British artist Bakar is proud to release his brand-new single, “Good News,” out now. Get it HERE on all DSPs.
Following its notable debut at Givenchy’s Fall/Winter 23 Men’s show during Paris Fashion Week – where the soundtrack made for the perfect backdrop to good friend, and Givenchy Creative Director, Matthew M. Williams’ vision – “Good News” hones into Bakar’s genre-bending sound, which is well-known for bridging the gap between Indie, Hip-hop, Punk and Rock. Taking a stripped-back approach to this new offering, the Zach Nahome and Michael Ozuwuru-produced track showcases Bakar’s knack for captivating lyrics and melodic beats, and focuses heavily on his vocals, which are underpinned with the stoic kick-drum and electric guitar instrumentation that weaves its way throughout the song.
Launched on Zane Lowe’s ‘New Music Daily’ show, alongside an interview, “Good News” follows up Bakar’s 2022 debut album Nobody’s Home, and the 2019 EP Will You Be My Yellow? which features “Hell N Back”– the sleeper hit that became Bakar’s first US No.1 on the Adult Alternative Airplay Songs chart. The celebrated 2020 single, “1st Time” marked Bakar’s second track to achieve a No.1 on the Adult Alternative Airplay chart and forms his ever-growing portfolio of work.
For almost a decade, Bakar has been captivating his community of over 3.7M+ monthly listeners on Spotify with his unique brand of music, and has already earned himself accolades with appearances at some of the biggest global platforms – including supporting Travis Scott at his sold out London O2 Arena show in 2022, Reading & Leeds Festival, ColorsxStudios – and an appearance on BBC Radio 1Xtra, where
he performed a tribute track in honour of late rapper Mac Miller. Next, he will perform at Coachella on April 15 + 22.
The 28-year-old singer-songwriter is breaking musical stereotypes alongside quickly cementing his name in public consciousness following collaborations in the fashion world (walking for Virgil Abloh’s inaugural Louis Vuitton collection in 2018, and again in 2019 where he also modelled for Prada’s A Gift To Give campaign), and due to his fresh take on the Indie Rock sound; combining honest lyricism and catchy hooks into irresistible sounds.
Bakar straddles the intersection between fashion, culture and music effortlessly, collaborating with revered names in the industry such as Aitch (“In Disguise“), Lancey Foux (“Play“) and Dominic Fike (“Stop Selling Her Drugs“). His music is unapologetically bold and intentional – every lyric conveying the thoughts and lived experiences that speak directly to the listener; “Good News” proves to be yet another example of his unending lyrical prowess and musical mastery.
critically acclaimed Australian singer, songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist Eddie Benjamin returns with his newest single, “All For Nothing.” Get it HERE via Epic Records/Vol 1 Records and watch the official music video HERE.
On the track, lush keys glimmer alongside psychedelic guitar solos as Eddie flexes his dynamic vocal range. In his words, the song offers “an unfiltered perspective on being deeply in love and experiencing your first heartbreak by being cheated on.”
Directed by Rupert Hoeller and shot in Vienna, Austria, the accompanying visual finds him inside of an ornate mansion. Accompanied by clones of himself, all manner of surrealism channels his otherworldly musicality on-screen. Fittingly, it culminates with Eddie bent over on his back ripping a solo with a Fender Stratocaster—could it end any other way?
Currently, Eddie Benjamin is readying his debut studio album, due soon.
“All of the songs are pretty life-shifting experiences I’ve gone through,” says Eddie. “I wanted to tap into actual meaning within the art. This body of work represents the most monumental and meaningful moments for me, and I just had to get them out.” It wasn’t always an easy journey. “It was painful. It was exciting. It felt like I’d grown up. It was an interesting and beautiful process.”
In 2022, “Weatherman” set the tone for Eddie Benjamin’s break-out. Garnering attention from publications like Rolling Stone and being dubbed “one of the best songs of the year so far” by TIME, the song has been streamed close to 40 million times, hit the Spotify Viral (US) chart, and became a top 10 used song on TikTok in the US during the Spring of 2022. He also shared the single “Only You” ft. Alessia Cara. Receiving critical plaudits, Billboard praised how “Cara and Benjamin’s voices blend beautifully as they sing about an imperfect romance” while Variety raved, “‘Only You’ featuring Alessia Cara, proves Benjamin is a formidable duet partner with its breezy melody and inward-facing lyricism.” With that single, Eddie made his late-night television debut with a scorching performance alongside Alessia on Jimmy Kimmel Live!
In addition, Eddie ignited the stage nightly last year as the opener for Justin Bieber’s monumental Justice Tour in sold out arenas and stadiums across North America, from The Forum in Los Angeles to the Foro Sol in Mexico City. Along the way, Eddie has become a formidable live performer, one who can rip a guitar solo and do a back flip all within the same 8 bars. As GRAMMY.com put it, “obvious from his cadence performing live, his musical influences include legendary artists such as Jimi Hendrix.” It’s not hard to see how!
Watch this space for more news on Eddie Benjamin’s debut album as he begins to take over 2023.
Ceara Cavalieri is an alt pop meets rock singer/songwriter from Southern California. Having graduated from UCLA with a degree in Psychology, Cavalieri has since dedicated herself to pursuing music full time. Her love for music stems from the age of three, where she found her voice and wouldn’t stop singing. In her teenage years she took to songwriting as a way of expressing her thoughts and feelings when her shyness prevented. With eight single releases under her belt thus far, Cavalieri is carving out her own distinct sound of incredibly infectious and candidly relatable pop rock music. Her single, “Damn” was placed on Spotify’s “Teen Beats” playlist and “Fresh Finds” playlist and her last single “Liar Liar” was added to Spotify’s highly coveted SALT playlist. Ceara also recently collaborated with DJ/Producer EQRIC on two dance singles which were placed on Spotify’s “Dance Brandneu” playlist. Her new single “Bad Thing” is a queer anthem all about betrayal and finding the strength to overcome the situation. She proclaims, “I wanted to make a fun, playful pop-rock song about confronting someone who has betrayed you and teasing them about possibly getting your own revenge while at it.”
Coline Creuzot’s hit single “For Love”, which recently reached #23 on the Billboard charts. In honor of Valentine’s Day, “For Love” is dedicated to all those who make us feel loved and appreciated. The original version is a lively anthem inspired by New Orleans Bounce with Creuzot’s unique touch. The upcoming remixes showcase the song’s versatility, with a lively “Jam Session Remix” and a slower, atmospheric version.
Inspired by the seminal duets of Serge Gainsbourg – CAESAR SPENCER – returns in 2023 with the grandiose baroque-pop of: “When I Whisper In Your Ear”.
WATCH OFFICIAL VIDEO HERE || STREAM ON ALL SERVICES HERE
Nodding to some of Gainsbourg’s greatest collaborations with female counterparts like Jane Birkin and Brigitte Bardot, on his latest single Caesar vocally entwines with Mareva Galenter (an artist in her own right and previous Miss France) in what makes for a seductive, smouldering listen.
Speaking about his passion for the works of Gainsbourg and how “When I Whisper In Your Ear” came to fruition, Caesar reflects:
“When I Whisper In Your Ear is a homage to Serge Gainsbourg. Gainsbourg was someone who managed to combine intelligence, sexiness and mild provocation in a way that may seem a little foreign to non-Francophone ears. Leonard Cohen and Prince came close to hitting this sweet spot but still, they gave off a slightly different vibe… I wanted to capture that spirit of Gainsbourg into English. But at the same time it had to be brought right up to date. It felt important to introduce a strong female character who knows exactly what she wants. A simpering and slightly affected female lead would have felt very wrong today. That’s one reason why it was great to have Mareva Galanter onboard for this song.”
Based on the star-crossed lovers who appear in the Nagisa Ōshima film ‘In the Realm of the Senses’, “When I Whisper In Your Ear” finds Caesar and Mareva step into the roles of one of cinema’s most complex relationships. A couple madly in love, but skewered by the sadomasochistic games that obsessively consume them; the new single is partnered with a stylish official video which pays reference to the closing scenes of Ōshima’s film. Watch it here
Leading the charge with new track “Let Me In”, Southampton rockers Regent are bringing a beacon of hope into 2023 with inspiriting EP ‘Believe’.
STREAM “LET ME IN” ON: YOUTUBE || SPOTIFY || APPLE MUSIC
Showing a more mellowed and melodic side to the band without compromising on their characteristic Britpop-tinted sound, “Let Me In” sees jangling percussion, rousing vocals and rhythmic guitar lines pinned together to create a bold and infectious power ballad.
A dynamic track laced with optimism and hope that even life’s darkest situations can be turned around, frontman Ben Rooke says:
“This track is about starting again through all life’s stresses and anxieties… to always take a breath, take a rest and start again. It’s a ballad made for people who need to heal: all of us on a daily basis.”
UK indie-punk collective BILK deliver their highly-anticipated debut album Bilk – via Manchester record label Scruff Of The Neck.
Building a reputation as one of the most exciting young acts in the scene right now, the Essex-born outfit’s debut album exudes the electric, raw energy you’d expect, blistering punk/ rock tropes loaded with knowing, tongue-in-cheek lyricism. The young talents, comprised of Sol Abrahams (guitarist and lead singer), Luke Hare (bassist) and Harry Gray (drummer) – have created a searing, witty body of work that will be sure to continue the attention around the young trio. Manoeuvring through power-charged singles like the frenetic opener “Daydreamer” to the soulful acoustic jam “Part And Parcel”, Bilk’s debut record is an amalgamation of abrasive British youth culture rising against authority and the youth-led spark to break boundaries, carving new spaces as a significant new voice in suburban youth culture.
At its centre, the project emerges as a vibrant fusion of indie, punk and rap, elevated by the band’s electric synergy and Sol’s quick-witted lines that run from deadpan and sardonic to furious and inspired. Through thrashing percussion, tracks like “Hummus and Pitta” personify the band’s wild lifestyle as they journey across an eventful night of drunken shenanigans and altercations. Quickly interrupted by the ear-shattering single “Be Someone”, the band’s mentality switches as they speak to a generation of ambitious young creatives who want to break the mould of the everyday nine-to-five conveyor belt.
Hailing from Gloucestershire, Devon is putting his corner of the world on the alt-pop map with today’s release of “ONCE UPON A LINE.” Writing and producing everything on his own out of sheer necessity, Devon’s music has become a self-reflection into the human effects of the isolation of his hometown. The first single off of his next project, “ONCE UPON A LINE” oscillates between mechanical, anxious humming and shimmering experimentation – Stream.
Penning an alter ego living a life of excess in Hollywood, Devon creates his antithesis that he morbidly wishes to be acquainted with in today’s single. Reflecting on this unhealthy fixation’s toll on his mental state, he acknowledges the part of him that wishes to be more than he is in a place bigger than where he’s from.
On his new single, Devon said, “This song is written from a very isolated perspective. It’s that feeling of what’s on the other side of the fence that most people from these outer city places cope with. It can play on your mental health a lot and is a lonely way of life.”
He continues, “Often when people get something they didn’t previously have, be that money, attention, whatever, they might go overboard with it until it becomes unhealthy because they were deprived of it before. This song is like an exaggerated version of that for me. Kind of asking the question how dark would it get if I got everything I ever wanted?”
Kalila Badali is an alt-folk/art-pop singer songwriter and psychotherapist based in Toronto. Her music strikes an ethereal balance between witchy folk and danceable (yet moody) pop. At the age of seven, Kalila taught herself to play guitar and began writing songs. Having started writing at such an early age, her performing and writing has spanned two decades. She is most influenced by St. Vincent, Kate Bush, and Aldous Harding.
Kalila officially launched her music career with the release of her Indie-Folk EP, Perfectly Collapsing (shared on “plantable paper” to reduce waste). Kalila’s EP garnered attention on CBC Radio One’s Big City, Small World.
Her current project, Panacea, has received funding support from the Ontario Arts Council and FACTOR Canada and will be released in 2023. Her singles, “No Eye Contact” and “Dotty Mae” are out now on all streaming platforms.
Music represents an ongoing avenue for Kalila to express her understanding of the world as a neurodivergent person. Since graduating from University of Toronto with an M.Ed. in Counselling Psychology, Kalila has been a Registered Psychotherapist in Ontario with a unique private practice working with neurodivergent, LGBTQ2SIA+, and arts workers. This balancing of her two careers as a musician and therapist has led her to offer workshops to emerging artists on musicians’ mental health.
Eighty Ninety — the indie-pop project of NYC-based brothers Abner (vocals, production) and Harper (guitar, production) James — are back with their brand new single, “2 Carat,” out on all streaming platforms today.
“2 Carat” welcomes in a new era for Eighty Ninety as they head towards the release of their debut full-length album, due out later this year. Blending organic instrumentation, atmospheric production and poignant lyricism, the track is an alluring introduction to a new chapter in the Eighty Ninety journey.
“Our upcoming album is about falling apart and learning how to put yourself back together, and the unexpected moments of joy that come along the way,” the duo add. “The first single, ‘2 Carat,’ is about coming to terms with the realization that the right person may have come (and gone) at the wrong time, when you weren’t whole enough to be able to recognize or reciprocate their love. It’s about the struggle to free yourself from cycles of questioning and regret so that you can make space in your life for a fuller self, new joy, and new love.”
“VINCINT’s ability to articulate his true self through his art comes, no doubt, in part from knowing and loving who he is as a person.” – GRAMMY.com
Groundbreaking singer-songwriter VINCINT has shared “Romance,” his most soul-baring single thus far. Co-written by VINCINT and multi-Platinum, GRAMMY Award-nominated singer-songwriter MNEK (H.E.R., Zara Larsson, Beyoncé) and produced by MNEK and Storyboards, the emotionally charged track is available today at all DSPs and streaming services HERE.
“‘Romance’ is about seeing someone you care for being treated like shit and knowing you can love them better,” says VINCINT, “a little ode to the divas of the early 2000s, like Toni Braxton’s ‘He Wasn’t Man Enough’ and Brandy and Monica’s ‘The Boy Is Mine.’ Plain and simple, it’s me talking my shit.”
“Romance” marks a new era for VINCINT, following last year’s stirring series of singles that includes “Taste So Good (The Cann Song),” presented by queer-owned brand Cann in partnership with Weedmaps and performed by VINCINT alongside Hayley Kiyoko, MNEK, and Special Guest Kesha. Released for Pride Month 2022, the intoxicating anthem is joined by an instantly iconic music video celebrating queer love, inclusivity, and cannabis with a star-studded cast that includes VINCINT, Kiyoko, Gus Kenworthy, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Patricia Arquette, and such top drag performers from Season 14 of RuPaul’s Drag Race as Kornbread, Kerri Colby, Jorgeous, and Season 14 winner, Willow Pill. “Taste So Good (The Cann Song)” is streaming now exclusively at the official Weedmaps YouTube channel HERE.
VINCINT further celebrated Pride Month with “Believer (For Showtime Pride),” released exclusively for SHOWTIME® and the Human Rights Committee’s Queer to Stay initiative, and “Mission,” released exclusively for Love, Victor: Season 3 on Hulu and Disney+.As if that weren’t enough, VINCINT teamed with rising artist and longtime friend Kelechi for “Just Another Song (Feat. VINCINT),” joined by an official music video co-starring both artists and streaming HERE.
JUNO award-winning artist and creative Haviah Mighty embodies her rich cultural heritage across the glimmering afro-fusion cut “Honey Bun/Room Service”.
Emerging as one of the hottest female talents in NA, Haviah returns with her latest offering “Honey Bun/Room Service”, a combined visual masterpiece that will continue the attention around the unique talent. First track “Honey Bun” transports us through reflections of a past relationship: the lust, wonder, desire and delusion that Haviah navigates as she pleads to her partner to hold on. Spliced with the thrills of spiritual realisation when faced with a new love interest, the record sharply switches to “Room Service” – a scene anthem laced with bouncy synths and intoxicating afro-swing textures, creating a sultry environment for Haviah’s irresistible cadence that shines brighter when collided with a new found love.
Accompanied by a notably well-produced video directed by Fela (Kendrick Lamar, Rosalia, Rihanna), the visuals perfectly encapsulate Haviah’s Caribbean background
while drifting between intimate scenes of love past and present, an exhilarating love triangle that ultimately comes to a crashing end.
Speaking on the record, Haviah states: “This song reflects on the many phases of denial that I experienced going through a recent breakup. ‘Room Service’ was written from a place of bargaining. I was fully aware that this person had already let me go, by their mannerisms, the shifts in attitude, and the conversations we had. We were drifting and I just kept trying to move in whatever direction they were going, instead of setting myself free. Through ‘Room Service’ we see reflections of the past love spliced with moments of us together, before we’re sucked into a new setting, with a new energy. Together, these two videos/songs depict the difficult stages in a breakup that we all inevitably go through – and the reality that, if it’s not to be, no matter what occurs – it will not be.”
While producer, singer, and multi-instrumentalist Bailey Miller’s debut full-length, Still Water, found great depth in the juxtaposition and interweaving of tactile instruments with otherworldly sounds, Miller’s follow-up love is a dying follows a considerably more direct path to intention and meaning.
Not unlike Richard Youngs, Miller explores minimalist, meditative songwriting to great effect and in a way that seems to proceed as economically as possible from each song’s emotional germination. One has the sense that the work is necessary, that these songs serve fundamentally to process the realities of life and loss, that in the playing, Miller finds comfort and meaning.
Many of the songs on love is a dying are in fact first takes, recorded spontaneously in the very earliest stages of development. The record itself is therefore both seed and blossom. Miller says that these songs
“resisted being re-recorded” and that “once a song seemed to work its magic and help me to process an event or an emotion, I let that song be done.”
From one song to the next, Miller trades instruments. On “cul-de-sac,” she turns careful phrases over and over on an electric baritone guitar (which makes multiple appearances throughout the record). “You’re so
close / and I should be too / but nothing’s getting through to you.” There is a sense of emotional frustration but also an opening through acceptance: “But I’m out of hope / for being seen. / How do you
not see me? / The car pulls up to the cul-de-sac / and then it fades to black / then it fades to black.”
Not only are most of the songs on love is a dying first takes, but the record is sequenced in the order that the songs were written. It is a story emerging. The title, Miller says, is meant to express a powerful
dichotomy. Love is a kind of dying whether that love is a successful, loving relationship or if it means heartbreak and grief. In the former case, one experiences a dying of oneself and expectations of another,
while the latter brings painful loss.
hotly tipped artist Japan, Man ends her hiatus with superb new bop ‘Air Conditioner’
Coming as a captivating slice of effortlessly unique alt-pop, Air Conditioner marks the start of Japan, Man’s exciting new chapter.
Born from reflecting on her relationship with Lebanon, where she was born and bred, the new single is a stand-out coming of age moment from this special talent.
Sharing more behind the song Japan, Man explains:
The song is basically written about my relationship with Lebanon, which is where I’m from and where I grew up. It also explores my relationship with being mixed, as I am British/Lebanese and don’t really feel like I belong or truly am anywhere, there’s just always a sensation of disassociation. That’s why that second verse clarified the emotion behind the song for me since a Cedar tree is the national symbol of Lebanon, representative of resilience and strength
Feeling like you don’t belong or fit in isn’t really a bad thing, it just pushes you to grow into yourself, which ends up being so perfect and natural since you haven’t fallen in the trap of following social trends or cliques of people you don’t even like.
After astonishing family members with the reveal of her gift for creating original music, Japan, Man launched her debut single Stop Staring’ back in 2019 when she was just 14-years-old.
Raised on the indigenous reserve in the Tyendinaga Mohawk territory in Ontario, noelle grew up surrounded by music and quickly learned the power of her voice. From casually posting cover songs on YouTube, she organically built a following of over 95K subscribers, and landed a deal with Wax Records at the age of 17. It comes as no surprise that noelle would possess such a raw and natural talent; from Nat King Cole and Sarah Vaughan, to the pow wow drum and native wind flute from her Indigenous roots, noelle was exposed to a vast range of musical genres since childhood. As a teenager, she began writing her own music as a therapeutic form of self-expression, dissecting her thoughts and emotions at her piano, coupled with a reality she sought to transcend. The artists’ whose words she once personalized through her covers, soon became the major influences behind her own music, which has captivated the fans and tastemakers across the industry. Now, working with some of the world most esteemed songwriters and producers, noelle’s artistic vision is crystal clear.
The forced introspection of the pandemic caused a shift in work culture, and with that came a career renaissance. From quiet quitting to the great resignation, people have decided enough is enough and are taking control of their own narratives. One such person is singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Jon Wiilde, who today offers up the perfect anthem for the times with his vibey new single “Quit Your Job.”
Hailing from Sacramento, California, the multi-talented Wiilde is in the midst of his own professional evolution. Having spent the last 8 years teaching at, and later running, a music school and recording studio, he’s focused on his transition from teacher to artist.
This awakening is what inspired “Quit Your Job”, with Wiilde sharing, “I used to set my teaching schedule so I could drive the 6 hours down to Los Angeles for sessions a few days during the week. On one of the trips, I worked with an incredibly talented producer and songwriter Ryan Marrone. We got a strong start on a record, I left that evening, and the next day alone in a studio
the phrase ‘Quit Your Job’ came to me, and I finished writing the tune.” He adds, “It was that trip that I realized that my time teaching lessons had come to an end, and this needed my full attention. Everyone has a jumping off point, and this was mine. It was hard decision to make, but it felt right.”
A couple weeks later Wiilde had his first “viral” Tiktok moment. Feeling this was a small nod from the universe that he was on right the path, he set out to continue this journey.
“Quit Your Job” is quite special musically, Wiilde pulls from a myriad of influences creating a fusion of alternative and psychedelic rock with undertones of hip-hop and alt-R&B. The entertaining accompanying music video follows Wiilde at his monotonous day job as a store clerk while by his cannabis-fueled daydreams of stardom inspire him to consider a different life.
Star2 began his life in a Thai refugee camp where he was forced to flee genocide from the Burmese army in Myanmar who burned his village to the ground. A lottery in the camp brought him to San Diego with his grandmother and her four children. Working alongside producer Chico Bennett, his collaborations with acclaimed rappers include Soulja Boy, $tupid Young, Mozzy, MBNel, Luh Kel, Lil Poppa, HoodTrophy Bino, YSN Flow, and MarMar Oso to name a few. Star2 has also received acclaim from the likes of Harper’s Bazaar Vietnam, GQ, Earmilk, BET, Lyrical Lemonade, HotNewHipHop, HipHopDX, The Source, Ones to Watch and more.
Indie artist Rico Loma delivers breezy new single “HEY” – accompanied by an uplifting music video. “HEY” is an upbeat pop record with melancholic undertones about an on-and-off situationship. He describes the feeling of being left behind by someone searching for individuality but also wanting someone to keep around.
Rico Loma is a Filipino singer-songwriter and biochemist from Los Angeles. At the lab by day and studio by night, Rico writes for the millennials trying to process a world that’s left them behind. His stream of consciousness and conversational cadence aims to feel like late night talks with a friend.
Hong Kong-based Songstress, XTIE (pronounced as X-T), has released the official music video for her cosmic-pop single “new classic.” A song inspired by female icons in the industry, Madonna, Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift; “new classic” is an anthem that XTIE wrote and produced to celebrate her
identity as an Asian female producer. “I want this song to empower anyone listening to it to follow a new and unconventional adventure for themselves in 2023,” XTIE continues; “I hope while listening to “new classic” you feel inspired to walk confidently like you’re walking down a fashion runway, everyone deserves to be confident in their own runway.”
With lyrics that explore the contradictory and paradox we face in this world of absurdity and also the challenges we face in our twenties; “new classic” is the title track off XTIE’s upcoming self-written and produced debut album. Set for release later this year, the title is also a play on words, “an oxymoron in literature” (New and Classic), “new classic” juxtaposes concepts and ideas, as well as showcasing XTIE’s uniqueness by encapsulating the embodiment of many contradictory qualities within one single person. Co-produced with Japanese female producer, Tomoko Ida, “new classic” fuses organic sounds and instruments from both their cultures into the song; for example, Shakuhazhi, Guzheng, etc. Multi-platinum producer Alawn, known for his work in K-Pop with more than 16 Billboard 1 chart entries [SuperM, LOONA, NCT, IVE, Baekhyun, Kai, MONSTA X] also contributed by helping mix and master “new classic.”
Los Angeles based rapper HoodTrophy Bino (Tadashi Sayres) creates empowering music about overcoming hardships and leveling up in life. Raised by a single mother in a house with fourteen brothers and sisters under one roof in Palmdale, California and later the crime ridden projects of South Central LA, HoodTrophy Bino (“Bino”) succumbed to the gang life that surrounded him. Finding an important outlet in music when violence surrounded him, Bino began rapping himself – first being exposed to freestyle through his older brother.
Due to gang involvement and a father serving a life-sentence in San Quentin, Bino began repeating a doomed path that found him circulating in and out of jail. During one of his short stints, he met Soulja Boy who was also serving time. The two developed a friendship after Bino wrote him a letter and gave him a bag of Hot Cheetos. Shortly after his release from jail, Big Draco reached out and signed Bino to his S.O.D.M.G. (Stacks on Deck Money Gang) label having been impressed by his determination and musical talent. Venturing into the studio soon after, they recorded their first song “Racing In Traffic” in 2021.
Bino’s music discusses his life and what he’s been through; from hard-hitting bangers like “Thuggin” to melodic, soulful ballads, like “Project Baby.” Bino’s single “Dripped in Designer” was released in 2021 featuring Soulja Boy Tell ‘Em. It’s a muted, melancholy rap saga celebrating luxurious dreams of distant islands and designer drip. “Most Wanted” is a potent powerhouse that shows off Bino’s quick-witted flow and upbeat tempo. The respect and love Bino has received from music has given him hope and encouraged him to show a better life to his young children.
Released earlier this year, “Project Baby” is HoodTrophy Bino’s raw, reflective look at his past growing up in the projects. It’s an empowered retelling of his own struggles meant to uplift people that have faced similar obstacles to Bino and show them there is hope for a better future.
Bino’s single, “Wake Em Up” features acclaimed female rapper K Shiday and delivers a powerful message about staying present in the moment and engaged in life. After experiencing the loss of his family members, Bino used this philosophy to help heal himself and hopes to encourage others to do the same. With a hard hitting flow full of fervor over decadent club worthy beats, “Wake Em Up” is a fierce and cathartic anthem about leveling up, finding your higher purpose in life, and living in greatness.
By reducing his sentence from 13 years to a 7 year joint suspension for good behavior, HoodTrophy Bino is a standout example of someone who has overcome insurmountable obstacles, escaped gang life, and created a better future for himself and his family. Today, he is an advocate for gang members who grow up in the hood and witness death every other day with seemingly no way out. Developing his own PTSD, anxiety, and depression, Bino knows many young people are overlooked without an outlet for therapy or a way to express themselves.
HoodTrophy Bino has opened for Soulja Boy, Tee Grizzley, Bow Wow, Snoop Dogg, Chris Brown, Omarion, Flo Malcom, Skinnyfromthe9, YN Jay, and Ohgeesy. With a new album on the horizon, HoodTrophy Bino is a prolific rapper and motivator for his generation. “I’m not here because I’m the best, I’m here because they tried to break me and they couldn’t.”
Back with inspiriting EP ‘Believe’, Southampton rockers – REGENT – are releasing one its most sweeping moments as their latest single: “Let Me In”.
STREAM “LET ME IN” ON:
YOUTUBE || SPOTIFY || APPLE MUSIC
Showing a more mellowed and melodic side to the band without compromising on their characteristic Britpop-tinted sound, “Let Me In” sees moving string sections, jangling percussion, and rhythmic guitar lines pinned together to create a bold and infectious power ballad.
A dynamic track laced with optimism and hope that even life’s darkest situations can be turned around, frontman Ben Rooke says:
“This track is about starting again through all life’s stresses and anxieties… to always take a breath, take a rest and start again. It’s a ballad made for people who need to heal: all of us on a daily basis.”
With a string of highly-charged releases already under their belts, a cult-following across the UK, and a reputation as one of Southampton’s finest emerging acts, “Let Me In” arrives alongside the band’s new ‘Believe’ EP.
Cementing Regent as pioneers of their own insurgent brand of rock’n’roll, the EP also features riled-up rock track “She Checks My Head” and “The Thunder” — a formidable live-ready cut that blends strutting guitar lines and bristling vocals with a catchy and cavorting chorus.
Arriving as a glimmer of hope against the backdrop of political mistrust and economic uncertainty, frontman Ben Rooke explains of the new extended play:
“I wanted to create a short EP based not just on everyone’s feelings on life and the cost of living crisis, but as an everyday memoir of the struggles of life and beyond. Life is tough at the best of times and I’d like to provide a ray of light, almost John Lennon-esque, through our music that is inspirational and uplifting, but realistic to working class lives such as my own.”
Pssst. If you share your ears, I will share my heart.
After a brutal break-up, I wrote “Back In Love” as a self-soothing anthem, my ode to the hopefulness of rooting again.
The way I see it, love isn’t something we find, it is something we are. It is an act of creation. It is daily work. The greatest romance story is the process of showing up for ourselves even when others are absent.
In this song, I explore the challenges of being ‘too much’ while coming to the understanding that perhaps the plot was just too small to hold me. We all need to be unearthed and transplanted from time to time to continue growing.
To all of you brave passionate people out there – being ‘too much’ is abundance!
Listen to my hopeful reflection on self-love, “Back In Love,“
wherever you get your music: Bandcamp 🌻 Spotify 🌻 Apple Music 🌻 SoundCloud
As you listen, I hope you can check in with your own roots. Bring nutrients back into that soil. Consider changing plots if you have outgrown them. Begin again.
Thanks for listening with me,
Tara Van
Monique Byrne and Andy Rogovin perform moving and inspirational songs that are sometimes joyful, sometimes wistful, and oftentimes poignant. These songs reflect a mutual passion for life, family, and humanity. Their intimately blended vocal harmonies are mixed with an expressive and unique instrumental style that is best described as a “banjo-guitar romance.” Crowes Pasture’s style of intimate and soulful folk transports and connects listeners through universal experiences in their “skillfully crafted, emotional songwriting” (Chris Eastburn, award-winning composer).
Crowes Pasture has made waves with two EPs and three full-length albums in just six years’ time. Their album, Slow It Down, was released in June 2019 at the legendary Club Passim. Since its release, the title track earned Crowes Pasture a #1 song and the album debuted at #5 on the Folk Alliance International Charts. Since the release of their first album, Edge of America, the duo has had eight Top 10 songs on the folk charts, including “Take Back the Red White and Blue” (January 2022), their cover of Mary Gauthier’s “Mercy Now” (June 2019), and the timely and topical song, “Quarantine” (January 2021).
The name Crash Adams was inspired by the plot of Robin Williams’ 1998 film Patch Adams. “He offers his patients laughter, love, and kindness—just outside-the-box ways to make them happy,” Crash says. “Our goal with everybody we come across, whether we meet them or if they come to our show, is to raise their vibration. That’s everything that we stand for.”
Crash Adams’ pop songs carry the same kind of mood-boosting power as a hit of pure dopamine. The duo has organically built an online fan base and found their niche with videos highlighting their positive attitude, vibrant suits and iconic red couch from Crash’s grandmother’s house.
After dropping eight albums last year, YoungBoy returned this January with “I Rest My Case.” Tune in to “Rap Radar” to hear hosts Brian “B.Dot” Miller and Elliott Wilson chat with YoungBoy in a rare conversation about his music, family, and more. “Rap Radar” is a podcast from Interval Presents, which taps into Warner Music Group’s expansive music catalogue and talent roster to produce multi-format, culture-driven audio content at the intersection of music, pop culture, and social impact.
Tune-in: Listen to an all new episode of “Rap Radar” with guest NBA YoungBoy
rlyblonde – the project of Brooklyn-based multidisciplinary artist Carina Allen – is making her musical debut with the release of her first single, “Fantasy,” out on all streaming platforms today.
While this may be her debut as a singer-songwriter, rlyblonde is no stranger to the music industry. The New York-based twenty-something has long been the go-to photographer, videographer and creative director for numerous musicians. After years of supporting other artists and friends’ visions, she decided to put down the camera and pick up the guitar for a change.
rlyblonde’s well-established visual world is given new dimension with the launch of her music project. In addition to handling all of the songwriting and creative planning, she has also overseen the conception, production and direction of the music video (out February 17th), and collaborated with friends to plan out and shoot her own artwork and imagery.
Her introductory single, “Fantasy,” flickers between gritty alt-rock and serene, melodic pop. Lyrically, the song echoes the familiar themes of heartbreak, identity, and growth that can also be seen in her past self-portraiture and personal photography work.
“‘Fantasy’ is really about being frustrated with dating culture and the performances that women (especially women dating men) have to put on, almost out of necessity, until it hits a point where it all becomes too draining,” she writes. “At the same time, it’s also a song about the power of women, the power of illusion and seduction, the power of confidence, and the power of being anonymous.”
flipturn releases an alternate version of “Sad Disco”– the standout track from their debut album Shadowglow. A more hushed and experimental take on the original, today’s rework was recorded and produced at Pine Studios in Jacksonville, Florida, by the band’s close friend Taylor Neal. Lyrically, the fan-favorite takes the cliché of “helplessly in love” and gives it a much more literal meaning, making this the perfect lovelorn track to strip down for Valentine’s Day – Stream.
On “Sad Disco (Pine Studios)”, the band said, “One of our favorite aspects of writing music is that there can be so many different ways to interpret the same track. Even after we’re ‘done’ with a song, we can’t help but find new ways to play these songs for you. We can’t wait for y’all to meet this other side of ‘Sad Disco!’”
At the end of 2022, Donzii released their Frankenstein’s monster of a debut album, Fishbowl via Grey Market Records. The 11-track project can be imagined as having a post-punk torso, a no wave arm, industrial fingers, dark ambient legs, funk feet, and everything else you can imagine, all stitched together by a band that doesn’t feel the need to pander to one specific genre. Upon its release, the album was met with praise from Notion, New Noise, Brooklyn Vegan and more.
Last year also saw Donzii make their SXSW debut, dominate Miami’s iconic III Points Festival, and join Drab Majesty, Glove and Mr Twin Sister for tour dates across the US. The band’s single “Sand” was also featured in HBO’s Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin.
Email: neill@outloudculture.com
