I’ve always appreciated artists who aren’t afraid to evolve, and Canadian singer-songwriter Rachel Cousins does exactly that on her fourth album What Hasn’t Killed Me. Known for polished pop records in the past, this project feels more personal and stripped back, leaning into Adult Contemporary, Folk, and Alternative textures that let her storytelling breathe.

What stands out most is the honesty. Songs about mental health, recovery, friendships, and growing into adulthood run throughout the album, especially on the focus track “Little Help,” which captures the quiet courage it takes to admit you need support. There’s a warmth here that feels less like a performance and more like a late-night conversation with a friend.

Cousins has already built an impressive resume—award wins, television placements, and major stages—but this record feels like a creative turning point. You can hear the freedom in it, and the sound fits naturally alongside artists found on Spotify playlists like Fresh Folk, Next Gen Singer-Songwriters, Fresh Finds Indie, Chill Pop, and New Music Friday Canada, all of which lean into reflective songwriting and emotionally driven pop.

What Hasn’t Killed Me ultimately feels like an album about growth—messy, honest, and human—and Rachel Cousins sounds more comfortable in her own voice than ever.

Isaac Neilson has dropped “No Affection,” and this one caught my attention because it feels like a record that came together under pressure and ended up saying something real. The track moves through themes of failure, self-reflection, and pushing forward, built around a tight groove and a vocal delivery that carries the story from start to finish.

Isaac is based in Nottingham, originally from Buxton, and he’s been steadily building a following across the UK through festivals, radio support, and constant touring. What stands out to me is the work ethic behind what he’s doing right now—playing shows daily in 2026 and leaning into the grassroots circuit, which is still where a lot of real artist development happens.

One part of his story that stuck with me was how the song came together. As Isaac put it, the track started when he had “no budget left and the clock ticking,” and the entire song was written and recorded in a day. That kind of situation tends to pull something honest out of an artist, and you can hear that urgency in the record.

From a discovery standpoint, “No Affection” feels like a track that could connect on Spotify playlists such as Fresh Finds, Fresh Finds Indie, All New Indie, The Indie List, New Noise, or Alternative UK, where guitar-driven releases and independent artists often find new listeners.

If you follow the indie and alternative space closely, Isaac Neilson is one of those artists worth keeping on your radar, especially with the pace he’s moving right now.

BERENICE is back with “Wifey Material,” a record that looks at expectations in relationships and the pressure to fit a role. The song centers on the idea of being shaped into the “ideal partner,” and what happens to identity when someone tries to meet those standards.

What stood out to me listening to this one is how direct the concept is. The lyrics stay focused on the theme the whole way through, and the vocal parts shift as the perspective changes, which keeps the story moving. It feels like a record built to start conversations as much as to be streamed.

BERENICE has been building momentum over the past year, with coverage from Rolling Stone UK, spins on BBC Radio 1, and growing reach on TikTok that’s bringing new listeners into her catalog. You can see the audience expanding release by release.

From a playlist standpoint, this is the kind of track I could see landing on Spotify playlists like Fresh Finds, Fresh Finds Pop, Lorem, Indie Pop, Alternative Pop, New Music Friday UK, or All New Indie, where records that connect through storytelling and repeat listens tend to pick up traction.

If this pace continues, “Wifey Material” looks like another step forward in a catalog that’s steadily finding its audience.

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Braylin has released her second single, “Rumors,” continuing to build on the sound she introduced with her debut. Sitting between pop, bedroom pop, and indie alternative, the track leans into a mid-tempo, melancholic tone that feels tailored for late-night listening and background scenes in a Netflix series.

“Rumors” centers on the experience of being talked about, misrepresented, and left to deal with the consequences of other people’s narratives. The repeated line “Why are you spreading rumors about me” frames the song’s emotional core — not as confrontation, but as quiet frustration and disbelief. Rather than escalating into anger, the track stays restrained, reflecting the isolation that comes with being misunderstood.

Production-wise, the song keeps things dark and minimal. Sparse instrumentation, muted textures, and subtle vocal layers create a moody atmosphere without overloading the arrangement. The focus remains on Braylin’s voice and the emotional weight of the lyrics, letting space do most of the work.

With its understated structure and reflective tone, Braylin’s “Rumors” fits naturally into Spotify spaces like Fresh Finds, Fresh Finds Pop, Indie Pop, Bedroom Pop, Alt Pop, sad hour, Chill Pop, and late night vibes, appealing to listeners drawn to low-key, emotionally driven pop.

New artist Siena Rivera has officially entered the scene with her first release, “Fades.” The track blends pop with a slight country influence, landing somewhere in the space of early Taylor Swift—simple, melodic, and focused on honest storytelling.

“Fades” is a mid-tempo, melancholic song about watching moments slip away, especially in relationships that once felt steady. The line “I wish the good times would stay, but they all seem to fade away” sums up the feeling behind the record: wanting to hold onto something even when it’s already changing.

The production leans into a Nashville sound, with full pop arrangements, clean vocals, and acoustic elements that keep things grounded without feeling stripped back. It’s polished, but still centered around the song itself rather than heavy effects.

As a debut, “Fades” feels like a solid introduction to who Siena Rivera is as an artist—someone drawn to emotional themes, reflective lyrics, and accessible pop with a personal edge.

Spotify playlists “Fades” could fit on:
Fresh Finds, Fresh Finds Pop, Pop Rising, Indie Pop, New Music Friday, sad hour, Chill Pop, Young & Free, Acoustic Pop, Women of Pop