I very rarely feature live edits of tracks, but this is so beautifully unique and unexpected that it just has to be heard.
The Dutch-Sudanese songstress that is Gaidaa took on Usher’s noughties classic ‘OMG‘ and turned it into the most finessed slice of RnB you could ever wish for.
Taken from the new EP ‘COLORS Live in NYC’ which is out now.
“‘Coming Up’ was written after I’d come home from a party like last year. This dude who used to bully me in school was there and I remember him being a dickhead at the party. I could never stand up to him when I was a kid but I stood up to him that night, I think it took him by surprise and I remember being so pissed off because I let it effect me, it felt like being 15 again. It’s the sort of feeling that makes you wanna give up, but I snapped out of it and thought, no fuck that, I won’t let it affect me, I’m not a kid anymore. And I wrote ‘Coming Up’ that night. I think the tune was an effort to shake that feeling, it was kind of a fuck you.”
Originally written in the aftermath of heartbreak, Tom Grennan’s newest single takes on a different meaning as we all look ahead to 2021.
“’When I wrote Something Better’, it was a song about me smiling on the outside but dealing with a whirlwind of dark thoughts and distractions on the inside. Since Covid-19 and lockdown, the tables have turned! I’m smiling on the inside, and I’m constantly distracted with thoughts of the exciting, crazy and better future that is coming, and it’s just around the corner!”
Taken from the upcoming album ‘Evering Road’, due for release 5th March 2021 via Insanity Records.
A song for anyone who feels out of place, seventeen-year-old Sydney-born talent Evie Irie unveils visuals for her new release, ‘Misfit’.
Evie is also launching her very own ‘Official Misfit Scholarship’ in partnership with Bold.org to support misfit high school students with a passion for arts and music. She will be involved with the interview and selection process, so check out more here.
Taken from the new EP ‘The Pessimist’ which is out now.
If you’re not familiar, the NHS is the UK’s national healthcare system which anyone has access to; it’s one of the country’s most valued institutions, and one that tears down social hierarchy and treats everyone as equal.
“I wrote this track as a reminder to always appreciate what you have whilst you have it. Be happy and make do with what you have. things could always be better but things could also be worse. Thank you for everything.”
Taken from the upcoming album ‘TYRON’ which is out on February 5th 2021 on Method Records.
“‘Pity Party” is about a party getting way out of hands. When it’s 4 am, everyone’s wasted, and no one can nor want to stand for their actions anymore. People sleeping in your parents’ bed, someone is fighting in the kitchen, you puke but get up and drink more. Even though you kind of enjoy letting go of everything for a night you still feel very anxious about being the one responsible. Everything just starts to feel like a joke and at the end you start feeling sorry for yourself. The birthday party turned into a pity party!”
Taken from the outstanding new EP ‘Pity Party’ which is out now.
In the years I have known of Petite Meller, I have come to learn that every release is so much more than just a song.
There really are very few creatives who execute their art as richly as Petite does; and with this video more so, featuring some of her fans creating performance art in public places.
“Our Love is art and art is just forever my love. This kind of love I wish for. A Forever, even after “till death do us apart”. I wished someone will sing this song to me. How we all wish to be loved.”
Three years and three mixtapes later, Easy Life are finally gearing up to release their debut album, and with it comes ‘Daydreams’.
“Like most of us, I’ve spent the whole year sat at home daydreaming about a possible alternate reality. Born out of boredom and idleness, ‘Daydreams’ is as much about getting drunk as it is about falling in and out of love.” – Murray Matravers, Easy Life
“The title being censored is to highlight how throughout history parts of society have portrayed black people and culture almost like a swear word.”
This song genuinely gave me shivers of emotion; it’s a stunning piece of music and I really hope you give it time to play in full, because it’s nothing short of stunning.
The visuals are just as gorgeous, where the inspiration for the song opens the video as we hear Nikki Giovanni’s striking words from her 1971 conversation with fellow author, poet and activist James Baldwin: “I get least of you. I get the very minimum. And I’m saying, you know, fake it with me. Is that too much for the Black Woman to ask of the Black Man?”
“‘Black Woman’ is about reconciliation and also celebration – celebrating how strong our women are and how they hold us up. People might think this song was written as a response to the moment right now but it’s saying the exact same thing it was saying when it was written a year ago – ‘I see you, I recognise you, I appreciate you and I love you’.”
Taken from the sophomore EP ‘It’s Never Really Over’ which is out now via Island Records.
“I hope these songs can make you feel something and help you like they have helped me. These are the most genuine songs I’ve ever made… New era starts now.”
British readers will recognise that this release from American talent Hamond samples UK garage classic ‘Rewind’ by Artful Dodger.
Flawlessly done too, if I say so myself. This kid brings a refreshingly bold and original approach to RnB and pop, and I am living for it.
Taken from the new EP ‘Source Material’ which is out now.
One of the most fun visuals I have seen all week, featuring a brilliant intro with Dan Rue from ‘Wild ‘n Out’.
The track itself is a fresh and finessed RnB number with some Guyanese flavour added for extra goodness.
“It’s about being young, single and living your best life. The record has a fun and carefree vibe to let loose to.”
Taken from the forthcoming EP ‘Love Songs About Nobody’ which is set to release later this year.
A positive song with matching visuals is just about the most needed thing in 2020.
“‘Doubt Nothing’ again just does what it says on the tin. I was really particular about what song I was going to release following on from ‘Ain’t So’ and my mood and my energy and everyone else’s energy right now just needs ‘Doubt Nothing’, I’d like to think it’s uplifting. It’s just me in a song really.”
New visuals to celebrate the news that Arlo Parks’ debut album ‘Collapsed In Sunbeams‘ will *finally!* be out on 29th January 2021 via Transgressive Records.
“This is a song about self-discovery, self-acceptance and adolescence. It is supposed to uplift and comfort those going through hard times”.
“With this video I wanted the feeling of absence to really be felt. We wanted to contrast that with bright colours because often when I feel down, outwardly it can seem the complete opposite. I cover up everything with a smile and numb myself with food comas and mindless activities.”
Taken from the debut album ‘One of One’ which is out now.
London duo HONNE (one of my all time favourite bands) have just released a new acoustic EP, ‘no song without you: dream edits’, which reimagines six tracks from their mixtape ‘no song without you’.
Perfect listening for lockdown, wherever you are in the world, and a reminder of just how happy their sound can make you feel.
It’s not every day that you come across a song like this; polished bubble-gum pop that somehow flirts between being a little sexy, a little playful, and a little bonkers. It’s pure escapism and madly charming.
The LA-based talent behind the track is 21-year old Salem Ilese, who after initially being sought after by publishing companies as a songwriter, held out and eventually secured a record deal. Four million UK streams later, and we have a new starlet in the making.
