New Release from Maria Monroy – Draw A close
London-based Chilean artist Maria Monroy is set to make her full-length debut with the release of her album How To on November 14, 2025. Known for her heartfelt songwriting and captivating compositions, Maria has already introduced her sound through singles such as “Feathers,” “How To,” and “Draw A Close.”
Blending indie pop with nostalgic undertones, Monroy draws inspiration from artists like The Strokes, The La’s, and The Cardigans, while also channeling the spirit of modern singer-songwriters including Julia Jacklin, Alice Phoebe Lou, and Clairo.
Her debut album How To delves into the emotional imprints of relationships — whether long-term, fleeting, or circumstantial. Across its tracks, Maria explores themes of reflection, curiosity, healing, and new beginnings, weaving them through dreamy melodies and intimate lyricism.
Recorded across Abbey Road, Angel Studios, and Pony Studios in London, How To was produced by Cuco Errazuriz, capturing both warmth and precision in its sound.
With How To, Maria Monroy invites listeners into a world of connection and introspection — a timeless debut that promises to leave a lasting mark on the indie scene.
O.M Raila P is a project devoted to storytelling through sound. Each release acts as a self-contained world — a sonic chapter where emotion takes form beyond words. With a focus on atmosphere and narrative depth, O.M Raila P creates music that invites listeners to feel, reflect, and imagine.
New Release from O.M Raila P – Shivers
Release Date: September 26, 2025
Genre: Dark Pop / Atmospheric / Cinematic
Emerging artist O.M Raila P makes a striking first impression with their debut single “Shivers,” a dark and cinematic exploration of emotion, fear, and desire.
Built on haunting textures and immersive sound design, Shivers blurs the lines between atmospheric pop and cinematic storytelling. The track captures that fleeting moment when fear, longing, and truth intertwine — the kind of chill that lingers long after the song ends.
“Shivers is about that raw, electric edge between vulnerability and strength — the feeling that reminds you you’re alive,” says O.M Raila P.
About O.M Raila P
O.M Raila P is a project devoted to storytelling through sound. Each release acts as a self-contained world — a sonic chapter where emotion takes form beyond words. With a focus on atmosphere and narrative depth, O.M Raila P creates music that invites listeners to feel, reflect, and imagine.
KV Lyle – New release – Special
KV Lyle is a soulful singer-songwriter from South West Wales, UK, blending rich vocals, raw emotion, and vivid storytelling. After early performances at the Royal Albert Hall and a series of London gigs in her early twenties, KV took a hiatus from the music scene—only to return stronger and more inspired than ever.
Her re-emergence began in 2024 when she lent her powerful vocals to Justa Jesta’s album Colours of the Soul. Building on that momentum, she released her debut solo single Reflection in summer 2025, followed by Special in autumn the same year. KV’s sound weaves cinematic textures, heartfelt lyrics, and neo-soul sensibilities into something deeply personal and emotionally resonant.
Biography
KV Lyle’s journey into music began early. A lifelong vocalist, she started writing songs at just 12 years old and soon found her voice on some of the UK’s most prestigious stages — including the Royal Albert Hall and Royal Festival Hall with her school choir. Later, she performed as a backing vocalist for R&B artist Mo Molokwu, gracing iconic venues such as Café de Paris in Leicester Square and stages within the O2 Arena complex.
Her performances have long been praised for their soulful tone, raw power, and emotional depth — traits that now define her solo work.
After taking time away to focus on work, study, and family, KV returned to the studio in 2024, contributing to Justa Jesta’s debut album Colours of the Soul. This marked her quiet yet confident return to music, paving the way for her solo debut.
In 2025, KV unveiled Reflection — a cinematic and lyrically rich introduction to her artistry. Her follow-up single, Special, released in September, dives deeper into themes of vulnerability and self-worth, offering listeners a soulful, heartfelt experience steeped in symbolism.
Confit releaes new Hip Hop / Pop track – Brutish
Portland-born art-pop project Confit arrives with “Brutish” — a driving, hypnotic track that explores the beautiful unease between control and collapse.
Serving as the lead single from the upcoming debut album, “Brutish” stands alongside the haunting introspection of “Wake Up, Darling,” the cryptic surrealism of “Dinnerbone,” and the melancholic warmth of “Sweater in the Cold.”
Blending brooding restraint with the soaring drama of glam-era catharsis, “Brutish” is a study in tension, release, and emotional gravity. Rooted in minor-key melancholia and anchored by a steady, pulsing rhythm, the track combines clean guitars, stark percussion, and shadowed harmonies to create a sound that feels both intimate and cinematic.
Male and female vocals trade off like reflections in a dark mirror, weaving a story of emotional armor and the slow erosion that follows loss. The song moves with restraint — not toward resolution, but toward acceptance.
Each Confit release expands an interconnected world, visualized through cinematic vignettes. Together, these works form a surreal continuum — the familiar made strange, and the strange made heartbreakingly familiar.
About Confit
Confit is an interdisciplinary music and visual project exploring the border between memory and invention. Emerging from Portland and now based in New York, Confit constructs songs as environments — places to inhabit rather than simply hear.
With a style that merges baroque-pop sensibility, ambient tension, and narrative precision, Confit’s work exists somewhere between dream and documentation.
Learning the Hard Way: The Rules of Reddit
My first attempt was, let’s say, enthusiastic. I grabbed a few reviews from my website and started posting them in every subreddit that looked even remotely related to indie music or artist promotion.
Almost immediately, things went wrong. Posts disappeared. Comments were removed. In some cases, I even got banned — once permanently.
At the time, I couldn’t understand why. So I did what most new users do — I messaged the moderators to ask. The reply was short and sharp: “Read the rules.”
That was my first real lesson: every subreddit is like its own tiny country, with its own laws, culture, and even language. Some subs require specific tags in titles; others demand brackets, flair, or structured post formats. It’s all designed to fight spam and keep communities relevant — and while it’s frustrating at first, I now completely understand why those rules exist.
Cracking the Reddit Code
After a month or two of trial and error, I’d figured out where I could post legitimately. Still, self-promotion remained a minefield. Drop a link without context or conversation, and you’ll likely be flagged, reported, or banned again.
Eventually, I realized the best solution might be to build a space that matched what I needed — a community that welcomed indie music sharing and genuine conversation.
So I launched my own subreddit: r/NewMusicReview, where artists and listeners could connect more freely. Since starting it, the group has grown to around 4,500 members. It’s become a small but active hub for sharing reviews, discovering tracks, and encouraging collaboration.
Alongside that, I also created a few smaller subs for other topics like recording and guitar videos. I don’t heavily promote them, but they’ve found their audiences naturally.
Becoming a Moderator
After getting comfortable with my own subs, I was invited to help moderate a few others — Music Promotion, Spotify Playlists, and later, Music Marketing.
That last one is a big one: when I joined, it had around 40,000 members. Now it’s closer to 80,000. It’s a much stricter community with almost zero tolerance for self-promo. The focus is purely on discussing marketing strategy, release plans, fan engagement, and industry insights. Even a subtle link to your music or a screenshot of your Spotify page might get removed.
It’s a great example of how Reddit can be an incredible tool for learning — if you use it correctly.
Reddit as a Platform for Indie Artists
So, is Reddit worth your time as an indie artist?
Absolutely — if you understand how it works.
Since going public, Reddit has invested heavily in SEO, meaning Reddit threads often appear on the first page of Google results. When someone searches your name, your post, or even a phrase like “indie synthwave review,” there’s a real chance your Reddit content will show up.
Cross-posting (sharing your post from one subreddit to another) helps increase reach even further. Many of the reviews I share from my website end up gaining hundreds of views within days — sometimes more over a few months. You can’t always see who clicks the links, but you can be confident that real people are seeing your name and your work.
Tips for Artists Using Reddit
If you’re an artist thinking about diving in, here are a few tips from someone who’s learned through trial and error:
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Read the rules — every subreddit is different.
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Don’t spam links. Join discussions, comment, and engage first.
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Add context when sharing your music. Tell people why they should listen.
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Use cross-posting strategically to reach multiple relevant communities.
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Be patient. Building visibility takes time, but it’s worth it.
At the end of the day, Reddit is still one of the best free platforms for indie artists. If you’re smart about how you use it, you can gain exposure, feedback, and even loyal listeners.
So if you’re looking to share your work or want advice on where to post, feel free to reach out — I’m always happy to help other artists navigate the Reddit maze.
Have you used Reddit to promote your music or connect with fans?
Drop a comment below or message me on Instagram or through my website — let’s swap tips and help each other get seen.
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Being an Indie Artist in the current climate can be very challenging, I talks to some artists and an Indie management company to understand some of the struggles ….
NMR –
Welcome to the World of Indie Music!
In this series, I sit down with independent artists and music promoters to uncover their real stories — from the struggles they’ve faced to the victories they’ve earned.
We dive deep into their latest tracks, discuss creative promotion strategies, and explore what works (and what totally doesn’t) when building a name in today’s ever-changing music landscape. From navigating social media to staying authentic in a crowded scene, these conversations reveal the passion and persistence that drive indie creators forward.
Whether you’re an indie artist, a music lover, or just curious about the industry grind, this space gives you a front-row seat to the raw, inspiring journey of today’s most exciting creators.
💡 Subscribe now for weekly interviews, in-depth music discussions, and insider tips straight from the heart of the indie scene.
Check out these contributors here. –
https://122musicmanagement.com
https://westernjaguarmusic.square.site/music
How I Became a Groover Curator
A few years back, I was approached by Groover to join their platform. At the time, I was running a YouTube channelfocused on artist Q&As and managing my music website, where I still publish reviews and blog posts about new releases.
My offer to Groover users is straightforward: if I like your track, I’ll feature it in a blog post on my site, which can give you some added visibility and credibility as an artist.
Why Artists Pay for Submissions
Some might ask: “Why would anyone pay to have their song listened to?”
The answer lies in how music promotion has evolved.
Years ago, the only real way to get your music heard was through radio stations or industry connections — a DJ, a label rep, or a promoter. Those days are mostly gone. Today, you’re largely left to promote your own music, and platforms like Groover offer a bridge between you and the people who can help you reach new audiences.
What Happens When You Submit to Groover
When you submit your track, you first choose a curator — someone whose style, playlist, or platform aligns with your music. You can review their background, playlists, and previous work to see if they’re a good fit.
Once you submit and pay the small fee, your track goes into their review queue. Most Groover curators aren’t full-time music executives or label owners. They’re people like me — bloggers, small radio hosts, playlist curators, or indie label owners — who have built platforms with modest but focused audiences.
If a curator likes your track, they might:
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Add it to a playlist
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Write a review or blog feature
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Share it on social media
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Include it in a radio show or newsletter
The hope is that by featuring your music on these platforms, you’ll reach listeners who might not have discovered you otherwise.
The Reality: Exposure Doesn’t Always Equal Success
Here’s where many artists get frustrated.
You might get featured on a playlist or blog with thousands of followers — and yet, nothing seems to happen. No big jump in streams, no new followers, no buzz.
But here’s the truth: curators can put your music in front of people, but they can’t make listeners like it.
Think of it like getting your single placed in the window of a record store back in the day. You can pay for that prime spot, but if people walk by and don’t pick it up, the store owner won’t keep it there for long. The same goes for playlists and blogs — curators want to keep their audiences engaged, so they’re selective about what they feature.
Why Rejection Happens (and Why It’s Not Personal)
If your submission gets rejected, don’t take it personally.
Curators receive far more submissions than they can handle. Sometimes they’re just overloaded, or maybe your song doesn’t fit what they’ve already scheduled. In my case, if I already have several prog-rock submissions that week, I might be looking for something different to balance things out.
Other times, a curator might simply not connect with the track — and that’s okay. It’s better for both parties if they pass, rather than writing a lukewarm review that doesn’t do your music justice.
The good thing about Groover is that when a curator rejects your track, you get your credit refunded, so you can try again elsewhere.
What Makes a Good Submission
Here are a few quick tips from the curator’s side of the table:
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Know your audience – Don’t submit techno to a folk curator. Take time to read bios and check playlists.
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Present professionally – Include a short, clear description and links that work.
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Be patient – Curators often balance dozens of submissions at once.
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Don’t take rejections to heart – Sometimes it’s about timing, not talent.
Final Thoughts
Being both an artist and a curator, I can tell you this: it’s not easy on either side. Curators juggle endless submissions, and artists face massive competition for attention.
But Groover and similar platforms have opened up opportunities that didn’t exist a decade ago. You no longer need an inside contact or a label deal to get your music heard — just a bit of persistence and professionalism.
So keep creating, keep submitting, and most importantly, keep improving. The right ears will find you eventually.
Have you tried Groover or similar platforms? Share your experience in the comments below — I’d love to hear how it went for you.
What do we do..
Each blog post contains artist images, some Bio information, latest track release and a short review of the track. Links to their YouTube , streaming platforms and Social media ar also included to allow readers to go straight to the artists pages.
Building My Blog (Part 3): Learning from Analytics
Meta Description (SEO):
Discover how I use Google Analytics, Google Site Kit, Rank Math, and Microsoft Clarity to track traffic, understand audience behavior, and grow my music review blog newmusicreview.co.uk.
Why Analytics Matter for a Blog
When you run a blog, analytics give you the clues behind the scenes. They show you:
- Where your traffic is coming from
- Which posts perform well (and which don’t)
- The age groups and locations of your readers
- The best times to publish
- Where readers drop off or lose interest
All this helps you create smarter content, improve your site, and learn what your audience actually wants.
Getting Started with Google Analytics
The main tool I use is Google Analytics. Setting it up can feel a bit clunky at first, but a quick search will get you sorted. Once installed, it tracks things like:
- Total visits to your site
- Geography of your audience
- Age group and gender breakdown
- Which pages/posts are most popular
In my case, analytics showed that music reviews tend to attract a male-heavy audience. That might not be the case for everyone, but it’s an interesting insight into who’s reading.
SEO Tools and Analytics Work Together
In Part 2, I talked about using Rank Math for SEO. Tools like this naturally lead you into analytics because they connect keyword performance with actual user behavior.
I don’t check my data daily—once a week is enough. But when I post an article, share a YouTube short, or feature a popular artist, there’s an immediate spike in traffic. That tells me what’s working.
That said, my blog is a mix of content—artist interviews, indie label chats, gear and effects reviews, conversations with producers and promoters. Algorithms prefer niche, specific content, but I like variety, so I just publish what interests me and let the numbers tell me the rest.
Extra Tools I Use Alongside Google Analytics
1. Google Site Kit (WordPress Plugin)
This plugin integrates directly into your site’s backend. It gives you quick, easy-to-read graphs for the last 3, 7, or 30 days, up to 12 months. Think of it as a dashboard version of Google Analytics.
2. Microsoft Clarity
This free plugin is a game-changer. It lets you watch recordings of user sessions (anonymous, of course). You can see:
- Cursor movements
- What visitors click on
- How they navigate your site
It’s incredibly useful for spotting whether your site is easy to use—or if visitors get stuck.
My Current Setup
To summarise, here’s what I run on newmusicreview.co.uk:
- Rank Math → SEO guidance and keyword insights
- Google Analytics → In-depth traffic and audience data
- Google Site Kit → Quick-glance dashboard inside WordPress
- Microsoft Clarity → Real-time session recordings and user behavior
These tools together give me a solid understanding of what’s happening on my blog without getting too technical.
What’s Next?
In Part 4, I’ll share how I use social media and other platforms to promote my content and drive more traffic to the blog. After that, I’ll dive into where I actually discover the artists I feature.
If you’re thinking of starting your own blog—music-related or otherwise—drop me a message. I’d love to chat and share ideas.
What do we do..
Each blog post contains artist images, some Bio information, latest track release and a short review of the track. Links to their YouTube , streaming platforms and Social media ar also included to allow readers to go straight to the artists pages.
This is Part 2 of my “Developing NewMusicReview.co.uk” series.
In Part 1 I introduced how the site began, the template system I use, and some of the artists I’ve covered.
In this part, I’m focusing on SEO: what I’ve tried, what’s worked, and what hasn’t.
Getting to Grips with SEO
In this episode, I’d like to talk about SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) — how I’ve integrated it into my music review website and what I’ve discovered along the way.
SEO can feel a bit complex at first, but once you get into it, there are definitely some easier sides too.
Finding the Right SEO Tool
Like many people starting out, I experimented with one or two SEO plug-ins I found by randomly searching the internet. Eventually, someone recommended Rank Math, and that’s the tool I ended up using.
Because I was building my site with Elementor and WordPress, Rank Math fit in pretty smoothly. It uses a simple traffic light scoring system:
- Red: poor SEO (0–50)
- Orange: average (52–80)
- Green: good (80+)
It looks at things like your keywords, meta descriptions, and tags, then scores your post out of 100. For me, that meant I could quickly check whether my reviews were likely to perform well in search results.
🔎 What is Rank Math?
Rank Math is a free WordPress SEO plug-in designed to make optimisation easier for bloggers and small website owners. It:
- Analyses keywords, titles, and meta descriptions.
- Suggests improvements to boost search rankings.
- Uses a colour-coded scoring system (red, orange, green) to show how well a post is optimised.
- Integrates with Google Search Console for deeper insights.
It also offers advanced features like schema markup and internal linking suggestions, but I mostly use it for the basics — making sure my posts are set up to be as visible as possible.
Working with Keywords
My approach was simple:
- Use the artist’s name and track title as primary keywords.
- Add relevant music genre tags (folk, indie, rock, synthwave, etc.).
- Sprinkle in a few descriptive terms in the post body and meta description.
Once I got the hang of it, it wasn’t difficult to push most posts into the green (usually around the 85 mark). That was good enough for me.
One advantage of my template system (from Part One) is that each post is about a different artist, which naturally creates fresh keywords every time. That consistency really helps SEO without me needing to overthink it.
The Switch to Divi 5
Later, I switched my site design over from Elementor to Divi 5. That’s when I hit a snag: Rank Math no longer seemed to integrate fully with my posts. Instead of analysing the full article, it only picked up the basics — artist name, title, image, and maybe the first line.
Strangely, despite losing that handy Rank Math scoring system, my site traffic didn’t really change. Visitors still came at the same rate. That made me wonder how much difference the plug-in actually made. Was it Rank Math improving my SEO, or just me naturally writing posts that already contained the right keywords?
The Pros and Cons of SEO Plug-ins
Here’s what I’ve learned so far:
What works:
- Plug-ins like Rank Math are great for beginners — the traffic light system shows you quickly if you’re on the right track.
- Using artist names, song titles, and genres as keywords is both natural and effective.
- Templates make SEO easier because they encourage consistency in layout and keyword placement.
What doesn’t always work:
- Switching themes or builders (like moving to Divi) can break integrations.
- Too many plug-ins can cause conflicts — I’ve already had to disable some to keep things running smoothly.
- SEO scores don’t always translate into more visitors.
So… Does SEO Work?
That’s the big question. Honestly, I’m not sure how much difference a plug-in makes on its own. My traffic seems to come more from sharing posts on social media and word of mouth in the indie music community than from ranking in Google.
Still, SEO is part of the puzzle — even if it’s just making sure that when people search an artist I’ve covered, my review has a chance of showing up.
What’s Next
In the Part 3 of this series, I’ll dive into Analytics — the tools I’ve been using to measure traffic, what they tell me about my audience, and how I’m trying to use that data to keep improving the site.
A Lost Decade Release Exciting New Single “Broken Souls”
Independent band A Lost Decade return with a striking new single, “Broken Souls,” a track that invites listeners into a deeply sensorial journey where vulnerability meets chaotic beauty.
Fluctuating between raw emotion and ornate expressiveness, the song is carried by raspy yet melodically nuanced vocals that merge seamlessly with its layered instrumental landscape. Every lyric and inflection is heightened by Fred Charles’smeticulous mixing, which gives each element clarity and depth. Meanwhile, Zac Tiessen’s mastering adds power and fullness, allowing crescendos, guitar solos, and delicate piano lines to unfold with almost cinematic intensity.
The result is an immersive sonic experience that captures themes of self-destruction, internal collapse, global decay, disillusionment, and fragile hope. By blending emotion, technique, and production with such precision, A Lost Decade transform their music into visceral art.
“Broken Souls” is available now on all major streaming platforms.
Reece’s powerful drumming has added fresh momentum to the band’s sound, making this release a pivotal moment in their journey. With a headline show booked at Aces & Eights on 15th November, “The Downside” feels like more than just a single—it’s the start of a new chapter for Howling Hawk, symbolizing rebirth and a sharpened sense of purpose.