K-Pop group, CRAVITY, have released their highly anticipated 4TH MINI ALBUM, [NEW WAVE], out today. Named by Variety as an “Up-and-Coming Group to Know,” this mini album release comes shortly after wrapping up their first KCON LA performance and six-city U.S. KCON Tour. [NEW WAVE] includes lead track “PARTY ROCK,” and you can watch the music video here. CRAVITY’s overarching storyline has always focused on their journey into the new world, and they are back with a new theme of “youth.” That feeling, that emotion, and the real “youth” that comes with freedom. [NEW WAVE] shows a more mature side of CRAVITY, with lyrics representing their growth as a group and the maturity they have learned throughout their career. Rappers Serim and Allen contributed to writing lyrics on multiple tracks, and Lead Vocalist Woobin’s first self-produced song is on the album.
With a lyrical mastery that speaks on all of life’s moments paired with a dynamic voice that reveals a well-travelled soul and the burning embers of passion within, Ollee Owens is a musical force of nature.
Combining burning intensity with elegant grace and skilled composure wrapped in an electrifying blues rock veneer, the result is an unforgettable, emotionally charged musical experience that moves both body and soul, creating a lasting connection through shared experiences and love of good music.
Raised in the Canadian Prairies, music was always around Owens growing up. Artists such as Elvis, Odetta, The Band, Mavis Staples, and Bob Dylan were formative in her teen years. But more than just listening, she took comfort in writing her own songs, seeing music as a way to process the chaotic nature of life and give visibility to her own feelings. And even when Owens took a 15-year respite in order to raise a family, she never fully put a cap on her passion for music, volunteering as a music therapist, occasionally performing, and always continuing to write songs.
That hiatus would meet its end in 2015 at the famed Calgary venue The Blues Can where the late great Bill Dowey caught her performance at his “Blues Sunday School” jam and was immediately drawn to her raw and passionate sound, becoming one of her biggest supporters. Encouraged by the positive reception from audience and industry pros alike, Owens decided to pursue her dream of a career in music.
Emei is an alt-pop singer-songwriter based in Los Angeles. Her clearcut lyrics and cheeky tone guarantee listeners to press replay. But even before she started writing, Emei developed incredible stage presence from her experience competing on Chinese Idol at 15. After receiving third place on the show through months of stadium shows, Emei began releasing her own music on Chinese platforms and eventually performing on Dancing with the Stars of China. When Covid hit, Emei started releasing new music on American platforms, gaining media coverage on Earmilk, Ones to Watch, Early Rising, and Lyrical Lemonade. Emei’s single, “Late to the Party”, hit 5.2M streams after videos of her performing the song live hit a collective 9.5M views on Tiktok and Instagram Reels. Emei has been featured on the cover of Salt and Fresh Finds Pop. Her music has been playlisted on New Music Friday, Big on the Internet, Pop Sauce, Young & Free and more. She’s currently gearing up for her debut EP coming October 26th.
Gathering of Strangers are one of Manchester’s most talked about rock bands at present. Combining captivating classic rock and the energy of your favourite modern-day indie pop artist, Conor, Tom, Andre, Bruce and Peter come together to form the explosive guitar rock five-piece. With thunderous high-octane energy, adrenalised anthemic vocals and rapacious riffs, Gathering of Strangers are creating a dynamic driving force into the rock scene.
Their latest single “Red and Gold” ignites that feel-good fever that is certain to spread love and spark a shared sense of happiness. Creating a euphoric soundtrack that perfectly depicts the moment just after sunset, the tune resembles the colourful illuminations of the sky. They explain, “Red and Gold is simply about having the time of your life with your lover or your family. Simply dancing from sunset to sunrise all night long.” Depicting synonymous summer moments with lavish lyricism, rocketing guitar melodies and blaring bass lines, they’ve created a truly exhilarating anthem.
Having sold out numerous shows up and down the UK over the past few years, Gathering of Strangers have found themselves performing at renowned venues including the O2 Ritz and Shepherds Bush Empire. With streaming numbers in the hundreds of thousands and impressive reviews from the likes of Clash Magazine, the phenomenal five-piece are proving to be true trailblazers of their time.
Rising South-London newcomer Rippa emerges into the ether with his debut record “Flows” – taken from his forthcoming debut EP, set for release this year.
The 20-year-old Brixton native of Jamaican heritage immediately defines himself as a standout prospect, his cool, VHS-inspired visuals juxtaposing an intelligent, thought-out lyrical delivery that glides across the thumping afro-swing anthem. A rare, crystal-clear confidence and the conversational cadence of a veteran in the game belies his debut release, produced by UK sound system icon Toddla T, and will draw attention around a unique new name in the UK rap landscape.
Through the electric music video directed by generational UK talent Ray Fiasco (Knucks, Flo Mili, Headie One) we see “Flows” awaken, as Rippa manoeuvres through London and the River Thames with sharp cinematography and quick cuts that depict the pace and disorientation of London life against his calm, inspirational flows.
An avid community activist and youth worker across South London, Rippa has gained a deep understanding of youth culture and the inner-city pressure that comes hand-
in-hand. Main protagonist of the gripping book Cut Short – written by fellow youth worker and London author Ciaran Thapar – his powerful messages across race, class and postcode crime fuel his honest truth-telling lyricism that gleams through every spoken word.
Steadily becoming a hopeful voice of the youth, Rippa mentions “It’s the idea that I’m gonna keep flowing and nobody can suppress my shine. It’s an uplifting song for young people – something to give them some hope in these times”
Dundonian indie-pop hopes – PLASMAS – are pleased to release their new single: “What You Do To Me” (out 28 September).
STREAM ON YOUTUBE HERE || STREAM ON ALL SERVICES HERE
Following in the trajectory of “Notice” and “See It Through”, the band’s stellar recent singles all light the way towards the much-anticipated debut EP: ‘A Summer’s Day Can Break Your Heart’, which is confirmed for release on 21 October 2022.
Sounding like the Jesus & Mary Chain discovering ecstasy for the first time, “What You Do To Me” is a fuzzy, feel-good indie anthem that nods to shoegaze greats past while shooting for the moon on a synth-powered rocket.
But of course every trip has its comedown; scratch beneath its sunny-side up aesthetic, and you’ll find a confessional pop song of the most profound kind. Opening-up about that feeling of inner conflict that will resonate with anyone who’s experienced the pressures of coming out for the first time, singer Ross McQueen explains the meaning and mixed feelings that came to form “What You Do To Me”:
“This is pretty hard for me to talk about, but I wrote this song about having feelings for another guy, and not knowing how to deal with it. It’s about the guilt that came with it and being unsure where I fit in amongst society. I had always considered myself straight and didn’t really feel like I could exist in any LGBTQ+ spaces. I felt like an imposter. I just remember being so confused, there was this social commentary screaming “be yourself” and “be open about your sexuality” all over the place and I just thought, “what if I can never be like that?”. I felt envious of those who were open about it, who were so clear about who they were whilst I had absolutely no idea how to even process these feelings.”
Of writing the song, Ross adds:
“The song is mostly written as a back and forth between society’s narrative and my anxiety around that. It’s amazing that everyone is pushed to be themselves nowadays, especially with sexuality, but I also found it super intimidating, like, “where do I fit into all this?”. I still don’t know the answer, but I’ve come to realise that sexuality is a very personal and complex matter and I’ve decided to stop putting pressure on myself to figure it out. I also want others to know that there’s a space for you even if you’re unsure, or even if you don’t feel comfortable wearing it on your sleeve, it’s still valid and it’s still important you are true to yourself. Don’t do what everyone else is doing just for the sake of it, if it doesn’t feel right for you then don’t do it.”
Produced by Guy Galactic, who also produced the band’s previous singles “See It Through” and “Notice”, all three tracks will appear on an upcoming EP made with the producer entitled: ‘A Summer’s Day Can Break Your Heart’, alongside two unheard tracks: “Happiness” and “Stay Where You Are”.
We’re Erik Alcock and John “P*nut” Harrison. Lo-fi Hero is modern music made on analog gear: old and new, loop-based and performed, to create a new sonic landscape. Our project is based on taking live performances, then turning them into samples, and resampling the parts in inventive ways.
The track “No Appetite” was recorded, then exported to an MPC, then sampled back into the DAW. It should feel like longing, and a foreboding heartache.
Stream it now on YouTube | Spotify
The video for “No Appetite” was shot by Jakob Stolz with a Berlin-based performance artist, conveying an air of mystery which complements the music in an abstract way.
Thank you for clicking play,
Lo-fi Hero
oronto based singer-songwriter j ember today releases gorgeous new single ‘ Baggage’. Coming off a US tour with indie rock band Sports and having gained wide acclaim for his EP “Full Size Render”, Ember returns with the second release off his upcoming five song EP “Should’ve Drowned”. Indie pop heavy hitter “Baggage is about wanting what you can’t have and teaching yourself to be patient.”
Klô Pelgag has unveiled a new video for her track “À L’ombre des cyprès”, ahead of her debut UK headline show this October.
Singer-songwriter Klô Pelgag has gotten us accustomed to strikingly colourful and innovative music videos. The one for her song “À l’ombre des cyprès” is no exception. It was directed by her frequent collaborator Soleil Denault, who earned a Félix at last year’s Gala de l’ADISQ for her video for the song “Mélanine.” “The À l’ombre des cyprès video shows Klô Pelgag being pursued by her monstrous alter ego” reveals Soleil. This contemporary fable represents the need to take back your power in the face of adversity. We all have a monstrous alter ego and, when it awakes, we feel breathlessly chased by its negative thoughts. In this video, we illustrate Klô’s quest for emancipation and rebirth; we witness her ultimate empowerment”.
Traditional powerhouse vocals mee the “dark but euphoric” (Hunger Magazine) contemporary sound on introspective new single “better,” by Anglo-American star-in-the-making emie nathan. 2022 has been a year of fast growth for emie who has proved a roaring success on the road this year. Whether it be memorable performances at The Great Escape, or opening up for the man-of-the-moment Lewis Capaldi, emie has captured the attention of her fast growing fanbase. emie will support GRACEY on her upcoming tour starting September 30th ahead of headlining her own show on November 9th at the Camden Assembly where she’ll be playing tracks from her unreleased EP “deep down”, set for release via Platoon in mid November..
I’m Addison Johnson from indie rock band Lost In Japan, and we are unveiling the first part of our sophomore LP. Click here to stream Night Talks Pt. 1 wherever you get your music.
This record taught me to push myself as a songwriter. Sometimes it’s okay to go into a project with no plan in mind and see what you create. To see how our tracks have grown from something we wrote in a basement to being played to tons of people is an amazing feeling.
You’ll hear a theme of monotony in Night Talks Pt. 1, in the sense that it feels like you’re listening to a friend talk about their week or day. The majority of it was written at night after a band practice. I would go home and talk with my friends or partner about personal issues I was having at that time. That’s when I thought of the name.
Our new song “On My Way” tells a story of anxiety. The idea stems from a friend of ours telling us about how anxious they were, despite looking completely fine. Everyone has their own personal battles going on in their head.
We want to give our listeners a feeling of partnership. We hope that comes through.
LOST IN JAPANAddison Johnson, Chris Hoekstra, Karl Von Estorff, James Wiseman
Snailmate is the Phoenix-based musical duo composed of lyricist, singer and synth-wizard Kalen Lander and drummer and backup vocalist Bentley Monet. Together, the two create music that fuses synthpunk, grindcore pop, and nerd rap for an unpredictable and explosive sound. Formed in 2015, the band is known for their frenetic and impressive live shows. Performing over a thousand shows, Snailmate has cultivated a fervent fanbase that aims to be inclusive with the band priding their shows as a safe space for all genders and people of all sexualities.
Snailmate released their debut album Love in the Microwave in 2017 and since then the two have shared a myriad of EPs and singles centered around themes such as dealing with anxiety, loneliness, isolation and living authentically as a queer and trans person in America. The two often use humor and wit to tackle dark topics, confiding, “The message of our music is that you’re not alone. If you’re feeling anxious or sad or just uncertain, we understand. We are feeling it too. Life is short and weird and sometimes crappy, so let’s have some fun.”
Their most recent single “Trash, Baby” is all about their complicated relationship with creating art and overcoming the voice in their heads that tells them their music isn’t good enough. The song explores themes of vulnerability, inner confidence, and accepting art-making as a beautiful yet imperfect process. The duo shares, “Creating art is vulnerable and we all struggle with the urge to just throw it in the trash (,baby).”
With an upcoming album and tour dates to boot, Snailmate is ready for their next chapter. Crafting music that is cathartic and relatable yet truly unique, Snailmate is an exciting genre-defying duo that in the end is unlike anything you have ever heard. Truly authentic, Snailmate inspires their listeners to be unapologetic and unashamed of who they are. The duo express, “Life is too short to be someone you’re not, or pretend to like things just to fit in. It’s not easy, trust us. But once you get outside of your comfort zone you start to meet other real people and you realize you’re not alone.”
Upcoming Tour Dates:
Sept 30 Tempe @ Yucca Tap Room
Oct 7 PHC @ Buds Glass Joint
October 8 Yuma @ The Jungle
WITH Snailmate & MOODIE BLACK
Tuesday 18 Jerome @ Puscifer Store
Wednesday 19 Phoenix @ Rhythm Room
Thursday 20 Tucson @ Groundwork’s
Friday 21 El Paso @ TBA
Saturday 22 San Antonio @ TBA
Sunday 23 Austin @ TBA
Monday 24 OKC @ TBA
Tuesday 25 Albuquerque @ Sister Bar
Wednesday 26 Springs @ Vultures
Thursday 27 Kansas @ TBA
Just Snailmate again
October 29 Mesa @ The Nile Theater w/ Okilly Dokilly
October 31 Prescott @ The Den
Heya! Something cool to dive into here – Having spent the past months picking up buzz on the back of his well received recent singles,‘BREADWINNER’ and ‘TONGUE TIED’, Virginia born, LA based polymath Floyd Fuji is set to reveal his anticipated EP, ‘SUNSPOTS’. A body of work showcasing the versatility of this genre fluid artist, ‘SUNSPOTS’ sees Fuji shine as one to watch as we enter the final months of 2022. Speaking on the project, he states:
Sunspots is a summer journey/love letter to myself and the people around me. It’s about finding the balance between the sun and the shade in my life. I had to look in the mirror and ask myself everyday, “what do you want?” “How do you feel?”
LA-based rising singer-songwriter Ronboy, the musical moniker of Julia Laws, shares her poignant and atmospheric debut studio album Pity To Love out everywhere now. Celebrate the album release with Ronboy in LA at Gold Diggers tonight with tickets and information available here, featuring music, merch and more. Preview the merch here.
Out today, Ronboy’s debut album Pity To Love emerged first from feelings, rather than specific subject matter, and came together after a few tireless weeks in the studio. “A lot of the album’s concept comes from me grappling with my own mental health. I had a feeling, more than a topic, for the songs and wasn’t sure if they would translate the way I heard them in my head,” Ronboy explains. Speaking to the recording process, Ronboy says, “The recording process began as us chipping away when we could and ended with us all together for two hardcore weeks tying up each song. We’d record all day then I’d go straight to my studio to track final vocals, wake up the next day, print the vocals, maybe track some piano or something and head back to the studio to do it all over again for the next song.”
Award-winning, creator-first, music, entertainment and technology platform LiveOne (Nasdaq: LVO) has partnered with Folgers® to celebrate National Coffee Day with live music and coffee! Tomorrow, September 29, 2022 at 10:00 AM EST, LiveOne will kick off its livestream music event, “Live from New Orleans with Folgers,” featuring Grammy-nominated New Orleans-based Tank and the Bangas, straight from the city where Folgers has proudly roasted their famous coffee for more than 50 years.
Taking place at Rosie’s on the Roof with the New Orleans morning skyline as the backdrop, the event brought together Gen Z and Millennial coffee and music fans to enjoy the great taste of Folgers coffee while embracing the brand’s campaign theme to be bold and authentic while celebrating yourself in style.
Folgers provided all attendees with free coffee and a special gift bag full of merchandise from Folgers and LiveOne. Attendees also received a free three-month LiveOne Membership, including access to 30+ million songs, exclusive live & PPV events, virtual meet & greets, access to platform-centric LiveOne Tokens and NFTs, and exclusive behind-the-scenes content from their favorite festivals and franchises.
“We are proud to celebrate our fans, our hometown of New Orleans and National Coffee Day in partnership with LiveOne,” said Emily Lucci, Director of Marketing, Folgers. “Our participation in this great event is a perfect way to extend our new Folgers campaign, which proudly and boldly celebrates everything that makes the brand the choice of more than 35 million coffee drinkers every morning.”
“We are excited to collaborate with The J. M. Smucker Co. and their agencies to create and deliver a 360° marketing campaign for an iconic brand like Folgers,” said Alex Brough, Head of Brand Partnerships of LiveOne. “LiveOne is a full-service music solution for brands and Live From New Orleans with Folgers is a great example of how we produce events and original programming specifically tailored for our brand partners.”
Quick-rising artist Reagan Capaci delivers a soulful new single “Bad 4 U,” accompanied by a narrative-driven music video. With a sign of approval from T-Pain, the young artist combines her raspy vocals with an R&B and jazz-infused track that makes the heart swoon.
“Diving too hard into something can easily turn toxic if you don’t know when to slow down or stop.”
– Reagan Capaci
“Bad 4 U” leads the way into her forthcoming EP, set to release later this year. The project will touch on more intimate themes and was written with a mind-expanding and perspective shifting attitude, given her unusual cult-like upbringing.
Reagan Capaci (“cuh-pay-see”) is guaranteed to capture any listener’s attention the moment her raspy vocal tone emits from their speakers. Interestingly, the jazzy and nostalgic aspects of her music aren’t the only things about Reagan that spark intrigue. Reagan comes from “cult-like” roots, spending many years of her youth in an Independent Fundamental Baptist church where listening to anything outside of hymns was considered flirting with the devil, and drums were the inaugural anthem to hell.
It wasn’t until Reagan and her family planted their roots in Las Vegas that the newly found culture made its impression on her. Through friends made at a performing arts school and an enlightening jazz program, Reagan was able to not only blossom as a vocalist, but have access to conditions that allowed her to embrace the complete beauty of music. After years of being shamed for vocal “over-performing” with extra riffs and runs in church, she found joy in songs by artists like Ella Fitzgerald, where she could feel the freedom of music, in colorful scatting, flexible song structure, and more. With vocal stylings like Erykah Badu and a musicality comparable to Kehlani, Reagan is on par with the greats even though she hadn’t even heard of many of them well into her teenage years.
Commemorating the release of his astonishing new album, JOHNNY BUTLER, is pleased to reveal the official video for its title track: “The Sunbather”.
WATCH THE OFFICIAL VIDEO HERE
Written and directed by Johnny Butler himself, the video, like its musical counterpart, is an outlandish and mesmeric experience to behold.
Documenting the birth of “The Sunbather”, a character who basks in the vibrant light at the heart of Butler’s latest work; the official video may offer some illumination on the many mysteries surrounding this enigmatic new record. Or it may not. As Butler says:
“The Sunbather does not soak in the sun, he lays in a bath of noise. The Sunbather is a dance, a film, a song, a person. He is me, of me, and not me at all.”
St. Humain is a Singapore born, Sydney based singer, songwriter and producer whose music is a delicious amalgam of sounds and stories. The genre-agnostic artist blends pop and electronic with a healthy dose of R&B, to create something which is comfortably familiar, yet alluringly unknown. St. Humain strives to represent the everyday person, delivering honest and relatable songs which speak about his own battles and looks to explore the emotions that make us human.
Now, he is soaring back into the scene with his new single “Tastes Like you”, a track that was entirely self-written and produced, and performed by St. Humain himself. Exploring an encapsulation of jealousy, his latest single blurs the lines between fantasy and reality in a truly remarkable way. His latest endeavor came to fruition upon the unsuspecting swipe of a friend’s Instagram story. St. Humain explains, “I had a little crush on her and saw on Instagram that she was hanging out with another guy and naturally — I began to be jealous, and maybe this is my toxic trait but I started imagining a whole scenario where they were literally going to get married. Turns out they were truly platonic housemates, but the feeling stuck. It’s the lingering afterburn of jealousy/longing that hurt, and trying to drown it out by drinking had zero effect.”
As St. Humain sings, “He’s got that better smile, he’s thinking ring and aisle, but I’m still here sipping whisky but it tastes like you”, his ravishing fables unravel with echoic vocal energy, sweeping synthesisers and a bulging bassline. Paying homage to his love of pop, inspired by artists like Lauv, Blxst, and Dua Lipa, St. Humain consolidates his status as an exceptional storyteller, one whose immersion and passion flow sublimely across his repertoire.
Having released his debut EP, EMOTIONAL SAUNA, in 2019 with Capitol Records, to the acclaim of Billboard, Live Nation’s Ones to Watch and Earmilk, to name a few, St. Humain is hoping to aid Asian representation in the music industry and prove that the dreams of a boy from the small country of Singapore aren’t just dreams. Following the success of his previous singles “Sick Sad Love Song” and “Memento”, he has racked up over a million streams to date for his music and it’s looking like he will continue to soar in success.
Reeny Smith here. I’m an R&B singer/songwriter from North Preston, Nova Scotia..
My songwriting is influenced by my background growing up singing and playing piano in a family of gospel musicians, though my professional career as a musician really started in 2011.
“Amber Lights” was inspired by a YouTube video I watched about a minor car fender bender at a traffic stop. The accident occurred while the amber light was on and for some odd reason, I was inspired by that idea and this song was written within the next hour.
Stream the soulful and dramatic “Amber Lights” here.
You can also watch the lyric video on YouTube.
For this production, I wanted to mix old-school soul elements with a modern R&B melody. I went with live instrumentation to help bring out the emotion I want, and really give the song an organic feel.
Always be cautious and take your time. There’s no need to be in a rush – whether it’s in love or obeying traffic laws.
Thanks for listening,
Reeny Smith
Emmy-nominated singer/songwriter and musician The White Buffalo has shared the haunting new single and video “Not Today,” out today, watch HERE. The song is the first single to be unveiled from his extraordinary forthcoming album Year Of The Dark Horse, set for release November 11 on Snakefarm Records, pre-order the album starting tomorrow, Friday, Sept 30, HERE.
Featuring the evocative vocals from Jake Smith (The White Buffalo) “Not Today” immediately draws the listener with its hopeful metaphor of the start of a new year which fades through a horserace and wanes as the days tick on until ultimately another year has passed us by. Jake sings: “Resolutions set, Life’s a boundless buffet, Find what’s pure and true, Strangulate my wicked ways, The month moves on and out resolutions fade, Can’t recall what they were, Were they ever even made? Pull It together man, Back on your horse and in the race, thought you were the favorite boy, In the stretch I pull up lame; Morning comes and goes I lie in bed awake, Maybe tomorrow, but no, not today; Today… The rise and fall so swift, invite the tired bones of winter to come on in.”
Recorded at Neon Cross Studios in Nashville, TN with Jay Joyce, “My forthcoming album is a sonic and lyrical journey of one lunar year in one man’s life” says Jake Smith, aka The White Buffalo. “Four seasons in 12 songs… Loosely based on my twisted truths and adventures. I wanted to show the seasonal effect on the heart and the mind. I also wanted to abandon, sonically, everything. Escape the acoustic clutches and genres I’ve been associated with and shackled to. I wanted to make my headphones album. Every song bleeds into the next.”
Casey Moon is a genre-defying multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and half of the production duo Zookids. Having handled production for artists such as Young Thug, Gunna and A Boogie with the Hoodie, writing for independent artists in the indie-pop world, and having played in a slough of rock bands over the years his style has absorbed an eclectic array of influences.
Over the course of 2022, Casey plans to release his trilogy of EPs: Fountains, Mirrors and Ashes. Each project Varies in genre and draws thematic influence from a different film or TV series. Listened to sequentially, the projects tell a story about growing up, love and loss.
Boasting a strong voice with an ear for pop melody, modern production and a dazzling live show, Casey is a truly singular act.
Brighton-based singer-songwriter vi0let unveils her debut EP ‘Believe Me When I Cry’ alongside her beautiful new single ‘Cream & Peaches’
Listen to Cream & Peaches HERE
Standout vocals and floating production depict those euphoric early moments of falling for someone. The soulful focus track comes as a dreamy moment on the EP, offering up a sweet 3.44 mins of escapism. Explaining more vi0let shares:“I was in the honeymoon stage with someone and one morning we woke up and it was a sunny day in Brighton. I had to go to the studio that morning so I left early, grabbed a coffee on the way and felt like I was on cloud 9. I never wanted this feeling to end, feeling so safe and comfortable.
I got in the studio and wrote Cream and Peaches in about 15 minutes, it just flowed out. It’s one of my favourite songs I’ve ever made especially because vocally I really put myself out of my “safe zone” and it motivated me to continue to push myself with what I’m capable of doing. Cream and Peaches is a flirty and fun love letter to the honeymoon stage.”
See below for the EP tracklist.
Believe Me When I Cry
- Going Places
- Over and Over (feat. Jymenik)
- Cream and Peaches
- Audience
- Falling Into Light
As the world takes notice of Noah Chenfeld, (songs like 2019’s “I Love Being Tired” has hit 1m streams, others aren’t far behind) the argument can be made that the notice is somewhat overdue. His corner-store casual vibe and scene-renowned reputation for pulling radio-ready hooks out of nearly any instrument in the room have landed him on pop-pedigreed liner notes and in buzzy touring line-ups all around his native NYC for over a decade. Even without the multiple nationwide tours with his downtown buzz-rock outfit, Rebounder, a tour t-shirt with his recent performances would require biblical-size text and a jeweler’s loupe to read.
While much of his work has a distinct, retro-facing power pop sound woven throughout, he’s perhaps best known for his chameleonic ability to effortlessly change stylistic lanes between the wide-eyed and chord-dense singer songwriter palette of his solo career and his ‘eyes-on-the-prize’ style of alt-pop hit making. Rebounder’s aptly titled “Change Shapes” comes to mind, which he co-wrote with Jesse Rutherford of The Neighbourhood, a frequent collaborator and ardent proponent of Chenfeld’s ringer talents.
His prodigious reputation has always been bolstered by a genuinely impressive knack for freestyling. An overwhelming response to one particular clip of him flexing the inexplicably underutilized skill on a live episode of podcast How Long Gone has followed him around for months.
Same Streets, Different City, his new LP of ‘born-here-still-here’ bonafides, is a rough-edged extension of his unabashedly grand approach to songcraft. His style has always challenged the oblique language and sonics of his peers, but on this latest record, his listenability levels up into an all-enveloping popscape with lyrics that roll up their sleeves and reach into the beating heart of each track. The themes are grand, his swings are wide, and the influence is classic. No surprise then, that his recent cover of ‘Born To Run’ received a nod from The Boss himself on his SiriusXM station.
Dark pop siren ari hicks has released her new music video “Midas” out today from her forthcoming EP It’s Not That Deep: Chapter 2.
Watch it HERE
“Midas” is a raw and authentic narrative of the importance of finding the beauty in the chaos that comes with life. With hauntingly rich piano chords, hard-hitting synths and a bass-heavy production that is drenched with hints of danger, “Midas” is an enthralling musical cautionary tale. ari’s distinctive otherworldly vocals ebb and flow into seductive melodies, enticing listeners at every note. The relatable and deeply important mental health narrative is about “making peace with your decisions and the consequences of your actions,” she confides. “The story of Midas is a cautionary tale, the perfect example of the phrase “be careful what you wish for”. I’m someone that has a hard time convincing myself not to dwell, and has an even harder time pulling myself out of it once there. This song is representative of that moment of peace in letting something go and turning into something that no longer hinders you but strengthens you. Like I said, there’s beauty in chaos, I’d love to encourage more and more people to find it for themselves,” ari further proclaims.
“Midas” is the first single off of her upcoming EP It’s Not That Deep: Chapter 2. The darker sister follows her critically acclaimed EP It’s Not That Deep: Chapter 1, which garnered acclaim by the likes of LADYGUNN who described it as a “fiercely and empowering EP” and by NOTION who proclaimed ari as a “dark pop siren who is one to watch”. It’s Not That Deep: Chapter 2 explores the rollercoasters of everyday life, the emotional upheaval and complexity of being human as well as the theme of acceptance. Both EPs encompass the upcoming album It’s Not That Deep, an honest and bold storybook about unapologetically stepping into your power and a riveting soundtrack of entering your Villain Era. Each Chapter is a collage of stories and experiences that were derived to hone in on the concept of reclaiming your power.
ari hicks has firmly proved herself as a top artist to watch this year. Reigning as a Live Nation’s “Ones to Watch 2022” with nearly 200k TikTok followers and earning acclaim from the likes of Wonderland, Vogue, Alt Press and many more. She further has over 7 million streams across platforms and her music has received acclaimed from popular Spotify playlists including New Music Friday, Pop Rising and SALT among others.
Email: neill@outloudculture.com
