REVIEWS | New Music Discoveries: Alt-Pop, Indie-Pop & Alt-Rock Highlights with Jordan Olympus, Hollows & More

In this edition of new music discoveries, we highlight the most exciting alt-pop, indie-pop, and alt-rock releases of the season. Jordan Olympus delivers sun-soaked Island Pop vibes on “Outlander”, while Brighton’s Luan Luan glows with shimmering indie-pop on “Yellow”. Manchester trio Hollows bring raw intensity with their charged alt-rock track “Blood”, and My Life As A Moth bends reality with inventive alt-pop on “Time Thief". CIRCUS conjure cinematic textures on “In This Life”, Less channels personal growth on her introspective indie-pop single “Instead of Making Love (Say Hello)”, and punk veteran Cindy Lawson roars back with ferocity on “The Reckoning”. These tracks showcase the freshest voices in new music discoveries, offering energy, emotion, and unforgettable melodies.

“Outlander” by Jordan Olympus

Jordan Olympus lights up his Island Pop universe with “Outlander”, a sun-soaked track pulsing with irresistible afropop energy. The song tells a story of growing up between cultures, navigating identity with warmth, sensuality, and effortless groove. Olympus’ vocals glide over the tropical beat, giving the track a radiant, free-spirited energy that’s perfect for late-summer nights or spontaneous road trips. “Outlander” sets the tone for his forthcoming EP — a deeper dive into his borderless, hybrid sound.

“A vibrant celebration of culture and freedom — Olympus’ Island Pop at its brightest.”

“Yellow” by Luan Luan

Brighton-based Luan Luan glows on “Yellow”, a shimmering indie-pop ode to fleeting queer summer love. Bright guitars, smooth vocals, and a sense of openness paint each moment in vivid color — a nod to Luan’s synaesthesia, which translates sound into visual brilliance. The track balances tenderness and liberation, capturing the bittersweet magic of last golden hours. With a genre-blurring approach and an exciting creative chapter ahead, Luan Luan continues to carve out a world uniquely their own.

“Tender, radiant, and effortlessly expressive — Luan Luan turns sound into sunlight.”

“Blood” by Hollows

Manchester trio Hollows unleash raw intensity with “Blood”, a charged alt-rock track that marries grit and precision. The song captures the ache of loss through pounding instrumentation and vocals that feel lived-in and urgent, striking the perfect balance between fury and craft. With momentum building, sold-out hometown shows behind them, and industry support in motion, “Blood” solidifies Hollows as one of Manchester’s most exciting rising acts.

“Full-throttle and fearless — Hollows channel pain into precision.”

“Time Thief” by My Life As A Moth

“Time Thief” is a brilliantly chaotic alt-pop gem from My Life As A Moth, capturing anxiety’s strange way of bending reality. Built from kitchen-table guitar sketches into a world of dial-up glitches, pulsing drums, and found-object textures, the track feels alive, unpredictable, and inventive. Her vocals slice through the sonic experimentation with theatrical clarity, grounding the chaos in raw emotion. As the first glimpse of her upcoming album "The Parade Of The Starlet & The Broken Hearted", “Time Thief” promises a daring new chapter.

“Inventive, jagged, and alive — My Life As A Moth bends time and sound alike.”

“In This Life” by CIRCUS

CIRCUS conjure an immersive emotional landscape on “In This Life”, blending reflective verses with soaring, distorted choruses and shimmering guitar layers. The track balances melancholy and hope, capturing self-doubt and joy with both intimacy and expansiveness. What makes it stand out is the band’s ability to deliver depth without losing energy — the kind of song that lingers long after it ends. Expect more explorations of their cinematic sound in upcoming releases and live shows.

“A soaring, textured journey — CIRCUS proves emotional depth can be exhilarating.”

“Instead of Making Love (Say Hello)” by Less

With “Instead of Making Love (Say Hello)”, Less channels personal growth into a warm, analog-crafted single from Florence’s Kapow Vintage Studio. Her expressive voice guides the listener through introspection balanced with light irony, making the song intimate yet universally relatable. This latest number hints at the emotional depth of her upcoming album LOVELESS and signals a bold new chapter in her artistic identity. Festival buzz and European attention suggest Less’ reach is only beginning to expand.

“Luminous, introspective, and full of personality — Less steps confidently into her own.”

“The Reckoning” by Cindy Lawson

Minneapolis punk veteran Cindy Lawson returns with “The Reckoning”, a snarling, razor-edged anthem forged from grit, survival, and unfiltered truth. Fueled by fiery vocals and a tightly wound band, the track channels betrayal into cathartic power, evoking Patti Smith-level intensity. After stepping back from music due to industry trauma, Lawson reclaims her voice here with ferocity — transforming pain into roar. The new video by Chelsea Oxborough amplifies the track’s raw energy, marking a bold, unstoppable comeback.

“Fierce, unflinching, and electrifying — Cindy Lawson is not just back, she’s rising.”

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