UK-born R&B finest DAYTON JAMES claims the blog’s Song of the Day hot spot with an irresistibly smooth 90s-inspired afterhours entitled, ‘Already Won’.
Always using music as an outlet, Dayton wrote a string of hits for other musicians, including the multi-award winning artist Shaggy.
Now calling Toronto his home, this NEW LEASE MUSIC new favourite has set off on a new journey, this time writing his own story…
Check it out below…
BÜLOW‘s brand new EP, ‘The Contender’, starts off with her trademark – that infectious urban drive with ‘Own Me’, which carries on with tracks such as ‘Boy Will Be Boys’ and the spine-tingling ‘Upside Down’. Although I’m always pleased to hear her perfectly balanced combo of pop sensibilities with an urban kick, her latest collection sees this promising artist do something a little different..
For instance, ‘Puppy Love’ mainly possess a melodic and almost airy tones that’s more simplistic compared to her other releases.
Concluding track, ‘Sundress’ adds another dimension to the EP with its intimate setting, fronted by compellingly light vocals coupled with the crisp, folkore plucks of the acoustic guitar.
Overall, ‘The Contender’ is just as pleasing as her previous work, even though the lick of the urban pop package – to my frustration – was shortly interrupted. Have a listen below…
Must Listens: Boy Will Be Boys, Upside Down
Senita Appiakorang (lead vocals), Emmet O’Riabhaigh (drums), Daniel Coughlan (guitar), Diarmait Mac Carthaigh (keyboard) and Brian Dunlea (bass guitar) – aka Irish future-soul act SHOOKRAH – have shared the video for their new single ‘Notions’, directed by band member Emmet O’Riabhaigh.
Forming part of their upcoming self-titled album, set to drop on 25 October, the track itself is centered around the time we waste staying in dysfunctional relationships. “It’s a recognition of faults committed to the other and yourself in seeking out traits other than those presented to you, which disqualifies the question of who was right or wrong and bares the reality of how hollow we become when we want something so bad that a tarnished version of it will do” says Senita. Fittingly the video features Senita sitting alongside herself in a plush nightclub setting, both “characters” cathartically exploring these emotions through the track.
She explains further: “The song is a reflection and address to a past lover. It felt appropriate to play my double, and kind of centre the sentiment of the song on the delusions we all create for ourselves in fractured relationships, that allow us to prolong its dysfunction.”
Speaking of his production, Emmet O’Riabhaigh says: “We wanted to shoot something really simple and still with nice moody lighting so we decided to go with two Senitas in what looks like a lovers’ tiff. We shot it over the course of a day in the Bodega bar in Cork, and had Senita’s sister Yesunia to stand in for some of the shots, with the whole band helping out on the set.”
Named Best Act of 2017 and 50 People to Watch in 2018 by The Irish Times, the five-piece have seen substantial press support from the likes of The Irish Examiner, AFROPUNK, Wonderland Magazine, Clash Magazine, Music Week, District Magazine, Nialler9 and Made in Shoreditch Magazine. They’ve also received airplay from BBC’s Radio Ulster, and their track ‘Gerascophobia’ was named BBC Ulster’s Across The Line track of the day.
Racking up nearly 300K streams on digital platforms, they shared the stage with Billy Ocean on his Irish tour and have played Body & Soul Festival, Electric Picnic, Wigwam, Quarter Block Party, Other Voices Music Trail, and Knockanstockan Festival.
Check out the video below…
Following on from the success of her debut album ‘Stripped’ in 2013 (featured three singles on BET International’s playlist) and a 5-year hiatus, HAYLEY CASSIDY released ‘Used to Be’ in January 2018, which instantly gained credibility as DJ Ace’s (BBC 1xtra) ‘Everything R&B Record of the Week’.
Fast-forward to 2019, the smooth songstress has been insanely busy working on a two-part EP entitled ‘The Low Key Effect,’ as well as recording a brand new album.
This year, the Londoner jumped into the lab with rising UK producer XVR BLCK to pen and create a melodically, heartfelt record with a heavy bass line, entitled ‘No Regrets.’
Hayley’s, caramel-like vocals relay a common situation of a past relationship being amazing while it lasted, but all good things come to an end. Life can’t be lived in reverse, however the good moments will always be cherished, with no hard feelings or no regrets.
Check out the video for Hayley’s ‘No Regrets’ below…
Following the release of their genre-bending debut single ‘Goodnightmare’ back in May,
Victoria (Canada) based R&B duo FAKE FAKE return with their sophomore release
‘Pretty Black Balloons’.
A darker contrast to the energetic romp of their debut, ‘Pretty Black Balloons’ introduces the tender, more cinematic side of the duo’s songwriting. With a track length of just 2 minutes and 22 seconds, producer Charlotte Hynds and vocalist Justin Campbell leave no pause and let nothing repeat, prompting listeners to revisit each second on their own terms.
Check out the single below…
