Tag: alternative music

OUT TODAY: Carmody Shares Single, ‘Trespasser’

London based singer/songwriter CARMODY today releases new single ‘Trespasser’, the latest taster of upcoming debut album, ‘Imperfect Constellations’ out 6th July via Young Poet, which will feature collaborations with artists including Alfa Mist, Tom Misch, Conor Albert, and Laura Misch.

Carmody has long been using music as a way to uncover her subconscious, examining the complex web of relationships that surround her. Rich in detail and emotional substance, her music evokes the timelessness of Joni Mitchell and Joan Armatrading while nodding to the modern alt-folk of Laura Marling and Big Thief. In the face of memory and generational grief, ‘Imperfect Constellations’ is split into four main parts (or ‘Constellations’) and draws on her own experiences of alternative therapy, entering a world of discovery and recognition.

Co-written with and produced by Young Poet label-mate Conor Albert, ‘Trespasser’ merges captivating folk songwriting with modern production flourishes to stunning effect; written about relationships that leave a lasting imprint on you: “I can’t forgive my mind / summons you at night”

Speaking more on the lyrical meaning behind the track, Carmody said: “It’s about the frustration you feel when your body still remembers, despite the passing of time. Even if you would like to forget them, there is always a constant pull towards their memory. I took this track to Conor Albert who produced it and added some beautiful piano lines that really brought the track to life.”

Carmody’s debut album ‘Imperfect Constellations’ follows her previously released EPs: 2020’s ‘My Jupiter’, 2019’s ‘Catching Blue’, 2018’s ‘Five Kinds Of Loveless’, debut solo EP ‘Skin’ in 2016. Her 2014 collaborative EP ‘Out to Sea’ with Tom Misch – accumulating over 70 million streams along the way, securing strong press (Notion Magazine, Clash Magazine, The Line Of Best Fit, Dummy, LISTEN Magazine + more), radio airplay from BBC R1 (Jack Saunders, Sian Eleri), 6Music and BBC R2, alongside huge support from Spotify and Apple Music.

New single ‘Trespasser’ is out now. Carmody’s debut album Imperfect Constellations will be released on 6th July 2022 via Young Poet. Have a listen below…

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Song of the Day: Life Waters – Jaz Valentino

Out now via Canadian indie label and collective Day7 Records, JAZ’S BLUES (SIDE A) is the brand new sophomore album from Toronto hybrid artist, songwriter, and musician JAZ VALENTINO. The 8-track album is the second full-length project in two years from the Grenadian-Serbian native, following last year’s introductory album Day 7, which led to Jaz Valentino reaching the milestone of garnering his first million streams on Spotify alone.

The melodic rap and R&B fusion album Jaz’s Blues (Side A) was preceded by two well-received lead singles that were released to open Jaz Valentino’s 2022 – the Buckroll Beats-produced ‘Snowflakes’, which has garnered over 100,000 plays online, and the recently released introspective offering produced by Arcane Beats titled ‘Wild Weeds’, which is currently being supported by Live Nation’s Ones To Watch, 1883 Magazine, Earmilk and Word Is Bond Magazine, among others.

Jaz’s Blues (Side A) opens with ‘Farmers Land’, a tribute to Jaz Valentino’s father, who passed away from liver cancer when Jaz was only 13, before digging deeper into his trust issues on ‘Eunoia’, addressing his friendships on songs like ‘King City’ and ‘Like Minds’, refocusing on his faith on ‘Blue F’, and closing out the album with ‘Life Waters’, which is about starting over with a clean slate, and features Jaz’s grandmother, who practically raised him.

Speaking about the inspiration behind the album, Jaz Valentino says, “‘Jaz’s Blues (Side A)’ is me baring my soul in the music about the last three years of my life and what I’ve been going through. Flowers come out of the growth process, but no one talks about the pain the bud or seedling go through in the process, and this is what the album represents. I wrote these songs through the pandemic, through finding my feet in the music industry, through countless rejections and breakups.“

Born and raised in Canada, Jaz Valentino’s music blurs the line between the classic warm tones of R&B and the dynamism of modern hip-hop, while still leaning on his special connection with R&B and rap music. Notable for his evocative sounds, lush melodies, layered texture, captivating hook and introspective lyrics, Jaz Valentino has long been able to connect with listeners on a deeper level, using his ‘less is more’ philosophy to make sure his mixes are not overly crowded, and his songs feel spacious and lush, with plenty of room for his songwriting to stick out.

Now it’s time for you to check out the official video for Jaz’s ‘Life Waters’ below…

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Nezsa Takes Revenge On An Ex-Lover On Alt-R&B Single, ‘Trouble’

Having recently been selected as the next ‘Africa Rising’ artist by Apple Music, on the back of the success of her latest single ‘Break’, which has garnered over 100K plays online, and been spotlighted on Apple Music’s ‘New Music Daily’ and ‘R&B Now’, and Spotify’s ‘Fresh Finds’ and ‘Mood Ring’, alternative R&B singer and songwriter NEZSA is back again with an exquisite new single titled ‘Trouble’.

Taken from her anticipated sophomore EP To All The Heartbreakers, which arrives in the summer, ‘Trouble’ is a brilliant genre-bending R&B offering, driven by Nezsa’s enchanting voice, layered harmonies and vivid storytelling lyrics. The ethereal track sees the Canada-based Nigerian rising star standing up to a toxic ex-lover, and pushing back against their cheating, gaslighting and lying ways, over lush synth keys, infectious 808 drum patterns, and a glorious saxophone arrangement that perfectly punctuates the track.

Speaking about the inspiration behind ‘Trouble’, Nezsa says, “‘Trouble’ came to me so naturally. Gbeduboss sent me the beat and I was immediately enthralled by the heavy baseline and overall dark vibe. The story is inspired by some of my own experiences, but it’s also dedicated ‘To All the Heartbreakers’, just as the EP is named. It’s a very empowering song because it’s about standing up to those who’ve hurt you and reclaiming your agency, finally showing them that you’re not weak. In a way, it’s dark because it seems to celebrate revenge, but I think that functions as a therapeutic form of expression in showing myself and also my listeners the extent of our capabilities”.

Noteworthy for her effortless fusion of alternative R&B and neo-soul, her distinctly unforgettable vocals, and her intricate lyricism, Nezsa first burst onto the scene in the summer of 2019 with her debut tracks ‘Lost’ and ‘Like This?’, which quickly attracted global listeners, and caught the attention of emPawa. Partnering with the Mr Eazi-founded label service, Nezsa released her debut EP Bitter-Sweet last summer to rave reviews from fans and critics alike, before taking a hiatus last year to work on her sophomore EP, which arrives in the summer, led by ‘Break’ and the brand new ‘Trouble’. Check it out below…

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Song of the Day: No Caroline (Remix) – ATO x FLOHIO

Rising rapper ATO returns to share a special new remix of his introspective banger ‘no caroline’ with added fire from British-Nigerian artist, rapper and songwriter FLOHIO, landing alongside a fresh docu-style video shot in sun-soaked Leeds and London.

The three-minute production was shot between North-East Leeds (Chapeltown/Potternewton park – the neighbourhood where ATO’s dad lived when he was growing up) and around west London (the first area he lived when he moved to the city at 18), both areas feel like home and provide the perfect visual texture for the rebirth of this track filled with real moments that make up life for ATO. In a serendipitous moment of full circle following the original single taken from ATO’s 2021 EP Side A via MCMXCV that saw him open up and deep dive into his own emotional shortcomings rooted in his experiences, Flohio’s lyrical addition delivers a strong statement of self belief backed up by refresh of ATO’s hook.

Speaking on the remix, ATO says: “When No Caroline was first made, there were a million ideas for which direction to take the song, so a remix felt inevitable. I wanted it to be in the same world of the original but with a new dynamic, to make it feel more like a rebirth than a remix. I’ve loved Flohio’s music for a minute! I believe she is one of the most unique and authentic artists in the UK. Putting Flo on the first verse felt like a natural way to kick off the song with new energy. Once Flo layed her verse, we started looking at ways to tie the new dynamic together. Following Flo, it felt like the hook needed something new. We came up with a response melody that was initially intended for me. Eden ended up laying down the demo and it just felt great, so we kept it that way. This approach captures the process of making the remix: being open minded to completely fresh ideas.”

Leeds-based and of British-Ghanaian-Danish descent, ATO is one of the most exciting new artists on the rise, using his music to reflect on his life and show an alternative side to the London-centric perception of Black Britishness. Bubbling up the scene since his 2019 collaboration ‘falling’ featuring Vic Mensa on his The Fader endorsed EP3, 2021 proved to be his biggest year yet with his acclaimed EP Side A (“Muscle Twitch”, “ziamonds !!”) garnering support from key tastemakers and broadsheets alike including The Observer, The Independent, DJ Target, Crack, Highsnobiety and DJ Mag who nominated him for their Best Of British Awards in the “Breakthrough MC” alongside ENNY, KAM-BU, Nova and DoRoad.

Hailing from Bermondsey, South London , FLOHIO draws inspiration from her surroundings and day-to-day experiences to create a sound that is quintessentially London as it is extra-terrestrial. Since exploding onto the scene in 2018 with her high-octane COLORS performance of ‘Bands’, the South London native has since cemented her status as an unpredictable talent who is as exhilarating as she is impossible to pigeonhole.

Check out the official video for ‘no caroline’ below, directed by Eve Mahoney.

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Song of the Day: Time Bomb – Yuki Dreams Again

YUKI DREAMS AGAIN, the grandson of Philadelphia Jazz Icon Charles Biddle, spent the first years of his career producing and writing music for others. He therefore secured song placements with Carnage on his album ‘Battered Bruised & Bloody’ (Mac Miller, Migos & Lil Pump) proving his writing and producing ability among a roster of heavy hitters.

Yuki’s music is defined by genre-fluid ethos powered by his charismatic vocals, singular sound textures, and storytelling that lean on the roads of self-discovery and the resilience of the human spirit and his single ‘Time Bomb’, fully embodies his signature sound.

Yuki’s music was recently picked up by TV show Shameless (Showtime) and Good Trouble (Freeform) and Teen Mom (MTV). In the past year, the Montreal artist tackled many goals including modeling for iconic high fashion store Holt Renfrew and producing an album for Toronto artist Anna Sofia. Collaborators for his upcoming EP include mixing engineer Joe Visciano (Frank Ocean, Blood Orange, SZA), Art Director Guillaume Landry (Skyfall, Soran) and Photographer Austin Banks.

Why not check out the official video for ‘Time Bomb’ below…

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