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INsiders Guide: Darla Jade, FLIPP DINERO, Bealby Point, Rory, Trey Lewis, Lauren Minear, Kem, SAVANNAH RÉ, Fran Vasilic, Kyle Dion…

Photo credit: Derek Bremner

Darla Jade returns with her brand new earworm ‘Can’t Run Forever’

Listen HERE

Reflecting on the desire many of us have to avoid problems and issues,‘Can’t Run Forever’ is here to address things head on. The catchy, electro-pop bop is an honest and standout moment from the rising artist, written with production duo Gold Spectacles. Sharing more, Darla Jade explained: ‘I had a lot going on last year, and I realised that I tend to bottle up my feelings and essentially just run away from my issues, so this song is all about me addressing that and trying to get myself to ‘just face it’ as it all ‘catches up eventually.’

‘Can’t Run Forever’ is the third single to be taken from her upcoming sophomore EP due for release later this year and follows poignant single Glitch In The Matrix, which came out last month. The beautiful and moving track came as a cathartic offering born from an impossibly difficult time. Check out Glitch in The Matrix HERE.

Born and bred in Stoke On Trent, Darla Jade has been making waves and winning hearts since she launched. With her homespun sound nestled somewhere between pop and electronica she’s already built a stellar reputation thanks to a diverse and captivating string of releases. From euphoric sky reaching bangers like ‘Broken Armour’ which came out earlier this year,  to more emotive moments like ‘Problems’ this exciting new artist has got you covered.

With a wealth of tastemaker support already under her belt including The Line of Best Fit, Billboard, Variance, Notion, Radio 1, BBC Introducing naming Darla Jade as one of their ‘Big In 2022’ artists and not to mention delivering impressive live performances at sold out headline shows in both London and Stoke-on-Trent, this artist is certainly one to keep all eyes on.

Catch Darla Jade’s incredible live performance on the 28th July at Old Blue Last for Live Nation’s showcase & Friday 12th August at 110 Above Festival.

Follow Darla Jade:

Instagram / Spotify / Tiktok

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multiplatinum Brooklyn hip-hop phenomenon Flipp Dinero unleashes a new single and music video entitled “Ain’t My Dog” via We The Best Music Group/Cinematic Music Group/Epic Records. Listen to “Ain’t My Dog” HERE and watch the music video HERE. It notably marks his first release of 2022.

On the track, cinematic strings wrap around a skittering beat as he delivers honest, yet hypnotic verses. It builds towards a hard-hitting hook as he repeatedly warns, “You ain’t my dog. The accompanying visual translates this intensity to the screen in seamless fashion and illustrates Flipp’s strident star power.

Most importantly, it paves the way for more music to come from Flipp Dinero very soon.

Last year, he dropped the Table For One EP to widespread critical acclaim. Beyond posting up millions of streams, REVOLT noted how Flipp gets straight to it right from the opening bars over a triumphant beat,” and HotNewHipHop claimed, Dinero makes his presence known, handling every single verse featured on the record.” KAZIraved, “His latest project, Table For One, is a solo EP with five tracks that prove that Flipp is one of the game’s most versatile creatives.

Flipp has served up one anthem after another. His breakthrough banger “Leave Me Alone”  picked up a quadruple-platinum certification from the RIAA, while “How I Move” [feat. Lil Baby] went platinum. He also guested on Smoke DZA’s “Hibachi” alongside Jadakiss.

Bealby Point has spent the better part of two years with one goal in mind: capturing the most cherished memory of your favourite summer and turning it into the perfect sound.

Not unlike a gang of kids from a Stephen King novel, the boys spent their roaming youth sneaking out to parties, riding bikes, and exploring the night in the sprawling suburbs of Deep Cove, a coastal neighbourhood of North Vancouver. The name Bealby Point, derives from the boys’ favorite beachside vacation spot in the British Columbian interior – it was (and still is) an important beacon of inspiration when putting the final touches on their songwriting, among being a place of solitude from everyday life.

Fast forward to 2018 when the boys recapture their friendship in the form of a band. Two-piece group, Jack Armstrong (lead vocals), and Jordan Studer (bass) stumbled upon music coming from the house of long-time friends, Clayton Dewar (lead guitar) with Zack Yeager (drums), also a two-piece. The two camps soon reconnected to realize they were complementary to each other’s instruments and styles.

Rory Connects With RAAHiiM & Shantel May On New Single, “Not Me”

// LISTEN HERE 

Having recently announced himself with debut single “I WANT YOU BUT YOU’LL NEVER KNOW…” , Rory continues the roll out of his hotly anticipated debut project with the reveal of new track, ‘Not Me’. Featuring RAAHiiM & Shantel May, the track is glitchy left-soul offering showcasing the distinctive flows of both. 

Hand selecting and writing/ producing alongside artists that he has supported on his successful podcasts over the past years, Rory is looking to create a moment with his debut project. Take a listen to the single HERE and check out the latest installment of Rory’s youtube series HERE

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Rory is formerly of the Joe Budden Podcast and now the co-host of one of the most popular podcasts in the world, New Rory & MAL, with millions of listeners per month.

Rory’s involvement with Avant Garden and management of Emotional Oranges made the partnership with Avant Garden a natural fit. Look out for more from Rory very soon.

Country singer, Trey Lewis’ new single “My Ex Came Over” is out now along with the music video.

Trey says, “I had an ex come over one night after a breakup, and the next morning I came up with this song idea. I brought it to my write that day with Jake Rose and Joel Hutsell. I’ve learned some things don’t always go as planned.”

Trey Lewis successfully redefined the boundaries of country music with his popular song ‘Dicked Down in Dallas’ that caught the attention of millions garnering spotlights from the likes of Billboard, Rolling Stone, Barstool Sports, and more. The Birmingham, AL native’s release ‘Shut the Door’ is a diverse mixture of music rooted in authentic songwriting that has received tons of accolades and features such as New in Country on Apple Music, New Music Friday and New Music Nashville on Spotify. You can tell Trey a lot of things, just don’t tell him to quit and go home. Trey didn’t just go viral on Tik Tok and go play his first show. Trey (+ band) is winning over fans all over the country with his high energy live performances, never ceasing to be anything less than himself. The band has been touring for years playing cover music all over the southeast. That experience and grind has prepared them for this moment, proving his depth far surpasses one hit with much on the horizon. Come see why everyone’s talking about Trey Lewis and he’ll make a believer out of you.

Indie folk pop singer-songwriter Lauren Minear releases her new single, Heartbroken,” an emotional ballad that she wrote after giving birth to her son during the pandemic. The single is from Minear’s debut album, Invisible Woman, which is set to release on October 15, 2022. “Heartbroken” is out now on all music streaming platforms.

For Minear, songwriting was her way of dealing with the emotional challenges she experienced over the past two years. She says, “‘Heartbroken’ is a song about going through a difficult time and feeling like you don’t recognize yourself in the mirror. It was inspired by my experience of being postpartum during COVID lockdown and the first years of the pandemic. Like so many parents during that time, I felt consumed by caring for my newborn and toddler sons, and also overwhelmed by the state of the world.”

“Heartbroken” was produced by UK producer Dan Weeks at WWW Studios in London (for The Online Recording Studio) who produced a number of other tracks on the album as well as mastered the entire album. 

Minear also collaborated with other producers and artists on the album including NYC music producer, composer, mixing engineer, and guitarist Dan Barracuda and guitarist and producer Cory Clark. She also teamed up with award-winning songwriter, Grace Askew (The Voice, Season 4) on the last track on the album.

three-time GRAMMY® nominated, multiplatinum R&B superstar KEM releases his magnetic and introspective Full Circle EP via Motown Records. The aptly titled five-song EP gives listeners the perfect accompaniment to reflect on the full-circle nature of their life, love and relationships through his honeyed lyrics that telegraph his inner emotions with piercing intensity.

Also dropping today is the EP’s second single, ‘Right On Time’ featuring hip-hop heavyweight, Rick Ross.

Driven by a slick, head-nodding beat and funky, combustible bass line, ‘Right On Time’ reveals KEM at the height of his power as one of music’s redefining voices with his signature vocals fluttering from sultry verses into a soaring hook. The track is a deeply felt groove, sure to add to KEM’s mounting list of R&B number ones as his musicality continues to penetrate the hearts of fans worldwide.

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KEM taps veteran producer Derek ‘DOA’ Allen and legendary, GRAMMY® Award-winning songwriter/producer Kenny ‘Babyface’ Edmonds (co-writer) and tops it off with the Biggest Boss Rick Ross who ignites the track with a powerhouse cameo, expanding the borders of the genre.

KEM paved the way for the FULL CIRCLE EP with its lead single Stuck On You,’ which quickly dominated airwaves to become his record-extending Eighth #1 hit on the Billboard Adult R&B Airplay Chart. As the song soared up the charts, he notably achieved the record for ‘Most #1’s on Billboard’s Adult R&B Airplay Chart, tying with Maxwell and Charlie Wilson – as reported by Billboard

The EP’s title track ‘Full Circle’ resounds with lyrical entreaties: “Will we come back around full circle? Will we forget what we found full circle?”

breakout R&B artist and two-time JUNO Award winner Savannah Ré, releases the lead single from her sophomore EP “About U”. Released today via Universal Music Canada, the lead single offers the first glimpse of this new artistic chapter. Listen HERE. Produced by JUNO Award nominee YogiTheProducer (Kehlani, Jessie Reyez, Giveon) and GRAMMY Award nominee Jack Rochon(6lack, Capella Grey), “About U” stays true to Savannah’s authentic lyricism as she sings: “Can’t play this game forever / Let’s get this shit together / You know I make you better / But you make it hard”

Devoted to every facet of her creative output, Savannah conceptualizes each visual representation of her music. As she did with the videos from Opia, including the 2021 Prism Prize nominated videos “Opia – Experience” and “Solid”, Savannah once again brings her songwriting into an immersive visual world with the “About U” music video, this time also taking on the role of co-director. Watch the official music video for “About U” HERE.

Fran Vasilić’s overwhelming ambition to express his emotions authentically has led him to his current position. Spending the first nineteen years of his life on the island of Krk in Croatia, the bedroom/indie pop hyphenate broke through to the music scene with a series of viral Tik Tok posts. With a unique ability to market himself and connect with his listeners, Vasilić’s debut album, ‘Retrovizor,’ debuted on Apple Music’s Top 100 Alternative Albums chart in Malaysia and has now surpassed 7.5 million streams on Spotify alone. Emerging in the midst of quarantine to battle self-grief and to give a part of himself to his passion, the initial project has shifted pain into purpose.

Taking inspiration from The Strokes, The Black Keys, Gus Dapperton, and Rex Orange County, Vasilić has manufactured his own eccentric and distinctive sound. When asked what he is working on and excited to share, he declares, “I’m working on the best music of my career so far.” The Very Last Thoughts on Earth, his latest EP narrates the uncertainties of navigating life in your early 20s and ultimately, what you want out of love, relationships and finding your passion. Fran confides, “I remember feeling so confused about so many things and thinking that any mistake I make will be ‘the end of the world’, and so that’s how the title came about. The EP opens with ‘Subject’, a song about a situation that I’ve probably overthought the most in my whole life. The three songs coming after it are ‘Might as Well’, ‘Maybe’ and ‘The One About Rejection’, each following my decision-making process from ‘sure, why not’ to learning how to say no and trying to not feel guilty about it.”

Vasilić’s genuine nature and enchanting personality have amassed a loyal following with over 4 million followers on Tik Tok and over 18 million streams across platforms. With praise from the likes of Elle Magazine Croatia, EARMILK, Lyrical Lemonade, Fashionably Early, and more; Vasilić is primed to continue taking the industry by storm.

Kyle Dion follows up his acclaimed sophomore album SASSY with the announcement of his forthcoming SASSY Deluxe album due for release on July 29th. The highly-awaited extended project is accompanied by a teasingly infectious single titled “Dance For Me,” which comes off the heels of his tender-hearted, flirty record “Spoon & Bang” that dropped earlier this month and is accompanied by an intimate visualizer featuring fellow R&B artist Joyce Wrice.

The fully independent artist began to ready fans for the new project having dropped “HAZY” with Australian powerhouse Tkay Maidza earlier in 2022 just ahead of his second North American Tour that kicked off in February. Kyle claims that his deluxe project is packed with summer records that expand the world of SASSY the album and give new life to his sophomore album released Sept 17, 2021.

A boisterous rising star with a bright falsetto and golden pen, Kyle Dion can’t stay put. After releasing his heartfelt ode to traditional R&B, SUGA, in 2019, he couldn’t help but expand his talents and set his eyes on creating a classic turn-up album in 2021, his sophomore project, SASSY. Playfully rapping and exuding even more bold confidence, Dion reinvents himself in the next chapter of his career, showing off the fullness of his personality by throwing out any and all rulebooks.

To create an effective turn-up record, Kyle needed to access sides of his personality he hadn’t explored before musically. Once he loosened up and became comfortable laughing at himself and the process, in part due to his light-hearted relationship with album collaborators, producers, and friends Chris Hartz (Childish Gambino) and Bijou Choder (Brasstracks), he found the sound of the album, a joyous and exclamatory soundtrack to better times. Whether it’s going outside for the first time in a year-plus or greeting your friends and staying out all night for renewed camaraderie, SASSY is an anthem for the world to come. 

The proudly independent artist possesses a soul from another era and creates a sound refreshing to any generation. From the small community in Florida where he grew up to effervescent Los Angeles, where he’s worked with artists like Kehlani, Kali Uchis, and PartyNextDoor, Dion is blazing a unique path.

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Emerging as an international phenomenon, rapidly rising Ghanaian artist Gyakie (pronounced “Jackie”) reveals her anxiously awaited new My Diary EP via Flip The Music / Sony Music West Africa / Epic Records today. Listen to the My Diary EP HERE.

The project includes the fan favorite “SOMETHING. It has already amassed over 903K Spotify streams and 2.4 million YouTube views on the music video. Right out of the gate, okayafrica.touted it among “The 4 Songs You Need to Hear This Week” and observed, “The sultry new clip is a nice pairing to the silky synths and afro-fusion beat work of the tune.  

Elsewhere, she teams up with African superstar Davido for the incendiary and infectious “Flames, catching fire on a slick and sexy hook. Then, there’s “Far Away.” It showcases the dynamics of her skyscraping voice.

An intensely personal reflection on growth in unexpected places, MisterWives’ last album SUPERBLOOM marked a moment of major transformation for frontwoman Mandy Lee and her bandmates: Etienne Bowler (drums), William Hehir (bass), Marc Campbell (guitar), and Mike Murphy (saxophone). The New York City-bred band’s third full-length, the 19-track epic found MisterWives greatly expanding their already-adventurous sound, introducing new textures and colors to their magnetic form of indie-pop. On the album’s soul-stirring title track, MisterWives close out SUPERBLOOM with a moment of pure triumph and a profound sense of possibility. With its chorus including a lyric Lee later adopted as a mantra in times of self-doubt (“I deserve congratulations, ’cause I came out the other side”), “SUPERBLOOM” draws much of its power from its graceful arrangement of so many potent elements: soulful horns and luminous piano melodies, hard-hitting rhythms and gospel-choir harmonies. 

MisterWives have come out the other side stronger than ever and as the band departs from the world of Superbloom and into the next they have launched their own label Resilient Little Records and partnered with PhotoFinish Records/Virgin Music.  The new chapter just began with the double single Easy / Where Do We Go From Here? released on May 25th and was followed by the band’s biggest headlining tour yet.

Emerging Houston-based Afrobeats recording artist Foreign Slim channels true majestic beauty in “Can’t Do Like That”. The Nigerian sensation offers clear directions on how to navigate the intricacies of love and life with fiery passion.

The Mystro Sugar produced track highlights the fusion of a soulful sound with modern African influences. A nod to the legendary Fela Kuti, the jazzy instrumentals paired with the up-tempo, melodic drum cadence take the unapologetically fierce Nigerian goddess on a journey to another universe.     

Directed by Jerry Morka, the “Can’t Do Like That” visual exudes the vibrant nature of Afrobeats while serving as a gateway into Foreign’s world with earth tones that create an African-inspired elegant intergalactic vibe. Moreover, it demonstrates that Foreign’s distinctiveness has no bounds with her vocal prowess and infectious dance moves.  

Ann Gray shares, “I remember being fascinated and engrossed by this idea of a toxic, urban “love” story, and when later presented with some extra time in the studio, I decided I might as well take a shot at bringing this vision to life. Luckily, Johny, the amazing mixer and a producer I was working with, was just as big a Bleachers fan as I was, and when I told him that I wanted them to be the reference production-wise, he got to work. I absolutely bopped out in the studio as he added these brilliant guitar riffs and licks, and after getting a live drummer in the studio, the song truly exceeded my expectations.”

Ann Gray is a captivating singer-writer from Norfolk, Virginia. Winner of the 2021 TasteBreakers Music Contest, her songs pair the whimsy of youth with the complicated nature of growing up in the modern age. Ann Gray’s eclectic debut EP “Foolish”, has received glowing reviews and regional acclaim, picking up a Veer Music Award nomination for “Best Acoustic/Folk”. Additionally, Ann Gray’s original song “The Space Between” was featured on Hunter Hughes compilation album, “Sunrise Sessions Vol. 2: The Pandemic Recordings”. Featured on WHRO’s Curate series and heralded in Veer Magazine as a “a gifted artist, songwriter to watch”- you don’t want to miss Ann Gray. 

Coventry is quite the city, isn’t it? An unsung goldmine of the music world, the city has spawned many coveted rappers and musicians alike. From rappers Pa Salieu and JAY1 to the band Easy Life and legacy acts like Y2K star Punjabi MC — the stonework-laden city clearly has lots to offer. That’s where Mugun comes in.   

The rising Complex UK-co-signed rapper has had quite the career thus far. From his densely-woven breakout hit ‘Underglow’ to dancehall and Afroswing-tinged party riddims like ‘Handled’ — it’s clear the Midlands spitter has the Midas touch. Today, Mugun is back with a new single dubbed ‘Old Testament’. 

STREAM/DOWNLOAD: MUGUN – OLD TESTAMENT 

Standing as the third offering from his forthcoming mixtape, ‘More Queens’, ‘Old Testament’ marries together the things most synonymous with Mugun: his Jamaican style/heritage and his ability to craft rap earworms. ‘Old Testament’ boasts introspective rhyming, eerie synths and nocturnal drum programming to counterbalance the DIY, dancehall-inspired hook. Pure bliss.  

Speaking on the record, Mugun gave more insight into the track stating: “I recorded ‘Old Testament’ during a period when the world was feeling highly unsettled, he explained. “Everyone and everything was restless and uncertain and the feeling I got from it was reminiscent of how I would feel when my Nan would recite me a chapter from the first half of the Old Book. The record was born from that feeling and from how I imagined it would be during the time of the Old Testament and ultimately, it’s something I needed to capture in a song.” 

By popular demand, the ‘Aristotle of Bravado,’ Lady London makes her highly anticipated return with the release of her new single “What Is It Giving,” produced by Grammy-nominated producer Kosine [Kelly Rowland, G Herbo, Latto]. The east coast-bred artist makes a swift return on the heels of her indomitably acclaimed debut project Lady Like: The Boss Tape, which arrived at the top of the year. “What Is It Giving” is available on all music-providing platforms HERE

What Is It Giving” is the first taste of the new & next for the rising superstar serving as her official single for 2022. Arriving into acclaim for her revered freestyles, some of which were included on her Lady Like: The Boss Tape project, London has gone on record to state her vow to release more original music with the goal of having audiences grasp a deeper understanding of her artistry and capabilities. Today’s new music offering exemplifies London’s ferocity for wordplay blanketed in her quintessential ladylike manner. The bouncy banger entices listeners with braggadocious punchlines giving listeners rhythmic art at its core.

London shares, “Creating this record, I wanted a chant— one that felt comfortable enough to repeat …. while also being full of caption-worthy rhetoric. The perfect balance.” 

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Kelow LaTesha arrives full speed with the release of her base-knocking new single “He Ain’t Mine” featuring Dallas-born rapper Asian Doll. The exhilarating new release is available to listen to and stream HERE.

The ‘First On Soundcloud’ 2022 artist continues her streak of releasing head-turning bangers as she gears up to release her forthcoming new project set for arrival before the last quarter of this year. “He Ain’t Mine” touts in genre-bending bliss with a punk-rock flare complemented by the Suicideyear production and a lethal-lyrical delivery from both Kelow and Asian Doll that attests to the success both artists have received thus far. “He Ain’t Mine” is a fem-powered anthem that shines against the male gaze within the male-dominated genre of Hip Hop — a notion that Kelow LaTesha has made synonymous with her sonic style through her artistry and stance in life. 

The DMV rapper has remained at the forefront, releasing a string of singles this year. Her most recent release, “Titanic,” featuring Goonew arrived last month, garnering extraordinary reception. During its release week, XXL coined the track as one of “The Best New Hip Hop Songs The Week,” as VIBE Magazine stated, “Kelow LaTesha puts her uniqueness and creative skills on display in “Titanic.” The upbeat song features a posthumous feature from Maryland rapper Goonew. “Titanic” is a prideful boast of both rappers’ swagger and status.” Earmilk added, “Through her lyricism and unique look, Kelow LaTesha brings a fresh perspective to the industry, challenging social norms and the constructs of mainstream success.”      

Throughout the years, borza collaborated on many records with emerging artists from the Québec music scene, as well as with international established artists such as Emmylou Harris, the McGarrigle sisters and Lauryn Hill.

He released a first alternative/experimental folk EP called playing with time in December 2016 to break the ice and start making his own music. On October 25th, 2019, he released his first full-length record, Cocoon, that has essences of indie rock, folk, and reggae, produced by his friend Malcolm Burn (Bob Dylan, Iggy Pop, Emmylou Harris, Daniel Lanois).

His single, “Be Amazing,” from the Cocoon record was added to nearly 400 playlists on Spotify, including editorial playlists such as Folk & FriendsFolk favorites, and other great playlists.

He then followed up with two singles in 2020 collaborating with French artists from Québec and Belgium, as well as a remix of “Be amazing” in 2021. After releasing a fresh new rock sound with his song “1 on 1” in winter 2022, borza comes with an uplifting indie alternative rock song entitled, “As high as you can go,” that will be released on July 22nd, 2022.

Rising Leeds emcee TEMZ delivers his explosive new drill heater “Rise & Grind” – out now via GRM DAILY.

Bouncing back from his incendiary offering “League Of My Own” (over 640K streams on Spotify alone), Temz is emerging as a serious creative force across the underground scene. Flaunting a natural rap nous, “Rise & Grind” is an impeccable call back to the fast-rising wave of sample-led drill across the UK. Trademark woozy basslines and sharpened percussive textures create booming sonics, as Temz seamlessly bends words to his will – offering shining authenticity with his crystal-clear imagery of street life, now fixed on his journey to fruition.

Constantly delivering hard-hitting, defiant bars across additive soundscapes, the Congolese native epitomises the level of talent hidden in the often-overlooked rap scene up North.

Only active since 2018, Temz feels like no newcomer. Effortless penmanship started a cult following across his city, and after unleashing his debut project #ZinoSeason, a wave of records soon followed including “Freddy & Jason”, “Noisy Neighbours” and “Step In”, rapidly amassing him over 3.3M streams across his discography and 132K dedicated monthly Spotify listeners

Rising London lyricist J-Racks unleashes his explosive new drill burner “Free Flow 2” – his second ignited offering of 2022.

Returning to the scene following a string of significant drill cuts that firmly placed him as a rising London talent, J-Racks’s sharp, potent lyricism across relentless instrumentals emerges as an unconventional breath of fresh air. Shining authority and cruddy bars on full display, “Free Flow 2” returns as the successor of smash single “Free Flow” (1M streams on Spotify). The Slim Typical (M24, Wiley, RV) produced record serves up an array of woozy 808s and snappy drill percussion, while the young talent incites familiar flows from affiliate rappers across the UK sound sphere – mixing them sonically to fully showcase an artist at the peak of his versatile ability, possessing both natural rap talent and a crystal-clear lyrical aptitude.

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Despite only nine tracks across his discography so far, J-Racks has quickly amassed a cult following – his vigorous persona catching the attention of UK heavyweights

M1llionz and Ivorian Doll, as he edges into the mainstream spotlight with key play time from Snoochie Shy on BBC 1XTRA. Sitting on well over 3M streams and 40K monthly listeners has empowered acclaim across the likes of GRM DAILY, DUMMY, MIXTAPE MADNESS, EQUATE, 9BILLS and WORDPLAY MAGAZINE.

Sam Himself, Switzerland’s ‘King of Tears’ and New York’s leading Fondue Western baritone, shares Never Let Me Go, the first single of his upcoming second album (due in 2023). The lovelorn stomper, a full-body split between brazen intimacy and anthemic pop, marks the Big Bang of a new era for Sam Himself, the solo project of Swiss-born, Brooklyn-based artist Sam Koechlin: Never Let Me Go is the soundtrack of risking another shot at hope – and dancing your heart out in the process.

It’s been less than a year after his debut LP Power Ballads (a “well-crafted set of atmospheric post-punk” – KEXP) broke Sam Himself onto the international stage. He could be forgiven for taking a quick siesta on his laurels, which include his first national chart entry, radio airplay across Europe and in the U.S. (as recently as May 2022, KCRW declared one of Sam’s songs Today’s Top Tune) and two Swiss Music Award-nominations.

Wasting time, however, isn’t a skill you’ll find in the repertoire of the songwriter, performer and multi-instrumentalist. Sam’s prolific output speaks for itself: prior to Power Ballads, he was making a name for his “smokey baritone vocals” ( – Under The Radar) with Slow Drugs (2020), the EP he released shortly after the outbreak of COVID-19. Sam was touring in Europe when the pandemic pulled the plug on live music and Sam’s return to New York City, his chosen home of the previous decade. The shock, grief and solitude of that experience went on to shape Sam’s first album.

While the JUNO & Grammy-winning #1 record was written about America’s heartthrob, Elvis Presley, and his fascinating life as the king of rock ‘n roll, this version takes on a deeper meaning for Infected Mushroom.

Celebrating their 25-year legacy with the forthcoming album ‘IM25,’ “Black Velvet” is a product of their genre versatility and early influences. Included on their quarter-century body of work, it’s reflective of their personal journey through time and sound, as “Black Velvet” was Erez’s mother’s favorite song. Dedicated to her, they stand to be the only electronic producers to give it new life, bringing it to fans who may be hearing it for the first time.

Following the release of her new EP ‘Open’,  Irish singer-songwriter SOLIS is pleased to present the official video for her opalescent new single “Jungle”.

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR TO “JUNGLE” HERE || LISTEN TO THE ‘OPEN’ EP IN FULL HERE

Glimmering with balmy rhythms that are as sleek as they are lo-fi-tinged, “Jungle” is a scintillating masterclass in gauzy pop production. 

With alluring, sun-drenched melodies that nod to poignant and melancholic themes but ultimately reach an all-the-more optimistic conclusion, Solis says of the track:“I wrote this song when I realised there’s always an option, always a way out, the hardest part is realising that. The EP as a whole was written from a place where I didn’t feel I belonged and was dreaming of something else “Jungle” and “Osmosis” in particular are about living in the city and being part of the rat race, the never ending cycle of work and spend and very little time for living.” 

Taken from the Manchester-based artist’s new five track EP ‘Open’, the release comprises five tracks including hypnotic earlier single “Be Together” and debut release “Jigsaw”. Across its five tracks, Solis flexes her knack for dreamy vocal melodies, ethereal rhythms and glinting, laidback percussion. Written by Solis, recorded at her home in Moss Side and produced by Andy Connor, ‘Open’ also features Jack Winstanley on bass and Max Barron on drums to bring the EP’s stellar set of songs to life. 

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Opening up about writing and recording ‘Open’, Solis explains:“I wrote these songs about 4 years ago. As soon as we finished recording, I had a really serious car accident which had me recovering for a very long time and I’m finally ready to release this body of songs. This EP ‘Open’, will be followed by a second EP shortly after, both EPs were intentionally written to follow each other and act as a big body of songs.” 

I’m Vyolet. A Singer/Songwriter from LA. My music can be described as chill anti-pop, with hints of R&B and Hip-hop. I am unbelievably excited to share with you all the crazy shit going on in my head. I love making music, the whole process is one of the only things in this world I am confident in.

Email: neill@outloudculture.com

Socials: @neillfrazer

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