INsiders Guide

INsiders Guide: Eddie Benjamin, Ellysse Mason x Matt Wills, GIVĒON, Chuck McDermott, Robyn Sherwell, 5omerset, Numb Tongues, Chad VanGaalen, Broken Bricks, DDG, Aitch, GANGS OF KIN, Vershon, Ben Sefton, WYNNE…

Rotating between an arsenal of instruments with punchy proficiency and singing with spotlight-grabbing swagger, Eddie Benjamin brings kaleidoscopic color to popular music. The 19-year-old Australia-born, Los Angeles-based singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer channels fresh fire through a classic approach. Playing in jazz clubs since he was in grade school with players twice his age, he later sparked a buzz online, sharing viral covers generating millions of views, these uploads soon caught the attention of fellow Australian native, Sia. Moving to Los Angeles shortly after, he found himself in the studio working on major releases behind-the-scenes. He has quietly become the ultimate “secret weapon” for some of the biggest superstars in the world as Sia, Meghan Trainor, Ryan Tedder, Labrinth, and even Earth, Wind & Fire have all called on him to collaborate, entrusting him as a creative voice. Over the past year, he turned heads with Justin Bieber, who dubbed him “the next generation” and the next up to “crush the world.” Justin also featured Eddie prominently in his documentary “Justin Bieber: Next Chapter.” With a debut EP set for release on April 2, Eddie Benjamin is ready to fully introduce himself to the world.

Calling on each other in beautiful harmony, rising singer songwriter Ellysse Mason teams up with Pop-music connoisseur Matt Wills for heartfelt new single ‘Perfect’. Emerging with wistful piano chords and ambient guitar flourishes, the pair play off each other’s distinct and soulful voices over a sea of crashing percussion and hazy electronica waves. A stunning concoction of their individual styles, they shine equally in the artful video shot by by Michael Whiteman, which sees the duo playing a candlelit game of chess, a nod to the intricacies of modern relationships.

Speaking on the track and video, they said: “We ended up having a few drinks talking about our relationship situations. Ellysse was sitting by this old, noisy electric piano playing chords and as we were talking, we ended up turning our conversation into a song. We didn’t even think who or what we were writing the song for; it just felt easier to chat about it all as a song. Before we knew it, it was 3AM and we were both so tired we put in some scratch vocals before heading to sleep. I woke up forgetting we’d even written it until I heard my manager playing it downstairs… We tried reproducing it over and over again, but in the end something about Ellysse’s tipsy piano playing and our tired vocals just felt special and, in the moment, ended up being used on the final record. I love the song as it feels so conversational and two people really speaking their mind without any undertone of “we’re writing a song so it needs to be like this” the honesty of it all to me really is the beauty of it.”

A far cry from your girl next door, Manchester wunderkind Ellysse Mason is worlds apart from the wave of singer songwriters people try to group her with. Penning songs exclusively from true experiences, she possesses an inner core built on determination and indomitable Northern grit. Simultaneously futuristic and nostalgic, her unique sound has amassed over three million Spotify streams, whilst securing positions on New Music Friday Playlists worldwide. A rising star in the Manchester music scene, Ellysse has developed a prolific fan base of over 400k followers on TikTok and her latest single “Sweet Talkin” received key support from THE INDEPENDENT.

Kicking off his musical career by “learning to play the guitar to impress a girl”, singer-songwriter Matt Wills has been capturing the hearts of listeners since his debut in 2015. Utilising his music as a public diary, he describes each song as a specific “moment in time”, amassing over 12 million streams on Spotify alone. His honest and heartfelt songwriting has seen him collaborate with the likes of Wilkinson and Roman Müller as well as garnering acclaim from BBC Introducing. Both individually inspiring artists in their own rights, they have an indisputable buzz around each of them with those “in the know”. With new music on the horizon this year, this powerful collaboration is only the start of things to come for the young artists in 2021.

Arriving as the consummate 21st century R&B star, GRAMMY® nominated and platinum-certified Long Beach singer/songwriter GIVĒON bows at #5 on the Billboard Top 200 with his deluxe album When It’s All Said and Done… Take Time. This marks his first Top 10 debut on the Top 200. Additionally, it lands at #3 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Chart. The album moved 32,000 equivalent albums, generating 43.56 million streams in under a week. Meanwhile, cumulative streams for the project eclipse half-a-billion. His singles “Heartbreak Anniversary” and “Like I Want You” land at #30 and #87 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Get it HERE via Epic Records/Not So Fast.

Maintaining unprecedented momentum, his breakthrough smash “Like I Want You” also just earned a platinum certification from the RIAA. The track has racked up 73.3 million Spotify streams as he now surpasses 19.8 million monthly listeners on the platform. Not to mention, he teamed up with Daniel Caesar to appear on “Peaches” from Justin Bieber’s brand-new blockbuster Justice.

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Photo credit: Ron Pownall

As we’ve seen in recent times and throughout history, most things are not entirely good or bad, black or white. Boston-based Americana/Country artist Chuck McDermott, a music veteran of 40+ years and a political activist for 30+ years, has seen his share of contradictions. Today, he releases his new video for his latest single, “You Always Do That To Me – Sometimes,” based on that theme. The track is the third single from McDermott’s upcoming 7-track EP, 38 Degrees and Raining, out on March 26, 2021. 

McDermott wrote the song based on a “lick and a line,” joining his bluesy guitar groove with a lyric that became the song’s title. Filmed right before the pandemic, the video shows actual footage of the artist and his band members recording the song in various locations. Featured on the song and video are Gospel icons, The McCrary Sisters, who add their soulful backup vocals to the song. Luther Dickinson of the North Mississippi Allstars contributes a raw, biting slide guitar track that drips with attitude. Also featured on the single are Marco Giovino (Drums), Richard Gates (Bass), Duke Levine and Chris Rival (Electric Guitar).

Be sure to stream Chuck McDermott’s new single and video “You Always Do That To Me – Sometimes,” out now, and look out for his new EP, 38 Degrees and Raining, out on March 26th.

Singer and songwriter Robyn Sherwell shares the music video for her recently released new single ‘To Give Up’, taken from her upcoming new album ‘Unfold’, due for release on June 18th – Watch the video for ‘To Give Up’ here Pre-order ‘Unfold’ here The video narrative plays on a concept of two sides to Robyn within the lyrical conflict of the song ‘To Give Up’. We first see a vulnerable hurt version who wants to give up, and then a resilient, fiery version, who chooses to move forward. The video portrays Robyn via different mirror reflections as she confronts these sides of herself, and the broken dreams and distorted reality she needs to piece back together. Eventually rapid cuts and neon flashes blur the two versions and a stronger Robyn moves forward.

Talking about the video, Robyn says it is: “I love how disconcerting the layered mirror shots are and how the concept plays on the different sides of ourselves we have to confront in any journey through something challenging. This video has such a variety of colour and set-ups and was so fun to make, and I think that energy comes through too.”

Robyn Sherwell is a name that has been on the lips of tastemakers since her debut single ‘Love Somebody’ became a firm favourite of Lauren Laverne’s on BBC Radio 6 and signalled the arrival of a new heart-on-sleeve female singer-songwriter. Follow up single ‘Islander’, a dedication to her childhood home of Guernsey, quickly secured support from Huw Stephens and BBC Introducing, catapulting Sherwell onto the latter’s stage at Glastonbury in June 2015. That same summer, her cover of Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Landslide’ was chosen as the soundtrack to the trailer for the film ‘Suffragette’. This led to Lauren Laverne making the track her 6Music Recommends Track Of The Week, and Jo Whiley playing it twice in one show on her BBC Radio 2 show. In 2021, the emotive power of her rendition is still turning heads: having caught the attention of Airbnb, the song was placed within the film for their latest major global advertising campaign. While her original songs ‘Low’ and ‘Love Somebody’ have been featured on the soundtrack of popular TV shows including Good Trouble and Oprah Winfrey’s Queen Sugar.

These are the feelings of love and nostalgia illustrated in my new single, sparked by journeys with partners and great friends. “Talk About Love” is OUT NOW on all streaming platforms! It’s about still standing together as a team after time and hardships pass. I think about my 10+ year long relationship and all the ups and downs we have been through together.

I moved north of Toronto to a log house in the woods during the pandemic, where I recorded in a simple studio set up in the basement. One of the synth pad sounds is a vocal sample that I sang, and brought into a sampler, playing it as new chords. I sang a C note, held it for a few seconds, tuned it, and sampled the track. It’s one of the main sounds heard in this song.

Talk About Love” is the second song of many to be released in 2021. Thanks for listening, it means the world to me.

5omerset

Numb Tongues is a Toronto-based band that delivers a quirky brand of funky punk. Taking influence from artists like Red Hot Chili Peppers, Talking Heads, Cory Wong and Incubus, the band is well known for their creative and dynamic songwriting abilities, advanced musicianship, thoughtful lyrics and highly-energetic live shows. Their sound is based in funk, dance music and alternative rock with elements of jazz, hip hop, ska and R&B.

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Formed in 2015, the band is fronted by lead singer, lyricist and founding member Jonah Grinberg, who crafts his melodic hooks with a colourful character that only so few stages can contain. Rounding out the lineup is guitarist Tristian Lipton, bassist Max Wilson and drummer Corey Ryan. They are a dynamic force to be reckoned with.

Between the catchy lead melodies and rhythmic grooves, there’s more than enough for you to sing along, mosh, melt your face off and get you dancing like no one’s watching. If the positive feedback from listeners and fans isn’t enough to convince you however, the music and overall experience that is Numb Tongues can easily speak for itself.

2020 was a terrible year for gardening. It was terrible for peppers, it was terrible for tomatoes, it was terrible for the condition of the soul. But Chad VanGaalen somehow raised a garden all the same: carrots and sprouts and broccoli and a revivifying new album, all of them grown at home. He likes to eat directly off the plant, he says—”I get down on my knees and graze. It’s nice to feel the vegetables in your face”—and the 13 songs on World’s Most Stressed Out Gardener were harvested with just such a spirit: in their raw state, young and vegetal, at the very moment, they were made.

What that means is that the Calgary songwriter’s new album is a psychedelic bumper crop. A collection of tunes that does away with obsessiveness, the anxiety of perfectionism, in favour of freshness and immediacy — capturing the world as it was met while recording alone at home over a period of years. “Don’t overthink it,” VanGaalen told himself again and again, despite the push/pull love/hate of his relationship with songwriting. “I’m always trying to get outside of the song—but then I realize I love the song.”

This is a record that gleams with VanGaalen’s musical signatures: found sound, reverb, polychromatic folk music that is by turns cartoonish and hyperphysical—like ultra magnified footage of a virus or a leaf. Apparently, the LP began life as a “pretty minimal” flute record. (There’s only a vestige now, on “Flute Peace”—one of three instrumentals.) Later it became an electronic record “for a while” and finally, “right at the last second,” it “turned into a pile of garbage.” The good kind of garbage: glinting, useful, free. Music as compost—leaves, and branches ready to be re-ingested by the earth, turned into a flower.

Chad VanGaalen: Starlight by Flemish Eye Records

‘NASA’ is the second single from London based electro, disco-punk, indietronic trio Broken Bricks, which comprises of producers Warren Borg (aka Worgie), Lee Hughes (aka Yewzi) along with vocalist Christianne. This single is the bands follow up to the popular debut single release ‘Slow Down’.

 ‘NASA’ is an atypical love song; the story of yet another break up, it could be depressing or mournful but instead features a driving tempo and a big, dirty bassline to make you jump up and down, all mixed up with a lush singalong chorus.  

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Serving up one of the slickest collaborations of the year, gold-selling Pontiac, MI rising rapper DDG and prolific producer OG Parker unleash a joint project entitled Die 4 Respect. Get it HERE via Epic Records.

To celebrate the release, they just shared the blockbuster music video for the new single “Rule #1” [feat. Lil Yachty]. Watch it HERE. On the track, OG Parker’s thick 808s brush up against trap keys as DDG confidently maneuvers through breathless bars before Lil Yachty pulls up with a simmering signature flow. Meanwhile, a magnetic and menacing hook instantly captivates. The accompanying visual overflows with energy as these three titans manage to take over the screen together.

A bevy of heavy-hitters jumped at the chance to collaborate on Die 4 Respect. On “Hood Melody, DDG and YoungBoy Never Broke Again trade bulletproof rhymes, while Coi Leray lends fierce female energy to “Impatient. You’ll never think of The Lion King the same way, but Tyla Yaweh blesses “Hakuna Mata” with all kinds of rockstar swag. Check out the full tracklisting below. DDG and OG Parker first set the stage for the project with “Money Long” [feat. 42 Dugg]. It posted up 1.7 million YouTube views on the music video. Receiving acclaim, HotNewHipHop praised it as “bouncy, and HipHopDX called it “anthemic” and included it on “New Music Friday.

DDG has quietly become one of rap’s hottest new stars. In addition to regularly attracting 6.3 million monthly listeners on Spotify, he has posted up over 450 million streams, while his gold-certified smash “Moonwalking In Calabasas” has surpassed 200 million-plus gloam streams and taken the #1 spot on Rap Caviar three separate times. He also just delivered a knockout performance of “Moonwalking In Calabasas” on UPROXX Sessions—watch HERE. Flexing with clever quotable bars, blockbuster hooks, and superstar power, DDG shakes up the status quo with unpredictable and undeniable bangers. After 2018’s Take Me Serious, he rose to the top of the hip-hop class on VALEDICTORIAN. Within just a year, the single “ARGUMENTS” scored his first gold certification. Igniting 2020, he achieved a major breakthrough with “Moonwalking In Calabasas (Remix)” [feat. BLUEFACE], earning a ubiquitous hit and his second gold plaque in the process. Generating over half-a-billion total streams and views and building a rabid fan base, DDG’s influence proves downright inescapable.

Entering the Official Charts Top 20 with their debut single “Latest Trends”, sitting in the Top 10 Spotify Chart and holding No.11 in the Global Viral Chart, A1 & J1 two of the newest rappers on the block have now released their hotly anticipated remix with one of the UK’s favourite rappers. Aitch has jumped on the remix to cement this track as an anthem throughout the upcoming summer. Aitch put a snippet of a verse idea on Tik Tok and Twitter before surprising A1 and J1 in the studio to make the remix happen after showing his support on social media a few times. This is not the only thing new on the track. A1 has laid down a new verse for the remix, supplying fans with fire new bars. A1 bounces off of Aitch as they go back and forth in this new verse. The remix really solidifies why these 2 are the hottest UK prospects.

The love shown between the artists has been phenomenal and it has all come together naturally with mutual respect for each other, with Aitch fully backing them and wanting them to succeed. Aitch wrote a message about A1 & J1 on his Snaphchat “I found out what studio A1 & J1 was at and I pulled up to them unexpectedly. Loved what the young G’s were doing and their story behind how they linked up and how they made the “Latest Trends” song, so wanted to meet them in the flesh and show some love. Got to the studio and was gassed to meet each other on both sides! I asked if I could jump on a remix to the song. The boys kindly said yes and we got it cracking. Done the remix there and then caught a vibe”.

“Latest Trends” has been Shamazed over 100k times in a month, has seen support from Rickie, Melvin and Charlie, Scott Mills, DJ Target & Reece Parkinson and is on the Kiss, Kiss Fresh, Kiss Dance, Capital Xtra, Radio 1 and 1Xtra playlists. The track has been streamed 15.5 million on Spotify. It is in viral charts worldwide and Top 10 in Belgium, Iceland, Switzerland, Austria, Denmark, Sweden, Ireland, Norway, Australia, UK, Germany, Canada and Netherlands. Artists have also flooded in to support the track including JB Schofield, KSI, Darkoo, S1mba, and Deno. There is no limit to how far this track will go.

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“Latest Trends” is sure to be the anthem of the Summer and this remix is going to keep fans hooked on this track.

Ascending from Amsterdam, Joël Gaerthé embarked on the artistic project, GANGS OF KIN, with a worldly impact beyond the boundaries of any one genre or style. Releasing today is his newest single “Broke,” a bittersweet bluesey tune with a modern take on the taboo topic of mental health. With a hint of futuristic funk, “Broke” is a song that embodies Gaerthé’s evolution into GANGS OF KIN and beyond. The music-making project has always been cathartic for the songwriter/artist, and the path of his career has been one of spirituality and diversity of style. Gaerthé has been infatuated with music as a sense of healing from a young age, beginning performing at 16 and touring nonstop from 2011 to 2018. At the forefront of that experience was a need for complete vulnerability, something that pushed him to create GANGS OF KIN and came to be the inspiration for the song “Broke” itself.

 Artist is the operative word when speaking of GANGS OF KIN, as the artistic project of Gaerthé allows for unapologetic production, lyrical, and personal expression through and through. The inspiration for GANGS OF KIN draws from a range of artists from Outkast to Tame Impala, capitalizing on colorful emotions and creative beats to capture the entire essence of an artistic being. The release of his first mixtape, Broke not Broken emphasizes just this, and the impact of this expressive work garnered great reviews from the likes of BBC Music and Clash Magazine.

 The modern connection to music is that of which Gaerthé has always felt: a need to truly feel one’s own emotions expressively and beyond any boundaries of good or bad. “Broke” is a tune to everyone’s individual drums, drawing on Gaerthé’s unique vocal range and psychedelic style to convey the effects of mental health and the taboo around it. GANGS OF KIN extends the impact of the power of art by collaborating with David Sitek and Stefan Skarbek. Further, the photos for the project were captured by the worldly renowned fashion photographer Elizaveta Porodina who effortlessly captured the essence of GANGS OF KIN as an artistic being beyond any confines of time and space. Her experimental work only intensifies the power of GANGS OF KIN as an out-of-body experimental project deeply rooted in the beauty of human-hood.

Following the recent release of Vershon’s critically acclaimed 6 track ‘Only One’ EP, he releases the atmospheric lyric video for dance floor banger, ‘Thingz’ featuring dance hall superstar Busy Signal.

In 2017, I moved to Montreal to record my first EP with friends, but had to switch gears when they were no longer available to help. I got a job working as a window washer for a small company that only had very rich clientele, who lived in the luxurious mansions and apartments in the affluent community of Westmount.

After a long day of wax-on, wax-off arm movements around tall cacti and expensive furniture, I’d come home via the dreary metro in my dirty blue shirt, still wet with suds and sweat with a strong sense of isolation and loneliness. I’d sit alone in the tall, dimly lit dining room of the hundred year-old house I was renting a room in, and gorge on celery pieces with peanut butter. As I sat there I would think to myself: what does all of this mean? What does it mean to be a rich person or a poor person? I don’t identify with any of this: class, age, the formalities of adult life.

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First single “Humans” 👽 … now streaming on Bandcamp and SoundCloud.

Check out the fractal loop video on YouTube,

 

Cover Art by Janielle Ogilvie
 
I had this urge to finally make a song that reflected how strange this world is to me – how foreign all of the normal things really are, in my eyes. An anthem of sorts for all my fellow aliens out there who feel like an outsider; with an eerie, space vibey intro, as if exploring the remains of a crashed vessel upon some innocent, unsuspecting farmland.
 
In 2019, I finally began recording “Humans” in LA, later enlisting the help of some killer brass players to create the triumphant, cinematic trumpet blasts.
 
I’ll be sharing more on Facebook 👽 Instagram 👽 TikTok. Thanks for listening.
 
Ben Sefton
 

Rory Andrew (WYNNE) is a Grammy Nominated, platinum-selling songwriter, artist, producer and multi-instrumentalist. As a songwriter and producer, Rory’s songs have been released by major artists such as Machine Gun Kelly, ODESZA, Jaden Smith, Lennon Stella, August 08, Goldlink, Jackson Wang, Hobo Johnson, Two Door Cinema Club and more… Rory’s original compositions have appeared in numerous TV shows and films (HBO, Showtime, Hulu, Netflix etc) – including an original piece of music for Guillermo Del Toro’s critically acclaimed film, The Shape of Water, which garnered 7 Golden Globe nominations and 4 Oscar wins. In addition to his prolific career as a songwriter and producer, Rory is the mastermind behind his Grammy nominated artist project, WYNNE. WYNNE also wrote, co-produced and is featured on ODESZA’s single, “Line Of Sight” which debuted at #1 on Billboard Electronic Charts, #1 on the iTunes Electronic Charts, and was nominated for Best Dance Recording for the 2018 Grammy Awards. Alongside ODESZA, WYNNE has performed live at famed venues and festivals such as Coachella, sold out nights at Red Rocks Amphitheater, Staples Center, Greek Theater and NYC’s famed Barclays Center.

Dubai-based DJ & producer BLAISE unveils his 2021 floorfiller, ‘Moments’, featuring the moving vocals of Poppy Baskcomb. Possessing a cantering bassline, Balearic tones and an exceptional drop that climaxes on every hook, the marriage of BLAISE’s production with Poppy Baskcomb’s powerful, soul driven lyrics is one of sheer dancefloor heaven. Reaching into the emotions stirred by the current world situation, the lyrics for ‘Moments’ allows the mind to escape and enjoy the feeling of good vibes and freedom. 

STREAM/PURCHASE: BLAISE FT POPPY BASKCOMB – MOMENTS

BLAISE explains “This song for me is one of my personal favourites to date. The words reflect the moment of the current world situation. With Poppy’s soulful voice, catchy vocals and melody, I’m very excited about this release.”

The British DJ and producer, who relocated to the world’s most elite party destination to take up 2 DJ residency’s last year, is already a major name on the club circuit. Having previously toured the world as a DJ for the home of dance music, Ministry of Sound, he has also featured extensively across radio, including Kiss FM, with his exclusive guest mixes. With a sound that is classic and infectious, his previous productions have released on renowned dance labels including DVINE Sounds, Stashed & Todd Terry’s Inhouse Records and garnered extensive support across Radio 1’s Dance Anthems and the Kiss network. Prior to his current collaboration with 22-year-old Poppy Baskcomb, BLAISE has also teamed up with Alex Mills, Karen Harding & Azello, and is under the management of music mogul and hit record writer Jin Jin (Jax Jones, Jess Glynne, David Guetta). Adding her incredible musical flair and a powerful dimension to BLAISE’s production on ‘Moments’, singer/songwriter Poppy Baskcomb perfectly twins powerful melodic ideas with inventive lyrical concepts. This song is about those moments where you stop in the crowd and take in the euphoria around you. Moments I’m sure we all miss currently.” says Poppy about the track, before continuing, “Hopefully you’ll enjoy this song, as much as we enjoyed making it. I’ll see you all soon with a drink in hand and we can dance to this, when clubs reopen.

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You Still Need Me tells the story of feeling stuck in the loop of a very one-sided relationship. I wanted to feel wanted. I had been hurt so many times, I wasn’t sure I could trust my own instincts. I wanted this person to show me they still needed me because deep down I knew I still needed them.

I sing about my vulnerability, wearing my heart on my sleeve. I am most susceptible to being hurt when I continue to give someone my all, allowing them to walk all over me and constantly being hurt in the process. I hope You Still Need Me can help you break your own vicious cycle. 

We need to love ourselves first. 

SAM LAPRO

You Still Need Me by SAM LAPRO

In Griff Clawson’s words: 

““Things You Said” is really the song that helped me get over the ledge to start releasing music. It was the first song that I felt confident about that also felt true to myself. For me the song captures the feeling of confusion when words people once spoke to each other no longer ring true, and takes you through some scenes of personal story and how I felt coming off of a (metaphorical) high with somebody.”

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I am writing to share my new song, “One More Heartbreak,” which is about taking care of yourself in your relationships with other people.
 
Sometimes we are doormats to the people in our lives, and after too long of living like that, we need to feel some sense of relief.
 
There can be a sense of expectation when realizing a relationship is going to end badly. You just let it happen, dealing with the consequences later.
 
Yet this can become a cycle where you enter into relationships to find a sense of belonging, continuing to get hurt.
 
Take a listen to “One More Heartbreak” on your favourite platform.
 
I went into recording this song with an unapologetic, authentic vision, and it was exciting to realize this using real musicians and vintage equipment as opposed to programmed sounds.
 
Thank you for sitting down with this track!
Riley Michaels
 

ONE MORE HEARTBREAK – RILEY MICHAELS by Riley Michaels

In the lead up to release the skilful rapper shared the visuals for ‘Momentous’, which released last week. Surrounding the release DJ Target gave ‘Momentous’ the first play on his show on BBC 1 Xtra and it has since been added to the ‘Made in the UK’ playlist by Ministry of Sound. His single follows off his 2020 release ‘Man Of The Moment’, which released back in December. 

His drive, passion for music and talent has led him onto the radar of Jack Saunders ‘Next Wave’ at Radio 1, a track of the week on BBC 1Xtra and he also had a shoot with Notion, which was in collaboration with Amazon. He also featured on BBC 3 ‘Rap Trip’ alongside F.O.S. and starred in BBC’s ‘The Rap Game’. Alongside his music and TV ventures he has also opened his ‘Ransom HQ’  studio in Aberdeen, giving local youths access to equipment to create their own music. 

We’ve all dreamed of one day packing up our belongings and heading off overseas for a life of adventure and that’s exactly what the European superstar singer, Sergio Sylvestre, did back when he was 22. 
He loved his holiday in Italy so much that he decided to stay, working various jobs on the door of clubs until finally getting a lucky break singing in one of the top clubs in the region.

Sergio went on not only to become fluent in Italian, but also to have the confidence to enter one of the country’s top TV talent shows – Amici di Maria De Filippi ( the Italian equivalent of X-Factor) winning it with his incredible voice. Following his win, he’s released 3 albums and continues to work with other top talent to launch new singles. However, things weren’t always so easy. Born and raised in Inglewood California, he could never have dreamed that one day he’d be singing for the Pope or opening the Coppa Italia or topping the charts in a country he’d never even visited. But that’s what happened, Sergio Sylvestre is now famous not only within Italy but across Europe.

Award winning jazz-pop singer songwriter Kate Schutt rolls out her new single, “Fight the Good Fight,” from her upcoming album, Bright Nowhere. The album is a musical tribute to her mother who passed away from ovarian cancer in 2015. “Fight the Good Fight” is out now on Spotify and all other digital platforms. The full album emerges on April 30th, in time for Mother’s Day. 

Kate teamed up with Emmy Award-winning producer/arranger Rob Mounsey (who has also worked with Paul Simon, James Taylor, Michael Bublé, Rihanna, Madonna, and Diana Krall), to produce her newest project. Mounsey says Kate’s album is “a work of artistry and humanity, full of thought, humor and heart, and above all deep sincerity. It needs to be experienced by anyone who has ever struggled to care for someone or to accept care from someone, to love someone or to be loved by someone.” 

Bright Nowhere was mixed by twelve-time Grammy Award winning producer/engineer, Jay Newland, known for his work on Norah Jones’s multiple award-winning album, Come Away With Me. After listening to her new album, Newland calls Schutt “one of the next great American songwriters.”

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Check out Kate’s new single, “Fight the Good Fight,” on Spotify and all other digital platforms.  Look out for the full album, Bright Nowhere, out everywhere on April 30th. 

DC resident Crys Matthews is among the brightest stars of the new generation of social justice music-makers — an award-winning, prolific lyricist and composer, blending Americana, folk, blues, bluegrass, and funk into a bold, complex performance steeped in traditional melodies punctuated by honest, original lyrics. She is made for these times. Of Matthews, ASCAP VP & Creative Director Eric Philbrook says, “By wrapping honest emotions around her socially conscious messages and dynamically delivering them with a warm heart and a strong voice, she lifts our spirits just when we need it most in these troubled times.

”Changemakers is the new, hope-fueled, love-filled, social justice album from DC resident Crys Matthews out now worldwide. 

Life is a dance of shadows and light. MEARA, with stories of passion and power, healing and womanhood, creates the soundtrack. Blessed with synaesthesia, the British/ American songstress was born, literally into a world where music is colour. Her work dances delicately between cinematic, ethereal and indie music. Life’s unfolding stories are told here with a voice that will put a shine on your soul and guide you through the darkness. The tones are pure, the sensation one of stealing a glimpse into heaven. MEARA has created a sophisticated tale of independence, told as a mother, a storyteller and a friend to our vulnerabilities. Flying from the ashes, the smoke still warm on her wings, MEARA has a voice like no other. She sings with the purpose of an addict and the touch of a maestro. Cinematic and vast like the call of a bird, suddenly free from its cage, her music will lift you away while her writing, her vision and her stories will keep you afloat in a space of light and empathy where your own voice can now be heard.

“Blackbird”, the first in a string of singles culminating in an album, speaks of awakening, reconnection and embracing the dark like a long-lost friend. The artist confides “I’ve always sung other people’s music yet dreamed of writing my own. I wanted to step out of that box. I want to inspire people to discover their own story and pursue their dreams. Our journeys are never a straight line.” The stunning music video was filmed at the historic Holloway Sanitorium (a former sanitorium which was also used as a location for Inspector Morse). It’s a symbolic location for the song as it represents the artist’s subconscious mind, in which she wakes up and finds “Blackbird” there.

While the seeds of Florence and the Machine, Aurora and Lana Del Rey, and many other musical icons are evident in their influence, the flowers that have bloomed are all MEARA. MEARA’s vocal range will send shivers down your spine, while bold, thumping drum and soaring string arrangements awaken a feeling deep inside yourself. Both soft and threatening, warm and cold, earthy and digital MEARA brings her influences of baroque pop and folk into the present and gives an edgy, futuristic twist, taking the listener on a journey. 

MEARA’s creativity will shock you in its finesse and take your hand with a powerful grip wrapped in a silk glove. This is a music of love, redemption and dreams of light and life. Written with the collaboration of world-beating talents Norma Jean Martine (known for viral hits “Head Shoulders Knees and Toes” and “When We Were Young” and Max Mostley (Jones, Norma Jean Martine, Tomine Harket). 

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PinkFiz is an 18 year old punk pop artist from Cambridgeshire. Having previously performed as part of other bands, the musician started her solo project during lockdown 2.0, as a way to continue writing and creating while stuck in isolation. PinkFiz represents female empowerment and the songwriters pride in being an independent female artist and producer. Her latest single “Did I Ask?” touches on female consent. Inspired by the riot grrrl scene and other feminist punk music, the emotion-fuelled “Did I Ask?” emits an energetic, angsty vibe, oozing with confidence and badass femininity. Reminiscent of Bikini Kill, Joan Jett and Destroy Boys, “Did I Ask?” erupts with punk/rock instrumentation, radiating a brooding bassline, fast-paced drums and howling lead guitar. The clashing guitars are a juxtaposition to PinkFiz’s soft, muted vocals, as she sings, “she’s not your possession.” 

PinkFiz confides, “I wrote this song about the phrase “she was asking for it” because I was really angry that day about it and I needed to get all my frustration about it into words and into a song. I am very passionate about fighting for equality and about making opportunities for everyone the same. As a female guitarist, I have been overlooked in the past and disregarded and I’ve often felt invalidated and seen as not as good as my male peers. I also recalled being robbed of opportunities in school and begging for a chance to play something more technical and difficult but the parts I would ask for were always given to an older male teacher without me having a shot at trying them.” Refusing to stay silent, PinkFiz is acting as a voice, emphasising the importance of standing up for equality and putting an end to sexual harassment. 

With the hopes to make listeners feel invincible and capable of anything, the empowering song will help you feel like you’re stomping on top of the world. Having garnered support from BBC Introducing, PinkFiz is storming to the forefront with “Did I Ask?”

BETWEEN FRIENDS shares “tape 002,” a 5-track mixtape that’s the second in a series of three, leading to a full project this summer. “tape 002” features “tired of your love,” a simmering, synth-dappled, and bass-driven effort that explores a more free flowing resonance for the duo. Lyrically the song motions to the emotional detachment one starts to have with someone while struggling to rediscover both stability and intimacy. The original Apple iPod commercial and the 1983 film Flashdance played an influential role in the creation of the track’s music video, directed by Kevin Clark (Flatbush Zombies, Sir, Sly). Savannah shows off her deft dance moves in front of a minimal blue light background while Brandon plays a drum kit in a nonchalant, unruffled manner.

Speaking on “tape 002” and the brand new video, BETWEEN FRIENDS said: “Before we started on ‘tired of your love ’we were listening to a lot of Timbaland, Nelly Furtado and The Neptunes in the studio. We wanted to create something that melodically and structurally could’ve fit in with 90’s music but that sonically felt brand new and exciting

to us. It lived as a demo for months because we didn’t want to mess with the raw palette it was built from but eventually decided to dial everything in and finish it.

SLUGS is a four-piece alt-rock outfit out of Los Angeles comprised of singer/songwriter/guitarist Marissa Longstreet, Sarsten Noice (bass/vocals), Josh Beavers (lead guitar) and Dash Hutton (drums). Their influences range from Linda Perhacs with their melodic harmonies and tenderness to Thee Oh Sees with their high energy, spitfire performances. 

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SLUGS latest tune “I Could Do Better” got its title after enduring a flight from a poor choice of airline when the idea of I could do better humorously arose. Later working with a friend the song was written and developed at a time when exploring the journey of sobriety, where the lyrics took a deeper dive into the meaning. The song narrates wanting to find a way back to the blissful naivety of being a child, as well as the wonderful and complicated revelations and the highs and lows during the process of grounding. Longstreet shares, “I compared my carefree attitude as a child, finger painting an image of nothing, to the “I don’t care” attitude of my 20’s. I wrote this song as if it were an intervention on myself, and I was playing both sides. I wanted to find my way back to carefree innocence coming from a place of sinister repetition and complacency.”

“I Could Do Better” emits a reflective and experimental sonic appeal through its trippy, psychedelic feel. Somewhat woozy and chill, the song has subtle peaks and falls with wavering vocal melodies that metaphorically pronounce the verified range of emotions. Through jingling high-hats, rocking, rich electric riffs, twangy guitars and a range of percussion that has a softer, tropical sound, “I Could Do Better” is truly transcending. The vocals are soft and restrained, yet clear and powerful, adding to the juxtaposition of the feelings around the journey of going sober. Longstreet explains, “I think the theme is a voyage of floating in space, the big chaotic crash down and every small step after in getting grounded.”

SLUGS have been on tours with LP & The Districts and have opened for Jessica Lea Mayfield, Joywave, Lets Eat Grandma & The Mattson II. Having garnered acclaim from the likes of Refinery29, Live Nation’s Ones to Watch, American Songwriter and Earmilk, SLUGS are certainly an artist to watch in 2021.

 Seeva, a burgeoning creative talent and growing voice in the London queer scene, as he revamps his acclaimed indie debut album We Need to Talk with a digital fashion storybook.

Rounding off the success of an impressive string of singles, Irish pop connoisseurs Wild Youth reveal their much-anticipated sophomore EP Forever Girl. With this spellbinding and unpredictable catalogue of six tracks, Forever Girl highlights Wild Youth’s determination to not be labelled as your average pop group, showcasing a collective diversity and boldness when it comes to sonic risk taking. Though spanning in style and execution, from the flirtatious “Champagne Butterflies” to the abrasive powerhouse anthem “Can’t Say No”, one thing consistently remains across Forever Girl: their ability to craft credible music and exhilarating choruses calling for ‘out of body’ experiences, whilst simultaneously maintaining their homegrown, humble values. With two refreshing new tracks – the buoyant pop stylings of “Weekend Rockstars” and “Wasted Without You” – joining the thrilling singles “Next To You”, “Through The
Phone”, “Champagne Butterflies” and “Can’t Say No”, Forever Girl follows widespread tastemaker approval from the likes of WONDERLAND, THE INDEPENDENT IE, POPJUSTICE, OFFICIAL CHARTS, EUPHORIA MAG, HOT PRESS, WHEN
THE HORN BLOWS and ATWOOD MAGAZINE amongst extensive editorial blog hype.

Skeamer’s evolution as an artist, and rapidly ascending profile, receives another accolade with his new single ‘We Had Nothing’. Already carving out a space for himself in the ever-competitive UK music stakes, Skeamer’s painstakingly honest lyricism, captivating emotion and engaging topics lie within the fabric of his music, and it is that which is tipping him as one of the genres standout stars of the very near future.

‘We Had Nothing’ is an exceptional example of his capabilities to allow access to a world that most people scarcely hear of, let alone venture. In a stirring tribute to his lifestyle and circle, Skeamer reflects on a journey that has seen him grow up on the streets of Battersea, West London, marred by criminal conflict and low income, housing estate living. Narrating tales of hardship and loss, his current successes and breakthroughs as an artist seem all the more sweeter in comparison as he carefully dissects where he came from. Produced by Sharke, the instrumental is laden with soulful samples, mid-tempo, laidback drum beats and Skeamer’s powerful ad-libs, that create poignant results when sewn in to such a personal tour of his life and the social commentary he laments.
 
STREAM/PURCHASE: SKEAMER – WE HAD NOTHING – https://backl.ink/WeHadNothing 

Tipped to drop a project this year, Skeamer has made exceptional gains throughout the last 18 months. His recent collaborations with fellow OJB member Skore Beezy, as well as Clue, Scorcher and Snap Capone point towards some potential major named collaborations for the upcoming tracklisting. A buzz surrounds his name within an industry that is fiercely watching for the next big moment and the more Skeamer gives, the more people seem to want to know. His recent tour of Clapham Junction for No Jumper, alongside his fellow OJB members has been highly praised, echoed by the surging support across his last single ‘Stay Real’ which saw the likes of BBC Radio 1Xtra DJ’s Target, Sian Anderson, Snoochie Shy and Kenny Allstar all getting behind him, Ellie Prohan make him her Power Track of the Week at KISS FM and Shayna Marie at Capital Xtra also giving him his props, proving the gatekeepers of the British Black Music scene are holding him in high regard.

With a visionary musical output that is powered by sharp lyricism and honesty, Skeamer is a testament to the evolution of UK Rap.

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Singer-songwriter Ali Maas and former Whitesnake guitarist and songwriter Micky Moody announce the vinyl release of their recent critically acclaimed album ‘Who’s Directing Your Movie?’, via Last Man Music. Cut half speed for a better sound quality, the turquoise 180gr vinyl, mastered by Grammy-nominated mastering engineer Mazen Murad. Available via MUSIC GLUE

Known between them for their work in bands such as Whitesnake, Juicy Lucy, and McQueen, ‘Who’s Directing Your Movie?’ is the follow up to the husband and wife duo’s acclaimed debut ‘Black And Chrome’, released in 2016The pair set out with a defined mission statement to encapsulate the personal and wider feelings they wanted to share on the record, which as written by Classic Rock in their album review, it reflects the diversity of the couple’s career experiences”. The duo has been supported by everyone who counts in the rock/blues arena, from the already mentioned Classic Rock to TotalRockBlabberMouth and Record Collector, with spins at radio including BBC’s The Big Country Show and Radio Caroline.

Written and recorded throughout 2018 and 2019, the new body of work is a journey through genre and style – touching upon everything from Bluegrass, Folk, Americana, and Classic Rock – the stylistic shifts in the album are inspired by Robert Plant’s ability of reinvention, tied together by the duo’s core inspirations of the classic storytelling of songwriters including Bob Dylan and Richard Thompson. Crafting a unique voice among the genre, in their own words Ali Maas & Micky Moody wanted to create “a record which could be a commentary on our own personal journey and also ask a few questions about what is going on in the world. It is a nod to both of our pasts, but also looks forward to a new path”.

Opening track and lead single ‘These Times’ is a defiant and ever more so pointed protest song that is as scathing as it is a rally to the heart, whilst lighter moments of hope also peek through in songs such as the meditative ‘A Sunset and a Dram’. The duo’s erudite ability to weave sometimes heavy lyrical messages to captivating accompaniment and swampy rhythms is evident in the Gothic slides on ‘All The Bastards In The World’  and the Bo Diddley influenced ‘Where Does It Leave Me?’, written with Alan Glen (Nine Below Zero, Yardbirds). 

Yet amongst the defiance and the scathing critiques of the world’s ills, ultimately ‘Who’s Directing Your Movie?’ concludes with messages of hope and endeavour. On penultimate track ‘Crazy Leap of Faith’, Ali and Micky say:“This song is about taking a chance and leaping in out of your depth. There is freedom to be had out there. Sometimes it’s scary but it’s got to be done. And we sing this one together, because it’s kind of about us…”

Whilst on the final track of the album, these leaps are shown to be acts of responsibility to ourselves: “Many of the great old blues songs carry a message about lessons learned in life and we wanted to pay homage to that tradition. It talks about owning your decisions and accepting responsibility for your own actions instead of laying the blame at someone else’s door. It ends with the title of the album ‘ Who’s Directing Your Movie?’ The implied answer is ‘ You are!’ Get out there and live.. but live well”.

https://www.musicglue.com/alimaasmickymoody/

ROY3LS: BY BLOOD! This statement contains a significant depth of meaning that surpasses the literal fact that they are sisters. This trio seeks to connect with people at a much deeper level, aiming to create music that penetrates the mindsets and paradigms of culture, religion and social barriers. Their songs seek to uncover those places, moments and mindsets of our lives that hold us hostage and limit our God-given potential to be all we were created to become through the sacrifice of Christ. This is why we are ROY3LS: By blood! 

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The Nashville sisters Destini Rose, Stefanie Lynn, Faith Ann Marie are now unveiling their latest single “Destiny.” Inspired by current events, the song acts as their response to the unforgettable 2020. The trio confide, “After an uncertain year, Destiny is our response to how we are going to move forward in 2021 and how we are going to stay true to who we are no matter what the circumstances are around us.” The song is a much needed pick-me-up for everyone who has suffered the repercussions of the lockdown blues. Offering an uplifting anthem “Destiny” explodes with powerful, feisty instrumentation, haunting harmonies and passionate vocals. With an animated percussion section and brooding synths, the track follows the trio’s mantra of “sass with class!” 

With the hopes to inspire people to step into their destiny and pursue it with passion, ROY3LS want to use their music to help people understand their purpose in life – to find out who they really are, whose they are and the family they belong to. Their previous single “Quality Lady” was recently featured on the Samsung Ultra Galaxy advert, propelling the sisters to listeners across the globe. With their undeniable force, ROY3LS are storming ahead, with “Destiny” currently available worldwide.

Flaunting a fresh sound of foot-stomping Alt Pop/Rock, Izzy T brings a unique fusion of guitar melodies and electronic beats, driven by her cooly seductive yet fiercely powerful vocals. Following the release of her viral rock cover of Miley Cyrus’s “Midnight Sky”, which garnered over 341.5K views, Izzy is unveiling her explosive new single “Nuclear.” Featuring UK rap artist Ben Hunter, the almighty alt-rock-pop fireball of energy combines electric, raucous sass in a mix of fearsome beats and muffled, gritty guitar. Screaming enough is enough, the mantra of this song sits on a tidal wave of frustration, narrating the darkside of a relationship and how people can become the furthest thing from who they really are. Izzy shares, “This song has really paved the way for my new sound as an artist. I love big crunchy guitars and stompy beats, and the freedom to go from low and creepy, to high as the clouds with my voice!” With an underlying theme of empowerment in dark times, Izzy provides a voice that we can cling on to, emphasizing that we can do whatever we put our minds to. 

Izzy has already made her mark on iconic stages across the globe, including the Birmingham Barclaycard Arena (supporting Placebo), Nashville’s Tootsies, and LA’s Hotel Cafe. Press highlights include features in Billboard magazine, Earmilk, BBC interviews and iconic Pride main stage performances supporting Sandi Thom. The title track of her debut EP Sell Your Soul was chosen by Nick Donnelly for the soundtrack to the film “God Save The Queen”.

2020 garnered over 20 BBC plays of recent singles “MAD” and the mental health anthem, “Everybody Wants Something” – the latter raising money for the Hull & East Yorkshire MIND charity. This was followed by BIMM music academy “Women In Music” masterclass performances, and a secondary school tour. Izzy T is the female rock crossover that Britain has been missing for so long. A rescheduled UK tour, new single releases and an EP is set to follow for 2021, making it her biggest year yet. If you’re ready for an artist with something to say, keep it here…

After a year stuck inside and maintaining 6-feet, LA-based alt-pop artist Grady is done playing games and looking for true connection in new single “All In” out now via TMWRK Records. “You hear all the time, ‘Don’t double text, don’t simp, don’t be thirsty.’ ‘All In’ is the opposite of all those new rules, it’s just – “fuck it, I like you, I’m all in.”

100% written and produced by Grady, “All In” is fully loaded with exhilaration only a new romance can bring. The song (mixed and mastered by Diego Ferrera) is the antithesis of hookup culture and a refreshing reminder to listen to your heart over the ridiculous unwritten laws of dating. “It’s a song about that moment you know in your heart that you want to take a relationship with someone to the next level,” he notes, “Love makes people do silly things, but if you really feel it, sometimes you just don’t care how silly you make yourself look.” The singer-songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist delivers a track bursting at the seams with day-long pool parties, dripping popsicles, and neighborhood cookouts. Coming off of a year of restricted socialization, “All In” serves as the ultimate summer pre-game anthem. “I think the summer of 2021 is going to be the summer of unbridled love, with the world (hopefully) opening back up, and people yearning to see each other again in person,” Grady reflects, “I just want to make music that makes people feel happy and optimistic for the future.”

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 After racking up 6.6 Million views from previewing the record to her fans on TikTok, and over 48K pre-orders worldwide, Mimi Webb releases her highly anticipated new single “Good Without.” The new track is produced by Freedo and written by Mimi Webb alongside Fridolin Walcher and Sam Merryfield. The record serves as an immediate follow up to Mimi Webb’s viral single “Reasons” released earlier this year.

Listen HERE via EPIC Records.

Spellbinding R&B grooves, pop hooks galore, a smooth voice that wraps you in, and tasteful blues-tinged guitar licks that make you realize why many are calling him one of the best up-and-coming young guitarists in the country: This is what you get upon catching one of Logan Richard’s live shows, or upon a spin of his upcoming self-titled 2021 EP.
I have been performing ‘Better Than A Breakup’ live now for many years, and it quickly became a fan favourite. I think because it’s a relatable song: it’s about falling out of love with someone, but staying with them because you are scared of change/starting fresh. I had a friend who kept breaking up and getting back together with his girlfriend a few years
back. Clearly they weren’t meant to be, but they were too scared of life without each other to do anything about it. That’s where the song came from – Logan Richard

Emerging as a new kind of hip-hop royalty, BADDA TD unleashes his debut mixtape, Prince of Flatbush, today. Get it HERE via Epic Records.

To celebrate its arrival, he just shared the music video for his new single “Fame & Clout” [feat. Kash Sincere]. The track fuses airy guitar to skittering 808s as Badda TD’s signature flow takes center stage, rising and falling from a high-register into menacing melodies as he croons out the hook, “Shorty play games for the fame and clout. The music video depicts Badda TD as he presides over a table with piles of cash in a plume of smoke like a true boss.

Watch it HERE.

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Mexican-American artist & activist Alma Grace is releasing “Aventura,” the second single from her forthcoming debut EP, ‘FRIDA,’ due out on May 5th. 

Alma Grace has always felt a strong connection to Frida Kahlo. She first learned about her through the Frida adorned matchboxes and coasters her Grandmother would bring over from Mexico City. As she grew older, she dug deeper into Frida’s life and became fascinated by the ways in which the Mexican painter redefined beauty standards and broke down the boundaries placed on gender, race and sexuality. The ‘FRIDA’ EP, due out on May 5th, is both an ode to Frida Kahlo and an exploration of the ways in which Frida’s legacy has impacted Grace’s own journey through life. 

From the east end of Toronto, brings the independent alternative-R&B artist, Eadie. The talented songstress presents smooth R&B flows, with an alternative-pop twist. As a lover of alternative and hip-hop music, she writes poetic pieces over kicky beats. With each release, she mixes in a new mood; revealing another piece of her multifaceted persona. As Eadie puts it, she “doesn’t do love songs” and tends to focus her work on her struggles, behaviours and values.

Slowly by Eadie

Challenges are what make life compelling. Overcoming them is what makes them meaningful. New York based acoustic singer-songwriter David D’Alessio announces his new video for his latest single, “Throw Yourself in Front of It,” set to release on Friday, March 26th. Produced by the late Grammy-nominated Edward “Felix” McTeigue, the motivational track is the first single from D’Alessio’s upcoming EP, This Far Apart, out Summer 2021. 

Filmed in the historical Brooklyn neighborhood of Coney Island, the black and white video follows D’Alessio as he takes a socially distant stroll down the iconic Riegelmann Boardwalk. Filmed in one shot, the cinematic video captures people from all backgrounds and various interests embracing and facing our new normal. 

Be sure to stream David D’Alessio’s new single and video “Throw Yourself in Front of It,” out March 26, 2021, and look out for his new EP, This Far Apart, out Summer 2021.

Taking off heads with brand-new collaboration ‘I’m Not Hearing That’, Melbourne based UK DJ/Producer Tigs cooks up a monster instrumental as Mancunian MC Goldfinger, of Virus Syndicate fame, seasons it with fire and reload worthy bars.

STREAM/PURCHASE: GOLDFINGER & TIGS – I’M NOT HEARING THAT

Finding its roots in classic 140bpm, the choral synths and warped bass are reminiscent of early grime, whilst the ominous atmosphere it creates, echoes contemporary drill beats. Produced by Tigs, who has garnered regular support over the last year from the likes of Radio 1, KISS Fm, Rinse Fm and Apple Music, the record is a striking example of his unique blend of bass-heavy, UK homegrown genres, which often takes inspiration from strains of UK Garage, Grime, Dubstep, D&B, Drill and Trap, while maintaining an eclecticism that could be compared to The Streets or Basement Jaxx. Noting how the ‘I’m Not Hearing That’ came to life as a single, Tigs relays: “This tune was a fun collab to make, I grew up to the early sounds of grime, with Virus Syndicate being a big influence. I could just hear in my head that Goldfinger would sound nice on the track – so I reached out and we finished the tune together.”

Adding his exceptional MC artistry to the track, Goldfinger’s unmistakable voice cuts into the record with venom. His gravelly tone instantly finds its own rhythm as his varying pace kicks out with the layered beat and his passionately, animated delivery pulls you in to every bar. Teamed with bold ad-libs and carefully crafted punchlines throughout 4 high octane verses, which also hears Goldfinger excel in his double-time flow, the track holds yet another climax at its core in the shape of an anthemic hook.

A founding member of Manchester’s Virus Syndicate, Goldfinger’s solo career has evolved to position him as a king of bass music and has reaped the rewards of navigating multiple genres with his distinct rap talents. Touring throughout the world, independently releasing, having music featured across TV and scoring numerous Top 10 Beatport singles, Goldfinger illuminates ‘I’m Not Hearing That’ in a way no other MC could. Marrying the equally decorated skills of Tigs, who has recently received major worldwide attention with releases including ‘Run The Riddim’ on Slime Recordings, and ‘Silent’ on his own imprint Raw Tactics Records, the duo create a devilish charm with their collaborative single.

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“You Weren’t A Muse” is the debut EP from Tyra Jutai. On this EP, Tyra has mined out all the elements of her creativity and uses them to tell her stories through lyrics, sound and visuals. “You Weren’t A Muse” is a snapshot story of her character’s adventures.

This six-track EP combines elements of alternative, dark pop, and indie music all pulled together by Tyra’s unparalleled vocals. Tyra produced or co-produced, and wrote every track on the EP. Tyra loves to weave the thread of her personal narrative into stories and songs that are relatable to us all. 

Along with the EP, Tyra has released an official video for track 5, entitled “Queens” – a ride-or-die ballad about best friends coming-of-age and growing apart. In the video, she explores being a modern Betty Boop Cinderella character chasing fame and fortune, always at odds with herself. We can expect more accompanying visuals with this EP, as Tyra is both musical and visual storyteller. Watch the official music video on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rL-LRvWmjWk

Tyra Jutai

neillfrazer@hotmail.com

 

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