Swedish producer and DJ HANDSHAKE IN SPACE gets the weekend started with new single ‘If You Are Waiting’, out now on all digital platforms.
With a melodic, atmospheric sound, ‘If You Are Waiting’ moves on the border between electronic pop and cinematic house, focusing on emotion, dynamics and a clear melodic theme. The song is created for both late-night listening on headphones and electronic club music playlists.
In November, Stefan Halling – the producer behind Handshake in Space – suffered a brain hemorrhage during a visit to his daughter in Malaysia, which led to emergency surgery and a long recovery with medical restrictions. Despite fatigue and limited creative energy, working on ‘If You Are Waiting’ became a way to reconnect with creation and find a way back to focus.
“I am often tired and it affects creativity, but when I listen to If You Are Waiting, all problems disappear for a while. The song took on a new meaning for me – it is about waiting, but also about not giving up hope“, says Stefan.
Handshake in Space has established itself in recent years with a series of digital releases in electronic music, focusing on melody-driven house and emotionally charged productions. The new single marks the start of a new phase after a life-changing event and will be followed by more releases in 2026.
‘If You Are Waiting’ is now out for the pleasure…so go on, why not check it out below…
GENA PERALA has released her sophomore album, ‘Somewhere New’ last Friday (13th February), across all leading music platforms. Produced by Erik Nielsen, the 12-track album was recorded at Afterlife Studios and finished at Smooth Operator Studios, the result of nearly three years of work, shaped slowly by people in a room making music together.
‘Somewhere New’ is about motion rather than milestones—leaving without spectacle, choosing yourself, and continuing forward even when it feels like pushing the same boulder uphill, again and again. There’s no grand arrival here, no welcome-home party. Just quiet resolve.
The sense of time passing is embedded in the album itself. Songs like ‘Baby Girl’ were written years ago, while others, including ‘Machete,’ came together in the studio. “Letting the band shape and challenge the songs in real time was one of the great gifts of making this record,” Perala says.
“Somewhere New is a journey—about who we were, who we’re becoming, and learning to accept ourselves somewhere in between,” she continues. “I’ve often been described as disarming, difficult, or defiant. Those words are usually meant as insults, and this record spends a lot of time sitting with that—what it means to take up space, to stay true without explaining or apologizing, and to stand your ground, especially as a woman.”
Nielsen’s production keeps the focus on feel, leaving room for silence, tension, and breath. In an era dominated by speed and polish, ‘Somewhere New’ leans into something increasingly rare: musicians listening to each other in real time. The songs linger in the spaces between messages, the silences left by ghosting, and the quiet work of staying present in an increasingly online, distracted world. Rather than rejecting modern life outright, the record gently asks what we lose when attention becomes fractured—and what it means to seek real connection anyway.
Subtle instrumentation deepens that sense of forward motion. A string quartet threads through the album with visceral tension, while pedal steel appears on nearly every track, bending and holding emotion in place. Nielsen’s role was often one of restraint, continually reining things in and giving the songs space. The result is a sound that feels intimate and expansive, guided more by instinct than excess.
The album’s cover image reflects that same spirit. Shot by Perala’s late father, the photograph captures a hot air balloon, carnival swings, and light caught at just the right moment—fleeting, weightless, and quietly beautiful. Motion suspended in time.
Raised traveling the carnival circuit with her family, Perala has long been attuned to impermanence, memory, and the strange comfort of movement. Those early experiences continue to shape her songwriting—work that finds meaning in the everyday and beauty in the overlooked.
‘Somewhere New’ is a record about arrival—not at a place, but at a self. No ceremony. No applause. Just forward motion as quiet cause for celebration. Have a listen below…
After a short hiatus from producing critically-acclaimed projects, including ‘Ghostin’ and ‘Excuse Me’ from his debut project ‘The Damian Mixtape’, CHRISTOF JENNINGS makes a sensuous return with single, ‘Taking Over’, released today (14th February) on Bandcamp.
Perfectly timed for a Valentines release, ‘Taking Over’ is a steamy slow-burn that has been quietly waiting in the archives for its moment. Originally produced for an indie record label, the track was shelved due to creative and personal differences, leading Christof to part ways with the label before the song ever reached the spotlight — until now.
Reimagined and reclaimed, ‘Taking Over’ is a stripped-back, Motown-esque soul offering that drips with intimacy and restraint. The track pulses with raw desire — an overwhelming attraction so powerful that words begin to fail. Serving as a tantalising preview of his forthcoming EP ‘XLV’, slated for release later this year, the single signals a confident and seductive new chapter for Christof.
Beginning his career as a vocalist, Christof toured across the UK with function bands The Young Drifters and The Benidorm Stylistics before turning his focus to music production. He honed his craft at ACM Birmingham and Tileyard Education London, earning both a BA (Hons) and a Master’s degree in Music Production. His creative momentum surged after securing a place on the Sony Writing Camp in 2021, where two of his co-written songs were later featured on hit TV shows, Love Island USA and Hollyoaks.
Puffed with a new-found confidence from his time at Sony writing camp, Christof dropped his debut project, ‘The Damian Mixtape’ in 2022, collaborating with various upcoming artists from and around his home city in Birmingham. ‘The Damian Mixtape’ received widespread accolades from reputation blogs, magazines and radio stations across the globe. Standout R&B track ‘Ghostin’, performed by Nigel Hinds, topped the CHBN radio’s The Playlist chart for four consecutive weeks while ‘Excuse Me, performed by Zara Sykes, was aired on BBC Radio London, where Jacqueline Shepherd praised Christof’s production prowess.
After a brief sojourn in his native Canada, where he collaborated with a number of artists further expanding his skill as a composer and writer, Christof felt it was time, invest in HIMSELF.
Despite his burgeoning music journey, Christof occasionally allowed the demons to creep in with insecurities and low self- esteem, which held him back. Now that he has pushed those demons aside, Christof Jennings is more than ready to step into the limelight. His new sultry single, ‘Taking Over’ – out today(14th February) exclusively via Bandcamp – marks a bold and unapologetic chapter in his journey. Check out the lyric video below:
UK singer-songwriter LIAM L JOSEPH has a gift for turning life’s experiences into music, capturing raw emotion in every note. His latest single, ‘Made For Me’, emerged from a moment of inspiration on a scenic beach in Las Palmas, Spain, where the sound of waves, wind, and laughter, framed by blue skies and towering mountains, sparked sweet, harmonic melodies in his mind.
The track blends smooth neo-soul textures with Liam’s serene vocals, gliding over a warm, grooving bassline that reflects his multi-instrumentalist roots. The result is a romantic song that feels effortless, tender, and timeless. ‘Made For Me’ is now available on all major streaming platforms.
At 16, he composed his first piece for a choir, a milestone that quickly led him into broader songwriting, performance, and production. Music has been central to Liam’s life from an early age. Raised in a musical household — with a singer mother, a multi-instrumentalist father, and musician brothers— he was immersed in melody and rhythm from day one. His passion was further cemented when his brother gifted him his first professional bass guitar, a Yamaha TRB. Influenced by artists such as John Legend, he emphasises emotional clarity and authenticity, believing that honesty is essential for a song to resonate truly.
Beyond his solo work, Liam has established himself as a sought-after session musician, performing with artists including Usher Raymond and Jocelyn Brown, while contributing to multiple collaborative projects. During the COVID-19 lockdown, he co-founded the band formerly known as JAAD, releasing original material. Surrounded by so many talented creatives in the band, Liam re-ignited his creative spark, paving the way for his solo single ‘Set The Tone’ in September 2024.
With ‘Made For Me’, Liam L Joseph continues to define his artistic identity, delivering music that showcases his versatility, musicianship, and creative vision.
Dulo Yakubu – better known by her fans as WORSHIP YAKUBU – penned her latest single, ‘Like Dat!’ during a difficult period in her life. It’s a personal reminder that no matter what obstacles life presents, God remains a guiding light through the darkest moments – and with his love, she can do anything her heart desires.
Firmly rooted in her instantly recognisable Afrobeats sound, fused with smooth, soulful R&B flair, ‘Like Dat!’ showcases Worship Yakubu’s emotional depth and music versatility. The single is now available across all leading platforms.
Known for having distinctive vocals, Worship Yakubu gained wide recognition after her performance on Nigerian Idol, Season Ten, where she made it into the top seven and for her impressive performance, she received the gold ticket. Before that, she won SAVE 2019 and Shabbat 2019, placed in the top ten for Big Break Moments in Africa, and has received several awards along the way.
Her stage name – Worship Yakubu – comes from her ability to connect deeply with people from all walks of life. Her motto is simple but powerful: her love is not just a song; it’s a testament to her belief in spreading love and positive vibrations through her music – and that love connects with so many people because it reminds them that, no matter what they’re going through, there is someone out there who genuinely loves them.
A powerful reflection of her strength and resilience, ‘Like Dat!’ is available for your pleasure across all leading platforms.
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