French-Israeli vocalist Nili Hadida and Parisian guitarist Benjamin Cotto formed Lilly Wood & The Prick in 2006. They cite ‘80s French pop by Etienne Daho and Michel Delpech, guitarists J.J. Cale and Eric Clapton, and the ’60s soul of Aretha Franklin and Etta James as their inspirations. Apart from three French hit singles, their 2010 debut album Invincible Friends also included the original version of Prayer In C. Four years later, a Robin Schulz remix of this song provided the duo with their worldwide break-through. It went to #1 in most of Europe, was a Top 10 hit in Australia and also scored well in the US.

To date, they haven’t had another international hit, but their new single sounds like a solid tune. You Want My Money follows last year’s single Lonely Life. It’s the second single off the duo’s upcoming fourth album. Lyrically, it denounces our consumption society, which is based on expenses and unrealistic beauty norms. Musically however, it combines a retro rhythm with modern production, which results in a happy-sounding, groovy song.

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Mia Wray is a 24-year-old singer and songwriter from Melbourne, Australia. Her career is off to a very promising start. Her debut single Work For Me was included on numerous Spotify editorial playlists. Also, it was supported by Elton John on his Beats 1 radio show.

Never Gonna Be The Same is only Wray’s second single. A huge, mesmerising pop song with a bluesy touch, that brims with self-confidence. Apparently, its overall theme of self-empowerment isn’t only directed to the song’s listeners, it applies to its singer as well.

Talking about the inspiration behind the track, Wray explains: “I found myself in situations both personally and professionally where I wasn’t being valued or heard and something finally just snapped inside me. I realised I could take control of my own narrative and by trusting my gut and understanding my worth… I unlocked the thing that I always knew was in me and I’ve finally found where I’m meant to be.”

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After battling with anxiety and depression, Julietta decided to leave New York for Los Angeles. Although she physically moved away from her problems, they’re still an inspiration for her songs. Also for her new single Not Today. It details her process of letting go of hardships and bad habits to focusing on grounding herself. She explains: “I know what rock bottom feels like, to be in the dungeons of my mind, I’m not scared of it, but I refuse to go back.”

Not Today’s lyrics are mostly sung-spoken, but the chorus comes alive with a choir harmonizing the chant ‘I’m not going back to the bottom, not today’. This gives the track a powerful, anthemic feel. Meanwhile, bouncy keys and light percussion add a feeling of optimism, of hope for a brighter future.

Julietta released six tracks in the past year. All of these will be compiled on her new EP Levitate, due out on 5 February.

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