Harnessing the infectious energy of sticky melodies and relatable lyrics, 22 year old Nicky Youre, is putting smiles on fans’ faces one song at a time. The Indie pop, southern california native, is creating a body of work that is sure to be a staple on peoples playlists, as its inherent feel good vibes uplift fans and stick with them throughout their day.
Taking inspiration from Dominic Fike, Tai Verdes, Jeremy Zucker, Alexander 23, blackbear and more, Youre’s tracks start with the most powerful aspect of his music, the undoubtedly catchy melodies. “My best songs come from humming melodies that pop into my head out of the blue, often without a beat. I try to fill the melody with words and visualize the energy or the type of beat that would go well with it. From there I work with a producer to help bring the vision to life and the rest just comes together naturally.”
Nicky Youre’s disarming authenticity and genuine excitement has already connected with fans across the country. Creating his own micro-trend, the traction has garnered millions of views and streams on his latest single, Sunroof, catapulting its way to being a top 10 used song on the platform. The young up-and-coming star has made quite the splash, and is looking to leave his mark as he gears up to release more songs in 2022.
I’m super excited for “Hallie’s Song” (Ft. Nue) to be out into the world of pop!
Stream it now on your favourite platform.
I thought a remix from the male perspective would be a cool twist on the original “Hallie’s Song” about emotionally losing my best friend. I love collaborating with other artists because it’s a way to join our own vibes and music styles into one piece. I think Nue and I blend together really well on this track, with his fresh character still continuing to portray the important message behind this song.
I hope you enjoy it,
earth2zoe
https://www.earth2zoe.com
“TO THE MOON” lit TikTok on fire with 2 million creations. It stands out as one of the platform’s “Top 10 Sounds Globally” and kicked off 2022 at #3 on the TikTok U.S. Chart. It has now overtaken streaming platforms as well. It toppled the Spotify Viral Hits Chart at #1 and graces coveted playlists such as Today’s Top Hits. Its success led to his signing with Epic Records and Sony Music UK Black Butter Records last month as chronicled by Billboard.
Check out the official video for the original version of the record HERE.
I wrote my new single, “Tongue Tied,” as a bit of a queer anthem. It was inspired by my engagement to my partner, and how when we announced it to our families, we weren’t really met with a ton of support and excitement.
All our sins, no hypocrite is a line that stands out to me from this track. As a gay man who was raised strictly in the church, I felt it necessary to call out the hypocrisy from some Christians.
They have reduced the gay community’s entire existence to just sex, rather than the actual love, comraderie, friendship, art, and spirit that exists within so much of the community.
Announcing our engagement was an eye opening moment for my partner and I as a couple, knowing that moving forward, we were kind of on our own.
We still have a lot of support, even familial support has come around, but in that moment it was us against the world. “Tongue Tied” captures a moment that reflects, at the end of the day, I know you’re mine and I’m yours.
I hope you enioy listening,
Theo Tams
Back with another confessional tale, rising British-Asian queer creative Seeva rips open, the wounds of a failing relationship on new release “Gemini Moon”. Following up the celestial “Twenty-Two” – released on Feb 22 nd no less and supported by Gay Times, Ones to Watch, Noctis and Spotify’s Fresh Finds playlist – “Gemini Moon” is the second single from Seeva’s forthcoming EP Afterthoughts and emerges as a powerhouse pop anthem. Dramatized to the fullest, “Gemini Moon” comes complete with sudden explosions of triumphant drums and climatic guitar solos, custom built for catharsis as Seeva’s signature nuanced songwriting captures the complications of adult relationships, queerness, heartbreak and redemption. Released with the single is the music video for “Gemini Moon” shot by award winning director, Tom Paul Martin; the perfect accompaniment to the track, Seeva’s emotional artistry shines in a show of masochist melodrama. Elevating the song with its cinematic videography, the timeless tale of a slowly fading relationship unravels as quick-cutting footage of homely vignettes are transformed into beautifully abstract images.
Los Angeles, California- Prolific writer and platinum selling producer Nick Cozine otherwise known as, MNYS has released an acoustic version of the MTV supported “Backseat”.
“Backseat” was written on my first ever trip to Nashville.” says MNYS. “It’s about a conflicted relationship. There are people that come in and out of your life and for various reasons the bond may go separate ways. “Backseat” is about that struggle of once being so close with someone and now not even on talking terms. There’s no ill will – you’ve just grown apart. “What happens when we die?” – is metaphorically speaking about the relationship itself. We just become memories of one another. Nor sad or happy, just what it is.”MNYS has spent a decade working on other artist projects, most recently he wrote “Thought It Was” for Iann Dior featuring MGK & Travis Barker.This new chapter of music will have listeners embracing MNYS whilst he takes you on a ride of rollercaster of emotions, bridging the gap between the indie / Alt-Pop world.
BAYNK REVEALS STUNNING VIDEO FOR ALBUM CUT, ‘WHEN I’M ALONE’ // WATCH HERE
BAYNK SET FOR LONDON HEADLINE SHOW AT EARTH ON APRIL 8th// TICKETS HERE
Ahead of his highly anticipated EU/ US tour, rising electronic polymath BAYNK returns the stunning video to recent single, When I’m Alone.
A visual feast directed by BAYNK and long-time collaborator Spencer Graves, the clip gives a long-awaited visual to a fan favourite album cut. Shot in Scotland, the video features thousands of images painstakingly placed by Madeline Goss.
See all BAYNK’s upcoming tour dates HERE
The ending of a relationship can sometimes leave you with more unanswered questions than expected. R&B singer Alfred Jackson ponders the universal feeling of heartbreak in his soon to be released single “Do You Think About Me,” out Friday, March 25, 2022. In Jackson’s third single from his upcoming album U.G.L.Y (Ur Greatest Legacy’s You), the sultry R&B track poses the intimate question all broken-hearted lovers want to know. Destined for a career in the arts, the Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter has been performing to captive audiences from an early age. The multi-talented Jackson spent his teen years perfecting his craft in school plays, church choirs and dance classes to name a few. It was in his 20’s, when the entertainer joined 4MULA1, a vocal male ensemble that blended the sounds of 90’s R&B with southern crunk, a genre popularized in the early aughts. When the group parted ways, Alfred Jackson saw this as an opportunity to push his career into overdrive. It was then the vocalist became a key player for some of music’s most influential acts, including pop/R&B sensation Jason Derulo.
New York City, singer, songwriter, Jake Lancer encapsulates the art of storytelling, the nostalgia of pop music, and the vitality of the New York City club kid scene in his debut EP as a solo artist.
His forthcoming project Take Off!, explores the defiance of his own fears, love, trauma, and joy, using his life’s stories as a canvas to create a compilation of tracks that serve as one singular function. Jake Lancer’s first single, Feel Your Love, is an exploration of sexuality, the timeless nature of pop music, and Lancer’s longing for affection. Lancer’s cry for help becomes a celebration for the universal desire for love and intimacy. Another notable track on TAKE OFF!, is Paris a 90’s inspired dance ballad that tells a story of having to say goodbye to a lover who is moving to Paris. Lyrically the song explores Jake’s internal monologue, not wanting to be selfish in keeping his lover in New York City while the track sonically pays references to some of the greats, like Whitney Houston to other artists like Big Wild and Years and Years.The last track on Take Off!, is Tomorrowland being the epic finale to what was an intense love affair, yet another reason to dance!
Jake Lancer’s influences range from artists like Lady Gaga, Abba, David Bowie, to Troye Sivan. Growing up closeted yet a part of the LGBTQIA community, Jake dreamed of creating pop music that not only inspired but could give a voice to anyone on their own healing journey. Now a proud out gay man, Jake Lancer is also a mental health professional as a working therapist in New York City. Having studied mental health, musical theater at various esteemed institutions, and worked as a part of the music industry at Universal Music Group, the multi-talented artist has translated his training and life experience into his music.
Jake Lancer’s music is more than an expression of pop and dance, but a mechanism for healing, a love story, and a voice for those feeling both heartbreak and life’s greatest euphoria.
Newcomer Imen Siar is proof that greatness can be found in the most unlikely of places. The 23-year-old dreamed of a music career while working in Nando’s in South London, her only creative outlet being to post videos of her singing into a mop during breaks from work. Her talent was discovered by the New York label icons + giants, which had just been launched by two influential hitmakers Grammy-nominated Billy Mann, whose previous credits include P!nk, John Legend and Supah Mario. Suddenly Imen was gaining the traction her talents deserved, signing a deal with icons + giants and Warner Music’s ADA, and then making a huge debut as a featured artist on the Arabic remix of David Guetta’s ‘Family’ alongside Ty Dolla $ign and A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie. Now Imen Siar continues her inspiring ascent as she shares her debut single ‘Lonely People’. Listen HERE.
After the success and bevy of praises for his 2020 and 2021 indie projects CLRD and F.O.E.S during the height of a global pandemic, TODAY fast-rising Hip Hop lyricist and hit-making songwriter and producer PRICE unleashes his major label solo debut with “THE PRICE EP’ which is available across all platforms via CLRD Entertainment/Motown Records. LISTEN TO EP HERE.
Narrated by legendary Hip Hop impresario Wyclef Jean, the seven track EP features Wale, Big Krit and Elhae and combines PRICE’s lyrical sharpness and star-power with a powerhouse cadre of multi-Grammy award winning producers including Hazebanga (Beyonce, Logic, Ty Dolla $ign, etc.,) DJ Camper (Jay-Z, Drake, Pusha T, etc.,) and Rance 1500 (Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, Nipsey Hussle, etc.). A highly sought-
after producer and songwriter in his own right for stars such as Travis Scott, Kanye West, Hit-Boy, Ty Dolla $ign, Mariah and many others, PRICE also lays his producing prowess on “THE PRICE EP.”
Credit: Ruggero Lupo Mengoni
The track is taken from the Italo-Brazilian industrial / post-punk duo’s upcoming second album ‘NaN’, which is confirmed for release on 20th May 2022, via Stock-A Productions.
The follow-up to recent single “Fog”, new single “Eremita” is a transportative ballad in 5/4, with downbeat and sensual fusions of lo-fi glitches and acoustic instrumentation that nod towards the classic trip-hop sound.
With its lyrics softly-sung in a hushed Italian dialect, the track explores a one-way conversation with an egotistical protagonist. As Tina of Hate Moss says:
“It’s a hypothetical dialogue with an interlocutor whose only interest is to assert one’s opinion on others, the voices at times distant and at times incredibly close join the guitars and samples.”
Bringing to mind the broodingly intense works of Dead Can Dance or Liars, crossed with the philosophical songwriting of De André and Tom Zé, it’s a twitchingly paranoid and quietly exhilarating hint of what to expect on new album ‘NaN’.
Brooklyn-based synth-pop artist, Loren Berí, shares his first-ever single, “My Brooklyn (Is Better Than Yours),” where Beri’s longtime, idealistic idea of New York City meets the real experience of living there, as he takes an Instagram-versus-reality-like view of the city and finds the tangible satire. FLOOD Magazine, who premiered the single, says the song is “a wildly magnetic—and hilarious—homage to NYC.” Along with the release of the single comes the announcement of Loren Berí’s debut EP, Stray Cat Kingdom, a five-track collection written and recorded by Berí, due out June 22nd, 2022 and available for pre-order now.
Loren Berí grew surrounded by classical music, spending plenty of time at the piano, Berí began writing songs by the age of 15 and by college, he was bouncing around various bands before planting roots in New York City. After a naturally lonely and difficult adjustment period amidst a pandemic, Beri’s debut EP began to take shape. After meeting and befriending producer O Mer, who produced and mixed three of the EP’s five songs, a project began to solidify, catching the hearts and minds of both Kishi Bashi (of Montreal, Jupiter One, Regina Spektor) and Mauro Refosco (Atoms For Peace, David Byrne, Dirty Projectors), who are both featured on the EP.
Within the lyrics of the debut single, “My Brooklyn (Is Better Than Yours),” sits an alternate universe of characters, both real and imagined. Berí finds himself immersed within this world, as the characters careen around each other and further develop the story. Berí calls this imaginary version of New York City “Stray Cat Kingdom,” and thus the title of the forthcoming EP was born. Each of the characters, icons and artists alike, bought the myth and were fooled by the romanticized version of New York City that was sold to them as children – just as Berí was – and now they’re here in Stray Cat Kingdom.
It’s hard not to do what you love.
Kim Ho, a Vietnamese-Irish-American, born in Montreal, knows that all too well. In 2012, he was having a blast trotting the globe while fronting his alt-dance pop band, Creature. They were signed to one of the biggest major labels in the world. There were tours and festivals across Europe, Asia, North and Central America, a top 10 hit in Mexico, a JUNO nomination for Best Pop Album of the Year. (We lost, but to Alanis Morissette, respect.) Backed by their label, they were set up with a big time American producer, at a famous London studio. It was there that they recorded their second album and the band sounded the best they ever had.
Then things took a turn. The label decided not to release the record and it was shelved. “It’s not the right time,” they said, “It’s just business.”
Lydia Persaud’s newest album, Moody31, is an intimate portrait of longing, romance, loss, and connection, fuelled by the singer’s undeniably rich voice. How do you heal from a love that never started? she asks on “Unsung,” outlining the record’s emotional gamut – rife with the paradoxes of desire.
Persaud met producer Scott McCannell of Safe Spaceship Music in 2019. “Scott and I shared the same desire to create something new while preserving the classic warmth of the 70s soul and jazz sounds we love.” The two began compiling a collection of demos that eventually became Moody31, a rendering of brokenness, loss of identity and glorified independence commingling with self-assurance, acceptance and new beginnings.
“Ukulele was the foundational instrument I used while writing the record,” she says. “From there, Scott and I would jam each song. The process was always about honouring the music and the story. There were no isolation booths, all the bed tracks were recorded in one room. The music wouldn’t sound the same without our late night hangs, ordering food and listening to music together.”
Pop-Country duo SixForty1 (Brooks Hoffman and Austin Gee) will join Tyler Rich on his Two Thousand (More) Miles Tour, kicking off on March 10. The tour announcement follows the fall release of SixForty1’s wildly successful EP Started Right Here garnering praise from around the globe.
SixForty1 has been racking up impressive streaming numbers in the multi-millions and landing on some of the most popular and coveted DSP playlists. They’ve done all this without having released a full-length album or a label deal, further showcasing the duo’s ability to connect and resonate with fans through their catchy and clever musical phrasing and top-notch songwriting.
Megz and AP combine their chemistry in this heavy-hitting ballad called ‘Say No More’
A prodigy of the legend that is Fumez The Engineer, Megz a rapper from Southall London has fought for his respect in the London scene. Growing up around racism the rapper has learnt to navigate around the trials and connotations that fall upon him constantly. This journey has led to a positive focus around his name, cementing his beginning in the rap industry.
The artist from Southall raps on lived experiences, hitting hard to his viewers unveiling the harsh realities of where he has come from. His recent freestyle released on GRM Daily hit nearly 300k views, with viewers left in shock on his raw flow. Another heavy track released in the heat of lockdown last year by Megz hit similar figures called ‘Wouldn’t Bet Against Me’.
Not only does Megz have an art for music, but his entrepreneurial efforts have flourished in his brand ‘Pirates’. Cultivated alongside his childhood friend Fuad, the pair draw inspiration from Megz’s hometown Somalia. The brand has been used as a key for Megz to give back to his community, creating safe spaces for youngsters to play sport and showcase their talent.
Megz and AP hit hard in their latest track, rapping about their past lovers over a melodic instrumental, combining all the classical elements of UK rap. The hailing artist uses his smooth flow to demonstrate this broken love story in this catchy track. With the mix of hip-hop, R&B and trap this song is bound to touch you.
Known for his brutal honesty, the rapper presents a refreshing yet unique style to the UK scene and will be one to watch this year!
Chin Injeti fuses his love of 80s funk and boogie music with a modern twist that encapsulates a unique yet nostalgic feeling, captivating his fans.
In the music industry, Chin has had a decorated career songwriting and producing with/for many household names. In the 90s, he fronted Bass is Base, which had fans all over the world and garnered him a deal with Universal music and Island Records in the United states. During that time, the group won a Juno (Canadian Grammy) for best R&B record, a Much Music Video award for a song called “Funkmobile” and Chin was awarded with Songwriter of the Year from SOCAN. This was just the beginning of Chin’s success.
Once Bass of Base came to an end, Chin spent years creating, touring and performing all over North America with the likes of The Fugees, The Roots, Jamiroquoi, A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul and so many more. Chin learned the craft of carving out frequencies and the importance of an impactful lyric and melody.
BEIJA FLO has released her captivating latest single ‘Waiting For The Sun’, alongside a limited edition art print.
STREAM ‘WAITING FOR THE SUN NOW’ HERE
‘Waiting For The Sun’ is the second of a special trio of songs recorded at SPQR’s Yellowbird Studio and produced by Sam Baker, long-term collaborator and pal. Each single is accompanied by a limited edition signed and numbered art print featuring the single artwork created by Beija Flo herself. Previous single, ‘Heads or Tails’ gained Beija her first BBC 6Music play, courtesy of Tom Robinson assisted by a personal recommendation from Dave Monks at her local BBC Introducing in Merseyside. ‘Waiting For The Sun’ got its first radio play from Dave this week.Beija Flo ended 2021 with an invitation to join American new wave trio, Princess Goes To The Butterfly Museum on their first UK tour in support of their debut album. The band are fronted by Michael C. Hall, best known for starring in Dexter and Six Feet Under, alongside his notable work on Broadway, starring in Hedwig and the Angry Inch and Lazarus, the creation of David Bowie and Enda Walsh. Beija opened for them across England in November and December. She embarks on new journeys in 2022 with new friends, live dates being added including Deer Shed Festival in July.
Queer, Mexican-American musician and composer FELIX III today releases his debut video and single, “After Hours.” FELIX III’s music focuses on giving into carnal pleasures at the cost of mental wellbeing – and centers around unlearning the damage caused by poverty, homophobia, higher education, heartbreak and the great sadness of not living up to the American Dream that we are conditioned to believe in as our ultimate goal.
Of “After Hours” and its accompanying video, FELIX III says: “The song is about giving into temptation that will ultimately destroy you. It calls to us after hours when darkness and the glowing light of our phones are all that keep us company. The video is an homage to the sex-tapes of the Oughts – Paris, Kim, and all the others. ‘After Hours’ captures the moments when we are at our loneliest, neediest, and most vulnerable to our narcissism. It is the constant need for validation from technology and the voyeurs behind the camera. Why leave the house when you can get validated from your social media feed? The price is content, and unless you provide an endless amount of content, you will be forgotten. The video shows the madness of needing to constantly ‘feed’ the narcissist in us all, and the need to be free and run from our technological prison.”
The “After Hours” video was shot by Mattioli Productions – a trans-owned and queer-operated film production and distribution company. “Representation matters. Queer Liberation, not Rainbow Capitalism.”
pop singer and songwriter Salem Ilese releases her anticipated EP Unsponsored Content. Get it HERE via 10K Projects.
Building hype for its arrival, Salem announced the project earlier this week and released led single “PS5” with K-Pop’s ‘It’ boys TOMORROW X TOGETHER and globally renowned DJ & producer Alan Walker. Since release Wednesday, the song has already reached over 1.4 million global streams.
“PS5” was initially teased with Salem’s “open verse” challenge, which has since received over 4.5 million views. Through various stitches and duets, including one from TOMORROW X TOGETHER themselves, videos using the sound have gone on to rack up over 100 cumulative views on the platform. The track was also praised by press including NME, AllKPop, Soompi and more.
Salem’s Unsponsored Content EP is a curation of songs that all utilize brand names as various storytelling devices applied to everyday situations and circumstances, and as such not only includes “PS5,” but also previous singles “Hey Siri,” “Ben & Jerry” and “Coke & Mentos,” which have amassed an impressive 50 million collective streams and received praise from the likes of Wonderland, Ones to Watch and Rolling Stone.
Raised on the Northside of Houston, Cameron “Cam” Wallace is a seasoned songwriter, producer, and recording artist. Galvanized by the Lone Star State’s then fast rising chopped and screwed scene, originated by the late DJ Screw, Wallace also credits his dad’s extensive vinyl collection in addition to Virginia heavyweights like Timbaland, Pharrell, and Missy Elliott as early influences. Additional influences for the multifaceted creative include Kanye West, Ty Dolla $ign, and Ginuwine.
Perfecting his craft day in and day out he landed first major production credit in 2016 by way of Beyonce’s “Upgrade U.” The high-profile achievement was soon followed by placements with Jeezy, B.o.B, Omarion, Justine Skye, Chris Brown, Yelawolf, Rock City, and Lecrae. The following year he executive produced Slim Thug’s ‘The World Is Yours’ album.
Sighting Jay Z and Biggie Smalls as the catalyst for him to pursue a career as a recording artist, Cam has collaborated on wax with Mack Wilds, Le$, Chaz French, Nla, and Shawn Chrystopher.
After breaking the internet consistently and inciting widespread tastemaker applause, buzzing Baton Rouge, Louisiana-based rap phenomenon HD4President returns with a new single and music video entitled “One Mic.” Download and stream “One Mic” HERE. Watch the music video HERE.
On the track, a hypnotic guitar loop wraps around skittering 808s as his voice flutters from an auto-tuned crescendo to a woozy and warbling chorus. Opening up like never before, he confesses, “I need time to myself.” It all culminates with the incisive and impactful boast, “Made a million dollars off of one mic.” In the accompanying visual shot by DEMARCUSTV, HD4President walks up to an old school microphone in a classic recording studio under the watch of vinyl records on an orange wall. The clip intercuts this performance with moments outside on a city roof.
Regarding “One Mic,” he revealed, “This song is deep to me. It’s about how I started from the bottom and came up. Before I signed a million dollar deal, I recorded everything in my house off one mic. I grew up idolizing Allen Iverson and Soulja Slim I wasn’t a basketball ball player, so I knew I had to be a rapper”
Over the years, Sara Diamond has crafted an incredibly unique sound, perfectly in tune with her enticing gift as a powerful vocalist. Blending her vocal strength seamlessly with her clever song writing, her music has caught many ears and captured millions of hearts all over the world.
With her last few releases, the indie-pop star has gained over 20 million streams worldwide on her own music and another 16 million on collaborations with the likes of Kaskade, Adventure Club, NASAYA, Tyler Shaw, and several others.
The Montreal songstress is the vocal equivalent of an Olympian and has a sound steeped in R&B and soul. – Ones To Watch
Sara is currently working on a new project, collaborating with experienced producers and songwriters in R&B and experimental pop. While her sound has always crossed the lines between pop and R&B through her previous projects, she is now diving deeper into the roots of her true inspirations like Alicia Keys, Amy Winehouse and India Arie.
neillfrazer@hotmail.com
