Category: new singles

Shihori Unveils R&B-Tinged Ballad, ‘Harmonizer’

SHIHORI‘s new track ‘Harmonizer’, is a nostalgia-tinged R&B pop ballad, with the LA-based singer-songwriter showcasing her dreamy vocals, reminiscing on her true love and the magical connection they shared together.

Shihori explains, “In 2020, I began a journey to rediscover myself after I lost confidence, releasing several tracks that explored topics of self-compassion and self-acceptance. Being in love is like creating art, and when people love one another, they create something beautiful together that previously didn’t exist: like carving a unique sculpture out of solid rock. ‘Harmonizer’ is a celebration of the unlimited joy and creativity that results from these relationships.”

Born in Japan, Shihori has achieved phenomenal success in her home country as a singer and songwriter. With 12 Gold Disc Certified hits and multiple top fives in the official Japanese hit chart, Shihori’s career encompasses music written and performed for stage, film, television, anime and video games.

Following her move to the United States, Shihori has received a number of accolades, including wins at the Rome Music Video Awards, Auber International Film Festival and Euro Music Video Song Awards. Shihori also composed and performed the theme song to the video game League of Legends (‘Battle Queens 2020’), which has received 1.2 million views on YouTube and over 2.2 million streams on Spotify to date.

‘Harmonizer’ follows the 2021 release of Shihori’s debut album, Mutation, which explored her journey of personal change and transcendence in the next evolution of herself. Have a listen to the dream-like beauty below…

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The Scribes Return With New EP, ‘The Totem Trilogy Pt.2’

Bristol based outfit THE SCRIBES (Ill Literate & Jonny Steele) drops the long awaited ‘The Totem Trilogy 2’, the second EP of the three part Totem series. The 8 track EP was made in collaboration with renowned producer Vince Beats.

The project features a wide range of talent from across the UK and US. Dizzy Dustin (Ugly Duckling) joins the group on horn-laden anthem ‘Hype’ for some braggadocious transatlantic wordplay, while Akil The MC (Jurassic 5) returns with a soulful rework of ‘Get Down’.

London based lyricist Donnie Numeric, also brings his trademark thoughtful flow to ‘Focus’, a bouncy and energetic track that also features the breathtaking sound of the 98 piece Birmingham Symphony Youth Orchestra.

The Scribes and their unique blend of Hip Hop combined with Rock, Funk and more have been a stalwart of the UK and international hip hop scene for well over a decade. Firm festival favourites across Europe with frequent appearances at Glastonbury, Electric Picnic, Isle Of Wight, Latitude, Boomtown and many more, The Scribes have shared mics with the likes of Wu Tang Clan, MF DOOM, Macklemore, Rudimental, KRS One and De La Soul. Ill Literate and Jonny Steele compliment each other’s vocals perfectly, with the duo always finding innovative instrumentals to merge their styles, leading to regular airplay on BBC Introducing, BBC Radio 1Xtra and BBC 6 Music.

Vice beats has been steadily amassing a bank of releases that have supported the Bristol based producer to create the only official UK based J Dilla tribute to date. With support from the likes of DJ Premier, Chuck D and BBC introducing to name but a few, his production is gaining traction worldwide. He has worked with the likes of Blu, ASM, A-Plus (Souls Of Mischief / Hieroglyphics), Pseudo Slang, Nutty P, Brotherman and many more with a slew of upcoming projects. 

The Scribes x Vice beats – The Totem Trilogy 2, is now out across major digital music platforms. Check it out below…

NLM Recommendations: Sixties, All I Can Say, Get Down

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OUT TODAY: Listen To Qbanaa’s Debut Single, ‘Truth and Desire’

Citing Erykah Badu, Hiatus Kaiyote, Kali Uchis, Khruangbin, Amy Winehouse and Greentea Peng as inspirations, Cuban/Irish jazzy neo-soul singer-songwriter OBANAA – pronounced Cubana- has released her debut single ‘Truth and Desire’.

With a catchy bassline and soulful vocals ‘Truth and Desire’ mixes Qbanaa’s Spanish and English native tongues to create a flirty song celebrating the euphoria of re-discovering love after long periods of loneliness and includes choir like sections resembling the honeymoon period of new lovers.

Qbanaa explains the inspiration of ‘Truth and Desire’: “The song was inspired by 1989 and 2008 movie ‘The Little Mermaid’ – I’m sure people will think ‘oh that’s a bit weird’. But if you look into it, there’s some insane soul and beautiful ethereal sounds in there that I took inspiration from. The movie is all about the unconditional nature of pure love, and the universal power of music, which really resonated with me growing up and carries the theme of Truth and Desire, it was the first thing I thought of when I opened the track.’

Qbanaa’s collaboration ‘Blue Skies’ and ‘New Day’ with Absentee was well received, featuring on BBC Across The Line, Hot Press, Peter Curtin RTE 2XM and Nialler9’s Best New Music playlist. With such warm feedback, she took to South East London by herself to immerse herself in the jazz/soul scene. Sharpening her skills with live performances at multiple jazz venues in London and venues in Dublin, Qbanaa has finally decided to take the plunge and write her debut single with R&B and hip-hop producer Mickzart – Truth and Desire.

‘Truth and Desire’ is out today (7th of October) across various music platforms. Have a listen below…

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Pop Innovator BAYLI Shares New Single, ‘Act Up’

Brooklyn artist and songwriter BAYLI today returns with her new single ‘act up’ via her own self-titled label. The single arrives with a vibrant video shot in BAYLI’s native NY by director Kimber-Lee Alston. Dressed in the freshest fits, the playful love story sees BAYLI cross the city as she tries to win her girlfriend back.

Alongside the release of the vibrant track, BAYLI announced her latest EP Stories 2, with the project slated for release later this month (21st October). The follow up to 2021’s stories from new york, the six-track EP was written on the road and takes in themes spanning heartbreak, addiction, loneliness and self-discovery. ‘act up’ is joined on the project by intimate recent release ‘think of drugs’ and BAYLI’s unstoppable gay anthem ‘TELLY BAG’, which landed earlier this year to acclaim from the likes of i-D, DAZED, The Fader, PAPER and CLASH

BAYLI first made waves in 2016 as the frontwoman of the punk band The Skins, where her infectious melodies and signature songwriting were cultivated under the mentorship of music guru Rick Rubin. Now an independent artist, BAYLI’s musical output is as equally pop as it is R&B, rock, & punk, all delivered with a fierce stylish edge and unabashed confidence. Hailing from Brooklyn, NYC is her lifeblood, inspiring her fearless take on what it means to be an artist in the 21st century. BAYLI released her debut EP stories from new york last year featuring the unstoppable singles ‘boys lie’, ‘sushi for breakfast’, ‘foreigner’ and more. With support this year from the likes of Spotify (BAYLI was their EQUAL Ambassador for June), BBC Radio 1, i-D, Telfar, DAZED, Interview Magazine, The Face, Fader, CLASH, Foundation FM, The Line of Best Fit, PAPER, NYLON, Billboard and more, the future looks bright for BAYLI.

Check out the official video for ‘act up below

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Jason Griff Taps Teller Bank$ & AJ Suede For Track. ‘DISCMAN’

A year and a half after releasing his critically-acclaimed Fireside Chats album, producer JASON GRIFF brings us the sequel of his groundbreaking compilation series featuring some of the most prolific rappers in underground hip-hop on beats rooted in obscure punk rock sample flips. Prior to the album release on 14th October, he slips a preview of first single, ‘DISCMAN’ featuring Teller Bank$ and AJ Suede.

‘DISCMAN’ flips a timeless hardcore song into an equally hardcore track, backed by shredded guitar leads and thunderous 808 bass lines, Bank$ and Suede attack the soundscape with nostalgic tales of Discmans and other portable music devices and the occasional robbery of such items.

Fireside Chats 2 releases on 14th October and features appearances from Brian Ennals, Curly Castro, Defcee, Premrock, ZIlla Rocca, Fatboi Sharif, Jesse the Tree and many others in addition to Bank$ and Suede.

‘DISCMAN’ is available now on all streaming platforms. Check it out below…

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