Happy New Year guys! Let’s make 2025 a year to remember!!!
It’s that time of the year when NEW LEASE MUSIC ramage through and pick out the top releases of 2024! Today, we start off with the best music videos featured on the blog in the past year. So why not sit back and check them out – oh and if you’re really digging these videos, why not leave a comment below.
Be sure to look out for NEW LEASE MUSIC’s Top Ten Albums of 2024 tomorrow! Enjoy!
If you were going to ask what songwriting team have individually toured the world performing, written for The Korgis, Cliff Richard, Slash, Meatloaf, had their songs played on BBC Radio 2, supported Celine Dion, played Jesus on the West End stage, performed sell out shows in theatres around the UK, have won some of the most prestigious songwriting awards in the world and now are writing a song about feeling 17 again! There would only be one name on that list… THE GRAND CRU!
International songwriting team The Grand Cru (comprising of Welsh and American talent) have a brand new single waiting to be embraced by the listeners entitled ’17’ (featuring The Grand Cru member Darren Parry on lead vocal duties) which comes from their 8 track album… ‘September 11 – Music To Heal Your Soul’.
This catchy, memorable, upbeat, Country/Americana influenced track was co-written between three well known Welsh male singer/songwriters and a sassy, female US (Floridian) songwriter.
The Grand Cru includes ex Jesus Christ Superstar lead, Steve Balsamo (who’s written for Slash, Meatloaf, Cliff Richard) and ex member of The Story’s and Balsamo/Deighton. Also on ‘The Cru’ is multi-award winning Welsh singer/songwriter Darren Parry, who’s a former UK Songwriting Contest winner, Billboard, Unisong, ISSA and USA Song Of The Year award winner (who has co-written with The Korgis, Dan and Laura Curtis and others). The third Welshman is Rhondda’s multi-talented Lee Gilbert who is an acclaimed singer /actor. His 25 year career has spanned from theatre, radio and TV work which runs alongside his very busy music career.
The fourth member and brainchild of ‘The Cru’ is Florida based Bonnie Skop, whose family has a long history in music; including her Dad managing Ted Nugent and Bob Seger in their early days! The Grand Cru get their name from the French words… meaning “a wine of the most superior grade”. These songwriters are certainly that!
Darren says of the latest offering: “Steve, Lee, Bonnie and I wrote “17” predominantly on Zoom over the last 6 months or so, we wanted it to have an all American kinda feel to it”. Darren continues: ”We wanted to write something that encapsulated the excitement and emotion of falling in love as a teenager, reminiscing about a time gone by when love captured your heart and the emotions of youth”.
’17’ is the second single from their album following on from single, ‘I Was There’, which was shown on the big screen for the National Guard (EANGUS) 9/11 Remembrance Gala at The One World Trade Centre building in New York on 11th Sept this year for a star – studded event, hosted by Kelsey Grammer (Frasier).
’17’ is was released today (8th November) on all good music platforms. Have a listen below…
Connect with The Grand Cru via:
FB: https://www.facebook.com/p/the-grand-cru-61565108634490/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/the_grand_cru_songwriters_/
For Halloween, MARINA MASSANOVA and Cola Rammë release their latest spine-tingling video for the song ‘Aberrations’. Expect a haunting experience that will stir both fear and fascination.
The creation of ‘Aberrations’ stems from a chilling nightmare experienced by Cola Rammë. In his dream, his co-writer, Marina Massanova, transformed into a terrifying monster that hunted him relentlessly. A mysterious song played on repeat in the background, embedding itself into Cola’s mind. Upon waking, he quickly captured the haunting melody, “stealing” it from his nightmare.
When it came time to create the video, the duo revisited that unsettling dream. The release of ‘Aberrations’ isn’t just a video—it’s an invitation to step into Cola’s nightmare. The artists have 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 blurred. Marina and Cola challenge audiences to immerse themselves in this twisted yet captivating narrative.
In discussing their latest work, the artists explain: “We are working to combine elements of innocence and perversion, two opposites that are always connected in human nature, even if we dread to admit it. What makes our work most provocative is that we dare to express this truth so openly and obscenely.”
The duo further elaborates on the chilling psychology behind their music and video: “People often find the truth unsettling, especially the things they’d rather not think about for more than a fleeting moment—thoughts they only allow themselves to consider late at night, when no one is around to guess their thoughts.”
Why not check out the video below….
Follow Marina Massanova via:
https://Instagram.com/MarinaMassanova
https://Soundcloud.com/MarinaMassanova
https://marinamassanova.bandcamp.com
Follow Cola Rammë via:
https://www.instagram.com/cola.ramme
As they continue to tease towards their joint project, frequent collaborators Tony Bones The Producer and Jackson B join forces with rising British/Nigerian wordsmith, AKS, to release the nostalgia infused joint single ‘Whatever It Is’ – a track that blends the soulful essence of 90s hip-hop with a modern-day edge.
Leading with its infectious boom-bap rhythms, live saxophone elements, and thought-provoking lyrics, the new single is a nod to golden-era Hip-Hop, reminiscent of icons like De La Soul and A Tribe Called Quest – melding nostalgia with innovation in a way that speaks to both the old school and the new generation of listeners.
Tony Bones The Producer, fast gaining a reputation for his ability to craft timeless, soul-infused beats, lays the foundation of the track. Drawing inspiration from the jazz, funk, and boom-bap that defined the 90s hip-hop sound, Tony’s production exudes warmth and groove, paying homage to the roots of the genre while maintaining a contemporary edge.
What sets ‘Whatever It Is’ apart is the live instrumentation provided by Jackson B, a multi-instrumentalist and saxophonist. His smooth saxophone lines and melancholy keys breathe life into the track, adding an organic, jazz-inspired texture that elevates the song to new heights. Jackson B’s improvisational style is a nod to jazz legends, effortlessly blending with the hip-hop production to create a unique listening experience.
Playing front-man for this effort is wordsmith AKS, a critically acclaimed UK based rapper whose lyrical finesse and effortless flow perfectly complement the classic feel of the beat. Known for his introspective and motivational rhymes, AKS delivers verses that reflect themes of resilience, growth, and self-discovery. His bars speak to the listener’s soul, encouraging them to trust in their journey and embrace their individuality. A testament compounded by the artistry evidently on display here as he finds a way to merge the heavy with the cheerful whilst getting you singing along.
Together, the trio have crafted a vibrant, feel-good song that evokes something more, ‘Whatever It Is’….it’s a sonic journey that reflects on the past while embracing the future. Tony Bones’ production, combined with Jackson B’s instrumentation and AKS’s introspective lyrics, results in a track that is as much a nod to the past as it is a statement of intention for the enduring legacy of Hip-Hop. This collaboration is a reminder that the genre’s heart and soul are still thriving, with timeless themes that continue to resonate with both long-time fans and new generations alike.
‘Whatever it Is’ is available today (24th October 2024 ) for streaming/download on major digital platforms and offers a brilliant insight into Jackson B x Tony Bones The Producer’s forthcoming joint album. As a true collaboration the record will also feature on AKS’ forthcoming “Departures & Arrivals: As Plane as Day” project as he closes out his “Modes of Transport” series.
Connect with AKS, Jackson B & Tony Bones the Producer
AKS: http://instagram.com/AKSonline
Jackson B: http://instagram.com/jacks0n.b_
Tony Bones the Producer: http://instagram.com/tonybonestheproducer
Visionary artist/producer HIBACHI is proud to announce the release of his debut EP single, ‘Hurt Me’, featuring the multifaceted American rapper and actor Image, recognized for his role in the popular Netflix series Sex Education. This collaboration marks a significant moment in the careers of both artists as they prepare to introduce a fresh sound to the international music scene.
Born and raised in Baltimore, US, Image discovered his passion for music at a young age while attending the Baltimore School for the Arts, the same school that Tupac once attended. In a city with a higher crime rate than a graduation rate, Image embodies Tupac’s proverbial “rose that grew from concrete” as he finds himself on the other side of the world, making music and captivating listeners with poetic lyrics.
Hibachi, originally from Germany and Congo, has been making waves in the UK music scene with his distinctive fusion of House, R&B, and Hip-Hop. By blending those elements, Hibachi has carved out a unique sonic identity that has caught the attention of industry giants like AWAL Core. The collaboration between these two London-based artists has culminated in the release of ‘HURT ME,’ a track that sets the stage for their upcoming EP, slated for release in January 2025. With ‘HURT ME,’ Hibachi and Image channel their experiences, inviting listeners to connect with their story and join them on their musical journey.
‘HURT ME’ is a masterful blend of sad but suave, playful yet salacious tones, delivering the emotional complexity of being the “side-piece” in a toxic romantic relationship. Image’s deep, resonant voice, reminiscent of Channel Tres, effortlessly rides the beat, delivering smooth, playful lyricism. Hibachi complements this with delicate vocals on the hook, crafting a memorable melody that adds a lighthearted flirtation to the otherwise serious subject matter.
Sonically, the track draws inspiration from a Kaytranada-esque R&B/House blend, enveloping listeners in an upbeat yet moody atmosphere. It’s a track that is as lyrically captivating as it is musically compelling, making it perfect for both club settings and laid-back listening.
Thematically, ‘HURT ME’ delves into the complexities of a relationship where one person seeks deeper intimacy while the other is content living their best life. The song poignantly captures the heartbreak that arises from unrequited love, all delivered in a poetic and emotionally resonant fashion.
‘HURT ME’ is out today (11th September) on various music platforms. Why not have a listen below…
Connect with Hibachi via:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/hibachibachi/
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