“The Wild Card” is the first single off of King Dream’s upcoming album Glory Daze V, which is slated to release in January. “Written in one sitting ahead of the 2020 election, it felt like we’d been stripped of our freedom and democracy over the past four years. Our whole perception of reality was through the lens of a mainstream media that militarized and polarized people into two camps through fear mongering. The 2020 fires were a dystopian hellscape. We couldn’t go anywhere, we had no power, it rained ash, and looked like something out of ‘Blade Runner.’ We watched people murdered by the law on YouTube. I felt like a hypocrite, wanting diversity, marching against police brutality for BLM, yet living in the country, in an overwhelming white friend group I’d found through playing indie/rock and folk/americana music.”
A little about King Dream:
King Dream is a Bay Area rock ‘n’ roll band helmed by Oakland native Jeremy Lyon, a lifelong songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who crafts dive bar anthems with heart, brains and soul. Hard-rocking yet poignant, his music combines a love for American rock masters like Springsteen and Petty with ‘60s West Coast psychedelia and more contemporary torch-bearers like My Morning Jacket and The War on Drugs — all brought to life by a band of Northern California’s most in-demand players.
Lyon has played Outside Lands and Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, toured nationally and internationally, and also knows what it’s like to busk on the street. King Dream songs deftly balance hope and world-weariness. They seem wise beyond their years, and they also have a way of sneaking up on you. Their shout-along choruses and searing guitar solos are at home in a darkened saloon, to be sure, but also — you know the giddy, ragged vulnerability that arrives when you’ve been awake for way too long on a road trip? Between the good times and the clinks of beer bottles these songs inspire a wistfulness, deep in your bones, for a place you’ve never been.
Multi-award-winning Ben Rudnick, ofBen Rudnick and Friends, is set to release a new single, “Hangin’ with Lucy,” on October 13, 2023.
“Hangin’ with Lucy” recounts a cross-country road trip that Ben Rudnick and his golden retriever, Lucy, made from Boston to Laguna Beach, CA in January 2022. Driving with Lucy became a day-to-day adventure that was more rock ‘n roll than Travels with Charley. “Hangin’ with Lucy,” an upbeat, dance-ready slice of Americana, takes listeners along for the ride.
When Ben and Lucy arrived in Laguna Beach where Ben’s guitar buddy Kim Poindexter lived with his dog, Perla, Ben and Kim set about picking guitar together, and the concept for “Hangin’ with Lucy” emerged.
“The reason the song has that minimalist kind of Americana rock and roll feel is because Kim had been showing me how to play like JJ Cale. When it came time to frame ‘Hangin’ with Lucy,’ there was no question how it should sound,” says Ben Rudnick.“It was fun to dig into a favorite style, put it through the mill, and see what our interpretation would be, all done with heavy respect to where the style came from. This song was made with a barrel of love and serious attention to detail.”
Get ready to embark on an infinite journey through the mesmerizing music video for Rachel Mae Hannon’s latest hit, ‘INFINITY.’ Shot in the enchanting hometown of Monaghan by the visionary videographer, Tim Shearwood, this captivating visual masterpiece perfectly captures the essence of the song. Directed by Hannon and Shearwood, the video transports us to a realm where time and space blend harmoniously, the music video opens with Rachel in Rossmore park with her bike. As she begins pedaling, the bike becomes the symbolic representation of the concept of ‘infinity.’ It becomes clear that the wheels of the bike are not just propelling her physically through the forest into the urban area of Monaghan town, but also taking us through the boundless depths of her emotions and the infinite possibilities of life.
As Rachel cruises through the picturesque landscapes of Monaghan town, the mesmerizing beauty of the surroundings mirrors the depth and resonance of the song’s lyrics. She glides through the rolling hills and idyllic fields, which then blends into the built up area of Monaghan town.
RMH’s track ‘INFINITY’ is only out over a week and has already been made track of the week on 2fm, playlisted on BBC Radio Ulster, added to Spotify editorial playlists ‘Breath of Fresh Eire’ and ‘Fresh Finds UK and Ireland’ and featured in blogs like The Last Mixed Tape, Hot Press Magazine and Goldenplec to name a few.
Koncept, the Queens, New York raised artist made a name for himself in the home of hip-hop, and then made it known globally.
From starting his career working at Fat Beats Record Store in NYC with Brown Bag AllStars, to releasing his album “Awaken” featuring Marco Polo, Royce da 5’9″, G Koop, and more, to his EP titled “The Fuel” released with the support of Red Bull, to then partnering with Sony Music Asia, and touring all over continent, featured on radio and TV, newspapers, performing at Olympic Stadium with Wiz Khalifa, to releasing his album independently titled, “Champagne Konny” and touring globally all over Asia, UK, Europe, Canada, Koncept built a brand with high notoriety all over the world.
With songs featuring Eminem / Shady Records Artist, Royce da 5’9″, iconic superstar Rick Ross, and more to come,Koncept is on the way to becoming a household name.Koncept has been in the studio all year working on new music, and he’s now back better than ever kicking off with new lead single “Thriller”, letting you know, “it’s close to midnight.”
As soon as you press play the energy will start to move through your whole body. Koncept states in the chorus, “This is his Thriller, come alive!” and that is exactly what the intensity of this track will have you doing.
Prepare to feel the rush.
He even brings his dad alive for the ride on verse two.
The track is produced by George Reichart (known for his work with Macy Gray, MC Ren, Ice Cube, Coast Contra), and Mark “Keitel Jr.” Lowe (credits with Reason TDE, Kendrick Lamar, Jay Rock, Ab-Soul, Westside Boogie, Black Panther Soundtrack, and more).
There’s a lot that comes when you arrive at the destination you’ve been going towards. Things you expected, and things you had no clue about.
Get ready!
Thriller is out now– https://linktr.ee/champagnekonny
Last month, the globally acclaimed music duo Matmos unveiled details for their 14th studio album, Return To Archive, which is set to be released digitally on November 3rd via Smithsonian Folkways (with physical formats arriving in 2024). Created to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Folkways Records, Return To Archive was exclusively assembled using early “non-musical” recordings initially released by the historic label during the mid-20th century. Matmos dice, loop, stretch and transform some of the earliest sounds captured by field recordists, scientists, and experimentalists documenting the margins of our human soundscape, recontextualizing the source material into something completely unexpected. Today, Matmos have returned to share a second preview from the album, titled “Injection Basic Sound.” Following the lead preview track, “Mud-Dauber Wasp,” which was meticulously crafted using a single sound source of the titular animal, “Injection Basic Sound” seamlessly fuses sci-fi sounds with the human voice by sampling three near-unclassifiable selections from the Folkways archives: Science Fiction Sound Effects(1958), Vox Humana: Alfred Wolfsohn’s Experiments in the Extension of the Human Vocal Range(1956), and Speech after the Removal of the Larynx. Reflecting on the hundreds of albums sifted through for the project, Matmos’ Drew Daniel comments on what unites them all: “Taken together, these LPs capture a particular historical moment in the emergence of the long-playing record as a crucial interface between the lonely listener and the surrounding panorama of the label’s Cold War social milieu. Promising the intimacy of access, some records are voyeuristic peepholes into domestic or professional spaces: a baby’s playroom, a busy office, an operating theater. Some records shrink the listener to the Lilliputian worlds of beetles and wasps. Some records are submarines plunging listeners to oceanic depths, or magic carpets flying them to the outermost reaches of the newly explored space age. In its own idiomatic way, every record promises transport, adventure, journeys into sound.” 
Hotel El Ganzo and Crania have announced their annual New Year’s Eve programming, taking place on the iconic shores of San José del Cabo, Mexico from December 29th to January 2nd. Held in collaboration with Mayan Warrior and MAXA, attendees can expect intimate DJ sessions from an internationally diverse roster in addition to wellness activities, art installations, culinary experiences, and more.
Furthering the properties commitment to fusing high-level hospitality with industry leading musical curation, El Ganzo’s NYE programming will feature performances from some of modern electronic music’s most celebrated artists du jour. The Ganzo NYE lineup features Innervisions co-founder Dixon, Maeve labelhead Mano Le Tough, and Brooklyn-based rising star Julya Karma with more artists TBA.
The NYE festivities will be held in partnership with Mayan Warrior and MAXA as fundraisers. Both Mayan Warrior and MAXA are Mexico City based soundcamps showcasing contemporary Mexican electronic music and paying respect to the deep and ancient sources from which that visual and auditory culture has grown.
A 69-room beachfront hotel, El Ganzo stands at the marina of an old fisherman’s wharf in La Playa in San José del Cabo. Built as an epicenter for art and culture, El Ganzo boasts live artist installations, a top-of-the-line basement recording studio known as El Ganzo Records, and residency programs for musicians and artists alike. El Ganzo was also the first hotel in Mexico to receive the prestigious B Corp Certification for their sustainability and community efforts.
An extreme reclamation project complete with repurposed cranes and art, CRANIA’s restaurant and venue space provides an idyllic backdrop for playful curiosity and multi-sensory journeys. CRANIA’s culinary experience is guided by Chef Javier Ornelas. The NYE programming will also feature activations and culinary experiences across El Ganzo’s additional venues including Veleros, a top-tier oceanfront restaurant, curated bar, and ambient beach club. Veleros features crafted culinary courses and mixology series from notable chefs and restaurants across the peninsula.
More details on full programming will be released in the coming weeks. Hotel packages are available for pre–sale here.
Weekend programming for El Ganzo Hotel Guests:
Friday:
- Optional: RSVP for dinner @ Crania or Ganzo Restaurant
- Included: Live Music Concert @ Ganzo Fire Pit
- Included: Opening Party @ Crania
Saturday:
- Optional: RSVP for beach, food & music @ Veleros or Ganzo Beach Club
- Optional: RSVP for dinner & Vinyl Session @ Crania
- Included: Register for the wellness activities @ Ganzo Rooftop
- Included: Pool party @ Ganzo Rooftop
- Included: Sunset Concert @ Ganzo Beach Club
Sunday:
- Optional: RSVP for beach, food & music @ Veleros or Ganzo Beach Club
- Included: Register for the Wellness Activities @ Ganzo Rooftop
- Included: NYE dinner @ Ganzo Rooftop
- Included: NYE party @ Crania
Monday
- Optional: RSVP for beach, food & music @ Veleros or Ganzo Beach Club
- Optional: RSVP for a recovery day @ Ganzo SPA
- Included: Register for the Wellness Activities @ Ganzo Rooftop
- Day two kicked-off with Billboard’s iconic Making the Hit LIVE panel featuringMexican singer-songwriter Carin León and Puerto Rican artist Pedro Capó, who discussed the beauty of storytelling through music, prioritizing your passion over the need for a hit and to always practice gratitude. The two collaborated on-stage to create a song from scratch featuring lyrics in the same vein, “life is too short to dream.”
- Peso Pluma, Adelaido Solís (Grupo Frontera), Juan Javier Cantu (Grupo Frontera)and Yng Lucas took the Latin Music Week stage for a showstopping panel conversation titled The New Mexican Revolution, presented by Broadcast Music Inc and moderated by Jesus Gonzalez, Vice President, Creative, Latin, at Broadcast Music. The Mexican superstars discussed the new generation of Regional Mexican music, transformation of the genre and journey as artists. Peso Pluma highlighted the importance of collaboration and how artists in the genre have united to showcase Mexican music to the world saying “somos Mexicanos y la unión hace la fuerza”. Additionally, Adelaido Solis and Juan Javier Cantu took attendees through the making of Grupo Frontera’s hit collaboration with Bad Bunny, “Un x100to.”
- Billboard’s iconic Women On The Rise panel Boys Club No More! featured dynamic artists Gale, Kany García, Maria Becerra, Nathy Peluso, Nicki Nicole and Young Miko in an insightful conversation about breaking the glass ceiling, rapping in a male dominated space, creating your image, owning your vulnerability, the importance of never giving up and more.
- “The only limit there is, is the one we set for ourselves,” said Young Miko.
- “El merito de la mujer es propio, y vale por si sola,” said Nicki Nicole.
- In a star Q&A moderated by Venezuelan singer and composer Lasso, Colombian singer and songwriter Sebastián Yatra opened up about writing love songs, the key to a perfect musical collaboration, curating hits such as “Tacones Rojos”, performing the nominated original song “Dos Oruguitas” at The 94th Academy Awards, his latest campaign collaboration with Disney Create 100 and his mom being his biggest supporter.
- Presented by Lexus and hosted by Chief Content Officer, Billboard Latin/Español, Leila Cobo, The Power Players: The Indie Edition panel was an insightful discussion with the heads of three of the most successful Latin indie music labels in the market: Jimmy Humilde, CEO of Rancho Humilde, Federico Lauria, CEO of Dale Play Records, and George Prajin, CEO of Prajin Music Group. The three shared tips on how they’ve found success with Latin artists, the power of persistence, prioritizing their clients’ mental health and the appeal of an artist’s passion.
- Reggaeton legends Chencho Corleone and Vico C sat down with Leila Cobo for a lively conversation about the past, present and future of the reggaeton movement. After a 14-year hiatus, Vico C took the stage to share the nuances of his creative process, highlight his latest album, Pánico, and discuss the inspiration behind the single “Preguìntale A Tu Papá Por Mi.” The panel also featured a surprise clip of Chenco Corleone’s music video for “Un Cigarillo,” his first single as a solo artist, for which he employed important elements of his production technique to create “reggaeton puro.”
- Colombian star Feid along with his team, Luis Villamizar (manager), Manuela Villada (creative director), Esteban Higuita (producer and engineer), Pedro Mejia (lead guitarist), and Salomón Palacios (SVP Marketing and artist strategy at Universal Music Latin) took the stage for the The Marketing Of FERXXO panel, an inspiring conversation about authenticity, what it means to be successful, personal branding, understanding the impact your team has on your career and giving them credit anytime you can.
- Dominican and Puerto Rican artist Nicky Jam returned to the Faena Forum with The Rockstar Show Live featuring intimate interviews with La Reina del Reggeaton Ivy Queen and Fuerza Regida’s JOP. Before Nicky and Ivy wowed the fans by breaking out in an unprecedented freestyle session onstage, Ivy discussed her journey as an artist, songwriting process, importance of family, breaking gender norms in the Latin music industry and more. Immediately following, Fuerza Regida’s frontman JOP joined Nicky Jam onstage, sharing an anecdote from his beginnings as a barber to having his own label. JOP concluded by sharing details about Fuerza Regida’s current tour and announcing a new reggaeton song he is working on in tandem with the release of Fuerza Regida’s new album on October 20th.
- At Thalia’s Premiere Party,the “Queen of Latin Pop” shared the themes of her unreleased new album, discussed her artistic process, and teased songs from the album.
Following up his triumphant return to the music scene with his first solo release in three years, Swedish electronic music extraordinaire Kasbo is back again with his second offering of the year, a warm, blissful new song titled “Alive,” which is out now via ODESZA’s Foreign Family Collective label. Alongside the release, Kasbo hints at a new forthcoming body of work to come in the near future as he embarks on an adventure that explores catharsis and escapism through dance music.
“Alive” serves as the perfect sonic mixture of Kasbo’s past and future as he calls on the euphoric elements of his production that his fans adore and the forward-thinking, uptempo rhythms that reflect his evolving passion for the dancefloor. Anchored in the moment with a soothing, four-on-the-floor pattern, Kasbo conjures a whirlwind of heavenly synths, pads, and vocals that culminate in a swell of music that washes over you. Always displaying transparency as an artist, Kasbo details the moment that he knew “Alive” would be his next release:
“I think you are constantly looking for what that next inspiration to write a record will be… never knowing if today or tomorrow will be the day you find that moment or idea that makes you realize what it is you want to say.
A few months ago, I was working on “Alive,” and something just effortlessly clicked. There was something about the song that felt like the next direction and sound for Kasbo. It encompasses everything I love about electronic dance music–the euphoria, the sense of adventure, and escape that happens when you remove the distractions.
The last few years have been a lot of finding myself and what I want to put out next into the world. I had been working on a bunch of demos but “Alive” is the first song that to me really begins to represent what’s next in the Kasbo world.
Being able to release this track as well as seeing the response to “The Way You Had Me” has given me so much inspiration to dive back into my demos and build out that next big body of work.” —Kasbo
Following the announcement of their new live album Live Vol. 2 last month, Aussie five-piece band Parcels delivered the second single from the project today. “Thefear – from Le Palace, Paris” is the next divulged segment from the full recording (audio + visual) of their secret club gig in Paris.
With Live Vol. 2, Parcels invite their listeners to dance deep into the evening and beyond. The live album is inspired by their clubbing experiences in the band’s adopted home of Berlin, where they’ve immersed themselves in the faceless, euphoric settings of the local dancefloors that lend themselves to mesmerizing, transcendental music.
Officially releasing on October 20, Live Vol. 2 is a continuation of their praised 2020 Live Vol. 1 album and accompanying film piece. Like last time, the new live project follows their previous studio album (this time, 2021’s Day/Night) and comes alongside a 62-minute film of the beautifully chaotic performance. Live Vol. 2 consists of twelve tracks, all recorded live by the band during the show last year. It includes five never-before-heard songs and highlights Parcels’ distinguished musicianship during the one-take performance.
While similar in format to its predecessor, Live Vol. 2 sees the 5-piece outfit explore a new, club-inspired direction and sound, first trialed at their live shows last year. “Thefear – from Le Palace, Paris” marked a special point during the show when Parcels reached a transcendental state of flow, as Patrick Hetherington of the band explains:
“Thefear is a deep cut from our new live club album. It’s heavy and anxious, the way things can sometimes turn when you get lost in the club. Over an hour down the rabbit hole, this was a moment when the party went inward.”
Photo Credit: Romain Maurice for Billboard)
) Billboard Latin Music Week continued at the Faena Forum in Miami Beach. Global music icons united to close out the final conference day, including Shakira, Fonseca, Wisin, Luny Tunes, Arcángel, RBD members Christian Chávez, Maite Perroni and Christopher von Uckermann Eladio Carrión, Myke Towers, Manuel Turizo and more!
Artists took the stage in front of a sold-out crowd for captivating panel discussions and performances. During “Hits Don’t Lie: The Superstar Q&A With Shakira,” the chart-topping singer-songwriter spoke about her career, her sons, and was surprised with a presentation of an RIAA four-time Platinum® Award for her hit single “Acróstico” and a RIAA two-time Platinum® Award for her latest collaboration with Manuel Turizo, “Copa Vacía.” Fonseca was also present for The Icon Q&A and Manuel Turizo sat down for an intimate interview, The Rising Star Q&A. Renowned international pop group RBD members Christian Chávez, Maite Perroni and Christopher von Uckermann also stepped onto the Billboard Latin Music Week stagein a first-ever panel conversation titled Reviving RBD alongside their manager Guillermo Rosas. Legendary hitmakers Dj Nelson, Luny Tunes, and Hyde joined reggaetón icon Wisin and took attendees down memory lane discussing the “Golden Era” of the genre in the early 2000s. Night three concluded with a Netflix premiere and multiple concert experiences across Miami Beach.
KiLLOWEN, the electrifying West London garage sensation who has been causing ripples in the music scene, is delighted to announce the launch of his highly-anticipated single, “One Thing”, scheduled for release on October 5th, 2023. This enthralling track offers a sneak peek into KiLLOWEN’s forthcoming debut EP, Pub Therapy, set to land on October 27th, 2023. Following a memorable performance at the Reading & Leeds Festival, where he left the Radio 1Xtra stage reverberating with his lyrics, KiLLOWEN continues to cement his position as one of the hottest talents in the industry at this moment.
“One Thing” is a lean and bass-heavy garage masterpiece, graced by KiLLOWEN’s rapid-fire vocal delivery and featuring samples from Amerie’s 2005 hit, “1 Thing”. This new track showcases the 24-year-old’s exceptional ability to blend killer hooks with impeccably crafted productions.
“‘One Thing’ tells the story of deciphering someone’s true intentions,” KiLLOWEN explains about the essence of the song. “There are moments in the song where I recognize my own flaws and problems and use them to validate my feelings towards that person. For example, ‘hear me out for a sec, I’m two drinks down getting rowdy again,’ or ‘I can barely stand up, but I’ll speak my truth, and that’s the difference between me and you.’”
AS FEATURED IN BBC NEWS, WONDERLAND, NOTION, CLASH MAGAZINE, DIY MAG, NME, COMPLEX, CULTED
For an act with less than 12-months to their name, Frozemode, have undeniably made an indelible impression on the widescreen of the current soundscape. Fresh off the back of their debut performance at Reading and Leeds, which saw them attract the biggest crowds the BBC Introducing stage saw over the whole weekend, the band substantiate why they are already a 2024 ones to watch as they deliver another vehement sonic statement in the form of “Making It Up” this October 6th 2023.
Driven by a galvanic drum and bass beat, synergised with the equally powerful presence of electric guitar, “Making It Up” is another 3-minute offering that is destined to stir a wave of mosh pits and unruly chaos amongst their thirsty fans. Expressing their chameleonic tendencies, the track fuses a multitude of their alternative frequencies into its overall sonic standpoint, taking an unapologetically bold, genre-spurning stance.
Contrary to Frozemode’s timeline of events to date, “Making It Up” is very simply the bands protest that, that is their approach to music. Aptly put in their own words; “Just like this quote, this track is about making it up. Life is about living in the moment and creating your own success and that’s what we’re about”
We Should Escape is the sixth full-length studio album from Panamanian-American hip-hop artist River Nelson and his second LP with Los Angeles-area producer AltoBeats. The album will be released on October 6, 2023. Their first joint project was 2021’s Like the Sun Didn’t Sink.
Made up of 11 tracks, We Should Escape follows the concept of one escaping all of the mayhem that we see in today’s cities and finding a peaceful, remote place to get away from it all.
“For a while now, I’ve had this daydream about escaping all of the day-to-day madness that we face and starting over in a new peaceful place — away from the crowds and hectic nature of city life,” says River. “So, that’s the basic concept of the album, and Alto laid the perfect musical backing.”
Some of the tracks on We Should Escape include the first single Mindfulness, which is about seeking internal and mental peace amid turbulent times.
Other songs include the second single Seclusion, where River spits about his need to get away from the world over Alto’s masterful piano playing.
Meanwhile, on the album’s opener For Art’s Sake, River rhymes about his rise as a celebrated hip-hop artist. And later in the album he shows his stellar wordplay on the uniquely crafted Seen It, Did It, Do It.
“It’s an honor to partner up with AltoBeats again, especially after the great reviews of our first project,” River explains. “He’s truly one of the most talented producers I worked with, and we definitely cooked up another gem that’s full of heartfelt lyricism and superb production.”
revered “French Touch” duo Polo & Pan deliver their new Carrossel Do Tempo EP, a project containing four tracks that see them opening up their style to musical inspirations from around the world. The release is out now via Ekleroshock/Hamburger/Virgin Music.
A brief itinerary: The regal trumpets of the titular track “Carrossel Do Tempo” flaunt in like opening credits introducing the silky, inviting narrations of enigmatic Brazilian vocalist Abrão. “Chamallow” turns the lens around for an introspective but joyful French pop treatise on love and family. Next, “Charanga” soundtracks a night spent bopping through a nocturnal jungle rave in South America with a posse of sprites, all glowing with mischief and mystery. The EP closes with “Nagori,” a breezy, toe-tapping pop charmer that evokes languid poolside hangouts as the late summer sun sets below the horizon. The title references the Japanese word for a particular transient melancholy felt for a moment that’s nearly passed, a feeling that washes over you as the record ends.
Carrossel Do Tempo was written and recorded around the world, with a growing cast of collaborators and heightened production value. As is the case for many iconoclasts, It may have taken some time for the world-at-large to catch Polo & Pan’s creative drift, but now we are all very much along for the voyage. Throughout the EP, Polo & Pan skillfully blend diverse cultural references and gather amazing collaborators together. The arrangements and the strings have been directed by the LA-based Italian composer Daniele Luppi (Danger Mouse, John Legend, Gnarls Barkley, Red Hot Chili Peppers) and offer an atmosphere reminding us of the greatest of classic Hollywood movie soundtracks.
Described as “funky but suave, uniquely fun, and evok[ing] a fantasy of European nightlife” by the New Yorker and a “dually breezy and psychedelic strain of French Touch” by Billboard, the duo have performed at Coachella, Lollapalooza, and more with previous albums certified Gold in France & abroad with over 3M monthly listeners on Spotify alone.
multi-instrumental artist, producer, and philanthropist GRiZ shares his new Ouroboros EP, which serves as his final release ahead of his upcoming hiatus. Alongside the release comes a full length video, offering an emotive snapshot into GRiZ’s life on the road throughout Summer 2023 as he concluded the final leg of festival appearances and tour dates.
After seven albums, countless collaborations, and over a decade of non-stop touring, GRiZ’s upcoming hiatus sees the beloved electronic artist taking a step back while continuing to be a role model for positivity and mental wellbeing. Throughout his career, GRiZ’s optimistic outlook and passion for advocacy and philanthropy has consistently set him apart: from his harm prevention and drug safety program, The Harmony Project, in partnership with DanceSafe to his annual 12 Days of GRiZMAS charity program, which raised over $200,000 in 2022 alone. Now the artist is turning that energy inwards.
“Life is really good and I often make myself too busy to see where I am or how far this project has come,” GRiZ wrote in an Instagram post in June. “I’m following my gut instincts so for now, I’m not going to put a hard time limit on the break.”
A testament to the bright, funkadelic soundscapes that have made GRiZ one of electronic music’s most celebrated and inspiring artists, Ouroboros is a treasure trove of blissful cuts and rose-colored beats. Rounding through 20-minutes of warm spoken word samples and whimsically heady production, Ouroboros is an eight-track collection of GRiZ’s groovy rhythms, uplifting melodies, and iconic saxophone solos.
The EP opens with an endearing farewell from GRiZ himself on “t a k e o v e r” before diving into the anthemic wubs and dubs of “Drop In” and hypnotic riffs of “In This World”. Through the bass-heavy movements of “Falling Flying” to ProbCause’s attention-grabbing vocals on “Knucklepuck”, Ouroboros is momentous and spirited as it closes with the ever-hopeful “Better From Here”. Ouroboros is a captivating sendoff that encapsulates the beautiful, futuristic and funk-forward sound that GRiZ has pioneered throughout his career.
rising underground icon HoneyLuv and Chicago house artist NEZ team up for a saucy new collaboration ‘Let’s Get Sexy’ out now via Three Six Zero Recordings.
A seductive addition to HoneyLuv’s growing catalog of sensual house cuts, ‘Let’s Get Sexy’ is addictive from the jump. Combining HoneyLuv and NEZ’s taste for high-energy production and cheeky lyricism, ‘Let’s Get Sexy’ is a vibrant blend of rhythmic basslines and playful four-on-the-floor percussion. Unabashedly flirtatious and undeniably groovy, ‘Let’s Get Sexy’ will leave fans wanting more.
“Absolutely loved working with this NEZ on this tune. It’s definitely one for the fashion world and has the sass and sexiness that fits perfectly on the runway.” – HoneyLuv
“I wanted to make a track that felt like something on a runway or make people feel good about themselves in the club. Once I spoke with HoneyLuv she was down and making a track with her was so much fun !!!” – NEZ
Electronic R&B duo, composed of producer Na’el Shehade and vocalist/songwriter Via Rosa, debuts focus track ‘Energy’ produced in collaboration with Los Angeles indie-disco duo NEIL FRANCES off the latter’s highly anticipated sophomore album It’s All A Bit Fuzzy Out that refines NEIL FRANCES’ natural, club-ready groove, alluding to a dizzy night out, followed by a pleasantly woozy morning after. It’s All a Bit Fuzzy is “an ode to house music” and ‘Energy’ will pave the way through the dance floors this season.
To coincide with the album’s release, the Los Angeles indie-dance duo of Jordan Feller and Marc Gilfry, debuts a music video for “Energy,” a highlight track from the collection with Chicago house music darlings DRAMA (producer Na’el Shehade and vocalist/songwriter Via Rosa). “Funky, fun and carefree, ‘Energy’ is inspired by the rush of creating art with your friends,” shares DRAMA. “It’s about stamina on the dance floor, music that never stops and nights that last forever, but most importantly the ‘energy’ to keep up with the person you’re leaving with.”
Brazilian wunderkind Cour T. releases his anticipated debut album Brain Deals out now via Dirtybird Records.
The first full-length offering from one of Dirtybird’s brightest and youngest rising stars, Brain Deals sees Cour T. finding a sonic balance between the various musical influences that have shaped his sound. From the quirky tech-house tones associated with the California-based label to the tribal elements inspired by his Brazilian heritage, Brain Deals encapsulates his evolution as an artist and personal growth as he enters adulthood.
Featuring previously released singles ‘QUEENLOVE’, ‘TRiPPPY’, ‘2D5’ and ‘TRiiiBAILE’, Brain Deals is a twelve track exploration through Cour T.’s hypnotic rhythms, bubbly melodies, and rolling percussion. A vibrant showcase of Cour T.’s exotic sound design and natural creativity, Brain Deals is expansive and diverse. Traversing through a kaleidoscopic tech-house lens, the album soars with off-kilter patterns and upbeat tempos that have earned the support of tastemakers like Mochakk and The Martinez Brothers.
“Creating an album is one of the highlights of an artist. It took me about four years to conceive all of it and reach enough maturity to compile stories and experiences into a musical artistic expression. Everything I have learned and have enjoyed listening to and playing, it all led to 10 months of work on the development of Brain Deals. This is a piece of me that I’ve decided to share with you all!” – Cour T.
Mexican-born electronic producer and live act Sainte Vie releases his new Labyrinth EP, out now via RÜFÜS DU SOL’s Rose Avenue Records.
A masterful two-track offering from one of Rose Avenue’s newest signees, Labyrinth is a dynamic reflection of Sainte Vie’s riveting sound design. With Labyrinth, Sainte Vie embarks on an imaginative venture into a dreamworld of his own making. The EP opens with the striking synth stabs and rolling drum patterns of ‘Suspenso’, a 7-minute instrumental that encapsulates the enigmatic energy of Sainte Vie’s surreal sound. Carrying the mystifying tones present throughout the EP, ‘Labyrinth’ unwinds over 6 minutes as it induces listeners with Sainte Vie’s haunting vocals.
“Labyrinth is an EP inspired by sound design and dream interpretation. Haunted dreams defying reality, face your fears, find the heart of the labyrinth.”
Sainte Vie (aka Pablo Piña) is an electronic music producer, sound engineer, and label owner based in Miami. Through his time spent in Mexico City, France, and New York City, Sainte Vie crafted a unique melodic techno sound that has garnered the attention of labels like Kompakt, Cercle, All Points, and more. His live sets have taken him to festivals like Burning Man and Coachella, and iconic venues like London’s Fabric, New York’s Brooklyn Mirage, and Ibiza’s Ushuaïa. Labyrinth serves as Sainte Vie’s debut EP on Rose Avenue Records, following his recent appearance on Rose Avenue Compilation Vol.1 with ‘Raindrops’ and at Sundream Tulum.
Stream Sainte Vie’s otherworldly new Labyrinth EP, out now.
rising LA-based singer-songwriter, Noelle Sucks, shares the music video for her latest single, “Ugly Ugly.” Directed by Noelle herself and frequent collaborator Matt Richardson and filmed around scenic locations in Los Angeles, the video illustrates how toxic relationships burn out and leech off your inner light. It’s this pattern of dragging someone under that Noelle captures in masks of suffocating plastic bags. Having surrounded herself with the wrong people, she had lost herself along the way, bearing a bag draped over her own head.
Watch the video for “Ugly Ugly” HERE.
“This music video feels like a mini indie movie,” shares Noelle. “It’s my favorite one we’ve done so far, and a lot of my friends got to come out and meet each other and be part of it – that’s always the best part about all of this. It’s also the first time I had a full band performance in a music video… so I felt pretty freaking COOL.”
“Ugly Ugly” marks Noelle’s first release through Graveboy Records, Insomniac and Emo Nite’s newest endeavor. Produced by frequent collaborator Joel Ferber, “Ugly Ugly” is an honest and unfiltered track that addresses the reality and turmoil faced when processing unhealthy relationships. Between the anthemic synth and compelling honesty, Noelle allows herself to look in the mirror and accept the past in order to change her future, ultimately leading to self acceptance. Listen to “Ugly Ugly” HERE.
Irish indie-electronic powerhouse All Tvvins is set to ignite the music scene once again with their latest single, “Every Minute,” releasing on October 11th. This eagerly anticipated track marks a significant milestone for the dynamic duo, consisting of Conor Adams and Lar Kaye, as it leads the charge for their upcoming EP, “This Country,” slated for release on November 1st.
“Every Minute” is a testament to the creative synergy between Adams and Kaye. The track’s inception began with Conor’s enthralling guitar riff, which underwent a transformative evolution in collaboration with producer Cormac Butler for their forthcoming EP, “This Country.” It masterfully weaves together elements from their initial release, infused with the palpable progression and vigor that epitomizes the band’s current musical prowess.
All Tvvins, whose debut album ‘IIVV’ soared to #2 on the Irish charts and earned a Choice Music Prize nomination for Irish “Album of the Year,” are poised to captivate audiences anew with “Every Minute.” Demonstrating a return to their roots, the track seamlessly marries electronic and rock influences, reaffirming the band’s versatility while evoking the raw energy of their early performances.
Despite its profound subject matter, “Every Minute” radiates with a magnetic intensity, showcasing All Tvvins’ hallmark fusion of electronic beats, rock guitar finesse, and soaring vocals. The result is a riveting auditory experience that bridges the gap between contemplation and immediacy, cementing All Tvvins as trailblazers in the realm of thought-provoking yet immensely accessible music.
Be prepared to immerse yourself in the sonic tapestry of “Every Minute,” available now on all major streaming platforms. Stay tuned for the release of All Tvvins’ EP, “This Country,” on November 1st, promising an auditory journey that transcends boundaries and defies expectations.
Hot on the heels of ‘Lead Me Through Hell’, which received support from Radcliffe and Maconie, Tom Ravenscroft, Deb Grant and Don Letts on BBC Radio 6 & John Kennedy (Radio X) Yumi and The Weather return with ‘No Time To Waste’. This is the second single lifted from her forthcoming EP entitled ‘Feed The Wanting’due for release on October 13thon her own label MIOHMI Records (which will also see Ruby embark on a nine date UK tour). Dispensing positive words on the importance of self-care while the band lands on spacious drums, heavy bass and bright, distorted chords.
Since emerging onto the music scene with her dynamic sound and defiantly open songwriting ten years ago, Yumi has been making a name for herself with explosive live shows including festival slots at Manchester Psych Fest, Green Man, Y Not Festival and Shambala. Her music has been featured in the BBC hit drama series ‘Normal People’ and she’s gained support from Lauren Laverne, Guy Garvey, Chris Hawkins, Don Letts, Jack Saunders, Iggy Pop, Tom Ravenscroft, John Kennedy Clash, The Line Of Best Fit & more.
Last month, the acclaimed Los Angeles-based composer and multi-instrumentalist, Patrick Shiroishi, announced his latest solo album, I Was Too Young To Hear Silence, set to release on November 10th via American Dreams. This latest addition to the sought-after saxophonist’s extensive body of work follows an impressive series of collaborations this year with artists such as Agriculture, Algiers, By Storm (Injury Reserve), Chepang, Jaye Jayle & Bonnie Prince Billy, The Armed, Wild Up, and Xiu Xiu, among others. Drawing inspiration from the Onkyo music movement, Shiroishi recorded I Was Too Young To Hear Silence in a reverberant space in a single take, resulting in his most direct, self-reflective, and honest work to date.
Now, Shiroishi today returned to share a second and final preview of the album, titled “if only heaven would give me another ten years,” which premiered earlier via The FADERalong with a music video by Jordan Reyes. Expanding on his intention behind the single, Shiroishi explained: “These sounds are the concluding moments of the record, what the entire improvisation had been leading up to. Through the twists and turns of exploring sounds in and out of the alto saxophone and the acoustics of the space, I wanted to utilize the reverb and create pedal tones to help build this melody to a triumphant, purifying moment…a feeling of acceptance. The title refers to this, a moment where even though you might not want it to be the time, coming to terms with that it is…what i imagine would be, a pure moment.”
Today, live music and production duo Mojave Grey (Zander Bleck and Michael Pozzi) unveil their latest single “Edge of the Night”, the twilight counterpart to their critically acclaimed release “House of the Sun”. Conceived during the duo’s 2023 winter residency at Aspen’s The Snow Lodge, “Edge of the Night” delivers a moodier, yet universally connective composition that inspires listeners to unleash their inhibitions and lean into an unknown as vast and enticing as the boundless night sky. Just as the sun hangs on to the last bit of the horizon before it’s swallowed by the dusk, “Edge of the Night” sonically emulates the intersection of release and resilience that manifests when we “trust the process”. Upon pressing play, Zander’s rich vocals immediately command attention to stir a sense of determination that reverberates throughout the track, while Pozzi envelopes these lyrics with sweeping and emotive
percussive acoustics meant to carry you back home – Be it on the dancefloor or an auditory journey of your own.
Hypnotic and relentlessly melodic, GC OConnor has been gaining support from tastemakers such as Gilles Peterson with her unique sound, having also supported Children of Zeus back in 2019.
Her new offering, ‘Love On High’, produced by Sydney/Gadigal duo The Goods, is the perfect primer for those new to GC’s music. Rolling bass lines waves lap against low slung drums, whilst blissed out guitar chords and dreamlike keys meet gospel harmonies, providing the ideal backdrop for GC’s husky vocals to elevate proceedings.
Last month, Houndsteeth, the bicoastal indie project formed by longtime friends Grace Ward, Jolee Gordon, and Izzy Da Fonseca, announced their second full-length album, Hold Your Horses. Set for release on October 27th via Otherly Love Records, the album captures the playful and incisive songwriting of this NY/LA-based trio, a result of creating unguarded music together, amid the overwhelmingly male-dominated music scene at the New England Conservatory. Today, the trio returned to share their second and final pre-album release single, “Gave You,” accompanied by a music video directed by Daniel Padberg Bartoo. Premiered earlier via Paste, Grace Ward provided them with the following track statement: “‘Gave You’ is a letter of grievance addressed to those who find more value in being heard than in listening. Sometimes, it really seems like the more space you take up, the greater the reward. Decibels outweigh nuance, and boy, it’s tough out there being a soft-spoken fellow…” 
Ahead of their new EP, The House Will Always Win, New York’s indie-country rockers Divining Rod present “King Of The Night”, a buoyant trackabout weekend revelry, tying one on, and letting loose. In addition, it’s about the monotony of repeating the same round of misbehaving and drinking. It’s a honky tonk version of Groundhog’s Day.
“King Of The Night” drops October 20th via Kilipaki Records, while the EP drops in January.
Email:neill@outloudculture.com
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