ROUGH Best Music Of The Week #82

Following on from a wave of bright and impressive releases over the last few months, which have seen him lighting up Spotify recently, Texan Elijah Sisk now returns with his latest upbeat offering ‘That’s Why’. Taking his cues from the likes of Ed Sheeran and Harry Styles, this bold and glossy return will have you tapping your toes from start to finish.

With a sound that looks to blend the worlds of afrobeats, dancehall and rap, Paris-based rapper KHOUBA returns to his genre-bending ways on his latest high-energy bop ‘Jonah Hill’. Produced alongside Lewo Beats, this bold and pounding new anthem sees the MC bring the fire flow across some seriously infectious beats.

After already developing her sweeping sound in her hometown of Manchester, emerging singer and songwriter Lois Rae Smith now looks to take her music further afield as she shares her stunning debut single ‘Skin And Bone’. With its rich and atmospheric piano-led sound, wrapped up in her own distinct vocal performance, her initial release is sure to be the first of many captivating works in the months ahead.

As an artist that is always looking to bring something fresh and different to the fledgling pop world, Canadian singer and songwriter Madison Olds is now blending the worlds of hip-hop and commercial pop on her latest offering ‘3s A Crowd’. With its hard and pulsing beats and basslines intertwined with glossy pop overtones, this new belter will be stuck in your head long after you’ve finished listening.

With a direction that looks to bring something more diverse to the pop-rock sound, Texas-based singer and songwriter Sam Franklin now showcases the release of his latest EP ‘Strange Times’ with his newest single ‘NSF’. Taking influence from the breezy indie-rock sound of The Strokes and mixing it a more radio-friendly approach, his newest gem is the smooth and catchy slice of sunshine we all need right now.