Two fries and a shake later, A1 bounces back with his third installment of his store run series – ‘Store Run 3′, released on New Year’s day.
Starting off with a sample from Alicia Keys’ hit ‘You Don’t Know My Name’ this mini set continues from the previous store run installments by encompassing a mixture of retro soul, 90s-inspired laid-back soulful R&B with a dash of slum village-esque boombap. The star of the show was the Brookyln’s native rapid-blazing flow ripping through the tranquil bars.
Check out ‘Store Run 3’ HERE and listen to a serious hip-hop contender who’s on a steady rise.
Swedish chart-topping R&B sensation, MOLLY HAMMAR is back again with her new single, ‘Shortcuts (I Can’t Wait), released via Cosmos Music.
Molly’s latest offering opens with the soft trickle of piano keys and laid-back R&B melodies, while Stockholm-born songstress’ smoky vocal captivates with unwavering honesty about the ongoing struggle of chasing her dreams. Molly’s powerhouse vocal gradually builds to give an air of someone who has truly found herself.
“I’m so tired of not being a superstar” Molly quips with a twinkle in her eye. “I said that to my songwriters, and that’s how ‘Shortcuts’ was born. “Shortcuts” is about all the shortcuts you can take towards fulfilling your dreams and the struggle I think everyone faces when you have big dreams and want to achieve them. All the pressure that comes with it, the frustration, the longing. I’ve learned that taking the long road always pays off in the end, if you want something that’s gonna last. Both career wise and in life. It’s a frustration anthem in the most beautiful way.”
Co-written with Professor P (Avicii, Daniel Adams-Ray) and produced by PARO (Dua Lipa, Alicia Keys, Paloma Faith), ‘Shortcuts (I Can’t)’ follows huge singles ‘No Place Like Me’ featuring Big Narstie, ‘WORDS’ and her summer hit ‘Show Me’ with Kim Cesarion, which have collectively garnered widespread media support across the UK and globally from the likes of BBC Radio 2, BBC 1Xtra, Channel 4, The Line of Best Fit, Complex, NYLON and Idolator.
‘Shortcuts (I Can’t Wait)’ will form part of Molly’s second EP, slated for release next year.
Taken from her debut eponymous EP, ‘Stop To Play’ is the latest single to be released from KELTOUM. The fast-emerging artist from France is already being compared to leaders in her field like Sade, Jill Scott and Erykah Badu as her neo-soul and pop influences caress from all sides. An original composer and player KELTOUM also brings to the table a unique French sensibility which demonstrates the sort of warmth felt by Janet Jackson or perhaps Alicia Keys at their most impassioned. The list of greats she could be compared to could go on but KELTOUM herself has struck her own blend of jazz and smoky vocal which is hard not to melt away to.
KELTOUM has already picked up fans across the board including some distinguished influencers like Gilles Peterson among others at Jazz FM and beyond. Her live show is also on another level as the energy of her trio seem to get the best of her tantalizing subtle soul voice bringing emotion to all who see her play, such as those who attended Gilles’ Worldwide festival in Sète last year where she completely bowled over the crowd.
Check out ‘Stop To Play below…and while you’re at it…take out and listen to her EP – ABSOLUTELY STUNNING.
ASTRO RAW – aka Lucas Goodman and one half of New York-based duo Lion Babe – has unleashed his mixtape ‘rawmix vol 1’ earlier this month, with the release of ‘U R My High’.
The track is the first to be taken from the 14-track mixtape, which showcases ASTRO RAW’s one of a kind production credentials and his infectious, genre defying sounds which seamlessly mix R&B, hip-hop, soul, funk and dance to sultry effect. Featuring exclusive mixes – including reworked versions of tracks from the likes of Wiz Khalifa, Busta Rhymes and Alicia Keys – and rounded off with brand new remixes of the popular Lion Babe’s tracks ‘Treat Me Like Fire’ and ‘Jungle Lady’.
Performing across the world as a part of Lion Babe, ASTRO RAW has also delivered show-stopping DJ sets at prestigious events such as ELLE Style Awards, Whitney Museum’s Art Party, Bestival’s Party on the Moon and PAPER magazine x Ketel One Vodka, whilst as an in-demand DJ across the New York night scene he regularly performs popular sets at the cool, hot-spot Miss Lily’s.
Earlier this year, Lion Babe released their latest single ‘Rockets’ ft Moe Moks, set to appear on their forthcoming new EP which will be their first commercial release since their critically celebrated debut studio album ‘Begin’. ‘Begin’ was released last year and featured collaborations with the likes of Pharrell Williams and Childish Gambino and career-defining tracks such as ‘Treat Me Like Fire’ and ‘Jump Hi’. Last year they released the electrifying mixtape ‘Sun Joint’ which coincided with their first headline US tour and a string of international festival performances, including Glastonbury, Reading & Leeds.
After a successful 2016, DARREN PARRY is not slowing down (literally) anytime soon and kicks off the new year with a ZZ-Top-esque stomper, ‘The Grass Ain’t Always Greener’, set for release later this month.
The self-penned reflective production features the Welsh multi-award winning singer/songwriter on lead vocals and acoustic guitar, with long-term collaborator, Rob Devereux providing the go-wild guitar riffs, and vocalist Kaysha Louvain (heralded as the “Welsh Bonnie Raitt”) on backing vocals.
Last year, Darren extended his impressive CV by writing and producing for other artists, including teen sensation, Nina Jones (‘Promises’) – featured here on NEW LEASE MUSIC- and Lee Gilbert (‘Soar’). ‘Promises’, written especially for Nina, has received a Semi-Finalist position in the 2016 UK Songwriting Contest (judges included Stuart Epps, Shelley Peiken and Kipper Eldridge) and an enviable Runner Up position in the 2016 USA Song Of The Year contest (judges included Alicia Keys, Steven Tyler and U2’s The Edge).
‘The Grass Ain’t Always Greener’ is out for download on 28th January via iTunes, Amazon, Google Play and all good retailers.
Two fries and a shake later, A1 bounces back with his third installment of his store run series – ‘Store Run 3′, released on New Year’s day.
New Lease Music 