Vince Staples today debuted the video for “Magic,” the first single off his forthcoming album Ramona Park Broke My Heart due out in April via Blacksmith Recordings / Motown Records. Filmed by Prettybird directing duo KENTEN, the visual features a series of one-take shots with camera movement that shows Vince’s day from a surrealist perspective, allowing the viewer to see everything around him as an observer. Making its broadcast premiere on BET Jams, BET Hip Hop and the ViacomCBS Times Square billboards, the video for “Magic” is available to watch HERE. Stream / download the track HERE.
Produced by Mustard, “Magic” is a celebration of how Staples was able to beat the inner city blues and a system designed to keep him seeped in the adversity he was raised in. “It’s handshakes and hugs when I come around,” he raps just before acknowledging that there are foes around who don’t enjoy seeing him win. “I think it’ll put the listener in a good state of mind,” Staples says. “The mood of it defines the project.”
Last month, Staples began his run as supporting act on Tyler, the Creator’s 34-date North American Call Me If You Get Lost tour, which also features Kali Uchis and Teezo Touchdown. Rolling Stone called Staples’ performance in Phoenix “a welcome reminder of the durability and longevity of his output over the past few years,” while The Dallas Observer raved “Vince Staples absolutely killed it” in Dallas and The Star Tribune said his performance in Minneapolis “went over big,” adding “the location [of the stage] lent a more intimate, personable power to Staples’ imaginative songs like ‘The Shining’ and ‘74’.” The celebrated rapper will also return to Coachella to perform this April on the 17th and 24th.
Listen to my latest release, “Grateful,” via your favourite streaming platform.
https://lnk.to/jenny-palacios-grateful
Watch the official music video for “Grateful” on YouTube.
There’s so much going on in a hushed way in the visualizer for “Grateful.” These are things beyond our control. Waves crash whether we like it or not and thunderstorms are impossible to ignore.
I wrote and tracked this song when I was working a full-time job, studying full-time, struggling as a musician, and balancing the roles of girlfriend, best friend, and sister.
Love and deep meaningful relationships were everywhere I looked when I wrote “Grateful,“ yet something about this wasn’t absorbing. I felt guilty about not being able to feel it in my heart, even though in real life it was all there.
A slow dreading numbness can be really visceral when I hit these low periods. It’s like everything is a little blurry, faded, and far away. Everything’s confusing but nothing’s urgent. No beginning or end.
I finished the vocals in my bedroom just after coming home from getting a pretty harsh critique on a final assignment, rain was pouring, and I had to make it out the door to make the closing shift.
It was a grey November day and I parked outside my workplace, unable to leave my car even though my shift had started. It was then that I just broke down.
I eventually picked myself back up and walked in. No one would’ve noticed, but I knew that things weren’t good.
Thank you for listening,
Jenny Palacios
My heartfelt single “Stupid” was inspired by a long distance relationship. Falling in love is such an amazing feeling, but it can fall apart when distance is involved.
Out now on your preferred platform. 👼🏼
“Even knowing how it ends, I would do it all again, the sadness and the impulses, want to feel them all again.” These lyrics make me emotional. Even having gone through so much sadness, wanting to feel it all again just to experience a few good moments again is so beautiful.
I hope you enjoy it,
noelle
Sheenah Ko has quickly gained the reputation of being a fearless musical warrior who marches to the beat of her own drum – or in this case, her keyboard.
The Montreal-based synth-pop artist, who is also a core member of Canadian indie darlings Besnard Lakes, hit the spotlight in 2020 with the release of her debut full-length album, Nowhere in Time. The album garnered substantial press and specialty radio airplay across Canada. The video for her single “Wrap Me Up” won a UK Music Video Award for Best Choreography (beating out Beyonce and Tove Lo, among others), and went on to receive a 2021 Juno Award Nomination for Best Video.
Gearing up to release her sophomore album “Future Is Now” (releasing May 27, 2022), Sheenah hopes the first single, “Wake Up”.
“The song isn’t directed at anyone or any group as much as it’s just a general call to people to open their eyes and fight the good fight. I’ve been consistently impressed with the social advocacy being mounted by the youth of today. I really kind of feel as though “Gen Z” truly ‘gets it’ and are just so fed up with the status quo that this is how they’re going about trying to effect change,” she says.
Driven by an irrepressible beat, Sheenah hopes the song serves as definitive inspiration for the modern, surreal times we’re living in.
“No one should go through life feeling as though they’re a robot, and that’s something I feel has been exacerbated by the upheaval of the past few years. With so many people working at home, the lines between someone’s work life and personal life have become blurred. ‘Wake Up’ is a reminder to ensure you’re having some fun.”
Sheenah’s goal with “Wake Up”, along with the other tracks on “Future Is Now”, was to ensure the energy of the songs reflected her optimistic mindset.
“Between my last record and the recording of these new songs, my energy and vibe completely shifted,” she says. “Where my debut record was a bit moody, I very much wanted to focus on the present and being in the moment this time around. I’ve learned a lot of important lessons in the time between records.”
The video for her new single opens with a stark reflection upon the constant, harried pace of the present-day workplace. But before long, the cast shamelessly cast off their day job shackles, and engage in a fierce freestyle dance against a stunning backdrop of a city skyline.
Embracing the spirit of sophisticated 90’s dance anthems such as Madonna’s “Ray of Light,” “Wake Up” not only serves as an enthusiastic battle cry, but also serves as an uplifting reminder to live life to the fullest each day.
Gifted multi-hyphenate Kat Von D unveils a very personal take on ‘Fotos y Recuerdos’, the hit song from iconic Mexican-American recording artist Selena. Stream ‘Fotos y Recuerdos’ Here – Watch the video Here.
Born in Mexico, growing up speaking Spanish, Kat Von D has always felt a deep connection with Selena’s music – even before writing and recording her own music – Selena’s language-crossover album,’ Dreaming of You’, served as Kat’s first introduction to English.
Talking about the track, Kat Von Da says; “Selena was such a big part of my childhood! Her music was on constant rotation in our house growing up, so covering ‘Fotos y Recuerdos’ was something that felt natural to me, and I’m so excited for this song to be my first musical release in my native language, Spanish.”
One of America’s finest musical minds returns from hiatus today with his thrilling new offering. Raury – one of the most celebrated young artists of recent times, is back with “Channel Zero”, an electrifying display of his natural, unique lyrical mastery.
Raury’s typically personal and thought-provoking musings over an airy drum percussion and sun-filled guitar flecks immediately, resoundingly remind us of an artist and persona that’s been severely missing from the scene. Excitingly “Channel Zero” also marks the first of a number of new songs from the Atlanta native in preparation for the release of his first album since his departure in 2017.
A forthcoming visual capturing Raury in his home – Little Five Points Atlanta – is also promised, a place that has shaped his creative experience since was a child.
The musical prodigy who experienced global recognition (and a co-sign from OutKast) for his past work is now ready to reapproach the main stage with a body of work that clearly articulates his journey of becoming.
This new release is a telling showcase of how much Raury has spent the last year honing his already formidable talents as a musician, producer, and vocalist. One of the globe’s most thrilling artists returns, and with “Channel Zero” a much-needed breath of fresh air exhales into the ether. Welcome back to a truly original artist, ready to take his place back in the spotlight.
London’s rap riser GXBOS (pronounced GABOS) has made an almighty entrance with the release of his fired-up street heater named, ‘Flake In The Press’. Posing as his first of many releases this year, ‘Flake In The Press’ is a hard-hitting and skittering street-heater that’s enriched with nothing but vim throughout. Built over a drill production courtesy of Ace Valentino, GXBOS pierces through the beat with a punching flow and raw street poetics, creating the ultimate wheel-up worthy joint. Showcasing his gruff tone, slick bars, and impressive punchlines, ‘Flake In The Press’ gives us a deeper insight into the newcomers story thus far, “N***as call me da plug / But I’m more like socket/ I’m getting bag / And I’m boostin’ da profit / I get it & gone it / No need for discussion”, he raps.MUSIC VIDEO: GXBOS – FLAKE IN THE PRESSAccompanied alongside a set of Visionary Music Group-directed visuals that correlate seamlessly with the energy of the track, the dark and eerie tone is reflected in various locations including an interrogation room as GXBOS poses as a wanted man! Speaking on the release he commented, “Flake in the press is all about my come up, how I found myself at this point and what I’ve been through to get here at this point in my journey. The metaphor flake in the press with the visual connotations bring out a comedic side of being a Gangster, I see myself more as a ladies’ man of drill”. Teasing a snippet of a forthcoming track at the end of the visuals, 2022 is looking like a strong year for GXBOS!
LA-based singer-songwriter Ali Angel energizes and inspires listeners with the honesty and optimism she evokes through her music. Her retro-soul production and classic songwriting style emanate a 1970’s influence, and her dynamic sound plays at many genres, giving lovers of soul, country, indie and classic rock all something they can gravitate towards. Upon releasing her debut single, “Play Pretend” in April of 2021, the record amassed over 75k streams on Spotify independently and was added to more than 1k user-made and tastemaker playlists. Her self-titled debut EP is set to be released in spring of 2022
European rockers DEAD STAR TALK announce their exciting new album ‘Too Many Too Much’, set for release on the 18th February via Massive 92 Records.
Copenhagen/Hamburg-based newcomers DEAD STAR TALK are Christian Buhl (Vocals / Rhythm Guitar), Günes Kocak (Lead Guitar / Vocals), Erik Jensen (Bass Guitar) and Claus Nielsen (Drums / Percussion). A band made up of old friends and former bandmates that were all active on the Copenhagen guitar-rock scene of the 00’s. It’s this shared history and obvious love for rock ‘n’ roll that eventually led them to found DEAD STAR TALK. Now, the group have unveiled their latest, jam-packed offering; ‘Too Many, Too Much’, out February 18th via Massive 92 Records.
The band’s main songwriter Christian was brought up on British guitar music: “I grew up during the glory days of Britpop and attended the British section of an international school in Brussels, which turned out to be quite formative for my development as a songwriter”. This can indeed be heard on the album opener “Soul On The Wire”, which fiercely explodes with the kind of attitude oasis would have been proud of, while “Wonders Vs. Marathons” demonstrates an almost Ocean Colour Scene’esque coolness.
Christian however also underlines that “…the other lads in the band don’t have much of a connection to British music and are mainly shaped by harder Danish and American rock music, so there’s definitely more to us than my British influences.” Simply put the 10 songs on “Too Many Too Much” may indeed trigger nostalgic reactions from the millennial Britpop crowd, but the album’s unpolished and rough production, the band’s obvious love of what they’re doing and various sources of inspiration, add up to the band’s contagious, timeless, and urgent sound.
“We work with real urgency and trust our gut feeling, so we always start working on every song as if it was the last chance we’d ever get to play it. As such we don’t waste time on micro-managing each other and the creative process. I believe this energy and approach comes across very clearly on the album, which we recorded in just 10 days” Christian explains.
In short, urgency, roughness and big melodies are what make “Too Many Too Much” an album worthy of your attention. The group will continue their successful run in the year to come, string coming European 2022 live dates confirmed, in which they will bring their infectious sound to the music-loving masses.
https://soundcloud.com/deadstartalk/sets/too-many-too-much-master/s-sG9ScCB3hFg?si=de2931e9eb9341f3a63e35c01ce2a829&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing
Rising artist grentperez unveils his incredible new single ‘Why I Love You’ taken from his debut EP ‘Conversations With The Moon’ OUT NOW!
Listen to ‘Why I Love You’ HERE
After making waves and winning hearts over the last year with his flawless vocals, musical charisma and timeless sound, grentperez is ready to share his debut EP ‘Conversations With The Moon’ and it’s really something.
A self confessed hopeless romantic, 20 year old grentperez has mastered the art of depicting matters of the heart with his intricate songwriting and swooning melodies. Why I Love You comes as the next installment and it looks to be his biggest moment yet. Sharing more, grentperez explained: “Why I Love you is a song about a relationship that seems too chaotic for its own good, but somehow just works. This song really brings out the perfect imperfections within a relationship, talking about the inconvenience and moodiness that this person brings, but you ultimately love those factors because that’s what makes them who they are. On top of that, to me makes the relationship that much more fun.”
neillfrazer@hotmail.com
