London-based BLISS WILLIAMS’ first memories of music are the tapes of 60s pop and soul his parents kept in the car when he was little. This early introduction to timeless songwriting from the likes of The Beach Boys, not to mention all those Motown classics, left an indelible mark.
Fast-forward to 2024 and Williams’ tunes have been championed by John Kennedy on Radio X and Gary Crowley on the BBC, while recent single ‘A Thousand Times Before’ (featuring Paul Weller drummer Ben Gordelier) was playlisted by Spotify.
Sharing his childhood memories of music, Bliss Williams shares his new acoustic EP ‘Gramercy’, which is out now across various music platforms. Recorded live in just a handful of takes, ‘Gramercy’ sees Williams momentarily depart from his usual brand of electric soul to showcase his songwriting in its rawest form – stripped-back, sensitive and no less soulful.
After the successful release of ‘Here I Am’, JLYLES keeps his momentum on a forward course as he gives us the interlude titled ‘Lyles Lullaby’, which serves as the second single to his upcoming album.
The Baltimore resident goes on an adventure through his brain as he revisits parts of his life, especially those during his transition to the home of the Chesapeake Bay. Produced by Sypooda, Lyles says that “this instrumental was so melodic that I couldn’t stop writing to it after penning the first line of the record. That’s why the song has no hook, it forced me to be introspective”. The influence gained from just the production gave the artist even more of an incentive to snag the beat from Sypooda. Gaining some sort of inspiration from any form of production is always a plus for artists, its even better when it takes one back to a certain time that challenges them musically and emotionally, as Lyles says “the beat is therapeutic”.
With the perfect backbone and theme set in stone, the New Jersey native went to work crafting what would eventually become an extension of the ‘Lullaby’ series, only second to ‘Chizz Lullaby’. JLyles held nothing back but instead let everything go. Really tuning into his vulnerable side with rhymes like “bottling my shit in this bottle is diabolical” and “man on a mission/my vision built a commission/my father sittin in prison/love momma but she was dippin/so we lackin supervision/and I’m the man of the house/weight of the world on my shoulders/gave hope in a drought”.
This record is yet another taste of what is in store for listeners and supporters of JLyles and is sure to put numbers on the board just as its predecessor is currently doing. The Execution has no release date set but from what the globe has heard off the album it is safe to say that no one should be worried about what to expect from it because expectations are high and they will be met. Check out Lyles Lullaby (Interlude) below…
Multidisciplinary music & visual artist LAURA PIERI reveals her new EP, ‘Frankie’. The EP will be accompanied by a short film which will premiere on June 17th.
The 4-track EP came to be when Pieri was at the point of almost giving up on her career. Inspired by what her farewell to the industry should sound like, the story of Frankie, a woman reclaiming her power, was born. In an EP that cycles through the great, bad, good, and ugly of self-discovery, Pieri emerges as an artist who has rediscovered her voice. The EP was co-written with an all-female team of songwriters and executive produced by Skyler Cocco.
The EP follows the protagonist, Frankie, who represents a woman navigating male-dominated environments. She is a foil story for women in predatory industries. Inspired by stories like Frankenstein, Suspiria, and Persephone, the characters in the Frankie story represent not only the ability of women to adapt and camouflage according to the circumstances of the moment, but also the sensation of imprisonment of having the need to have a myriad of versions in order to do so.
Across the EP’s 4 tracks, Pieri guides us through Frankie’s journey from disillusionment, anger, and finally, acceptance. “The EP was born out of a transitional phase for me,” Pieri writes. “I was mourning what I believed was me needing to give up on my career. I had felt that walking away was a necessity, and instead set my goals into pivoting into academia with corporate America as the end goal. However, leaving one male dominated field for another and feeling similar feelings come up made me see I was trying to run away from ghosts. Instead of running, I sat with them, and from that the story of Frankie, a woman reclaiming her voice and power, was born.”
Born in São Paulo, Brazil, where she lived until the age of 16, Laura Pieri always dreamed of being a pop star. In 2014, she moved to America and split her time between New York and Los Angeles to further her education and simultaneously pursue a music career. Inspired by a wide array of artists like Prince, Billie Eilish, Taylor Swift, and Michael Jackson, Pieri hopes to blend her pop influences with her Brazilian roots and use her songwriting to connect with others.
‘Frankie’ was released last Friday (31st May) across various music platforms. Why not check it out below…
Must Listens: Sea of Tragedy, Come Clean, GODDESS ENERGY
Montreal-born, Toronto-raised queer pop artist JENNARIE‘s sophomore luscious jazz single ‘Stop (you can let it go),’is a vibey and motivational piece, anchored by luscious vocals and a splash of jazz harmonies reminiscent of Yebba and Amy Winehouse.
“I’ve learned to detect the subtle yet potent presence of resentment in my body—a tightening in my chest, a tendency to ruminate on others’ choices or actions (or lack thereof). Recognizing this, I redirect my focus inward,” Jennarie explains on the track. “The opening line, “When you point your finger at another, you are pointing at the mirror,” speaks to the process of healing people-pleasing tendencies and transforming resentment into self-empowerment and love.”
“Stop (you can let it go),” is a vibey R&B and pop track featuring lush vocal stacks and a splash of jazz harmony that inspires listeners to choose compassion and self-love. “I aim for “Stop (you can let it go)” to serve as a beacon of empowerment for those grappling with comparison, judgment, and gossip,” Jennarie said. “Drawing from my DBT practice, I hope the song’s themes offer both instruction and comfort to those in need.”
Jennarie first cut her teeth in the Toronto music scene, where she gained a powerful stage presence by performing regular live shows all over town. She’s continued to make waves and build a strong name for herself in the years since, with renowned Canadian print and online magazine. The WholeNote recently hailing her for her “big voice, fearless delivery, ebullient sense of rhythm, and bubbles of humor.”
She enlisted producer Nick Tateishi for the project, who recently provided production to singer and songwriter Francois Klark’s JUNO Award-nominated 2022 sophomore album, Adventure Book, and is known for his work with the likes of Clerel, HILLARI, and Kiki Rowe, to name a few.
Shot by KB4L, Curtis D. Hines. V OF40M, the architect of revolutionary rap, is at it again with a live performance, which serves as the warm-up to V’s upcoming music video release for ‘Martin Luther,’ dropping tomorrow (1st July)
If you are ready to hear music that really matters then this is the one! V, a revolutionist and “artivist,” is fresh off the release of his biggest single to date – ‘The Score.’ ‘The Score’ along with ‘Martin Luther’ are available on all platforms now.
Philadelphia built, Carolina made revolutionist V of 40M has been setting the culture ablaze since his world introduction a little more than two summers ago. He is the frontman of 40M, also referred to as Forty Million Strong, a black Independence people’s movement geared towards self-sufficiency, self-determination and autonomy for Melanites or “Blacks.” Staying true to the mission, V has implemented the movement into every aspect of his music and has also brought his fellow “M’s” with him.
Though the movement is his focus, the music has become an important piece in connecting the “M’s” with the people on a large scale. As he explains in multiple interviews, the purpose of the V of 40M art is to inspire, inform, motivate and mobilize the masses and from music, he can reach those who may be currently unreachable in speech.
From his debut release, ‘No Church on Sunday,’ until his latest ‘The Score,’ V has yet to stray. Fast forward a couple million streams and countless co-signs and features later, it’s safe to say that the 40M movement is here to say.
Check out the live from the block performance video below…
New Lease Music 