Orlando-based artist and songwriter Talii has released a brand new single titled “Pointless Numbers.” Listen to the song now here; watch the video here.
“Pointless Numbers” is the first single to see a release from Talii’s forthcoming debut EP, expected summer 2021.
Her first new release of 2021, the song is a brooding display of Talii’s effortless take on R&B / neo-soul, all while maintaining her signature dark-pop sensibility. Speaking on the vulnerable track, which delves into periods when she’s struggled with mental health, Talii describes:
- “I wrote ‘Pointless Numbers’ during a particularly heavy depressive state I was in at the time. When those moments hit, I shut myself off from everyone and tend to suffer in silence even though I know I need help… I pick up my phone over and over to reach out to someone but even though I have hundreds of numbers, I don’t feel like I can text or call a soul. I know I’m not the only one who has felt like this. Creating this song has been a release for me and helped me share my struggle with mental health when it was hard for me to express it before. I hope it’s also a release for others. Something they can cry to… Something that gives their pain a voice when they struggle to find the right words. Something that helps other people feel less alone.”
Rising singer-songwriter and producer Devin Kennedy will release his new summer song, “Silence” on 6/11.
This single follows Kennedy’s latest release, “Hurt U” (music video directed by Spencer Sutherland and available to watch on Vevo) and “Mean To Me”, a bold anthem about being your own worst enemy. The singles have landed Kennedy on playlists including Spotify‘s soda, Chill Pop and Fresh Finds, Apple Music’s Relationship Goals and New In Pop and Amazon Music’s Breakthrough Pop and Brand New Music, as well as earning praise from pop superstar Meghan Trainor.
Kennedy says, “I love exploring new sounds and unique instrumentation in my songs. What I really enjoy about ‘Silence’ is that we were able to combine my usual sunny, west-coast vibe, with faster vocal melodies and some hard-hitting drums. For me, the lyric “I don’t know what to do with silence” really hits home from a writing perspective. Sometimes we’re left guessing by our significant other about how they’re feeling, and all you want to do is break the silence. We’ve all been there. I love how this song tackles that subject and puts it into words that are fresh and playful. I’m feeling blessed to have done this track with some amazing collaborators Tony Ferrari, Nick Pingree and Lukas Costas. I hope everyone enjoys it as much as we do!”
Photo by Mrs. Makaveli
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“Who’s Counting” is a hauntingly ironic song that will take you on a thought-provoking journey. Satirical with a serious subject, it’s the title track from my debut EP, both available now and produced by Chris Vincent of Busty and the Bass. It is a sarcastic commentary on the common things that most people are consumed by—making money, looking young, getting married—and how we get so wrapped up in them that we forget to weigh what truly matters. It’s a reminder that life should be measured in moments and memories, not by bank accounts or scales. Listen to Who’s Counting? using your preferred streaming service now.
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Photo by Mrs. Makaveli and Design by TAKI https://linktr.ee/andriasmusic We were all given an opportunity this past year to pause and reflect. I ended up with a group of songs that share a universal theme of awakening—whether it be about realizing something about yourself, someone else, or life in general. There’s a mix of both feel-good vibes and more somber emotions, but they all circle around the idea of taking a step back in order to see and understand things more clearly. Ask yourself what you value and determine if it’s worth measuring. Thank you for your support, Andria Piperni |
Today the East London rapper/writer Chante Paris drops her latest single Michelle Obama following her latest freestyle song and Video Consistency which Premiered on Mixtape Madnesson.
Growing up, Chante was influenced by many UK and US rappers. Such as Nas, Eminem, Kanye West, Monie Love and Estelle ,Chante has been obsessed with lyrics, wordplay, catchy flows and hooks, which is demonstrated in her song-writing and Music. Gaining an Organic fan-base from her Freestyles and YouTube covers such as Missy Elliot “ She’s AB**”being co-signed by Play-Dirty Music. J Spades, Professor Green to name a few. As-well as many other well-known artists in the UK Black music scene.
The Urban Renewal Project is a sixteen-piece collective known for its genre-bending original music combining elements of jazz, hip hop and vintage soul, and its explosive live performances that have captivated audiences from SXSW to the Java Jazz Festival. Following a successful tour with Camp Lo to celebrate their collaboration on the track Don’t Ask Y and the subsequent placement of their single Shake Those Hips on Netflix’s The Circle, the group has been preparing their next full-length release, but with recent events rendering large ensemble recording and live performances impossible, the musicians spent the past year adapting to more intimate, home studio-oriented creative projects, including new multimedia concept Pᴏssᴇ Cᴏᴍɪᴛᴀᴛᴠs as well as session work for several forthcoming releases with producer Marlon “Chordz” Barrow (Ty Dolla $ign, BJ the Chicago Kid).
Bringing new meaning to the term “oldschool,” Pᴏssᴇ Cᴏᴍɪᴛᴀᴛᴠs expands on The Urban Renewal Project’s prior experiments with vintage styles and modern tastes by incorporating period instruments from the ancient Mediterranean into the group’s jazz-infused, underground hip hop aesthetic. Accompanied by an original manga chronicling the adventures of a young recruit from North Africa in the Roman Legion, this series premieres with a new 7-inch single, Will to Survive featuring Vic Mensa, available exclusively on Record Store Day June 12 and digitally streaming June 18.
I wrote my new single, “Alright with Me,” at a time where I felt pretty jaded about dating, but had just met someone new that was starting to shift my perspective. This song is taken from my upcoming Honeymoon EP, which will be released on June 25th.
Honeymoon includes songs about burgeoning new relationships: the vulnerabilities that surface, the butterflies that emerge, and the value of developing a growing connection.
It can be scary to open up and let those walls down – I’ve been there.
But once you do, you open yourself up to a beautiful place.
Press play on “Alright with Me” via your favourite platform now.
This track is about meeting someone who starts to show you what love should be like.
Love the way our conversation flows, want N64, I don’t need no roses, pizza and Super Smash Bros.
Is this real? I really hope so.
When you find something good with your person, you really don’t need much; you just want them and that’s enough.
Thank you for taking the time to listen.
With love,
xx NOA
Mazare has finally unveiled the full force of his debut EP ‘Paracosm.’ Calling on an extensive feature list including the likes of CloudNone, Bloodhounds, Keepsake, Saint Agnes, and more, Mazare blurs the line between rock and electronic in impressive fashion. Drawing on multiple subgenres from bass to trap to DnB, Mazare’s ‘Paracosm’ is available on all streaming platforms via Monstercat.
STREAM: MAZARE ‘PARACOSM’ EP [MONSTERCAT]
After nearly a decade of steady singles, Mazare’s massively anticipated debut EP showcases his immense experience, creativity, and sharp ear. ‘Paracosm’ opens with lead single ‘Wake Up’ with Bloodhounds, a heavy-hitting hard rock and trap crossover that announces Mazare’s arrival in style. Next, Mazare calls on Keepsake and Liel Kolet for another rock-inspired single ‘Open Heart,’ this time taking a more emotional approach with a pop-punk riff and soaring vocals. From there, Mazare dives straight into drum ‘n’ bass territory on ‘Scared,’ a high octane production marked by an abrasive synth line juxtaposed with duo Machine Age’s smooth performance. ‘Light It Up’ subverts expectations once again thanks to the help of Saint Agnes.’ On the track, Mazare’s growling synth and punchy percussion mirror the style of a classic rock outfit, laying the groundwork for punk/metal group Saint Agnes to tear across the instrumental with flair. To close out ‘Paracosm,’ Mazare enlists CloudNone to end the EP on an emotive high. Known for their lush instrumentals with nearly cinematic qualities, CloudNone’s blissful production blends seamlessly with Mazare’s harder percussion. After the thunderous and electrifying feels of the first four tracks, ‘Promises’ offers a bit of reprieve for listeners to leave the EP on a peaceful note.
“Lie” is about blissful ignorance. It reflects on the attraction and desperation of realizing that a relationship is going nowhere long-term – and how to pretend otherwise.
This song is about ignoring that gut feeling.
Listen to “Lie” now on your preferred platform.
“Lie” features production from Noah Barer and myself.
Devan
It’s been said action is part confidence, part courage and part tenacity. Los Angeles-based rapper MoThoro validates this statement in his latest single “HOW TO BE A PLAYER.” Produced by Virginia native DJ CeeHudd and featuring fellow Angeleno rapper RepXL, “HOW TO BE A PLAYER” is MoThoro’s second release off his upcoming album Now or Never, out July 16, 2021. The feel-good hip-hop track and accompanying music video are OUT NOW!
In his new single, the rising artist celebrates his many accomplishments, including graduating from a top historically Black college and becoming a homeowner by the age of 24. “HOW TO BE A PLAYER” expresses MoThoro’s passion for life while conveying that success is attainable even when it seems out of reach.
The LA artist took a hands-on approach during the production of his upcoming album Now or Never, mixing and mastering all 13-tracks. Distributed by MoThoro’s own label, LFTFLD, the budding rapper sets out to show his musical versatility.
“HOW TO BE A PLAYER,” the new single by MoThoro, will be available on all streaming platforms now! Follow MoThoro on social media for exclusives and music updates.
“Miss Those Days” (feat. Esteva) is the type of duet that will instantly make you think about someone you used to love or a time/place that you want to go back to.
Head to your preferred platform to stream “Miss Those Days” (feat. Esteva) and produced by Kevvy (Carly Rae Jepsen, Fake Shark).
It’s the nostalgic story of two people that have moved on but both still feel a sense of attachment to each other. I drunk dialed the inspiration after the relationship ended, the thought of her still in my mind when I got lonely. When I reflected on why, it came down to just missing some of the romanticized moments that we had together.
Call you up, drive all night till the sun comes up then we say goodbye.
The real heart of the song comes down to missing those romanticized moments with someone. The ones where for a moment everything feels like it’s gonna be alright.
Thank you for checking it out,
Travis James
Acclaimed rapper Mekka Don makes a swift return with the release of his powerful, self-directed video for his latest offering, “Still Dope.” Available to experience today via YouTube, the visual vividly brings to life sentiments of Black love and light while adding a momentous flare to the culturally rooted track produced by Tha Audio Unit.
“I wanted to make sure the visual matched the energy and spirit of the record itself. I wanted it to reflect the dopeness of our history globally, our present, and our future. It’s a reminder that we’re STILL DOPE and that we’re still here and still standing,” Mekka notes.
As the visual sets the tone for Black Music Month with its inspiring make, today’s release connects the dots to Mekka’s mission of creating something for people that brings forth a state of rejoicing during these times. With a vision set to highlight the beauty, uniqueness, and resilience of Black people and togetherness, “Still Dope” has already gone on to achieve success since the tracks unveil last month. “Still Dope” received recognition from PBS News Hour as Mekka discussed his need to create music to make people feel good and empowered. MusicxClusives described the track as encapsulating “the soulfulness and hope black people carry through the tough times,” as The Hype Magazine, Columbus Alive, Vents Magazine and ‘AndYouDon’tStop’ radio station, hosted by Hip Hop icon Chuck D, highlighted the song for its empowering structure.
As something that started off as a means to bring himself out of trying times, Mekka sees this as only the beginning as he champions his dedication to being a voice to the voiceless all around the world.
Multifaceted electronic producer Tisoki today announced the title of his forthcoming debut album on Monstercat, ‘01953’. Giving fans the first taste of the project, he released the impressive lead single, “SENSITIVE” featuring singer songwriter, Charity Vance. Putting Tisoki’s crossover abilities on full display, “SENSITIVE” draws on elements of downtempo, bass, and pop-leaning lyricism, with Charity’s emotive vocals tying together the introspective complexities. ‘01953’ is an ode to the small town Tisoki grew up in – Wymondham, UK – as the number sequence is a direct callout to the area’s postal code.
Tisoki shares, “I’m super excited to have this be the first single from my debut album, it really encapsulates the overall feel of the record and I’m so stoked to have an incredible vocalist like Charity on it!”
Charity Vance adds, “The qualms of being open and vulnerable outweigh the comedown of unrequited love. That’s what “SENSITIVE” embodies to me. Everyone’s been there. It’s always better to be sensitive even if you get burned. Brad (Tisoki) has been a good friend for a few years now and that’s why this song came together effortlessly. It was the only session I did in- person in the midst of quarantine.”
Unable to leave SoCal during the pandemic, Tisoki’s urge to reconnect with his UK roots and lean into new sonic styles resulted in a collection of unexpected songs that feel raw and nostalgic. Reflecting on the last decade of his career, he’s earned support from household names like DJ Snake, Skrillex, and Excision, as well as collabs alongside Grabbitz, Borgore, and Crankdat to name a few. His musical influences stem from his early years of playing in rock bands, which equipped him with versatile performance chops that have landed him on global stages from Red Rocks to EDC Las Vegas.
New Jersey based alt rock group, Violet Whimsey, releases their fourth single, “Ugly”. This time featuring a moody croon, reminiscent of Steely Dan flavors, with a trumpet flair. Violet Whimsey is led by singer-songwriter, Ann Kim, who attributes her influences to classic rock legends Tom Petty and David Bowie. This release was inspired by a solo stroll down her block, when the words “Why you nicer when I’m ugly” came paired with the melody instantaneously. She often finds that songs sort of fly out, almost as a completed whole, much like this one had. Starting with a single line, the song seemed to come into fruition on its own. She loves to pair edgy progressions to romantic lyrics, what she calls the perfect combination of salty and sweet.
Multi-faceted French-Asian artist Thérèse shares the striking video for ‘Skin Hunger’, taken from her DAZED and Sludge Magazine supported debut EP ‘Rêvalité’ – Watch ‘Skin Hunger’ video here. Stream ‘Rêvalité’ here.
Talking about the concept behind the video and song, Thérèse; says; “Tinder, Grindr, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Whatsapp, Linkedin, Zoom, Telegram… We’ve never been more connected with people. Screens becoming filters. Filters becoming veils, reflecting our insatiable virtual overconnection and our unhealthy social disconnection. What looks like a flimsy song – although direct – which tackles held up feminine sexuality, is in fact a harrowing whining about a lack of skin, flesh and humanity.”
While the video for her debut single ‘T.O.X.I.C’ heckled our brains, and the video for her second single ‘Chinoise ?’ strived to play with our hearts, ‘Skin Hunger’ sounds out our relationship with our bodies over a freezing dystopian fantasy.
The EP title, ‘Rêvalité’, explains Thérèse; “is a word I invented, a mix between “rêve” (= dream) and “réalité” (= reality) and also a mix between “rêve” (= dream) and “alité” (= bedridden). It perfectly represents the surreal Covid19 pandemic life, during which humanity has been floating between a dream (or a nightmare) and real life. Even if the themes of the songs are quite strong, the word ‘Rêvalité’ sounds hopeful, as the aim of this EP is to encourage people to face reality in order to be aware and ready to re-build our future.”
Part of a new generation of French electronic music artists mixing the power of bass music, the musicality of Hip Hop and the energy of club culture, Thérèse has established herself as a figure of empowerment in the French-Asian community. As an activist, she has been fighting racism especially towards French Asians through her music and social media platforms, more recently COVID-19 fuelled the flames of anti-Asian sentiment in France with prejudice and racist slurs shocking the country’s Asian community. French Asians have been fighting back using the hashtag #JeNeSuisPasUnVirus (I’m not a virus), through her work with anti-racists associations such as Décolonisons Nous and Sororasie, Thérèse has become one of their most radical voices on national French media, appearing on daytime TV shows including ‘Quotidien’ on TMC/TF1 and ‘Info du vrai’ on Canal +.
Born in Paris, Thérèse is half Chinese, a quarter Lao and a quarter Vietnamese. Her parents arrived in France in the late 70’s, met in Paris and lived in different suburbs, Villejuif, Saint-Ouen, Bagnolet, Vitry sur Seine. She started playing piano when she was nine years old and attended the Conservatory before landing a well paid job as Product Manager at Kenzo Parfums, LVMH. One day she decided to switch and draw her own career path, “as Missy Elliott recently said, as long as you are breathing, it’s never too late… That’s the motto I want to follow”, she enthuses. Now she splits her time between music, styling for other French music artists including Sônge, and brands such as Nuxe and Fête Impériale, as well as modelling for empowering French labels Ysé and Superbe.
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 come to his attention over the past years, his music acts as a release when his thoughts are finally transformed into lyrics. His latest drop “Monster” is a smooth, sleek single showcasing influences from the likes of Michael Jackson, Bruno Mars and Prince. The single emits both warm and cold feelings, with Lloyd sharing, “This song is definitely for all seasons; any time anywhere.”
“Monster” features a calm and collected beat with a swaying, falling melody that oozes a fresh, lustrous vibe. Lloyd sings over a tender click, with stunning bright high melodies and a classy, chill feel, it’s totally unique and addicting. The lyrics detail a message of how some people bring out the best, or the worst qualities in us. “Monster” talks of that one person who made you feel something you’ve never felt before, reminding you to never take them for granted. Lloyd explains, “When you have something that makes you feel that good you need to hold onto it because at the end of the day happiness is everything. It’s possible to get blinded by so many things in life but it’s important to catch yourself and give praise and thanks to those who deserve it.”
Racking up an impressive three million streams for his previous releases and garnering acclaim from the likes of Elevator, Rolling Stone India, Live Nation’s Ones to Watch, Earmilk, Source, Revolt and Hip Hop DX, to name a few, Myles Lloyd is rapidly becoming an artist to watch for 2021.
Hope Dealers are the latest to step in the Hardest Bars booth with Joey Clipstar as they deliver their second ‘HB Freestyle’. Having previously spoken at the Houses of Parliament about drill music and carving a career in gospel drill, the Hope Dealers are back with a bang joining the Hardest Bars founder Joey Clipstar for their part 2!
Bodying their verses, the entire Hope Dealers crew follow through after each other on the bouncing drill beat, capturing the energy and comradery of the group. Having previously gained 3/4 million views on their HB Freestyle part 1, their part 2 is already on fire with over 130K views since its release.
Since launching season 3 of the groundbreaking freestyle series Hardest Bars, over on Link Up TV, Joey Clipstar ahas already welcomed Giggs, Smoke Boys Swift and Deepee and emerging drill star SV from Nottingham. As one of the major A&R’s in the UK rap scene, Joey’s ear for talent sees him pass the mic to noteworthy MC’s of both known and unknown profile. Birthing names such as Stormzy and MS Banks, Hardest Bars is one of the UK’s most influential and sought after platforms when it comes to locating new talent and the art of free styling.
Introducing Rest For The Wicked—the brand new collaborative project from Ben Townsend (aka Ivan Ooze) and experimental producer Tasker. Marrying the raw indie energy of Glass Animals and MGMT, the fluidity of Still Woozy, and an elusive rebel edge to create something completely their own, the Aussie duo have officially arrived. Released via EMI Music Australia / Universal, their debut offering “Bones” is out now.
Hip Hop meets Indie / Punk Rock, the rapper skater and music-tech nerd rocker join forces. The result is a set of hazy, raw genreless pop songs. Loose and sweet on the surface with a melodic, dark heart. Together, as self-described manic mischief-makers, they plan to build a multi-dimensional world of sonics, colors, and emotions that command attention and will certainly put them on the map internationally. Already garnering attention before ever dropping a studio single or video, Pilerats named them one of ‘20 Australian artists to watch in 2021’.
“Bones” serves as an introspective examination into the darkest depths of the mind. In just three minutes, the band extend hope beyond the madness by-way-of their lyrics. Their message: don’t be afraid of what’s coming next, face your fears head on to heal and grow. The track begins with a slow build of somber guitars and chilling synths as Ben Townsend croons on the chorus, “You don’t see the world behind my eyes, you don’t see the things that come alive.” It quickly breaks into an undeniably wicked groove that defies any attempt to be boxed into a singular genre.
Alternative punk rock band Voodoo Bloo released their second UK single ‘MMA’ on 14th May via PlasticGroove Records. The single is the follow up to their critically acclaimed debut ‘Her Name Was Human’ released in February. Described as “a fiery ball of big riffs, juicy drum beats and snappy vocals with deep meaning leave you in awe”
Singer / songwriter Rory McDonald says: “MMA was also originally going to be called ‘moshpit martial arts’, and is all about those drunken idiots who in an effort to make themselves look cool end up making regretful decisions that don’t mean much until they wake up the next morning. I feel everyone has let something fall through the cracks that shouldn’t have when intoxicated”
MMA has been worked on by Greg Haver (Manic Street Preachers / Super Furry Animals / Bullet for My Valentine) as mix production adviser. The track was mixed by Scott Seabright (Mumford and Sons/ Broods/Passenger/Neil Finn).
Rory, originally from Sheffield, now resides in Wellington, New Zealand. Their sound is influenced by acts such as Arctic Monkeys and System of a Down, as well as some singer-songwriters such as Car Seat Headrest and Neutral Milk Hotel. This combination brings a great blend of emotional and conceptual song-writing with a very catchy and frequently danceable distorted mess.
Before starting Voodoo Bloo, Rory was the frontman of Lucifer Gunne, who gained a large fan base from touring, releasing singles & EP’s. He started the new band so he could have creative freedom and because the forthcoming debut album ‘Jacobus’ is a conceptual and very personal record.
“Last July, a close friend of mine for many years, took his own life while I was away overseas. This was obviously a massive shock to myself and the people around me but being isolated from my friends while in a different country led me to writing a lot of lyrics during one of the strangest and scariest points in my life. The writing of “Jacobus” was a very cathartic process at a time when I didn’t have many people around me to talk to.”
New Zealand currently has one of the highest teen suicide rates in the world and recently the band played multiple charity shows for Lifeline Aotearoa (an organisation focused on suicide prevention and mental health treatment).
Stay Flee Get Lizzy, the artist project of Dion ‘Sincere’ Lizzy makes an explosive return with his biggest single collaboration to date, ‘Meant To Be’ featuring Fredo and Central Cee.
This collaboration sees two of the biggest rappers in the UK, both of which have dropped #2 charting UK albums in the last 5 months going head-to-head on this infectious track, with a catchy hook, big bars and fluidity from the pair. They have set the stage to be one of the biggest soundtracks to the upcoming Summer.
With the trademark ‘Stay Flee Get Lizzy’ production tag opening the track, Fredo takes control with his signature and confident flow that entrances the listener. Central Cee follows, bringing his lucid style painting a clear picture with his bars. This is the first time these artists have collaborated on a track together, with Stay Flee Get Lizzy as the production house/executive producers bringing these two rappers together for one of the biggest UK Rap singles of the year.
London-based alt-pop trio Belle Mt. share a new single entitled “The Way A Young Heart Breaks.” Produced by long-time Belle Mt. collaborator and GRAMMY® Award-winner Femke, the song battles the intensity of a formative heartbreak inside of glassy-eyed nostalgic verses, swells of strings, and a soulful hook underpinned by the hum of distorted electric guitar. Front man Matt Belmont barely holds back the emotion as the momentum rises with his overpowering confession, “She’s still coming down like rain. I know the roof’s about to cave…and I still need her.” Intense and beautiful, this may be the most infectious pop statement from Belle Mt., to date. Watch out for the official “The Way A Young Heart Breaks” music video soon.
The song arrives on the heels of the group’s last single “Famous Son.” Click here to stream “Famous Son,” and click here to view and share the official video.
Recently, “Famous Son” found Belle Mt. expanding on a sound they’ve been refining since 2017, when the trio released an acoustic version of the single “Hollow” on their independent debut Volume I EP. In the years since, the track took on a life of its own, earning critical acclaim, spots on beloved playlists like Spotify’s “New Music Friday,” and tens of millions of streams. In 2020, Belle Mt. signed with Warner Records and released a new version of “Hollow,” which Belmont described as an exploration of “love, loss, rebirth, and everything in between”—an apt summary of Belle Mt.’s overall ambitions. Stay tuned for yet more new music and tour plans to be announced soon.
Songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Kathleen debuts a new track today, “San Andreas’ Fault,” written with and produced by MNDR and Peter Wade—listen here and watch the visualizer here, created by a mostly femme and non-binary cast. She has more music forthcoming.
“‘San Andreas’ Fault’ is about Los Angeles, located on Tongva land, personified as a woman being taken advantage of,” Kathleen says. “But when you look around, she’s still so stunning despite how much we put her through. Even though her skies are filled with smog, the sun still reaches everything, almost gaslighting everyone into the belief that it’s ‘good vibes only.’ And even though she’s still beautiful despite the exploitation, she’s getting tired. This song and the art that surrounds it are each a small chapter in telling her story.” The single art for “San Andreas’ Fault” was designed by Tongva and Latinx artist River Garza.
In 2020, Kathleen made her Warner Records debut with a pair of EPs. Kathleen I features her debut single, “The Longest Year,” as well as “Asking the Aspens,” cowritten with Dan Nigro, and received critical acclaim from Under the Radar, which remarked that the EP “takes strides toward defining a lane for Kathleen through her poetic and politically conscious songwriting.” Kathleen II found the rising artist digging deeper into her roots as a poet and environmentalist and features “Dark Side of the Moon”—which Vanyaland called “a delicate folk song about the emotions of finding home” that “creates tension in sparse spaces as her angelic voice dances above the fray”—and three other songs. Both EPs are in large part produced by Ariel Rechtshaid (Adele, Beyoncé, Vampire Weekend, HAIM, Kelela) and reference some of Kathleen’s favorite poetry while highlighting the precision of her voice and her devotion to nature.
Born on an island in Washington and raised in the Rocky Mountains by a park ranger mother and a pediatrician father, alongside a sister with a degree in evolutionary biology, Kathleen finds her foremost inspiration in nature. From the age of seven, when she began writing songs and poetry, she found herself entranced by the world around her, whether by the sweeping landscapes of her home state of Colorado or the pattern of leaves as a vine climbs a wall or the insects living in a fallen log. She grew up ski racing but was always more interested in the great silence of the snow beneath the chairlifts and the total freedom inside the forests of the back bowls. Her work investigates these natural extremes and how they apply to our everyday lives. Most recently, Kathleen contributed background vocals to the song “favorite crime” on Olivia Rodrigo’s debut album SOUR
BXB LOVE — the nom de plume of Canadian-born, Los Angeles-based singer, songwriter and artist Natasha Pheko — releases her new single, “Losers.”
Through genre-bending musical production, reflective lyricism, and multidisciplinary creative works, BXB LOVE captures the charm, discomfort, and introspection of being 20-something in the year 20-something. She steps outside the proverbial box, allowing her artistic expression to honestly reflect the world around her. By choosing a purposefully ambiguous and androgynous pseudonym, LOVE is able to explore the fluidity that is the human experience and liberate herself from the unspoken expectations placed on women of color in the music industry.
For her third single “Losers,” LOVE invites the people of planet earth to cast off their masks, and take a good hard look at all the parts of themselves — the good, the bad and the ugly — with acceptance, love, and compassion. “’Losers’ is my claim that we are all really just losers trying to fit in,” LOVE says. “I believe, if we really committed to being who we are, and loving that unconditionally, we might all feel a little more free and a little less anxious about the potential perception of us that others may have.” Created with fellow songwriters and producers Jaime Estalella and Michele Canova, a mere few weeks before COVID-19 changed life as we know, “Losers” came together as a synchronistic dance of lyrics and sounds, entirely unrestricted by trends or genre limitations. “There was no goal or destination in mind, only a shared commitment to be in the present, in the process and following the joy, the excitement, and the inspiration,” LOVE writes.
Continuing off the momentum of their first single, Mint Simon, front-person of Caveboy, is back with “Some of Everything,” a pop track that’s sonically as fluid as gender itself.
Mint Simon is using their new musical project as a vehicle for self-discovery and expression, as they develop their unique musical sound as a solo act while sharing their journey of self acceptance. The new single encourages listeners to resist the narrow boxes of society and embrace the complexities of who they are.
On the track they explain, “I feel like as time goes on, we’re seeing more and more fluidity in gender and sexual expression especially in the younger generation. This song is a celebration of that not only for my queer fluid ass self, but for all the queers and the gays who want to celebrate with me.“
With over 41 Million worldwide streams, “Whole Lotta Money” has generated viral buzz on Tik Tok, where mega-popular celebrities from Cardi B and Lizzo to Kendall Jenner, Chelsea Handler, and Shay Mitchell have produced content featuring the song. The overall Tik Tok stats remain equally impressive, with an average of 8,000-10,000 videos per day and 506,000 videos total with 2.5B video views and counting thus far.
Modern Original is an alternative rock duo formed by singer/guitarist Josh Hogan and drummer Andy Warren. Members of the alt-pop band The Mowgli’s, the two began writing songs during the 2020 lockdown, capturing their feelings, hopes, and the confusing ups and downs of that infamous year. Inspired by artists such as Tame Impala, Bleachers and Glass Animals but without any idea of genre or plan other than to make music they loved, they dove into everything from surf rock to sunny pop. Modern Original is reflective, positive, unfettered and honest – a response to a bleak time and a hope for a brighter future.
For as otherworldly as the final product feels, it all began in the most organic way possible in the Smoky Mountains during a week of writing and recording…
“It started with me and Owen in a room with a laptop, a microphone, a MIDI controller, and a pocket synth,” recalls Josh. “It completely blossomed from there into something meaningful for me. The sound is meant to be much bigger than that. I try to approach it from a holistic standpoint and ask questions like, ‘Is this cathartic for me? Is it universal? Will it be cathartic for somebody else? How does it relate to what’s going on in the world?’ There’s a very serious side of the refinement process. I’m always dedicating myself to the craft of songwriting, getting better, and learning from the past in order to do something new.”
For as much as his past impacted the process, it really marked the start of a new chapter for Josh as Glass Dove. With Owen, he built a sound that’s as intimate as it is infectious, integrating this mélange of detuned acoustic guitars, vintage synths, and off-kilter beats. In essence, it sounds like starting over—but for the first time…
“Half-Life Wilderness is expansive,” he goes on. “I’ve always loved periods of time where art highlighted what was going on in that era—whether it’s in society or in the artist’s life. With music, you juxtapose colors. I love sad songs that sound happy. I detuned an acoustic guitar to C-standard and wrote on that for some songs. The rest was written on old synths. There was something different about it.”
Los Angeles-based artist/songwriter/producer Olivia Morreale is revealing her new EP, ‘SPACE DREAMS.’ The 4-track project includes previous singles, “NO ANSWER,” “PARASOMNIA” and “Another Moon,” as well as a brand new track titled “Matter of Time.”
Created in close collaboration with fellow songwriter and producer Eli Koskoff, Olivia Morreale’s ‘SPACE DREAMS’ EP is an electrifying listen from start to finish. Olivia revolts against genre limitations, drawing from a myriad of influences ranging from classic jazz to electronica, alt-R&B to 70s-era funk, and soul to bedroom pop, while still crafting a unique soundscape all of her own. Lyrically, the EP examines the ways in which escapism can be accessed through imagination and dreams, mirroring the soothing, dreamy production that underscores each song. “The overarching theme of dreams allowed us to explore through music those deeper subconscious thoughts that are sometimes difficult to address in everyday life and to create a space for exploration and imagination,” Olivia says.
In a moving and fitting tribute, Sensei D aka DDark immortalises grime star, entrepreneur and community supporter Xploder, aka Samuel Mensah, for the poignant release of ‘Deserts Miss The Rain’.
STREAM/DOWNLOAD: SENSEI D FT XPLODER & DDARK – DESERTS MISS THE RAIN
The brothers of the grime scene, DDark was often found under his older brothers Xploder’s watchful eye as they navigated through the music industry. Both fiercely determined and respected, they celebrated both individual success and often worked together too. Celebrating sold out shows and headlining festivals, they were also supported by the likes of DJ Target, Toddla T, DJ Semtex, Firing Squad, Ras Kwame, Kiss FM. Sensei D/DDark found success collaborating with rappers including Chip, Tinchy Stryder, Tinie Tempah, Ms Banks, Kwaw Kese and produced tracks for Wretch 32 as well as contributing to soundtracks for movies including the UK Box office Number 1 smash Bruvahood. Meanwhile Xploder was often found in the thick of reload anthems including ‘Mission Riddim’ alongside D Dark, Scrufizzer, Lady Lykez, Roachee, Maxsta and Zeph Ellis, as well as D Dark’s “Be Smart” Remix with Ms Banks and Scrufizzer.
Generating over 1 million streams on Spotify alone and a huge online buzz for her EPs Pub Songs: Volume 1 and Oh What a Godawful Stupid Idea, Josie has earned critical support from a plethora of international tastemakers including CLASH, EARMILK, 1883 MAGAZINE, SONGWRITING MAGAZINE, INDIE88, THE RODEO, EQUATE MAGAZINE, AUDIOFEMME, WHEN THE HORN BLOWS, IN TUNE MUSIC and A1234 amongst consistent support from BBC Radio’s Jack Saunders, Gemma Bradley and Steve Lamacq. Now signed to Island Records and with her headline show at London’s The Grace sold-out, Josie’s sharp songwriting skills are sure to see her climb higher in 2021.
(c) Odin Jaeger 2021
WIESE (Trygve Wiese-Haugland) is a songwriter, producer and DJ from Bergen, Norway – the hometown of Kygo and Alan Walker. WIESE makes commercial electronic pop music, characterized by catchy melodies, pulsating rhythms and a radio-friendly format. His latest single “Hear Me” is a bright pop, deep house tune exploding in colour and life. The track touches on the freedom after post-lockdown confinement and the excitement at the prospect of travel and adventure coming back into full swing. Explored through the male and female vocals the track leans towards their future of exploring again, with WIESE sharing, “The song is telling a story about what lockdown has done to us as human beings, our ability to be close to each other and our need to explore things the way we used to.”
As we all get ready to burst out of lockdown hibernation, this single is the anthem to lead you out into the jungle of life again. Co-produced by Conner Edmunds and featuring vocals from Erin Jarvis, “Hear Me” is a summer breeze, bursting with exotic flavours and tropical soundscapes. The main synth melody is highly catchy, carrying a flow of energy and keeping you feeling happy and alive. His influences and inspirations include Imanbek, R3hab and Hedegaard, mixed with a timely blend of storytelling lyrics and infectious pop. WIESE explains, “After a year in lockdown and finally starting to see things opening up again, the vibe I felt was uplifting, energetic and happy.”
WIESE’s songs have garnered over 15 million Spotify plays to date, as well as significant radio rotation and placements on Spotify’s official editorial playlists. Live-performance highlights include Viking Stadium (audience 16,000), NHH (audience 2,000) and Rockefeller Music Hall (audience 1,500).
Following his recent release “Angel”, London rising R&B/ Soul star Kwaku Asante returns with his latest offering “Illusions” – the second offering from his upcoming EP “ODE”, out on June 25th. Fronted by Kwaku’s signature, standout baritone vocals, the track outlines the notion of calling on various vices to cope with emotions, driven by soft, understated percussion and water-tight instrumentation. Produced by Dan Holloway, on the surface “Illusions” is a warm and easy listen that nods to his seemingly effortless neo-soul sound, underpinned by Kwaku’s razor sharp lyricism and references to deeper rooted turmoil. In Kwaku’s words,”This song is about the short-term things I sometimes indulge in, to get me through tough times. When I just need some sort of high or feeling of euphoria to get me through unprecedented times brought on by uncertainty & frustration in things not happening maybe as fast as I would like them to. Addictions come in many forms (drugs, alcohol, women, sex) one of them being praise “feeling gassed up like I’m high off propane” fulling my ego when people tell me how good I am at what I do.”
Riding high from his previous single 2021 is already en route to be a milestone year for the enigmatic star, as he awaits a sold-out headline show and residency at the Jazz Cafe this November. Having achieved critical acclaim across the likes of COMPLEX (R&B Ones to Watch 2021), CLASH and NOTION MAGAZINE, Kwaku continues to attract musical powerhouses across the Atlantic, supporting Jay Prince, Amber Mark and Grace Carter, as well as conducting recent sessions with some of London’s hottest producers. With “Illusions” marking an anticipated slew of material, Kwaku continues his trajectory towards the upper echelons of the UK R&B sphere and beyond.
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 channeled through cinematic soundscapes.
Her new five-track EP DEEP END is a fresh and fluid, deep-blue dive into ELUNIA’s waves of emotions narrating the motions of life as an outsider. Sonically, the EP has classical undertones under a mystical, oceanic bed of electro moments, all carrying dark currents with a glitter of hope. With gentle swirling synths and ELUNIA’s tender vocals, each single shows the progression of the young artist’s personal development through an observant lens of mental health, exploring the societal pressures of conformity vs. individuality. She explains, “The listener follows my path to finding a feeling of purpose, from the growing pains of bullying and exclusion to discovering people and experiences where I felt wholly accepted, and for the first time, at peace, with my own identity.”
Leading single “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.” “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.
Emerging with an air of mystery J-Onyx has a presence that can’t be ignored. Commanding attention with her deep tone and dynamic flows, her first release ‘Can’t F With’ captures her innate and undeniable talent as an artist. Her latest release has already landed support by DJ Target on BBC 1Xtra, DJ Shortee Blitz on his KISS FM and KISS Fresh show and Charlie Sloth will be adding the track as his Hood Heat of the week and he will also support on his Apple Music playlist. Choosing to keep her identity concealed for the time being, J-Onyx wants to let her music do the talking, as often young female artists can be over sexualized in the music industry. Catapulting through the ranks she joins the ‘Champions League’ as she ‘eliminates all of the tournaments’ and earns a rightful place as a one to watch in the UK rap scene.
STREAM/PURCHASE: J-OYNX – ‘CAN’T F WITH’
The serendipitous calling to become a rapper can be pinpointed back to November 2019 where she was teasingly dared by her friends to rap an off-the-top-of-the-head freestyle and upload it onto her Instagram. Gaining an overwhelming reaction the freestyle uncovered her natural gift with rhymes and flows and allowed her to nurture the talent into a dream career. To date she has released 3 freestyles on Instagram and her second freestyle for ‘Murda Murda’ received some strong support and was picked up by DJ Shortee Blitz and DJ MK on the KISS FM Hop Hop show.
DJ, producer, music supervisor, chef, and TV host – Matt FX is the definitive multihyphenate. Referred to as a “musical polymath” by Forbes and a “NYC nightlife institution” by VICE, he first shot to fame as the mind behind the soundtrack of the hit Comedy Central TV show BROAD CITY, as well as for his appearances on VICE News Tonight and the Food Network. No lightweight in the kitchen either, Matt co-founded “underground fried chicken sandwich racket” DUBPLATE NYC, dubbed the ‘best fried chicken sandwich of all time’ by Busboy.co
As a DJ, Matt approaches each and every set with an irreverence that the New York Times calls “interesting social commentary on multiple levels” and has shared lineups with artists as varied as Soul Clap and DJ Seinfeld to Snoop Dogg and Demi Lovato.
His latest project includes two sensual singles, “A Love Beginning” and “Pero No Te Quiero”, out now on acclaimed Brooklyn electronic label Wolf + Lamb Records. Oozing with smooth synths and heart-pumping beats, the contemplative jams were written and produced between Mexico City and Brooklyn and feature vocals from multi-talented NY artist Melika. Playing with a range of emotions, the groove-laced singles are utterly bright and addictive, channelling Matt’s natural cosmic rhythm. These two versatile tracks sound at home on the late night dancefloor or daydreaming through your morning commute.
“A Love Beginning” is a cool, crisp, neon single dripping in vibrant dynamics and lush additional instrumentation from saxophonist and producer Braxton Cook. Reminiscent of Disclosure, Melika’s sleek vocals glide over the beat to create an energetic pulse, accompanying the rise and fall of the track’s melodies.
“Pero No Te Quiero” narrates a toxic, yet passionate relationship. With a flare of late 90’s J. Lo and Madonna club vibes, the track is hypnotic and undeniably fun. The hook is spicy and divinely memorable, leaving a lasting imprint as the oscillating synths emit a sharp, sexy shot of energy. Matt’s haunting synthwork and Melika’s angelic vocals contrast brilliantly in how they feel, relating further to the overall conflicted nature of the song.
Matt shares, “The music is inspired by these little moments of hope, pain and wonder that you go through in specific circumstances. In a funny way, I feel like both songs sort of apply to this idea of seeing someone special across a room and immediately having all these thoughts race through your head.”
With an abundance of music slated for release over the next year, “A Love Beginning” and “Pero No Te Quiero” are just a taste of the sonic delights Matt FX has been cooking up. If you haven’t tuned in yet, you’re just in time.
Continuing to make her mark as one of the most exciting rising talents of the moment, British singer and guitarist Maya Delilah reveals “Breakup Season” – the latest from her forthcoming sophomore EP.
Maya’s airy vocals majestically float above a dreamy blend of atmospheric, warm synths, a smoothly produced mellow soul beat and Maya’s signature guitar work. Teaming up with the revered, acclaimed Samm Henshaw – a musical inspiration of Maya’s – “Breakup Season” hears Maya tell a characteristically playful story of self-empowerment and choosing happiness over anything.
Speaking about the song, Maya shared: “The song shows the two different sides of the breakup with Samm acting as my ex in the song. It talks about the realisation of ‘maybe this has been coming for a while’ and then into an empowering chorus about choosing myself and putting myself first. It is a high-energy song and, although it isn’t a completely jolly subject, it still has a feel-good mood but with a more emotional sounding breakdown section towards the end of the song.”
Waiting For Smith is singer/songwriter Harry Lloyd. Formerly a ski instructor in the French Alps, Harry broke his back in two places during avalanche training. Wondering whether he’d survive in the helicopter on the way to the hospital, he had an epiphany that if he was ok that he should dedicate his life to music. After spending a year in bed recuperating and learning to play guitar, he formed Waiting For Smith, named after endlessly waiting for their original drummer Smith, who always failed to show up. Based between Amsterdam and London, Harry is inspired to write about the everyday ups and downs of life, love and the never-ending investigation of who we are and what we’re all doing here. Blending a feel for these two cities, he creates captivating acoustic led electronic pop.
His latest single “As I Saw You Then” is meant to make you feel like you’re falling in love again for the first time. It’s a reminder of the ability we all have in relationships to refresh our image of the person we love and to drop back into those feelings of discovery for another, so we are almost drunk from it. A wash with a hypnotic, dreamy electric guitar picking pattern and a percussive rhythm section, it aims to give you hope that we all can be truly in love forever. But it must start surely with love for the self. Produced by Jan Schroder & Waiting for Smith in Amsterdam and mixed by Ian Grimble in London (Mumford & Sons, Travis, Manic Street Preachers and Bears Den), the warm, acoustic “As I Saw You Then” emits a feeling of summer tranquility.
Waiting For Smith has garnered over a million streams on Spotify and extensive radio play including the likes of Huw Stephens on Radio 1, Dermot O’Leary and Jo Whiley on Radio 2, Tom Robinson on 6 Music, Maz Tappuni on Radio X and KROQ and KISS FM in the USA. With over 2000 syncs internationally and features in publications such as British GQ, Rolling Stone India, MTV Germany, Clash Magazine, Earmilk and Holland’s JFK Magazine, Waiting For Smith’s mission is to engulf the world with unforgettable melodies spreading a much-needed message of positivity.
Genre blending singer, rapper and multi-instrumentalist Treasure Bloom has an impressive track record of releases since his 2019 debut. For his upcoming, new mini-album “Nostalgia” the artist is formerly known as Treasure metamorphs into Treasure Bloom and teams up Berlin-based underground boutique label Kommerz Records. Co-owners and brothers Lukas and Jonathan Nixdorff discovered the London-born and Hertfordshire-based creative genius through an artist friend in common, Jay Lewn, and connected through social media months later.
The electronic experimentalist extraordinaire writes and produces all his music in his home studio. His influences range from Frank Oceanesque progressive R&B to stripped-down acoustic folk all the way to his musical upbringings in metal. It’s this unpredictable, sometimes even contradicting nature that makes Treasure Bloom one of the most fascinating new artists in the UK. “Nostalgia” is the follow-up to “Nostalgia: The Prelude”, which came out under his former moniker in 2020. Whilst the latter was still self-released, Kelvin Beyioku decided to take the next step in becoming Treasure Bloom and joining forces with Kommerz Records.
Leading single “Stepping Out” is a lush self-empowerment folk song. Apart from additional drum programming by Israeli lo-fi hip-hop producer Mellowmnd, the track is written, produced, mixed and mastered by the multi-talent, who creates an intimate space for himself to uncompromisingly take the next step. Treasure Bloom shares, “I wrote this song after meeting an old friend. He seemed to have a newfound aura about him as he talked about his plans to take the hold of his dreams. I began to wonder about the ghost that has been holding me back from my own. Stepping Out is the release of all my ghosts. An acknowledgement that we all have the power to set ourselves free.”
Jesse Royal – one of Jamaica’s most charismatic young stars – releases his sophomore album Royal via Easy Star Records. The singer-songwriter has been a key player in the island’s current reggae movement along with his contemporaries Chronixx, Protoje, and Koffee, and returns this summer with his modern take on the genre.
STREAM/PURCHASE: JESSE ROYAL – ROYAL
On Royal, Jesse’s messages are rich and conscious, possessing the fervor of reggae and Rastafari at its core while mixing in elements from a multitude of genres. “On this album you will hear elements of hip-hop, jazz, blues, Afrobeats and dancehall but reggae is the backbone that holds everything in place. We can’t run from the authentic energy and vibes bestowed upon us by the Most High because that is what makes us great; there are things that you learn along the way, but greatness is when you know yourself,” Jesse says about Royal.
Ghost Hounds are a rock ‘n’ blues band hailing from Pittsburgh, PA. The band’s classic rock ‘n’ roll guitar tunes are the result of both Thomas Tull and Brooklyn native guitarist, Johnny Baab, while the driving forces on bass, drums, and keys are Bennett Miller, Blaise Lanzetta, and Joe Munroe respectively. Fronted by lead singer, Tré Nation, whose voice was simply made for rock, Ghost Hounds are a modern day rock band that plays blues inspired rock in such a way that proves that rock is not only alive, but thriving for the next generation of rock fans.
Ghost Hounds have spent the last year gearing up for what is sure to be a summer to be remember as far as rock goes. Following up their 2019 album, Roses Are Black, with a new live album, Ghost Hounds Live, while on tour with The Rolling Stones, ZZ Top, and Bob Seger. The first single released in 2021, “Between Me and the Devil,” will be paired with a music video on June 23rd.
Best-selling children’s author, James DiNanno, teamed up with Kellin Quinn (lead vocalist of Sleeping With Sirens), Ryan Key (formerly lead vocalist of Yellowcard) and Howi Spangler (lead vocalist of Ballyhoo!) to create a Kid-Friendly Pop-Punk album titled The First Rock Band on Mars. This newly unveiled and highly anticipated album is available today via all digital and streaming platforms. The 6-track album features all original music for parents alike who are looking for alternative options outside of classic children’s tunes. With Quinn on lead vocals, Key on vocals and bass, Spangler on vocals and guitar, and DiNanno on drums, the collective all co-wrote and independently distributed the album. With powerful vocals synched with killer bass, guitar, and drums, the group creates a symbiotic sound and the music is reminiscent to the throwback punk genres of the early 2000’s. This album pushes the boundaries for modern day children’s music and creates a necessary space for what has been missing in the genre.
The First Rock Band on Mars is a concept album produced from DiNanno’s 2020 best-selling children’s book The First Rock Star on Mars, which explores an adventurous journey through space, with the first ever music festival performed on planet Mars. Throughout the story, kids are encouraged to follow their dreams, learn about the planets, and think big. The book is available on Amazon HERE.
Gearing up for a massive summer, RIAA-certified platinum pop singer and songwriter John K unveils a brand new single entitled “Everything” today. Get it HERE via Epic Records.
Once again, the track spotlights his downright show-stopping and seismic vocal range. Airy synths pulsate underneath entrancing verses as he delivers a love song strong enough to outlast even the end of the world. He croons, “The world outside is a mess, it can wait” before carrying an eternal pledge on the hook, “I know no matter what I do, it all comes back to you. The sky could be falling. As long as you’re next to me. I got everything.”
About the song John says, “When the world shut down, we went to work. It was a year full of adapting to a new way of working and thinking about music. It gave me time to reflect and to really think hard about what was next for this project. ‘Everything’ was a breakthrough for me and my team that led us into a new sound and I couldn’t be prouder of this song and the journey it took to get to it. It means so much to me.”
With over 116 million total streams, widespread worldwide critical acclaim, and growing global buzz, UK pop singer and songwriter Mimi Webb shares a new single and music video entitled “Dumb Love.”
Watch “Dumb Love” HERE via YouTube/Vevo.
Listen to “Dumb Love” HERE via EPIC Records.
On this stirring ballad, piano keys resound as she grasps on to a formative romance through her nostalgically vivid lyrics. As her powerful delivery echoes, she recalls, “We had that dumb love.” The accompanying visual directed by Elliot Simpson brings the story to life with a ton of emotion and a sharp sense of humor as Mimi Webb reconnects with an old flame at a wedding where everything else just seems to go wrong in hilarious fashion.
About the song, she commented, “I think we’ve all had ‘dumb love’ at some point! You fall crazy head over heels for someone, and it’s all about that fresh new love feeling you get. That ‘is this actually real’ feeling & sometimes, it’s the most real, because ‘dumb love’ really never ends.”
Prolific storyteller 12AM has enlisted Canadian R&B artist Jutes for his latest single “Ski Mask” out now via Sony Music Canada.
The hard-hitting track encompasses infectiously melodic vocals escorted by 12AM’s ability to captivate audiences with his storytelling prowess. With lyrics outlining love and what can be put on the line to keep it, “Ski Mask” is one of many chapters to come.
“Me and Jutes have been wanting to put out a song for so long together but we had to have the right one….. we made a couple records here and there but once I freestyled the hook for ski mask we both knew this was the one. He laid his verse down and bodied it and it made me step my game up on my verse,” explains 12AM.
“12 played me just the hook and said, yep this the 1. I went in, recorded my verse in 15 mins, it just came out mad easy, showed him and he went crazy for it. Definitely feels good to finally have a track together. We’ve lived together and been grinding this music shit together for so long and never released a song together but it was worth the wait,” Jutes adds.
“Ski Mask” arrives as a follow up to “come over” and “Voices” whose success resulted in early rotation on Apple Radio 1, premieres with Travis Mills and media coverage from cultural tastemaker Lyrical Lemonade, among others. Adding to mainstream radio and media coverage, praise for upcoming releases can be seen on social media from artists such as Travis Barker, Tyla Yaweh, and Elijah Woods.
old-certified pop phenom AJ Mitchell returns this month with “One More Fight,” a new song from his highly anticipated forthcoming debut album, Skyview. On “ONE MORE FIGHT,” glossy piano glistens through a steady beat as his voice resounds with confidence and charisma while he vulnerably professes “I’d rather fight with you than have to fight without you.” Listen to “ONE MORE FIGHT” here via Vol 1./Epic Records.
“ONE MORE FIGHT” is the latest song AJ has shared from Skyview, which was executive produced by GRAMMY® Award-winner Mike Dean (Kanye West, Drake, Jay Z, The Weeknd). Skyview will also feature lead single, “STOP,” which is continuing its climb at Top 40 Radio, currently #32, and, digitally, has amassed nearly 3 million streams to date. AJ’s debut album also includes previously released singles “GROWING PAINS” and “CAMERAS ON” which gives fans a taste of how honest, introspective, and vulnerable AJ will be on the album.
Skyview will be released later this year.
Playing with a new sound and undeniable energy, ABISHA returns with the dynamic garage inspired pop track, “If You Were Mine.” The track marks the first time Abisha explores garage. A long-time listener and supporter, ABISHA used the genre to get her out of a dark space. A single dedicated to being treated the way you deserve, “If You Were Mine” exudes joy and freedom, LISTEN HERE.
The new single is a testament to ABISHA’s versatility as an artist. Beginning with a soothing verse remnant of her earlier releases, ABISHA shifts to a completely new element. Through the track’s high-tempo, mixed vocals and multi-layered electric beats, “If You Were Mine” is an infectious dance track waiting to be played at every post-lockdown party.
The unapologetic single comes just in time for pride month. “If You Were Mine” was written to define what a healthy relationship means to Abisha and how she would treat her next girlfriend right. She explains, “I’m making sure that they know that they are loved and never have to doubt that, no matter what.”
On the singles relation to pride Abisha explains, “Every song I release is always going to be about a girl. My music will always be pride focused. I always want people who are queer to relate to my music and also normalize it to encourage people to be accepting of whoever they are.”
Emerging as a global phenomenon with hundreds of millions of streams and glowing critical praise, GRAMMY® Award-nominated songstress Kah-Lo unleashes her solo debut, The Arrival EP, today.
Get it HERE via Epic Records.
The five-track project spotlights Nigerian-born, New York City-bred Kah-Lo’s seamless fusion of wild rhythms, dancefloor-ready beats, and skyscraping hooks. The single “Fire” ignites this hybrid. Neon keys bounce underneath her slick verses before she drops the red-hot hook, “I look so fire bitch, I am the match.” On the high energy “Commandments,” she issues one important commandment for the club for another between a chanting chorus. On the finale “Candy,” airy wah guitar dissolves into a head-nodding beat punctuated by old school beeper chirps and a thick bassline. Her undeniable attitude carries another bold chorus.
Pink Elefants — the project of Maryland-based artists Finch and Illeven — return today with the release of their new single & video, “Foolish.”
Packed with funky guitar licks, atmospheric hip-hop beats, swooning synths and catchy pop melodies, “Foolish” illustrates Pink Elefant’s effortless ability to incorporate a wide range of inspiration into one song. Lyrically, the song is an ode to authenticity, specifically as it pertains to dating. Breaking down the meaning behind the conversational-styled lyrics, the duo says, “the song is simply saying, ‘hey, I am not like those other guys, you know, the type who hit you up at 3am.’ This is an anthem to the people who are authentic and who will actually work for the ones they love.”
Pink Elefants is the project of long-time friends Finch (Flores) and Illeven (Joshua Matthew). Previously performing in the rock/metal band Megosh, the duo created Pink Elefants as an outlet to explore other genres and, in the process, quickly became experts at defying genre boundaries, pulling widely from a plethora of influences. The band name was inspired by the “Pink Elephants on Parade” sequence in Disney’s Dumbo (1941) and much like the transformation of the elephants in that scene, the band’s ethos is to be ever-evolving with their sound and the world around them.
The band made their debut as Pink Elefants in 2019 and have continued to pump out a steady stream of singles since. Pink Elefants’ true passion lies in the creation of the music — “writing together brings back a lot of the fun for us,” they say. “The limitations are removed and we can just write without worrying too much about all the other hoopla that comes along with being in a musical entity with business-like endeavors. This project is a dream team of passionate and hungry musical virtuosos.”
After receiving acclaim from Paste Magazine, American Songwriter, Flaunt, and more, LaGrange, GA singer/songwriter Philmon Lee unveils his debut EP, 706, today. Get it HERE via Epic Records.
Along with the arrival of the project, he shared the music video for new single “Meaningless.” On the track, his voice echoes over a steady throwback beat. As the groove simmers, his show-stopping vocals take the spotlight as he croons, “I don’t want to share meaningful moments with meaningless people…Love isn’t equal.” In the accompanying visual, Philmon ambles around an old country home as he sings. The clip radiates nostalgic vibes with its lens flare, speaking directly to the soul of the song itself. Watch the music video HERE.
Ultimately, the EP highlights Philmon at his most personal. The title nods to the area code of his hometown of LaGrange, 706, preserving the unbreakable connection to his roots.
French indie-pop artist Charly Gee left France to start a new chapter of her career in Los Angeles, and decided to change her stage name to Charli. Her warm and suave voice is influenced by Tessa Violet, Tory Kelly and Dua Lipa. Charli dropped three previous singles, “I Love Me”, “Lovey Dovey” and “N2”, which have amassed over 120K+ streams on Spotify, as well as her latest EP entitled Pre-EP which has garnished media from the likes of Atwood, Earmilk, Popwrapped to name a few. Charli’s recent short film, The Time Left has received several awards and nominations such as “Best Actress” and “Best Musical Film” at Silk Road Festival (Cannes), “Best Original Song” at Indie Short Festival (Los Angeles), Finalist at Cannes World Film Festival(Cannes), and Finalist at Oniros Film Award (New York).
Bronx-born artist Riichylee releases his new offering “Trust,” which makes its arrival with an accompanying visual directed by Nimi Hendrix. Riichylee presents a cinematic visual that brings to life the infectious melodic track complemented by smooth Spanish guitars and bass-knocking beats.
Riichylee adds, “This single shines light on how your status tends to be a gift and curse in a relationship. I speak on my status and how my appeal that reels women at the beginning of a relationship leads to trust issues and insecurities after we’re in it.” Without trust, you don’t have anything.”
Born in the city of Montreal, Nova Rose was first introduced to music by her Egyptian-born father who would play the guitar as she sang along every night before bed. This routine quickly developed into a passion leading her to learn the violin, guitar and piano. The young artist also completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Communications & Cultural Studies, where she deepened her knowledge of the contexts in which her art could exist. By the time she graduated university, Nova was writing songs with artists from around the world, performing at different venues throughout Canada and reached a #1 spot on Quebec radio stations. Her music speaks loudly on the coming of age of the new generation in a world that sometimes makes us feel isolated and hopes that her music can serve as an outlet.
In a sensational international link up, multi-platinum, award-winning rapper, record-producer and entrepreneur A!MS enlists Projexx, Julian Marley, AV Allure and super-producers Cool & Dre for breakout record ‘Honor’.
STREAM/DOWNLOAD: A!MS – HONOR FT AV ALLURE, PROJEXX & JULIAN MARLEY
Echoes of afro-swing, Caribbean progressions and melodic rap chords lay at the heart of ‘Honor’ as it sits effortlessly on the Hip-Hop spectrum, capturing the diverse and culturally rich melting-point of London within its fabric. Teamed alongside a daring visual that sees a London City heist take place, the artists brave their way through the capital’s streets with high-speed chases and helicopters in hot pursuit, as they battle for Honor. Boasting an exceptional hook, passionate lyricism and a wave of global accents, it is the mutual respect and international currency of ‘Honor’ that is celebrated in this masterpiece of a single.
Produced by Grammy nominated Cool & Dre, ‘Honor’ features the duo’s Midas touch, which has been responsible for millions of sales and hits from the rap world’s elite, including DJ Khaled’s recent gold selling album ‘Khaled Khaled’. Opening the record, emerging UK artist AV Allure delivers a soulful, powerhouse hook that binds together the verses that follow. A!MS offers the first verse with gusto as he lays down his bars with determined strength and confidence, setting a tone of integrity and distinction. Drawing on the island vibes, Grammy Award winning reggae artist Julian Marley blesses the record with his spirituality bringing good intention, love and freedom to the record, whilst Jamaica’s hottest, rising, dancehall star, Projexx, delivers the perfect accompaniment in his patois, soulful flow.
Jimkata are a three-piece anthemic, synth-washed, electro-rock band based out of Ithaca. With a triumph of swirling analog synths, infectious pop hooks and candid lyrics, Jimkata have built a distinct sound which has been resonating with listeners across the country.
Friends since middle school, Evan Friedell, Aaron Gorsch and Packy Lunn infuse Jimkata, (named after the so-bad-it’s-good 1985 gym-fu caper Gymkata) with both an adventurous musical streak and relatable lyrical themes. Mixed in with the modern synth sensibilities and hard driven indie rock are influences drawn from the likes of Motown, singer-songwriters like James Taylor and even old country songs, where storytelling and a quick turn of phrase share priorities with melody and the beat. Jimkata have concocted an unusually rich and rewarding mix and one that’s evolved naturally.
After taking a two and a half year hiatus following the release of six studio albums and the successful building of a vibrant, grassroots fanbase, Jimkata are preparing to release their next album, Bonfires. The 10 track album is set for release as a series of singles every month with an accompanying visuals and merch line. Thematically, Bonfires touches on poignant themes of uncertainty, being in limbo, and looking for an anchor of hope in these trying times.
Bonfires is set for release summer 2021 worldwide.
Los Angeles based pop singer and songwriter Mimoza is known for her explosive anthems and utterly infectious songwriting. Her most recent hit is the single “Kings & Queens” by Ava Max, which impressively went platinum in twelve different countries and reached No. 1 on the U.S. Airplay Charts. This success isn’t just a coincidence. In fact, Mimoza has proven herself over and over again ever since the age of 17. After years of writing hits for other artists and receiving gold and platinum plaques, Mimoza is focusing further on her solo music with her single “Young Queen” released in January 2021. The personal record “Young Queen” was written as a love letter to her home country, and her Albanian roots. Paying tribute to her mother and all moms who raise their daughters to see themselves as ‘young queens’, the powerful pop anthem impresses with soulful vocal tones and big bold instrumentation. Aiming for the next pop crown, Mimoza is relentlessly forging her own path and not looking back. This queen is here to stay.
Title: “hearts:_[online]” by James Zero
Link: https://open.spotify.com/track/5JICkHD8kAVkxwjzG0qjM0?si=cc95be6f95ba4bce
Bio: This is a song about online relationships, it’s inspired by classic 80s bands like blue oyster cult but also has a lofi rock feel from today ….
neillfrazer@hotmail.com
