Madison Beer releases “Reckless,” a powerful vocal statement from the rising pop star and the first single to come from her next project. The soaring track, co-written and co-produced by Madison, follows the announcement of her 2021 fall tour, tickets on sale now. You can stream “Reckless” here via Epic Records.
“’Reckless’ was written about how easy it is for some people in relationships to hurt others and move on without any guilt,” says Madison. “People have so much power over their partner’s feelings, yet many still choose to treat each other carelessly. I believe there is a balance to putting ourselves and our feelings first, while knowing we have the responsibility of treating people with respect, kindness, and consideration. It’s so important to find that balance in every relationship and knowing when to move on if you can’t.”
The release of “Reckless” follows the announcement of Madison’s highly anticipated 2021 tour and two-day Las Vegas residency, both of which are on sale now. For a complete list of tour dates and ticket information, visit madisonbeer.com. Dates and ticket information for the Resorts World Las Vegas residency can be found at https://zoukgrouplv.com/madisonbeer/.
Madison’s debut album Life Support, her strongest personal and artistic statement to date, was released earlier this year. The album has accumulated over 700 million streams and includes singles “Selfish,” Madison’s fastest ever gold-certified record, and “BOYSHIT,” which Billboard called “one of the best pop chorus openings of 2020.” She has attracted the endorsements of NME, The Guardian, V Magazine, Paper, and Rolling Stone (who hailed her a “rising popstar”). Globally, Madison has over 3 billion streams across her catalogue to date, and a social following of over 25 million on Instagram, 14 million on TikTok, and 3 million on Twitter.
FULL LIST OF LIFE SUPPORT TOUR DATES:
October 18th – Toronto, ON – Phoenix
October 20th – Montreal, QC – Corona Theater
October 22nd – New Haven, CT – Toad’s Place
October 24th – New York, NY – Terminal 5
October 25th – Boston, MA – House of Blues
October 26th – Philadelphia, PA – TLA
October 28th – Silver Spring, MD – The Fillmore
October 30th – Charlotte, NC – Underground
October 31st – Atlanta, GA – The Buckhead Theatre
November 2nd – Lake Buena Vista, FL – House of Blues
November 3rd – Fort Lauderdale, FL – Revolution Live
November 5th – New Orleans, LA – House of Blues
November 7th – Houston, TX – House of Blues
November 9th – Nashville, TN – Brooklyn Bowl
November 11th – Detroit, MI – St. Andrews
November 12th – Chicago, IL – House of Blues
November 14th – Minneapolis, MN – Varsity
November 15th – Kansas City, MO – Truman
November 17th – Denver, CO – Summit
November 18th – Salt Lake City, UT – The Depot
November 20th – Portland, OR – Roseland Theater
November 21st – Vancouver, BC – Commodore Ballroom
November 22nd – Seattle, WA – Neptune
November 24th – San Diego, CA – House of Blues
November 27th – San Francisco, CA – The Fillmore
November 28th – Los Angeles, CA – The Wiltern
Leading up to the anticipation of his fourth EP, Season 4: Series Finale, Filipino-Spanish-American artist Kyd The Band (aka Devin Guisande) shares the penultimate single, “Small World.” Showing a new side and style from the pop artist, “Small World” mixes elements of pop, hip-hop and electronic music in an invigorating rhythmic ballad on moving on from a toxic relationship.
Produced by Supah Mario (Drake, Young Thug, 2 Chainz) and Aaron Chafin (Ingrid Michaelson), as well as written with Tommy Lee James (Taylor Swift, Reba McEntire), Kyd The Band enlisted an all-star line-up to create the captivating tour de force.
Devin delights on this record, showing his talents as not only a vocalist, but as a poet as he effortlessly lets his heart out in a barrage of words filled with passion. “It’s a small world, but I hope it’s big enough to never see you again,” he croons as the multi-talented Nashville-based artist tries to move past the ones who’ve hurt him. “Small World” moves on in every sense of the word as Devin leaves behind the pain and hopes to forget the damage they’ve caused.
Written two years ago, “Small World” has been highly-anticipated by his fans since it was regularly performed on tour while unreleased. With his upcoming EP Season 4: Series Finale set to be released June 18th, Kyd The Band delivers on his fan’s wishes, appreciating their support as he reaches the conclusion on this chapter of his career.
The track comes at the perfect time of reflection. After three EPs telling stories of adversity, loss and triumph, Kyd The Band is releasing the last project of his series, Season 4: Series 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.
“Wake Up“ is a song about becoming enlightened through finding a different perspective.
Stream “Wake Up“ via your preferred platform below!
I’ve been collaborating with Sterling Grove for many years now, and we recorded my forthcoming debut EP, with dreamy pop vocals & electronic beats, at a cabin in northern Québec. The stars at night, the forest surrounding us, creating music at all hours of the day… Writing Cabin Days was an adventure I will never forget.
We love the fusion between organic and electronic music, and we feel we did it right on this one. There are so many textures, and amazing atmospheric ear candy sounds.
Cabin Days will be available on June 25, 2021.
Thank you for listening,
Ellyn Woods
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My music has been borne out of leaving my comfort zone. I packed my life up into a van and decided to leave my home province of Québec, driving all the way to Malibu, California, to begin writing with new collaborators. So began the process which created My Lullaby, featuring the track, “Walk Out on Me.” Maybe I’m a bit old fashioned, but I feel that great things take time. This song reflects my feelings on how we give up on things too easily nowadays. The greatest relationships are the ones you fight for.
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“Walk Out on Me“ started as a blueprint written with my drummer, Marc Beland. We then travelled to the west coast of British Columbia to work with Brian Howes (Mother Mother), who assisted us in finalizing the lyrics and production. Making My Lullaby has cemented my faith in music – the healing power of it and the need for me to do this my entire life. There is nothing else I want more. I left everything behind when I was at my lowest, but in doing so I rediscovered who I was and figured out how to move forward. I hope that these songs can accompany you along your own journey. Jonathan Roy |
Keonte is an artist from Austin, Texas. As a songwriter for as long as he can remember, Keonte found his path in music after going out to various local music venues and bars where he gained his affinity for art-culture at a young age. This has not only affected the type of music Keonte feels inspired by, but has had a direct influence on his personal style and approach to his craft. As a festival-goer and a self-proclaimed “internet-age geek,” Keonte is driven by the motivation to speak on how to make things fitting for his generation and the future, and is a strong supporter of the LGBTQ+ community.
Worldwide phenomenon, Monsta X, officially released their 9th mini-album, One Of A Kind, last night. Accompanying this release is the music video for focus track, “GAMBLER,” which you can watch here. One Of A Kind marks the band’s first Korean album release of 2021, following Fatal Love in November 2020; which Teen Vogue referred to as a “flashy hit.”
The tracks behind this mini-album were meticulously curated in order to highlight 100% of Monsta X’s purity. The title One Of A Kind came to fruition in order to show the fierce style of Monsta X, through stronger-than-ever teamwork, grand blockbuster scale visuals and movie-like music videos. They successfully did just that with the video for focus track “GAMBLER”; with Billboard stating “The Oceans Eleven-style heist visual for the finger-snapping R&B slow-burner finds the six-piece band playing a team of bespoke thieves scheming to steal a treasure from an auction and blacking out the city with a bomb.”
South Korean Rapper, Singer-Songwriter, and Record Producer, B.I, drops his first full-length album as a solo artist, WATERFALL, today. This highly anticipated release also consists of a music video for the title track, “illa illa,” which was written and composed by B.I. The video has garnered nearly 3 million views within the first few hours, and the album has jumped to #2 on the iTunes Hip-Hop/Rap albums chart just below DMX. WATERFALL comes fresh off the release of “Got It Like That,” a collaboration with Destiny Rogers and Tyla Yaweh. This fuse of cultures and genres did not go unnoticed, with AV Club, stating “The Stereotypes, the team that produced the track, has a lofty resumé […] so in joining forces with someone with as unerring a knack for hooks as B.I., it was basically impossible for this song to not be an absolute banger. Guest Destiny Rogers’ light and dreamy vocals pair smoothly with fellow visitor Tyla Yaweh’s energetic ad libs; by the time the powerhouse rapper enters with his melodic flow and boastful lyrics, it’s hard not to believe in the power of an impeccably produced pop track.”
The multi-hyphenate producer, model, and designer extraordinaire provides all of the ingredients for the ultimate summer anthem: pulsating beats, dance-ready drops, sultry vocals, and sassy, daring lyrics. The “Never Forget” video follows MADDS as she flawlessly balances multiple business ventures from a bikini photoshoot, to DJing a pool party, to playing the ultimate, energetic hostess, all without even breaking a sweat. Clad in the swimsuit collection she launched with AKOSHA this past spring, MADDS and her model gal pals, Cindy Prado, Alexa Collins, Brianna Gonva, Sabrina Calvo, and Alba Toba, show off the seductive, fun new designs.
The buoyant and infectious single is an ode to female empowerment and sexual freedom – who needs boy drama when your girls are here to live large? Certainly, not MADDS.
“Never Forget” was inspired by a girls trip to Mykonos, and “every night we were drinking wine and dancing to Calvin Harris until sunrise,” MADDS beams. “There was no drama and it was incredible! Not a single tear was shed over boy drama,” she laughs.
When MADDS isn’t jet-setting for gigs, laying low with her lady friends, or producing music, she keeps busy. In collaboration with AKOSHA, MADDS designed and launched a line of posh bikinis in March 2021, finding inspiration from her grandmother’s antique plate collection in South Africa. And it doesn’t stop there. Also in the pipeline, there’s an app, a couple of Netflix series, and a pair of residencies, one in Las Vegas as a headliner at Resort World, and another to be announced very soon. Additionally, she is scheduled to appear at Firefly Festival and Blended Austin in 2021.
During her tenure, MADDS has shared stages with the likes of Steve Aoki, Bad Bunny, Deorro, Hardwell, David Guetta, Martin Garrix, NERVO, and more. She’s been a featured artist at major American music festivals such as Coachella and EDC, and has toured internationally throughout Europe, Australia, and Mexico.
Stay up-to-date with the latest via her official Instagram and Twitter pages because MADDS is primed to take over the dance scene in 2021 and beyond, and you’ll “Never Forget” it!
NYC based pop singer-songwriter Nazanin (pronounced Nau-za-neen) has an extraordinary ability of reaching to the core of her listener’s emotions. Her music fuses R&B, soul, and dance influences resulting in an electric sound all of her own. Her rich, sultry, and soulful yet powerful voice is uniquely reminiscent of classic pop singers from the 80s and 90s, yet her music feels fresh and modern, bridging the gap between the past, present and future. An effortless storyteller with a passionate and unfiltered singing talent and songwriting ability, Nazanin has an instinctive gift of crafting relatable narratives that are also deeply personal. Common themes permeating her music include empowerment, independence, and overcoming expectations and hardships often found in romantic relationships.
Nazanin grew up in a very conservative Persian-Jewish town on the North Shore of Long Island in New York. Her parents immigrated from Iran due to the Iranian Revolution of 1979 where Jews were being persecuted. Nazanin found her voice and passion for music at just six years old, often singing around the house. Despite not having any support from her family to follow her dreams, she knew that she had to fight for what she believed in by starting her journey as a dedicated pop singer, songwriter, and performer.
Inspired by artists such as Dua Lipa, Rihanna, Madison Beer, and Camilla Cabello, Nazanin uses these influences to form her own signature sound. Refusing to set any boundaries, the songwriter relies on her emotions and intuitions to create her captivating music, oozing with timeless lyrics and jazzy tones.
Her upcoming single “Dangerous” is a powerful anthem of overcoming personal insecurities and ultimately embracing your own self-worth. Written after the downfall of a tumultuous relationship, Nazanin confides, “I was inspired to write the song due to my ex, he was insecure and always tried to belittle me, my goals, my aspirations, and control me. He was a master in manipulation and gaslighting and while he had a lot of great qualities and treated me like a “princess” in the end he was an asshole.” “Dangerous” also stems from her experience with bullying and allowing others to shatter her confidence. These battles only helped the songwriter transform from a doormat and caring what other people think, to not giving a f**k, and taking pride in living her truth as her most authentic self. Featuring haunting synths, a driving bassline and confident vocals, the track slowly builds into the ultimate dance-worthy banger, exploding with a feisty attitude.
Niall McNamee is an Irish singer-songwriter and actor, known for his own passionate, thoughtful and full-blooded songs. He has starred opposite Pierce Brosnan, fought with Jackie Chan, played comic foil to Bono, and romantically duetted with Imelda May. Next up is a starring role in feature film Love Without Walls, performing his own compositions, as Niall’s art and life come together.
A self-taught musician, Niall has been immersed in music his whole life. Throughout years as a struggling young actor, Niall supported himself performing Irish folk songs, resulting in his knowledge of traditional music growing rich and deep. But all the while, he was writing his own material, drawing on that heritage but pushing into contemporary rock and pop territory. He finds inspiration from artists like Frank Sinatra, The Beatles, The Pogues, Christy Moore and more recently The Undertones.
His latest EP Step By Step, showcases the musicians deep love for storytelling lyrics. Touching on life experiences and human emotions, the five-track release narrates heartbreak, nights out, ecstatic joy and reflection.
“China In A Box” is about a loving, honest, yet fragile relationship and how these connections with a loved one should be cherished. Tugging at your heartstrings, the song is emotional and sincere, with raw pianos emitting a warmth and comfort.
Title-track “Step By Step” speaks of a magical night with a love interest. Niall replays this dreamy encounter through enchanting melodies, a soaring string section and gentle guitar arrangements which tell a thousand tales. The simple instrumentation allows for his soulful yet gravelly vocals to burn brightly, pulling you in with each and every note and holding you captive.
Then there’s “Fishpond” which takes a more pop route, bringing to mind the likes of Coldplay. The nostalgic tune looks back at fond memories with friends and the end of a cherished chapter of his life.
Having written and performed with leading Irish singer-songwriter Imelda May, their latest duet “Don’t Let Me Stand On My Own” off of 11 Past The Hour is currently the #1 album in the Irish charts. Niall has built a devoted fanbase and performed sold-out concerts at notable London venues including The Dublin Castle, The Bedford and The Antelope. With a major film and the release of Step By Step, 2021 is shaping up to be a very big year.
The introspective collection of ten tracks creates a nostalgic dreamland to recapture the fond ‘growing days’ of frontwoman Pie’s youth in Australia and encapsulates the band’s affection for nurturing innate, free-flowing artistic expressions.
Peppermint Town sees the band working with a range of illustrators and designers to create bespoke art pieces, showing how artists ‘speak’ through different mediums and the different languages of art. The album cover, which is a bespoke painted piece, sees the band morphed into animal forms; a visual representation of the album’s overarching theme to be whatever we want to be.
Pie is naturally drawn to suits and tuxedos for her personal style, and considers Fred Astaire somewhat of a style icon. Speaking on her androgynous fashion style, Pie explained: “I think people should be able to do what they want to do and be who they want to be. If other people give you shit for it, then fuck ‘em. They can live their lives, and we live ours.”
Though Thai by heritage, none of the band’s music is written or performed in their mother tongue, as Pie describes the fluidity of the English language to be freer for artistic expression without the restrictions she finds with modern Thai language.
Rising as one of Thailand’s most creatively forward-thinking groups, My Life as Ali Thomas have garnered a fanbase of introverts and artistic outsiders, with their aim to encourage listeners and other artists in the industry to be totally themselves in their unique creative expressions; dreaming of a knock-on effect to undo the somewhat cultural close mindedness which seemingly runs through mainstream conscience.
LA-based indie-pop artist, Jenna Kyle announces her debut EP, Ojos, will arrive on September 3, 2021 and today, she shares the first single from the project, “Tell Me,” along with a new video. “Tell Me” is a capstone of Kyle’s experience of trying on different personas and processes and the video explores the way people present themselves to the world. Kyle co-produced the new single with BAILE (Anjunadeep) and Grant Zubritsky (Verite, Nick Murphy) mostly remotely in their respective Brooklyn studios. Jenna Kyle says:
“Tell Me represents rejecting this idea of taking a bunch of feedback from everyone else around you about what you should do. After several projects ‘failed’ and I was working with somebody who always had to have the final say, I finally asked myself, “How is this guy trying to tell me what to do when he hates his own life?” At that point, I started really re-focusing on what I wanted to say, and my personal growth which led to this explorational dance video that pushed my boundaries of comfort in my own skin. In hindsight, the process of this song and video actually forced me to look at my need for external validation, which was what the initial concept was asking of me all along. I hope people come away from this song and project feeling like ‘If Jenna can do it, so can I.”
Janoah Paxton Photography
Watch the accompanying video on YouTube.
Follow me on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for more good vibes.
You are enough,
Abby J Hall
After debuting a slew of enchanting singles including hits like “California Coast” ft. Sarah De Warren and “Washing Away,” Chicago-based creative ALIGN finally unveils his long-awaited VISTA EP. A spellbinding journey through five deeply emotive singles, ALIGN’s VISTA EP is available on Thursday, June 3 via esteemed tastemaker label Lowly.
A wondrous display of immaculate production talents and lush instrumentation, ALIGN’s sophomore EP is a luminous triumph. Leading the charge is “I’m Searching,” a soft yet captivating opening track littered with gorgeous synth work. Following in suit with equally lush instrumentation is VISTA’s lead single “California Coast” ft. Sarah De Warren. An amalgamation of effervescent percussive work and light-hearted synths, “California Coast” is a gold-hued gift for warmer weather and coastal cruising. Propelled by ALIGN’s enthralling instrumentation, Sarah De Warren’s silky smooth vocals transport listeners to a dreamlike daze, segueing beautifully into “Close.” Clocking in at just under 4-minutes, “Close” is best defined as a transcendent treat. Highly introspective, ALIGN builds palpable feeling through emotive percussive elements and alternative instrumentation.
Picking up the second half of ALIGN’s sophomore body of work is “The Color Of Your Thoughts.” A uniquely titled track boasting an even more unique composition, “The Color Of Your Thoughts” is a front-row seat to the inner-workings of ALIGN’s creative process. Highlighting the best of the producer from his distinct drum patterns to his sincere synth work, “The Color Of Your Thoughts” permeates the senses from its first note to its last. The VISTA EP comes to a close with “Washing Away,” as ALIGN pulls listeners in one last time before sending them off to reflect on his introspective body of work.
Introducing his new alias with a bang, Lucas Nord launches his Hans Göran moniker with the 90’s-house inspired single ‘Gang.’ Moving towards a more underground sound than his production for Moodshift, Nord uses rave synth stabs and G house vocals over a timeless four-on-the-floor rhythm to craft a warm weather party-starter. ‘Gang’ is the first of several singles building towards the full ‘A Summer With Hans Göran’ EP due out August 2021. ‘Gang’ is out now via Lucas Nord’s own label Bisous.
STREAM: HANS GÖRAN ‘GANG’ [BISOUS]
With Moodshift, Lucas Nord is known for producing the trio’s irresistible pop-dance crossover sound, with tinges of deep and tech influences dispersed throughout. On the first taste of his side project Hans Göran, it’s clear Nord’s roots for the underground scene run deep. ‘Gang’ calls on several tropes from the golden age of house music to make an immediately lovable rave single while modernizing the sound to stand out from the contemporary scene. As strings and synth stabs dance over the drum machine inspired groove, a pitched down and garbled vocal keeps the single’s momentum moving forward. ‘Gang’ not only highlights Nord’s versatility, but shows that the classic sound that started it all will never die.
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 feels 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.
“Rest” is a place of euphoria and peace. The single gives off a scent of calmness, entering with striking, swirling synths and muffled, hazy guitars, giving us the atmospheric dreamland of Nightshifts. Beginning with a slow burn, before kicking in with carefree, liberating indie juice, “Rest” features woozy guitar solos and spacey backing vocals, creating an escape and transporting us into the tropical, indie whirlpool that we’ve come to love.
The narrative of the track stems from an overwhelming feeling of exhaustion and the inability to sleep, after returning home from a long tour. The songwriter shares, “I was playing over moments in my head, thinking about past missed opportunities, and times when I should have expressed myself, just worrying about things which were outside of my control. I was feeling overtired and sentimental.” After waking up the next day with mental clarity and relief, he wrote this track to signify the importance of getting rest. He continues, “I have always had a rocky relationship with sleep, I wanted to use this song as a reminder to myself, that whenever I’m feeling a bit funky, I may just need some rest.”
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 slated for release May 6th.
Los Angeles based, Rhode Island-born EMELINE is a singer and songwriter on the rise. Her effortless vocal tone, biting lyrics, and affinity for eccentric production are all recognizable aspects of her hallmark sound.
In her budding career, EMELINE has already entranced audiences in both the digital and physical worlds. Online her initial solo releases have all garnered strong 6-figure streaming counts. She has captivated live audiences in dozens of states, including a crowd of 175,000 at the first Boston Women’s March where she debuted her 2017 release ‘Hush’.
An avid collaborator with numerous indie features, EMELINE is now focusing on her solo career. Her recent release ‘6 foot deep’, a song about reclaiming personal strength while on the rebound from a low place, is paired with a self-directed music video set in a memory-haunted mansion.
EMELINE’s just released single ‘flowers & sex’ (a collaboration with producer duo SMLE) has been running wild on TikTok (over 8 mil views & 1.5 mil likes in less than a week). With all of the global excitement around the record, “flowers & sex” has been added to New Music Friday US and is out now.
Giving us a glimpse into his upcoming album ‘Windows of Time’, award-winning US singer-songwriter Asher Monroe unveils his newest single ‘Try Me’, which is released globally and available to stream now [June 4th, 2021].
Powerful and inspiring, ‘Try Me’ encapsulates its listeners from the first chord. Its harmonious piano melodies and striking opening drum solo intertwine effortlessly with Asher’s vocal – allowing the tracks tone to soar into the perfect country-gospel pop soundscape. Touching upon themes of encouragement and the reinforcement of the ones we love, ‘Try Me’ is an instant emotive classic. With having already received support from the likes of Official Charts, 1883 Magazine, Wonderland Magazine, Just Jared and others – Asher has his sights firmly set on 2021.
Discussing the track, Asher explains: “The inspiration for ‘Try Me’ actually came from someone who was very near and dear to me, someone who had fulfilled a tremendous amount of success to the public eye, but deep down was crippled in heartache, pain, cynicism and misery. I felt like this person, who I will leave unnamed, was always a victim of happenstance. The mentality was always me against the world. With so much turmoil this person was going through when it didn’t have to be that way inspired me to write this song. I wanted to encourage anyone who was going through similar issues to not always point the finger and blame everyone else for their problems but look introspectively inside themselves and take a more proactive approach to solving the chaos seen around them. Try Me is about taking the power back within us and leaving the victim mentality behind.”
Scott Magnus is a pop artist from Oldham, Manchester (UK). He creates strong, beautiful and melodious indie, pop/rock songs, bringing them to life with upbeat trap and hyper-pop production, resulting in something which is powerful, introspective and heartfelt.
Scott is an outspoken supporter of people with disabilities, particularly those with learning difficulties, because he himself has ADHD, Autism and Dyspraxia. Scott turns the experiences he encounters as someone with disabilities into music that can heal, embolden and inspire anyone facing difficult obstacles. It is his mission to help people overcome their challenges as he does.
As an actor and model, 2020 saw Scott realizing his true passion for music and has since honed his craft for songwriting, singing, playing guitar and music production to an even more obsessive extent. He has amassed an ever-growing fanbase who not only enjoy his covers and original songs, but also the sketch comedy he creates and performs prolifically.
Scott’s debut single “Diamond In The Rough” is the first in a series of singles being released from his six-track EP Comeback Stronger. Working with commercially successful, Radio 1 featured producer and mix engineer Tngey (Jack Tingey), “Diamond In The Rough” showcases Scott’s versatile, niche signature vocal style, with a Mancunian accent, alongside his intricate guitar playing, bold, empowering melodies and trap bass which has a hyperpop-tinged distortion, reminiscent of Brakence. Switching between dark moments, with splashes of brighter elements, the track reflects the feeling of being in a bad place, but coming out stronger and happier. “Diamond In The Rough” echoes with an emotional, epic and haunting atmosphere which will leave you feeling inspired.
“Diamond In The Rough” is about owning your mistakes, accepting yourself for who you are and knowing that you are capable of great things. Scott confides, “The song became like a counselling session where I expressed all of my feelings and concerns: even my longings for success; to feeling empowered, confident and determined to be better and most importantly, seeing the value that I have; loving myself regardless of what others think of me – I think this journey is reflected in the song!”
Comeback Stronger chronicles ‘The Phoenix’ like transformation and resilience required to come back from a fall, into a better version of yourself.
Emerging East London based singer KAE SERA blends modern day electro-pop with sounds from the 50’s and 60’s to create something which is both unique yet familiar. Originally from Liverpool, the artist grew up in a city rich in musical heritage, exposed to the nostalgic soundscapes of the bands that made the city famous. These sounds subliminally fed her musical appetite, giving her music a vintage haze and maturity. With a fascination for literature and poetry, her songs provide a captivating, storytelling experience, pulling you into her world.
Her debut single “Dames Jean” is a 50’s inspired lyrical love letter that showcases dulcet vocals blended against the backdrop of an atmospheric electronic pop ensemble. The dreamy track turns back the clock on lost love, whilst subtly questioning the gender and sexuality of its protagonist. Starting off with drums and vocals both soft and complex in their delicacy, her vocals are intimate and crystal clear, with each lyric rolling off her tongue effortlessly.
KAE SERA explains, “This track was written when I was exploring the idea of gender and identity. As part of the LGBT community myself, I turned James Dean into a Dame because I wanted to nod to the frame of mind I was in during a relationship, when all was unclear. This music put me on pause and the love inn that got stuck is a reference to wishing time would stop and allow me to not have to make a decision on where my heart was headed. Making this track gave me the ability to express my emotions and reflect on memories to make better life decisions.”
The production from Jacob Bright (Holly Walker, North Downs) carries layers of mystery, soft glassy moments and an overall hauntingly beautiful soundscape. The song is a journey through space and time where the lyrics meander through memory, taking inspiration from American travelogues of John Steinbeck and Jack Kerouac. “Dames Jean” is currently available worldwide.
Rounding off the collective successes of his heartfelt string of singles “Topdown”, “Glitter Ain’t Gold” ft Jaz Karis, “Boyfriend Part 2” and “Bloom”, rising R&B singer
songwriter Jay Lewn unveils his highly anticipated sophomore EP “LOVERBOY”,fronted by lead single “Still Blue” ft JGrrey. A dynamic, soul-stirring collection of 7 sensuous tracks, “LOVERBOY” encapsulates Jay’s affection for fusing alluring R&B melodies with irresistible, dream-like grooves. With each track possessing its own intricate personality and subject matter, the EP shines a new, intoxicating perspective on the age old notion of love, diving deeper to explore it’s twisted, multi-faceted nature. From the delicately woozy influence of “Sober Thoughts” to the hypnotic bump of “Topdown”, the tracks on “LOVERBOY” are seamlessly blended through ambient lo-fi textures, experimental vocal treatments and colourful lyrical twists. Though effortlessly pushing sonic barriers and genre confines throughout the body of work, Jay successfully forges a sound that is unique to him, irresistible, nostalgic Noir&B. “Love is such a diverse and inspiring muse” says Jay – “it can be plutonic or painful, consuming or frivolous and anywhere in between. LOVERBOY is a project that has helped me to communicate my emotions and experiences when sometimes it has been difficult to do without the help of music.”
Sarah Kinsley is excited to share her new single, “The King”. The track is lifted from Sarah’s EP of the same title, out today via new independent label, Everybody’s Music.
“The King” is the first track from the EP that Sarah, a new but competent producer in her own right, has shared production on, working alongside fellow New York producer Jake Aron (Claud, Snail Mail). It’s a sparkling standout tune, full of verve and energy, and another fine example of what makes this young artist/producer such a strikingly fresh new talent.
Sarah is understandably proud of her output, confident in it too, and The King EP is genuinely one of those records that should appeal to a broad audience; Fleetwood Mac fans, Maggie Rogers fans, Robyn fans, and Beabadoobee fans should all find plenty to love in Sarah’s music. As a body of work, it encapsulates the different textures and flavours of Sarah’s output to date. Melody-rich and poetic, these songs work as well on Saturday nights as they do on Sunday mornings. Beats-driven, guitar-kissed, synth-painted. Five tracks, five standouts.
“When friends came to me for advice, I knew exactly what to say, but as soon as I had questions for myself, I would draw a blank. I felt like I had been in my brain for 22 years and still knew nothing about myself. Luckily, writing this song was a huge help in finding me again.” – Cody Lovaas
Cody Lovaas’ latest release, “Me, Myself”, is out alongside “Rocket” and “Flowers on the Freeway”, part of a succession of songs that will be released on a monthly basis through the rest of 2021. Written during quarantine, Cody’s new music hosts themes that are personal and incredibly relatable. A singer-songwriter at heart, Cody is able to blend his conversational lyricism with invigorating drum and bass-driven beats, seamlessly. These next songs from Cody Lovaas are a collection of emotions arranged in an exhibition meant to be, at their core, an experience.
Breagh Isabel – the Halifax-based and Cape Breton Island-born recording artist, songwriter and producer – has released her debut single today, “Girlfriends,” (LISTEN HERE) along with the official video (WATCH HERE). The song helps usher in her new recording contract with Warner Music Canada.
“Girlfriends” is a pop-leaning, coming-of-age story about a very specific type of heartbreak; the kind that comes from being a lovesick teenager in less welcoming times. The song emerged from a session with one of her Canadian songwriting crushes, Simon Wilcox (Nick Jonas, Selena Gomez, Lennon Stella). Isabel offered up the lyrics, “maybe we were homophobic” and like an astute therapist, Wilcox instantly started peeling back the layers, unravelling a closely kept story that needed to be told, and thus “Girlfriends” was born.
“I had no firm intention of delving into a solo artist project when I wrote ‘Girlfriends,’ but the song easily became the most honest thing I had ever written. I started to feel like I had something to say that might resonate,” says Isabel. “The song is about little – and sometimes big – moments and thoughts I didn’t know what to do with at the time, but now realize were just expressions of me figuring out who I am.”
The theme of heartbreak is vivid in the accompanying music video, filmed in both Vancouver and Halifax. The video follows two high school students (played by Carolyn Yu and Cassidy Foley) as they explore burgeoning feelings, echoing the lyrics of Isabel’s song. The video was funded in part by the MVP Project, produced by Shelby Manton of Boldly and directed by Tamara Black.
Sonically, “Girlfriends” pairs thought-provoking, emotive storytelling with dynamic percussion and bouncy electric guitar that counterintuitively make the song feel catchy and calming all at once. Airy vocal swells and synths off the top of the track set the stage for the song’s dream-like reflection. In her signature smoky timbre, Isabel sings, “I wanted to be girlfriends, but we were just girl friends,” revealing the painful standstill of confusion and loss that comes from love unrequited.
“It’s a bit of a sad song wrapped up in a happy-sounding package. The lyrics don’t really tell a hopeful story,” Isabel spills. “The resolution comes from the fact that I can own the experience and re-tell it from a place of happiness.”
Singer/songwriter Andria Piperni is creating a jazz-tinged alternative R&B/soul, reminiscent of Corinne Bailey Rae with a Daniel Caesar twist. Her inspiration comes in part from the everyday human experience, as well as the surreal episodes of her vivid dreams. After a brief time living in Paris, she returned to her hometown of Montreal with a shifted perspective on what “living” truly means, and ultimately followed the calling of her truest life, one of sharing stories and lessons through music.
In 2018, her debut single “Say Something” made its way onto Canada’s R&B/Soul iTunes chart, and her music has since garnered acclaim from EARMILK, Refinery29, Popdust, and more. With 2020 bringing a whole new outlook on life as we know it, Andria delivers her own reflective collection of waking moments in her debut EP, Who’s Counting?, set to release early next year.
genre-bending melodic rapper June3rd unveils his sonically smooth single “Ruff Ryder” featuring singer/songwriter FRIDAYY (Elhae, Bizness Boi). The Dream Addix produced track arrives just in time for Gemini season as the acclaimed artist, whose streams currently dominate in the multi-millions across digital music platforms, prepares the release for his debut project JEMENI.
LISTEN TO “RUFF RYDER” HERE
“Ruff Ryder has a chill vibe to it; it’ll put you in a nice mood and have you feeling like you’re experiencing something refreshing. You just gotta sit back and catch the perfect vibe around good weather and people when you rock to this. “As soon as I heard the record, I knew the second verse needed someone with a unique voice to balance the track out and give it warmth. FRIDAYY was the first to come to mind, so we linked up and the rest is history.”
“A song blessed with incredible immediacy, ‘Lose My Mind’ is a straight up club moment.” – CLASH MUSIC
Make way for 838, the London duo that have come out of nowhere to place themselves in the middle of the U.K. Hip Hop scene.
Consisting of two members, Kay and Astro, the pair have already released a number of records via Spotify, teamed with YouTube videos that have had an exceptional response, placing 838 firmly on the map of upcoming artists.
STREAM/DOWNLOAD: 838 – LOSE MY MIND
New release ‘Lose My Mind’, taken from their debut EP ‘Before The Storm’ is the perfect introduction to 838 if you’ve not yet had the pleasure. Produced by Shxrkz, ‘Lose My Mind’ is different, and that’s exactly what they’re aiming to be. Identifying that there’s a space for raw, versatile, fresh energy; 838 are playful, confident and creative in their artistry with ‘Lose My Mind’. Glittering 808’s shine through the core of the record whilst Kay and Astro effortlessly pass vocals back and forth with soulful passion, topped off with layers of ad-libs and nature-call synths. Lyrically they’re real, relatable and eloquent – unafraid to touch their own emotions and lay their souls bare, they resonate in an entirely different way to many artists of their generation and have the class and combined energy that places them in a league of their own. Describing the single on their own terms, 838 say “This is a song many can relate to, this track is about questioning your motives, thoughts and emotions when in a situation where you don’t know what you want.”
Los Angeles-based indie-pop act Ginesse is revealing her new single, “Gatorade.” The single is the first offering from Ginesse since her breakout debut EP, ‘Somewhere To Die,’ which was released late last year.
For the new single, Ginesse tapped her longtime collaborator, songwriter and producer Matias Moras (CYN, AU/RA, The Aces). On “Gatorade,” Ginesse’s dreamy vocal delivery soars atop a myriad of pulsating electro beats, swooning synths, and experimental vocal stabs; the shimmering indietronica production creates an intriguing backdrop from Ginesse’s vivid lyricism. The title of the song is a tongue-in-cheek play on the astrological phenomenon of mercury in retrograde and ties into Ginesse’s personal interest in astrology and the meaning it can hold. “For some reason, mercury going into retrograde has always put me in a very nostalgic place,” she says. “It’s a love letter to those I shared time with where the doors have remained open without resolution and without a clear understanding of why.”
Ginesse is the musical project of Los Angeles-based actress Cait Fairbanks. In 2018, having already made a splash in the acting realm with her Emmy-nominated role on The Young and the Restless and multiple TV guest spots, Cait unveiled her musical endeavors under the moniker “Ginesse.” With a signature sound that is not wholly mainstream but still irresistibly catchy, her singles quickly picked up support from the likes of PAPER, NYLON and Billboard, setting the stage nicely for the release of her 2020 debut EP ‘Somewhere To Die.’
Perhaps due to her strong thespian roots, Cait admits that she often approaches Ginesse as a character to play. But she also acknowledges that Ginesse is the perfect outlet for her to present the most concentrated version of herself. “I want my music to make people feel like the whole world is wrapping around them,” she says. “If I give someone an emotional picture of a specific moment, that is truly special.”
With “Nothing Like the Night,” alt-indie rocker Sam Himself presents the second single off his upcoming debut album, Power Ballads, due out in October.
The self-declared ‘Fondue Western’ baritone was on tour in Europe at the outbreak of the pandemic in early 2020. Unable to return to New York City, his chosen home of the past decade, Sam set up shop in his native Basel, Switzerland, where he wrote and recorded most of the ten tracks on his full-length debut during lockdown. “Nothing Like the Night” reflects the claustrophobia, pressure, and uncertainty of that time and deals with the temptation to surrender to the proverbial night of those days, according to Sam:
“My worst habits grew a lot stronger in the loneliness of the early pandemic. I felt pretty lost and uprooted, exiled without a witness to caution me against self-destructive behaviors that felt like coping mechanisms at the time. “Nothing Like the Night” is about ways of escaping yourself and losing control when you suddenly have a perfect alibi for self-indulgence: the end of the world as you know it.”
Swedish artist and songwriter Love Truls has released his debut EP, Kantande Wanai. The EP is released via This Is Scandinavia and is available everywhere now here. Watch the video for new single “Tell Her” here.
Japanese for “It isn’t easy,” Kantande Wanai is lush collection of tracks exploring sounds unbound by genre but sharing a common thread of textured instrumentals and mature, insightful songwriting – a milestone moment for the precocious 18-year-old.
Describing the EP, Love Truls notes: “They are six somewhat different tracks that I have gathered along the way. Some of them were written when I was 15/16 years old, and others more recently. I guess that they all somehow try to express the life of a teenager of this generation. Maybe not in a straightforward way, but they’re mostly all about drugs, love, and mental illness. Also, the refusal to face the music (pun intended) and surrender to the dull side of being an adult.”
BAD is comprised of NYC based duo Julia Brex and Jackson Hoffman. Having met in high school, the two have been writing and recording music together for about a decade. While they mainly focus on pop songwriting and production for other artists, BAD was born out of a passion for funk music. That passion combined with their musicality and an incredible group of fellow musicians led to the release of their debut EP GOOD, which has been making listeners dance across the globe.
Inspired by their love for funk grooves and pop sensibilities, BAD pulls elements from throwback funk and soul, 90’s and early 2000’s pop and R&B and contemporary pop and hip-hop. Brex and Hoffman succeed in creating a sound which allows the music to come across as nostalgic yet fresh, throwback yet brand new.
Bursting with exuberance and strutting with confidence, debut single ‘Refresher’ shimmers with funk-fueled melodies, 80’s electronic instrumentation and a vibrant horn section. ‘Sweat’ follows suit, while delivering animated sonic soundscapes and fun, dance worthy rhythms. The ultimate summer bop sparked inspiration from the 90’s workout Barbie aesthetic.
A frequent theme throughout BAD’s music is an overall sense of fun, lightheartedness and self-empowerment, with the utmost desire to make people feel-good and move. Their new single “Jupiter” is a pop dance banger all about partying with our extraterrestrial friends in otter space.
With summer nearly here and the COVID-19 pandemic (hopefully) ending soon, Alberta power funk trio ADEQUATE! are asking the all important question: “Are you ready to Groove?!” on their new single featuring Calgary musician Mariya Stokes.
‘Groove’ is the 2nd single from ADEQUATE!’s upcoming debut, following the release of ‘Bike Shorts’ which came out on April 30th. The groovy, funked up soul track is all about shaking your butt, moving your body and losing yourself to the music, a perfect song for the current moment.
“‘Groove’ represents how we as musicians feel about performing,” says lead vocalist Keenan Pezderic. “There’s the day-to-day struggles and stress but when we perform, all that fades away and we get lost in the groove. We wrote this song with Mariya Stokes and she did such an amazing job of conveying the message in such a soulful way.”
Hailing from Lethbridge, Alberta, ADEQUATE! is sure to put a smile on your face and some dance in your pants! The trio has been slowly building their fanbase over the past few years with their fun and dynamic live shows, focused on providing an excellent musical experience through high-quality showmanship and musical skill. ADEQUATE! brings in the fundamentals that made their funk idols live shows so great, aiming to be a source of entertainment for anyone listening.
ADEQUATE!’s new single ‘Groove’ is available now on Spotify, Apple Music/iTunes, and other digital retailers and streaming services worldwide. Their self-titled debut album will be released on June 11th. For more information, please visit [adequatefunk.com]adequatefunk.com.
Nashville/LA indie-rockers Smallpools are back with their new single, “Life of the Party.” This is the second offering from the band’s upcoming sophomore LP due late 2021. Smallpools erupted onto the scene with their head turning opening statement, “Dreaming” (now RIAA Certified Gold). The song surged to the top of the Hypemachine chart; quickly earning the band support from alternative radio stations across the country, multiple late night television appearances and a home on the road as the opening act for Twenty One Pilots, Walk the Moon, Grouplove and Two Door Cinema Club on their national tours. Smallpools then released their acclaimed debut album LOVETAP! and spent the majority of the next two years selling out venues nationwide in support of its release.
After releasing ‘DayDream’ alongside Benny Benassi earlier this year, Ukraine-born, London-based pair Bloom Twins are cranking it up a notch with “High On Beat” for their first release on leading dance music label Armada Music in collaboration with Berlin’s Jan Blomqvist. “High On Beat” brings a hypnotic sound blend that takes center stage in both the track itself and the accompanying music video.
LISTEN/SHARE ‘HIGH ON BEAT’
https://armas1995.lnk.to/HighOnBeatPR
WATCH OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5U2Zje9RA3w
After touring extensively in the European and Far East markets with a number of high-profile artists, Bloom Twins made their U.S. debut by performing at the prestigious TED Conference in NYC. Shortly after they were in high demand to perform at several coveted Fashion Week events such as the ELLE Weekender, the Dior Collection launch and the Tommy Hilfiger x Zendaya launch in 2019, which led them to be profiled in high-end publications such as Vogue, Hunger, W, Numéro, PAPER, Wonderland, WWD, i-D and sit front row during the Autumn/Winter 20’ London Fashion Weeks for Burberry, Lanvin, Armani, Tommy Hilfiger, Moncler, and Sacai.
Genre disruptors Giolì & Assia share their reimagined acoustic EP for Moon Faces, out today on Ultra Records. The five-track record features top tracks “Your Lullaby” and “Rollercoaster,” which highlight their nuanced storytelling abilities in a new light, stripped down and showcasing themselves like never before. About the project, they commented, “We are so happy to finally share the acoustic version of our EP Moon Faces,” the girls stated, “We wanted to give each song a new perspective, more chill and emotional, characterized by the sounds of piano and handpan.” In the accompanying acoustic session video, Giolì & Assia can be seen wearing head-to-toe Act n°1 from their Spring/Summer 21 collection whilst drifting in the middle of Maullazzo Lake in Sicily, Italy.
LISTEN/SHARE ACOUSTIC MOON FACES EP
https://ffm.to/moonfaces-aj
WATCH ACOUSTIC SESSION VIDEO
https://youtu.be/QS_JUDSRUVI
Giolì & Assia spoke with Brett Callwood of L.A. Weekly about their EP, “We titled it ‘Moon Faces’ because that concept characterizes the EP. It will make listeners understand the connection between all five tracks.” The pair continued, “Of course, our signature sounds are always there. It’s always our signature sound, but we feel it’s always evolving and improving. We are still learning and growing every day. The same thing for the style, these songs are different, but also they’re our best evolution. We don’t want to put limits on genres and sounds on our creative process.” All songs on the EP are different phases of the same moon.
Florida-native Marcos G hopes he’s found the one that will be there with the world ends. He makes his plea with the delivery of new release “Chicken Little,” produced by 100 gecs’ Dylan Brady, with accompanying lyric video. The record feels pure and genuine with thoughtful lyricism and vulnerable vocal delivery from Marcos.
“This song is about the idea of the world ending, going mad, yet the only thing on your mind is being with one person. This person, although not necessarily the best, is still the first person on your mind.” – Marcos G
The lyric video is a somber yet calming visual, forcing the viewers to reflect on their own end-of-the-world partner. He explains the idea for the song came about very organically, “I thought of the idea while on the Uber ride to the session and just looking at the sky I wondered how crazy would it be if it all went downhill right here, right now in this moment. I remembered the animated movie Chicken Little where the world goes nuts after the sky falls and there’s a whole alien invasion and although it’s a kids movie I was like… wait really, how would I act in this situation? The song is written in a way where it’s not your usual and selfless, “I’d die for you” but more like “would you die with me?’”
With a refreshing indie-pop sound that evolves with each release, “Chicken Little,” is yet another addicting release from Marcos G’s forthcoming EP Looking for Something coming Summer 2021.
Originally from Hialeah, Florida, 24-year-old singer/songwriter Marcos G is living a sensational double life of school teacher turned artist. Three years ago, he never imagined his passion for helping people would go so much further beyond the classroom.
In addition to contributing vocals and piano to his local church group for years, Marcos was (and still is) a full-time teacher in Miami working with second graders before his friends urged him to start writing his own music back in 2018. Uploading his first tunes to SoundCloud went better than expected, racking up thousands of plays leading to his now manager finding him and also flying out to New York for his first studio session.
Since then he has released his debut EP dancefloor in March 2020 to acclaim from top press outlets and more than 16M streams to date. He has since followed up with “switch up,” his first bilingual release in English and Spanish, as well as the title track for his forthcoming EP Looking for Something, and most recently “Cold Feet” a lighthearted commitment-phobic duet with his sister ELLIE.
The upcoming project dives into nostalgia head-first, reminiscing on the past’s “good days” not long forgotten and looks for the answer to the question on every twenty-something’s mind — “What am I doing?”
Pulling inspiration from artists such as Omar Apollo, Kali Uchis, and Frank Ocean, Marcos G taps into his latin roots and 00’s R&B influences. Being raised in a Christian household in a majority Cuban neighborhood, his left-of-center style reflects his upbringing around a multitude of influences and experiences.
neillfrazer@hotmail.com
