Never Change was born out of the creativity and originality of devout music enthusiasts – singer GIZELLA and producer OBSIDIAN CANE. Boasting a fusion of their unique styles, which defies the traditional genres boundaries, ‘Never Change’ is out today (31st January) on various music platforms.
With their latest offering, it’s very clear that the pair are not just churning out music for the sake of it; instead they openly invite the listener to experience a piece of their artistry and vision. Obsidian Cane introduces a mellow drive of Drum n Bass, In ‘Never Change’ laying the perfect foundation to allow the prospective listeners to be compelled by the vulnerability of Gizella’s 3-octave vocal range.
‘Never Change’ may be an unlikely union on paper, as one may immediately think a vocal range suited in a classical setting has no place in the rave scene. However in reality, the two musical styles create a euphoric experience – a contrasting sound that’s unmistakably and unapologetically theirs.
Debuting on P.I.M.P Records in 1998 with the vinyl release of ‘Express Yourself,’ Gizella made a name for herself in the UK Underground Garage dance scene. Evolving as a versatile vocalist & singer-songwriter performing across a wide spectrum of genres – including Hip Hop, EDM, Drum n Bass, and Dubstep – Gizella has gained a well-earned reputation as a vocal chameleon and storyteller and has collaborated with various artists including Korostyle, Juleunique, Mizimo, Experimental Feelings and Ronny Becher.
Hailing from London, Obsidian Cane has produced music for artists signed to Warner Bros, EMI and Parlophone as well as producing music for TV shows on Channel 4, BBC1 and BBC2. He scored a club hit, ‘I Need A Rhythm’ as UKG duo KP and currently performs live with KP featuring Ferraz at events such as 51st state Festival, House of Silk. A Music Technology Graduate, Obsidian Cane bravely fuses R&B, Funk & Hip-Hop elements with electronic rhythms to create distinctive UK Garage, R&B/Hip Hop & Drum and Bass songs.
Their union is nothing short of a miracle: after producing music for 20 years, Obsidian Cane decided to quit. However, he made a return to the industry eight years ago, when the digital age gave musicians the opportunity to be fully independent. On a search for a female vocalist, he asked an old school friend, who told him about a singer who rides a bike every morning, singing angelically. Contact details were exchanged through the friend and the rest was history. It turns out the singer riding on the bike every morning was Gizella and the singing was her vocal exercise!
Now the pair unveil their new single ‘Never Change’ which gives a glimpse into their new-found collaboration that challenges the prospective listener’s musical horizon. ‘Never Change’ is out today, 31st January.
Why not start your weekend right and listen below…
Australian-based pop powerhouse JESS BALL is kicking off 2025 with her latest single, ‘Nightmare’, marking her second release since signing with London-based Project Melody Music (Owen Cutts, Monster Florence, The Big Pink).
A dynamic follow-up to last year’s acclaimed single ‘That Way’, Jess’s latest offering delivers an edgier pop-packed experience that delves into the struggles of finding one’s place in life and the uncertainty of what lies ahead.
Jess shares: “‘Nightmare’ reflects the trial and error of making life decisions, the self-doubt that comes with it, and the human tendency to desire the unattainable. It’s about feeling trapped in your ambitions while navigating the uncertainty of what lies ahead.”
Serving a strong bassline and groove-driven production, ‘Nightmare’ is a pop anthem for the modern grind, blending urgency and allure through textured distortion, siren-like soundscapes, and layers of hook-driven pop melodies. Jess’s distinctive low, honey-toned vocals glide effortlessly over the track’s pulsating rhythm, dripping with frustration and self-deprecating sarcasm.
For fans of Olivia Dean, Dua Lipa, and Tove Lo, Jess Ball is proving she’s a rising star in the global pop arena, bringing a fresh voice and dynamic energy to the scene.
Jess Ball is a Melbourne-based Australian singer-songwriter who began her love affair with music in 2009 at 11 years old. Her distinct sound blends influences from pop, indie rock, and hip-hop, drawing inspiration from artists such as Cigarettes After Sex, Olivia Dean, and Massive Attack, shaping Jess’s unique approach to indie pop.
In 2020, Jess made waves with her third release, ‘I Found You (Neptune)’ in collaboration with EDX. The track soared to Number 1 on the Future House Beatport charts and reached Number 38 on SiriusXM’s Electro top songs of the year, accumulating over 20 million streams.
Since signing with London-based Project Melody Music in 2024, Jess has continued to rise, with her first single under the label, ‘That Way’ garnering multiple Spotify and Apple Music editorial placements, including Pop Drive, Pop n’ Fresh, and New Music Daily, and expanding her reach to a global audience.
With a loyal fan base and a reputation for her captivating originals, covers and live performances Jess Ball is setting the stage for an extraordinary 2025.
‘Nightmare’ is out today (24 January) on all streaming platforms. Why not have a listen below…
In response to a collective groan that could be heard amongst commuters as they return to a place of grind after a carefree weekend, multidisciplinary artist LOVE, BUILDER OF WORLDS has shared a soothing remedy, forming the single ‘Commuter’s Commitment/Mundane Mondays’, available now across various music platforms.
‘Commuter’s Commitment/Mundane Mondays’ offers itself as a reprieve from the cacophony of chaos that is the commute, and serves the listener as a friendly accompaniment of comfort on those seemingly endless mundane Mondays and the days that follow.
The lo-fi jazz instrumental is inspired by the infamous London commute the anti-binary artist grew up deeply entrenched in; acutely aware of its adornments of delays, overcrowded platforms, stuffy and sometimes sweltering heat, and of course its ear piercing symphony of screeches.
Now residing in Ireland’s vibrant capital Dublin, Love, Builder Of Worlds also prides the composition as an anti-capitalist song for the worker. Briefly interrupted by a voice, the single pull us out of the wistful daze and remind us that the shareholders of the corporations we toil for matter much more than our desperate need for work/life balance.
‘Commuter’s Commitment/Mundane Mondays’ follows Love Builder Of World’s debut single, punk rock anthem ‘Scared For The Climate’, which sits at the opposite end of the musical spectrum. While ‘Scared For The Climate’ was filled with angst and furore, ‘Commuter’s Commitment/Mundane Mondays’ conveys the weight of its sentiments wordlessly, and the listener is invited to find a soft landing against the frenzied familiar.
An avid campaigner for the voiceless Love, Builder of Worlds, is part of Olólúfè Collective, which offers a safe space for marginalised people to create, collaborate and practice collectivism. With this platform, he is able to express himself freely and unapologetically, through music – whether its punk rock, neo-funk, disco, blues, afrobeats, alté, indie-electro pop and garage music.
With two contrasting singles – a raucous anthem and a tranquil instrumental – under his musical belt, Love, Builder Of Worlds displays a natural aptitude to utilise multiple music styles to demonstrate the breadth of self-expression and concerns of the world’s biggest issues.
‘Commuter’s Commitment/Mundane Mondays’ was released on 25th November 2024 on various music platforms.
Swedish EDM artist HANDSHAKE IN SPACE wrapped up 2024 with an electrifying and motivational new release, ‘Let’s Control It’. Packed with energy, emotion, and an uplifting message, this track is an anthem of self-empowerment and resilience.
‘Let’s Control It’ is a dynamic blend of melodic EDM and heartfelt lyrics. The verses build a narrative of finding strength in difficult moments and supporting each other through life’s challenges:
“I was lost, you were always there To teach me the very right way It’s my turn to take that role And I know, you won’t fall to the hole”
The chorus bursts into an empowering call to action, urging listeners to face their fears and take charge:
“Now, let’s control it With no more fear And now, let’s control it Go ahead and say”
The track balances introspective, emotional verses with an explosive, uplifting drop. The combination of pulsating beats and a catchy, melodic hook creates an irresistible energy that is perfect for both the dancefloor and moments of personal reflection. HANDSHAKE IN SPACE’s signature production style shines through, blending atmospheric elements with a driving rhythm to deliver a powerful listening experience.
He said of his latest release: “‘Let’s Control It’ is more than a song—it’s a message of hope and empowerment. It speaks to the strength within each of us, encouraging listeners to take control of their lives and overcome challenges. With lyrics like ‘I know you won’t fall to this hole,’ the track resonates deeply with anyone looking for motivation to rise above.
‘Let’s Control It’ is now available across various music platforms. Have a listen below…
It’s an absolute pleasure to introduce MARINA MASSANOVA.
Known for her quirky pop and alt-rap singles that are arguably controversial, the German-based singer/songwriter has recently released the video for single ‘Aberrations’, which is currently the blog’s Music Video of the Month. The video contains striking visuals with wonderfully bizarre hidden meanings, so I caught up with Maria to reveal all…
NLM: Hey, thank you for taking part in an interview with NEW LEASE MUSIC. How is 2024 treating you so far?
MM: Hi Tracey, it’s so nice to connect with you!
2024 kicked off in a rather sneaky way. One part of the world was plunged into darkness—remember the total solar eclipse on April 8? It really hit me then how tiny we are in the universe.
But here’s the thing: despite feeling so small, I’ve witnessed so much beauty this year—in music, art, and everything people have created. It makes me wonder if we might actually be quite unique beings among all those distant, rocky planets.
I’m here, fully alive, soaking in millions of shades of emotions every day, savoring delicious burritos, listening to Cola Rammë’s voice notes, and watching the rain fall. 2024, thank you for all of that!
NLM: You released the video for single, ‘Aberrations’, with Cola Rammë back in October. What’s the concept behind the production?
MM: Innocence and perversion—even if we hesitate to admit it, these two forces are always connected within us. Cola and I dared to express this truth openly and provocatively, challenging the minds of our listeners. People often find the truth unsettling, especially the things they’d rather not think about for more than a fleeting moment. These are the thoughts they only entertain late at night, when no one else can guess what’s going on in their heads.
But there are no ‘bad’ thoughts. Our brains are simply processing pieces of information in strange and absurd ways—and that’s okay. It’s normal to think about forbidden things and dream bold dreams. Our minds are just testing what feels comfortable and what doesn’t. In the end, it’s what we choose to do with those thoughts that defines who we are. That final decision is what truly matters.
NLM: What inspired you to come up with the idea?
MM: It all began with a chilling nightmare experienced by my co-writer, Cola Rammë. In this dream, I was transformed into a terrifying monster relentlessly hunting him. Maybe that’s just how his inner self sees me!🤭 The nightmare itself was horrifying, but what really haunted Cola was a mysterious song that played on a loop in the background. Upon waking, he quickly captured that haunting melody, “stealing” it straight from his nightmare. That melody became the foundation of the song ‘Aberrations’.
When it came time to create the video, we couldn’t resist revisiting that unsettling dream. Aberrations isn’t just a video—it’s an invitation to step inside Cola’s nightmare. We brought to life the disturbing imagery from his dream, plunging viewers into a surreal and terrifying landscape where the line between reality and horror is beautifully blurred.
NLM: Man, you look like you were having a lot of fun in the video! During filming, were there any funny/awkward moments you would like to share?
MM: Absolutely! Picture this: a peaceful rural German village, where parents, kids, and the elderly are all enjoying a lovely day by the lake. The sun is setting, it’s warm and serene. Suddenly, Marina appears, with scary makeup, a Medusa crown, and a latex corset, diving into the water. I’d say they were definitely curious about what was going on.
Meanwhile, Cola, who had bought a bunch of dolls from a thrift shop, was all set to destroy them. But honestly, the way he did it was the most artistic destruction I’ve ever seen. Of course, he captured everything on camera for our video.
If I could tell little Marina what my future job would be, I think she’d be pretty excited!
NLM: What is the public perception of the video so far?
MM: The phrase I heard most often was, “This video is so artistic!” What’s even more exciting is that the video was selected to be showcased in the movie theatre at Berlin’s “Support Local Music” event. The creator of the event told me that the video was so captivating that he completely forgot to take the usual photos during the screening—he was absolutely absorbed in the narrative. And it didn’t stop there—many others said it was crazy and described it as a mysterious puzzle that needed to be solved. It’s truly unbelievable how many people were drawn to it!
NLM: If you had the chance to feature a famous actor or musician in the video, who would it be and why?
MM: The only thing that could make this video even more macabre would be featuring Marilyn Manson in it. I truly believe that if he had the chance to see it, he’d enjoy it too. When I was a teenager, I dreamt of marrying him, and I still feel his influence in the work I do today. He’s such an incredible artist!
NLM: Are you closing off 2024 with any of your solo work?
MM: I know a lot of people are eagerly waiting for my punkish, wild solo songs—and I’ve got three new ones! I’m keeping them under wraps while Santa’s still flying around, so he won’t be too shocked and I can get my good-girl presents. But as soon as that old grandpa heads back to the North Pole, I’ll put them into production. And oh, oh! It’s going to be something pretty wild.
NLM: What plans do you have in store for 2025?
MM: Hmm, let’s make them together. I think I’m ready to welcome new people into my music community. Right now, it’s a bit of a secret project, shared only among fearless music seekers. But I know how my beloved fans listen to my songs relentlessly, and it would be selfish to keep it all within our circle.
So why not invite some exciting new people in? Every soul brings something unique to the project. I believe music isn’t just about the artist—it’s about the whole community that grows and evolves together. Let’s do it! I’m ready to step out from my introverted side. That sounds like a plan to me!
NLM: How can potential fans find you?
MM: You can easily find me as Marina Massanova on all streaming platforms, socials, and everywhere else. I’m eager to meet you 🖤
NLM: Finally, any special shout outs to those involved in producing ‘Aberrations’ video?
There were only 3 people involved in creating the video. I filmed my scenes in Berlin with the incredibly talented videographer Nataly Dimitrieva, while Cola captured his intense shots in Newark all on his own. When it was time to put it all together, I took on the editing, and that’s when it all came to life!
The simplicity of the team paired with the complexity and mystery of the final result is something I’m so proud of. I couldn’t be more thankful to have worked with such talented, out-of-this-world people. This experience is truly a reason to be alive on this planet!
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