Burned-out mathematician turned indie-soul artist, Jeremy Voltz’s music is inspired by thinking deeply about the people in his life and what he’d love to have the courage to say to them. Reminiscent of Jeff Buckley, Hozier, and Stevie Wonder, he has a voice that is powerful and haunting, delivering hook-heavy melodies with universal, heartfelt lyrics.
In 2023, Voltz will be releasing his sophomore album, Running Away, a theatrical and hard-hitting exploration of bravery, both within ourselves and our relationships. Running Away is a collaboration with producer/artist, Oliver Charles, and is a blending of two worlds: Voltz’s indie-soul sound and Charles’ impactful, gritty pop production, interlaced with dark harmonies and virtuosic vocals. “We both wanted to create something exciting and almost beyond us, like a soundtrack for an epic action movie that doesn’t exist yet,” says Voltz about the new project. “What we came up with I like to call ‘battle songs for the empathetic.’ Electronic singer-songwriter rock that hits hard yet still feels vulnerable.”
Voltz’s first full-length album, Weekender, produced by multi-JUNO-winning producer Michael Wojewoda, was recently named 2022 Album of the Year at the Ontario Folk Music Awards, in addition to receiving national airplay. The music video for “Fall Apart” has been screened at film festivals internationally and received awards at the Indie Gathering International Film Festival and the Open World Toronto Film Festival.
A signed artist with Hyvetown Music Publishing, Voltz has quickly gained notoriety as a songwriter. His songs have been featured in national commercials as well as in film, television, and radio by companies such as Hallmark, TLC, the NFL, and CBC Radio. Currently featured on Spotify’s Discover Weekly, his award-winning acoustic anthem, “One Day at a Time,” has millions of worldwide listens and inspired an illustrated children’s book.
The creation of meaningful art can only occur in moments of despair or triumph; there is no gray area.
iskwē | ᐃᐢᑫᐧᐤ (short for waseskwan iskwew, meaning “blue sky woman”) is a creator whose catalogue drips of a spectrum of emotions and is powered by resilience. Following several seasons of high highs being met with low lows, iskwē retreated south to Mexico and inward to her soul, and painted a 10-song masterpiece to illustrate the gut-wrenching roller coaster that has been her recent life.
Nīna is the opus of iskwē’s rebirth. Nīna is the Cree translation for “me”, and was chosen as the title to this full-length album as an ode to the album’s deeply autobiographical elements. The album is the sonic manifestation of the divine feminine explored through vignettes of love, passion, anger, betrayal & loss.
To bring her incredible stories to life, iskwē teamed up with 7x Grammy nominee Damian Taylor (Björk, Arcade Fire, The Killers, Bomba Estereo), who co-wrote and produced Nīna while iskwē was living in Mexico City. The culmination of their sounds resulted in an offering of ethereal eclecticism, reminiscent of the sensuality of late 90s R&B with the most delicious twist of Esthero.
Milky Day, the talented singer-songwriter and producer known for his unique blend of R&B and soulful melodies, has released his highly anticipated EP, Impulses. Accompanying the release, Milky has launched the presale for his first Vinyl, which you can purchase here while supplies last. An EP that was primarily written during Covid isolation; Impulses is not only a reflection of internal conflict and struggles, it’s also a project written from the perspective of Milky reflecting on all the craziness of the world, from the “window” of his trapped environment. As the world grappled with unprecedented challenges during the pandemic, he goes back and forth between tracks and even sometimes within a single track, talking specifically about his personal struggles and then switching the narrative to a much larger questioning of purpose and existence. Inspired by raw honesty and life’s inevitable struggles, this body of work presents a departure from Milky Day’s classic themes of love, instead offering an emotionally charged exploration of life’s complexities and challenges.
Nxdia is an alternative-pop singer-songwriter from Manchester. Born in Egypt with an Egyptian-Sudanese heritage, they moved to the UK when they were eight. They write and sing both in English and Arabic. Nxdia has a new take on pop music, blending vulnerable and introspective lyrics with modern production and effortless delivery.
Their early memories growing up in Cairo are of living next to a cinema, providing their first surges of inspiration as a child, creating images and characters through drawing and poetry. This fascination for creativity and storytelling soon began seeping its way into the music that they have also begun writing, both through their lyrics and hypnotic vocal flourishes.
Their new EP, in the flesh, is a six track release about the songwriter being stuck in their own head. From the quiet admiration in “what’s it like?”, to the observation and the stress of wanting to change to fit someone’s standards in “dopamine”, the EP explores how Nxdia feels about interpersonal relationships and what’s left unsaid.
“decay” follows the anger of being one person in a system that’s against people thriving and having a good quality of life. The artist confides, “decay was written because I was angry and broke. I was angry at the cost of living and the conditions we have to live in. At the time I was exhausted, trying to figure out some funding issues and annoyed at the place I was in life, mentally, at the time.”
“idc” is about the importance of confronting your issues. “tricky conversations” and “both hands up” are about not taking accountability when you’re removed from your feelings and also being annoyed at others doing the same thing. Nxdia shares, “The whole EP just explores my inability to get out of my own head at times, all the things I want to do or say but I overthink myself out of, stuck in the flesh.”
Dublin-based alternative band – FORTY FOOT – have unveiled the official video for: “Melty Brains”.
A fuzzy and distorted montage that sees impassioned performance shots turn increasingly warped as the track rumbles on, the new video was directed by Tom McMahon and shot in Forty Foot’s rehearsal space at Dublin’s Yellow Door Studios (home to the likes of Fontaines D.C., The Murder Capital, Pillow Queens and Thumper).
As guitarist Mark Dillon explains:
“The concept of the video was to capture how we wrote the song, live in our rehearsal space. The visual intent was to make it look like an old VHS cassette someone has stumbled upon, There is a grainy or scratchy effect throughout the verse and once the chorus kicks in the visuals become completely messed up, again mimicking a damaged cassette but also playing on the vocal hook: “my brain / you melt it”.”
The new video was also premiered by Record of the Day who praised the track as: “Raw, thunderous ’90s doused rock with a look to the now. Top stuff.”
Houston Native singer and songwriter, Love Spells transports listeners to a state and sensation of ease and tranquility with new track “Flow”.
Give “Flow” a spin here.
“It’s honestly one of my happiest songs I’ve ever made but in the making of it I was in the worst part of my life I’ve ever been in which I guess was just me trying to cope and honestly it worked so I got two things out of that which are a better feeling and a kick ass song” shares Love Spells on the new track.
Although at only 18 years old, he has been fueled by music for all his life, and displays a substantial level of maturity both musically and emotionally on this new track. “Flow” is intertwined with themes and connotations of youth, igniting a dreamy, wispy energy quite literally flowing around and through you as the song plays.
This artist on the rise has recently been working with the likes of Paris Texas, Skaiwater, AG Club, Deb Never & King Isis to name a few, which has given him an opportunity to draw influence from different styles and blend a variety of genres to create a sound as heavenly and timeless as “Flow”.
Today’s new track follows his most recent single “Over and Over” in May, which was used as part of the recent PACSUN Sync for the fw 23 campaign and commercial. This year has evidently been a defining time for this exciting new act and he continues to advance through being featured on the 2023 Pigeons & Planes Compilation Album.
Love Spells has spent the past few years turning heartbreak into small moments of melancholy. He learned to make music at an early age by singing to beats he found online. Love Spells’ lush style is inspired by indie, r&b and psychedelic music. Listeners will find themselves lost in a day dream while they transpose in his lyricism
Incelebration of her acclaimed new EP tori, two-time GRAMMY® Award-winning multi-platinum artist Tori Kelly serves up the show-stopping and slick official music video for her new single and EP standout, “cut.” Watch HERE and stream tori via Epic Records HERE at all DSPs.
The visual for “cut” matches the uncontainable and undeniable energy of the track. As hummable acoustic guitar gives way to a fast-paced beat, the clip follows her from a parking lot to inside of a Chinese restaurant to the aisles of a convenience store and finally to the club where she turns up surrounded by friends. The showstopping choreography and nocturnal moods perfectly complement the song’s high-energy dancefloor-ready crescendo.
Ahead of the music video’s release, Kelly jumped on her newly launched Twitch channel to celebrate the release and chat with fans. Check it out at twitch.com/torikelly.
Just last week, she delivered a series of stunning and show-stopping performances for VEVO of three songs from the EP, including “shelter,”“alive if I die,” and “missin u – r&b edit.”
Released at the end of July, tori showcases Tori Kelly at her most authentic and charismatic. Billboard proclaimed that the EP “makes clear she’s at her most self-assured,” while Uproxx highlighted “cut” as “one of the best pop songs of the week.” VIBE described the project as where she “embraces all of who she is as an artist, woman, and writer,” while American Songwriter exclaimed that “The seven-track EP illustrates some of Kelly’s most empowered songs to date.”
With tori, one of music’s greatest talents is poised to soar to new heights, carried by a collection of new songs that absolutely demand to be heard.
The Upstart Crows return today with new single “Dyslexia”. This bluesy fuzzed out track is the group’s first release since 2020 and harnesses the taut anxiety of growing up with a non-visible disability. Vocalist/guitarist Jon Adams explains, “teachers and authority figures talk down to you because they think you are stupid. They put you away in the corner so they don’t have to deal with you. To a point after so many years of this, you start to believe that they’re right about you. I’ve even included a few things that people have said to my face in the song.”
Backed by the punching drums of Aaron Takiff and driving bass of Adam Becker, Adams is no longer striving to be heard. His voice towers over them and drips with disdain as he sets one-size-fits-all education in his sites.
The Upstart Crows were forged by Adams in the basements of New Hampshire college towns before migrating south to Brooklyn, NY, and releasing their self-titled debut in 2018. That album was followed by the standalone single “Stuck” in 2020, which, due to the lineup drifting apart, was essentially a solo Adams effort under the Upstart Crows moniker. Now they return revamped and refreshed with Takiff and Becker taking the group to its tightest and most punchy incarnation yet.
Since their inception and despite the personnel, the group has gained a reputation as a formidable dual threat; operating as either a haunting solo act, or a loud bombastic power rock trio. Either way, they’re bringing a dynamic blend of punk, Americana, and folk to the table. A brew that they guarantee to be “the perfect soundtrack to your next panic attack.”
Inspired by summer romance, hear my dreamy and playful single “Our Time” now via your preferred streaming platform.
People come into our lives for a small moment, a few years or a lifetime. Accepting the terms of the season, and appreciating the fun for what it is, is a beautiful way to keep the love and friendship alive.
I wanted “Our Time” to be lighthearted and free from the heaviness of heartbreak,
like if Carrie from Sex and the City played piano and wrote love songs.
Watch the official music video on YouTube.
JUNO Award-winning electronic pop producer Corey LeRue (Neon Dreams, Ria Mae) turned it into a sing-along earworm with sweet island sounds and a danceable beat.
The music video was filmed and edited by Benjamin Edwards. Cavendish Beach, Prince Edward Island National Park served as the perfect setting, with Maïa Davies (Ladies of the Canyon, Darkometro) on board as Artistic Director and Stylist.
I hope you enjoy it,
Apryll Aileen
Back with the kind of blockbuster announcement only he can deliver, DJ Khaled is set to return with his anxiously awaited 14th full-length LP and the most anticipated hip-hop event of 2023, TIL NEXT TIME, the first offering from his newly minted partnership We The Best Music Group/Def Jam Recordings.
“SUPPOSED TO BE LOVED the massive first single from TIL NEXT TIME featuring superstar collaborators Lil Baby, Future and Lil Uzi Vert – is streaming everywhere this Friday.
Khaled personally broke the news (and the internet) by sharing a powerhouse trailer co-starring his sons Asahd and Aalam Tuck Khaled as well as his Queen Nicole Tuck Khaled. The clip opens with Khaled on the golf course where he starts his day. He sinks a seemingly impossible shot as the video intersperses vignettes from his life at the beach, on a yacht, on a horse, on the basketball court, a soccer field, back on the golf course, and in the studio. Khaled attacks blasting golf balls through the galaxy symbolizing how extra-planetary his reach is, followed by his sons Asahd and Aalam who chant “Let’s Go Golfing!”
Marking the 40th anniversary of an illustrious career, Brit Award winner, Grammy nominee, and lead singer of iconic pop group, FIVE STAR, Deniece Pearson returns with a brand new single – ‘Forever Young,’ and news of a very special FIVE STAR 40th Anniversary show at Pizza Express Live, London on 30th September.
Reflecting Deniece’s positivity and feel-good energy, ‘Forever Young’ is an uplifting reggae infused pop-bop perfect for the sunshine. It’s taken from a new EP also featuring new versions of two Top 10 FIVE STAR classics ‘System Addict’ and ‘Rain or Shine.’ Deniece is also excited to announce she’ll be releasing a brand-new solo album called ‘Free-Queen-See’expected in spring/summer of 2024.
In addition to her forthcoming album, Deniece is busy preparing a jazz legends stage show, while also maintaining an active schedule as a solo artist and the original voice of FIVE STAR. Her captivating performances have earned her a dedicated following, resulting in sold-out shows and festival appearances throughout 2023. Notably, her headline show at Pizza Live Express on August 12thsold out two months in advance, further testament to her enduring popularity. Another date has now been added – a very special 5 Star 40th Anniversary show on 30th September.
During her time with FIVE STAR, Deniece achieved unprecedented success with over 20 top thirty UK singles, including chart-toppers like ‘System Addict’, ‘The Slightest Touch’ and the anthem ‘Rain Or Shine’. The group holds the distinction of being the youngest British act to have a number one album, as well as the first group to achieve seven consecutive hit singles from a single album in the UK.
After taking a career break to raise her two children, Deniece made a triumphant return to the stage, captivating audiences with her remarkable talent. Her performances in the West End production of the Michael Jackson musical ‘Thriller Live’ in 2009 garnered great reviews, as well as starring in ‘Respect La Diva’ where she wowed audiences with her sensational cover of Beyonce’s ‘Listen’ and a medley of Whitney Houston hits. Deniece’s star power extended to international stages, including a memorable performance at the Sydney Opera House in Australia as a lead singer in the show ‘Disco Divas’.
Deniece’s appearance on BBC1’s The Voice in 2012 opened new doors, leading to a new management deal and an incredible opportunity to support The Jacksons on their UK tour. In September 2013, she released ‘Rafiki Yangu’ (Swahili for ‘My Friend’), a heartfelt tribute to Nelson Mandela and Africa’s pursuit of peace and prosperity. The song, dedicated to the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, demonstrated Deniece’s commitment to using her platform to make a positive impact.
Following the success of her debut solo album, ‘Imprint’, released in the summer of 2014 and supported by a 16-date UK tour alongside Billy Ocean, Deniece continued to captivate audiences. Notably, she joined forces with DJ and producer Sigala to perform his chart-topping hit ‘Easy Love’ on the Top Of The Pops New Year’s Day BBC1 Special.
Deniece Pearson – ‘Forever Young’ EP is out August 14th.
Catch her live across the UK on the following dates:
August 12th – London – Pizza Express Live SOLD OUT
August 19th – Earlham Park, Norwich – Let’s Rock Festival
September 29th – Butlins, Bognor Regis
September 30 – London – 5 Star 40th Anniversary Special
Pizza Express Live TICKETS
October 19 – Butlins Minehead
November 3rd – Butlins, Bognor Regis – Absolute 80s Weekender
November 25th – Butlins, Skegness – Absolute 80s Weekender
January 21st 2024 – Butlins Bognor
Each year, Damian Lazarus and the multi-faceted team behind Day Zero Tulum set out to produce the wildest party in the world. Positioned amongst the ritualistic history of the Mayan people and a future-forward understanding of modern hedonism, the festival sits at the apex of what a rave can be. On January 12, Day Zero will return to the transcendental jungles of Tulum to defy all expectations.
Traversing physical and spiritual realms, Day Zero invites partygoers on a marathon journey through the avant garde. Ancient Mayan rituals and performances by local guides and mind-bending production technology are melded into the dense jungle backdrop, offering an intertwining of the modern and mythic.
A pure demonstration of the curational prowess of founder Damian Lazarus, Day Zero is soundtracked from sunset to sunrise by revolutionary live acts and selectors, featuring regional debuts and Tulum exclusive performances from artists on the outer edges of the dancefloor. Global underground elite, forward-thinking Mexican talent, and emerging artists from the Crosstown universe present a journey you can’t experience anywhere else in Tulum and beyond.
Following a three-year hiatus, J Hus’ third studio album Beautiful and Brutal Yard recently stormed in and claims the #1 spot across The Official Albums Chart in the UK with over 130M album streams to-date. The universally acclaimed 19-track body of work was recently nominated for the 2023 Mercury Prize for the best British album of the year, which earns Hus his second nomination overall. To add to the excitement, today J Hus shares the latest visuals taken from the universally acclaimed album, “Masculine” ft. Burna Boy—B.A.B.Y.’s second most streamed track thus far.
Anyone that might have missed him jumping on stage for Burna Boy’s recent London Stadium show is in luck: the visuals for “Masculine,” which was shot by Nathan Miller entirely in black and white, gives us a glimpse of how it went down backstage and during the lively performance itself. Watch HERE.
Named after the patois influenced slang term for home, Beautiful and Brutal Yardis a reference to the two sides of Hus and his heart.It follows J Hus’ sophomore effort Big Conspiracy – one of 2020’s most critically lauded albums world-wide, which netted him a BRIT Award for Best British Male. His 2017 debut studio album Common Sense cemented him as a rap champ and innovator; and in between both albums, he nabbed multiple features on from some of the music industry’s biggest artists, such as Ed Sheeran, Stormzy, Skepta, and Dave.
Beautiful and Brutal Yard is already one of the year’s most celebrated albums. Besides receiving a Mercury Prize nomination just two weeks after release, the album continues to receive glowing reviews and high praise. The New York Times named it one of their “Favorite Albums of 2023 So Far” on a recent episode of the podcast Popcast, while NPR proclaimed that Hus sounds “like he is really poised to blow up state-side with this record.” HotNewHipHop proclaimed that he delivered “The Soundtrack To Summer 2023” while NME dubbed the album “a joyous return.” The FADER described how “the energy on Beautiful and Brutal Yard is the kind that emerges when your biggest competitor is yourself” while Billboard announced “J Hus returns with a vengeance.” Uproxxperhaps summed it up best: “Hus uses his third album to provide a vivid and detailed account of his roots and upbringing, giving equal attention to all that’s beautiful and brutal. This duality contributes to everything on the album: its sonic appeal, the thrill of J Hus’ narratives, and the rapper’s overall artistic vision.” Further, Barack Obama picked hit single “Who Told You” ft. Drake as the #1 song on his “Favorite Songs of Summer 2023” list.
Headie One releases new track “More Money More Problems.” Get it HERE at all DSPs.
Produced by long-time collaborator M1OnTheBeat and Deggzy, “More Money More Problems” is the embodiment of Headie’s street-smart lyrics, recounting his journey from the streets of Tottenham to rap superstardom with shout outs to Biggie Smalls and Nipsey Hussle. The accompanying music video from DON Prod was shot in just six days across Dubai, Finland, Belgium and North London. It includes footage from his recent live shows including Wireless, encapsulating Headie’s jet-setting lifestyle coupled with a continued and relentless drive for musical output and international recognition.
Watch the video HERE.
“More Money More Problems” marks the British rapper’s return to new music following the hugely successful “Martin’s Sofa” in January of this year. The track became an instant fan favorite, going viral after its leak in 2022 before making its way to #1 on the Official Trending Chart and #9 on the Official Singles Charts in the UK.
A storyteller first, New Jersey born and bred IX Wulf has embarked on a musical journey that spans over two decades. His passion for music was ignited at a young age, growing up with a father who was a wedding singer. Surrounded by the timeless classics performed by his father’s band, IX Wulf developed a deep connection to the art of singing and performing. Inspired by legendary artists like Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, and Usher, he set his sights on becoming a musician himself.
At the age of 10, IX Wulf stepped into the studio to record the first song he ever wrote. From that moment onward, he honed his skills as a R&B singer, songwriter and producer, pouring his emotions and experiences into his music. The journey hasn’t always been smooth, with its fair share of ups and downs in the music industry and in life, IX Wulf persevered, using music as a means of healing and self-discovery.
The artist-to-watch has a unique approach to his music that extends beyond the audio realm. He treats each song as an act and has created a forthcoming visionary EP, incorporating his love for film and storytelling. Through carefully crafted scenes, he brings the narrative to life, presenting a multi-dimensional experience for his audience.
Creating and developing his debut EP, ‘Heal Yourself First,’ was a process that spanned over several years and serves as a personal reflection. Each song represents a different act, coming together to form a cohesive narrative. Drawing from his own experiences and emotions, IX Wulf weaves a tale of self-discovery, love, heartbreak and the importance of healing yourself before attempting to heal others.
With ‘Heal Yourself First’, IX Wulf aims to convey a powerful message of self-love and personal growth. He wants his fans, both old and new, to connect with the overarching story and find solace in his music. Through his soulful vocals and poignant lyrics, he invites listeners on a journey of introspection and healing.
In addition to his talents as a vocalist and songwriter, IX Wulf also takes on the role of producer for the majority of his releases. His creative process begins with crafting the music, allowing the emotions to guide the soundscape. From there, he freestyles melodies that fit the mood and lets the lyrics flow naturally.
Beyond music, IX Wulf nurtures a deep passion for the world of film. As an actor himself, he aspires to write, direct and produce films. With a versatile and ever-evolving musical style, IX Wulf is poised to captivate the world with his talents and leave a lasting impact on the R&B scene.
Rising alt-pop artist Rachel Bochner reveals her highly-anticipated EP, ‘It’s Me, It’s U,’ out now via Handwritten Records.
The 6-track EP includes recent singles “Hard To Please,” “Here For The Drama,” “If I’m Gunna Be Sad (I Might As Well Look Hot Doing It),” and “Sucker Punch,” as well as two brand new tracks, “You Don’t Want Me Like That” and “Men Like You.” Across the record, Rachel unfurls a potent concoction of alt-pop anthems that dance between vulnerable, melancholic, energetic, and playful. Her songwriting fearlessly taps into the ups-and-downs of navigating heartbreak and self-discovery as a twenty-something woman in today’s world.
“‘It’s Not Me, It’s U’ is about how we try to make ourselves feel a little better through messy emotions and heartbreak, even if they aren’t the healthiest coping mechanisms,” she says. “The project was inspired by highs and lows I’ve experienced – from the mental gymnastics I’ve done to justify avoiding blame to feeling empowered to speak up when someone does me dirty. Before I even realized it was happening, making this EP helped me learn to lean into my feelings, find humor in the darkness, and remember that I’m in charge of my self-worth.”
Since making her debut in 2020, the New York-based singer and songwriter has gone on to release numerous hit singles as well as two beloved EPs, ‘2AM’ and ‘twenty something.’ Now, with the release of ‘It’s Not Me, It’s U,’ Rachel presents her most confident and sonically cohesive work to date. To celebrate the EP release, Rachel will be playing a show in NYC at Brooklyn Made on August 11th. Tickets are available here.
‘It’s Not Me, It’s U’ Track List:
1. Here For The Drama
2. You Don’t Want Me Like That
3. Hard To Please
4. If I’m Gunna Be Sad (I Might As Well Look Hot Doing It)
5. Sucker Punch
6. Men Like You
Philadelphia-raised, Los Angeles-based soul-pop singer/songwriter Noah Guyreleases his new EP WHO’S TAKEN TIME ?! (ACT II) including new single and video “HOSPITALITY & TOURISM”
Get the EP HERE and watch “HOSPITALITY & TOURISM” HERE via 10K Projects.
WHO’S TAKEN TIME ?! (ACT II) is the follow up to and companion project to Noah Guy’s most recent, 2022 release, WHO’S TAKEN TIME ?! (ACT I). The upcoming project is a collaborative piece that includes some of Noah Guy’s recent singles, “STAY HERE” with Amaria and “BROTHER’S KEEPER” with Braxton Cook. The new EP showcases Noah Guy’s “retro futuristic sound, blending the lush qualities of 90s/00s R&B with the intensity of contemporary Hip-Hop rhythms. Weaving infectious melodies with mesmerizing sonic expression, he’s building a dream-like world full of evocative, timeless sounds.
In addition to Amaria’s contribution to “STAY HERE” she offers her sultry, background vocals to the single, “HOSPITALITY & TOURISM.” Serving as a follow up to his previous singles from the project, “HOSPITALITY & TOURISM” continues to develop an introduction into Noah’s world.
The Breath announce details of their new album, ‘Land Of My Other’ and share new track “Don’t Rush It”.
Ten original tracks of raw, gorgeous, acoustic-minded music. Songs that tell stories in ways that soothe, stir, exalt, and touch emotional chords that will bring tears of lamenting joy, to your eyes.
‘Land of My Other’ is set for release on vinyl, CD and digital via Real World Records on 13th October 2023.
“If it all falls tomorrow, be glad of today”
…sings Ríoghnach Connolly, on “Don’t Rush It”, the first song to feature from the album. It might be about the toll we pay for leaving home, the mistakes we make by hurrying grief or something else… it’s the opening track of an album where Connolly’s emotions run the gamut: righteous, sorrowful, joyous. Authenticity is at a premium. Shame is cast aside.
‘Land of My Other’ is written and performed by the sublime partnership of Ríoghnach [Ree-uh-na] Connolly and guitarist Stuart McCallum. For the widely acclaimed duo, this is the third album under their moniker The Breath.
“We work like two halves of a single songwriter,” says McCallum, the Manchester-based composer and producer. “Imagine a guitarist and a singer who are not separate but are separate people. We just have this really special connection that lets us listen, adapt and evolve a piece of music together.”
Connolly nods her agreement. “Stuart is the yin to my yang,” says the BBC Folk Singer of the Year, her north of Ireland accent un-tempered by two decades of Manchester living. “He has one face. I have many. He’s very measured. I’m not. I like mayhem. He doesn’t. I know where I am with him.”
Southampton indie-rockers – REGENT – have shared new track “Oh No, I Know”, taken from their forthcoming second album ‘Beggars Belief’ (coming Spring 2024).
An unflinching slice of indie-rock that sees twanging acoustic guitars give way to driving choruses filled with fuzzy riffs and forceful vocals, “Oh No, I Know” shines like the light at the end of an increasingly dark tunnel. Of the new track, frontman Ben Rooke explains:
“The song is about love and how it helps fight addiction. Before I met my wife I was on the mend from a spell in my life taking Class A drugs. As soon as we met I got back into music which she insisted I should. Addiction is a long battle and my wife has made me a better person throughout.”
The new track also marks the band’s first offering with new member Ed Cesar on guitar, driving Regent in a new direction with a further fine-tuned sense of synergy. Ben adds:
“This is a special track as original band member Chris Woolf met a guy as a 14 year old kid, they both learnt guitar on the same day and now 20 years later Ed Cesar has joined the band. He’s reunited with Chris and they’re playing guitar in a band together again for the first time since they were teenagers. This has only added to our already fantastic chemistry.”
SLOE JACK, a rising formidable force to come out of Australia drops his latest single “2 WORDS”, alongside a DIY style music video. This new release incorporates bold influences of hip-hop, grunge and alternative subgenres all in an effort to galvanize the next generation into standing up for themselves and finding their inner power.
Give “2 WORDS” a Listen and Watch now
SLOE JACK’S grunge, punk-esque slant on hip-hop shines bright on this new track, with its punchy lyricism and gritty production. On “2 WORDS” he emulates this style which is known for making social and political statements, as an artist who wants to be a voice to the voiceless, and challenge predetermined ideals.
Speaking on the song SLOE JACK states; “I wrote this to convey a resolute message: regardless of your background, you can achieve your dreams by staying true to your mission. “2 WORDS” reassures listeners that they don’t have to endure suffering from anyone. It’s a call to embrace inner strength, defy limitations, and forge one’s own path to success. I am very proud of this track as I believe this message needs to be shared.”
Having only been making music for a year now, since the release of his first project “Backstab” in 2022, Jack Garritty has worked on establishing a distinctive sound and attitude as SLOE JACK, and today, he continues to bring the same heat he exuded then with his new track.
Though you may not know it, you’ve already heard Rob Moose. But that’s really not the point.
Since the early 2000s, Moose has been elevating, illuminating, and collaborating on some of the most celebrated songs across the panorama of contemporary music. Whether as a composer, arranger, performer, or all of these at once, Moose has appeared on recordings by Taylor Swift, Paul Simon, Maren Morris, FKA Twigs, Joshua Bell, The National, Moses Sumney, Ryuichi Sakamoto, John Legend, and so many more. He is responsible for writing and playing the string arrangement on Miley Cyrus’s number one hit, “Flowers” and he arranged the Oscar-nominated closing credits song, “This is A Life,” from the 2023 Oscar winner for Best Picture, Everything Everywhere All at Once.
Clearly, you’ve heard Rob Moose.
His work with genre-defying chamber ensemble yMusic, both in presenting commissioned music and collaborating with artists such as Nico Muhly, Ben Folds, Dirty Projectors, and ANOHNI has garnered the highest praise from classical and pop music critics alike.
Still, this really is not the point.
To be able do this, to move between writing arrangements for Eddie Vedder and playing violin with PerfumeGenius and The Killers, one must be adept at navigating a variety of relationships –– the relationships between people, of course, but also the relationships between sounds; between songwriting and performance. “Growing up, I was always the kid in orchestra who was trying to learn Nirvana songs on my violin,” Moose says.
A lifelong fascination with the fluid relationships between genres and a desire to “make sense of the separation” between classical and pop music has led to Inflorescence, Rob Moose’s first solo release.
Considering the astonishing breadth of personal and artistic relationships which Moose deftly navigates, it should come as no surprise that this solo work is not only significantly collaborative, but that the list of collaborators comprises some of the most acclaimed singers in pop music.
Moose’s soulful and dynamic string arrangements and performance provide the bedrock for Inflorescence, while Phoebe Bridgers, Sara Bareilles, Bon Iver, Brittany Howard and Emily King deliver memorable vocal performances. And these are the sole elements that make up Inflorescence: strings and vocals.
ALL DAY SUCKER
“I’m Not Tired”
• Hollywood’s beloved pop rockers are back with a new upbeat track, “I’m Not Tired.” This is the first single leading to the group’s next album due out in November, Feel Better, a cathartic culmination of All Day Sucker’s nearly two decades of playing, writing, and record-making in the heart of the city.
• The forthcoming album’s heart stems from the longtime creative partnership of vocalist Morty Coyle and keyboardist-producer Jordan Summers, die-hard LA natives who began collaborating together in the late 1980s. The duo have a beloved cult following amongst Hollywood’s ’90s rocker community, and host a regularly-packed, often star-studded residency at the iconic Canter’s Deli. Hollywood’s best kept secret is about to be found out.
Grammy-nominated Nigerian singer-songwriter Kah-Lo releases her sultry new single ‘Runaway’. Following ‘GD Woman’, ‘Karma’, and ‘fund$’, ‘Runaway’ serves as the fourth single off Kah-Lo’s forthcoming debut album pain/pleasure, due out September 8th via Epic Records.
The final taste of pain/pleasure, ‘Runaway’ showcases the depth of Kah-Lo’s genre-blending ways. Embellished with soft, danceable percussion and deep, plucked basslines, ‘Runaway’ is a sensuous landscape for Kah-Lo’s lush vocal performance. Flaunting smooth R&B tones and an amapiano flare, ‘Runaway’ strikes a powerful balance between the self-confidence she’s exhibited throughout this project and her gentler side as she entices her lover with her lustful lyricism. An alluring duality of her commanding presence and sensitive soul, ‘Runaway’ continues pain/pleasure’s mission to expose the many layers of Kah-Lo.
On the track, Kah-Lo says, “‘Runaway’ is me paying homage to my roots and culture. I love the fusion of amapiano and pop music, and I wanted to express a softer side of myself with this record.”
Hoboken, New Jersey artist Grace Enger has released her new EP, “Well Here We Are”, which is dripping with emotive pop ballads that just keep getting better as you make your way through it.
After having fallen in love with songwriting at a young age, Grace Enger has gone on to recently find immense attention for her solo music and has gained a large following on Tiktok through her original songs. 2023 has seen many successes for this rising artist, as she has just begun supporting Maisie Peter’s on her US tour, alongside the arrival of this stunning new EP.
Take a listen to “Well Here We Are” here.
The vibrant pop sound the EP exudes includes impressive contributions from Dan Wilson (Adele, Taylor Swift) and Alexander 23 (Olivia Rodrigo, Tate Mcrae). Across the whole project, “Well Here We Are” explores a variety of themes and styles, and lyricism that comes directly from the heart, making it an earnest, heartfelt collection of tracks, which will resonate with many.
The EP features pre-released singles “Bad Guy”, “When It Was Over”, “The Cut” and “The Neighborhood” (her debut single in 2022). Alongside these tracks, she has released several other stellar new singles to delve into.
Track List:
1) Bad Guy
2) The Neighborhood
3) Me to You
4) When It Was Over
5) 20
6) The Cut
7) Imytn
rising underground icon HoneyLuv releases her intoxicating new single ‘Bring It Back’ featuring New York rapper Cakes Da Killa out now via Insomniac Records.
The latest in a string of steamy singles, ‘Bring It Back’ continues to imbibe the sensual rhythms and seductive tones that have become synonymous with the HoneyLuv sound. A hypnotic blend of tech-heavy basslines, shiny synth stabs, and flavorful drum patterns, HoneyLuv creates a flirtatious backdrop for Cakes Da Killa’s quick-witted flow. ‘Bring It Back’ marks HoneyLuv’s third release on Insomniac Records, following last year’s ‘Your Tongue’ and ‘Sway’ with Dope Earth Alien.
In just three short years, HoneyLuv has become an essential figure in a new generation of artists shaping the sound of dance music, known for honoring the roots of house music while bringing a fresh perspective to the scene. From being named by Billboard as a ‘Dance Artist to Watch’ and by BBC Radio 1 Dance as a ‘Future Star’ to earning a spot in Beatport Next’s Class of 2023 and being crowned DJ Mag North America’s ‘Breakthrough Producer’, HoneyLuv’s global trajectory has been unparalleled. A former athlete and Navy drone mechanic, HoneyLuv’s transformation into a global tastemaker is now captivating live audiences on festival stages around the world with her futuristic, deep tech sound.
‘Bring It Back’ is the latest taste of HoneyLuv, following collaborative singles ‘Move Your Body’ with Will Clarke, ‘Sex & The City’ with Seth Troxler and ‘Inside My Mind’ with Harry Romero. Continuing to dominate clubs and festival stages around the globe, ‘Bring It Back’ arrives amidst HoneyLuv’s ‘Summer Of Luv’ Tour and upcoming festival stops at Elements Festival, Decibel Open Air, Electric Zoo, Life Is Beautiful, and more this summer.
Email:neill@outloudculture.com
Socials: @neillfrazer
