Chill out to Modern Atomists’ album, ‘Disco Chilled With A Twist, Vol. 2’

Billy Paul Williams has proven to be one of the most talented and innovative EDM music producers of the modern era. What sets him apart from the rest of the crowd is his innate musical ability and knowledge of multiple genres, effortlessly switching from jazz to hip-hop, deep house to lo-fi – he’s confident and versatile, no matter the medium. Simply put, he’s just so much more musical than most of his contemporaries. Not only a great technician, BPW is a gifted musician who is flawless in his musical choices.

On one of his latest projects, under the guise of Modern Atomists, BPW takes some of the greatest disco hits of all time and reimagines them in the absolute chilliest of ways, bringing his special touch to create ‘Disco Chilled With A Twist.’ Volume 2 of the series features reworks of such deep disco classics as Goldie Alexander’s ‘Knocking Down Love,’ Luther Vandross’ ‘Never Too Much,’ Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes’ ‘The Love I Lost’ and many more vintage tunes from the genre’s golden years. As an added bonus, special remixes of a few tracks that appeared on Volume 1 are added, including an Avant Garde version of ‘Brandy,’ the O’Jays classic, alternative mixes of the Italo Disco hit ‘Love Is Gonna Be On Your Side’ and BPW’s version of Johnny Bristol’s ‘Hang On In There Baby.

Why not take a trip down memory lane with a modern twist below…

Must Listens: Love Won’t Let Me Wait, The Love I Lost

Rapper D’Shaun Taps Producer Benji For EP ‘MDNGHT’

MDNGHT is an EP brought from San Antonio’s D’SHAUN and fellow collaborator, Benji. Texas and Austria connect respectively to bring the 4 piece to your music libraries, filled with nothing but bangers that simultaneously bring smooth vibes along with them. With Benji on the boards, D’Shaun is able to place his full attention to his raps along with mixing and mastering the EP, making sure the project is spicy yet sweet at the same time. DeShaun Jay is the lone feature on the outro ‘God”s Gift’ as both D’Shaun and Jay continue to raise their number of collaborations with one another.

When asked about his and Benji’s relationship, D’Shaun says “I’m pretty sure we met through Instagram a few years back. He is a great producer but even a better dude to just chop it up with, he’s just a real cool dude”. It’s not just “business” between both artists when it comes to collaborating, it’s more of a mutual friendship between two people who happen to be creatives. That relationship makes their art shine even more due to knowing one another on a personal level even if it’s through social media.

“We wanted to see what a whole EP done by us would sound like after he produced some songs on SD2. Even before then, we both agreed to make something spacey and wavy together, Benji really likes spacey sounds”.

MDNGHT stays true to that statement as each track makes you feel like you are floating in the sky, racing through clouds on your own flying nimbus while the project play’s through your headphones.

Hit play on the new EP from both D’Shaun and Benji below…

Must Listens: THE LIFE, 4KEEPS

Song of the Day: Nubian Farlow – Varnish La Piscine

VARNISH LA PISCINE‘s jazz-inflected new single ‘Nubian Farlow’, oozes a lush, sprawling instrumentation, where the young artist glides between smooth bars and vocals in this breezy introduction to the world of Varnish La Piscine.

As visually compelling a storyteller as he is sonically, the release of ‘Nubian Farlow’ is accompanied by a hypnotic visualiser focusing on a chef filleting a bowl of fish. The playful shot is taken from Varnish’s self-directed 4-part short film which is being released episodically in the lead up to his EP release this March.

Both an audio-visual and musical work, the four episodes are inspired by the absurd humour of the Coen brothers and the stylised intricacy of Wes Anderson and were shot over 8 days at a lakeside location with the help of the production company Dissidence. The plot revolves around the lake and its magical fish who, for better or worse, entrance the local population with Varnish himself playing the role of a young fisherman (as well as many other actors, including new-gen French rapper Rounhaa).

‘Nubian Farlow’ is joined on This Lake Is Successful by recent release ‘Ring Island’, with the 7-track project comprised of a form of refined pop made up of diverse influences: rap, bossa nova, electronic synth, surf music, reggae and underpinned by Varnish’s singing and rapping as well as three guest artists Makala, Rico TK and Snubnose Frankenstein.

In the six years since the rapper, producer and singer arrived on the scene, Varnish La Piscine (Jephté Mbisi) has crafted a brilliantly creative universe inspired by his love of the iconic rappers and producers of the 2000s and the decade’s swirling, colourful music videos. Growing up in Switzerland surrounded by a family of music lovers, the music at home swung between his parents’ Congolese beats alongside 90’s greats like Sade, Sting and Phil Collins. But it was his love of the 2000s that made Varnish the artist he is today. Admiration for his first musical hero Pharrell Williams imbued in him the importance of combining creative genius with visual flair and that to create something interesting, you need to be different.

With props from the likes of Tyler the Creator and Pharrell Williams himself; the future looks bright for Varnish La Piscine…have a listen to Nubian Farlow below…

Fly Von Drops Track, Red-Eye Interlude (ft. BlixxxMel)

When I hit the play button on FLY VON‘s latest joint, ‘Red-Eye Interlude’, featuring BlixxxMel, I was pleasantly taken back.

Known for his braggadocious beats, the DMV rapper slams down some sweet, melodic chants, which is lit up by his by peppery flow.

Why not check it out before you go…

Tayah Shares Blissful Single, ‘Momentary High.’

West London singer-songwriter TAYAH comes through with a smooth, delicate and fresh sound, coming in the form of latest single, ‘Momentary High.’

Produced by Super Beats (IAMDDB) and mastered by Jacob Cardinal (A$AP FERG, ROSALÍA, Charlie Puth), ‘Momentary High’ encapsulates a beautiful approach to rest. The laid-back rhythm and mesmerising vocals encourage staying in the moment and taking a breath.

Tayah shares, “I wrote “momentary high” during a time where I was advised to take time off and away to build back my physical and mental health. I started to delve into art and sound therapy, and created a song that reflected adapting to this change in pace, and breathing through it.”

Born and raised in West London, Tayah is an artist at the fulcrum of an evolving R&B scene, making music that tells her story her way. Having performed at venues such as The Southbank, Lovebox Festival, and Notting Hill Carnival, as well as airplay on UK radio, Tayah has garnered plaudits among her peers and audiences.

Tayah combines unique and experimental sounds with her lyricism and cites icons such as Patrice Rushen, Slum Village, Missy Elliot, and Mary J. Blige as pivotal influences in her music. ‘Momentary High’ follows the release of dual single & visual ‘Is It Me, Hennessy?’, ‘8 ’Til Late’ and her debut EP ‘Wonderer Of The West’, which introduced her distinct lyrical and storytelling prowess.

Why not have a listen to Tayah’s latest single below…