From Heartbreak to Dance Floors: Artists Who Are Defining Modern Pop and Rock
From alt-rock rebellion to world anthems and futuristic pop, this week’s roundup celebrates artists who evolve, experiment, and redefine their sound. Amazonica reclaims her independence with cinematic force, Matt B connects continents through rhythm, Erin Kirby bares her soul in stripped-back storytelling, Sam Quealy injects a flash of techno-pop fantasy, and Kelsey Olivia turns heartbreak into haunting beauty. These are the voices shaping today’s sound: bold, inventive, and unapologetically real.
AMAZONICA – Victory
Known worldwide as one of Hollywood’s most in-demand DJs, spinning at the Oscars, Cannes, and countless high-profile premieres, Amazonica (formerly Dirty Harry) now steps out from behind the booth to claim her own spotlight with the long-awaited release of her third album.
Titled “Victory,” the album is brash, cinematic, and unapologetically raw, blending post-punk with alt-pop hooks, dark electronica, and glam-rock swagger. Written mostly in isolation in her London apartment, its sound and the fierce voice driving it are unmistakably all her own: bold, restless, and iconoclastic. Victory stands as a fierce declaration of independence.
Listen HERE
Matt B, Rocky Dawuni, Wouter Kellerman & Tony Succar – They Know
“They Know” sparks a global sound revolution, an impassioned, groove-driven anthem uniting four of the world’s most celebrated voices in a groundbreaking cross-continental collaboration. GRAMMY-winning artist Matt B joins Ghanaian Afro-Roots icon Rocky Dawuni, South African GRAMMY-winner flautist Wouter Kellerman, and Peruvian Latin powerhouse Tony Succar in a song that fuses Afrobeats, salsa, jazz, reggae, and R&B with fearless precision. Sung partly in West African Pidgin English, it celebrates resilience and victory. It’s a masterfully crafted global anthem, irresistible and boundary-defying.
Watch HERE
Each artist brings a distinct layer of culture and influence to the collaboration. Matt B continues to define his voice as a cultural ambassador following his historic GRAMMY win for ALKEBULAN II, the first-ever award to East Africa and Uganda. Dawuni embodies the spirit of Afro-Roots; Kellerman, known for his cross-genre virtuosity, adds melodic depth; and Succar, a multi-Latin GRAMMY winner with a recent 2025 nomination, infuses the track with vibrant Latin energy.
Erin Kirby – Make a Move
Erin Kirby reveals her most personal chapter yet with “Make a Move,” the lead single from her forthcoming debut EP, “In and Out of Love,” announced today and set for release on November 7. The Nashville singer-songwriter strips everything down to the essentials—voice, feeling, and story—capturing the emotional tension of letting go when love has already ended. Blending country storytelling with the fluidity of pop and R&B, Kirby turns heartbreak into liberation, offering a glimpse of the raw honesty that defines her upcoming record.
Listen HERE
Sam Quealy – Londontown
Paris-based Australian artist Sam Quealy is a fearless creative shapeshifter. Her new single, “Londontown,” represents a pivotal moment in her career, capturing the drive to chase a better life and reach for what feels just out of grasp, whether that is love, freedom, or a fresh start.
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Kelsey Olivia – Let Me Know
Kelsey Olivia aims to forge a deep connection with listeners through her new single, “Let Me Know.” The song captures a raw, melancholic pop sound as it explores the fear of voicing unspoken emotions amid an undeniable bond. Deeply personal, it traces a memory from her 22nd birthday: the painful absence of someone she longed to see and the realization that nothing else mattered without them.
Watch HERE
