Following its debut on Zane Lowe’s “New Music Daily Show,” British artist Bakar reveals the visuals for his new single “Good News,” out now. Watch [lnk.to/goodnewsvideo]HERE and stream the song at all DSPs HERE.
“Good News” takes the viewer on an observatory journey, as we peer into the often idolised, but realistically lonely and isolating life of being a musician on the road. Leaning heavily on the nomadic musician theme he’s presented in previous visuals such as 2019’s viral sensation “Hell N Back,” the Machine Operated (Lucky Daye, GreenTea Peng, Loyle Carner)& Bakar-directed visuals see Bakar across the globe, in breath-taking locations in Paris, London, Mexico, Montreal, Hawaii, and Miami, showing his enviable life whilst we also witness first-hand the dichotomy the young artist feels between loneliness and “lifestyle”, this whilst narrating the universal story of love and the ever-changing human experience.
Bakar’s new single hones into his 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 recently debuted at Givenchy’s F/W 23 Men’s Paris Fashion Week show for close friend, and Givenchy Creative Director, Matthew M. Williams.
“Good News” follows up Bakar’s 2022 debut album Nobody’s Home, and the 2019 EP Will You Be My Yellow? which features hits such as “Hell N Back” – the sleeper hit became Bakar’s first US No.1 on the Adult Alternative Airplay Songs chart and boasts a quarter of a million streams across all digital streaming platforms. 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 4.7M+ monthly listeners on Spotify with his unique brand of music, and has already earned himself accolades with appearances at some of the biggest U.K. and global platforms – including supporting Travis Scott at his sold out London O2 Arena tour 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.
Straddling the intersection between fashion, culture and music, Bakar’s sound is unapologetically bold and intentional, and his visuals parallel this. Conveying the shared humanistic experiences of love, loneliness and lived experiences that speak directly to the listener; “Good New” proves to be yet another example of the 29 year-old artist’s unending lyrical prowess and musical mastery.
All Day I Dream has today announced their complete All Day I Dream’s Summer Season programming, once again bringing their signature wanderlust aesthetic and vivacious, stylish crowd on a whirlwind global tour.
Led by global music icon Lee Burridge, All Day I Dream has spent the last decade building a globally eclectic, inclusive community of ‘Dreamers,’ championing hundreds of signature day into night dance parties held in over forty cities across the world as well as the first All Day I Dream festival launched last year.
Opening their Summer Season, All Day I Dream will make its Austin debut at the The Concourse Project, the premiere flagship venue for independent music in the city. The rest of the North American stops include a return to ADID’s roots in New York at the Brooklyn Mirage, Toronto’s historic Fort York, Denver’s Sculpture Park, Los Angeles’s Pershing Square and San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park.
Lee and his diverse label roster of global artists also return to acclaimed residencies this season at Scorpios and Cova Santa, offering unparalleled, day-into-night experiences on the paradisal islands of Mykonos and Ibiza. Soho Garden Dubai, SBB Werkstadt in Zurich, and Voodoo Village in Belgium offer additional destinations for stylish musical fun this season.
Remaining one of the most quintessential musical movements in modern dance music at present, the ADID label has pioneered its own niche of organic house and an emotive, melodic, and dreamy signature sound. Recent release highlights include their annual Winter Sampler V, featuring 12 selections from the likes of Double Touch, Limara & Dimitri Nakov, Fulltone, Arina Mur & Fluida and Double Touch’s four track EP, Storm. Join All Day I Dream this summer to experience its sophisticated musical curation firsthand.
Presale for All Day I Dream’s Summer Season begins on March 9th at 10am local time. General on sale tickets beginning March 10th at 10am local time.
Pre-Sale signup link HERE
Singer-songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist ROWA, has released the music video for her ethereal new single “Sweet Nothings,” today. ROWA’s captivating vocals alongside the visual
accompaniment to “Sweet Nothings,” takes the viewer along the journey of reclaiming one’s power after an unsettling breakup. Kicking off in a smoggy Los Angeles setting, “Sweet Nothings” showcases ROWA’s eclectic taste and creative abilities, having produced the entire song herself. Throughout the video, ROWA takes us along an elaborated version of a “day in the life,” as she cruises around Downtown Los Angeles in a vintage truck sipping on an iced coffee. Fast forward and you step into her home, where ROWA rejoices in her feminine allure with the help of her witchy friends, and even finds herself dripping with fruit on a dinner table. Elaborate movie magic aside, ROWA shares a depiction and vulnerable viewpoint into her inner world. Sharing her internal process of overcoming heartbreak, but in the end revitalizing herself with a happy ending; doing what she does best, making music. Speaking to that vulnerability, “Sweet Nothings” was originally meant to be recorded as a single on a live studio album, but ROWA eventually realized that the private investor behind said project desired to control her entire career. In an act of resilience, ROWA dropped the album deal and moved to Los Angeles to take things into her own hands and learn about music production. Now, a few years later, “Sweet Nothings” is finally being released all under ROWA’s own creative control. A motown-inspired orchestral sample gives the track a sophisticated and nostalgic edge, while seamlessly
being paired with four on the floor drums accompanied by live tracked congas in the intricate percussion section. The lyrics behind “Sweet Nothings” show the intricacy of love affairs and how they often turn from sweet to sour. ROWA uses the metaphors of sweet treats, like honey and cake, to describe the early stages of a love affair hence the title “Sweet Nothings” – a term to describe affectionate words between lovers. However in this song ROWA shares her frustrations of falling out of the “honeymoon stage” showcasing that often when one falls quickly in love they often fall just as hard out of it.
jetsetforevr is a buzzing young artist from Toronto who blends infectious pop melodies with clever songwriting and punchy baselines to carve out honest and authentic songs. Following a strong run of singles and live performances in 2022, jetsetforevr is sharing “Sober,” his first single of 2023.
HARD Events has announced the highly-anticipated lineup for the return of HARD Summer Music Festival to the City of Angels for the first time in ten years. Taking place in Downtown Los Angeles from August 5th-6th, the milestone fifteenth edition of HARD Summer will utilize a brand new venue combination with various stages spread out across the campuses of the historic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Exposition Park, and BMO Stadium.
The 2023 lineup stays true to the multi-genre ethos and dedication to spotlighting emerging scenes that continue to make HARD Summer one of the most exciting festivals in the country. Fans can expect triumphant returns from those whose massive trajectories have defined HARD’s bleeding-edge curation, coupled with leading hip-hop headliners, beacons of the global underground, and scene risers du jour.
Longtime HARD fans know that the family of artists that developed around the brand in its early days have gone on to dominate the worldwide dance music conversation. To celebrate its fifteen year anniversary, the festival welcomes these titans back to the stage with a curational twist true to its creative essence. Skrillex returns to the fold with a special b2b set with production genius Four Tet following their Madison Square Garden sell-out. HARD favorite Kaskade has tapped John Summit for a multi-generational tag team of a lifetime. Diplo will continue his exploration of more esoteric strains of house set forth by his Higher Ground imprint alongside the ABRACADABRA icon BLOND:ISH.
The super-reunion of HARD alumni continues with the inimitable Boys Noize, LA’s own outrageous Dillon Francis, and the chart-topping tones of Gorgon City.
Hip-hop and rap past and present will once again take center stage at HARD with Atlanta’s own Ludacris and NYC hero Fat Joe, along with psychedelic rap superstar Kid Cudi and the return of 21 Savage after his triumphant 2022 HARD debut. Additional live highlights include the eccentric pop act Oliver Tree and the melodic sounds of Two Feet.
Tickets will be available for purchase on Friday, March 10th at 10AM PT via HARD Summer’s official website.
Asheville, NC-based psych rock trio The Get Right Band share track and video “Am I Just A Battery?” out everywhere now. Fitting with their theme of examining the relationship between technology and humanity, the latest release ponders one’s purpose in life while in the clutches of capitalism, and what it means to live in a cycle of working to live, being bombarded by advertisements, making purchases as a result, and repeating the cycle.
The band’s cinematic, timely LP iTopia, due out April 7 and available for pre-order now. Plus, The Get Right Band will hit the road to play the new music and longtime fan favorites live on tour this spring throughout the East Coast. Tickets are on sale now via thegetrightband.com/tour.
The first song written for iTopia, “Am I Just A Battery?,” out today, aptly set the tone for the creation of the forthcoming album as it explores existing within an attention economy, being surrounded by advertising and what it means to live, work, and consume in today’s world. The song’s chorus repeats the question, “Am I just a battery?” and continues asking questions in the second verse, “What are you advertising?/What are you selling to me?/You look so hypnotizing/You look bright and shiny.” Over the four minute track, the band wonders if the finite time granted to individuals on Earth is ultimately only about feeding the economy.
Frontman Silas Durocher explains the song is loosely based on Annie Leonard’s short film for The Story of Stuff. Durocher says, “Leonard talks about this cycle so many of us are in of go to work, work so hard that you’re exhausted when you come home so you watch TV, which shows you a bunch of ads, so you buy a bunch of stuff, so you have to work harder to pay for all the stuff, so you’re more tired, so you watch more TV, and so on.” Durocher continues, “She calls it the ‘work, watch, spend’ treadmill, and it’s only become more true and more extreme with social media and the attention economy. The big question becomes, who is this serving? It turns all of us into fuel to feed the economy.”
Billy Rogers has been a backbone of the Niagara, ON music scene for the past two decades. Previously released tracks – “Criminal” and “Runnin’ Blind” – helped cement Rogers as both a profound songwriter and composer. Now he returns with “One Night Only,” an energetic song that spurred from seeing the phrase emblazoned on tickets for a stag and doe.
After an abysmal breakup and many shifts working coat check at a Toronto concert venue, FRANKIE FLOWERS felt the sudden urge to use her voice as her main instrument and began writing and creating alternative music as a release. Merging her love for dark-wave and post-punk music to create a genre-bending sound, FRANKIE urges you to escape reality and experience the unknown.
Dynamic new single, “BAD DREAM,” is the product of the feelings that follow upon waking from a vivid nightmare… questioning what’s real vs. what’s not and how scattered the mind seems to get. The whispered line, “We’re all gonna turn to dust in the end,” sounds like a secret and feeds into the vibe of existential dread.
For International Women’s Day, MisterWives share their incendiary live cover of No Doubt’s 1995’s battlecry, “Just a Girl,” along with a video made from fan-submitted footage taken from their Summer tour, where the cover became a staple, as well as footage from Global Extreme. The audio take on this particular night was extra charged; it was from their Boston show on June 24, 2022 — the night Roe v. Wade was overturned. The crushing irony of the song was paramount: women had more rights in 1995 than they do now, and MiserWives is fighting back by encouraging donations to the ACLU and the National Network of Abortion Funds, as well as making donations of their own.
Frontwoman and human rights activist, Mandy Lee, says, “I never would have believed women would have less rights in 2023 than they did when Just A Girl was released in 1995. An anthem I was raised on that stood up to a male dominated world of oppression and inequality rings louder almost 30 years later with the devastating overturning of Roe v. Wade. Covering this song last Summer, while our fundamental rights were being stripped away, was a catharsis I don’t think I’ve ever had that intense while performing. One of collective despair, fear and rage and a catalyst to use those emotions for relentless action. Whether that be through protest, voting, and donating to organizations that provide access to abortion care, we must continue the fight to protect and liberate all bodies and their autonomy.” In a post on Instagram, the band added, “May we continue to put our love and rage into fighting for all bodies and their autonomy.“
The Little Rock, Arkansas based twosome is known for creating expansive pop music from inside their bedrooms in deepest Middle America. Their infectious blend of pop eras, DIY, self-sustaining aesthetic and deep connection with their fanbase has resulted in international success with over 120 million streams and sold out shows across the globe including headlining 15,000+ capacity venues in Asia.
joan (Alan Benjamin Thomas and Steven Rutherford) have spent the past few years building their world, single by single, tour date by tour date; from their debut EP, 2019’s portra, to the much-loved cloudy & its sister EP partly cloudy, to 2021’s hi & bye EPs. Their songs have been streamed over 120 million times, with well over a million listeners a month across streaming platforms.
joan have enjoyed U.S. and international tours supporting the likes of Jeremy Zucker, COIN, Bloc Party and The Aces, as well as playing to fans across Asia with headline shows and festivals in the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore and Hong Kong – they return to Asia for the biggest shows yet, includes dates at a basketball arena and a theme park.
joan’s infectious blend of pop eras & styles belies their roots in Little Rock, Arkansas, but their sense of warmth and community from those around them at home gives their music a sense of belonging often missing from others’ and that extends to their fanbase, with whom they interact via a successful Patreon page and through free meet & greets at every show. 2023 promises to be the band’s biggest yet, with the release of their debut album and worldwide touring & festivals.
joan U.S. tour datesMay 13 – The Masquerade (Hell Stage): Atlanta, GA May 14 – The Basement East: Nashville, TN
May 16 – Music Hall of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY May 17: The Lounge @ World Cafe: Philadelphia, PA May 19 – The Black Cat: Washington DC
May 20 – The Sinclair: Boston, MA
May 23 – The Velvet Underground, Toronto, ON
May 25 – Subterranean: Chicago, IL
May 31 – Parish: Austin, TX
June 1 – Club Dada: Dallas, TX
June 3 – Valley Bar: Phoenix, AZ
June 4 – Voodoo Room @ HOB: San Diego, CA June 6 – Constellation Room: Santa Ana, CA
June 7 – Teragram Ballroom: Los Angeles, CA
June 8 – Popscene @ Rickshaw Shop: San Francisco, CA June 10 – Polaris Hall: Portland, OR
June 11 – Barboza: Seattle, WA
June 13 – Soundwell: Salt Lake City, UT
June 14 – Larimer Lounge: Denver, CO
June 16 – Little Rock Music Hall: Little Rock, AR
Already hitting the ground running this year with the release of his ‘24/7’ EP and two-track Valentine’s Day drop named, ‘Twisted Heart’, Lewisham’s rap riser SK-47 has bared all in the visuals to his highly anticipated single ‘Liar Liar’.
STREAM/DOWNLOAD: SK-47 – LIAR LIAR
Like many Drill artists who choose to keep their identity hidden, SK-47 has taken off his signature orange and black mask for a face reveal. Sticking to his reputable unapologetic, fiery, and assertive style, ‘Liar Liar’ is a gritty street heater that’s bursting with energy from the offset. Housing an eerie beat courtesy of Ron, SK-47’s bars echo through the introduction before unravelling an infectious hook, “All my ops approach with caution / They heard about my 1 bang / Get man down easy bun man/ Take your girl she in love with the gun man/ Liar liarliar you can’t get man down I been having fun man” he raps.
Canadian artist MYTHM and South Carolina’s NotLö combine forces to create the ultimate bass duo for their new single “Lies”. The track is a perfect blend of the two artist’s signature styles and will be the perfect dancefloor number for their upcoming b2b at Deadbeats Miami. Both producers are currently on the come up and receiving a lot of buzz – MYTHM just released his Brutalist EP on Deadbeats and NotLö released an EP on Cyclops Recordings. Both artists are set to play Red Rocks this year as well.
morgen releases her sophomore EP BRAVADO via Sony Music Australia and Avoca Drive. The most bombastic expression of sound we’ve heard from morgen yet, the irresistibly catchy project is a refreshingly new version of the young musician listeners have come to know and love. Lead track “Second” features fellow indie-pop rising force merci, mercy. The EP comes filled to the brim with whimsy; backed by bold instrumentation and topped off with her strong penchant for snappy lyricism – Stream.
An ever-evolving sound acts as a true reflection of morgen’s journey through this life thus far. The artist is no one-trick-pony; refusing to let her discography become stagnant, morgen seamlessly infuses various pop, rock, and electronic influences into this brightly textured opus. This fresh and carefree soundscape comes juxtaposed by morgen’s frenzied brain; a kaleidoscopic dreamland of anxious thoughts, cautious daydreams, and faulty decisions from seemingly unbreakable habits. Although morgen is excruciatingly self-aware, her reflective nature does not stop her from having fun as she launches into track after track of dynamic indie-pop.
On her EP release, morgen said, “’BRAVADO’ to me is about putting up a confident front while internally freaking out…settling into the unknown. While I was making this EP, I was going through the utter chaos of self-discovery of becoming an adult.”
Los Angeles-based electro-pop artist BUZZ announces her otherworldly, self-produced debut EP On Matters Of Searching. Alongside the announcement, BUZZ shares the first taste of the forthcoming project with single “Universe” out everywhere now. The electronic inspired, quantum thoroughfare finds the songwriter hypothesizing the definition of all life’s common threads. Its release is accompanied by a meditative visualizer which finds BUZZ enveloped in an underwater enclosure and provokes the feeling of being forcibly contained; a symbol of how she feels in her skin, bound to earth by gravity.
To celebrate the EP release, BUZZ will perform the project in its entirety live in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Boyle Heights, with exact location to be announced, on May 18. Presented by Makeoutmusic, the show will feature a real-time modular synth set along with an exclusive one of one merch line only available at the show, made in collaboration with Plastic Buckettt. Tickets are available now here.
BUZZ is an LA-based singer, songwriter and producer who grew up playing classical violin, learned piano by ear at age five and began songwriting at age seven. Before plunging into her own solo music in 2021, BUZZ has written platinum selling hits for Katy Perry, Kylie Minogue, Bebe Rexha and supported Tove Lo on tour last year. Office Magazine praised her second-ever release “Misfit,” writing, “Hypnotizing beats makes the listener cling to every lyric,” calling the song “explosive” and adding that for BUZZ, “defying convention is second nature.” With over 1.3M Spotify streams on her fan favorite track “Liberation,” and a fast-growing, devoted following, BUZZ is ready to re-introduce herself as she begins to build a complex, transcendental sonic world that encapsulates the multi-dimensional artist like never before.
Crafted mostly during a trip to the mountains outside of Los Angeles, the self-produced forthcoming EP On Matters Of Searching is an eight track examination of humanity, nature, science and healing filled with confessional lyrics and inventive production. Granular synth beds and tasteful choirs lace many of the songs along with sounds of satellites falling out of earshot and percussion from field recordings of branches being stepped on or water dripping off stalactites from an ancient undiscovered cave. BUZZ says the EP, “is a love letter to a life beyond humanity, and beyond time. It’s a wormhole I’ve dreamed of entering and gladly losing myself in.”
An American citizen raised in the heart of the Canadian prairies, award-winning roots/Americana singer-songwriter Noah Derksen writes with the groundedness of harsh Manitoba winters mixed with the failed optimism of the American Dream. His third full-length album, Sanctity of Silence, follows the arc of love from start to finish: the joyful beginning to the bitter ending. Produced by JUNO Award winner Murray Pulver and mixed by Grammy winner Ryan Freeland, it features an array of Winnipeg’s talented music core.
“You Got a Hold On Me” takes the lead, inviting you to picture yourself at 25, driving off towards the sunset, the warmth of the light on your face. The road winds ever so gently, a smooth two-lane highway with no one else around but the trees lining the pavement. Nothing else matters, just you, the one you’re with, and the miles ahead.
Music has taken Moonlight Jones to many corners of the globe and from coast to coast in the United States. A self-taught guitarist, he was fascinated with how easily music could open up whole worlds of creativity and inspiration. He promptly learned as much as he could from every musician he knew in his hometown of Tampa, Florida and set off on his musical journey.
Born to an Egyptian father and an American mother of Czech heritage, MoonLight Jones’ introduction into the world of music was wide ranging and has influenced his musical style ever since. Latin, Middle Eastern and World music was always playing in MoonLight Jones’ household, as was Blues, Bluegrass, Asian, and Folk music.
The sound of the flamenco guitar in particular inspired him to move to Spain and learn as much as he could about the style while living and studying in Barcelona and Granada. Trips to Puerto Rico, Cuba and Colombia further opened up his world to the rich musical cultures of those countries and many others.
His professional music career started in Los Angeles, CA. His first job in L.A. was working for famed graphic designer Kyle Cooper, in Malibu. Shortly after, Jeff decided to pursue sound engineering to round out his growing musical experience. Whilst working with many local bands he got an opportunity to tour with the 100 Monkeys, which was “Twilight” alum Jackson Rathbone’s band and headlined shows at The Whiskey-A-Go Go, The Mint, The House of Blues on Sunset and The Viper Room, to name a few. He also produced hip-hop for The Jugernox, with Scott “The Scientist” Coslett and Jerry “J-Strong” Armstrong for artists like James Jr, a Memphis rapper and also H-Town rapper, Rock.
Moonlight Jones’ love of film music eventually landed him a job with Heitor Pereira, famed film composer, who had a studio at Hans Zimmer’s Remote Control Studios in Santa Monica. Moonlight Jonesalso lived in Nashville, TN. where he plied his trade in Southern Rock band, Suthurn Swaggur, with the talented lead vocalist and lyricist, Joseph Dawson.
More recently, he moved back to Florida, this time to Miami, where he began working with local Haitian artists, Claude Cajuste of Gemini All-Stars fame, and rapper/singer Purple Gorilla. Together, they formed the group Echo N Dream and have played shows all over Miami.
Melbourne artist, Nat Vazer, is known for her heart-stopping lyrics that weave between confessional indie-rock, dream-pop and the folk tradition of storytelling and ‘building worlds’ through song.
From the age of five, Vazer began learning classical piano but became fascinated with the world of bands and songwriters, having grown up in a household with her family’s 60s and 80s record collection. A self-taught guitarist, she stole her father’s guitar during highschool and started to learn Nirvana, The Strokes and Death Cab for Cutie based on internet guitar tabs. In true DIY fashion, she soon began writing songs in punk highschool bands, capturing early sounds on old PCs with built-in microphones and free software.
Vazer’s debut album ‘Is This Offensive And Loud?’ (Hotel Motel Records AU, Perpetual Doom US) was nominated for the 2020 Australian Music Prize and listed in several best-albums-of-the-year lists including NME Australia and The Music. Mixed by Ali Chant (Soccer Mommy, PJ Harvey) and produced by Robert Muinos, the album features hit singles ‘For A Moment’ and ‘Higher Places’ as featured on Rolling Stone Australia.
With a new second album on the horizon, Nat Vazer will be embarking on her first US tour in March 2023 playing at SXSW 2023 (Austin TX), New Colossus Festival 2023 (NYC), Washington DC, Baltimore, Jersey City, Philadelphia and Brooklyn. Her new single “Addicted to Misery”, chronicles “a portrait of a time of feeling low, explored through a conversational journey. It’s about feeling powerless to help the one you love and the sense of spiraling through that feeling,” confides the songwriter.
‘Her talent is on par with Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus and other young gifted singer-songwriters. In other words, the new generation of Kurt Cobains, Courtney Loves and Alanis Morissettes.’ – The Revue CA
‘Vazer has undoubtedly created one of the year’s most immersive releases’ – Rolling Stone Australia ‘One of the country’s most exciting new songwriters’ – Pilerats
‘“Is This Offensive and Loud” has indisputably established itself as one of the most exciting debut albums this side of indie rock’ – NME Australia
Tour Dates
March 8-12 New Colossus Festival, NYC, NY
March 14 SXSW Las Perlas Official Showcase, Austin, TX
March 17 SXSW Lucille’s Sounds, Austin, TX
March 18 Quarry House Tavern, Washington DC
March 19 The Crown, Baltimore, MD
March 23 Pet Shop, Jersey City, NJ
March 25 Our Wicked Lady, Brooklyn, NY
March 26 Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA
From the moment the opening credits roll, Invisible Cinema offers vivid magic beyond every sonic chapter. The first single, “Moon Slips Away,” and “Snickerz” are my two early favorites; their themes of cinema and the moon parsed with funky, glitch-out samples are irresistible. “Weary Days” may steal the show as a long-awaited ID and landslide community favorite.
To me, Daily Bread represents the quintessence of artistry.
His classic sound has a larger-than-life appeal, but he maintains that genuine aura and connection that yields not just lifelong fans, but a real IRL community. That’s what stardom truly means; it’s the reason why I’ve been preaching about electronic music on emails not dissimilar to this one for almost a decade now.
His 25+ date The Invisible Cinema Tour has already moved 2,500+ tickets ahead of kick-off next week, and his nearly 10k combined FB + Bandcamp followers/subscribers have been eagerly awaiting alongside me for the clock to strike 12:00 AM EST, so they too can start streaming the album again and again…
rap superstar in-the-making Lola Brooke quells an eagerly awaited demand for new music with the release of her latest track, “So DISRESPECTFUL,” out now via Arista Records/Team Eighty Productions. The roaring, bass-heavy new music release from flourishing rap phenom is available on all music streaming platforms HERE.
Within the first seconds of the Reefa Music[Lola Brooke “Here I Come,” “Back To Business”] and Gyard [Lil Durk] produced track “So Disrespectful,” listeners are met with an intimidating, grim beat that encapsulates the presence of Lola’s ‘Big Gator’ energy. Lola floats over the base-knocking track on wax like the heavyweight champ she has proven to be in music and more. Her punchlines and adlibs taillies up more victories as she reminds you that she’s always ready for war and wins—it’s Gator Season.
Within the last year, Lola Brooke’s rise in music has soared to astronomical heights. Her single “Don’t Play With It,” still setting a tone as a breakout hit, has amassed 77M+ worldwide streams to date. The track has recently earned placements on flagship Hip Hop playlists like Spotify’s “RapCaviar,” Apple Music’s “Rap Life,” and Amazon Music’s “Rap Rotation.”
Toronto-based alt-pop singer and songwriter Devon Cole is back today with her new single, “Call U After Rehab,” out on Arista Records.
Following her hit singles like “W.I.T.C.H.” and “Hey Cowboy,” “Call U After Rehab” exemplifies Devon’s softer side. “’Call U After Rehab’ is my most vulnerable release yet,” says Devon. “It’s a love song about pausing a relationship in order to take care of myself. I was putting off my issues for a while and finding any way to justify my bad habits. Deciding to say goodbye to my closest comforts, to give myself the space and time to heal, felt like ripping off a bandaid that had been there for ages. And this release kind of feels the same, in some ways. I hope people can relate by interpreting the rehab idea however they want to.”
New York City dream-pop duo – LAVEDA – have unveiled “Troy Creeps”, the fourth track to be taken from their awaited second album ‘A Place You Grew Up In’.
WATCH VIDEO HERE || STREAM ON ALL SERVICES HERE
Balancing slacker-rock rooted guitars with spiralling otherworldly synths, “Troy Creeps” sees Laveda counter some of their more introspective moments into this sleek indie-rock pearl.
With a nostalgic aura that feels as though it was plucked straight from the greatest cult coming-of-age film to never hit the silver screen, the new track brings to mind the intimate storytelling and grunge-laden intricacies of Snail Mail, Soccer Mommy and beabadoobee while seeing Laveda firmly chart their own interstellar course.
Said to embody “a long night spent alone with your thoughts” according to vocalist Ali Genevich, bandmate Jake Brooks adds of how the track earned its unconventional title:
“When I made this demo I had just moved to a small apartment in Troy, NY. You could always hear everyone’s conversations if they were outside on that street. People were screaming at each other about something while I was recording so the name stuck.”
Following a year that saw the UK become an international laughing stock at the punishing expense of its public, in his latest single Beans puts the sword to the trio who led us here: King Charles, Liz Truss, and Rishi Sunak.
WATCH THE VIDEO HERE || STREAM ON ALL SERVICES HERE
“The Three Stooges” is a scathing political satire, an anti-capitalist anthem, and an uplifting call for unity in the face of shared adversity, all rolled into one. Speaking about the new single, Beans states:
“It’s a takedown of the greedy and corrupt British establishment who rule in favour of big business over the general public”
Gearing up for the release of his forthcoming EP that’s set to shine light on some of Manchester’s best up-and-coming talent, DJ Win has drafted no other than July 7 for the introductory hypnotic single named, ‘Genius’.
STREAM/DOWNLOAD: DJ WIN FT JULY 7 – GENIUS
Over the last few years more cities across the nation have been piercing through the music scene with a flurry of unquestionable talent. Many notable budding artists have been putting their ends on the map and pushing the capital aside, one of which is Manchester. Utilising his skills as an A&R, DJ Win, primarily known for his work alongside hit-maker Aitch, has taken it upon himself to gather some of the best talent in the Northern city for his forthcoming EP.
Setting the tone with ‘Genius’ alongside July 7, this single is a hypnotic and sultry release that’s a hybrid of genres. Underpinned with a hip-moving production July 7 weaves his silky vocals throughout to create a wheel-up worthy and irresistible track. When asked about the release July 7 commented, “I’ve always wanted to make an infectious record that hooks you as soon as you press play. We channelled that with Genius, the hook is catchy, the production is hypnotising and most importantly… it gets you moving. Cooking this one up with DJ Win was a movie and his taste is undeniable. Straight out of Manchester, this is the new bop to tear up the clubs.”
Ahead of his forthcoming EP dropping in Spring, when asked about the meaning behind the project DJ Win said, “The aim with this project was to showcase unsigned talent in Manchester. There is a lot of talent but because of the infrastructure of the scene, people’s dedication, or confidence within themselves I don’t think certain people are getting the recognition that they should be. There’s a lot of space in the industry to have these artists there so I thought why not.”
Rising Yorkshire noise-merchants – FERAL FAMILY – have unleashed their latest single: “Spice King”, taken from their debut EP ‘PLAYTEST’ (due 12 May).
STREAM “SPICE KING” ON ALL SERVICES HERE || YOUTUBE HERE
Arriving as a fiery follow-up to playful, Spaghetti Western-inspired single “Wee Van Bee”, “Spice King” is an equally cinematic cut that thunders and wails like an interplanetary apocalypse.
Inspired by Frank Herbert’s visionary science-fiction saga ‘Dune’, the track is as vital and mind-bending as the novel’s own precious currency with Feral Family’s rambunctious sounds elevating listeners to an altered state.
Hailing from a remote East Coast town overlooking the North Sea, it was perhaps inevitable that the band were drawn to the bleak landscapes of Herbert’s imagined worlds and to dreams far beyond. As guitarist Oscar explains:
“After listening religiously to the Dune soundtrack, I started playing around with different loops and synth samples. I loved the chaos the soundtrack brought — it transported me right into the harsh, desolate environment of Arrakis. I wanted to create something dark and heavy, that lets the chaos consume you in the chorus.”
MICHAEL J. BENJAMIN is pleased to share “The Deal Has Long Gone Down”.
STREAM ON ALL SERVICES HERE
Having introduced himself with a gorgeous acoustic version of this track earlier this year, the young Dutch singer-songwriter has now unveiled its masterly studio version. Produced in London by Jon McMullen, best known for his work with Wet Leg and Michael Kiwanuka, “The Deal Has Long Gone Down” will tingle the hairs on the back of your neck as it evokes the spirits of Johnny Cash or Leonard Cohen.
A masterclass of technique and tone, Michael’s quietly defiant guitar playing and foreboding baritone vocal only serve to deepen the impression of a chilling song that looks out upon the prospect of looming environmental catastrophe and an uncertain future.
As Benjamin says of single’s reflective subject matter:
“I guess it expresses my fears for the modern climate we all live in, a changing world in danger of moving towards something dark and despairing. When the fortune-teller at the crossroads loses belief, you know it’s tough times ahead.”
The Institutes release their new single “INSIDE OUT” today.
The track will be supported by an accompanying music video starring acclaimed actor Steven Cree, to celebrate the release of a Limited Edition pressing of their debut album COLOSSEUMS on stunning 180g heavyweight ‘splatter’ Vinyl.
WATCH “INSIDE OUT” OFFICIAL VIDEO HERE || STREAM ON ALL SERVICES HERE
Responding to popular demand, atmospheric Indie rockers The Institutes release an updated version of fan favourite “INSIDE OUT” – rebooted with a new mix and strings arrangement, to celebrate the release of a stunning re-pressing of their debut album ‘COLOSSEUMS’, which will be available as a beautiful 180g heavyweight ‘splatter’ vinyl (out 17 March, via 42’s Records). With the first vinyl pressing selling out in 2022, the repressing is available pre-order now here.
Marking the new album reissue, the band have created a lush new version of “INSIDE OUT”, as a new digital single. Enhanced by a new string arrangement and layered with ethereal ambient soundscapes that build on a solid groove to an explosion of guitars. Speaking about the themes within the track and how this new version came together, Hally, co-songwriter and lead guitarist, says:
“[“Inside Out”] is an insight into the struggles of the modern-day adult – a search for the coping mechanisms of day-to-day commitments, that can feel empty and unrewarding, but inside the struggle there is hope, we just need to find it.
We’re all fans of the indie orchestral marriage of tunes such as Bittersweet Symphony, F.E.A.R, Whatever by Oasis but also the mood and journey Radiohead create with their arrangements… Myself and recent addition to the band, Alan Ferguson, wrote a string arrangement, working around the build of the song trying to achieve something more epic, without crossing the line and it sounding like a Disney score! The wonderful Julia Violinista kindly performed the arrangement, and we remixed the track with her added strings.”
Rising Swedish outfit Hips return to the ether with their infectious pop-funk offering “Photograph” – released via AWAL.
Continuing to display a distinctive musical palette that steers away from the generic left-field stylings of contemporary pop trends, Hips’ latest single exudes high-energy, feel-good nostalgia, laced with retro synths and tender melodies. Driven by the explosive emotions of love, lust and passion, Hips shift from hushed tones to clarity and assuredness when collided with an exciting love interest, illustrating the burning desire that takes control when exploring the depths of a new-found connection. With notable contributions from the likes of Swedish legend Thomas Blindberg (Britney Spears, Celine Dion) and Randy Merrill (Harry Styles, Sam Smith), “Photograph” looks set to continue the attention around Hips’ growing reputation.
Accompanied by a stunning music video that personifies their emotive sonics, a potential new romantic interest manoeuvres through a busy Manhattan backdrop, cinematic cuts of pure euphoria underlining the journey through love and joy.
Exploring and honing their sounds since their debut hit record “Loose Tonight” in 2017 (13M+ streams and counting), Hips have steadily carved their lane, gaining swift critical attention across the likes of COMPLEX, THE LINE OF BEST FIT, EARMILK and Spotify’s New Music Friday.
Berlin based trio TUYS continue to stride towards the release of their new album with an intricate new indie cut, ‘Everyday Soleil’. Arriving following recent single ‘Look Alive’, the effervescent track is released alongside a wonderfully crafted video, further adding to the bands visual footprint of creating enigmatic, interesting videos. Speaking on the release, they state:
Everyday Soleil is about a sudden outburst of bad experiences and memories; it should sound like an emotional explosion.
Critically acclaimed artist Luke Elliot (US) has held audiences spellbound by his skilled songwriting filled with cinematic sensation and explosive, yet elegant, live performances since the release of his debut album in 2016. Born and raised in New Jersey, Luke Elliot fell in love with Northern Europe during a visit and settled down in Oslo (Norway), and Northern Europe fell in love with him too, growing a solid fan base. Still, his passion for performing and meeting his fans has taken him to sold out venues all over the world. Since the release of the previous album, The Big Wind (2020), Luke has been touring and writing new songs for his forthcoming third album. To get a taste of what he has been working on, the first single—‘Let ’em All Talk‘—is out now on all digital streaming platforms. Listen here.
“I’m so relieved to finally get this record going with the first single, ‘Let ‘em All Talk,’” says Luke. “This song started off with me and Frode (Jacobsen) sitting in his basement. He had some ideas for basic chords and I just started singing along to the melody naturally, like some sort of chanteur. I’m not sure where it came from, but the first line just came out this way, with different words in the beginning. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to write about, so it took me a little while to get the imagery together. I finished it while in Pasadena. What haunting background vocals by Peter Kvint. Who can even come up with stuff like that anymore?”
The single ‘Let ’em All Talk’is the title track of Luke’s upcoming album, due to be released on Icons Creating Evil Art in May 2023
‘Let ’em All Talk’ is available now on Spotify, Apple Music/iTunes, and other digital retailers and streaming services worldwide. For more information, please visit lukeelliot.com.
With their upcoming third album fast approaching, IST IST are pleased to unveil the latest track to be cut from the record: “Nothing More Nothing Less”.
WATCH THE VIDEO HERE || STREAM ON SPOTIFY HERE
Chiming with the overarching concept of ‘Protagonists’ (out 31 March, via Kind Violence), the Manchester band’s new single finds them stepping into the shoes of a character trapped in a complex relationship and at odds with her true feelings. As frontman Adam Houghton explains:
““Nothing More Nothing Less” is a simple love song really written from a woman’s perspective who isn’t exactly sure what she wants.”
Infusing atmospheric synthesisers and inspiriting backing vocals into their signature post-punk sound, “Nothing More Nothing Less” sees IST IST delivering one of their most cathartic and climactic singles to date.
“Nothing More Nothing Less” arrives as the next-in-line in a string of fascinating singles to have been released in recent months, with “Something Has To Give”, “Stamp You Out” and “Mary in The Black and White Room”, all leading the way to their upcoming ‘Protagonists’ LP later this month (31 March). A record all about new beginnings, the album will touch on the trials and tribulations of love, tricky family relationships, and the feeling of being trapped by the past. The title is inspired by songwriter Adam Houghton’s magpie-like method of writing, with its songs placing prominent characters, fictional and non-fictional, into dystopian worlds with new and uncertain outcomes. Recorded and mixed by Michael Whalley and IST IST at Milkshed Studios, the album was mastered by the legendary Greg Calbi and Steve Fallone at Sterling Sound (The National, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Interpol) and as its precursory singles suggest it will see Ist Ist traversing a broader spectrum of genres and sounds than ever before.
Alongside the album, IST IST also delighted to confirm news of another exciting venture – a brand new community studio. Acting in response to the shock closure of the Brunswick Mill rehearsal spaces earlier this month, a facility used by IST IST since 2018 but also countless artists from across Manchester, the band quit their day-jobs and have decided to establish their own rehearsal rooms. Built with their own bare hands and located on the third floor at Nile Mill A in Oldham with just shy of 4,000 sq ft of space, KVR Studios aims to offer a safe space to all of the creatives in the city who have been evicted from Brunswick Mill and similar spaces blighted by gentrification. The studio will boast nine rehearsal rooms in total, a blackout photo studio big enough for photoshoots and videos, and lockable storage areas to store equipment. With 24 hour access to the facilities to accommodate all schedules and needs, rooms will be available to rent in four hour blocks or monthly, with multi-band sharing opportunities also available.
Email: neill@outloudculture.com
