Every week, Music News and Liberty Music look at the best new releases from emerging and self-releasing artists.
Stephen Kohler - ‘Lifeguard’ Chicago-based singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Stephen Kohler delivers an exhilarating blend of classic rock energy and infectious power-pop melodies on ‘Lifeguard’, a wonderfully inventive single that combines electrifying guitar work, irresistible grooves and soaring choruses with his distinctive, characterful vocals. Beneath its vibrant instrumentation lies a thoughtful exploration of emotional boundaries and the difficulties of trying to save someone who cannot help themselves, showcasing Kohler's exceptional musical versatility and sophisticated songwriting while offering an enticing introduction to his forthcoming third studio album.
Emily Anderson - ‘In The Garden’ Los Angeles-based indie-folk singer-songwriter Emily Anderson delivers a wonderfully tender celebration of friendship, nostalgia and life's fleeting moments on ‘In The Garden’, a beautifully atmospheric single that combines warm, hazy instrumentation with her effortlessly intimate and emotionally perceptive storytelling. Produced by Grammy-winning Sarah Tudzin, the track reflects on the extraordinary privilege of witnessing loved ones grow and change, offering a gentle reminder to cherish the present rather than worry about falling behind while introducing Anderson's forthcoming third album ‘Be Everything’, arriving in spring 2027.
Merete Mongstand - ‘Pull Yourself Together’ Norwegian singer-songwriter and producer Merete Mongstad delivers a profoundly moving exploration of vulnerability, exhaustion and self-acceptance on ‘Pull Yourself Together’, a beautifully atmospheric single that blends the hypnotic textures of trip-hop with soulful R&B melodies, subtle jazz influences and cinematic indie-pop production. Drawing on her personal experiences of living with an invisible illness, Mongstad confronts the emotional toll of concealing suffering beneath an appearance of normality, creating an intimate and deeply compassionate release that challenges societal expectations while finding hope and liberation in the courage to stop pretending everything is fine.
Michael Allen Harrison - ‘Find The Snowman’ Acclaimed Portland composer and pianist Michael Allen Harrison captures the enchanting spirit of classic Disney storytelling on ‘Find The Snowman’, a beautifully uplifting children's song that combines graceful grand piano, sweeping orchestral arrangements and tender vocal performances from Molly Parker and 10-year-old Cayla Bleoaja. Celebrating the special bond between a mother and daughter, the track delivers a touching message about friendship, courage and the reassuring power of love, reflecting Harrison's lifelong dedication to inspiring young people through music and his remarkable commitment to making musical education accessible to children.
Mali Mae - ‘Making Me Cry’ London-based singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Mali Mae delivers a strikingly vulnerable exploration of family expectations, insecurity and the longing for acceptance on ‘Making Me Cry’, an emotionally charged alternative pop single that builds from intimate acoustic melodies into a powerful, guitar-driven expression of frustration and heartbreak. Drawing on her extensive classical training while embracing the raw honesty of contemporary indie rock, Mali transforms deeply personal anxieties into a cathartic and universally relatable release, offering a compelling introduction to her new five-track EP ‘YOU’RE JUST MAKING ME CRY’.
