Mae Krell Shares Closes 2022 with imposter syndrome (b-sides)

New York-based singer and songwriter MAE KRELL is closing out the year with the release of the ‘imposter syndrome (b-sides),’ which features singles, ‘tooth fairy’ and ‘(like) spring’ both written during the ‘imposter syndrome’ sessions. After the EP release, Mae revisited the unreleased demos with her producer Jakob Leventhal and decided to rework these two tracks.

“A lot of times my favorite tracks from an artist are the ones that almost didn’t make it out, so I thought it would be only fair to give people a chance to love these songs the way I love some almost-forgotten-about ones,” she says.

Mae released ‘tooth fairy,’ a heart wrenching track about realizing you may be better off without someone you thought you couldn’t live without, as a standalone single earlier this year. “(like) spring” rounds out the B-sides collection. A sparse, hypnotic and enchanting listen, “(like) spring” is a song about falling in love for the first time.

Elaborating on the new track, Mae writes: “I fell in love for the first time in February 2020 and by the end of the year I had followed her to a different state. Although I was away from my friends and family, I still had a feeling of home and belonging- thanks to her. Writing (like) spring originally started as me being fearful and lonely and trying to figure out why, and it led to a love song. For the places I never saw myself being happy in, until I was. For the neighbors and routines I didn’t think much about in the moment, until I moved away and started to miss them. And most importantly, it’s a love song for the girl who made me realize that I could write one, after thinking that I absolutely never would.”

At just 23 years old, Mae exudes a musicality wise beyond her years. Influenced by revered singer-songwriters like Bob Dylan, Phoebe Bridgers and Gregory Alan Isakov, Mae writes intimate reflections that confront past trauma, self-love and personal truths. With a distinct folk-pop sound and undeniable lyrical prowess, she has earned millions of streams across her repertoire with multiple tracks breaking 500K.

Her 4-track EP, ‘imposter syndrome,’ was released in early 2022 and instantly struck a chord with fans and tastemakers alike, with PRIDE aptly describing it as “an intimate and heart-wrenching dissection of the unavoidable self-doubt we all experience in our 20s.” This year has also seen Mae embark on two different tours, one supporting Ethan Jewell and a SoFar Sounds series that runs until the end of the year.

Listen to ‘imposter syndrome (b-sides)’ was released last Friday (2nd December) on all streaming platforms. Have a listen below…

Manuela Iwansson Shares Debut Album ‘Dark Tracks’ & Focus Single, ‘Strangers on the Train.’

Swedish new wave punkster MANUELA IWANSSON‘s debut album ‘Dark Tracks’, out now via Lack of Sleep Records, is a long-awaited effort that is the result of almost four years of work after unveiling her self-released EP ‘Dream Lover’ in 2018. Highlighted by the 80s-esque, gritty synth-pop anthem that is focus track ‘Strangers on a Train’, the album flaunts a musical journey that takes from the callous rock stylings of the late 70s and mixes them with the new wave evolution characteristic of the Blondie era, all serving to present an alluringly dystopian listening experience that lingers on the beauty of impermanence.

‘Dark Tracks’ is unrelentingly self-explorative. Iwansson wears her heart on her sleeve for anyone to see as she belts across the ten tracks, familiarizing listeners with a darkness stemming from unmet desire and lovers lost. The album plays like a jukebox with every song standing on its own as a vintage and vigorous tour de force.

Iwansson had this to say about the fabric of the project: “The album is basically a portfolio of me. It is very much a debut album – a little rough around the edges at times, but made with a lot of heart. I put a lot of thoughts into the lyrics, and a lot of emotion into the melodies. At times I play around with words a lot, and I constantly want to improve my writing … The whole project is about 80s aesthetics with 70s punk vibes; grit, rain, cities at night, neon lights, trains, and cars, and movement; leather and lace and rock ‘n’ roll. Nothing ever looks as good as a photo booth photo in black and white.”

The Stockholm-based artist once toured the world with punk outfit Terrible Feelings but now looks at her solo career as an opportunity to make timeless new wave hits, boasting a sound inspired by influences such as Pat Benatar and Suzi Quatro yet entirely her own. With ‘Dark Tracks’, makes a point of crafting earworm hooks and choruses that work in the middle of a rowdy yet heart-wrenching punk aesthetic.

Following the release of her EP ‘Dream Lover’, Iwansson served as an opener for Orville Peck on a full European tour in 2019, simultaneously releasing a series of singles and chipping away at her debut LP over the next couple years. While hard at work in preparation for its release, she has still found her way on stage this year, opening for Viagra Boys, Molly Nilsson and Current Joys this spring.

‘Strangers on a Train’ + ‘Dark Tracks’ are now available on all streaming platforms. Have a listen below…

Must Listens: Strangers on the Train, Loving Is Easy, Dead Weight

Listen To Tonee C’s Latest EP ‘Stardust’

TONEE C gets up close and personal on latest project ‘Stardust, the fifth instalment of a project series on his fast rising career.

The word ‘Stardust’ refers to a charismatic quality, feeling or enchanting state or mood.

Speaking about what the new project means to him and his career, he says “My first project ‘PEERLESS VIBES’ symbolized a rose that grew out of the concrete, the music that took off and changed my life. At a point where everybody was hyped up off the same type of rap music, I came along doing my own thing on TNT Vol.1 and UKIYO.

With Stardust I strongly believe it’s God’s will, perfect timing and we’re exactly where we are supposed to be, a project that represents alignment, balance and the fact that all of life’s choices led to this moment”.

The EP processes a dreamy soulful rap and vibe, translating very intimate delivery on each record. Have a listen to ‘Stardust’ below..

Must Listens: love.is.a.drug, selene

Nigerian Afro Fusion Artist/Producer Daniel Bliss Taps Inart & Lil 5ive For EP Vendetta

Prolific Nigerian Producer/artist DANIEL BLISS puts together a four track EP ‘Vendetta’, which features Afro fusion artists Inart & Lil 5ive, who played a crucial role in creating a new sound coming out of southern Nigerian. Out now via RawLL, the mini set to further solidify the organic synergy Daniel shares with both artists.

‘Vendetta’ is a testament to how constantly evolving and exciting a producer can develop sonic relationship with an artist or group of artists, and still maintain individuality as well as togetherness whenever needed. The high energy and affirmative rap tape portrays the yearnings of ambitious young Creatives who are conscious of their efforts and sure of the results they expect from it.

Why not check out ‘Vendetta’ below…

Must Listens: O.G (Know Me), Loud

BAYLI Shares Highly-Anticipated EP, ‘Stories 2’

Brooklyn artist and songwriter BAYLI shares her much-anticipated new EP Stories 2. The follow up to 2021’s stories from new york, the 6-track EP was written on the road and takes in themes spanning heartbreak, addiction, loneliness and self-discovery.

Speaking on the Stories 2, BAYLI said :“We’ve all been cooped up inside for so long and Stories 2 is a release we all need. I wanted to take on this project as an exercise to be looser in my creative process and go with the flow a bit more than I did with ‘stories from new york’. This project feels like a docuseries of my fast-paced life “on the road” and the new journey I’m on, both internally and externally, in this post-covid world. Similar to ‘stories from new york’ this project is a sonic landscape that brings you into my world and feels like a stepping stone toward a brand new era → toward a higher, realer, bolder version of myself.”

Recent release ‘act up’ opens the project, showing a softer side of this emerging pop icon, the lovesong finds BAYLI trying to turn the tides of her burgeoning relationship. Sassy new single ‘pressure’ is a certified pop banger that sees BAYLI reaching out for support when she’s on the road. New cuts ‘ur mine’ and ‘into me’ see BAYLI flex her versatility as a performer and a songwriter as she seamlessly switches from soft vocals to icy bars dripping with attitude.

Set to an ethereal backdrop produced by Brody Miles, ‘think of drugs’ is an intimate snapshot of BAYLI’s upbringing, seeing addiction in the household and how that influenced her relationship with drugs and other substances. BAYLI’s unstoppable gay anthem ‘TELLY BAG’, closes the project, the single landed earlier this year to acclaim from the likes of i-D, DAZED, The Fader, PAPER, CLASH and more.

BAYLI first made waves in 2016 as the frontwoman of the punk band The Skins, where her infectious melodies and signature songwriting were cultivated under the mentorship of music guru Rick Rubin. Now an independent artist, BAYLI’s musical output is as equally pop as it is R&B, rock, & punk, all delivered with a fierce stylish edge and unabashed confidence. Hailing from Brooklyn, NYC is her lifeblood, inspiring her fearless take on what it means to be an artist in the 21st century. BAYLI released her debut EP stories from new york last year featuring the singles ‘boys lie’, ‘sushi for breakfast’, ‘foreigner’ and more. With support this year from the likes of Spotify (BAYLI was their EQUAL Ambassador for June), BBC Radio 1, i-D, Telfar, DAZED, Interview Magazine, The Face, Fader, CLASH, Foundation FM, The Line of Best Fit, PAPER, NYLON, Billboard and more, the future looks bright for BAYLI.

Check out BAYLI’s epic EP below…

Must Listens: act up, ur mine, into me