Both an artist project and a prolific Toronto based-producer collective, LOCALS ONLY SOUND was conceived by classmates Gray Hawken and Curtis Smith. Hawken and Smith write, record and release their own music as LOCALS ONLY SOUND in addition to producing and developing new talent and bringing a fresh perspective and unique sound to established artists.
Their new single ‘Billions’ showcases their appreciation for alt-electronic music combined with R&B vocals and modern beats.
Hailing from Bristol, vocalist and producer ADJUA releases her debut single ‘O.L.V’, fresh off her upcoming album.
The tracks creation began with just the words “one little voice” – a line which ultimately became the overriding inspiration for the single. Diving headfirst into a deep rolling bass-line, ADJUA‘s powerful vocals cut through the darkness. Inspired by the bass heavy depths of Bristol’s underground music scene, a kaleidoscope of sounds and textures are fused with ADJUA’s transcendent songwriting to form her powerful, dark-pop aesthetic.
With the accompanying video the artist enlisted the help of aerial acrobat Amber Lavina to embody the track’s feeling of courage, as she gracefully defies gravity in the dark and mystical visual.
ADJUA began her musical career as a teenage drummer in an all-female punk band, where she quickly developed a taste for a genre that was willing to push social and political boundaries. After collaborating with a range of producers, she became revered for her high energy live performances as the front woman for Backbeat Soundsystem, combining her soulful melodies with a deep, poetic lyricism.
The talented young producer’s debut release shows an artist on the rise….check out the video to ADJUA‘s ‘O.L.V’ below:
Following her debut feature on NEW LEASE MUSIC with music video for single, ‘2:22’ – which was named Music Video of the Month in February (see Instagram post here) – DANI DARLING (aka Soul Galaxy Girl) makes a graceful return with her haunting yet angelic new single, ‘Stranger,’ the first release from her forthcoming EP, ‘Nocturne.’
Speaking of her latest effort, the Michigan lo-fi soul songbird said: ” ‘Stranger’ was initially the start of a jazzy musical I planned to write with a friend. The idea was to create a modern version of a jazz standard like Cole Porter or Gershwin; something Nat King Cole would sing. It started with exploring the concept of growing apart from someone you were once very close to and ‘Stranger’ was the first (and only) song I wrote for that project; it kind of took on a life of its own.It was the result of a live recording in one take.”
Released on Friday (26th April), ‘Stranger’ is now available on all digital platforms…this will make a nice start to your Monday; check it out below:
NATTY BOI ZOE‘s latest EP, takes on a rather lascivious view of his love interest…
Displaying familiar samples of afterhours vibes and atmospheric/alternative take on R&B, the self-proclaim street poet delivers his yearning lust for his significant other in a cross between a velvety freestyle and his new-found spoken word signature.
‘My Body, My Soul Vol.1’ is definitely a collection for hanging out with some friends..or that special one…but for all those shrinking violets out there, the lyrics may be too hot to handle…but if you dare to have a listen, check it out below…
Must Listens: 7am, Smile Luv, Something To Tell, Beauty
After making an impressive entry on NEW LEASE MUSIC with 2018 offering, ‘Domino’ – her first international single – Finnish songstress/songwriter SOFIA returns, this time in today’s hotspot, with single ‘Heavy’.
The new cut is a layered, dark and soulful exploration into the vulnerability that comes from “feeling not enough for someone, no matter how hard you try”, reveals the 18-year-old. Tapping into some smooth jazzy influences, ‘Heavy’ pop-tinged production – forged by renowned Finnish producer Matti Pitkänen – never overshadows the organic songwriting and arrangement, over which SOFIA’s soulful vocals ooze languidly into neo-soul.
‘Heavy’ is from her new EP, out today. Check out the video for single below:
New Lease Music 