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INsiders Guide

INsiders Guide: LOLA BROOKE, Sophie Powers, Royal She, 21 HAROLD, Lily Fitts…

Back with a bang, Brooklyn-born emcee Lola Brooke unveils her latest song today, Bon Appétit, alongside an official lyric video via Team Eighty Productions/Arista Records. Watch [HERE]. Listen [HERE].
 
Lola spins the block with her latest release, bringing forth a stark reminder that she’s not the one, or the two, to be messed with. The gully, gritty production draws listeners in with an ominous vibe while Lola delivers back-to-back verses that capture the essence of authentic street rap. Her charismatic rawness and bling-bling bars add the needed heat to the rap scene of the now. 
 
“I mean it when I say I whipped up “Bon Appétit” super-fast. I came up with it on the fly, just trying to give back to the streets, and now it’s finally getting released because folks seem to be hungry for this side of me. That’s dope. I’ve been keeping a lot inside, so think of this as me just letting it all out and dropping what I want whenever I want” Lola shares exclusivity as it relates to “Bon Appétit.”

Avant-pop provocateur Sophie Powers reveals her new single, “head empty no thoughts,” out on all streaming platforms today. Building on the moody allure of her recent single “move with me” and her hypnotic collab with RJ Pasin, “XO,” “head empty no thoughts” plunges into the raw, chaotic energy of her new era—one that swaps bubblegum aesthetics for brutal honesty and unfiltered emotion.

A frenetic, no-holds-barred anthem for anyone tired of surface-level romance, “head empty no thoughts” skewers one-sided conversations and the brain rot of low-effort dating. With razor-sharp wit, Sophie delivers an unapologetic reminder to never dim your intelligence for anyone, and to leave the airheads on read.

There’s nothing more painful than a one-sided conversation,” Sophie says. “This song is the equivalent of being stuck on the worst date of your life with an absolute airhead. It’s blunt, honest, and just a little too relatable. My digital footprint is definitely leaving a mark with this one…

She adds, “On a more serious note, I (and so many othershave felt the pressure to dumb ourselves down in relationships or certain situations, and it always sucks. This song is a reminder to never hide your intelligence for the sake of someone else. If they can’t communicate on your level, they don’t deserve your time.”

From scorched earth to soaring skies, Royal She is set to release their most fearless and fully realized work to date: Befores and Afters, out on July 11, 2025. Royal She is a 2-piece American rock band from Los Angeles, CA, made up of vocalist Alison Freed and guitarist/multi-instrumentalist Alexandria Reyes. Founded in 2019, the band’s debut release was a gender-flipped cover of Billie Eilish’s “My Boy” (titled “My Girl”), produced by South African hitmaker EsJay Jones, who also produced their track “For a Ride.” Their first original single, “Rollercoaster,” co-written by Freed and Canadian artist Adaline, was synced for a major motion picture before its release.

Their genre-bending sound blends elements of rock, pop, hip hop, rap, and electronic music, creating a sonic signature that evokes comparisons to PVRIS, Phantogram, Evanescence, and TLC. Produced by Logan Mader (Five Finger Death Punch, Machine Head) and mixed by Chris Lord-Alge, David Bendeth, Jay Baumgardner, and Math Bishop, Befores and Afters hits hard as a statement of survival, transformation, and rebirth.

The opening track, “Worth It” reverberates with a resilient, emotional journey of empowerment. A rock/rap anthem, it’s a sonic battle cry for reclaiming your power featuring driving guitars, hard-hitting beats, and fiery, unapologetic lyrics. “My Ex” is a visceral breakup track that shreds through heartbreak and betrayal. With distorted guitars and venom-laced vocals, it’s a confessional, rage-fueled scream for anyone who’s done staying silent. Darkly seductive and dangerously catchy, “Silent Killer” is a hypnotic club-ready track about toxic allure and femme fatales wrapped in magnetic production and a pulsating beat — it’s sugar-laced poison you can’t resist. 

Catchy and cutting, “Karma” is a rock/pop banger that dishes out karmic justice with swagger and a smirk. A perfect soundtrack for anyone ready to strut away from the wreckage, the biting lyrics and petty confidence craft a revenge fantasy with rhythm. An intimate ballad soaked in heartbreak and denial, “Let Her Go” features sparse instrumentation and haunting vocals that lay bare the agony of clinging to love that’s already gone. “When Does Heartbreak Go Home” is a mournful acoustic piece that aches with vulnerability. This slow-burning ballad captures the quiet persistence of grief long after the damage is done.

Slaughter Gang rep 21 Lil Harold has connected with his longtime labelmate 21 Savage and the inimitable Sexyy Red for the explosive new single and music video for the new summer anthem, “Nookie.”

The star-studded new track is available now after premiering on Apple’s New Music Daily and being featured on the playlist upon release.

Singer and songwriter Lily Fitts reveals her debut album, Getting By, out now on Thirty Knots Records. Across the album’s 10 tracks, Lily pairs warm acoustic textures with unflinching lyrical vulnerability, offering a raw and honest perspective on life’s ups and downs.

Since releasing her first single in 2023, Lily has captivated listeners with her heartfelt blend of indie-folk and alternative country. At its core, Getting By is a coming-of-age story packed with all the highs and lows of young adulthood—heartbreak, anxiety, depression, grief, relationships, and everything in between. Singles like “Brown Eyed Baby” and “In The Dirt” have already amassed millions of streams, demonstrating the anticipation amongst her fans for this full-length project. 

“If listeners take anything from this album, let it be this: it’s okay to not have it all figured out, it’s okay to break, it’s okay to feel like you’re just surviving some days,” Lily shares. “But even in the chaos, there’s still strength, there’s still beauty in being vulnerable, and there’s always a glimmer of hope that can pull you through.”

FireBug hails from the hi-desert landscape of Joshua Tree, California. Built around the artistic partnership of Juliette Tworsey and Jules Shapiro, the band blends modern rock with ‘60s and ‘70s psychedelia, blues, folk, electronica, and the soulful roots of New Orleans.

Juliette Tworsey’s commanding voice and fearless delivery have drawn comparisons to Grace Slick and Chrissie Hynde, with Grimy Goods calling her “a vocal force of nature,” and EARMILK praising her “raw, soulful intensity.” Atwood Magazine described her presence as “fiery and fearless,” underscoring the emotional urgency she brings to every track.

Known for their explosive live performances, FireBug has lit up stages at major festivals and venues worldwide—from SXSW, CMJ, and NXNE to performing at the sold-out Sonisphere Festival Knebworth and London’s iconic Dublin Castle.

They’ve shared stages with iconic artists such as Iggy Pop, Iron Maiden, The Cult, Alice In Chains, Rage Against The Machine’s Tom Morello, and even shared the bill with ‘60s legend Donovan, building a loyal fan base across continents.

In 2024, FireBug teamed up with 2x Grammy winner Adrian Bushby (Best Rock Album – Foo Fighters) to release the powerful single “Red, White and Blue.” The band further recently secured a major sync placement with Apple TV+ for their song “Moment Of Joy,” featured in the upcoming series Smoke, directed by Emmy Award-winner Dennis Lehane (The Wire, Blackbird).

Toronto-based rapper Haviah Mighty makes a powerful return with her latest release, “OK.” Backed by hard-hitting production from Sauceboy, Nahum, Amir Jamm, and Thabo, the track arrives alongside a bold, empowering music video that celebrates self-worth and unapologetic confidence.

“OK” delivers a heavy-hitting blend of booming 808s and a hypnotic, catchy synth line, setting the stage for Haviah’s razor-sharp flow and fearless message. “OK” is a loud, proud affirmation track that celebrates personal value with zero compromise. Haviah raps: “Hop out the bed, good morning! / Look at my face, it’s glowing…” From there, she continues with slick self-assurance rapping about being real, staying in a flow state, brushing off competition, and commanding attention on her own terms.

The track is accompanied by an empowering new music video that visually underscores the song’s core message: knowing your worth and owning it without hesitation.

Talking on the track Haviah tells us: ” ‘OK’ is an affirmation song through and through. It’s a non-humble, loud, amplified, radical acceptance that you (or others) are amazing. Inherently. see lyrics: ‘hop out the bed, good morning! look at my face, it’s glowing…’ Barring up over hard knock 808’s and a repetitive catchy synth, Haviah raps of being real, being in a flow state, being indifferent to the competition and not having too many issues with the ladies… ‘OK’ is a feeling, mood, even an era… it’s when you defeat stagnancy and accept momentum with love. When you like the hustle, and the fruits of your labor.”

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Synth-pop duo Paperwhite—the project of siblings Katie (singer/songwriter) and Ben Marshall (producer/songwriter)—make a triumphant return with their new five-track EP, Reach, out on all streaming platforms today.

The project features their poignant and cinematic new single “Looking Back,” a track that first began taking shape during the pandemic. Nearly five years later, the duo returned to it with fresh perspective, teaming up with acclaimed composer and virtuoso cellist Philip Sheppard, whose stunning string arrangements bring added emotional depth and a renewed sense of hope.

Nearly a decade after releasing their 2016 debut EP Escape, Paperwhite remain true to the dreamy, synth-driven aesthetic that first captured the internet’s attention, while expanding their sonic palette with organic textures and cinematic flourishes. On Reach, shimmering melodies and atmospheric production underscore themes of self-discovery, perseverance, and quiet wonder—resulting in music that feels at once nostalgic and entirely new.

“The ‘Reach’ EP is a reflection of where we’ve been and where we’re going—a collection of songs shaped by longing, nostalgia, and the quiet magic of memory,” the duo share. “We made it for anyone who’s ever felt lost in a dream or found comfort in a feeling they couldn’t quite name. We hope it brings a sense of wonder and a little more light.”

Liverpudlian indie-pop rising star Tilly Louise is back with her brand new EP, Where The Hell Have You Been?, led by bright and bold new single Figure It Out. Emotionally honest, and irresistibly catchy, the four-track collection sees Tilly experimenting with her sound while re-energising her vision with new ideas.

Where The Hell Have You Been? is out now on your streaming service of choice, via APOLLO Distribution.

Fresh off the back of sold-out UK headline shows and festival slots across Europe and the US, The Zac Schulze Gangare leading the charge in the blues-rock revival. Influenced by an extremely eclectic mix or Blues and Rock old and new with a modern bite and an electrifying live presence. 

Their new single ‘The Rocker’ (out Friday) shows a slicker, contemporary edge without losing the grit, groove, and guitar fireworks that earned them Classic Rock Magazine’s “Track of the Week” and back-to-back A-listing on Planet Rock. 

With a growing international following, major tour support for Samantha Fish, and a new UK tour selling out fast (including London’s iconic 100 Club 15 weeks in advance), Zac and his Gang really are ones to watch! 

  • Email: neill@outloudculture.com
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