Author: Tracey Dawkins

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

Sofia Join Forces With Jesse Markin for Emotive New Single, ‘Sorry’

Emerging Finnish artist SOFIA steps into the new year with the brooding, R&B-tinged single, ‘Sorry’, featuring Jesse Markin’s thoughtful verses.

Opening up on the story behind the song, Sofia explained how the idea for the track came from the “cheesiest” quote she found – “If you can’t love yourself, how the hell are you gonna love somebody else?” She continues, “I wrote this song while going through a breakup, just admitting that you’re through can be a pretty hard thing to do, but some things can’t be locked out and need to be experienced”.

Jesse wrote his part as an answer to Sofia’s experience; “My aim was to capture the thoughts of one going through a breakup. The questions one might be asking, for example: does she love me for my public persona or is it just me? Why continue if the spark is missing? Am I making the right choice by leaving? What love should feel like and is our generation too hasty with these decisions? At the end the answers are something we have to figure out for ourselves”, he reveals.

Produced and co-written by renowned Finnish producer Matti Pitkänen, ‘Sorry’ continues with the almost cinematic but deeply rooted in personal experience’s sound Sofia has introduced us to in her debut EP ‘Heavy’, which has seen support from key music publications including Nothing But Hope And Passion and Bands of Tomorrow and Wonky Sensitive, as well as Spotify ‘New Music Friday’Playlist in Finland. Whilst her first international debut ‘Domino’, a mix between Billie Eilish haunting ballads, Khalid’s pop-inflected R&B and Anne-Marie’s truth-telling, put Sofia on the right path to becoming the next Nordic-pop sensation.

Have a listen to ‘Sorry’ below…

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Song of the Day: Alive – Yung Fume – Alive (ft. Chanal)

U.S loved Londoner YUNG FUME has partnered up with Chanal from much loved girl group M.O’s for single ‘aLive’.

The smooth ambient smash features the unmistakable tones of Yung Fume. His hazed out, emotive delivery topped with auto-tune is met with the sweet harmonies and soothing edge from Chanal as the pair create an honest and captivating drop, based on their own journey of emotion, reminding us that even on the darker days of life, we’re still ‘aLive’ and nobody is on their own.

Having become one of the UK’s frontrunners in conquering the U.S, Yung Fume has built an impressive profile to date. From reaching an exceptional homegrown audience and performing throughout the UK, the rumble of global exposure quickly developed following remixes of his record ‘Watch Me Flex’ by artists like Wizkid & Ty Dollas Sign. Leading to collaborations with top producer Zaytoven as well as Heavyweights Lil Durk & Young Nudy, Yung Fume has built a solid repertoire, releasing two projects this year including ‘Noughts & Crosses 4’, which saw him work with the likes of Young Adz, Lancey Foux, Fee Gonzales & Zinozee, & solo drop ‘The Other Way’.

Exposing true vulnerability and an insight in to the depths of Yung Fume, ‘aLive’ is an impressive version of the young star that both the UK and U.S are continuing to hail up.

Check out the video for the smooth joint below…

 

 

 

 

 

 

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EP Review: WET IT SZN – Fizzler

FIZZLER‘s debut EP ‘WET IT SZN’ kicks off with the rising drill star easing through the bars that’s exuberant with a menacing edge.

Further along this mini collection, tracks ‘Blow’, ‘125’ and ‘We It’, shows a different side to the genre, taking on a more after hour-ish and salacious vibe which compliments and soften the infamous gritty drill drive.

The last three months, this South Londoner is shaping up to be one of the most exciting and promising act to come from the drill scene and his ‘WET IT SZN’ EP is a great insight of an credible artist who is on a mission to give the genre a different dimension. Hat off to the guy; check him out below…

Must Listens: Blow, 125, Wet It

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Bby Ivy’s Brand New Single Is ‘Sweet Like Honey’

Norwegian most exciting urban pop singer, BBY IVY‘s latest joint, ‘Sweet Like Honey’ speaks out on the many struggles young women face in the music industry today.

Having moved out to LA on her own at the age of 16, Ivy had to learn to grow up rapidly, and to deal with industry people who had ill intentions. This led her to mature beyond her years, and it’s very apparent in the lyrics: “Told the only way to reach the stars is to give up my biscuit. Got caught with your hand in the cookie jar, b* you had to risk it”.

Sporting an infectiously kaleidoscopic  drive, ‘Sweet Like Honey’ is her way of clapping back at these men and putting them in their place. This fresh-faced arist isn’t afraid to speak her mind, and stand-up for the morals she believes in. Through her music, she hopes to inspire other young women around her to do the same.

‘Sweet Like Honey’ is taken from Ivy’s forthcoming EP, ‘Grizzly’ out next month.

This spicy joint is worth a listen…check it out below…

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Song of the Day: Hectic – Manu Crooks (ft. J Emz)

After racking up close to 500K streams in just over two weeks and support from the likes of Ebro at Beats 1, MANU CROOKS and J Emz drop the latest joint ‘Hectic’

Taking his sound international, Manu Crooks has earned his stripes in the UK and the U.S. He’s previously been highlighted by i-D, The Fader and Pigeons & Planes and had Australian tours with both Stormzy and Tory Lanez. He’s received major support with the likes of Charlie Sloth, DJ Target, Zane Lowe and Ebro. Meanwhile, J Emz and ONE FOUR have been spun into UK headlights throughout 2019 thanks to their live shows with Octavian and cosigns from UK music visionaries Skepta and Dave. Though both artists come from Western Sydney, the collab offers geninuine similarities to the roots and understanding of the UK trap world that it finds inspiration in. The reocrd sees two worlds merge into one: Polynesian crew ONEFOUR’s drill and UK trap inspired style – talking about their real life experiences in highly neglected areas of their neighbourhood, and African-Australian Manu Crooks’ internationally recognised sound and lyrics – swerving genres, styles, and trends and touching on broader aspects of his world and lifestyle.

This collaboration is deeper than the music itself. Bringing the two sub-genres together not only showcases the diversity of the music coming out of Western Sydney, but also the unity amongst the Australian urban scene.

Check out the video for ‘Hectic’ below…

 

 

 

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