Aitch & Potter Payper come together for the first time on a track for the remix of Mazza L20’s ‘Murdaside’. Bringing a fresh dimension to the street track, Aitch who is known for his distinct flow and witty wordplay and Potter Payper celebrated for his vivid storytelling, add their unique styles elevating it to new heights.
Emerging Liverpool rapper Mazza L20 has created a name for himself on TikTok with clips of him rapping in prison. Having recently released ‘Murdaside’, he has over 2.1 million streams on Spotify alone. With the track blowing up on the underground circuit, now two of the UK’s most renowned rap artists have jumped on the track for a hefty remix.
‘Murdaside’ is a gritty and hard-hitting rap anthem that delves into the realities of life in the streets and the challenges faced by many individuals growing up in tough neighbourhoods. Mazza L20’s raw and authentic lyricism coupled with his charismatic delivery has already earned him a dedicated fan base, and this track further cements his reputation as an artist on the rise.
The cinematic music videos captures the essence of street life with striking visuals and an unrelenting energy. Directed by a visionary team of creatives, Archie Erskine and Kaylum Dennis, it plunges the viewer into a world where every bar, every beat, and every shot resonate with the harsh realities and uncompromising spirit of the streets.
‘Murdaside’ marks a significant milestone in Mazza L20’s career, showcasing his ability to collaborate with industry heavyweights, as well as bringing together the raw talent, authenticity, and charisma of three rappers.
South London’s on-the-rise talent Lauren Dejey today releases her exquisite ‘To Sow By Scattering EP.’ The vibrant record features four broad sounding singles that proves Lauren to be an exciting artist for 2024. Today’s release comes complete with an energetic new single title called ‘Drowning Me‘ available on all streaming services via Apollo Distribution.
You can listen to the EP in full via the streaming platform of your choice; https://apollodistro.lnk.to/laurendejey
Speaking about today’s EP release, Lauren said “To Sow By Scattering is a collection of songs written at a transformative time. Laying down the seeds to grow into who I am now and the foundation of my sound going forward. The title brings the visual of not sowing seeds in a meticulous, organised way, but rather throwing everything up in the air and seeing what grows. That sums up my last year perfectly.”
The To Sow By Scattering EP tracklist is as followed
1) I’m Not Ready
2) Solar
3) Permanent (featuring JUST OSKA)
4) Drowning Me
In the build-up to today’s release, Lauren has been releasing the other tracks from the EP over the course of the summer. The first track from the EP to land online was “I’m Not Ready” which saw her top notch vocal melodies collide with vibrant production. The next track was the impressive ‘Solar’ that was lauded by Wonderland Magazine as “Mesmerising.” Her last single ‘Permanent’ was a stunning creation alongside collaborator JUST OSKA which saw the pair become the cover for Spotify’s important tastemaker playlist “Fresh Finds.”
Lauren Dejey, is an alt-pop artist from South East London. Writing songs since the age of 10, her dark humor intertwines with cathartic honesty and razor sharp production.
Sacramento, California’s The Seafloor Cinema have released new single Oakland’s Finest Glass Beaches, taken from the forthcomingself-titled album The Seafloor Cinema, out 1st December 2023 via Pure Noise Records
“Oakland’s Finest Glass Beaches is one of the first songs written for the record, and set a tone for what we wanted this album to be.” says the band. “The pop-punk style song structures mixed with technical acrobatic playing on all instruments was something we really felt at home playing. Lyrically, it is about feeling emotional/physical distance from another person and both wanting that to change, but also struggling to want that connection with the other person because of that distance.”
The Seafloor Cinema are supporting Andres from the 16th November until the 5th December before heading out with Craig Owens on his upcoming US tour this December. Full list of dates below.
16th November 2023 – EL Corazon Seattle WA
17th November 2023 – Dante’s Portland OR
19th November 2023 – XBar San Jose CA
20th November 2023 – The Mint Los Angeles CA
21th November 2023 – Goldfield Trading Post Sacramento CA
22nd November 2023 – Strummers Fresno CA
25th November 2023 – The Nile Underground Mesa AZ
26th November 2023 – Lowbrow Palace El Paso TX
28th November 2023 – Three Links Dallas TX
29th November 2023 – Vibes Underground San Antonio TX
30th November 2023 – White Oak Music Hall – Upstairs Houston TX
2nd December 2023 – The Copper Rocket Orlando FL
3rd December 2023 – New Brookland Tavern Columbia SC
4th December 2023 – Center Stage Atlanta GA
5th December 2023 – Canal Club Richmond VA
6 December 2023 – Mohawk Place Buffalo, NY
7 December 2023 – The Meadows Kingsland, NY
8 December 2023 – House of Independents Asbury Park, NJ
9 December 2023 – Webster Underground HartFord, CT
11 December 2023 – Underground Arts Philadelphia, PA
12 December 2023 – The Loving Touch Ferndale, MI
13 December 2023 – Bottom Lounge Chicago, IL
14 December 2023 – X-Ray Arcade Cudahy, WI
15 December 2023 – Fine Line Minneapolis, MN
17 December 2023 – Old Rock House St Louis, MO
A true testament to his dedication and artistic vision, the 22-year-old artist showcases his genre-melting approach and clear lyrical integrity across The Scars You Can’t See. Laced with powerful self-reflection and intimate tales of love, growth and development, Kfromkway delivers vivid silhouettes of youth culture and the tension between his artistic success and the inner-city pressures that can alter the affinities of his reality. From vibrant afro and house to high-calibre trap and R&B, the rising artist’s debut record marks him as one of the most exciting and introspective young talents emerging across the underground.
Quickly manoeuvring through menacing drill settings on lead track “ABEEN”, we reach the apex of Kfromkway’s eclectic artistry across the run of “THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA”, “BODY LANGUAGE”, “FAVOURITE” and title track “THE SCARS YOU CAN’T SEE”, emerging as a passionate love letter to his endless chase for true love and enlightenment. The young vocalist reconciles with the intoxicating temptations that blur the lines between love and lust while empowering vulnerability and the intimate emotions that shine brighter when collided with a newfound love.
Skilled singer-songwriter Eric Sleeper is set to enchant indie music enthusiasts with his new single, “Magnolia.” Embarking on a musical voyage through the realms of nostalgia and personal evolution, the poignant track transports listeners to a melancholic world while delving into themes of growth, societal stagnation, and the bittersweet moments of life. Sleeper masterfully weaves together introspection and relatable narratives to establish a truly mesmerizing musical experience. The dreamy and ambient artistic depiction Eric Sleeper creates with “Magnolia” is now available to stream on digital platforms.
At its core, “Magnolia” is an introspective exploration of emotions and a reflection of challenges that come with resistance to change. Eric Sleeper draws upon his personal experiences to craft a relatable and emotionally charged piece that resonates deeply with listeners. The dreamy ambiance contrasts with the underlying desolation, creating a unique sonic environment that draws listeners in its first notes. Beyond the personal narrative, “Magnolia” also tackles broader societal issues. Sleeper explores the concept of individuals who resist change and cause harm to themselves and others in the process. “From a broader societal standpoint, ‘Magnolia’ is meant to tackle people who aren’t willing to change and hurt others as a result,” explains Sleeper. “This is reflected in the line, ‘Maria expects a second kid, still, she smokes same as before, well maybe more.’” This theme is evocatively portrayed again in the chorus, “Another cigarette. A melancholy dream, another cloudy day in Jersey City.” It serves as both a reflection of the artist’s own life and a representation of the struggles many face. Sleeper adds that the song’s hook “ties into that notion, but also, for me, it represents that time in my life.”
multi-faceted creative Jack Kane has released a wonderful new single titled ‘Swimming Pool’, which is the second single to come from his upcoming EP, expected in March next year. Alongside today’s drop, Jack has also revealed an official music video for the track, directed by Jacob Dudman.
The release of ‘Swimming Pool’ comes just ahead of Jack’s sold out headline show at The Waiting Room, London this Friday, where the track can be heard live first.
Speaking on the meaning behind the track, Jack expresses; “Swimming Pool is about a willingness to change everything about yourself to impress someone you’ve just met. It’s very much about navigating social situations with a desperation to be liked.”
Sonically, the single is dripping in an indie-pop meets folk quality, which shows off Jack’s sweet-sounding, melodious vocals as beautifully as ever. As a song that stems from this deep seeded desire to be perceived in a certain way and applauded for it, it highlights the difficulties that can come with feeling like you’re not good enough as you are. ‘Swimming Pool’ acts as a reminder that there will always be people who see you for who you are and love you for it.
alternative singer, rapper and viral content creator Gavin Magnus has announced The BLURRY EYES Tour in celebration of the release of his debut EP, “BLURRY EYES” out now via Big Noise.
The bicoastal engagement kicks off on February 13 at The Venice West in Los Angeles and wraps in New York City on February 19 at Brooklyn’s Baby’s All Right.
Tickets go on sale today at 10am local time: https://linktr.ee/gavinmagnus
Born and raised in New York, this will be the first time the 16 year old will be performing his new hits for a live audience, bringing his Los Angeles based passion and enthusiasm across the nation.
The BLURRY EYES Tour Dates
February 13 – Los Angeles, CA – The Venice West | Tickets
February 19 – Brooklyn, NY – Baby’s All Right | Tickets
Produced by alternative rock extraordinaire John Feldmann (Blink-182, Avril Lavigne, Good Charlotte +) and K – T H R A $ H, (Gwen Stefani, Machine Gun Kelly +) “BLURRY EYES” serves as a testament to Gavin’s lyrical and musical ability, capturing the essence of his evolving artistry.
Pulling from his own experiences, the young star perfectly encapsulates the emotional rollercoaster of growing up in a relatable, honest light while following his genre blending, heartfelt journey as he candidly explores the highs and lows of adolescent relationships. Somewhere between heaven and hell, the EP showcases how love can be just as sour as it can be sweet, and how the most toxic relationships can be the most intoxicating.
Orson Wilds is an indie/alt rock band from Toronto, Ontario formed in 2019. The band’s sound combines elements of punk, folk and rock to create something that is both intimate and expansive. They released their debut EP “WHAT IS IT THAT YOU WON’T LET GO?” in late 2021 produced by Will Yip. The album was released with Will’s support on his record Black Cement (Roadrunner Records). The album combines a mixture of both hope and grief, chronicling the band’s experience with the loss as well as trying to remain hopeful. A trademark of the band’s sound; upon first listening the songs are uplifting but upon closer listening, a deep melancholy runs through them. Debut single “Stand Up” was an instant success, garnering major playlist adds and radio success and follow up single “dec 19” was placed on popular video game NHL ’22.
At the heart of the band is Eric Reid, primary songwriter and Brianna Bordihn who began collaborating after they first met nearly a decade ago when their then separate bands performed on a local bill together in Toronto. Coming from very different backgrounds – Bordihn growing up in a religious household, while Reid was adopted after a tumultuous first couple years of life – the two found common ground in music and exploring the concept of identity. An avid lover of film, Reid’s songwriting takes on a cinematic quality, with rock at the heart, and building orchestral elements and sweeping melodies to create a sprawling sonic landscape that is in equal parts familiar and unique. Eric and Brianna fill out their sound with friends and family on recordings and live performances.
Melodic metalcore bandBLOOMhave announced new album Maybe In Another Life, out 15th February 2023- their first for new label, Pure Noise Records.
Alongside the announcement is the release of the title track of the record, Maybe in Another Life. The trackspeaks to the anxiety that can be buried in fantasy. The lyrics contrast the experience of a sordid existence and the indulgence of what could have been, and what could be. The song moves from a dreaminess desire to a lament on the harshness of reality, the voice in the song is “Lost in the fantasy, Of being anyone but me.” The listener is left with a sense of longing at the climactic moments of the track, with soaring, symphonic instrumentation that fuels the words “ Let me start again, I’ll make it count this time, Can I start over? Maybe in another life”
“The song speaks to the characters anxieties and their methods of distracting through fantasy.” says the band. “The lyrics contrast the experience of a sordid existence and the indulgence of what could have been. The song touches on a desire to lament on the harshness of reality. “Lost in the fantasy of being anyone but me”. The listener is left with a sense of longing at the climactic moments of the song with soaring, symphonic instrumentation that fuels the words “Let me start again, I’ll make it count this time. Can I start over? Maybe in another life”.
Toronto-based singer-songwriter Liam Barrack is unveiling “Harder To Love,” his first new single since the release of his debut EP, Sines and Symptoms. The indie pop artist wrote this track about letting a relationship run its course, touching on many of the steps that lead to such a situation.
“I think many people have experienced some kind of relationship where it has been difficult to communicate with someone because they just won’t listen, or they’re stubborn, or you sometimes feel like maybe they don’t respect you.
This song is about respecting yourself enough to be upset with them, despite how much you care about them,” Barrack explains.
The song juxtaposes dreamy pop production with earnest acoustic guitar and textured rhythms. Speaking about what he’d like listeners to take away from the song, Barrack states that “it’s harder to tell the people you have a relationship with that what they’re doing upsets you, but it’s important that you do.”
Scar Lip takes aim at finishing strong in 2023 with the release of her new single, “Blick,” produced by TKTK. The newly-minted VEVO 2024 Artist to watch changes pace on her new single, which is now available.
Alex Coley is a Nova Scotia-based songwriter and indie-folk musician with an affinity for novelty, big feelings and good questions. Built around his soulful, worn-in voice and wrapped in tender harmonies, Alex Coley & Afterlove explore the elemental tension between joy and pain; heartache and healing; what was and what will be.
I don’t want to talk, I just want to be with you. The ending of the relationship that inspired “Silent in my Car” felt definite, but Alex longed for the friendship they had before things were romantic. He simply missed sitting silently in her company.
His vulnerable and intimate lyrics will be sure to dredge up feelings you forgot were there – inviting you to gracefully move through melancholy. The deeply emotional, stirring song offers a clarity you can often only find when you get really quiet; at the end of a long winding road traveled alone.
Essex punk-rock risers – PET NEEDS – have announced details of their third album ‘Intermittent Fast Living’ (out 16 February 2024 via Xtra Mile Recordings).
Featuring lead single “Separation Anxiety”, the announcement precedes an extensive UK Tour this November/December, which includes their biggest headline show to date.
PRE-SAVE ‘INTERMITTENT FAST LIVING’ HERE || LISTEN TO “SEPARATION ANXIETY” HERE
New album, ‘Intermittent Fast Living’, their third studio release in as many years, is inspired by the relentless, breathless, stop-start lifestyle PET NEEDS have found themselves living in recent times.
Founded with humble bedroom-band beginnings by brothers Johnny (vocals) and George (guitar) Marriott and later joined by Jack (drums) and Ryan (bass) only a matter of years ago, PET NEEDS’ career has been sky-rocketing ever since the release of their acclaimed debut ‘Fractured Party Music’ in 2021. From getting signed to SOLD OUT shows, rave reviews to rabid fans, and embarking on extensive global tours with the likes of Frank Turner, The Hives, The Lottery Winners, Skinny Lister; demand for these four lads from Essex has been on a trajectory with the stratosphere.
But being strapped-in to the big dipper that is living the rock’n’roll lifestyle most kids can only dream of, while trying to balance a steady family life at home, is not without its challenges. And by perpetually riding around what frontman Johnny describes as “a dream-like tornado”, they have found themselves jolting between a life in the fast lane and “the security and stillness” of being with those they love. Channelling the chaos of their dichotomous lives into their visceral latest work, Johnny explains:
“In the last 18 months we have been catapulted from steady jobs and playing in our small town local bars to world tours at a million miles an hour. The life we’d grown accustomed to is constantly thrown behind us until it disappears into the distance in our rear view mirror.
We thunder forward, show by show, adventure by adventure, until [normal life] returns as a speck on the horizon like an oasis in the desert. Then suddenly we’re home again. I sit content on the sofa with a beer, my wife and our new little puppy wondering what the hell just happened for the last three months.”
Raised in the rural market town of Newbury, England, Joe Hicks blends pop, blues and folk influences, combining intricate guitar composition with classic pop song-craft. Released in September 2022, The Best I Could Do at the Time is an earnest collection of music, combining Joe’s exceptional songwriting, influences such as John Mayer and Paul Simon, and pop sensibilities with a boldness to wear his heart on his sleeve.
With the album’s deluxe edition set for release on 3rd November, expect to hear acoustic reworkings and some brand-new live versions of songs from the album, recorded exclusively for the reissue. However, the acoustic recordings are not just a standard vocal-and-guitar reimagining – elements such as slide guitar, multiple harmonies and different guitar grooves come into play, shining a brand new light on these songs. As for the live performances, Joe played a sold-out show at Arlington Arts Centre in his Newbury hometown in late 2022 and decided to bring a full-circle moment to the deluxe album by recording these at the same venue, providing an exciting glimpse at what to expect for his November 2023 UK tour. These live renditions will also be released in video form, the first being ‘One More Step’ is out now, with the rest to follow in the coming weeks.
‘The idea around the deluxe album came initially from the desire to explore some of the songs on my debut album in a more stripped back way and from a different mindset. The Best I Could Do at the Time is first and foremost a pop album, and so all the production decisions when making it were about amplifying those elements and leaning into them.
‘The live recordings on the new release were a later addition. I wanted to film some videos to show how the songs from The Best I Could Do at the Time sound and look live with the band behind me. The guys I have playing in the band constantly blow me away with their musicianship and attention to detail, and that is hopefully very apparent in the videos.’ – Joe Hicks
Mere weeks after the release of Augustine‘s hotly received gorgeous second album, ‘Youth And Why It Ends,’ the Swedish fast riser is continuing to showcase his spellbinding ability with the reveal of a stunning video for album track ‘For The Moment’. Alongside the cinematic visual, Augustine is revealing a raft of tour dates across Europe. Watch the video HERE and see all tour dates below.
Tour Dates
Fri 05-Apr DE Berlin Berghain Kantine
Sat 06-Apr DE Hamburg Häkken
Sun 07-Apr NL Amsterdam. Paradiso
Mon 08-Apr FR Paris Supersonic
Tue 09-Apr UK London Hootananny
Listen to “Youth And Why It Ends” here
Augustine’s nostalgic indie pop has taken him from sold-out gigs in Scandinavia and Europe to festival stages like Way Out West and SXSW in Austin, Texas. His music has found its way into the offices of Billboard, Rolling Stone Magazine, the radio station KCRW, and influential music blogs like EARMILK and Ones To Watch. Not to mention the two Grammy nominations he received for his debut album, “Weeks Above The Earth.”
With an exciting momentum behind him and a hungry audience, Augustine now releases “Youth And Why It Ends.” On his new album, he reflects on youth slipping away and the dread of the responsible adult life that awaits.
“This album is about youth being over and how painful it is, haha. Suddenly, there’s so much responsibility, and I can’t really blame anything on youthful recklessness anymore. Everything weighs a bit heavier with each passing year, and I’m probably right in the middle of some kind of transition. Does anyone ever fully become an adult, and if so, when?” says Augustine.
Musically, Augustine and his companion Rassmus Björnson wanted to challenge themselves more on the follow-up. The new album features grand string arrangements, plenty of California lo-fi guitars, and a more retrospective sound than before.
Tracklist:
Friend’s House Party
Woman
For the Moment
Fever
The Approaching Crisis
Teach Me
Campus
Everything That Goes
Surface
Late Night
In 2013, singer/instrumentalist Eric Seguin and producer/instrumentalist Stokely Diamantis formed Raveen after attending a Mount Kimbie concert together at Montreal’s SAT. In 2014, drummer Peter Colantonio joined and finalized the trio that performs and records together as Raveen almost a decade later. The group performed live in Montreal, Toronto, New York and elsewhere for years while developing the songs that would form 2017’s “Always”, their debut LP. After performances at Montreal’s Festival International de Jazz, POP Montreal, the PHI Centre and the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, Stokely was forced to return to the United States, derailing the recording of Raveen’s sophomore album. Raveen adapted, releasing collaborations with local favourite Gayance on her Polaris Shortlisted Album “Mascarade” and with hip-hop duo THe LYONZ, and Eric set out on the road to present solo versions of Raveen’s live set in support of Ghostly Kisses.
The pandemic kept Raveen members separated by a border for years, until recently when they were able to rejoin producer/engineer Austin Tufts of Braids to complete work on the recordings now slated for release in 2023 and 2024. As these songs, as well as collaborations with Nick Henriques, Lost Prince and others are finally able reach followers of the project, Raveen remains steadfast in constantly looking for new and truly original ways to blend their electronic music influences into vocal-performance-driven songs with feeling.
Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter salem ilese kicks off the holiday season with, “Snowglobe” Get it HERE via 10K Projects.
Ahead of the holiday season, salem ilese has dropped her 2023 holiday classic, “Snowglobe” following her holiday originals, ”Secret Santa,” “Thank You Note,” and “Marry Christmas.” The brand new track describes salem’s desire to savor the feelings that surround the holidays. As moments fade and seasons change, she’d prefer to bottle the holiday spirit in a snow globe so they, “never get cold.” The holiday track comes on the heels of her salem’s collaboration with TikTok sensation, Jake Shane. With the deluxe version of her album, High Concept coming December 2023 and new music in 2024, salem is closing out the year with some holiday spirit.
While most notable for her hits such as “Mad at Disney” and “PS5” the viral singer took time to focus on songwriting with legendary acts such as Gwen Stefani, Kesha, Addison Rae, TXT and many others. Her work as a songwriter also gained recognition, having recently been credited as a writer on Demi Lovato’s latest album, HOLY FVCK, and Bella Poarch‘s hit single, “Build A Bitch.”
Vicky von Vicky is an indie rock band from Toronto, ON that showcases the talents of Michael Wynn on guitar and vocals, Paul Pasanen on drums, Rolston Miller on bass, and Tom Nesbitt on guitar. Originating in the late 1990s, the band was formed by former members of Trains of Winter (Kingston, Ontario), along with Wynn’s brother Chris Wynn (guitar). Recently replaced by Nesbitt (who was previously part of London, Ontario’s The Others). Within the local music scene, Vicky von Vicky quickly established themselves as a formidable presence.
Following the release of two albums in 1998 (self titled) and 2000 (“Farmers & Artists”), the band took a hiatus in 2001. Now, after almost two decades, Vicky von Vicky has regrouped and has made a triumphant return to stage and studio. With a renewed focus on songwriting and collaboration, they are eager to unveil fresh music and forge new connections with people who like listening to something just a little different.
Vicky von Vicky’s distinctive sound draws inspiration from punk, grunge, classic rock, and powerful rhythms that are a direct result of a lifelong love of all things rock, soul & hip hop. However, their music is not a genre mash-up. They delve into themes of love, loss, and life experiences, expressing themselves with candidness, vulnerability and a big serving of humour. The result is Vicky von Vicky music.
Rock singer-songwriter Tristan Tritt is today releasing his new single “No Filter”. The new song follows his other 2023 release “Nervous System Overload”
“No Filter” illuminates the dynamic of Tristan’s approach. On the track, clean guitar wraps around a glitchy beat. Simultaneously, he stretches his vocal range, fluttering between a laid back flow and breathy inflection. The momentum gives way to an infectious and impactful refrain punctuated by a fret-burning guitar lead.
Lyrically, “No Filter” questions the obsession many people have with social media. Tristan says, “So many of our interactions are based on vanity. In reality, who you are on social media is completely different from who you are in real life. There’s an actual filter in place, and we play the game by commenting and pretending. I think it’s not just damaging for kids, but adults who constantly scroll through social media without understanding the majority of what they’re looking at is artificial. I’m seeing beyond the façade.”
Tristan has been forging his own lane with his grunge-tinged hard rock sound. His influences range and are inspired by everything from Kid Cudi to Black Sabbath.
Tristan will be releasing more new music in 2024 and will announce new tour dates in the near future.
Nashville-based alt-pop sensation Caroline Romano returns with her new single, “girl in a china shop,” out on all streaming platforms now.
“girl in a china shop” is an emotional rollercoaster of a song. Caroline juxtaposes the song’s explosive, untempered chorus with stripped-back, reflective verses. It’s a delicate balancing act that only an artist as meticulous as Caroline can pull off.
“I often feel like I break everything I touch. I’ve come to view myself as one major juxtaposition,” says Caroline. “One thing I’ve learned is that as life moves on, things get broken in the process. Whether it’s relationships, or my own heart, I’ve come to realize that it’s all too easy to shatter either one by my own hand. At times it’s left me feeling uncomfortable in my own skin and with my own footing. ‘girl in a china shop is my attempt at acknowledging that, in a way that summarizes the chaotic feeling that is navigating myself and other’s emotions.”
At just 22-years-old, the Nashville-based singer and songwriter has repeatedly demonstrated her ability to create anthems that capture the highs and lows of young adulthood. She memorializes her messy, relatable emotions into buoyant, unflinchingly honest songs.
In 2022, Caroline shared her debut album, Oddities and Prodigies, to widespread support from tastemakers like EARMILK and Sweety High. She has continued to come into her own with her more mature and intentional alt-leaning sound which she showcased on her 2023 EP, ‘A Brief Epic.’ With millions of streams already, and more music on the way, Caroline Romano is an artist whose star will only continue to rise.
GRAMMY-nominated global hit, “Water,” is back for its victory laps with the arrival of its official remixes featuring Marshmello and Travis Scott after world premiering the latter live with Travis Scott at GQ’s coveted Man of the Year party in Los Angeles.
[Get “Water RMX” f/ Marshmello here]
[Get “Water RMX” f/ Travis Scott]
The original version of “Water” currently sits at #18 on the Billboard 100 and continues to rise in popularity. Tyla expressed a desire to bring her native sound of Amapiano to the world, noting “People are seeing it for what it is, and the artistry and creativity that we have.” in conversation with NME. With each of her new remixes, the South African star flaunts that creativity with seamless genre blends, creating a unique, electronic atmosphere on the remix with “Marshmello” and welcoming Travis Scott, whose penchant for pensive, moody soundscapes is well-stated, into the fold where his versatility and hitmaking qualities can truly shine. “Water” isn’t just a record, it’s an energy, and with Marshmello and Travis Scott, it is easily transferable.
Both Marshmello and Travis Scott bring a unique element of starpower to “Water,” helping the already massive hit reach even higher heights via new audiences. Marshmello, one of the most prolific electronic acts of his generation, having churned out multiple multi-platinum singles and Top 40 chart placements, including a #2 placement with the late Juice WRLD in 2020. Marshmello would go on to earn a Grammy nomination of his own the following year, for his fourth album Shockwave.
Travis Scott, one of the most consistent hitmakers of the last decade, also remains one of the most versatile. The seven-time GRAMMY nominee is currently on a headling tour and has released Top 10 records on the Billboard Hot 100 with artists ranging from Drake to Bad Bunny, and that’s just in the last six months.
As 2023 comes to a close, it’s clear that “Water,” is one of its great Cinderella stories. Tyla began the year as an opener on Chris Brown’s Under The Influence Tour and made her Billboard Airplay Chart debut with “Been Thinking,” her first release of the year. Shortly after releasing “Water” in July, Tyla had become a household name. The record spawned a TikTok challenge that has been shared tens-of-millions of times, helping to earn Tyla Top 40 marks on a myriad of global charts including her first-ever placement on the Billboard Hot 100, where she has climbed into the Top 20 at #18—a huge accomplishment for just her third major offering (“Been Thinking,” “Girl Next Door” with Arya Starr). In just over one month, the “Water” music video has been viewed over 44 million times, and Tyla performed the record on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon for her U.S. TV debut—a proven rite of passage for new stars.
When the 2024 GRAMMY nominations were announced, Tyla’s name was in lights. “Water” earned the singer her first-ever nomination, for “Best African Music Performance,” at just 21 years old. “Water” has eclipsed Song of the Summer and is instead angling for Song of the Year status.
As for Tyla — she’s just getting started.
Indie-pop duo Eighty Ninety announce their self-titled debut album, out December 15th, and share the album’s opening track, “Ruins,” out on all streaming platforms today.
Following a slew of singles – “The Hard Way,” “Face Like a Sunset,” “Stay Alive,” and “2 Carat” – “Ruins” arrives as the final single from the band’s highly-anticipated self-titled album. It’s a classic Eighty Ninety song, overflowing with raw emotion, textured indie-pop production, and Abner’s hauntingly beautiful vocals.
“‘Ruins’’ is a reflection the past, the choices we didn’t make and the ‘what ifs’’that still linger,” the duo explain. “We wanted to capture the ache of those missed opportunities and unspoken words, and to reflect on our youth and the ruins we all carry with us. The rest of the album also explores how we shape our lives on the foundations of those ruins and their enduring impact on who we become.”
As Beans on Toast readies the release of his imminent new album, ‘The Toothpaste And The Tube’, today, he is pleased to present its moving centrepiece: “Send Me A Bird”.
STREAM “SEND ME A BIRD” ON ALL SERVICES HERE
“When you are gone send a message to me, wherever you are, wherever that might be. Send me a message from eternity…” he sings into the ether here.
“Send Me A Bird” is a ruminative folk ballad whose words will strike a resonant chord with anyone who has experienced the emptiness of loss, and all of the complex, soul-searching emotions that come with it. As Beans explains:
“Send Me A Bird is a song about friends and family that we’ve lost along the way. It’s a song about death, about grief. It feels to me like quite a powerful song, I only say that because every time I play it live, I get people messaging me about the song, telling me about a friend, or family member who passed away and how the song made them feel. I’ve had more messages about this song than any other song I’ve written. So it feels good to get the song out into the world properly.”
GUISE, the alias of Jess Guise, sees out 2023 with one of her most heart-breaking, humbling songs to date: “Wish”. The new track precedes a run of UK dates with folk hero Seth Lakeman – full dates of which can be found below.
WATCH “WISH” OFFICIAL VIDEO HERE || STREAM ON ALL SERVICES HERE
Arriving on 17th November via Xtra Mile Recordings, “Wish” is Guise’s first release since the emotional rollercoaster that was her debut album ‘Youngest Daughter’ and this standalone single finds her in similarly fine fettle.
Written as a conversation with her late father, it finds Jess reminiscing on the immortal memories they shared together, while wondering what he would have made of the way her life has turned out since. As she explains:
“”Wish” is a conversation with my Dad, who died suddenly when I was 18. It’s my best attempt at expressing the continued pain of losing someone you love, and what it’s been like learning to carry that love around without him still being here to receive it. Music was a shared language for us and this is the closest I can get to feeling like I’m still actually talking to him. He was the wisest person I’ve ever known and navigating the world without his advice has been a hard and relentless challenge, really. I always, always want to know what he’d think, especially about what I write.”
“Wish” will strike a resonant chord with anyone who has experienced the hollow emptiness that comes with such a loss. Paired with spacious pianos, restrained mandolins, and slow-burning strings, together they create a hushed atmosphere that allows Jess’ conversation to speak volumes. Produced and mixed by Lukas Drinkwater, “Wish” was mastered by Frank Turner.
“I was already proud of this song” Jess adds, “but recording it with my dear friend Lukas Drinkwater, who connected to it so personally and brought some completely fresh ideas to the table along with his incredible musicianship, has resulted in something that neither of us expected. It was such a joy to see the song grow in the studio like that, and I think it’s become my favourite thing I’ve made to date. I’m about as sure as I can ever be that my Dad would like this one.”
“Wish” is the first material from Guise since the 2022 studio album ‘Youngest Daughter’. An autobiographical, story-so-far record filled with honest, personal, and self-deprecating songs told with warmth and humour, it was described by Jess as a “wander through the various ways I’ve tried to follow my heart over the years”. An album that put its heart on its sleeve, it featured the pop perfection of previous singles ‘The Boy & The Thief’, ‘Don’t Come Back’ and the Emily Barker-backed tenderness of ‘I Know When You Leave’. The record was praised as “simply beautiful” (PRS for Music), “gorgeous, spine-tingling” (Backseat Mafia), “an album of sublime beauty” (FATEA); drawing warm comparisons to Dar Williams and Stevie Nicks.
SPEARMINT release their essential new album ‘This Candle Is For You’.
Arriving as their 10th official studio album, and 60th release on their own hitBACK label, the London independent mainstays return with 12 new songs destined to have you falling in love with them all over again. And amongst its trove of artful, British pop vignettes, listeners will find the 007-inspired “The Most Secret Agent In The World” – a track also available to hear today.
STREAM ‘THIS CANDLE IS FOR YOU’ IN-FULL HERE
AND “THE MOST SECRET AGENT IN THE WORLD” HERE
A firm favourite of the band, “The Most Secret Agent In The World” tells the little known story of the James Bond hopeful, who never was. Spun with suitably cinematic arrangements and dashed with a Spearmint hint of melancholy, singer Shirley explains of the track:
“One of our favourite tracks is ‘The Most Famous Secret Agent In The World’, inspired by John Gavin, who was signed to become the new James Bond in the 70s, but ended up as an understudy, never getting to play the role on screen. Of course, we embellish, or mess around with, the story in the song.”
A magnificent act of indie-pop espionage, “The Most Secret Agent In The World” slots seamlessly amongst previous singles “Prince & Joni”, “Three More Songs On The Jukebox”, “Older Cats 2”, and “Melody’s Mother’s Jam” on Spearmint’s new album: ‘This Candle Is For You’.
Underground UK talent Michael Bird returns to the ether with the emotional sounds
of “Roots” – lifted from his forthcoming EP Evergreen due out early 2024.
An offering which tugs at the heartstrings through its rich orchestral moments and a
lyrical narrative written from the depths of Bird’s emotions, “Roots” touches on a
sensitive subject exploring patterns of broken relationships passed through
generations.
Skilfully utilizing metaphors of deciduous leaves dropping, “Roots” explores how
people might engage with long-term relationships differently, touching on heavy
topics like generational pain in a poetic and beautiful way that weaves in hope –
bringing the lyrics to life via earthy sounds artistically balanced with the dark mid-
tempo groove.
Speaking on the track, Michael Bird shared: “The song started with the sample that
plays at the start. We created this sample ourselves by layering lots of different
sounds and then pitching it up and chopped it. When we had the sample playing
over and over, it felt like autumn leaves were swirling around the studio. We decided
to use that as our writing palette and wrote lyrics that used deciduous and evergreen
trees as a metaphor.”
RICHARD WALTERS releases his stately sixth new album: ‘Murmurate’.
His first solo record for over three years, it comprises thirteen brand new tracks including a tender tribute to the late Hollywood star Philip Seymour Hoffman – available to hear now.
STREAM ‘MURMURATE’ IN FULL HERE || LISTEN TO “PHILIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN” HERE
Often playing eccentrics, underdogs, and misfits, Philip Seymour Hoffman is perhaps best known for his distinctive roles in cult classics like The Big Lebowski, Almost Famous, and Boogie Nights. Tragically passing away in 2014, Richard Walters holds a candle to his immortal legacy with an elegant and elegiac track written in tribute to the actor. Simply titled “Philip Seymour Hoffman”, Walters says of the song:
“Philip Seymour Hoffman was a huge hero of mine and I was heartbroken when he died…this is me imagining his final moments, the slipping away and weird things one might imagine as the lights go out (‘I’m thinking of a hotel before..’) Quite dreamlike and surreal. Who could ever play him better than he played himself? Nobody can fill those shoes.”
“Philip Seymour Hoffman” features alongside the previous singles “After Midnight”, “Anchor”, “Move On”, and “Lost In Your Light”; all of which are available to hear on ‘Murmurate’, the new Richard Walters album, released today on Nettwerk label.
Vancouver Latin fusion group Los Duendes share their debut album Me Recuerdas out now on all digital streaming platforms. Listen here.
To celebrate the album release, Los Duendes are also releasing the title track as the 3rd single following the release of previous singles ‘Coleslaw’ and ‘Elf-Man’. The upbeat and alluring track is an emotive journey through the pain of heartbreak.
“‘Me Recuerdas’ was composed during a late-night session in the studio and takes listeners on an emotional ride through the nightmare of being broken up with and having to move on,” says vocalist Sangito Bigelow. “The track is a sultry arrangement of horn lines reminiscent of late-night traffic along rain-slicked city streets and features the distinctive sound of the Tres cubano, along with vocals from Toto Berriel and Dawn Pemberton, funk Timba bass lines, and Latin percussion. It’s an epic saga that serves as a cautionary tale to all the Don Juan’s out there and encourages the broken-hearted to move on, ultimately having the last laugh.”
Los Duendes’ new album Me Recuerdas is an exploration of Latin American music through the influences of jazz, funk, fusion, metal and house. Latin electrified guitar with heavy Afro-Latin percussion and gang vocals in the style of a typical cumbia or salsa combo are central to the sound. Drawing inspiration from the vintage guitar tones of cumbia and chicha, this album features heavy electric guitar, evocative of the jarring frenetic sounds of the urban jungle.
Me Recuerdas means ‘remember me’ and the themes of loss and grief can be felt throughout the album. It can also be interpreted in a romantic way, like in the title track that speaks to an ended love affair.
Judas Priest, a powerhouse in the world of heavy metal has spent over 50 years crafting a legendary career. Emerging from Birmingham in 1969, their impact and influence in the genre remain unparalleled. The band originally solidified their place in music history with iconic albums like ‘Sad Wings of Destiny’ and ‘Sin After Sin’ known for metal anthems like ‘Sinner’ and ‘Hell Bent for Leather’ while pioneering the leather-and-studs image now synonymous with the metal culture
The ’80s marked their pinnacle with classic albums ‘British Steel’, ‘Screaming for Vengeance’, and ‘Defenders of the Faith’, generating timeless hits like ‘Breaking the Law’. Despite lineup changes and various challenges, the band’s resilience remained unwavering. In 2018 Rob Halford, Glenn Tipton, Richie Faulkner, Ian Hill and Scott Travis released ‘Firepower’ which soared as one of their most successful albums, backed by an extensive global tour
Amid health setbacks and the pandemic, they persevered with a 50th-anniversary tour and a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction. Preparing for the release of their 19th studio album ‘Invincible Shield’ and a headlining performance at the 2023 PowerTrip Music Festival, Judas Priest’s unwavering dedication to spreading their heavy metal legacy continues, promising to rock on into 2024 and beyond.
Email:neill@outloudculture.com
Socials: @neillfrazer
