Fresh off their 36 date UK and European tour with reggae giants UB40, Birmingham-based group KIOKO hit the ground running with the release of their new single ‘Let’s Be Frank’.
Focusing on candid, heartfelt lyricism and heavyweight rhythms, the single captures the impeccable live sound of the reggae collective, encompassing the energy from their high octane performances. ‘Let’s Be Frank’ is bristling with fresh reggae rhythms, captivating horns and buoyant vocal energy, sitting comfortably within a timeless reggae tempo.
Performing alongside UB40, The Wailers, Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry and garnering support from Louder Than War, Huffington Post UK, London Live as well as airplay from BBC Radio 1, 1XTRA and BBC 6 Music, ‘Let’s Be Frank’ is an effortless display of KIOKO’s ability to curate empowering anthems infused with blistering reggae rhythms.
Taken from their sophomore EP, 11:11, Canadian duo JADE THE MOON‘s single, ‘Fall For This’, has made it to the today’s hot spot for its haunting yet euphoric alt-pop backdrop which makes way for singer Dani Le Rose’s delicately light vocals, telling the story of trying to fight against a downward spiral.
Hailing from London, five-piece soulful jazz outfit CÉLINE AND THE BLUE are definitely needed in today’s music industry. Starting out the summer of 2018, the female-fronted act seem to have possess a strong connection of a band who have been jamming out together for ten or so years.
Their latest single, ‘Learn To Be Alone’ – released last Friday (15th November) – showcases their signature vibe of an alluringly smooth soulful jazz, coupled with vibrant overtones, making the three-and-minute production instantly addictive.
‘Learn To Be Alone’ is the cool cats’ third release of this year, following singles, ‘Hide In Your World’ and ‘Just You’, which received attention from the likes of BBC Berkshire – I highly recommend you to check them out sometime…but for now, have a listen to ‘Learn To Be Alone’ below…
Formed in 2013, THE LYONZ are a Canadian music group and art collective largely focused upon hip-hop and electronic work. Consisting of Salvo (Anthony Salvo) and Norrin (Terrell McLeod Richardson), their debut album, ‘Peace Beyond The Pines’, released in 2015, led them to perform various shows in Canada and landing a spot in Montreal’s 2016 international Jazz Festival. Their musical style landscapes atmospheric dynamics, conveyed through heavily processed synthetic layers, shifting drum patterns, and the blending in of treated instruments frequently met with melancholic verses. Their unique sound is often unconventional, with arrangements established by high production values, involving extensive digital editing and mixing.
Although primarily a musical group, THe LYONZ also work with other forms of media. They have gained notoriety through their visual artwork including personalized event flyers, short videos, and merchandise. A notable example is their string of weekly flyers promoting their DJ residencies at Montréal venues.
So if you haven’t of these guys, let me introduce you to their mesmerizing latest single, ‘Fall’. Check out the video below…
Genre-blending Danish group MARSHALL CECIL‘s poignant latest cut, ‘Soliloquy (Wouldn’t Feel Alone)’ – out now through their own label Heady – takes the listener on a symbolic journey through frontman Daniel Abraham’s mind.
Speaking on the track, the lead singer and songwriter explains; “It’s a self-examining conversation with myself that spins out of control and ends in a cathartic rap. It’s a song open for interpretation but for me, it’s about the relationship between excessive self-examination and loneliness.”
Addressing social isolation, a phenomenon increasingly common in an era where the physical is being replaced by the digital, the visuals feature auto-fictional elements including iPhone clips, personal footage from the trio’s recording sessions and live shows, alongside more intimate images showing a glimpse of the lead singer’s daily life.
Born from a close collaboration between the band and directors to create a visual story that draws from the song’s deeply afflicting and raw lyrics perfectly depicting “loneliness, this complex and unpleasant emotional response to isolation,” explains Daniel, talking about the concept behind the song and video. “We’re exploring loneliness while being surrounded by people. Sometimes the answer to our isolation is right in front of us – companionship – but we’re usually too busy finding the answers within ourselves. The song and video are not an answer to this problem – rather an abstract depiction of it’’.
Having made their mark on the international music scene with a series of enthralling singles and videos, gaining praise from the likes of Vice/Noisey and Clash Magazine, and notching up memorable live performances at some of the biggest international festivals including Reeperbahn and Roskilde – MARSHALL CECILl is not like any other band out there. Using their individual production skills, fusing elements from r&b, pop, hip-hop, with ‘Soliloquy’ they created a unique and potent music formula, one that is both triumphant, forward-thinking and touching at the same time.
Fresh off their 36 date UK and European tour with reggae giants UB40, Birmingham-based group KIOKO hit the ground running with the release of their new single ‘Let’s Be Frank’.
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