Marie Dahlstrom, Aligo and Dan Diggas Share New Single ‘Rising’

Following the their appearance on the blog last week with single, ‘Fall Down’, Danish singer and producer MARIE DAHLSTROM, London-based producer DAN DIGGAS and Canadian rapper ALIGO circle back for their new single ‘Rising’, the second track to be lifted from their upcoming collaborative EP ‘4inARow’, out January 15th via Marie’s JFH Records label.

‘Rising’ takes the trio’s hybrid of late night R&B and laid back hip-hop to new heights. Uniting Marie’s angelic voice with Aligo’s subtle verses – backed by a soothing instrumental from Dan Diggas – ‘Rising’ lyrically represents the beginnings of blossoming new relationship.

Speaking on the release of the new single, Aligo said: “Rising to me feels like the song you hear at the end of a good movie. It tells the second chapter of a love story after the initial spark: Honeymoons and bright flames. An ode to people in love, the lyrics definitely put you in that feel good space and remind the people that might not be in love at the moment, that there is something for everyone out there. It’s about when the moment comes and the temperature rises.”

Marie Dahlstrom went on to add: “Dan’s beat reminded me a bit of butterflies in the stomach when I’m love, and that’s what went on to inspire my lyrics for the track.”

Dan Diggas, Marie Dahlstrom and Aligo

Originally conceived as an idea to create a four-track EP in just 4 nights, ‘4inARow’ in essence was an experiment in writing, recording and producing purely on impulse. Each track was recorded between 8pm & midnight on those 4 days in January 2020; with each cut having its own story to tell. Dan Diggas provided the beats for the EP, with Marie Dahlstrom and Aligo sharing vocal responsibilities across the 4 tracks.

Speaking a little more on how the EP came together, Aligo said: “Marie and I lived in the JFH flat for a little over a year and after a few months we figured out a way for us to really tap in and make music together. We told ourselves every night for 4 straight days we are going to tackle a pack of beats that Dan made while he was on tour with Mahalia. Theme-wise there wasn’t a plan at first but we knew we wanted to explore different emotions and feelings with each night that passed. By the end we noticed the songs came together in a cohesive way that demonstrated a four stage cycle of love/relationships.”

Marie Dahlstrom, Dan Diggas and Aligo’s new single ‘Rising’ is out now on download and streaming sites…check out the single below…

Song of the Day: Clouds – INEZ (ft. Clara Kent)

Proud Homewood resident and Pittsburgh native INEZ uses music as a tool to navigate her life. Releasing her debut LP, ‘Voicemails and Conversations’ in December 2019, she follows the project with lead single, Clouds’ – accompanied by a dreamy set of visuals.

A late night groove, ‘Clouds’ is filled with soulful vocals and shimmering synth patterns – whisking you away into a smoky paradise. Richly romantic, “‘Clouds’ is about the newness of a potential courtship, where you are both vulnerable yet open to the possibility and bliss of what could be”

Born to two musical parents, INEZ quickly developed an intense love for the artform. Studying at Berklee College of Music, she prides herself in being a musical polymath – singing, producing, arranging, songwriting, drumming and audio engineering. These skills coalesced into LP, ‘Voicemails and Conversations’ – an audio diary of her navigation of love and growth as a Black woman.

Since its release, INEZ has been featured on NPR Weekend Edition, Bandcamp Daily, and most recently headlined City Theater’s Drive-In Arts Festival. With every release, INEZ hopes to continue using her gifts to uplift, love and create space for Black femmes and women worldwide.

‘Clouds’ is out on all download and streaming sites…check out the video for the mesmerising number below…

Benny Bizzie Reflects on 2020 Events With Catchy New Joint, ‘Blood In The Water’

Known for dishing out smooth afterhours R&B numbers, BENNY BIZZIE switches up for the New Year with single, ‘Blood In The Water’.

Produced by Cee Figz (Pocaan, Fredo, Tion Wayne), ‘Blood In The Water’ is an edgy, Afro-beat inspired track, which expresses the feelings of uncertainty around the world at this current time. Benny sings ‘Even salt looks just like sugar round here’ inferring that nothing is what it seems, reflecting on 2020 events.

Bizzie’s recent E-Motion EP has gained over 500k views on YouTube and over 100k streams on Spotify with support from Link up TV and Sentric Music. To date, Benny has released 5 EP’s  which earned him 2 nominations at the Urban Music Awards for Best Male and Best R&B, Radio support by Charlie Sloth (BBC 1xtra), and features with Ghetts, Frisco, and Wretch 32. His music video for previous track, ‘Pressure’ is currently the blog’s Music Video of the Week.

Be sure to look out more music throughout the year from this guy as he aims to experiment with various genres with his seamless R&B signature. So get the first taste of Benny’s new musical venture below…

Song of the Day: Calendar Girl – Tilly Valentine

Hailing from a small town in Oxfordshire, TILLY VALENTINE starts the New Year with new single ‘Calendar Girl’.

Opening doors with her very own advent calendar counting down the days until release, the narrative of ‘Calendar Girl’ is about dreaming of a perfect future.

Valentine says of her latest release: “It’s easy to feel like other people are in love with perfect “calendar girls”, but by the next month they’re on to the next. ‘Calendar Girl’ is about commitment, longing for something long term.”

Earning its spot on New Music Friday, ‘Calendar Girl’ effortlessly reveals her trademark jazzy influences; an elegant vocal blended with retro alternative pop. The vintage inspired artwork hints at the underlying characteristics; wholesome, delicate and empowering.

So turn a new page for 2021 and watch the lyric video for ‘Calendar Girl’, available on your preferred music platform from 1st January.

Album Review: Son On A Sunday – Son Of Tony

New York’s underground hip-hop heavyweight, SON OF TONY rallied up his troops, fellow underground hip-hop heavyweights, Micky Factz, Skyzoo, Tish Hyman and Ren Thomas for his highly-anticipated debut album, ‘Son On A Sunday’, released on Friday (8th January).

‘Son On A Sunday’ seamlessly transitioned from modern laid-back hip-hop/boombap, (that’s so toe-curling,) to old style rap with samples of old-school soul. The album also features dauntingly airy soundscapes with a rhythmic drumming providing a hard-hitting bass, where each rapper’s flow adding a raw gangstra vibe (listen to ‘No Mercy’ and ‘Zoo’).

So if you’re the type that’s well into underground hip-hop, then you know that ‘Son Of Tony’ and the mentioned featured artists are on top of their game –  and you should know that this album should NOT be overlooked…check it out below…

Must Listens: Energy, Comicon, Snd, Fore Thought