Thaïs Sala returns with her lusciously layered and immersive brand of electronic pop single ‘Sleeves’.

THAÏS SALA, the Paris-born singer/songwriter and cultural curator, is back with another stunning single, ‘Sleeves’, taken from her forthcoming debut EP, Echo Museum, which is set to release on 21st August.

Having grown up between the enchanting streets of Marrakech and the diverse landscapes of the UK, and now living in Montreal, Thaïs brings a rich, global perspective to her music. From a young age, Thaïs Sala has been immersed in a world of cultural diversity, and it shows in her music. Her unique sound blends electronic rhythms with soulful vocals, moving effortlessly between crystalline highs and husky lows. This mix of vulnerability and strength is a hallmark of her style, making her music resonate on a deeply emotional level.

Following the release of ‘Atonement’, Thaïs Sala now presents ‘Sleeves’, the second instalment from Echo Museum. Produced by Moses Belanger, ‘Sleeves’ is an intricate blend of subtle electronica elements and layers, making it an immediate and compelling listen. The track opens with emotive piano chords seamlessly mixed with Thaïs Sala’s ethereal harmonies, evolving into a rousing synth progression and a four-on-the-floor rhythm. This striking blend of soul and house music showcases her unique ability to merge genres effortlessly.

Lyrically, ‘Sleeves’ explores the theme of emotional honesty, likening the act of putting on and shedding emotions to wearing and removing clothing. Phrases like “uniform of feels” capture the routine of the psyche and the pressures to conform to external expectations. The song is a reflection on the struggle to be true to oneself and others while navigating life’s inherent highs and lows.

In the vein of artists like RY X, James Blake, and BANKS, ‘Sleeves’ is a modernised electronic and pop-infused masterpiece. Its deep, brooding quality soothes and enthuses simultaneously, showcasing the magic of Thaïs Sala’s craft.

As Thaïs Sala gears up for the release of Echo Museum, ‘Sleeves’ solidifies her place as a powerful new voice, with her ability to blend genres and create deeply personal yet universally relatable music making her an artist to watch for 2024 and beyond.

‘Sleeves’ was released on Wednesday (31st July). Why not have a listen below…

Connect with Thaïs Sala via:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/thesoulsphynx/

Song of the Day: Stop (you can let it go) -Jennarie

Montreal-born, Toronto-raised queer pop artist JENNARIE‘s sophomore luscious jazz single ‘Stop (you can let it go),’is a vibey and motivational piece, anchored by luscious vocals and a splash of jazz harmonies reminiscent of Yebba and Amy Winehouse.

“I’ve learned to detect the subtle yet potent presence of resentment in my body—a tightening in my chest, a tendency to ruminate on others’ choices or actions (or lack thereof). Recognizing this, I redirect my focus inward,” Jennarie explains on the track. “The opening line, “When you point your finger at another, you are pointing at the mirror,” speaks to the process of healing people-pleasing tendencies and transforming resentment into self-empowerment and love.”

“Stop (you can let it go),” is a vibey R&B and pop track featuring lush vocal stacks and a splash of jazz harmony that inspires listeners to choose compassion and self-love. “I aim for “Stop (you can let it go)” to serve as a beacon of empowerment for those grappling with comparison, judgment, and gossip,” Jennarie said. “Drawing from my DBT practice, I hope the song’s themes offer both instruction and comfort to those in need.”

Jennarie first cut her teeth in the Toronto music scene, where she gained a powerful stage presence by performing regular live shows all over town. She’s continued to make waves and build a strong name for herself in the years since, with renowned Canadian print and online magazine. The WholeNote recently hailing her for her “big voice, fearless delivery, ebullient sense of rhythm, and bubbles of humor.”

She enlisted producer Nick Tateishi for the project, who recently provided production to singer and songwriter Francois Klark’s JUNO Award-nominated 2022 sophomore album, Adventure Book, and is known for his work with the likes of Clerel, HILLARI, and Kiki Rowe, to name a few.

Why not check out the stunning single below…

Song of the Day: Morals – Nicky MacKenzie

The strange states we find ourselves in while growing are where NICKY MACKENZIE‘s soulful upcoming EP MORALS was born. Leaving behind the safe familiarity of adolescence, MORALS is an exploration of the emotional landscape the 23-year-old Canadian singer-songwriter has traversed in the years since her debut album, 2018’s Honeydew. In that time, MacKenzie has left her hometown, navigated shifting relationships, graced the stages of huge festivals, and played intimate shows. In the background, she’s worked on new collaborations and participated in prestigious songwriting workshops, constantly pushing the boundaries of her artistry. The tracks on MORALS are a record of this growth.

The EP’s title track, ‘Morals,’ is about being a people pleaser your whole life until you decide to start saying no and walk away from situations that don’t serve or even entertain you anymore. Your moral values change when you begin to prioritize yourself. You can blame your vices on others, or you can own up to them and decide to not care.

I wanted to create something catchy that also has a deeper cathartic meaning to it. I think it’s a feeling everyone has eventually, needing to just let go of doubt and give in to your wants. I just wanted to give it a bit of a sassy tone” – Nicky MacKenzie

Why not check out the official video to ‘Morals’ below…

Song of the Day: Shame – Annabel Gutherz

Canadian singer and songwriter ANNABEL GUTHERZ‘s latest single, ‘Shame,’is an open-hearted single about acknowledging and overcoming relationship insecurities. Underscored by full-bodied instrumentation, Annabel wields her sharp lyricism and sonorous vocals to explore anxiety, comparison, and self-doubt.

She elaborates, “‘Shame’ is about the ruminations that can arise about your partner’s former relationships and the invasive fears that often emerge as a result.”

‘Shame’ follows the success of her last single, ‘Eclipse,’ which continues to introduce listeners to Annabel’s unique blend of classic rock influences and modern pop sounds. ‘Shame’ was co-written with and produced by Mikal Blue (OneRepublic, Jason Mraz, Colbie Caillat) and Bret “Epic” Mazur (Crazy Town, Prince, The Black Eyed Peas).

Have a listen below…

Song of the Day: In The Dead Of Night – Action Forever

The idea for ACTION FOREVER‘s latest single, ‘In The Dead of Night,’ was to bluntly reflect on the obvious downsides of being in a long distance relationship – not being able to hold your partner in your arms, look into their eyes, or hear their voice next to you.

Frontman Sim Bansal confides: “I was in a relationship a bit like that. Later, I realized after I went over some of the lines, like “be a shoulder for the secret pain inside” and “I feel my heart begin to break in two until the moment I hear back from you,” I started to believe that the seed for the song, in part, came from a feeling of co-dependence. When I looked back at what I’d written – in the moment, sort of quickly and instinctively – those lyrics struck me as more troubled than romantic.

The semi-autobiographical character in the song is very much distressed. He feels the tension between him and his partner and it’s unsettling.

Sim explains: “I wanted to make something upbeat and danceable to accentuate this feeling of stress and urgency. I also tried to pick synthesizer sounds which seemed to have kind of a lonely quality. For example, the counter melodies in the second verse were inspired by those little musical carousel toys that play chimey lullabies.”

Have a listen to ‘In The Dead Of Night’ below…