Welcome back to our weekly NMF roundup. Here’s what we think you should be listening to this week!

‍

Sundust - The Ballroom Thieves

IYL: Birdtalker, Mipso, Darlingside

As acclaimed indie folk band The Ballroom Thieves wrote and recorded their upcoming album, one central question emerged as the theme: “What if we could all just be a little more tender?” The duo started to ponder what they could do to be more self-aware of their mental health and of those around them in a world oversaturated by social media, pop-culture, and digital consumption. The result is a personal, lush, 10-track collection of thoughts on the human experience called Sundust. For more than a decade, Earley and Peters have been combining their thoughts and musical abilities. They’ve toured the US dozens of times, ventured into Europe, Canada, and even managed a journey from Maine to Hawaii to Alaska in one trip, all to play their music for the dedicated fanbase they’ve been steadily growing, person by person. The two have played beautiful theaters like Ozawa Hall at Tanglewood, well-loved festivals like Newport Folk, and legendary rooms like LA’s Troubadour. They’ve been known to power slide across stages on bloody knees with their full band and silence packed rooms for 90 minutes with their lyrics and harmonies, accompanied only by a cello and an acoustic guitar during their more intimate duo shows. Their most personal album to date, Sundust is about self-awareness, breaking down walls that trauma creates, and healing from harshness, but it's also about finding the glimmers, the striking beauty of being a person, and a longing for connection with healthy people.

‍

Don't Forget Me - Maggie Rogers

IYL: MUNA, HAIM, Kacey Musgraves

Originally from Maryland, multi-platinum, GRAMMY® Award-nominated producer/songwriter/performer Maggie Rogers released her breakthrough EP Now That The Light Is Fading in 2017. Rogers followed with her critically acclaimed debut album Heard It In A Past Life in 2019 which landed Rogers a nomination for Best New Artist at the 62nd GRAMMY® Awards and has amassed over one billion combined global streams to date. Rogers has sold out headline tours across North America and Europe and performed at leading festivals worldwide. In 2022, Rogers released her follow up album, Surrender, to widespread acclaim and embarked on two sold-out headline tours across Europe and North America which included stops at legendary venues like Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Forest Hills Stadium and the Hollywood Bowl

‍

99 Boys - EMELINE

IYL: Cloudy June, emlyn, Stela Cole

‍

Cherry On Top - Ben Platt

IYL: Laura Dreyfuss, Will Roland

Fans worldwide fell head over heels for Ben Platt during his Tony® Award-winning turn in Dear Evan Hansen and films such as the Pitch Perfect franchise. As the vocalist, actor, and performer sang life into a host of fascinating characters, audiences embraced his voice wholeheartedly. By dusting off the piano, picking up a pen, and singing his own truth straight from the heart, he shared another side of himself as a solo artist. Ben achieved superstar status as Evan Hansen in Dear Evan Hansen, originating the lead role. He went on to receive the 2017 Tony® Award for “Best Actor in a Musical.” Other honors included “Best Musical Theater Album” at the 2018 GRAMMY® Awards for the Original Broadway Cast Recording of Dear Evan Hansen, “Outstanding Musical Performance in a Daytime Program” at the Daytime EMMY® Awards for a cast performance on The Today Show, and more. Signed to Atlantic Records, he explored his formative influences, ranging from singer-songwriters such as Joni Mitchell and Carole King to legendary crooners like Donny Hathaway, Ray Charles, and Stevie Wonder. As a result, the music delivers confessional lyricism by way of soulful intimacy as part of one cohesive narrative on his 2019 full-length debut, Sing To Me Instead. The 12-track album chronicles the highs and lows of a transformative relationship. Ben penned several songs solo and co-wrote the remainder of material alongside the likes of Ben Abraham, Eg White, Nate Cyphert, Michael Pollack, and more.

‍

Maybe One Day - Mina Okabe

IYL: Sarah Kang, Fiji Blue, Kauai45

Hey! I'm Mina Okabe - a 23 year old Danish/Japanese singer-songwriter born and raised in London, New York, Manila and Copenhagen. All my songs are about personal experiences and feelings. Hope you like them!

‍

How Do You Make It Look So Easy? (Deluxe) - Arctic Lake

IYL: Tusks, Lyves, Boston Bun

‍

I’LL BE ALRIGHT - DOMINIC WRIGHT

IYL: RAYE

Brighton based songwriter Dominic Wright delivers infectious bedroom-pop in the tradition of Alex G, Beabadoobee and ‘Bags’-era Clairo. For his debut EP, Ghosts, Dominic spent much of 2023 in the studio with principal creative partner Ewan Merritt of Bad Sounds (Arlo Parks, Rose Gray). Ghosts is released on July 5, 2024.

‍

LACAZETTE - MATTY MARZ

IYL: Zho Davis, Boy Bennett, rlyblonde

‍

Do Not Disturb - Ella Galvin

IYL: PANDANAP, Blake Mongno, Tema Siegel

Originally from Boston, MA, Ella Galvin is a New York City based Pop/Soul Artist who has made her way through a couple of Rock, Pop, Soul & Jazz fusion bands. She sang in two funk/rock Boston-based bands before officially moving to NYC to start her own career. Since moving to Manhattan, Ella has been singing both acoustic sets with guitar/piano, as well as more full sounding, 4-piece band with drums, bass, guitar, keys and even vibraphone. Many of these shows have taken place at some of New York’s iconic music venues such as Rockwood Music Hall, The Bowery Electric, Chelsea Music Hall and Heaven Can Wait. She takes inspiration from Amy Winehouse, Stevie Wonder, Remi Wolf, Lake Street Dive & Lizzy McAlpine. Ella continues to perform around the city as she constantly works to develop and solidify her sound, as well as identity as a musical artist.

‍

I Get It Now - Sammy Rae & The Friends

IYL: Couch, Melt, Lawrence

The mantra of the Friends? 
 Go put a smile on somebody's face, go tell somebody they've got a place in this world, go tell somebody you wanna be friends with them. 
 For as much as Sammy Rae & The Friends may be a band, this collective of dreamers and artists considers themselves a family first. That all-for-one and one-for-all camaraderie ignites their unforgettable and can’t-miss live shows, which serve as a catharsis for both the musicians and their fervent audience. Fronted by singer/songwriter Sammy Rae and honed through years of touring, the group is capable of flourishing in any spotlight thanks to its signature blend of palpable chemistry, deft virtuosity, and vocal fireworks.

‍

How It Goes - The Greeting Committee

IYL: Atta Boy, Arlie, Vista Kicks

Comprised of Addie Sartino and Pierce Turcotte, Noah Spencer, and Micah Ritchie, the spirit of purposeful sharing has served as something of a lifeline for The Greeting Committee. From the sense of community that surrounds their live shows to the subject matter of their music, the band has created a warm world where all are welcome to shed the weight of living and simply experience a moment together.

‍

Espresso - Sabrina Carpenter

IYL:  Dove Cameron, Sofia Carson, Gracie Abrams

Sabrina Carpenter has enchanted an audience of millions as a singer, songwriter, actress and style icon. With her music, she has delivered one anthem after another on stage and in the studio, earning multiple gold and platinum certifications, and performing to sold out crowds around the world. On-screen, she has generated mega-fandom through starring roles on television and film. She is signed to Island Records, where she released a multitude of hit singles: “Skin,” “Fast Times,” “Vicious,” “Because I Liked A Boy,” and “Nonsense,” which was recently certified Platinum in the US. Sabrina debuted her acclaimed fifth studio album, emails i can’t send (recently certified Gold), which appeared on many “Best Of 2022” lists including Rolling Stone and Billboard. The album features her latest single “Feather” which just hit #1 at Top 40 Radio, earning Sabrina her first #1. The platinum hit single also peaked at #26 on the Billboard Hot 100 and has amassed over 600M global streams to date. In addition to her growing list of acting and music credits, she was selected for Forbes’ prestigious “30 Under 30” list. Her sold out emails i can't send tour has taken her to North America, Europe, Asia and Brazil, and she recently served as direct support for Taylor Swift in Latin America, Australia and Singapore on the Era's Tour.