With the release of the new single, “Summertime,” Mouths of Babes announce the album, World Brand New, to be released October 6, 2023. The highly-anticipated, self-produced follow-up to the duo’s award-winning LP, Brighter in the Dark, World Brand New is a Folk/Americana album in the old-fashioned sense: an album with an arc, meant to be listened to all the way through on good headphones with no distractions. With ten songs that range from stuck-in-your-head-catchy to cinematic and orchestral, Ty Greenstein and Ingrid Elizabeth take you on a journey hinted at in the cover art: In seeking the safety and comfort of home, one must venture out to the turbulent sea, step fully into the chaos and despair of the world, and face a reckoning, in order to encounter the promise of renewal.
The first offering from the album, “Summertime,” is a love song — universal in its “hot summer romance” sentiment yet told through a distinctly queer/LGBTQ+ lens. “I am a firm believer that we need to ‘write the country/Americana songs we want to hear in the world,’ and in my case, that’s a song where queer love is the protagonist who is allowed to be seen and celebrated, despite a small town culture,” explains Elizabeth, who first recorded the song with her previous band, Coyote Grace. “I believe that we queer country kids should get to have our ‘summer love song’ radio hits, too. When it comes to inclusivity, Americana music has come a long way in the last few years, certainly since I first wrote this song 15 years ago. But in this current political climate, to proudly proclaim ‘boys like her like the girls like me’ is inherently political, and more necessary than ever.” LISTEN HERE.
San Francisco based indie pop duo cornerclub announce their self-produced earnest, whimsical EP in the rearview mirror due out October 6 and available to pre-order now. Alongside the announcement, the pair share a new taste of the forthcoming project with petty, playful track and DIY video “whenever you’re ready”out everywhere now.
The pair’s self-produced second EP, the forthcomingsincere, dreamy in the rearview mirror, sonically paints a poignant portrait of life’s highs and lows. It softly and effortlessly flows between songs that carry a familiar warmth and a raw, inviting openness that command considerable, worthwhile attention. Created in the midst of a cross-country move, the EP maintains the intimate story-telling and playful ambience of past releases while exploring new directions in genre, intensity, and emotion, showcasing the duo’s evolving sonic identity.
Over seven stirring, cinematic tracks, the pair dive headfirst into the trials and tribulations of their lived experiences, exploring topics like memories from a childhood home long gone, the generational grief of loved ones passing, and reflections on a slow-burning heartbreak. Impressively, two songs were recorded as live takes including “i’ll never say i love you first again” and “the ezra song.” Several friends pitched in to provide flute, bass, and cello on different tracks, and the project was mastered with their remote collaborator KevinTuffy in Berlin at Manmade Mastering.
Vocalist SavannahDu says the EP allowed them to reflect on their artistic journey and the life changes that fed their newest music. Du says, “When we think back to where we were the last time we released music–in a different city, in different relationships, and with family having moved on and around–a lot has changed. We tend to write about the feelings that are most biting in the moment, and now that the EP is finished, we’ve found that some of those moments continue to stay with us and some are no longer relatable, hence the title ‘in the rearview mirror.’” The forthcoming project features more music than they’ve released before at one time, which gave them more space to expand and explore their sound and vision while maintaining their core identity. Du continues, “With a longer project like this one, we had the opportunity to experiment with new styles while hopefully keeping some of our usual atmosphericness and storytelling.”
Andy Frasco & The U.N. have released their much anticipated new album, L’Optimist via Fun Machine Records/Soundly Music. L’Optimist is Frasco’s most hopeful and enthusiastic collection thus far in his career and has earned the praise of outlets like Westword, Forbes and Relix. A testament to Frasco’s wide-ranging influences and boundless energy, L’Optimist sees the magnetic frontman continuing to chart his path of self-exploration and personal discovery through increasingly introspective lyricism and musical adventure.
“With so much bad news in the world, why not try to figure out a way to get out of the darkness,” Frasco says. “We’re not going to be able to change the world, but at least we can change the mind state we have moving forward. We can at least help the process along by being optimistic that the future will turn itself around. And if everyone changes their mind state about the future, then maybe we can change the world.”
A much-beloved live outfit renowned for unbridled improvisation, audience interaction, surprising covers, special guests, and animated antics unlike any other, Andy Frasco & The U.N. will celebrate L’Optimist with a stacked live schedule including a just-announced headline run getting underway September 28 at East Lansing, MI’s Hall 224 and then continuing through mid-December. In the meantime, Frasco will spend the summer traveling America on a wide-ranging itinerary that features headline dates, top-billed festival appearances, and an eagerly support slot with Slightly Stoopid set for August 13 at Morrison, CO’s famed Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Additional dates will be announced. For complete details and ticket information, please visit www.andyfrasco.com/tour.
Vancouver-based Charlie PS has a sound that can be described as a sonic melting pot. Inspired by a wide variety of rock and blues from legends of the 20th century such as Stevie Nicks and Ann Wilson, to modern rock artists that include Grace Potter and ZZ Ward, Charlie borrows elements of strong vocals and energetic riffs and uses them to create her own blended sound rooted in modern-rock.
Her latest single and title track off her upcoming EP “Even If It Kills Me” (August 2023) takes its dynamic chorus, layered with an ensemble of vocals and live horns and its modern rock inspired instrumentation and calls out to the risk takers and the secretly insecure, reminding them that sometimes it’s okay to just be you. “Even If It Kills Me” is the second of three singles to be released this year in advance of a five song EP in November and follows “Revival”(May 2023) a story of personal restoration, oozing with crunchy, blues-rock guitar riffs and fiercely melodic gang vocals.
The catalyst in Charlie’s sonic direction is her single, “Ghost of You” (2021), which combines flavors of alternative and southern rock, creating a backdrop for ‘western-esque’ storytelling and was featured on the Spotify Editorial Playlist ‘Morning Blues’, BBC Radio and CBC’s ‘Rock Canada’ Playlist.
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Charlie’s debut EP, Little Miss Dysfunctional (2018), included the title track which went on to be nominated and win ‘Best Pop Song’ and was also nominated for ‘Best Music Video’, while Charlie herself was nominated as ‘Artist of the Year’ at the Kootenay Music Awards (2019). She also placed in the Top-100 in CBC’s Searchlight competition (2019) and won a spot at the local Surrey Fusion Festival (2019).
Emerging from the Bay Area, Decant is a rising darkpop project. The band, featuring frontperson and vocalist Freddie Bytheway, keyboardist and guitarist Joey Verdian, fellow keyboardist and guitarist Van Jackson-Weaver, and drummer Thelonius Quimby, crafts a unique sound. They blend electronic drum triggers, sample triggers, analog synthesizers, electric guitars, electric pianos, live vocal processing, and keyboard modeling to create a distinctive auditory experience.
Joey Verdian originally initiated the project in 2016 as a songwriting and production venture. However, it wasn’t until 2020, with the addition of Freddie and Van (members of Bay Area art pop band Yassou) that Decant truly took shape. The band’s name, Decant, serves as a metaphor for their creative process, symbolizing the transformation of emotional complexities into tangible feelings through sound, akin to the decanting of wine.
Decant draws from a diverse pool of influences, including Radiohead, FKA Twigs, Burial, Portishead, Jamie XX, and Grouper, yet, their unique approach to music production sets them apart. Their entire record, self-recorded and produced in a bedroom studio, transcends genres by processing organic instruments to create electronic textures, while maintaining a strong connection to relatable pop song structures and melodies.
Decant’s music explores themes of loss, transformation, shifts in perception, and vulnerability, transporting listeners to post-apocalyptic worlds and reimagined societies. This immersive aesthetic is achieved through their unique blend of electronic and organic elements.
Their first single, “Gallatin,” released in Spring 2023, was followed by “Take Them.” Both tracks have gained significant traction, with over 20,000 streams and approximately 6,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, and over 2,000 streams on Apple Music. Their next single, “Beverly,” is set to drop on June 23rd. Two other notable upcoming releases, “Offshore” and “Passing,” are eagerly anticipated. “Offshore,” a song about growing apart from a loved one, was created during the pandemic. “Passing” is a tribute to and collaboration with their late friend, Corey Budke, featuring Corey’s lyrics and vocal melodies from a song titled “Solace.” It explores the interplay between love sickness and substance use-related sickness. These tracks will eventually form their debut LP.
Decant’s music is a testament to their commitment to pushing genre boundaries and creating a unique sonic experience. Their self-recorded and produced tracks defy categorization, falling between the cracks of typical genres. With its upcoming releases, Decant is set to continue their exploration of loss, transformation, and vulnerability through their unique blend of electronic and organic elements.
GANGS OF KIN (Joël Gaerthé) shares his stellar debut EP
The five track body of work fuses dynamic future-funk, one of a kind soulful vocals and groove-laden melodies. Full of energy, the record is a flawless introduction to GANGS OF KIN. See below for the tracklist;
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Nature Knows No King
Liquid
Mass Confusion
Nature Knows No King
Cool Calm & Collected
You Belong
Inspired by the relentless challenges that come with navigating the modern world, Nature Knows No King sees Joël Gaerthé reflect on the current state of society. Acknowledging the shortcomings of humankind but remaining hopeful for change, it’s a reminder to keep your focus and push for positive progression. Sharing more he explained; ‘This EP targets the man made pressure and chaos we created called society. The struggle of getting in line of a system that feels a-strayed from what feels natural. Coming to terms with navigating general acceptance opposite of self acceptance.’
The EP’s title track ‘Nature Knows No King’ is a grounding, weightless offering here to challenge the concepts of power, greed and status. Nature Knows No King and You Belong are two brand new singles, revealed alongside the EP today. You Belong takes shape as a reassuring upload, arriving as a reminder to surround yourself with the people, places and environments that will help you to thrive.
The reveal of today’s EP arrives in the wake of Gangs of Kin’s most recently single ‘Cool, Calm & Collected. Led by an infectious bass-line and unmistakable vocals the track received much acclaim from the likes of Complex UK, The Independent, Metal Magazine and Ones To Watch. Sharing more on the track Joël explained: We should all march to the beat of our own drum as we all take our time to figure out what we’re doing here. Some keep changing direction. People are quick to judge on one’s ‘success’ and as we grow up we discover that the mistakes we’ve made are just as valuable as the steps we’ve made forward. Within all the chaos, aimlessness and anxiety this is a song to cancel out the noise of outer pressure. The time of splendor comes after the drought.
This is a chant to stay cool, calm and collected.”
Philippines-born, Las Vegas-based multi-faceted musician, Ez Mil, who both raps and sings, shares the highly anticipated, layered deluxe version of his second album, DU4LI7Y: REDUX, out everywhere now. Plus, the musician shares the lyric video for recently released track “Realest” featuring Eminem and new track “Podium” out now following his recent signing toEminemand Dr. Dre‘s Shady Records/Aftermath Entertainment/Interscope Records. Mil joins the likes of 50Cent as only a few of the artists signed directly to all three labels.
Out in full today, DU4LI7Y: REDUX, which features artwork done by Ez Mil himself, expands on the original work to begin a new chapter–only this time–supported and approved by two of the rising rapper’s longtime idols. Ez Mil emphasizes the importance of his own vulnerability and its role in creating the best, most authentic music he can make. Mil says ultimately, his creative process includes, “just putting my thoughts out there and wearing my heart on my sleeve. It’s my journal. My music is my story.”
Alongside the deluxe album release, Ez Mil shares the latest track “Podium,” that reflects his experience as a rising rapper and someone who others might admire. Ez Mil shares the song is, “dedicated to the powers that be. It sheds light on how rappers or writers sometimes feel like politicians with the truth behind what they say and the fear they feel of what might happen as someone in a position of influence.” Aware of his role as someone with a platform and a microphone, Ez Mil hopes to make friends and family proud as he propels into the next phase of his flourishing career.
Powered by lithe, expressive vocals, dexterous raps and songwriting know-how, Ez Mil’s latest level up is the product of talent, hard work and a keen knowledge of his own audience — in this case, that crowd happened to include Slim Shady himself. In February, Ez Mil released the video for his DU4LI7Y single “UpDown” on Virgin Music. Noting the similarities in their percussive flows, Eminem’s fans quickly picked up on the new release. About a month later, Eminem heard the song, and Ez Mil drove from Vegas to Los Angeles where he met Dre and Eminem for the first time, leading Eminem to share the track online with the words, “This is why we signed him.” Ez and Eminem then stayed in contact and recorded their collaboration, “Realest,” a certified showcase of rap acrobatics.
On the recently shared Eminem collaboration, “Realest,” the two bludgeon a pulsing beat with a barrage of multisyllabic rhyme schemes and the sorts of quippy wordplay that propelled Eminem to stardom. Now, having signed Ez Mil to his label, along with Dr. Dre’s Aftermath Entertainment and Interscope, Eminem is in position to help push Ez to the same heights. Some of that work involved curating DU4LI7Y: REDUX, which will be Ez Mil’s final release on Virgin Music.
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singular South African artist Muzi announces his forthcoming studio album uMUZI, due out October 13th via Fool’s Gold Records. Along with the announcement, Muzi has released his new single ‘eMtunzini’, out now.
Following his widely-acclaimed 2021 INTERBLAKTIC, which heralded praise from Zane Lowe, Billboard, Complex, The Fader, and more, uMUZI sees the ‘Zulu Skywalker’ return to Earth, grounded by his memories and the desire to reconnect with his late parents.
Crafted as the soundtrack of his family’s Toyota Cressida, uMUZI is a conflux of the music he heard in the car growing up, the sounds that would later influence his own artistry, and the stories he’d tell if given the chance to take one last family road trip. uMUZI analyzes Muzi’s relationship with his father, who passed away when he was 11, and his own experience with fatherhood and raising his daughter Zeno. For Muzi, this album is about introspection and growth; the ability to reflect on one’s history and use those lessons as motivation towards a brighter future.
Inviting listeners to the first taste of uMUZI, ‘eMtunzini’ is a romantic tale through Muzi’s soulful blend of house and disco. A retelling of his parents’ love story, Muzi smoothly flows between his native Zulu and English as he details their first date in a heartening attempt to celebrate his origins as an aural autobiography. Muzi describes, “‘eMtunzini’ is a reimagining of how my parents met. It’s the beginning of a love story, the beginning of me.” ‘eMtunzini’ is an introduction to the warm, vintage tones listeners can expect on uMUZI. Its arrangement of shiny synths, groovy basslines, and harmoniously layered vocals add a depth and richness reminiscent of ‘80s synth-pop with hints of Muzi’s afro-house inclinations.
The music video sees Muzi stepping into his father’s shoes and assuming the driver’s seat on a journey to the small coastal town of Mtunzini. “In expressing myself, I embodied my father,” he says.
On the cusp of a global breakthrough, acclaimed U.K. singer, songwriter, and performer Absolutely drops an introspective and enticing new single entitled “Speak Up” today via Epic Records. Listen HERE.
The track’s haunting acoustic guitar transmissions sound as if they were piped in from another galaxy. Meanwhile, manic whispers underline her soulful delivery as she exhales on the hypnotic hook, “I don’t smoke ‘cause I get paranoid. I’ve been in my bed all day—had to just fill the void.” Following this confession, she urges, “Speak up.” It highlights the inimitable push-and-pull at the heart of her signature style.
She continues to serve up scorching anthems. Her prior release “Stranger Phase” landed a coveted spot on the Spotify New Pop Picks playlist in addition to earning critical acclaim. FIZZY MAG professed, “This girl’s creativity knows no bounds, and she’s taking us on a wild journey through her world of music.”
At the same time, “Fever Dream” has just begun to pick up steam at DSPs. Its predecessor “Patterns” has already cracked 100K streams and counting. Introducing Absolutely, FLAUNT praised her debut “Higher,” going on to rave, “The singer songwriter from South London brings together a plethora of genres on “Higher.” From pop to R&B and electronic, the debut single has it all with the help of Dave Hamelin, the producer behind artists like Beyoncé and 070 Shake.” ListenHERE and watch HERE.
Next up, in addition to releasing more music, she will serve as direct support on Raye’s My 21stCentury BluesTour. This marks her first major tour and promises to be an unforgettable experience. The 26-date jaunt begins on Friday September 29 in Washington, D.C. and rolls through major cities such as New York, Chicago, Toronto, Atlanta, Nashville, and more. It concludes in Los Angeles on November 7. Tickets are available now at rayeofficial.com.
With this music she dubbed, “Alien Pop” she has architected a universe at the nexus of pop, R&B, alternative, soul, and electronic, cycling in synchronistic orbit unlike anything else. Stay tuned for a whole lot more from Absolutely.
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My 21st Century BluesWorld Tour 2023/24 Tour Dates wAbsolutely September 29 – Washington, D.C. – 9:30 Club
October 1 – Philadelphia, PA – The Fillmore October 3 – New York, NY – Terminal 5 October 4 – Boston, MA – House of Blues October 6 – Montreal, QC – MTELUS October 7 – Toronto, ON – HISTORY October 9 – Detroit, MI – The Majestic Theatre October 10 – Chicago, IL – Riviera Theatre
October 11 – St. Louis, MO – The Factory at The District October 14 – Houston, TX – House of Blues October 15 – New Orleans, LA – Joy Theater October 17 – Nashville, TN – Brooklyn Bowl
October 18 – Atlanta, GA – Eastern October 19 – Raleigh, NC – The Ritz October 21 – Newport, KY – MegaCorp Pavillion October 22 – Columbus, OH – KEMBA! Live October 24 – Milwaukee, WI – The Rave October 25 – Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue October 27 – Denver, CO – Gothic Theatre
October 28 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Complex (Grand Room)
October 30 – Seattle, WA – Showbox SoDo October 31 – Vancouver, BC – Commodore Ballroom November 1 – Portland, OR – Crystal Ballroom November 3 – Oakland, CA – Fox Theater November 6 – Pomona, CA – The Fox Theater November 7 – Los Angeles, CA – The Novo
November 18 – Paris, France – La Cigale November 19 – Amsterdam, Netherlands – Melkweg November 20 – Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg – Rockhal November 21 – Amsterdam, Netherlands – Paradiso November 23 – Berlin, Germany – Huxleys
November 24 – Warsaw, Poland – Progresja November 26 – Copenhagen, Denmark – Vega November 29 – Bridlington, UK – Bridlington Spa November 30 – Glasgow, UK – O2 Academy
December 1 – Newcastle, UK – NX December 2 – Manchester, UK – O2 Apollo December 5 – Birmingham, UK – O2 Academy December 7 – Bristol, UK – O2 Academy
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Indie alt rock/pop singer moony is thrilled to release his new single “FALLLLLLLLL IN LOVE” that is out now.
After scouring the depths of emotion, anger, and pain with his latest edgy alt rock EP “podunk”, moony returns with an unexpected avant garde addition to the rising Nashville-based star’s catalog with breezy indie pop rock single “FALLLLLLLLL IN LOVE”. “I didn’t want to over complicate this one,” moony explains. “I married the love of my life at the end of 2022, it’s about time I wrote a song about the feeling of falling in love with her.”
Raw, vulnerable, and often unhinged, Nashville-based Seth Findley, AKA moony, wastes no time getting to the heart of the matter. Blurring the line between genres, showcasing a sonic landscape of edgy alt-rock, mellow indie, catchy pop, and a touch of punk, moony is at full form. “this was never meant to be a pristine, polished thing,” moony explains. “It’s the messy, unpolished side of me that needs an outlet. It’s not that I think I’m doing something revolutionary, but I’m not going to let myself overthink this. It’s been very personally rewarding.”
Introducing IgikoPop, a trailblazing artist who defies musical boundaries with her electrifying fusion of pop-punk, EDM, and opera. Drawing inspiration from the late 90s and early 2000s anime, video games, and J-Fashion culture, IgikoPop has captured the hearts of fans nationwide and across the globe. Her latest triumph, the collaboration on DJ RiggL3 & Ignabui’s upcoming EDM single “VRGirl,” is out now and poised to be a game-changer in the music landscape. This vibrant track, inspired by the modern era’s infatuation with Vtubers and the timeless allure of otaku culture, features IgikoPop’s distinctive vocals that pay homage to EDM luminaries such as DJ S3RL and the iconic Dance Dance Revolution era.
As Vtubers rise to fame, captivating audiences with their interactive virtual personas, “VRGirl” captures the essence of this new otaku phenomenon with an innovative sonic twist. IgikoPop, the lyrical powerhouse behind “VRGirl,” delves deep into her encounters with otaku enthusiasts, weaving their tales of yearning for a 3D virtual companion into the heart of the song. Departing from her usual nuanced approach to otaku culture, IgikoPop embraces her nerdy side with vibrant and relatable lyrics that bridge the gap between the virtual and the real.
Arriving as an intoxicating dance floor anthem, HANDS is the third single to be revealed from MINOE’s upcoming EP ‘Bleeding Heart’s Disco’.
Born from navigating a break-up, HANDS explores the complexity and conflicting nature of a relationship. Equal parts as beautiful as they can be terrifying, MINOE shares more; As someone who has only really relied on myself for most of my life, relying on another person can present a major challenge. It’s one I’ve previously been very quick to run away from. In “Hands,” I’m turning my back on my partner, ready to return to dissociation, partying, and my vices.
Hands is an anthem for bleeding hearts who seek comfort in the flashing lights of a night club. The track embodies the message of her upcoming project, providing a safe space for like minded individuals to process their emotions on the dancefloor. The Bleeding Hearts disco is for everyone and no one will be left on the sidelines.
The release of Hands is the follow up to recent dose of disco-euphoria ‘Cut Me Loose’. The empowering single arrived last month and was warmly received with support from the likes of Consequence of Sound, Fresh Finds, Fresh Finds Pop and Ones To Watch.
The first single to be revealed from the upcoming EP was sultry, stellar tune ‘Cherry’, back in May this year. Cherry saw the rising Canadian pass the mic to her inner saboteur. Raw and catchy as hell it scooped much support at press from the likes of The Line of Best Fit who called it a ‘a seductive, cage-rattling anthem’. Cherry also bagged a great sweep across DSP’s with additions from playlists such as Fresh Finds, It’s a Bop and more! Listen to Cherry HERE
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Born in Nova Scotia, now based in Montreal, MINOE has been making a name for herself with her soulful songwriting and alt-pop sound. Fusing elements of disco and pop with more dark and alternative moments, MINOEs sound is the perfect vessel for her honest, empowering and cathartic songwriting.
Growing up in a troubled home, MINOE took to songwriting at a very young age to understand, process and cope with her trauma. Her goal is to provide a safe space for her listeners to heal, dance, and find common ground.
Since launching in 2019, MINOE has put out an increasingly diverse body of work, evolving and scooping more recognition with each release. Her work has been supported by the likes of Complex CA, The Line of Best Fit, Variance, Rolling Stone, Cult MTL, Okayplayer, and more while racking up over 300,000 streams. Not to mention over 3.4 million likes on TikTok.
With live performance playing a big part in who MINOE is, she’s already performed at Montreal Jazz Festival, opened for Tom Grannan, Dadi Freyr and sold out her first headline show in Toronto. More recently MINOE stormed Halifax Pride with a knock out show.
Devorah grew up in San Diego, CA. By age three, she knew that her purpose is to create music. Devorah is a soulful singer, who has dedicated her life to connecting with people on a deeper emotional level, and delivering messages directly to the heart of the listener. She has recently worked with nationally acclaimed producers, such as Billboard chart-topper, Kevin Cho. Devorah has a strong desire to help humanity evolve through expression. She wants to awaken their highest forms of being, through the emotional awareness that is gained from art and music.
Rising trap producer Acyan returned to OTHERWRLD today, unveiling his high-octane EP ‘MASCULTURE.’ Drawing inspiration from the overwhelming and mind-numbing effects of society’s constant consumption of social media content, ‘MASCULTURE’ is a poignant reflection of Acyan’s struggle to balance his personal life with his online persona. His signature, hard-hitting sound is evident in “INSIDE” as the gritty bass lead, deep subs, and punchy kicks blend perfectly with the trap-inspired leads and processed vocal chops. Arriving as the first full package featuring his new sound, ‘MASCULTURE’ signals a new chapter in Acyan’s career as he looks toward further developing his artistry with music that’s reflective of his professional and personal growth.
Acyan shares, “‘MASCULTURE’ is about the aggressive, gritty, and rage-inducing side of consuming media.”
With his distinctive approach to trap music, Acyan has been making waves in the Colorado music scene. Building on the success of his EP ‘I’M SO HAPPY’ earlier this year, Acyan continues to impress with tracks like “NONSTOP and “DRACO.” Drawing inspiration from artists such as RL Grime, ISOxo, and Hex Cougar, Acyan seamlessly merges euphoric future bass melodies with hard-hitting trap beats. Despite ‘MASCULTURE’ his second EP of the year, Acyan is showing no signs of slowing down. In fact, fans can look forward to seeing him play live on August 8th at The Black Box in Denver.
The Breath announce details of their new album, ‘Land Of My Other’ and share new track “Don’t Rush It”.
Ten original tracks of raw, gorgeous, acoustic-minded music. Songs that tell stories in ways that soothe, stir, exalt, and touch emotional chords that will bring tears of lamenting joy, to your eyes.
‘Land of My Other’ is set for release on vinyl, CD and digital via Real World Records on 13th October 2023.
“If it all falls tomorrow, be glad of today”
…sings Ríoghnach Connolly, on “Don’t Rush It”, the first song to feature from the album. It might be about the toll we pay for leaving home, the mistakes we make by hurrying grief or something else… it’s the opening track of an album where Connolly’s emotions run the gamut: righteous, sorrowful, joyous. Authenticity is at a premium. Shame is cast aside.
‘Land of My Other’ is written and performed by the sublime partnership of Ríoghnach [Ree-uh-na] Connolly and guitarist Stuart McCallum. For the widely acclaimed duo, this is the third album under their moniker The Breath.
“We work like two halves of a single songwriter,” says McCallum, the Manchester-based composer and producer. “Imagine a guitarist and a singer who are not separate but are separate people. We just have this really special connection that lets us listen, adapt and evolve a piece of music together.”
Connolly nods her agreement. “Stuart is the yin to my yang,” says the BBC Folk Singer of the Year, her north of Ireland accent un-tempered by two decades of Manchester living. “He has one face. I have many. He’s very measured. I’m not. I like mayhem. He doesn’t. I know where I am with him.”
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‘Land of My Other’ is produced by renowned composer/pianist Thomas Bartlett, and he joins the duo on keys for some of the recordings. Such a remarkable bond, between Connolly and McCallum, might have intimidated a lesser producer. But the Ireland-born, US-based Bartlett, famed for his work with the likes of Sufjan Stevens, St. Vincent, Florence Welch and Irish/American supergroup The Gloaming, intuited how to frame The Breath’s distinctive brand of art.
“The main aim was to capture the duo” he says, of an album that was recorded in Manchester and at Real World Studios. “I’d sit at the piano not playing very much, just locating the energy and helping to focus it in a way I wanted it to happen. Sometimes I wanted to join in the fun.”
‘Land Of My Other’ is the domain of memories and melodies, lyricism, and lore. A place of sunlight, faerie-tales and rowan trees; of grief, incarceration and thunder in darkness. A realm where ancestral trauma and colonial injustice meet blazing pride, romantic self-rule, all the while with hands held in a circle under the sea.
I was the difficult son. It took a few crazy moments to get me to admit that, and realize my part in all the shit I put myself and the people around me through. I’ve retired that meaning of the word “Reckless” from my vocabulary. The new me is “Reckless” in a whole other way – “Reckless” with how hard I’m going to go to achieve my every dream.My song, “Reckless,” is a moment of brutal honesty. I spoke on a few things I’ve always wanted to address with people that are no longer a part of my life. I’ve always avoided confrontation but had an easier time being my true self on my songs. The day I wrote “Reckless,” I wasn’t feeling 100%. I was dealing with feelings of betrayal and abandonment, but I was still drunk on foolish pride.Listen to “Reckless” and all 11 tracks from the Reckless LP on STREAMINGPLATFORMSeverywhere.For the Reckless LP, I created music that felt like the soundtrack to life at the moment; I vented on these records. I flexed, cried, reflected, confessed….all of it. The inspiration is so personal that a few people will hear these records and know what I’m talking about. It was all on display, and then I spoke on it truthfully. When you listen to the entire album, you will feel the wave of disruptive energy and experience the shifts I was going through.Thanks for really listening,Moh Flow
Southampton indie-rockers – REGENT – have shared new track “Oh No, I Know”, taken from their forthcoming second album ‘Beggars Belief’ (coming Spring 2024).
An unflinching slice of indie-rock that sees twanging acoustic guitars give way to driving choruses filled with fuzzy riffs and forceful vocals, “Oh No, I Know” shines like the light at the end of an increasingly dark tunnel. Of the new track, frontman Ben Rooke explains:
“The song is about love and how it helps fight addiction. Before I met my wife I was on the mend from a spell in my life taking Class A drugs. As soon as we met I got back into music which she insisted I should. Addiction is a long battle and my wife has made me a better person throughout.”
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The new track also marks the band’s first offering with new member Ed Cesar on guitar, driving Regent in a new direction with a further fine-tuned sense of synergy. Ben adds:
“This is a special track as original band member Chris Woolf met a guy as a 14 year old kid, they both learnt guitar on the same day and now 20 years later Ed Cesar has joined the band. He’s reunited with Chris and they’re playing guitar in a band together again for the first time since they were teenagers. This has only added to our already fantastic chemistry.”
Having forged a reputation as one of Southampton’s finest emerging acts, Regent have notched a string of highly-charged releases under their belts including recent EP ‘Believe’ and 2022 debut LP ‘Just A Revolution’.
With the band’s recent singles “Here We Go Again”, “Can’t You See” and “Freight Train” capturing the band continuing to pioneer their own insurgent brand of rock’n’roll, Regent tackle political mistrust, economic struggles and personal hardships head-on. The band’s latest track “Oh No, I Know” also arrives as a taster of the Regent’s studio album, ‘Beggars Belief’, coming in Spring 2024.
Regent have previously attracted praise from the likes of Louder Than War, Earmilk and Gigslutz, and have gained radio play from Radio X, Frank Skinner on Absolute Radio, Amazing Radio and BBC Introducing as well as RTE2 in Ireland and SiriusXM in the US. The group’s merciless sound has also attracted attention across the world of TV and sport, with airplay on Soccer AM, Sky Sports Darts, the Premier League, BBC Six Nations Rugby, BT Sport and BBC One’s Match of the Day.
Nashville based singer/songwriter, Taylor Acorn, is thrilled to announce her Fall East Coast Headlining tour. After a whirlwind year of touring with some of the biggest names in the scene (The Summer Set, Grayscale, Loveless) and gracing the stages of festivals worldwide such as So What?! Music Fest, Download, Greenfield Festival and more, Taylor gears up for her first headlining tour in four years in the US.
Beginning Wednesday, November 8th in Toronto, ON at The Garrison, the tour will make stops across the East Coast in Pittsburgh, Chicago, New York, Columbus and Atlanta before wrapping up in Nashville on Friday, November 17th at The East Room. Presales begin today at 12 PM local time, Spotify presale begins Wednesday, 8/16 at 10 AM local time and general on-sale begins on Friday, 8/18 at 10 AM local time. See below for a full list of dates and get your tickets HERE.
“It’s been 4 years since I’ve played any headlining shows in the US, so announcing this tour feels extremely special,” shares Taylor. “There has been so much growth and life that has been lived since then and I finally have songs that I am so unbelievably proud of and excited to share with you all. Seeing everyone’s faces that have been supporting me over the last few years will most likely have me in tears every night. I’m just really excited and grateful to be able to do this.”
Long Island, New York- thoughtcrimes have announced new single ‘Natural Imprudence‘, their first single since 2022’s debut album ‘Altered Pasts’ out now on Pure Noise Records.
‘Natural Imprudence’ is a sarcastic dig at how we continuously acquiesce to the ever-growing automation.
“Interestingly, Billy had came up with a visual concept and title that had all these unintended parallels to what I was writing before we showed each other our cards so to speak” says vocalist Rick Pepa. “It was exciting to have an almost accidental continuity bringing the new material together. Lyrically, it takes a tongue-in-cheek approach to processing the anxieties of an uncertain future and society by calling it out and challenging it.”
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Drummer Billy Rymer continues “The initial inspiration came about with a conversation Russ and I had about HM-2 distortion. He then brought his Evil Ned pedal to my place and we made a demo. This is probably the fastest we have written and released a track. We are all excited to share something that is still fresh even to us.”
Los Angeles-based electro-pop duo able machines announces their futuristic self-produced sophomore album DigitalPrecision due out September 29 and available for pre-order now. Alongside the announcement, the pair share the first taste of the project with “Evidence” out now and its accompanying cinematic, self-directed video. With its Swedish pop influence, the latest track defiantly chooses self-love over a toxic relationship.
To celebrate the LP release, able machines will perform live at their official album release show in Los Angeles at Gold Diggers on September 6. Tickets are available now here.
DigitalPrecision, the forthcoming self-produced second album by able machines, moves into uncharted emotional and musical territory for the pair. “I think for both of us, writing this album was a cathartic purging of emotions,” says vocalist TayCôlieé. “Each song is a little glimpse into the inner workings of our brains and how we navigate the tangled dynamics of angsty love.” Over a varied set of 12 tracks, the project allows the duo to strikingly expand their sonic universeusing punchy, futuristic production and timely, thoughtful lyricism–written and produced entirely by the two artists in Los Angeles. With their second album, the pair is able to expand on the work they’ve made and experiment with their influences. Côlieé says, “Stylistically, this second album gave us an opportunity to dive deeper into developing our sound. We had fun pulling elements from our background in different musical genres — like my love of Fiona Apple and Elliot Smith, Linus’ punk/metal upbringing and then melding all that into the electropop sphere.” The majority of Digital Precision was mixed by SethEarnest (Tessa Violet) and mastered by PaulLogus (Anthrax, Notorious B.I.G.).
Apocalyptic avant-pop artist – VON WILDENHAUS – has announced a UK tour for September 2023.
In lieu of a traditional album release the artist will be issuing an extended series of singles across the coming months, culminating in a new compilation ‘Von Universe’, which will be available exclusively at the UK shows.
Across ten wry and magnificently warped alt-pop tracks, audionaut Ben von Wildenhaus has produced a sonic cosmos that expands beyond the realm of what a conventional band can do. Bringing together an eccentric group of songwriters, players and producers comfortable working in different formations across a variety of recording spaces, the new compilation explores a wide range of material, as well as an array of technical and musical possibilities.
Summoning from eerie worlds of haunted folk and bazaar noir, and evoking the jangle of junk pop and demonic easy listening, new single “Ghost Moon” is a desolate and droll ballad peppered with plucky acoustic guitars, and levitated by gauzy vocal melodies and decadent crescendos of softly spiralling strings. Speaking about the track Ben says:
“Uncannily reminiscent of Nico and the Velvets, yet enchanted with strains of iridescent melody and demented rhythms all its own, Ghost Moon is a wry ballad of shambolic adoration and unfailing devotion.”
Available in CD format exclusively at Von Wildenhaus’ UK shows next month “Ghost Moon” is the fifth track to be taken from ‘Von Universe’ and serves to further embody the abundance and eclecticism found across the unique new release.
Previous single “Anna Sonata” is the band’s take on a Dada grunge stomper, smouldering with near-meanings and half-dreams of a goodbye party for a world that never quite existed in the first place. Elsewhere “Moon Rover” recalls the arabesque surf material of 2015’s ‘II”, while “Kinetic Ohm” and “Yoyo a Go Go” put a more ethereal and apparitional spin on proceedings.
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In the lead up to the tour the artist will also be releasing two further tracks: “Ketamine” on 29 August and epic show-stopping ballad “Endless Start” on 5 September.
New York-based trio, TheDionysusEffect, was formed in a dark basement with a passion for writing songs that conjure up raw energy but are still catchy af with boundary-pushing hooks. Members, Christoph Paul (lead vocals/ bass), Sean Quinn Hanley (guitar/backup vocals), and Brett Petersen (drums) combine their diverse musical backgrounds and talents for a unique explosion of sound. Their music is an enthralling hybrid of grunge rock, darkwave indie, alt-rock and pop, that forges a poetic expression filled with furious arena energy. The band blends several different eras of rock but the term Cocaine Rock encapsulates the sound.
With songs ranging from stories about a cuckold named Darryl, going to rehab because of heroin addiction, and a love that feels like joining a cult. Encapsulating the influence the band has on many of their listeners, the name ‘TheDionysusEffect’ is when the passion overtakes you and you feel most alive with Dionysus energy. Dionysus was a Greek God, who in ancient times brought about ecstasy, insanity and ritual madness, mirroring when the band performs their live show and puts the audience under a trance — that is TheDionysusEffect.
The DionysusEffect is here to play rock music that captures the spiritual and sexual danger and excitement of being alive. Their upcoming debut self-titled album is an explosive collection of songs full of vigorous drums, gritty guitar riffs, raw solos, and infectious vocal hooks. The self-titled debut album is a 12-track experience full of stories on love, sex, addiction, passion, desire and depression, while bringing forth the darkest moments to light so that you see the stars.
Take a trip with LUNA AURA and check out the new music video for her latest single, “CANDY COLORED DAYDREAM”, off her upcoming EP, THE FICTION. You can check out the new video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sRxCyrN41I.
“This video was a joy to make with my good friend Delaney Lloyd, who is an up and coming writer/director in Los Angeles,” LUNA tells us. “We felt inspired by the film ‘Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas’ and really wanted to make something that felt stylish and fun.”
LUNA AURA is set to release her third EP THE FICTION on September 14th. The EP features the newly released “CANDY COLORED DAYDREAM”, as well as her audacious single “MONEY BAG” and the growling “LOST IN THE FICTION”. To hear more, tune in to Spotify’s Rock This, New Noise, Walk Like a Badass, All New Rock, Totally Alt, Rock Rising, Fierce Femmes, Pulp, and more…
Fans can also look forward to seeing LUNA AURA live as she hits the road with Slipknot’s Corey Taylor on his solo US tour this fall. LUNA will be joining the tour starting on September 15th in Wallingford, with dates to follow in Huntington, Orlando, Fallas, Albuquerque, and more before wrapping up in LUNA’s hometown of Los Angeles on October 5th. For a full list of shows, please see below or visit: https://linktr.ee/lunaaura.
Peter Wise is a singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist, based in Brooklyn, New York. His sound marries introspective lyricism with bluesy guitar lines, laid back rhythms, anthemic hooks, and soulful vocals. It is both familiar and distinct, combining his love for the early seventies, southern California folk /rock storytelling, nineties Neo-soul and R&B grooves and modern pop / rock melodies to create a style uniquely his own.
His latest single “Only Gotta Start” is the first to be released off of his upcoming 13-track album and sees the rebirth of Wise as an artist, as he enters a new chapter of being unapologetically himself. Written, performed, produced, mixed and mastered entirely by himself, this new track sees Wise taking complete control over the music he creates.
“Only Gotta Start” is a song about letting go – letting go of dark thoughts, letting go of pride and ego, and letting go of hurt and frustration. Wise confides, “I was feeling pretty burned out with my life at the time I wrote this song. I felt that, despite being extremely busy and making a concerted effort to move forward professionally and personally, I wasn’t making any forward progress. I really wanted to move on in my life, see progress in my career and progress in letting go of a past relationship.” “Only Gotta Start” is a message of renewal and a reminder to others that when ghosts of the past seem to haunt our present and/or future, all we have to do, and ultimately can do, is make the conscious decision to change our thinking, be grateful for what we do have, and let go of the weight of whatever it is that seems to stop us from moving forward.
Sonically, the new song is inspired by the likes of Bruno Major, Billie Marten and The 1975. Through jangly guitars, warm vocals and an upbeat, feel-good rhythm, Wise never fails to put a smile on your face. The creation of the track also involved some experimental techniques, with the musician sharing, “I found my older sister’s child-sized violin that she had when she first started playing and I tried to make music with that. I’m no violinist, but I found that trying to make music out of an instrument that I had no technical ability with forced me to be much more creative. I ended up finding a way to pick the violin and resample it to add the strings sounds that you hear in the intro and choruses.”
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KOAN Sound, the avant-garde electronic duo from Bristol, UK, continues to push the envelope of music exploration with the unveiling of their latest single, “Temple of Fervor.” This track, out Tuesday, August 15th, is a radiant testament to the forthcoming album ‘Led by Ancient Light‘s’ unique symbiosis of organic instrumentation and innovative electronica.
“Temple of Fervor” opens with a deliberate, profound blend of piano and cello, building an atmospheric intensity that eventually erupts into an entrancing house beat. The duo, comprised of Will Weeks and Jim Bastow, then venture into experimental sonic territories, manipulating the cello and piano elements into a warm, electric amalgam of sound. This captivating soundscape acts as a perfect exemplification of the upcoming album’s narrative duality, seamlessly bridging the gap between the raw power of traditional instruments and the otherworldly resonance of electronic music.
This mesmerizing track will join “Ascension” and “Liquid Levity” in forming ‘Led by Ancient Light,’ an album that transcends traditional musical formats by coupling it with an intriguing graphic novella. The collaboration with acclaimed audio engineer Jim Barr and recordings at the prestigious Studio Bell, Home of the National Music Centre in Calgary, Alberta, serve as cornerstones in the creation of the album.
Detroit-native bass music revolutionary Matthew Lucas, also known as PEEKABOO, is set to shake the music scene once again with his latest release, “Badders ft. Skrillex, G-Rex & Flowdan,” now on Skrillex’s esteemed OWSLA label.
“G-Rex, one of my best friends, was going through some personal hardships, so I invited him to Detroit. I thought we could channel that emotion into our music, and that’s when we created ‘Badders.’”PEEKABOO also credited Skrillex and Flowdan for their unique contributions to the track, saying,“Working with Flowdan was an incredible experience; he’s such a wizard at creating lyrics… The same goes for Skrillex; he genuinely cares about music.”
An embodiment of PEEKABOO’s groundbreaking sound, the track features none other than EDM icon Skrillex, a key influence in PEEKABOO’s musical journey. The collaboration is rounded off with the talents of G-Rex and Flowdan, resulting in a track that combines the best of bass music with an experimental, non-conformist edge.
“Badders” is a testament to the journey that PEEKABOO has undertaken from the time he first heard Skrillex’s “Kill Everybody” during a gaming session as a teenager. Earlier this year, PEEKABOO was featured as a collaborator on Skrillex’s comeback album, Quest for Fire (“Hydrate”). Now, having the very artist who sparked his fascination with electronic music featured on his own track, PEEKABOO’s journey has come full circle.
The single is a deliberate celebration of creative expression, reflecting Lucas’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of music and remaining true to his artistic vision. “We didn’t overthink it; we focused on creating something that we both enjoyed and connected with,” PEEKABOO explained about the process.
Basketball legend turned electronic music sensation, Shaquille O’Neal, better known as DIESEL, is about to detonate the music scene with GORILLA WARFARE, releasing on Monstercat. Setting this album ablaze is not just DIESEL’s distinctive flavor but the collective genius of a diverse array of collaborators, each contributing their unique touch to every single track, defining a new era in bass music.
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Quote from DIESEL:“Dubstep has always been an escape for me. I’ve grown to learn how important this community is, and I hope my album (GORILLA WARFARE) is proof of that. Working with Crankdat, Jessica Audiffred, Hairitage and Celo was an incredible experience. Together we created some of the hardest hitting bangers and after over 2 years in the making, we are all so proud of this body of work. We cannot wait for the world to listen to GORILLA WARFARE.”
Mersiv, real name Anderson Benoit Gallegos, continues his musical evolution with the release of “I Like It When You Move,” the first single from his highly-anticipated sophomore album, Out of Bounds. Set to drop on August 18th, this single transcends Mersiv’s patented ‘Pretty Dark Loud‘ style and offers a heavy, innovative showcase on modern bass music.
The upcoming single follows the recent announcement of Mersiv’s nationwide Out of Bounds Tour, beginning on September 1st, 2023. The tour promises to be an electrifying showcase of Mersiv’s unique soundscape, supported by the incredible talents of Buku, Minnesota, Tripp St, Wreckno, Tape B, Deadcrow, Evalution, Heyz, Jon Casey, Sippy, Molokai, Raaket, Stooki Sound, Ujuu, VEIL, and Vide.
The Mersiv Sound Project, originating in 2015, has become a defining force in the Freeform genre of EDM. Following his standout performance at Electric Forest in 2018, Mersiv’s innovative approach to music production and live performance has won over fans and critics alike. His collaboration with WAKAAN label for the “Beautiful & Filthy” single, and a sold-out debut headline at Red Rocks in April 2023, mark key milestones in his rapidly growing career.
K+Lab, renowned as the “Master of intergalactic funk” is set to release his latest EP, PXLMTREES VOL.1, marking a distinct sidestep from the usual Bass heavy focused beats. Dropping on August 18th via Philos Records, PXLMTREES reflects the summer vibes of its namesake, inspired by poolside days and Pina coladas.
Quote from K+Lab:
“The PXLMTREES project was an outlet for me to take a more organic approach to making music, I wanted to focus more on instrumentation, sample digging and jamming. Once I tapped into the Chill vibes I couldn’t stop and I can’t wait to share Vol.1”
Levity, the dynamic electronic music trio hailing from Chicago, is set to drop their bass-heavy, high-energy single, “The Deep,” on August 18th via Zeds Dead’s esteemed Deadbeats label.
Quote:
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“We’ve been teasing our darker, more bass- y side for years now and are so excited to debut it with “The Deep” on Deadbeats. It’s become one of most sought out ID’s from shows and really encapsulates the darker emotions of an evolving story we’re trying to
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