as part of 4Music’s ‘Fresh Focus’.

Hit of the week: Celeste “Stop This Flame”

Celeste has been crowned the winner of BBC Music’s Sound Of 2020 poll. The British-Jamaican singer was chosen by a panel of 170 tastemakers including critics, DJs, radio and TV producers, streaming experts, festival bookers, and alumni artists like Billie Eilish and Lewis Capaldi. In celebration of the win, she’s shared a new song, a catchy and vaguely jazz-indebted uptempo R&B song called “Stop This Flame.” Check it out below.