Category: new singles

Isa Reyes Goes On A Journey Of Self-Growth With Debut EP, ‘Bels’

Led by last autumn’s ‘Whistles’ that helped her reach over half a million streams on Spotify, and her new single ‘Santiago’, which has been met with rave reviews and is being championed by KALTBLUT Magazine, Impose Magazine, IGGY Magazine and Ones To Watch, among others, to build on the recent support she has received from the likes of NPR, SXSW, RFB Magazine, and New York Foundation for the Arts, 22-year old New York City multimedia artist and songwriter ISA REYES unveils her long-awaited debut EP titled BELS.

Written and recorded by Isa Reyes, and co-produced by Gamal Abdu (Nyck Caution, Thutmose, Alex Mali) and Caine Casket, who comes backed by Complex, Office Magazine and Lyrical Lemonade, among others, with Reyes also collaborating with Julian Kaufman and Layla Ku from NYC collective MICHELLE on ‘Black Velvet’, the third song on the project, the 4-track BELS EP is music that connects, heals and empowers, driven by Isa Reyes’ enchanting vocals, atmospheric compositions, compelling songwriting, and alternative R&B / indie-pop sensibilities.

The record opens up with the intimate title track ‘Bels’, which is led by contrasting soft guitar arrangements and samba drums patterns, and sees Isa attempting to make peace with her childhood. The EP then flows into the hip-hop influenced ‘Whistles’, where Isa takes a self-reflective and appreciative look at the struggles on her journey so far, and the sassy sultry R&B ballad ‘Black Velvet’, over which she tries to reclaim her self-worth in a relationship, before culminating in the gripping pop-folk ballad ‘Santiago’, which serves to inspire others to navigate their path freely, and as a reminder to Isa that she still has so much more to offer to the world.

Speaking about the inspiration behind her BELS EP, Isa Reyes says, “Thematically, ‘BELS’ takes you on a journey of vulnerability, nostalgia, love, belonging, grief, depression, heritage, generational trauma, and coming to terms with the past. Each song is like a location and time in my life that I’m reflecting on or paying homage to. It is also an embodiment of processing for me. ‘BELS’ is the culmination of that journey, one that we are all on, one of the processes of self-growth and acceptance. For me, each track is a step into that process”.

Check out Isa’s Soothing EP below…

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Rapper Young Pascal Drops New Track, ‘City Lights’

After the release of the highly successful singles ‘Ways’ and ‘Wasted Times’, YOUNG PASCAL has fulfilled the promise for an epic follow-up with his latest single ‘City Lights’, this time teaming up with fellow Perth artist Perry P and New Zealand based Kid Rey.

‘City Lights’ is the young artist’s fifth single to date, and is a true extension of his fusion of conscious rap lyrics and a melodic vocal performance which is reminiscent of the in-demand melodic rap movement making waves across the globe.

Even with vocal presets, Young Pascal brings in a certain dark rawness to set the tone for the record. Kid Rey, then Perry P, follow respectively with their feature verses, this time tapping into moody vocals in their own styles, rounding out the overall song.

Speaking on the inspiration behind the track, Young Pascal says: “City lights is all about getting lost in the sauce and losing yourself to chasing that temporary kick of happiness in life which happens to more and more people nowadays and an example is clout-chasing. People are so infatuated with their likes or follower count to feel like they are worthy, they’re getting blinded by the lights!”

Check out Yung Pascal’s fire track below…

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Wellington Bullings Collaborates With Black Women-Owned Businesses And Artists For Empowering New Video

Inspired by the solidarity shown in response to the racial injustices that resurfaced in 2020, singer/songwriter, model, and actor WELLINGTON BULLINGS was compelled to tell a story that would focus on an empowering narrative. That narrative shines on her new single ‘Flame’. The song fuses Afrobeat and Soul to celebrate the beauty, power, and resilience of Black people (especially Black women).

To highlight this message, Wellington collaborated with a team of all-Black artists and local Black women-owned businesses for the music video. Everything in the video– from the custom garments and the handmade crown, to the cinematography, and choreography –were all crafted by Black dancers (of the acclaimed Cleo Parker Robinson dance company), videographers (Blackat productions), and fashion designers to create an aesthetic chock-full of meaningful symbolism. The lighting of the candle at the beginning of the video represents ancestral healing; the wired-flame crown represents rebirth.

Wellington Bullings says of her latest single: “When writing ‘Flame,’ I wanted to tell an uplifting story that would empower us. The music and visuals are meant to remind people that our story is so much more than pain and trauma. Yes, there is a painful history to recognize, but we also need to recognize and celebrate Black beauty and brilliance.”

Check out the video for ‘Flame’ below…

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3Breezy Leaves Toxic Love Behind In New Single, ‘Can’t FWU’ + Video

After reeling in tens of millions of streams and earning acclaim from American Songwriter, FLAUNT Magazine, and more, fast rising New Jersey, R&B/hip-hop artist 3BREEZY unveils a new single and music video entitled “Can’t FWU,” out now on Capitol Records. Listen HERE.

On the track, he leans into thumping drums and smooth guitar with a melodic cadence. Pouring his heart out about a doomed relationship, he croons the hook, “I can’t fuck with you,” before warning, “Take a look at where ya at, I told you in the end Breezy gonna have the last laugh.” Directed by AROD2UP, the accompanying visual brings the story to life as it pulls no punches in its depiction of a rough breakup with a light at the end of the tunnel when our hero moves on.

It stands out as the follow-up to his recent single “Self Love.” Inciting critical acclaim right out of the gate, American Songwriter hailed it as “technically elegant and sonically moving” and promised it “sets the bar high for Breezy’s upcoming music.” It also garnered looks from Imprint, Hip Hop XXIV, and more. However, FLAUNT summed Breezy up best, christening him “Your new favorite R&B/hip-hop artist.”

The single paves the way for Breezy’s new project Catch A Breeze, which is available for pre-order now and set to be released on 12th November. The album caps off an incredible journey from Breezy who, in unprecedented fashion, changed to plans from being a veterinary technician to producing and releasing his own songs.

3Breezy will also be releasing a documentary in November, giving us an inside where he comes from, family in his life, and upcoming music….be sure to look out for that…but for now, check out the video for ‘Can’t FWU’ below…

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Album Review: Sameways – Oloff

OLOFF circles back to the limelight with second project of the year, ‘Sameways’, which sonically takes on a more sombre route than its predecessor, ‘Expat’, which carries an appeasing presence of retro soul and samples that’s associated with the Golden Hollywood era.

A downtempo, yet somewhat airy electronic drive dominates the ten track set momentarily interrupted by melodic chants (as heard in intro track, ‘Always’), 808/hip-hop beats (in ‘Bonce’ and ‘Half Open’).

Covering the themes of eternal recurrence, amphetamines, paranoia and circular living, ‘Sameways’ concludes with alternating sounds of industrial soundscapes, that can pierce through the coldest of souls, and hypnotic chants.

Sometimes, I wonder what goes through the mind of this indie rapper, who creatives extreme off-the-cuff material that somehow (I think) has potential widespread appeal. If you’re inquisitive enough to enter Oloff’s world, why not hit the button on the album below.

Must Listens: Bonce, Half Open, Ten

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