Tag: Ballad

MaryAianne & Me returns with single ‘Pretend’

After giving us some festive cheers with chirpy previous offering, ‘Christmas Wishes’, released on Sunday (7th December) MARYAIANNE & ME shares single, ‘Pretend’, released yesterday (10th December) on all leading platforms.

Backed by with a soulful choir which adds a rich emotional depth, the heart-tugging ballad is an introspective journey of self-discovery, whilst projecting strength to the world and the hidden vulnerability beneath—a warrior’s bravado serving as both armour and a barrier.

A burgeoning collaboration between upcoming artist Me and seasoned music pro John Hewlett – whose impressive CV stems back to the 60s, with collaborations with iconic acts including The Beatles, T. Rex, Sparks – MaryAiAnne & Me have build a foundation out of their shared love of music that not afraid of experimenting with various styles whilst exploring many relatable themes, such as unrequited love, self-discovery and personal growth. With this emotive combination, MaryAiAnne & Me have set a challenge to release one single per week, to showcase their talent as well as reaching out to the prospective audience to be brutally honest about their feelings in order to heal.

Why not listen to their past releases here. Although we’re heading fast towards to the end of the year, the UK duo are not through yet – so be sure to look out for their upcoming singles, ‘Grandma’, ‘Homeward Bound’ and ‘Dear You’.

For now, why not listen to ‘Pretend’ below…

Connect with MaryAianne and Me via:
FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581770475003
IG: https://www.instagram.com/maryaianne_and_me
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@maryaianne.and.me

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Song of the Day: Lucky Escape – MaryAianne and Me

‘Lucky Escape’, the second single from MARYAIANNE & ME, captures Me’s raw experience of enduring a painful breakup. With delicate guitar plucks and Me’s gently wailing vocals tinged with a warm country twang, this emotive ballad transforms heartbreak into resilience. The song offers comfort and empowerment to anyone who’s faced similar pain, ultimately realising that a bullet has been dodged — a lucky escape from deeper hurt and humiliation.

Following their debut single ‘Heart of Stone,’ ‘Lucky Escape’ is part of a string of releases from the duo via their label ITZAFUNI. Since its release, MaryAianne & Me have continued with new singles including ‘Halloween Dessert Menu,’ ‘Hotel Troublesome Blues,’ and ‘Benched.’

MaryAianne & Me is the creative collaboration between Me — a young artist from Newport now based in Kingston upon Thames — and John Hewlett. The two met through volunteer work with the Kingston-based charity Save The World Club.

Using the alias Me due to ongoing stalking concerns, she writes all original lyrics, arranges melodies, and directs AI tools to help realize her musical vision, including instrumental and vocal production. Together, the duo plan to release one new song every week for a year, building a diverse catalogue of emotionally rich and stylistically varied work. At the end of this period, Me intends to perform a selection of her songs live with her own band, Mad Mary and Psychiatric Ward.

John Hewlett — whose storied career in music management and production dates back to the late 1960s, with collaborations spanning The Beatles, T. Rex, Sparks, and more — has found fresh inspiration in Me’s creativity and drive. Together, the duo present MaryAianne & Me as both a musical partnership and a bold creative experiment, laying the foundation for a broader artistic movement rooted in authenticity, innovation, and emotional truth.

‘Lucky Escape’ is now available across all major music streaming platforms. Why not listen below…

Connect with MaryAianne and Me via:
FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581770475003
IG: https://www.instagram.com/maryaianne_and_me
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@maryaianne.and.me

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Song of the Day: Apart – Alan Dreezer

In the ever-evolving world of independent music, few artists have carved a path as authentic and heartfelt as ALAN DREEZER. The multi-award-winning Pop-Soul singer-songwriter from Eastbourne, East Sussex, has spent decades honing his craft — and it shows in every note he sings.

Before stepping into the spotlight as a solo artist, Alan’s musical roots were grounded in collaboration. For over 20 years, he worked with various musicians and bands, including the pop duo Tara 2, who once supported 80s favourites Brother Beyond on tour. Later, with his Rock-Pop outfit ADProject, Alan played to sold-out crowds at High Barn in Great Bardfield, Essex — a venue often celebrated as one of the UK’s best small live stages.

By 2017, Alan felt the pull to create music that was truly and entirely his own. The result was his debut solo album ‘LONDON E12’, released in 2018 — a soulful, introspective project inspired by life, love, and self-discovery. To support the album, he hit the stage across venues in Essex and London throughout 2019, reconnecting with audiences who instantly connected to his warm vocals and honest storytelling.

Then came 2020 — a year that challenged artists everywhere. But Alan refused to slow down. Amid the lockdowns and uncertainty, he released five singles, staying true to his creative vision and connection with fans. That momentum led to his second full-length album, ‘H E A L E D’, released in September 2021 — a record that captured his emotional growth and artistic maturity.

Alan’s hard work and soulful sound didn’t go unnoticed. In 2022, his single ‘Butterfly’ was voted Best Pop Song of the Year by readers of Indie Boulevard Magazine. The following year, ‘Take Me Back’ soared to number one on the South Devon Sound radio request chart, where it stayed for three weeks, and earned him a nomination at the Orpheus Global Independent Music Awards.

But it was 2024 that truly cemented Alan’s reputation as one of the UK’s standout independent artists. His single ‘(Love Didn’t Hurt Me) It Was You’ not only resonated deeply with listeners but also went on to win Song of the Year at the prestigious Orpheus Global Independent Music Awards, created by TJPL News Magazine.

Alan’s latest single, ‘APART’, continues his long-time collaboration with producer Elliot Richardson of Highfield Studio. The partnership has proven to be a powerful creative force, blending soul, pop, and introspective lyricism into a signature sound that’s both timeless and contemporary.

With his heartfelt lyrics, smooth production, and commitment to genuine artistry, Alan Dreezer stands as a shining example of what it means to stay true to your sound — and your story.

Whether he’s performing live, writing new material, or connecting with fans around the world, one thing is certain: Alan Dreezer’s journey is far from over — and the best is yet to come.

Why not listen to ‘APART’, which will form part of this forthcoming album, ‘Nothing Changes If Nothing Changes,’ slated for release in Spring 2026.

Connect with Alan Dreezer via:
FB: https://www.facebook.com/alandreezermusic
IG: https://www.instagram.com/alandreezermusic
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AlanDreezer
Website: https://www.alandreezer.com/

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A Quick Chat With…Amity

I was absolutely blown away by singer-songwriter AMITY‘s first appearance on the blog with compelling ballad, ‘Bite Me!‘ which claimed the Song of the Month back in April.

Amity is more than just a musician – I like to call him the ‘singing advocate’ as he speaks up for the voiceless and tackles the most taboo topics such as mental health, abuse and suicide. So I’m absolutely thrilled to have caught up with the promising artist to talk about his latest single, ‘Hurricane Heart’.

NLM: Hey, thank you for taking part in an interview with NEW LEASE MUSIC. How is 2025 treating you so far?

A: It’s been a wild year, lots of ups and downs, but I’m so grateful for the journey that has brought me to where I am today.

NLM: You recently released your single, ‘Hurricane Heart’ (30th May). What is the public perception of the single so far?

A: I’ve had people telling me that they can relate to Hurricane Heart, and that the song is helping them process things they’ve been through, which is exactly what I aim to accomplish.

NLM: What inspired you to produce/write the single?

A: I wrote Hurricane Heart from my own experience of the aftermath of destructive relationships, and I wanted to spread awareness while telling not just my story, but the story of those who have experienced similar situations and haven’t yet found the words to express it. I actually wrote it live on stage after a soundcheck, as the first few lines had been going around in my head for a while, and it finally blossomed into a song in that moment.

NLM: How would you describe the single’s sound to potential fans?

A: It’s definitely my most uptempo release so far, though there’s still a variety of dynamic textures throughout the song. It has something of a rockier influence, and it explores deep lyrical topics.

NLM: What message would you like the listeners to take away from your single?

A: That they are not alone, and that it’s okay to still be affected by something for a long time after it happens – it’s a normal response to an abnormal situation.

NLM: Are there any plans to release an official video for the single?

A: In the future, I’d absolutely love to do that, but for the time being, it’s unlikely to happen too soon.

NLM: If you had to feature one mainstream artist on ‘Hurricane Heart’, who would it be and why?

A: For some reason, people keep comparing my voice to Adele’s, so it would be interesting to hear how she might interpret this song.

NLM: What plans do you have in store for 2025?

A: I have a show at the Royal Albert Hall coming up on the 15th of July, I’m also playing Durham Fringe Festival and starting work on recording my next EP, so stay tuned!

NLM: How can potential fans find you?

A: My Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok share the same handle of @amity_sings, my Twitch is AmitySings, my YouTube is Amity Miller, and my website is http://www.amity.music.

NLM: Finally, if music didn’t exist, what other professional would you do?

A: If music didn’t exist, I would have wanted to go into another career where I can help people and make a positive impact on the world, such as going into science, which I’ve actually always had a passion for.

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Award-winning artist Amity explores the other side of love with single, ‘To Be Known’.

After making an expressive entry on the blog with debut piano-led single, ‘Bite Me!’ – which claimed the blog’s Song of the Week title for two consecutive weeks over on Instagram – award-winning singer/songwriter AMITY returns to the spotlight with a compelling follow-up, ‘To Be Known’.

While the music industry is forever saturated with love songs that glamorises the idea of the perfect loving relationship, ‘To Be Known’ addresses the grey areas of the topic, which is often overlooked. Delivered with a delicate piano backdrop, the 18-year-old adds that perfect touch of vulnerability to his usual soulfully raw vocals and explores how love can be a frightening experience, especially if one is not use to receiving such intense feelings.

This is why this young music maestro in the making became an overnight sensation; Amity is not afraid to wear his heart on his sleeve and explore topics that most would shy away from. Such bravery, coupled with uniquely compelling storytelling, has earnt Amity flowers from the likes of the Guardian and the BBC. Starting his music journey during lockdown, using music as a coping mechanism, Amity hopes to inspire and encourage his rapidly growing fanbase and prospective listeners to speak up in what they believe in. His latest single, To Be Known’ is a true testament to Amity’s artistry as the stunning ballad offers a safe space to ponder on the dubious areas that love can sometime presents.

‘To Be Known’ is the second single from Amity’s Albert Hall-backed debut EP, set to release with a launch show at The Royal Albert Hall itself in July…but for now, have a listen to the compelling single below…

Connect with Amity via:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amitysings/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/amity_sings/
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@amity_sings
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/amitymiller
Website: https://amity.music/

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