Song of the Day Cold Water – Tom B (ft. Lucy Wroe)

Hailing from London, experimental producer TOM B‘s single ‘Cold Water’, featuring long-time collaborator, Lucy Wroe, is an unapologetic statement on the music industry as an independent artist. It embodies all the frustration towards gatekeeping and the devaluation of independent artists. Cold Water can also be felt as an ode to women in the industry, trying to navigate the border between ‘playing the game’ and maintaining self-respect.

Lucy says: “The title itself is a metaphor for the industry. Feeling submerged in Cold Water; regularly feeling the numbness left in the wake of bad experiences, which are all too common on the independent music scene”

Tom says: “You spend enough time in a scene or a circuit, you slowly figure out what the game is and how to play it. Eventually, we got to the point where we thought ‘do we make music because its what we want? Or do we make music to entertain promoters and get more gigs where we have to sell all the tickets?’”

‘Cold Water’ was exclusively available on Bandcamp from 22nd May and was released on all streaming platforms from a week later. All Bandcamp profits was donated to The Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund.

Listen to the riveting single below…

Song of the Day: Gold Fir – Sirens

Following the runaway success of, ‘Night Walk’, GOLD FIR satisfies the demand for soulful sassy vibes with, ‘Sirens’, the follow-up single out via +1 Records.

The emerging London duo saw a huge response to their debut offering, which was accompanied by a vibrant 2D animated video produced by Rejjie Snow collaborator Jack Brown. With repeat plays across BBC Radio 1, 1Xtra, 6 Music, Triple J and Beats 1, as well as support online from i-D, DIY, Hunger, London In Stereo and a run in the Hype Machine popular chart, Spotify, Apple Music, Vevo and Bandcamp also came out in support of ‘Night Walk’ with heavy playlisting and homepage features alike.

New track ‘Sirens’ demonstrates the duo’s fierce ingenuity. A track “about welcoming different aspects of yourself to the dance floor” – elements of pop and 80’s devil-may-care are all present, and delivered in a neat package.

Simply known as James and Mabel, the pair’s eccentric, soulful sound is inspired by their favorite places, friends and films. With plans for a debut EP early in 2018, the duo prove now more than ever that genre is meaningless, but the right music will always be full of soul…have a listen to ‘Sirens’.

New Track: I’ma Hssla – B. Eveready (ft. J.Charles & Mike Body )

Born and bred in Boston, charged up worldsmith B. EVEREADY enlisted fellow musicians, J. Charles and Mike Body for his brand new single, ‘Im’a Hssla’, out last week on Bandcamp.

Reminiscent of that smooth 90s hip-hop/R&B, this emcee unsurprisingly tells the tale that he’s more than ready to grab the spotlight.

Hailing from Nas To Marvin Gaye – and everything in between – as strong influences, his nostalgic trademark has earned him a string of performances with heavyweights, including The Last Poets, Skyzoo, Torae, Emilio Rojas, Talib Kweli and Jin The MC…so you’re dealing with something REAL here; check out ‘Im’a Hssla’.

EP Review: Snapchat – J.Kas

I gonna kick off the first review of the year with NEW LEASE MUSIC staple J.KAS‘ five-track EP ‘Snapchat’.

This hot property from Sheffield continues to dash A WHOLE HEAP of hot pepper sauce in the latest project, by adding his seamless flow to dangerously infectious dance bangers, uptempo and rhythmic after hours hip-hop/R&B.

This one is definitely a keeper; add to your collection for free via Bandcamp.

Must Listens: All Night (Sugah Sugah), Cold Love, Fxck With Me.

Album Review: Absolute Dreams – Tunnel Traffic

tunnel Traffic

Adam Hachey, otherwise known as TUNNEL TRAFFIC, released his latest album, Absolute Dreams which heavily experiments with folk, pop and electronic music.

The ukulele steals the show in the 11-track production, creating breathtakingly magical moments in stripped back performances as well as boldly taking on the intense atmospheric drive, with the result being standout synthpop/new wave-inspired compositions.

Must Listens: Lost Time, Is This Longing, Channel, This Is For You.