Norwegian artist, producer and creative maverick LOKOY‘s new single, ‘Relay’ (with Nils Bech) is a dazzling polyrhythmic pop cut incorporating African-inspired percussion and sampled Icelandic church choirs.
Lyrically the track addresses the complicated emotions and insecurities surrounding self-confidence. Speaking on the meaning behind ‘Relay’, Lokoy said: “The lyrics place me in the centre of a huge stadium surrounded by spectators. It’s just before I’m going to run a relay race and I’m regretting signing up for it. I wanted that imagery to mirror the insecurity I sometimes feel for my own appearance and the constant comparison/competition I have towards myself and others around me. I believe this feeling is quite common, and something many people experience. I want to appear as good as the others in the room, and when I can’t, it feels like a loss. “I went the wrong way, you went the runway” shows this constant comparison and the feeling that you are never quite good enough compared to others.”
‘Relay’ serves as the final taster from Lokoy’s debut album ‘badminton’, coming out this Friday, 22nd January, via Lokoy (under exclusive license to Propeller Recordings).
Known for producing uplifting soulful jazz numbers, CÉLINE AND THE BLUE decided to start the New Year with a slightly fresh sound…
Showcasing the jazz quintet as multifaceted musicians, their brand new single, ‘Crave Love’ boasts splashes of soul, trickles of rock elements, and jazzy cadences, which explores emotions such as helplessness, vulnerability, and grief. The song was initially about heartbreak, but soon transformed into a sweet melancholy representing the current trying times, where craving love is the ultimate in vain endeavour.
Out today on download and streaming platforms, ‘Crave Love’, is the last single before their EP’s release this year…why not have a listen to ‘Crave Love’ below…
‘Scarface Mahogany’, the first single from the upcoming collaborative project, ‘Lobster Tales In My Tesla’ features INSUBORDINATE records emcee SCORCESE LORDE JONES waxing poetic reflecting on the glorious highs and chilling lows of the “cocaine 80s lifestyle,” while producer Patchz provides a daunting ‘Vice City’ feel to the track.
Out 21st January on Bandcamp, ‘Lobster Tales in My Tesla’ is a cinematic album created by the duo. Wealth, the glorification of excess, and the realities of the eventual crash are explored in character by Scorcese using his “Lorde Jones” persona. Patchz provides a sample-free soundscape of haunting, paranoid sounds along with triumphant keys to allow Scorcese to dive headfirst into the world of expensive pleasures and broken realities.
Following the their appearance on the blog last week with single, ‘Fall Down’, Danish singer and producer MARIE DAHLSTROM, London-based producer DAN DIGGAS and Canadian rapper ALIGO circle back for their new single ‘Rising’, the second track to be lifted from their upcoming collaborative EP ‘4inARow’, out January 15th via Marie’s JFH Records label.
‘Rising’ takes the trio’s hybrid of late night R&B and laid back hip-hop to new heights. Uniting Marie’s angelic voice with Aligo’s subtle verses – backed by a soothing instrumental from Dan Diggas – ‘Rising’ lyrically represents the beginnings of blossoming new relationship.
Speaking on the release of the new single, Aligo said: “Rising to me feels like the song you hear at the end of a good movie. It tells the second chapter of a love story after the initial spark: Honeymoons and bright flames. An ode to people in love, the lyrics definitely put you in that feel good space and remind the people that might not be in love at the moment, that there is something for everyone out there. It’s about when the moment comes and the temperature rises.”
Marie Dahlstrom went on to add: “Dan’s beat reminded me a bit of butterflies in the stomach when I’m love, and that’s what went on to inspire my lyrics for the track.”
Dan Diggas, Marie Dahlstrom and Aligo
Originally conceived as an idea to create a four-track EP in just 4 nights, ‘4inARow’ in essence was an experiment in writing, recording and producing purely on impulse. Each track was recorded between 8pm & midnight on those 4 days in January 2020; with each cut having its own story to tell. Dan Diggas provided the beats for the EP, with Marie Dahlstrom and Aligo sharing vocal responsibilities across the 4 tracks.
Speaking a little more on how the EP came together, Aligo said: “Marie and I lived in the JFH flat for a little over a year and after a few months we figured out a way for us to really tap in and make music together. We told ourselves every night for 4 straight days we are going to tackle a pack of beats that Dan made while he was on tour with Mahalia. Theme-wise there wasn’t a plan at first but we knew we wanted to explore different emotions and feelings with each night that passed. By the end we noticed the songs came together in a cohesive way that demonstrated a four stage cycle of love/relationships.”
Marie Dahlstrom, Dan Diggas and Aligo’s new single ‘Rising’ is out now on download and streaming sites…check out the single below…
Norwegian artist, producer and creative maverick LOKOY‘s new single, ‘Relay’ (with Nils Bech) is a dazzling polyrhythmic pop cut incorporating African-inspired percussion and sampled Icelandic church choirs.
New Lease Music 