Spring has sprung and we are one step closer to the lifting of lockdown restrictions, so what better way to rejoice than to discover some of the hottest new artists and releases that Townsend Music has to offer?
Get stuck into Volume 8 of Townsend Music Breakthrough for our latest and greatest polished pop, bell-bottom country, anthemic indie, gritty grime, supreme songcraft and delicious dream-pop.
Alfie Templeman - Forever Isn't Long Enough
For Fans Of: Sports Team, BLOXX
After having released four EPs and being featured on the coveted longlist for BBC Music Sound of 2021, 18-year-old rising indie-pop star Alfie Templeman announced the release of his debut mini-album Forever Isn't Long Enough. The 8-track release includes his latest single and Annie Mac's Hottest Record In The World, 'Everybody's Gonna Love Somebody', which was written, performed and produced entirely by Templeman in his bedroom, taking inspiration from classic groove-laden 80s pop with sultry sax lines and effervescent guitar rhythms.
Alfie describes the album as "the most polished collection of songs I've ever made. I wanted to make a refined pop record somewhere between Fleetwood Mac's Rumours and Tame Impala's Currents."
Forever Isn't Long Enough will be released in May. Grab a Limited Edition Signed Pink Vinyl in time for release, along with other exclusive signed formats, on his official store.
Lainey Wilson - Sayin' What I'm Thinkin'
For Fans Of: Sarah Darling, Kacey Musgraves
Sayin' What I'm Thinkin is the debut studio album from buzz-worthy Nashville newcomer, Lainey Wilson. Produced by Jay Joyce, the album is described by Lainey as 'Bell-Bottom Country': traditional country with a funky flare. Wilson's childhood home was filled with music from Glen Campbell, Hank Williams and Lynyrd Skynyrd, which along with attending bluegrass festivals, influenced the music we hear today.
Lainey's lyrics are unapologetic and descriptive, Lainey says: "I feel strongly about saying what you think, saying what’s on your heart, but also thinking before you speak."
"Every song we put on the record we basically asked, ‘Is this song saying what I’m thinking?’ If it’s not, it didn’t make the list." - Lainey Wilson
Lainey Wilson's debut album arrives on 16th April. Pre-order your copy on Exclusive Red Vinyl and CD, alongside exclusive merchandise.
Only Sun - Tangled Mind
For Fans Of: Everything Everything, The Lottery Winners
Tangled Mind is the highly-anticipated debut album from High Wycombe indie quartet Only Sun. The album draws on classic indie foundations with the band’s emotive, definitive spin on things. Drawing from the shiny and anthemic single 'Extraordinary', the album is not one to be missed.
Speaking about their debut album, the band commented: "Tangled Mind is an album built around the concept of mental well being. Written over the course of a pretty electric year of our mental health, it tracks the subject through swings of dark paranoia and self-doubt, through to pure bliss, hope and trust."
Out in April, Tangled Mind is available to pre-order on Purple Vinyl and CD, along with tour tickets and merchandise.
Central Cee - Wild West
For Fans Of: Digga D, Bugzy Malone
22-year-old West London rapper Central Cee has just released his debut mixtape Wild West. At the age of just 17, Central Cee, AKA Cench, was shortlisted by BBC 1xtra as one of five teenage rappers making a stir and in the same year, he performed his first headline show in Hoxton. Fast-forward to 2021, Cench has gone from strength to strength from being listed as BBC 1xtra's Hot For 2021 and being named as a Spotify RADAR artist to having two top 20 tracks and releasing one of the hottest grime mixtapes of the year.
The 14-track mixtape, with no features, is a statement of intent from the young rapper. Cench declares: "That's the good thing about my music... I'll always talk about what's current and what's real to me. So you'll get that feeling."
Central Cee's Wild West is available on Signed CD along with exclusive merchandise formats. Catch him on his UK Headline Tour this September and October.
Cobain Jones - Real Estate
For Fans Of: The Coral, Jake Bugg
Manchester singer-songwriter Cobain Jones announces his debut EP Real Estate, recorded at Liverpool's Parr Street Studios with the helping hand of producer and The Coral's frontman, James Skelly.
The 20-year-old started gigging back in 2019, where he played Stalybridge New Labour Club and then landed himself a spot at Kendal Calling's Tim Peaks Stage in the Summer. With support from Skelly and The Charlatans' frontman Tim Burgess, 2021 is shaping up to be a triumphant year for Cobain Jones.
Cobain's debut Real Estate EP arrives this May. Pre-order a copy on 7-Inch Red Vinyl and pick up official Cobain Jones t-shirts now.
Drug Store Romeos - The World Within Our Bedrooms
For Fans Of: Dry Cleaning, Do Nothing
Hampshire three-piece Drug Store Romeos have announced their eagerly-awaited debut album The World Within Our Bedrooms. Along with taking inspiration from the quiet, peaceful countryside they grew up in, the band's music takes musical influence from the likes of Suburban Lawns, Broadcast and Tom Tom Club.
The dream-pop trio are due to release their album this June followed by a headline performance at London's Scala in November. On the subject of the record, the band observe: "A lot of the bands have a consistent emotion across their whole album but we wanted to reflect the ever-changing nature of someone's mental state over a period of time."
"The album is a journey of emotions and colour schemes." - Drug Store Romeos
Arriving in June, pre-order the album now on Limited Edition Velvet Blue Vinyl, along with other exclusive formats.
If you like what you hear, tune into our TM Breakthrough Vol. 8 Spotify Playlist for more. You can shop all of our Breakthrough Artists over on our Townsend Music Store. Let us know which artist you can get enough of over on our socials and don't forget to tag us @TownsendMusicUK
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