Watch - New Music

Watch: Casper Grey – Not Loving But Not Leaving

“We’re trying to build love, trust, and meaning without first examining the chaos we’re building them in. Otherwise it’s castles made of sand on sand. Beneath it all lies a quiet, suffocating fear… that if we truly face the root problems, we might open a Pandora’s box of unending trauma. So we avoid it. We freeze. We stagnate. We stay in the hell we know with the devil we recognise, because the cost of leaving financially, emotionally, existentially feels too great. The dream of greener grass rarely outweighs the fear of loss, instability, loneliness, and starting over with a stranger who – at least through the narrow lens of a phone screen – might be even worse. So we remain… not loving, not leaving… repeating the same cycles our incompatible parents did.”

Casper Grey

Watch: Chris LaRocca – breakup coach

Acclaimed singer, songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist Chris LaRocca is back with some new music that deserves your attention!

The artist has just released his latest EP, ‘smile because it happened’ (listen here), along with a fresh single called ‘breakup coach’. Elaborating on the track’s inspiration, LaRocca says:

“Every artist has their breakup song, but I wanted to put a spin on mine. After a breakup I went through in 2019, I found myself in a situation with my ex where we would give each other advice for moving on. We’d check in on each other and share our stories about what being single was like, which ultimately helped us get over one another through these types of conversations. I thought it was kind of funny that we were coaching each other through our own breakup. The person I used to share all my deepest feelings with was now the person I was turning to for advice when it came to new partners, and it helped us both get to a new stage in our lives. With all this in mind, I wrote a self-deprecating and quirky breakup song.”

If you’re unfamiliar with LaRocca’s work, then it’s worth noting that his music has so far amassed more than 13 million streams globally. The artist has also been featured by tastemakers as iconic as Complex, Billboard and FADER magazines.

Chris LaRocca

Watch: Walter The Producer – Since September

If you’ve yet to come across Walter The Producer’s music, then we can tell you straight away that you’ll most likely fall in love with his sound.

‘Since September’ has already racked up more than 640k Spotify streams since it’s initial release, and today’s unveiling of its visuals will only further add to its popularity. This is Walter The Producer’s first ever music video, and plays on the theme of paranoia in an intelligent and thoughtful way.

With his work featured on prominent playlists like Lorem, New Music Friday and All New Indie, as well praise from outlets as respected as Ones to Watch, we think it’s safe to assume that Walter The Producer will hit the global mainstream very soon.

‘No Substance Mixtape’, which written, produced, mixed and mastered by the artist himself can be heard here.

Walter The Producer

🎵 Discover more new music on the Ones To Watch Playlist

Watch: Maleek Berry – My Way

London-based Afro-R&B pioneer Maleek Berry unveils new visuals for his acclaimed single, ‘My Way’.

Directed by Billy King, the video was shot over two days and carries with it a charming yet sleek 70’s flair.

The release serves as a taster to Berry’s forthcoming ‘If Only Love Was Enough’ debut album, which is out soon.

“Some of my favourite videos have been shot on film so we wanted to give my fans a taster into the next era of my music with the video ‘My Way’, the first offering from my forthcoming debut album.”

Since first posting Maleek’s music on Alfitude back in 2017, this talent has gone on to amass more than 200 million streams on Spotify, solidifying his status as one of the UK’s newest global stars.

Maleek Berry

Watch: AntsLive – Number One Candidate

The best music video of the year so far (in our opinion) has to be London rapper AntsLive’s ‘Number One Candidate’.

Directed by Tom Emmerson and filmed in the Italian Alps, the video presents listeners with luxuriously cinematic sceneries that compliment AntsLive’s distinct style of hip hop perfectly.

Already garnering praise from the likes of HYPEBEAST, GRM Daily and The Face, as well as commanding more than 200k monthly Spotify listeners, AntsLive is not only a critic’s darling but also rapidly marking his name as one of the UK’s biggest rap prospects.

‘Just A Matter Of Time’ mixtape is out now.

AntsLive

Watch: DEBBY FRIDAY – SO HARD TO TELL

For those of you who have not yet come across the work of Toronto-based music maverick DEBBY FRIDAY, be prepared to experience some of the most interesting pop sounds you’ll likely enjoy this week.

Intriguing and future-forward in character, melodic new single ‘SO HARD TO TELL’ is lifted from the forthcoming debut album ‘GOOD LUCK’ (out 24th March), of which DEBBY FRIDAY says:

“This album is all of me – everything there ever was and ever will be. I have put everything I f*cking got into this and I hope you will feel my love, I hope you will hear my song.”

To date, DEBBY FRIDAY has garnered support from the likes of Pitchfork, MTV, The Quietus, FADER and The Needle Drop, marking her firmly as one of 2023’s hottest emerging talents.

DEBBY FRIDAY

🎵 Discover more new music on the Ones To Watch Playlist

Watch: vara – paranoia

Emerging US-based artist and influencer vara unveils visuals for dark-pop anthem ‘paranoia’.

Addressing topics like depression and our inner battles with mental health, the song’s honest lyricism is likely to feel relatable and relevant to many listeners.

With more than 350k streams since its release last November, ‘paranoia’ has grown to become vara’s biggest hit yet. Be sure to keep this rising artist on your radars over the next twelve months!

vara

Watch: Pritt – You Mine//Home

South London starlet Pritt unveils visuals for her latest single, entitled ‘You Mine//Home’.

With its sultry and finessed blend of alternative R&B and dark pop, the song continues to solidify Pritt as one of the most versatile and promising talents to emerge from the UK in recent times.

To date, Pritt has picked up praise from the likes of GQ India, Earmilk, CLASH and Trench magazines. Fans can catch Pritt’s radio series on BBC Asian Network, which can be heard here.

Pritt

Watch: Aryia – Losers

Rising talent Aryia unveils visuals for his latest anthem, ‘Losers’. Dedicated to those of us who strive for more of out life, the song serves listeners with an energising fusion of alternative pop and punk.

“I wrote this song because I was so sick of living in Massachusetts that I just wanted to scream. Being annoyed is an understatement. I hope if people feel stuck at where they are at in their lives they can get at least a moment of relief listening to this song. Truthfully we are all just losers doing the best we can to get by. This song and music video was my catharsis of this realisation. And I hope that the people who are sick of their hometowns can relate and bang their heads to this angsty song”

As one of America’s most prominent pop-punk newcomers in recent times (with more than 16 million catalogue streams on Spotify alone), Aryia looks set to hit the mainstream over the next twelve months.

Upcoming EP ‘Viral’ (via Velocity Records) is released on 27th January 2023.

Aryia

Watch: Kizz Daniel – Cough (Odo)

Acclaimed Nigerian singer, songwriter and musician Kizz Daniel unveils visuals to his latest single, ‘Cough (Odo)’.

Having already amassed more than 150 million streams in only two months, it comes as no surprise that the video itself has garnered two million views since its release just three days ago.

“For this song I wanted to highlight the feeling of new love. The song itself is energetic and celebratory, and it really captures what it’s like to fall for someone new.”

The impressive achievement further solidifies Kizz Daniel’s status as one of Africa’s biggest names. To date, this mega-talent has accumulated two billion career streams and commands twenty million fans across social media.

The song is included as part of EMPIRE’s new compilation, entitled ‘Where We Come From’ (out now). The collection of songs features 19 leading African artists, including Asake, Fireboy DML and Wande Coal.

Kizz Daniel

Watch: Chxrry22 – Wasteland

Ethiopian-Canadian starlet Chxrry22 returns with a sensational new single that continues to showcase this artist as one of North America’s most promising talents.

Lifted from debut EP ‘The Other Side’ (out now), ‘Wasteland’ is a melodic slice of alternative R&B that was lyrically inspired by Torontonian ‘wastemen’.

Now commanding more than 150k monthly listeners on Spotify and garnering well over a million career streams to date, Chxrry22 has firmly set herself as an artist to watch.

Chxrry22

Watch: Kleo – Broken Hallelujah

After much hype over the last twelve months, Danish indie-pop artist Kleo finally unveils her debut EP, entitled ‘I Love This Movie’ (out now).

Serving as a commentary on the key moments of life, the record treats listeners to a gorgeously dreamy collection of songs that are deeply captivating – both lyrically and sonically.

Alongside the EP, Kleo has also released a lyric video for ‘Broken Hallelujah’, which was written as an ode to ‘the one who got away’.

Kleo

🎵 Follow the Scandinavia Sound Playlist

Watch: ESS_WEST – You

Brixton-based talent ESS_WEST returns today with some beautifully tender wholesome visuals to accompany his latest single, ‘You’.

Described by the artist as ‘a short tale of appreciation for what is yours’, the Garreth Chan-directed video employs storytelling and cinematic techniques to carry the message that you are enough for someone, regardless of life’s circumstances.

Since it’s release earlier in the summer, ‘You’ has found its way on to the airwaves of prominent outlets like Kiss FM, BBC 1Xtra and Capital Xtra – pushing ESS_WEST’s name further into the mainstream.

ESS_WEST

Watch: MARIS – Heavenly Bodies

Rising American singer and songwriter MARIS unveils a music video for her anthemic new single ‘Heavenly Bodies’.

An indie-pop banger in every sense of the word, the track serves as a teaser for next year’s EP release. Elaborating on the visuals for the song, MARIS explains:

“Making the music video for ‘Heavenly Bodies’ was the manifestation of years’ worth of dreaming. From the time ‘Heavenly Bodies’ was just a demo, I had massive ideas for what the visual world could be. I’ve made a few different PowerPoints, then wrote out a rough shot list, which my co-director, Caro, ironed out and added her ﬁlm expertise to.”

With support from the likes of Wonderland already under her belt, MARIS is most certainly a talent to watch out for in 2023.

MARIS

Watch: Daniel Price – In The End

Rising 22-year old American artist Daniel Price unveils some stunning visuals for his latest single, ‘In The End’.

Taken from the new album ‘Peaking’ (out now), the track’s beautifully melodic mix of R&B and indie-pop sets the tone for Price’s introspective lyricism, which tells of the choices that we make in our quest to better ourselves.

Price currently commands over 50k monthly listeners on Spotify, and has received acclaim from noted tastemakers like Lyrical Lemonade and Wonderland.

Daniel Price

Watch: Freddie Long – Sober

After spending the last eighteen months working on new music, Freddie Long is back today with one of the most powerful releases of the week.

Serving as Long’s first single from his forthcoming debut album ‘LOVE/HATE’ (out next year), ‘Sober’ is a raw and brutally honest pop-rock anthem which finds the artist singing about turning to alcohol as a way to deal with a break-up.

The song marks a new beginning for Long, who has spent the last few years experimenting with different sounds:

“I’ve always felt like I’ve been trying to find the right fit for my music. The previous few projects I’ve enjoyed and loved working on but this project has felt different. I feel like I’ve connected with my roots. This music makes me feel something, on and off stage.”

The accompanying video for the track features drummer Kieran Leigh, and was filmed in an empty garage with the help of friends:

“I’ve always been hands-on when it comes to visuals, I enjoy creating and coming up with concepts. This one was no different. We managed to pull this shoot together within one day and I’m very proud of what we achieved.”

Freddie Long

Watch: Sha Sha – Themba Lami (feat. Ami Faku)

Hailed as the ‘Queen of Amapiano’, Zimbabwean star Sha Sha returns with a sensational collaboration featuring acclaimed soul artist Ami Faku.

Lifted from her upcoming ‘I’m Alive’ album, hypnotic new single ‘Themba Lami’ presents listeners with a sensual and intensely intimate sound, and was inspired by feelings of heartbreak. Speaking on the visuals for the track, director Lenzo Dlamini says:

“When you listen to the song you get a sense of how intimate the song is, I went with a feel and concept that is more inviting into their personal space matching the message of the song. We created spaces and setting that feels like it’s like their own rooms where they can confide in one another.” – Lenzo Dlamini, Director

Sha Sha was the first Zimbabwean to win Best New International Act at the BET Awards, and has also received recognition from the SAMA and MTV Africa Music Awards. The artist currently commands over 200k monthly listeners on Spotify alone.

Sha Sha | Ami Faku

Watch: Joesef – East End Coast

Scottish soul kid Joesef wrote ‘East End Coast’ in a summer when he found love and decided to move out of his home city. Lyrically, the song encapsulates the feelings of comfort we place in the people and places that we know and are familiar with.

Directed by frequent collaborator Luis Hindman, the accompanying visuals draw on 90’s club culture for inspiration, while the story follows Joesef as he sees someone that he loved across the dance-floor.

“It was important for me for the ‘East End Coast’ video to have a sense of urgency, and capture a feeling that felt true to the song and its meaning. Working with Luis [Hindman, director] again on this one was a dream. He completely understands the visual aspect of my music and treats it with a lot of detail and care. The inspiration came from films like Kids, Trainspotting, Beats etc and it’s been a lot of fun creating this world for the music to live in. I can’t wait for people see what’s coming next.”

Following on from headlining London’s Shepherds Bush Empire and Glasgow’s O2 Academy earlier this year, Joesef will play a series of festivals across the UK this month.

Joesef

UK Festival Dates 2022

20 August Otherlands Festival Perth, Scotland
26 August Connect Festival Ingliston, Edinburgh
27 August Reading Festival Reading
28 August Leeds Festival Leeds

Watch: The Beaches – Grow Up Tomorrow

Canadian rockers The Beaches unveil visuals for their anthemic new single ‘Grow Up Tomorrow’.

By perfectly encompassing the essence of carefree youth, the song feels relatable to both younger and older listeners, and serves as a summer banger for the weeks ahead. Speaking on the video (directed by Ievy Stamatov), The Beaches said:

“Since the song is such a fun bop we wanted to represent it in the only way we know how: by throwing a house party with all of our closest friends. I’ve recently come into my own in the queer community (Leandra), who have welcomed me with open arms, so I wanted to make sure we represented this new, big part of my life in the video.”

To date, The Beaches have accumulated over 52 million catalogue streams, and opened shows for the likes of The Rolling Stones, Foo Fighters, Avril Lavigne and Alanis Morisette.

The Beaches

The Beaches North American Tour 2022

July 30th – Niagara on the Lake, ON @ Jackson Triggs
August 5th – Toronto, ON @ History
August 6th – Toronto, ON @ History
August 9th – Brooklyn, NY @ Elsewhere Rooftop
August 10th & 11th – Nantucket, MA @ The Gaslight
August 13th – Boston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall
August 14th – Bethlehem, PA @ Musikfest
October 7th – Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade
October 8th – Ringold, GA @ Rabbit Valley Festival
October 9th – Nashville, TN @ The Basement
October 11th – Washington, DC @ Pearl Street Warehouse
October 12th – Philadelphia, PA @ Dolphin Tavern
October 21st – Chicago, IL @ Schubas
October 22nd – Columbus, OH @ Ace of Cups
October 23rd – Detroit, MI @ The Underground

Watch: Tora-i – Lounging

Tora-i really does showcase the best of new British R&B. Here is a talent who effortlessly crafts timelessly classic and beautifully melodic sounds, filled with clever lyricism and moving vocals.

Following on from the release of ‘Lounging’ back in May, this gifted musician now unveils the visuals to the song. Sharing her thoughts on the video, Tora-i says:

“Exploring the intricacies of relationships, the video follows the intimate moments between real couples in their day to day lives. When we discuss romantic love, it’s often dramatised or sometimes misses the authenticity behind it, probably as we’re still figuring out what it exactly is or how we navigate it , this is my contribution to that question.”

Tora-i recently completed a tour with the iconic Snoh Aalegra, and will be joining superstar Omar Apollo on his forthcoming UK and US tour. You can catch Tora-i live at All Points East next month.

Tora-i

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