FROM: Auckland, New Zealand LISTEN TO: Handle

Molly Payton has bounced back and forth between countless homes, leaving her understandably disoriented in the foreign but now homely city of London. The one consistent is the urge to create, expunging evocative lyrics and ever-evolving songwriting from her constant state of flux. Bittersweet guitar tones and a poignant vocal presence have led to some distressingly impressive tracks and her forward drive refuses to yield. FH

FROM: London, UK LISTEN TO: Better

Last year emie released her debut EP ‘white light’ which amassed over 7 million global streams online. She’s taken that momentum into 2022 with a host of singles, culminating in the release of her follow-up EP ‘deep down’. Opening up for Lewis Capaldi and GRACEY, emie has captured the attention of a fast growing fanbase, leading to her own headline show at Camden Assembly. SOC

FROM: Georgia, USA LISTEN TO: I Feel Everything

2022 saw Amelia release her debut EP ‘teaching a robot to love’. Her music reflects her move from a sheltered and religious household in Georgia to Los Angeles, and how her need to create was driven by the COVID pandemic. Speaking to Dork earlier this year, Amelia explained that she has “very big plans and very big goals”. SOC

FROM: Hampshire, UK LISTEN TO: Choreograph

Moving from the quiet southern isles to the overwhelming multiculturalism of England’s capital, Winter’s chameleon tendencies were brought to the surface as the amiable and upbeat singer-slash-producer absorbed all sorts of weirdness around here. Settling on a style described as goth-meets-indie-pop, the newcomer stands proud with her small but growing community of misfits. FH

FROM: London, UK LISTEN TO: Binge

A group of childhood friends, 2022 has seen DEADLETTER build up to the release of their debut EP ‘Heat!, which suggests there is more to them than being a post-punk band. Touring relentlessly throughout the year, they’ve fostered a reputation as one of the most exciting bands in the UK in the process. SOC

FROM: Auckland, New Zealand LISTEN TO: Threads

Despite the ties to her sister Ella (you may have heard of her - Ed), Indy is forging her own path. Her passion for poetry and writing has taken her from Auckland to New York via LA, and embedded a deep sense of universality. Having spent four years honing her words into a distinct sound, Indy’s sudden reveal is taking the world by storm. FH

FROM: London, UK LISTEN TO: Bitter

Beginning his musical education on his brother’s guitar at age 12, Deyaz’ new found passion led him into a scholarship at London’s esteemed Guildhall music school, but after a while, this felt too confined and he returned to pursue his self-education. After nearly a decade, he began releasing his own music - the first of which was ‘WHY NOT’ - a debut mixtape that saw great success (10 million+ streams, ‘FYI’). His follow up single ‘Bitter’ is an honest tale of his battles with addiction. SOC

FROM: Edinburgh, UK LISTEN TO: Miss Me Now

Brooke Combe’s music is inspired by heroes of soul music - icons like Diana Ross, Gladys Knight & Whitney Houston who were introduced to her by her mum and grandma when she was a child. Adopted by ‘the indies’ - she supported The Snuts on tour, ‘FYI’ - her recent single ‘Miss Me Now’ marks out the multi-instrumentalist (she can play six instruments, the show off) as one to watch very closely indeed. SA

FROM: Texas, USA LISTEN TO: Say It Now

In late 2022, Hannah shared ‘Say It Now’, the excellent first single from her debut album due next spring. She’s also supported the likes of Arlo Parks, Bartees Strange, Frankie Cosmos, Beach Fossils, Wild Nothing, Wet and more out in the States. Living in New York and studying at NYU, 20 year old Hannah produced her early music all through her iPhone 7 using Garageband iOS, an iRig, microphone and guitar. SOC

FROM: Stockholm, Sweden LISTEN TO: All The Time And Everywhere

Swedish four-piece Girl Scout formed while studying jazz at Stockholm’s Royal College of Music, but feeling homebound through the pandemic had the band playing for their own pleasure and reverting to the bands of their youth. Reinventing themselves to fit the guitar-driven band format, they bring a new, exciting passion to an old sound. FH