Los Angeles artist / producer Elohim has released a brand new collaboration with Wiz Khalifa in a new version of single “Fuck Your Money.” Speaking on the track, Elohim notes, “My mom always told me we were rich in love instead of money. It never made sense until now. Love is completely invaluable and the reason we are all here. I am grateful to have Wiz on this record. He embodies a true icon that is full of love.”
Today’s new single follows last week’s release of Elohim’s new EP titled, Braindead. The project explores Elohim’s courageous struggle with mental health – a centerpiece of her artistry and songwriting since day 1. The release is timed with the month of May in support of Mental Health Awareness Month and Elohim will donate 100% of the May proceeds from the EP to a selection ofcharities focusing on providing outreach and support for those suffering from mental health issues.
Toronto’s own quickly rising rapper, KILLY, unleashes his latest song and visual, “Swag Flu.” The track is produced by KBeaZyand is his first taste of new music prior to hitting the road this summer for a much-anticipated North American tour alongside XO rapper/producer NAV. After bursting on the scene with his disruptive single “Kilimanjaro” in 2017, the Bajan-Filipino artist has quickly become one of music’s biggest artists to watch. On the heels of the hit, his debut project Surrender Your Soulwas released last year to acclaim, featuring production work from the likes of WondaGurl, Boi-1daand more. The body of work amassed two Platinum-certified singles and earned him three 2019 JUNOAward nominations. As Hypebeastsimply put it: “Killy could be Canada’s next big superstar.” With his recent KILLSTREAKEP and a slew of singles, Killy’s sonic sensibilities, intriguing lyricism and keen ear for melody continue to set him apart from his peers, enough to already surpass over 300 million streamsacross platforms. To say Killy’s short run so far has been nothing short of astounding is an understatement.
British/Nigerian/Jamaican Alternative Pop RnB artist, Bianca Rose, returns with a new single written with and produced by Jake Isaac. Rose says ‘Run and Hide’ encourages us to feel our feelings, specifically around loss. Juxtaposing this melancholia with Jake Isaac’s musicality has created a piece of music that provides a moment to both our feelings, and also be lifted out of them: to feel but not wallow. Fearlessness is one of Rose’s life messages: systematically facing every fear until there is No Fear Here. ‘You know this is one of those songs where I didn’t know what I was writing about until I started writing it. The words became the idea. The lyrics flowed from a subconscious place, tapping into feelings of loss where emotions are so acute and all encompassing, that you want the pain to both leave and stay. The aftermath of loss can be confusing, but at the same time, past memories can be the guiding lights for the new road ahead’
In 2017, Bianca Rose released her debut album ‘No Fear Here’, which has to date received in excess of half a million streams, and was produced by critically acclaimed jazz musician and producer Femi Temowo (George Benson, Andrea Bocelli, Amy Winehouse, The Roots, ESKA & Soweto Kinch). Following the release, Bianca embarked on UK and European tours as well as continuing to write for herself and other artists. Bianca, a proud independent artist also co-founded a company I am Independent which serves to resource and support independent music artists, cross-pollinating advice and experiences from artists and music industry members alike. Bianca’s live shows have included sets for Sofar Sounds, Tigmus, London Jazz and Festival, City Showcase, The Vortex and the CrimeJazz Festival in Amsterdam and Rotterdam. With additional performances for Playstation, OH Tv & radio play on Radio 1 and 1Xtra. As lyricist in the Ready Riters song writing collective, Bianca co-wrote X-Factor contestant Annastasia Baker’s debut album, resulting in Annastasia’s 2014 MOBO nomination.
Bianca’s new single ‘Run & Hide’, produced by Jake Isaac marks a significant change in Bianca’s musical direction. It’s her most vibey track to date, introducing synth and heavy bass to create an alternative RnB track with melancholic undertones.
*repeat repeat have released their new single, “Apocalyptic,” the fourth track released from the band’s new studio album, Glazed, to be released on May 31st via Dangerbird Records. The band says, “’Apocalyptic,’ is a love song for the end of the world.”
*repeat repeat delivers a batch of songs entirely true to the album’s title: sugary and sticky and impossibly shiny, all glistening harmonies and candy-coated hooks. But beneath the gloss lies something more jarring and jagged, a raw vitality generated by the Nashville band’s buzzy rhythms and blistering guitar work. Fortified by the distinct creative alliance of husband-and-wife duo Jared and Kristyn Corder, the result is an album that finds an unlikely power in irrepressible sweetness.
There has always been something magical about nighttime. For as long as creatives have been contemplating love, life, and the meaning of it all, they have simultaneously reflected on the mystery and stillness of the night; of the moon and stars, and how the darkest part of the day is the one that leads to the brightest moments of enlightenment. For Taylor Knox, this epiphany was especially true and present on his sophomore album, Here Tonight. Forever a creature of the night, of cozying up near candlelight with a book to indulge and press pause on a hectic day or moment, Knox’s preference for night became thematically important on his second LP. Here, he thought precisely what he was thinking about—and what he wanted to do or say with it. To use this time for reflection purposely and deliberately, not wasting the gift of insight that nighttime stillness provides. “I really try to make sure the songs I write come from a place of not something I want to write but something I kind of have to get out. What I’m feeling below what I’m thinking,” he says.
Now this rising star releases the lead single “Live It Up”, which is a power pop track with crunchy, loud guitars mixed with powerful drums and catchy, anthemic hooks. You don’t want to miss out on the magic of Taylor Knox.
Bridesmen is Los Angeles based Kenton Chen, an indie neo-soul, R&B singer/songwriter who has set out to encourage others to find power within themselves and use compassion to enact change. Known for his work on NBC’s Sing-Off, as well as his performances with Postmodern Jukebox and Scary Pockets, Chen’s latest project is a radical departure from his jazz/a cappella roots. Chen strives to explore the darker side of human nature, the dichotomy of morality and how to be a good person in a world that ostracizes you, i.e. a ‘bridesmen‘ at a wedding. The root of the new project Bridesmen, is an outlet for Chen to convey the artistic side of himself, unrelated to other people. With a running theme of expressing individual freedom and responsibility, the singer narrates the emotions of loneliness and the effect it can have on people. Chen reveals, “We hurt when we don’t understand each other and we hurt when we are unwilling to change. The best thing we can do is be ourselves within the context of what we were given”. As a gay Asian second generation immigrant, he grew up feeling isolated, constantly hiding behind masks to protect himself. In Bridesmen, Chen aspires to uncover these masks in an effort to live a boundless and truthful life. “I want people to know that as I have grown and matured as an artist and a human being, I’ve come to realize that my specific experiences of being gay and Asian are not particular to me. My life story reverberates far beyond my specificities, and anyone from any race or sexuality can empathize with the need to belong and be understood”, expresses Chen.
Following the success of ‘Someone Who Loves Me’ Chen is releasing ‘Overwhelm’ which narrates the battle we have with our emotions. The songwriter reveals, “We Americans don’t talk about mental health, and the shame we attach to it is prohibiting us from addressing it head-on. It’s a vicious cycle. We feel isolated, so we produce negative thoughts, but because we don’t discuss our struggles, we feel more isolated, driving us deeper and deeper into the abyss”. The single highlights Chen’s raw vocals and minimalistic instrumentation which packs an impact through it’s passionate lyrics.
The stunning visuals for ‘Overwhelm’ showcases a dancer interpreting the song’s narrative through movement. Chen confides, “By letting them actually express themselves, I am setting my emotions free. I can learn to love the naive child and also the jaded guardian, recognize how important they are, as they guide me through The Overwhelm”.
Chen has found success performing/supporting with artists such as Katy Perry, Kesha, Sara Bareilles, Mary J. Blige and Jennifer Hudson, as well as touring with Portugal the Man and Ben Folds. His work with Postmodern Jukebox has reached over 8.6 million views on YouTube, garnering attention from across the globe.
neillfrazer@hotmail.com