Startle Selects - November 2025

Every month, Magnus, our Head of Music Development, pulls together what he thinks are the most captivating and essential releases from that month for Startle Selects. 

Our curators can then pick and choose from this playlist as they see fit, so that playlist updates for the brands who work with us are always up to date. It’s a win-win - we get to appreciate new music, and our clients soundtrack their sites with the freshest tunes. 

As we hurtle towards the end of the year, let’s take a look at his top picks for November. 

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corner house - aboynamedblu

We think, for a lot of people, this tune has gone under the radar. And that’s a tragedy.

A new track from Indie artist aboynamedblu, “corner house” delivers us all the lo-fi warmth we need for this time of year. The song has a melancholic feel, with minimal production and personal lyrics. It’s understated but emotionally rich, perfect for late-night listening or those walks home from work in the dark.

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ON&ON - Sam Gellaitry

We dare you to listen to the first 30 seconds of this track and not be wowed.

Sam Gellaitry’s “ON&ON” is a masterclass in blending emotional depth with electronic sophistication. From the first shimmering synths, the track sets a luminous tone. Beneath the bright, layered production, the lyrics explore themes of love and trust.

What makes “ON&ON” stand out is its duality: it’s immediately groovy enough to nod along to, yet subtle enough to reward focused listening. Gellaitry’s signature punchy basslines creates a sense of motion. 

In a playlist, “ON&ON” is that track you return to when you want to feel deeply while staying in the groove - perfect for evening drives.

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Blur - Odeal

“Blur” by Odeal is a quietly powerful cut. The track moves at a gentle tempo (around 79.7 BPM) in the key of G, giving it a mellow, reflective vibe.

Lyrically, the song grapples with heartbreak, uncertainty, and the pain of letting go. The repeated refrain about “blurring the lines” emphasises confusion between love and loss.

Sonically, “Blur” feels stripped‑back: the arrangement lets Odeal’s voice sit front and centre, and the unhurried rhythm gives space for the emotional weight to settle.

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4U - Obongjayar

“4U” by Obongjayaris a tender tune which stands out as a counterbalance to the more flamboyant and high‑energy tracks from his album Paradise Now. Rather than lean on bold production or dancefloor-ready beats, it strips things back.

The song embraces a slower energy: smooth production which underlines the softness in his voice.

Lyrically and atmospherically, “4U” feels like a gentle, whispered offering of affection. 

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I’m Always On Stage - Sam Fender

Sam Fender has featured in quite a few of our Startle Selects this year, and with good reason.

In “I’m Always On Stage,” Sam Fender strips things back and offers one of his most raw tracks to date. Over gentle, finger‑picked acoustic guitar and quiet instrumentation, Fender’s vocals carry an emotional weight: this is a song about fame and the toll that touring and public life can take.

We want to give a shoutout to the lyrics in this song, with lines like “If you see me smiling it’s forceful and violent” and “You had my soul when it was vibrant before I lost it on a stage,” blowing us away on each listen.

In the context of his recent work - particularly the deluxe version of his award‑winning album People Watching - “I’m Always On Stage” represents a quieter side of Fender’s sound. Where some of his recent singles lean into soaring hooks or raw rock energy, this song pares everything down to the essentials: voice, guitar and lyricism.