UNDISCOVERED #263: Sleepazoid, tendai & Max Winter

As the cold weather starts to set in, these underground tracks will help keep you going. Coming in hot with burning guitar, alt-rock band Sleepazoid’s single ‘NEW AGE’ frantically gets your heart beating, and then melts you with soft, lulling vocals. The perfect soundtrack to a mosh pit or impending doom…who knew the end of the world could sound so beautiful. 

Max Winter turns up the synth with ‘The Olympics’, the first single of his debut EP Morning Routine. Atmospheric and hazy, the track holds pensive strings with the resonant twang of bass, luring you into his dreamworld. Self-produced by Tonguetied herself, the indie artist releases ‘Fondly’, a simmering new single that blends heartfelt lyricism with building, rhythmic percussion that nods to her electro influences. 

Opening with unassuming bass, ‘bug’ by JayaHadADream immediately explodes into a groovy, empowering anthem pierced by introspective lyricism. The Nottingham-based rap artist who quit teaching to pursue her rising music career delivers rhythmic beats with a grime-inspired flow, in a track both moody and soothing. Birmingham-born Sydney Jo Jackson teams up with vocalist Drey Henuk for ‘Good at Goodbye’, a haunting, soul-soaked track that captures the delicate tension of love and loss. With pensive lyrics and a stripped-back production, Jackson’s emotive vocals deliver a poignant reflection on parting, heartbreak, and emotional resilience.

 Rising star tendai drops ‘Explain’, a country influenced ballad that imparts a tenderness through the simple production, honing in on soft guitar melodies. An artist known for expansive genre exploration, the track alludes to a holy reverence for Gospel music. ‘eleven eleven’ by New York-based Halima comes in with a captivating blend of alternative R&B and sombre electronic beats. The haunting vocal delivery delves into themes of self-discovery and emotional turmoil, as Halima’s ethereal soundscapes exude intimate listening.

Continuing on a reflective vibe, New York’s Saudi Oil brings their art-punk sound with ‘CRACKEDWINDOW’, packed with pulsating rhythms and distorted soundscapes that accentuate feelings of isolation and self-reflection. R&B artist RUBII’s single ‘Forgive and Forget’ brims with emotion, crafting a journey through regret and reconciliation through delicate vocals and funky beats. Sarah Maison’s ‘Jamais’ constructs a picturesque Parisian world through vivid storytelling and melodic instrumentation, in a French language pop anthem.