LOUIS BAKER has been under the radar since the release of his single ‘Addict’ a year ago…however his the newest release ‘Black Crow’ makes up for his absence from the scene.
Written and produced in Sydney in just six hours, the soul-fuelled groover sounds like alchemy freed from an artist’s DNA, rather than the chiseled result of time and toil. Produced by Grammy-nominated Steve Rusch (Solange, Miguel, Rhianna), the deeply organic production bears a strong message of exorcising those demons and leaving the past behind in order to gain wisdom through experience.
Prior to ‘Black Crow’, the New Zealand singer/songwriter has earned ten million Spotify plays worldwide for songs including ‘Rainbow’ (4.7 million) and ‘Addict’ (over 850,000). ‘Addict’ also reached number six on the Radioscope Alt Charts and was premiered on MTV.
LOUIS BAKER proves that good things comes in time…when you hit play on ‘Black Crow’, you’ll hear why…
Inspired by the iconic cinema moment in Breakfast At Tiffany’s, THINCOEUR teams up with fellow Parisian and rapper Fang The Great on the emotive new video for ‘Farewell’.
Combining Fang The Great’s cold melodies and unique cadence with a melancholic trap instrumental, the track explores love, loss, friendship and loneliness. Born Eliade Krön, THINCOEUR explains that ‘Farewell’ “relates to partings, starting with Fang The Great’s positive outlook when he raps about distance making the heart grow fonder.” Comparatively, the farewell depicted by Krön is towards a lover, where he says he may never return, but he wishes the best for the girl he loves. This bittersweet message of self-preservation is bolstered by Audrey Hepburn’s famous quote from the 1961 film “People don’t belong to people. I’m not gonna let anyone put me in a cage.”
Thinceour
The accompanying video, directed by Randolph Lungela, takes a darker approach, as the protagonist attempts to come to terms with the loss of a loved one. Flicking between past and present, the cold colouring of the current day juxtaposes the heady flashback scenes, tinted in a warm sepia tone, as she turns to alcohol and drugs to cope with her bereavement.
‘Farewell’ is the first taste from forthcoming album that explores the seven facets of love through poignant songwriting and masterful production. In 2017, the artist released ‘Think’, a concept album separated into three acts tracing an emotionally conflicted young man seeking self-acceptance – via dark hip-hop beats and gritty vocals. The new LP ‘7 Layers of Love’, was inspired by cultural influences from cities such as his hometown of Paris, New York and Reykjavik.
Multi-layered and effortless, ‘Farewell’ displays THINCOEUR‘s talent for writing emotional and honest music, fusing elements of hip hop and electronica. Check out the video.
Adding to her rising popularity with bloggers and tastemakers after the success of her last release, ‘Cupid’ – which clocked over a million views on YouTube, BRKE launched her single, ‘Control Me’.
The last few years have been a progressive journey for BRKE, (pronounced Brooke) as she’s curated her sound, an eclectic blend inspired by the London Hip-Hop, Afro-swing and Grime movements, seen and heard in ‘Control Me’. Also influenced by, and echoing late 90’s to early 00’s R&B from the likes of Destiny’s Child (‘Writing’s On The Wall’) and Brandy (‘Full Moon’), her music sits in a distinct pocket, capturing the intricacies of love, sprinkled unapologetically with youthful undertones, as she openly invites you in to her own experiences.
BRKE’s attitude and determination is to never back down from a challenge and has a desire to have her voice heard, or as she puts it, “I just want my story to be heard”. With close to 2 million views on her own YouTube channel coming from just 2 previous singles her stealthy and unwavering approach to her music is unquestionable and clearly having the right effect.
Emerging as an entity not to be overlooked, BRKE has an ability to paint a vivid picture via her lyrics and with her sassy, loveable persona she is relishing the prospect of engaging new audiences, as she aims to become the defining sound of the UK.
MANU CROOKS steals today’s hop spot for the second time this month with another sizzling hot number, ‘Fuego’.
The African-Australian’s latest gem made its UK radio premiere via DJ Target on BBC Radio 1Xtra. Immersed in an eclectic sound and seamlessly exploring musical territories, ‘Fuego’ is a hybrid of trap, saturated with Flamenco to its core. The track boasts a hypnotic vocal loop courtesy of Anfa Rose which delicately entwines through the acoustic guitar led instrumental whilst his “raw lyricism and seamless flow” (The Fader), remains firmly centerstage.
Having received an accolade of praise from tastemaker sites such as i-D, The Fader and Pigeons & Planes, as well as his contemporaries including Big Boi and ASAP Ferg who brought him on stage during a recent Sydney performance, MANU CROOKS is quickly becoming the face of urban music in Australia.
He released his debut EP last year and consequently toured his home country with both Stormzy and Tory Lanez before headlining his own Australian tour sponsored by Noisey. His global reach was extended upon the release of breakthrough single ‘Everyday’ which is closing in on 2 million views on YouTube and the video for ‘Day Ones’ also passing the 1.5 million mark, whilst Spotify streams for both records soar beyond 1.5 million each. MANU CROOKS then closed out 2017 by teaming up with close friend and collaborator Anfa Rose for the double drop of ‘Presence’ and ‘All I Need’, which have since amassed over 1.2 million streams respectively.
Currently embarking on his ‘Mood Forever’ World Tour taking in his opening dates in Canada, MANU CROOKS‘ enthralling versatility as an artist is one of his main attributes as he is able to draw upon, yet distinguish himself from, the hubs of US and UK hip-hop. His Australian upbringing has enabled him to draw on authenticities that the hip-hop scene thrives upon, whether that be through his non-conformist outlook to his experimental ear. With performing dates throughout April to June across Canada, the UK, Netherlands, Denmark, Germany and France, MANU CROOKS is destined to break down borders.
Be sure to check out ‘Fuego’ before you check out…
‘Without You’ is the captivating debut single from exciting new British singer and songwriter GNGR. Produced by Sampl, who has worked with the likes of Skepta, Ms Banks and Shystie, the slow-building atmospheric R&B offering is just a teaser of what you can expect from GNGR in 2018, and the first taste of her forthcoming debut project, which will be released at the end of the year.
For fans on H.E.R, Sabrina Claudio and Daniel Caesar, GNGR has been honing and perfecting her own unique slant on today’s alternative R&B sound, driven by raw and honest lyrics, and her amazing voice, which oozes the most soulful tones, while taking influences from R&B stalwarts such as Destiny’s Child, India Arie, Anthony Hamilton and Frank Ocean, who have all helped shaped her music.
Our first flavour of this is the exquisite ‘Without You’, which sees GNGR yearning for a love that is doomed from the start, but she just can’t seem to let go. Backed by moody keyboard arrangements, minimalist cymbals, and lush grand piano undertones, GNGR holds the record together beautifully, with an enchanting vocal performance, and confessional lyrics, that we can all relate to…
