Song of the Day: Summer Lovin’ – D’Still

Following the success of his recent UK Garage collaboration ‘Bag Down’, D’STIL returns to his R&B roots with his new single ‘Summer Lovin’.

The Birmingham born singer-songwriter/producer is back doing what he does best with this fun, feel-good love song that marks the beginning of Summer 2020. Reminiscent of late 90s/early noughties R&B, ‘Summer Lovin’ boasts an infectious guitar hook, soulful vocals and playful romantic lyrics. The feel-good vibes don’t stop there as it is accompanied by a heartwarming home-made music video which celebrates the togetherness (albeit in lockdown) we have all felt during the past couple of months. Shot by fans, friends and family during lockdown, the sun-drenched video seems to echo the mood of the nation perfectly as it portrays us Brits who are determined to still enjoy their summer while adhering to social-distancing rules.

With this release, D’Stil hopes to capture the nation’s spirit at a time where mental-resilience, solidarity and the feeling of togetherness have been most needed. Adding some more context to the release, D’Stil explains:

“I’ve been shielding indoors the whole-time during lockdown and the one thing I miss is the feeling of Summer. So, it feels right to be putting out the track I enjoyed writing and recording the most! It’s a Summer tonic with hints of hope, and a warm light at the end of this tunnel we’re all in.”

Since moving to London from Birmingham in 2016, D’Stil has collaborated with various London rappers and singers, with such releases supported by BBC Introducing, BBC London, Rinse FM, RWD, Wordplay and Reprezent. After an exciting 2019 for Red Side Records (which he co-owns), including supporting Artful Dodger, D’Stil set his sets on a highly anticipated second EP to follow his debut, 2019’s ‘By Your Side’.

Check out the video for ‘Summer Lovin’ below…

Oxlade Shares New Track ‘DKT’

Following his feature on Skip Marley’s single, ‘Slow Down’, alongside Davido and H.E.R, rising Afropop star OXLADE slams down his brand new summer ready joint, ‘DKT (Dis Kind Thing)’. Intricately layered with Afrobeats and soulful R&B, the Spax-produced track is topped off by Nigerian-born Oxlade’s distinctively soulful vocals.

‘DKT’ follows his critically acclaimed EP ‘Oxygene’ which generated over 25 million streams across all platforms since its release back in March of this year.

Check out ‘DKT’ below…

RVDICAL THE KID LINKS UP WITH AMAARAE FOR NEW SINGLE ‘NASA’, ANNOUNCES SOPHOMORE EP ‘LITTLE PLANET’

With over two million streams under his belt, critical acclaim and support from the likes of Pigeons & Planes, FACT Magazine, Soulection, Indieshuffle, BandCamp and The Native Magazine, as well as recent production credits for rising stars such as Amaarae, Tems, Maesu, and Nonso Amadi, Beninois-Ghanaian producer, DJ and artist RVDICAL THE KID has unveiled his long-awaited Carte Blanche follow-up and highly anticipated sophomore project titled Little Planet.

To be released via Platoon this Friday (14th August), Rvdical’s Little Planet EP is backed by his new single ‘Nasa’, which features Ghanaian songstress and producer AMAARAE, who has been having a breakthrough year of her own, with recent support from Apple Music, The FADER, NPR and Hypebeast, among others. ‘Nasa’ marks the fourth joint effort from the two frequent collaborators Rvdical and Amaarae, who have been working together since 2017.

Speaking about the inspiration behind ‘Nasa’, Rvdical The Kid says: “It is a fun record I made with nothing particular in mind other than the pursuit of the exhilarating feeling of creating. The process of creating the record almost felt like an acid trip, flowing through synths, drums and foley that carefully landed me on a very ethereal and spacey and beat. My love for contrast and juxtaposition informed the almost obnoxious pitch screwed bass that drives the entire record”.

Have a listen below…

 

Song of the Day: Lazy Light (Remix) – Mieko Shimizu

Remixed by Mercury Prize winner Mike Lindsay (Tunng) and co-written with William D Drake of The Cardiacs, MIEKO SHIMIZU‘s single, ‘Lazy Light’, goes on a laid-back journey through a smoke-filled landscape.

The track opens with pitch bending guitars, much like Connan Mockasin or Mac DeMarco and simmers down into a super chilled stoner backbeat. Mieko’s easy liquid style, backed by haunting vocals from William D Drake create a cocktail perfect for a lazy, hazy summer afternoon with nowhere to go and nothing to do.

Mieko and her brother, Yasuaki Shimizu (also a critically acclaimed artist), arrived in London with a singular goal in mind – to subvert all expectations of a Japanese female artist. A statement of intent, Mieko broke into the UK electronic movement under the moniker of Apache 61, garnering plays by John Peel and quickly building a name across the underground scene dominated by male contemporaries. She soon signed to Haruomi Hosono’s (Yellow Magic Orchestra) label releasing her eponymous album and led to her remixing tracks for YMO. She is an enigmatic live performer and has supported the likes of Goldfrapp, Massive Attack with Riz MC at their Meltdown Festival and with Kraftwerk at Sonar, Barcelona.

‘Lazy Light’ is taken from her album, ‘I Bloom’ released earlier this year… have a listen below…

New artist Alex Frew establishes his arrival with ‘Get Out Alive’ visualiser

Canadian singer-songwriter ALEX FREW announced his debut with his first release, ‘Get Out Alive.’ The young crooner makes his presence loud and clear by showcasing his ability to make each listener relate to the emotions depicted on each verse through his crafted lyricism. Feelings on love lost, emotions still being processed and the uncertainty that comes with navigating each desire, backed by soothing and captivating vocals – Alex Frew’s first release begs you to feel.

Check out the visuals below…