New Track: 3 Times – Marged (ft. AOBeats & Jailo)

Following the success of her Billboard-approved single ‘Call From U’, Welsh electronic artist, MARGED, is back with the second release of the year – ‘3 Times’ – ahead of a show at Hackney’s Sebright Arms (London) on 30th September.

Sonically ambient and lyrically poignant, the latest release is “a reaction piece to the sexual expectations that women face.” Having illustrated how vulnerability can be sexy and acceptable for a feminist with her previous single, this particular track exposes the objectifying, negative sense of the word.

She explains: “Our bodies are so often seen as objects filled with stamina with no off button. My interest in the representation of women in porn really made me begin to question how we as females are perceived through the male gaze”. It is the artistic depiction of this subject that has helped MARGED amass support from Billboard, Clash, Indie Shuffle and Idolator, underlining the Cardiff-born artist’s reputation as one of the most exciting young London creatives this year.

Having previously worked with Sakima, MARGED now collaborates on the new release with two forward thinking and like-minded beatsmiths, Jailo and AObeats. Both are acclaimed by the likes of BBC Radio 1, Earmilk and Thump for their ability to seamlessly incorporate the mix of styles that MARGED suits so well – notably hip hop, wavy future R&B and electronic pop – and their collective portfolio includes collaborations with Son Lux, Louis The Child and Annabel Jones.

‘3 Times’ accentuates the feminist narrative of MARGED’s music, and with a vision and purpose for her art clearly demonstrated, the South-London based artist looks to stimulate and inspire at her upcoming live performance this month…have a listen.

Song of the Day: Hidden – Bianca Rose

British/Jamaican/Nigerian singer-songwriter BIANCA ROSE has been writing and composing for the best part of a decade. In 2007 she self released her debut EP ‘Truth and Tiny Tragedies’, and has continued to collaborate and write songs for other artists ever since. Accompanying herself on guitar and ukulele, Bianca’s live shows have included sets for Sofar Sounds, Tigmus, London Jazz and One Taste Festivals, City Showcase, The Vortex and the CrimeJazz Festival in Amsterdam and Rotterdam, along with additional performances for Playstation, OH TV, & radio play on Radio 1 and 1Xtra. As a lyricist in the Ready Riters song writing collective, Bianca recently co-wrote X-Factor contestant Annastasia Baker’s debut album, resulting in Annastasia’s 2014 MOBO nomination.

Bianca has decided that 2017 is the right time to focus on her own music again, and release some of the songs she’s written over the last few years. Her debut album ‘No Fear Here’ (released in January 2017) is an expansive interpretation of the singer songwriter genre, fusing Bianca’s folk/gospel sensibilities with both Bianca and Femi’s African diasporic perspectives. It was part-funded by the PRS for Music Foundation and produced by critically acclaimed jazz musician and producer Femi Temowo, (George Benson, Andrea Bocelli, Amy Winehouse, The Roots, ESKA & Soweto Kinch).

‘Hidden’ is the third single from Bianca’s debut album ‘No Fear Here’. Directed by Dominic Döring, the visuals are set around the issue of men and mental health and how difficult it is to share these particular struggles with those closest to us. Bianca adds: “Even as a woman, it is never easy to reveal you have battled with any kind of mental oppression. But sharing is often the first step to breaking its power.”

Album Review: Love, Hugh – Hugh

Last time HUGH were featured on NEW LEASE MUSIC was last September, with their upbeat and chirpy single, ‘Look at In Laughter.’ Soon as I learnt of their debut album, ‘Love, Hugh’, I had to have a peep as the infectious melodic pop overtones in ‘Look Back In Laughter’ have been swimming in mind ever since its feature on the blog.

The four piece band from London, featuring Joshua Idehen and Izzy Brooks, have been praised by BBC Radio One, The Guardian, Stereogum, i-D and Hype Machine for their balanced blend of R&B/soul and synthpop featured in the 11 track album…and quite rightly so.

However I have to say the better part of ‘Love, Hugh’ is the second half of the album. The sweet melancholic presence of pop art takes a back seat, making way for the smooth and atmospheric R&B, enhanced by a woofing electronic bass (which reminds me of Massive Attack, for some reason).

Usually, I don’t follow hypes, but this one for real.. they’re definitely worth a trial. See the recommended tracks below.

Must Listens: I Can’t Figure You Out, Protect My Heart, I Don’t Like You, Take It Slow, In and Out of Love.

New Track: Views Of You – Sofi De La Torre (ft. Taylor Bennett)

Following the release of her previous track $, SOFI DE LA TORRE makes a quick return to NEW LEASE MUSIC, teaming up upcoming Chicago rapper Taylor Bennett for the latest bitter-sweet single, ‘Views Of You’, released on last Friday under her self-style banner #PopDoneRight.

On ‘Views Of You’ both Sofi and Taylor speak regretfully about a lost lover. Soft pads, guitar and delicate fluttering piano allow de la Torre and Taylor’s vocal lines to shine, propelling their vocals to the fore.

Taylor, who recently teamed up with brother Chance The Rapper, Lil Yachty and Jerimih, imparts a robust verse over the delicate instrumental, produced with Finnish producer Jonas Karlsson, who has worked on so many of Sofi’s past successes, including ‘Flex Your Way Out’ feat. Blackbear’. The late-2016 single received extensive support, including an interview with Noisey on Beats 1, her first BBC Radio 1 spin courtesy of Jamz Supernova, and her highest play count yet, with over 5 million hits across Spotify, YouTube and Soundcloud.

‘Views Of You’ is the latest single from the debut album, following the chilled alt-pop cut ‘$’. To mark release of the album, the Berlin-based singer will be visiting London to perform at The Woods in Shoreditch on 13th May – so if you’re in the area, stop by and take in the dreamy R&B pop vibes.

For now, get a taste for things to come and listen to ‘Views Of You.’

 

 

 

Song of the Day: Warm – Becky Hill

becky-hill-warm

Since the release of single Warm last month,  alternative pop princess BECKY HILL has raised quite a few eyebrows.

Premiered on Annie Mac’s BBC Radio show,  the SHIFT K3Y-produced number was streamed over 1 million times, as well as receiving heavy airplay on Clara Amfo’s BBC radio 1 mid-morning show and Mistajam’s 1Xtra set….and now NEW LEASE MUSIC has given a seal of approval to Hill’s electronic-pop effort.

Go check it out…and if you’re feeling this track, BECKY HILL will be headlining a show at The Scala (London) on 5th April 2017. Tickets available now via Tickermaster.co.uk and Livemation.com