Owner of NEW LEASE MUSIC blog, which showcases the latest releases from indie and unsigned artists, and NEW LEASE MUSIC PROMOTIONS, which promotes indie/unsigned artists via blogs/magazines, radio, independent and Spotify playlists
As it’s just over two weeks to Christmas, I thought I’ll sparkle some festive magic here on NEW LEASE MUSIC…and to help us to reignite that spirit of goodwill, is singer DOUG FERONY, who re-released his version of a classic we all know – and perhaps very fond of… ‘Jingle Bells.’
The American crooner puts a cheerful big band feel to the Christmas song, possessing a vocal range similar to big band favourites, Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett, which really gives the two-minute production a classy and perhaps a golden Hollywood glow.
Doug Ferony’s version of ‘Jingle Bells’ is originally from his 2007 festive album, appropriately titled, ‘It’s Christmas’. The 11 track-album features even more Christmas classics such as ‘Santa Claus Is Coming To Town’, ‘Let It Snow’, and ‘Jingle Bell Rock.’ Ferony pulls out all the stops to create that perfect family gathering at Xmas, through his smooth croons which works perfectly in unison with the upbeat live instrumentation.
So get a taste of Ferony’s album, ‘It’s Christmas’ by listening to ‘Jingle Bells’ below…
Memphis rap star NLE CHOPPA‘s energetic single ‘Jumpin’, featuring Chicago rapper Polo G serves as the first release from Choppa’s EP ‘Me vs. Me’, released last Friday (3rd December). The fiery track finds the duo in search of cash and come ups. An accompanying cinematic video explores similar themes, featuring the pair in a multi-act heist story fit for the big screen.
‘Jumpin’ puts Choppa’s precise flows at centre stage. Flipping through flexes and delirious threats, the track lets him show off what he does best. “Play with my cash and I’m on your ass,” he raps. “Like the pockets on the back of your pants.” His ability to blend clever one-liners with a sense of menace is on full display, an approach that Polo also adopts on his melodic verse.
The accompanying visual plays like a classic heist film, with Choppa and Polo serving as the stars. Armed with guns, masks, an armored truck, and dazzling grills, the duo embark on an epic bank robbery, only to get into a shootout with the cops. Like Robin Hood, though, the crew escapes, and the pair end the video chuckling with one another, thumbing through their spoils.
Last year marked his first Top 100 single and 1Xtra playlist in the UK with ‘Walk Em Down’ featuring Roddy Rich and this along with his release with Lil Baby ‘Narrow Road’, another UK success was supported by Tiffany Calver, Tim Westwood, Kenny Allstar
This new collaboration is the latest track in a wildly successful year for NLE Choppa. In August he released the hard-hitting ‘Mmm Hmm,’ which followed June’s poignant, introspective ‘Letter to My Daughter.’ On April 1, he dropped his beloved ‘First Day Out,’ a freestyle over SpotemGottem’s ‘Beat Box.’ The video has since achieved 65 million views on Youtube and the track was eventually reissued as an official remix called “Beat Box 4.” Back in January, Choppa dropped ‘Picture Me Grapin,’’ with a video paying homage to Tupac Shakur. The visual was released at 11:11 AM on January 22, playing up Choppa’s fascination with numerology and spiritual enlightenment.
Choppa continues to push himself and the culture forward. He crashed the Top 10 of the Billboard 200 with his 2020 debut album, Top Shotta. He achieved a record run of 24 weeks atop Billboard’s Emerging Artists Chart. To date, he has gathered 5 billion-plus global streams, six RIAA-certified plaques, a spot on the 2020 XXL Freshman list, and a nomination for the 2020 BET Hip-Hop Awards’ Best New Artist and was recently featured on Billboard’s “21 Under 21” list.
With ‘Jumpin,’ Choppa continues his run as one of the most exciting MCs out, in addition to proving his mettle as a worthy collaborator. With Polo G joining on the ride, NLE Choppa has converted his momentum into another hit.
Why not check out the video for ‘Jumpin’ (released on NLE Entertainment/Warner Records)
GABRIELLE METZ shows her vulnerable side in her cover of Ingrid Andress’ ‘More Hearts Than Mine’, where the young songstress grabs the listener’s attention from the very first note, right to the end with her sometimes gritty vocal combined with her emotional delivery. The deliberately honest lyrics are perfectly conveyed with the silvery vocals from Metz matched with a beautifully simplistic piano line.
“The first time I listened to Ingrid’s song I was immediately transported into her world and felt a deep connection to the lyrics. I typically do not record covers but I have been itching to record this song since 2019.” – Gabrielle Metz
Gabrielle has been nominated for Alabama Music Awards Best Female Country in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021. She has also been nominated for Alabama Music Awards Best New Artist in 2018 and 2019. Gabrielle is also on Country Sways 2021 Artist to Watch.
Have a listen to Gabrielle’s stunning cover below…
A meditation on reaching your highest self, ‘Mindful,’ the latest single from Calgary alternative R&B artist UYEMI calls for cutting cords with those who block your growth. The track, which appears on her upcoming Butterfly Effect EP, is out now with an accompanying video directed by Alimzhan Sabir (Mattiel, ToBi, Jon Vinyl), with creative direction from Uyemi and video production by fellow visionary artist Selci.
The video takes viewers into a bleary-eyed Uyemi’s dishevelled environment, a metaphor for her troubled world. Connecting to her higher self through a TV set in retro soul-infused sequences and euphoric soft-focus hallucinations, Uyemi’s journey from anguished to elevated state of mind is stylishly portrayed.
“There’s free will/You can do whatever you like…You can be yourself,” Uyemi intones to her turmoiled self from an alternate place. And it’s in this space between strength and vulnerability that she finds her groove. Paired with smooth-as-liquid melodies, her airy vocals waft like a long, calming exhale.
“’Mindful’ is a plea to protect your energy fromunhealthy relationships and negative thinking,” Uyemi says. “You’ve got to be mindful of everything around you, so you can create the life that you want. The whole Butterfly Effect EP is about ridding toxic people from my life and finding my voice again after I lost it.”
Brooklyn bred/Los Angeles based R&B artist PUNK ADAMS just released his new single and visuals for ‘Boo.’ Exploring a new love and taking a bold approach with someone he’s interested in, Punk put his feelings on the table, singing: ”I done had a few but there ain’t none like you.”
Punk confides, “I wrote ‘Boo’ to showcase more confidence in self. I wasn’t always confident in my size and appearance, so it made it difficult to talk to people out of fear of rejection. This time I wanted to put myself out there in a more flirtatious way, seeing someone I like and taking a chance.”
During his writing camp, Punk Adams worked with producer “Titus E Johnson“ to create a fun and flirtatious song inspired by the 90s hip hop & RnB songs he grew up on, such as the innovative sounds of Pharrell and Missy Elliot. With its playful melodies, catchy lyrics, and vibrant sound, ‘Boo’ comes just in time for cuffing season.
Punk Adams has received acclaim from the likes of Billboard, Afropunk, Earmilk, BBC Radio 1, Slay and added to Spotify’s “Fresh Finds” playlist. Check him out below…
