New Track: U R My High – Astro Raw

 ASTRO RAW – aka Lucas Goodman and one half of New York-based duo Lion Babe – has unleashed his mixtape ‘rawmix vol 1’ earlier this month, with the release of ‘U R My High’.

The track is the first to be taken from the 14-track mixtape, which showcases ASTRO RAW’s one of a kind production credentials and his infectious, genre defying sounds which seamlessly mix R&B, hip-hop, soul, funk and dance to sultry effect. Featuring exclusive mixes – including reworked versions of tracks from the likes of Wiz Khalifa, Busta Rhymes and Alicia Keys – and rounded off with brand new remixes of the popular Lion Babe’s tracks ‘Treat Me Like Fire’ and ‘Jungle Lady’.

Performing across the world as a part of Lion Babe, ASTRO RAW has also delivered show-stopping DJ sets at prestigious events such as ELLE Style Awards, Whitney Museum’s Art Party, Bestival’s Party on the Moon and PAPER magazine x Ketel One Vodka, whilst as an in-demand DJ across the New York night scene he regularly performs popular sets at the cool, hot-spot Miss Lily’s.

Earlier this year, Lion Babe released their latest single ‘Rockets’ ft Moe Moks, set to appear on their forthcoming new EP which will be their first commercial release since their critically celebrated debut studio album ‘Begin’. ‘Begin’ was released last year and featured collaborations with the likes of Pharrell Williams and Childish Gambino and career-defining tracks such as ‘Treat Me Like Fire’ and ‘Jump Hi’. Last year they released the electrifying mixtape ‘Sun Joint’ which coincided with their first headline US tour and a string of international festival performances, including Glastonbury, Reading & Leeds.

New Track: You – Rainbow Shark

Produced in the shadows of railway arches in their adopted home of Camberwell, South London, RAINBOW SHARK unveiled their new single ‘You’.

Their four-minute offering boasts merging contemporary electronic soundscapes coupled with elements of murky Bristol soul and haunting guest vocals, provided by Scandi songstress Monceyron.

Since first joining forces on a colourless Manchester afternoon, Jack Levy and Bill Wright have enjoyed glowing praise for both their recorded and live work. This first offering of 2017 sees the pair explore a more sultry side to their songwriting, following on from November’s ‘Level With Me’ – hotly tipped by the likes of Record of the Day, Gary Crowley at BBC Introducing and Amazing Radio.

‘You’ is available now on all major music platforms…have a listen to their latest offering.

Album Review: Reason Or Rhyme – Midnight Mystery Club

Just on the preview alone (which I discovered at the start of the year), David Newell and Michael Gray – aka MIDNIGHT MYSTERY CLUB – really cause a stir and kept fans and tastemakers on the edge of their seats with the release of their (obviously) highly anticipated album, entitled ‘Reason or Rhyme’, released last Friday.

A summer-hazy electronic/dance drive dominates the ten-track set, with elements of downtempo funk creeping in just before the second half of the album, before making its occasional presence well and truly known, for an even more pleasurable listen.

‘Reason or Rhyme’ was certainly worth the wait and – seriously – I cannot fault these guy’s production – it’s five stars from me!

Must Listens: Richest Man In The World, Orange County, Reason or Rhyme, Alright (Album Remix).

EP Review: Slow Burn – Wolf Kash

It’s pretty hard to conceive that last Christmas, 24-year-old producer Jordan Saward and his 14-year-old brother Harry – otherwise known as WOLF KASH –  came up with compositions that are so complex, forming their debut EP, ‘Slow Burn’, released late last month.

The four-track set is on par with Model’s ’86 EP, ‘When You Realise…’, as it possesses (at times) insanely juxtaposed electronic rhythmic overtones, carried by a mammoth downtempo drive, giving each production that alternative dance/soulful-ish vibe. Quite ingenious really; it’ll be great to see the duo’s next move.

Take a step into the unexpected and sample ‘Slow Burn’ EP.

Must Listens: Slow Burn, Why Bother.

New Track: Douchka – No Reason (ft. Hi Levelz)

After their collaboration with ‘This Mood’, producer DOUCHKA hooks up with rapper Hi Levelz again for the new single ‘No Reason’.

Full of bold textures, the track will lift you up with a chorus made of organic brasses and choirs, before giving way to the fluid and catchy flow of Hi Levelz.

Speaking of his latest banger, DOUCHKA said: “No Reason, was made in a similar way to ‘Call You Mine’ with Lia. I sent the beat to Hi Levelz in the morning and played it later that evening  with a draft version in Bordeaux. The next day, I had a dozen of messages from people who wanted to know where the track was available because they recognised Hi Levelz’s voice as they heard it on ‘This Mood’ a few months earlier.”

‘No Reason’ is from DOUCHKA‘s EP ‘Infantile’, set for release on 21st April via Nowadays Records…look out for that – but for now, lift up your Thursday and have a listen to this slammer.