Album Review: The Dean And I – Dean Friedman

Sampled from Darko The Super’s 2021 album, ‘Great White Buffalo’, DEAN FRIEDMAN’s mammoth album, ‘The Dean And I’ is a compilation that can be enjoyed across generations – from the futuristic sounds of intro single, ‘You’re Such A Flirt’, to pop soulful ballads inspired from the seventies and eighties (such as Lucky Stars, Little Green Lady and Buy My Baby A Car) and also chirpy pieces (Nookie In The Mail, McDonald’s Girl and The Deli Song) that puts you in the mind of the Grease Musical, particularly ‘McDonald’s Girl’.

Covering array of topics relating to love young and adolescence, the album features coming-of-age tales ‘Don’t You Ever Dare’ and ‘Are You Ready Yet,’ which focus on the responsibilities of adulthood and the decisions we make, while ‘Rocking Chair (It’s Gonna Be Alright)’ is a positive reaffirmation that when times are bad, they’ll always get better.

‘The Dean And I’ may be 20-track long, but by no means will you not lose attention as Friedman’s high-spirited take on the aforementioned topics on the collection just displays him as one of America’s greatest songwriters around.

Released through Darko The Super’s indie label, U Don’t Deserve This Beautiful Art, ‘The Dean And I’ is now available for your pleasure.

Must Listen: Lucky Stars; Little Green Lady; Buy My Baby A Car; Let Down Your Hair

Johnny Kulo Unveils His New Single, ‘Poseidon’

Berlin-based, Indian artist and producer, JOHNNY KULO is the bridge between old-school soul and modern R&B. The son of a reverend, he was inevitably playing drums in church before he could form sentences, exploring several other instruments until eventually realizing his love for songwriting and production. He uses his sultry-smooth voice to tell personal and perceived stories of love, heartbreak and unsettled identity.

An ode to choosing ignorance, his latest single, ‘Poseidon’ revolves around asking questions about past relationships, through a rhetorical sentiment. It explores the feelings of arrogance and confidence that arise after one gain’s hindsight overtime in regards to their past. The track also portrays an overall sense of apathy for the future stemming from exhaustion. Have a listen below…

New Lease Music’s Top Ten Songs of 2021

NEW LEASE MUSIC presents the Top Ten Songs of 2021, completing the top ten list series for now.

Here you’ll find a real eclectic mix of genres – so whatever you’re into, I’m very confident you’ll find it here!

Wishing you guys a great weekend and I hope you enjoy the list.

10. RETAIL THERAPY – TILLY VALENTINE

9. SAY MY NAME – THEO TAMS

8. SILVER LINING – THE MYSTERY PLAN (FT. BIG SUPREME)

7. HINT OF PINK – REALMA

6. 2840 – STRUGGLE


5. LOVE & FREQUENCIES – BOY NASH

4. CELINÉ AND THE BLUE – CRAVE LOVE

3. BABY ONE MORE TIME – GENA PERALA

2. I NEED YOU – CAITLIN MIN FA

1. KISSES – CHLOE CATTELL

New Lease Music’s Top Ten Albums Of 2021

Ok guys, here’s your chance to check out the Top Ten Albums of 2021 – and I have to say, this is a pretty dope list! I hope you think so too, so enjoy!

Be sure to check out NEW LEASE MUSIC’s Top Ten Songs of 2021 tomorrow.

10. SIPPING REMY – OG EMMY

9. BLUE – DENIM BLÙ

8. PEACE & LOVE – K-RIZ

7. DON’T COME IN HERE – OLOFF

6. TAKE MY POWER – TUNNEL TRAFFIC

5. 034 – OLOYE COLDMAN

4. THE SILENCE EP VOL.1 – BLESSIN F

3. BAD – RICCO BARRINO

2. NOT A YOUT ANYMORE – TRIGGA RYDER

1. BREAKING ALL TH RULES – BENJI

Flyght Club Drops Slow And Sensual New Single, ‘Quaalude’ Ft. Brandt

FLYGHT CLUB‘s latest single, ‘Quaalude’ narrates succumbing to a moment of weakness and regrettably ending up hurting someone who you love dearly. The accompanying music video further portrays this story, with the artist confiding:

“I came up with a story where a guy is left to himself as his girlfriend goes on a work trip. Seeing this as an off day, he agrees to meet up with his college buddy and go partying. Before hitting the club, they decide to take quaaludes. The guy ends up meeting a girl and going over to her place before blacking out. The guy wakes up the next day with no memory of the previous night and feeling guilty about having cheated on his girlfriend. He finds himself tied to a bed. The girl from the night before turns out to be a satanist and plans to sacrifice the guy for a ritual. I found this situation so interesting to write about as it also brought in instant karma and crazy repercussions to cheating.”

This lapse of judgment is conveyed through sensual instrumentation reminiscent of The Weeknd. Featuring vocals from fellow artist Brandt, ‘Quaalude’ emits a laid back, sluggish vibe. A slightly off-beat ticking sound that plays throughout the track represents being under the influence of a slow sedative drug such as a Quaalude, where time flows slower and switches pulses, leading to a false sensation of two separate streams of time flowing simultaneously.

Flyght Club is the contemporary musical project of Indian artist Shauvik Sharan. Having moved to Los Angeles to pursue his music career, Flyght Club’s music demonstrates his extreme versatility, exploring a multitude of genres and themes, with every song being made to cater to different moods and emotions, essentially leaving him unchained from the boundaries of musical genres.

Originally from Pune, India, Sharan grew up on classic rock artists such as Led Zeppelin, Eric Clapton and Pink Floyd, all of which contributed to his strong foundation in music and inspired him to pick up and master the guitar. His time spent in Los Angeles allowed him to master the art of production and engineering, as well as singing and songwriting, shaping him as the artist he is today.

Watch the official video for the dreamy single below…