Producer/DJ duo EAZYBAKED are making their label debut with a new single ‘Rollin’ Deep’ out now via HypnoVizion.
Premiered during their headline show at Denver’s Ogden Theater last October, ‘Rollin’ Deep’ has become a memorable moment in the duo’s sets. Swirling with a dynamic blend of trap, bass, and dubstep elements, EAZYBAKED unleash their off-kilter antics on ‘Rollin’ Deep’. A highly experimental offering from the duo, ‘Rollin’ Deep’ rumbles with grimey hip-hop influenced builds and plunging bass-heavy drops befitting the HypnoVizion ethos.
“This tune came to life when we were crankin’ ideas everyday for our biggest headline show at Ogden Theatre in Denver. It’s got an experimental wonky vibe and has been doing work on the dance floor. We’ve been wanting to release with HypnoVizion for awhile and this felt like the perfect tune to do together” – EAZYBAKED
Producer Mike G has joined forces with premier artist Leyla Blue to deliver his second single, “Me and You.” Fusing pop influences with genre-bending beats, this partnership sets a new tone for Mike G as he explores the different realms of music. “Me and You” ft Leyla Blue is now available to stream and download on platforms worldwide.
In a statement regarding the song, Mike G expressed his excitement about crafting a standout track that maintains his signature form while pushing creative boundaries. “For my second single, I wanted to put together a killer pop record, but in my own style and with some edge to it,” he said. “I wrote ‘Me and You’ before I released my first record, but then found it challenging to find a bigger artist to consider it. When it comes to working with pop artists, there’s no denying that I am extraordinarily picky.” Despite initial setbacks, Mike G’s persistence led him to discover Leyla Blue, whose exceptional talent and unique artistic vision resonated deeply with him. “One of my boys that does management for me linked me with Leyla and her team, suggesting her for the record, and I was blown away when I heard her music.” Leyla Blue’s remarkable ability to craft compelling music seamlessly blending songwriting prowess with contemporary appeal solidified her as the perfect collaborator for “Me and You.” Mike G praises her as an incredible artist destined for greatness, noting her distinctive sound and versatility in creating music that resonates both on a personal level and in the digital sphere. “She’s completely in her own lane with her approach, and she’s one of the few artists I’ve heard that can write music that’s amazing from both a songwriting standpoint and a TikTok one, which is quite the skill to have in 2024,” he remarked. Recorded at Trend Def Studios and mixed and mastered by Mike Gonsolin himself, “Me and You” showcases the seamless synergy between two talented artists, leaving a lasting impression on listeners worldwide.
Canadian musician Keegan Powell makes songs that explore the mystery of pain, the release of demons and how through it all, life actually may be some kind of miracle. Start with the lofi experimental EP’s from 2019 ‘Is+Was’ and ‘Headspun', doused in reverb, guitar solos and electronic drums. Lines from songs like ‘All That Is and Ever Was’ describes the mundane process through one's day ‘Can’t quite decide how to pass the time/Forever on call to be great’ On ‘Previous Pain’ from 2022, Powell melancholically sings ‘Tonight everybody wants you/To be a star and sit upon your throne’ Foretelling if anything, the record garnered his first bout of serious airplay, racking up five radio single rotations on SiriusXM Radio.
The soothing acoustic howls that made Powell’s sophomore record,‘Fear Be Gone’, a college radio staple across North America proves something very clear-Powell has never stayed in one spot artistically. Not because he doesn’t want to, but because he is incapable of it. If evidence of this is his past work, Alien Radio is the sentencing in which nails his hand to the coffin.
Imbued with infectious hooks and ferocious energy, Alien Radio is a compilation album composed of tracks previously released and unreleased from Powell’s archive, spanning across several separate recordings from the years 2016-2019. The tracks are a glimpse into an artist trying to overreach his ability and achieving it, only to forget about it altogether. Unearthed years later, what remains is an ultimate companion piece to his current released work. The results are crystal clear pop songs in the guise of quarter life angst that make for some of the most exciting rock music heard this decade.
Merryn Jeann reveals her first full length album DOG BEACH via her co-founded label Rescue + Return records.
DOG BEACH demonstrates an enticing and profound storytelling, aligning with sounds from the 90s and early 2000s. Merryn Jeann is a diverse artist, always experimenting and proudly free from the confines of a box. She thrives in exploring both visual and sonic arts and the result is a sound that embodies a world of creativity, capable of transporting listeners into her one of a kind universe.
DOG BEACH takes shape as a ten track display of a meticulously crafted, sonic wonderment. The record is produced by the exceptionally talented Rob Ellis who’s worked with a plethora of remarkably talented artists including; PJ Harvey, Marianne Faithfull, Torres, Nick Cave & more.
Sharing more about the collaboration Rob Ellis said; Merryn’s enthusiasm and very individual creativity comes across brilliantly I think. Whilst still managing to retain an expression of deeply felt heart and soul. A rare combination in my experience, and a match for any of my aforementioned, much admired collaborators.
The pair unlocked a magical compatibility for collaboration during the creation of DOG BEACH and the resulting record strongly reflects that.
The String Cheese Incident are thrilled to share “Windy Mountain” a very special bonus track off the band’s most recent album Lend Me A Hand, which was released last year.
“I actually lived in a miner’s cabin in a little town above Boulder with my family for a couple of years,” says Bill Nershi. “It was built in the 1890s. The old spirits still reside there. They gave me the gift of this song.”
Lend Me A Hand is a poignant yet high-spirited reflection on love, loss and resilience, and emerged as SCI coped with such life-changing events as the sudden death of their close friend Jesse Aratow (a member of their management team for most of the band’s history). As they dreamed up a batch of songs firmly centered on their storytelling, the band joined forces with Brad Cook (Bon Iver, Hiss Golden Messenger, Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats, Waxahatchee), a producer whose distinct vision helped SCI to fully embrace the album’s rootsy simplicity.
The String Cheese Incident’s 30th anniversary touring year will kick off with the Texas Eclipse Festival on April 6, followed by a run of East Coast shows beginning May 16 in Charlottesville, VA, and festival stops at Summer Camp’s new Solshine Reverie in Chillicothe, IL, CaveJam, Electric Forest, Locomotion Festival and Bender Jamboree. All news and up to date information can be found at https://www.stringcheeseincident.com/.
London-based artist and producer Sharifa pushes boundaries with knock-out new single ‘SOMEONE’ via Graduation
After spending a lot of 2023 evolving and developing his sound, SOMEONE marks an impressive first look at Sharifa’s newest material. Giving nods to a diverse range of genres including punk and hyperpop, the genre-bending track is an honest take on loneliness. Delving into the emotional state of feeling lost and yearning for acceptance, the dazing new single touches the need for authentic connections and the pain caused by relationships that turn out to be disingenuous.
Sharing more, Sharifa explained: I remember being in the big studio one day and I’d been going through some tough times. Loneliness and feeling lost has been a huge thing for me my whole life. I’ve always felt like I have to do everything on my own and it’s quite scary. The track also touches on the idea of self-discovery and growth as I come to realize that fitting myself into societal expectations or someone else’s idea might not lead to genuine happiness or fulfillment.
Halfway through the session my boss rang me to tell me I’d been fired from my job. They did me a favor as off the back of that, the second verse pretty much wrote itself. I was inspired by my own emotional state I guess.’
Last year saw the release of ‘BEDROOM LIGHT’. Arriving back in August, it was a significant moment and showcased Shaifa’s one of a kind energy, which did not go unnoticed.
The single was warmly received, scooping support from the likes of Clash Magazine who described the track as ‘softly alluring’ and his sound as ‘melding the hip-hop that grabbed him as a teen with an assured alt-pop sound’ and Atwood Magazine who stated ‘with finesse like this, we can’t wait to see what he comes up with next.’ Watching the video for BEDROOM LIGHT here.
Turning the page on another chapter, GRAMMY® Award-winning chart-topping hip-hop superstar Lil Durk serves up a melodic and nostalgic new single and music video entitled “Old Days” out now. Listen HERE. Watch HERE.
Throughout the last week, he incited widespread fan anticipation for the song’s release. He posted a snippet on Instagram, and it caused a frenzy across social media. The track’s hard-hitting production upholds melodic verses as Durk takes stock of his journey so far. He stares down addiction and darkness in vivid verses as he sighs, “Had to get a pacemaker, my heart was skipping deuces.” Meanwhile, it culminates on an emotionally charged chorus, “I miss the old days.” With its black-and-white footage, the accompanying visual channels this spirit and brings viewers into the heart of his world.
A “new day” begins for him now.
Oliver Keane returns with a gorgeous acoustic cut of his latest single 3.5
The beautiful stripped back version arrives today as a tender moment that sees Oliver Keane’s distinctive vocals to the front, highlighting his courageously raw songwriting.
3.5 is a poignant listening experience, showcasing the 20-year-olds natural talent for crafting rich, stand-out sonic moments.
Whilst undeniable progress has been made in normalizing the mental health conversation, there is still essential work to be done. With young men affected more than any other demographic, artists such as Oliver being openly transparent is invaluable in furthering improvement.
Sharing more, Oliver explains: 3.5 is probably one of the most honest songs I’ve written. I wrote it at a time where I felt like my mental health was letting the people around me down. If I was out and started to get anxious after a drink, I was embarrassed by this. I think it’s amazing how much men’s mental health is being spoken about now, even amongst me and my friends, however I still think a lot of men feel ashamed to struggle or show signs of weakness.
With 2024 now in full swing, Oliver Keane has been making every second count.
3.5 marked the first single in a brand new chapter for the rising artist, whilst he’s already out on tour with Giant Rooks across Europe. Not to mention another tour in the bag with indie greats ‘Sea Girls’ next month. (see below for tour dates) Oliver Keane is quickly shaping up to be your artist to watch this year.
3.5 is both written and produced by Oliver himself, shining a light on his talent for production. From a young-age he has been evolving his technical skills and has also been writing and producing for other artists including Nieve Ella and Abby Roberts
Derby-born Oliver Keane has been making a name for himself as an emerging singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer since he launched. In the run up to his debut EP ‘16mm Dream Sequence’, he had already scooped much praise from the likes of Complex UK, Clash, Fault, Wonderland, Variance magazine and more. Not only that but he has a loyal fan base that continues to thrive across the globe with over 1.2M likes of Tik Tok and 60K followers across his social media accounts.
With performing live a huge part of who he is, Oliver has been making his mark, touring the UK and Europe extensively with acts such as The Snuts, GAYLE, Only The Poets (22 dates across EU) The Academic and Giant Rooks as well as a string of European festivals.
Multi-platinum rap star DDG arrives today with an aspirational new single, “Going To The Top.” The song represents DDG’s first release of the new year, and a mission statement of sorts for what’s to come from the Michigan native as he ramps up what will make for a triumphant 2024. Stream “Going To The Top” HERE via Epic Records and watch the official music video, directed by BenMarc,HERE.
“I’m doing sh*t that they said that I couldn’t / I’m going on a vacation I book it,” raps DDG as the flutes and 808s crash in on his Yung Flavour-produced new single. The record effortlessly plays to DDG’s strengths, giving the braggadocio specialist a mesmerizing melody with which to weave his tales of bravado and luxury.
“Going To The Top” follows DDG’s December single, the Hitmaka-produced “She Don’t Play,” which wrapped a busy 2023 for the young multi-hyphenate.
It’s official. ‘Intermittent Fast Living’, the new album by PET NEEDS is a UK Top 20 Album.
Crash landing into the charts at No.17 today (23 Feb), the Essex punks’ third album is their highest charting to date and finds them rubbing shoulders with huge acts the likes of Kanye West, Ariana Grande, and IDLES.
Masterminding a campaign to smash into the UK Official Top 40 that the band dubbed ‘Bottom of the Pops’, it seems their plan may have worked a little too well as they suddenly find themselves in the UK Official Top 20.
Speaking about the record’s success, frontman Johnny told the BBC earlier this week:
“It is bizarre… None of us were prepared for this… The fact that we are up there with Kayne West is incomprehensibly unreal.”
Encapsulating the stop-start life of a contemporary punk band constantly jolting between rock’n’roll dreams and domestic duties, ‘Intermittent Fast Living’ is the riotous, relatable new record from the Essex quartet.
Their third studio album in as many years, its frantic 11 tracks pinball through songs of love and loss, the trials & tribulations of touring, punk protests against pay-to-play shows, lucid life lessons learnt from a new puppy, and just about everything in between. It includes previously released singles “Separation Anxiety” and “Sleep When I’m Dead”, which had spins from Steve Lamacq on BBC 6 Music,John Kennedy on Radio X, Total Rock, BBC Introducing, Amazing Radio and Kerrang Radio.
Receiving early plaudits from Punktastic they praised “[PET NEEDS’] superpower comes from channelling their normality and repurposing the magic they experience in their everyday lives as insightful, honest rock… enough bangers to open up an ironic pit”. Elsewhere V13 Magazine hailed ‘Intermittent Fast Living’ as a “gloriously drunken, frantic and punchy punk rock” record, whereas The Soundboard championed the new album as “a phenomenally tight and robust package from front to back, as fulfilling on the most cursory, surface-level listen as it is to take a proper deep dive”.
Rayne Storm returns with his highly anticipated third independent album, Audiocity II, a drive-by across the hip-hop soundscape with artists from the east, west, south and midwest. On his junior release, Rayne assembles an all-star team of rappers from every region of American Hip-Hop to deliver one of his strongest, and certainly most aggressive, projects to date.
Features include Cam’ron, Benny The Butcher, Jadakiss, Rick Ross, Young Buck, Project Pat, Kurupt, Stunna 4 Vegas, Tragedy Khadafi, Avery Storm, Yukmouth, Planet Asia, Ras Kass, Krizz Kaliko, iLL Drew, Kony Brooks, Perelini, Giovonni Pratt, Verse Akalp, G.Fisher, Kazzy Raxx, Loudpack Dash, Dizzy $padez & KnowItAll. Production is handled by Temper Beats, Legion Beats, M43, Wyshmaster & Anno Domini Nation who also helped secure most of the major features.
Audiocity, a play on the word “Audacity” takes the audacity up a few notches on the second volume of the series as Rayne pulls no punches to make a statement. He delivers hard hitting bars and verses over a menagerie of booming beats, all with different vibrations. Audiocity II sees Rayne coming for his place in rap’s history by any means with anthemic tracks, rousing choruses and songs ready to stir up the music industry itself.
Audiocity II is a must have for anybody ready to turn up the energy in Hip-Hop. The storm is no longer coming, it’s here.
With their first album in five years just around the corner – HOLLOW COVES – are today teasing one of its most blissful offerings: “See You Soon”.
With over a billion streams to their name and soaring, the Brisbane indie/folk duo’s second album, ‘Nothing To Lose’, couldn’t be more anticipated upon its release on 1 March 2024 (via the Nettwerk label).
STREAM “SEE YOU SOON” ON ALL SERVICES HERE ||
PRE-SAVE ‘NOTHING TO LOSE’ HERE
Capturing the blue-sky ideologies and open sense of adventure that courses through their new album, “See You Soon” is a masterclass in their spacious acoustic songcraft.
Creating a pin-drop aura with chiming guitars and those glistening Gold Coast harmonies that Matt Carins and Ryan Henderson call their own, this latest single from the childhood friends is a testament to the unbreakable bonds and unforgettable memories we make in life. As they explain:
“So you have made a new best friend somewhere in the world and you’ve shared so many great memories with them. Your time together comes to an end and you go your separate ways. Life gets busy and your communication together gets more and more distant. Eventually, you forget to ever contact them or call them but you always have moments in your life that remind you of them or the memories you shared together. This song is all about this feeling and trying to encourage the listener to reconnect with those people. Just send them a message or give them a call and see where they’re at. I’m sure they’d really appreciate it.”
Zola Courtney today feels unappreciated yet sounds totally heavenly in new track “Firing Line.” The new single, along with other tracks from her forthcoming EP “I Dreamt You Made A Movie” can be heard live on March 6th at her next headline at Servant Jazz Quarters (tickets.)
Speaking about Firing Line, Zola explains “This song was written at a time when I was trying to help someone I loved through their struggles with their mental health. I felt I gave them a lot of my care and time but didn’t feel as though it was at all acknowledged or appreciated. It felt as though I was in the firing line of their torrent of upset and anger.”
https://apollodistro.lnk.to/zolacourtney
In the build-up to Zola’s forthcoming I Dreamt You Made A Movie EP, earmarked for later in 2024, she has released singles “California” and “Unthinkable” that chronicals the relatable affections felt at the of a start and end of a relationship. There’s a different type of emotional wear-and-tear in today’s release, however, all tracks bonded tightly together by the changes in life that become just as much of who you are as who you were before.
Zola Courtney has been playing extensive shows across the county. Recent single “Nothing To Lose” from her debut EP saw the talented Cornwall native garner withspread support from BBC Radio 1 specialist DJs, and was later added to their playlist and onto their One Big Weekend festival line-up. She’s also enjoyed online tastemaker support from the likes of Evening Standard, Complex, DIY, Clash, Notion & Wonderland to name but a few.
marks the return of rising scouse pop artist Tilly Louise, as she unveils her latest single ‘Restart’. At its core, the new single showcases this multifaceted creative’s vibrant vocals and flair for electric guitar, to her signature effervescent sound of pop. ‘Restart’ is available now on your streaming service of choice via APOLLO Distribution.
Take a listen to ‘Restart’ below:
Speaking on the meaning behind ‘Restart’, Tilly Louise shares; “Falling in love too fast, giving every piece and part of you to a person that wants an idea of you. Not the real you.”
Built on an infectious, energetic beat, ‘Restart’ is as catchy as her former offerings, and continues to build her profile as an artist bringing fun-spirited music combined with playful lyricism to the alt-pop scene today.
Returning after the great success of her latest EP ‘Join The Club’ which featured tracks ‘Make Me A Robot’, ‘Baggy T-Shirt’, ‘Own Worst Critic’ and ‘Join The Club’, which has since surpassed 1M streams on Spotify and notably found its way onto various Official Spotify Playlists like UK & Ireland Fresh Finds and Fresh Finds Rock.
Clout Magazine – “Tilly Louise‘s infectious charm and hook-laden alternative pop sheen have seen the artist grow into one of the most exciting emerging talents in the North West. Her indelible charisma and boundless energy have made for a tonne of highlights already for the artist”
Loud Women – “This four-track debut is full of passion and endless potential… Join the Club is a bright and fresh debut from Tilly Louise. This EP is just the start for this rising indie/alt-pop star!”
In the heart of downtown Salt Lake City, and over the past five years, Declatel meticulously crafted his sonic masterpiece, Where The Pieces Came From. Kevin Hartley (aka Declatel) embarked on a journey eight years ago into software development, driven by a singular goal: to build a recording studio where he could bring his musical vision to life. After scoring two short films, and over endless hours of recorded experiments to hone his skills in his studio, the album began to take form. Inspired by his personal experiences of betrayal, pain, and growth, Where The Pieces Came From is a deeply introspective journey that navigates the complexities of human emotion. Through nine meticulously crafted tracks, Declatel invites listeners to explore themes of resilience, self-discovery, and the profound healing power of music.
While echoes of Radiohead, Portishead, Chelsea Wolfe, and Can resonate throughout the album, Declatel’s unique voice shines through. Weaving a tapestry of sound that is both familiar and refreshingly original through intricate experimental sound design (modular synthesis, complex sequencers and re-samplers), analog recording techniques (old school mic’s and placement, mixing LCR, and heavy use of vintage recording gear), and modern compositional tools (using Ableton to record and weave all the tracks together and compose “band music” as a single musician), each track is a testament to his multifaceted talent as a musician, producer, and engineer.
Partnering with renowned recording engineer Mikko Gordon, whose work with Nigel Godrich on recordings for The Smile, IDLES, and Arcade Fire speaks volumes, Declatel has crafted a sonic masterpiece that pushes the boundaries of what the modern musician can accomplish. With every instrument, every note, and every sound meticulously written, recorded, produced, and performed by Hartley, Where The Pieces Came From is a testament to the power of creativity, resilience, and the unyielding pursuit of the artistic vision.
Ahead of their US tour, indie-rock band Mom Jeans have released a four-track video live session, hosted by Matt Yankovich and recorded at Nu-Tone, Pittsburgh PA.
“Early in our time as a band, Mom Jeans had the pleasure of participating in a couple of the more well-known and widely consumed live sessions such as Audiotree Live and Little Elephant, which we had been avid subscribers of for years. We’ve always felt that as fans of live music, these live sessions allowed us to connect with and reach more people with our music and our personalities than ever would have been possible without the existence of these videos.
“We’ve realized that participating in these sessions played a huge role in the trajectory of our first album, and we wanted to try and show some love to some more recent songs in our discography, and try to give them the same treatment as some of our songs got 6-7 years ago. We decided to try and take what we’ve learned over the past years and make a live performance video ourselves in a comfortable and familiar setting, hopefully wearing our influences on our sleeve and offering yet another opportunity for those who might enjoy our music to feel closer to us and closer to the gig.” says Eric Butler.
Brandon Lucas, the producer, vocalist and DJ, returns with a collab featuring a titan of Chicago house, K’ Alexi Shelby, and the venerable Dr. Cornel West. ‘Love Warrior’ is an uplifting house track that has become a focal point of Dr. Cornel West’s Presidential campaign and will be released on Lucas’ Purple Label Sound, which he formed to elevate Black voices in electronic music.
Lucas and K’ Alexi Shelby were connected by Seth Troxler several years ago in Chicago, and the two have produced several unreleased records together, including the forthcoming title “Ain’t No Stopping Us.” The pair created ‘Love Warrior’, which features a vocal sample of Dr Cornel West’s opening remarks and invocation at Harvard’s Black Graduation in 2019, a couple of years back.
‘Love Warrior’ was originally earmarked for release as part of a broader dance music project with Dr. West, which has been delayed by his decision to run for President. After West’s campaign named its legion of super volunteers ‘Love Warriors’ the track naturally became their rallying cry, and Lucas, who is part of West’s campaign staff, was given the blessing to release the track.
“‘Love Warrior’ is a call to action to love warriors around the world. It’s inspired by Dr. West’s mission of truth and justice, with love at the center of it, and informed by the Black Musical Tradition,” said Lucas. “That Tradition – in terms of artistic creativity, spiritual fortitude, and moral courage — deals with what Doc refers to as the funk of catastrophe but not allowing it to have the last word. In this uncertain time in history, “Love Warrior” will help soundtrack this moment in the movement that Dr. West is leading for his millions of supporters worldwide, as he runs as an Independent candidate for President of the United States.”
Eclectic pair Magenta Moon have released their latest single, “Move Me.” This ominous track blends disco symphonies with an alt-rock edge to tell the story of a post-pandemic culture that prefers to stand still rather than dance. “Move Me” is now available to stream and download worldwide.
“Move Me” features a unique futuristic intro that draws in the audience before exploding into edgy instrumentals. When asked about the meaning behind the single, the duo stated, “It’s inspired by the Carlos Santana quote, ‘If you don’t give yourself chills, no one else is going to get them either,’ ‘Move Me’ takes the stance that it is the job of entertainers to get people moving.” Constantly pushing boundaries and exploring genre limits, Magenta Moon fuses a dramatic beat with reassuring lyrics to tell their story of movement. The eclectic track highlights Elaina Whitesell on vocals and bass, Joey Petrarca on vocals and guitar, Pat Mannella on drums, Broadway B on keyboard, and Chris Xue on violin. The single, mixed by Andrew Solis and mastered by Nick Townsend (Dr. Dre, Alice In Chains) leads listeners to let loose and embrace the music around them.
British alt-folk artist Ruth Theodore today announces her signing to Righteous Babe Records and shares the bittersweet new single “Hold On Me”. Alongside this single, Theodore also announces her upcoming album I Am I Am, which will be released on May 3rd.
The playful defiance in Theodore’s early albums soon caught the ear of acclaimed American folksinger Ani DiFranco, which led to invitations for Ruth to appear as special guest for Ani on multiple London shows. After receiving a preview on the tour bus, it was immediately clear that DiFranco’s Righteous Babe Records would be the perfect home for Theodore’s next joyfully rebellious album release.
https://ruththeodore.bandcamp.com/track/hold-on-me
Birmingham rapper Marnz Malone is due to release his 14-track project ‘Tina’s Boy’ on 9th February after teasing us with some visuals, ‘Cold Hearted World 2’ and most recently ‘Ball 4 U’ taken from a previous project release.
‘Tina’s Boy’ is an eye-opener into the life of Marnz Malone with features such as Potter Payper, Bandokay, KayMuni & Marshall with all 14 tracks full of storytelling and the life he has lived. It’s shows off his laid-back style of rapping mixed with intricately delivered bars and verses.
Marnz uses simple rap beats delivering inspirational, truthful, and heartfelt rhymes for his 3rd project full of wordplay.
Only starting to release music in August 2023, his career has blown up due to going viral and gaining a solid fanbase with co-signs from legends such as Giggs and Stormzy and Central Cee reposting his music.
The rising rapper who is currently in jail, has found his calling with music and will not let anything deter him from releasing.
emerging UK-based artist SALPA – aka Luke Bower, teams up with multi-hyphenate singer-songwriter Nilüfer Yanya and producer and musician Jazzi Bobbi on stunning new single ‘What You Do Alone’. Alongside this collab release, SALPA has dropped a B Side single titled ‘Nothing But The Rain’, under casa nueve, a new independent record label created by SALPA alongside fellow creatives Malena Zavala, Miriam Valencia, and long-term collaborator and partner, Uma. The tracks are available now on your streaming service of choice via APOLLO Distribution.
Take a listen to ‘What You Do Alone’ and ‘Nothing But The Rain’ below:
https://apollodistro.lnk.to/SALPA
Speaking on the release of ‘What You Do Alone’, SALPA shares; “This song was actually written with the incredible Matilda Mann, we had a crazy fun 2 day session but in the end it wasn’t the right sound for her, so I took it to my friends Jazzi Bobbi & Nilüfer Yanya and we just layered vocal after vocal eventually creating this hybrid vocal sound. We all went to school and ended up touring the world together with Nilufer’s project, so the chemistry was just natural. For me personally I’m just humbled and so grateful we got to honour that connection on one of my records.”
“Lyrically it feels really in keeping with the rest of the music I’ve been working on, the more I worked the more it became obvious how it fit in with the story. It’s funny how songs sometimes get more pertinent with time, almost like it was
written for a future you.”
South London’s Sneakbo teams up with Lyco, Ivorian Doll and Two Face for their brand-new collaborative single ‘Gucci’.
A completely organic track that happened naturally when the artists were together in Birmingham where Sneakbo linked up with Lyco and Ivorian Doll for the first time. The chemistry was so special, they decided to lay down a demo and this was the end result recorded on the first go. Two Face was in the same building and dropped into the session and ended up recording the last verse.
Lyco kicks the track off with a melodic hook, whilst Sneakbo takes the lead verse bringing his wavy vibes and lyrics to the track. Ivorian Doll steps in after Sneakbo showcasing her lyrical flow and singing skills and Two Face brings the greasy drill bars for a rap track with a hint of Afrobeats.
The video matches the artists lyrics showing the high life with a private jet, designer clothes and private limos.
Check out the track and visuals now.
EMF + JESUS JONES have announced a co-headline tour for Autumn 2024.
Yes. Right Here, Right Now two of the 90’s most enduring alternative-rock acts are delighted to confirm they will be going toe-to-toe on what’s shaping up to be an Unbelievable run of shows together.
Taking over big rooms in Manchester, Bristol, plus a major date at London’s O2 Kentish Town Forum this October, the co-headliners will be sharing a bill for the first time ever. A tour that promises Great Things, EMF and Jesus Jones will also be joined by very Special Guests: Echobelly for the Manchester and London legs of the tour. The full list of dates are below.
Expressing their excitement for the Autumn tour, James and Ian of EMF state:
“We are so happy to finally be announcing these very special shows with our long term friends Jesus Jones, it’s been very hard keeping this news a secret! From EMF at these shows you can expect all the old hits with an added couple of bangers from our new album ’The Beauty and the Chaos’”.
Echoing their sentiments in a year where Jesus Jones celebrate their 35th Anniversary, frontman Mike Edwards adds:
“People always assume EMF and us were great rivals – nothing could be further from the truth, we’ve been best friends for more than thirty years! Then, the same people always assume we must have been on the same bill, loads of times. Incredibly, it has NEVER happened before, until now. These shows are going to be fantastic – and having Echobelly on the bill too – it’s a brilliant line-up.”
Sporting over 20x Top 40 hits between them, Jesus Jones, EMF, and Echobelly dominated the charts during a vintage era for indie and alternative-dance music.
Forged in the cross-over crucible of the bubbling Acid House and Indie-Rock scenes of the time, Jesus Jones were formed in Wiltshire in 1988. Landing a Top 40 smash with their acclaimed debut album ‘Liquidizer’ (1989), the quintet would go on to find huge success in the early 1990s with major hits including “Real Real Real”, “Right Here, Right Now”, “International Bright Young Thing”, “The Devil You Know” and many more across the decade. Releasing their most recent studio album ‘Passages’ in 2018, the band are celebrating their 35th Anniversary this year with a world-wide tour, with shows across the US, Canada, Australia and these momentous UK co-headline shows this year.
Across the border in Gloucestershire, the stars were also aligning for fellow scenesters EMF. Founded in late 1989 the dance-rock quintet would quickly rise to fame with the release of their platinum certified debut album, ‘Schubert Dip’ just two years later. Shifting over a million copies sold and charting at #3 in the UK (and #12 in the US), it featured the infectious debut single “Unbelievable” a track that conquered the charts on both sides of the Atlantic and remains their calling card to this day. From there, the hit singles kept coming throughout the decade, with their next 7 singles all besieging the Top 40 including “I Believe,” “Children”, “Lies”, “Perfect Day”, “It’s You” and more. Releasing a further 3x Top 40 albums, the band would take an extended hiatus following the release of ‘Cha Cha Cha’ in 1995. Reuniting for special live shows and festivals since then, EMF returned with their acclaimed new album ‘Go Go Sapiens’ in 2022. Continuing their hot-streak of recent years, the band have just released a brand new album, ’The Beauty And The Chaos’. The first single from the album, “Hello People” featured a guest appearance by Stephen Fry and gleaned rave reviews. A second single, “Reach For The Lasers” will be released on 8th March 2024.
London-born Brazilian-Portuguese musician, ALÍSI, shares her brand new single ‘Ghost Of You’. This alternative electro-pop soundscape, that’s achieved through the use of distorted audio production creates an eerie, ghostly energy that is not only fitting to the sentiment of the track, but also gives it a contemporary edge that stands out amongst the crowd. The single is available now on your streaming service of choice via APOLLO Distribution.
Take a listen to ‘Ghost To You’ below:
In 2023, ALÍSI put out two singles with collaborator Zuma, titled ‘Haunting’ and ‘Ungrateful’, making today her first solo track since ‘silhouettes’ in 2021, which was described by A1234 as a song showcasing her vocals that “instantly pull you into her world, the ethereal timbre allows the reflective melancholy lyrics exploring the complications of long distance relationships and communication breakdowns to make an emotional impact straight from the get go.”
The assortment of contemporary, computerised sounds on ‘Ghost Of You’ is nicely contrasted with ALÍSI’S soft, melodic vocals, which gives the track this sense of duality and variety necessary to evoke the haunting tone of the song.
With lots more in store this year for this rising artist, keep up to date with ALÍSI on Instagram | YouTube
Vicki Lovelee is a Chinese-Canadian alt-pop sensation based in Markham, Ontario. She merges the luminosity of pop with brooding shadows of dark drama and orchestral instrumentations. Her latest single “Click” dropped in February 2024, and whispers of a new album in Fall 2024 stir anticipation.
Lovelee is fierce yet vulnerable with an eccentric persona, draped in lush lyricisms that echo the influences of icons such as Lady Gaga, Halsey, Melanie Martinez and the legendary Freddie Mercury. Inspired by life’s kaleidoscope, Lovelee writes about the labyrinth of struggles, unraveling tales of self-growth, acceptance, mental health, religion, and heartbreak. “I’m a huge advocate for mental health awareness and believe in the acceptance of all cultures and identities,” she says. Her music helps turn painful experiences into empowering anthems, offering solace to those who find refuge in her art. “I’m ultimately a storyteller — through music, art, fashion and movement“ she says.
A graduate of York University’s Music Program, Lovelee holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts, a testament to her dedication to the craft. Having completed Canada’s Music Incubator’s Artist Entrepreneur Program in 2021, she learned the alchemy of turning her passion into a music career. As an independent artist, she has garnered over 80K streams on music platforms and has graced the stages of events like Breaking Sound Canada, Taste of Asia, and Durham Pride. She has also received notable grants from FACTOR, Ontario Arts Council, and SOCAN Foundation which proves that Lovelee is an artistic prowess.
As the curtains rise on her journey, Vicki Lovelee pulls listeners close with her eccentric performance style and theatrical edge. With every note and lyric, Lovelee invites you into her universe, where music is a portal to self-discovery.
THE WEDDING PRESENT will be playing a series of concert dates at the end of 2024 to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the release of their classic major-label debut long-player, ‘Bizarro’.
The shows will see the David Gedge-led indie legends performing a 90-minute set that will include the 1989 album in full – together with other classics from their extensive repertoire. These headline dates include Autumn shows at the O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire (4/10) and a hometown show at Leeds’ O2 Academy (5/10).
Of the upcoming tour David Gedge says:
“‘Bizarro’ was our second album and you can hear on it how much we had learned from the experience of recording our debut, ‘George Best’. You only have to listen to something like ‘Bewitched’ to notice that there’s much more in the way of texture and depth on ‘Bizarro’. We’d just improved as songwriters and arrangers, basically. It’s no less-frenetic a record, though!”
Released on RCA Records back in 1989, ‘Bizarro’ was The Wedding Present’s second proper studio album and first on a major label. An album that replaced the frenetic jangle of their earlier years with a newfound darkness and power, the record found vocalist David Gedge taking his idiosyncratic songs laced with heartbreak, despair and sarcasm to a whole new level.
Arguably the fullest realisation of The Wedding Present sound to that point, the album features the unstoppable lead single “Kennedy” (which would become the band’s first UK Top 40 hit in 1989), plus their anthemic calling card “Brassneck”, which would chart at No.24 in the UK Singles Chart when released the following year.
With over 2 billion streams under his belt and over 9 million monthly listeners on Spotify, rising pop sensation Nicky Youre announces his debut 11-date headline North American tour.
Tickets go on sale tomorrow, February 29th, at 10am local HERE.
Kicking off on April 12 in San Diego, the tour will continue across North America hitting major cities like New York and Chicago, before ending at El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles on May 25th. See the full routing below.
The announcement arrives after the release of Nicky’s latest new single and video “S.A.D.” – listen HERE and watch the video HERE. “S.A.D.” chronicles the aftermath of a broken relationship and the feeling of finally trying to get over someone, “I don’t want to be emotional; I don’t want to keep on holding on,” he sings. Circling between the good memories and the frustrations, he isn’t sure how to fully move on but feels empowered admitting that he knows it’s time, “S.A.D overload, I just want to be okay alone.”
Atelo Songs is a versatile singer-songwriter whose music defies genre boundaries. With over fifteen years of musical evolution, he initially made his mark as Sam Gleason, performing across New York State and collaborating with various musical groups. Known for his powerful voice and unconventional songwriting reminiscent of Elvis Costello, Atelo Songs is a true musical chameleon.
In 2020, he embraced the moniker Atelo Songs, marking a transformative phase in his artistic journey. Despite facing life’s most challenging moments, from an apartment fire to mental health battles and an accident that would leave him with permanent injuries and brain damage requiring eighteen months of rehabilitation, Atelo Songs emerged as a means of self-betterment and creative expression. Due to his joining an artist housing program, Albany Barn, he was able to focus solely on his music and released a new single almost every single month in 2022.
Atelo Songs has received praise from several publications, including AntiMusic, V13, Nippertown, Vents Magazine, Melodic Magazine, and more, for his eclectic and deeply personal portfolio. His recently released album Hidden In The Honey is fueled by a flawless blend of self-deprecating bitterness, unapologetically frank perspectives, and raw wisdom that can only be gained by surviving and growing despite the trauma. Visit him across all social media platforms @AteloSongs.
Australian electronic duo Flight Facilities returns with their first new solo music in two years. “Trouble,” their new single featuring longtime friend and collaborator Owl Eyes, is out now via the treasured label Future Classic.
A trip to the altar of 2000s dance music, “Trouble” was born during the pair’s 2023 run of Ibiza DJ sets when late nights (sometimes) evolved into missed flights. Be it the Chaka Khan hook of Stardust’s “Music Sounds Better With You,” the emotionally evocative collaboration that became Todd Terry’s edit of Everything But The Girl’s “Missing,” or the mirrorballed drumroll of Spiller’s “Groovejet,” “Trouble” is the collision of magical moments from a period that gave warm and ecstatic music for fans to escape into, with the inimitable freshness of a Flight Facilities anthem.
Following the success of their critically acclaimed 2021 sophomore album FOREVER, the new single marks a return to the duo’s roots as they extract the essence of Sydney’s club scene in the mid-to-late 2000s, where they met and played across the thriving scene in the midst of a DJ renaissance. Flight Facilities’ upcoming shows will be centered around filling dance floors as the duo play both intimate clubs and massive stages The Trouble Tour will begin with Miami Music Week parties alongside Claptone and Purple Disco Machine and conclude at Coachella with their debut at the heralded Yuma Tent stage across both weekends. The tour will also hit New York City, Denver, Chicago, Toronto, Mexico City, and more.
“Trouble, in many ways, is a return to our origins in taste, influence and collaboration. Working with Owl Eyes and Bag Raiders’ Jack Glass to reference some turn-of-the-century dance-pop was such a natural fit. We’ve always had a spatial nostalgia for the 2000s, so any excuse to inject its sound into today is one we’ll take.” — Flight Facilities
Email:neill@outloudculture.com
Socials: @neillfrazer
