Tag: alternative music

Song of the Day: Trip – Saint Joshua

Acclaimed musician SAINT JOSHUA completes his trilogy of EP releases with his highly anticipated ‘EP3’. The release of the 4-track opus includes the recently revealed ‘Even If We Don’t’, alongside lead single ‘Trip’ and a carefully crafted selection of 2 other previously unreleased tracks, ‘Love Game’ and ‘Where Did It All Go Wrong’, that entwine together to take us on a journey of self-reflection and emotion surrounding the world of relationships, dating and self.

Stand out record ‘Trip’ takes on an upbeat, feel-good rhythm that breathes hope, acceptance and freedom into the emotional whirlwind of a journey. The track stands for those post break up moments. The moments of navigating love in a fun and free manner when you can finally take control again and you no longer carry the burden of heartache and heartbreak, or in some instances use it to help get over the heartache and heartbreak.

Hotly tipped as ‘one-to-watch’ and gaining a wealth of national and international support, South-Londoner Saint Joshua continues to emerge and astound with the delivery of consistently captivating music. Since the release of ‘EP2’ in May, he has garnered over 2 million streams, 200,000 monthly Spotify listeners, ‘Track Of The Week’ at both BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 1Xtra and been selected as a beneficiary for PPL Momentum funding by PRS Foundation. Perhaps such positive reactions have quietly helped to give him the confidence to delve further into the talent and soul that lies within him, as on ‘EP3’ we’re invited to share the most vulnerable and intimate side of Saint Joshua that we’ve seen so far. Unravelling emotion surrounding relationships, and the often-impossible world of dating, Saint Joshua explores a beautiful account of his own struggles and lessons that are extraordinarily poignant and relatable.

Taking inspiration from the likes of Frank Ocean, Solange, and R&B hit-maker D’Angelo, Saint Joshua has formed a cinematic sound that’s made up from a cocktail of genres. Teamed with honest vulnerability, his skilled artistry and stirring penmanship, it is the unique combination of everything he embodies that makes him such a remarkable talent and is seeing Saint Joshua grow at every turn. It is why his music resonates with those it reaches, and also why he is seeing a continuous build in support from the world’s largest platforms, including the likes of BBC 1Xtra, BBC Radio 1, Rinse FM, 1883 Magazine, Wonderland Magazine, Last Bus Magazine, Atwood Magazine, Capital Xtra, Channel 4’s Sunday Brunch, Apple Music, Heart Radio, and many more.
Having already performed at the likes of Soho House, alongside headlining at the BBC’s Introducing Stage at Latitude Festival, Saint Joshua makes his debut headline show on February 1st at The Social, with tickets on sale now from http://gigsandtours.com/

Watch the official video for ‘Trip’ below…

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Mae Krell Shares Closes 2022 with imposter syndrome (b-sides)

New York-based singer and songwriter MAE KRELL is closing out the year with the release of the ‘imposter syndrome (b-sides),’ which features singles, ‘tooth fairy’ and ‘(like) spring’ both written during the ‘imposter syndrome’ sessions. After the EP release, Mae revisited the unreleased demos with her producer Jakob Leventhal and decided to rework these two tracks.

“A lot of times my favorite tracks from an artist are the ones that almost didn’t make it out, so I thought it would be only fair to give people a chance to love these songs the way I love some almost-forgotten-about ones,” she says.

Mae released ‘tooth fairy,’ a heart wrenching track about realizing you may be better off without someone you thought you couldn’t live without, as a standalone single earlier this year. “(like) spring” rounds out the B-sides collection. A sparse, hypnotic and enchanting listen, “(like) spring” is a song about falling in love for the first time.

Elaborating on the new track, Mae writes: “I fell in love for the first time in February 2020 and by the end of the year I had followed her to a different state. Although I was away from my friends and family, I still had a feeling of home and belonging- thanks to her. Writing (like) spring originally started as me being fearful and lonely and trying to figure out why, and it led to a love song. For the places I never saw myself being happy in, until I was. For the neighbors and routines I didn’t think much about in the moment, until I moved away and started to miss them. And most importantly, it’s a love song for the girl who made me realize that I could write one, after thinking that I absolutely never would.”

At just 23 years old, Mae exudes a musicality wise beyond her years. Influenced by revered singer-songwriters like Bob Dylan, Phoebe Bridgers and Gregory Alan Isakov, Mae writes intimate reflections that confront past trauma, self-love and personal truths. With a distinct folk-pop sound and undeniable lyrical prowess, she has earned millions of streams across her repertoire with multiple tracks breaking 500K.

Her 4-track EP, ‘imposter syndrome,’ was released in early 2022 and instantly struck a chord with fans and tastemakers alike, with PRIDE aptly describing it as “an intimate and heart-wrenching dissection of the unavoidable self-doubt we all experience in our 20s.” This year has also seen Mae embark on two different tours, one supporting Ethan Jewell and a SoFar Sounds series that runs until the end of the year.

Listen to ‘imposter syndrome (b-sides)’ was released last Friday (2nd December) on all streaming platforms. Have a listen below…

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Song of the Day: Grey Rock Shuffle – Ray Alex ((ft. Sydney Jane)

Following their previous R8B/Soul effort ‘Erased’ in 2021, London producer RAY ALEX once again teams up with LA vocalist and songwriter Sydney Jane for his self-produced single ‘Grey Rock Shuffle.’

Projecting past traumas and psychological abuse, Ray Alex and Sydney Jane offer an alternative antidote to toxic and narcissistic behaviour with ‘Grey Rock Shuffle’. Co-produced with ako, the song nods to Larry Heard, Vikter Duplaix and funky house from that era and has an oxymoronic twist in how the dark unsettling lyrics in the song coexist with its vibrant, off-centre instrumentation that feels upbeat and inviting.

‘Grey Rock Shuffle’ is the first of seven songs to be released from Ray Alex’s second EP ‘Unseen Powers’ in Spring 2023 on his independent label Incorporelle.

Ray Alex has also co-wrote and performed on Julia Romana’s debut album ‘Blood Be Fluid’ and is set to release songs with London rapper SAMSON and Atlanta rapper JoeJas in early 2023.

Have a listen to ‘Grey Rock Shuffle’ below…

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Song of the Day: 444 – Ghalia

GHALIA can immediately draw in a crowd with her single, ‘444’ thanks to its intimate soulful punch packed with incredible vocals and harmonies.

Set in the often dark, lonely, and quiet time of day at 4:44AM, the track follows a melodious conversation between Ghalia and vocalist Rehana who plays the role of the ‘angel.’ Calling out to this figure through dreamy vocal layers and lyrical pleas, Ghalia asks for the angel’s presence and guidance to help her through sleepless nights, give her signs to keep persevering, and above all, provide reassurance that she should keep her faith in the ‘angel.’

With an undeniably ethereal sonic quality, Ghalia flawlessly delivers emotional lyrics that tell the story of the give and take in relationships, the importance of mutual faith and trust, and the risk we all take when we open ourselves up to someone. Following Ghalia and Rehana’s captivating conversation with one another, the track builds to a sharp and emotionally electrifying guitar solo, which perfectly contrasts against the mellow and soothing quality of the rest of the song. Describing ‘444’ as her “most vulnerable song yet,” Ghalia combines her seasoned storytelling skills and relatable lyrics with catchy and dynamic R&B production to perfectly encapsulate the complicated relationship between herself and the angel.

Following her signature formula for creating new music by starting with a beat and simple melody, ‘444’ initially started out as a solo project, but quickly became a duet and collaboration with Toronto-based vocalist Rehana when the two connected via social media during the pandemic lockdowns. The two talented artists then came up with the idea to turn the one-sided track into a dichotomous conversation between the pair in which they both express their desire to be needed and desired by one another. Although the two have never met in person, after sending various melodies, verses, and mixes back and forth, ‘444’ has truly become a collaborative sonic forum where Ghalia and Rehana have bared their deepest insecurities and emotions with one another.

Inspired by a diverse group of talent that ranges from The Weeknd to Kehlani to Justin Bieber, Ghalia has used their work as a launching pad for her own – weaving melancholy lyrics with invigorating R&B style beats to craft her own unique sound.

Ghalia’s ability to capture the attention of listeners with specially-selected beats, complex drops and arrangements have set her apart from the rest. Her new single ‘444’ will be sure to delight her current and future fans, alike. Check it out below…

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OUT TODAY: Marie Dahlstrom Shares Single, ‘Clouds’ Featuring Delleile Ankrah.

Danish, London based singer and producer MARIE DAHLSTROM has enlisted MiC LOWRY’s Delleile Ankrah for a new single ‘Clouds’ – the first new music to be heard since her 2021 EP ‘Safe Place’.

Widely known for her irresistible R&B-flecked neo soul, new single ‘Clouds’ bursts with positive affirmations: “I keep telling myself / every day I wake up in the morning – I got it”, as Marie and Delleile share verses across the track before uniting on its soaring chorus. Showcasing their respective transfixing vocal prowess, the pair muse on losing yourself – but taking the necessary steps to change things and move forward.

Consistently proving she is one of the most essential voices in contemporary R&B, Marie Dahlstrom is supported and praised widely at press by the likes of Billboard, NPR, The Line Of Best Fit, NYLON, Complex, Wonderland Magazine and more, as well as being listed as a ‘Sleeper Pick’ by Joe Budden (twice) on The Joe Budden Podcast (the most influential podcast in R&B and hip-hop globally). Marie Dahlstrom has also received substantial radio airplay from BBC 1Xtra DJ’s Jamz Supernova, DJ Target, Toddla T and Rinse FM’s Jyoty.

Marie Dahlstrom headlines London’s Lafayette on 6th April 2023. New single “Clouds” ft. Delleile Ankrah is out now via Marie’s own imprint JFH Records. Check it out below…

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