Driven by a competitive hunger, MOE rhymes with verbal athleticism, undeniable charisma, and fierce individuality. Posting up nearly 10 million streams independently, and landing a high-profile placement in NBA2K20, the Orlando rapper brings an unbreakable work ethic and the spirit of competition from the court to the culture on his 2020 debut for Epic Records.
He battle-rapped among friends throughout middle school and high school before four years of college ball as a shooting guard in Virginia. Upon returning home, he turned his attention to music. Inspired by Meek Mill, Drake, J Cole, Andre 3000, JAY-Z, Future, and 21 Savage, he tirelessly practiced his craft on the mic. Simultaneously, he bounced around between jobs as a referee and at The Boys & Girls Club, Sports Authority, and a gym. In 2016, he uploaded his first song “2 Easy” followed by “Money.” During 2018, he hit his stride with the independent No Regrets project. Around the same time, he met GRAMMY® Award-winning producer Ayo [Lil Wayne, Drake, Cardi B] and hit the studio. He unleashed the Rich Dreamin’ EP powered by the single “Outta There.” Over kinetic production from Ayo, he drops highly quotable rhymes before a hard-hitting hook. Tipped to MOE early on, Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon became friends with the rising rapper. Through his friendship with Gordon, Moe connected with the team at 2K, and the track featured in NBA2K20. Within a few months, it generated 4.3 million Spotify streams and 1.4 million YouTube views as he landed a deal with Epic Records. As he prepares more releases, MOE has his sights set on the championship.
photo credit: Garret Hayes
Alt-pop act Kyd the Band (aka Devin Guisande) releases his new genre-bending EP Season 3: The Realization via Sony Music. The body of work is a sincere expression of Kyd the Band’s vulnerability, self-reflection, and ultimate realization. “I feel like I’m finally realizing who I am as a person and an artist, and why. I feel like I’m finally starting to accept it.” Guisande says. “For a long time I wanted to ignore that I’m the son of a preacher and that faith and all of my personal experiences in the church (whether negative or positive) are all that made me into who I am. I’ve done a lot of things I’m not proud of and that used to torture me every day, and I’ve done a lot of things I am proud of, but I’m realizing that’s all a part of life. I’m realizing that the people that I love are what matter most in my life.”
Started by singer-songwriter/video artist Alex Pulec, The Nursery is an alternative rock trio with songs comment on the intense emotions of youth, contrasting themes of fear, rebellion, obsession, desire and alienation. After bursting onto the scene with their tongue-in-cheek breakout single “Everybody’s Famous”, The Nursery has earned song rotation and interviews on mainstream and independent radio stations in Canada, The United States and Mexico. Upon releasing their debut album Life After Wartime, the Nursery quickly became one of most exciting independent bands in Canada. Pulec’s songwriting effortlessly mixes the haunting intensity of The Cure, the bold sensuality of Julian Casablancas and the razor sharp classic pop song-craft of The 1975. The Nursery’s signature production style mixes post-punk intensity, psychedelic landscapes and larger than life melodies. Creating a sense of atmospheric eeriness, while feeling comfortably warm and familiar. The dynamic mix of sweet and sour subject matter and sounds are the core of their identity and charm.
2020 sees The Nursery teaming up with Michael Fong (Electric Youth, Wintersleep) and Nick Boyd (Dizzy, Hollerado, Royal Mountain) to produce their new album, Candy + Gloom. Their sophomore release is poised to generate significant momentum cementing the next chapter The Nursery’s exciting story.
Eighty Ninety — the NYC based alt-pop project of brothers Abner (vocals, production) and Harper (guitar, production) James — share their new singe, “Better as Friends”. Following the brothers’ previous release “Happier,” “Better as Friends” is the second single from Eighty Ninety’s forthcoming sophomore EP. The EP was created in collaboration with Grammy-nominated producer Gian Stone (Maroon 5, Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, Halsey, Dua Lipa).
Both cinematic and intimate, “Better as Friends” is a dreamy mix of contemporary pop and hazy chillwave production propelled by a driving pulse that culminates in a yearning, widescreen chorus complete with soaring melodies, lush arrangements and the band’s distinctive guitar work. As with all of Eighty Ninety’s tracks, “Better as Friends” uses deeply personal lyrics to connect with universal themes and feelings, exploring the powerful pull to stay connected with someone you once loved despite how painful it can be. “It’s about the desire to live in the past rather than face the end, and how loving someone can mean wanting the best for them even if that no longer includes you,” Abner and Harper write.
Eighty Ninety first broke out with their hit 2016 single, “Three Thirty,” which climbed to #2 on Spotify’s Global Viral Charts and was closely followed by their debut EP Elizabeth. Since then, the duo’s music has garnered over 26 million streams, featured on numerous Spotify playlists (New Music Friday, Pop Rising, Indie Pop, Chill Vibes, Viral Hits, and many more) and was even hand-picked by Taylor Swift for her official Spotify playlist “Songs Taylor Loves.”
The NYC based duo’s songs fuse intimate storytelling, sticky melodies, and minimalist pop productions built on acoustic instruments and electronic sounds in a style they call “808s and telecasters” — a shorthand for both their music and their anything-goes mentality in the studio. “We let the emotional arc of the song, rather than any set of genre conventions, lead us to instruments and sounds,” the brothers say of their process.
Vox Rea supplies a soundtrack to the confusion (and euphoria) of coming of age in a postmodern world. With a sound as impulsive and fluctuating as the life of the 20-somethings they are, their special brand of noir pop blends strings arrangements and harmonies into the dreamy collection of songs on their self-titled debut.
Vox Rea features Kate Kurdyak (lead vocals/piano/guitar/bass), her sister Lauren Kurdyak (vocals/piano), childhood best friend Kaitlyn Hansen-Boucher (vocals/percussion) and Berklee-alum Mitchell Schaumberg (vocals/piano/guitar/bass). Kate and Lauren lean on their classical background, featuring violin and piano respectively. Kaitlyn is an accomplished vocalist and all three women grew up singing in choirs together.
The three women formed The Katherines and released their debut album, To Bring You My Heart, on 604 Records. The album garnered over a million spins on Spotify with songs featured on playlists including New Music Friday, Pop All Day, Hot Hits Canada, Indie Pop Chillout and the Canada Viral 50 chart. Their songs can also be heard in TV shows like Orphan Black, Reboot and The Order. The band has been featured in media outlets like Vice, MTV, Vancouver Sun and the National Post and has performed on morning shows in Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver. Accompanied by a top-notch backing band, the female trio has delivered enchanting performances at venues across Canada, captivating audiences at festivals like Rifflandia, NXNE, Juno Fest, Canada Day Vancouver, and Denim on the Diamond.
photo credit: Dominik Wilzok
Multi-award-winning band Tokio Hotel look back on 15 years of unparalleled success and remarkable growth, releasing a modern synth-pop rendition of their epic worldwide hit “Monsoon” in English via Epic / Sony Music Germany. “‘Monsoon’ means change. It’s the song that changed our lives completely.” explains Bill Kaulitz. “When we decided to make a new version of ‘Monsoon’ the idea we had was to make an acoustic record, let’s arrange it with an orchestra and do something nice with the 2020 version but it just felt boring. We had to do something special for 15 years of this track that started it all for us.” added Tom Kaulitz. While notably a sonic departure from their early alt-rock roots, “Monsoon 2020” maintains its profound lyricism over a driving beat, mellow guitars, lush vocals, and a melody both close enough and yet entirely different to the original – all of which makes the song a nostalgic tribute to the past and a gorgeous glance into the future.
Soul-stirring and culturally immersed, East London’s hottest DJ and production duo 633 return with their release of single ‘Take Control’ featuring Nizzy, Drowze, Kidalpha and OB Flamez.
STREAM/DOWNLOAD/LISTEN: 633 – TAKE CONTROL
Making a strong entry to 2020 by working with artists including KSI, AJ Tracey and JME, 633 also dropped their debut single ‘Run Around’, which received strong support across Kiss Fresh, BBC Radio 1Xtra, theresnosignal and over 120,000 streams via Spotify. In addition to their production and artist elevation, long-term friends Jevanni Letford (“Royal Wedding DJ” / KSI’s Official DJ / Reprezent Radio) and Eugene Diabour (D Double E), haven’t stopped to take the foot off the gas, with the year seeing them perform at the worlds biggest radio rave ‘Kiss Fest’ alongside names including Calvin Harris, Joel Corry, Gorgon City and Rachel Anson. The final piece of the 2020 puzzle comes as their sophomore release, ‘Take Control’ touches down and they tip it to be the “biggest close to the year.”
Representing the most exciting components of UK Afro-Caribbean culture and drawing upon Afrobeats, R&B and dancehall influences, 633 have found their power in creating unique, melodic and memorable records. “We drafted in Nizzy, Drowze, OB Flames and Kid Alpha to give it an authentic UK Afro sound”, say Jevanni and Eugene who are self-releasing the track. The instrumentation includes ambient swaying chords floating around the foundation of the song and the simple fall to the floor drum beat and afrocentric percussion adds movement. Each individual talent and element come together to display the musical skill and chemistry they have to offer.
Mapping out their own exceptional solo careers respectively, Jevanni has built a strong name as a DJ seeing him support and work with the likes of Skepta, Nile Rogers, Tinie Tempah, Talib Kweli and Kanye West as well as appearing on BBC Sports Relief and making a cameo in the 2018 Snickers TV ad as DJ in Sir Elton John’s hip hop house party. Eugene has gained credits and worked with Cheryl, Kele le Roc, UK hip hop Legend Sway as well as D Double E, Fallacy and many others, so the combination of talents to form the duo, aided by their lengthy friendship, is proving to be a magnificent one.
artist and songwriter Tessa Violet has released new single “Words Ain’t Enough” featuring singer-songwriter Chloe Moriondo. The song is available everywhere now here. Watch the lyric video here.
Detailing the origins behind this knockout collaboration, which comes from her debut album Bad Ideas, Tessa notes, “While I was on tour with COIN in the spring of 2019, I had a few headline shows here and there while on the road. I was looking for some local support options around the country and fans had recommended Chloe Moriondo (which was funny because she could have easily headlined a show that size herself, if not way bigger). But she ended up agreeing and flying out to Chicago for a Valentine’s Day show! I actually brought her out to sing ‘Words Ain’t Enough’ with me that night, so this collaboration has been in the stars for a while!”
Chloe Moriondo adds: “Tessa is an amazing musician and person so it was really fun and natural to do this version of one of my favorite songs of hers together!! Being allowed to be a part of the beautiful music she creates is an honor.”
Further delving into the song’s inspiration, Tessa describes:
- “I was staying at Dodie‘s place in London a few years ago and she happened to be out for the day, so I started writing this song. As I’m sure a lot of people have experienced with their friends, she was hung up on a guy that wasn’t treating her with the love and respect that she (and frankly, everyone) deserves. But when things like that happen with your friends, you can’t really tell them to stop – they won’t listen. At the time, I told myself I wrote this song from her perspective about this guy, but when I look back on it, I was also writing from my own experience having been in her position many times. Sometimes I tell myself I’m writing a song from someone else’s experience because it’s too scary to admit it’s actually from my own experience, too.”
Just in time for your dark and moody fall playlists, Quinn Pickering releases his new single ‘Ultraviolet’ out today through How Weird Sounds.
‘Ultraviolet’ is the 2nd single from Quinn’s new EP Supernova, which is set for release on November 13th. Much like his previous single, ‘Grapefruit’ (released on September 18th), ‘Ultraviolet’ examines the end of a relationship. But where ‘Grapefruit’ was full of nostalgic, melancholic longing for a past relationship, ‘Ultraviolet’ examines the parts that hurt and things left unsaid, creating a dark, introspective soundscape with a hint of an 80s vibe.
“‘Ultraviolet’ is about watching a relationship fall apart and not being able to do anything about it,” says Quinn. “Sometimes people grow apart with important things left unsaid, and the chorus highlights the confusion and frustration that arises when the situation is beyond your control. It taps into questions such as, why things so clear to you, can go unnoticed by someone else. Ultraviolet light is unseen and yet vital for survival, much like communication in a relationship.”
Raised in a suburb just outside of Vancouver, Canada, to a musical family of Métis descent, Quinn’s interest and passion for music and songwriting led to the formation of his first band, World Is History, when he was just nine years old. Earlier this year, he signed with Vancouver record label How Weird Sounds to release Supernova, a five song EP executive produced by Howard Redekopp and produced, mixed and engineered by Stefan Nowarre. Set for release on November 13th, Supernova showcases Quinn’s youthful energy and love of classic songwriting, and puts his voice at the centre of it all. Quinn has shown a remarkable gift for connecting with audiences through his songs, and at just twenty years old, there’s no telling how much more he’s capable of.
The band’s three members share a long list of studio and touring credits and collectively have worked with rock legends like Tom Morello, Siouxsie Sioux, Slash, Morrissey, Liz Phair, Scott Weiland, Tegan and Sara, and bands like Jane’s Addiction and Weezer. They’ve also had their hands in the pop world, though it is clear that its influence is positively nil. Their unique brand of noisy power-pop with doomy riffs charts a different sonic course, harkening more to the loud drum and guitar squalls that Kris and Ginger experienced as newlyweds on Smashing Pumpkins tours.
Their debut EP is a critique of the hierarchy of our value system. Ginger shares, “It’s nothing new for music to be a voice of criticism of our culture. That is the purpose of a lot of art. This is just my way of expressing my frustration with the priorities of modern society. Valuing money over everything, undervaluing women and people of color. Hopefully our songs make people who are of the same accord feel heard and supported. There is so much injustice in the world, we hope to be a part of the solution in some small way.”
Bands like Burning Pools are supposed to play shows — and to the list of the world’s upended plans of 2020 we add the dream of taking these songs beyond streaming platforms to the stage where a power trio can actually be one in real time. For now, Burning Pools will be releasing singles from their forthcoming EP.
Trash-wave trailblazers, Me Nd Adam, is the depraved result of a relationship between a self-loathing egotist and a boisterous, red-headed emotional wreck. After meeting in New Orleans and hating each other, Adam & Vince parted ways. Unfortunately, there can be no despair without hope, no discord without union, no darkness without light. Thus, Adam & Vince came to realize they had no choice but to embrace their differences and craft the emotionally turbulent, alternative pop duo, Me Nd Adam. Now living the dream in a small apartment in Austin, they’re sharing their hope-tinged despair with the world.
Over the past year, the band has been refashioning its sound, embracing their Texas roots with a traditional rock aesthetic in instrumentation, lyrics, and arrangement, while retaining elements of their original alt electro-pop style. The new vibe is reminiscent of classic American songwriters like Tom Petty and Bruce Springsteen with a contemporary twist of pop production like heavy hitters Marshmello and Louis Bell. The band’s influences range from Willie Nelson to Meek Mill, Jason Isbell to Blink 182.
“The More I Grow Up” is a coming of age story. Focusing on change and how in that process we can come to question our innate value to the world and ourselves. Vince confides, “We’d just been to New York chasing big dreams and wound up blowing all our money and getting drunk for a couple years. We were on our last dollar, eating lettuce tacos and using our gas oven set to 500 degrees to stay warm.” Inspired by the likes of The Killers, “The More I Grow Up” is the duo’s own twist on indie/synth, featuring big synth-rock energy with a heartland rock edge. Adam shares, “I’m proud to say me nd Vince bootstrapped this one and produced, engineered, and mixed it by ourselves. I think because of that, it’s true to the vision we had for the song.”
Me Nd Adam have garnered millions of streams across DSPs, with their music garnering acclaim from the likes of Rolling Stone, American Songwriter, Wonderland Magazine and The Line of Best Fit. They have also received notable sync placements, such as MTV’s ‘Real World’. The music video for their most recent single “Heartbreak Kid” was a finalist at the Austin Music Video Festival, nominated for Video of the Year.
After honing their live show at venues like Irving Plaza and The Fonda, Me Nd Adam opened to a sold-out crowd for Big Freedia at the Mohawk in Austin. Since then, the band has been tearing through the Austin music scene with appearances at Pride Fest ATX, Mohawk, Emo’s, The Parish and a sold-out headline performance at Stubb’s.
American Drip Part I, is out this fall via Las Vegas-based indie Handwritten Records.
Sam DeRosa delivers emotional pop perfection with new single “Sad Faces” out globally today. The new tune is the third offering lifted from her highly anticipated debut EP The Medicine due out November 13th via Monument Records.
“Sad Faces” details a powerful narrative, one that shines a light on mental health awareness in contrast with its upbeat melody. The singer-songwriter’s candid lyricism eclipses over a magnetic drumline that has you hooked instantly, positioning Sam DeRosa as not only a force behind the scenes but a new relatable face in the incredible squad of artists who are sharing sincere pop music with the world (à la Julia Michaels and Sasha Sloan). Struggling with doubt and apprehension after relocating to LA, Sam admits, “I felt like I got everything I wanted in music and in life, and my Instagram looked all sorts of ‘happy,’ but my mental health was just in the toilet.” On the track, she laments, “I just wanna feel fine… But I don’t know how to deal, don’t know how to heal all of the chaos in my mind… Tired of ending all my sentences with sad faces. Tired of taking all my happy thoughts to bad places. And I really wanna change. I really wanna be okay, but it’s hard when everybody’s got the same sad faces.”
This past September, Sam DeRosa revealed “321” after a brief lapse in content due to the ongoing pandemic, much like several others in the music industry. Penning the track from her own experience bumping into an ex, Sam perfectly captures the universal emotional turmoil that takes over you from the unexpected encounter. Sam tells PARADE, “‘321’ was a concept and title I’d been wanting to write for a while.” She explains, “It’s a moment that we all experience in a break up: the late night, sometimes tipsy, moment of regret…when you tend to go crazy in your thoughts and think that you’ve made a mistake and after all this time, you want this person back. But do you really? It’s a vulnerable and honest story that 90% of us have experienced.”
Equal parts cool girl and the girl next door, Sam DeRosa is the best friend music lovers didn’t know they had. Sam notes, “The whole idea of my EP is supposed to feel like I’m walking myself through my own love rehab. From track 1 until the final track, I really wanted it to feel like each track is a full day of healing and processing your emotions.” She continues, “Hopefully my fans will hear this and feel like I’m right there with them – whether we are stumbling home, dancing around the house, or crying it out on the bedroom floor. I’ve been there, so I’ll sing them through it.”
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=TtXSzAOxTeI&list=RDAMVMTtXSzAOxTeI
Prolific and versatile artist Ay Em has been busy this year releasing music for his fans, and it doesn’t stop there with new track “Back To The Wave” showcasing his unmistakeable, unique sound of melodic rap blended with trap, afro swing and Arabic sounds. A concoction of two different tracks and videos merged into one, only someone as slick as Ay Em could pull off a vibe like this and make it sound effortless.
The one of a kind artist has been rapidly building his profile not only in the UK music scene but also in Morocco, Belgium and France too has gaining a strong and loyal fanbase. Working with some of the most sought-after artists such as M Huncho on Seasick”, Dappy on “Oh My”, Geko and French Montana on “New Money” and more, adding his charismatic sound and style to create hit records.
After gaining notoriety in the underground scene with hits such as “Snowflake” a hazy trap track and “Come To Me” ft Afro B and Geko in 2018, he performed at his sold out headline show at the 02 Islington Academy2 in 2019 following the release of his anticipated debut EP ‘Detour’. His subsequent debut mixtape ‘Roll The Dice’ released earlier this year and featured appearances from M Huncho, Aystar, Ard Adz and Young Smokes to name but a few.
‘Back To The Wave’ is an exciting statement release from Ay Em who will be releasing a lot more impressive music this year in his rise to the top.
Six-time Juno Award winner Serena Ryder is thrilled to release her new single “Waterfall” along with the music video featured on Under the Radar.
“Waterfall” is the second single from Serena Ryder’s upcoming album, The Art of Falling Apart. The 10-track, 25-minute project chronicles Serena’s years of struggle with mental health and her journey from mental illness to wellness. “Waterfall” is about the importance of crying. Serena describes the song:
“I have so many feelings that I have swallowed, and they add up, coming out one way or another – often by bypassing the truth, getting angry, defensive, even masking with partying or bad relationships. I’ve found that tears are actually the best way to heal, because we actually release healing hormones when we cry. I’d love to normalize crying, and this is a song about the many times tears have healed me.”
This is the second step on the journey to learning The Art of Falling Apart.
Australia-based singer-songwriter, pianist, author and life coach Nalini Tranquim releases her new single, “Your Love”. The song is the culmination of 15 years of emotional turmoil as a young wife and mother whose faith helped her overcome tremendous challenges. “Your Love”, a love song to God, is now available on all digital platforms.
“Your Love”, the new single by Nalini Tranquim — out now
Yawn is a project by artist and musician Julia McDougall. Prior to moving west, Julia lived and worked as a musician in Berlin and produced her self-titled EP alongside Polaris prize nominee Andy Shauf. A long time member of Canada’s folk music scene, Julia aims to extend the intimacy of her work to her audience: her performances are familiar, close, and connected. Yawn’s debut EP listed at number one on CITR radio and was included in the top 100 albums played by CITR in 2019. Yawn was also shortlisted as finalists in CITR’s Shindig competition.
Julia’s songwriting leads Yawn’s dream-pop sound. Simultaneously hopeful and resigned, Yawn captures the stasis of our lives caught between technology and the natural. In 2020, Julia was accepted to an International songwriting residency at Banff’s prestigious Centre for the Arts in March of 2020, cut short by the novel coronavirus.
Tia’s latest single “Always” brings the second half of Holy Holy into the mix, with Tim Carroll sharing vocal duties on the song, complimenting Oscar’s bass and production. “Always” follows on from singles “Rush” and “Psycho” which have pushed Tia’s profile even higher with love from right around the globe. Fans can look forward to an album rich with nods to her indie, guitar folk past, while celebrating a world of dance floors and blurry festival weekends with songs . The album features a brand new remix of previous “Get To It”, reimagined and mixed from the ground up by Oscar Dawson.
“Before the songs were even finished I knew I wanted Oscar Dawson to produce the record. He’s a gun and I was obsessed with all of the music coming out that he was producing. I met up with him in Brisbane and we instantly got along so well. Going into record this album I obviously knew a bit more than I did recording ‘Thick Skin’ and I was a bit more inclined to have more involvement musically. I played bass, piano and synth on some songs which was really important to me and i’m so grateful that Oscar was so patient with me. He really pushed me to go to places vocally and musically that I probably wouldn’t have done without him which I am also super grateful for!” – Tia Gostelow
Tia Gostelow’s “Strangers” has cracked over 11 Million streams on Spotify just a few months after the single was certified Gold. The song featured on Tia’s debut album Thick Skin which picked up a Queensland Music Award for Album Of The Year, Triple J Feature album which added to her ever growing list of accolades including her last several singles being added to high rotation on Triple J and stations around Australia and internationally.
Born in North West London, Treasure’s family relocated to the Countryside in the early 2000’s trading the busy city life for the suburban serenity, a feeling present throughout his catalogue. Inspired by the likes of Frank Ocean, Choker, HOMESHAKE, The Internet and D’Angelo, his laidback production and genre-merging tendencies provide a nostalgia based backdrop for his lush soulful harmonies. Treasure, a.k.a Kelvin Beyioku, wears his emotions on his sleeve. He transverses his musical world with this heightened sense of vulnerability, creating a space where he and the listener can rest at ease with no fear of judgement.
The latest EP, Nostalgia: The Prelude is the first half of Treasure’s Nostalgia Series. Drawing on feeling’s of deep nostalgia, Treasure uses memories of old, cosmic desperation and his whimsical approach to life to weave an ethereal palate of sonically different but similar songs. Much like his first two projects Treasure opts for downtempo grooves albeit with a refreshingly raw pop twist.
Honest, abstract and covert, Treasure invites you into his world of a discrete nothingness and everything all at once. Each creation is a surreal fragment of his soul, drawing on psychedelic pop, jazz, neo-soul, and a multitude of experimental elements leaving undefinable as a whole. Creating from a place of self-discovery, he uses a unique plethora of musical tools, tones and vocal inflexions to display a wide array of emotions too grand to put into words.
Raw in his approach, his self-produced and bedroom-recorded albums have quickly found themselves featured on many notable blogs, garnering attention from Live Nation’s Ones To Watch, Wonderland, EARMILK, and multiple stations on the BBC Radio circuit. He has also received extensive playlisting from the likes of Spotify official playlists, COLORS, Apple Music and Starbucks.
(Photo Credit: Miynt)
Stockholm artist Miynt has released a brand new AA-side single consisting of tracks “Give me palm trees and inner peace” and “Lovesong,” out now via B3SCI Records. Listen to the release in full now here. Watch the self-produced, stop motion video for “palm trees” now here.
The pair of new tracks are a pivot towards Miynt’s guitar-driven roots, unleashing her most raw, grunge-inspired work to-date. A slick showcase of Miynt’s lyrical dexterity brimming with coy observation and self-aware introspection, the songs address the inexorable digital ubiquity of modern day human connection. Put tersely, Miynt says the tracks are “songs about the internet.”
Self-written and co-produced by Miynt, with additional production by Karl Hovmark and mastering by Pete Lyman (St. Vincent, Halsey, Twin Peaks, Best Coast), “Give me palm trees and inner peace” and “Lovesong” are a mature evolution of Miynt’s sonic palette and a bold addition to her growing repertoire.
After steadily building his name in the UK music scene with a host of releases such as “No Corn” and “Tango” from 2018 onwards, Lavish K drops his first single of 2020 produced by Hannah V “Yo Sho”, a juxtaposition to his other tracks, showcasing a different vibe and element to not only his music but his personality. The track is a breath of fresh air, with positive, uplifiting vibes in the lyrics.
The vibrant 18-year year old from South London is still relatively new to the scene and has really only started taking music seriously. Before he saw it as more of a hobby after discovering he was good at it.
He is now coming back with full-force and showcasing his new approach to rap with this single, fusing it with different melodies, and showing his love for diverse sounds and instruments which you can hear on “Yo Sho”. This will leave his fans and music lovers wanting more from the young artist.
“The track was made when I was in first year collage. Rimes got in contact with a female producer called Hannah V who made the perfect instrumental for me. A year later there’s a video for it. For a whole year I’ve had people hunting me down for the song they was even unfollowing me because I was trying to make it perfect. Now I can finally present it to the world”.
A laid-back, rap track, Lavish K is showing that he is a versatile artist who won’t let barriers stop him making music that he loves.
Photo Credit: Edward Cooke
The most prolific, innovative and defining British acts of the past ten years sadly announced the news this week that their forthcoming project “All The Smoke” due 23rd October will be their last.
After Dizzee dropped “Act Like You Know” the Smoke Boys single off of his forthcoming album “E3AF”, Smoke Boys have now announced their new single “Justin Bieber” featuring the Grime legend off of their new and last ever project. With the whole EP produced by MK The Plug, this track combines both the strength of drill & grime for a futuristic style beat, track and video
Their lyrical energies ride with ease over the vibrant production, with it’s skippy drums, garage-esque vocals, big 808’s and metallic eastern samples, with Dizzee Rascal gliding in for the final verse on top form, adding his charm, charismatic delivery and effortless flows. Smoke Boys and Dizzee Rascal have both shown how two genres can fit so fluidly and gracefully together.
Although this will be their last project as a group, there will be more to follow from Deepee, Swift, Sleeks, Littlez, Inch, and Knine as solo artists, and their last project together promises to end with a bang.
“It’s a time to go our separate ways & onto different ventures but it’s all love still & you can expect solo & collaborative projects in the future from all of us.
This is our second track with Dizzee. We all watched & listened to him growing up & saw him make a huge impact on the music industry which has been an inspiration to us. It’s been a pleasure & a highlight for us to work with Dizzee. This is 2 major eras linking up, let’s go!!”
Okabe’s musical resume is as colourful as his genre-blending music. His shimmering guitar melodies and gritty vocals have drawn comparisons to the likes of Arctic Monkeys, Alabama Shakes, and Tame Impala. Now the Toronto based multi-instrumentalist is set to release his new single “Wait” in October.
Okabe’s illustrious body of work includes touring as a support act with the likes of The Offspring, Sam Roberts Band, and The Tea Party with rock based outfit Pigeon Park. After a decade spent toiling through the ranks of dive bars to arenas, the band burst into flames in glorious fashion. After a self-imposed exile around the world spent searching for answers in a post band life, a decision eventually came to diving into a solo project for the first time. Okabe moved across the Pacific and set up shop in Melbourne, Australia to redefine what playing music meant to him. New growth began to take root and with it – a new musical direction. Blending elements of blues, jazz, and alternative pop, he began to find his own unique sound.
The new single digs deep, brought on by feelings of angst, love for something you cannot have, something that is just out of reach. Building on his body of work as a solo artist “Wait” continues that growth – forging an endless path of musical discovery.
Indie-pop singer/songwriter Cloe Wilder releases her new single “Call Me If You Need Me” today along with the official video – listen to the song on all platforms HERE and watch the video on YouTube HERE. Stunning synths surround Cloe’s angelic vocals in the new single, making it her dreamiest pop release yet. “Call Me If You Need Me” takes the listener inside of Cloe’s mind, as she decides to leave the typical teenager path laid out for her behind and pursue her dreams in Los Angeles. Directed by Bobby Hanaford (Vic Mensa, Ava Max), the new music video creates a dark, vibey mood and plays into the song’s title, complete with a phone booth. Fans can also check out the new song on Cloe’s phone line and leave a personalized message at 877-791-CLOE. Cloe will perform “Call Me If You Need Me”, “It’s True” + more tonight during her Backyard Session – tune in at 5 PM PST and watch the performance on her Instagram HERE.
K-Pop Rookie boy band, CRAVITY, have released a bright and fun choreography video for their funk-based song “Ohh Ahh.” The song comes off their 2nd album, CRAVITY SEASON2. [HIDEOUT: THE NEW DAY WE STEP INTO], which was released back in August. Consisting of 9 members [Serim, Allen, Jungmo, Woobin, Wonjin, Minhee, Hyeongjun, Taeyoung, and Seongmin]; CRAVITY has garnered the title “Super Rookie” over in Korea, due to the success of their debut album, which also hit No. 1 on U.S. @iTunes Top K-Pop Albums chart, making them the first #Kpop rookie group to debut in 2020 to earn this achievement. CRAVITY also recently took home their first Korean Music Show Trophy since their debut, which was only in April of this year.
(Photo Courtesy: Orin Fleurmont)
Singer, songwriter and sonic anomaly MUNI LONG returns today with the highly anticipated release of her second single “Breakin Up” – a soft, sultry, mid-tempo ode to ending a relationship that has seemingly ran its course. The Phillip R. Lopez directed video travels with MUNI LONG through evolving scenes exploring depth, tone and a moody texture – a perfect compliment to her already expressive yet intentional fashion prowess. You can stream and watch “Breakin Up” everywhere now!
Tafari (pronounced Ta-far-eye) Anthony is a Toronto based artist whose music blends Pop, R&B and Soul. He is an artist who embodies the spirit of the modern musician. Not just a musician, but a creator. Known for his sleek vocal tones, sultry melodies and music which oozes with personality, Tafari leaves listeners in awe – somewhat apt considering his name means “He who inspires awe”.
His influences range from artists like Prince and John Legend, to more contemporary artists like Lennon Stella and Charlie Puth, among others. Often described as a mix of Sam Smith and MNEK, Tafari creates deeply emotional songs that resonate across generations. “All of these artists are creating music that is pop in its own right, but also so different from each other”, shares the musician.
Having taken a break from music in 2018 to focus on creating new material which explored his own personal soundscape, Tafari returned early 2020 with the release of his pop anthems, “Centerfold” and “Live in a Dream.” Now he unveils the emotional “No Good,” produced by Alexander Flockhart (Off Bloom, Vera, Malou Prytz, What So Not, Kill J).
The impassioned song narrates how some relationships are just no good for us, yet we somehow still end up pursuing them for whatever reason. Tafari confides, “It takes a lot of self-reflection to be able to realize these patterns in ourselves and even more to get out of them once we are aware. No Good is the come down and reflection after Centerfold’s blow up! Realizing that you crave the unhealthiness of the relationship. Personally, I often let people treat me like shit for way longer than I should – but once I’m done, I’m done.”
Having found influence in female powerhouse vocalists such as Seinabo Sey, King Princess and Alicia Keys, “No Good” delivers a classic vibe, but through a modern approach. Tafari’s raw, almost broken vocals portray sincerity in his lyrics, while the powerful production emits a fiery atmosphere. The stunning, heartfelt ballad oozes nostalgia with Tafari reminiscing of a love now lost.
Tafari has seen success with his music garnering acclaim from the likes of PAPER Magazine, Gay Times and MTV to name a few. He has been nominated for a Toronto Independent Music Award and receives regular airplay on CBC Radio, with one of his singles being named one of CBC’s Most Influential Songs of 2016. The singer has also performed alongside Shangela (RuPaul’s Drag Race) and has performed at Toronto’s Dundas Square and Massey Hall. “No Good” is off of the upcoming EP The Way You See Me, due later this year.
Toronto based urban pop band 3409 effortlessly moves between dance, hip-hop, and world music to create a blend of rhythm and blues wrapped in youthful enthusiasm. What started as a class project between Humber music business students quickly evolved into an experiment in creative management once the last piece fell into place. Using laid back atmospheric production, their songs are centered on the contrast between Dante’s swagger-laden storytelling and Ro’s vulnerable delivery. Together the four-piece create anthemic memoirs for those pursuing self-discovery and happiness, despite the trials life may throw their way.
Continuing to dazzle in her breakout year with stellar singles and her debut EP, Josie Proto keeps listeners entertained with the release of her brand-new single “Champagne Fizzles”. Captivating with its swaying solitary guitar melody and wistful charm, “Champagne Fizzles” is a beautifully led acoustic affair that doubles down on Josie’s vulnerable side. Drawing comparisons to the likes of Kate Nash and Norah Jones, Josie’s penchant for song writing brings life to love in its everyday reality, with the endearing charm to her voice helping to paint the perfect picture. Capturing the essence and mood with DIY-style visuals that transport us to peaceful country roads, “Champagne Fizzles”, as a complete offering, re-affirms her pedigree as an artist of real substance.
Swedish indie guitar slingers Tribe Friday bring youthful energy, irrepressible pop hooks, and garage rock together for the release of their Waiting For A Sign EP, out today. Listen, here.
Also today, they release the limited edition 12″ vinyl pressing of Chasing Pictures/Waiting For A Sign. This vibrant collection of kaleidoscopic indie pop features their March 2020 digital EP, Chasing Pictures, on side A, with the Waiting For A Sign EP on side B. Forged in the forest towns of central Sweden, Tribe Friday have built a sound that both embraces their natural surroundings in their honest, unvarnished lyrics, and reaches outwards into sweaty city dance-floors with explosively bright arrangements.
photo credit: Felicity Davies
To understand what an incredible feat it is for someone like Hoger to pursue a career within music we must go back in time… to a period when Hoger was a young boy that could not speak yet he could sing. He sang and danced on tabletops to the delight of his parents and the rest of the family who didn’t think much of it. He was a cute kid, a born entertainer, but no one ever expected him to do anything with his talent. In fact no one would allow it.
When Hoger took his first steps towards becoming an artist he was faced with heavy resistance from his parents and extended family. It was unheard of that Hoger, who came from a strict Middle Eastern family, would be allowed to follow that path. Music was just a hobby, not a career. Hoger’s own father had been forced by his parents to give up his dreams of pursuing arts as a young man and believed his son would be better off following in the same footsteps. Now with his family’s unconditional love and support, he is putting in 110% and encourages everyone to do the same. Hoger’s dream was terribly out of reach, yet he continued to hone his skills, teaching himself to write and record music in his bedroom and passing this onto his little sister. Hoger’s perseverance amid his family’s reservations and the industry’s demands demonstrates his strong passion for music. Giving up is not an option.
His music deals with universal themes such as love and pain, self-doubt and inner battles, where his honest emotions are expressed alongside melancholic pop melodies. Every song is written in the shape of a story with a corresponding video shot in the form of a short movie.
Hoger’s latest release “Same Mistakes” is about falling in love with a toxic person or being stuck in a toxic relationship where you somehow were lucky enough to finally find a way out, however for some reason, you keep going back and making the same mistakes. Hoger confides, “You tell yourself that you will never ever go down that route once more, because you don’t ever want to feel like that again. However, life doesn’t work in a stable and logical way that would make sense and you somehow fall for the same person again OR for someone similar. For some weird reason you love this person and that’s the beauty in the pain; you love and accept the way it breaks you up in pieces.”
Singer/songwriter Andria Piperni is creating a jazz-tinged alternative R&B/soul, reminiscent of Corinne Bailey Rae with a Daniel Caesar twist. Her inspiration comes in part from the everyday human experience, as well as the surreal episodes of her vivid dreams. After a brief time living in Paris, she returned to her hometown of Montreal with a shifted perspective on what “living” truly means, and ultimately followed the calling of her truest life, one of sharing stories and lessons through music.
In 2018, her debut single “Say Something” made its way onto Canada’s R&B/Soul iTunes chart, and her music has since garnered acclaim from EARMILK, Refinery29, Popdust, and more. With 2020 bringing a whole new outlook on life as we know it, Andria delivers her own reflective collection of waking moments in her debut EP, Who’s Counting?, set to release early next year.
Canadian songstress Mimika has always been a sucker for stories. Raised in a rural area of Brampton, ON Mimika spent her early years writing stories, poems and scripts. She cites her childhood as being a time of complete freedom and mass creativity fuelled further by the nonstop stream of music flowing through her house.
Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, Destiny’s Child and Celine Dion are some of the first entertainers she remembers hearing. These artists inspired Mimika from a young age to decide she was going to be a performer. Combining her passion for writing captivating tales with her inherent need to entertain she began performing her own music before she was in high school.
Now, Mimika’s moved on to a new stage in her life and career. Having recently been featured in the likes of All Access and CLOUT Magazine as well as Live in Limbo, her newest release, “My Feelings Hurt,” is the second instalment in her new micro-mixtape series. The series is meant to capture some of the most intimate and important times in Mimika’s life with a focus on two or three distinct emotions within each release.
Indie pop singer-songwriter VALE is thrilled to release her new single “without you” along with a brand new music video. The track explores how much better life can be when you share it with someone you care about and how that feeling of absence is magnified during this pandemic.
“Everyone has that one person that makes every situation or moment ten times better. The song is kind of a way of me telling that person, ‘hey, I really like having you around, and you just make everything seem so much better for me, so please stay with me’.”
Jimkata are a three-piece anthemic, synth-washed, electro-rock band based out of Ithaca and Los Angeles. With a triumph of swirling analog synths, infectious pop hooks and candid lyrics, Jimkata have built a distinct sound which has been resonating with listeners across the country.
Friends since middle school, Evan Friedell, Aaron Gorsch and Packy Lunn infuse Jimkata, (named after the so-bad-it’s-good 1985 gym-fu caper Gymkata) with both an adventurous musical streak and relatable lyrical themes. Mixed in with the modern synth sensibilities and hard driven indie rock are influences drawn from the likes of Motown, singer-songwriters like James Taylor and even old country songs, where storytelling and a quick turn of phrase share priorities with melody and the beat. Jimkata have concocted an unusually rich and rewarding mix and one that’s evolved naturally.
After taking a two and a half year hiatus following the release of six studio albums and the successful building of a vibrant, grassroots fanbase, Jimkata are preparing to release their next album, Bonfires. The 10 track album is set for release as a series of singles every month with an accompanying visuals and merch line. Thematically, Bonfires touches on poignant themes of uncertainty, being in limbo, and looking for an anchor of hope in these trying times.
Their latest single entitled “Weight of Paradise” and accompanying visuals is about feeling the weight in building your paradise and how above all we are lucky to be alive.
Bonfires is set for release Spring 2021 worldwide.
Raveen is the Montreal-based collaboration of vocalist/producer Eric Seguin, bassist/producer Stokely Diamantis and drummer Peter Colantonio. Drawing from a diverse spectrum of influences across the worlds of R&B, Electronic and singer-songwriter music, Raveen has been performing their distinctively dynamic and captivating live shows since 2015.
Their debut full-length Always marked their foray into a more subdued, lush songwriting approach with orchestral strings, choir work and field recording adding depth to the trio’s core palette of keys/bass/drums/electronics. Their follow-up project recorded with Braids member Austin Tufts is an experiment in more direct songwriting and storytelling, with use of new instruments and tools that had previously been out of reach. “At My Best” is the first glimpse of that project that the band is sharing in 2020.
Kingswell provides a musical safe haven for listeners, through his heartfelt, gentle vocals and thoughtful lyrics. Reminiscent of artists such as Fink, Bon Iver, and James Vincent McMorrow, the songwriter presents his own take on indie folk, bestowing a ponderous serenity and something all his own.
His latest album Brontide is a stunning collection of 12 tracks, written peripherally while trying to focus in on a distant feeling. A feeling you can’t quite comprehend, or is just beyond your reach. Kingswell shares, “I covered a lot of ground on Brontide. Both lyrically and sonically. Brontide is the low sound of distant thunder, and my take on that is evident in these songs. They’re the closest I’ve gotten to the truth.” Produced by James Bunton, the album speaks about hope, with even the saddest of songs leaning towards finding a light at the end of the tunnel.
Leading single “Homesick” narrates Kingswell’s move from Australia to the UK. He confides, “I love living in the UK and I feel equally as lucky to get to go home to a place like Phillip Island. It’s the best of both worlds. But the feeling of being homesick comes and goes. It’s like that whole idle hands idea. As long as I’m busy and happy and in touch with my family regularly, I can make it work.” The track highlights evolving feverous guitars, organic instrumentation and raw vocals, resulting in a candid and relatable anthem.
“There’s No Cure” tackles regret and everything that comes in hand with it. It speaks about how acknowledging past mistakes is a great way of moving on. Featuring honest, personal lyrics and glowing piano melodies, it’s a simple yet poignant song, sure to warm the heart.
Then there is, “Now I’m Gone”. Stemming from the day he decided to leave Australia for good, the song is fuelled with emotion, coming to life through ethereal harmonies, resonating guitar melodies and echoing string arrangements, creating a dreamy and celestial release.
Brontide showcases Kingswell’s ambition to find his own voice. He reveals, “I used some big brush strokes, but in saying that, I think I still managed to paint a picture.” Kingswell has been featured in numerous notable playlists including Spotify’s “gentle acoustic”, as well as Alex Rainbird’s YouTube channel. Brontide is currently available worldwide, via Audio Network – an eOne Company.
Kris Angelis conveys a powerful message through intricate visuals in her new music video for “My Quiet.” Directed by Alix Angelis and featuring artwork from Wyoh Lee , the video explores creation as a means of connecting with a feeling or memory from the past. Angelis is the center of a hurricane, the calm in the creative chaos as she moves through and past each moment of artistic creation in a room that’s only filled with other versions of herself. On a track about tapping into the beauty and peace of each moment, she manages to bring that message to life, leaning into the idea that creation has room to grow if only we can find the inner peace within ourselves.
Lana Chalfoun is a 15-year-old award-winning singer-songwriter whose music bridges acoustic and pop genres. The young artist gained popularity with her 2019 debut album, “Aware”, which includes a mix of powerful pop-ballads and haunting lyrics about young love. With this album, Lana’s amazing voice – sounding far more mature than her years – and obvious songwriting talent gave rise to comparisons of iconic women in music such as Taylor Swift and Halsey.
Currently, Lana has a trio of new singles lined up to release throughout the remainder of this year. With themes including the unique anxiety experienced by young artists trying to prove themselves in her single “Be OK” (which will debut in a music video shot recently in NYC), to lighter and playful relationship angst in the upbeat “Get Mad.” The trio will round out with the emotionally charged “Cut Off,” describing the pain of betrayal in a love relationship. The new trio of songs highlights Lana’s sharp vocal control, while demonstrating her quick-witted ability to create a delicate complexity within her lyrics.
Music has been running through Lana’s veins since she was a kid growing up in Grand Rapids, MI. A true prodigy, Lana wrote and recorded her first EP “In The Making” at the age of 11. The album addressed issues of bullying in her uplifting pop-rock anthem “Just Be You” and working hard to pursue your dreams in “Dream Big.” Lana was invited by several statewide organizations at the time to perform and speak to youth about her anti-bullying message and work ethic. During this early period, she also was the lead singer and guitarist for a local youth pop-rock band called Meltdown Cinema. The band successfully created a fundraising concert to benefit hurricane victims in 2017 called “Rock the Storms,” and went on to participate in PBS’ 2018 ‘Celebration of Music’ talent show finishing as semi-finalists.
In 2018, Lana broke off as a solo artist, releasing her next original song “Bring Them Home”. The single won the grand prize for the nationwide U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Campaign contest ‘Creating on the Margins,’ addressing the plight of migrants and refugees. She was invited to perform her song in front of the National Conference and acted as the ambassador for this campaign. That same year, she was invited to attend Judy Stakee’s singer-songwriter camp in NYC, as one of the youngest students ever accepted. Lana’s “Aware” album released in 2019, and consisted of seven songs including the powerful pop-ballad “Ruby,” and the modern and haunting “Broke Me”. Lana’s album quickly garnered the attention of local media. She appeared on both Wood TV’s eightWest and Fox 17’s Morning Mix and was recently selected as one of Revue Magazine’s ‘Five Bands to Watch in 2020’. Lana’s newest singles releasing in 2020 will continually show her growth as a singer/songwriter and place a spotlight on her wildly talented mind and vocal capabilities like never before.
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