INsiders Guide

INsiders Guide: Camila Cabello, Ariana Grande, BIA and Nicki Minaj, B. Weaver, Spearmint, Winston Surfshirt, Laurent Bourque, Jessicka, Seth Glier, Claire Reneé, Nathan Ball….

Three-time GRAMMY® Award-nominated, multi-platinum, and chart-topping singer/songwriter Camila Cabello releases her new single “Don’t Go Yet.” Listen to it here! The song was written by Camila, Scott Harris, Ricky Reed, and Mike Sabath, produced by Mike Sabath and Ricky Reed and includes live percussion by acclaimed Cuban drummer, Pedrito Martinez. Alongside the new release, Camila also debuted the video for the track. Watch it here!

 This is Camila’s first new release since her 2019 platinum-certified #1 album, Romance. The new track will also appear on her upcoming third full-length album, Familia.

Vevo, the world’s leading music video network, announces the release of Ariana Grande’s Official Live Performance of “positions” from her album Positions. Vevo’s Official Live Performances are the result of close creative collaboration with artists and their teams, resulting in a series of very special exclusive performances. “positions” follows Ariana’s previous Vevo Official Live Performances of “pov,” “safety net (feat. Ty Dolla $ign,)” “my hair,” “34+35” and “off the table (feat. The Weeknd)”.

“We are so excited to release these exclusive video performances to Ariana’s fans” says JP Evangelista, SVP, Content, Programming & Marketing. “We’ve loved Ariana’s music for years, and it’s been such a privilege to watch her artistry grow and evolve. An immensely creative and collaborative artist is key to these visually stunning performances and Ariana embodies that – her efforts translated beautifully onscreen. We look forward to seeing her continue to blossom and hope everyone enjoys watching these.”

Ariana’s Official Live Performances are rooted in the concept of duality, with the superstar serenading viewers under a single spotlight and purple tint while walking through a field of flowers. Vevo has previously worked with Ariana Grande in 2013 and 2016 for her “Vevo Presents” performances of “Dangerous Woman,” “Be Alright,” “Leave Me Lonely,” “Greedy” and “Into You.” Ariana was one of Vevo’s Top 10 Worldwide Most Watched Artists of 2020 and shattered the Vevo 24 Hour View Count Record in 2018 with her video for “thank u, next” with a staggering 50 million views. 

Keep up with exclusive content from artists all over the world on YouTube.com/Vevo.

Photocredit: Bonnie Nicholds

Platinum Recording Artist BIA has gradually been travelling along her own lane within music, a lane that only she can occupy. Raised in Boston, the rap femme fatale is known for music that possesses both biting wit and a boldly authentic swag. It comes, undoubtedly, from BIA’s years traveling through the Boston rap scene, later moving over to Miami, Los Angeles, and then taking over the world. With every mixtape, collaboration, and guest appearance, BIA has only amplified her reach. So much so, that she made the most in a pandemic, dominating 2020 with a fresh new perspective. She inked a deal with Epic Records, dropped the hard-hitting “Free BIA (1st Day Out)” and the intoxicating “COVERGIRL”, as well as dove further into the fashion world with a feature in Good American’s Spring 2020 campaign and Missguided x Sean John Fall 2020 capsule collection.

By the close of 2020, she dropped her For Certain EP, armed with the hit single “Whole Lotta Money”—a song with a central message that unlimited currency can be both mental and physical. The EP reached the Top 10 of Billboard’s Heatseekers Album Charts, with the aforementioned single become a sleeper hit that would bring her uncharted

Gifted songwriter and singer B. Weaver today unveils his first original track, the hypnotic, spellbinding ‘Vanity’.

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Musically meditative, with delicate interwoven piano and guitar, the track is driven steadily forward by softly thudding heartbeat drums. The song’s sobering power comes from its unflinching lyrical rumination of deeply existential questions.

Weaver explains: “Vanity takes all these insecurities about time moving on and sober reality, and embraces that, lets it be difficult, and lets it be sad, puts a light on it that makes it seem more beautiful. It feels like you’re always saying goodbye to yourself and waking up a slightly different person, and I want listeners to have a direct emotional response to that, and feel stronger. I’m trying to lift spirits, not dampen them.”

The final track to be written for ‘Holland Park’, “Walk Away From Hollywood” is classic Spearmint pop, all breezy melodies and swooning multi-part harmonies. Listeners are encouraged to spot the tongue-in-cheek lyrical reference to ‘Spinal Tap’ too. Available digitally and as a 7” vinyl, it is backed by non-album b-side “Doorways”: a noir tale about cheating Death and Death cheating back.

Speaking about the single, frontman Shirley Lee says:

““Walk Away From Hollywood” is a celebration of walking away from your dreams, of having to change path halfway through your life. In the context of the album, it’s about coping when the band you’re in splits up, and you have to figure out what to do next, given that your dream has come to nothing.”

The day-glo animated video that accompanies the track is by Moth Media and features Shirley quite literally walking away from Hollywood, before ending it all ‘Thelma & Louise’ style.

Often referred to as ‘Britain’s best kept secret’, Spearmint have been making great records for a couple of decades now: this will be their ninth album proper. Still the same line-up: Shirley Lee (singing, guitar), Simon Calnan (singing, keyboards), James Parsons (guitar, bass) and Ronan Larvor (drums). This album will be the 57th release on their own hitBACK label.

Upcoming album ‘Holland Park’ explores what it’s like to be in a band, what it’s like to have walked away from being in a band, what music means to all of us, and how it feels to lose your heroes. The spirit of Bowie hangs over the album. Singer Shirley says “What would the other members of the Spiders From Mars say now about their lives if we tracked them down? I don’t mean Bowie’s band, I mean Ziggy’s band.”

 Re-united with producer Rhodri Marsden (Scritti Politti), and with contributions from Rhodri and Andy Lewis (Paul Weller), the band feel that this record is their best yet. 

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Based around the epic 12-minute title track, the album tells the story of Shirley’s father’s prog band in the early 70s. As Shirley recounts: “They never made it, and there’s nothing online about them, so it’s down to us to tell the story.”

Spearmint plan to premiere the album live in London in November, followed by shows in Brighton and Bristol, with further gigs throughout 2022. Watch this space…

Riding the wave of success following their critically acclaimed sophomore album ‘Apple Crumble’ and latest release ‘Cover Your Mouth’, woozy Australian six-piece Winston Surfshirt return with new mesmerizing single ‘All Of The Little Things’ featuring Californian rapper Ramirez.

Instantaneously bringing forth sensations of hazy summer days, ‘All Of The Little Things’ sees front-man Winston’s signature tranquil vocals buoying over a blissed out 90s hip-hop beat. With the tender West Coast infused rap verse from Ramirez perfectly accompanying Winston’s breezy hooks, the track oozes along serenely with warm lyricism – delving into the concept of invincibility within the throes of love.

Winston says on the new single: “I got a tweet from Ramirez last year (that) just said, ‘u the truth bruh’, I was like how’s he even know me!? We started chatting and throwing music we were working on to each other and I ended making something with him in mind, within a couple of days he’d sent a verse back and we’ve been sitting on it ever since. He put a snippet of it on his story and it’s been my most frequent DM since so I’m glad to be finally releasing it for those people.”

On his new single “EASY,” Toronto’s Laurent Bourque embraces an uplifting pop sound, rooted in his love of raw punchy hip-hop beats, twinkling piano themes and striking melodies. Inspired by a lighthearted danceable groove, “EASY” draws influence from many of Laurent’s 90’s childhood favourites like Dr. Dre, 70’s classics like the Bee Gees and contemporary pop giants like Mike Posner.

On his latest album Blue Hour (2019), Laurent garnered much attention for his sleek piano pop sound. The album’s lead single “Matador” was a charting hit in Canada, reaching the CBC Music Top 20 where it remained for 12 consecutive weeks. Another stand out track, “Thinking of you,” was featured in many major Spotify, Amazon Music and Apple Music playlists (such as Fresh Finds and Indie All Stars) and was also a heavy rotation favourite on Sirius XM, BBC Radio 6 and Stingray Digital.

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His songwriting talents have landed him many accolades such as the Stingray Rising Star Award and his works have appeared on Netflix’s Tiny Pretty Things and E! Network’s Keeping Up With The Kardashians.

To say it’s been a year of change could be considered quite the understatement. But for Vancouver-based musician Jessicka, it’s been the perfect time to truly realize who she wanted to be as an artist.

While her past work has been said to be anchored by heady and dark lyrical content, her new project has taken the artist in a somewhat different direction, evoking a kind of electric energy and exuberance much needed in the current social climate. “I want to get the crowd as pumped to be up and moving as I am when I’m on stage,” she explained. “I just want them to have a more elevated experience. To feel that power and that intensity.”

Seth Glier’s new album The Coronation is an invitation to forge a new, more beautiful world out of the current chaos. “For most of my adult life, I’ve held the belief that humanity is right around the corner from something transformative,” Seth explains. “If we could only see that our separateness is an illusion, then a future of global cooperation and interdependence would be undeniable. As the coronavirus locked down the world, I watched this long-held belief inside of me becoming a reality right before my eyes. The dolphins returned to the Venice canals, and millions of children saw the stars for the first time. I wanted this album to feel like a roadmap towards reunion in a reconnected and repairing world.”

 

Glier’s sixth album on MPress Records, The Coronation is a beautiful and powerful collection that explores an expansive range of musical styles and topics from the personal to the political. A Grammy®-nominated singer-songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist from Western Massachusetts, Glier has also won five Independent Music Awards. NPR describes his voice as “otherworldly” while praising him as “an engaging performer and storyteller.” His critically acclaimed, emotionally dense catalog of work often draws upon traditional roots music, experimental instrumentation, and moody atmospheres that result in soulfully intelligent stories that can alternately fight the power and break your heart.

 

After touring 250 dates a year for half his life, not being on the road in 2020 allowed Glier to write from a place of stillness. The Coronation’s credits reflect the spirit of interconnectedness explored in the album’s lyrics. “I knew at the onset that I wanted to work with many different people and producers on this record but I don’t think I knew why until after finishing it,” Seth explains. “Being in collaboration is a constant reminder that our actions have profound effects on the subsequent actions of others and how powerful it is to be united in common cause.” While The Coronation has multiple producers alongside Glier himself — longtime collaborator Ryan Hommel (Amos Lee, Heather Maloney), Bill Lefler (Ingrid Michaelson, Dashboard Confessional), and Alex Wong (Delta Rae, The Paper Raincoat) — the record has a cohesive, mostly synth-driven sound. Guest artists include vocalists Everett Bradley (Bruce Springsteen, Hall & Oates) and rising star Raye Zaragoza, and cellist Dave Eggar (Coldplay, Evanescence). “I think collaboration might be what makes The Coronation’ a cohesive album,” Glier says. “It’s wildly diverse from song to song, and the making of it began to mirror a new world I wanted to live in.”

 

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Glier will share songs from The Coronation on the road later this year while continuing to connect with audiences using his eclectic, often humorous, and always insightful artistry. Summing up the project, Glier says, “’The Coronation’ marks the emergence of our collective unconscious into consciousness and the transcendence of compulsion into choice. I look at the last year of lockdown as sort of like an extended rehab healing us from the story of separation and offering us the courage to forge a new crown and become the rulers of that which had ruled us.”

Claire Reneé is a classically trained dancer who sings from the soul. Singing a combination of R&B, soul, Jazz, and pop while being heavily influenced by hip hop, this singer/songwriter’s raspy yet graceful vocals, along with her unique harmonies, always provide an incredible vibe and sound. Her natural ear for music and performance led her to study at Berklee College of Music and The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music.

 Her upcoming nine-track album Wings is inspired by relationships and how we cope with both the beautiful and challenging sides of it, touching on certain experiences that help us navigate through these situations. Claire confides, “The human experience encompasses lots of different emotions. There may be some anger, sadness, clarity, visits from spirit guides and even epiphanies. We lead out by honoring that we want to change or see change in our lives. That includes doing work on ourselves, while reminding ourselves we will always push through and even find our Wings. Getting to the other side brings light and even empathy to the very same ones who hurt you, couldn’t show up for you, or wronged you in the past.”

 This multi-talented artist has quite a unique background. Claire began dancing at the early age of 4 and trained at highly esteemed dance schools such as The Dance Theater of Harlem and Alvin Ailey. 

Spoiling fans with another indie-pop delight, rising star Nathan Ball releases teaser track ‘My Answer’ ahead of his forthcoming debut album Under the Mackerel Sky, out August 20th.

Showcasing Nathan’s signature fusion of indie-folk with soft house flourishes, ‘My Answer’ features electrifying layering of electronic instrumentation that swells to a euphoric crescendo. A lyrical exploration of self-frustration, ‘My Answer’ depicts the overwhelming struggles encountered by mental health battles, and the power of leaning on others to escape a self-deprecating cycle.

A landmark year for Nathan, 2021 will see his debut album Under the Mackerel Sky launch alongside a return to the live stage with his forthcoming UK and European tour kicking off in September, heralding a sold-out London date. Lauding major critical acclaim from THE INDEPENDENT, GQ, THE LINE OF BEST FIT and CLASH, Nathan’s artistry for entwining ambient and cinematic soundscapes with poignant storytelling have captivated fans and tastemakers alike.

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Continuing to dazzle with his indie-pop finery, ‘My Answer’ is yet another triumph from the burgeoning star that continues to excel the hype and anticipation for his exquisite debut album

Continuing on from a succession of critically acclaimed singles, charismatic rising pop newcomer Max Leo delivers his debut EP kinda romantic.

Offering a refreshing dose of reality alongside dizzying synths and hypnotising guitars, the five tracks that make up the kinda romantic EP underline Max’s signature frank lyrical style exploring the twin aspects of love. Reflecting on his music Max states: “I can’t help but be honest”, and it’s this explorative willingness that defines Max in an often-sugar-coated pop world.

kinda romantic melts from sonically bright, bouncy tunes to moodier pieces that explore the tougher realism in relationships. As well as previous offerings ‘breaking my heart’ and ‘could be something’, the EP contains unreleased new songs ‘kinda romantic’.

Photos: Samuel George Photography / Audiotrope

MARLOW are a five-piece band based in Eastbourne, East Sussex. Comprised of Freddie (Vocals), Joe (Guitar), Seb (Bass), Archie (Synth) and Liam (Drums) the band suck listeners into their world through a dynamic surge and zesty, modern approach. Their music is purely about a feeling, told from the depths of their hearts and delivered with a hint of mystique. 

With an amalgamation of influences, their sound breaks down genre norms, creating something that brings to mind the likes of Oasis, Tame Impala and The Strokes, with euphoric, manic energy reminiscent of so many UK bands such as The Vaccines and The Courteeners. 

Their latest single “Blame It” narrates the lack of communication in relationships and how people try to avoid responsibility for their issues by shifting the blame onto others and coming up with excuses. This reckless behaviour can quickly become a hard habit to break, especially when you’re too busy having fun and brushing things under the carpet. 

Through jangly inspired guitars that lace perfectly around the twinkling synth lines and gravelly, raw vocals which provide a real and honest look into the lives of the band, “Blame It” emits a familiar, warming feel that encompasses you head to toe. Joe reveals, “I guess you could say the track has a sort of feel-good melancholy and embraces a juxtaposition of emotions and feelings… We really enjoy instilling a sensation of nostalgia.”

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Originally under a different project name, MARLOW received frequent support from BBC Introducing, performing for their Live Lounge sessions in Sussex, Surrey and Kent. They’ve also garnered airplay from BBC Radio 6 and had the pleasure of supporting Mallory Knox and Scouting for Girls.

The first foretaste of an explorative new project, the track is one of eight recordings that will comprise Sun Atoms’ debut album: ‘Let There Be Light’

Produced-by and featuring The Dandy Warhols’ guitar pedal maestro Peter Holmström (Pete International Airport, The Dandy Warhols) and mixed by London’s legendary Stephen Street (Blur, The Smiths, New Order), other first-rate guest performances scattered throughout the record also include The Black Angels’ Alex Maas, the leader of Brooklyn’s The Vandelles: Jasno Swarez, St. Louis beat boss drummer Bob Mild, esteemed session player Gregg Williams (Sheryl Crow, Blitzen Trapper), and Sacramento punks Pets, to name a few. 

Utilising the time that elapsed during the pandemic for the creative, Sun Atoms began sharing ideas for songs with long time collaborator Peter Holmström. Sending files back and forth from London, Brooklyn, Austin, and Sacramento, the pair began crafting what would soon become ‘Let There Be Light’. Transfixed in a shared sense of awe for the sun, our local star and a giant ball of gas that blazes at the middle of the solar system and connects us all with central purpose; it soon became a point of focus for the record.

Merging styles, sounds and genres with the kind of nuclear fusion akin to those particles at the very heart of the solar system; psychedelic dark wave, postmodern pop and more meld seamlessly into a set of transformative songs etched with wonder, humour and an inherent cool in their every fibre. In sci-fi tipped cuts like “Don’t Take Me To Your Leader”, “Captain Tunnel Vision” and “Praying Mantis”; references to heavenly bodies and the mysteries of the universe drift like asteroids through a cosmos of starry, strung-out arrangements.

Citing luminary influences such as Moon Duo, The Cure, Nick Cave, Love and Rockets, Spiritualized, and Leonard Cohen; the result is a record that burns with a cosmic radiance, quite content to defy the rules of the universe.

One of the hottest lo-fi releases of the year receives a serious boost as Australian rap star Allday joins Snøw, Rxseboy and Jack Cullen for a fresh take on their addictive track ‘Spilled My Coffee’.

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Amassing over 1 million streams and backed by heavyweight tastemakers incl. Zane Lowe, Annie Mac and Jack Saunders, ‘Spilled My Coffee’ has already reached cult status, with Allday’s new feature now tipping it into a whole new stratosphere. Contrasting the deep bluesy vocals from Jack Cullen with the dynamic raps of Rxseboy and Allday, the melodic hooks float over an acoustic guitar riff and a bed of hypnotic grooves that’s proved one of the most viral of the summer so far. The single also infiltrated the lofi YouTube community driving over 160k views and 300% growth in a few weeks, with support from The Bootleg Boy and Aurora Vibes. The track has also been used repeatedly by TikTok influencers, reaching a total of 20M users.

Snøw’s relentless innovation in crafting lo-fi bangers has garnered him a serious fan base across the Atlantic, – recently featuring on Kina’s Platinum selling record ‘Get You The Moon’. The precocious star continues to establish himself as an artist crafting trailblazing hits with each perfectly executed release.

UK’s hottest property Grim Sickers follows up latest hit “The Great” in style, returning to the soundsphere in with a hugely captivating track and visuals to “True To You’ released 23rd July.

The London-based hotshot adds to his already impressive legacy, serving up an enthralling, garage-orientated soundtrack using a selection of high-impact percussive elements and synth sampling, backed by a set of highly effective visuals. Widely renowned for his distinct vocals and immaculate lyricism, Sickers continues to demonstrate his musical dynamism with a melodic and meaningful story, exclaiming: “This life won’t last forever, cus I hope I see you again, even though we’re not together, I don’t want to see you in pain”. A poignant and timely reminder of Grim Sickers’ innate skill in crafting a sense of vintage nostalgia.

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.

Feelings, Pt. II” was born whilst driving through the streets of London en route from an arrival flight from Italy, as the songwriter asks his lover/friend about her feelings. His spiritual aura floods the lyricism, close at hand with his alluring vocal tone, it’s comforting and exciting both at the same time. Inspired by the likes of contemporary music gods such as Blood Orange and Frank Ocean, the single was co-produced by Tyler Turner (Juice WRLD, Lil Keed and Baby Keed). 

The boozy guitar in “Feelings, Pt. II” feels intoxicatingly calming through the stunning fingerpicking oozing romance and tenderness. The distorted vocals have a feminine flare shining a light on the polarity of feminine and masculine energies in the story. Treasure Bloom’s superlunary melodies and vocals sit at the forefront of the soundscape, at times doused in electro washes and rap tones, alongside the guitar and building echoing synths. This is a tunnel of magical dreaminess and features a selection of moments that burst in that classic experimental essence from the artist.

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Following a massive 2020 – which saw the release of their huge single “Are We Having Any Fun Yet?” – Manchester act Larkins are back with the epic new offering “if + when”, which they release today alongside announcing their eagerly anticipated debut album, JCOY.

JCOY will be released October 8th, but the band livestreamed a full preview performance of the album for fans on their YouTube channel on 21st July.

“if + when” builds from a fragile piano introduction, before sparse beats drive the song toward the anthemic release of its heartfelt chorus. The disarming lyrical honesty of singer Josh Noble shines through in his searingly real account of trying to pull a loved one back from the brink of self-destruction. All he can ultimately offer, he realises, is a promise: ‘I’ll be there, if + when it gets too rough’.

KENAH has been persistent in cementing her musical identity across the world. With the release of her introductory track ‘Plenty’, followed by the enchanting sounds of ‘Control’, she is now ready to share her debut EP ‘3:05 Musing’. The detailed preparation the artist and her label has taken for each release, demonstrates exactly why KENAH is set to become a powerhouse within the music industry. Her rising support is testament to this, with BBC 1Xtra’s Afro Boss aka DJ Edu championing tracks off the EP, as well as BBC Radio 1 Soundsystem backing from Jeremiah Asiamah. On top of all that, KENAH was featured in the distinguished ‘Wonderland’ magazine as part of their ‘New Noise’ feature, illustrating the upward trajectory of this exciting artists career.

Multi-platinum recording artist, singer, songwriter, and actor Jesse McCartney has released his new anthemic single and video for “Kiss The World Goodbye” off his upcoming sixth studio album New Stage, due out Fall 2021. Representing a new chapter in his life, New Stage is set to mark his first full-length album in seven years.

Inspired by his future wife, actress Katie Peterson, the single reflects their bond where they are ready to take on anything and everything.

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“This song is intended to inspire, even when you have the weight of the world on your shoulders. And when you have that special someone you can rely on, someone who can share in the good times and bad, it really gives you the sense that the two of you can take on anything.” – Jesse McCartney

Later this year, McCartney will embark on a headlining tour beginning in Austin, TX hitting over 20 cities across the United States before ending with a show in his adopted hometown of Los Angeles on December 8th at The Wiltern.

Cassadee Pope releases the new music video for her latest single, “Say It First,” off her upcoming album, THRIVE, today with Sounds Like Nashville. The video, directed and edited by Ed Pryor, is a colorful depiction of the inner storm that matches the song’s eruptive angst along with the vulnerability of its lyrics.

“Working with Ed Pryor again was such a treat. We both knew we wanted this video to include weather elements and fast flashes to coincide with the inner turmoil the song talks about. I wanted to wear a beautiful dress to further illustrate the fact that vulnerability is strength.” – Cassadee Pope

“Developing concepts with Cassadee and her team is always a breath of fresh air! ‘Say It First’ is such a powerful song that we all were inspired to pair imagery that was visually exciting yet also emotionally impactful.” – Ed Pryor

Following a slew of critically-acclaimed releases in 2020 culminating in their 1st and 2nd EPs MinimumN and MEDIUMN., Hackney-based collective GRAMN. are back with the exuberant and affirming R&B cut “Glow Up”.

Described by GRAMN. frontwoman Aux as “a love song to the black community”, “Glow Up” opens with intimate, soulful Spanish-language vocal lines sung by Aux herself. Polyrhythms then pop off to a Dancehall pulse, as gorgeous layered vocal hooks fuse with sparse synth lines and thunderous sub bass. As the visuals spring from rich, soulful closeups to group vogueing and vibeing out in Hackney Downs, it’s a visual ode to self-affirmation and family love.

A wildly innovative producer, artist, and songwriter fusing melodic electronic dance music with pop, blues, rock, and other genres, Elephante (American musical artist Tim Wu) is living what many people might call “The American Dream”. As the son of Taiwanese immigrants, his Asian-American upbringing in Michigan was unique and sometimes isolating. He graduated from Harvard University and entered corporate America at a top global consultant firm….and HATED it, so he addressed his unhappiness — “the elephant in the room” — and pursued his passion in music. To date, he’s garnered hundreds of millions of streams across his two indie EPs: I Am The Elephante (2016), a nine-track exploration of progressive house, synthpop and trap; and Glass Mansion (2018), which shot to #1 on iTunes U.S. Dance chart. His upcoming project, Heavy Glow, represents his first full-length studio album, a largely solo effort further pushing the boundaries of dance music, featuring the debut single, High Water.” Elephante has headlined two sold-out national tours, played nightlife residencies including those at Hard Rock and Wynn Las Vegas, and appeared at major music festivals such as Lollapalooza, EDC Las Vegas, and Electric Zoo.

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Toronto-based R&B/pop artist Erez Zobary has a timeless voice, in more ways than one. Raised on Stevie Wonder and Amy Winehouse, Erez’s soulful vocals echo the sounds and styles of her youth. Lyrically she is raw and uninhibited, writing openly about universal, yet highly personal, feelings of self-worth, uncertainty, and vulnerability. Combined with her down-to-earth sense of humour and natural charisma, which she displays online and onstage, Erez engages with a growing fanbase who resonate deeply with her message of empowerment, and find joy and connectivity in the community she has fostered.

Over the last five years, Erez has played to audiences around the country, from sold-out shows at venues like Lee’s Palace and the Taste of Danforth festival in Toronto, to packed theatres at TEDxQueensU in Kingston, and the National Music Centre in Calgary, as a participant in the RBC Master in Residence Program with Steven Page. In 2019, Erez was selected by HoneyJam as one of Canada’s up-and-coming female artists.

To Bloom (Single) by Erez Zobary

A song all about heart connections that reach beyond time and space, Bloom’s latest track is a cornucopia of Summertime sounds that beams with a radiant energy and enigmatic lyrical allure.

Garden of the Sun” was written a few years ago at a time when Bloom found herself separated from her closest friend who had pursued a new life on the other side of the planet. And yet, despite being half a world away, the pair could feel the connection they had forged pulsing stronger than ever.
 
“It felt like somehow our hearts could rise above the earth and shout hello very loudly from space.” expresses Bloom. “When we met again after years, it seemed we had never actually been apart.”
With the title of her award-winning 2020 EP ‘The Heart Shall Be Rewarded by the Universe’ borrowed from a line in this song, as with much of Bloom’s work “Garden Of The Sun” is rich, colourful and wild in its imagery. Like cosmic fables yet to be written, playfully cryptic lyrics like: “We’re just in our play world, the garden of the sun, we are the icing cake” are sure to intrigue and invite repeated visitation.

Initially penned in the dead of night as Bloom found herself sleepless and restless, the singer took to her kitchen and began to lay down a series of soft, melodic whispers to her i-maschine app. Returning to the recording the next day and overlaying twinkling piano motifs, in the coming weeks that followed Bloom slowly unlocked the song’s potential like a puzzle as new improvisations and sections began to take root. As all the pieces fell naturally into place, “Garden of the Sun” soon blossomed into being.

 

Taking it to the studio last year, “Garden of the Sun” was recorded by Joe Leach in one-take at The Cow Shed; with Bloom laying down vocals and Fender Rhodes live with long time band member Juba Wetzler on drums. 

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Produced by Benjy Gibson, who co-wrote every song with Delilah, the EP steers away from the autobiographical nature of her previous releases, instead creating characters in a hedonistic, passion-fuelled fantasy world that the pair lived vicariously through as the world was at a standstill. The EP features additional production work by Benjy Gibson’s brother, BRIT Award winning producer Fred again.. on opening track ‘BABY’, as well as guitar lines from Billie-Eilish approved TikTok sensation Towa Bird on ‘Coming For Ya’.

Current single ‘Coming For Ya’ sees Delilah embrace a new sense of self and freedom as she becomes the narrator on this project born out of lockdown isolation. Delilah discovers a new acceptance in her own sexuality, whilst in the official video she explores real life couples of all sexualities and backgrounds; “I’ve had girlfriends and boyfriends, but I don’t identify strongly with being gay, straight or bisexual”, says Delilah. “I now know that this fluidity can be freeing. It doesn’t mean I’m confused and I don’t need a label”.

Above all, Delilah’s new EP ‘Baby’ is about freedom, feeling and taking back control of your happiness. “There’s been a huge shift for me in my ability to express myself,” says Delilah. “I used to be so afraid of being a woman, ashamed of feeling sexual, scared of falling in love, but I’m embracing it all with this EP.”

MAKJ has been whipping up a series of delectable tunes as of late, and his new single on Armada Music is no exception. Made in tandem with MADDS and Mila Jam, ‘Just Sayin’ doubles down on infectiousness whilst bringing a serious amount of personality to the party. 

Listen to MAKJ x MADDS x Mila Jam – Just Sayin’

The first-ever get-together between MAKJ, MADDS and Mila Jam, ‘Just Sayin’ oozes with summer feel and global dance floor appeal. Supercharged by long-tailed bass steps that perfectly complement the airy vocals and sun-kissed beat drops, this track is an anthem to days spent at the seaside.

“This record started out as a ‘90s sit-in-the-car-and-reminisce track I did with Mila”, MAKJ explains. “She and I decided we needed something fresh to mix it up a bit and who better to add to the track than MADDS. The track transformed into a positive feel-good club record that has an amazing meaning, and I feel ‘Just Sayin’’ will be a summer smash thanks to these two amazing women being on the record!”

“I have always admired MAKJ’s music and being a part of this track has been amazing”, MADDS says. “It’s one of those house tracks that you can listen to anytime of day; besides the lyrics being relatable, the melody, kick drum and snare are all super clean and not too overpowering, which fits the vibe and overall sound perfectly. I’m happy to be a part of this project and excited for my fans to hear it! 

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“Sometimes, we gotta be reminded of our crowns and demand what we’re worth”Mila Jam adds. “I’m just sayin’.”

MANTARAYBRYN releases his exceptional new EP: ‘Year of The Heron’.

His first release for some three years, this three track collection of songs marks an invigorating rebirth of sorts for the Cardiff-via-Cornwall artist. Cloud-busting tunes forged from life-changing experiences, he shares his pop coronation with the world today (16 July).

LISTEN TO THE ‘YEAR OF THE HERON’ EP IN FULL HERE

 
Alongside previous singles “Mayfly” and “Tantalus”, the EP also contains the sprightly opening track “Into One Ether”. With its leaping synthesisers lines, cooing vocals, and euphoric spirit, it’s a track that celebrates breaking society’s perceptions of conventionality to find your true self.

LISTEN TO “INTO ONE ETHER” HERE

Speaking about “Into One Ether”, Mantaraybryn explains:

 

“If you have ever felt like you exist in different ways around different social groups, that’s what Into One Ether is about; constantly shifting between different versions of yourself to protect yourself and the perception of yourself. The track shifts into themes of religion and sex and the bizarre guilt that seems to surrond those two fields. At its core, it is a dance song about self persecution that I hope shakes off the confusing feeling of “which version of myself am I now?””

Joy Crookes—who is already garnering Amy Winehouse and Lauryn Hill comparisons from her own songs—began her musical journey years before her magpie-like introduction to brass. The daughter of a Bengali mother and an Irish father, she grew up listening to an eclectic mix of genres. Every week, while driving her to Irish dancing lessons, they would listen to a different album. Kendrick Lamar’s ‘To Pimp a Butterfly’ one week ‘Soon Forward’ by Gregory Isaac the next. As a curious, passionate, and music-obsessed 12-year-old, Joy decided to start writing her own song and honing her modern soul sound. Her first song “Seaside” was penned after falling head over heels for a boy by the beach. Seven years later, her songs might have grown more sophisticated, but the approach remains the same: whether she’s dealing with heartbreak or trying to come to terms with the latest Trump headline, Joy is committed to translating her most honest and vulnerable feelings to music. While her candid song-writing and fearless attitude have won her dedicated grassroots following, it was a baby-faced Joy singing a cover of Hit the Road Jack, which caught the attention of 600,000 viewers, and her first management company.

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Buzzing Atlanta rapper and AweSomLife Entertainment artist Casper Bluff reveals a new single entitled “My Shawty” featuring Coca Vango available today at all digital partners. Get it HERE.

“My Shawty” is an airy track that gives way to infectious warbling harmonies, showcasing Casper’s signature style. The woozy auto-tune culminates on a chantable hook as he and Coca Vango trade magnetic melodies. You’ll definitely be singing along and hollering to “My Shawty” right away!  The single which will officially impact radio on August 23rd is a follow-up to his rising anthem “Let’s Go, which was released early this month. 

Photo Credit: Marty Clemens

BC singer-songwriter Mark Perry gets introspective on his new single ‘Who Am I’ out today on all digital streaming platforms. Watch the video here.

‘Who Am I’ is the 3rd single from Mark Perry’s new album Northwest set for release later this year. The song is a product of the pandemic and asks the existential question of the moment – who am I?

“It’s a big question many of us pack around,” says Perry. “When what we perceive as ‘normal’ in life suddenly wavers, we begin to question what ‘normal’ ever was. The COVID-19 pandemic tore down many of our perceptions. Our social life became restricted. So many things we enjoyed — a cup of coffee or tea, a beer, a glass of wine with friends — became questionable events. Work places were adjusted to slow down social interaction. We humans stumbled and began to show cracks.

It’s long been said “good communication is the bridge between confusion and clarity.” Global citizen and singer-songwriter Mayer Malik gets raw and honest in his upcoming single, “Sensitive,” set to be released today, Friday, July 23rd. An emotionally charged story told through the male perspective, the mid-tempo pop track describes the end of a romantic relationship due to a breakdown in communication. Produced by famed Dutch producer Boaz Van De Beatz (Diplo, Major Lazer, Madonna, Ariana Grande) and featuring singer, Daniella Milo, “Sensitive” is the first release from Malik’s upcoming debut album, set to be released on Friday, October 15, 2021.

neillfrazer@hotmail.com

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