Last but not least, here are the top ten singles of 2024!
On this list, you’ll find some epic gems from around the globe – from the UK, US, South Africa and Japan, keeping you entertained throughout the week and hopefully beyond!
I hope you like this year’s list…and if you so happen to enjoy these releases, why not give it a like or make a comment below.
Keep your eyes peeled on NEW LEASE MUSIC for some fantastic releases for 2025! Take care for now…
International award-winning songwriting team, THE GRAND CRU (comprising of Welsh and American talent) have shared a brand new album, entitled ‘September 11th – Music To Heal Your Soul’.
The Grand Cru includes ex Jesus Christ Superstar lead, Steve Balsamo (who’s written for Slash, Meatloaf, Cliff Richard) and ex member of The Story’s and Balsamo/Deighton. Also on ‘The Cru’ is multi-award winning Welsh singer/songwriter Darren Parry who’s a former UK Songwriting Contest winner, Billboard, Unisong, ISSA and USA Song Of The Year award winner (who’s co-written with The Korgis, Dan and Laura Curtis and others).
The third Welshman is Rhondda’s multi-talented Lee Gilbert who is an acclaimed singer /actor. His 25 yr career has spanned from Theatre, Radio and TV work which runs alongside his very busy music career. The fourth member and brainchild of ‘The Cru’ is Florida based Bonnie Skop, who’s family has a long history in music; including her Dad managing Ted Nugent and Bob Seger in their early days! The Grand Cru get their name from the French words… meaning “a wine of the most superior grade”. These songwriters are certainly that!
100% of the net proceeds from the sale of the album go to support the Enlisted Association Of The National Guard of The United States (EANGUS). EANGUS is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the status, welfare and professionalism of Enlisted members of the National Guard and has a constituency base of over 450,000 soldiers and airmen, their families, as well as over 350,000
retired members/veterans.
Darren says… “Steve, Lee, Bonnie and I have written the album predominantly on Zoom over the last two years or so having been approached by The National Guard via a contact of Bonnie’s in the US. We have donated six of our songs to the cause but have written bespoke songs including “I Was There””.
Steve says…‘I Was There’ is a very emotional song about the morning of 9/11 in New York. The song focuses on three different characters… one female character is going to work in New York that morning, another character is a guy taking a flight from New Jersey to San Francisco”. Lee continues… “the third character is a child who fortunately sleeps late so he’s not on time for school. You’ve gotta listen to it, it’s a real emotional rollercoaster of a song”!
‘I Was There’ was performed by The Cru for the EANGUS 9/11 Remembrance Gala at The One World Trade Centre building in New York on 11th September this year for a star-studded event, hosted by Kelsey Grammer (of hit show Frasier).
‘I Was There’ and ‘September 11th – Music To Heal Your Soul’ album are out now. Why not watch the video for the emotive single, featuring the three Welsh talent.
Connect with The Grand Gru:
http://www.darrenparry.com
http://www.stevebalsamomusic.com
http://www.leegilbertmusic.co.uk
Lithuania-born, Manchester-based artist GRETE has perfected her own brand of alt-pop – culminating in the fresh, unique and exciting 5 track EP that is ‘Grey’.
While the EP successfully executes a huge variety of musical styles and each song is entirely distinct and standalone, there are several themes that span across the tracklist, tying ‘Grey’ together and turning it into a cohesive, emotionally vulnerable story. Each song focuses on a different low point in Grete’s
past, conveyed through cuttingly honest lyrics and reinforced by moody, mesmerising and sometimes even manic instrumentation.
Grete’s debut single, ‘With u’ is a hybrid of many different popular styles including RnB, jazz and pop, akin to influences such as Yebba and Maro. The live instrumentation invokes a warm, emotional sensation and the dynamic vocals encapsulate the intended emotion perfectly. ‘With u’ is a heartfelt ballad in which Grete is comparing her current life to a previous time.
Second single, ‘How Long’ progresses into a darker, more twisted space. This is brought to life by dissonant chords, biting and distorted guitar leads and Grete’s soaring vocals. The track is punctuated with glitchy details and electronic sparkles, complimenting the instruments and contributing to the cosmic scale of the song.
Grete’s latest single, Cz u don’t’ is a forward thinking, experimental yet vulnerable track influenced by artists like Halsey and Hiatus Kaiyote. The song winds through various sections with a beat in 7 as the backdrop, culminating in a whole-band-polyrhythm to end. The protagonist of ‘Cz u don’t’ is searching for reasons to leave an unhealthy relationship.
Grete started singing when she was only three years old, beginning her performance career in small ensembles and bands. She was quickly spotted and invited to the biggest stages in the country, such as nationally broadcasted competitions, top level musical theatre productions, international concerts and contests, even reaching the finals of ‘The Voice’ Lithuania 2018. Gaining local fame opened many doors for function gigs and session work but that was not the career she truly wanted to pursue.
Grete chose to leave Lithuania and start fresh in the UK. Now she is studying pop music vocals in RNCM. Influenced by artists like Jazmine Sullivan, The Weeknd and Yebba, she began writing vocally colourful and harmonically intricate songs with strong messages and old R&B references.
Why not have a listen to Grete’s stunning EP below…
Must Listens: How Long, With u, colder Summer
When I heard RICH CAMARENA‘s uniquely blissful vocals on single, ‘Promise You’, my heart immediately melted…for some reason, on the single, he reminds me of a male version of Sadè…. and for that reason alone, I had to find out more about the Mexican singer/songwriter. I’m so glad I did, as Richi comes across as one of the most lovely and genuine person I’ve interviewed on NEW LEASE MUSIC. So please sit comfortably and get ready to be acquainted with this promising upcoming artist…
NLM: Hey, thank you for taking part in an interview with NEW LEASE MUSIC. How is 2024 treating you so far?
RC: Thank you for showcasing my music. It’s been a great year so far. I’ve got featured on your blog, I released a new single that was very well received, I’m also working on an EP and there’s a music video in the works for a future song.
NLM: You released your single, ‘Promise You’ back in March. What is the public perception of the single so far?
RC: I’ve received some DMs on social media about how they are using my song to tell their loved ones how they feel. This is song is on the list of some of my most streamed songs, so, I feel very very happy.
NLM: What inspired you to produce/write the single?
RC: My girlfriend was the reason behind the lyrics, she has been an incredible support and inspiration for my music. She was the one who suggested me to start making music. And, when she went through some rough times, I wrote her this song to make her feel better, it then became the full song itself.
NLM: How would you describe the single’s sound to potential fans?
RC: It is a love song that serves as a promise for your loved ones, one that you can listen to while driving with your partner, laying down with your eyes closed, or even when proposing to the people you want to spend the rest of your life with.
NLM: What message would you like the listeners to take away from your single?
RC: Love is as complicated as you want it to be. But, when you find the right person, loving is easy, everything just works. And, no matter how hard a situation might be, or how bad you might be feeling, the right person will always be there for you, and you will always be there for your special person.
NLM: Are there any plans to release an official video for the single?
RC: I thought about this at first, but I don’t think I will release a video for this song, I’m planning on doing one for a future song, but, for this one, definitely not.
NLM: If you had to feature one mainstream artist on ‘Promise You’, who would it be and why?
RC: This was a tough one, but I think Justin Bieber would be a great feature for this song.
NLM: What plans do you have in store for 2024?
RC: My intention is to release a few more singles, then an EP, an official music video and maybe, a small tour in my hometown.
NLM: How can potential fans find you?
RC: In every streaming platform they can find me as “Richi Camarena”, on social media, my handle for Instagram, TikTok and X is @richicamarena, for Facebook and YouTube is @richicamarenaofficial
NLM: Finally, if music didn’t exist, what other professional would you do?
RC: An actor for sure, I love acting, I love drama, so, maybe an actor.
Richi Camarena has a new single out called ‘That’s Okay’. Why not find out more here.
Very rarely does a song give me full body chills everytime I hear TUELO‘s powerful single, ‘Regarding My Heart’. The track is the centerpiece and the focus track for the album Regarding My Heart, due out 27th September.
Tuelo is a South African-born, NYC/Dublin-based folk-rock artist who’s had some amazing notoriety in the past for her debut album, but one listen to the new music and it’s clear that is her most refined, self-assured sound to date. Regarding My Heart is a sweeping sonic exploration of love, loss and loneliness. The project has provided Tuelo with the space to heal, listen to herself and center her voice.
The whole album began with the title track. Describing it, Tuelo says, “The song shows that in a ubiquitous world there lives a person in solitude, with a fascination for adventure, fantasy, and big dreams of great love. That is me. That would be ‘Regarding My Heart.’ That might be you.” Beginning with one central song and building the album from there, Tuelo crafted a resonant glimpse into her heart from different perspectives. Tuelo says the album is, “by the lonely for the lonely. It’s about holding on to every ounce of peace, patience, pace, and the rhythm of the world.”
Interspersed between the tracks are chant versions and towards the end, piano versions that offer alternate takes on the original versions while paying homage to Tuelo’s roots. Across three continents, the project’s expansive sound was brought to life with help from multi-GRAMMY® award-winning producer (Album of the Year, Best Rock Album) Robbie Nelson, guitar producer Kirk Schoenherr, longtime collaborator Kevin Wenzel and features backing vocals from Tuelo’s sisters. W
Watch the video for ‘Regarding My Heart’ below…
New Lease Music 