Fresh faced Norwegian producer Maud drops the pioneering new EP In My Haven, following the last of her preview singles “See Right Through U”.
Combining sleek production with skilled musicality, In My Haven debuts a new artistic voice steeped in inspiration from the UK house and garage scene to create a cutting-edge sound. Otherworldly soundscapes radiate across tracks such as “Everything I Do” and “See Right Through U”, mixing with a rapid back beat in a hypnotic concoction of electronic dance.
Exploring themes of self-belief, empowerment, and self-discovery throughout its 6 tracks, the anthemic “Rollercoaster” and “Rollercoaster Pt.2” circle the EP letting Maud’s skill as a music maker shine through on these bright tracks. Blending her dreamy vocals with euphoric 90s pop, Maud’s vulnerability in opening up about the dizzying complexity of life, serves to inspire and uplift – beautifully pairing with its reflective closing counterpart.
Spearheading her career, Maud personifies the description of an all-around talent as she continues to take charge of all elements of her music as artist, composer, producer, signer, instrumentalist, programmer, and mixing engineer. This creative freedom has provided liberation for the young artist and afforded her a unique position within the genre – shown in her experimental new sound on this most recent release.
Making waves as one of the brightest new names coming out of the legendary Norwegian music scene, Maud’s undeniable potential has seen her successfully secure direct support from the Arts Council Norway and The Royal Norwegian Ministry of Culture for her music career – solidifying her status as one of Scandinavia’s most promising musical up-and-comers. Rapidly rising on home turf, she has performed at multiple festival line-ups including Insomnia, Sørveiv, Trænafestivalen and Bodø Jazz Open.
Maud has also gained international accreditation from taste making blog hype across the UK, US and Australia. Confirming herself as a noteworthy new act she has featured on the cover of Deezer’s New Electronic playlist, and achieved further editorial support from Spotify’s Poptastic, Electronic Right Meow, Vanish and Lovetrap playlists alongside airplay on Amazing Radio in the UK.
A supremely confident collection of tracks, Maud continues to find a signature as boundless artist, renowned for pushing the boundaries. Ready to propel her rising momentum with the release of this new work, Maud is set to break ground as one of the most exciting international names to hit the UK
“This song originated from a funny exchange in which Emily jokingly told Shawn that she would mess him up if he ever cheated on her. The timing worked out nicely, as we needed a fourth song for our upcoming recording session in upstate NY. Funny enough, this late-minute creative effort became one of our favorite songs we’ve ever written.”
For Brooklyn-based modern folk duo emily + shawn, the stuff in life that makes a difference requires heavy lifting, and careful attention to detail. This includes craft cocktails, artisanal baked goods, and well-written songs. These varied interests and a soulful sense of purpose imbue the pair’s adventurous spin on the folk tradition.
The twosome’s music is an authentic reflection of emily + shawn’s lives. The pair are, in fact, a couple—but don’t expect sappy love songs—Emily Welch is an immigration lawyer, and Shawn Welch works in the renewable energy field. emily + shawn’s songs are informed by their ethics, their myriad of experiences and interests, and their day to day interactions which they characterize sweetly as “healthy clashes.” Today, emily + shawn’s are issuing a series of singles that will eventually be bundled together as an EP produced by David Baron (Lumineers, Meghan Trainor, Shawn Mendes).
“Homegrown and multi-faceted are concepts that are really important to us. We take a deep interest in nuances and exploring,” Shawn shares. “Our songs are often vignettes of our life, or they capture some moment in time or give insights into specific feelings,” Emily says. Shawn adds: “The passing of time and a nostalgic quality are common themes in our music.”
multiplatinum Pontiac, MI rising artist DDG reveals a new single entitled “Storyteller” via his joint venture with Epic Records and announces his European and US touring schedule for the summer. Listen to “Storyteller”—HERE.
The track threads together breezy acoustic guitar with a buoyant beat as his narrative bars take hold. It culminates on one of his catchiest and most chantable choruses yet, “Hot girls have cold hearts, cold hearts hide deep scars like a motherfucker, deep scars make better stories, but I ain’t no storyteller.” It ultimately illuminates another facet of this fiery hip-hop force!
It arrives on the heels of his otherworldly banger “Elon Musk” [feat. Gunna]. The latter has impressively generated 24 million Spotify streams and counting and 9.6 million YouTube views on the music video. Right out of the gate, it earned critical acclaim. Complex observed, “The Pontiac, Michigan native goes back-to-back with Gunna over an ethereal 808-heavy beat,” and UPROXX added, “DDG decides to take his talents to outer space.” Meanwhile, Our Generation Music put it best, “With each passing year he continues to level up his status, bringing along high-profile features and consistently dropping quality music of his own.”
LISTEN TO “JIMI” HERE
WATCH THE VIDEO FOR “JIMI” HERE
With platinum-selling plaques, more than a billion streams, and multiple other successes and accolades in the rearview mirror, including having served as direct support on Justin Timberlake’s 2018/2019 Man of the Woods tour, the 26-year-old Toronto-based Canadian singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist has his eyes firmly set on what’s to come.
At 16, Yates signed a major label record deal and was propelled into a worldwide spotlight. From releasing his self-titled debut EP in 2015, singing and playing guitar on Robin Schulz’s global smash hit “Sugar”, and winning the endorsement of heavyweights including Timberlake and Pharrell Williams, Yates’ musical journey has more than prepared him for this moment.
Buoyed by the influence of pop music royalty past and present, “Jimi” showcases the evolution of Yates as he delivers one of his most confident and alluring vocal performances to date. Singing of the trappings of fame and someone who steered him wrong, the song’s subject matter is a bit darker than what listeners might be accustomed to with his previous hits, but Yates is confident that, like himself, his fans have also evolved.
“The song came about as a happy accident,” Yates says. “I was in my home studio looking at a poster of Prince, and the line ‘Jimi Hendrix / I love you like I love my guitar’ popped in my head. And the rest of the song just fell into place after that.”
“Jimi” showcases Yates’ masterful re-invention, highlighting his world-class musicianship and airtight pop songcraft. The track transports the listener with his modern take on up-tempo 90s R&B Pop with Funk-filled bass lines and a prominent guitar solo that Hendrix would surely approve of.
Xtra Mile Recordings and Yacht Punks BANDAID BRIGADE are excited to announce the release of their brand new album Sex Is Terrifying (out Friday 26 August, pre-order).
It arrives as the second studio effort by musicians and collaborators Zach Quinn (PEARS) and Brian Wahlstrom (Scorpios, Gods of Mount Olympus) and is preceded by the new single: “Abacus” – which is available to hear today:
STREAM “ABACUS” ON ALL SERVICES HERE
Formed on one of Joey Cape’s (Lagwagon) One Week Records tours, the band has since evolved into a unique unit producing music with powerful choruses and soaring melodies, all injected with Eighties synths, plaintive punk guitars and self-deprecating but poignantly poetic lyrics. Serving as an outlet for all the music that both Quinn and Wahlstrom personally enjoy such as Billy Joel and Elton John, Bandaid Brigade is a refreshing project for both musicians to experiment without the constraints of their affiliations.
Gearing up for a scorching summer, rising Atlanta rapper Yo Dogg and legendary producer Cardo [Drake, Kendrick Lamar, Travis Scott] serve up a new single and music video entitled “Baccwood” via Everything Is Gold Music (EISG)/Epic Records. Listen to “Baccwood”HERE and watch the music video HERE.
Cardo’s hard-hitting production provides the perfect counterpoint for Yo Dogg’s blunt, bold, and bulletproof bars. Together, they pack a powerful punch on this raw and relentless banger. The visual finds them in a claustrophobic room surrounded by cash. Yo Dogg raps to the camera with no shortage of energy, hinting at the power he’s primed to unleash this year.
YoDogg notably stands out as the first artist signed to Cardo’s Everything Is Gold Music and Epic Records. The duo maintains the classic producer-and-rapper partnership with Cardo as the proven elder statesman behind-the-board and YoDogg on the mic as the fiery fresh talent.
Right now, they’re cooking up a joint debut project together—due out this year.
Cardo has crafted some of the biggest bangers of the past decade, including Drake’s diamond-certified “God’s Plan” and Travis Scott’s “Goosebumps” [feat. Kendrick Lamar], to name a few. Meanwhile, Yo Dogg has fed the streets with dozens of independent releases. Following the death of his biggest supporter and uncle Cordney, he hunkered down and turned up the heat like never before. Together with Cardo, he’s unstoppable.
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.”
Fearsome shredder, songwriter, producer and unconventional rock luminary KAYE is officially back with the single and video “Neon God.” Today’s release, the title track off of her upcoming EP set to be released on August 5, ushers in the funky, flamboyant response to 2020’s acclaimed Conscious Control. “Neon God” is out today at all DSPs and streaming services HERE with an official music video streaming on KAYE’s YouTube Channel; pre-save Neon God EP HERE.
To quote Edmonton, Alberta artist Jordan Jones, “I just want to spread love with my music.” Jordan Jones has toured Canada multiple times with previous projects over the last 10 years. He’s both fronted a band as lead vocalist and took on the role as lead guitarist in two separate projects. With that experience he is ready to share himself completely. Jordan’s influences range from pop, R&B, soul, and rock. His diversity is a welcomed fresh approach to pop music.
After conquering TikTok as a global sensation with his Afro-inspired bop and accompanying dance, Ghanaian phenomenon Jay Hover serves up the music video for his viral banger “One Leg” via NWE Worldwide / EPIC today. NWE launches its record label NWE WORLDWIDE and Jay Hover is the first signature.
LAMB OF GOD unleash “Nevermore,” the first single and music video from Omens. The forthcoming full-length from the GRAMMY-nominated metal titans is due October 7th on Epic Records. “Nevermore” is available at all DSPs HERE. Watch the music video HERE.
Tickets and VIP packages are on sale today at https://www.lamb-of-god.com/tour for The Omens Tour, featuring Lamb Of God and special guests Killswitch Engage, Baroness, Motionless In White, Spiritbox, Animals As Leaders, plus Suicide Silence and Fit For An Autopsy join on different legs. The tour kicks off on September 9 in Brooklyn, NY and wraps October 20 in Dallas, TX.
Lamb Of God follows 2020’s No. 1 Hard Rock Album with a vicious new testament. Riding high on a creative renaissance saluted by the likes of Rolling Stone and NME, the Grammy-nominated goliath returns with the gloriously unhinged Omens, produced by longtime collaborator Josh Wilbur (Korn, Megadeth).
Omens is a furious entry in the Lamb Of God catalog, perhaps their angriest album yet. “The world is crazy and keeps changing. Omens is a reaction to the state of the world,” explains vocalist D. Randall Blythe. “It’s a very pissed-off record.” He pauses for emphasis. “It is extremely pissed-off.”
Olmo reveals his brilliant new album ‘The Trunk’ including focus track ‘25’
& watch the accompanying video HERE
Impossible to box, this nine track body of work is an impressively unique record that will stay with you, long after you’ve finished listening to it.
“My music is about creating a temporary dream space that people can escape into. It’s a safe place where complex issues are sweetened up and turned into these little ear worms.”
Bearing an escape route from the trials of daily life, the world through Olmo’s music is much more palatable, even when he’s tackling the heaviest of issues.
The Trunk
1. Tornerai
2.My Friend Amer
3. Whatever Works
4. Pigs
5. Prince Harming
6. Dream Boat
7.These Waves
8.25
9.Michelangelo
When my bandmate Kyle and I started writing “Vacant,” I had just started dating someone after a truly crushing breakup.
The experience of restarting caused me to reflect a lot on the perpetuity of certain feelings and the strangeness of new ones.
Drawing influence from the guitarwork of Cocteau Twins and Slowdive, along with Tomberlin’s debut record, “Vacant” embodies the desire to stay in someone’s life far past the point I knew was beneficial, especially given how easy that is with the internet.
Keep me in your contacts, keep me the boy you’re dreaming of.
Kyle and I teamed up with experimental videographer Gabe Seamon for the official visuals for “Vacant.” He decided to play with the motion of our performances instead of just the camera, manipulating the boundary of the static screen as a viewing experience.
These lyrics are hella personal and specific. There’s weight to the decisions to not delete someone or to change their name to reflect the change in intimacy between you.
I hope that you enjoy the cathartic and dreamy qualities of this song.
Thanks for taking the time to check out “Vacant,”
Connory Ballantyne of ACER
Award-winning Ghanaian songbird Gyakie unveils her first music installment of the year, a song titled “Something,” live across all digital streaming platforms now. Released worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment West Africa/ RCA UK/ Epic US/ Flip The Music, the track is produced by Nigerian hitmaker – P.Prime, whose impressive resume of hits includes Wizkid, Asa, Fireboy DML, and DJ Cuppy. Gyakie’s expression on the Banku sound is pure joy and her delicious minty vocals arrive summer-ready.
Listen to “Something” here.
Fresh from graduating from university in Kumasi (International Business), Gyakie has been quick to nurture new industry alliances, feature on songs, and break into new market territories. She clinched ‘Woman of the Year’, ‘Revelation of the Year’, and ‘Best International Collaboration’ (Forever Remix) at the 3Music Awards, Clout Music Awards, and VGMA respectively. In addition to this, she is nominated for ‘Best West African Act’ at the 15th annual Headies Music Awards. The ceremony takes place for the first time outside of Nigeria and in Atlanta this September.
Jacksonville-born and Nashville-based singer/songwriter Jordan Fletcher conveys his personal story with play-by-play urgency and intense attention to detail. All of the songs Jordan sings are 100% autobiographical and delivered as soulful country, spiked with a light-hearted rock spirit that brings hard-fought life lessons to the masses through honest songwriting.
Today, Jordan shares his Dave Cobb (Chris Stapleton, Brandi Carlile, Jason Isbell) produced single “Death and Taxes,” a follow up to his critically acclaimed Dave Cobb produced debut EP True Stories, released earlier this year via Triple Tigers Records.
“Death And Taxes is a song about advice my dad gave me that I’m now wanting to pass on to my son,” says Jordan. “It’s about life, death, love, and family and feels like the perfect way to sum up this personal journal that ended up becoming an album” and WMOT calls the song “a rollicking tribute filled with an upbeat nostalgia that focuses on joy rather than loss.”
I’m Nicole Haber (she/he/they), a Toronto-based electro-pop artist. I’ve been experimenting with different genres, working with new producers and musicians, and finding my direction as an independent artist.
One of my producers, Simon Servida, asked me what I wanted to write about for some new material and I answered: “I don’t know about you, but I’m going through what I like to call a ‘quarter life crisis,’ and I feel like I am not doing anything right with my life or I have no idea what’s going on half the time, but I’m oddly okay with it.”
That’s what my new song, “25,” is about. So when I started writing this song, I was literally just quoting my day-to-day life but also using what my friends were telling me about how they felt being in their mid-20s. It’s a weird time, but it doesn’t just have to relate to people who are currently in their twenties.
Stream “25” on streaming platforms available now.
I think at any point in your life you can question what you’re doing and feel like you have no idea what your next move is. I wanted to write something that was spot on, but also kind of funny. I wanted it to be a bold statement, that would have everyone chanting and dancing along, somehow make “adulting” seem a little less intense.
Every time I show this song to someone it always makes me so happy to hear them say: “This is literally my life. I need you to release this song.” I just want people to feel less alone and realize that the emotions and craziness that we call our life is not just some foreign land that we’re on all by ourselves. We’re all in it together because we all feel similarly about it, and I’m so happy I can share this song with you too.
Thanks for listening,
Nicole Haber
flipturn gives fans the news they have been holding their breath for: the band’s debut album Shadowglow will be released in its entirety on August 19. To hold listeners over in the meantime, the band today releases their next single “Whales.” This fiercely tender track is driven by a comforting bassline that contrasts with the internal turmoil of the lyrics. “Whales” peers into the state of emotional comatose it’s far too easy to slip into when faced with crushing amounts of pressure. Listen to “Whales” HERE, pre-order the Shadowglow vinyl HERE.
After amassing over 11 billion streams to date, RIAA triple-platinum certified Texas-based pop duo Surfaces release their latest single “What’s Been On Your Mind?”
Get it HERE.
“’What’s Been On Your Mind?’is a story of helping someone who needs to heal from a place that they can’t yet communicate about,” the duo say about the track. “At times when we’re hurting it feels selfish or vulnerable to open up to others and it’s often just easier to put up a facade. This story chases the idea that if you truly know and love someone, you’ll always be able to see through that face, that front, that safety net of words… and break down the walls that will lead to a healthier escape.”
Boston-based emo-pop-rock quartet Future Teens share the first taste of what’s to come with new single, “Same Difference” via Triple Crown Records. Plus, the band will head to Europe & the UK for several dates throughout June. Tickets are on sale now via futureteensofamerica.com.
After forming in 2014, Future Teens have been on the rise. Though 2020 halted their ascent, the group has maintained their momentum and are ready to re-introduce themselves in 2022. The four-piece is made up of guitarists/vocalists Amy Hoffman (they/he) and Daniel Radin (he/him), drummer Colby Blauvelt (he/him), and bassist Maya Mortman (she/her), who come together to make self-proclaimed “bummer pop”–a concoction of earnest, explosive and vulnerable emo-rock-tinged pop with pounding drums, glistening guitar riffs and irresistible melodies.
With their sly, self-aware lyricism and upbeat cathartic bangers, the band has caught the attention of several notable tastemakers like Atwood Magazine, Stereogum, Boston’s WBUR, who wrote the band “makes sadness sound like fun,” Substream Magazine, and more. Today’s release marks their triumphant return as they expand on the foundation they’ve built, remaining true to themselves, with their signature confessional relatability yet evolving in their sound, which grows as they do.
“Same Difference” explores the idea of a soulmate, as Radin constructed the track around advice he once got from his sister. Radin explains, “To me, the concept of a soulmate is fun but not true. The closest thing is someone who shares or complements your differences. Finding that person is an entire journey itself.” Radin continues, “‘Same Difference’ was born partially from this. Years ago, I asked my sister what’s different about her partner than past relationships. What makes it work? She said, ‘he calls me out on my bullshit.’ Making space for someone who you can be vulnerable around and yet still trust to hold you accountable is a difficult thing to find.” A balance between vulnerability, accountability and having fun reflects much of what Future Teens achieve with their breezy, emotionally-charged, and raw optimism packaged into smooth chord progressions and biting songwriting.
neillfrazer@hotmail.com
