Tag: Country music

Song of the Day: Without Me – Celine Ellis

Hailing from Northamptonshire (UK), accomplished singer-songwriter and independent recording artist CELINE ELLIS has 20 years of songwriting tucked under her belt and has been around a block or two, and down enough roads to have a few stories to tell. Songs like ‘Without Me’ and ‘Fallen Angel’ show us just how deeply Celine see’s the world, and she conveys this with such honesty and grit. ‘Drive On Through’ shows us her adventurous, playful side, and really brings home that catchy, singable chorus that defines any road trip playlist.

‘Without Me’ is the latest of Celine’s original releases and will be the lead single on her brand new EP being announced soon. Inspired by a quote written by a friend on Facebook, Celine was encouraged to confront a previous breakup and write what she had wanted to say all those moments ago…

Echoing the melancholy of the lyrics with a stripped back arrangement, the track demonstrates a gentle vulnerability and delivers a pensive look at this situation.

Have a listen to ‘Without Me’ – and I guarantee you that this stunning single will grab your heart from the very start.

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New Lease Music’s Top Ten Songs of 2021

NEW LEASE MUSIC presents the Top Ten Songs of 2021, completing the top ten list series for now.

Here you’ll find a real eclectic mix of genres – so whatever you’re into, I’m very confident you’ll find it here!

Wishing you guys a great weekend and I hope you enjoy the list.

10. RETAIL THERAPY – TILLY VALENTINE

9. SAY MY NAME – THEO TAMS

8. SILVER LINING – THE MYSTERY PLAN (FT. BIG SUPREME)

7. HINT OF PINK – REALMA

6. 2840 – STRUGGLE


5. LOVE & FREQUENCIES – BOY NASH

4. CELINÉ AND THE BLUE – CRAVE LOVE

3. BABY ONE MORE TIME – GENA PERALA

2. I NEED YOU – CAITLIN MIN FA

1. KISSES – CHLOE CATTELL

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REVIEW: HASTEN MERCY – HEAD FAKE’S MICHAEL BAKER

Fusing indie pop with influences of country and folk music may seem like an odd partnership on paper for many, but this is what fundamentally makes up Toronto artist Michael Baker’s three-piece project, ‘Hasten Mercy.’

The haziness of the 80’s inspired synths softly poke through the hazy backdrop introduces the EP through the single ‘Star You Are.’ The guitar rounds up the three-and-a-half production, giving off a rich Americana sound.

With the driving grit of the electro bassline being the main feature, the second offering, ‘These Things’ (personally) more takes on a trippy downtempo tone, contributed by the woeful presence from the piano and violins.

Offering an appealing imitate setting, the artist invites us into his world through the final single, ‘I Break Everything’. He uses a vocal instrument to give a wholesome folk ballad that works perfectly against the soft electronic backdrop.

Michael Baker, who is the man behind the moniker Hasten Mercy, is known for pushing the boundaries to the extreme when it comes to experimenting with different genres. His solo project is a true testimony of his ability to merge unlikely genres into a very pleasing collection. All three singles have a solid potential for commanding regular attention on contemporary radio stations.

Have a listen to Hasten Mercy’s mini collection below…

Must Listens: I Break Everything, These Things

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Gena Perala Puts A Spin On Britany Spears’ Hit, ‘ Baby One More Time’

Following her string of the pop covers earlier this year, which includes, Miley Cyrus’, ‘We Can’t Stop’ and Whitney Houston’s ‘I Wanna Dance With Somebody’, GENA PERALA circles back with another cover, this time taking on Britany Spears’ ‘Baby One More Time’

Recorded in her ‘home studio’ – only using a microphone and a laptop – Gena adds a smooth country twang to the 90’s pop classic, which pays homage to the #freebritney movement, a fan-led social media campaign which supports the Queen of Pop’s liberation from her conservatorship. Britany’s conservatorship was finally terminated last Friday (12th November), after 13 years under her father’s control.

Have a listen to Gena’s version of ‘Baby One More Time below…

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EP Review: Away From The City – Melanie Crew & Ross Palmer

MELANIE CREW and ROSS PALMER have been performing together for several years but EP, ‘Away from the City’ is their first release as a duo. The EP features six songs, three by each writer, and was produced at their home in south London, including two songs that were written and recorded during lockdown (‘Nobody’s Watching’ and A ‘Different Place’).

Melanie leads the way on the EP with the purest of vocals, later supported by a male light baritone performance in guitar-led piece, ‘Seven Mountains’, setting the intimate theme of the collection. BBC Essex/Kent-backed artist went on to add a real mystical glow to spellbinding ‘Holborn Hill’ and ‘A different Place’, which boasts warm glow of country/indie folk.

Also beginning with a stripped-back performance with guitar-led, ‘Restless Heart’, Ross then takes the EP on a slight soulful route, giving the acoustic theme a full-body sound in ‘Nobody’s Watching’, where his soothing vocals eases into the arrangements, that somehow has a revival, Dr. Hook twang. Ross – also a BBC Essex and BBC Kent-approved artist – concludes the set with ‘Darkest England’ which carries on that full-bodied sound to the almost stripped performance, which allows his rich storytelling to take centre stage.

Even if you’re not the greatest fan of the folkore, singer/songwriter approach, you will find the ‘Away from the City’ appeasing as the moment you hit play the set, there’s a comforting warmth that immediately releases any weighty troubles away. Hear for yourself; have a listen below…

Must Listen: Holborn Hill, Nobody’s Watching, Darkest England

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