MORE Indie Invaders / POSTED BY: KINGSOFAR

New Zealand-born, San Diego-base  artist Estella Dawn releases her version of The 1975’s “Somebody Else”.

Estella is a singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist. She writes, records, and produces all of her music. Her sound blends singer-songwriter structure with indie and alternative pop elements.

In the past year, her music has reached over 8 million streams and has been featured on Spotify’s New Pop Picks, Young & Free, and The Drip.

“I’ve always loved how vulnerable ‘Somebody Else’ feels—like a wound that hasn’t quite healed,” Estella shares.

“I wanted to lean into that ache, but give it a darker edge, like the moment where sadness turns into self-preservation.”

“It’s not about copying the original—it’s about translating it through my own lens. I kept asking, what does this heartbreak sound like when it’s colder? When it burns slower? That’s what I wanted to capture.”

This version builds on pulsing synths and steady percussion. Estella breaks the song down and rebuilds it through her own process.

This is not just a cover. It is her version. Simple. Clear. Hers.

      MORE Indie Invaders / POSTED BY: KINGSOFAR

Charlie McDonald returns with his second single, “Time”, following his debut, “You Broke Me.” The song was inspired by a personal moment when he found old photos of a friend who died in a car accident nine years ago. This discovery brought back feelings of loss and fading memories, which shaped the track’s emotional core.

At 26, Charlie lives between London and Paris. His music explores connection, loss, longing, and other complex feelings, using pop and R&B sounds to tell stories. His voice is quiet but strong, drawing listeners in with honest delivery.

“Time” fits well on Spotify playlists like Cinematic Pop, Sad Indie, Alternative R&B, and Soulful Pop. On tour, Charlie could share the stage with artists like James Blake, Labrinth, Dermot Kennedy, Rhys Lewis, Sampha, or Michael Kiwanuka.

      MORE Indie Invaders / POSTED BY: KINGSOFAR

Natalie shay’s new song problems. is out now. You can listen here.

Produced by Kaity Rae (Remember Monday, Beth McCarthy, Girli), problems. is an acoustic-based track about accepting the parts of yourself that don’t always feel easy to live with.

The track would sit comfortably on Spotify playlists like Acoustic Pop, Fresh Finds UK & IE, Your Coffee Break, Indie Pop, and Women of Acoustic. It places Natalie alongside artists like Maisie Peters, Holly Humberstone, dodie, Orla Gartland, and Gracie Abrams—acts she’d be a natural fit to tour with.

Natalie recently supported Gavin DeGraw on his UK Academy tour and performed at BST Hyde Park on the Shania Twain day. She plays Isle of Wight Festival on Saturday, June 21.

About the song:
“I wrote problems. in February 2025 late at night. It’s basically a list of my problems in song form. I had just made a new friend who shared a lot of the same stuff as me, and for the first time I felt like talking about it took the weight away. It made me stop seeing it as something wrong with me. I brought the demo to Kaity Rae, and she helped shape it into what it is now. Songwriting is how I explain myself. I hope people hear this and feel understood.”

      MORE Indie Invaders / POSTED BY: KINGSOFAR

Rising pop artist Carson Cruz is back with his third single, “Party Cruise” — a sun-soaked, feel-good anthem made for late-night drives and lake days. Blending catchy pop beats, shimmering synths, and a funky bassline, the track channels the energy of early Shawn Mendes and vintage Justin Bieber, with Cruz’s own fresh twist.

“This song is all about fun, freedom, and friendship,” Cruz says. “I’ve been going on cruises and lake trips since I was a kid, and there’s nothing like being on the water. It’s peaceful, exciting, and always a good time. Whether you’re 8 or 80, being out there with friends, soaking up the sun, dancing, laughing — that’s what life’s all about. This song captures that joy.”

Perfect for playlists like Spotify’s Pop Rising, Summer Hits 2025, Feel-Good Friday, Teen Party, and Good Vibes, “Party Cruise” is built for the season. Whether you’re blasting it with the windows down or dancing on the dock, it’s a track made for making memories.

And with his vibrant sound and youthful energy, Carson Cruz is ready to hit the road — or the waves — alongside artists like Lauv, JVKE, Tate McRae, Sabrina Carpenter, and Niall Horan.

      MORE Indie Invaders / POSTED BY: KINGSOFAR

Eva James is a singer-songwriter from New England. Her new single, The One You Lose, continues her path in dark pop, shaped by quiet tension and steady rhythm. She draws from the raw storytelling of classic artists, with echoes of Stevie Nicks, Joni Mitchell, Bonnie Raitt, and Grace Potter running through her sound. Her songs turn inward, focusing on loss, change, and distance, often letting silence do as much work as melody.

In 2023, she won the Gloucester 400th Anniversary Singer-Songwriter Challenge, a performance that helped grow her local following. That same year, she worked with Grammy-winning artist Paula Cole in New York, laying early groundwork for her debut album, Earth to Eva, which is set for release in 2025.

The One You Lose could sit naturally on Spotify playlists like Sad Indie, Women of Indie, Moody Mix, Dark & Stormy, or Indie Pop & Chill. On tour, James would pair well with artists like Sharon Van Etten, Brandi Carlile, Angel Olsen, Lucius, Maggie Rogers, or Lissie—acts that also lean into quiet force, personal writing, and spacious sound.

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