Birmingham rapper MARNZ MALONE finally shares his 14-track project ‘Tina’s Boy’ earlier last month (9th February), after teasing us with some visuals, ‘Cold Hearted World 2’ and most recently ‘Ball 4 U’ taken from a previous project release.
‘Tina’s Boy’ is an eye-opener into the life of Marnz Malone with features such as Potter Payper, Bandokay, KayMuni & Marshall with all 14 tracks full of storytelling and the life he has lived. It’s shows off his laid-back style of rapping mixed with intricately delivered bars and verses. Marnz uses simple rap beats delivering inspirational, truthful, and heartfelt rhymes for his 3rd project full of wordplay.
Only starting to release music in August 2023, his career has blown up due to going viral and gaining a solid fanbase with co-signs from legends such as Giggs and Stormzy and Central Cee reposting his music.
The rising rapper who is currently in jail, has found his calling with music and will not let anything deter him from releasing. Why not listen to Marnz’s epic project below…
Must Listens: Roof Down, Went To War, Medusa’s Eyes, Napkin Deal, Forever Missing You, Smile For Me
EMANI TALITHA‘s exciting debut EP, Loving My 20s (‘LM20’), beautifully captures the delicate balance between Old School and New School R&B, offering a soulful, tranquil, vulnerable, and relatable sound.
An audio soundscape, ‘LM20’ mirrors Emani’s embrace of the third decade of her life. The project features a wholesome and melodically calming sound, inviting listeners to immerse themselves in an enjoyable, feel-good atmosphere with high vibrational frequencies.
‘LM20’ is a reflective and affirmational journey through the diverse facets of life in one’s twenties. By evoking a sense of shared experience, Emani Talitha reassures her audience that they are not alone in their feelings and experiences. “The story behind this project is expressing the love in my 20s – the love life, the love for my dreams and goals, and the love I have for my loved ones, affirming myself through it all.” She further adds –“It’s about different facets of my 20s that many have experienced and can relate to. The message revolves around navigating through uncertainties, facing insecurities, and celebrating the highs and lows, the good and the bad.”
‘Loving My 20s’ has already garnered support on Westside Radio, Global Soul Radio and The Beat and is now available to stream in its entirety with special guest appearances on the project coming from Shayne Brown and Big Jest. Why not have a listen below…
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
New Lease Music 