Category: new singles

Album Review: COGs – Wullae Wright

You guys don’t know how GOOD it feels to have WULLAE WRIGHT back in NEW LEASE MUSIC’s limelight. Back in 2013, he graced his presence with album, The Orange Line – named Album of 2014 by this blog.

Fast forward to four years, indie rocker delivers another highly anticipated album entitled ‘COGs’. What do I expect from this 12-track collection? I’m hoping to hear some soaring guitars against experimental mix of staggered, rhythmic thumps – elements that were featured in ‘The Orange Line.’

Distorted rawness of the guitar riffs (we’re talking Jimi Hendrix style) introduces the collection,  pumping an adrenaline rush through ‘Armed for Revolution.’ The rush quickly disperse and is replaced with an angelic presence of the piano in the following track, ‘A Heart that Riots.’

‘Scumbag’ provides the second rush of the album as it goes on a rollercoaster ride with tranquility turning into total turmoil, well executed Wright’s vocals. The long-awaited staggered soundscapes take charge in ninth effort, ‘Blackfields, ‘ where the rhythmic thumps travels in union with the woeful violins. Wright’s vocals serves as a perfect backdrop before eventually coming in line of the heart-hitting arrangements.

Providing such a hell raising experience at the beginning, ‘COGs’ does a complete U-turn and comes to a close with scenic acoustic setting. ‘Deja Vu’ is personally the top three stellar tracks of this album as the serene guitar against the full-on power vocals sparks that magical combination.

Just like a candle frantically bouncing in the wind, the tempo displayed in ‘COGs’ provides extreme dips and soars…so it’s going to be anything but boring…might as well have a listen…

Must Listens: Armed For Revolution, A Heart That Riots, Scumbag, Centralia, Blackfields, Ventriloquist.

 

 

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New Track: Take You Home – Angel

Following a string of sold-out headline shows earlier this year and the launch of his ‘More of HER’ playlist which featured tracks such as ‘Hi Grade’ ft Protoje, ‘Road Closed’, ‘Crud’ and ‘No Days Off’, the dynamic UK R&B singer ANGEL continues his unstoppable ascent with the release of his new single ‘Take You Home’, the first track to be taken from his forthcoming album ‘WOMAN’.

Paying homage to iconic 90s R&B and hip-hop jams including Foxy Brown ft Blackstreet – ‘Get Me Home’ and SWV’s ‘I’m So Into You’, ANGEL once again drops his signature mix of addictive throwback influences combined with his distinctive, soulful vocals and unparalleled songwriting and production talents on the new track –  the perfect introduction to his highly anticipated full length project which is expected next year.

Last year ANGEL released the massively popular ‘HER’ EP which has amassed over 3 million combined streams and featured the Harmony Samuels produced ‘Fvxk With You’ that saw west London meeting America’s ‘dirty south’, delivered courtesy of an explosive 16 bars from Atlanta, Georgia’s Rich Homie Quan and made a huge splash across both sides of the Atlantic.

Signed in the US by Motown records VP, Ezekiel Lewis (also responsible for forming the group The Clutch who have gone on to write and produce hits for Beyonce, Justin Bieber, Neyo and more), alongside Island Records, ANGEL continues to reinforce his position as one of the UK’s hottest R&B talents…. so it goes without saying that the new album is going to rock both sides of the shore, making 2018 and beyond his for the taking….

 

 

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Upcoming Release: Numb – Jake Aldridge (ft. Kelly Jenns)

It’s been a looong time coming but JAKE ALDRIDGE returns to the limelight with ACJ Beats-produced single, entitled ‘Numb.’

The new song features the sweet vocals from Kelly Jenns, a childhood friend and long-term collaborator of the British rapper. Jenns has worked with him Jake on several songs including ‘Pieces of Me’ and ‘Palm of your hand’.

Since his last appearance in March with single, ‘Fireman’, Jake has been very busy, collecting some awards along the way. The 2017 NMG award winner was presented with the Audience Choice Award last month in Cambridge.

Aldridge was recently performed for Billie Laurie, an award-winning producer who has worked with Sir Paul McCartney, The Bee Gees & Tina Turner. The gig was televised on Sky TV and was sponsored by Dingwalls Music, the company who were responsible for discovering big acts such as Ellie Goulding. Aldridge is currently in talks with Dingwalls for future projects…so watch this space!

But for now, have a listen to ‘Numb’, available via all digital channels from 5th November .

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Album Review: Flow Riiot – Torii Wolf

When I first heard of TORII WOLF through debut single, ‘Free’ somehow I was compelled by the too-cool-for-school raspy vocals against the bass-driven number. Releases ‘Big Big Trouble’ and ‘Pain Killer’ followed and I was totally hooked!

The next big release was the 15-track production coming in the form of ‘Flow Riiot’, produced by DJ Premier (so you know you’re really onto a good thing here).

An atmospherically dreamy sample of The Messenger’s 60s funk/soul classic, ‘California Soul’, leads the set through ‘Everlasting Peace’ – and from there, a range of genres were introduced –  from alternative hip-hop to piano/violin-led arrangements. ‘Take It Up On Monday’ is definitely one for the nostalgics as the three-minute production brings on that old school/rare groove laid-back vibe. Possessing heavy influence hip-hop/boom bap of late 80s/early 90s, ‘Shadows Crawl’ will be the one for the serious hip-hop heads’ collection.

‘Flow Riiot’ ends on smooth note with ‘Moscow’. Led by the acoustic guitar, Torii adds an inexplicable magic, creating a real stellar singer-songwriter approach to the production.

It’s sure a mix bag of pleasure and anyone who enjoys listening to makeovers of old genres will have at least one favourite. Through ‘Flow Riiot’, this New Yorker has more than proved that her Throaty yet delicate instrument has that across the board appeal.

You’re here now…might as well check it out….

Must listens: Meant To Do, 1st, Body, Take It Up On Monday, Moscow

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New Track: Macadamian – Jimmy Smash

Oslo-based, dreamy R&B duo JIMMY SMASH burst into the limelight with their debut single ‘Macadamian’.

From start to finish Håvard Lyngstad’s smooth, dulcet tones are nothing less than mesmerising. Dreamy and floating, his voice exudes warmth and comfort, perfectly poised above a soulful ambience created by Mikkel Guttormsen, whose easy-going, swinging rhythm rolls gently along a bed of distant synths. The premise and underlying melody for ‘Macadamia’ was created on a “beat-up” Finnish guitar from the 80s, providing a certain nostalgic element to the instrumental.

Guttormsen and Lyngstad both grew up in Fredrikstad, Norway, and although they socialised in the same circles, didn’t cross paths until 2012 in Oslo. Mikkel is a classically trained pianist whose long-term affinity for hip hop, led to him DJ’ing at parties and clubs around Norway, showcasing his home-crafted rap beats. A multi-instrumentalist (guitar, drums, vocals) and initially working as a singer-songwriter, Håvard transitioned into R&B at a later stage after realising the freedom for intricate wordplay and complex narratives. Discovering a shared passion for soul, R&B and groovy beats, the pair have been continuously collaborating and making music in their home studio.

JIMMY SMASH’s promising debut delivers a musical breath of fresh air shrouded in mystery, and with more music on the way, the Norwegian duo are certainly one to watch.

These guys are on a mission to challenge pop music of today…and I have to say, they’re definitely on the right path…Have a listen to ‘Macadamian’.

 

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