The MOnday: 20.01.25

Mia Wray and two other songs from last week, CMAGIC5 redefines fairytales, and where to read more about music

Here’s the third instalment of The MOnday — and don’t worry, there will be some other Music Observer content coming very soon…

Listen to this

I’m highlighting three of last week’s array of brilliant releases — it was a difficult choice so, as always, be sure to check my latest monthly playlist for lots more.

Alessi Rose - IKYK

Derby pop queen Alessi Rose sounds fantastic here — think Gracie Abrams with East Midlands honesty and undercurrents of mysterious energy. From a wavy synth intro to a punchy chorus, this track is pop bliss. Check out her new six-track EP ‘for your validation’, too.

Mia Wray - Not Enough

‘Not Enough’ skilfully but subtly skips genres, always keeping focused and beautifully driven. Ranging at first from ’80s reverbed guitar to an intimate alt-pop world, backed with strummed acoustic guitar and warm vocals, the song later turns undeniably epic. Mia Wray really shows off some great voice talents here — it’s an addictive and engaging listen.

Ria Rua - I Love That For You

‘I Love That For You’ is ethereal yet solidly anchored and pushy: catchy and sure to catch you out with its many twists and turns. Massive rock drums and an infectious guitar riff float into dizzy vocals and, later, to whispered, off-the-cuff expressions of frustration. This is an elevating, tenacious and pinpoint analytical song from Irish artist Ria Rua. I really like it.

These songs are on my January playlist, which you’ll find here (alongside all my other lists)

Watch this

Canadian pop/rock artist CMAGIC5 rocks out here, with the title-track from her upcoming EP. C explains that ‘Happy Never After’ was “born out of a desire to break free from the clichés of fairy tale romances and unrealistic standards of relationships portrayed on social media” — a noble birth for a song that could easily have fallen victim to cliché itself. Instead, it fizzes with energy and turns rock and pop tropes around. Straightforward lyrics get the message across, while the pumped-up soundtrack catches attention. The video is loads of fun, painting those fairy tales in dark and neon.

Read this

Encouragingly, there are lots and lots of music publications around, from small blogs to the big name magazines. They vary in quality, though, and time is inevitably too short to read them all. I tend to stick with a few favourites and this week I’m recommending The Line Of Best Fit. Why? They have an eclectic voice, a commitment to editorial quality and consistent focus on just-emerging talent as well as bigger names.

If you want to delve a bit deeper into what inspires and drives musicians tick, try their Interviews section (the recent The Weather Station profile is fantastic).

Don’t miss this week

• Friday 24th Jan: Blue Violet’s second album, ‘Faux Animaux’: it’s eclectic, energetic and thoughtful (my interview with them is linked below).

• Also on Friday, Edinburgh-based Quiet, The Art release ‘Meridian’, a beautifully careful track with a slow-paced, gradually unfolding feel. It's patient — and rewards patience. Follow the band on Bandcamp.