Song of the Day: Who – Scout

London-based singer, songwriter and producer SCOUT ushers in a compelling era of evolution as she announce her debut EP ‘Everything Will Make Sense’, out 1st March 2024 via Sweat Entertainment (Dolores Forever, kid apollo).

Scout shares some of the same ideals as its namesake – Scout from To Kill A Mockingbird – as well as reflecting on her own wrestlings with femininity, societal expectations and the power found in telling your own story.

Hamburg born, Sweden raised and now firmly London based having moved to the capital at the age of 17, Scout’s transcendent pop creations are cathartic and empowering in equal measure. Partly tracking her journey as a young woman finding her footing in this industry (having operated in a shoegaze band signed to Heavenly Records in her late teens), Scout is a project rooted in defiance and knowing your worth.

To mark the announcement of their debut EP, Scout is sharing the project’s rousing second single ‘Who’. Through tasteful electronics and rich alt-pop production, ‘Who’ relays feelings of frustration and confusion, dissecting power abuse in the music industry – ultimately written as a reminder to wholly respect and trust your own sense of self.

Speaking more on the inspiration behind new single ‘Who’, Scout said: “The song was born from accumulated feelings of violation and a breach of trust by figures of authority in my life and early career. When I picked myself back up, I felt pretty raw and desperate to gain back a sense of self worth. When you have no mental buffer it feels a bit like having an open wound but thinking that by letting people poke around in it, they could help me heal.

‘Who’ is me questioning some of these people and experiences, it’s a reminder to not give your power away and to find it in your truth and self expression: To honour and embrace yourself fully, but also remembering the toll it can take when you don’t.”

Listen to the inspiring single below…

Nia Chennai adds to UK R&B resurgence with debut EP ‘Diary Is a Waste of Paper’

South London’s emerging R&B talent, NIA CHENNAI dives into her personal life and career journey with the release of her debut EP, ‘Diary Is a Waste of Paper, ‘ released on Tuesday, 28th November via various music platforms.

Ahead of the EP’s release, Nia treated fans to an additional single from the project with the release of ‘Tea Lady.’ The track resembles gossip among friends, inspired by typical British tradition of coming together over a cup of tea for a chat. Nia’s unique blend of influences, drawn from Erykah Badu’s ‘Bag Lady’ and Amy Winehouse’s candid storytelling in ‘F*** Me Pumps,’ infuses ‘Tea Lady’ with a distinctive charm.

The full EP takes goes on a metaphorical journey akin to a slumber party, where friends explore themes of love, commitment, and societal pressures, inviting Nia’s audience to engage in candid, relatable conversations.

‘Diary Is a Waste of Paper’ arrives after just a year of Nia entering the scene, showcasing her undeniable quality, growth and potential. Songs like ‘Since We Ain’t Together,’ boasting over 300,000 Spotify streams, and September’s ‘Wasting Time,’ which has already crossed 100,000 streams, have garnered praise from key industry publications and tastemakers, including GUAP, Wordplay, Oculate, and New Lease.

UK R&B’s prominence and recognition – or lack thereof — has been heavily debated in recent months. Nia Chennai’s impressive rise echoes the genre’s resurgence, as she confidently stands alongside emerging talents at the forefront, including artists like Natanya, Essosa, BINA, girl group Flo, and more. The genre is seeing a wave of new artists following in the footsteps of young and established ambassadors, on the path to veteran status, including the likes of Mahalia, Ella Mai, and Tiana Major9, among others.

Why not check out ‘Diary Is A Waste Of Paper’ below…an absolute must listen!

Must Listens: Since We Ain’t Together, Tea Lady, Wasting Time

R&B/Pop sensation Luh Kel ‘Reminisces’ in latest video

Platinum selling artist LUH KEL, sweeps us off our feet with his latest musical creation, ‘Reminisce.’ Following the success of his previous single, ‘You The One,’ Luh Kel is treating his fans to another captivating track.

‘Reminisce’ encapsulates Luh Kel’s distinctive vocal prowess and emotional depth. This release is a testament to Luh Kel’s ability to craft music that touches the soul, showcasing his evolution as an artist. The music video, skillfully directed by the renowned Grand Fort, enhances the song’s evocative lyrics.

Both ‘Reminisce’ and ‘You The One’ will be featured on his new mixtape, ‘Head Melodies’.This highly anticipated mixtape promises to be a thrilling journey through Luh Kel’s musical artistry.

Luh Kel, born Turran Coleman, has been on a meteoric rise, gaining recognition and acclaim within the music industry. His unique blend of R&B and hip-hop has garnered a loyal fan base, solidifying his place as an emerging artist to watch. Check out the video for ‘Reminisce’ below…

Song of the Day: Come Clean – Maggie Andrew

MAGGIE ANDREW‘s latest single, ‘Come Clean,’ is about starting over, saying whatever’s on your chest and looking forward to a positive future.

I had a falling out with someone I thought was a friend, but they ended up ghosting me in life completely, Maggie explains the inspiration behind the song. “I felt really sad for a while because it left me confused and hurt, especially because I didn’t do anything wrong. It was like a breakup for no reason.”

The moody, rain-soaked intro sets the tone, which is immediately joined by the brooding electric guitar and heavy trap drums, both topped off with a real gritty grungy, cinematic alt-rock feel. Have a listen to ‘Come Clean’ below…

Eyeay drops a modern bounce to R&B in new EP, ‘Eyes of Desire: Vol 1’

Inspired by the late 90s and early 00s R&B era, East Londoner EYEAY [pronounced eye-ay] adds a modern bounce to this smooth new EP, capturing the current R&B wave from within the UK.

Leading the charge with the EP’s first single, ‘All In’. Produced by Larkin and expertly engineered by Maniac, the track provides a perfect representation of Eyeay’s cinematic feel to the project. The track effortlessly blends nostalgic R&B vibes with a contemporary edge. The dynamic soundscape of the five-track EP is further expanded with the inclusion of the Snizzy-featured ‘Handle It’ and ‘Tequila Rose,’ a captivating Trap-Soul record which underscores Eyeay’s exceptional attributes in crafting melodies and engaging storytelling which is displayed throughout the EP.

Eyeay certainly delivers on his mission—to evoke “feels” in every listener. ‘Eyes of Desire: Vol 1’ is poised to make a memorable mark in R&B, firmly establishing Eyeay as a rising star in the UK’s music scene.

Check out ‘Eyes of Desire: Vol 1’ below…

Must Listens: All In, Free Your Mind