Epic Records releases Girls5eva: Music From The Peacock Original Series Soundtrack Album. Get it HERE. The nine-track collection arrives just in time for today’s anxiously awaited launch of the new Peacock Original comedy series Girls5eva. All eight episodes of the series are streaming now on Peacock.
Girls5eva was created and executive produced by Meredith Scardino, along with executive producers Jeff Richmond, Tina Fey, and Robert Carlock. Watch the trailer here!
The Soundtrack features original music from the show produced and composed by Jeff Richmond [Mean Girls on Broadway, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt] and co-written with series creator Scardino and the writers of Girls5eva. Girls5eva star and Grammy® Award-winner, Tony® and Emmy® Award-nominated singer, songwriter, actress and author Sara Bareilles penned the song “4 Stars” for the series. In addition to contributions from Milk Carton Kids and Andrew Rannells, it also boasts six songs performed by the eponymous 90s-girl-group-on-the-rebound Girls5eva—comprised of castmates Bareilles, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Paula Pell, and Busy Philipps.
Nearly six months after the release of his last Monstercat single, “Dark Room”, dubstep powerhouse Crankdat returned to the label today with the release of “Better Without You”. Featuring dynamic vocals from lauded singer-songwriter JT Roach, “Dark Room” has all the makings of a summer festival anthem. The addictive synth chords, vocoded vocal chops, and thumping drums are the defining characteristics of the energy-fueled drop. Listeners can look forward to hearing the familiar Crankdat sound as “Better Without You” encapsulates his boundary-pushing style, sought after by collaborators across the industry. Introducing his first release of 2021, this is a sign of more music to come from both of the talented producers on Monstercat.
JT Roach shares, “I wrote this song with my friends Crankdat, Madi Yanofsky, and Todd Spadafore. We hope you love it as much as we do!”
Crankdat has performed all over the world, at EDC Las Vegas, Wobbleland, Sunset Music Festival, and more recently, on livestreams for Dreamworld and Global Dance Digital Festival. His remixes and originals have seen widespread support from major artists like Marshmello, DJ Snake, The Chainsmokers, and more. JT Roach is an LA-based singer/songwriter, known for winning NBC’s hit show, ‘Songland’ in 2019. He’s one of the most popular crossover artists in the space, having collaborated with everyone from OneRepublic and SLANDER, to Krewella and Lil Jon.
Revered artist and performer, AJA (they/them) releases their new album, CROWN, on May 21. AJA incorporates themes of Black spirituality and elevation throughout CROWN – as well as fame, race, class, gender, and sexuality. CROWN is ultimately about AJA standing tall and proud while overcoming various hardships and coming to terms with their vulnerability. Instrumentation, singing and chanting throughout the album is directly tied to the Lukumi Faith; which stems from Nigeria – with every interlude having the name of the Orisha (or deity) being sung for in the title. Today, AJA releases “Crossbow,” the third single from the release.
Of the album, AJA shares: “Esú Elegba guarded the crossroads for me while Oggun fought my battles. Ochosi kept divine justice by my side while Obalouaye kept me healthy and alive. Shango kept me full of life and virility as Obatala taught me to speak my truth with wisdom. Obba taught me to allow myself to be loved while Oya unmasked all the artificiality in my life. Yemoja reminded me why I woke up every day and what I was fighting for while Oshun protected my crown and turned every bitter moment into something sweet. This project is about how my faith and my art intersected and I’m presenting it to the world ultimately as a labor of love but also a labor of truth. Spiritual or not, it was truly the influence of the energies and lessons these names represent that kept me going because I almost gave up. I’m glad I didn’t. I am happy to still be wearing my crown. I’ve never felt more happy and more abundant.”
AJA brought non-binary visibility into the music industry with their critically acclaimed debut album, Box Office (2019). They have performed epic live shows around the world, dedicated to uplifting their fans – through fashion, an inspiring perspective, brilliant songwriting and outspoken activism – and empowering them to be in front of their own destiny.
Born and raised in the heart of Brooklyn, AJA has become an international role model for people of all backgrounds and has become largely impactful within the LGBTQ+ community. AJA is of Puerto Rican, Nigerian and Egyptian background, and raised by a Puerto Rican and Trinidadian family as they were adopted. Being Afro-Latino from New York City, they put that influence into all of their music. Since the summer of 2018, AJA has performed over 180 live shows, selling out venues in the US, Brazil, Spain, Canada, Australia, Lebanon, and the UK. AJA has also toured throughout Asia and the Pacific Islands.
AJA’s music has received praise from Rolling Stone, Forbes, them, Vibe, GQ, V Magazine, Seventeen, Paper, Billboard, New York Magazine’s Bedford + Bowery, and Wussy Magazine amongst myriad other outlets
Photo Credit: Joey Senft
Jérémie here. “Stuck in Quarantine” is the first single from the upcoming Jérémie & The Delicious Hounds debut LP, Cruel, with both English and French tracks. Feeling heartbroken by our inability to play live shows, I was inspired to turn a grim situation into a great song, which typically for us is a combination of new-age funk/blues/soul sounds with a bilingual twist.
It’s our first official collaboration, with hip-hop artist Cityreal, and singer-songwriter Roman Clarke, who laid down this great rhythmic wave of percussion before “Stuck in Quarantine” was mixed by Roger Swan (k-os, Rascalz). It was a real team effort producing this song. Everyone’s creative input and musicality comes through.
Have a listen to “Stuck in Quarantine” (feat. Cityreal & Roman Clarke) on your preferred streaming platform now.
I had moved out on my own for the first time just before the lockdowns started. I felt completely secluded and worlds apart, clinging to some sort of connection with others thanks to modern day technology.
“Stuck in Quarantine” has romantic roots, about navigating a relationship during these circumstances. It’s tough, so I hope this song can bring you some solace.
– Jérémie & The Delicious Hounds
Get ready for the raw fury of Southern California-based punk/metal crossover band, Celebrity Stalker, who officially release their new music video for “Your Mom” out today – watch the video on YouTube HERE. The audio will be released on May 7th via Monster Media Records/Die Laughing Records. It is a fact: content is king in a digital world, and Celebrity Stalker gives it their all when producing music, videos, and other musical masterpieces. Celebrity Stalker’s new single and music video for “Your Mom” is the culmination of all of their efforts over the last six months. Their latest record, Year of the Thief, out last year, helped set the stage for what is to come.
“We met LP3 when he submitted the Celebrity Stalker song ‘Sunburn’ for airplay on our podcast, the Die Laughing Records Radio Podcast,” says Jillian Elizabeth of Die Laughing Records. “I was an immediate fan, and my partners Dave Dalton and Rob Trisler worked with Celebrity Stalker over time to integrate them into our DLR punk family. We are excited by Year of the Thief and feel great anticipation for the new projects launching between us and Celebrity Stalker in 2021. DLR has set the bar high, and we expect Celebrity Stalker to overshoot and deliver.”
“With overtones of a classic, in-your-face, thrash-metal song, Celebrity Stalker takes you on a magically strange journey into a world of self-discovery through the eyes of a young man looking for something only an experienced woman can provide,” the band explain. “His obvious obsession with the delicacies of an older woman has driven him to many untold dark secrets that are yet to be realized. His hunger drives his obsession and the only thing that can satisfy his appetite is Your Mom’s cookies …”
“Taxi TV is the home of the underdog, the bands and artists that fight to get their art out to the masses, and we are happy to be working with Celebrity Stalker as they come out swinging with the release of their new single, ‘Your Mom,’” says Ricky Menace of TaxiTV, the company that covers bands, and provides exposure through his show Taxi TV Live.
Kat Hamilton is a Los Angeles-based singer, songwriter and performer. Growing up in the Bay Area, the musician has hopped from city to city, leaving her mark in New York, Philadelphia, Boston, London, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. Hamilton cleverly crafts an intimate blend of rock, pop, Americana and emo, establishing an entirely new genre.
Her debut nine-track album, Recovery Songs, is a narrative of resilience, representing the singer’s real life experiences and struggles. Touching on topics, such as, addiction, trauma, loss and recovery, this debut solo release is deeply personal and intimate, yet sincerely resonates with listeners that may or may not relate to the personal struggles and issues brought up throughout the story.
Weaving together the very best of spaghetti western music, alternative country and early 2000’s indie rock, with elements reminiscent of Death Cab for Cutie, Fleetwood Mac and Sheryl Crow, Hamilton has forged a sound unlike anything else. “I feel like emo and country have so much in common. They are both a few chords and a story. So even though they may seem like an unlikely fit, I see them as doing the same job”, she admits. Kat Hamilton has found success touring across the nation as well as placements in popular TV shows.
Similar to her own experience, Hamilton hopes that her music may be of solace to those in need, getting them through their pain when nothing else can.
The crackle of a needle on a record; the static hum of an old car radio; the uneven growl of an amp warming up. Fall into these spaces between music and listener, between rawness and electricity, and you’ll pinpoint the genesis of Canadian singer-songwriter Andrew Waite’s sound: rugged yet fresh, dynamic yet timeless, and above all else, honest.
Andrew Waite’s passion for songwriting, stage performance and education bleeds into the music he crafts – his songs embody unmistakably real emotion, producing a delightfully unique experience when paired with his energetic live-show style. And that passion is really paying off: in the midst of his most successful few years to date, Andrew Waite recently won the coveted SOCAN Songwriter of the Year award from Music PEI (2020) for his song “Cash It In,” a tribute to Canadian veterans. His first solo effort, Tremors, garnered Waite 11 awards and nominations, including an East Coast Music Awards nomination for Rock Recording of the Year (alongside Wintersleep, Adam Baldwin and Motherhood).
Mixing folksy vocals with high-powered instrumentals, Andrew Waite’s approach to songwriting and performance is inspired by a range of artists, including Dan Mangan, Glen Hansard, Jason Isbell, and Bruce Springsteen. From sold-out concerts with 10-piece bands and booming horn sections—to pared-down, intimate acoustic sessions – Andrew’s range speaks to his refusal to be boxed in. Currently, the singer-songwriter is working with producer Chris Kirby on his upcoming album, the first single was released in January 2021. A collaboration with The Trews frontrunner Colin MacDonald, “Ain’t Going Out Like That,” is an addictively upbeat antidote to the adversity of the past year, hinging on a message of perseverance.
https://soundcloud.com/andrewwaite/dopamine/
Russian born, Los Angeles based pop soul artist Cooper Phillip succeeds in capturing the undivided attention of listeners across the globe. With her intense drive, soaring vocals and passionate songwriting, Phillip is elevating herself to the top of her genre.
Born in a small town in Russia to a family of accomplished classical musicians, her early years were shaped by being raised by her grandmother and aunt while her mother, a master violin player, toured around the world with various symphonies. This separation led Phillip to take comfort in music where she was enamoured by the vocal stylings of Ella Fitzgerald. A young Phillip taught herself Fitzgerald’s songs inside and out, noticing every nuance of phrasing and jazz intonations. Phillip eventually enrolled at the prestigious Moscow State Classical Academy where she studied classical piano, music theory, harp, jazz, blues, ballet and voice. The songstress worked diligently to expand her vocal range and control, taking everything that came in her path and feeding off of the challenge.
Recognizing her daughter’s talent and charisma, Phillip’s mother gave up her flourishing career to accompany a young Cooper on tour throughout Russia. Determined to pursue an international career in music, Phillip moved to New York City at the age of 17. With barely a dollar to her name, the singer worked and hustled, performing in weddings and clubs and sleeping in the storeroom of a restaurant where she sang. It wasn’t easy but she would not be deterred. After a few years in the city, Phillip jumped at an opportunity to sing at an important gig in Los Angeles. She never went back.
Phillip’s music features an underlying theme of strength, grace and empowerment. “I believe we underestimate ourselves often and our fear takes over. My goal is to show people that they are stronger and can do much more than they think they can”, she admits. Using true life stories, hardships and experiences, the songwriter emits authenticity and courage throughout her music.
Cooper Phillip has seen success with her previous single garnering over 10 million listens online. She has also developed an impressive and loyal fanbase, particularly on social media and has performed at some of Los Angeles most prestigious venues.
Elephante combines his high-energy dance roots with his songwriting, vocals, and electric guitar to create hypnotic new single “High Water,” which is out now. Listen to “High Water”. Regarding the track’s inspiration, he explains, “it’s about my experience in my younger years with drawing from opioids. The darkest moment in addiction where your mind gets so twisted that all you can think about is getting back to that high. During the pandemic, I thought a lot about that time in my life and saw a lot of parallels with life in quarantine, where all I wanted was to get back to the way things were pre-COVID, no matter the cost. ”The emotional and mental toll of the pandemic and quarantine ultimately led Elephante to a creative shift towards a more alt-electronic sound.
Mexican-American artist & activist Alma Grace releases her highly-anticipated debut EP, ‘FRIDA.’ The 4-song EP includes previous singles, “Girl Fight” and “Aventura,” as well as two brand new tracks, “Relámpago” and “Aztlán.”
Alma Grace has been inspired by Frida Kahlo’s life and work ever since she can remember. She first learned of her through the Frida-adorned matchboxes and coasters her Grandmother would bring over from Mexico City. As she grew older and started to learn more about Kahlo as both a woman and an artist, Grace became enthralled by the ways in which the Mexican painter redefined beauty standards and broke down the boundaries places on gender, race and sexuality. “In contrast to classmates and casting directors who criticized me for not being ‘white enough,’ Frida made me feel beautiful for my bushy eyebrows and black hair,” Grace writes. While the ‘FRIDA’ EP is certainly a project inspired by a feminist icon, it’s also an exploration of the ways in which Kahlo’s legacy has helped shape Grace into the woman and artist she is today. “When I listen to these songs, I hear my transformation from an angsty teen to a semi-independent young adult,” she writes of the EP. “It’s such a special project to me, and I knew that it had to be my artist introduction to the world.”
singer and songwriter Robyn Sherwell teases more new music with ‘Bare Minimum’, taken from her upcoming new album ‘Unfold’ due on June 18th. Alongside the studio track, Robyn shares the video of the official live version of the single –Watch ‘Bare Minimum’ Live Video here The live video performance shows Robyn’s confident presence and commanding vocals, adding a dynamic stage dimension to the more intimate studio version.
Co-written with Robyn’s friend and fellow female artist Litening, the song’smid-tempo, Massive Attack-style drums loop, depict the monotony of a relationship that seems to have lost its way, whilst the lyrics implore for “something more than this, bare minimum”. Talking about the meaning behind the song, Robyn says; “it’s a song that embodies a craving for something more than the bare minimum in a relationship that seems to have lost its way.”
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.
Today sees the release of NOA: a music film, from musician Taylor Rogers and cinematographer Lillian Walker. The 45-minute film brings to life the songs from Taylor’s 2019 NOA album. The thirteen separate vignettes, within, work together to collectively examine experiences of loss, grief, and rebuilding. Each song is performatively reinterpreted by a variety of different Chicago-based artists, with backgrounds as diverse as dance, mime, and circus arts. Lillian Walker’s camera carefully captures these scenes playing out in locations across the greater Chicago area. These sites range from the quotidian to the striking; including an abandoned Victorian church, the shores of Lake Michigan, and the residential environs of the city’s North Side.
NOA: a music film was first publicly introduced when Taylor released the namesake album. This collection of contemplative, intricate modern folk gained attention from trusted tastemakers including Folk Radio, For Folk’s Sake, Substream and beyond. Since then, Taylor, in partnership with longtime friend “Lilly”, has realized the full intended scope of the project by completing this essential visual counterpart. The music film artfully explores questions uncovered in the NOA songs, and which themselves are inspired by Taylor’s dissertation work at Northwestern University.
A driving factor in the project’s multimedia approach is the opportunity to expand NOA‘s storytelling. As Lillian explains “we wanted to show the way art can communicate by having the performers interpret the themes of each song through their own experiences. Those contributions are then interpreted through the cinematography and editing; each successive layer brings new qualities to the core message which enriches our understanding of what is being said.”
In a nutshell, my new single, “Golden” featuring Thieves Like Us, is about self (emotional) care. This crazy ass time we find ourselves living in has really given us space to think about all our fortunes and misfortunes.
“Golden” is about forgiveness for oneself.
There is a “Golden” place for all of us.
Stream “Golden” ft. Thieves Like Us through SOUNDCLOUD // SPOTIFY
The artwork and the music video are both perfect themes for “Golden.” The artwork is a dreamy place, and the video is a dance piece about release.
The sound is getting closer and closer to my musical truth. More expression, less impression.
Thanks for listening!
Chin Injeti
Rising teen talent, Cmagic5, is a soulful Canadian singer/songwriter and musician from Toronto. At age 4, she began performing in musical theatre and from then on she fell in love with music, immersing every ounce of her body into her art. As an actress, model and classically trained vocalist, her bold, confident and vivacious style has made her a force to be reckoned with. Cmagic5 truly believes that music is magic and offers an enchanting medium to connect with the world through its universal language. Her passion for making others smile and feel good is the motivation behind her music. Her much-anticipated debut album explores themes of self-empowerment and love.
“Love Me If You Can” is a song of self-love. The song speaks of self-realization that you don’t need to be anyone but yourself, encouraging listeners to prioritize their own self-respect and be comfortable in their own skin. The song has a dance worthy beat and an intimate intro which hones in on the lyrics before slowly building up to a pumping, self-empowering arrangement with tropical influences.
Her debut album, Ready to Run, draws on a mix of musical influences including rock, reggaeton, R&B, and classical, blending them into a modern pop sound. With catchy melodies and powerful lyrics, the album is a contemporary-pop whirlwind of self-worth and motivation, with a refreshing blend of old school vibes and futuristic sounds. Through an amalgamation of instrumentation, each track takes you to another world of magic, resulting in an engulfing experience. The tracks are all brimming with her effortless, emotive vocals ranging from her compelling head voice to a dreamy, angelic flow. Her inspiration elicited from both her real life experiences and her vivid imagination results in a collection of colourful, raw tracks. Cmagic5 shares, “my music promotes the idea of feeling good about yourself and spreading love.”
With every new single, Cmagic5’s delivery is accompanied by a unique story, spicy colours, enhanced visualizations and memorable graphics, which she creates herself. Her vivid creation and portrayal are truly reflective of her youthful and vibrant personality and brand. In a turbulent world that is so uncertain, so dark, and troubled, while exploring different cultures and genres, Cmagic5 wants to create music that is positive, inspiring and relatable through fashion and art.
Cmagic5 is an advocate and ambassador for mental health awareness, hoping to use her platform to shine a light on topics close to her heart. She is also a keen philanthropist and actively supports charity organizations with a mission to help teens with insecurities, build their self-confidence and boost their self-esteem. With over 8 million streams for her music and an ever-growing fanbase, Cmagic5 is quite literally taking the industry by storm.
Most people keep personal, embarrassing, and crazy thoughts to themselves. Annika Wells isn’t one of those people. She doesn’t just express these thoughts out loud either. She peppers them throughout her songs with the kind of honesty you expect from your childhood best friend. In her music, she’ll rattle off bucket list ambitions, refer to herself phallically, or write about a doomed romance (with that same ex as her cowriter). After watching her older brother play piano, she started taking classical lessons at the age of four, and eventually ended up at Berklee College of Music in Boston. Before dropping out, she linked up with producer Giulio Cercato and wrote and recorded what would become her first single “Break” in 2016. It caught fire around the world, catapulted onto the Spotify Global Viral Chart, and eventually eclipsed 15 million Spotify streams. She wrote and featured on “Crawl Outta Love” for Illenium, amassing 58 million Spotify streams, reaching the Top 30 on the Billboard Hot/Dance Electronic Songs Chart, and notching the International Songwriting Competition (ISC) Grand Prize. Between performing in sold out arenas across the country with Illenium throughout 2019, she landed a string of major placements as a writer for The Jonas Brothers, PRETTYMUCH, BTS, and Steve Aoki. After racking up over half a billion-plus streams, she welcomes everyone into her mind and heart on a series of 2021 singles and her forthcoming debut for Vol. 1/Epic Records led by the single “Fuck Being Sober.”
My new track, “Back It Up,” is about how frail love and dating can be in these modern times.
There is a weariness that can come with wanting to get close to someone.
I took influence from 90’s house to create a cruising, chill vibe on this song.
“Back It Up” embraces a technicolour sound, a little more pop and less spaced out than my previous tracks.
I think good songs come from a place of genuine feelings. When I feel something I need to get out, I can express it in a song and then the song feels honest to me.
Thank you for spending time with my music.
LiYON
Credit: Gabriel-Lévesque
BLUFF is a Russian born Canadian electronic music artist who bridges the gap between organic and digital realms. Making his musical start as a teen in various rock bands playing guitar and singing, BLUFF discovered electronic music and never looked back. His work gets its distinct sound by combining his love of older alternative music, great songwriting and fresh sounds.
Femme empowerment duo Hey, King! has an electric new album on the way full of stories of love, resilience, and powerful anthems. The indie rock band, signed by ANTI Records, is led by partners Natalie London (singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist) and Taylor Plecity (singer, percussionist and filmmaker). The powerhouse duo recently released their self-titled debut LP on April 2nd, which was produced by 4x Grammy winner Ben Harper. The record is a dazzling 11-track collection that matches the emotional intensity of the band’s live show concert experience. With each song on the set list proving Hey, King!’s undeniable chemistry as a paired musical force.
The band has already garnered widespread praise from the few album tracks that have been released – including “Beautiful” (50K Youtube views), “Sorry”, and “Road Rage”. Their recent “Road Rage” music video celebrates women’s strength, while highlighting the frustration of constantly having their sense of safety threatened (as displayed in recent news events). For the music video, Hey, King! invited 21 women to lip-sync the song, including actors and influencers such as Lauren Burch (TikTok), Rachel True (The Craft), Luenell,and the iconic Debra Wilson (MADtv).
The band leads Natalie London and Taylor Plecity have both had a tumultuous past. Natalie was raised in Ontario by a single mother who escaped an abusive relationship and beat life-threatening cancer. While Natalie later fought her own 4-year long bedridden battle with Lyme Disease – which she wrote about in her comedic book “Lyme Light: A Memoir”. The book received praise from stars such as Laurie Metcalf, Tori Spelling, Jennie Garth, Roseanne, etc. On the other hand, Taylor was raised in Arizona with an absent father and drug-dealing mother. Taylor was ultimately taken in by a teacher at 13-years-old, and found solace in the realm of Anime, winning a multitude of cosplay competitions. While pursuing acting, Taylor moved to Los Angeles where she eventually met Natalie, they fell in love (now 6 years together), and created Hey, King!
The pair created Hey, King! as a means to express themselves and let others know that they are not alone. Their music can be utilized to uplift, empower, and bring comfort to those during dark times – and let loose during happy times.
Nightshifts is the recording project of Toronto based songwriter Andrew Oliver. He works his magic across vintage synths, groovy guitars and drum machines during late-night recording sessions to create soulful and cosmic pop tunes. Nightshifts delivers slow-building progressions of phased synthesizers and delay-coated guitars to create powerful atmospheres that feel close-at-home. The project is both exciting and complex with a fast-growing reputation for kaleidoscopic production and soulful songwriting.
His music carries an underlying theme of imbalance and the challenge to stay present, with the musician confiding, “I very often get caught up thinking about past situations, and looking towards future ones. I write a lot about this imbalance. And ironically, the times I feel most in the moment is when I’m working on music.” Aiming to create music to teleport you to paradise, even if it’s just for three minutes, Nightshifts creates a space to both boogie and feel introspective, whilst learning and feeling something new with each and every turn.
Baked in optimism and rejuvenation, his latest single “Tunnel Vision” is a dewy springtime tune oozing in escapism. Mastered by John Greenham (Billie Eilish), the single sparkles with colourful dense soundscapes, emitting a vibrant, pop-clarity. With sunny strums, lyrical melodies that trace the vocals, rich harmonies and guitar solos that give you wings, the song is highly uplifting and hypnotically engulfing. Like a jungle in bloom, this single is an emporium of kaleidoscopic flares, inspired by the likes of Phoenix and The Strokes. The songwriter explains his fascination with “one-person production based artists” like Tame Impala, Bon Iver and Neon India, sharing, “I loved how these artists created a defined-aesthetic world around their music, and how it didn’t feel like a singer-songwriter project, but something closer to a band.”
Having garnered millions of streams on Spotify alone, Nightshifts has made a name for himself through his unique and innovative sound. Following the release of a remix of Bon Iver’s “Michicant,” Oliver was praised by Justin Vernon himself, further propelling the Canadian artist into the limelight and giving him a taste of what he is truly capable of. “Tunnel Vision” is currently available worldwide.
When reality became too much, ELUNIA created an alternative existence. A singer-songwriter-producer executing all of her own visuals, the New Hampshire-based recording artist captures the endless meaning of human interaction as an immersive experience. Her music delves beneath the surface, with striking electronic textures, soaring melodies, and observant, probing lyrics.
Although trained in music from an early age, it was the discovery of transforming feelings into creative entities that inspired the emerging songsmith to chart a different path. The multi-instrumentalist began writing and producing incessantly, hiding away in school practice rooms as a coping mechanism for the isolation she faced in the world around her. Fragments of thought noted in the midst of heart-wrenching moments evolved into ethereal, liquid atmospheres. Co-producing with multi-million streamed producer JMAC (Haux, Luz), the result is a flood of wild self-expression channelled through cinematic soundscapes.
Her latest release “Pressure Points” speaks of idolizing someone through a struggle with mental health and the fear of losing them. ELUNIA describes, “It’s not like someone is outright saving you, but more that they’re just existing in the right places and the right ways, and it’s really subtle, but that makes it all the more powerful.”
ELUNIA is inspired by unique sonics that push boundaries, alongside currents of inexplicably raw, human emotions. The genre-bending, alt-pop essence radiates through her music, with the introspective single oozing in intimacy and vulnerability. “Pressure Points” features cries of hazy guitar falls and atmospheric keys, all shimmering with authenticity. The mellow track includes original voice memos with birdsong floating in the background, resulting in a hypnotic and peaceful delivery and ultimately giving listeners a moment to breathe and appreciate our inner strength.
Individually Paper Pabs, Bossman Birdie and Milli Major have deep roots to British Black Music DNA. Compiling talents of skilled lyricism, production and creativity they have evolved with the scene’s leaders, laying unshakeable foundations that include their rich heritage with Meridian Crew and Bloodline Family alongside the likes of Skepta and JME. With each building their own solo status as frontrunners in recent years, the trio reassemble in an unexpected but legendary moment with the formation of ‘3Smoke’.
STREAM/PURCHASE: 3SMOKE – SIDE OF THE STEP
Featuring echoes of bouncy grime flows teamed with deeper drill beats, Paper Pabs sets the tone for the rise of 3Smoke with ‘Side of the Step’. The candid street tale unravels with assured confidence as the trio affirm their position as culture patrons with their expansive skillset, notable experience and lyrical sway. Milli Major steps in on the track with ease, adding his guttural punch before Pabs pounces back in seamlessly with the wavey hook. Serving up the grand finale, Bossman Birdie delivers his bold, wavering flow as he flips between a lo-fi bounce in to a charged and skippy tempo resulting in a glorious celebration of the trio reuniting.
What is exceptional about 3Smoke is their individual talents. Carving careers from the very inception of the DIY culture, it is their determination, experience and application towards their craft that makes them incomparable. ‘Side of the Step’ captures that essence perfectly. From the Paper Pabs production to the Milli Major directed visuals, the trio have a union that sees them deliver in-house quality from start to finish. Bossman Birdie explains “Although 3Smoke is a subdivision of the legendary Bloodline collective, it has a new, fresh, energetic feel to it, that merges organically with the original authentic sound and style. You can feel the growth and a different, edgier grit that you in ‘Side Of The Step’. We’re taking the listener on a different, more intimate journey of our reality. Touching on postcode issues and how we don’t subscribe to that mentality, at the same time delivering a very real element of the streets through the music.”
WATCH: 3SMOKE – SIDE OF THE STEP
Constantly establishing themselves in new guises and exploring their endless creative flair, Paper Pabs, Milli Major and Bossman Birdie are names that have maintained both relevance and a position at the front of the scene throughout its many cycles of new artists. Making his writing/directing debut in 2020, Milli Major released the critically acclaimed short film ‘Major Paper’, which also heavily featured his 3Smoke comrades Paper Pabs and Bossman Birdie scattered through the films soundtrack and scenes, alongside scene stars Tion Wayne, Nines and Lippy Lickshot.
Marking the next step of evolution for this unstoppable trio, ‘Side of the Step’ consolidates what is set to be an unmissable debut from 3Smoke.
Myles Lloyd is an R&B singer from Montreal, Canada. His vocal presence and songwriting is filled with a careless emotion that can be defined as vulnerable, honest and when at its best, confusing. Filled with complex stories and real-life scenarios that have haunted Myles over the years, his music acts as a release when his thoughts are finally transformed into lyrics.
Myles’ latest single “Running On You” narrates feeling exposed in a situation that you’re not comfortable with. The track sees his lyrics and emotions forming from facing his fears head on; resulting in his realization of needing to do some self-introspection. Myles shares, “I wasn’t listening to anything other than my fears whilst finding the words to say.” Inspired by his current life circumstances, the track is about deploying his strength and coming to terms with his concerns of being misunderstood, while trying to reassure his love interest that it will all be okay in the end.
Sonically the song is rich in R&B tones, ambient synth pulses and sexy guitar riffs that add a rawness to the track. The song develops into an engrossing pre-chorus with vocal layers and soft drum claps dissolving into a tunnel of emotion leading into the chorus. “Running On You” is an intimate experience oozing in honesty and an unguarded shimmer showing us a more sensitive and unfiltered side to the songwriter. His vocals are compelling with his lyrical melodies making for a hypnotic, affecting experience. The track emits a sun-soaked warmth, inspired by his time in Los Angeles. The listening process is delicate and personal with Myles explaining that if you listen alone in solitude, “you can either imagine I’m talking to you or talking about my situation to you.”
Over the years Myles has been strongly influenced by artists such as Michael Jackson, Bruno Mars, Drake and Prince. Racking up an impressive three million streams for his previous releases and garnering acclaim from the likes of Elevator, Source, Revolt and Hip Hop DX, to name a few, Myles Lloyd is rapidly becoming an artist to watch for 2021.
Photo Credit: Brooily Vargas
New York-based vocalist ISA MARINA has released her latest single, “PAID UP” today, a Latin-trap track.
Influenced strongly by Isa’s love for Hip-hop and Reggaeton, “Paid Up” is an ode to self-love, confidence and freedom. On the track Isa showcases a new side to her vocal capabilities, marking her first performance with a heavily melodic and rap infused tone, as the cadence happily dances between Pop/R&B and Rap flows. The song was co-written by Isa and Chandra Rhyme. Alongside the strong bass and shakers, Isa comes in with her most rhythmic vocals yet. As a fan of hip-hop, she wanted to incorporate different flows and cadences in “Paid Up.”
Isa Marina defines talent, passion, and creativity. NYC-born and Bronx raised, surrounded and infused with the rich cultural heritage of her Dominican and Afro-Cuban roots, as well as her native New York. Isa Marina has followed in her grandmother’s footsteps, the famed Cuban vocalist and actress Isaura Mendoza. She is often compared to Selena Quintanilla, Aaliyah, and Mariah Carey, with the current stylings and influences of her Latin/Caribbean contemporaries: Rihanna, Karol G, and Natti Natasha. Isa’s music is reflective of her multi-faceted personality, soulful roots, edgy exterior, and overpowering vocal ability.
In 2018 Isa Marina officially created and founded her record label, Norwood Entertainment, LLC and successfully managed and embarked on two tours: the Live in NYC Tour (2018), and her True Colors Tour (2019). She executive produced and managed the roll-out of the True Colors EP (2019). Her most recent live offering was for this year’s Bronx Pride 2020 Concert for NYC Pride. Isa Marina was invited to compete on MTV’s TRL, for the show’s ‘Rock the Mic’ competition hosted by Keyshia Cole and won. She also collaborated with Tidal when she was invited as a guest on popular Latin online personality, La Bella Chanel’s show: ‘Ayudame Chanel’. In August of that same year, Isa Marina released her beloved summer hit-single, “Tidalwave” All of her music is available for streaming on all digital platforms. She is currently working on new music and content to share with her adoring supporters.
Photo-by-Mohamad-Abdouni
Wake Island is an electronic producer duo originally from Beirut and now based between Montreal and New York. Through their music, they attempt to reconcile their Arab roots with their North American lives, infusing Middle Eastern sounds into songs that are inspired by Detroit techno and 80-90s pop/rock.
The band is composed of Philippe Manasseh and Nadim Maghzal, who met in Montreal in the early 2000s. While pursuing a biology Ph.D. and a finance degree, they became part of the flourishing local music scene and threw themselves into a series of musical projects.
In 2016 came their sophomore album Out, a work of self-aware transition and a vehicle for personal and spiritual awakening. This record was a milestone, affirming Manasseh’s queer identity and the band’s electronic sound. It was followed in early 2017 by the Sentimental Animals EP, a collection of dance tracks that set the tone for their next album, the result of a long evolution and introspection.
Their upcoming full-length Born To Leave explores identity from various personal and societal angles through songs in three languages (English, French and Arabic). Drawing inspiration from their own immigration experience to North America from Lebanon, the album captures the complex array of emotions that are part of this journey from confusion to nostalgia, anger and hope. On stage, the band dives deep into these emotions to bring this album to life and create a unique show experience that celebrates their diasporic identity.
Our new single is about the trickery our subconscious mind plays on us when we’re feeling low. “Sad Girls Club” explores self-deprecation, unworthiness, and being burdensome.
When a lot of our daily distractions came to a halt during the first month of quarantine, a lot of our demons came to visit.
This track was our break-through from writers’ block. By expressing our fears in a tangible way, it helped to pull us out of the mud.
View the official video for “Sad Girls Club” on YouTube
Stream “Sad Girls Club” on your favourite platform
A lot of dark thoughts that inspired this song combined to create an epic, heavy banger, and we were able to pour all of those feelings into the production of the track.
It’s always amazing to see what incredible art and positivity can come from channeling negative thoughts and feelings.
As the name implies, we just want to make songs that you can cry to in the club. It’s okay at any age to feel like an emo kid who loves both pop and trap music.
Thank you for listening,
I M U R
Aradia is a self-produced multi-instrumentalist singer/songwriter that brings something with originality and depth to the world of Alternative Pop. Her progressive, building arrangements echo elements of Robyn, MARINA, Blondie, and Roosevelt—artfully blending Nu Disco, 80s guitar rock and modern electronica.
Born in the New York City metropolitan area & studying music from early childhood, Aradia eventually enrolled in the Aaron Copland School of Music focusing on flute and voice. She played guitar & sang in bands, while working on her synth-driven solo music. After a sojourn to Seattle & Los Angeles where she fine-tuned her craft and her sound, Aradia is now back home in NYC, focusing on live performances & releasing a string of anthemic singles.
In addition to making music, Aradia is passionately involved in Animal Rights & Rescue, racial & gender equality, and fashion design. A dedication to conservation and a sustainable future drive the message behind some of her songs, as well as her social media and partnerships. With the goal of bringing more attention to the power of egalitarian cooperation, Aradia mentors & works to inspire at every available opportunity.
“My whole adult life has been this journey of trying to figure out where home is,” Montbleau reflects. “I think I’ve finally found it.”
Set to roll out across four distinct EPs, Wood, Fire, Water, and Air marks Montbleau’s first studio release since putting down permanent roots in Burlington, Vermont, where he recently purchased a house after more than two decades of living on the road. While much of the material here was written in fits and starts over the past several years, it’s clear that the desire for stability was very much on Montbleau’s mind even before he settled on the banks of Lake Champlain, and the songs reflect a maturity and self-awareness that can only come from the difficult work of rigorous self-examination. Montbleau is quick to credit therapy for his growth of late, but he sings about more than just himself here, mixing sly humor and deep revelations as he meditates on the ties that bind all of us perfectly imperfect humans together. Taken as a whole, it’s a broad, insightful collection balancing boisterous rock and roll energy with intimate folk introspection, a sprawling, magnetic record all about listening, letting go, and living life.
“I’ve been through a lot over these past few years,” says Montbleau, “and I’ve experienced some monumental shifts in my perspective. The only way for me to write about it was to just get as honest and vulnerable as I could.”
Raye Robinson is an indie alt/pop artist based in Los Angeles. Through honest songwriting and relatable themes, the born and bred SoCal artist creates a fresh and intoxicating sound, emitting an innocence and dreaminess that whisks you away to a fantasy land. Having previously performed in bands, her time alone during the pandemic allowed the artist to dive into herself as well as her music and uncovered her love for taking creative control over her sound. Produced by Rob Auerbach, out of his DIY garage studio, Robinson’s upcoming music emits a spunky, fun, laidback and feel good vibe that keeps pulling you back for more.
Debut single “Daisies” is the first track off of her upcoming EP entitled Crushes & Love Songs. Unsurprisingly the song is a matter of the heart, narrating her unfortunate and confusing love situation. The songwriter confides, “I ended things with a guy that I was seeing because I was afraid to get into something serious. After we stopped seeing each other, though, I really missed the connection we had, and I couldn’t stop wondering ‘Does he miss me too? Does he hate me now? Did I make the right decision?’” Robinson explains this sparked her thinking about the “he loves me, he loves me not,” picking petals from flowers trope. She shares “I immediately loved using the word ‘daisies’ in the hook, and from there the rest of the song came together pretty quickly!”
“Daisies” is a tune packed with dynamics and a surprise. Starting off with an intimate, minimalistic feel laced in tender piano hits, the track bursts to life with a bass-infused piano, soft vocals and glassy, light production. The song carries a diverse use of keys creating a soundscape of heavy and light with an almost old-school Lily Allen-esque bounce to the rhythm. The track is beaming in sunshine and femininity creating warmth to the track which radiates through its simplicity. “Daisies” is currently available worldwide.
BINNY is a bedroom pop artist born and bred in Maryland. Having sung before he could even talk, BINNY’s musicality runs deep in his veins. Growing up in a family of musicians, he learned piano from the early age of six, before self-teaching the guitar and eventually onto songwriting and producing.
His latest single “Feedback” is an electrifying modern pop/hyperpop tune bursting with energy. Working with producer Zhone (Slayyter & Chaos Chaos), the track has pounding fat synths and a trap-inspired, tight beat bringing in a mix of powerful sentiments and dynamics. As well as having impeccable range and vocal control, BINNY’s rapping elevates the track to a whole different level and sees him experimenting with new sounds and techniques to his previous releases.
“Feedback” speaks of the need for a reciprocal love that is 50/50. Following his own love language of “words of affirmation,” BINNY used this idea to create a song that speaks of positivity and the importance of using language to spread uplifting messages of love and support. BINNY shares, “It’s a sexy and playful song about being receptive to love and needing that feedback to feel confident.”
Admitting how both listening and writing music is equally therapeutic, BINNY hopes that by conveying his true emotions and thoughts may act as a form of medication for audiences. He also strives to represent Asian American’s in pop culture and mainstream music, something that he feels lacks recognition. He shares, “I hope to be a part of that change and be inspiration for other Asian Americans who want to pursue music.”
BINNY is also a fashion enthusiast, using style to express himself. The singer shares, “It’s also important for me that my music is translated visually in what I’m wearing.” Aside from songwriting, BINNY also grew up doing theater in school and took part in numerous productions. In college, he was a part of an award-winning a capella group that got to compete in the International Championships of Collegiate A Cappella (ICCA) on Broadway.
Cassadee Pope‘s new single “What The Stars See” featuring Karen Fairchild (Little Big Town) and Lindsay Ell, beautifully expresses the desire to peek into someone’s life who is no longer part of your own. The explosive track was written by Pope, Jake Rose and Lindsey Rimes.
“I was inspired to write ‘What The Stars See’ after sitting outside one night looking up at the stars, curious what their perspective might be looking down on us. It made me think back to times in my life when I had just come out of a relationship but still felt so connected to the other person. I imagined having the superpower to be among the stars and observe, from their perspective, an ex moving on with their life (or not).”
Cassadee’s powerhouse vocals come alive stronger than ever under the masterful direction from the track’s producers Nick Wheeler (All-American Rejects) and Karen Fairchild (Little Big Town) – role models who represent the best from the eras of Cassadee’s own musical journey. Working with these two accomplished artists from different musical backgrounds created a genre-blending synergy that fully encapsulates Cassadee’s sound.
“What The Stars See” is available for streaming HERE.
Jayla Kai is excited to share her first single, “I Can’t Lie” from the 18-year-old’s debut EP out later this summer through new independent label, Everybody’s Music. Jayla’s artistry is expansive and showcased through her the music video from her drawings to the editing process.
Jayla’s been writing her own music for eight or so years, exploring methods of musical expression, developing her style and approach. Writing songs is essential for her, offering a fundamental route to expression that nothing else does. Her first offering here, “I Can’t Lie”, evokes something of Laura Veirs. You could call it folk, but it’s not really that. Written when she was only 16 and furnished since with genre-mixing production and instrumentation, it doesn’t really matter what it is — it’s undeniably good. Created alongside her mentors and collaborators, producer and percussionist Manuel Quintana and guitarist Kyle Esposito, “I Can’t Lie” is a bold introduction to a sharp, colorful new voice.
“’I Can’t Lie’ is made from romantic nostalgia, summer and poetry. It’s indulgent. I never thought I could have a song with a beat drop. Now, I love it. It’s authentic, vulnerable, shamelessly unfiltered. It’s me.”
Coming off the inspiring “Glory” music video, Filipino-Spanish-American artist Kyd the Band (aka Devin Guisande) adds to the anticipation of his upcoming EP with the emotionally healing single, “Somebody’s Song.”
“Somebody’s Song” is dedicated to those who have hurt you in the past, a cathartic expression of the feelings of betrayal and loss. Instead of moving on and pretending everything is fine, Devin expresses the importance of understanding and unburdening yourself of those feelings. “Everyone celebrates someone who hurt them and shows that they’ve overcome the hurt, but there’s a flipside where you have to relive those feelings and work through them.”
Kyd The Band writes songs on topics underrepresented in the music industry and “Somebody’s Song” is the latest example of this. No story is left untold as Devin’s discography cuts deep in tracks that are just as personal as they are memorable.
After three EPs telling stories of adversity, loss and triumph, Kyd The Band (aka Devin Guisande) is releasing the last project of his series, Season 4: Finale. Since beginning his musical journey, Guisande has steadily been growing a fan base earning over 25.2M streams and over four million video views.
In each season, Kyd The Band has continued to develop his sound and story. From discussing the delusion of the American dream, the passing of loved ones, and self-acceptance, there is no topic Devin is unafraid to share his experience on.
With season four on the horizon, Devin has found his own American dream. His dream of creating music not for the sense of fame or money but for being able to connect with people. On overcoming what other people think of him he explains, “Whatever the case, you can’t give someone else the power you have to make the decisions for your life. You either let the negative voices in your life pull you down or make you stronger — the choice is yours.”
Returning with a bang, multiplatinum Brooklyn phenomenon Flipp Dinero unleashes his new song and music video entitled “The GetBack” today. Get it HERE via We The Best Music Group/Cinematic Music Group/Epic Records. Watch the music video HERE via VEVO/YouTube.
On the track, Flipp fires off unbreakable bars with precision and power, coasting over an ominous beat and right into the bulletproof chant. In the accompanying visual, he cruises through New York in a souped-up ride with butterfly doors wide open. The clip intercuts this midnight cruise with tight closeups of the rising star spitting relentlessly and a lone dancer wading in dollar balls.
It arrives on the heels of his 2020 banger “No No No” [feat. A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie]. Reeling in critical acclaim, HYPEBEASTpraised, “Flipp Dinero comes through with melodic auto-tuned vocals with a catchy hook,” and Billboard raved, “The melodic twosome barrel through the trap beat with vigor, highlighting why New York hip-hop hasn’t lost a step in 2020” in addition to plugs from REVOLT, HotNewHipHop, and more.
Flipp Dinero is officially back.
Flipp has been creating one anthem after another. His breakthrough banger “Leave Me Alone” just picked up a quadruple-platinum certification from the RIAA, while “How I Move” [feat. Lil Baby] went platinum. Last summer, he guested on Smoke DZA’s “Hibachi” alongside Jadakiss. He also dropped the single “Rich Today,” which Complex premiered.
The next hip-hop heavyweight in a long line of Brooklyn, NY contenders, Flipp Dinero rose up from the Borough to the top of the charts the old-fashioned way—one anthem at a time. The Haitian-American rapper broke the internet with the 2018 smash “Leave Me Alone,” which eventually hit the Top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 and went quadruple-platinum. Meanwhile, he lit up the platinum anthem “How I Move” [feat. Lil Baby] and 2019 project Love For Guala, bringing his total streams past 1 billion.
17-year-old budding star Melvoni unveils his brand-new Return To Sender EP today and new video for his single “Million Dollar Peasant” directed by JMO Productions.
LISTEN to Return To Sender HERE
WATCH “Million Dollar Peasant” video on YouTube/Vevo HERE
He initially set the stage for the EP with the banger “Get Money” [feat. Tyla Yaweh & DDG]. The music video posted up 233K YouTube views, while the song racked up 251K Spotify streams and counting. Earning critical acclaim right out of the gate, HotNewHipHop praised, “Melvoni has been making quite the impact as of late thanks to a plethora of dope singles that show off his singing chops, as well as an ability to write catchy hooks that are going to stay with you” before promising the single “features all of the youthful exuberance you would expect from these three.”
The four-track EP highlights the dynamics of Melvoni’s inimitable signature sound. Clean guitar bristles up against on melodic rhymes on “Million Dollar Peasant” as his voice echoes on the chantable chorus. Meanwhile, he pulls up over trap piano on “Call” with slick storytelling as he urges, “If you ever feel alone, just give me a call.” For the explosive finale “Blaze of Glory,” he bodies a skittering beat with commanding and confident bars.
Bernard and Rachel Chadwick are the husband-and-wife duo that create pop/rock music imbued with love and artisanship. Theirs is an enviable creative relationship built around making more of themselves and the world through collaboration. The band started while Bernard was earning his MFA at ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, California. It was a way for rock to fuse into art and art to fuse into rock. This became the exact intention of their music going forward. The band’s incorporation of pop sensibilities, ethereal vocals, insightful lyrics and rock undertones give them a sound that is unique, fun and sure to keep you grooving.
Their third full length album 17 was released in August 2020.
Bealby Point is like a cross between The Strokes and Eagles with a splash of Bahamas…on the rocks, no ice.
Not unlike a gang of pesky neighbourhood kids from a Stephen King novel, Bealby Point spent their roaming youth sneaking out to parties, riding bikes, and exploring the night in the sprawling suburbs of Deep Cove, a coastal neighbourhood of North Vancouver, which also serves as a major inspiration to their songwriting, atmosphere and energy.
Looking to the future through the lens of the past, the boys have consumed the better part of the last two years striving toward a collective goal: capturing the most cherished memory of your favourite summer and turning it into the perfect sound.
Watch for Bealby Point in 2021 as the ramp up for the release of their newly recorded EP, featuring singles, “Talk To Me” and “I’m So Bummed Out” recorded with veteran producer Matt DiPomponio at the Juno award-winning studio, Echoplant Sound.
Previously released single, “dancing in the kitchen,” now has an acoustic version streaming everywhere now, as well as a live performance video. The song is all about being lazy and wasting the day away with someone you love and adore spending time with. It marks the moment when you know you’re with the right person because it doesn’t matter what you do, as long as it’s together. Trips and pre-planned adventures just seem like extra effort to get to the same feeling of bliss that can be created at home, dancing in the kitchen. It creates the mood for “tendency to be a loner” and that vision of being alone together really gets rooted in warm, loving energy.
The official music video for “dancing in the kitchen” is just as cozy as the cotton socks that Zachary Knowles wears as he spins around on the hardwood floor and plays guitar on the kitchen counter. A soft smile sits between his cheeks and his eyes sparkle through the holes of the Connect Four board game that he’s playing with his lover, who must be holding the camera. He cooks up a bacon and egg breakfast, picks lemons from the tree in the yard, and hangs out in his comfy sweater as he sings, “Let’s put the stress to the side / You and I, we can have a good time.” No phones in sight; just Knowles’ warm energy and chill vibes.
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