Category: new singles

Song of the Day: I Don’t Wanna Wake Up – Marie Dahlstrom (ft. James Vickery)

Danish/London based artist MARIE DAHLSTORM‘s single ‘I Don’t Wanna Wake Up’, featuring South London soul singer James Vickery, is one stunning soulful slow-burner. Pairing soft synth lines with a groove-laden rhythm section, ‘I Don’t Wanna Wake Up’ tells a story of desire.

Speaking on the collaboration, Marie said: “I’ve been a fan of James’ voice for a while. James and I had a session at mine, and this song just came about so naturally, we just started humming melodies over the chord progression and not long into the session we had the line ‘I don’t wanna wake up’. I produced this song myself and I remember leaving the production for a while before actually committing to finishing it and that’s when I got my friend Liam Joseph to jump on some bass and Qmillion to get involved for the mixing.”

Brought up on some of soul and R&B’s greats; recalling the likes of Edwyn Collins, Womack & Womack and Gloria Gaynor being on regular rotation in her family home in Roskilde, Dahlstrom also cites the discoveries of Dwele, Musiq Soulchild, SWV, Dire Straits, Lucy Pearl, Erykah Badu, Kirk Franklin and Fleetwood Mac in her teenage years as key points of inspiration in her musical upbringing.

‘I Don’t Wanna Wake Up’ is taken from the BBC 1Xtra-backed songstress’ debut album, ‘Like Sand’, out now via JFH Records. Smooth out your hump day and wrap your ears around this stunning track below…

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J.Kas x Ruell Slams Down Summer-Ready track ‘BonBon’.

Rapper J.KAS calls upon long-time collaborator, upcoming R&B singer Ruell, to offer some much needed distraction away from the chaotic current events with latest single, ‘BonBon’.

Ruell takes the lead in the summer-charged joint, exchanging his smooth afterhours vocals for a melodic/rock steady-esque flow, which melts right into the vibrant fusion of tropical house and Dancehall. BBC Sheffield-approved J.Kas takes over and adds extra fire with his gutsy MC-delivery.

Previously featured on J. Kas’ soulful/R&B jams, ‘Snapchat (Ain’t No Killing My Vibe)’ and ‘Cali Dreaming’, Ruell has branched out and released his debut solo single, ‘Tiffany’, where J.Kas returns the favour and features on the R&B/trap production.

Besides being a seasoned wordsmith, who received firm support from BBC1’s Huw Stephens, BBC 1xtra’s Charlie Sloth and DJ Ace and BBC Sheffield’s Christian Carlisle, J.Kas is the founder of trendy streetwear, Tokyo Red, established in 2015.

Available now on Spotify, iTunes, Tidal, Deezer and Google Play, ‘BonBon’ follow’s J.Kas’ Afrobeat/Dancehall number, ‘Amsterdam’.

Follow J.Kas on: Facebook // Twitter // Instagram
Follow Ruell on: Instagram

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EP Review: For The Uninformed – Nicki Knightz

I’ve always known NICKI KNIGHTZ to be that rapper who fiercely take on the boldest of the boldest arrangements with her no nonsense flow, but her latest EP, ‘For The Uninformed’, has caught me off guard. With the exception of the drum bass heavy/Congolese guitar sample, ‘Blacker the Berry,’ which pays homage to her father’s work ethic, the EP shows a soft and perhaps a more vulnerable side to the Hackney native.

The three-track set sees Nicki focusing on the neglected identity issues of being biracial, eliminating any glamorized images of being a light skinned person. In second effort, ‘India Arie’, Nicki gives a vivid account of the problems her parents faced when contending with her hair, over a warped soulful/jazz instrumentation. An old-school soulful drive makes its presence known and runs sombrely throughout concluding track, ‘1964 Howlett Drive’, serving as the perfect backdrop for Nicki’s uncharacteristically emotive delivery, which gives an insight of her experiencing her mother’s culture and its heartbreakingly stark contrast to their life in the innercity area.

A complete 180 to her sonically boisterous 2018 debut EP ‘Hate’, ‘For The Uninformed’ takes on a more minimalist theme, allowing the uninformed to really soak up and resonate with the experience of her childhood.

Have a listen to ‘For The Uninformed’ below…

Must Listen: India Arie

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Rapper Souls Drops ‘Tears In The South’

Following the successful release of ‘Loyalty’ which was championed on Reprezent radio by Remi Burgz British rising star, record producer & sound engineer SOULS returns with the release of his new single ‘Tears In The South’ the second single off of his forthcoming EP ‘Phoenix 92’, out now.

Crafted in collaboration with Jupiter wave ‘Tears In The South’ combines melodic synths, trap-fuelled beats, soothing tone and witty lyricism. Encouraging listeners to get more acquainted with him as he shares his testimony of perseverance, whilst offering a unique perspective on his life introspectively. Complimentary to current affairs, the track unveils a solution to how a young black man who feels like the odds are against him can change his destiny & become a pioneer in his chosen field.

Speaking on the inspiration behind his new single Souls says “It is a motivator for the listener to know that wherever in life they may be & how ever many times they may fall, there is light at the end of the tunnel.”

Get motivated and check out ‘Tears In The South’ below…

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The Sound Of Modesty Unveils Second Single, ‘Stalemate’

Singer/songwriter Yvonne Han, the brainchild of Leeds-based experimental indie-rock project THE SOUND OF MODESTY unveiled her second single ‘Stalemate’, released last Friday (5th June).

Showcasing a simplistic yet haunting melody and writhing cymbal screeches that slink into the track, ‘Stalemate’ tells the story of a mother and son ravaged by war, as they spend their final night together stuck in silence.

After being in an alt-indie band, ​Once A Week Won’t Kill You featuring on drums, Londoner Yvonne started creating as ‘The Sound of Modesty’ in 2018, developing her own exclusive songwriting style, influenced strongly by not only experimental female artists like Mitski and Bjork, but also electronic pop artists like Egoist and T.a.T.u, whilst crossing over with softer pop such as Sleeping At Last and Regina Spektor.

Yvonne went on to independently release her debut EP; ​Eye, The Cauldron of Morning ​ (2018) which feature her previous soul-stirring single, ​’Metamorphosize’, released under ​Yamcog. Yvonne currently studies songwriting at Leeds College of Music and is currently finishing off her debut album alongside her band for release in 2020.

Have a listen to ‘Stalemate’ below…

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