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
After making her entry on the blog, scooping the Song of the Day spot with single ‘House Wife’, singer/songwriter EMILI returns with a stunningly ethereal single, ‘Izabela’, released last Friday (19th September), across all leading platforms.
The single is arguably Emili’s most personal work to date as it was written for her sister. While it touches on heavy themes of domestic violence, ‘Izabela’ serves as a love letter and a comforting hug to her sister, wishing her a safer, happier, more magical life.
‘Izabela’ is the second glimpse into Emili’s upcoming album, slated for release in early 2026, and follows the release of the project’s first single, ‘Just Chill’.
Canadian singer-songwriter GENA PERALA unleashes a bold, cinematic anthem with ‘Machete’ — a fearless blend of grit, glamour, and emotional intensity that cuts straight through the noise.
‘Machete’ wasn’t part of the original recording plan. “I already had more than enough songs,” Gena says. “But after our first day in the studio, I played a rough idea for the band. Within 20 minutes they had cooked up this killer arrangement—I knew right away the song had to be on the album.” That night, Gena finished writing the lyrics. By the next day, Machete had fully taken shape.
The track draws from a personal story of subtle but persistent bullying Gena faced as an adult in a sport she loved. “It wasn’t always overt, but the exclusion was real. One night I came home and thought, ‘Do I quit? Or do I fight for myself?’ I wrote this song. Needless to say, I fought.”
Sonically, Machete is a smoky slow burn—badass, brooding, and a little dangerous. With its spaghetti western swagger and femme fatale energy, it’s no surprise fans have said it sounds like it belongs in a Tarantino film. “I love the way it turned out,” Gena says. “There’s nothing else on the album—or anywhere—that quite sounds like it.”
The cover art adds another layer of personal history to the release — a photo taken by Gena’s father somewhere on the carnival in rural Manitoba. It features a young Gena, her brother, and the gypsies, capturing a moment that feels both timeless and dreamlike. “It’s wild how well it fits the spirit of the song,” she says. “Something about that image—the little girls with the guns. It’s a paradox: innocence armed with defiance.”
‘Machete’ follows the release of Gena’s first two singles, ‘I’m Gone’ and ‘Goodbye Friend’ offering a bold new glimpse into her upcoming album.
The woeful yet stunning combination of the piano and orchestral tones introduces ‘Sapling Tree’, the latest single from THE SPIKES, the musical project of multidisciplinary artist Iago Haussman. As the track unfolds, Iago’s deep, emotive vocals rise with intensity, anchoring the song’s emotional depth in a hauntingly beautiful sonic landscape.
Originally conceived as a meditation on the fragmented memories of a lone traveller — glimpses of love, tragedy, birth, and nostalgia —‘Sapling Tree’ evolved into something far more expansive.
Iago further explains of his latest offering: “At first it was a singular journey through a distant place. Then I thought it should be a journey through life. Many places. Life events. So, the journey becomes diverse and random… but all these random images are brought together by the chorus, which is saying, no matter how crazy everything gets, it’s all part of the tree of life. There is order in the Universe. This tree will keep on growing. Like the wind will keep blowing. The sun will keep shining. The waves will keep rolling. It’s a metaphor for everything that has certainty and will keep going,”
Following the success of his previous releases — the hypnotic ‘Dancing (In the Palm of My Hand)’, whose music video is approaching 40,000 views, and the chilling, thought-provoking ‘Guns for the Children’, with over 20,000 views — Iago continues to blur the lines between music, poetry, and visual art.
With Sapling Tree, listeners are invited not just to hear, but to feel. Every note, every lyric, carries the weight of heartbreak and resilience. Yet, within the melancholy, there is a whisper of hope — a reminder that when life is thrown into chaos, there is always something or someone to hold onto.
“The Sapling Tree provides that order in the chaos,” Haussman reflects.
So why not take a moment — and a breath — and listen below. Let ‘Sapling Tree’ root itself in you….
As he prepares to release his twelfth studio album Spirit’s Not Broken, Irish troubadour BEN REEL offers a heartfelt preview with his brand-new single ‘I Will’, available today (12th September) on all major streaming platforms.
‘I Will’ radiates the warm, golden tones of ‘70s soft rock, laced with a smooth, soulful disco groove. Ben’s unmistakable raspy vocal — often compared to the likes of John Hiatt and Roy Orbison — brings a raw emotional edge to the track, elevating its tender declaration of love. The single continues Ben’s rich musical journey that spans rock, folk, soul, and Americana — a unique fusion that earned him the title “the Irish Springsteen.”
With a career spanning over three decades, Ben has performed extensively across the globe and has made notable appearances on BBC, RTÉ, and Dutch NPO Radio. He’s shared the stage with artists such as Jools Holland, The Cranberries, Nanci Griffith, and Eric Andersen, carving out a respected space in the international music scene.
His 2020 album The Nashville Calling topped the Euro Americana Chart, and his recent releases — Locked in & Live (2022) and Come a Long Way (2023) — further cemented his reputation as a fearless, ever-evolving artist.
Slated for release on 23th January 2026, ‘Spirit’s Not Broken’ promises to be one of his most dynamic to date. Opening with the raw rock energy Ben is known for, the album flows seamlessly into soulful and R&B-inspired grooves, channelling the spirit of Marvin Gaye, Otis Redding, Van Morrison, and Sting. It’s a journey that balances grit and grace, offering a powerful reminder in a divided world: to simply love one another.
New York-based rapper and spoken word artist NATTY BOI ZOE returns with his compelling full-length project, ‘Black Renaissance’. Dropped on 17th August — a symbolic date honouring civil rights activist Marcus Garvey — the 14-track album serves as a deeply personal and politically charged statement.
On ‘Black Renaissance’, Natty Boi Zoe reflects on his disciplined upbringing and how it shaped his resilience navigating life as a young Black man. The album delves into themes of love, systemic injustice, community struggle, and self-awareness — offering both vulnerability and strength in equal measure.
Sonically, Natty Boi Zoe takes a subtle yet impactful detour from his usual sound. By weaving in lush samples from classic slow jams, he crafts an atmosphere that’s both nostalgic and soul-stirring. Yet, the dreamy production never overshadows his message — his commanding, spoken-word-like delivery ensures every bar hits with purpose, especially for those who relate to the lived experiences of Black men in America.
‘Black Renaissance’ is a bold, unfiltered expression of truth and identity — one that resonates well beyond beats and rhymes.
Now streaming on all major platforms — tap in below and experience the renaissance for yourself.
Must Listens: Black Power, Hear No Evil, Tell Me, On My Mind, Private Dancer
New Lease Music 