Ela Ozturk is a Turkish-American singer/songwriter, who found her love for music as young as the early age of six years old. Ela Ozturk pulls from a variety of influences, inspired by strong female vocalists such as the likes of Etta James, Aretha Franklin, and Adele, Ela Ozturk found herself drawn towards their soulful voices and expressive lyrics. Growing up in the Bay Area and having a Turkish background helped expose Ela Ozturk to a wide variety of artists, genres, and musical movements. Ela Ozturk’s unique blend of Blues, Jazz, R&B, Blue-eyed soul, and Pop, paired with her powerhouse vocals and confessional lyrics, helps her stand out as one of the new and exciting artists to watch out for.
Coco Bevan is the self-proclaimed Pop Princess of Sydney, a rising artist who aims to bring striking authenticity and unfiltered joy to the table.
Emerging from a trained musical theater background, Coco’s artistic upbringing spans from dancing to acting, making her a natural-born performer who found confidence and self-assurance in front of an audience from a young age. Her evolution into singing and songwriting spawned from a personal self-discovery journey during the pandemic, which had her turning her life around to pursue music. Coco has been crafting her sound ever since then: writing and recording demos, and uploading covers, she released her debut single “Rebel Soul” in July 2022. She has spent the past three months in Los Angeles, working with producers and creating new music which puts creative collaboration at its core.
Her energetic, uplifting sound is inspired by early 2000s pop icons; Coco describes her own signature genre of music as ‘girly electro pop’, focused on telling stories and blending genres between pop and electronic music. Committed to being unapologetically herself, Coco writes and performs music about love, heartbreak, life experiences, and oversharing – characterizing her emotions in a curated, eclectic chaos that speaks deeply to the euphoria and anxieties of being a young, emotional person.
Coco’s latest release “Bruised Ego” is a post-heartbreak anthem with catchy lyrics made to scream along to, releasing anger through the relatable experiences of dating a self-entitled person. The song is inspired by Coco’s own intense relationships, paired with her friends’ experiences with heartbreak, disappointment and revenge. In “Bruised Ego”, Coco brings together quintessentially electro-pop sounds with the drama and theatrics of vendetta, violins and voicemails – a trifecta that reflects her extravagant personality.
Coco’s glittery, bubbly and multi-faceted personality extends beyond singing, as she shares snippets of her life through day-in-the-life vlogs, her extravagant fashion, and has branched out into DJing at nightlife events. Coco Bevan is redefining what it means to be a cool girl – she was born to be in the spotlight, and to make music able to express her personality and emotions in all forms.
global rock sensation Evol Walks releases her anthemic new single “Sleeping with a Ghost,” co-written & Produced by Brian Howes (Airbourne, Daughtry, Halestorm, Skillet, Nickelback). The thunderous track taps into a harder, more aggressive sound as Australian vocalist Leah Martin-Brown confronts herself head-first with brutal truths and hard-hitting lyrics. As an advocate for AFSP (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention) and LIVIN (mental health education program), Martin-Brown’s lyrics contain an underlying message of tough love and growth with an empowering rock ‘n’ roll soundtrack.
“Sleeping with a Ghost was written as a letter to myself- the parts of me that I didn’t like or didn’t want. By creating this ‘other’ version of myself in this track, I could tell her exactly how I felt- I could tear her down so I could begin rebuilding myself anew.” – Leah Martin-Brown, Vocalist of Evol Walks
Evol Walks has been unapologetically kicking down stage doors of iconic venues worldwide since 2014. Their ferocious approach to hard rock is fueled by their “take no prisoners” attitude, classically inspired yet modern guitar riffs, and a lead vocalist who oozes an unrivaled passion, tenacity, and ferocity for all things rock and roll.
Formed in Los Angeles, CA by Australian flame-haired songwriter & lead vocalist Leah Martin-Brown, Evol Walks was very quickly revered as an act on a quest for world domination. After touring through Europe, West Coast USA, and Australia and releasing two EPs that received rave reviews from global rock heavyweights worldwide, Evol Walks were signed by Jens Lundberg to the Swedish Management company Blue Lemon Management.
In the midst of a global pandemic, the band’s songwriter and vocalist Leah Martin-Brown was whisked away to Stockholm, Sweden where they’ve continued releasing high-octane singles as Evol Walks prepared for a full-length album release. Following the path paved by rock goddesses like Joan Jett, Lzzy Hale, and Amy Lee – Evol Walks possesses the merciless passion, musical craftsmanship, and fiery spirit (and hair) to continue pushing the way forward for the next predecessors of female powerhouses.
Twin sisters, Rae and Nicole, known together as RaeCola, are DJ’s and producers making a wave in the House scene. With their underground, booty bass sound, these ladies add edge and a new era feel to each set with their beats and connection with the crowd. Hailing from Chicago, the birthplace of House music, RaeCola pays homage to the foundation of the genre, while paving the road for what’s to come.
As they begin tailoring their original catalog, Rae and Nicole have put together their music interests and talents. Growing up on the Southside, the twins were introduced to House at a young age and instantly fell in love with the contagious drum beats. As they grew older, they combined their love for House with other eclectic music they enjoyed to create their own sound within the scene.
Today, they specialize in producing self-renowned Ghetto Tech House, fusing “Ghetto House” with “Tech House” to create irresistible drumbeats, slapping basslines, and enticing vocals. With musical influences like DJ Slugo, Ghettoblaster and DJ Godfather, RaeCola emulates a juke style while incorporating their own new era, signature sound.
With a passion for connection and love, they raise the vibrations and energy with each set, encouraging all to have fun with no judgment and with unconditional love for their neighbor.
After headlining Drake’s OVO homecoming kick-off last month, Canadian icon Shawn Desman marks an unprecedented return to the limelight for one of Canada’s biggest musical success stories. This top charting, multi-platinum selling, award-winning artist has created some of the most recognized songs of the past two decades. With fans across the country, undeniable talent, and music that just sticks – Shawn Desman is ready to take things to the next level.
Desman comes from an groundbreaking era of Canadian music, that paved the way for the next generation of artists we see today. With a deep history of success, he exploded onto the scene, making waves across the country with his signature sound and style. Making his mark on an entire generation of Canadians, Desman achieved incredible accolades including 5 Platinum selling singles, a Platinum selling album, multiple chart-topping radio hits, and a plethora of awards including a JUNO Award for R&B Sound Recording of the Year, 3 MMVA’s, and multiple SOCAN Awards for his songwriting.
Los Angeles based multi-instrumentalist Scott Goldbaum, whose credits include Sting, LAUV, Keith Urban, Skylar Grey, Charlotte Lawrence and Maddie Poppe, is releasing his first solo EP “Protector” this fall.
Prior to his five year hiatus from releasing music, Scott Goldbaum’s speciality was in providing “transient and breathtaking guitar work” (The Deli Magazine) as well as “beautifully textured vocals” (Indie Music Filter)both on stage and in the studio fronting his former bands Forebear, Wise Cub and The Harm.
With songwriting cuts regarded by Consequence of Sound “as an exhilarating testament to abilities” his brand new EP is sure to satisfy fans of the artists whose music inspired the production including Chris Isaak, Radiohead, Bombay Bicycle Club and Damien Rice.
“Protector” is his self produced folk-infused indie rock EP with lush string arrangements by Molly Rogers (Hans Zimmer, Game of Thrones), upright bass from Kaveh Rastegar (Sting, John Legend, Bruce Springstein), drums/percussion by Kiel Feher (Selena Gomez, Zella Day) and mixing from the famed ScottGordon (Alannis Morissette, Alexi Murdoch).
Thematically, the record follows a vulnerable character who’s in need of protection as he becomes the protector of others. “Drive Too Fast” is a face first collision course into the dark corners of a speed induced lifestyle. Whereas “Trigger Finger” takes place in a school, a grocery store, a parade, a place of worship or just about any other public gathering place in America. “Blood Knot” acknowledges the roots you grew out of and the tree limbs you wish to keep attached while others tear off in the wind. In contrast to the beginning of the EP, “Mourning Coffee” makes a distinction between codependency and partnerships that are chosen and decisively cared for while the world is falling apart around you. “Incremental” is a mediation to stay on the course of progress and empowerment, despite the shadows that closely follow.
Upcoming tour date:
December 2nd, Hotel Cafe, Los Angeles, CA
Action/Adventure have released another pop-punk anthem with today’s offering “Autopilot”.
Speaking about ‘Autopilot’ the band said ‘We like to think this song encapsulates the monotonous pursuit of chasing a dream. We started writing this song during a time where we were really running a lather, rinse, repeat gambit. We had band practices starting in the evening going into the AM often resulting in rough morning commutes. We spent weekends driving hours away to play shows for gas money to get home. We had to miss important friends and family events because there was always another gig, rehearsal, or miscellaneous band event to take precedence. After a while it just becomes clockwork. You’d review the year of backbreaking work in exchange for what felt like a smidge of progress begging the question: Is all of this sacrifice worth it? I think the release of this song years later answers that question. Paired with instrumentals that immediately get your head nodding, the song cooly coasts giving an anthemic vibe that aims to get you singing along. With any creative endeavour it can take years of blood, sweat, and tears before getting to those 30 minute live sets of euphoria. And we can’t wait to experience those moments soon.’
Get acquainted with exciting newcomer SOMOH (Pronounced Soe-Mow”) who today releases the video to your latest new indie-alternative obsession, “Anything.” Much like her upcoming tracks on her debut EP “A Plan To Get Home” out next year, this track is a profoundly emotional, well-crafted song that explores her relatable feelings of love, friendship, family, and hardship. “Anything” is available everywhere online via Tiny Library Records.
Give SOMOH’s “Anything” a listen now; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gM_9SSQ8qc
Speaking about “Anything,” SOMOH whose real name is Sophia Mohan said “This song is about coming to terms with your love for someone & knowing that you’d do just about anything for them. It’s a scary but beautiful feeling to fall that deeply for a person.” The song was produced and mixed by Joel Johnston, who has also produced and mixed SOMOH’s entire debut EP out on his own label, penciled in Spring 2023.
Speaking about her upcoming releases, SOMOH said “I’m really proud of this body of work, it’s been a long time coming. The main focus of this EP is about the transitional stages of life from childhood to your early 20s where part of you doesn’t feel ready to face all the changes. I think these songs convey a lot of those situations you have to deal with as you realise the world isn’t all sunshine and rainbows (e.g falling in love, coming to realisations about the people around you, how you treat yourself). I hope that people listening can find a part of their own story in my songs, it’s always nice to feel like you’re not alone in how you’re feeling.”
SOMOH is Sophia Mohan’s nickname and artist alias. She is 20 years old and hails from Ealing, London, born to a British father and an Italian mother. In her formative years, which she will tell “was a mess” when it came to listening to music, citing anything from Katy Perry to Neck Deep to The 1975 as artists she followed along with pop-punk that still has a special place in her heart. With her music influences more settled now, her music is currently influenced by Indigo De Souza, Alex G, The Japanese House, Adrianne Lenker and Far Caspian.
Riches is the manifestation of an ongoing dialogue between Catherine McCandless (of Young Galaxy) and Wynn Holmes (choreographer). It is a multidisciplinary, intercontinental collaboration of music, dance and performance. Songs are the first iteration of the project, and take a narrative approach to themes concerning the performance of creative rituals, identity, transgression and devotion. “Shadow Of You” is their latest single, a slow burning, self-produced ode to transcendental longing.
Multiplatinum and genre-fusing rapper Trippie Redd releases the official video for his new single “Ain’t Safe” featuring GRAMMY-nominated hip-hop artist Don Toliver. Watch it HERE and get the song HERE via 10K Projects.
Directed by Nolan Riddle [Juice Wrld, Kid Laroi], the visual finds the two rappers vibing out in a lush otherworldly landscape, before making their way into a dark, strobe-lit strip club with alien dancers. The audio, which dropped Friday, has already amassed over 3 million streams and gained attention from the likes of Rolling Stone, Complex, and HotNewHipHop who said, “Trippie’s year isn’t over yet, and his fourth single of the year is a catchy, woozy cut.”
The smooth, hard-hitting track comes after Trippie was just included in “Top 100 Most Streamed Artists of 2022” according to HITS, landing right behind Megan Thee Stallion, and follows previous double-pack singles “Save Me, Please” and “1st Degree Murder,” which quickly zoomed to over 12 million streams and were hailed by the likes of XXL, HotNewHipHop, UPROXX, Hypebeast and more.
Brooklyn-born rapper Lola Brooke achieves a new milestone for her viral hit “Don’t Play With It,” featuring fellow Brooklynite Billy B. The official music video, directed by Starr Mazi and creative directed by Lola Brooke has now landed 1 million + organic views via YouTube.
WATCH THE OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO HERE
“Don’t Play With It,” has gone on to become a natural global hit, having amassed engagements on social media platforms (Tik Tok, Instagram, Twitter) in the multi-millions and favor from Hip Hop heavyweights Cardi B, Meek Mill, Latto, JT (City Girls). Media outlets such as XXL, Hype Bae, Essence, Notion Magazine, and more have praised the single for its irresistibly refreshing appeal reminiscent of the New York drill music scene.
On an unbreakable hot streak with no signs of ceasing, Lola Brooke has proven to be a force with her magnetic appeal as she carries the city of Brooklyn with her as the next face of New York.
MICA MILLAR
‘SOUL ACT OF THE YEAR’
WINNER AT JAZZ FM AWARDS 2022
Soul Album of the Month ★★★★★ – Echoes Magazine
“A star with intense emotional sincerity is born.” ★★★★ – Blues and Soul
“Her voice is amazing and her originals feel timeless and euphoric.” – Daily Mirror
“A classy debut.” – Daily Express
Cementing her position as one of the UK’s brightest new stars, Mica Millar wins ‘Soul Act of the Year’ at Jazz FM Awards 2022, alongside a second nomination for ‘Breakthrough Act of the Year.’
Each year the prestigious Jazz FM Awards celebrate the utmost excellence of emerging soul and jazz musicians, and this year stars from across the international music scene descended on Shoreditch Town Hall, with Mica opening the ceremony with a special live performance.
The monumental win follows on from two massive album launch shows Mica played in September for the release of her debut album ‘Heaven Knows’, with a sold out show at the capital’s prestigious Jazz Café followed by a special hometown performance filling out the iconic Albert Hall in Manchester, from which she shares a live performance of her song ‘Will I See You Again’ to celebrate – watch HERE.
On her win, Mica says: “I’ve never won an award before so this feels really special. I just love soul music so much and it’s taught me so many lessons about love, empowerment, hope, faith, lessons in history… for me, it’s also taught me how to connect with and express matters of the soul and I’m so grateful for this. To win ‘Soul Act of the Year’ is really incredible.
Previous recipients of the ‘Soul Act of the Year’ award include Philip Bailey, Jon Batiste, Jill Scott, Moonchild and Poppy Ajudha.
“This year really has felt like a year of breaking through, it’s been incredible and I’m so grateful to everyone for all of the support I’ve received since releasing ‘Heaven Knows’ and particularly to Jazz FM who have been amazing at really getting behind me and the album. To be acknowledged for my work in a genre that I have so much respect and love for is a real honor”.
Chloe Florence is a euphoric singer-songwriter hailing from Montreal, Canada. Across her repertoire, her love for singing and songwriting, and her truly remarkable authenticity shine brightly, recognising her as an exceptional artist that bridges pop and R&B into a sound all of her own. Emerging from a family of musicians, her natural ability to visualise a song both instrumentally and lyrically is something her great-grandmother excelled at. Add in the vagabond spice of a Gypsy great-aunt and it’s easy to understand Chloe’s ability to bring her chronicles to life through her enriching musicality.
Combining her multi-instrumentalist talents and remarkable vocal performances with producer Lucas Liberatore, she is soaring back into the scene with her latest single “Synergy”, alongside featured artist Myles Lloyd. In a collaboration like no other, her latest endeavour explores a recurring late night romance, one which finesses her ability to showcase the very highs and lows of self-discovery. She confides, “Sonically, Synergy embodies the tipping point, right before one confesses their feelings for the other. They’re addicted to playing with fire as they haven’t been burned (yet). There are feelings hidden under covers and subliminal messages found between the lines of their late-night conversations – in bed and during late night drives. The lyrics depict the situationship as lustful, mysterious, dangerous, and intense.”
Fast-rising artist and creative talent Jazzie Martian unleashes the intoxicating, jaw-droppingly cinematic visuals for his latest release “Future”. The Nottingham-born, London-based singer and rapper Jazzie Martian emerges immediately as a significant new talent. Showcasing meticulous flows and style that transcends any traditional expectation of genre, “Future” marks the Jamaican native in his own lane as he effortlessly manoeuvres through sharped percussion and rolling
bass lines, exploring the layered musings of spirituality and the limitless power connected to growth.
Through an infectious official music video, “Future” is awakened by Jazzie’s abstract choreography, with gritty colour tones that perfectly personify the frantic sonics. Clearly a standout video amongst UK offerings this year, “Future” will continue the attention around a rising star that’s already receiving attention from some of the UK’s significant tastemakers in Capital Xtra’s Ras Kwame, NME and Mixmag. It’s also landed a huge sync on the latest American Express TV advert.
Growing up in a busy Caribbean household, Jazzie was exposed to the rich cultural and spiritual traditions that have clearly fashioned his creative artistry, developing a deep passion for dance, choreography and expressive movement which lead to an early performance at Glastonbury before his career as a musical artist had started.
A truly multi-hyphenate talent, the release of “Future” looks set to underline Jazzie and his innovative, expressive talent as a key rising name in the UK landscape.
ADDIE BRIK has released her singular new track: “The First Odd Prime”.
WATCH HERE || SPOTIFY HERE || APPLE MUSIC HERE
They say all good things arrive in threes, and the third single to be cut from Addie’s upcoming album ‘That Dog Don’t Hunt’ (out 25 November, via Itza Records) is a prime example.
A song that dwells upon the laws of the ultimate numbers game, “The First Odd Prime” finds Addie reflecting on Fibonacci’s revolutionary sequence, and the natural order of things. As Addie explains:
“This is about compassion, as seen through the lens of Nature, The Golden Ratio, Fibonacci Numbers, with the fairy dust of the Charles Laughton film, Night of The Hunter, thrown in for colour.”
Dublin maximalist rockers – THUMPER – have unveiled their new single “Summer Assault”, out now via Reckless Records.
STREAM ON ALL SERVICES HERE || YOUTUBE HERE
“Summer Assault” sees THUMPER venture into new territory as they release their first brand new offering since their debut album released in 2022. The single comes off the back of their extensive European, UK and Irish tour, including sell out shows in Amsterdam, London, Paris and Dublin’s Whelan’s. The bombastic Dublin outfit have also played at Sŵn Festival in Cardiff and are gearing up for a set at RTE 2FM’s Rising on the Road.
THUMPER came thundering into the ESNS Radio Charts with their last single “25”, gaining support from Kink, kexp, BBC R1 Future Artists with Jack Saunders and BBC R1 Future Alternative. They featured as the face of Spotify‘s ‘All New Punk’ as well as gaining editorial support from Amazon Music. Championed heavily by BBC Radio 1 DJ Gemma Bradley and many more, “Summer Assault” is sure to be THUMPER’s biggest single yet.
“Summer Assault” is a vignette of self sabotage, an anthem of small failure. It’s about a doomed relationship that carries on regardless — a narrator banging on the glass trying to warn the song’s inhabitants. Each melody and hook competes for space over an ever expanding wall of guitars, bass and their signature double drums. In just over three minutes, “Summer Assault” sees THUMPER boil their trademark noise wall into an ear worm of a pop song.
An artist’s greatest super power is freedom. Liberation is both the modus operandi and main ingredient of the fearless five-man band Phony Ppl. Comprised of the cream of Brooklyn’s young musician crop: Elbee Thrie, Aja Grant, Matthew Byas, Elijah Rawk, and Bari Bass, each classically trained member is a product of musical parents who gifted their children exceptional DNA, exposure to the greats and, most importantly, wings for exploration and self-discovery. The result is a collective that’s as limitless as its music; one that has received praise from the likes of Tyler The Creator and Childish Gambino, performed with Erykah Badu, Jill Scott and The Roots, and killed festivals, late night television and their own residency at New York City’s legendary Blue Note.
Recent highlights for Phony Ppl include their 2020 set on Megan Thee Stallion’s “NPR Tiny Desk” where the artists previewed their collaboration “Fkn Around” which ultimately went viral. Shortly after marked the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which delayed the band’s album plans but saw the release of their next single “On My Shit” ft. Joey Bada$$ and their nationwide tour.
Phony Ppl’s new album Euphonyus is set to release this fall and will jumpstart a new chapter in the band’s story. The band’s sonic approach to the album is to connect the dots between the different feelings each song provides; housing songs that are danceable, vibrant, and joyful under the same roof as songs that are laced with sadness, sorrow, and lust.
Delivering one of the most talked-about releases of the fall, St. Louis artist, rapper, songwriter, producer, and disruptor Smino maintains his momentum with the premiere of the music video for his buzzing single “90 Proof” [with J. Cole]. It remains one of many standouts from Luv 4 Rent—his third album and debut project with Motown Records, in partnership with Zero Fatigue. Listen to the album HERE, and watch the “90 Proof” music video HERE. Download the “90 Proof” video social assets HERE.
Directed by filmmaker Philip Youmans, the big screen-ready visual opens in idyllic fashion by focusing on Smino and J. Cole amongst friends before it takes a strange and dark turn, mirroring the ebb and flow of this epic funkified trip. You’ll have to check it out to find out what happens in this neo-soul hip-hop Southern Gothic thrill ride…
A while back, vocalist CVIRO and producer GXNXVS met and instantly bonded over the sound and spirit of nineties R&B and soul. As if meant to make music together all along, GXNXVS showed up to their first encounter with his recording gear in tow. Not long after, the duo bubbled up out of Australia and into the international conversation by 2014. The breakout “Benjamins” announced their arrival, piling up 8.1 million Spotify streams and counting. “Problem” and “Lady” posted up millions of Spotify streams, and “Sober” eclipsed 8.2 million Spotify streams. Along the way, OVO Sound Radio and Beats 1 championed their music. Not to mention, global super model and style icon Bella Hadid played CVIRO & GXNXVS on her social media to tens of millions of followers. Receiving widespread praise, Earmilk exclaimed, “Each new song possesses equally as much flava as the last,” and HYPEBEAST praised the single “Caught Up” as “reminiscent of 90s throwback R&B with its smooth but bouncy production and vocal delivery.” Perhaps, Acclaim put it best, “Their sound is smooth and sexy, a fusion of old school R&B sounds with modern neo-soul.” With EPs such as Now You Know [2018] and The Sequel [2020] under their belt, their collective work ethic simply never relented. Now, they reignite, reshape, and recharge R&B with futuristic flair and cinematic nuance on their 2022 debut EP for Red Bull Records, Come On In, introduced by the single “Nasty” [feat. Jean Deaux].
Headie One announces full details of his No Borders: European Compilation Project. It will be available at all DSPs on November 11th, and is available for pre-save HERE. Along with the announcement, Headie shares “Link In The Ends” featuring French rapper Koba LaD. Get the song HERE and watch the official music video HERE.
Curating this project over the last few years, No Borders has been a personal journey for Headie, collaborating with artists from every corner of the European continent, including Shiva (Italy), Hamza (Belgium), Yasin (Sweden), Kalim (Germany), Pajel (Germany) and Nej (France).
Influenced by their upbringing in their homeland, each of these artists have their own story to tell, told in their unique style and flow in collaboration with Headie One on No Borders.
Headie has been teasing the project over the past several months, releasing tracks “Bigger Than Life” ft. Frenna, “Cloud” ft. Luciano and “22 Carats” ft. Gazo.
No Borders: European Compilation Project Tracklist
1. 22 Carats ft. Gazo
2. Place ft. Pajel and Dezzie
3. No Resellers ft. Shiva
4. Cloud ft. Luciano
5. Bigger Than Life ft. Frenna
6. Spaceship ft. Chivv
7. Shotgxn ft. Kalim
8. I Got You ft. Hamza
9. Link In The Ends ft. Koba LaD
10. Paro ft. Nej
11. Relationships ft. Nej
12. Smooth ft. Yasin
Forward-thinking producer and singer-songwriter OddKidOut today joined forces with Seattle-based rapper Macntaj for their new single, “CODES,” on Monstercat. The hip-hop meets electronic record sat as a flip to Big L’s “MVP” for nearly two years, but upon revisiting his work, the finger drumming mastermind turned it into a punchy crossover collab with glitchy breakbeat drums and dexterous rap verses from Macntaj. Although hip-hop has always influenced OddKidOut’s project, the new single sees him produce outside of his typical range, flexing his versatile musical stylings.
OddKidOut shares, “My ultimate goal with this track was to bridge hip-hop and EDM in a new, refreshing, and genuine way that excites both hip-hop heads and EDM lovers.”
Macntaj adds, “OddKidOut couldn’t have sent this record to me at a better time. I’ve been on an extended break from everything art for the last 10 months after a hectic year prior. At first listen, I was instantly inspired and able to get a lot of frustration out on this record. I spoke on a few things I have yet to even touch on in my solo music.”
Growing up listening to ‘90s era hip-hop with inspirations spanning J Dilla, Pete Rock, Mobb Deep, and more, the instrumental producer OddKidOut’s beat-making momentum sky-rocketed after signing to OWSLA in 2017. Fast-forward to 2021, he won the Goldie Awards’ Beat Battle and signed with Monstercat, since garnering support and collaborations with Skrillex, NanaBcool, and a remix for Tove Lo. Next, OddKidOut is set to play festival slots at EDC Orlando this November and We Are Friends in December with more shows and releases to come in 2023.
Linking with Seattle-based rapper Macntaj was no surprise, as he’s one of the most in-demand rappers for EDM tastemakers. His authentic lyrics and sultry vocals have been featured on records with Black Tiger Sex Machine, Kai Wachi, UZ, among others. Macntaj’s multi-genre work has taken his solo career to new heights, with his debut album ‘Big Bloc Meign’ taking off in 2021, spurring collaborations with X-Raided, TeZATalks, and more.
Gearing up for a major moment, African superstar singer and songwriter TYLA returns with a brand-new single entitled “To Last” today via FAX Records/Epic Records. It notably marks her first release since 2021.
Listen to “To Last” HERE.
The track layers a head-nodding bass line above an Amapiano-style groove. She leans into this soundscape with confessional lyrics such as “You never gave us a chance, it’s like you never wanted us to last.” Taking a left turn, the momentum spirals into a dancefloor-ready bounce uplifted by her vocal echoes.
Stay tuned for the premiere of a cinematic music video to accompany the single very soon.
Last year, Tyla made waves with “Overdue” [feat. DJ Lag & Kooldrink]. In addition to piling up over million streams, it soundtracked the Season 2 trailer for NETFLIX’s Blood and Water.
Tyla initially broke through with the 2020 smash “Getting Late” [feat. Kooldrink]. Beyond generating over 5 million streams and counting, it inspired widespread praise from PAPER, i-D, and more.
Tyla is ready “To Last” in 2022.
Ready to leave a mark on the culture, the Never Broke Again collective standout Meechy Baby unleashes a stirring and soul-shaking new single and music video entitled “Son” today via Never Broke Again, LLC/Motown Records. Stream it and watch the video HERE.
The track’s intense production sets a melancholic tone as Meechy launches into a searing verse with the admission, “I lost two kids in two years, I’m dead up inside.” He wrestles with suicidal ideation, addiction, and darkness in between an arresting refrain. The accompanying visual utilizes Grand Theft Auto-style video game animation to depict his descent in harrowing fashion. It proves just as confessional and caustic as his words do.
“Son” sets the stage for more to come from Meechy Baby, paving the way for the arrival of his upcoming solo album Who Is Meechy 2—due out soon.
Meechy Baby also lit up “Out Da Raq” from Never Broke Again’s recent compilation Nightmare On 38th St. Right out of the gate, the project earned plugs from XXL, HipHopDX, The Source, and HotNewHipHop who hailed “Out Da Raq” as “a high note from Meechy Baby.”
Stay tuned for more from Meechy Baby!
Nashville-based singer and songwriter Caroline Romano returns with her new single, “Me After September,” out on all streaming platforms today.
Following her upbeat indie-pop track “Chopstix,” “Me After September” is a propulsive alt-pop ballad about struggling to move on from a past relationship. “I wrote ‘Me After September’ about someone I fell for earlier this year. When things ended, I had this fear that he was going to move forward and forget about me while I just wanted to stay in Summer, and heartbreak, and things that reminded me of him,” says Caroline. “My birthday is in September, and I think my fear was that turning a year older without him was going to make the ending of things all too real. ‘Me After September’ is about clinging to anything to stay where you once were. Sometimes the act of moving on just feels all too final.”
Pop singer and songwriter Alexa Cappelli shares her holiday single, “Last Christmas,” out now on Arista Records. Led by her sweet vocals and glistening pop-driven production, Alexa puts her own twist on Wham!’s hit holiday song and makes it wholly her own.
“This song carries both nostalgia for past loves and the anticipation of new,” Alexa writes. “When listening to ‘Last Christmas’ I can’t help but think about where I was and who I was with on past holidays, while also thinking of how much could change by the time it’s here again. Every year it always hits different, even if I’m my own new ‘someone special.’”
Skofee is a rising pop artist based in Los Angeles. Her music is left-of-center while maintaining melodies that satisfy the inner earworm, featuring candid yet affecting lyrics and lush harmonies over decadent tracks.
Born and raised in Wichita Kansas, Skofee’s house was filled with bluegrass and folk music. After attending high school in Boulder, CO and college at the University of Southern California, Skofee took her love for the music she grew up with and translated it into a more pop-based sound. Her 2020 debut Polished EP received incredible reviews from the likes of tastemaker press outlets including Ones To Watch, EARMILK, and even the LA Weekly, who said, “Skofee’s sound is super-contemporary, combining indie and pop to create a gorgeous, lush and emotional alt-pop vibe that certainly recalls Alison Krauss as well as the likes of Lorde.”
2021 saw the release of the Post Pop Remix of her single “Spiderman” (Post Pop being the moniker of producer Stefan Skarbek, who has worked with the likes of Amy Winehouse, Lily Allen and Jamiroquai among others). This uptempo reworking saw several months of airplay on local KROQ-FM, arguably the most influential Alternative radio station in the country. In July 2022, Skofee released an incredible duet with famed Dutch singer/songwriter/producer and Grammy nominee Cimo Fränkel – a remake of Fränkel’s hit single “Where Do You Hide Your Love” which saw support from tastemaker radio outlet KCRW and was placed in A-list rotation on Amazing Radio USA.
Skofee’s sophomore EP, Joyland, set for a release in late 2022, touches on love, loss and the search for happiness in familiar places. Its release will be preceded by several singles from the collection including the tropical house-tinged end-of-summer banger “Wind Up Hero” and “Quicksand” a relatable 90’s pop fused anthem about letting go.
Blackburn four-piece THE ILLICITS are back with their blazing new single “Modern Life”.
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Fresh off the back of a packed out hometown show earlier this month, and hot on the heels of sensational earlier release “Feel It”, the amped-up new release blisters with live-ready, rollicking rock energy that nods to the genre’s pioneering past masters.
With fractious, looping guitar lines, relentless drum smashes and twangy, Britpop-tinted vocals, “Modern Life” tells a timely tale of a dilapidated and defective society. As songwriter and guitarist Brad Hayes explains:
“”Modern Life” promotes a voice of the disenfranchised youth. It best summarises our story as a band so far: razor-tongued lyrics, relentless energy and stadium-sized choruses. We rely on new writing tools to open up new avenues for social commentary. On this track we use a 12-bar blues, late ‘50s-inspired guitar riff — most commonly used by the likes of Jerry Lee Lewis and Eddie Cochran — to help shift our narrative to present times.”
Written in the summer of 2022 in the band’s rehearsal room, the smouldering new track was recorded live at Prism Studios to provide its raw, punky edge, and produced by Shaun Lowe.
Blending scorching social observations with infectious riffs and mordant melodies, the new track sees the band hone in on their propulsive “terrace punk” sound as they bring the post-industrial imagery of their own northern towns to the fore.
Milan-based singer-songwriter QUARRY is set to release his new single: “New City Comes Along”, taken from his new album ‘Positioning The Sun’ out now.
Paying homage to the victims caught up in the Ukraine war, “New City Comes Along” seeks to shine a light on the stories of those citizens whose lives are completely destroyed by such conflict. As Quarry explains:
“A city devastated by bombing and reduced to rubble is one of the most heartbreaking things to see. How many stories are behind those bodies scattered along the streets, those destroyed buildings that were once warm houses to families. I wrote this song thinking of a beautiful city like Kyiv falling into ruin, but it could be any city destroyed by warfare. New cities will, eventually, come along through the skin of the razed ones.”
ARLISTON release their majestic new EP ‘Even In The Shade’ (via Sob Story Records).
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Ornate indie-pop that is at once devastatingly beautiful and dazzlingly ambitious, ‘Even In The Shade’ arrives as another gleaming milestone in Arliston’s upward trajectory. With their consistency and knack for rich melodies and contemplative atmospherics paying-off, the new EP is the sound of a band exceeding their potential — and not afraid to reach further.
Written during a transitional period that would be divisive and uncertain for most bands, Arliston managed to transform a daunting situation into a more fruitful one. George Hasbury explains:
“We had just lost our drummer, amicably, so we were a little adrift as we started making this EP. The first song we wrote was “Mothering”, which was sort of inherently smaller without a dummer’s presence. But it still felt good and like Arliston and after that the rest of the songs quickly emerged.”
From the quiet circumspection on “Mothering” to the plucky and playful ‘80s-tinged “Hold My Wine”, ‘Even In The Shade’ is a clear and confident departure from Arliston’s previous work; illustrating deftly how the band’s sound continues to shift and evolve in new and unexpected ways.
A stellar display of the duo’s breadth — even whilst attempting to navigate the changing dynamics and logistical issues that come with being down a drummer — the new EP sees earlier singles accompanied by three previously unheard tracks. From the intricate acoustics of “Tombstone Teeth”, to the infinite and all-encompassing percussion on “‘TV Dinner”, or the quietly caressing keys and fluttering beats on “Sydenham Place”, the EP shows the band’s nous for classic songwriting refracted through an Arliston lens.
Produced by the duo and mix-mastered by Brett Shaw (Foals, Florence and the Machine), Jack Ratcliffe adds:
“I think we feel like we’re only just finding our feet with the project and where we want it to go, and that’s a really exciting feeling! We’re starting to get the feedback and the response that we’d hoped for so we’re more energised than ever.”
https://slinky.to/EvenInTheShade
Up-and-coming Italian artist GaDDel makes a remarkable statement with the heartfelt “I Don’t Suffer Anymore” – the first single from his debut album, coming out next year.
Turning all elements of his everyday life into songs, “I Don’t Suffer Anymore” is co-produced by the London-based talent and emerges after an intense personal period of anguish and adversity, exacerbated by strained family relations.
An ode to starting again, the minimal production of catchy guitar riffs allows GaDDel’s raspy vocals to take centre stage and deliver the track’s poignant, empowering lyrics in full capacity.
GaDDel made the following statement about “I Don’t Suffer Anymore”: “This song is all about learning how to love myself and explores my experience dealing with depression after a very hard period of my life where suicidal thoughts were my everyday reality. During that period, I seriously thought about taking my life and almost did it. From that extreme pain, I wanted to share a message to never give up, feel what you feel and guide you to your true self. I think it’s really important to share this message with the world. In the first verse, I speak to my younger self as a way of telling myself that what I went through is not part of my life anymore.”
New York City singer-songwriter and producer ADE has released his cosmic new EP ‘Junk In Orbit’, along with spacey focus track “Ambivert”.
Like a lone shooting star slicing through a bewildering and boundless night sky, “Ambivert” sees Ade cut through the noise of our online age with an expert alloy of sleek synthesisers and fizzing pop polish.
Ever the musical shapeshifter, Ade cites Mark Mothersbaugh and Blink-182 as inspirations as he cheekily blends these influences with internet-induced anxiety and sharp-tongued humour.
With more affable and introspective moments pitted against meteoric choruses that bubble over with squirming synths, clattering drum crashes and a deluge of driving guitars, the track is “written from the perspective of someone hopelessly tangled in the barbed wire of the ungovernable Metaverse: a confused and oblivious Ambivert.”
Ade explains:
“I was scrolling on Twitter and saw this clickbait-y headline from a reputable news outlet that read ‘You might be an Ambivert’. I learned that an Ambivert is someone who is ‘sometimes introverted, sometimes extroverted.’ It seemed to be a perfect metaphor for the era we live in, overwhelmed by the paradoxes of the social media landscape. When fitting in means being forced to engage with such an inherently superficial environment, it’s no coincidence we seek out new diagnoses.”
Email: neill@outloudculture.com
