Hey, Hey, Hey! Happy New Year guys! I hope you had an eventful festive period.
It’s that time of the year NEW LEASE MUSIC ramage through and pick out the top releases of 2023! Today, we start off with the best music videos featured on the blog in the past year. So why not sit back and check them out – oh and if you’re really digging these videos, why not leave a comment below.
Be sure to look out for NEW LEASE MUSIC’s Top Ten Albums of 2023 later today!
10. Sometimes Relax – LLAMAN x Pitch 92
9. Freak Out – Jessica Wilde
8. Face Off Part 1 – Quincy
7. PTSD – Dax
6. Iron Right – DJ Drama, Boosie Badazz & OMB Peezy ft Trouble
Hackney rapper NICKI KNIGHTZ latest EP, ‘Lonely Girls Hearts Club’ is a rollercoaster of both extreme highs and painful lows, produced by genre bending partner in crime Henny Knightz. This is her third project following 2020’s ‘For The Uninformed EP’.
‘Lonely Girls Hearts Club’ is an 8 track play which marries early 2000s nostalgia, rap, avant garde samples and classic 808s. A both playful yet intense overlook of how traumatic experiences lead to partaking in activities that are riddled with self-sabotaging themes, which in turn ties into the projects title.
Opening track ‘Lonely Girls Hearts Club’ (Intro)’ tells of how NIcki came to refer to herself as a ‘lonely girl’ relaying her experiences of council estate living and being painfully different from the accepted norms. It also celebrates the solace she found once discovering equally talented and artistic outcasts. Accompanied by a cinematic video which exhibits Nicki and three fellow ‘lonely girls’ that the world has turned its back on. Though they experience extreme highs when together, once alone they are left grappling with sombre thoughts and intense emotions. Inspired by the hit movie ‘Set It Off’ to fight back they take their destinies into their own hands.
Second track ‘Along Came Molly’ a retelling of the high and lows of the experimentation with MDMA, over a whimsical, stripped back bed of instrumentation with Nicki’s husky vocals stabbing through prominently.
Third track ‘Step With Me’ ft. Joe Jas , A nostalgic song with heavy influences from the much praised 00’s era with braggadocios lyrics, smooth tones and a catchy hook By JoeJas. Henny Knightz taps into the early 2000’s creating a beat that brings you straight back to the times of MTV in the first few seconds. A song that has a true sense of individuality, with three of the most distinctive, artistic individuals from London’s weird and wonderful Alternative Hip Hop scene.
Fourth track ‘You Want Me’ ft. Tai A song that explores the fantasy of a girl next door crush, that you are then able to explore and the thrill that it provides, once attained. A quite mellow and chilled, sexy instrumental that features East London multidisciplinary artist Tai.
Fifth song ‘Bigger Things’ ft. Ivohé delves into the nuances of working a 9-5 whilst also trying to fund and prioritise a dream. Berlin based artist Ivohé’s angelic voice reinforces the message being shared.
Sixth song ‘ICY’ Sonically a lot more darker and a lot more focused on rapping capabilities, Nicki vents her frustrations on recent experience, a fuck you so to speak to all.
‘Cherry’ ft. RETROPXSSY, an exploration of how Nicki came into her sexuality. Retropxssy blesses the chorus with her experimental performance, reiterating that sometimes the ‘normal’ way isn’t always meant for everyone.
The multifaceted, multi-layered project, ends with ‘P.O.V’. A song told from a perspective other than Nicki’s. “I created this song not from my own experience, but from a lot of females point of view that I have spoken with. The first verse is me speaking from a woman who is going through domestic, sexual abuse with her partner at home and how on the gram, socials she presents to be happy/perfect but really, she is struggling, she is broken. The second verse then speaks from the male’s perspective who is inflicting the abuse, where he speaks on how he became to be this person, from watching his father do the same to his mother.”
A voice for the outcasts, routing out of Hackney, rapper Nicki Knightz’s emotional turmoil is easily identifiable through her husky tone and self-descriptive lyrics over demanding, bass fuelled alternative production. Nicki’s voice is still nothing short of ‘unique’ and raw, accompanied by her partner @hennyknightz left-field production, making her ‘sound’ even more of a breath of fresh air categorising it underneath the genre – Alternative HipHop. Nicki Knightz released her first EP ‘Hate’ in late 2018, celebrating its release by headlining her own show at Old Blue Last in Shoreditch with supporting artists @HennyKnightz & @BZERK.
2020, Nicki Knightz returned to share an important message about her mixed-race identity with the release of ‘For The Uninformed’ during a pivotal time in history – the uprise after the George Floyd protests. The E.P was congratulated by Toddla T praising ‘India Arie’ by making it his ‘coldest record of the week’ on Radio 1 commenting “this is special, “I’ve never heard anything like it”.
Mid 2022, Nicki released her lead single “Lonely Girls Hearts Club” with a cinematic visual, that premiered on KALTBLUT Magazine – Germanys leading indie print / online magazine for Art, Fashion, Music.
Why not check out ‘Lonely Girls Hearts Club below…
Must Listens: You Want Me?; Bigger Things; Cherry; POV
Singer, songwriter, rapper, producer and South London native JESSICA WILDE, returns with the second single of her forthcoming album, ‘Feathers’, featuring the soul searing vocals of Zoe Kypri. With the first release of the project ‘Freak Out’ garnering heavy support on BBC Radio 1 ‘Future Artists’ with tastemakers Jack Saunders and Jess Iszatt who championed the track on both Radio 1 and BBC Introducing, saying ‘This has to be the coolest tune on the lineup’.
‘Feathers’ now continues the empowering themes of this album, slated for a May 2024 release, as Wilde joins forces with the deluxe rich tones of Zoe Kypri, just back from performing at the iconic Madison Square Gardens (New York) with Black Coffee.
‘Feathers’ is a song about rising together, realising your strength and power, breaking old behaviours, and creating new pathways to grow, as they hypnotically enchant, “I got feathers in my back, that I didn’t know I had, now I know who I am.”
For these two artists in their prime, who are also close friends, this was a special moment, getting in the studio together has been a long time coming, and they both had a feeling there would be real chemistry and a great track recorded in the process and they are clearly clairvoyant. The song reflects both of their personal and mirroring journeys in how they have uplifted and helped one another through times of shifts and darkness, to step into their light.
Both singers bare their hearts and souls through their music, with Wilde’s debut project ‘Sober, Wasted, Wasted, Sober’ sharing a brutally honest account through confessional lyrics about her journey in addiction and toxic relationships, metamorphized to a life committed to self-love and living sober, juxtaposed by Zoe’s introspection of private worlds, feelings conflicting the mind and soul, revelations on experience and desires of a better world. It truly showcases a unique and compelling drawing together of two incredible artists able to entwine layers of luscious vocals in the cage of a raw unmistaken London grit.
The two independent artists have been making waves individually too. With Wilde gaining growing support from not only BBC Radio 1 but also 6 Music, BBC Radio London, KISS, editorial playlist support across DSP’s with regular ‘Fresh Finds’ support as well as features in CLASH, Complex, Wonderland, The Independent and many more – To Zoe Zypri going global this summer with her song ‘Horizon Red’ with Made by Pete, which hit over 150 million streams worldwide, championed and remixed by the legends Black Coffee and Damian Lazurus. Between them, they have caught the attention and collaborated with the likes of Rudimental, Emeli Sande, Grammy award winner Kizzo, Todd Terry, Sigma and Black Coffee.
ANAIIS shares the deluxe version of her critically acclaimed album ‘this is no longer a dream’ which includes remixes from Sam Henshawe, Jamilah Barry, DJ Lulo, Years and Years and Karen Nyame KG. The recent remixes are in addition to the collaborations on the original 2022 album (Chronixx, Topaz Jones, Jay Prince, Sjava +++)
The London based artist has spent a lifetime moving around the globe soaking up a multitude of cultures and influences that bring an innovative and genre-defying style to her artistic endeavours. Following the releases of her EP ‘Before Zero’ and her project ‘Darkness At Play’, anaiis further raised the bar with her self released debut album ‘this is no longer a dream,’ a cathartic and brave long player which was released in 2021. The album was well-received by notable critics and publications – she featured as the cover star on PUSS PUSS and FACT magazine – citing her as one of the most exciting and innovative voices in contemporary R&B. Alongside the critical acclaim, anaiis is an accomplished live performer who has been invited as a special guest at concerts by the likes of Erykah Badu, Ibeyi, Daniel Caesar, Nick Hakim and more, as well as recent headline performances in Dakar and Berlin which have all been met with rapturous praise.
Occupying the sweet spot between music, fashion and high art, anaiis has collaborated and contributed to notable works of art with the V&A, Camden Arts Centre, Palais De Tokyo, White Cube, Julien Creuzet, JulianKnxx and more. In fashion, she has featured in a Paul Smith campaign, collaborated with Valentino for her noteworthy ColorsxStudio performance, was dressed in Alexander McQueen for her Harpers Bazaar feature, as well as brand collaborations with Dr Martens, Levis, Paco Rabanne’s Millions x Vice x NTS, and more. She has also worked creatively with Ib Kamara, Nell Kalonji, Rafael Pavarotti, Campbell Addy amongst others on hers and other projects.
Now anaiis set the bar high, finishing 2023 on a high note with the deluxe version of her critically acclaimed album, ‘this is no longer a dream’. Why not check it out below…
Must Listens: undulation; ultraviolet, counts; vanishing . (chipmunk); cry in your sleep; reverie; make it easier;
Born and raised in Minneapolis, CHRISTINE SAKO has previously toured with fellow Minnesotans, emo-indie rockers Now, Now and as an opening act for Paramore’s ‘Brand New Eyes’ Europe tour. Now, after venturing out on the strengths of her own creative prowess, Christine Sako has crystallized into an iconoclastic brand of progressively passionate pop. Her first album, ‘The Math Project’ – a hybrid acoustic and synth-based pop offering – was inspired by the chilled-out Californian atmosphere.
These days, Sako is manifesting her artistic angle with her new single, ‘Warmth’. From guitar-driven indie-pop balladry to upbeat, bass-laden beats, her distinctive vocal range and melodies are on a mission to take listeners through an emotionally charged journey. Injecting finely-tuned hooks with an electrifying undercurrent and an edgy drumbeat, this track speaks to both her analog and digital sensibilities.
Speaking about her new single, Christine Sako had this to say, “‘Warmth’ is about being in that “too good to be true” mindset and how disbelief tends to be the overwhelming emotion when things seem to be going well. I started writing this song just after a breath of optimism had flown through me, realizing that indeed I was exactly worthy of the promising journey that was budding in my life.”
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