Any artist is welcome to send us a track via freshonthenet.co.uk anytime between Monday lunchtime and Wednesday evening (or when we receive 200 submissions, whichever is sooner) - and all our moderators, including Tom Robinson, will listen to every track. This is our full inbox from the week beginning Mon 21st March: from Friday afternoon you'll be able to hear our shortlist and pick your favourites on this week's Listening Post which will appear at freshonthenet.co.uk/batch441

If a track you submitted does not appear in this list, it’s probably because another of your tracks appeared in our Fresh Faves or on the BBC Music Introducing Mixtape during the last three months — we ask that artists featured on either wait three months before resubmitting to give others a chance. 

We also don’t accept short previews or SoundCloud Go tracks that can only be heard as 30 second previews, and tracks made private after submission, which cannot be included in playlists. You will be able to resubmit the track in future. Tracks (and remixes of tracks) that have been previously submitted, and tracks from banned artists will also be removed.

ENTIRE INBOX: Batch 441

6luz

Originally written and composed in 2010, recorded in 2021 with all new tracks!  Mastered by Steve Turnidge in Seattle, WA.

Stranger In The Mirror

Hey Mr. DJ

Fate

Follow Stepping on Violets via :

https://open.spotify.com/track/3F7ij0upJzaytfk4eHy2IM?si=63eea277ce3e4a49

Instagram : @steppingonviolets

Produced by Autobahn 86

Safer In The City

Stepping On Violets - Is It Not Safer In The City (MASTER)

Loose Articles - Chaos

Josh Song (Full Song)

11-year-old Josh attended a songwriting group over the summer and wrote a pop punk banger

Josh Song

ANARCHISM

In Jeapordy Part 2

Burnt

Scottish-Indian DJ and producer Rahul.mp3 has taken on newcomer 'Pleasure Trail's latest release 'Is It Not Safer In The City ?' with their own Jersey Club style. 

Master by Greyson Mucci

Is It Not Safer In The City ? (Rahul.mp3 Remix)

“I Think I’m Just Exhausted” is what Pleasure Trail has realised in their new single. The electro-pop track features driving bass guitars, glitchy vocal chops and harsh hitting drum machines. 

Originating as a journal entry the artist had written after reflecting on the intensity of hospitality work over the festive period they channeled their emotions into creating this pop banger. The first lines to the track I need to stop romanticising over-working / I need some time to let myself rest are relatable to those that work minimum wage jobs in order to pursue and fund their main artistic passion.

“It was my first time using analog synthesisers on a track which was a game changer. I loved experimenting with the laser sounds and how gritty I could make the bass. There’s so much more precision and patience needed to make them sound good! This is one of the first times I worked with friends to produce and mix collaboratively which I had never allowed myself to do before.”

I need to stop romanticising over working, I need some time to let myself rest
When I think ‘I’m just exhausted’, I’m sick, I’m tired, my headspace is something I detest
I’m not done, I’ve got weeks to go, to get through, to finish, to have more time for myself
When I think words have lost their meaning, it’s true 
Oh no !? 
La la la la la la la la

When I push my time and I look out side at night I feel like someone’s watching me
But I’m all alone at home
It’s late. I’m gone. 
I need someone to hold me

Will I do it for you ? Would you do it for me ?
I won’t settle for anything that’s less than me

I get in my mind all of the time because I can’t say no to anyone else
I'm always happy to help, do nothing for myself and let you be my priority 

I’m not. I’m not giving you the time in my life
I can’t. I can’t give it all away with no pay

Written, Recorded, Produced and Additional Mixing by Pleasure Trail (@pleasure_trail)
Mixed with Additional Production by Greyson Mucci (@b0rg3rqueen)
Artwork Photo by Mia Stevenston (@mia_s_photography)

I Think I'm Just Exhausted

Spartanism: ‘A person experiencing obsessive decluttering believes that certain objects affect their life negatively, therefore must be thrown out, even if the objects are of use. A form of OCD, It's essentially the opposite of hoarding, and it can significantly impact daily life and relationships.’

Having recently been diagnosed after years of experiencing symptoms of OCD, Pleasure Trail has created an immersive experience through song. Their new single ‘Spartanism’ - releasing on all platforms May 2nd 2025 - explores the concept of ‘compulsive decluttering’ and the intrusive voices that come with the disorder. The electro-pop track features haunting vocal chants, ambient synthesisers and hard-hitting drum machines.

Originating after feeling immense frustration at the symptoms of their disorder, while pushing for a diagnosis and facing regular anxiety attacks, this song is a cry for understanding and acceptance from others. The lyrics ‘I feel them crawling up and over my skin / I need to feel grounded’ describe the sensations of overwhelming anxiety.

Spartanism

Spartanism [Edit]

I had planned for Shadow Of A Doubt to be one of the lead singles I released under the name Pleasure Trail, the new project I created in the summer of 2023. However, I decided to ditch the guitars and indie vibe as I was finding it tiresome and wanted to make music that leaned and embraced more of an electro-pop element. 

This was one of the first tracks I had written and recorded for Pleasure Trail. I wrote it alone in my bedroom late one night when I was struggling with recurring intrusive thoughts from my OCD (something I was yet to accept was heavily impacting my life and mental wellbeing) after a therapy session where I was challenged on my hyper-perfectionist behaviours. I later re-produced the track with my close friend Jack who also mixed it. By the end of these sessions I had already decided I probably was going to scrap releasing the version we had recorded even though I was really happy with the job Jack had done as well as the photos that I got back from the shoot I'd done with another of my close friends, Maisie. 

I had planned to re-produce the track again as I really enjoyed performing this song live and how cathartic it was to express these feelings from my disorder, however, with larger Pleasure Trail things under progress and musical stylings continuing to evolve as I learn who I am as a solo artist I decided to exclusively release the mixed, unmastered version of the track that Jack sent me two years ago here on Soundcloud. 

I want to be honest, open and vulnerable and this is what this song is to me. It's a journal entry. It's admitting faults. It's accepting the need for growth and help. 

-

I strive for this perfection that’s not in my direction 
I look up at this clown - my shadow of a doubt

I’ve lost myself again, it’s 3am
I try to pull it back but I’m acting out loud
To be myself again I need to miss out
I know I need some help just not when you’re around

Could you let me down ?

Don’t look through photographs to fix the past
Should I let it drown me down or shout it out loud ?
To figure myself out I need to be less proud
I wish there was a crowd for me to walk out

All empathy is ripped right out 
It cripples me and tears me down
No future or a sane way out
My shadow of a doubt

-

Written and Produced by Pleasure Trail (@pleasure_trail)
Mixed with Additional Production and Recordings by Jack Finch (@njf.music)
Cover Photo by Maisie Skene (@35mmais)

Shadow Of A Doubt

Written and performed by Sharon Lazibyrd, recorded live in my kitchen with a violin overdub. A song with non English words, a task I set for Sunday Songwriting. Commentary on where we are today. When I see the world, I think, what is this? 

In our world what's going on
Tear gas on the streets
Leaders who are lying to us
Intimidation feats

Quand je vue le monde
Quand je vue le monde
Je pense
Qu'est-ce que c'est?

What will be the new normal
Is this pride before a fall
Are we driven to test our sight
To find out what's wrong from right

In our world what's going wrong
Fake news and trite tweets
Crisis and mismanagement
Nationalism heats

What will be our rally call
Are our eyes right off the ball
Can we unite what us divides
Stem the fears we keep inside

Quand je vue le monde
Quand je vue le monde
Je pense
Qu'est-ce que c'est?

Quand Je Vue Le Monde

Fresh On The Net is a music blog hosted by Tom Robinson and Team Freshnet, offering independent artists an open door and a level playing field for their music. Our inbox is open at http://freshonthenet.co.uk every Monday to Thursday morning - if you share a track with us there it will be heard by every member of our moderation team.

IMPORTANT: 
Only send ONE track, and make sure the dropbox says "OPEN".  Sorry, but tracks sent while the dropbox is closed - or shared drectly with this Soundcloud account - will not get heard.

Stepping On Violets - Is It Not Safer In The City (MASTER)

Songwriting Group - Creative Kilwinning

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