Whether you’re in the mood to get lost in a full-length concept album or hit replay on a YouTube debut, here are five acts that need to be on your radar…
Paul James Project
Paul James Project is living proof that it’s never too late to ignite a creative fire. After a near-death experience, he made an act of unexpected self-rescue: picking up a guitar for the very first time. What began as comfort quickly became a calling — melody first, lyrics second. James wasted no time dreaming big, booking sessions with heavyweight producer Chris Potter (The Rolling Stones, The Verve), collaborating with songwriter Billy Lawrie (Bee Gees, Tina Turner), and even catching the ear of Coldplay’s Will Champion. Rooted in the DNA of British icons like The Beatles, Oasis, and Radiohead, his rock-and-roll sound feels both familiar and fresh, earning him a fast-growing fan base. But the spotlight doesn’t define him. For over a decade, James has worked closely with boys with autism and Down syndrome, quietly wearing his own cape of care. Whether through soaring choruses or quiet service, Paul James is making every second count, with his debut album on the way.
The Earth & All Within
Revolutionising the rock genre, Philadelphia-based singer-songwriter James Ellis asks: what happens when you fuse the scale of arena rock with the elegance of orchestral strings? The answer lies in his ambitious debut album, The Earth & All Within — a self-styled “millennial rock opera.” Recorded between Philadelphia’s Milkboy the Studio and New Jersey’s Gradwell House Recording, the project features sweeping arrangements by the Philadelphia String Quartet layered over Ellis’s raw, guitar-driven backbone. The record draws inspiration from modern giants like Green Day, Radiohead, and Foo Fighters, delivering a cinematic listening experience. Ellis isn’t new to the stage either. For over a decade, he’s been a key player in the local scene, performing with powerhouse bands like Palaceburn and In The Presence of Wolves. With this debut, he steps into his own spotlight.
Col Gerrard
Sometimes you choose music — and sometimes, music chooses you. For Col Gerrard, it was always the latter. Raised in a home where melody poured from every corner, he was surrounded by music from the start. His mother, a soprano singer and actress, introduced him to vocal legends like Simon & Garfunkel, Ella Fitzgerald, Dionne Warwick and Burt Bacharach. His brother brought jazz into the mix — Chick Corea, Bill Evans, Charlie Parker — giving Gerrard his first sense of musical soul. That family soundtrack soon found its way into his hands on an old upright piano. Over time, artists like Stevie Wonder, Joni Mitchell and Marvin Gaye helped him carve his own voice. With his latest single, ‘The Way I Feel’, and the Rolling Stone-praised ‘Come On Over’, Gerrard pours heartache, healing and hope into every note. A full album is scheduled for release in January.
Electric Lady
Rising rock trio Electric Lady — featuring Blues Alive winner Tereza Rays on vocals, with drummer Robin Evans and bassist Cayman — set out in 2013 to prove they were a storm ready to shake the industry. More than a decade later, they’ve done just that. From electrifying the Global Rock Summit in LA to commanding a crowd of 11,000 at the Thanks Jimi Festival (a tribute to Jimi Hendrix), the band has steadily built a reputation for power-packed performances. They’ve even opened for Slovak rap icon Rytmus at Prague’s O2 Arena. Along the way, Rays has collaborated with talents like Paul Bond (Wars of the World) and The Who’s legendary drummer Kenney Jones, underscoring the band’s rock pedigree. Their latest single, ‘I’m Done (I’ve Had Enough)’, is a rallying cry — popping bubblegum pop and spitting out the sweetness in favour of raw, unfiltered rock. With a European tour underway, Electric Lady’s thunder is only getting louder.
Stephen Mugford
Ask who Stephen Mugford is, and the answer is simple: a chameleon. After decades helping build a major company, a health scare in his forties nudged him back to an old love: music. He hasn’t looked back since. In 2019, Mugford left his corporate role and has been composing full-time ever since. His 2024 album, Palooza Beach, evokes the easy sprawl of seaside afternoons, weaving jazz-tinted tracks that feel like planting your feet in warm sand while a breeze hums in your ear. Mugford describes his musical ethos as “Reflecting in Tune”, blending the narrative style of the ’70s and ’80s with lyrical storytelling that champions the everyday person. He writes both lyrics and core arrangements, then brings in top-tier collaborators such as award-winning producer John Escobar and Grammy-winning guitarist Claudio Ragazzi. With another album on the horizon, Mugford’s second act is only gaining momentum.
In partnership with Blinding Talent