New Track: Douchka – No Reason (ft. Hi Levelz)

After their collaboration with ‘This Mood’, producer DOUCHKA hooks up with rapper Hi Levelz again for the new single ‘No Reason’.

Full of bold textures, the track will lift you up with a chorus made of organic brasses and choirs, before giving way to the fluid and catchy flow of Hi Levelz.

Speaking of his latest banger, DOUCHKA said: “No Reason, was made in a similar way to ‘Call You Mine’ with Lia. I sent the beat to Hi Levelz in the morning and played it later that evening  with a draft version in Bordeaux. The next day, I had a dozen of messages from people who wanted to know where the track was available because they recognised Hi Levelz’s voice as they heard it on ‘This Mood’ a few months earlier.”

‘No Reason’ is from DOUCHKA‘s EP ‘Infantile’, set for release on 21st April via Nowadays Records…look out for that – but for now, lift up your Thursday and have a listen to this slammer.

New Track: Louis Baker – Gave It All Away

LOUIS BAKER shares new single ‘Gave It All Away’, which follows two breathtaking songs ‘Fade’ and ‘Rainbow’ and a year of co-writing and songwriting sessions abroad. ‘Gave It All Away’ has been released as two different versions: one is a strikingly raw, acoustic recording by Baker, and the other is an electronic dance track produced by none other than Fat Freddy’s Drop legend behind the MPC, Mu.

Written alone by the young Wellington-based songwriter, “Gave It All Away” came to life late one night in a hotel room, far from the grounding lights of home. Baker recalls that moment of creative revelation: “I remember feeling the exhaustion starting to set in, after being on the road by myself in the UK for quite some time. The song is about not giving up on your dreams. It’s about never giving in. It’s about the resolve and determination one must have in order to make these dreams become reality.”

Last year, Louis spent a great deal of time overseas, creating new material and collaborating with a range of fellow songwriters from around the world. In late 2016, he attended ASCAP’s Songwriter Retreat – a prestigious songwriting camp held at the Château Marouatte castle in Southern France during the latter half of September. Previous attendees have included Ellie Goulding, James Bay, Mika, Mike Posner, Dougy Mandagi (The Temper Trap) and Tom Higgenson (Plain White T’s).

Throughout travelling and seeing the world in 2016, the 27-year-old Wellingtonian released two singles, “Rainbow” and “Fade”, which invited us into a new chapter in this soulful singer-songwriter’s book and a new era of his musical evolution, further marked by third release “Gave It All Away”.

So go on, enter into this talented singer’s new chapter and listen to this latest effort.

New Music Video: Brother – Gents

Danish duo GENTS have released their brand new video for latest single ‘Brother’. The second release is taken from their forthcoming LP ‘About Time’ out 7th April through The Big Oil Recording Company.

With Theis Vesterløkke on synths and production and Niels Fejrskov Juhl’s characteristic baritone vocals, GENTS’ sound is founded in a shared passion for 80’s synths and drum machines, alongside obvious nods to distinguished crooners Elvis, Scott Walker and Rick Astley. Their sound screams fun, but the pair are keen to emphasise their sincerity in what they do. Citing artists such as Wham!, Tears for Fears and The War on Drugs as influences, they champion musicians who are not afraid to open up their hearts and use music as a direct mode of expression, with no distance or irony.

In this sense ‘Brother’, following up the recent release of ‘Cold Eyes (feat. Emma Acs)’, is a successful embodiment of the influences GENTS aspire to represent. Wearing its heart on its sleeve, ‘Brother’ is a buoyant pop banger, with a proud, playful synth lead darting across a dreamy landscape of bright guitars, light bouncing keys and Juhl’s dulcet baritone tones.

Having already featured on Noisey, The 405, Hunger Magazine and C-Heads, the two have gigs booked in March at The Waiting Room, London, Amsterdam’s s105 De School for Subbacultcha and Berlin’s Loophole for Shameless/Limitless on the 8th, 9th and 11th respectively.

Having been listed in Sound of Copenhagen’s most rapidly rising stars compilation for their debut single ‘Young Again’, 2017 is shaping up to be an exciting year for this Copenhagen pair.

Song of the Day: Rabbithole – Shaefri

sheafri-rabbithole-video

After stealing the top spot on NEW LEASE MUSIC’s Top Ten Music Video of 2016 list with previous effort, ‘Pixelate’, London-based electronic-pop artist SHAEFRI returns with second single ‘Rabbit Hole’ from her forthcoming EP ‘Pixelate’.

While ‘Pixelate’ explored a dysfunctional relationship, ‘Rabbit Hole’ deals with the agony of yearning for love. SHAEFRI paints a desperate character though her pained, heartfelt lyrics imploring the object of her affection to love her.

Born and raised in London with a mixed Irish-Egyptian heritage, SHAEFRI spent years honing her talents and developing her unique brand of haunting vocals and minimalistic beats amidst the London scene. Having performing at venues such as Notting Hill Arts Club and The Borderline alongside famous names including Babyshambles and Craigie Dodds (producer for Gorillaz, Amy Winehouse and Eliza Doolittle), the electronic-pop singer knows what it takes to pull her listeners in with mesmerising vocal hooks and warm, pulsing pads.

This one is very worthy of your time – have a listen to ‘Rabbit Hole’.