It’s been nearly six years since SY SMITH‘s acclaimed album, ‘Sometimes A Rose Will Grow In Concrete’. After guesting on Zo! and Tall Black Guy’s ‘The Ride’ for their excellent 2021 album Abstractions, the multi-talented, Emmy-nominated singer/songwriter and actress reunites with her frequent collaborators for her new album ‘Until We Meet Again’, released today (26th January) on all DSPs via +FE Music/EMPIRE. Produced entirely by Zo! and Tall Black Guy, and executive produced by The Foreign Exchange frontman and Little Brother co-founder Phonte, the album features the sensual lead single ‘Slide’ and serves as Smith’s long-awaited full-length +FE Music debut. Guest appearances include world renowned singer/drummer Sheila E, trumpeter Chris Botti, and more.
“You ever pick up an old photo album that you haven’t seen in many years and look through it? And all the memories of each photo come flooding back as if those pictures were just taken yesterday? That’s what “Until We Meet Again” feels like. It’s a sonic reverie down memory lane – making stops at every single emotion that comes with reminiscing.” – Sy Smith
Sy Smith is set to hit the road in March and April for her Until We Meet Again headlining tour. Dates and more info are available here. For now, have a listen to the breathtaking album…
Must Listens: Photograph, Slide, Summer of ’93, All The Ways,
Indie dance duo MIDNIGHT MYSTERY CLUB enters into 2024 with all guns blazing with their latest album, ‘Aesthetics Vol.1’, released earlier this month, 11th January.
Known for their blurringly chilled and spanky pieces that’s fit for lounging in the balearic sun, the guys have taken a slightly different direction, adopting a deeper and darker baseline that offers another form of tranquility. Having said that, towards the ending of the collection, ‘Stay Young Forever’ and ‘Only Dancing’ somewhat retains the trademark of vibrantly mesmerising soundscapes which radiates a warm sunny glow.
It’s great to see that Midnight Mystery Club are back in good form, using their stellar skills as producers. Their latest album just displays that they were very worthy of being winners of 2018 Independent Music Awards in the Electronic/Dance Producers of the Year.
Two-time platinum-selling Australian band VACATIONS release their long-awaited new album, ‘No Place Like Home’. The record follows an intense period of transformation for the lead singer Campbell Burns, who was diagnosed with Pure OCD (or “Pure O”), a subtype of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder marked by intrusive, unwanted, and uncontrollable thoughts. His experiences learning to live with this while touring the world informed the record, which also engages in nuanced discussions around personal growth and sexuality.
The band tapped Georgia Maq, formerly of the band Camp Cope, for their last official music video for the album release single, ‘Over You’. The band explains, “I thought it would be really fun to lean into this idea of ‘Over You’ as an exploration of self-obsession. The high peaks and low valleys of ego just make for a funnier visual story, I think. We’d saved a silly goofy video until last. I’d originally planned for Campbell to be in the role of protagonist and therapist, but circumstances meant none of us would be in the same city at the same time to work with the director, Jax Anderson, and their wonderful team. To our rescue came Australian darling Georgia Maq, of Camp Cope fame. We were so lucky to have them involved, and their charisma really brought a sensuality and hilarity that was needed.”
Following 2020’s ‘Forever In Bloom’ album, ‘No Place Like Home’ finds the Newcastle, Aus DIY outfit comprised of Burns and bandmates Jake Johnson, Nate Delizzotti, and Joseph Van Lier, expanding their trademark melodic indie rock to new sonic horizons. The first Vacations record to be produced by Campbell Burns and an outside producer, John Velasquez (Zella Day, Broods), it comprises ten shimmering tracks brimming with indie-pop hooks and just a touch of bittersweet sensitivity.
“I had this loose concept of ‘No Place Like Home’ being an Americana-influenced album,” Campbell says of the album’s sonic inspirations. “I wanted to incorporate more pianos, acoustic guitars, Nashville tuning, and country-inspired lap steel, but then also bringing in drum machines and synths and finding a mix between the two.”
The album features singles, ‘Terms & Conditions,’ ‘Midwest,’ ‘Close Quarters,’ and the buzzy radio single, ‘Next Exit,’ which has over 15 million streams.
Formed in 2016, Vacations’ feverishly expanding fanbase has seen the band play host to multiple sold-out UK tours in 2023, including a rapturous headline at The Garage and a slot at All Points East supporting The Strokes.
Vacations have lots to celebrate with the new release. They were picked by Pandora as one of their ten artists to watch for 2024, their single, ‘Telephones,’ was certified platinum in the United States in December, marking their second platinum track stateside (the other is ‘Young’). Recently, the quartet has made their debut TV performance on CBS Saturday Morning.
Vacations’ new album ‘No Place Like Home’ is out now, released today 12th January via Nettwerk. Have a listen to the set below…
Must Listens: Slow Motion, No Place Like Home, Over You
Released on Boxing Day, HANDSHAKE IN SPACE‘s highly anticipated debut album, ‘ANONYMOUS,’ serves as a powerful summary of an eventful year, filled with a string of singles that have shaped the music landscape in 2023. Through a fusion of melodic layers and pulsating rhythmic elements, HANDSHAKE IN SPACE takes listeners on a journey through the space of sound, providing an experience that is as mysterious as it is addictive.
‘ANONYMOUS’ not only marks an end of 2023, but also an opening to a new era for HANDSHAKE IN SPACE. Each track is a reflection of the artist’s unique sound signature and ability to create atmospheric soundscapes that go beyond the conventional.
The previously released singles that form the backbone of ‘ANONYMOUS’ have already garnered attention for their hypnotic melodies and evocative beats. With the debut album, HANDSHAKE IN SPACE will offer listeners a coherent narrative, a sonic journey that extends beyond physical boundaries.
Mexican/American artist, SHOWTIME RAMON, has been on a tear as of late releasing banger after banger that include features from the likes of Mark Battles (Jet Lag) and Sir Michael Rocks (Clyde Drexler). His EP, ‘Venom Dripp’ claimed the #7 spot on NEW LEASE MUSIC’s Top Ten Albums of 2023. Now the gem spitter drops his ‘Abominable Snowman’ album to open up 2024 bringing along his clever word play filled with his love for pop culture, sports, cars and exotic women.
Weighing in at ten tracks with features from Freetown (DDP) and Chuuwee (Pam Grier), Showtime enters the ring ready and willing to take on the world with his raw talent and flows filled with nitro as he continues to smackdown any competition that tries to tangle with him in a singles match. With raps like “I’m breaking barriers I’m like a Lisa Leslie dunk/I ain’t trying to hear it/I’m sparking up in a Tessie truck” and “I spit that type of dope that Stevie Nix took up her nostril/now I need a JLO with a castle that’s colossal/going worldwide I’m reaching shit that’s impossible” it’s hard not to give the artist the attention he deserves as he continues to put on for himself and the Latino people.
Per usual, Showtime does a fantastic job picking and choosing production that fits him to the tee, aligning his bars perfectly with the drums, snares and bass provided to him by the cast of producers he called upon to create Abominable Snowman. In his own words the artist says “the cover art of the Abominable Snowman depicts my feeling through out the process, cold and alone on my pursuit of greatness as I improve my skill set to survive as the last of a dying breed, a rare breed. The Abominable Snowman is mythical, his actions are unknown just like my word play abilities”.
Showtime Ramon isn’t new to the rap scene as his discography features albums, EP’s and singles with over thousands of streams but this latest set of sounds could be the game changer that solidifies Ramon’s place above other artists trying to reach where he currently is. In turn separating himself even more from the crowd of regulars while he sits on a throne of his own. Showtime Ramon is the lights the camera and the action in his movie titled Abominable Snowman, in the words of Rob Van Dam, Showtime Ramon is the whole effin’ show. Have a listen below…
New Lease Music 