Weekly 12, June 30

I have thoroughly enjoyed discovering new artists at Glastonbury this week. I include tracks by CMAT, Self Esteem, Olivia Dean and Brandi Carlile who all sang in the fields of Worthy Farm on the hottest week of the year so far in England. It's so hot everyone is walking around in underwear and urinating lemon curd. This heatwave is a disgrace. I thought buying an EV would fix the environment but I am sorry to say it did not work.

Overheat by Madaline Collins

This one really grabbed my ears this week, not least because of its appropriateness to the current heatwave which I might have mentioned. It's deep and varied. It's loud, and a great way to kick off any playlist. But after quite a few listens it started to remind me of one of my favourite live artists anywhere, the Australian goddess Kate Miller Heidke. Her song, Words, when performed live, has echoes of Overheat. I have been listening a lot to Madaline on the recommendation of a friend with impeccable tastes, and every song of hers is different. Last week we had Forever Valentine on the Weekly 12. Madaline is also in a band called Screamer. Everything she does is eye-opening and I cannot wait to see what she does next.

Find Out by Cyrena Wages

I have written already about this song, which I still love. The occasion this week is a new video. Every little thing she does is magic!

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I'm Not Sorry by Raneem Imam

Raneem is in defiant mood this week. After the anger of Hit 'n Run last week, and the wonderful sweary screamer of a high note, she's not sorry this week. She knows her worth, what she deserves, and to hell with everything else. I love her a little bit more every week. Her full album is already out.

Alright by Miller Campbell

I have written about all of Miller's recent singles but this is one of the best. It is a little more mellow than Runaway Arms and Bad, and all the more surprising and impressive for that. Miller sent me the most heartwarming and encouraging voice note this week for which I will be forever grateful. She has enormous talents and a massive future and yet is the most open and warm, friendly individual you could imagine. Although these new tracks are a step forwards, I love last year's tunes too including a cover of Hero Takes A Fall.

I Could Complain by Zoee

Zoee has a new single coming out on Friday 4th, Independence Day. It's called I'll Have What He's Having and you can pre-save right here. If the wind blows the right way her full album will come out on July 11th. She's a CT40 Artist of the Week but surely one of my artists of the year already.

Zoee is another artist who is so open and kind, and is working every angle to get her music into the world. You will love this song, her anthem for a "soft girl summer," her phrase which I love. We need a little more kindness in our world this year.

Should Have Known Better by Erin Viancourt

I love this song. Erin is known as PeachPieMusic on Instagram with good reason. She sounds just like a peachy pie tastes at the Double R Diner! She's not been sleeping well. The bed is empty and cold. Regrets. Chivalrous cowboy manners concealed other troubles. It's great, sad and haunting. Erin is touring in August and September.

Mary Jane by Zandi Holup

I just love Zandi's songs more with every single and this week she has announced her full album, Wildflower, is coming out on August 1st. Presave it now while you remember. I understand Mary Jane is one of her favourite songs she has ever written. I defy you to watch the video and not find out there's some dust in your eye.

I think that some of Zandi's presence comes from the conflict between the dark, stormy seas of her imagination and the calm, tranquil facade that she presents on stage and in her videos. She conceals layers of unexpected complexity that feels addictive: she contains multitudes. I think I have also unlocked the reason why Mary Jane hits so hard. In her other hits, Zandi is the I, the singer is the person at the root of the story. In this one, she is singing about someone else, a boy. Is he still alive, even? The tension is higher.

Goodness me, Zandi has frightening levels of talent. I thought I had her understood after Go Find Less and Dirty Wings but this one is desperately tragic. It's not quite as tragic as I feared but I believe the story involves someone she knew IRL. It's about addiction and recovery and, being Zandi, so deep that it is about a lot of other things too. I really believe Zandi Holup has the most enormous future and I am dying with excitement to see what happens next.

Way Too Low by Jayne Kelli

Jayne is another angel. We included Sister Golden Hair on the Weekly 12 recently but this one is just as lovely. She sent me the most endearing message accompanying this video. It turns out, after a short conversation, that she actually wrote this song in Manchester, England, the very town I spent several years at college.

The only disappointment here is that Jayne only has two tracks available as a solo artist. But worry not, she is also one half of Swearingen & Kelli so there are plenty more tunes to tackle this week if you love these songs as much as I do. Jayne's music is so calming and the perfect end to one of my favourite Weekly 12s of 2025. Enjoy!

Weekly 12

I am making the Weekly 12 available on both YouTube and Spotify this week to see if either service is more popular. I am aware of continuing controversy around Spotify but I have to choose services which allow people to listen without paying for a premium account. Let me know if you have a different preference.