Category: New Albums

Rapper/singer Alex Luke unveils debut EP, ‘Star Projector’.

Manchester’s soulful singer, rapper and producer ALEX LUKE‘s debut EP ‘Star Projector’, effortlessly blends soulful melodies, intricate rap flows, funk stylings, and Luke’s signature horns. The self-produced project has been three years in the making and is a triumphant showcase of authenticity and versatility.

The EP’s uniqueness extends to an additional four personalised voice note recordings, offering an intimate window into the artist’s life and the stories behind the music. Additionally, three official music videos, including the emotionally charged ‘DNA,’ shot by Sophia J Carey (Loyle Carner, Little Simz), bring Luke’s vision to life.

In a poignant tribute to his late brother, who passed away in 2015, Alex sought solace in the embrace of music, adopting his brother’s middle name, ‘Luke’ as a timeless tribute to his memory.

His musical journey has been marked by unwavering dedication, earning recognition from The Ivors Academy, BBC Radio Introducing Manchester, Spotify Fresh Finds UK + IE, Amazing radio and praise from Jamz Supernova. Independently, Luke has achieved remarkable milestones, selling out his last three headline shows in Manchester and securing support slots across the UK (including acts like Jahméne and Mamas Gun), and taking the stage at local festivals like Dot To Dot and Indie Week. As a testament to his growing success, Luke is set to headline a thrilling show on March 29th, 2024, at Manchester’s iconic Deaf Institute (tickets on sale now).

Alex Luke’s ‘Star Projector EP’ establishes his mark on the music scene, showcasing his undeniable talent and creative vision. Have a listen below…

Must Listens: Remember Me, DNA

    by Categories: New AlbumsTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

    MeRCY releases a new horror themed EP + music video

    Spooky season might be well and truly over, but Florida’s MeRCY decides to keep the scary hours alive as he at last brings his ‘Michael Myers’ EP to life.

    The artist continues to build his “Michael” catalog of releases with the second installment of the series as he previously dropped the EP ‘Iron Mike’ back in January. Now MeRCY strikes again but this time with no gloves over his hands, only with a mask over his face as he takes on the persona of Michael Myers. You’ll find yourself encaptivated for 22 minutes while MeRCY delivers deadly blows of lyricism over the dark and grimy sounds provided by Slimrock, Homage, Flowers In Narnia, JQ Mr. 54, Kubo and Livin’. Standouts from the EP include ‘Scary Hours’, ‘Death Note’ and ‘Myers Theme’. Whether he is going round for round in the ring or slicing and dicing up his foe, MeRCY is now two for two with his “Michael” themed projects.

    If the EP wasn’t enough for his fans to indulge in, Merc’ also gives the greenlight on the release of the visual for track 3 ‘Scary Hours’. Directed by Ike Anyanwu, the black and white video brings those scary hours in Broward to life as MeRCY comes face to face with the Michael Myers persona in the thriller visual.

    Why not check out the EP below…

    Must Listens: Evil vs Good, The Boogeyman (Holy Ghost)

    by Categories: New AlbumsTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

    Holysseus Fly shares stunningly personal debut solo EP, ‘Birthpool’.

    A tribute to her grieving process and subsequent creative rediscovery after recovering from breast cancer in 2021, HOLYSSEUS FLY‘s debut solo EP ‘Birthpool’ is a truly special six-tracker that brims with magnetic strength, devastating emotion and heartfelt beauty.

    Opening proceedings with the first song written for the EP, ‘Bloom’, a track borne of self-imposed pressure during lockdown to write again after recovering from treatment, the scene is set for the EP’s themes of creative reclamation. Holysseus sings ‘I’ll bloom when I choose to’, a statement of determination to create for only herself. As the sonics progress from a skeletal beat through to a deep, harmonically-rich drop, driven by Holysseus Fly’s captivating vocal, the EP’s opener registers high on strength via stunning vulnerability.

    ‘Marigold’, released as a B-side to ‘Bloom’, is as devastating as it is beautiful. Brooding keys and a steady heartbeat kick drive the track as Holysseus’ yearning vocal builds to its heartbreaking climax, cracking with emotion. Easy to hear why this had big support from Annie Mac on her Chill Playlist and Jamz Supernova’s ‘Hit Reset Track of the Day’ on 6 Music on its release.

    ‘Within The Water’, sees the artist working through her fears via another soaring, heavenly vocal performance which received huge support on its release from Tom Robinson’s BBC Introducing Mixtape, as well as an audio walk feature on BBC 6 Music with Chris Hawkin and seen here discussing on ITV News.

    In ‘Under Your Sun’ we see the singer’s jazz roots come to the fore in a mellow soundscape topped with deliciously soulful vox that convey lyrical themes of creative rebirth and strength through adversity with typical aplomb.

    Holysseus Fly expands themes of empowerment with a lightness of touch on ‘Teach Me’, produced by The Staves’ Rob Pemberton and recently added to the BBC 6 Music playlist. A challenge to undermining patriarchal voices, we see the artist step into her main character energy with a knowing sideswipe at anyone who might dare come for her. A feminist flag in the sand delivered with signature radiant vocals and one of many ‘chef’s kiss’ moments on the record.

    losing Birthpool is the gut-wrenchingly gorgeous ‘A Weight Too Heavy’. The track swirls with grief, self-examination and sense of release after a period of intense mourning. The shattering lyric ‘I can’t look for the ‘why’’ is delivered with rawness and immensity and confirms Holysseus Fly as an artist with a real gift for emotional honesty, not to mention heartstopping vocal abilities.

    Deeply moving, sonically captivating and truly remarkable Birthpool is a jaw-dropping debut from this one-of-a-kind artist. A spellbinding star turn and solo debut from the Bristol based vocalist, songwriter and pianist. Do not sleep on witnessing her incredible journey through rebirth and rediscovery live with November’s shows likely to sell out as quickly as her previous dates. Holysseus Fly will also be supporting 6 Music’s Tom Robinson on his forthcoming sold-out UK tour. Big things lie ahead for this exceptional young talent.

    Holysseus Fly says: “I started writing Birthpool in Spring 2021 when I was feeling low recovering from treatment for Breast Cancer. Just like a seed having been planted in winter, I cared for a growing garden of creative ideas and allowed myself to write what I really wanted. I had been holding myself back with self doubt and fear that expressing my feelings about cancer would make it my identity as an artist. Looking back on the process of making the EP, I see this music as a true and honest reflection of moving through post-cancer grief and nurturing a new creative identity. This is my Birthpool.” Have a listen below…

    Must Listens: Bloom, Under The Sun, A Weight Too Heavy

    by Categories: New AlbumsTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

    Eyeay drops a modern bounce to R&B in new EP, ‘Eyes of Desire: Vol 1’

    Inspired by the late 90s and early 00s R&B era, East Londoner EYEAY [pronounced eye-ay] adds a modern bounce to this smooth new EP, capturing the current R&B wave from within the UK.

    Leading the charge with the EP’s first single, ‘All In’. Produced by Larkin and expertly engineered by Maniac, the track provides a perfect representation of Eyeay’s cinematic feel to the project. The track effortlessly blends nostalgic R&B vibes with a contemporary edge. The dynamic soundscape of the five-track EP is further expanded with the inclusion of the Snizzy-featured ‘Handle It’ and ‘Tequila Rose,’ a captivating Trap-Soul record which underscores Eyeay’s exceptional attributes in crafting melodies and engaging storytelling which is displayed throughout the EP.

    Eyeay certainly delivers on his mission—to evoke “feels” in every listener. ‘Eyes of Desire: Vol 1’ is poised to make a memorable mark in R&B, firmly establishing Eyeay as a rising star in the UK’s music scene.

    Check out ‘Eyes of Desire: Vol 1’ below…

    Must Listens: All In, Free Your Mind

    by Categories: New AlbumsTags: , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

    Alt-pop artist merci, mercy shares third EP, ‘Like An Orchid.’

    Alt-pop artist MERCI, MERCY shares her third EP, ‘Like An Orchid’, out now via Liberation Records. With this new body of work she delivers sparkling alt-pop anthems with heart, including recent releases ‘Shovel’, ‘Lonely & Horny’ and ‘Silver Lining’, along with unreleased cuts ‘If You Had Any Friends’ and ‘Mouldy’.

    The songs bounce around merci’s thoughts on big topics including the ups and downs of relationships, struggles with addiction and anxiety, and everything in between. With support from BBC Radio 1 on Jack Saunders’ Future Artists show and Mollie King’s Future Pop show, on all of her material to date, merci, mercy has never been afraid of exploring emotional vulnerabilities. Navigating mental health issues and overcoming personal hurdles surrounding anxiety and growing up in relationships, she has poured newly gained insights and perspective into ‘Like An Orchid’.

    “My new EP Like An Orchid is the roller coaster of emotions you have during your first relationship and how extreme they can feel especially when you are someone who has anxiety. This EP will take you on a journey of my inner demons while also showing you into my heart a little bit. The songs in Like an Orchid are a family in terms of the lyrics but distant relatives in terms of the way they sound. Each story has its own sound.” – merci, mercy.

    WATCH THE ‘IF YOU HAD ANY FRIENDS’ LYRIC VIDEO

    ‘Like An Orchid’ saw merci, mercy once again work with her longtime collaborator and friend, producer Chris Collins (‘Lonely & Horny’ and ‘Mouldy’) along with fellow Sydney-based songwriter and producer Robby De Sa (‘Silver Lining’ and ‘If You Had Any Friends’) and the one and only Matthew ‘Murph’ Murphy of The Wombats (‘Shovel’).

    With over 24 million streams to her name thanks to the success of her first two EP releases: no thank you, no thanks (2020) and is it me, or is it you? (2022), the demand for new music from merci, mercy has grown in a consistent and organic way.

    Widespread support via renowned outlets including triple j, Beats 1 and Zane Lowe, BBC Radio 1, Paper Magazine, NME, Clash Magazine, Flaunt and more, has positioned merci, mercy as part of a new vanguard of fresh Australian pop artists who have the potential to establish themselves as a long-standing presence internationally.

    Extensive radio support throughout the UK and Europe, as well as continued global editorial playlist support across DSPs (she was one of the first global ambassadors of Spotify’s RADAR series and recently featured on the cover of Apple Music’s Superbloom playlist), has ensured merci, mercy’s front-of-mind status on the radars of industry and a fast-growing fanbase alike.

    ‘Like An Orchid’ is the next chapter in what has become one of Australian pop music’s most exciting and intriguing stories. Her dynamism was present from the jump but here, merci, mercy holds her space with a rejuvenated sense of self-awareness and ultimate happiness. A moment of blooming we can all wish to experience.

    Listen to ‘Like and Orchid’ below…

    Must Listens: Lonely & Horny, Silver Lining, Mouldy

    by Categories: New AlbumsTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment