Coi Leray consistently asserts herself as an elite musician, dynamite vocalist, massive personality, and boundary-breaking superstar without comparison or rival. Born in Boston, raised in New Jersey and based in Los Angeles, the multiplatinum force of nature has captivated without compromise. Coi has served up a string of anthems from her debut album TRENDSETTER, including the double-platinum “No More Parties,” gold-certified “Big Purr (Prrrd)” [feat. Pooh Shiesty], the Billboard Hot 100 Top 40 hit “Blick Blick” [with Nicki Minaj], and the viral “TWINNEM.” Coi has also earned her first Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 with her highest charting single to date “Players” landing at #9. It’s taking over social media with popular remixes such as ”Players (David Guetta Remix),” ”Players (Tokischa Remix),” “Players (DJ Smallz 732 Jersey Club Remix),” “Players (DJ Saige Remix),” and “Players (DJ Saige Remix)” feat. Busta Rhymes. Together they set TikTok on fire with a staggering 10 billion views and nearly 3 million video creates as the success simultaneously translated to streaming platforms. It’s also dominating the radio with three consecutive weeks at #1 on Rhythmic Radio, #1 on Urban Radio, #1 on the Billboard Hot Rap Songs Chart, and #6 on Billboard’s Radio Chart. This set the stage for her critically acclaimed full-length album, Coi, which arrived in June 2023. Coi Leray continues to cross-over into other genres with the hit song “Baby Don’t Hurt Me” with David Guetta and Anne-Marie. Then there’s her blockbuster R&B anthem “Self Love” with Metro Boomin which was a highlight on the Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse soundtrack. Between generating billions of streams and views, she has infiltrated every corner of culture, appearing on XXL’s coveted Freshman Class cover, performing on NBC’s The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, as well as ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live!, starring as the face of the SKIMS “Cozy Collection” by Kim Kardashian West, collaborations with major fashion brands such as Kenzo, Moschino, Fendi By Marc Jacobs, YSL Beauty, as well as guesting on Slime Language 2, which bowed at #1 on the Billboard 200. Coi Leray’s reach continues to expand thanks to collaborations with everyone from Calvin Harris, RAYE, K Pop’s TOMORROW X TOGETHER and more. Beyond a slew of magazine covers and nominations at the American Music Awards, BET Awards, and iHeart Radio Music Awards, to name a few, she has incited critical acclaim from New York Times and Billboard to E! Online and more. As a powerhouse performer in her own right, she has shined at the Renaissance World Tour, Rolling Loud, Lollapalooza Festival, Governors Ball and more. Beyonce applauded Coi for opening on her tour with a note that read, “I am a fan of yours and I love watching you grow. You are a very talented young lady. Love, Beyonce.” Still, she keeps pushing forward. The crown belongs to Coi as she recently released her bold EP, Blue Moon, and much more to come.
Palace Watson today releases his debut EP “The Living Room” which doubles as his opening remarks as a tongue-in-cheek, dark-humoured artist who forms exquisitely well put together alternative tracks that fit seamlessly in a credible heavy space. Palace made a strong first impression on his first few singles “Bedroom” and “Buried” this year. Both singles are charactorised by the chaos in both their meaning and sound, with plenty of tongue-in-cheek, dark humour amongst his own musings. When asked to describe how the Palace Watson project began, he crypically explained “On a recent cold January morning, after decades frozen in fear on the astral plane, Palace Watson awoke from an ancient slumber. The curse lifted, and no longer burdened by -̢̬̱̪̋-͑͆̌ͯ, , he began creating work to document his findings during his journey to the other side.”
Two of the Midlands hottest artists Lyco & Lucas from Lotto Boyzz from Birmingham join forces for single ‘Ice N Rum’.
A flavoursome mix of UK Rap & Afrobeats for an end of Summer tantalising sizzler. Lucas comes through with bars about a romance having trivial times and breaking a cycle of arguments and drama, with Lyco providing silky, smooth Afrobeats laced vocals that lead the track into a more upbeat direction for the relationship.
The visuals match the relaxed, melodic vibes of the track with the two surrounded by beautiful women, vibing at a casino and chilling and eating with good food with their boys.
Full of upbeat tempos that pull together, intertwining UK rap and afrobeats with the vocal harmonies of R&B to create a memorable and mesmerising track.
Long Island, NY CRIME IN STEREO – Earlier this month Crime In Stereo announced their first new record in the 13 years, House & Trance. The album is set for release on 27th October 2023 via Pure Noise Records. Following on from singles Hypernormalisation and Books Cannot Be Killed By Fire, the band have released their third offering from the album, Rogue Wave.
After making his OTHERWRLD debut last month, burgeoning trap producer Acyan returned to his roots with his hard-hitting single “OFF THE WALLS.” Continuing the theme introduced by his ‘MASCULTURE’ EP, “OFF THE WALLS” soundtracks Acyan’s ongoing struggle with limiting his time spent consuming content on social media. The pulsating techno bassline and thumping drums blend perfectly with the gritty basses and anthemic trap synths, reflecting Acyan’s matured production stylings and desire to push sonic boundaries.
Acyan shares, “”OFF THE WALLS” is a continuation of the inspiration behind my last project: ‘MASCULTURE.’ Overwhelming, crushing feelings spawned from the internet at large. This one is more anthemic and has a flavor of the modern underground rave scene with slightly rebellious lyrics, a blaring first drop, and driving techno second half.”
With his distinctive approach to trap music, Acyan has been making waves in the Colorado music scene. Building on the success of his EP ‘MASCULTURE’, 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.
A fusion of sultry soul and funk vibes, the productions’ shimmering chords gorgeously offset with the lively drums and David’s warm vocal tones. Delivering romantic one-liners about the joys of discovering love again, the accompanying visuals (produced in San Jose del Cabo, Mexico) elevate the lyrics and capture the buoyant energy an intoxicating new love can bring.
Cutting his teeth by busking on the streets of Vancouver, David transferred the charisma and skills he learnt from turning strangers into fans, to performances with a trained live band and opening slots for the likes of Snoop Dogg, Hiatus Kaiyote and Musiq Soulchild. Taking inspiration from multiple genres, David’s hints toward disco and retro pop add a playful flavour to his contemporary sound, whilst maintaining a signature aesthetic that’s as accessible as it is seductive – something he looks to explore further with the upcoming Flow State record.
The Minneapolis-based orchestral indie septet NATL PARK SRVC today announce the upcoming album MAGICIAN, and share the visual for recent single “Dizzy”. MAGICIAN is the follow up to the band’s 2021 debut The Dance and continues the grand soundscaping of that first outing while taking a firm step forward into a new chapter. While The Dance rode high on an equal mix of youthful exuberance and raw ambition, MAGICIAN finds a way to dial up the exuberance while tightly finessing the delivery.
Singer-songwriter – ALLMAN BROWN – has shared “Breathe In, Breathe Out”, the second single to be taken from a forthcoming EP (due this Winter).
STREAM ON ALL SERVICES HERE
A light-hearted helping of tranquil alt-pop, “Breathe In, Breathe Out” sees balmy beats and blissed-out vocals create a reassuring sense of calm amidst a backdrop of chaos and uncertainty. As Allman Brown explains of the new track:
“It’s a song about reassurance and being the safe harbour for someone in distress. It has a gentle groove to it that mirrors the theme of being calm for someone. It’s a soothing song in a soothing style ultimately.”
With its pacifying take on percussion and a heart-warming message at its core, each of the track’s verses lap like a gently rolling ocean tide against a serene shore.
“Breathe In, Breathe Out” also follows recent single “Bewildered” and arrives as Allman Brown puts the finishing touches to his third full-length album. With an upcoming EP in the works and planned for this winter in the meantime, Brown is inviting listeners to get to know him slowly, brick by brick, as he builds towards his latest long-player.
Born and raised in Hong Kong, before moving to London at age 11, Allman Brown made an introduction with his hit single “Sons & Daughters” (performed with Liz Lawrence) in 2013. The track proved a Spotify smash, amassing over 10 million streams worldwide as well as features on multiple TV soundtracks including Love Island, Suits and Made In Chelsea.
His debut album ‘1000 Years’ was released in 2017, earning critical acclaim for Brown’s tender balladry and folk-fuelled pop inspired by artists such as Bon Iver, Tracy Chapman, Paul Simon and Feist, before ‘Darling, It’ll Be Alright’ followed in 2019.
Nikita Lev! Nikita is an up-and-coming singer-songwriter who is about to release the music video for her latest single “Nowhere Bar”.
The “Nowhere Bar” music video conveys the chaos of reminiscing in the past while presenting captivating and enchanting visuals. Nikita’s work stretches in new directions with modern production accompanied by moody tones and haunting lyrics. We believe that Lev’s “Nowhere Bar” music video has the power to resonate with your listeners for its unparalleled creativity and universal appeal
Scottish BRIT Award-winning singer/songwriter Tom Walker, who is returning with his first new single in over a year on Friday 9/22 and a pre-cursor to his sophomore album. Entitled “Burn,” you can stream it HERE.
“Burn” is a rallying cry who made a name for himself for the candor in his craft. Tom wrote it with the McDonough brothers (who are behind Joji’s Glimpse of Us) after feeling creatively frustrated and scrapping the original version of an upcoming album. The song is relatable to anybody in any line of work, creative or otherwise, who feel they give everything and sacrifice every other aspect of their life and it’s never enough.
“The day I wrote ‘Burn’, I thought ‘Fuck everyone, I’m sick of this” Tom says.“I scrapped a whole album and decided to go back to making songs that I love. Songs that make the hairs stand up on the back of my neck. Songs that bring a tear to my eye. Songs that actually mean something to me.”
Written, performed and produced at 17 by a prodigious young talent from Colorado culminating in a final session on her 18th birthday, ROY G BIV simply states that each moment and relationship is defined by the different colors of our emotions. Composing the music and lyrics, singing, playing keyboard and guitar, and co-producing each track, Riley is joined by musicians Doctor Noize, Art Bouton, David Amaya, and full strings.
The daughter of a chart-topping recording/touring artist and college Recording Arts Professor, Riley tracked her album at Reach Studios in Colorado with the exception of Blue, which was recorded at a Recording Arts workshop at Stanford University. She composed in music production software Logic Pro and completed the album on her 18th birthday in a session with a string quintet bringing joyous new resonance to four of the tracks. This moment of exhilaration is caught on tape and referenced by Riley in the album’s first track, 18 — the same age she was accepted into a Masters program in Music Production at Berklee School Of Music, which she will be pursuing simultaneously with her undergraduate degree in Music at Harvard in a joint program by the two revered institutions.
A seasoned performer long before releasing her first solo album, Riley’s extensive youth performing resumé includes credits as a featured vocalist on numerous acclaimed recordings and chart hits with other artists, singing with 3-time Grammy Winner and UN Goodwill Ambassador Ricky Kej at the 2021 UNICEF World Children’s Day Concert, performing on recordings with Grammy winners Isabel Leonard and Nathan Gunn, performing solo roles in music videos and education apps with millions of streams and downloads between them, performing live on tours with Doctor Noize, and playing lead roles in Denver Area musical theatre productions like Dorothy in The Wizard Of Oz, Junie B. Jones in Junie B. Jones, Sophie in Mamma Mia, and Esmerelda in Hunchback of Notre Dame.
But it’s as a young composer and poet that Riley Max’s work truly stands out as unique. Where most young artists have been groomed by digital culture to write freestanding songs and singles, Riley is an old soul who’s written a cohesive and affecting concept album, with a clear and purposeful big picture vision, for her first release. “The message itself is catchy,” says Green guitarist David Amaya, who, like Riley’s mother, is blind and a huge fan of Riley’s music and words.
Highlights of Riley’s song cycle include the first single and video Blue, featuring Riley Max on voice and piano looking and sounding like a world-weary, bygone-era jazz diva and instantly announcing she’s a bit of a unicorn who can relate to past generations as much as her own. “I came up with Blue first — after that I came up with Yellow,” Riley says of the latter guitar and voice folk art song that’s the album’s single-take showcase of her skills as a live singer and instrumentalist.
Other highlights include Green, written alone in her room while longing to be at her uncle’s camp in the mountains that Riley regularly visited throughout childhood to get away from the busy modern world: “Green is the anchor of the album because all the other songs are about interactions with other people, and Green is more about connecting with yourself.” Other tracks include the desperately dangerous pop diva anger of Red, the lush strings and vocals of Orange, the true teen story of Indigo, the cheeky punk perfection of Violet, and the astounding closing instrumental track Alphabet Soup, which confidently and contrapuntally weaves the melodies and moods of all the colorful songs you’ve just heard on the album into a wordless summary of the emotions within.
Adding more layers of color and artistry is the fact that Riley Max — an award-winning artist whose social commentary visual art has already been displayed at the Denver Museum of Contemporary Art — created her own striking album cover on the aforementioned themes. And her debut music video Blue, which she also scripted, shows she’s clearly comfortable as the artist both behind and in front of the page and screen. All told, ROY G BIV announces the arrival of a confident multimedia artist with major things to say who’s barely gotten started.
Says Riley in summary: “The idea of doing the whole spectrum of colors was to show a very wide range of experiences and relationships. I hope that everybody can relate to at least something in there and take something away.”
Hard Dance icons Darren Styles and Toneshifterz join forces today for their highly-anticipated debut collaborative record, “Wasted,” also marking Toneshifterz’ Monstercat debut.
Infused with thumping elements of Psy and UK Hardcore, this highly-anticipated record makes its awaited entrance to deliver the ultimate, party-pumping hard dance experience. Driving dancefloors and festivals with adrenaline since 2018, “Wasted” has been a staple in the sets of Darren Styles and Toneshifterz themselves, Da Tweekaz, Stonebank, and Hixxy.
Darren Styles shares, “Toneshifterz and I have been friends for years, so it made sense to finally get together on a track. I’ve been a huge fan of his sound, so I really wanted to fuse our sounds together. “Wasted” was really fun to make and it’s the first new music that I’ve released in months, so I hope the fans will be as excited as I am for this new music.”
Toneshifterz adds, “We were just looking to make a party banger, there are some Psy influences in “Wasted,” and definitely hardstyle, hard dance, and UK Hardcore influence. Me and Darren would just send bits and pieces to each other and would slowly piece it together. Darren was showing me this cool vocal hook in the track and I really loved it, so we just ended up proceeding with it!”
With hits such as “Us Against The World” and “Dance Tonight” with Timmy Trumpet, and his #4 chart-topping UK Album ‘Skydivin’’ which sold over a quarter million copies, Darren Styles has etched himself in UK Hardcore history pushing boundaries with his innovative sounds and passion for developing the scene. From being the first UK Hardcore artist to play EDC Las Vegas in 2013, to becoming a perennial presence at the festival’s Basscon Stage, Darren’s global impact has taken him to stages around the world including Tomorrowland, Creamfields, Parookaville, and Defqon.1.
Working closely with dance luminaries like Timmy Trumpet, Wildstylez, Dimatik and creating two official anthems for Defqon.1, a festival where he has commanded the stage, Toneshifterz has cemented himself as an esteemed figure representing Australian Hard Dance worldwide. His artistry includes the curation of viral hits such as his take on “Paradise” and remix of Armin van Buuren’s “Blah Blah Blah” with Brennan Heart. Playing in different continents has not only expanded his musical horizons, but has also played a monumental role in shaping his trajectory over the years. His career thus far has empowered him to integrate diverse genres and styles into his sets, elevating his career to new heights.
Darren’s passion for his hard dance craft shines through boundary-pushing compositions, inventive track edits, and unwavering dedication to curating festival sets that resonate with the unique preferences of every audience he performs for. With festival season coming to an end, Darren is itching to immerse himself in his newly built studio and looking forward to crafting fresh music for next year. Fans can hear “Wasted” live as Darren heads to Escape Halloween on October 27th.
Continuing his journey packing out venues worldwide, Toneshifterz has upcoming performances including I AM HARDSTYLE in Poland tomorrow, Hardstyle Superheroes in Scotland, Mountain Beats Festival in Germany, and Vroeger Was Alles Veter in The Netherlands where he will play “Wasted” live.
“KiKi Holli… delivers here a performance of great beauty.” – Rolling Stone
Los Angeles indie-pop vocalist KiKi Holli creates stunning and soulful music woven with intricate emotive storytelling for a truly captivating and cathartic listening experience with an eclectic musical aesthetic. Holli draws on inspiration from her rich theatrical background, as well as from iconic artists such as PRINCE, Dusty Springfield, The Cure, Bowie, Stevie Nicks and Siouxsie and the Banshees.
Crafting a unique sound, KiKi Holli’s music is beautifully vulnerable and nurturing, with themes of connection, healing, personal growth, and living in the moment. If her delivery seems genuine—empathetic even—that’s because it is. She’s been there.
Her music is a blend of vulnerability and nurturing, exploring themes of connection, healing, personal growth, and living in the moment. Holli’s authentic delivery stems from her own life experiences.
KiKi Holli made her debut with a breathtaking cover of Roxy Music’s “More Than This,” an intimate rendition that reflected her journey through intense grief and loss. Collaborating with Grammy-nominated producer Ethan Allen (known for his work with Throwing Muses, Tricky, and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club), she ventured into her own version of the song.
Her first original song, “NEW HIGH” has soaring vocals with sunshine-dipped melodies over lush and blissful pop rock soundscapes. The track received praise from the likes of Earmilk, Atwood Magazine and Buzzbands who proclaimed it “a day-brightener in which her crystalline vocals ooze optimism with every note”.
“Play To Lose” explores leaving toxic relationships, finding one’s voice, and regaining confidence. Grimy Goods says “KiKi Holli shines a radiant light on the kind of euphoniously-groovy energy that permeates her songs…delivered via her honey-dipped vocals and the song’s gilded instrumentals.” -Steven Ward
Her single, “Sun Playing Tricks,” is a sultry fever dream in a mirage of lost love. It was praised by Rolling Stone, saying, “KiKi Holli delivers a performance of great beauty.”
Her latest release, “PRETTY BOYS,” is a dance anthem that transcends genres, appealing to music lovers of all backgrounds. KiKi says, “I see this song as nod to the LGBTQ+ community. It’s about finding your strength and power in that community, in friendship and on the dance floor.” KiKi Holli’s signature vocals soar over thumping basslines and energetic synth hooks, inviting listeners to embrace self-expression and confidence. The lyrics explore themes of attraction, allure & self-empowerment, encouraging everyone to be their own version of a “Pretty Boy.”
KiKi Holli says, “It matters what you think of yourself not how the world defines what a pretty boy may or may not be.”
Produced by Grammy nominated producer Ethan Allen, “PRETTY BOYS” boasts a production quality that’s as impressive as it is innovative.
GLASSIO BIO
Built around the melodic and lyrically oblique songwriting of Irish-Persian musician Sam R., Glassio has become one of New York City’s staple Indie-Electronic outfits over the past 7 years, garnering millions of streams online and amassing a loyal fanbase around the world. Born out of a love for applying a melodic sweetness to brooding dance beats, the indie-pop outfit has carved out a unique sound that often bridges influences from Big Beat to Chamber Pop to New Wave.
Born and raised in both Sharjah in the Middle East and Monterey in California, Sam R. fell in love with music listening to Pet Sounds and Graceland on his way to school in the mornings. “It was that juxtaposition of hearing Brian Wilson’s harmonies in a very barren, desert/Arabian landscape that I think planted the seeds for my love for making music that mixes different influences and challenges associations you might have with certain instruments,” Sam explains.
A Debut EP Poptimism was released in 2016 to critical acclaim and viral success with lead single “Try Much Harder” peaking at No. 9 on the Global Viral Charts on Spotify. A series of singles and the Age of Experience EP followed in 2018, further cementing Glassio as an act that “proves that electronic music and great storytelling are a perfect match.”
A full length album, For The Very Last Time, was released via Downtown Music in 2020, garnering over 7 million streams online, and recognition from Bandcamp as one of the best electronic albums of the year. The record featured guest vocals from Brooklyn-based songwriter Daneshevskaya. Follow up album, See You Shine, made waves in Europe, charting at No. 1 on multiple iTunes Charts around the world. Lead single “Breakaway” was featured in Amazon Studios’ feature film Don’t Make Me Go and Netflix’s Locke and Key.
2023 and 2024 will see the release of a string of collaborative singles, starting with “A Friend Like You” featuring LA-based Indie-Dream-Pop artist Beauty Queen, and follow up single “Will You Still Come Back Tomorrow?” featuring Rodes Rollins and Mumble Tide.
BEAUTY QUEEN BIO
Beauty Queen is the dreamy indie-pop project of Katie Iannitello. With music produced by indie darlings Tennis, Beauty Queen crafts beachy, washed out music that is making waves across the bedroom pop scene.
Delivering a sound that is at once unmistakably relevant and delightfully old-fashioned, Beauty Queen offers the perfect soundtrack to crying in the bathroom at a high school dance. The young artist continues to hit her stride and push the limits of her sound with two forthcoming singles produced by husband-and-wife duo Alaina Moore and Patrick Riley of indie-pop band Tennis. Working with the indie royalty was a dream come true for Ianitello, who counts Tennis among her biggest musical influences. “The way they worked together was really inspiring,” she reflects on the three days spent recording “Sweet Memory” and “Two of Us” in their Denver, Colorado studio in three days.
With daring synthesizers and a more mature direction, Beauty Queen’s new music marks a bold coming-of-age from the lo-fi teenage dream conjured on Out of Touch. The meandering, sun-soaked daydream of an EP, written by Iannitello and produced by Henry Nowhere (Daywave), won over a number of press outlets including Line of Best Fit and Highclouds with its effervescent guitars and gliding synths. The influence of her laidback Hawaiian upbringing on her sound shows itself in her languid song structure, and the distant apathy toward pop culture that marked her teen years instead bred in her an obvious appreciation for music from decades past. Ianitello’s lilting croon is a mainstay on the new music as well as the EP, both of which teem with 1950s songwriting influence and indie charm.
![Glassio - A Friend Like You (feat. Beauty Queen) [Official Visualizer]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/qvmm3BYhLL0/hqdefault.jpg)
Norwegian alternative R&B-soul singer-songwriter Beharie shares the playful, bold track and lyric video “Desire” out everywhere now, where he aims to charm a potential love interest. Beharie’s rich, layered debut album Are You There, Boy? is due out October 20 and is available for pre-order now. To support the new album, Beharie has announced a lengthy tour across Northern and Western Europe as well as a stop in London, UK. Tickets are on sale now via beharieofficial.com/tour-dates and a full list of dates can be found below.
With “Desire,” Beharie sweetly wants to prove to a prospective love interest that he’s the right one. Beharie explains it’s a confident song about “insisting on being the right one for someone you like and telling them without any doubt, and being willing to do anything to make it happen.” The tune’s arrangement and vocal performance are more playful than any of his previous releases allowing him to experiment and introduce various sides of himself and the characters that exist on the album. Here, Beharie is able to strike a unique balance between cheekiness and classiness.
Following his breakout single late last year, singer-songwriter J8KE has released his latest heartfelt project, “Hold Me.” “Hold Me” is a rhythmically pulsing anthem capturing the hopeful energy of a young man turning over every rock in his search for intimacy. J8KE’s genre-diverse-inspired acoustic groove was mixed and mastered by producer Marco Silvenses and is now available to stream or download on all major music platforms.
“Hold Me’s” artistic strengths lie in J8KE’s prowess in fusing distinctive genres to synthesize a deceptively complex product, both emotionally and sonically. His lyricism centers around sensations of something missing, that something definitely being love, he declares as the track progresses. “‘Hold Me’ is a more impassioned song than I’ve written in a long time,” says J8KE. “It’s about doubt, indecisiveness, and the loss of love. All with a true glimpse that right around the corner that person is waiting for you.” J8KE manifests a more positive, pop-oriented outlook on the track that creates a dynamic foil for the song’s heavier content. His ear-grabbing guitar hooks and tropical-leaning percussion add a very light-hearted layer to the propelling acoustic backbone and wordy verses. J8KE maintains a sweeping, reggae-esque vocal delivery throughout that solidifies his creative style as seen in previous tracks such as “Lemonade.”
Japan, Man shares new single Overdid It, along with news of their much anticipated debut album, Metropolis which will be arriving on the 18th of October via +1 Records (Anna of The North, Rejjie Snow)
Taking shape as a playful break-up anthem, Overdid It is a self-deprecating jam that touches on ‘overdoing it’ in a relationship. Japan, Man’s signature groovy alt-pop vibes lead the way as front woman Laeticia leans into the irony of the situation. The result is a charming and reflective final teaser ahead of debut album Metropolis.
Sharing a little more Laeticia shares: The song attempts to capture the embarrassment of overdoing it in a relationship, or situation-ship, especially with a rather complicated label.
I think we all try to remove ourselves from the category of being an ‘emotional’ or ‘sensitive’ person these days. I think we all internalize this and try to be as unbothered and as nonchalant as possible, but we all end up forgetting how significant our tendencies to over-love, over-care, overcomplicate, and over feel really are when intimacy and romantic passion enters the picture, and that’s completely normal and definitely what I was feeling while writing the song.
The song definitely carries sass and arrogance which was very fun for me to write, and sing, as most of my songs are more serious in tone when it comes to lyrics, but I was feeling particularly playful while writing this, and wanted to take a more ironic approach.
Sydney melodic metalcore band BLOOM have announced signing to Pure Noise Records. To celebrate the announcement the band have released new single ‘Bound To Your Whispers’ and accompanying video.
Speaking about the new single the band said, “Bound to Your Whispers is an exploration of internal disparity and the disconnect between internal doubts, and the manipulation of one’s self.
Written as dialogue between the two internal voices, the protagonist is manipulated by their own thoughts, falling into a false sense of security “let me in, and I’ll relieve your fears… could this be everything I need?”. What is initially perceived as a voice of reason, sheltering the protagonist (“I’ll keep you safe, distract you from all your pain”) gives comfort to the protagonist that they can deal with their anxieties themselves ‘don’t reach out, you don’t need help’. This false sense begins to unravel, wearing the protagonist down by forcing them to relive mistakes and planting seeds of doubt, revealing itself as a trap as it gains control of the internal struggle. ‘You let me in, and I confirmed your fears’.
This internal dialogue convinces the protagonist that there is no way he can exist without the anxiety that has followed him throughout the years, and he gives in, allowing himself to be consumed. ‘Bound to your whispers, under your spell. I have nothing left in me’.”
Naarm/Melbourne-based artist Kwasi continues to push boundaries with his distinct and genre agnostic aesthetic and sound. Following the success of his previous releases earlier this year, Kwasi is set to unveil his latest single ‘POISON’ on Friday, September 29.
With a stack of achievements under his belt, the Ghanaian-Australian artist merges his bold alternative hip-hop energy with vibrant indie and punk-rock soundscapes while navigating the depths of love, loss and self-discovery.
‘POISON’ is layered with hazy, indie guitar riffs and driven by upbeat drums as waves of cool synths wash over. Kwasi skilfully captures a bittersweet essence that ebbs and flows with his lyricism, weaving dreamy chorus melodies contrasted with briskly delivered verses. Laid over the shimmering backdrop his gruff vocals are engrossing and powerful all while feeling disarmed and warm.
Through the track, Kwasi lets his guard down and offers a self-indulgent perspective on heartbreak, finding solace in solitude and encouraging his partner to ‘run away, far away, cause this love is like poison’. Kwasi reveals:
“In ‘POISON’, I am caught in a daze of hopeful sadness, knowing the end is near. Hungover from intoxicating love, I romanticize the positive parts of the relationship, but deep down I know it’s best to just ‘Run away’.“
Kwasi’s distinctive sound and creative vision shine through with ‘POISON’. While lyrically, he encapsulates the complex emotions and conflicts of a relationship reaching its inevitable end, he also arouses that same feeling through the nostalgic but fresh production.
For the unfamiliar, Kwasi has been stirring emotions for a long time now and has shared stages with renowned artists like 360, Banks Arcade, Genesis Owusu, and more. His music has received widespread recognition, earning support from influential platforms such as Triple J, Purple Sneakers, MTV, AU Review, Scenestr plus editorial placements in Spotify’s Fresh Finds AU & NZ, The Drip and sadboi hours.
Kicking off what promises to be a monumental era, multiplatinum R&B iconoclast, style icon, and entrepreneur Brent Faiyaz returns with a brand-new single entitled “WY@”. Listen to “WY@” HERE and watch the lyric video HERE. It notably stands out as the follow-up to his chart-topping epic album, WASTELAND, which has tallied over 1 billion streams worldwide and debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200.
“WY@” showcases his evolution yet again. A funky bassline undercuts the track’s laidback bounce. Flashes of falsetto line his verses as he leans into the pocket. The hook instantly captivates as he promises, “This time I’ll be through for real.” It’s got soul, spirit, and style—just like everything he does. It also pops off as an irrefutable and inimitable banger.
Currently, he has wrapped up the North American leg of his 2023 worldwide headline tour, F*ck The World, It’s a Wasteland. Next up, he touches down in Europe, stopping in London, Milan, and Berlin before coming to an end on November 20 in London, UK. In addition, the December 5 and 6 shows have been added as a reschedule to the Los Angeles tour dates. Check out the full tour itinerary below.
Speaking to his expanding influence across every facet of culture, the NFL just tapped Brent for a very special campaign in honor of its 104thSeason. He and the NFL broke the news on social media with a picture of the script and a note from the league.
The next season for Brent Faiyaz will be groundbreaking.
TOUR DATES:
10/16 Leeds, UK O2 Academy Leeds
10/19 Manchester, UK O2 Apollo
10/21 Glasgow, UK O2 Academy Glasgow
10/23 Birmingham, UK O2 Academy
10/25 London, UK Eventim Apollo
11/1 Utrecht, Netherlands TivoliVredenburg
11/3 Stockholm, Sweden Banankompaniet
11/5 Copenhagen, Denmark Vega
11/8 Oslo, Norway Rockefeller Music Hall
11/10 Berlin, Germany Tempodrom
11/12 Milan, Italy Fabrique
11/14 Barcelona, Spain Razzmatazz
11/17 Cologne, Germany Palladium
11/19 Paris, France Elysee Montmartre
11/20 London, UK Eventim Apollo
12/5 Los Angeles, CA YouTube Theatre
12/6 Los Angeles, CA YouTube Theatre
![Brent Faiyaz - WY@ [Lyric Video]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/4ZBHsqKVfFo/hqdefault.jpg)
Creator, Singer/songwriter, multi-hyphenate muso Jackson August today releases his new single and video “IT’S OVER” featuring his collaborator and childhood friend Yoshi T.
In addition to his creative work with the song and video, Jackson has put together a series of ‘floating shows’ called MAD FACTS where he teams up with his friends to put on free shows in dive bars to dim sum shops.
In celebration of the release of the song/video, Jackson, Yoshi T and a group of other artists will be performing their next pop-up performance at SUN HONG WONG in Chinatown on September 21, 2023 at 9:00pm.
This young and independent artist disruptor, is taking the traditional route to success and turning it on its head by seizing onto the edgy and lesser chosen path to success. Jackson is the definition of DIY, creating his own music, videos, graphics, tour flyers, as well as booking his own shows and he is unapologetic about the path he is taking:
Jackson adds. “When it comes to the shows, I feel like I’m just trying to revitalize the indie scene in NYC which I feel has been lacking with just too much safe regular a** music. I grew up with the Strokes, the Beatles and Mac Demarco. I feel like I’m trying to build an actual revolution with these shows and this music. I want heads to be able to turn up at my shows and see some real raw grit shit that this city deserves”
Jenny Stenger has recently made her mark on the “sad girl pop” scene. Starting with her first single, “Better,” released in January of 2022- Jenny makes songs that speak to complex human emotions and experiences, hoping that sharing her own story can help others feel less alone in theirs. The roots of Stenger’s music run deep through the small town that she grew up in, with many stories and relationships that inspire her music originating there. Stenger’s debut album Trying My Best, released in November of 2022, sheds light on topics like unrequited love, jealousy, and mental illness, bringing her songwriting vision to life and making her mark on the industry.
Alluring, seductive, and self-assured: with her single “For You,” pop enchantress Ilona frames a melodic invitation in sonic colors of chilled-out electronica and shimmering harmonies. In a voice that is disarmingly angelic, Ilona uncovers deeper desires as she pledges, “I’ll go where no one’s been before.” “For You” is now available to stream and download on all digital music platforms.
The latest in a celebrated span of singles, this track entices listeners into the spell of Ilona’s musical magic, unveiling the tantalizing testimony of a captivating woman who knows what she wants and what a lover needs. “Move my body and soul,” she implores. With “For You,” Ilona offers an invitation to a celestial destination of desire, revealed through an ecstatic proclamation of promise and pleasure. As the song unfolds, Ilona masterfully navigates the intricate dance of longing and fulfillment. The lyrics describe a yearning for the kind of intimacy that goes beyond the physical, diving into the realms of emotions. “I had teardrops on my keyboard when I wrote this song,” she explains. “It’s about manifesting a true connection and falling in love.” The track is a testament to Ilona’s ability to conjure feelings through music and longings that are sung into existence. The mingling of melodies creates a perfect ambiance alongside with her heartfelt lyrics that sweep listeners into a world where openness and longing blend seamlessly. This exceptional track is skillfully blended and produced by Moritz Braun, with the final touches of mastering provided by Lurssen Mastering.
contemporary pop meets R&B melody artist, Jacklyn, brings the heat with fiery new single ‘Dead Romance’. Full of dynamism and energetic vigor, she holds her own and claims her power over others on her latest endeavor.
Take a listen to ‘Dead Romance’ here
Jacklyn divulges on the inspiration of the track “Dead romance captures the experience of being in a relationship that gradually loses its spark because of your partner’s lack of effort. It’s the realisation that, after emotionally distancing yourself from the relationship, they finally attempt the effort you had always desired, only to find that it’s too late to mend what’s broken. I wrote this song to serve as a breakup anthem, empowering you to embrace your self-worth and find confidence in your own company.”
The strong sense of empowerment that runs deep throughout the track, gives the song an energetic, assertive rhythm that is infectious and leaves you wanting more.
‘Dead Romance’ is centered around the idea of someone only seeing your worth once it’s too late and the damage is already done. In Jacklyn’s eyes, what’s done, is done, and she finds an inner sense of empowerment that comes with being able to walk away. She is a powerful force to be reckoned with, both musically and in her true self.
This new release is the follow up to Jacklyn’s previous single ‘No Saint’, a slinky, alt-pop song, that was met with press support from the likes of Wordplay Magazine, The Honey Pop, and Fizzy Mag.
legendary SoCal punk rock band, The Offspring, have shared the fourth episode of their podcast Time to Relax with The Offspring, featuring special guest, Jack Grisham, prolific front man of T.S.O.L, author, filmmaker and storyteller.
In this absolutely hilarious episode, Jack Grisham sits down with Dexter, Noodles and Blackball to tell the tale of nearly being killed by Fletcher Dragge (Pennywise), a special trip to Tijuana and narrowly escaping the police. Dexter & Noodles’ jaws drop to the floor and Blackball tries to book T.S.O.L. & The Offspring for a show in his friend’s backyard.
Watch the new episode of Time to Relax with The Offspring on the band’s YouTube channel HERE. Audio downloads are available on Spotify, Apple Music, iHeart Radio and Audible.
Time to Relax with The Offspring features Dexter and Noodles alongside their longtime friend Jason “Blackball” McLean (from “You’ve Gotta Keep ‘Em Separated”). The open format video podcast brings friends into their studio to chat music, touring, life and everything in between. The debut episode of the podcast featured special guest, Fletcher Dragge of Pennywise, the following episodes featured Joe Escalante of The Vandals and Pierre Bouvier of Simple Plan. Kick off your shoes, lean back and just enjoy the nonsense. It’s Time to Relax with The Offspring.
Born from Riot Grrrl, VENUS GRRRLS are an alternative rock band from Leeds. From twinkling synth motifs to raspy guitar lines, the girls present the dark yet empowering discourse surrounding their own synergistic experiences.
IT ALL COMES OUT IN THE WASH…
Seeing someone you care about manipulated, demeaned, and have their self-esteem crushed by a narcissistic individual can evoke a sense of helplessness and frustration. ‘Liar Liar’ is written from the abuser’s grip, but encourages the idea that people can reclaim their autonomy, rediscover their worth, and ultimately, forge a path towards renewed emotional well-being and empowerment.
‘Liar Liar took some time to finish, both lyrically and instrumentally. The topic, often very personal and contextual was something I wanted to make sure was adequately represented despite its vast nature. The idea was that the ‘narrator’ of the song has become aware of the dynamic of another relationship, and that it isn’t necessarily a good dynamic. Spotting patterns of emotional manipulation and abuse, the narrator seeks not only to empower the victim but to let the perpetrator know that they’ve figured out what’s happening despite the ‘games’.’ – GK
Hackney-born singer-songwriter Dayor delivers an honest, sultry ode to his dreams, aspirations and love across his hotly anticipated debut EP High Life – released via Platoon.
Already crowned a significant one to watch through i-D’s “Royalty” issue last year, Dayor’s grippingly unique artistry instantly underlines him as a standout prospect. Merging nostalgic, high-calibre R&B and his own mellow-trap flavour, High Life is a psychedelic gallery into the evolving mind of Dayor, expressing the vices of escapism while enchanting passion and the vivid moments that defined his vigorous journey to fruition. Developing his eccentric approach that perfectly encapsulates the diverse
sounds and culture of East London, the Nigeran heritage artist is on a direct path to mainstream realisation and shows no sign of slowing down.
Speaking on the body of work, Dayor mentions: “This EP is about escapism and what that looks like for me at this current point in my life. I’m on a quest for whatever brings about a change in my state of mind and reflecting on the good and the bad that comes with it all.”
Setting an intimate tone, the 4-track EP opens with “Take Flight”. Boasting spacey synths and stripped-back percussion elevated by TK’s sleek production (Knucks, Sam Wise, BXKS), the infectious backing creates complex pockets for Dayor to flex his vocal harmonies shining with melodic intimacy – a poetic cadence that balances his vision with the pace and disorientation of inner-city life.
Manoeuvring through hazy sessions of “On Fire”, we reach the apex of Dayor’s sultry musical approach, with his euphoric vocals embodying the seductive temptations that take control as he envisions a new romantic interest. Closing out the EP across the run of “High Life” and “Until The World Is Mine”, the latter produced by the infamous LeMav (Tay Iwar, Masego, Pink Pantheress), the rising talent reconciles with his personal journey and hardships while expressing the evolution of his lyrical integrity at the highest level.
emerging Icelandic musical talent Hera Lind returns with her beautiful new single ‘someday’, which puts her love and fondness for someone special out into the universe.
Take a listen to ‘someday’ below
https://apollodistro.lnk.to/heralind
Speaking on the sentimentality of the track, Hera shares: “When writing this song I couldn’t stop smiling, it made me feel as if I were in love for the very first time. This song was hard for me to release; not only is it vulnerable, but it’s my official coming out.”
In essence, ‘someday’ is about the loving, caring nature of a partnership that Hera looks forward to someday sharing with someone special. As an artist whose lyrical inspiration consistently stems from a place of vulnerability and somewhere close to the heart, this new track is no different, as she embraces her vulnerable side and opens up about her identity and sexuality in a subtle yet artful way.
Hera’s heavenly vocals and heartfelt lyricism make for a delightful listening experience that draws you in and whisks you away to a place of serenity.
Today’s new track follows Hera’s former release ‘Hungry Lion’, earlier this year in June, which was very well received by her 235k TikTok followers and fans of pop leaning indie-folk artists like Leith Ross and Matilda Mann. There is plenty more on the horizon for this up-and-coming songstress, as she navigates both the UK and Icelandic music scene, sharing her experiences and stories with people along the way.
As a rising Canadian alt-pop artist, Lauryn Macfarlane‘s honest and vulnerable songwriting style and personality are what draw audiences in and leave them wanting more. Having opened for and shared bills with various acts including Aysanabee, Chantel Kreviazuk, Donovan Woods and Kathleen Edwards, Lauryn has honed in on a presence and aura onstage that commands attention. In the summer of 2022, she had the opportunity to go to Los Angeles and work with Montreal-born producer Jason Kellner. The Montreal-based artist’s brand new single, “Dive,” came out of those sessions.
Written right as she was falling madly in love, it’s a fun yet vulnerable song about allowing yourself to fully “Dive” into a relationship with your whole heart, even though you know you could very well be crushed by the wave. This song is the first time a producer has given Lauryn an instrumental to write to with free reign on melody and lyrics. To her surprise, it came very easily and is a new way of collaboration that she is eager to pursue more of in the future.
Displaying a multidisciplinary musical approach that pulls fragments from contemporary R&B, indie and alternative rap, the Ugandanheritage artist envisions a complex journey through heartbreak and reconciliation across “ATV”. With spacey guitar licks and electric vocal layering mixed by Fredrik Okazaki (Yung Lean, FKA Twigs, Skrillex), the striped-back, dystopian instrumental set pace for the rising talent to explore a fading love interest and the distress and confusion that takes control. Visually depicted through the dark and mysterious visualiser, MASAKA becomes the narrator of his own melancholy, a therapeutic outlet for him to express a deep-rooted sense of self-pity stuck in limbo that eventually manoeuvres towards true enlightenment.
Speaking on the record, MASAKA mentions: “ATV is about the abstract rush of self-pitying intoxication that a breakup can give you. It’s the ambivalent narrator in your head who starts talking right before the credits start to roll. You can feel things are about to come to an end and that there’s nothing you can do but try and salvage whatever pieces of self-worth that are within reach. Maybe you bargain one last time but really that moment is about realizing that your time together belongs in the past tense.”
Developing his musicality, producing, writing and recording his tracks in his father’s home studio, MASAKA earned a scholarship at Berklee College Of Music. While studying modern Jazz and perfecting his craft as a bassist, the rising musician began performing in icon jazz clubs across NYC before going on tour with three-time GRAMMY Award-Winning musician Terri Lyne Carrington, where he graced The Hollywood Bowl and The Monterey Jazz Festival. Now making serious waves across the underground jazz scene, MASAKA also has rubbed shoulders with international stars like Patti Smith, Ledisi, and Immanuel Wilkins, all building up to the release of his hotly anticipated debut solo offering “Ragdoll” earlier this year.
Baby Jey is an Edmonton indie pop band who wear their love of classic disco and synth-pop music on their sleeves. “What’s the Point of Saying Sorry,” the lead single from their upcoming LP, Crop Circles, was recorded using vintage keyboards from the 80s and 90s, the Korg M1 and the Yamaha Motif ES7.
Its lyrical themes have a double meaning, explains the band:
“Some people listen to the song and think it’s about someone who is bitter, saying ‘who cares that I’m hurt, as long as we’re sleeping together, then everything must be fine.’
But other people take a straight up understanding of the lyrics – that words can only say so much and that there are things we can express with physical touch that are also emotionally powerful.
Saying sorry can be important but spoken language isn’t the only way that people communicate.”
Black Eyed Peas continue to fulfill a master plan to push the game forward devised way back in 1995. They execute each stage of this plan with focus and intent, allowing their evolution to play out in real-time over a series of game-changing albums, beginning with Behind The Front [1998] through Bridging The Gap [2000], Elephunk [2003], Monkey Business [2005], The E.N.D. [2009], The Beginning[2010], Masters of the Sun, Vol. 1 [2018], and, most recently TRANSLATION[2020]. Along the way, co-founders will.i.am, Apl.de.Ap, and Taboo have set music industry records that will probably never be exceeded, moved north of 35 million albums and 120 million singles, gathered six GRAMMY® Awards, and headlined the Super Bowl, the World Cup, and F1 races. The multi-platinum group launched the comeback of the decade after eight years of dormancy. The future matters the most to these trailblazers, which brings us to their 2022 blockbuster ninth full-length, Elevation [Epic Records]. The 15-track opus represents another logical step and the dawn of a new phase, boasting the smash “DON’T YOU WORRY” [feat. Shakira & David Guetta] and collabs with Daddy Yankee, Nicky Jam, Anuel AA, Ozuna, Nicole Scherzinger, and more.
About the record, will.i.am comments, “We were behind the front, then we bridged the gap. We rode an elephant’s back to realize the industry was full of monkey business. That was the end, but the end is new beginnings. Becoming masters of the sun, mastering the industry, we realized we had to have translation in this complex world. But we be falling up, and never falling down. Black Eyed Peas is known for elevation. This is the next stage for us, reaching higher.”
buzzing Los Angeles-based Nigerian rapper JELEEL! continues his rise with a new single “GFU!”
Get it HERE via 10K Projects.
“I really love this record as it has aspects from my signature sound but with the new addition of a club music bounce in the drum rhythm,” says JELEEL! “I’ve also grown a lot since my post album tour, and this song speaks to what comes with that. There’s an influx of new people that are coming into my life now as I’ve gotten more attention, but I’m just trying to do me and be with my day one people!”
After a slew of captivating performances this summer at the likes of Lyrical Lemonade Festival and Splash! Festival, JELEEL! further cements himself as one of this generation’s most exhilarating live acts, with an upcoming stretch of European tour dates this fall. Buy tickets HERE.
The new single arrives after a successful run a few weeks ago at New York Fashion Week, where the buzzing rapper sat front row at Advisry and performed at the official afterparty alongside Denzel Curry, while also attending events for the likes of Jean Paul Gaultier and SSENSE.
Siena Bjornerud is a singer/songwriter whose music dances between pop, alt R&B and Jazz. Capturing the attention of listeners across the globe, Siena under the name Siena Bjørn uses her distinct, powerful vocals and captivating melodies to express her feelings and experiences as a woman, while touching on self-discovery and self-love.
Born in Seattle, Washington and raised in Denver, Colorado, Siena began her artistic career as a tot dancing for the Maine State, Pacific Northwest and Colorado ballet companies. She is also known for her work as an actress, having trained in theater at New York University, Tisch Drama and the Atlantic Acting Conservatory. The multi-dimensional artist continues to hone her abilities as an actress in Los Angeles as the protégé of world renowned actor Dabney Coleman and can be seen in theaters across America in her new film The Hill which was released August 25th.
Her latest single “Down Bad” shows off her punchy lyrical abilities wrapped in cinematic melodies. With an infectious chorus over an invigorating track, the retro doo-wop inspired song details unrequited lust and a lover who fawns over a woman who’s no longer interested. “Down Bad” marks a transformative musical shift for Siena and a new intention for her sound.
With a sonic journey spanning through the archives of time and traversing the far reaches of global soundscapes, Sounds of Walker commands a musical realm where time and space bow to evocative soundscapes and unfiltered lyrical tales. No illusions here – only music that resonates as eerily familiar, ensnares with hypnotic allure, and consumes with emotional intensity. Kind of like deja vu.
Sounds of Walker beckons you into a realm where Milan de la Rocha, the enigmatic architect of this sonic tapestry, has been summoning melodies since his tender days at the piano. With a repertoire that embraces guitar, bass, drums, and an array of instruments cultivated over the decades, Milan’s musical essence flows from his Cuban and Mexican lineage, where rhythm pulses through his veins.
As a first-generation Latino thriving amidst the vibrant landscape of Los Angeles, Milan’s life mirrors the metropolis itself, a crucible of diverse cultures and influences. It’s this rich mosaic that ignites his fervor to craft music that transcends the boundaries of time and culture. Truth is, every person’s heart has a beat.
His debut single “KO” was written on an hour-long sunset flight between Bangkok and Koh Samui, Thailand. He confides, ” As I saw what seemed to be hundreds of tiny islands strewn across the horizon, shimmering like stars in the sun’s orange glow, I had a strong feeling that we all are like those tiny islands. Whole worlds within, fully sustained, but yet connected in so many ways. “KO” explores the transformative power of self-discovery and personal strength. It encourages surrendering to vulnerability and resisting societal norms of what you “should be.” The lyrics convey a deep emotional connection with one’s self, urging not to be held back by external forces or negativity. The truth is, inspiration and strength begins from within.” The song is a cinematic electronic-drenched synth pop journey of sound.
Sounds of Walker invites us to walk into the music and towards the sounds of dreams.
Music India.
A dreamy number characterised by a romantic blending of elegant orchestral strings
and gorgeous guitars, “All I Need” is a tender acoustic love ballad from RIKA which
hears the British-Indian artist wearing her heart on her sleeve – elevating her
reflective songwriting with her rich, expressive vocal tones.
RIKA made the following statement about “All I Need”: “With this song, I wanted to
encapsulate love in its purest form and that feeling when the only thing in the world
that matters is the person right in front of you. Lyrically, I am confessing how much I
need them to function, which is something quite hard to admit: you are dependent on
them, but you love them with all that you have. The organic feel of the live strings
and the acoustic guitar shows that love isn’t perfect and is beautiful because of its
rawness.”
Rising UK R&B newcomer Wallis returns from a busy summer to offer “Skin” – hot
on the heels of winning the Isle of Wight Festival’s ‘New Blood’ competition.
In keeping with a string of recent releases from the Northern up-and-comer, “Skin”
pays homage to the classic US R&B sounds Wallis draws artistic inspiration from
with a retro twist, building to a seductively fiery chorus in lyrics which explore a divine
love affair.
Wallis made the following statement about “Skin”: “I love ‘Skin’ because it’s the kind
of sound I feel excited about right now. It’s an anthem for the ladies – we want the
man but we don’t want the bullshit that comes with him. I wrote the words to lay
down some rules as I love my independence. If you want me, you’ve got to make it
worth it and treat me like the centre of your universe. Anything less just isn’t
enough.”
Hailing from Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria, Wallis is an unlikely R&B star in the
making. Her ties to the working-class community of the town and its links to Northern
soul formed her love of music at an early age, discovering an artistic contrast
between her vibrant personality and sublime soprano vocals. She nurtured her
talents at the prestigious Sylvia Young Theatre School in London, before following in
the footsteps of idols like Adele and Amy Winehouse to train at the renowned Brit
School.
Now credibly integrating herself into London’s underground R&B scene with airplay
from BBC Radio 1’s Huw Stephens and BBC Introducing, Wallis has kept a growing
audience entertained with her impeccable vocal range, delivering gems like “Attitude”
(which features Tottenham rapper Dun D), the stormy “FYI” and “Ain’t That Kinda
Girl” – which Wallis recently performed in a dazzling set on the Big Top Stage at Isle
of Wight Festival, supporting Flo and Example.
newcomer mlbacard¡ returns with an introspective new single “DO MY OWN STUNTS.” The singer-songwriter she says is about “struggling to accept love due to not feeling worthy of it and the self-sabotage that follows” and is perfectly told with the use of heartfelt lyrics and stunning yet emotive vocal that is drenched in heavenly reverb alongside purring guitar chords. In the spirit of announcements, mlbacard¡ has also announced her debut mixtape titled “I LOVE TO DO MY STUNTS” which will be released November 1, via Believe.
Explaining her new single in more detail, mlbacard¡ adds “It’s not wanting the responsibility of love in fear of not being able to reciprocate what’s been given. It’s about, constant self-sabotage, letting yourself get caught-up in the ideas that pollute your mind, and literally doing your own stunts, and as a result, always falling flat on your face.”
The song itself has one positive message to focus on in relation to living with similar mental health concerns and that is, perfectly explained by mlbacard¡ who says “Putting how I feel into words has been extremely therapeutic. This is a song I hold dearly to my heart because it’s something that I’ve felt for years, but wasn’t ever able to properly express this feeling until I wrote it down and has become apart of a process to understanding myself”
talented songwriter and phenomenal voice CLOVES returns with another subtle yet hard-hitting new track titled “Care.” Recently CLOVES shared “Good Try” (here) which was her first release since her well-recieved sophomore album “Nightmare On Elmfield Road.”
Watch the lyric video for Care now; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJX1aHLC-Bs
Choose your own streaming platform here
Kaity Dunstan PKA “CLOVES” born in Melbourne, Australia has to date generated over 300million-plus streams, attracted critical acclaim including Pigeons & Planes, i-D, Clash, NME, Vice & Consequence of Sound among many others, performed on U.S network show “Late night with Seth Myers”, toured the U.S opening for Grammy award winning artist Michael Kiwanuka,and her second album saw collaborations with Hudson Mohawke & Jake Portrait from Unknown Mortal Orchestra alongside multiple tastemaker praise including her single “Nightmare” becoming BBC Radio 1’s “Hottest Record in the World ”the coveted spotalways seen as a high marker for quality artists.
For CLOVES, now is the time she feels most creatively free and mentally strong as she steps out to release her first music ndependently, marking the beginning of a new relationship with herself and her music, in the midst of the often discussed & debated major label system for artists these days, CLOVES knows this is the best way forward forher make the music she wants and to do it the way she needs to.
Punctuating a busy few weeks that has seen Atlanta based Hojean reveal Easily, 9-5 and Cruel to acclaim from areas such as Wonderland, Hunger, FAULT, House Of Solo and more, today sees the release of Hojean’s anticipated new EP, cherie. A study of intricate alt-pop showcasing sky reaching vocals and shapeshifting production, the project serves as more evidence of just why this relative newcomer has seen his music resonate far and wide, clocking up well over 100m streams and set to embark on an expansive ‘ To Cherie, With Love Tour’. Speaking on the project, Hojean states:
cherie is not a particular person, rather they are somebody who you would have wanted to know in your life but became the one that got away.
“there’s a sense of bravery in talking to somebody you like and actually pursuing them. in my life, i’ve had plenty of people i would crush on that would ultimately turn to nothing because of my lack of courage. the first track titled “cherie” explains the feeling pretty well of what it would be like to speak to a old face you knew before. it’s never their fault. it’s never yours. it’s a common thing to be afraid of. often, i think back and get the feeling that if i pushed a little harder.
would i be with someone today? that classmate? a co-worker? that somebody you always see on your daily routines? who knows? to me.
cherie is the name i give to those who could have been.”
Get ready to be blown away by the electrifying sound of TYDL. This dynamic Brighton based duo, led by the fierce Rebecca and backed by the rhythmic force of percussionist Jack, is about to take the music scene by storm. Their fusion of genres creates a mindblowing sonic journey that hooks you instantly.
TYDL’s infectious pop vocals and relentless drum beats will make your heart race and your body move. Imagine the irresistible vibes of Sigrid, Bastille, and Avicii colliding in a spectacular explosion of sound. It’s a musical experience like no other.
Unveiling their debut four-track EP, Ethereal, TYDL have created a collection of songs that emanate villain energy and hype the listener up, emphasising that it doesn’t matter if what you’re doing is “wrong” as long as you’re true to yourself. Regaining her power, Rebecca shares, “I wanted to create music that reflected the part of me that I had lost.”
Title track “Ethereal” is written from the perspective of someone who was obsessed with an imagined love interest and so overwhelmed with lust that she trapped them in a spell that meant they would be together forever. Rebecca explains, “The song is really about how we all have a part of us that can’t be controlled and we need to accept that and use it to our advantage.”
The EP also includes “God Complex” which is the ultimate F U to bullies. One big sarcastic viewpoint on how people use jealousy as an excuse for bullying, the track is based on personal experiences from when Rebecca was a teenager.
Ethereal is produced by the award-nominated Brighton producer Lewis Amoroso. Through his adaptable and versatile style, he allowed the artist’s personality and character to shine through, creating a positive atmosphere full of creative and innovative energy. Sonically, the EP pulls influences from electronic, hip-hop, R&B and gospel genres.
These trailblazers have already received multiple plays on BBC Introducing and conquered prestigious venues across the diverse city of Brighton, including the legendary Concorde 2 and Komedia. Their live shows are a sight to behold, radiating pure energy and leaving audiences mesmerised. TYDL thrives on connecting with their fans, making every moment an unforgettable part of the TYDL experience.
TYDL is redefining what it means to be cool, edgy, and undeniably captivating. Brace yourself for a sonic revolution with Ethereal.
Congolese-Canadian pop star LU KALA reveals her latest single ‘Hotter Now’. Drenched in a flood of animated pop vibrancy, with this new song, LU KALA is bringing an elevated, distinctive sound and style to the world of pop in her own unique way.
Give ‘Hotter Now’ a listen here
LU KALA’s confident new offering radiates a fiery, empowered energy that is the perfect track to get you up and feeling good. At its core, the track is injected with a sense of vitality that employs LU KALA’s love for an infectious, catchy chorus, sandwiched between engaging, storytelling verses.
Taking the commonly used phrase ‘what doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger’, and tweaking it to sing ‘What doesn’t kill you, makes you hotter’, reflects LU KALA’s playful and bold attitude that makes her and her music appealing to a generation invested in music that promotes self-love and pride in oneself.
LU KALA is a popstar operating in her own lane entirely and is certainly having her moment right now. With many eyes on her, routing for her success, she continues to use that as her fuel to deliver sensational contemporary pop tunes.
Nashville based artist Taylor Acorn has released her highly anticipated EP, Certified Depressant, out now via ONErpm. Produced by Dan Swank (All Time Low), Andrew Pacheco and Phil Barnes (Sydney Sierota [Echosmith], Cassadee Pope, Smallpools), Certified Depressant finds Taylor sharing some of her most deepest and vulnerable thoughts and feelings about her personal struggles with mental health, love, life and everything in between over these past few years. The EP takes you along for the ride on the roller coaster of emotions of life, and serves as a reminder that you’re not alone in your feelings.
Listen to Certified Depressant HERE.
“I have been dreaming of the moment when I’d get to release an entire project of my own music for what seems like the last 100 years,” shares Taylor. “The last project I put out was back in 2017, it was my debut EP and I was a country artist. There have been so many instances where I just wanted to say screw it and put out an entire album of the songs I’ve written over the years but it never felt like the right time or even the right sound, that is until now 6 years later. I am so happy I took the time, lived a little more life, and truly found myself as an artist because I couldn’t be more proud of the journey and these 8 songs. It finally feels right.”
Email:neill@outloudculture.com
Socials: @neillfrazer
