Slightest Clue is a Vancouver-based four-piece that probably shouldn’t work. Each member brings distinct influences and experiences: a stage actor whose playlists go from Talking Heads to Sonic Youth to Björk, a hook-obsessed recovering choir girl, an electrical engineer whose personal idol is John Bonham, and a guitarist who played for (and left) ten other bands before deciding this was the one for him. It’s like the secret after-school project of four kids who would have passed each other without a glance in the hallway at school – but once they’re plugged in and ready to play their distinct blend of post-punk, alternative rock, and dark pop, all bets are off. It wasn’t supposed to work, but it does, and they don’t have the slightest clue how or why.
Slightest Clue is Malcolm McLaren, Hannah Kruse, Sean Ries, and Nick Sciarretta.
Vicki Lovelee is a Chinese Canadian alt-pop singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Markham, Ontario. Her music combines pop with dark, dramatic sounds; fused with orchestral instrumentations. She is a combination of fierce yet vulnerable; having an eccentric persona like Lady Gaga and lush lyricisms like Lana Del Rey. Her theatrical elements are also inspired by MARINA, Melanie Martinez and Phantom of the Opera.
Lovelee dives into topics like mental health, heartbreak, religion and self growth. “I’m a huge advocate for mental health awareness and believe in the acceptance of all cultures and identities” says Lovelee. “I take painful experiences and turn them into music and empowerment.” Lovelee frequently uses skulls, pink paint and eccentric black clothing to help tell her story. “Writing and creating music has helped me find myself and my place in the world. And I hope my songs can do the same for you — to give you a space of belonging.” Her new single “Retaliate” will be part of an upcoming album, coming in Fall 2023.
Lovelee graduated from York University’s Music Program, where she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts. She also completed Canada’s Music Incubator’s Artist Entrepreneur Program in 2021. She has performed at events such as Toronto Chinatown Festival (2022) and Night It Up! (Markham, Ontario, 2022). She has accumulated 70K+ streams on music platforms and have received notable grants from FACTOR, Ontario Arts Council, SOCAN Foundation and Unison Fund. Vicki Lovelee continues to pull listeners close with her eccentric performance style and theatrical edge.
AlienBlaze is a 20 year old mad as hell singer/songwriter and lead guitarist crafting genre-fluid anthems resulting in a fascinating hybrid of everything from dark alternative pop, grunge and emo, to rock and electronic elements. Her dominating presence emits an angsty appeal, encouraging a sense of self-empowerment to her young audience.
In her school years, AlienBlaze spent most of her time at home through sickness, so spent hours and hours learning the electric guitar on her mum’s old guitar, wanting to play like her guitar inspirations Jerry Cantrell of Alice In Chains and Slash. Blaze’s sense of alienation from her peers is what inspired her to add the ‘alien’ part to her name as an artist.
Her latest single “Lovesick” features fellow Sumerian Records artist OmenXIII, seeing AlienBlaze enter a new hybrid world of rock meets rap. The artist shares, “I always wanted Lovesick to be a tortured love song, but it actually works even better as a duet. I just love what OmenXIII has done with his verse and I think our two styles actually give the song an extra intensity.”
Produced by Kid Brunswick and mixed by Dan Lancaster (Muse, Bring Me The Horizon), “Lovesick” takes inspiration from a multitude of artists such as Bring Me The Horizon, Linkin Park and The Cure, as well as EDM/ rap elements from Lil Peep and the lyrical style of Billie Eilish. Featuring raucous guitars, colliding percussion and a throbbing bass line, OmenXIII’s verse adds an interesting twist to the track, allowing things to cool off before AlienBlaze re-enters with her bold and brazen energy.
Covering topics such as the everyday experiences of a young adult, to more poetic themes including pathetic fallacy and imagery from nature, AlienBlaze delivers her message in a way that allows listeners from all walks of life to interpret it.
Since only uploading her first song to Spotify in 2019, she has received attention from numerous Spotify editorial playlists, garnering hundreds of thousands of plays. She has also had praise from the likes of Oli Sykes (Bring Me The Horizon), Rou Reynolds (Enter Shikari), Grimes and Ellie Roswell (Wolf Alice), as well as from publications including Wonderland Magazine, NOTION and Kerrang!. AlienBlaze will be performing at The Great Escape on Friday 12th May.
The indie rock ballad “Marry Me Once” reminds the listener of Regina Spektor, Kate Bush, a little bit of HAIM, and maybe even a MARINA. It’s a silky piano ballad of self-acceptance and personal independence.
“This song is about carrying your own emotional burden and not asking others to do the tough work for you of getting to really know yourself and love yourself,” Kristen shares. “When I wrote this song I’d been noticing how common it is for people to covertly expect their partners to do this work for them. I’ve been that person myself, and it’s bad for everyone involved. You can’t fill your own emotional void with someone else’s love. That won’t get you through.”
Kristen Rae Boden is a confessional storyteller with a theatrical flair. “I see songwriting as a kind of alchemy. With music, I can turn a bad situation that I may regret into a worthwhile endeavor, after the fact,” she confides. “My attitude is: if I write a great song about it, it was worth doing. I take all my problems to the piano.”
The catharsis in her music is physically evident in her piano playing, and her emotive and dynamic vocals. Kristen plays the piano like she’s mad at it; her full body pulsates with rhythm as she attacks the instrument. Her vocals sweep upward from richly expressive lower-register belting to a soaring angelic soprano. Her phrasing swaggers with mama lion toughness, playful sass, and sweet sincerity.
South African superstar singer and songwriter TYLA and Afrobeats phenom Ayra Starr are collaborating for the first time on a new single entitled “Girl Next Door”. It notably marks their first collaboration together. Listen to “Girl Next Door” HERE and watch the visualizer HERE. The song is produced by P .Priime (Wizkid, Omah Lay, Bad Boy Timz).
“I absolutely loved working with Ayra Starr on our new single “Girl Next Door” says Tyla. “She’s such a talented artist and I feel like our energies really came together to create something special. I can’t wait for everyone to hear it!”
It lands in the wake of the buzzing “Been Thinking.” Beyond amassing millions of streams, it incited tastemaker applause worldwide. Pitchfork proclaimed, “Her latest single ‘Been Thinking’ is a slick club anthem that channels the seductive pop-R&B hits of mid-2000s Ciara and Rihanna.” Rolling Stone touted the single among its weekly “Songs You Need To Know,” and Notion hailed it as “a slick dance floor heater that revels in seductive R&B.” NMEraved, “The track seamlessly blends R&B with elements of Amapiano – the South African-born genre that fuses African melodies, jazz, piano melodies and deep house music – bringing the latter sound, and its creator, further into the global spotlight.”
The inimitable Emma Hewitt unearths the full spectrum of her artistry, as she takes on the mantle of singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and co-producer in her awe-inspiring new album, Ghost Of The Light, out May 19 via Black Hole Recordings.
From its genesis, Emma has remained the creative maestro and devoted laborer of her sophomore opus. Spearheading every aspect of its conception—from co-writing all songs and playing an array of instruments across the record, to co-producing the album and directing her own music videos—Emma has been unwaveringly immersed in manifesting her artistic vision.
Ghost Of The Light is mixed by the illustrious Alan Moulder (Smashing Pumpkins, Killers, Beach House, NIN, Wet Leg) in collaboration with Will Brierre (The Killers, Stevie Nicks) and mastered by John Davis (Lana Del Rey, London Grammar, Florence & The Machine). Available to stream, for sale in digital and CD formats, you can enjoy the resplendent sonics of Ghost Of The Light on lavish 140-gram red, limited edition vinyl. All aforementioned mediums are available here.
Falling under the spell of Ghost Of The Light is as effortless as pressing play. Yet, those yearning for a more profound experience will want to delve deeper into Emma’s lyrics and her private cosmos. The album’s title embodies Emma’s contemplation of memories and their role in shaping us—those instantly recalled, half-remembered dreams, and fragmented reminiscences that are persistently with us. Emma channeled this into an array of introspective, intimate songs, which may foreshadow her future.
With tracks like the cinematic ‘Into My Arms’ and the consoling ‘Everlasting,’ Emma tackles her more contemporary memories, specifically those involving separation due to distance or circumstance. Conversely, ‘Collide’ and ‘Children’ pay homage to the beauty and simplicity of early friendships, drawing inspiration from her formative years. ‘Raindrop’ confronts coming-of-age moments, particularly those marked by a crossroads, while ‘Warrior’ ponders the lengths we will go to protect our loved ones. Emma’s crystalline vocals are the constant, guiding listeners through her history and emotional landscape.
As the album transitions to its second act, the mood shifts yet again. ‘Fallen’, first appearing on the movie VANish’s soundtrack, poses tough questions about desensitization in today’s world, asking: what do we become if we don’t feel? While most tracks on the album focus on individual aspects of Emma’s ‘Ghost Of The Light’ motif, ‘Satellites’ offers a comprehensive perspective. According to Emma, the song is about “the distant glow of the memories and people you cannot leave behind.” Introducing a meta songwriting element to the album, ‘Holding Out For You’ confronts the thirst for inspiration when it seems the well has run dry. ‘The River,’ the final track recorded for ‘Ghost,’ serves as a poignant swansong. ‘The River’, says Emma, is “a tribute to an old love – a letter to someone who will probably never receive the message, but their memory needs to be honored anyway.”
On the project as a whole, Emma reflects: “Ghost Of The Light is an ode to the persistence of memory and to the people, places and moments that make us who we are and stay with us long after they’ve gone. Ghosting us in their watery light; they remain almost close enough to touch, but always just beyond our reach. I made this album largely in my home studio and it felt like a meditation. I was driven by a curiosity and desire to look inwards to the quiet corners of my heart and memory and to walk those corridors a while. By diving into the memories, I’ve come to understand that the people, places and dreams we have known, loved, regretted, and yearned for are never far away; they travel with us always; gently lighting our way along sleepless roads.”
Former NBA center turned internationally renowned producer and DJ Rony Seikaly joins forces with dance music’s most sought-after vocalist Jem Cooke for ‘Stay With Me’, releasing May 19 via Miami-based imprint Hurry Up Slowly. This electrifying track fuses the vibrant allure of Afro House with the euphoric energy of Ibiza’s nightlife, culminating in a sultry, irresistible, club-ready anthem that’s set to dominate dance floors.
After a prosperous twelve year career as a basketball player, Rony Seikaly began to further explore his life-long passion for music. Now sharing the stage with luminaries such as Marco Carola, Damian Lazarus, and Guy Gerber, and releasing music under an impressive slew of labels including his own Stride Records, Rony is dominating the dance music scene. Jem Cooke has cemented herself as one of dance music’s most iconic vocalists, co-writing with artists such as Camelphat, Ferreck Dawn, Jax Jones, Gorgon City, and SOMMA, with hits spanning genres such as deep house, techno, drum & bass, and melodic house. ‘Stay With Me’ is the product of two incredibly talented artists bringing their best work to the table for a collaboration that exceeds the sum of its parts.
‘Stay With Me’ is a groovy track- its percussive bed includes cow bells, tambourines, congas, and bongos, while the melodic foundation consists of chopped vocals layered over atmospheric soundscapes. Rony’s impressive production skills are perfectly supplemented by Jem Cooke’s evocative, spacey, reverb soaked chorus. The song’s deep rhythm and evocative lyrics perfectly encapsulate the essence of a night out on the town.
Speaking on what influenced the record, Rony shares: “This track was inspired by the electrifying atmosphere of Ibiza’s club scene, where pulsating beats and exuberant energy keep the dance floor alive and buzzing all night long.”
Jem Cooke adds: “Rony was after quite a classic sounding vocal for this one – I actually wrote something different originally, but once I realized the kind of emotion he was trying to capture I wrote ‘Stay With Me’. It’s capturing a moment between two people realizing how they’re feeling for each other.”
Prepare to be seduced by ‘Stay With Me’, an infectious Afro House heater sure to be enjoyed on dancefloors worldwide this summer. You can catch Rony Seikaly during his eagerly anticipated Ibiza DC10 CircoLoco residency on June 12, June 26, July10, July17, and July 31, as well as his performance at Space Miami on August 12, and be on the lookout for new music coming in the next few months from Jem Cooke, including a collaboration with Majestic on Insomniac Records, Max Styler on Tomorrowland Records, Dubvision on STMPD Records.
Montreal-based singer and songwriter Annabel Gutherz returns today with her new single, “Saturn’s Rings.”
“Saturn’s Rings” continues the intergalactic theme that Annabel first introduced with singles “Retrograde” and “Interstellar.” On “Saturn’s Rings,” her harmonic vocals float atop a rich soundscape of theatrical instrumentation. Produced by Los Angeles-based producer Bleu McAuley (Demi Lovato, Selena Gomez, Michelle Branch), the new single is a sweeping, celestial ballad that highlights the timeless mystique of Annabel’s music.
“‘Saturn’s Rings’ is about being enveloped by your thoughts and feelings for an ex, despite the amount of time that has passed between you two,” Annabel writes. “I wanted the production to reflect the push-and-pull dynamic of the lyrics and the discordant emotional undercurrents contrasting each song section.”
Annabel Gutherz is a singer-songwriter hailing from Montreal, Canada. Combining her compelling and diaristic storytelling with honeyed melodies, distinct vocals and her keen musical ear, Annabel’s songs take listeners on a heartfelt journey packed with raw honesty and emotional conviction. Fiercely committed to her craft, Annabel graduated from Berklee College of Music with a Bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Music Studies and is now completing her Master’s of Arts degree in Songwriting at Berklee as well.
singer-songwriter Brooke Sause reveals her new single, “How Long,” a stunning ballad about searching for clarity in the aftermath of a heartbreak. Co-written with her sister and collaborator Breana, Brooke’s new single fuses her flair for pop-flavored melodies with gentle, acoustic driven instrumentation.
“‘How Long’ is about being heartbroken and realizing that the person who broke your heart never loved you like you loved them,” Brooke explains. “It’s about going through the memories and reanalyzing every details and facet of the relationship, trying to pinpoint where the lies began. While reflecting, you think of all the moments and signs you ignored because you were too in love to be logical.”
22-year-old Brooke Sause knows exactly how to make music that will tug at your heartstrings. The Florida-native began songwriting at a young age with her sister, Breana, who is still her main collaborator to this day. She released her debut single, “ex that’s not my ex,” in 2021 and has continued to come into her own as an artist with follow up hits like “More” and “fallin for you,” the latter of which organically crossed 100K streams.
Currently juggling law school and a budding music career, Brooke is a young talent with impressive aspirations and steadfast determination. Stay tuned for her debut EP slated for release later this year.
Igniting another era, Chicago hip-hop trailblazer and multiplatinum superstar Lil Durk returns with a new single and music video entitled “All My Life” [feat. J. Cole] out now. Listen to “All My Life” HERE and watch the music video HERE. It paves the way for the arrival of his anxiously eighth full-length offering and one of the most anticipated records of the year, Almost Healed, on May 26, 2023.
Pre-order/Pre-save Almost Healed HERE.
Durk initially teased “All My Life” with a viral Instagram snippet that set the internet ablaze causing fans to yearn for the full release. The track’s gentle piano melody sets the tone as J. Cole eloquently delivers his an introspective verse. Soon, Durkduets with a children’s choir to carry an uplifting chorus, “All my life, they’re never gonna keep me down. All this time, they never thought I’d make it out.” However, he did, and he’s telling his story like never before now. The cinematic music video seamlessly translates this vision to life on screen as Durk and J. Cole shine.
Rowan Flack is a south London-based artist known for her introspective and accessible contemporary jazz songs with contemplative lyrics and understated, transparent vocal delivery. As a jazz graduate of Trinity Laban and a former student of The Brit School; her music weaves between the genres of jazz, pop and folk. Inspired by a broad range of singers and instrumentalists; she listens to Astrud Gilberto, Keith Jarrett, Jan Garbarek, Norah Jones, and Gretchen Parlato although early influences also include more downtempo dance and indie-folk bands such as Bonobo, Zero-7, Fleet Foxes, and Villagers. Rowan’s mix of influences has given her a palette of different musical textures and personalities to draw from when crafting her own music. Her current influences include contemporaries such as Kokoroko, Eloise and Cleo Sol.
Flack’s latest music sees the artist dipping her toes into a new direction, with catchy pop hooks and heavy drums. The new single “Tipsy On The Tongue” radiates a soul/pop atmosphere, while still honoring her jazz personality. Her velvet vocals and layered harmonies create an intoxicating, all-consuming air, as silky piano arrangements and soothing percussion melt into a hypnotic aural potion.
Speaking of the song’s narrative, Flack shares, “The music is inspired mainly by relationships. As I have gotten to this stage of my life, I am constantly discovering different flaws and blessings in myself and my personality. I tend to lean towards writing about communication and personal experience.” With the lyrics showing a vulnerability to the artist, Flack continues, “Tipsy On The Tongue focuses on the flaws of my personality during an argument and how two people’s love languages don’t always align.”
Touching on the themes of self-awareness and reflection, the artist speaks about the importance of communication within relationships and being frank about your emotions. With her new music showcasing some of her most personal work to date, she confides, “Taking all this time to finally write and release music about personal experiences and imperfections is empowering and gives me a sense of ever-growing self-assuredness”.
With a wealth of experience working in various creative projects and scenes, Flack’s music has taken her to all corners of the globe, having spent time in both Norway and China. Flack has been featured in the likes of Jazzwise and Revista Magazine Brasil to name a few. With her upcoming debut EP Forest Fires due for release this year, this London artist is sure to make some waves!
Led by the dreamy indie-pop and nostalgic shoegaze vibes of “Not a Friend” (watch), which explores confusing relationships and blurred boundaries, the artistic French native’s moody February release “Widow Dreams Forever” (watch) saw her enter this new era in style – taking audiences through a theatrical journey of freeing herself from the stigma of the grieving widow during a strikingly artistic, editorial music video.
Eternal Lover offers an artistically raw and ‘no holds barred’ insight into the emotional chaos that ensues when facing unrequited love and discovering your identity. A twelve-track collection of hazy gems helmed in sessions between Paris, London and L.A, each song plays like an intimate diary entry, deep from the mind of an introspective artist ready to breakthrough from the underground of the French capital.
Immediately commanding attention with the defiant opening lyric “I’ll make you want me” on first track “Cindy”, further highlights come in “Another Love Story” and the grunge-pop of “Hate Forever”.
Eternal Lover’s breath-taking, conceptual artwork was shot by the renowned French duo Pierre et Gilles, famous for their highly stylized creations for pop icons like Madonna and Kylie Minogue – a major co-sign for Silly Boy Blue’s artistic ambitions.
Meanwhile, Paco del Rosso and Silly Boy Blue’s stellar co-production across Eternal Lover is further brought to life via London’s in-demand mix wizard Geoff Swan, who mixes Eternal Lover fresh from his work for the likes of Caroline Polachek (“Welcome to My Island”), Rina Sawayama (“Hold the Girl”) and Charli XCX (“Yuck”).
Borrowing her name from a David Bowie song from the early part of his career before stardom, Silly Boy Blue shares with him a taste for risk and a deep-rooted desire to push norms and codes. Initially honing her writing skills as a music journalist for France’s most prolific tastemaker publications, Silly Boy Blue eventually began putting pen to paper for a different artistic purpose.
Connecting with audiences with her breakout 2021 debut album Breakup Songs – offering a uniquely introspective outlook on heartbreak and the devastation of lost love – international acclaim for Silly Boy Blue has poured in from the likes of Wonderland, Rolling Stone, Clash, PAPER, Under the Radar and Rain Magazine, alongside significant hype within the blogosphere and her official COLORS debut in 2020.
Following their re-signing to Xtra Mile Recordings earlier this year – JIM LOCKEY & THE SOLEMN SUN – are back with new single “Reno”. Watch the video here.
The track arrives alongside the announcement of the band’s first album in over 10 years ‘Colour’, set for release on 28 July.
Lead single “Reno” is a powerful affirmation of spirit from Jim Lockey & The Solemn Sun as they re-emerge after a nine year-long hiatus. A song all about fresh starts, which seeks that flicker of faith amongst the wreckage of uncertainty and chaos, Jim explains of “Reno”:
“”Reno” is an ambitious love song celebrating the first spark, the connection and endless possibilities of what lies ahead. It’s both the resolution of a past life and the beginning of a new one.”
A spirited indie/rock anthem that blends bouncy guitar riffs, rousing vocal melodies and optimistic chorus hooks, it all makes for an uplifting track that proudly declares their return to music.
“Reno” is the first single to be taken from the band’s new album ‘Colour’, set for release on 28 July via Xtra Mile Recordings. Making a return to their old label after almost ten years, the new record sees Jim Lockey & The Solemn Sun shift their sonic output towards more positive territory with a slightly lighter outlook than fans are used to. “Whilst lyrically heavy,” Jim explains, “we wanted to shift the focus and lean into our biggest choruses, letting them develop organically.”
Focused on prominent occurrences in Jim’s life since the band last released music almost a decade ago, ‘Colour’ tackles the thoughts and feelings that the frontman finds himself most at war with. Dealing with the premature end of a marriage, rediscovering himself as an individual and finding ways through are all themes that bubble under the record’s surface. As Jim explains:
“Written during the breakdown of a relationship that defined my life to this point, this album became a method of healing. Like the chaotic process of grieving it’s an agitated reflection that shifts back and forth — from losing everything to rediscovering myself and finding the resolve to move forward. It was a hugely cathartic process for me, and it’s the most personal I’ve ever been.”
Alongside “Reno”, the album features everything from enormous anthems like “You & I” and rampant indie rock-tinted cuts like “Mercy Wave” to grittier, more melodic moments like “Always” and airy and impending ballads like “Shame”. As a record that takes in a diverse palette of sounds and takes in every shade of life’s rich tapestry, there was only ever one title the band had in mind for their 2023 comeback album. As Jim adds:
“The title ‘Colour’ suited these songs and my experiences perfectly. For me colour is what defines a life: it controls our moods, changes our perceptions and decides how we experience the world. We’re constantly searching for colour in our lives, and immediately feel its absence.”
UK breakout star Stepz continues to deliver sleek soundwaves across his latest rap cut “Book Bag” – taken from his forthcoming debut EP Step By Stepz.
Continuing to showcase a buoyant lyrical prowess focussing on ambition, fun and entrepreneurship, TikTok’s #1 most-viewed UK artist last year, Stepz has rapidly become one of the hottest new talents inspiring youth culture in London. Across his latest offering “Book Bag” – mixed by UK stable Scratch (Kwengface, Blanco, Stefflon Don) – we see Stepz at his most effervescent, effortlessly gliding atop punchy 808s and addictive flute samples, his choppy flows motivating kids to grind with focus, rejecting trap life to explore philosophies of growth, education and lasting success.
With sharp visuals directed by Don Prod (Krept & Konan, Headie One, Digga D) and The Youngest Plug, the 20-year-old talent manoeuvres through vibrant school settings while depicting the link between his school journey and the pace of his lifestyle. With
a hilarious cameo from Ms. Banks, the video also offers the first glimpse of his forthcoming shoe brand Steppers.
Part of the exciting UK management stable FlyStr8, Stepz’ motivational, entrepreneurial spirit and lyrical energy can’t help but recall the cream of pioneering Grime talent like Dizzee Rascal and JME, establishing his persona and music that has quickly amassed well over 10M streams and 200K dedicated monthly listeners, while his viral “POV” style comedy videos have over 200M+ views and counting.
After releasing his viral hit single “Pacman” ft. Fizzler last year, Stepz was catapulted into the mainstream spotlight, becoming the most viewed UK artist on TikTok for 2022, beating the likes of Ed Sheeran, Harry Styles and Sam Smith. His unique artistry and visionary mind have seen critical attention come swiftly from all corners – from NME, BBC and EVENING STANDARD to COMPLEX, TRENCH MAGAZINE and THE FACE’s 2023 Spring Issue. With artist co-signs also across the spectrum from Michael Dapaah to Unknown T, AJ Tracey and Dizzee Rascal himself (who brought Stepz out at The O2 for the 20th Anniversary of Boy In Da Corner), Stepz is feeling like one of the brightest and most innovative new names in the scene right now.
With his debut EP set for release this year and his debut headline show at The O2 Islington confirmed, Stepz continues to define himself as a true UK rap success story in the making.
Having developed a grassroots fan base and earned acclaim from areas such as Wonderland, Clash Magazine, House Of Solo and Spotify’s New Music Friday, Hertfordshire based newcomer Jack Kane today releases his stellar sophomore EP, ‘ Shiner’. A body of work showcasing Jack Kane’s sky reaching vocals and heartfelt songwriting, the project arrives in a year which has already seen Jack play a series of London dates and go on tour with fellow tipped newcomer Ewan Mainwood. Speaking on the project, Jack Kane states:
Shiner, like myself, takes heartbreak, hard times, and inner turmoil, and deals with them by looking at the funny side. It definitely has its earnest moments, but I think it softens some complex emotions in a fun and colourful way. Each track on this EP explores how we take knocks in life, and still we manage to get up and go again.”
On her sophomore album, New Disaster, Canadian singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Victoria Anthony channels the ups and downs of coming-of-age in real-time with a documentarian’s eye for detail.
The Vancouver-based phenom offers loads of unadulterated teen angst as she shares her most intimate stories and feelings about growing up. Throughout the thirteen powerful and cleverly written tracks there is one clear and inclusive message – approach life fearlessly and remain true to yourself.
“New Disaster” follows a series of singles and videos that have garnered critical praise from Billboard, People, Stereogum, AltPress, Consequence, and many more, and her 2020 debut album Real Life.
Ghanaian-American rapper Vanessa Tha Finessa is back with a vibrant new single, “Top Notch,” available today at all DSPs and streaming services HERE. Her first single since last fall, “Top Notch” is just a preview of what’s to come from her EP, which is expected later this month.
LISTEN TO “TOP NOTCH”
“This one is so special to me,” says Vanessa Tha Finessa. “It was the first time where I felt like I could lean into the Afrobeats sound and make it my own. It’s one of my favorite songs I’ve ever done because it expanded my creative brain and how I viewed myself as an artist.”
Claude VonStroke and Shadow Child team up for ‘Steel Thing’ out now via Dirtybird Records.
What began as a way to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Shadow Child’s Dirtybird debut quickly evolved into a full-fledged collaboration with the labelhead himself. Inspired by Shadow Child’s ‘String Thing’, ‘Steel Thing’ acts as an off-kilter companion to the decade’s old house classic. A relentless groove that captivates with each twist and turn, ‘Steel Thing’ basks in the brazen left-of-center rhythms and industrial tones crafted by the pair of underground titans. Destined to be one of Dirtybird’s highlight releases this year, ‘Steel Thing’ honors the label’s long history of making and breaking house and techno talent.
Regarding the collaboration, Claude VonStroke said, “I’ve known Shadow Child for ages and we were going to re-issue his classic ‘String Thing’, but it quickly turned into a whole new idea. We called it ‘Steel Thing’ as an homage to the past, but this track sounds more like someone is hitting a metal pipe inside a psychedelic vortex.”
Shadow Child added, “Linking in the studio with the venerable Claude Vonstroke on this one has been wicked. It’s the perfect way to celebrate my beginnings which were at Dirtybird a decade ago, with a fresh track that could lift the roof off the Sistine Chapel. Viva le ‘Steel Thing’.”
Americana singer-songwriter Al Staehely is thrilled to release his new single, “Something Good Is Gonna Happen,” that is out now via Quarto Valley Records.
A third generation Austinite, Al splits his time between Houston and the Big Bend high desert area of far West Texas. His album of new music, Somewhere in West Texas, recorded in Marfa, TX, will be released on Quarto Valley Records on June 30th and features an all-star lineup of musicians, including Fran Christina (Fabulous Thunderbirds, Bonnie Raitt), Scrappy Jud Newcomb (Ian McLagan, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Patty Griffin, Slaid Cleaves) and Chris Maresh (Eric Johnson, Willie Nelson, Bonnie Raitt, Kenny Wayne Shepherd).
Born from processing the pain of a lost relationship, the release is an impressive display of Asher’s distinctive vocals and cathartic songwriting. Sharing more he explained:
The grief of the end of a relationship can be as painful as losing a loved one, this track captures the feeling of coming to terms with loss.
Gone comes as the final teaser ahead of Asher Ossn’s debut EP Heavy Burden, due for release on the 28th of May. The four track body of work will arrive as an impressive introduction to this exciting new artist. Free from the boundaries of genre, the record is expressive and immersive with captivating intensity.
Gone is the follow up to Asher’s sophomore single ‘Hopeless’. The track came as a dynamic blend of fearless and experimental approaches to music making. Listen HERE
At the end of last year, Asher debuted with his stunning first single Bound. Metal Magazine described the track as ‘A different pure and honest sound’ also flagging the release to be ‘‘the beginning of a promising career.’.
Despite it being early days for the 22-year old, his fearless and experimental approach to music making is a force to be reckoned with.
With his debut EP ‘Heavy Burden’ due for release on the 25th of May, prepare to be swept away by Asher’s signature falsetto, paired with sonic wizardry.
Up next from LA’s resident femme-punk royalty, The Aquadolls, comes “Far Far Away,” the final single before the June 2 release of their album Charmed (Enci Records). A slice of upbeat summer optimism, the song featuring production by Chris Szczech (The Goo Goo Dolls), is a call to arms for anyone looking to ferociously take back their independence. Fans will have a chance to hear this song live tonight at the band’s headline show at New York’s iconic Mercury Lounge – Stream.
In the single’s official video directed by longtime creative collaborator Jenna Houchin, the band is drenched in a retro malaise as they attempt to bust out of the norm – Watch.
Indianapolis-based folk-pop duo Lily & Madeleine share a re-imagined version of their fan-favorite meditative track “Come to Me” out everywhere now. Plus, the pair will hit the road this summer with stops in Indiana, South Haven, MI, and Nashville, TN and tickets are on sale now via lilandmad.com. Later this year, the pair is poised to share new music and much more information to come.
Originally released in 2013, “Come to Me” has over 50 million streams across platforms and has become an all-time fan favorite. Ten years later, Lily & Madeleine have teamed up with longtime friend and creative partner Shannon Hayden to put their growth and evolution as artists and as people on full display. On this new version, producer and multi-instrumentalist Hayden combined folk elements of acoustic guitar and shimmering mandolin with edgy ambient electric guitar, distorted cello, and 80s-inspired synth to create a track that reflects the darker imagery of the song’s new lyrics. Madeleine explains, “The original version of ‘Come to Me’ presents a promise: if everything falls apart, will you come to me? This new reimagined version revisits that promise after all this time, saying: I’ve been with you through it all and I’ll be with you forever.”
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Neill Frazer
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