Merittocracy drops track ‘Desire’ ft Jocelyn Brown.

Zimbabwe-born/Scottish-based house/electronic producer Mani S – aka MERITTOCRACY – gets ready to unveil his third single ‘Desire’, featuring the instantly recognisable soulful vocals of legendary singer Jocelyn Brown. The deep soulful house cut is coming out 26th September via his record label, Black Sugar Music.

‘Desire’ is a reworked track that Mani S had previously written and produced with Jocelyn Brown for YOYOHONEY – an electro-soul group he formed with singer Anita Jarrett. Known for her cult classics like, ‘Someone Else’s Guy’ and ‘Always There’, with British acid jazz group Incognito, Jocelyn Brown’s infamous powerhouse vocals inspired Mani S to drop a remix. Drawing from the raw energy of the Chicago House movement, ‘Desire’ now pulses a seriously deep gutsy groove with an infectious electronica edge. “Her timeless vocals and energy got me really excited and I decided to redo and produced it on a different vibe for Merittocracy,” says Mani S.

A songwriter, producer and bass guitarist, Mani S, started is musical journey at the age of just 14, playing at countless shows and was fortunate to work with some of the industry greats such as Bootsy Collins, DJ Pierre, Tony Humphries, and Steely & Cleevie.

Main S’ love for dub, hip-hop and soul led him to form YOYOHONEY, a UK soul project which blends elements of electronica, techno and ambient sounds. Along with Anita Jarrett, Mani S released soulful/acid jazz-tinged singles, ‘Groove On’ in 1991 and ‘Voodoo Soul’ in 1992.

Mani S’ other biggest love is house music, particularly of the deep cut kind; a genre that was with him from the start of his journey. He formed Merittocracy in 2024 to push house and electronic sounds to the forefront – and give them the full attention it deserves. Along with pushing out genres he loves – and not churning out hits for streams and views – Mani S is extremely passionate about music development and has helped shape the creative direction of emerging acts.

Merittocracy’s new single ‘Desire’, featuring the great Jocelyn Brown, drops 26th September via Black Sugar Music.

Connect Merittocracy via:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/merittocracy

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Song of the Day: Who Cares If I’m Alone – Lavendine

With brooding, reverb-soaked guitar riffs ripping through delicate — almost ghostlike — backdrops, sisters Jacy and Jana Ayers, aka LAVENDINE, deliver a haunting first impression on their latest single, ‘Who Cares If I’m Alone.’ At first listen, it might feel like a slow descent into darkness. But underneath the weight and mood is something tougher — a raw, defiant message of resilience. This isn’t a cry for help; it’s a declaration. A quiet storm that finds strength — and even peace — in standing alone.

Born from betrayal and hardened by perseverance, “Who Cares If I’m Alone” is a bold refusal to settle — for silence, for dependence, or for anything less than one’s truth. It’s a rallying cry for those who’ve been let down and left behind, yet still choose to rise.

Brought vividly to life by Grammy-nominated producer Mark Needham (Fleetwood Mac, The Killers, Imagine Dragons, Stevie Nicks), the single is infused with a gritty, unapologetic rock edge that amplifies its emotional intensity. The production captures a defining chapter in Lavendine’s journey — marked by isolation and setbacks, but also by a newfound determination to carve out their own path. It’s in this space — where fear meets clarity — that Lavendine discovers peace. ‘Who Cares If I’m Alone’ isn’t just a song; it’s a realization: you don’t need a crowd to find your purpose, and there’s strength in going it alone, no matter how daunting the path may seem.

A heartfelt cry to embrace solitude and find strength within it ‘Who Cares If I’m Alone’ – now available across all leading streaming platforms – serves as a exciting teaser to the duo’s forthcoming EP ‘Deep Blue’.

Connect with Lavendine via:
FB: https://www.facebook.com/Lavendineband/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/lavendinemusic
X: https://x.com/Lavendineband
Website: https://www.lavendineband.com/

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Song of the Day: Better With Time – Stefanie Michaela

You may remember STEFANIE MICHAELA, who made a bold impression on the blog back in May with her breakout single ‘Stay In Your Lane’—a track that earned the blog’s Song of the Week title over on Instagram. That single marked a significant turning point in Stefanie’s life, serving as a stern soulful anthem of self-empowerment. With it, the R&B/pop songbird pushed back against the critics who judged her decision to pause her music career in order to raise her children.

Now, Stefanie returns with another powerful statement in her latest single, ‘Better With Time.’ Teaming up with Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum producer Nash Overstreet (Britney Spears, Meghan Trainor, Pitbull), who wrote and produced the single, she delivers a smooth yet edgy soulful-pop track, rich with hazy textures and hypnotic grooves that’s compelling from the very first note.

Beneath the toe-curling melodies and polished production lies an urgent, heartfelt message—a rallying cry for anyone who’s ever felt, or been told, that it’s “too late” to chase their dreams. ‘Better With Time’ is Stefanie’s unapologetic reminder that passion doesn’t expire, and that it’s never too late to pursue what sets your soul on fire—with ambition, conviction, and courage, no matter how intimidating the journey may seem.

“I wrote ‘Better With Time’ because I was deeply passionate about following my heart and dreams at this stage in my life,” Stefanie shares. “A dream I once thought I’d never return to came back full force—and now, I’m so eager to share it with the world. I want people to know it’s never too late to follow their dreams.”

‘Better With Time’ is the third single from Stefanie’s upcoming EP, Turning Pages — a collection of songs that not only marks a new chapter in her life, but also serves as a powerful source of motivation for anyone chasing their dreams. The EP also gives a voice to the voiceless, offering them the recognition and attention they deserve.

Why not listen to ‘Better With Time’ below…

Connect with Stefanie Michaela via:
FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555524656282
IG: https://www.instagram.com/stefaniemichaelamusic/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@stefaniemichaelamusic?
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StefanieMichaelaVEVO
Website: https://www.stefaniemichaela.com/

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Song of the Day: Dancing (In the Palm of My Hand) – The Spikes

Following the politically and emotionally charged debut single ‘Guns For The Children’—which quickly drew attention with over 20,000 views on YouTube—Iago Haussman, aka THE SPIKES, returns with a hauntingly beautiful follow-up that could rival, or even surpass, his breakout release.

His latest single, ‘Dancing (In the Palm of My Hand)’, opens under a veil of mystery, quickly pierced by stark, minimalist guitar plucks that lay the foundation for an emotionally raw exploration of desire, loss, and longing. Heavily inspired by F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, the track casts Jay Gatsby as an elusive figure—haunted by the past and consumed by his pursuit of something forever out of reach.

“I’ve always seen Gatsby as an almost mystical being—an elusive symbol of desire and secrecy,” explains Iago. “We don’t really know much about him—his past, his emotions, or the depth of his longing. I wanted to step into that uncertainty, to feel what it means to chase something beautiful and unattainable.”

Also an acclaimed poet, Haussman channels his lyrical prowess into vivid, surreal storytelling, weaving dreamlike imagery throughout his music. ‘Dancing (In the Palm of My Hand)’ doesn’t offer easy answers—instead, it lingers in ambiguity, inviting listeners to sit with the unknown.

“I’m not sure there’s a message there, exactly. And that’s really not for me to say, is it—what the audience takes away?” Iago reflects. “A feeling, perhaps? Or an image? The song touches on joy, beauty, and loss. It’s a love song, really—more existential than political, unlike my last single.”

Where ‘Guns For The Children’ shocked and stirred, ‘Dancing (In the Palm of My Hand)’ invites listeners into a more abstract, introspective realm—revealing yet another layer of THE SPIKES’ evolving artistry.

Now’s your chance to experience the surreal beauty of “Dancing (In the Palm of My Hand)”—out now on all major streaming platforms.

Connect with The Spikes via:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/the__spikes
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@the__spikes
Website: http://www.thespikes.org/

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Song of the Day: Perspective – Natty Boi Zoe (Dice Cannon)

Spoken word rapper NATTY BOI ZOE circles back into the spotlight with his latest release, ‘Perspective’ — a raw, introspective track that hits with both heart and heat. Teaming up once again with Owl Life labelmate and long-time collaborator Dice Cannon, the duo delivers powerful bars that explore their search for identity, belonging, and the healing refuge they find in music.

Their chemistry is undeniable, their message is clear: sometimes, all it takes is a shift in perspective to see your place in the world.

‘Perspective’ is now available on all major streaming platforms —
Why not give it a spin and hear the story for yourself?

Follow Natty Boi Zoe via:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/nattyboizoe/
X: https://x.com/KingRob25th

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