Category: Listen
Cold Coke Hogan + Aras Davis – Why Am I Like This?
Saint Bodhi – Blessed
Dana Williams – Answers
Dana Williams really is one of my favourite soul/ RnB songstresses from recent years. On this track, Williams delivers a relevant message in a gorgeously exquisite way.
“I wrote ‘Answers’ in response to getting a lot of questions about racism during the George Floyd and Breonna Taylor demonstrations. I didn’t have the answers for the people reaching out to me. I still don’t. But I think it is important to vote in this upcoming election. So much is at stake and we have to exercise our voices and speak up.”
Cero Ismael – Missing Out
A sparsely produced piece of alt-RnB that feels raw and dark, but still highly emotive and relatable.
“On ‘Missing Out’ I reflect on disconnection and the missing between two loved ones. Both started with a new phase in their life but can’t be together anymore.”
Maths Time Joy – Two Steps (feat. Kevin Garrett)
The Grammy-nominated artist, producer and DJ known as Maths Time Joy teams up with Pittsburgh based singer-songwriter (and Beyonce collaborator) Kevin Garrett on a song that is as flawless and perfected as you’d imagine.
“Kevin has been one of my favourite artists for a long time so it was an honour to get to work with a songwriter like him, he brings such sincerity to his work and it was interesting to work in a sonic space that is a bit more uptempo than both of us would usually sit.” – Maths Time Joy
Mei River – Blue
One of the most exciting talents to emerge from Sweden this year, Mei River returns with a melodically intense piece of indie-pop.
The Indien – Longtime Lover
Eccentric Dutch outfit The Indien return today with a loveable slice of soulful, retro-infused indie pop. Eclectic, unconventional and completely mesmerising.
“’Longtime Lover’ is a song about not standing your ground in relationships. The song starts off pretty mellow, mirroring the narrative of just going along with everything the lover wants, but in a dysfunctional way.” – Rianne, The Indien
Maude Latour – Block Your Number
Niko Rose – Concrete
Shaylen – Roll The Dice
Striking a perfect balance between pulsating and confident synthpop with the retro, Shaylen announces the release of her new EP ‘Temporary Feelings’ today.
“This EP is a rollercoaster of emotions I went through over the last year, coming out of a really long-term relationship and thinking the world was ending. In the end, I reminded myself, everything— even feelings— are temporary.”
The EP ‘Temporary Feelings’ out now via The Heavy Group/ Republic Records.
Jada – On Me
Already an established name in her native Denmark, Jada continues to release some of the country’s finest RnB-pop. I think it’s only a matter of time before the rest of the world wakes up to this fabulous talent.
“I grew up in the 00s and this has shaped my creativity, my music, and my life. With this song, I was as inspired by this musical era as I wanted to. To me, this means combining elements of the outer space and infinite universe with intimacy, intensity, and drama. And I just love that.”
Hope Tala – All My Girls Like To Fight
Track of the week. A confident and self-assured fusion of pop and mellow RnB, encased in Spanish guitar and served with masterly lyricism.
“I grew up on good stories, and have always been driven by a desire to craft my own. Writing ‘All My Girls Like To Fight’ was the first time I felt like I was really constructing an expansive narrative in a song. I wanted to create a visually rich tale steeped in drama and intrigue to match the suspenseful Spanish guitar chords we started with in the studio, and wanted to portray women as having strength and agency in the narrative.“
Taken from the upcoming EP ‘Girl Eats Sun’ out soon via PMR/ EMI/ Republic Records.
Jesse Markin – Stars in Your Eyes
Jesse Markin really is making his name as one of the boldest talents to have come out of Finland in the last couple of years. Take note of this kid, his approach to hip hop and RnB is too damn good to miss.
Chris Holsten – Shout, baby
There’s so much good disco-pop coming out of Norway these days, and I have no idea why, but I am here for it!
fika + Fabich – Love Stories (EP)
“‘Love Stories’ was all about exploring creativity and getting to know one another. There were no preconceptions going into the creation of the record and what it should sound like. We ate donuts, drank beer, and enjoyed each other’s company all before exploring any musical ideas. For us that’s what it’s all about, just creating – some of the songs don’t have a structure, they don’t have a chorus, we just went with the flow. What we ended up with was an organic collection of songs that just so happened to be about love.” – fika
Kelli-Leigh – Can’t Get Enough
Madhouse – Nervous
Dylan Dunlap – What We Had
I have a huge respect for up and coming artists who are unafraid to open up their hearts as deeply as Dylan Dunlap does. It shows a level of inner strength that is both inspirational and admirable.
This track looks back at a time when Dunlap was growing up with his father, and carries with it some of the most powerful lyrics that I have heard all week.
“With it, I’m choosing to open up the conversation about toxic masculinity, alcoholism, depression/ anxiety, the diagnosis of my mental health condition, and coping through it all while still allowing room to grieve. My dad took off six years ago this summer and since then, there has been nothing but the craziest updates that could write a soap opera. I feel like this song can finally be my opportunity to share my perseverance into adulthood and my refusal to worry about turning into him any longer. ‘I try so hard to think I’m not my father, I forget about what makes me who I am’ sums up that message in the pre. I think it’s way more effective to sing from a vulnerable place than try to sound/ look like somebody else.”
Chloe Gilligan – Go
One of the most infectious bops you’ll hear all weekend from this American pop starlet of the future. If Chloe Gilligan’s name isn’t already on your radar, make sure it is!
“I wrote ‘Go’ during a time when I found myself falling for someone I never expected to fall in love with. I never saw this relationship coming, but it became clearer and clearer that it was working better than any relationship I had ever been in. ‘Go’ captures the moment you realise it’s best to let go of what’s holding you back and embrace the good that is right in front of you.”