Artists at a glance
ANT THOMAZ
CITY LIMITS FEAT. DENNEY
DEAR PEOPLE
GEORGE BLOOMFIELD
HANA LILI
INDIA ARKIN
ISAAC STUART
LUCY KITCHEN
SAM SCHERDEL
These Fresh Faves were picked by our readers over the weekend – and reviewed by Fresh On The Net’s Sherry Shahayaraj this week. You can hear all these tracks in a single Soundcloud playlist here.
A word from Del: Thanks to everyone who submitted tracks last week, top calibre as always! If you want your tracks to be considered for airplay on my Exile FM show, please send me an email to del.owusu@gmail.com with your bio and audio files. Clean radio edits only. Also, please read Neil’s comprehensive guide about how we put together the reviews, trying track down artist information is a pain, please have mercy on us poor moderators and provide the relevant information on your soundcloud and/or socials. Thankyou!
Over to you Sherry.
Sherry: Winter is almost here, and with it comes that cozy, reflective vibe that makes you want to curl up with some good music. I’m really happy to be writing these reviews today. I hope you all had an amazing weekend, because I certainly did! Let’s dive into the reviews!
AMELIE – Blessed
13 year old Amelie has been taking the grassroots music community by storm lately. From the UK but currently studying in Spain, she burst into our lives last year with her Resolution EP and her stance against bullying. She has been reviewed already in Earmilk and Rock Era Magazine as well as our Trust The Doc blog and Neil and Del are among those who have been playing her on their radio shows.
At just 13 years old, AMELIE delivers something truly impressive with Blessed. Her voice is powerful and full of confidence. It’s hard to believe someone so young can sing with such maturity and emotion. The song has an Indie/Alt Pop vibe, but you can hear touches of Blues and Classic Rock running through it, giving it real depth and character. Blessed feels both powerful and empowering. AMELIE’s energy and talent shine through every note. It’s an astonishing creation from a young artist who clearly has a bright future ahead.
Official | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter/X | YouTube
ANT THOMAZ – Flying
Accomplished artist and performer Ant Thomaz is based in Glasgow in the West of Scotland. He has been a featured artist with the likes of Todd Terry as well as fronting his own bands. Since launching a solo career, he has been playing some hallowed stages including Barrowlands, several festival stages and appearances on radio. He has been featured in MusicNGear, World Authors, Chrd Mag and others and played support to a variety of artists as he expands the geographic range of his live shows.
Flying is a really enjoyable track that feels warm and refreshing at the same time. The organic instrumental arrangement gives it a natural, easy flow. Nothing feels forced, just pure good energy. It already brings a touch of winter vibes, like the feeling of cozy evenings and festive lights. But the track also amazes us with the different dynamic of having a rap part which is unique. The duet works beautifully both voices blend so well together, creating a lovely balance that makes the song even more special.Personally, it even gave me Disney’s Encanto vibes that same joyful, vibrant energy that makes you want to sing along. There’s a joyful, uplifting energy in Flying that feels perfect for the season. A wonderful track that leaves you smiling.
Instagram | Facebook | Twitter/X | YouTube | Bandcamp
CITY LIMITS FEAT. DENNEY – If We Should Ever Talk Agqin
City Limits is an interesting artist. With links to the South Coast (hence support from BBC Introducing in Solent) but clearly based in London, his Instagram is filled with images of familiar South and Central London spots. As well as playing gigs around the place, he is also a regular busker and his Instagram is engaging and fun. His collaborator on this track is Denney. She is both a solo artist and lead singer of Sofa Club. You can visit her Linktree page for more information and links.
If We Should Ever Talk Again is such a heartfelt and beautiful track. The two voices sing an octave apart over gentle acoustic guitars, and it instantly draws you in. Both vocals sound so honest and emotional there’s something really touching about how they blend together. As the song goes on, the harmonies come in so smoothly and make it even more moving. It feels raw, pure, and comforting at the same time one of those songs that quietly stays with you after.
Instagram | Facebook | YouTube
DEAR PEOPLE – Deep Breath
Brighton-based artist Becky aka Dear People may be early in her journey but she has already caught the ear of fellow FOTN mod Alan Dreezer in his New Music Discovery. Now her distinctive synthpop has captured the imagination of our readers too. She makes music with a Casio Keyboard, Drum Machine and vocals proving that, if you have the basic tools and a vibrant creative imagination, that is all you need to get yourself out there.
Deep Breath is a soft, dreamy synthpop song that instantly lifts your mood. It has this light, refreshing energy that makes you feel calm and happy like taking an actual deep breath after a long day. The melody is super easy to sing along to, and that makes it even more enjoyable. The vocals are beautifully ethereal, floating gently over the music and giving the track a peaceful, almost magical feel. It’s one of those songs that just makes you feel good without trying too hard; simple, soothing, and effortlessly lovely.
GEORGE BLOOMFIELD – False Start
Leeds-based artist and film music composer George Bloomfield has an impressive CV. It includes, among other things, recording and filming a live session for BBC Introducing in his garden (with full band), airplay on BBC Radio 2, a string of film and TV credits and an extensive live itinerary.
False Start is a smooth and sophisticated pop track that feels effortlessly stylish. The rhythm immediately pulls you in and what sounds like trumpet adds such an elegant, classy touch. George’s vocals are raw and pure, carrying emotions without overdoing it. Everything fits together so naturally. It’s the kind of track that feels both modern and timeless at the same time.
Official | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube
HANA LILI – Sick Of Myself
Welsh artist Hana Lili has been enjoying an amazing year. This has included supporting Coldplay at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, performances with her top-notch band at GoToBeat Festival and 110 Above, a festival FOTN stalwart Oldie Rob helps to organise, and a generally impressive live itinerary. Her 2024 single Iconic has amassed over half a million streams and her star seems to be permanently rising.
Sick Of Myself blends Indie Rock energy with melodic Pop in such a cool way. The song has a dark, moody edge that instantly grabs your attention, but it’s still super catchy. Hana Lili’s vocals sound amazing; strong, expressive, and full of feeling. There’s this mix of confidence and vulnerability in her voice that really fits the song’s tone. It’s powerful, a bit haunting, and totally relatable.
INDIA ARKIN – Metro Line
Based in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne in the North East of England where she moved to study Fine Art, India Arkin was signed by HMV to a distribution deal with 1921 Records at the start of her career. She has since played support to Tom Grennan & The Feeling and Daytime TV, performed at festivals in the UK and Netherlands and worked with producer John Martindale. She has also had support from FOTN founder and legend Tom Robinson.
Metro Line is an Alt Rock track with a strong, confident sound that really shows off India Arkin’s style. The title probably refers to the Newcastle Metro, which gives the song a personal and local feel. You can hear the influence of artists like Wolf Alice and The Last Dinner Party in the way she blends bold guitars with emotional vocals. The song has great energy; edgy but still melodic and her voice carries it beautifully. It’s powerful, authentic.
Instagram | Facebook | Twitter/X | YouTube
ISAAC STUART – Window Shopping
Singer-Songwriter Isaac Stuart has been playing the piano since he was a child and his biography includes selling his X-Box as a young teenager so he could buy a Keyboard as well as being a ‘Saturday boy’ at the music shop in his hometown (which is probably somewhere in the BBC Oxford & Berkshire catchment area judging by the support they have given him). He is playing a headline show at St Pancras Old Church in London on 12th November.
Window Shopping has a lovely mix of Folk and Americana that gives it a warm, nostalgic feel. Isaac’s airy vocals are really soothing and fit the song perfectly. It’s the kind of track that makes you feel like you’re walking through the streets while the world rushes past, but you’re moving in slow motion quietly observing, thinking, and longing. Calm, heartfelt, and easy to get lost in, it’s a really beautiful listen.
Instagram | Facebook | YouTube
LUCY KITCHEN – In My Corner
Lucy Kitchen describes herself as a ‘Writer of Small Poems’ whose music blends Folk, Americana and ‘… the spirit of 70s singer-songwriters’. Based in Romney, Hampshire in the South of England, she has appeared as a guest on BBC legend Robert Elms’s show and has been played on Radio 2. She performs both in London and around the Southern region. 7th November sees her performing at Paper Dress Vintage in Hackney.
In My Corner feels timeless, like it could sit alongside songs from some of the greatest songwriters. Lucy Kitchen’s music has a classic quality, and it’s easy to see why people compare her to artists like Joni Mitchell, Sandy Denny, and Beth Orton. Her voice is warm and expressive, carrying every word with emotion. The song is thoughtful, heartfelt, and beautifully crafted; the kind of track that stays with you long after it ends.
Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Bandcamp
SAM SCHERDEL – Somewhere In The Middle
From Sheffield in the North of England comes Sam Scherdel. Sam is a singer-songwriter who performs with a full live backing band and they have been touring the UK over the Autumn. Somewhere In The Middle has already achieved 65K streams and over a million TikTok views. By all accounts, 2025 has been a huge year for him and 2026 looks set to be even bigger.
Somewhere In The Middle has a vibe that reminds you a bit of George Ezra jamming with Paolo Nutini; fun, lively, and full of energy. Sam’s raspy, gritty voice is a real highlight, and his impressive high notes give the song a lot of character. The crowd-style backing vocals add a concert-like feel, making it feel big and exciting even when you’re just listening at home. It’s a track full of energy, soul, and personality; really enjoyable from start to finish.
Official | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter/X | YouTube
PS from Del: If you’ve submitted a track that hasn’t been picked for the Listening Post, our team has definitely listened to it and there’s no need to send it again: feel free to send us an even stronger track another week. The same goes if you were picked for the Listening Post but didn’t feature in our Fresh Faves.
But if we’ve recently featured you in our Fresh Faves – please wait three months before sending us another track, so we have space to help other deserving artists… For more info see Robinson Has A Good Old Moan.
Ah. amazing reviews Sherry. Heartfelt and eloquent. Well done to all the artists too. 🙂
Thank you neil 😊
Oh wow so honoured and grateful to be featured in this list, thank you!
Thanks so much for the kind words Sherry!
Also thanks to the FOTN team, and to everyone who voted!
For anyone who doesn’t know, Blessed was written for Oliver, a fan with cerebral palsy, about his strength and beautiful nature despite the adversity he faces.
💙
A lovely set of reviews, Sherry. Your love and enthusiasm illuminates your words. A great bunch of Faves too which this week includes some artists I am proud to have personally championed.
Thank you Sherry for the amazing reviews.
Quite a few of my Faves included.
❤️❤️❤️