As the title suggests, ‘Gently’ is a delicately balanced piece of music that incorporates orchestral elements into a pop setting; forming a song that is exquisitely produced and ever so moving.
KINDER – Gently
Category: Listen
Wesley Joseph – Ultramarine
British rapper, singer and producer Wesley Joseph’s ‘Ultramarine’ brings a sound like no other that I have heard all week.
A perfected blend of genres, this song delivers emotive and melancholic tones over a richly eclectic and dreamy soundscape that is mesmerisingly beautiful.
Laufey – James
“I’m definitely very influenced by composers like Ravel and Chopin, but when I discovered the Great American Songbook and the music of George Gershwin and Richard Rodgers, it felt like this middle ground between jazz and classical that suited me perfectly.”
Taken from the new record ‘Typical of Me’ which is out now.
I M U R – Sad Girls Club
Weaving alt-RnB with avant-pop, Canadian trio I M U R are creating some of the most refreshingly genre-bending sounds to emerge from the nation right now.
Taken from their upcoming album ‘My Molecules’, new single ‘Sad Girls Club’ is all about the trickery that our subconscious mind plays on us when we’re feeling low; the self-deprecation, unworthiness, and being burdensome.
Julius – take me to the moon
Julius is one of those rare artists who I just never seem to ever tire from. Each release has been a pleasant and unexpected surprise stylistically – and ‘take me to the moon’ is no exception. A wonderfully melodic and charming indie-pop bop from one of LA’s finest.
Remi Wolf knows remixes well…
I don’t usually feature EP’s in their entirety on Alfitude, but then again Remi Wolf was never the ‘usual’ kind of pop starlet.
Today sees the release of a remix package called ‘We Love Dogs!’ that includes some all-time pop royalty including Beck, Hot Chip, Little Dragon, Free Nationals, Sylvan Esso and Nile Rodgers as well as the likes of Kimbra, Panda Bear, Dominic Fike, Phony Ppl, and Porches. I keep saying it: watch out for Remi Wolf… this kid is the next generation of pop.
Every remix on the EP is a unique in its own special way – from start to finish. If there’s one record that will raise your spirts, pulse and ass off the chair – it’s this one!
“This is very sick. Half of these artists are ones I studied in school and have admired since I was a teenager. Needless to say I’m shook! I hope you dance, vibe, shower, and chill to these remixes! I hope you make a lasagna or an eggplant parmesan while you listen to them, too!!!”
Moodbay – My Thing
British electro-pop duo Moodbay’s new release, ‘My Thing’ carries one simple message: to be your authentic self without caring what others think.
The sentiment aptly suits the duo’s new chapter, as they take creative control over their identity and begin releasing independently for the first time in their career.
Taken from upcoming EP ‘Somewhere Under The Moon’ which is out later in the year.
Tómas Welding – Here They Come
Icelandic artist Tómas Welding returns with the beautifully emotive ‘Here They Come’.
This is a song that builds up from a dark and intense start, and ends in an epic- almost cinematic conclusion which is just so stunning to experience.
Justin Nozuka – Break Me
Just about the most sublime RnB-soul you’re likely to hear all day. Everything about ‘Break Me’ is perfection; from the smooth flow of the melody right through to Nozuka’s gorgeous vocals.
Kyle Dion – Purr (feat. Kari Faux)
One of America’s most exciting new RnB’s talents, Kyle Dion now commands close to 700,000 monthly listeners on Spotify alone. ‘Purr’ features the equally sensational Kari Faux and is undoubtedly a summer hit in the making – I won’t be surprised if this song takes off globally very quickly.
Drew Jodi – Lost
Following on from the fantastic debut ‘Coward’, Drew Jodi returns today with stunning new single ‘Lost’. If you haven’t heard the latter song, then you really should – there’s a juxtaposition in tone between both tracks that is stark; yet lyrically both tracks centre on mental health and the theme of breathing.
Where the breathing in ‘Coward’ is a metaphor for loneliness, in ‘Lost’ the delivery of ‘breathe in’ comes less as a command and more of a reminder to exercise presence of mind, even with the weight of the past bearing down.
“I was finishing ‘Lost’ around the same time I wrote ‘Coward’ during the first lockdown last year. Both tracks were written in a stream of consciousness, with most of the lyrics coming out in one improv take. I only realised later that I was almost talking about the same thing from an alternate perspective.”
kerri – GROWING PAINS (feat. Naji)
Montréal-based producer and singer-songwriter kerri creates music that blends alternative RnB with hip-hop in a very finessed, almost understated way.
This stunning collaboration with PA-based artist Naji is a beautifully colourful yet melancholy sound that is sure to win your hearts.
“We found a way to relate to each other’s experiences with finding confidence in ourselves after being alone and how hard it can be healing from someone hurting you. Emotional weight is hard to carry and takes a lot of strength to overcome. We produced the track and wrote the first versions of our vocals together the first time we met, sending files back and forth over email until it was finished.” – kerri
Rochelle Jordan – ALREADY
Rochelle Jordan’s unique approach to RnB and dance continues to impress, with the release of ‘ALREADY’ once again showcasing this LA-based artist’s skill for taking classic sounds and turning them into epic anthems.
“’ALREADY’ represents that crucial and courageous moment you decide to end a toxic relationship or situation. This song is the moment it becomes so clear to you and you feel this sense of freedom because you know it’s actually over in your mind and heart. It takes a lot to get to this point because it’s scary to separate from what can seem strangely comfortable even if it’s literally killing your spirit.”
Taken from the new album ‘Play With The Changes’ which is out now via Young Art Records.
KyleYouMadeThat, YBN Nahmir, Joseph Black, YB Redencion – Make You Happy
A beautifully moving release from rising Toronto artist – producer KyleYouMadeThat, ‘Make You Happy’ features a guitar sample that curls around a booming bass line as a trap production takes hold.
Featuring the talents of YBN Nahmir, Joseph Black and YB Redencion, the song delivers one emotionally charged performance after another before an addicting hook kicks in.
Fredrik Ferrier – You
British TV fans will instantly recognise Fredrik Ferrier, although I’m featuring him today purely on the brilliance of his new single, ‘You’.
This is a gorgeously finessed mix of neo-soul, funk and electro-pop; all the while Ferrier sings with every register of his voice to a story of obsession, love and the refusal to move on.
Reflecting on writing the song in Sweden with Andreas Larsson (aka Castell) and Matty Ray, Fredrik explains:
“The quick spoken verses started out as a bridge idea and it was the final idea of the song. However we loved the new energy so much we changed up the whole song, putting them at the beginning which gives the song it’s infectious and hard hitting energy from the moment you press play!”
Elise Eriksen – Young Once
Fun fact: Elise Eriksen is the daughter of one half of legendary producers Stargate. Born in Norway, raised in Manhattan and now LA-based, this new talent is certain to hit pop dominance soon; she already receives over 160,000 monthly listeners on Spotify alone!
papichuloteej – Boyfriend
Ayzha Nyree – Noya
Ayzha Nyree is undoubtedly one of the most exciting artists to emerge out of the US recently, having mastered the art of blending hip hop and RnB in a way that gives it a totally unique and fresh perspective.
Picture This – LA House Party
One of Ireland’s biggest musical exports in recent years, Picture This are back today with the fantastically catchy ‘LA House Party’.
This is a fabulous slice of pop-rock that’s packed with engaging lyricism, delivered with distinctively unique vocals that exude charm.
GoldFord – Ride the Storm
This is soul-pop at it’s purest, finest and most emotive. Melodically sublime, Goldford’s husky and weathered vocals increase the beauty of ‘Ride the Storm’ even further by sending a warm embrace to those struggling with these unsettled times.
“‘Ride The Storm’ reflects the collective anxiety that the world now lives in. There are no guarantees of anything, but we’re going to get through this together.”