We Speak Music

Mathis Akengin releases sublime debut album ‘Passage Des Fleurs’

Published

1 month ago

June 12, 2026

Don Reed

Mathis Akengin makes piano-driven pop where silence matters as much as the notes. At times, you can almost hear the flies buzzing… and the next moment everything shifts, like an elephant landing squarely in your chest.

Spotted at the Inouïs du Printemps de Bourges and later programmed at Les Eurockéennes, he’s grown outside the usual paths: first tours at the age of 13, then as a teenager taking Flixbus rides to London to jam with strangers instead of staying in class.

After working with Catfish and Dead Chic, and arranging for Matmatah, he now returns to something more direct, more stripped back.

Somewhere between the lyricism of Agnès Obel and the off-kilter dandy spirit of Baxter Dury.

Franco-Turkish, moving between two languages, with the sense that people can understand each other without saying everything.

His debut album, ‘Passage des Fleurs’, is a letter to his Turkish grandfather. A love story without instructions, where words sometimes fall short but the connection remains. The title comes from the “Çiçek Pasajı”, a passageway in Istanbul where he spent part of his youth, a place of transition where the fragile meets the powerful, the fly meets the elephant.

The album features Mathis’ recent single ‘First Floor’, which has racked up over 920,000 organic Spotify streams and shows the ability of Mathis’ moreish music to spread through avid listeners on its own volition, proving that he is an artist to take note of in 2026.

We Speak Indie Artist

How Dayton Ohio’s Raxz Turned Adversity Into Opportunity

Published

17 hours ago

July 18, 2026

MJ Savino

Every artist has a story, but few are as powerful as Raxz’s. The Dayton, Ohio native has faced challenges that could have stopped most people in their tracks. After serving an 11-year prison sentence and enduring the heartbreaking loss of both parents, he made a decision to rewrite his future through music.

A major turning point came when his mother left him a letter encouraging him to focus on his God-given talent. Her words became a source of strength and motivation, inspiring him to take his music career seriously and pursue the dreams he’d long put aside.

That dedication is paying off. Raxz has collaborated with respected artists such as Sally Sossa, Slatt Zy, and Trecinco, building a reputation for authenticity and determination. In 2022, he was recognized by XXL Magazine as an artist to watch, further validating his growing presence in the industry.

While success hasn’t come without setbacks, Raxz has remained committed to his vision. Whether battling self-doubt, maintaining consistency, or navigating the business side of music, he’s continued to push forward.

Now, he’s preparing for the release of City of Dragons, a project he describes as his most complete and hardest-hitting work to date. With production from Sauce Sinatra, Yung Steely, and members of 808 Mafia, expectations are high.

As his audience continues to grow, Raxz is proving that no matter where you’ve been, your story doesn’t have to define your future. Stream his new single “First Flight” below.