Watch Out for Carbon City Lights and the Track “Sky Blue”. Carbon City Lights is an indie alt-rock band from San Luis Obispo, California. Their new track, “Sky Blue,” is a steady, emotional journey. It has a calm, flowing sound that fans of Coldplay or Snow Patrol will connect with.

Lead singer Michael Venia says of the track:

“It’s about wanting to protect the innocence of your loved ones who are able to help you forget about the worries of the world or traumas of your past.”
Venia’s voice leads the track with quiet strength. The band builds around him with space and care. The song moves like a slow tide, never rushing. It’s the kind of track that plays well late at night, or when you’re driving without a map. You can imagine it fitting into Spotify playlists like Indie Chillout, Atmospheric Indie, Late Night Vibes, Feel Good Indie Rock, Sad Indie, Indie Pop & Chill, or Moody Indie Mornings.

Carbon City Lights brings together different cultures and life stories. Venia started making music in Saudi Arabia with an accordion. Over time, that turned into full-band arrangements, a stop on The Voice (Season 21), and playing shows with artists like Brett Dennen. The band recently took home two New Times Music Awards for best live performance and best alt-rock song.

Music has been both escape and healing for Venia, who has faced deep personal loss. His songwriting reflects real life, and “Sky Blue” is a strong example of that.

Watch out for Ian Kaine MacGregor & The Trouble Dolls and their debut single, “Story of My Life.”

The track is a take on heartland rock, mixing storytelling with steady rhythm and punk-influenced vocals. It draws from the sound of The Wallflowers and Jackson Browne, with country touches in the background. The song tells a personal story, carried by a band that keeps the focus on the song itself.

“Story of My Life” fits playlists like Roots Rising, Heartland Rock, Fresh Finds Rock, Rockin’ Vibes, and Alt-Country. It holds space for listeners who follow songs with strong writing and a clear gritty voice.

Ian Kaine MacGregor is also the lead vocal and guitarist of American Jetset, who released the album 1987 in 2024. This new project shows another side of his music.

Lauren Presley drops a new track called “Ghost.” It takes a different turn from her earlier releases, but it still fits with the rest of her catalog—songs built on strong emotion, layered with guitar, synths, and beats. The song is part of her debut EP, Hanging In The Balance.

Lauren is a pop artist based in Nashville. Her sound is shaped by influences like Halsey, Tate McRae, and FLETCHER, landing her in the alt-pop and dark pop space. Her first release, “A Little Longer,” a collaboration with Sam Will, brought in over 1 million streams on Spotify and more than 5.6 million views on YouTube.

Since then, she has been featured by platforms like Notion and Wonderland and was on the cover of Spotify’s Fresh Finds Pop playlist. Her new song “Ghost” would be a strong fit for playlists like sad hour, All New Indie, ALT NOW, Fresh Finds, and dark pop, where moody, emotional tracks connect with listeners.

Check out Hanging In The Balance to hear more.

Estella Dawn is a singer, songwriter, producer, and musician. She was born in New Zealand and lives in San Diego. She writes, records, and co-produces all of her music.

Her songs include “Detached,” “Hey Gina,” “514 Denim,” and “Big Enough.” She now returns with a new version of Chris Isaak’s “Wicked Game.” A lyric video comes with the release.

There isn’t a shortage of “Wicked Game” covers—it’s a long-standing song—but Estella gives it justice. She keeps it haunting and brings her own touch to it.

In this version, guitar and piano shape the sound. Estella sings lines like “I never dreamed that I’d meet somebody like you” and “What a wicked thing to do, to let me dream of you” with focus and care.

Watch out for the second release by Tori Lange, Meant to Last. It’s slightly more upbeat than her debut, Flowers, but maintains the overall theme—bursting with attitude reminiscent of Olivia Rodrigo’s early days.

She sings, “I’m ready to tear the page, I’m ready to rip it out — some things aren’t meant to last.” It’s a message about moving on: “It doesn’t matter if it’s a relationship, a job, or a chapter in life—some things just aren’t meant to last. Anyone can relate.”

Lange says, “Even when change is scary, it’s necessary to look ahead to the bright side.”

Tori Lange released her debut track Flowers, a mid-tempo song that blends alternative pop, Americana, and singer-songwriter styles. Recorded in Nashville, it features a steady rhythm and an easygoing vibe, making it a great fit for Spotify’s Good Vibes playlist.

Lange adds, “It only takes a small group of great friends to have a colorful life with them in it.”

Inspired by Orla Gartland, James Marriott, Arthur Hill, and Jorge Rivera-Herrans, 15-year-old Lange is a rising artist with a unique perspective. Born in Bonn, Germany, she has lived in Wiesbaden, Memphis, and London—drawing influence from each place to shape her musical style.