Isabel Maria – Ruin
Isabel Maria's 'Ruin' is a sharp slice of alternative pop from Sunderland, turning self-sabotage into one an incredibly compelling debut
Isabel Maria's 'Ruin' really does hit different. She wrote it about horror films, then realised it was actually about something scarier: letting people in when you're not sure they deserve to be there. I know the feeling hun. The track opens with that tension and never lets go, building through clever, self-aware lyrics that balance genuine vulnerability with a dry wit. But it's her vocal which connects so beautifully. And that chorus? It's properly brilliant. Superb alternative pop, honest and completely assured.
Isabel Maria is a twenty-year-old singer-songwriter based in Sunderland, pen in hand and ribbon in hair. She started writing secret songs on her grandad's old Casio, and after support from the city's Young Musicians Project those tracks found an audience: hundreds of thousands of streams, a North East Culture Award, and praise from BBC Radio 1 and Rolling Stone Español. If you're into Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo or Gracie Abrams, this is your lane. A real highlight this autumn, and we'll be watching her closely.
Barry KuKes – Don't Need You
Barry KuKes' 'Don't Need You' is a gorgeous slice of contemporary pop from Port Orange, proving five decades of songwriting craft can still deliver something fresh and immediate.
Barry KuKes wrote this one about lying to yourself. 'Don't Need You' follows a guy insisting he's fine after a breakup, saying all the right things while falling apart underneath. The production is clean and bright, built for today's pop landscape, and Barry's drums anchor the whole thing with a perfect timing. There's a real ache running through it, the gap between what he's saying and what he's feeling wide enough to walk through. And that chorus? It soars. Excellent contemporary pop, polished and emotionally sharp.
Barry KuKes is a Port Orange songwriter and drummer who's spent decades making music across just about every genre going. He's the driving force behind The Taylor Road Band and Copper Creek Band around Daytona Beach, still playing live regularly. This one came from his son Bryan, who pushed him to try something for younger ears. The result is 'Songs for My Son', his first proper pop album. We're impressed by the range here, and will be eagerly awaiting what's next. Great track.