Rising critically acclaimed San Antonio, TX rapper Mike Dimes shares a new single and music video entitled “Kiss N Tell” [feat. Dro Kenji] today. Watch “Kiss N Tell” HERE. Listen to “Kiss N Tell” HERE.
With laidback smoked-out production, the track layers glowing keys above skittering hi-hats. Mike drops hypnotic meanwhile, Dro Kenji rolls through with a melodic refrain and head-nodding bars of his own. The accompanying visual opens on this dynamic duo stranded on the side of the highway. As the beat kicks into high gear, the clip jumps from dreamy footage in an old school saloon to shots of the rising stars in front of a massive Texas flag and back on the road. Dimes will never “Kiss N Tell” though…
It lands in the wake of the fan and critical favorite “Heavy Metal.” The latter has already gathered 1.1 million Spotify streams and counting as well as 139K YouTube views on the music video. Right out of the gate, Rolling Stone touted it among “All the Songs You Need to Know This Week,” and Brooklyn Vegan proclaimed, “Rising Texas rapper Mike Dimes follows his great 2022 album In Dimes We Trust with this booming new single.” HotNewHipHop summed it best, “After having an undeniably triumphant 2022, Mike Dimes is preparing to bring the same energy into 2023.”
Meanwhile, he will embark on a string of tour dates this Spring, kicking off with Mike Madness at Cornell University tomorrow March 25. Check out the full confirmed itinerary below.
Get ready for more from Mike Dimes very soon!
TOUR DATES
3/25 Ithaca, NY Mike Madness Stop – Cornell University
3/31 Chapel Hill, NC Mike Madness Stop – University of Chapel Hill
4/22 Springfield, OH Mike Madness Stop – Wittenberg University
4/28 Boulder, CO Mike Madness Stop – University of Colorado Boulder
Rising indie-pop singer and songwriter Cade Hoppe reveals his new single, “Moon,” out on all streaming platforms today.
“Moon” was written and produced by Cade alongside his frequent collaborator Harper James (Eighty Ninety, James Bay, Aaron Taos), and features guest musicians Rob Moose (Sufjan Stevens, Phoebe Bridgers, Taylor Swift) on strings and Dr. Blum (Twenty One Pilots, Mike Posner, Nas) on horns. Delivering a powerful mix of reflective lyricism, cinematic instrumentation and spacious production, “Moon” is a celestial yet tranquil exploration of loneliness. It’s undoubtedly Cade’s most confident and expansive single yet.
“‘Moon’ is a song about being caught somewhere between where I’ve always been and where I’m trying to go,” he says. “To me, there’s nothing lonelier than the moon—out of Earth’s atmosphere, but still in its orbit.”
Cade Hoppe made his debut in 2021 with the release of his first EP, ‘Tell Me How It’s Worth It.’ He’s kept the momentum going with his sophomore effort, ‘Everything That’s Wrong with You,’ and a series of buzzy singles. His discography is a continually unfolding process that evolves with confidence and clarity with each new release. With his steadfast determination and undeniable talent, Cade is well on his way to becoming an indie-pop mainstay.
BIA releases the defiant new single “I’M THAT BITCH” produced by hip-hop icon Timbaland, out today via Epic Records. Listen HERE. In-your-face and infectious, the high-energy anthem is sure to be on the setlist of BIA’s show at Drais Nightclub in Las Vegas, NV tonight. The track is accompanied by an eye-popping video directed Mike Ho. It’s the first music video evr show in IMAX as a format. Watch it HERE.
“As soon as you see me, I’m up and I’m gone, I’m really living this sh*t in my songs,” BIA raps over Timbaland’s ferocious beats, warped effects and nimble melodies. With its take-no-prisoners attitude and swagger-filled wordplay, “I’M THAT BITCH” certainly lives up to its title. That fierce energy is perfectly captured by the video.
The visual finds BIA sporting head-to-toe silver as she gets down with her mask-wearing back-up dancers on a futuristic set. It’s not only a tribute to one of the genre’s trailblazers, but also a reminder that BIA has studied the greats and is well on track to becoming one in her own right. Watch it HERE.
The crowd-pleaser arrives just weeks after BIA dropped her addictive ode to yesteryear “SIXTEEN.” LISTEN HERE
Prior to that she released “Solitude,” a collaboration with Snakehips and Lucky Daye, and “LONDON” featuring J. Cole. Those tracks are certain to be highlights when BIA hits the stage at Drais nightclub in Las Vegas tonight and tomorrow, with another couple of shows scheduled for April 14 and 15. Get ticketsHERE.
Since day one, BIA has commanded respect with her effortless flow and ear for hooks. First discovered by Fam-Lay, she was shepherded to greatness by industry heavyweights like Pharrell. Since then, has delivered one addictive track after another, including her double platinum single “Whole Lotta Money,” which got a remix featuring Nicki Minaj. Now, with “I’M THAT BITCH,” BIA levels up yet again, taking her spot at the forefront of modern hip-hop.
Eighty Ninety — the indie-pop project of brothers Abner (vocals, production) and Harper (guitar, production) James — returnwith “Stay Alive,” the new single from their forthcoming debut album.
Following the album’s lead single, “2 Carat,” “Stay Alive” is a song that teems with raw, intense emotion. With no guard up, Abner delivers a refreshing account of his struggle with mental health. He adds, “‘Stay Alive is about how our struggles with mental health can affect our relationships and how the things we do to cope and the people we love — and who love us — can help to get us through life’s hardest moments. For my whole life, music has been one of the tools I turn to as a listener and a musician, but I’ve never directly addressed it in a song before.”
Finding himself at a low point, Abner sat down at the piano and “Stay Alive” unfurled from there. From there, the duo transformed the confessional ballad into an uplifting pop tune that promises better days ahead.
“The song is a promise to be there for myself and an acknowledgement that the more grounded part of me knows that those feelings pass, and I’ll make it through to the other side,” says Abner. “My hope is that it can also be a loving reminder to anyone else going through a hard time — and a promise to our audience that through our music we are and will always try to be there to help provide comfort and joy to anyone who listens.”
Hailing from the Lone Star state of Texas, born and raised in Houston, Coline Creuzot, a singer/songwriter has an astonishing voice. Coline fell in love with the arts at a young age and always knew she was destined for greatness. If it isn’t her dynamic personality or her creative drive, Coline’s angelic voice and her passion for music is captivating. Coline started off performing at local competitions and continued to write and sing throughout her high school and college career.
Coline is not only an incredible voice, but also a scholar. After the singer/songwriter turned boss woman completed her undergraduate degree in Business Management at Hampton University, she decided to move back to Houston to pursue music full time. During this time and while experiencing the growing pains of life, detailed in many of her autobiographical songs, Coline was introduced to Happy Perez, a fellow Houstonian and producer who has worked with Miguel, Mariah Carey and Frank Ocean to name a few. They collaborated on a song called, ‘Give and Take’, that went on to become an immediate hit. ‘Give and Take’ climbed all the way to number 1 on the Houston Radio Charts. The success of the song granted Coline opportunities to open for some amazing artists such as Drake, Keyshia Cole, Monica, Tank to name a few. She later attracted a publishing deal with EMI (now Sony ATV).
Coline continued to grow as an artist and writer expanding her portfolio. Named “an artist at the forefront” by Ebony Magazine, in 2016 Coline’s single ‘Truth Is’ peaked at number 24 on Billboard’s Urban A/C charts. Coline’s music has been recognized by several blogs and magazines such as Vibe Magazine, Pynk Magazine and Singersroom, critics praised her for her writing ability and solid resume working with some of H-Town’s hottest artists such as Slim Thug, Lil Keke, Z-Ro and Paul Wall.
Coline made the jump to Los Angeles to pursue her artistry full time. Known for her strong soulful pipes and lyrical storytelling, Coline pays homage to old-school R&B with a relevant swagger which she showcased in 2017 at the Essence Festival debuting on the “For the Love of R&B” stage. Coline re-released “Truth Is” with a feature from the diamond princess Trina October 2019. Most recently Coline opened for Keyshia Cole, Tank, and K Michelle at the Arena Theater in Houston. On January 10th 2020, Coline released her latest single titled “You Tried It”, which peaked at #19 on the Urban AC Billboard Charts and remained on the charts for several weeks. Early 2020 Coline signed with BH Talent agency expanding opportunities with acting, fashion and beauty partnerships. In 2021 Coline released several singles and the. an album entitled “Unplugged” with live stripped-down versions of her most popular songs.
Coline released “Sometimes” in 2021, co-written by Sam Hook and produced by Happy Perez, followed by her Billboard charting single “For Love” and “That Feeling” in 2022. “Nothing” is Creuzot’s first release of 2023 from her forthcoming EP.
ATTENTION HUMANS!
Interplanetary ravers HENGE are back with a brand new single – “Get A Wriggle On”.
WATCH THE VIDEO HERE || STREAM ON ALL SERVICES HERE
The track is a joyous, yo-yoing electro/prog banger that delivers a motivational message at warp speed – calling for immediate action to tackle the climate crisis looming over planet Earth.
In a collaborative first, the release sees HENGE teaming up with the UK environmental charity Music Declares Emergency, with proceeds from all purchases of “Get a Wriggle On” going towards its work.
Zpor, front-being of HENGE, says:
“Humans, as you may be aware, you have a climate emergency on your home planet. This is a situation that requires URGENT ACTION!
“We have developed a deep love for the human race, and wish to see you thrive… and so, we have written a piece of motivational music for your species – that you may no longer dither in the face of climate catastrophe, but take on this vital endeavour with a spring in your step and hope in your hearts.”
“Get A Wriggle On” arrives with a futuristic official video, filmed in Manchester, UK, Earth. The video, a science fiction eco-adventure featuring a cast of local human children, sees HENGE assemble a team of environmentally-conscious young people to restore and re-wild their native city.
“Get A Wriggle On” is the first single from HENGE’s upcoming album “Alpha Test 4” – which will build bridges and blow minds when it is released on 26 May 2023 on Cosmic Dross Records.
The single is to be officially launched by HENGE at their regular club night in Manchester, ‘Space Cassette’, on 24th March. Tickets on sale now.
HENGE have been delighting audiences in the UK and Europe since they landed on Earth seven years ago. Their music – known as “Cosmic Dross” – escapes definition, but occupies a space between rave and prog rock that nobody knew existed – going ‘where no band has gone before’.
Ultimately, HENGE spread a message of hope that leaves audiences feeling amused and uplifted in equal measures.
Their unique debut album “Attention Earth!” was released in 2018, followed by 2020’s “ExoKosm”, which earned media support from the likes of BBC6 Music, PROG Magazine, Louder Than War and Buzz Magazine.
With a reputation for scintillating live performances, HENGE have won over audiences across the globe at festivals such as Glastonbury, Boomtown, Bluedot, Shambala, Beatherder, Fusion (DE), Down The Rabbit Hole (NL), Jungle Love (AU) and more – receiving the award for ‘Best Live Act’ at the Independent Festival Awards in the process.
Alt-pop darling Caroline Romano is back today with her new single, “Guts.” Following “Fighting A War,” her recent pop-R&B collaboration with Julian Rose, “Guts” sees Caroline returning to her indie-rock roots. On “Guts,” her distinctive voice glows amidst a whirlwind of glittering guitar and frenzied percussion.
Caroline elaborates on what inspired the new single: “I’ve always had this thing in social settings — especially at house parties, bars, or really anywhere with pretty strangers — where I feel like people can see right through me, like I’m completely transparent. So, in some terrible attempt at compensation, I’ll say too much or drink too much. I end up spilling my guts to people as a form of free therapy, or self-sabotage, I’m not sure which it is. And then I watch them watch me dig myself further, with my guts on the floor in front of them. That’s how I end things before they’ve even started, and that’s what this song is about. It’s frantic and eager and frustrated all at the same time.”
At just 21-years-old, Nashville-based singer and songwriter Caroline Romano has already accrued millions of streams across her repertoire. Her songs showcase her witty, introspective and hopeful take on modernity, romanticism and the highs and lows of being young in today’s world. In 2022 Caroline shared her debut album, Oddities and Prodigies, and has continued to capture the attention of fans and tastemakers with follow up singles like “Chopstix” and “Me After September.”
Stockholm artist and producer JÁNA releases new single I Do on Kartel Music Group. Stream ‘I Do’ here.
‘I Do’ was produced and written by JÁNA and Swedish producer FAMILY_TIME (Lily Allen, Oscar Scheller, Ady Suleima and JONES). With its plush, soaring melodies and gorgeous vocals, the track fuses alt-pop with R&B-laced acoustic guitars and draws to a heavy synth bass crescendo.
JÁNA comments on the track “I want my music to be so honest that it feels scary to me. ‘I Do’ is about my feelings for a person I used to date. I thought it felt interesting to make a song that felt very intimate but with such harsh lyrics. It’s a little story about hate and love and how these don’t need to oppose each other. The words ‘I Do’ are often associated with love, for example wedding vows, so it felt interesting to have the song connect with love in that way too”.
‘I Do’ is the second single to be taken from JÁNA’s debut album, to be released later this year.
JÁNA, (aka Johanna Andrén) was introduced to the world via her collaborations with Swedish heavyweights Little Dragon on her acclaimed debut solo EP ‘Flowerworks‘. A mediation on relationships – as well as a chronicle of one of her own past relationships, JÁNA’s unique mixture between live instruments and electronic R&B / alt – pop hybrid captured the attention of the likes of The Fader, COLORS, The Line Of Best Fit and Lyrical Lemonade. She followed up with single ‘Green’, featuring Nigerian-American duo VanJess, Jazz-inflected slice of R&B at its finest – all of this culminating into a 2020 Grammy nomination in Sweden.
In 2022, JÁNA released her second EP ‘Works’, also written with Little Dragon, FAMILY_TIME, Simon on the Moon and Frank Ocean’s bassist, Ben Reed. She followed this with a remix of the single ‘Joyride’ feat. Vic Mensa, which received support from BBC Radio 1. Recent live highlights include support Leon Bridges, along with performances at All Points East, Lollapalooza and Way Out West.
Rising Liverpool four-piece – KEYSIDE – have unveiled their retro-tinted new single, “Paris To Marseille”.
WATCH THE OFFICIAL VIDEO HERE || STREAM ON SPOTIFY HERE
A jangling slice of airy indie rock dripping with a distinct Liverpudlian edge, “Paris To Marseille” is a classic guitar track deftly updated for the modern day.
Reminiscent of indie icons like The Smiths and The La’s, or contemporaries like The Lathums or The Snuts, the cut blends airy acoustic guitars with twanging riffs and melodic bass-lines that see Keyside firmly stake their place as a new name to watch closely on the thriving Liverpool music scene.
Speaking about the track, frontman Dan Parker explains:
“”Paris To Marseille” was written sometime in winter 2021, and I had already written most of the lyrics apart from the verses. I remember walking by the Mersey at the time, which inspired the opening lyric: “across the water / moon lit reservoir”. Premiered by The Big Takeover, the single is accompanied by a nostalgic official video that sees performance shots of the band superimposed over fuzzy footage of the French capital, watch it here: https://youtu.be/hIsAMRj4g00
Keyside are Dan Parker (vocals, acoustic guitar), Ben Cassidy (lead guitar), Oisin McAvoy (drums) and Max Gibson (bass, vocals). After forming just 18 months ago, the Liverpool four-piece released their debut single “Lights Out” last year, and gained praise from the likes of Gigslutz and BBC Introducing for their breezy brand of guitar-driven indie rock.
Hailing from all corners of the continent, Ben and Dan are Liverpool natives, while Oisin is from Ireland and Max from Spain. Endorsed by Carl Hunter of legendary Liverpool band The Farm, Keyside have already gained quite a reputation in their hometown — renowned for their unapologetic and confident sound that “is able to take you out of a darkened sweaty basement and into the fresh fields of festival season” (Liverpool Noise).
EMINZADA is a multi-dimensional artist with an exclusive style and powerful mindset. Originally from Baku City, Azerbaijan, EMINZADA has grown up with diversity in abundance, living between Azerbaijan, Turkey and the US, before making his move to London. Paying homage to his classical background in music composition, his music explores notions of camp, lust and escapism, representing freedom of art expression and his homeland’s musical culture and futurism, with his Azerbaijani heritage beaming proudly throughout.
His debut EP, Don’t Tell My Mother, features six songs touching on the artist’s evolution to date. This journey is not only reflected in the lyrics, but also the genre. Starting off with indie pop and transitioning to dark, electronic pop, this metamorphosis represents how EMINZADA has grown to become more confident. With heavy inspiration from his Azerbaijani heritage, the EP perfectly encapsulates every inch of who the artist is. The songwriter shares, “I have experimented with incorporating Middle Eastern musical elements into their music, such as using traditional instruments, incorporating Arabic or Persian vocal styles, or blending Middle Eastern rhythms and melodies with modern electronic production techniques. This can create a new, hybrid sound that reflects both my individual creative vision and the cultural influences that have shaped my musical identity.” Another big catalyst for the EP is the strong bond between the artist and his mother, hence the title of the release. He shares, “I was going through genre and style transitions throughout the preparations of this EP, learning to become comfortable with myself. However, by taking each step towards my comfort zone – I kept saying – ‘Don’t tell my mother!’”
Delving further into this relationship is “Bloodline”. The track touches on the desire to live authentically yourself, despite the concerns of your parents, the artist confesses that his life choices cannot be controlled by his family, regardless of their close bond.
Then there is “Aries Soulmate” which is mainly inspired by his astrological beliefs. EMINZADA shares, “When two Aries individuals meet each other, it can lead to a dynamic and exciting relationship that is characterized by passion, enthusiasm, and a shared desire for adventure. However, it is important for both individuals to be mindful of their individual tendencies towards dominance and competition, and to work together to find a balance and a sense of mutual respect.”
SE London rock duo – THE PEARL HARTS – have unleashed “Hypocritical”, the second single to be taken from their awaited second album ‘Love, Chaos’ (out 21 April, via Double Bang Records).
WATCH THE OFFICIAL VIDEO HERE
STREAM ON SPOTIFY || DEEZER || APPLE MUSIC
Blending amped-up punk motifs with booming alt-pop stylings, “Hypocritical” sees the two-piece challenging the perceptions of what it means to be a woman making rock music and relishing the freedom. Spirited and sardonic in equal measure, it’s a playful power-pop anthem with a bitter sting in its tail. As The Pearl Harts explain:
“Hypocritical is a bratty, fun, scream-a-long song, influenced by the hi-octane pop of Miley Cyrus and Gwen Stefani with the punk attitude of ‘Impeach My Bush’-era Peaches. It’s an empowerment song for women and girls taking on the world.”
Following comeback cut “More”, a track praised by Classic Rock as “a single that adds a little polish to their gritty blues-rock sound”, and the Steve Lamacq (BBC 6 Music) and Radio X supported “Wild Me”; “Hypocritical” is the third sampler of the duo’s eagerly awaited second album ‘Love, Chaos’ (out 21 April 2023).
Produced by the band themselves in collaboration with Danio (Husky Loops, Kari Faux), the record features twelve tracks of the high-octane rock’n’roll The Pearl Harts have become known for, while adding some ‘90s NYC punk, 2000s hip-hop and modern polished pop touches into the mix.
Teasing the album, the duo say:
“‘Love, Chaos’ is about saying goodbye to unhealthy patterns that we all identify with in our lives. Be that work, alcohol, sex, drugs, procrastination, love… Whether we like it or not our whole lives are a series of patterns that shape our personality, they can come about through the unconscious, through family dynamics, through everyday interactions and through trauma. ‘Love, Chaos’ is about realising and accepting this and forging a life beyond.”
Not only reflecting on past experiences and the unhealthy habits that lie within all of us, the band add:
“‘Love, Chaos’ is about saying goodbye to unhealthy patterns that we all identify with. Be that work, alcohol, sex, drugs, procrastination, love… the list continues. Whether we like it or not our whole lives are a series of patterns that are the behaviours that shape our personality, the album is about realising and accepting this and forging a life beyond.”
Taking listeners on a personal journey of reinvention, ‘Love, Chaos’ also sees the band on a mission to rewrite the narrative for women in the music industry and beyond. “As women in rock’n’roll we have had to fight and unpick a load of history and patterns to accept ourselves as we are today,” they say. Shake off the ‘good girls’ we have been brought up to be’, not to become ‘bad’ but to become our real, true, authentic selves. We are starting a new conscious pattern of how we want to play rock’n’roll our way. We don’t just have to be hard, tough women. We can be sensitive ones too.”
18 year old South London rapper £Lmoe Bands has been making waves in the UK music scene, garnering over 75,000 monthly listeners on Spotify alone, he returns with his first release of 2023 ‘Heartless’.
The Thornton Heath native has spent the past few years honing in on his craft, from writing poetry to freestyling, he first garnered attention by featuring on the Hardest U18s Cypher 2021 ‘Intro’ which currently has over 8.5 million streams. Following the cypher he dropped two tracks last year, ‘Leicester’ and ‘Bankroll’, highlighting his skippy flow.
£Lmoe Band’s music is a way of expression, he’s a natural storyteller and his music is based off of real life experiences that have defined the person he is today. ‘Heartless’ is a melodic offering, full of transparency and wise lyrics, way beyond his 18 years.
Speaking on ‘Heartless’, £Lmoe says it’s about his feelings and how he felt at the time of writing, stating that it is one of his best songs to date. Experimenting outside of Drill has really allowed £Lmoe to express his creativity and show his versatility as a musician.
Having already received co-signs from artists such as K-Trap, Dig Dat and DoRoad, £Lmoe will be releasing his debut project in late Spring.
JIM LOCKEY & THE SOLEMN SUN have re-signed to independent label Xtra Mile Recordings.
Making a return to their old label Xtra Mile after almost ten years, the confirmation of the new deal arrives with the promise that a new Jim Lockey & The Solemn Sun album is due later this year.
Expressing his excitement to return to Xtra Mile, frontman Jim Lockey says:
“We are proud to return to the XMR family to release our new album. After a decade away exploring different projects we’re back doing what we love — making honest records and creating the best live show we can offer. The new album is the perfect example of this; an all-out live show crammed into an album. It’s been a hugely cathartic process for me personally and I feel it represents our band perfectly. We can’t wait for people to hear what we’ve been working on.”
The announcement also comes as the band’s 2012 breakthrough album ‘Death’ is honoured as Xtra Mile’s ‘Album of the Month’ for March. Jim adds:
“We also get to kick off our return by revisiting the album that started it all. ‘Death’ opened so many doors, took us part-way round the world and introduced us to incredible artists and fans. We owe so much to that record and to the XMR team for taking the album from a few assembled songs to chart positions, Radio 1 and SXSW. We’ve loved the opportunity to remember this album and to mark the occasion with fresh artwork.”
NYC heavy pop project Pink Mexico announce their signing to Quiet Panic Records and share the single “Dungeonhead”. This single serves as a psych-fueled and reverb-juiced entry point into the uncertain world explored on the upcoming Mirrorhead album, which arrives on May 19th.
Discussing “Dungeonhead”, Pink Mexico’s Robert Preston Collum calls it “a track about never feeling comfortable in one’s own skin while reflecting on the obscurities of life during a time when the regular version of confusing and fucked up is even more fucked up and confusing”.
Mirrorhead is the first album release from Pink Mexico since 2020’s Idiot Piss Illiterate (Broken Clover Records) and was written and recorded during the period that album was released.. While Idiot Piss Illiterate rode on a frantic garage rock undercurrent, Mirrorhead swaps ragged pace for bruising waves of heavy sound (“Junkie Smile”, “Victimhead”, “Shame”) interspersed with moments of stripped-back exposure (“Fuck It I Quit”, “Muring Calm”). The result is Pink Mexico’s most definite and tangible work. “Mirrorhead” is not only a record but a recollection of memories and experiences embroidered through experimentation and through the reconstruction of self. Through the unknown, Collum revisited music writing and re-imagined his work, tracing a new and personal path.
Mirrorhead was produced, recorded, engineered and mixed by Jeremy Scott. Robert Preston Collum wrote all songs, sings, and plays drums, guitar & synth on the album. Additional tracking was provided by fellow band mates Grady Walker providing bass and Paul Blackwell on guitar.
Chinese-American female house music creative XIE releases her new single ‘Birds In Paradise’ on Thrive Music.
The first taste of XIE’s seductive house stylings, ‘Birds In Paradise’ flaunts her multidimensional skills as a singer, songwriter, and producer. Radiating with frisky, flirtatious energy, ‘Birds In Paradise’ bursts with deep, thumping basslines, entrancing vocals, and bouncy synth melodies. Through tantalizing tech-house tones, XIE showcases her proclivity for playful dancefloor rhythms and cheeky lyricism. ‘Birds In Paradise’ also marks the first release as part of XIE’s new partnership with Thrive Music, where she joins a roster of fellow dance acts like ACRAZE, NERVO, SOHMI, Moore Kismet, and Nostalgix.
Regarding the track, XIE said, “For me, music is escapism. I wrote ‘Birds In Paradise’ to create a moment that sweeps you away from the everyday grind. It transports you to an almost magical place where nothing else matters.”
HUNTER DAILY
“Don’t Fall Asleep” (Remix)
• Hunter Daily collaborated with electronic DJ & producer PRETTY YOUNG (Lexi Jayde, Jaymes Young, Boy In Space) for this re-imagination of her latest release, “Don’t Fall Asleep”.
• The “Don’t Fall Asleep” (PRETTY YOUNG Remix) was featured on Spotify’s Beats of Tomorrow and Amazon Music’s Pop Remixes and Fresh Dance.
• The arrival of this brand new track precedes Hunter Daily’s forthcoming debut EP, Die in LA, out in Spring 2023.
SHEPPARD
“Good Time”
• “It’s the idea that true happiness lies within the people you love. It’s not where you are or what you’re doing, it’s who you’re with… This is a song about the fact that no matter where you are, it’s not the same unless you’re with the people you love.” – George Sheppard
• Written and recorded in Sweden with producer Robin Stjernberg, the brand new single “Good Time” is fueled by an undeniable singalong chorus and a whistle hook that instantly brings out the sunshine and makes you want to dive head first into a margarita somewhere on the coastline. The track’s music video, recently filmed in Melbourne, was directed by Josh Harris from Welcome the Machines (Gang of Youths, Illy).
• Sheppard – the group behind 2014’s global hit “Geronimo” – have now clocked 1.2 billion combined streams across their catalog. “Good Time” is the first release from the trio’s forthcoming untitled studio album.
Australian/English savant of purposeful pop Mereki releases her debut solo album Death of a Cloud. Created over seven years and three continents, in collaboration with a roster of the artists Mereki trusted most to bring this deeply personal and intuitively conceived material to life, the album is a look into the joy and difficulty of self-realization and finding the universe within, expressing this journey through music – Stream.
Today’s album release comes along with the news of Mereki signing with BMG. Proving her success as an independent artist, her progress will be furthered through the creative efforts of BMG along with her own label BunBun Records.
Mereki describes the process of making Death of a Cloud as, “like turning myself inside out, peering into the darkest corners of my soul and letting the light in.” She continues, “I learned so much about me and about life and about who I want to be in it. This record means freedom from the past, it means letting go of pain and trauma and becoming one with the light within. This record means growth and healing. This record means fun and playfulness and mischief.”
Zimbabwean-born UK talent Ananya releases her stunning first single “gone (forever)” – the first offering from her forthcoming debut EP.
Fusing staccato guitar chords with her soulful, direct vocal, “gone (forever)”’s indie-pop production is stacked with melodic harmonies and playful lyrics. Relatable and empowering, as the chorus kicks in Ananya sings “I got the feeling that I’m getting over you, it arrived tonight right on cue” as she asserts herself as having moved on from a stale relationship.
Speaking on the track, Ananya explains: “‘gone (forever)’ is inspired by a vivid dream, it’s an uplifting pop track that encompasses the feeling of finding strength from within and letting go. It explores the realisation that one is giving more than they receive, accepting it, and leaving with no hard feelings.”
Born and raised in Zimbabwe, Ananya spent her younger years developing her love for music by soaking up her mother’s eclectic music taste as well as performing, writing and learning to play piano, guitar and drums. A genuine multi-talent, Ananya’s creative talents also run to fashion design and her recently co-founded non-profit organization The Nani Wellness Project, which focuses on raising awareness and providing help to those struggling with mental health issues in Zimbabwe.
With a slew of releases set for this year, “gone (forever)” looks set to underline Ananya as a standout new name in the landscape.
Ryan Hicks makes melodic, cinematic, alt-pop music – as if Paul McCartney, Brian Wilson, and Fleet Foxes made music for David Lynch. Hicks is a singer- songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer from Regina, SK. He cites influences as Ron Sexsmith, Father John Misty, and David Bowie. In addition to over 20 years of experience in music performance, he has both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Music Education.
To date, he has released three full albums and a Christmas single, and his music has been featured on Sirius XM and CBC, and has charted on campus and community folk charts throughout Canada.
While studying vocal performance at The University of Regina, Hicks maintained a tenor position with the U of R Chamber Choir, winning numerous national awards including the CBC National Choir Competition, and the title of “Chamber Choir of The World” in Eistedfod, Wales in 1997. He also spent 14 years with the Regina Celtic Band, Squeeze of Scotch, performing at events such as The Scotties Tournament of Hearts. Squeeze of Scotch were also invited to score music for the 2008 CBC mini-series, The Englishman’s Boy. He is now a successful music teacher, experienced in writing and arranging choral and instrumental parts.
Prodigy multi-instrumentalist Daktyl joins forces with acclaimed poet and songwriter Benni Ola to release their debut collaborative single ‘Matrix’ on March 24, to be followed by an EP, Chaos Theory, releasing via TOKiMONSTA’s Young Art Records. The single is accompanied by a music video, which features the duo performing ‘Matrix’ amongst a sea of dancing lasers.
When Daktyl and Benni Ola come together, a special synergy is unlocked. The duo creates music for creation’s sake- their authentic relationship results in honest art. The end product is something special, music that exceeds the sum of each individual artist’s contributions.
Ever since the two hit it off during a 2019 studio session in Hollywood, California, Daktyl and Benni have enjoyed making music together with no agenda or project in mind. The two artists are truly inspired by one another, feeding off each other’s energy and ideas to create outstanding music that neither would produce alone. Following their joint performance at SXSW, Daktyl and Benni Ola are now sharing their music with the world after spending years in the studio together.
The track opens with an extended introduction, as muffled vocal samples are layered over crunchy, lofi percussion. When the beat drops out, tension builds, before Benni’s lax voice comes in, rapping: “Killing time in the chaos / Got new pills to hold down the matrix.” Benni’s dark, lackadaisical flow juxtaposes Daktyl’s bright, sprightly production, coming together to cover the full spectrum of emotion. In the second half of ‘Matrix’, the more melodic side of Daktyl’s production shines through, as joyful steelpan notes flutter over a growling bassline, before the track concludes by bringing back the soothing muffled vocals from the introduction.
Eleanor Gebrou is a singer/ songwriter, her sound is R&B leaning, with accents of soul and indie influence. She takes a narrative approach to songwriting, leaning on experiences of grief and overcoming to shape stories that are robust and deeply felt.
“I make music because it would be harder not to, it’s a very natural extension of my personhood.”
Eleanor has recently contributed backup vocals to the published music of artists such as: Chad Price, Texas King, and Emanuel, whose album “Alt Therapy” was nominated for 2 Juno Awards. Eleanor’s single “Make Sense” is out now across streaming platforms, and her debut E.P. “A Late Bloom” will be dropping in the summer of 2023.
“You’ll Never Know” revolves around the trauma of domestic violence, and the liberation that comes from healing. Neela wrote this song during quarantine, working alongside 5x Grammy-nominated Akeel Henry (John Legend, Mary J. Blige) and Kofo (John Legend and WizKid) on the production. “I wanted to transform this hurt and turn it into music. I realized when writing that, even if the other person will never know the harm they’ve caused, it is my job to do the healing and grow stronger for myself.”
You won’t change your ways. The monsters, you won’t face.
“These lyrics explore raw feelings of resentment, resilience, and finally moving into acceptance. Violence against women is prevalent and heart wrenching, I have witnessed and felt this in my personal life and globally. 4.7 million women report sexual assault at least once in their lifetime. 1 in 3 women have reported physical violence by an intimate partner. This song is an embrace to my younger self and a reassurance to anyone who resonates that you are not alone. I’ve taken back my power as a queer woman of colour and an artist.”
Watch the official “You’ll Never Know” music video on YouTube.
This is the first time where Neela actively incorporates visuals from her culture, and represents her identity proudly. Neela and her team traveled to India to capture the visuals to accompany this song. The music video draws from an Indian goddess named Kali. Kali is a symbol of ultimate power and change. Neela battles Ravana, the King of demons in Hindu mythology, who represents the demon in all of us and our duty to transform our fear into love. Neela and the Matas wear pink to honour the Gulabi Gang, a vigilante group combating widespread domestic abuse and violence against women.
The production of this song and visual film could not have been done without the help of Neela‘s team.
Emm Gryner is an award-winning singer, songwriter, actor and best-selling author.
Emm sang and played keyboards in David Bowie’s band, and appears on numerous recordings, including his landmark 1999 SNL appearance, Bowie at The Beeb and Toy. Bowie’s acclaimed Glastonbury 2000 documents her performance in front of more than 100,000 fans at Worthy Farm.
With her rock band Trapper, Gryner shared arena stages with Def Leppard, and she also helped coordinate and create the first music video recorded in outer space to the world (Space Oddity with Commander Chris Hadfield).
Detroit radio formed the soundtrack of Emm’s life and career and her brand new record is a celebration of that music. From Motown, jazz and pop, to Steely Dan, Fleetwood Mac and the Doobies, Business & Pleasure is infused with the sunshine soul and stellar playing of the late 70s and early 80s. These songs, produced by Fred Mollin, written with poet Michael Holmes, and recorded with drummer Shannon Forrest (Toto), keyboardist Pat Coil (Michael McDonald), bassist Larry Paxton (Alison Krauss), and guitarists Tom Bukovac (Taylor Swift) and Pat Buchanan (Hall & Oates, Dolly Parton), embody a take on yacht rock that sails deep into the 2020s and introduce the world to a bold new character: a powerful woman whose passion, presence, conviction, humour and grace serves to unite the world in music, joy and love, once again.
Tyra Jutai, the rising Canadian artist, has released a new remix of her hit single “Not Right Now.” The “Not Right Now” remixes feature a collaboration with UK-based Hectic and are available on all major streaming platforms.
The remixes came about organically after Hectic reached out to Tyra Jutai on social media, impressed by the viral success of the original track. The song, which blends alternative-pop and reggaeton influences, celebrates the power of women who are in control of their dating lives.
The release of the “Not Right Now” Remixes coincides with the launch of Tyra’s new merch line, “The Carnival Collection.” The collection features clothing and accessories inspired by Tyra’s unique style and is available for purchase along with the remixes.
Tyra Jutai has been making waves in the music industry with her powerful vocals and relatable lyrics. Her music has been featured on Netflix’s “Emily in Paris” and has been included on Spotify Official Editorial playlists. She has also headlined performances in Colombia as part of an Artist in Residence Program.
The “Not Right Now” Remixes are a perfect addition to any playlist featuring house, dance, alternative-pop, or reggaeton music. The upbeat tempo and infectious melody will have listeners dancing, strutting, flexing and flaunting.
In a recent statement, Tyra Jutai shared, “I want to continue to make music that holds people the way they held me. The challenges made me stronger, and even though they were overwhelming at times and also affected my mental health, I continued to work to design and manifest the art in my mind and my heart.”
Having started off as a classically trained pianist obsessed with west-coast hip hop, Toronto-based POLUN (寶麟) sets himself apart with a sonic style rooted in versatility.
Under the producer/songwriter moniker Terence “TEE” Lam, he made his industry debut producing the 2014 Juno award-winning R&B/Soul record of the year, “Can’t Choose” by JRDN. Following that, he co-wrote two Billboard Hot 100 hits—triple-platinum singles “Here” by Alessia Cara and “Too Good” by Drake ft Rihanna. Adept at jumping into any genre, TEE crossed over to produce for a few of K-pop’s biggest acts (EXO, Monsta X, D.O.) and wrote songs for major electronic artists (Adventure Club, DVBBS, Kaskade x Meghan Trainor). Most recently, his skilled production earned him credit on “U Should” by 2021 Best New Artist Grammy nominee CHIKA and “Living Hell” by global TikTok sensation Bella Poarch (leading single off the “Dolls EP”).
Now, POLUN is ready to give the world more with “Trillium” – the debut EP inspired by his life’s journey. Creating an infectious sound that infuses unique pop melodies with emotionally charged beats, “Trillium” is an intimate soundscape featuring some of POLUN’s favourite collaborators.
SideOneDummy Records today release a special anniversary vinyl reissue of Much Love by Atlanta indie rockers Microwave.
This release sees the album given entirely new artwork from Welsh illustrator Godsteeth. This version of Much Love also features acoustic versions of album tracks “Dull” and “Wrong”, which are available on vinyl for the first time.
Reflecting on this new edition, Microwave explain:
“We’ve been following Godsteeth (Jonathon Alan Humphreys)’s work for several years now. His style strikes a chord with us and addresses the dichotomy between hope and hopelessness in a way that, to us, parallels the music we make.
We love how the original Much Love artwork contrasts the subject matter and nods to classic albums of the 60s and 70s. We thought it could be cool though to provide an updated version that contrasts the tone of the original artwork and highlights the emotional current that underlies the record. More than anything, we just like cool art and we’re stoked on Godsteeth.
Much love was a big steppingstone in the growth of our band, and we really explored the range of what we could do sonically and lyrically. We hope you enjoy it with your children and your grandchildren’s children for years to come.”
rising Los Angeles rapper ICECOLDBISHOP proudly presents his anxiously-awaited debut album GENERATIONAL CURSE via Epic Records. Listen to GENERATIONAL CURSE—HERE.
The 13-track body of work points out a systemic curse at the heart of society. The single “OUT THE WINDOW” layers his schizophrenic bars atop glitchy 808s as he warns, “I might plead insanity.” On the opener “FULL FLEDGE,” strings give way to an ominous piano melody as he speaks from the point-of-view of “a victim of a genocide” before the hypnotic hook hits hard. Soulful horns pipe up on the unpredictably bouncy “FOCUSED” as he confesses, “Now, I might not really know what love is baby, because my daddy died when I was two, but shit I think I do.” During “PRAY FOR OUR GENERATION,” gospel vocals careen towards a plea, “Oh will you pray for me,” topped off with the pop of a gunshot. The trip concludes with “CURSED,” A funky bassline thumps under a steady beat as his vicious cadence cuts through the haze, “Demon inside can’t escape it. Been through it all, can’t explain it.”
GENERATIONAL CURSE rails against the rigged system with unfiltered storytelling and some of the most undeniable and unbreakable rhymes you’ll hear all year.
the new face of New York, Lola Brooke arrives with a must-hear official remix to her breakout single “Don’t Play With It” featuring Yung Miami and Latto. The latest music release from the Brooklyn-born rising rap phenom adds a glaring flare to the astronomically-rising native single featuring Billy B. The ‘Don’t Play With It‘ movement increases considerably with today’s fresh new offering coinciding with an official music video available to experience HERE via Lola Brooke‘s YouTube channel. Listen to “Don’t Play With It Remix” featuring Latto & Yung Miami HERE via Arista Records/Team Eighty Productions.
Lola taps Yung Miami and Latto for a new rendition of the lethal hit as each of the all-star artists creates an irresistible, synergetic energy that brings the essence of the New York-flavored track to new horizons. The Dizzy Banko-produced track has remained to be the soundtrack to the masses within the past year and has justly placed Lola Brooke in the conversation as one of the best new artists to watch on a global scale.
”Don’t Play With It,” has received an array of international acclaim since its release, including 77M+ worldwide streams to date, over 27M+ views for the official music video along with placements on flagship Hip Hop playlists like Spotify’s “RapCaviar,” Apple Music’s “Rap Life,” and Amazon Music’s “Rap Rotation.” On the global front, just as Lola concludes her first tour tonight in London, England with A Boogie wit da Hoodie, “D.P.W.I.” continues to receive stellar radio support from Europe including plays from UK BBC 1Xtra/Radio 1/Capital XTRA/Kiss Fresh/Ple Radio + Belgium Fun Radio, France Mouv Mix/Rinse France, Germany TIDE Radio, Ireland FM 104, Norway NRK P3 and more. Big Gator’s worldwide takeover has only just begun.
Grammy winning live electronic act RÜFÜS DU SOL have released the widely requested audio from their Triple J “Like a Version” cover of Nirvana’s classic ballad, “Something in the Way”.
Listen to RÜFÜS DU SOL cover Nirvana “Something In The Way” Here
Out now on all streaming platforms, RÜFÜS’s rendition of the cut from Nirvana’s 1991 “Nevermind” album is reimagined with haunting synths and a string quartet, marking the first time the band have incorporated studio musicians on a piece of recorded work. RÜFÜS’ Tyrone Lindqvist personifies Kobain’s harrowed songwriting and timbre with a vocal performance that feels authentic to the band’s signature emotive sonics.
Watch RÜFÜS DU SOL cover Nirvana “Something In The Way” for “Like A Version” Here
The release comes on the wake of a double Grammy nomination for Best Dance/Electronic Recording (“On My Knees”) and Best Dance/Electronic Music Album (“Surrender”), capping off a momentous triumph of the album that has soundtracked their rise as one of the world’s most celebrated electronic acts.
The band now move towards their own boutique festival experience this spring, Sundream Baja in San José del Cabo, Mexico. Over two weekends, May 4-7 and 11-14, the band will perform both live and DJ sets alongside some of the world’s most exciting electronic music acts like Tale of Us, Dixon, Michael Bibi, WhoMadeWho, Bedouin, Astra Club (DJ Tennis B2B Carlita) and many more. Musical performances are complemented by a wellness program as well as art installations and surprises amidst the creative playground of El Ganzo Sculpture Garden.
Following a momentous 2022 that delivered her ‘GODSP33D’ EP and multiple releases on Monstercat Uncaged, Adelaide-native Godlands is back today with “u want me,” the first single from her next EP. As the single leads with her experimentation of breakbeat stylings, the ending’s trap switch ties the track together highlighting her signature Godlands energy. Showcasing her ability to produce within any BPM, “u want me” is the start of eclectic releases to come. Fans can hear the new single, and more from her forthcoming EP, live as she performs on the Monstercat Stage at Tomorrowland this July.
Godlands shares, “I’ve been really struggling with major imposter syndrome, it’s been really apparent since the pandemic. The whole EP itself is a nod to imposter syndrome and how it affects me. I worked and reworked “u want me” so many times because of it, so the fact that I’m happy for it to be released is a miracle. Everything I work on I have to really love and I have to love it for more than at least a day. But, I strive to release music I love so, maybe that makes me an annoying perfectionist but it means I’ll be happy.”
A prodigy in the electronic realm, Godlands has established her own unique aesthetic, and groundbreaking production style that ranges from trap, to drum & bass, to bass house, to phonk. trap to phonk. She’s gained support from BBC and triple j, as well as heavyweights Steve Aoki, Alison Wonderland, and the attention from actress and model Julia Fox through her viral hit, “DLB.” Since signing to Monstercat, she’s accumulated over 3.6 million streams, solidifying herself as a force in the Monstercat community. Previously taking her energetic sets to venues and festivals including HARD Summer, Splendour in the Grass, and Tomorrowland, which she will return to this year, she is gearing up to travel to new countries. Stay tuned to find out where Godlands is headed next.
10X Grammy-nominated and 3X Grammy-winning producer/recording artist Hit-Boy drops off his defiant new album, Surf Or Drown – released via his label Surf Club. Hit’s 21-track project arrives in the wake of the Nas-assisted “The Tide,” which was released earlier this week, and “Slipping Into Darkness” with The Alchemist – a standout collaboration that sent the internet into a tizzy.
While Hit has been hard at work sharing high-quality instrumentals with his contemporaries, Surf Or Drown finds the lauded beatmaker ascending from behind the boards to trade verses with a few familiar faces. Hit’s new album includes verses from Dom Kennedy, Jay 305, Spank Nitti, Devin Morrison, James Fauntleroy, and Hit-Boy’s son, C3. Not to mention, Surf Or Drown features previously-released tracks with Curren$y (“Tony Fontana III”) and Avelino (“2 Certified”).
It’s also important to note that Surf Or Drown is laced with instrumental tracks (of course, produced by Hit-Boy himself, leaving room for any aspiring producer-artist to take notes on how to avoid getting boxed in by critics.
In addition to new music, Hit has unveiled a pop-up art installation in Los Angeles, California to coincide with the album release and celebrate his partnership with Empire to launch his new imprint, Surf Club.
Jamaican born, Panama raised and London residing, REGALJASON returns after the release of “Ascend” with new single “I AM” another anthemic pop track powered by positive affirmations.
Opening the track soft synth pads turn to rumbling bass lines accompanied by poignant percussion and Regal’s signature strong and full-bodied vocals. Unlike on the rising newcomer’s last release, Ascend”, Regal makes the stylistic decision to dial back the complexity of the instrumental arrangement and vocal acrobatics to let the moving lyrics of “I AM” take centre stage. REGAL releases this single alongside a raw and intimate DIY style lyric video. On this he says “Oftentimes lyrics are of secondary importance to an audience, but the true power of this song is felt when a listener sings along. Visually, I wanted to take the viewer into my creative process. The lyric video is a glimpse into what happens behind the scenes of the glossy fashion editorial style images I regularly post online. Just me in my self-styled outfits, dancing around in an empty studio. Creating has always been a very lonely process for me, the very process that often leads me into the state of self-doubt I found myself in when I wrote the song. I wanted the empty white walls of the studio to echo that emotion.” On the meaning behind the track REGAL tells us: “Similarly to how I developed the lore behind my artistic persona; REGALJASON, I wrote “I AM” in a time where I needed to continually remind myself of my worth, my birth right, and my dream. It is a daily affirmation meant to remind whoever sings along that everything we need to succeed we already have within us. The lyrics “I am the best thing that ever happened to me” are hard to sing when you don’t feel that way inside. To sing along is to challenge yourself to believe in yourself fully despite our insecurities and those fed to us by the societies we participate in. Self-love is the ultimate power, but with this love comes discipline, diligence, and other battles. “I AM” is both a love letter and a battle cry.”
Singer/songwriter Claire Guerreso is happy to release her new single “In The Blink Of An Eye” that is out now and featured on ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy.
Claire says, This song is a dramatic, emotional song about how quickly things can happen and how intense life can get.
Claire Guerreso encapsulates a multi-faceted sound fusing indie-pop, rock and soul. She is drawn to music that dials in on deep emotions. Her airy, unearthly tone perfectly ties together each song. She possesses a quality that is pensive and moody allowing the listener to get absorbed into her songs. Her poignant pieces emphasize introspective themes of loss, grief, transition and liberation. Some tracks are wistful and melancholic while others are punchy and empowering. Those pithier offerings are all about being secure in your own skin. That encourages others to find their inner confidence as well. Guerreso has received acclaim from notable publications such as Wonderland and Substream Magazine. She has also obtained airplay on international radio. This year she released a slew of new music. Her song “Without You” was featured on the popular CW drama All American. She also has a song “Show Ya How” in the new Netflix movie Players, staring Gina Rodriguez and Tom Ellis of Lucifer. Guerreso’s single “The Let Down” was unveiled February 3rd 2023 via Kobalt Music.
Email: neill@outloudculture.com
