Pop
Alas de Liona delivers an ode to imperfect love in “19.3”
Alas de Liona starts off her highly praised first album, “Gravity of Gold,” with a track as raw and emotional-laden as the metal it’s dedicated to. “19.3,” a reference to gold’s specific gravity, is a poetic plan of attack for the song’s emotional heft and glittering sheen, as its opening track, “19.3,” vibes out what to expect from a project that’s introspective, soul-stirring and unafraid to probe the messy details of love.
Riding on glittering indie-pop sounds and de Liona’s trademark breathy vocals, “19.3” is like a slow emotional purge. It’s a love song, but not of the rose-tinted variety. This is love bared to the bite, complicated, eternal, and quietly challenging. It’s about not letting go of somebody, even as the reasons to do so begin to pile up. There’s a hurt in the melody, but it’s lovely in the way that only authentic music ever can be.
The production, by Rod Jones at Post Electric Studios in Leith, is unassuming but widescreen. Every piece, from the ethereal keys to the spectral light reverb, feels purposeful and featherlight, creating the cushion that lets de Liona’s voice drift like desert dust on a twilight breeze. You can almost sense her Mojave roots resonating through the track, even as Owens’ creative foundation was reinvented in the ancient streets of Edinburgh, where her inner spirit began to take flight.
Like the gold “19.3” alludes to, it has weight but not flash, substance but not pretense. Unsurprisingly, while the album falls into the hands of an offbeat selection of tastemakers ranging from The Line Of Best Fit to BBC Scotland Radio, its success has been inevitable. With this track, Alas de Liona sets aside a place within indie-pop as she decorates it with emotional honesty and poetic precision.
Artist Spotlight
Girlhood finds summer warmth and quiet freedom on “Lemon Aid”
“Lemon Aid“ is a warm indie-pop ballad from Girlhood that finds comfort in the ordinary and weaves in a sense of release. This song is about surrendering to the moment, finding space to breathe, and letting a little lightness back in. This reflective core is surprising, given the warm summer-night feel of the track, hinting at a moment of emotional rebalancing.
Singer-songwriter Natalie Holmes has a tender personality and fronts the slow-burning “Lemon Aid.” The production supports that softness, keeping the song’s gentle mood and intimate direction front and center. Beneath the comfort is a thoughtful examination of pressure, transition, and the need to pause.
The song’s link to the streets of Stroud offers yet another layer of art to the work. Familiar places can mean something when life feels uncertain, and the emotional scene involves storefronts, parks, cafes, and leafy, winding streets. “Lemon Aid“ searches for beauty in everyday places and rituals, finding still moments that mean something without getting carried away.
The track is the first release of Girlhood’s forthcoming album, “This Will Make Sense In The End,” a more reflective chapter with hope at its heart. “Lemon Aid” is about softness, conjuring a space where dancing, wandering, and just existing can feel like a cure. It’s an unleashing of small observations and soft emotional movement and a clear indication of the thoughtful direction that Girlhood is heading next.
Artist Spotlight
Johnny Hates Jazz and Jaki Graham put musical connection at the heart of “Soul Believer”
“Soul Believer” is a meeting of two different British musical voices, Johnny Hates Jazz and celebrated soul vocalist Jaki Graham, and it has a sense of occasion to it. It’s sophisticated pop, funk, and soul, blending Johnny Hates Jazz’s artistry with Graham’s deep roots in soul music.
It’s a feel-good collaboration that celebrates connection, musical feeling, and timeless appeal. “Soul Believer” was penned by Johnny Hates Jazz singer/songwriter Clark Datchler and Average White Band founder Hamish Stuart. Released on Revolver Records, the track draws on a deep British musical tradition, and the collaboration with Jaki Graham adds another layer of vocal character.
They create a slick sound that blends pop accessibility, funk energy, and soul warmth. This release is a shout-out to longtime music lovers who know the emotional power of great recordings and an invitation for younger listeners to discover the feeling, artistry, and humanity behind them.
The release pairs two lasting voices with a modern-day feel-good spirit, more than nostalgia. Johnny Hates Jazz & Jaki Graham turn the song into a statement that soulful, human-centered music still has a place, giving you a release that celebrates connection and brings music lovers together across generations.
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