Throughout the EP’s explosively versatile tracks, Paula defies all expectations in favor of following her most playful and daring instincts while coming to terms with understanding the different facets of who she is. The Duality In Me will feature previous offerings such as her beautifully dreamy debut single “What Are You Hungry For?” which encourages listeners to find meaning and joy in their life. The hypnotically chill-pop track “Say That” speaks to the feeling of missing something when you already have everything you want in life while “Someone Always Knows,” which acts as the calm at the heart of a storm, was written for the moments when all you want to do is linger in your emotions. On latest release “Breaking Up With A Friend,” the sparkling pop track speaks to Paula’s falling out with her best friend and the subsequent heartache that followed, emphasizing the connection to the ending of her childhood.
On The Duality In Me, Paula offers a crash course in who she is as a creator as she shares the songs she’s been writing since she was a teenager, marking the end of one era and the beginning of the next. First discovering her fascination with music at a young age, Paula developed her multidimensional musicality throughout the years starting with violin at just three, later learning piano, and at 13 performed on Sweden’s Got Talent and earned the coveted golden buzzer. Now, the talented singer/songwriter is ready to reveal her supreme gifts as a storyteller with the tremendous power of her captivating voice. Creating a sonic world that is truly her own, Paula’s music has already resonated with listeners globally, amassing more than 1 million total streams, over 31 million views and 200K followers on TikTok, and early media support from the likes of BBC Radio 1, Vogue Scandinavia, Ones To Watch, Notion, and Clout and we’d love to have you on board as well!
23-year-old Philippines-born, Las Vegas-based musician Ez Mil releases his second single, “Dalawampu’t Dalawang OO (2200)” a Tagalog-language rap track that pays homage to his hometown, Olongapo City, Philippines. The single is lifted from Ez Mil’s second studio album, DU4LI7Y, (Duality), out this summer, under FFP Records and distributed by Virgin Music/UMG.
For the first time ever, Ez Mil will be performing live across the Philippines for six dates this Spring, presented by Mak Entertainment Services. Beginning in Quezon City in Metro Manila on April 29th, the tour will conclude with a hometown show in Olongapo City on May 15th. Tickets are on sale now here.
DU4LI7Y, the second LP from Ez Mil due out this summer, is a continuation of his first, 2020 album, Act 1. Where Act 1 envelops Ez Mil in a haze of darkness, DU4LI7Y sees him emerge from that darkness back into the light as he returns to both his roots and to himself. It’s a story of repentance and atonement that highlights Ez Mil’s unparalleled genre fluidity.
The upcoming album’s explosive first single, “Re-Up,” was his first of 2022, and highlights his aggressive vocal style and ability to expertly turn any beat into his own as Ez Mil seamlessly switches back and forth between Tagalog and English providing listeners with verses in each language.
DJANGO DJANGO – have announced a special 10th Anniversary Edition of their self-titled debut album.
Hailed for its fresh take on psychedelic-tinged rock, its instrumental innovation and its enticing electronic flourishes, ‘Django Django’ set its eponymous makers apart from the pack when it was released back in 2012.
Far from being the “underground album that would sell a few hundred copies” that the band expected it to be, Django Django’s groundbreaking debut album catapulted them to an unforeseen levels of success, culminating in a Mercury Prize nomination, mentions in end-of-year polls from both NME and Rolling Stone, and features in video games including FIFA 13 and Grand Theft Auto V.
Giving the band their reputation as perennial “prog-indie alchemists” (The Guardian), the album’s genre-blending brand of far-out indie/electronica saw the Djangos deliver a debut filled with tracks that have since become long standing fan favourites; from the hypnotic ‘Hail Bop’, to the buoyant and buzzing ‘Default’, the laidback psych cut ‘Life’s a Beach’ and beyond.
Fast forward to 2022 and Django Django are commemorating its tenth anniversary in style with a deluxe special edition package. Speaking of the upcoming re-release, singer and guitarist Vincent Neff says:
“Our debut album is 10 years old! It was the album that set us on our way and it’ll always be a special one to us. It reminds us of recording in Dave’s bedroom, playing at small club nights up and down the UK and taking in all the new music that was being made in East London at that time. When we released it, we had no idea what would happen, but it ended up being the start of a crazy journey for us.”
Canadian pop powerhouse Xana returns to rip open the pages of her diary in the boldly autobiographical debut album, Tantrums.
An unapologetic expression of emotion, Tantrums boldly takes listeners on a journey of love gone bad with honest vulnerability at the heart of each track. Detailing the tumultuous journey through a toxic relationship, Xana lays bare her inner most thoughts and feelings in what feels like an exercise of catharsis – tackling heartbreak all while maintaining an empowering self-determination. Incorporating themes of LGTBQ romance, female sexuality and self-discovery into her songwriting, Xana has crafted a release packed with timeless anthems, steeped in personal experience.
Speaking on the album, Xana said, “Tantrums isn’t the album I set out to write. I didn’t want to immortalize my heartbreak or corroborate my pain. I had to pull it all out of my system and turn it into something that wasn’t just circling around aimlessly in my own head, to create room for healing. Writing Tantrums is the best thing I ever could have done for myself, it’s the most precious body of art I’ve ever created, and my favourite part? It’s no longer about her. It’s about me.”
Flyght Club is the contemporary musical project of Indian artist Shauvik Sharan. Having moved to Los Angeles to pursue his music career, Flyght Club’s music demonstrates his extreme versatility, exploring a multitude of genres and themes, with every song being made to cater to different moods and emotions, essentially leaving him unchained from the boundaries of musical genres.
Originally from Pune, India, Sharan grew up on classic rock artists such as Led Zeppelin, Eric Clapton and Pink Floyd, all of which contributed to his strong foundation in music and inspired him to pick up and master the guitar. His time spent in Los Angeles allowed him to master the art of production and engineering, as well as singing and songwriting, shaping him as the artist he is today.
His latest single “Different Side of Me” is the result of the artist experimenting with fusing distorted guitar riffs and psychedelic rock elements with modern trap drums and 808s, creating a unique and fresh rock sound. A kaleidoscope of textures and instruments, the track continuously switches between soft, floaty, twinkling arrangements to a more dark, gritty and aggressive side. Along with combining two different musical genres, Sharan also emphasizes this idea of duality through the narrative of the song, which speaks about the contrasting sides we all have to ourselves. He shares, “I wanted to bring forth an attempt to identify and acknowledge how we all have a dark side within us and it’s just a part of being human and how sometimes circumstances and situations force the dark side to take over and lead to actions we later regret.”
The accompanying music video once again stays true to the idea of bringing together two worlds, emitting a dark yet slightly comedic experience. The musician explains, “I wanted the concept of duality to follow through on the video too and wanted to show my good side having a meal with my bad side and eventually my bad side corrupting the good and taking over. Together with a super hectic day of shooting, we were able to pull off my idea and got to play around with video tricks to cast me in double and triple roles.”
With an ever-growing fanbase, Flyght Club has performed at prestigious venues across Los Angeles and continues to forge ahead with 2022 set to be a promising year.
Blue Mar is a Brazilian born, Los Angeles based artist whose music dances between gritty guitar and nostalgic/vintage sounds. Wading through modern-day life hurdles, Blue Mar’s music is a reflection of how quickly we lose track of what is real and what isn’t. To bring light to these issues, he uses a lot of tongue-in-cheek phrasing and elements of dark humor.
Opening up discussions about these subjects and fighting for change, the debut solo album The March Hare is as distinguished in sound, as it is in sentiment. Written and recorded between London and São Paulo and produced alongside Fabio Pinczowski and Mauro Motoki, the 14-track album is packed with gritty guitar and nostalgic, vintage sounds. Exploring global matters and humanities response to them and one another, the album questions the world we live in from all angles, though has a twinkling of hope and optimism throughout, with the artist revealing, “I wanted to make an album that addressed topics like human connections, being in perpetual upheaval and feeling unable to unwind but in a whimsical, tongue-in-cheek manner!”
The first release of the album was “Eulogy For Rohith Vemula”, paying tribute to Rohith Vemula’s life and activism in India. With the fallout of the pandemic having a profound impact on his life, Blue Mar found himself searching for inspiration in new places, when he stumbled across a selection of 26 essays in a book called “The Good Immigrant”. Despite being named a “Eulogy” the track is a wash of thoughtful soundscapes, uplifted by a calming trill of ukulele, and a hum of soft yet husky vocals. Written in his Sao Paulo apartment in just two days, the track is one of the quickest songs the artist has ever written, however it radiates the compassion and admiration you’d show a close friend.
As the album was written over the course of the pandemic, it’s unsurprising that the songs have such prevalent themes throughout. A track that’s theme has been evident in the last couple of years is “ONE” where the artist sings about putting aside our differences and uniting together as one. Sang partly in Portuguese, the track reverberates with electrifying guitar riffs and buoyant percussion as he sings, “We are one and this is paradise”. Continuing on his exploration of life and evolution, the album delves into the power of technology, particularly in the song “Solo Valley” about singularity and the ever changing growth, and “Hibernating (CEDO-OU-TARDE)”, a song purely about social media.
Spending time in both London and Sao Paulo, the musician is able to explore new sounds as well as new topics. Through the rawness of his music and the sheer gravity of his lyrics, the Brazilian artist is creating music surrounding human connection, hoping to stimulate emotions.
Davey Harris brings psychedelic freshness to his new single, “Predictable,” due out on April 28th, 2022. Hot off his performances at the 2022 South by Southwest Festival and the release of his debut single “Self Saboteur”, Davey Harris’ unique blend of folky dreamscapes continues to capture audiences’ attention. The reflection on self-doubt and personal improvement crafted an alternate sonic reality Harris continues to build into each one of his tracks.
With “Predictable,” Harris taps into influences from bands like Tame Impala, The National, and Mac DeMarco to create layers of complexity and surprises. The single even surprised Harris when he wrote it one lonely night as he reflected on the patterns of his life. It was the first introduction to a sound that helped him come into his own. With distant chatter and whispering synths, ambient noise launches the track before Harris’ voice catapults it into a whole new world. His warm vocals float over haunting darkness as he calls to the predictability of life, lamenting its inescapable urge. Throughout the track, the melody transforms from quiet and calm to booming beats and trilling piano, leaving listeners unable to predict what might happen next. Davey Harris pulls us into his entrancing world of sound on the single, “Predictable,” is out now.
Marc “Loop Daddy” Rebillet calls on fans and friends to join him for a live debut album recording experience. For the first time ever, an entire debut album will be written and recorded in front of a live studio audience in Brooklyn, NY. While in the studio, Marc will be joined by producer The Kount and some surprise musical guests, where they will be creating the title tracks for his highly-anticipated debut album. After the end of this 12-date run, Marc will have a truly unique experience for fans and listeners alike.
“I’m recording my first album, and I want you to be there! A small group of people will be invited to join me in my new studio and watch me record some shit. This is a real studio session, not a performance. We’ll hang out, have a drink between takes, maybe some special guests will stop by,” said Marc.
Fans and friends can apply to witness this unique experience starting Friday, April 15th at 12:01 AM ET for the first 4 sessions. There will be a total of twelve full-length studio sessions and 12 lucky guests that will be selected for each recording session to join and watch Marc in his private studio. The first round of applications ends at 12:01 AM ET on April 17, 2022. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Must be 21 years of age or older and a resident of the 50 United States or Washington, D.C. at the time of entry. All guests must be vaccinated and boosted to attend the event.
Floating to the forefront of pop culture on their own terms, buzzing alternative pop duo BETWEEN FRIENDS—Brandon and Savannah Hudson—reveal a new single “orange juice” today via 10K Projects.
Listen to “orange juice” HERE.
“When creating ‘orange juice’ we wanted to write a song that was as colorful as possible,” say the duo. “Lyrically the song touches on making the ultimate unexpected fantasy out of something as simple as a comedown from a night out. Pairing this with sonics reminiscent of cartoons and a groove made after listening to a lot of D’Angelo’s ‘Voodoo,’ we hope that the song will take you on a small mental trip.”
Emerging as a genre-shifting force, critically acclaimed rising Memphis star Duke Deuce unveils a new single and music video entitled “Running Out of Love” [feat. Dante Smith]. Listen to it HERE via Quality Control Music / Motown Records / Made Men Movement. Watch the music video HERE.
On the track, guitar wails in the background as Duke’s hypnotic melodies take hold. He leans into another side of his sound with chantable harmonies and otherworldly arena-ready energy. In the accompanying video, he rocks a black bandanna, black shades, and black studded leather vest as he performs with Rockstar-level charisma. It hints at just how dynamic he is though!
It arrives on the heels of “Falling Off” [feat. Rico Nasty]. The latter has generated 588K Spotify streams and 391K YouTube views on the music video. Attracting praise, Complex and Rolling Stone plugged it, and UPROXX raved, “Over a fitting metal guitar riff that evokes the wild energy of the glam-rock ‘80s, the two rappers boast of their inexhaustible energy, scream-rapping, ‘it ain’t no fallin’ off’.”
Its predecessor “I Ain’t Worried Bout It” remains a fan favorite as well. Receiving acclaim right out of the gate, Rap Radar observed, “The Memphis star moves fearlessly,” while REVOLT raved, “Duke Deuce is on a roll.”
Stay tuned for so much more from Duke Deuce very soon.
rising artist Cam Wallace drops his latest track “Throw’d As It Gets” featuring Maxo Kream via Motown Records. Listen HERE. Following the release of “The Optical” his first single of 2022, Cam continues the momentum tapping in with fellow Houston rapper Maxo Kream. Cam’s smooth rap flow on “Throw’d As It Gets” the second single off upcoming debut album “Earth Tones” only shows that there’s no stopping this rising rap star.
Music has forever been a subjective wonder that lends itself to emotion, insight, thought and feeling. From deep political movements and social commentary to sheer entertainment, music is all encapsulating when it comes to its cause and can be consumed on a personal level with personal understanding, yet every so often an album is created that rocks the world and touches listeners en masse. When Lauryn Hill made her solo debut with the release of The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill, she created a masterpiece that presented a woman’s view on life and love with an exceptional artistic range that would subsequently contribute to the greatest albums of all time, and to the evolution of hip-hop and neo soul.
STREAM/DOWNLOAD: THE MISEDUCATION OF THE INSTA GENERATION
In an unprecedented, landmark move, over 20 years after its release and almost 5000 miles from its inception, an upstart record label from the UK, Doctored Sound, has selectively pieced together a selection of exceptional talent to dissect the themes within the Grammy Award winning album and make a masterpiece of its own. ‘The Miseducation Of The Insta Generation’ is a 10-track project masterminded by Isatta Cesay, the founder of the black female led label who has previously been signed as a major label artist and consults for 0207 Def Jam and The Rap Game UK. “My goal was to use Lauryn Hill’s incredible album as a tool to inspire and develop a new generation of talent. The music industry always asks questions about female rappers and their position in the market. As a Black female rapper, I thought it would be great to create an example, through Doctored Sound, in order to back up my responses. I wanted to do this by using arguably the greatest rap album of all time as inspiration, because it was created by a Black woman.”
Singer/songwriter EMINZADA is a multi-dimensional artist with an exclusive style and powerful mindset. Originally from Baku City, Azerbaijan, EMINZADA has grown up with diversity in abundance, living between Azerbaijan, Turkey and the US, before making his move to London. Paying homage to his classical background in music composition, his music explores notions of camp, lust and escapism, representing freedom of art expression and his homeland’s musical culture and futurism, with his Azerbaijani heritage beaming proudly throughout.
Produced by Pat Alvarez, Emin Eminzada and Emin Karim (aka STKHA), the new single “Beautiful Long Hair” features mysterious Middle Eastern elements that are perfectly complemented by the contemporary alt-pop production, with the melody built in the Azerbaijani musical scale, Chargah. In a kaleidoscope of colourful instrumentation, the track explores the desire for people with beautiful long hair and the seemingly unequivocal confidence that appears to come with it. Captivated in his childhood by Tarzan’s long hair, the whimsical lyrics toy with the idea that people’s egos are tied to the length of their hair, with the singer revealing the track is “aiming to connect with anyone who has ever felt like they have to fight for what they love in themselves and who they truly want to be”.
Francesca Louise is an indie/folk singer-songwriter, who’s soulful, Carole King inspired vocals paired with songwriting influences from the likes of Joni Mitchell, Lucy Rose, Flyte and The Staves, makes this artist one to watch.
Following the release of “For Michael”, Louise unveils “Second Time” a song which covers the emotions and life lessons that we all experience, through storytelling lyrics and a rooted narrative. “Second Time” is a song about not giving up, not losing faith and realising that an end doesn’t always mean the definition of the word, it can just mean not now. The songwriter shares, “The characters in this particular story are fictional, but the concept and the events that I’m talking about happen to us all. Of course I metaphorically describe this in love, but it could be portrayed as many other aspects of life, career, family, friends, personal life goals.”
Written during a period of angst in both the songwriter’s career and personal life, the stunning lyricism proves how her songwriting is her way of healing and creating rational reason for things happening in her life at the time. Doused with sincerity and painting with no outline, her music allows for further imagination and potential, as her thought-provoking words dance atop organic instrumentation, delivering an overall raw and unfiltered atmosphere. The musician confides, “It lends itself to the security and privacy of your own safe space and encourages you to find comfort in the lyrics.”
BBC Introducing stations across the U.K, independent radio stations alike and radio, magazine and podcasts in U.S.A have shown huge support towards Louise’s career, especially since her latest release. Louise’s songwriting ability is catching the attention of industry known producers and other established songwriters that are active in today’s industry.
The String Cheese Incident released their first collection of new music since 2017’s Believe. The title track for the new EP, Into The Blue, was penned by SCI’s Michael Kang in 2020 as his mother was diagnosed with an aggressive form of pancreatic cancer. Kang says he saw his mother approach her diagnosis head-on. There didn’t seem to be any fear, or sadness. Instead, he saw her make a conscious decision to release herself of earthly matters and let the proverbial current carry her. A feat that seemingly can only be conquered once in a lifetime.
The EP also features “Hi Ho No Show,” “Dragonfly,” and SCI’s take on Peter Gabriel’s “Solsbury Hill” (feat. members of The Infamous Stringdusters).
The String Cheese Incident will kick off their 2022 touring season on April 21 at Ting Pavilion in Charlottesville, VA, and will be making a handful of stops in the Southeast before headlining festivals and Colorado this summer. All up-to-date news and tour information can be found at stringcheeseincident.com.
The String Cheese Incident On Tour
April 21 @ Ting Pavilion | Charlottesville, VA
April 22-24 @ Salvage Station | Asheville, NC
April 26-27 @ Greenfield Lake Amphitheater | Wilmington, NC
April 28-29 @ SweetWater 420 Festival | Atlanta, GA
May 3-4 @ Daze Between | New Orleans, LA
May 27-29 @ Revival Music Festival | Clarks Grove, MN
June 10-12 @ The Hog Farm Hideaway | Laytonville, CA
June 23-26 @ Electric Forest | Rothbury, MI
July 12-13 @ Dillon Amphitheater | Dillon, CO
July 15-17 @ Red Rocks Amphitheatre | Morrison, CO
Fusing pop-perfect hooks with a laid back indie style, SYTË (meaning “eyes” in Albanian) are making their mark in the alt-pop scene. Based in New York, the group has an abundant blend of musical backgrounds, with elements of R&B, pop, indie, metal and Jazz, creating a sound and vibe that transcends genre, geography, age and gender.
The group initially formed when vocalist Nita Kaja was visiting her family’s hometown of Prishtina, Kosovo and met future partner and band mate Drin Tashi. Falling deeply in love with the free-spirited and alternative lifestyle of the city, and being surrounded by a thriving and youthful music scene, Kaja felt inspired to create her own music, forming a duo with Tashi in 2018, before teaming up with drummer Granit Havolli and bassist Fatlind Ferati; evolving into the four-piece band we know today.
The new single “Where Did the Love Go” was written after three long months of isolation. Feeling disconnected from the world and missing out on a European tour due to the pandemic, Kaja penned the lyrics after finally reuniting with a friend, causing a burst of inspiration and the creation of this soulful tune. The sultry-hued vocals are a perfect complement to the funk-driven bassline, twinkling keys and groove-laden percussion, resulting in this vibrant, yet sonically textured track.
Hoping to encourage people to express their seemingly-niche emotions, the band write music about acknowledging and navigating through destructive thoughts and patterns. Wanting to see popular music shift to a more introspective and intentional place, the band expressed, “Documenting these overlooked emotions can help bring humanity together and highlight how much more similar we are to one another than we think”.
Known for their electrifying performances, SYTË have already played a number of well-known festivals including Pop Kultur Festival, Localize Festival and Sunny Hill Festival, where they opened for powerhouses like Dua Lipa, Action Bronson and Martin Garrix. Returning to New York City to work on new music and grow as artists, and with nods from publications such as i-D, Noizz.d and The Line of Best Fit, the band are in for a swell of a season!
Continuing the momentum from his latest single “Body Language” and recent support dates on Tate McRae’s US tour, today Gavin Haley releases a new single, “Cliche,” and announces his upcoming debut album, ‘i hate you, Don’t Leave Me’.
Showcasing Haley’s evolution as a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, “Cliche” pulls the listener in from the jump, building slowly as instrumentation is added in, evolving alongside the increasing energy of the vocal performance. The cool pop track boasts airy guitar wrapped around head-nodding drums as his hip-hop-inspired cadence slides into the chantable chorus, “Is it Cliche to say, I don’t know much about love, I don’t know much about trust?”
When asked about the inspiration behind the song, Haley shared, “‘Cliche’ is about navigating a relationship with somebody who loves space, and the confusion that causes for somebody who loves to be close. It’s a heart on my sleeve moment, but instead of it being slow tempo and sad I wanted to communicate sonically how frustrated I really felt.”
SAiiNT, the debut solo project of New York-based producer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Paul James Read, makes his alluring entrance to the world of alt-pop with new single and video “FK ME UP’‘. The song shares an unapologetically raw glimpse into the process of spiritual evolution; of allowing yourself to break down and embrace life for the chaotic process it is.
Under a veil of apathy (“just f**k me up till it gets easier to love”), SAiiNT’s intricate lyricism weaves a parallel story about love and heartbreak. It’s the kind of tale for someone who’s been through it all, but still craving human connection. “A girl comes up to you at a bar and you say, “can I get you a drink”, and she says “just f**k me up”. Heavy bass, buzzing sawtooth synths, and hook-laden songwriting set an atmospheric backdrop for listeners to immerse themselves in, with veteran audio engineer David Levin (Blood Orange, Tove Lo, Nelly Furtado) mixing the track.
Expanding on the sentiment behind “FK ME UP”, SAiiNT shares “We are in a state of apocalypse and that’s f**cked up, but it comes with an opportunity to evolve. Every end is a beginning”
Psychedelic alt/indie masterminds the impliers are making strikingly original music for the future from the bones of the present. The songwriting and production duo of multi-instrumentalists Dan and Charles is currently emerging from the Denver underground, riding a sound wave crafted from oddly-tuned guitars, textured synths, electronic beats, pumping bass and complex Beach Boys level vocal harmonies.
Dan and Charles began making music together at age 15 and had an immediate impact on the underground indie scene that also produced Future Islands, Valiant Thorr, and Municipal Waste. By age 17, their songs earned placement on compilations alongside diverse popular acts such as Of Montreal, Fugazi, Jawbreaker, Dillinger Escape Plan, and Converge. Eventually, the duo embarked on their own creative paths into mastering self-production but remained connected through shared interests in art, mental health, and the unknown. Each contributes unique skills and artistry that seamlessly interlocks with the other and allows their music to go from tight, vivid arrangements to raw, ethereal ambience and back again.
When I was in France, everybody called me Charly Gee. I was this singer-songwriter, super creative and powerful who is hiding by collaborating with different persons ( 96 records, The ware, Jule Aston as Anoï, Feard and so much more…). After fighting with myself to understand who I was, I realized that my dreams were somewhere else: In LA.
It’s a new beginning, a new adventure, a new chapter, and a new name. Music helped me to be the woman I am now. Doing music and writing what I feel, and also writing what I want to be, helped me to overcome all the difficulties. I want to help others to feel as powerful and happy as I am now. Never forget that you deserve to be happy!
So here I am: My name is Charli, I’m an Indie pop artist based in Los Angeles. As an artist, I love to play with the 60s and the 80s to do my own sound.
Music helps me to express myself on many levels. It’s a puzzle between my emotions, the music, and the words, if you’re good enough and if you know what you want to express it’s magical! I was raised with the music of Anastacia, Alicia Keys, Michael Jackson, Nina Simone, and Destiny’s child. I admire them a lot and I am inspired by them a lot too.
neillfrazer@hotmail.com
