You never forget your first. You know, that first time hearing an opening riff to a song that’s going to rule your speakers for the foreseeable future. Or when a chorus hits and it only needs to be heard once before you can scream along to it like you’ve known it your entire life. It’s what music is all about—now Radio Uprising is here to make that experience a regular occurrence. Showcasing the greatest bands and artists that tomorrow has to offer, you might hear their tunes on idobi today, and then maybe someday in an arena.
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Charlie Simpson
Worth buying the album if only for this song: “All the Best”
Sometimes you need to head back to your roots to move forward. That’s what it feels like for Charlie Simpson, at least. One-third of UK pop chart-toppers Busted, Simpson expanded his horizons in the mid-to-late ’00s with metal act Fightstar before settling down on a folky acoustic persona with a solo project under his own name. Now, with Busted on a seeming mini-break, Simpson’s return to solo stuff is better than ever—it’s actually more Busted than you’d expect. Straying from that folky feel lets an overwhelmingly pop mindset take its place—the songs are smart, beautifully written, and sung immaculately. It’s the same solo Simpson that’s been there from the beginning, it’s just a little easier to get stuck in your head now.
FFO: Anthm
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Causeway
A song to pre-game to: “We Were Never Lost”
Causeway is dead set on taking you on a musical journey. The synth-pop duo from the west coast has a moody yet inviting sense of melody that incorporates a haunting tone throughout every song they create. It doesn’t mean there isn’t variety, though. “Hide & Seek” lives and dies by its thumping chorus, while the bouncy “We Were Never Lost” is a party in song form. If that’s not enough, their respective covers of songs by Madonna and New Order can convert you into a fan with ease.
FFO: Anthm
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Last Letters
Coolest feature: “Write Me Off (feat. Kellin Quinn)”
One-man-band Last Letters boasts a sound like a full ensemble, dishing out pop-punk jams as if they’re easily written in frontman Charles Iwuc’s sleep. You can’t help but be reminded of bands like Blink-182 or Simple Plan when listening, but it does more than just fill up your nostalgia meter; Last Letters has the potential to pave the way for future bands to come just like those did. His latest single with Sleeping With Sirens frontman Kellin Quinn shows just how bright his future is.
FFO: idobi Radio
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RXPTRS
Most chaotic: “Demons in My Headphones”
RXPTRS offers a punch that’s hard to shake off, and that’s just what you want when it comes to a band like this. The British metal group’s unique vocal stylings and carefully frantic tempo make them one of the more unique acts around—look no further than their recent EP, Rock Bottom (Is a Stepping Stone). Vocal tones that rival Billy Talent or Greta Van Fleet instantly pull you in, while their balls-to-the-wall musicianship keeps your attention firmly held.
FFO: Howl
