15 Nov 2023

Stay For A While

Victor Ray

Decca

WE SAY

Continuing our Ones To Watch 2024 is Ugandan-born, Newcastle-raised artist Victor Ray. Having started busking to fund studying at music college, the 24 year old has now amassed millions of loyal followers (2.7m TikTok, 680k Instagram) for his tender and soulful musical blend. He first caught our attention in May with the powerful, soul-filled rock-pop offering ‘It Only Cost Everything’. Since then, he has released his second EP ‘i felt’,  which includes this gorgeous gem, and gained praise from The Line of Best Fit, The Independent, Dork, Equate and Wonderland, as well as radio support from BBC Radio1, 1Xtra, Radio 2, BBC Introducing and Reprezent. Plus, his music has been featured across editorial playlists at Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music and Deezer. Having performed at the Great Escape Festival this year, he went on to perform at the Latitude Festival on the BBC Introducing stage, following their support of his music. Victor's recent first run of European dates sold out in a matter of days and next week (21 November), sees him play his sold-out headline at Moth Club in London, before heading back for his second headline tour across Holland, Germany and France in March. With a mix of classic soul and contemporary R&B laced with emotional honesty, a stonking vocal and a fresh production style, we reckon Victor Ray is heading for bigger things in 2024. 

CONTACTS

Label: Decca
Publishing: unpublished
Radio: Sam Kitchen & Rosie Crocombe, Decca
Press & Online: Louisa Worskett, Fear of Music
Live: Craig D’Souza & Dave Bradley, WME
Management: Alexander Stables

SEARCH TITLE / ARTIST / LABEL

SEARCH BY DATE

Wings of Desire - Chance Of A Lifetime

Chance Of A Lifetime

Wings of Desire

WMD Recordings via Absolute Label Services

Next up on our Ones To Watch 2024 is gritty dream pop duo Wings Of Desire. Citing inspiration from the...

more
14 Nov 2023
Elmiene - Someday

Someday

Elmiene

Polydor/Def Jam Recordings

Kickstarting our Ones To Watch 2024 is rising 22 year old British-Sudanese singer-songwriter Elmiene. The Oxford-raised artist first broke onto...

more
13 Nov 2023
Wildeardo & Matt Berninger  - In Between feat Matt Berninger

In Between feat Matt Berninger

Wildeardo & Matt Berninger

Bright Antenna Records

It’s been over two and half years since we featured the soaring melodies and three-part harmonies of Tulsa trio Wilderado...

more
10 Nov 2023
D3lta - Happy Out Of Love

Happy Out Of Love

D3lta

self-release

‘Happy Out Of Love’ is the playful new single from emerging Anglo-Greek artist D3lta. Over the last couple of years,...

more
09 Nov 2023
Cosmorat - S.A.D L.U.V

S.A.D L.U.V

Cosmorat

unsigned

There is something fantastically quirky and authentic about the indie-pop sound of London-based US band Cosmorat. Having originally met at...

more
08 Nov 2023
Isla Rico - it’s been a minute

it’s been a minute

Isla Rico

self-release

Formed in a homemade tiki bar in Manchester, Isla Rico are a three-piece band that produces vibrant indie-pop. Last week...

more
07 Nov 2023
House of EL - Tell Me The Truth

Tell Me The Truth

House of EL

Wunderkind Recordings

House of EL is the alias of Northampton-based writer, producer, jazz musician and artist Kieron McIntosh. We first featured him...

more
06 Nov 2023
Tom Walker - Freaking Out

Freaking Out

Tom Walker

Relentless

Regular readers will know we have been big supporters and fans of Tom Walker over the last six years, and...

more
03 Nov 2023
casablanca - Cold

Cold

casablanca

Studio DC

casablanca is an Italian-born and naturalised British singer-songwriter based in London. He’s already caught the attention and praise of tastemakers...

more
02 Nov 2023
Serena Ittoo - Nature Foreseen

Nature Foreseen

Serena Ittoo

unsigned

Let us introduce you to singer-songwriter Serena Ittoo and her heartfelt debut single ‘Nature Foreseen’. Born and raised in Enfield,...

more
01 Nov 2023
Mall Girl - Inzane

Inzane

Mall Girl

Jansen Records

We do like something that is a tad different here at RotD, and Oslo trio Mall Girl certainly offer this...

more
31 Oct 2023
Ghostly Kisses - Golden Eyes

Golden Eyes

Ghostly Kisses

Akira Records

Blending spirited electronic melodies with a touch of wistful nostalgia and the rhythmic tapestry of UK Garage drum beats, ‘Golden...

more
30 Oct 2023
Newmoon - Fading Phase

Fading Phase

Newmoon

[PIAS] Recordings (EU)/Manifesto Records (US)

Dreamy, hypnotic and ethereal with blooming guitars and gracefully haunting melodies, ‘Fading Phase’ is the new single from Belgium’s shoegaze...

more
27 Oct 2023
Bar Pandora - Dynamic

Dynamic

Bar Pandora

self-release

Bar Pandora is the stage name of UK alt-pop artist Charlie Tophill. She first caught the attention of tastemakers like...

more
26 Oct 2023
Tom A. Smith - Fading Away

Fading Away

Tom A. Smith

Tileyard Music/ADA

Just over a year ago, we talked about our admiration for rising Sunderland artist Tom A. Smith. Since then, he...

more
25 Oct 2023
bumb - f.w.u

f.w.u

bumb

unsigned

With buoyant hooks, funky guitars and punchy horns, ‘f.w.u’ is the new single from emerging London-based alt-pop band bumb. Drawing...

more
24 Oct 2023