Rising electronic music sensation Hamdi is ready to make waves once again with his latest single, “Counting,” set for release on May 26th under Zeds Dead‘s esteemed label, Deadbeats. Following the monumental success of his 2022 viral hit “Skanka,” Hamdi’s distinctive fusion of Dubstep, UKG, and Grime continues to captivate global audiences.
Quote from Hamdi:
“Been so excited to release this one for a while. Had a great time working with such an iconic vocal from Princess Superstar.”
Hamdi’s meteoric rise to prominence has garnered acclaim from renowned music critics and tastemakers worldwide, with support pouring in from electronic music heavyweights such as Zeds Dead, Skrillex, Knife Party, Fred Again.., and Porter Robinson. His exceptional versatility and ability to produce across a wide range of styles and genres have positioned him as a highly sought-after talent, earning recognition from esteemed figures within the UK underground scene, including DJ EZ, Skream, Sherelle, and Mala.
With an ever-growing roster of influential supporters, including Baauer, Subtronics, Skream, TroyBoi, and Griz, Hamdi is poised for continued success, solidifying his status as an artist to watch in the months and years to come.
In addition to the highly anticipated release of “Counting,” Hamdi has an exciting collaboration with Zeds Dead in the pipeline and will make his debut at the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheatre for Dead Rocks 9 in July, further cementing his presence on the global electronic music stage.
Mark your calendars for the release of “Counting” on May 26th, as Hamdi’s undeniable talent and global electronic music prowess are set to captivate audiences once again.
Electronic music producer and DJ, Carbin, announces the launch of his new project, CHEMISTREE, with the release of his first track “Clockin’ Out” on May 26th, 2023. CHEMISTREE is a free-spirited project that encapsulates the cycle of life, the human experience, and takes listeners to an enlightened state of being while maintaining natural and grounded elements.
The CHEMISTREE project is a pivot from Carbin’s signature heavy and dark dubstep, with a focus on experimental bass and more profound weight and depth behind the music. CHEMISTREE is a funky and fun sonic ecosystem that offers a new and improved sound that takes all its listeners on an eccentric audio/visual experience.
GRiZ and LSDREAM recently played CHEMISTREE’s debut track “Clockin’ Out” during their B2B set at the Okeechobee Music Festival, receiving great feedback from fans and the industry alike. The new project has been highly anticipated, and fans are thrilled to hear the new direction that CHEMISTREE is taking.
Carbin’s motivation for creating CHEMISTREE was to show the world who he is in a light they have yet to see. “Creating heavy and dark dubstep has always been a passion of mine. I will forever love the feeling of epic intensity, but over the years, I have grown to enjoy many other styles of EDM. Having a child has brought such a large sense of joy and understanding in my life, and the CHEMISTREE project is a product of that. I wanted something more, something with more profound weight and depth behind it. I wanted something fun and uplifting. I wanted to show the world me.”
GRAMMY-nominated, Platinum-certified singer-songwriter, Cassadee Pope, is thrilled to share a new version of her latest single, “People That I Love Leave” featuring rising, pop singer-songwriter, JAX. Combined with Cassadee, JAX’s captivating vocals breathe new life to the already high-energy track about being afraid of fully letting love in after having been through so much heartbreak.
Listen to “People That I Love Leave Feat. JAX” now HERE.
“I’ve been a fan of Jax’s music for a while now. I love everything she stands for,” shares Cassadee. “Her empowering message, bravery, authenticity, and incredible voice is what made me want her featured on this song. I’m so honored she said ‘yes’ and I think she has elevated this song incredibly.”
Originally released in April, “People That I Love Leave” was co-written by Cassadee, Ali Tamposi (Miley Cyrus, Jonas Brothers, Kelly Clarkson), Roman Campolo (Elton John, BTS), Nick Long (Machine Gun Kelly, Avril Lavigne) and Andrew Luce (Iann Dior, Role Model) and produced by Cassadee, Dan Swank, Mason Sacks, Hosu Yoon and Luce. The track was incredibly well received upon its release, garnering the attention of outlets such as Ones to Watch, American Songwriter, Rock Sound, idobi Radio, All Punked Up, The Honey Pop and more.
Cassadee also recently shared the official music video for the song. Directed by Ed Pryor (Dierks Bentley, Mickey Guyton, The War and Treaty), the video finds Cassadee in an all-too-relatable scenario of self-sabotaging your relationships time and time again because of past heartbreak. Watch it now HERE.
Always paving her own path in the industry since the beginning of her career, Cassadee begins a new chapter in her musical journey with “People That I Love Leave.” Having started her career as the frontwoman of beloved, pop-punk band, Hey Monday, “People That I Love Leave” marks a return to form for Cassadee. “This next project has an authenticity that I’ve never been able to tap into before now,” she shares. “Pop and rock music is such a staple in my creativity so to fully return back to that genre feels special and like coming back home.”
Brooklyn noise-pop trio A Very Special Episode today share “Neon Stars” and take their deepest dive yet into this reverb-drenched, spacious world. While AVSE have often flirted with the airy soundscapes of shoegaze amongst their noisy explorations into garage rock and post punk, “Neon Stars” finds them wholeheartedly embracing the genre and seeing how far they can take it. You could call it a sonic expression of the yearning and sense of searching that drives the band’s recent thematic focus, or maybe it’s just a loving opportunity to get under the skin of some of the trio’s favorite influences, including Slowdive, Ringo Deathstarr, and My Bloody Valentine.
Also released today is the official “Neon Stars” video which finds the band reuniting with Jen Meller, who shot and directed the “Heaven’s Gate” video that kicked off the rollout of the upcoming Freak Me Out album. AVSE vocalist/bassist Kasey Heisler explain, “ Neon Stars explores the feelings experienced when drifting off to sleep in front of the television, as depicted by Kristi Sun. The outside world’s sounds and lights bleed into the inner dream space and even after waking up you have the sense of bringing remnants of your REM fantasies into reality.”
Birmingham-raised, Virginia-based R&B talent La Shana Latrice continues her euphoric search for enlightenment across her stunning new EP Faith.
Embodying dream-like vibrations that mirror an intimate sense of sincerity and vulnerability, La Shana Latrice’s latest body of work instantly defines herself as one of the most exciting artists across the R&B scene. Laced with enriched textures expanding across contemporary gospel and soul, Faith EP gleefully flirts with cathartic soundwaves delivered by highly-acclaimed producer Reginald Smith (Celine Dion, 50 Cent, Meek Mill), allowing space for La Shana’s soul-stirring lyrics to journey through undertones of thankfulness and gratitude, encapsulating the
blissful and dynamic signature sound of this rising talent. A true testament to a higher power that elevates her entrancing vocal harmonies, La Shana’s sleek artistry is as beautiful as it is meaningful, and will no doubt continue the heat surrounding a powerful new name crossing international borders in the UK and US landscapes.
The 7-track masterpiece opens with the vibrant “Never Give Up” – a synthetic offering mixing heavy-set piano licks and rolling percussive textures. The perfect foundation for La Shana’s potent vocal range shining with purpose and persistence. She seeks to inspire a new wave of free-thinkers who are championing the celebration of exploration of one’s true inner spirit.
Across the run of “Faith”, “Something New (The Truth)” and lead single “My Everything”, sharp percussion and atmospheric melodies meld with a melodic intimacy of an artist at her most comfortable. Subtle jazz elements echo throughout the smooth R&B backdrop as La Shana deeply reflects on the complexities of spirituality. Closing, “Show Me Your Face” rounds up the compelling patchwork of textures as she pursues the enlightenment of God’s presence while flaunting her angelic approach in an effortless fashion.
Rising LA based duo DARK BARDO follow up their well received debut single Wild Thought Ft. Shungudzo with another look into their particular universe with Mountain Man. Further building on the eclectic sounds and diverse styles that they introduced on their debut single, Mountain Man is another exciting offering from a band who enjoy doing things a bit differently. The track arrives with a stunning music video which further invites us into the technicolor world DARK BARDO are creating. Explaining the track, they state:
The Mountain Man is a much loved character in the Dark Bardo universe. He is a powerful supernatural source of love and light.
He lives in a place that is not confined by our rules of space and time. He can move mountains. He controls day and night by moving the sun and the moon with the flash of his hand. He spends most of his time up there closer to “the light” and the spiritual realms that only he can access.
His mission is to harness and share this magical mysticism with us all. A Mountain Man hug will take you right there.
Remember those little serendipitous otherworldly moments that appear from time to time as if from another dimension? That is the Mountain Man at work.
So pay attention and see if you can grab ahold of a little of that Mountain Man energy – it’ll get you through the day – and the night.
The song was inspired during a period in which I felt a lack of inspiration. Ironically the absence of inspiration, became inspiration in and of itself. “losing my mind” was written during a period where I felt there was a void between myself and the rest of the world.
This song is a reminder that even when the light starts to fade and grow dim, there is still light and what once lit an entire room, can do so again. Much like the current of a river, life is still, life is torrential. Sometimes you have to hold on tighter than others.
Hear “losing my mind” and the rest of our new daydream drama EP on
streaming platforms everywhere.
Swing for the fences, you’re gonna be someone
Our five track EP, daydream drama, is inspired by existentialism, the escapist in me, and all that encompasses. To simplify, it’s a story of self acceptance, and taking comfort in knowing that those of the same mind are also out there. The EP is riddled with hues of self vs self, finding beauty in the darkness and always holding onto the light.
Thanks for losing your minds with us,
Connor Pohl of VIOLET NIGHT
Growing up immersed in dance and musical theater, Tash Blake eventually decided to combine her passion for the legendary performance aspects of Madonna, Britney Spears, and Lady Gaga into one grand auditory experience. The LA-based, electro-pop singer-songwriter proves she is undeniably one to watch. Since the release of her debut record “Mannequin” earlier this year, she has racked up over 3.1 Million YT views on the official music video and was recently featured in Wonderland Magazine, LADYGUNN, . Tash Blake preps the release her debut album this summer 2023.
BENTLE — the project of New York-based Australian artist/producer Josh McVey — shares his new single, “Beam,” out on all streaming platforms today.
Combining lush synth work, hypnotic vocals, and pop-laced melodies, BENTLE delivers a blissful track perfect for the incoming Summer. “Beam” is a vibey, feel-good anthem destined to soundtrack those sun-soaked days ahead.
BENTLE elaborates on the inspiration behind the song: “‘Beam’ is my personal animation of what being caught in an endless thought loop looks like on a summer morning. I wrote it beachside with some friends while traveling through the Caribbean last year — I was processing so many new experiences and feelings at that time and ‘Beam’ takes me straight back to that night. As I woke the next morning I couldn’t stop humming the “honestly, I can’t be free” lyric and melody — I can remember it ringing in my head from the early hours of the morning and it was just so contagious I had to get it down on paper. I love this song because I can still smell the fire and see the hazy horizon from that night.”
Josh McVey (aka BENTLE) is a singer, songwriter and producer originally hailing from Brisbane, Australia and now living in New York City. Producing and writing all of his own material, he delivers glowing indie-pop tunes packed with reflective and introspective lyricism. He’s been laying a foundation over the past few years with a number of single releases, including his 2021 hit “MONDO,” and is now preparing to reveal his debut EP later this year.
alt-rock band Mayor’s House — the New York-based project of Emily Morris (guitar/vocals), Eli Meyers (drums/guitar/bass), Jeffrey Allen (bass/ukulele) and Chris St. Pierre (guitar) — present their new single/video “Emma.”
The new single seamlessly fuses Morris’ heartfelt storytelling with tender harmonies, lush guitar lines, and driving percussion. The genesis of the song was inspired by a young woman named Emma who the band met at a music festival last summer. While hanging out, she opened up to Morris about her experience being a gay woman in a conservative Canadian town, which really struck a chord with Morris as a queer woman herself.
“Emma’s openness really moved me and when I got home from the festival, I knew I had to write about us meeting,” says Morris. “The song is her story intertwined with a little bit with my own. It’s about the immediate bond that queer people have and our mutual understanding and respect for each other. This is the first song I’ve written that really is a gay song — I mean all of my songs are gay songs because that’s part of who I am, but this was the first song I’d written that really openly addressed that part of myself and it was important for me to do that.”
Mayor’s House is the project of lifelong friends who first began playing music together in high school. All multi-instrumentalists, the group is uniquely capable of switching from electric guitars and drums to ukeleles, harmonicas, cajóns, and trumpets, giving them the ability to try just about any instrumental combo. They made their official debut earlier this year with their first single, “Poetry.”
Rapid-rising Australian artist and creative DAY1 returns to the ether with his bold first single of 2023 “Have You Ever” – released via Warner Australia.
Offering a thrilling throwback to the iconic era of hip-hop that has shaped his potent artistry, DAY1 continues to deliver intoxicating sound waves across his latest cut. Dexterous and sharp from the offset, “Have You Ever” recalls the cream of rap icons like 50 Cent while effortlessly infusing DAY1’s unapologetic flair shining with purpose and persistence. The newcomer flexes with typical finesse as he thrives in the fruits of his success – a true multi-faceted talent now resonating across the UK and beyond.
With well over 104M streams and counting, the Māori-Australian artist is rapidly building a cult following across continents.
Crashing onto UK consciousness with his hit record “Me, Myself & I” last year – directed by UK pioneer Kaylum Dennis (Stormzy, Wretch 32, Smoke Boys) – DAY1
amassed well over 100K views in 24 hours across his GRM DAILY debut, as well as regular play time from BBC RADIO 1XTRA’s Snoochie Shy. Followed by critical tastemaker support from the likes of CLASH, NOTION, VIPER and MIXTAPE MADNESS, the rising talent capped off standout summer with pivotal support slots alongside London pioneers Central Cee and AJ Tracey, where he toured across Australia’s major cities while being a part of Clint’s CRTZ.RTW “Down Unda” activation.
Now on a direct path for an international takeover, DAY1 is emerging as one of Australia’s hottest breakout stars and with his hotly anticipated sophomore project confirmed this year, get ready to see and hear a whole lot more.
British star-in-the-making Sody releases her heartwarming new single “Frozen Lake.” The song comes complete with a truly stunning official video that hits the soul’s core alongside Sody’s forever top notch songwriting prowess.
Watch the video to Frozen Lake – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Y_Kisdi6cQ
Playlisting the song? You can do so – HERE
Speaking about today’s release, Sody explains “Frozen lake encapsulates the feeling of being trapped and not being able to break free. The inspiration behind the song came from a recurring dream I was having and when I looked up the meaning, it said I was being held back in areas of my life and was unfulfilled with the direction I was going in. That was exactly how I was feeling in my career at the time but can also relate it to certain relationships too.”
Recently Sody returned with her tongue in cheek banger “Star Potential” which questioned about the expectations of young artists in the music industry whilst also becoming your next fist-pumping anthem to sing out loud to. Before that, Sody joined forces with Mae Muller, Beren Olivia, Cat Burns and Rachel Chinouriri on Dylan’s “Every Heart But Mine” single. In what is already proving to be busy year of new music releases this year, fans can expect plenty more brilliance from Sody who is just getting started.
Sody’s approach to raw songwriting has proven to be the winning blueprint throughout her career. Only two years after her debut song, she released her demo ‘Whole’ which sat on Spotify’s ‘Most Beautiful Songs in the World’ playlist for three consecutive years. Sody then released two EPs ‘I’m Sorry, I’m Not Sorry,’ (2019) followed by real growth takes time,’ (2020) over which her audience grew exponentially. The EP releases and the tracks that followed produced a slew of popular singles that captured the hearts of a growing global audience. From the likes of mid-tempo ‘butterfly’ (2019), emotively pensive ‘is your bedroom ceiling bored?’ (2020) – a collaboration with Cavetown, and the brutally honest ‘Bitch (I Said It,)’ in 2021, the tracks were as versatile as they were strong. It was in moments like this that Sody had begun winning over tastemaker media such as BBC Radio 1 and the likes of DIY Mag, Clash & Dork Magazine in the UK.
Honey Gentry (ˈhʌni ˈʤɛntri) is an independent artist from London, UK. Creating baroque pop for introverts, Honey’s work explores themes including escapism, dreams, and mythology. Entirely self-produced and recorded from the comfort of her bedroom, the artist manages to capture a free, honest and totally personal experience with her DIY, homemade music.
Finding influence in the likes of artists such as Mazzy Star, Tori Amos and Lana Del Rey, Honey is inspired by musicians who would turn deeply personal and private experiences of teenage girlhood and young womanhood, into something intensely human and real.
Her new three-track EP, Different Water, sonically shimmers with dreamy, echoing synths, layered vocals and delicate piano melodies, delivering an overall celestial quality. Throughout the EP, listeners will find Space as a common theme with Honey confiding, “I think because that’s my preferred method of looking outward rather than inward; forwards instead of backwards.” This is evident in “Nebula” where Honey sings, “Somewhere in space there’s a star being born / Nothing but dust and a desire to form.” Described as some of her favourite lyrics on the EP, the songwriter explains, “It’s all been said before but when you really think about the enormity and complexity of the universe we live in it puts small problems into perspective but also, lends life its profound meaning.”
Honey Gentry’s music has garnered millions of streams to date and has been supported by outlets including NME, BBC Radio Ulster, Earmilk, Dork, Fred Perry Subculture and more.
Montreal-based singer and songwriter Annabel Gutherz shares a live performance video of her new single, “Saturn’s Rings.” Filmed at golden hour in a seemingly endless field of sunflowers, the video is a stunning counterpart to the effervescent song.
“‘Saturn’s Rings’ is about being enveloped by your thoughts and feelings for an ex, despite the amount of time that has passed between you two,” Annabel says about the new song. “I wanted the production to reflect the push-and-pull dynamic of the lyrics and the discordant emotional undercurrents contrasting each song section.”
Annabel Gutherz is a singer-songwriter hailing from Montreal, Canada. Combining her compelling and diaristic storytelling with honeyed melodies, distinct vocals and her keen musical ear, Annabel’s songs take listeners on a heartfelt journey packed with raw honesty and emotional conviction. Fiercely committed to her craft, Annabel graduated from Berklee College of Music with a Bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Music Studies and is now completing her Master’s of Arts degree in Songwriting at Berklee as well.
“Ships On An Ocean” was inspired by a best friends’ breakup with a long-time girlfriend. I’d gotten home after meeting him for coffee and pretty much wrote the song in one sitting. I didn’t plan to write it, but the imagery and mood of his experience I think seeped into my subconscious.
The title is in reference to the “ships that pass in the night” metaphor, originally from a poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. I thought the idea that we can come so close to one another for a brief period of time, and then just sail off into the night, really captured a lethargic and hopeless feeling that the main character in the song takes on.
⛵️ OUT NOW across all streaming platforms: https://ffm.to/shipsonanocean
🌊 Watch and share the lyric video: https://youtu.be/svFJLgzOAS4
We wanted to create contrast in intensity between the verse and chorus. The realization I had (and lesson I took away) was that you can’t paint the entire thing with one brush. You almost need to write two songs – an intimate quiet one, and a loud intense one – and then stitch them together in the most shocking way possible. The recording sessions turned out this way too, almost by chance. We started off recording the song at Pineship Sound with Carlin Nicholson (Zeus) and Mike O’Brien (Zeus, Bahamas), a studio with a wonderfully gritty and muscular sound. Most of what we recorded there ended up in the choruses. About a year later we did a session at All Day Coconut with Gavin Gardiner whose studio provided most of the softer elements in the track. We spent the final few months mixing sounds between the two studios, and filling in any gaps with material recorded in our home studios. The bass for example was edited together between all 3 studios, and has quite a different sound throughout. Keep these elements in mind as you listen.
Tom Ionescu of Jane’s Party
Toronto duo TANDM‘s songs seem to transcend time, place, and even stylistic categorization. The core duo of vocalist/guitarist Maxine Beck-Sinderby and drummer Thomas Franklin first met in their mid-teens and quickly united over a unique creative chemistry. Their influences are as subtle as they are diverse, weaving tinges of genre-bending modern innovators from Alvvays to Regina Spector to even Vampire Weekend into their work.
New track, “The Man in the Sea,” was originally written by Maxine as a poem for an assignment in high school. The poem was inspired by a story told to her as a child by her grandmother; the tale was whimsical about how a giant man in the sea would stir a giant spoon and make the waves. “My inspiration was to convey the sensation of a childhood belief/fantasy, that then shattered from discovering the realities of the world.”
The video made by continuing collaborators with TANDM, Akash Jones & Bronte Brazier, uses dreamlike stop motion visuals to accompany the haunting tune. The single is a highlight off the group’s dynamic upcoming EP Sirens.
I was walking back to the studio one day in the Spring of 2021 and found myself singing this cheeky song about projection and what happens in a new relationship when the first stages begin to fade. I recently learned the word limerence and, nearly two years later, it turns out to be a primary theme of what my new single, “New Love’s Mortal Coil,” is about.
lim·er·ence
noun PSYCHOLOGY
the state of being infatuated or obsessed with another person, typically experienced involuntarily and characterized by a strong desire for reciprocation of one’s feelings but not primarily for a sexual relationship.
I also wanted to speak to the law of impermanence and how it can apply to new love – what happens when we attach to a dream or an expectation that things will go a particular way… It’s a very real thing and it can rob the connection of organically evolving to its natural potential.
Stream “New Love’s Mortal Coil” via your preferred platform now.
So there’s a seriousness to the content of the lyrics, but what was playing in my head on that walk was this super cheeky pop tune, with images of a group of folks moving through the streets dressed in suits. It brought a lot of joy and sarcasm to the whole thing, which is a nice departure for me – to step into the lighter side of some challenging matters of the heart and have fun with it.
Watch the colorful and choreographed visuals for “New Love’s Mortal Coil” on YouTube.
My debut album, Child of Venus, will be released on July 7th. I’m looking forward to sharing this record that represents a really important chapter of my life that was full of growth and change – both as an artist and a human. I hope this music will find its place in the world and will be able to act as a companion in your life if you connect with it.
Thanks for listening,
Kaelen Ohm • AMAARA
Following up on the heels of the infectious and hypnotic Afropop of “Cocoa Butter,” Montreal-via-Toronto artist Aiza’s first single of 2023, the polymath is returning with “Majimbo,” a tribute to fellow East African queen, the Kenyan internet superstar, Elsa Majimbo.
Aiza’s braggadocious flow and a feel-good thumpy pop bassline from producer C the Reason combine to embrace an inner confidence which relates to the immense source of pride, inspiration, and joy witnessing Majimbo’s ascension has brought Aiza.
K.O.G (Kweku of Ghana) lends his powerful and electric vocals to the song, who joined Aiza on a Zoom recording session from the UK with his writing partner Tom Excell (Nubiyan Twist) to elevate this song’s infectious energy.
She adds: “This track will turn every sidewalk into a fashion runway and will make you feel like the main character of your life, as you should. Without a doubt, Majimbo is the feel-good afropop track of the century!”
Back in Europe with a brand new single to his name – MICKELSON – returns with “Jump Off The Earth” this Summer.
Released on 16th June, the new single arrives ahead of a stretch of new shows across the UK + Ireland (listed below) and swiftly follows his warmly-received collaboration with XTC’s Colin Moulding, “Only Grey Matter Boiling In My Head”, from earlier this year.
Taking a leap of faith, “Jump Off The Earth”, is an experimental new single that sees the US alternative folk/rock songwriter reaching into bold creative stratospheres.
A song that comments on the passing of time and the inevitable shadow of our mortality, it is also one that finds the veteran San Francisco artist invigorated by life and all it has to offer. With a message to seize the moment while it’s ours to take, Mickelson explains of it:
“I feel grateful for the life I’ve led as an artist but I’m also aware that the time left to continue is becoming more precious. I’ve gotten to the point where I will not let anyone or anything slow me down or interfere with the momentum I’ve built. In “Jump Off The Earth”, I’m saying there’s no time to waste. We need to let go of the negative things that hold us back and move beyond them. Or try at least – ha!”
Underpinned by Mickelson’s warm and weathered vocal, he unfurls ruminative and cryptic choral hooks like: “Every minute is a minute gone // No time to plan ahead
// I can’t tell you if I’m right or wrong I don’t want to leave you // I just need to jump off the Earth”; each lyric landing with the impact of a raindrop on Jupiter.
“I’d been playing around with the chorus riff on the banjo for a couple of years then when I experienced an unpleasant incident in my personal life, I thought to myself that I was wasting time ruminating over it. The lyric “Every minute is a minute gone.” came to mind and the rest of the song fell into place” adds Mickelson.
Vevo, the world’s leading music video network, announces the release of Kesha’s live performance of “Only Love Can Save Us Now” off her new album Gag Order. “Only Love Can Save Us Now” follows Kesha’s Vevo studio performance of “Eat the Acid.” Kesha previously worked with Vevo in 2020 for performances of “Raising Hell” and “Resentment.”
Called “her most daring music yet” by Rolling Stone, Gag Order (produced by Rick Rubin, with Kesha as executive producer), has been self-described as “post-pop” full-bodied collection which flows like a stream-of-consciousness journey through the psychedelic dark depths of the human psyche, followed by basking in the cleansing light when finally reaching the surface.
On “Only Love Can Save Us Now,” Kesha shared, “I have had an overwhelming dichotomy of emotions, oscillating between pain and love. Chaos and love. Fear and love. I wanted my song ‘Only Love Can Save Us Now’ to sonically, lyrically, and emotionally reflect the severity of my mental pendulum swings. The world is so overwhelming sometimes. It requires a moment of surrender. The ludicrosity of life can make you crazy. If anything, IF ANYTHING, can save us, I believe only love can. This song is a desperate and angry prayer. A call to the light when all feels lost.”
Grooblen shares “It Costs $0 To Be Kind”, the final single in advance of her album A Wormhole Is A Freeway To The Stars. In many ways the song’s title is a mantra and mission statement for the avant pop artist’s personal life, but it also reflects the cautious positivity that runs through her music. Through the track’s four minutes, Grooblen meditates on life’s ebbs and flows through repeating lyrical refrains that reflect on the manner in which small acts can change the world around us.
Grooblen’s Ellie Stokes explains, “This is very much a ‘pick yourself back up again’ kind of song after something bad happens to you. The song encourages folks to use their powerful humankindness to help each other despite feeling like everything is falling apart.”
“It Costs $0 To Be Kind” is accompanied by a collagic visual that captures moments from both Stokes’ personal life and Grooblen life. As Stokes puts it, “ it kind of serves as a little visual love letter to myself :)”.
LUISA SIOROU REVEALS GORGEOUS NEW OFFERING, ‘ MISS ME MORE’// LISTEN HERE
Announcing herself in captivating fashion today is German-born artist, Luisa Siorou. Having gained support from areas such as Wonderland, House Of Solo and more on the back of her intricate glitter-pop, Siorou continues her ascent with the reveal of bittersweet pop ballad ‘Miss Me More’. Packed with dreamy guitars, soaring melodies, and vivid imagery, the track showcases Siorou’s floaty vocals and deeply personal songwriting to create a track perfect for repeat listens. Speaking on the track, she states:
“’Miss Me More’ is a song that comes straight from the heart. It’s about young love and falling for someone deeply which ultimately ended in heartbreak and loss of self-identity. I hope that people can connect with the emotions in the song and find comfort in knowing that we’re all going through different shades of the same emotions.“
DJ and producer Chmba releases her breath taking new single “Okongola” lifted from her forthcoming highly anticipated EP “Okongola Caucus” released June 16th; The EP will showcase her impressive musical ability and beatmaking skills, exploring love in all forms from romance to parental and distance in love untangling, freedom and barriers to love overlapping.
Okongola is romance all swagged out with a timeless, hypnotizing synth arp taking you on an electric journey yet still grounded in Afro-energy with bass drums teasing amapiano vibes. nIGEL on vocals takes you between worlds, maybe a night out in Malawi and also perhaps space.
Chmba artfully blends two genres to make a unique melding of Afro-electronic and future indie energy which come together to inspire an immediate sense of joy and nostalgia and a call to the dance floor.
About Chmba
From the tender age of 7, Chmba (Chmba Ellen Chilemba) has been on a mission to fuse the funkiest afro sounds, future beats, and house grooves. Drawing inspiration from her Pan-African roots and a deep sense of sonic motherhood, she creates infectious Afro-electronic, indie, and house alternative sounds, infused with time-traveling synths, fiery strings, and African percussive rhythms.
Chmba’s raw talent and unapologetic style have caught the attention of the Queen of Pop herself, Madonna, who has invited Chmba to play at her exclusive A-list celebrity parties, including the prestigious Oscars’ The Party in Beverly Hills, California.
As Glamour Magazine’s Woman of the Year (2017) Chmba has rocked impressive stages across the globe, including the World Economic Forum in Davos, BBC Radio 6, and Tumbler Select Playlist. She’s also opened for Grammy-winning artists like Angelique Kidjo, Nile Rodgers, Metro Boomin, and Laura Mvula, cementing her status as a true trailblazer in the music industry.
Chmba is more than just a talented artist – she’s also a dedicated activist and founder of Tiwale, a community center in Malawi that supports women and gender minorities through art and educational opportunities. Her inspiring work has earned her a spot on Forbes’ Africa 30 Under 30 list, as well as recognition from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Global Citizen as a Youth Advocate.
Chmba’s unique sound, magnetic energy, and commitment to social change make her a force to be reckoned with, both on and off the stage.
FRND CRCL announce the release of their upcoming single “Fuck California” out June 2, off their highly anticipated album Suburban Dictionary out June 30.
Pre-save “Fuck California” here.
A track about expanding perspectives, “Fuck California” is not only a declaration of love to their home state of New Jersey, but an anthem that encourages positive thinking.
Similar to the Death Row and Bad Boy records battle, the typical feud over the best coast holds no animosity from FRND CRCL towards the golden state.
Instead, the track speaks to living the moment, finding the best in a situation and blooming where you are planted.
Pulling from frustration over the California stereotype of an ‘all talk and no change’ mentality, FRND CRCL encourages listeners to open their minds, make positive changes and face their problems.
female house and techno producer/DJ HoneyLuv announces her international ‘Summer Of Luv’ Tour.
Across more than 40 dates, HoneyLuv will spend the summer on a cross-continental adventure, appearing in Spain, Italy, Brazil, Croatia, Belgium, Canada, and more. Intent on becoming a globally recognized name in house and techno music, HoneyLuv is set to support acts like Calvin Harris, Jamie Jones, FISHER, The Martinez Brothers, Vintage Culture, and more at Ibiza residencies all summer long. The ‘Summer Of Luv’ Tour will also include festival stops at Tomorrowland, Splash House, Elements Festival, Decibel Festival, Life Is Beautiful, Badlands Festival, Sunset Music Festival, and more.
In just three short years, HoneyLuv has become an essential figure in a new generation of artists shaping the sound of dance music, known for honoring the roots of house music while bringing a fresh perspective to the scene. From being named by Billboard as a ‘Dance Artist to Watch’ and by BBC Radio 1 Dance as a ‘Future Star’ to earning a spot in Beatport Next’s Class of 2023 and nomination for DJ Mag North America’s Breakthrough Producer, HoneyLuv’s global trajectory has been unparalleled. A former athlete and Navy drone mechanic, HoneyLuv is now captivating live audiences on festival stages around the world with her futuristic, deep tech sound.
In 2022, HoneyLuv released her breakout single ‘365’ on Chris Lake’s Black Book Records, which was named a BBC Hottest Record In The World and nominated for DJ Mag’s Best Track, and ‘Sway’ with Dope Earth Alien via Insomniac Records. This year, HoneyLuv followed up with collaborative singles ‘Sex & The City’ with House music icon, Seth Troxler and ‘Inside My Mind’ with house heavyweight Harry Romero, and continues to dominate clubs and festival stages around the globe.
Catch HoneyLuv this summer on the ‘Summer Of Luv’ Tour.
Summer Of Luv Tour Dates
May 26 – Wintrust Arena – Chicago, IL
May 26 – Spybar – Chicago, IL
May 27 – Sunset Music Festival – Tampa, FL
May 27 – Arts District Brooklyn – Brooklyn, NY
May 28 – Magic Stick – Detroit, MI
June 3 – Paradise In The Park – Los Angeles, CA
June 11 – Splash House – Palm Springs, CA
June 16 – Ushuaïa – Ibiza, Spain
June 18 – Beatport At Sonar – Barcelona, Spain
June 22 – Osheaga Block Party – Montreal, QB
June 22 – Coda – Toronto, ON
June 24 – Get Funky Festival – Salt Lake City, UT
June 25 – Beach House – San Diego, CA
June 30 – Warehouse On Watts – Philadelphia, PA
July 1 – Vinyl – Denver, CO
July 3 – House Of E Funk – Chicago, IL
July 4 – Fourth At The Mural – Seattle, WA
July 7 – Space – Miami, FL
July 8 – 45 East – Portland, OR
July 9 – Badlands Music Festival – Calgary, AB
July 12 – Paradise – Ibiza, Spain
July 21 – Tomorrowland – Antwerp, Belgium
August 4 – Defected Festival – Tisno, Croatia
August 9 – Hï – Ibiza, Spain
August 13 – Elements Festival – Long Pond, PA
August 15 – Hï – Ibiza, Spain
August 19 – TBA – São Paulo, Brazil
August 19 – TBA – São Paulo, Brazil
August 30 – Hï – Ibiza, Spain
September 8 – He.She.They. – Ibiza, Spain
September 10 – Decibel Festival – Florence, Italy
September 23 – Life Is Beautiful Festival – Las Vegas, NV
Californian metalcore band, MUGSHOT have announced they have signed to Pure Noise Records. To celebrate the band have released new single ‘Left In The Wake’ alongside a new video.
Speaking about signing to Pure Noise Records the band said “We are extremely excited to be signing with Pure Noise Records. They have released some of our favourite records of all time and to be working with their incredible team is an honour. We can’t wait to see what we can accomplish together.”
New Zealand underground rap force SXMPRA has unveiled a ruthless new record and video, recruiting Florida rap weapon, Ski Mask The Slump God for a feature, with “COWBELL WARRIORS!” via 10K Projects. Get it HERE and watch HERE.
Originally a self-produced DIY cut made from SXMPRA’s bedroom in Wellington, ‘COWBELL WARRIORS!’ straddles the line between underground Memphis-inspired Phonk rap and elements of hardcore and nu-metal. Alongside the new verse from SXMPRA, the legendary Ski Mask The Slump God adds a menacing feature in the infectious new track. A play on the gen-z phrase “keyboard warrior”, the gritty track finds SXMPRA and Ski Mask’s fast-paced flows speaking to the insignificance of doubters who criticize their grind cowardly from behind their computer keyboards.
SXMPRA adds: “With the Ski Mask the Slump God being an early inspiration for me it is a full circle moment for me to work alongside him on this high pace, high energy track and it is sure to leave a mark on the culture.”
Indiana-born, LA-based electro-pop artist Mason Wood has returned to the music scene with his latest single, “I’m Not Dead,” following a pandemic-induced hiatus. Released on May 12th, during Mental Health Awareness Month, the single offers a glimpse into Wood’s upcoming second EP, titled Hollywood Land, set to be released this fall.
The upbeat dance-pop track serves as a testament to Wood’s resilience and strength in the face of adversity, with lyrics describing his battle against mental illness and emerging stronger than ever.
Woods says that the new song “is a lyrical journey about me fighting against all the negativity that tries to weigh me down. In this song, I describe the city of Los Angeles as the main antagonist as well as those who dwell here. The song is about coming out from a dark place, stronger than you were before.”
The new single by Mason Wood, “I’m Not Dead” is out now on all music streaming platforms. Stay tuned for Wood’s next single, “California,” coming in June, and his new EP, Hollywood Land, to follow this fall.
Vicki Lovelee is a Chinese Canadian alt-pop singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Markham, Ontario. Her music combines pop with dark, dramatic sounds; fused with orchestral instrumentations. With an eccentric and raw persona she is a combination of fierce vibrance and honest vulnerability.
An adamant champion of mental health awareness and the beauty of diversity, her latest single “Retaliate” encapsulates her artistic voice in an invitation to the pop slayers progressive world that she escorts you to with open bejeweled arms.
The single is a hypnotic alt-pop bop with hooky and dynamic production building to a triumphant crescendo. An anthemic banger meant to remind the listener it’s okay to have feelings, it’s okay to be affected and stand up again with retaliation for that is the human condition. “Retaliate” will be part of an upcoming album, set for release this fall.
Ugly emotions in motion, sudden explosions of feeling blue, then feeling green Everyone around me telling me how obscene, but I don’t give a fuck
Email: neill@outloudculture.com
