Multi-platinum pop icon Shawn Desman and 2025 JUNO Award nominee Jamie Fine deliver pure euphoria with their steamy new single, “BODY,” out now via Wax Records. Dripping with late-night energy and undeniable chemistry, the track is a sweaty, sexy, uninhibited pop anthem destined to dominate the dancefloor.
Written and recorded in just two days, “BODY” pulses with raw energy—a track that channels the thrill of movement, the rush of letting go, and the effortless synergy between two artists at the top of their game. From the moment the beat kicks in, “BODY” demands to be played loud and felt deep, fusing pulsating beats, crisp production, and an irresistible groove.
Live techno-house act SHADED is celebrating Dirtybird’s 20th anniversary with a spicy new single ‘Bad Boy’ out now.
Crafted for club rebels, ‘Bad Boy’ perfectly embodies the rambunctious, carefree synergy that bonds SHADED and Dirtybird. The attention-demanding track instantly kicks into gear with SHADED’s playful vocals chiming in amidst plucky synths and brisk percussion. Undeniably mischievous, ‘Bad Boy’ was designed to command attention and direct it towards the dancefloor. Fans can catch ‘Bad Boy’ in action when SHADED performs live at Dirtybird’s Miami Music Week showcase as part of the 20th Anniversary Tour.
“‘Bad Boy’ has been cooking for my live sets and seems to take the energy to the next level every time I play it. Hits heavy but is still fun all at the same time. Always sick times with ‘Bad Boy’!” – SHADED
Michael Keire has produced and engineered records in the Hamilton/Southern Ontario for many years and currently calls Threshold recording studio home where he partners with Trevor Cooke (Sunnsetter, Sullen). Hes worked with many artists including, more recently, the Rheostatics, Cadence Weapon and The Wild High (ex-monster truck). Or a few years ago working with Kathleen “Munroe” of Law and Order Toronto, the Arkells and the Dirty Nil, to name a few. His focus had historically been on elevating other artists with their music. At the ripe age of 45 those songs that were started in university began to itch. The time, despite normal convention, felt perfect to get them off the ground. But how? He had little interest in starting a band from scratch. The idea of touring in 2024/2025 didn’t really seem interesting. Nor did long basement practices. Falling back on the methods he knew well he started to chip away at the tunes in the studio while messaging friends to see if they were down to lend a hand. Thankfully a couple were and the adventure began.
The last few years have been some very interesting times globally, ethically and technologically. This seems to be particularly true for those of us in the creative arts, and more specifically music. It seems that the water in which music exists has been muddled to the point where pandering content has all but taken the entire pie. It feels as though, those of us who make art that doesn’t fit into a larger brand effort of a commercial interest take the risk of diving into these murky waters blinded, without a respirator and little luck of being heard let alone making a living. Tough time to make art for art’s sake, and a sad way to see an artist fade away due to the obstacles of touring and streaming, for instance.
The luddites were a misunderstood bunch which is a common occurrence for those that don’t write history. Contrary to popular conception, the luddites were not interested in stopping technological development because they were against development itself or for belief reasons like the mennonites. It was an effort to stop the exploitation of resources by a few and, more so, to stop the efforts made by business owners to attack the quality of life of a community by introducing technology that would not benefit the community as whole. Their belief was that technology needed to be implemented in socially healthy ways. And if they were not…well, now its time turn burn the fucking factory to the ground because violence was understood to be not only direct (physical) but also structural (institutional) and burning the factory to the ground was seen as self defence against greed and tyrannical people.
Fulled by freedom, Bad News is here as a potent dose of catchy, dark alt-pop.
Reflecting on his early romantic endeavours, Bad News highlights the learning curve of dating the emotionally unavailable. Sharing more behind the track, Lennikim explained: A couple of years ago, when I wrote Bad News, I didn’t have much experience with dating, sex, or romance—which also meant I didn’t know how to avoid shitty situationships. I wrote the song from the perspective of the men I used to date, the ones with intimacy issues, without realising I might’ve had those same struggles myself.
Growing up in the public eye, I’ve come to see how it shaped my personal life for a while, complicating my relationship with intimacy. I chose to laugh about it in Bad News and turn it into a fun pop track you can shake your ass to! It feels like pure joy to me, especially now that I’ve discovered a whole new sense of freedom in my music as an independent artist.’
Lennikim has been really coming into his own. He kicked off the new year with beautifully tender ‘Homesick’ back in January. Courageously honest, the release offered a poignant insight into the all too familiar challenges young artists are often faced with in the music industry. Lennikim explained: ‘Homesick’ is an ode to my teenage self, who often felt lost in the industry, craving stability and surrounded by all the wrong people. I was yearning for a sense of home that seemed to grow more distant and harder to reach.
I’m at a totally different place today than when I wrote Homesick. I now have an amazing circle of people who truly match my energy and vibe—people I respect and admire.
Lennikim has been on quite a journey and the sound that you hear today is unapologetically his own. Back in November he capped a great year with his powerful single ‘Adrenaline’ which took shape as a punchy and dose of empowering expression. Metal Magazine described it as ‘dark and brooding’ and flagged Lennikim as a ‘promising artist to watch’.
This past New Music Friday, Jada Kingdom made an electrifying entrance with her latest track, “G.A.D,” an acronym for “Girls Are Drugs.” In collaboration with widely renowned music platform On The Radar, today, the global powerhouse singer, songwriter, and producer has delivered an exhilarating in-studio performance that you won’t want to miss. Discover it [HERE] via On The Radar‘s official YouTube channel, and listen/purchase “G.A.D” [HERE] today, released independently through Jada Kingdom’sKingdom Mab.
After an exciting teaser last week that sparked hundreds of fan-created videos across social media, anticipation reached a fever pitch as “G.A.D” officially dropped. The song is garnering enthusiastic responses from listeners worldwide. Jada is currently featured on the cover of Pandora Music’s ‘Today’s Dancehall‘ radio station, with “G.A.D” making waves on various Spotify playlists, including ‘This Is Frequency,’ ‘Who We Be,’ ‘New Music Friday UK,’ ‘New Music Friday Canada,’ ‘Just Dropped’ ‘Crxss Current’ ‘New Hip Hop,’ and on Apple Music’s ‘Worldwide Riddim.’ It’s also highlighted in Audiomack’s ‘Best of the Week: Caribbean‘ playlist.
NYC-based artist and DJ Lumia releases her latest high-energy dance floor heater “Carmen” out on the 26th March.
Reinventing the iconic Carmen Suite’s ‘Habanera’ with a tech house twist, the track boldly blends the renowned melody with a thumping beat and modern energy. Inspired by her older sister’s love for classical music and her own love of female vocals the intentional blend of opera and tech house represents the divine feminine in a genre that remains heavily male-dominated. Creating a fusion of sounds “Carmen” emerges as another captivating anthemic release from Lumia, alongside stunning visualiser styled by iconic influencer and stylist Lucy Rae Mcfadin.
Talking on the track Lumia tells us: “My older sister, Tiluna, loves classical music. One day we were listening to Carmen Suite together, and I thought it would be cool to try and use melodies from Habanera in a house track. I tested Carmen out when I was opening for Chase West and it went off, it’s definitely one you want on your USB! It’s like a secret weapon.”
Magenta Moon is pushing creative boundaries with their latest music video, “More.” A fusion of indie rock, dark romance, and cinematic storytelling, the track’s instrumentation and melodies bring to life an intoxicating tale of passion, mystery, and transformation. The striking music video blurs the line between fantasy and reality. “More” is an experience as much as it is a song. The video, premiered exclusively on Kill The Music, is now available to watch on YouTube. “More” solidifies Magenta Moon’s skill in crafting thought-provoking and spellbinding narratives.
The music video elevates the song’s themes with a striking contrast between dreamlike nostalgia and eerie sensuality. The storyline follows a seemingly innocent date night that takes an unexpected turn, revealing a supernatural romance with an irresistible pull. Set against black and white cinematography, the lovers’ encounter is shadowed in mystery until the shocking transformation is revealed; she’s a vampire. As the narrative unfolds, the viewer is pulled deeper into a world of desire, fate, and rebirth. These scenes are interwoven with vibrant footage of Magenta Moon performing on a beach, reinforcing the song’s duality of beauty and darkness, love and inevitability. This fusion of music and striking visuals is emblematic of Magenta Moon’s artistry. “Very few know this, but Magenta Moon was birthed on the floor of a Midnight Cinema,” says the pair. “This is our homage to the campy films that are alternative artists’ bread and butter.” Known for their ability to create immersive worlds, the duo crafts music that exists at the intersection of emotion and aesthetics. Not only is their work heard, but it is felt in vivid color. The video was shot by Nikolas Shaw, with camera assistant Jordan Nistico, and edited by Miguel Vite.
Nashville-based Western pop artist Kat Velasco, originally from South Carolina, discovered her passion for music and performing at an early age. With a rich background in musical theater and the music industry, Kat has long been writing songs and performing on stage. In 2021, she began releasing her own music, and her third single, “Leave Me Wild,” gained traction, landing on popular Spotify playlists like New Music Friday and Fresh Finds Country. Her sound is an edgy blend of Western influences, paired with strong, soulful, and captivating vocals.
In 2022, Kat’s single “Call Me” made waves, earning her invitations to radio stations and interviews across the U.S. The track hit multiple popular playlists, and its music video was featured on CMT. Other singles, including “Let it Ride” and “Lifetime Lover,” both garnered 15K streams within a week of their release. Earlier this summer, she headlined her first Nashville show at the iconic Exit/In. She has also opened for notable artists like Love and Theft, Frank Ray, BRELAND, David Nail, John Morgan, and Tierra Kennedy. Kat is set to perform at several festivals later this year, sharing the stage with headliners Megan Moroney, Jon Pardi, and Chase Rice.
Her spring release, “Shania,” is currently charting on Country Radio and making waves on Music Row. Her latest release, “Got Away,” has already surpassed 10K streams and is featured on playlists like Fresh Finds Country, CMT, and ACMAs.
BOY JR. is the songwriting and production project of Ariel Allen-Lubman (they/them), a creative powerhouse who fuses electronic, pop, indie, and punk with infectious songwriting and sharp production. Their latest album, I Love Getting Dumped! (October 2024), is a high-energy exploration of heartbreak, humor, and self-discovery. Galore called the album “captivating” and named it “a must-listen for every fan who loves both mainstream and underground music,” while Earmilk proclaimed the music “electrifying”.
A DIY powerhouse, Boy Jr. has headlined grassroots tours across the U.S. and shared stages with The Living Tombstone, Lovejoy, KOPPS, Jhariah, Vial, and Jer. Beyond their music, Ariel has become a vital voice of hope and resistance for young queer people, using their platform to champion self-expression in a time of cultural and political pushback.
With their genre-bending sound and fearless creativity, Boy Jr. continues to redefine what it means to be an independent artist. Their new single “Zitty Stardust” is a vibrant electro pop banger all about the artists’ journey transitioning and the joyful emotions experienced during that time. Boy Jr. confides, “Last year, when I was a few months into taking testosterone, I started getting a lot of acne and a lot of mean comments online about the acne. One just said “Zitty Stardust”. And that immediately went to the back of my mind as a potential song title. Like sorry, I know you really wanted to insult me, but that’s actually really iconic and cool. A while later I started working on this song about the gender euphoria I was feeling, using my testosterone supplies to help create the percussion part. When I remembered that “Zitty Stardust” comment I knew it had to be the title for this song.”
Rising London alternative R&B and soul artist Lucy Park releases her second offering of the year in “There I Go” – a vibrant, deeply personal new track that looks set to continue the growing attention around the young talent.
One of the most exciting and emotive rising voices in the alternative R&B landscape, Lucy Park continues her powerful journey into the soundscape with “There I Go”; a lilting, bossa nova-inflected melody that acts as a deceptively ambient foundation for Lucy’s powerful themes of bittersweet endings in relationships and the embrace of change.
Lucy’s commanding performance and personality on the vocal immediately grabs attention – “My love is overdue, and my body wants for something, Thought I lost myself to you. There I go, typical.”
The mix of power, emotion and typically dry, London sentiment gives a clear insight as to why Lucy has quietly built a loyal and rapidly growing fanbase; her breakthrough track “Rain” racing to 20M streams and debut EP Before I Speak establishing her as
a significant new talent in the female landscape. Primed to amplify her next wave status with a slew of new releases, Lucy now counts notable collaborators in Dylan Neustadter (SZA), Ken Samson (Nines) and Dom Valentino (Loyle Carner).
Email:neill@outloudculture.com
