Indianapolis-based folk-pop duo Lily & Madeleine announce their enchanting fifth studio album Nite Swim available to pre-order now. Alongside the announcement, the band share the soothing official first taste of the project, the track and video, “Windowless Bedroom” out everywhere now. Plus, the pair will hit the road this summer with stops in Columbus, OH and Nashville, TN and tickets are on sale now via lilandmad.com.
Nite Swim, Lily & Madeleine’s forthcoming fifth studio album is an expansive journey introducing the listener to various vignettes of the duo’s lives over the past five years. Its central thesis explores vulnerability, acceptance, embracing shame and acknowledging one’s feelings rather than running from them. Lily says the project dives into the feeling of “wanting to be intimate with someone but feeling like they’ll reject you when they see how complicated you are inside.” Over ten tracks, the listener is led through intimate scenes of Lily & Madeleine’s lives, collectively as sisters and individually as artists. The foundation of the songwriting was built when the band began taking stock of their lives and who is important to them. Madeleine explains, “As we go through personal hardships, it’s worth noticing the people who remain at our side and the people who disappear. What would it have been like if they stayed? Are we truly better off without them?” The album was produced by longtime friend and collaborator Shannon Hayden and other instrumentation was provided by Devon Ashley, Heidi Gluk, and Jared May.
Over a slow, grooving beat, “Windowless Bedroom,” out today, embraces self-discovery and uncertainty in hopes of finding a bright spot in a dark time. Lily & Madeleine’s signature dreamy harmonies float in and out throughout, with an unwavering warmth and honesty. Madeline explains, “’Windowless Bedroom’ is about romanticizing and finding humor in the uncertainty and inevitable disappointments of life. The metaphor of a drab, lonely bedroom with no windows becomes a canvas for one’s imagination to create a more ideal reality.”
Héctor Oaks and SITA have released their groundbreaking single, “Loff Is All You Speed,” a unique collaboration that fuses their distinctive styles.
Héctor Oaks, renowned vinyl-only techno DJ, partners with SITA, a trailblazer who pairs her love of techno and electro sounds with her work in fashion and digital culture. Both artists have gained prominence for their creative contributions to music and culture. Héctor Oaks, known for his exceptional mixing skills and unique style, combines contemporary sounds with carefully curated tracks from the history of rave culture. He has become a fixture in the international techno scene, appearing in lineups of festivals such as Awakenings, Dekmantel, EDC Mexico, Monegros, Sonar, Sziget, Timewarp, and Tomorrowland.
SITA, a multifaceted DJ and producer, merges fashion, music, and digital culture. She navigates between underground nightclub performances in Ibiza and attending high-profile fashion events like Parisian runways and the Met Gala. Sita has DJ’ed some of the most cutting-edge dance floors around the world, from Ibiza’s DC10, Hï Ibiza, and Circoloco, to Las Vegas’ Art of the Wild, and Secret Project ADE. A fierce supporter of global femme and LGBTQ+ culture, she’s performed at Barcelona’s Loom Festival and is a favorite of the He.She.They crew. She kicked off her DJ residency ‘Outopia’ in Barcelona & Madrid as an inclusive space hosting female-led lineups. Sita’s musical journey continues to evolve as she prepares her upcoming EP, slated for release in November 2023.
GANGS OF KIN (Joël Gaerthé) treats us to the
accompanying music video for his knock-out, latest single ‘Cool, Calm & Collected’.
The brilliant stop-motion video was created and produced by Joël Gaerthé himself.
Stream the audio HERE
The release of Cool, Calm & Collected arrives ahead of Gangs of Kin’s much anticipated debut EP ‘Nature Knows No King’ due for release 11/08/23!
Led by an infectious bass-line and unmistakable vocals, Cool, Calm & Collected appeared as a stand out offering from the great, rising GANGS OF KIN. The new single has seen much support from the likes of Complex UK, The Independent and Ones To Watch already.
Born as a reminder to keep your internal focus, Cool Calm & Collected is a catchy must listen for anyone navigating today’s over stimulating world. Sharing more Joël explained:
We should all march to the beat of our own drum as we all take our time to figure out what we’re doing here. Some keep changing direction. People are quick to judge on one’s ‘success’ and as we grow up we discover that the mistakes we’ve made are just as valuable as the steps we’ve made forward. Within all the chaos, aimlessness and anxiety this is a song to cancel out the noise of outer pressure. The time of splendor comes after the drought.
This is a chant to stay cool, calm and collected.”
Canadian folk/country artist Sarah Jane Scouten shares a brand new, live video of her nostalgia-soaked, gentle “Wilder When I Was With You” in collaboration with Circa 16 Sound Recording filmed in Dumfries, Scotland. Under a smoky haze and glowing, hanging lights, Scouten delivers a special live performance of her latest track, available to watch here. This July, Scouten will perform live around The Yukon and Vancouver, BC with tickets on sale now via sarahjanescouten.com/tour.
On the special location and her collaborators, Scouten says of this new video, “We filmed this video upstairs at The Stove on Dumfries High Street. We didn’t know what to expect but they had done a full set with a smoke machine!” Over the last few years, Scouten relocated to Scotland to study herbal medicine and has been embraced by the local music scene. Scouten continues, “I feel lucky the music scene in this part of Scotland has adopted me as their own. On the left is Robbie Caswell-Jones, a really talented guitarist from North Wales and good friend. Together, we do the Gillian Welch-Dave Rawlings thing around the U.K. and it’s a blast.”
multi-platinum Sydney-born LA-based producer Hayden James teams up with Canadian duo Bob Moses to share their new single, ‘Do You Want Me’ out via Future Classic.
‘Do You Want Me’ features a classic vocal from Bob Moses, as warm synths muted down to perfection swirl all around. An ever-present driving bassline builds the track to emotional and euphoric heights as a signature footprint from Hayden James. Ahead of an American summer of festivals and headline shows alike for both Hayden James and Bob Moses, ‘Do You Want Me’ invites you to achieve a state of bliss with those you want near and dear.
Hayden James on ‘Do You Want Me’, says: “I’ve spent most of the year writing in the studio and I’m so excited to finally share my first release of the year with you all. Tom, Jimmy (Bob Moses) and I got together just a handful of times to write ‘Do You Want Me’. This record came together so quickly. We instantly had a vibe together and just had fun in the studio. The song feels like a great representation of both of us. It’s definitely a dream collab for me. I hope you love it.”
Bob Moses on ‘Do You Want Me’, says: “We’ve known Hayden for a bit, and of course have been aware of his work since well before he gave us his killer mix of our track ‘Back Down’ (which we still play all the time btw). We had thought about working together before but somehow never got around to it. But just like that, the window opened and this track quickly came to life out of a few sessions in LA. Hayden is a lovely guy, and we had fun with the process. Hope ya enjoy.”
Wes Denzel is a rapper/songwriter/producer based in San Antonio, TX. The multi-talented artist has opened for top tier acts including Kendrick Lamar and Schoolboy Q as well as performing at SXSW and gracing stages throughout Central Texas. In February 2021, following the release of his studio album ‘I Was Almost Happy’, Wes Denzel was named KUTX Artist of the Month. Denzel is a talented songwriter and much of his previous releases share the theme of love and relationships, so with his latest 2023 album, ‘Last Night in Houston’, he is excited to venture into a new concept and showcase his versatility as a writer.
Toronto, a city with a rich and diverse musical history, has always been a breeding ground for talented musicians and bands. One such band that has been making waves in recent years is Hollow Graves. Established in 2018, the group has attracted a loyal following and earned recognition for their distinctive sound and mesmerizing live performances. Their music, blending indie rock, post-punk, and shoegaze, features atmospheric guitar work, pulsating bass lines, powerful drumming, with expressive and haunting vocals.
Hollow Graves’ proficiency in crafting a sense of atmosphere and space within their songs sets them apart. The utilization of reverb and delay effects, combined with complex guitar melodies, results in an expansive and enveloping sound. This is especially noticeable in tracks like “Far Out Summer” and “Tequila Sunrise,” which demonstrate the band’s talent in merging memorable hooks with lush soundscapes. Since their inception, Hollow Graves has performed at numerous renowned venues across Toronto, including The Horseshoe Tavern, The El Mocambo, and The Drake Hotel, amassing a dedicated fan base and enhancing their reputation as an electrifying live act.
Following on the heels of anthemic rock track ‘What Color Is the Rain’, the band’s latest offering is a spellbinding sonic propulsion of intoxicating rock energy, fueled by electrifying guitar lines and cast in an avant sense.
A theme in the song is the sense of being gripped and thrown off-kilter by the past, and being weakened but simultaneously strengthened by an abstract longing for memories of emotions to continue into the future. The song’s arrangement juxtaposes each of the band members’ characteristics against each other: Stefanos’s mellow arpeggios and intimate vocals, Lacovos’ loose yet powerful drumming, Pavlos’s off-kilter bassline, and Andreas’ angular and rebellious heavy guitar lines.
“‘Queen’ showcases how the four of us balance the other one out in their own way: Stefanos’ melodic sensitivity and emotionality, versus Andreas’ more fuck-all attitude; Pavlos’ progressive and experimental leanings, versus Lacovos’ more groove and upbeat tendencies,” shares the band. “At the same time, each of us brings out those qualities in the other, which might not have otherwise been tapped into.”
The smallest Creature are a rock quartet from Cyprus, with roots in the alternative rock scenes of the 1990s and jam-filled parties of Boston, NYC, and Larnaca. Fuzz-soaked introspective songs once played during those early roots later made their way into The Smallest Creature’s albums, Million (2016) and Magic Beans (2020).
The band is the brainchild of singer, guitarist Stefanos Marnerides, beginning from his years in New York. When returning to Larnaca, The smallest Creature took true flesh, when united with experimental rockers Andreas Matheou on guitar and Pavlos Papadopoulos on bass, plus the groove-filled drumming courtesy of childhood friend Lacovos Stylianides. The smallest Creature have played across major festivals and venues in Cyprus including Fengaros Festival, Cyprus Street Music Festival and Limassol Acoustic festival.
Milky Day, the talented singer-songwriter and producer known for his unique blend of R&B and soulful melodies, has captivated audiences once again with his latest pre- release single, “Losing My Grip.” This heartfelt track serves as a glimpse into his upcoming EP, slated for release later this year. Drawing inspiration from his own personal battles with his state of mind, Milky Day’s upcoming EP signifies his courageous attempt to reclaim control over his life.
Written by the Australian-based artist, “Losing My Grip” stands as the first chapter he wishes to share with his devoted fans on his journey towards a healthier state of mind. Delving deep into the realms of raw emotions and turbulent thoughts during a period of darkness, this R&B gem unveils Milky Day’s intimate struggle with losing touch with reality and succumbing to impulsive desires. Featuring dreamy synths and a haunting bassline that provide an exquisite contrast to Milky Day’s light yet warm vocals, “Losing My Grip” is a profound testament to his authenticity as an artist. The single’s lyrics lay bare his honest thoughts and reflections of his darkest days, with no intention to sugarcoat them. The overall tone of the song and the EP may differ from what his fans are accustomed to, but for Milky Day, it’s an essential catharsis, paving the way for self-discovery and growth. Milky Day’s ultimate goal is to create music that resonates with listeners and provides comfort in their own personal journeys. He believes that “Losing My Grip” will strike a chord with many, as it explores the feelings of being lost and losing one’s sense of direction in life. “Through my observations and life experiences, I realized that everyone struggles with their own inner demons in some shape or form,” Milky Day explains. By sharing his raw feelings and vulnerability, he hopes to validate the emotions of his listeners and let them know that they are not alone in their battles. It’s his sincere desire to promote awareness and facilitate healing through his music.
Los Angeles-based bassist, composer, and arranger Mauricio Morales debuts his new album, “The Endless Ride,” on July 13th, 2023.
Born in Mexico City, Mauricio began studying music early, picking up the bass guitar at 12 and eventually gaining a scholarship to attend Berklee College of Music in Boston. After moving to Los Angeles in 2018, he began working on his 2021 debut album “Luna.” He teamed up with Anthony Fung and Edmar Colon for his second album, releasing “Eclipse” in 2022. Both releases were met with critical acclaim and praise for his unique fusion of genres and styles. On his newest album, he continues to explore himself as a songwriter and collaborates with artists that amplify the jazz fusion sound, he’s become known for.
The album launches with the opener, “The Storm,” featuring vocalist India Carney and alto saxophonist David Binney. Between lawyers of piano, saxophone, and pristine harmonies, Morales explores the life of an artist and the often-chaotic sacrifices made to create your art. There’s an intensity to the track wrapped in the eccentric instrumental section that melds effortlessly into the saxophone solo. And the organized chaos is a perfect introduction to the theme of the album itself — overcoming any obstacle that stands in the way of you and your dreams. The opener drifts easily into “Unbreakable,” featuring rapper Mic Holden, who waxes poetically about the struggle of exploring your vulnerability as an artist in a world that’s constantly against you. The captivating violin undulates alongside the strength of Holden’s commanding vocals, crafting an articulate and stark reflection of the push and pull of artistry itself. And lastly, the powerhouse piano solo, rife with ornamented arpeggios and heart-pounding runs, adds even more emotional urgency to the track. Calmer waters are ushered in by the heartfelt “Los Pajaritos,” featuring vocalist Marina Tuset. A song about turning your heartbreak into positive memories of what was, it’s a waterfall of strings and tender piano that feels like a therapeutic exhale.
A collaboration between Matthew Grant (songwriter/vocalist) and Tina Huges (songwriter), “Shine” has effervescent instrumentation punctuated with an understated, airy Jazz-influenced percussion and infectious piano. Morales captures a sonic atmosphere of feeling your way through to freedom on a track about finding your light amid the darkness. It features a flawless technique of intricate arpeggios and soulful charisma that envelopes a sense of calm amidst the chaos. On “Grey,” featuring vocalist and pianist Mark Pelli, mixes a more traditional jazz sound with pop influences. The song examines how relationships drift apart and how easy it is to regret what was left unsaid. Beneath atmospheric vocals lie piano and percussion lines that pirouette gracefully into an unforgettable lift-off. It further proves that Morales can compose fusion and traditional sounds without a second thought.
The most experimental track on the record, “Man On The Moon,” follows the story of a man who wakes up on the moon and desperately tries to find his way back to Earth. In a modern jazz composition in which lyrics were added later, not a single part of the track presents as a late addition. From vocalist Jessica Childress’s honied and melodic vocals to renowned vibraphonist Warren Wolf, the through-composed track is one you won’t soon forget.
Things take a more ballad-like feel on the stunning track “The Endless Ride,” featuring the effervescent vocals of Song Yi Jeon. Written about the beauty of a state of mind with no limitations, it’s a dream-like walk through an expertly orchestrated wall of instrumentation and beautiful harmonies. Morales takes listeners on a journey into his dream world, filled with beautiful piano arpeggios, soft vocals, and a haunting ability to use music as a source of elevation.
The final track, “Tower in the Sky,” creates an immediate impact with powerful strings and a booming beat. Josefina Silveyra weaves her enigmatic vocals into the fabric of the synth-doused instrumentation. As she sings, “Sometimes I look up high and wonder why I feel the need to climb the tower in the sky,” you can sense the uncertainty and desire to keep going. The track sheds light on the fight to make dreams come true and how lonely it can feel when we finally reach the top. It’s the perfect cap on an album that harnesses the power of pushing past limitations to make your dreams a reality.
Igniting what promises to be a monumental next chapter, multiplatinum recording artist Tyla Yaweh returns today just in time with an explosive new single, “SUMMER VIBES.” Along with the song, Yaweh today announces the imminent arrival of his sophomore album, Heart Full of Rage 2, set for release on August 4, 2023 via Epic Records.
Get “SUMMER VIBES” at all DSPs HERE and watch the official music video HERE.
Pre-order/pre-save Heart Full of Rage 2 HERE.
“SUMMER VIBES” layers bright guitars above a distinct thumping bass line as the hook resounds, “Girl you got the summer vibes.” The sunny refrain feels practically tailormade for the beach and beyond as Tyla Yaweh shines with his most magnetic and melodic anthem to date. The accompanying visual translates this vibe to the screen with no shortage of energy and charisma. The soundtrack of summer 2023 has arrived.
Heart Full of Rage 2 picks up where Yaweh left off on his 2019 breakout debut, Heart Full of Rage. The ten-track project notably boasted the platinum “High Right Now,” in addition to knockout collaborations with French Montana and the late PnB Rock. Since then, Yaweh has shared a slew of critical and fan-favorite anthems and has generated over a billion streams. Notably, notched his first Billboard Hot 100 hit with the platinum “Tommy Lee” [feat. Post Malone], served up the gold certified “Stuntin’ On You” [feat. DaBaby], and further collaborated with names like Wiz Khalifa, Gunna, Morray, RMR, Trippie Redd, and more. He performed to sold out arenas on tour supporting Post Malone world-wide, and raged on some of the globe’s biggest festival stages, from Rolling Loud to Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, Austin City Limits, and beyond. Along the way, Yaweh has received a wide variety of critical praise, with Billboard highlighting him as being “undoubtedly on the precipice of stardom”,” NME calling him “emo-rap’s next icon” and Wall Street Journal Magazine calling him one of the “Biggest Rising Talents In Hollywood.” Perhaps Complex put it best during Yaweh’s run of buzzing singles: “The Orlando rapper has already proved that he knows how to perform with the best of them, and [his next album] looks to bring any of the stragglers that are still sleeping on him to attention.”
Philadelphia-raised, Los Angeles-based soul-pop singer/songwriter Noah Guyreleases his new single “STAY HERE” featuring neo-soul songstress Amaria
Get “STAY HERE” HERE via 10K Projects.
“STAY HERE” is a captivating collaboration between Noah Guy and neo-soul sensation Amaria. Their sultry vocals intertwine like wisps of emotion, floating over a backdrop of lush orchestral strings and a swung drum groove. This 00s-R&B inspired track exudes a dream-like quality, showcasing Noah Guy’s “retro futuristic” sound. Influenced by legends like Lauryn Hill and Mos Def, while infusing contemporary elements from artists like Dominic Fike, Noah Guy weaves infectious melodies with a mesmerizing sonic expression. “STAY HERE” evokes a lasting, timeless evocation that could remain on repeat through any decade.
Serving as the follow up to his previous singles, “BROTHER’S KEEPER” (feat. Braxton Cook) and “BIG BOYS DON’T CRY,” the new track arrives on the heels of his EP TAKEN TIME?! (ACT I)which arrived in November of last year, featuring singles “5 MO’ MINUTES” and “2 DOGS 1 LEASH,” a dreamy tune thatquickly surpassed the 4 million stream mark and gained acclaim from the likes of Billboard, 1883 Magazine and more.
Jonah Kagen shares his new single/video, “The Roads,” out now on Arista Records. ‘The Roads” was written and produced by Jonah, with additional production by Ryan Hadlock (The Lumineers, Brandi Carlile, Vance Joy, Zach Bryan).
Opening with soft acoustic guitar and Jonah’s comforting yet commanding vocals, the song gradually builds into a rousing folk-rock number. Fueled by a deep sense of nostalgia, Jonah’s lyrics capture the emotional intricacies of life’s transitional moment.
“‘The Roads’ is one of those songs I feel like I’ve been working toward for so long,” Jonah writes. “It’s the culmination of so much heartbreak, so much growing up, and so much learning. Some of my favorite lyrics and sounds I’ve ever created are in this song, and I think the story speaks for itself—I hope you can feel the years of emotion and human experience pouring out in it.”
After wrapping up his European tour with Anson Seabra, Jonah headed to The Cotswolds, a strikingly picturesque area of Southern England, to film “The Roads” music video. The video was directed by David Od (Coin, Noah Kahan) who also worked on Jonah’s “18” music video.
Homes at Night — the Nashville-based pairing of songwriters Hank Compton and Aksel Coe — share the visualizer for their new single, “Midwest Summer.”
The visualizer is made up of footage the band shot on tour with Saint Motel and Arts Fishing Club this Summer. Shot on two old digital camcorders they found for $20 in a local thrift shop, there is a nostalgic element to the footage that perfectly matches the song’s hazy indie-rock feel.
Homes at Night blur the boundaries between genre and generation with their alternative pop/rock anthems. It’s a sound that’s both nostalgic and modern, layered with organic instruments, synth-driven soundscapes, cinematic hooks, percussive pulse, and story-driven songwriting that nods to their Nashville roots while simultaneously pushing far beyond them. With multiple US tours under their belt, as well as press support from tastemakers like idobi Radio and Atwood Magazine, Homes at Night are emerging as a band that should be on everyone’s radar.
Fast emerging Mancunian singer/songwriter – GUY HORNE – is back with the summery pop-rock single “Waiting On You”.
STREAM ON SPOTIFY HERE || SOUNDCLOUD HERE
Offering a unique blend of soulful pop and heartfelt lyricism on this sun-kissed new release, “Waiting On You” is a feel good anthem laced with dreamy guitars, live hand percussion, and innovative blues-tinted progressions. Hallmarked with his signature vocal rasp, Guy’s enchanting lyricism and raw emotion come together in a track that makes for a fresh, captivating listen ripe and ready for Summer 2023.
Describing the new release as the “British love child of Khruangbin, Jack Johnson and John Mayer”, “Waiting On You” finds Guy expressing the virtues that can come with an attitude to seize the day. Taking inspiration from a poignant line in the Academy Award-winning flick Green Book, Guy explains of the song’s creation:
“[Waiting On You] is about getting on with things in your life rather than waiting for life to happen to you. I was frustrated and felt helpless so I picked up the guitar whilst sitting on the end of my couch and the song came out of me within 10 minutes.” Inspired by a quote from the movie, Green Book: ‘I wouldn’t wait. The world is full of lonely people waiting to make the first move.’”
The new track swiftly follows his wildly received debut single “Morning Light” which received widespread support, saw him performing live on BBC Radio and was featured extensively including YouTube tastemaker, MrRevillz – who boasts over 3.2M subscribers. New track, “Waiting On You” was produced and mixed by Ed Graves and 2023 Grammy Award winner Oli Jacobs (Harry’s House).
Introducing Angelica – whose debut single “James”, released via SoundOn, invites us into the glittering dreamscape of a doomed relationship. Twenty-one and grief-wrecked, Angelica wrote “James” as a snapshot of a ‘situationship’ – a relationship based more on fantasy than reality. The song’s intimate production, helmed by Doug Schadt (Maggie Rogers, Ashe, Claire Rosinkranz), sets a suspenseful scene, with dewy pianos and delicate drums that invite Angelica’s fluttering, honeyed vocals to glisten. When asked what inspired the song, Angelica revealed, ““James” is a song about ignoring red flags, the self-betrayal of knowing someone isn’t good for you and dating them anyway. I wrote it on a Monday in July, after meeting the first boy I loved for the last time. I headed to his place to hand him a letter, and he handed me my things. He said, “let’s meet for dinner tomorrow night,” but we never told the truth. I wrote the hook on the Tube ride home.”
UK singer, songwriter and producer – Richard Walters – is very pleased to announce a new solo album: ‘Murmurate’.
Scheduled for release on 17th November 2023 via the Nettwerk label, the album is preceded by the enchanting first single “After Midnight”.
WATCH THE VIDEO HERE || STREAM ON ALL SERVICES HERE
Whilst the prolific Oxfordshire musician has been receiving praise of late for his work with LYR (alongside poet laureate Simon Armitage and Patrick Pearson) and under the moniker of Sun Lo (in his recent collaboration with ATTLAS), ‘Murmurate’ will be the first collection of songs to be released in Walters’ own name since 2020’s ‘Golden Veins’.
Leading the way with “After Midnight”, it’s a song that finds Richard pairing lyrics laced with a gentle sense of humour to starry arrangements reminiscent of The National at their most simmering, or ‘Tunnel of Love’-era Springsteen at his most tender.
Painting a scene that will be familiar to anyone who has reached a calmer stage of life , “After Midnight” recalls the Herculean effort it can take to hit the town as you get older, and the unspoken relief that can come with calling the cab back. As Richard explains
“My attempt at being Springsteen! The older I get, the more home-based I become. It’s a feeling I’ve noticed other friends my age expressing. So it’s a middle aged anthem about not wanting to be out on the town post-midnight, about the beauty of the quiet life and the taxi home.”
Characterful and confessional, intimate and intricate, “After Midnight” follows recent teaser track “Move On”, with both opening wide the spectrum of emotions that ripple through Walters’ upcoming album ‘Murmurate’.
Cardiff’s PIGEON WIGS release their eagerly awaited mini-album ‘Rock By Numbers’.
An amorphous box of tricks that shape-shifts between psych, blues and indie rock with seamless time-warping chic, the quintet are also pleased to present one of its standout moments: “Iron Dynamite”.
STREAM ON YOUTUBE HERE || SPOTIFY HERE
The final track to be spotlighted from the record, “Iron Dynamite” is a whimsical, merry-go-round of 60s-indebted psychelia to rival the Electric Prunes, Strawberry Alarm Clock, or frankly anything to be heard on the seminal ‘Nuggets’ compilation.
Revolving around a guitar lick as slick as a new pair of winkle-pickers on Carnaby Street in 1967, the riff was conjured by the band’s Louis Jugessur as he tried to emulate the vintage grooves of the hit ‘Mama Told Me Not To Come’ by fellow Pontypridd legend Tom Jones. Instantly plugging-in to its psychedelic vibe, frontman Harry Franklin-Williams assembled a kaleidoscopic spiral of words at once in-tune with the track and just a little removed from reality… As Harry explains:
“Iron Dynamite is probably my favourite song of the record lyrically, Louis wrote such a psychedelic riff and I wanted to build on that as much as I could. I made a Jenga tower out of 60s-inspired metaphors and muso-nerd references that still never fails to put a smile on my face. The verses are swirling psych with a portion of madness while the chorus is much more your classic 60s pop lyrics, simple and direct but with my trademark cynicism at the end, “it’s just another line”.”
“Iron Dynamite” arrives hot on the heels of recent singles including the Rolling Stones saluting “Radiation Blues” and the wormhole whirlwind that is “Hold Up!”; drawing attention from the likes of Louder Than War, The Independent, The Rodeo, and The Line of Best Fit, with the latter praising “[Pigeon Wigs are] now in full force in bringing their vision to life: a hybrid, retro/futuristic, psychedelic-shaded sound.”
DESSAUER REVEALS STUNNING DEBUT EP ‘ LIMBIC RESONANCE’// LISTEN HERE
For fans of experimental electronica, here is a must watch new artist. NYC born, Berlin based newcomer Dessauer today releases his debut EP, ‘Limbic Resonance’ and it’s a sprawling study of intricate patchwork electronics. The project has a fascinating backstory. Of Jewish/ German descent, the music is inspired by both his family being expelled from Nazi Germany and an incorrect diagnosis of Bipolar disorder in his early teens. The title track of the project is a warehouse ready thumper.
Southampton indie-rockers – REGENT – are charging head-first into the summer with a riled-up new single: “Here We Go Again”.
A runaway roller coaster filled with urgent and incensed vocals and seesawing riffs that threaten to tumble right off the tracks, “Here We Go Again” is an assured slice of driving indie-rock with erratic fuzz-rock undertones.
Following recent releases “Freight Train” and “Can’t You See”, the new track veers between feel-good indie anthem and electrically insurgent rock in a beat. As frontman Ben Rooke explains:
“The song is about constantly moving forwards in the industry and being fearless. The lyric “Living life to the full / Got a band made of gold and a head like bull” is about the relentless charging forwards that our band has become known for.”
Eighty Ninety — the indie-pop project of brothers Abner (vocals, production) and Harper (guitar, production) — share ‘Bowery Beach Road,’ a collection of past singles and previously unreleased tracks.
As they head towards the release of their debut album later this year, the band decided to commemorate their “first era” of music with a trip down memory lane. The 12-track ‘Bowery Beach Road’ collection includes singles that put the band on the map, like “Three Thirty” and “Your Favorite Song,” as well as a few songs that had never made it out of the studio until now.
Eighty Ninety elaborate on the ‘Bowery Beach Road’ release: “In our first years as a band, we began telling a story with a series of singles that were always supposed to be part of our first record. The realities of being independent, streaming, and then covid meant that we were not able to release them all together in the way we had wanted. Now, as we prepare to release an entirely different and entirely new album this year, it felt like the right moment to look back.
“Bowery Beach Road” encapsulates our first era — all of the songs we released before 2020 + a few unreleased tracks — as it was always intended: as a full length record. As singles these songs told their own stories, but together they tell a very intentional one with characters that change, come and go, endure heartbreak, loss, regret, nostalgia, come together, fall apart, and sometimes end up back together again.”
The multi-talented LA artist Madison Margot finally returns with a fresh instalment of
her autobiographical pop on the cathartic “God Laughs” – her first release in over a
year. A blend of punching pop drums and delicious stadium-rock guitar licks, “God
Laughs” shows off Madison’s rich vocal abilities in a beautiful, bittersweet tale of how to accept the changes life will undoubtedly have in store – all told through Madison’s signature, lyrical wordplay rooted in her insightful, classic songwriting: “When we make plans, God laughs” Madison shares in the gripping chorus. Directed by the creative LA based Cassie Howell, the “God Laughs” music video is a scenic feast offering sublime cinematography for audiences to gorge on. Imaginatively exploring Madison’s personal lyrics, the “God Laughs” visuals start off in a glamorous fever dream before the track’s golden-hour guitar melodies wail away
to scenes of a barren desert and rockstar hair flips. Madison made the following statement about “God Laughs”: “I wrote this song about the ending of a beautiful relationship and learning to accept that some things in life are out of our control. You experience this whirlwind romance and have all of these plans for the future; then suddenly, fate intervenes, things change, and you’re forced into a whole different direction. The video is based around the lyric, “This is the age of maturity, walking out of fantasies so grand” and captures the emotion of the song so exquisitely – I am so proud of it! The making of this song and video was one of the most cathartic experiences I’ve ever had and I am so grateful I get to share it now.”
Me Nd Adam is a pair of friends that found each other in the throes of death, breakups and alcoholism. The world turned its back, Adam and Vince turned to music. Known to their fans for their accessibility, their merch giveaways, and their rambunctious behavior, Me Nd Adam are the original trash-wave trail-blazers.
Their latest single “Best of Me” is off of the upcoming album American Drip Pt. II and emerged from a songwriting session with Adam, Vince and George Gekas (The Revivalists). Just as they were losing steam and ready to close up shop for the night, sudden inspiration struck and with a fresh jolt of energy, “Best of Me” was born. A bottle of vodka on the counter begged to be opened, and Adam longed to help. Feeling he had no other choice, Adam poured himself a drink and suddenly had an epiphany: Staring at the fresh cocktail he thought, “Ah ha, that’s what the song should be about.” The precipice for the song, the lyrics and recording all came together in a singular moment of exhaustion and defeat, but from the ashes rose the band’s hardest hitting rock song yet.
However, the beginning of the Austin, TX based duo started in 2020 when lightning struck for their single “Heartbreak Kid” which debuted in Wonderland Magazine and quickly garnered over two million streams. The success of “Heartbreak Kid” attracted the attention of darkhorse Las Vegas-based indie label, Handwritten Records.
After signing with Handwritten Records the band went on to release a string of singles leading up to the release of their debut album American Drip Pt. I (ADP1). The album’s singles earned coverage in Rolling Stone, Alternative Press and American Songwriter, with “Something Better” scoring a spot in Earmilk’s Best Songs of 2020 (Indie & Alternative) and The Line of Best Fit awarding ADP1 an 8/10: writing the album, “contains stunning elements of comfort, sadness, excitement, resentment and happiness — encapsulating the woes and tides of life and all its ups and downs it hurls at us…it’s a relatable, clever and meticulously produced album [and] offers something for everyone.” Atwood Magazine included ADP1 as one of the “Top 50 Albums of the Year” for 2020.
Rock icons The Killers gave ADP1’s single “The More I Grow Up” a nod, shouting out the track on their social media. Unprecedented support from The Killers’ fan base led to arena opening slots for Me Nd Adam in Dallas and Austin. The mentorship culminated with a direct support slot for The Killers’ 2022 New Year’s Eve party at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas.
ADP1 vibe is reminiscent of classic American songwriters like Tom Petty and Bruce Springsteen with a contemporary twist of pop production akin to heavy hitters Marshmello and Louis Bell. The band’s influences range from Willie Nelson to Meek Mill, Jason Isbell to Blink-182. To quote American Songwriter, “the duo lists their two biggest influences as: ‘Don Henley and Metro Boomin.’ Now, if that’s not the personification of the breadth of American art, then I don’t know what is!”
Me Nd Adam were a shoo-in for Austin City Limits Music Festival after sharing arena stages such as Moody Center (ATX), Dickie’s Arena (DFTW) and The Cosmopolitan (Las Vegas) with The Killers. Furthermore, the band sold out Antone’s Night Club, their hometown’s most iconic venue, for an “ACL Festival Official Late Night” set.
Hot off their largest national tour yet, spanning 23 cities, Me Nd Adam is currently releasing singles leading up to their sophomore album, American Drip Pt. II, due out July 2023.
Surprise Baby is the Los Angeles based project of musician and songwriter Sarsten Noice and producer Claire Morison. Described as rock and roll cowboy meets indie pop, the two, who are originally from Northwest Montana, use their long-standing relationship as friends and creative partners to craft a sound which is both authentic and captivating.
The upcoming EP is a result of Surprise Baby refusing to be pigeon-holed and see’s the two exploring a realm of different genres and sounds. The first single to be released from the EP is “Poison the Well.” The track narrates facing the consequences of your own actions and the desire to change the reality of a situation but ultimately having the resignation that you can’t. Noice confides, “At the time, I was involved with someone who was in another relationship and we were both a part of a tight knit community (“the well”). At a certain point, it appeared to me that the toxicity of the relationship had permeated our ability to operate in our social scene without causing disruption to our lives and those around us. I was faced with confronting the morality of my own actions as well as some heartbreak because I knew I was never going to be able to fully be with this person.”
Sonically, “Poison the Well” enters with a throbbing beat, echoing harmonies and a minimalist, eerie atmosphere. Steadily building in intensity, we hear the addition of layered textures and instruments, as Noice sings about the misguided actions that led her down the wrong path. She questions, “If I had never said goodnight, if I had been older when this had started,” as she ponders about what could have been.
Not afraid to speak her truth, Noice shares how she uses songwriting as a way to process her internal world and give intense emotions a way out of her body. She shares, “I try to create imagery that accurately captures a specific feeling and then allow myself to build lyrics in an abstract way, opposed to straightforward storytelling. This I hope leaves the songs open to the listeners’ interpretation.”
Hoping to inspire people to reflect on moments of desire, “Poison the Well” gives us a glimpse of what to expect from the upcoming EP, which will touch on relationships, self-growth, spirituality and transformation.
prolific Haitian DJ/producer Francis Mercier releases “Strangers (Do You Remember),” an infectious, daytime Afro house belter with collaborators David Tort, Markem, Yas Cepeda, and vocals from EURI. Delivering tracks to soundtrack the summer of 2023, this blistering new single comes via Tiesto’s record label, Musical Freedom, which is home to some of the greatest dance records in the world.
Over the past few years, Francis Mercier’s meteoric rise has led him to become one of the most significant producers/DJs in the dance music scene, garnering 45M+ streams across his catalog. Francis is consistently reaching new performance milestones, most recently DJing over two weekends at Coachella in the heralded Yuma Tent and taking on Ibiza via Blue Marlin. While constantly touring the globe, he also finds the time to run his label, Deep Root Records, one of the few 100% black-owned dance labels.
Francis has an unparalleled talent for conjuring irresistible worldly rhythms, and that is exactly what is heard in this new single. Beginning with his Afro-influenced percussion and followed by a deep, dynamic bassline, Francis builds the song up piece-by-piece before revealing the main motif: a sun-soaked guitar lick that is perfect for the summer season.
Turkish-Italian DJ/producer Carlita and Miami-based duo Calussa come together to deliver a euphoria-inducing new collaborative single, “Fell In Luv.” The new track comes via Diplo’s cutting-edge house/techno imprint Higher Ground, a spin-off of the prolific Mad Decent label.
“Fell In Luv” captures the nostalgic melodies of early 1990s rave anthems and will grab a hold of listeners immediately with its irresistible, feel-good groove. Harnessed with punchy percussion, subtle ambiance, a deeply resonating bassline, and an instant-classic vocal, the trio of Carlita and Calussa brings their own expansive influences and energy to the table with this new feeler. “Fell In Luv” is a peak-time tune that perfectly coincides with the longest days of summer.
“Our goal with ‘Fell in Luv’ was to infuse a modern twist into a nostalgic 90s vibe. We’re thrilled to showcase a different side of ourselves through this track, and we can’t wait for everyone to experience it.” — Calussa
SHEPPARD
“Daylight”
• “‘Daylight’ is like a shot of caffeine for your ears. It’s the perfect antidote for those gloomy days when you need a pick-me-up. You can almost feel the confetti when the chorus hits…it really is out of this world!” – George Sheppard
• The accompanying music video tells the story of the three siblings discovering a UFO in their backyard. Inside, they find an adorable alien who quickly becomes part of the family. Much like the group’s music, this visual is filled with color, magic, and good vibes.
• Sheppard – the group behind 2014’s global hit “Geronimo” – have now clocked over 1.2 billion combined streams across their catalog. “Daylight” follows “Good Time” as the second single from the trio’s forthcoming studio album.
Following the spring release of her powerful lead single, “Holding On”, JUNO-nominated Indigenous (Anishinaabe/Cree), Queer, activist, actress, poet, alt-pop singer-songwriter-producer and filmmaker, Jayli Wolf, returns with the transformative musical creation, “Blood Orange.” The second track to be shared from her highly anticipated sophomore EP God Is An Endless Mirror, “Blood Orange” is a powerful anthem that encapsulates the resilience of the human spirit, resonating with those who have faced abuse and oppression – Stream / Watch the official video.
“Blood Orange” invites listeners on a journey of empowerment, urging them to find the strength within to stand up against their oppressors and courageously share their stories. Through its evocative lyrics and captivating melodies, this song serves as a rallying cry for survivors, offering solace and inspiring them to embrace their truth and reclaim their power.
“I wanted this song to boldly confront the themes of control, oppression, and societal standards, while also illuminating the courage to break free and reclaim one’s narrative,” Jayli shares. “’Blood Orange’ is a poignant testament to the indomitable spirit of those who have faced adversity, encouraging resilience, healing, and the liberation that comes from telling one’s story.”
Email:neill@outloudculture.com
Socials: @neillfrazer
