THEO TAMS‘ brand new EP, ‘Trilogy IV,’is a series of energetic and boundary pushing collections of pop and R&B laced jams. The mini set includes single, ‘Kick Back’ a seriously slick R&B joint which offer encouragement just to be ourselves to the potential partner.
Alongside the release of the EP, Theo Tams shares single,’Hit and Run,’ which blends a hard pop edge with disco influences to reflect on the aftermath of a previous relationship. ‘Hit and Run’ finds Tams assessing the damage, looking back at the red flags and learning from them for the future.
“I’m a lot better at spotting bullshit than I used to be, so even though it hurt like hell I’m thankful for what the experience taught me,” he explains.
‘Trilogy IV’ EP was released yesterday (13th October) across various music platforms. Have a listen below…
Bristol based outfit THE SCRIBES (Ill Literate & Jonny Steele) drops the long awaited ‘The Totem Trilogy 2’, the second EP of the three part Totem series. The 8 track EP was made in collaboration with renowned producer Vince Beats.
The project features a wide range of talent from across the UK and US. Dizzy Dustin (Ugly Duckling) joins the group on horn-laden anthem ‘Hype’ for some braggadocious transatlantic wordplay, while Akil The MC (Jurassic 5) returns with a soulful rework of ‘Get Down’.
London based lyricist Donnie Numeric, also brings his trademark thoughtful flow to ‘Focus’, a bouncy and energetic track that also features the breathtaking sound of the 98 piece Birmingham Symphony Youth Orchestra.
The Scribes and their unique blend of Hip Hop combined with Rock, Funk and more have been a stalwart of the UK and international hip hop scene for well over a decade. Firm festival favourites across Europe with frequent appearances at Glastonbury, Electric Picnic, Isle Of Wight, Latitude, Boomtown and many more, The Scribes have shared mics with the likes of Wu Tang Clan, MF DOOM, Macklemore, Rudimental, KRS One and De La Soul. Ill Literate and Jonny Steele compliment each other’s vocals perfectly, with the duo always finding innovative instrumentals to merge their styles, leading to regular airplay on BBC Introducing, BBC Radio 1Xtra and BBC 6 Music.
Vice beats has been steadily amassing a bank of releases that have supported the Bristol based producer to create the only official UK based J Dilla tribute to date. With support from the likes of DJ Premier, Chuck D and BBC introducing to name but a few, his production is gaining traction worldwide. He has worked with the likes of Blu, ASM, A-Plus (Souls Of Mischief / Hieroglyphics), Pseudo Slang, Nutty P, Brotherman and many more with a slew of upcoming projects.
The Scribes x Vice beats – The Totem Trilogy 2, is now out across major digital music platforms. Check it out below…
NLM Recommendations: Sixties, All I Can Say, Get Down
Nashville-based singer/songwriter APRIL KRY‘s new full-length concept album, Krysalis, is the reason why she’s often dubbed as the “tiny girl with a big voice”. Her powerful emotive vocal delivery glides over, at large, the featherlight soulful pop melodies leaves the prospective listener with a tear in the eye.
Speaking of her ten-track project, April says“This body of work was written over a period of 2+ years. It was a transformative chapter of my life where I was forced to look at myself in the mirror and reflect on why I chose to create in the first place. Recording this album while pregnant, and in a global pandemic was challenging, but worth it. In these songs, you will hear moments of self-reflection, extreme highs and lows, and everything in between. Creating life, celebrating love, and examining my time in the music industry. I’ve learned that using my voice to inspire is more important than approval. No one ever talks about the season of growth the caterpillar needs to go through in order to become the butterfly. You don’t know who you are or where you are going. This is the Chrysalis growing stage. and this is the story of my Krysalis.”
The album is a follow-up to her 2018 EP, Sink Or Swim which received national acclaim with songs from the EP landing a spot on the Music Row Country Breakout charts, with plays on numerous radio stations across the country, over 4 million streams across platforms, including a coveted rotation on Radio Disney Country. Her newest album explores the growing stages of life with themes of empowerment and self-reflection.
April Kry has been fortunate enough to write and work with Grammy award-winning songwriters and collaborate with some amazing talent including Nick Jonas and industry veteran, Phil Ramone. Kry pulls in heavy hitters on her new album, like Joshua Gleave (Chris Young, The Swon Brothers) and 9AM Music (Leon Bridges, Celine Dion). Talent and fans alike are drawn to Kry’s meaningful lyrics and soulful, strong, effortless tone.
Krysalis was released last Friday (30th September).Have a listen to April new album below…
Must Listens: Take The Edge Off, Scratch The Surface, B-Side, Seven or Seventeen
After two highly successful singles in the lead up to a highly anticipated EP, FLVME has solidified his position among the best Hip Hop artists coming out of South Africa. He now releases the ‘Germander II EP.’
Germander is a species of flower that is known to have medicinal benefits, and as such, since the inception of the title ‘Germander’, Flvme made this project through the lens of this flower’s life cycle, with the intention to heal all those that consume it.
“I feel this best describes me, I am that flower, a seed planted, watered, left to dry up, revered in my season of blossoming and allowed to bloom, and that’s what the title is for,” he says.
‘Let Me Down’ was the first release of 2022 from the project and is a song about reflecting on past relationships and how they helped shape who he is, “Accepting everything for what it is and understanding that I have to go through a lot in order to grow .. overall it’s just about finding peace within myself,” he says.
Followed by ‘Prayers Up’, the second single from the EP, Flvme raps about his faith and relationship with God, of which he said, “Living in the world and how it is today, I feel like it’s only right to stay prayed up. It’s also about embracing myself as a flawed human being and understanding that the future is never promised.
Germander II finds the artist on a quest to find balance between all the high and lows of life and his career, while remaining ready for any outcome, while remembering to live in the moment. Check it out below…
Must Listens: Prayers Up, Rock For Life, What’s On Your Mind? BE Okay, Workin’ On Me
‘Sober is Dope’ is the second album by rapper POP BUCHANAN which highlights his entire life and his road to recovery from alcoholism.
Produced by Nudgi-Nudge, ED-APE, Scott Freebase, and K. Miles, the ‘Sober is Dope’ album is dedicated to POP’s late Uncle “Atiim” Lyn Ferguson”, Kevin “Brick Jones” Byrdsong, and the addiction recovery community. Recorded in a unique podcast style, this album brings together the Sober is Dope podcast with POP Buchanan’s music thus bridging together both worlds. With hints of motivation, real-life testimonies, raw Boom Bap beats, and solid lyrics, “Sober is Dope” is an album that Pop hopes can inspire and stand the test of time.
‘Sober Is Dope’ was released last Thursday (29th September) across various music platforms. Check it out below…
New Lease Music 