R &B newcomer JAYDE RIANNIA‘s new single ‘Own It’ is an upbeat song about lust and ambitions, reminding an admirer to keep the fantasy alive. The aspiring singer-songwriter fuses R&B, Neo Soul, and Reggae to create her unique sound.
The dynamic production and assertive lyrics strikes a chord with listeners of both genders and can also be interpreted as a call to female empowerment. As the lyric reads:
“I’m the apple of your eye, no telling me that it’s a lie, you know it. You can’t resist me, one of a kind, just like fine wine, just own it.”
Jayde Riannia’s love of music began whilst growing up in a household of diverse personalities, where she was introduced to a wide range of music genres to which she would always sing along to. After many years of being complimented for her vocals, Jayde was motivated to start writing her own songs, fusing her passion of creative writing and singing.
Her debut single ‘Be Free’ remix, released in 2022, was supported and praised by many, including plays on BBC 1Xtra by DJ Target.
With her sound is described as a mix of Summer Walker and Steflon Don, Jayde is embarking on her music career with a collaborative and humble mindset, aiming to be recognised as a feel-good musician who is always true to herself. Have a listen to ‘Own It’ below…
Rising neo-pop/R&B artist GROOVY returns with the release of his intoxicating Jersey Club single ‘BADGURL’. The breakthrough act taps into the cultural phenomenon that put 2000’s R&B on the map, channeling love, lust and desire as he shares his ode dedicated to all the ladies who are looking to set themselves free by embracing their wild side. GROOVY’s vocals are easy on the ears, gracefully crossing between genres as go-to producer Alejandro flexes his ability to take a smooth slice of Y2K R&B and morph it into an ambitious Jersey Club anthem. Booming staple triplet drums, velvety sampled vocals and hypnotic keys swirl together to create a world fuelled by steamy passion, one that is sure to draw listeners in upon first listen.
The sophisticated badgurl anthem is accompanied by an official music video directed by Chris Andrade. The cult-inspired visual follows a beautiful girl who yearns for sexual empowerment and freedom. She stumbles across a magazine ad calling for all badgurls and decides to call the number listed. Soon after, she finds herself at an eerie warehouse surrounded by a group of alluring women dressed in black cloaks. GROOVY makes his entrance as the charismatic leader figure, and the two share a drink from a chalice, symbolizing the indoctrination of the newest badgurl.
‘BAD GURL’ follows the Union native’s latest release “jersey luv,” which was praised by media tastemakers around the world including BET, Mixtape Madness and more. The track also landed placements on top editorial playlists, including Spotify’s Fresh Finds, Fresh Finds Hip-Hop and Apple Music’s The New New York. Keep an eye out for GROOVY as he continues to shine with his eclectic blend of neo-pop, R&B, and house while solidifying himself as one to watch in 2023.
Pop/rock artist and four octave range goddess JORDAN DUFFY‘s brand new single, ‘Wonder Woman’, is all about taking back your power, and realizing you can accomplish whatever you set your mind to in life. Jordan confides, “Everyone puts on their own armor to face the world and at the end of a long day this is the perfect song to throw on and dance your heart out to.”
Originally from Massachusetts, the Los-Angeles based powerhouse is known for her fun and important musical releases touching upon subjects including heart break, female empowerment, exploding toads, one night stands, and zombie lovers. At 18 years old, her first professional show was opening for The Allman Brothers Band guitarist Dickie Betts. It was in college when she discovered her four octave range while studying and performing Opera. She continued her education and landed her role as the first female audio engineer at Earwolf/Stitcher Podcasts. There she has had the opportunity to sing to Weird Al Yankovic, do her own rendition of ‘Total Eclipse of the Fart’ on ‘The Office Ladies’, and is the vocalist for the “Just Between Us” Podcast theme song.
An upbeat pop rock anthem that will sure boost your mood, ‘Wonder Woman’ was released last Thursday (30th March). Have a listen below…
RLYBLONDE– the project of Brooklyn-based multidisciplinary artist Carina Allen – is making her musical debut with the release of her first single, ‘Fantasy,’ out on all streaming platforms today.
While this may be her debut as a singer-songwriter, rlyblonde is no stranger to the music industry. The New York-based twenty-something has long been the go-to photographer, videographer and creative director for numerous musicians. After years of supporting other artists and friends’ visions, she decided to put down the camera and pick up the guitar for a change.
rlyblonde’s well-established visual world is given new dimension with the launch of her music project. In addition to handling all of the songwriting and creative planning, she has also overseen the conception, production and direction of the music video (out February 17th), and collaborated with friends to plan out and shoot her own artwork and imagery.
Her introductory single, ‘Fantasy,’ flickers between gritty alt-rock and serene, melodic pop. Lyrically, the song echoes the familiar themes of heartbreak, identity and growth that can also be seen in her past self-portraiture and personal photography work.
“‘Fantasy’ is really about being frustrated with dating culture and the performances that women (especially women dating men) have to put on, almost out of necessity, until it hits a point where it all becomes too draining,” she explains. “At the same time, it’s also a song about the power of women, the power of illusion and seduction, the power of confidence, and the power of being anonymous.”
rlyblonde will be unveiling the ‘Fantasy’ music video at her debut performance at Heaven Can Wait in New York on 17th February…but for now, have a listen to the single below…
Ahead of the release of her deluxe album ‘CH III: The Come Up’, released yesterday (24th January), multifaceted Canadian powerhouse and visionary STORRY generated quite a buzz after linking up with Stormzy on the titular track of his album ‘This Is What I Mean’, lending her indelible vocal talents to the capstone of the British hip-hop scene.
The prowess that has defined STORRY’s irresistible artistry to date is given a pedestal on the track, with her operatic vocals perfectly complementing the grandiose that has catapulted Stormzy to the top of the charts in the past half decade. Her angelic vibrato pierces through an instrumental that sounds like a march up a mountain, complimenting the sense of urgency that Stormzy exudes as he refuses to descend from the summit.
The album’s release is accompanied by a premiere video spotlighting STORRY alongside a star-studded cast of collaborators such as P2J, Sampha and Jacob Collier, attaching her face to the posterboard of prodigies and mainstays who base themselves in and around London. The Toronto native will also be named on the LP’s list of creative contributors.
Speaking on her role on the project, STORRY details: “I had met and worked with P2J on several tracks before – previously writing and recording together – including singing operatic vocals on Burna Boy’s Grammy Award Winning ‘Alarm Clock’. When I first moved to London, P2J called me back in for some more of that operatic sauce. Though hot sauce isn’t the main part of the meal – it definitely adds that extra kick. So, I’m excited to play a part in this collaborative record. There are so many amazing artists on this new album. What I love about Stormzy – besides his obvious musical talent – is his kindness and care for inclusivity and equity. You can see that with his collaborators and team. I too am working to build an inclusive safe space in the industry that I never felt I had – especially for womxn, POC and queer folx. I’ve met a lot of my idols and they would often disappoint me as humans. I’m happy to say that Stormzy holds to his name and that is something I stand by.”
With this feature, STORRY is receiving a huge kickstart in light of the arrival of her forthcoming deluxe album , a brutally honest and unapologetic effort that equates the misogynistic devaluement of the sex industry to that of the music world. The tracklist amounts to an adamant call for the respect of women in all facets, emphasising the strength of their resolve against oppression through presenting stories withheld by herself and other women in order to display the people that they are rather than the flesh that surrounds their bones. The concept album was written, produced and funded in its entirety per her own accord and earned a 2021 JUNO Award nomination alongside Alanis Morrissette and Celine Dion.
STORRY elaborates on the album: “CH III: The Come Up is a record about a woman trying to leave the sex-industry – which she was coerced into – and get into the music industry, only to realise that both are equally misogynistic and problematic. She grapples with her relationship with her mother, family, romantic relationships, money and her career. That woman is me.”
Whether working out of Toronto or London, STORRY lets the candidness of her craft speak for itself. Refusing to confine herself to a box, she hops in and out of niches from hip hop and reggae to opera and musical theatre, all coming together to hold female empowerment to a bright light with a gritty and enigmatic presence that cannot be shunned.
STORRY’s deluxe version of ‘CH III: The Come Up’ was released yesterday (24th January). Have a listen to this stunning collection below…
Must Listens: Bow Down, I Don’t Wanna Get High, Suburban Bitches, A Lost Find, Wanna Get High (Junia-T Remix)
New Lease Music 