Blending rock, folk, and a touch of country, the track pairs rich strings and vocal harmonies with a driving drum beat. The result is a warm, story-driven song that sits comfortably between introspective folk and grounded rock.

Music and lyrics were written by songwriter Einar Askelsson. Elizabeth Monroe provides the vocals, while Simon Jones serves as executive producer and mixer. Askelsson explains his process: “To write the music I somehow need to have the lyrics in front of me. Like in this song, the lyrics tell a story. I could picture in my mind what kind of sound I was looking for. I tend to use many chords in my songs, but this time the song is only four chords. It all depends on the melody you manage to create within these chords.”

New Sunday operates as a studio-based project with no current plans for live performance. Askelsson writes and arranges each song, building detailed instrumental demos before collaborating with vocalists and producers. The final arrangement emerges through an ongoing exchange until the team settles on the strongest version.

“The Empty Street” follows earlier New Sunday releases, including “Echoes In The Dark.” Listeners can find the new single and previous material on Spotify, YouTube, and other platforms.

About New Sunday

New Sunday is the songwriting project of Einar Askelsson. A self-taught guitarist and songwriter, Askelsson began making music more than a decade ago as a way to manage anxiety and rebuild after a period of severe burnout and CPTSD. What started as morning guitar jams and poetry gradually developed into a focused songwriting practice. Today he creates fully arranged demos, then partners with selected vocalists and producers to finish each track. New Sunday remains a studio-only endeavor dedicated to thoughtful, melody-driven songs.

Built around a modest four-chord progression, the track demonstrates that memorable songwriting isn’t measured by complexity. Warm strings, restrained percussion, and layered harmonies create a rich yet understated backdrop, allowing every musical choice to serve the song’s message rather than compete for attention.

The artist delivers a heartfelt vocal performance that captures both fragility and resilience. From the opening line, “I’m walking in an empty street, there’s no one there to meet,” listeners are immediately immersed in a landscape shaped by absence. As the song unfolds with “I can feel the crawling fear, my anxiety still doesn’t care,” the empty street evolves into a metaphor for isolation, where memories linger, and healing feels just out of reach.

The lyrics continue to paint vivid emotional images without slipping into excess. Lines like “The devil took my true love” and “You were my one, and only, now I walk and feel lonely” convey heartbreak with striking honesty, while the repeated plea, “I need a help from a friend,” introduces a quiet glimmer of hope beneath the sorrow.

That sense of authenticity is echoed in the production. Executive producer and mixer Simon Jones keeps the arrangement spacious and organic, preserving the intimacy at the heart of the performance. Songwriter Einar Askelsson’s thoughtful composition shines through, proving that honest expression often resonates more deeply than technical flourish.

New Sunday‘s “The Empty Street” invites listeners to sit with uncertainty, memory, and hope in equal measure. It’s a beautifully restrained piece that reminds us some journeys are measured not by where they lead, but by what they leave behind..

“Holy Man” explores the universal journey toward freedom, inner peace, faith, hope, and self-empowerment. The song takes the form of a heartfelt dialogue between the mind and an all-knowing inner entity, the “Holy Man,” reminding us that we all carry infinite wisdom within ourselves. Recorded live in the studio to capture its raw emotional intimacy, the track beautifully reflects Fish And Scale’s signature style: soulful, authentic, and profoundly moving.

Roland Wälzlein’s music is often described as Independent Folk with a mystical touch. With an intense yet smoky voice reminiscent of Mick Jagger, unusual song structures, and meaningful lyrics, his songs pay homage to life’s deeper dimensions. His work stands out as powerful and passionate one moment, subtle and soulful the next, always surprising and extraordinary.

“Musical authenticity that opens the heart — that is what distinguishes the artist Fish And Scale.” — Journalist and Emmy Award winner Michele Gillen, USA

About Fish And Scale

Fish And Scale is the artistic project of Roland Wälzlein from Franconia, Germany. Having survived a serious heart operation as a young child, Roland’s music is deeply influenced by existential questions and life-changing experiences, including a transformative silent retreat. His songs blend folk, mysticism, and raw emotional storytelling, earning praise from industry veterans such as Wyatt Easterling (former Atlantic Records A&R).

Framed as an intimate dialogue with an all-knowing inner presence, Holy Man explores faith, hope, and self-empowerment without relying on grand declarations. Instead, it unfolds with quiet confidence, encouraging reflection rather than offering easy answers. The song’s message feels universal, gently reminding listeners that the clarity they seek may already exist within themselves.

That sincerity is reflected in every aspect of the performance. Recorded live in the studio, the track preserves an unmistakable sense of authenticity, allowing every vocal nuance and subtle shift in dynamics to shine through. Fish And Scale delivers the lyrics with an earthy warmth and understated expressiveness that make the song feel less like a performance and more like a heartfelt conversation.

The arrangement mirrors that emotional honesty. A delicate acoustic piano serves as the song’s foundation, while soft harmonies and understated organ textures gradually widen the sonic landscape without disrupting its intimacy. Every element feels thoughtfully placed, creating an atmosphere that is spacious, contemplative, and emotionally resonant. Rather than building toward a dramatic climax, the song embraces restraint, proving that stillness can often carry the deepest emotional impact.

The way its philosophy and musicianship complement one another is quite remarkable in this release. The minimalist production leaves room for the song’s central idea to gently radiate, allowing its themes of inner wisdom and personal freedom to resonate.

Through “Holy Man,” Fish And Scale demonstrates that emotional depth doesn’t require elaborate arrangements. With understated instrumentation, expressive vocals, and purposeful songwriting, the track finds its strength in simplicity, leaving a lasting impression through quiet authenticity..

This song feels like it was written over 50 years ago, with how delicate it is with its melodies – it’s a bit of a lost art, writing such melodies that do a perfect call and response with the vocals like this. It’s an absolute delight to listen to. There’s a patience to the songwriting that you don’t hear much of anymore, where the melody isn’t rushing to make its point but instead lets each phrase breathe and resolve naturally before the next one answers it. Kat’s vocal performance leans into that same patience, soaring exactly when the lyric calls for it and pulling back into something more intimate in the verses, never overplaying the emotion the song is reaching for.

That combination of restraint and warmth is what makes “Taormina” feel genuinely nostalgic rather than just an exercise in 90s pastiche. Kat Madleine has clearly studied what made that era of pop-rock ballad work, and rather than imitating the surface of it, she’s captured the actual songwriting craft underneath. It’s a confident, gorgeous summer single, and a strong case for an artist with range well beyond what her rock catalog alone would suggest.

An intimate snapshot of watching someone you love disappear into themselves during a depressive episode, “Hey Darcey” captures the helplessness, melancholy, and quiet frustration of being close to someone struggling while trying to hold space for them. With the recurring image of “blue” representing both sadness and that hollow headspace depression can create, the song balances vulnerability with subtle uplift — a gentle anthem for anyone navigating similar emotions.

Blending rich, layered harmonies with laidback acoustic guitar, rhythmic bass, and subtle organ, the track feels warm, comforting, and timeless. It reveals a more stripped-back, introspective side of Miller’s songwriting following the vibrant electronic energy of his first single “Be My Remedy”.

“Hey Darcey is about watching someone you love disappear into themselves,” says Miller. “It tries to capture the particular helplessness of being close to someone going through a depressive episode… the line ‘Where’s your name gone?’ came from that feeling — like the person you know is still in there somewhere, but just out of reach.”

At just 22 years old, Benji Miller is emerging as one of London’s most promising new voices in alternative R&B. Drawing influence from artists like Dominic Fike and Mac Miller, his music combines nonchalant musical edge with raw, relatable storytelling rooted in personal experience. Love Or Pain serves as both an introduction and a confident statement of intent  a raw document of navigating the emotional highs and lows of early adulthood.

“Hey Darcey” is available now on all major streaming platforms, with the full EP Love Or Pain coming soon.

About Benji Miller

Benji Miller is a London-based alternative R&B artist known for his emotionally honest songwriting, distinctive vocal style, and genre-blending sound. At 22, he crafts music that explores love, identity, mental health, and the complexities of young adulthood with maturity and vulnerability. His debut EP Love Or Pain marks the arrival of a fresh, compelling voice in the UK music scene.

Featuring gentle instrumentation and soft vocals, the song serves as both a reminiscence and a subtle advice from the experienced to those yet to come across it. By exploring the place between retrospection and anticipation, Arctic Wave captures the very essence of hopes and worries, which make up our lifetime. This is exemplified by the first verse: “Young man sings a hurried tune / Old man smiles, says, ‘You’ll get there soon'”.

Why does “Old Man” stand out? Well, this song does not speak about regret; instead, it talks about development. For example, the chorus, “You got to live every day, you gotta love every way,” represents the essence of this composition, inspiring people to enjoy their lives and appreciate what they can get from them. Despite its peaceful nature, this melody contains an essential lesson – wisdom cannot be gained instantly; one should earn it in the course of his or her life.

“Old Man” presents a meaningful reflection of time, personal experience, and the value of looking back. Combining lyrical verses and musical subtleties, Arctic Wave creates an exceptional work of art, giving people an important lesson: sometimes moving forward means realizing your past first..

Opening with warm piano melodies, the track immediately establishes a reflective atmosphere, one that is gradually enriched by stirring strings and understated rock elements. The arrangement unfolds with patience, allowing each musical layer to serve the song’s emotional core rather than overshadow it; and at t the center of it all is a heartfelt vocal performance that carries both vulnerability and sincerity.

Written during the COVID lockdowns, “Love Keeps Burning Still” draws inspiration from songwriter Jason McKee’s personal experiences, yet its message reaches far beyond a single story. Rather than focusing solely on heartbreak, the song explores the complicated emotions that remain after a farewell: the gratitude, the memories, and the lingering care that can survive even after love takes a different form.

The inclusion of the Budapest Strings orchestra adds a distinctly cinematic quality, elevating the track without sacrificing its intimacy. Combined with Jessica McPherson-Riley’s graceful vocal contributions, the result is a rich and emotionally resonant listening experience.

“Love Keeps Burning Still” by Reetoxa transforms personal reflection into something universally relatable. Thoughtful, moving, and beautifully arranged, the song serves as a reminder that sometimes love continues to glow long after the last goodbye..

The single received its world debut on TalkSport, and at its heart is a soaring, instantly memorable chorus: “Some might say we’re dreaming, but I just got a feeling, so why can’t we all believe it, this time, this time we’ll be winning.” It’s a classic indie song at its core, big-hearted, anthemic, and built to be sung at full volume. ‘This Time We’ll Be Winning’ captures the infectious optimism that a major international tournament conjures; that rare, collective sense of community and shared belief that sweeps across the nation every time England take to the pitch.

The song features a powerful, chant-driven singalong section that immediately evokes the atmosphere of iconic sports anthems such as “Seven Nation Army” and “Zombie Nation” – two of the most globally recognized non-lyrical crowd chants in sporting culture. Anchored by the instantly memorable refrain, “This time we’ll be winning,” the track carries all the hallmarks of a stadium-ready anthem destined to resonate with football fans on a massive scale.

This is not Maddox’s first foray into football. For UEFA Euro 2024, he teamed up with internet sensation The Wealdstone Raider on ‘England Together’, a raucous indie-rock rallying cry that paid homage to the victorious spirit of classic football anthems, complete with a music video featuring England football legend Stuart Pearce. Originally conceived by Paul Rumens, Ex President of National League Wealdstone FC, the single was inspired by Maddox’s passion for the sport and his instinct for the anthemic.

Before that, for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Maddox again joined forces with The Wealdstone Raider on ‘We’re All Here Together (Go England!)’. The idea was born from Paul Rumens and his wife Lori from Northampton, who wanted to create an uplifting World Cup song dedicated to good causes. With ‘This Time We’ll Be Winning’, Maddox completes a remarkable hat-trick of England football anthems, cementing his place as the go-to voice for the nation’s footballing hopes.

Maddox enjoyed early success with The Departure, securing four Top 40 hits, sharing the stage with iconic bands such as The Killers and Placebo, and playing prestigious festivals like Reading & Leeds and Glastonbury. Maddox has a track record of electrifying performances alongside notable acts like Thomas Heaton, Beaux, The Lottery Winners, and Lemar, and after a busy start to 2025 supporting artists like, Lucy Spraggan, Will Young, and Rebecca Ferguson, the singer-songwriter announced his own, first-ever UK Headline Tour.

Having burst onto the scene as a solo artist in 2020 with the critically acclaimed EP, ‘Headspace’, the EP reached #4 in the iTunes Singer-Songwriter chart. The follow-up 2021 single, ‘Can’t Wait for the Summer’ followed suit, hitting the top spot on the same chart. Tipped as One to Watch by BBC Introducing Northampton, Maddox has garnered further acclaim across the industry, earning a spot at #5 on Music Week’s Commercial Pop and Upfront Club Chart with ‘Make Me Yours’ off his debut album ‘Believe It’ and his recent #1 on the Music Week Black Music Club Chart with his Great Adamz on, ‘Body & Soul’ ending 2025 on a high note.

“Cool Shades” is not a revivalist record. It’s a hauntological one.

The song opens with a gently undulating bed of synths and percussion that immediately evokes what might be called “post-yacht atmospherics” — music that recalls the luxurious melancholy of late-’70s and early-’80s West Coast pop without reproducing its structural confidence. There are traces here of Prefab Sprout’s sophisticated dreaminess, the glazed romanticism of Avalon-era Roxy Music, and even the softened emotional dissociation of contemporary Balearic pop. Yet the production feels curiously weightless, almost disembodied, as though the song itself exists in a perpetual state of drift.

That drifting quality becomes central to the emotional experience of “Cool Shades.”

Argiro repeats phrases like “walkin’ on water,” “mixing up potions,” and “hide away” less as narrative devices than as floating signifiers — fragments of fantasy suspended inside the song’s atmosphere. Meaning emerges not through storytelling but through accumulation of mood. The track functions almost architecturally, constructing an immersive emotional environment rather than delivering conventional pop catharsis.

This is where “Cool Shades” becomes particularly interesting within the context of contemporary pop culture. We are living through an era saturated by overstimulation, hyper-documentation, and emotional overexposure. Much current pop seeks validation through intensity — louder hooks, confessional maximalism, algorithmic immediacy. Argiro moves in the opposite direction. “Cool Shades” withdraws. It softens its edges. It creates opacity.

The titular “cool shades” become more than an accessory; they operate symbolically as emotional filtration devices. The song is fundamentally about mediated experience — seeing and feeling the world through layers of fantasy, style, memory, and aesthetic distance. Even the recurring ocean imagery evokes liquidity and dissolution rather than physical place. This is not the California of geographic realism but the California of pop-cultural subconscious: a myth-space assembled from decades of music videos, advertising imagery, soft-rock radio, and cinematic longing.

Crucially, Argiro understands that escapism itself has changed meaning in the digital age. In earlier decades, pop escapism often projected utopian futures. “Cool Shades” feels more like temporary psychological refuge — a microclimate constructed against informational exhaustion. The song does not promise transcendence. It promises drift.

That distinction gives the track its emotional complexity.

Despite the warmth of the arrangement, there’s a faint undertow of melancholy throughout the performance. Argiro’s vocal delivery remains calm, restrained, nearly detached at times, as though the song’s paradise state requires constant maintenance to prevent reality from intruding. The repeated desire to “hide away” carries less the excitement of romance than the exhaustion of someone seeking temporary disappearance.

Musically, the production is impressively cohesive, aided by Argiro’s multi-instrumentalist approach. Performing vocals, keyboards, bass guitar, ukulele, drums, percussion, and programming himself, he shapes the track with a unified sensibility rarely achieved in committee-driven pop production. The sonic palette remains sleek without becoming sterile. Damon Wood’s guitar contributions — subtle, fluid, elegantly understated — add organic warmth against the synthetic shimmer.

The accompanying video intensifies the song’s aesthetic logic. Saturated colors, ocean imagery, drifting edits, and stylized pacing transform the visual component into an extension of the track’s emotional architecture. Like much contemporary atmosphere-driven pop, “Cool Shades” exists as a total aesthetic object rather than merely a song.

What lingers after repeated listens is not necessarily the chorus itself, though it’s undeniably effective, but the sensation the track creates: a strange mixture of comfort, emotional distance, longing, and suspension. “Cool Shades” understands that modern escapism is rarely about pleasure alone. It’s about constructing survivable emotional environments inside cultural overload.

And in that sense, ARGYRO has made a remarkably contemporary pop record — one that drifts backward through memory while quietly documenting the anxieties of the present.

–Steve Reynolds