Mariam Davina’s new single, ‘Couldn’t Imagine’, is a heartfelt Christian ballad, a love song of gratitude to Jesus. It honours His sacrifice, constant presence, and faithful friendship. More than a Saviour, he’s a Friend who carries our burdens and loves without limits. Life without him is unimaginable.
Mariam draws inspiration from artists such as Mary Mary, Tamela Mann, Kierra Sheard, Koryn Hawthorne and Ahjah Walls. Growing up leading worship and ministering regularly in church, this shaped her distinctive style, her confident stage presence and developed her vocals into the powerful sound she exhibits today. Attending Elam, for college helped her solidify knowledge as an artist and in navigating the music industry.
‘Couldn’t Imagine’ is now available across all leading music platforms. Why not listen below
LAVENDINE’s new album, ‘Deep Blue’ signifies the fragility and resilience of the human spirit. When you’re in the deep end, where your feet no longer touch the ocean floor, you loose all sense of control – but somehow, faith kicks in and you confidently go with the flow, guiding through any obstacles that life presents.
Acclaimed producer Mark Needham – who has worked with The Killers, Fleetwood Mac, Imagine Dragons – helped bring Lavendine’s vision to life. He shaped the evolving facets of their indie rock identity into a submerged, immersive soundscape that feels dark but somehow filled with optimism. This tension is particularly evident in ‘Waterless Cloud’ and ‘I Won’t Love You’, which both celebrate the liberation that comes with breaking free from toxic, damaging relationships. Meanwhile, ‘Diamonds in the Sky’ offers a sense of uplift, chronicling the empowerment that comes from letting go of the past and reaching for a brighter future.
Though Lavendine—made up of sisters Jacy and Jana Ayers—have already cemented their place in the U.S. Adult Contemporary scene with three Top 25 singles on the Mediabase and Billboard AC charts (‘Rapture,’ ‘Open Up a Window,’ and ‘Here to You’), ‘Deep Blue’ may be their most vulnerable and unfiltered work yet. The album captures the highs and lows that have shaped them, inviting listeners to step into their world and connect with the experiences that helped forge their strength.
‘Deep Blue’ is now available on all major music platforms. Dive in and experience their world below…
Must listens: City Lights, I Won’t Love You, Diamonds In The Sky,
UK artist BONNIE FREECHILD returns with ‘1993’, a heartfelt R&B track that pays tribute to the golden era of love songs while showcasing her own modern, soulful edge.
Opening with gentle piano chords, dreamy strings, and twinkling textures, the song eases into a laidback percussive groove, setting the stage for Bonnie’s rich, buttery vocals. With lyrics like “love me like we’re stuck in 1993” and “rollerskates holding hands in the summer, mixtapes made just for your lover,” the song captures the sweetness of old-school romance – when love felt real, vulnerable, and lasting.
‘1993’ blends Bonnie’s signature sultry vocal delivery with classic R&B influences, echoing the lush soundscapes of the ‘90s while staying grounded in today’s scene. It’s a nostalgic love letter to an era defined by red roses, butterflies, and the kind of music that made you believe in forever love.
Speaking on the track, Freechild says “I just want to be loved like they loved in 90s R&B! That raw, simple, passionate romance- the videos were intrinsically romantic, the lyrics emotionally intelligent, the melodies silky and smooth. I wanted to write something that feels like being wrapped in nostalgia but still makes you move- soft, intimate vocals, a sexy slow-wind breakdown, all over rose-petal energy.” It’s a sentiment she’s also taking to local press: at a time when dating often feels chaotic, disconnected, and more about swipes than slow dances, ‘1993’ offers an antidote- a reminder of when love was simple, honest, and real.
Co-written with producer and artist Kwest, ‘1993’ draws inspiration from a foundational year in R&B, when timeless songs like SWV’s ‘Weak,’ Mariah Carey’s ‘Dreamlover,’ Janet Jackson’s ‘That’s the Way Love Goes,’ and Toni Braxton’s ‘Breathe Again’ defined a generation. Bonnie Freechild is no stranger to acclaim, either. She has performed at the BBC Proms, been recognised as a finalist in BBC 1XTRA’s Performing Arts Fund, and had her music featured across TV and radio in Southeast Asia. With ‘1993,’ Bonnie Freechild cements her place as one of the UK’s most compelling emerging voices in Pop-R&B, delivering a timeless ode to the beauty and allure of old-school love.
This release is as homegrown as it gets – with a music video on the horizon filmed on an iPhone in a vintage car garage, put together with friends, community spaces, and Bonnie’s own hands-on touch. It’s “iPhone and a dream” energy, much like the 90s R&B that inspired it: simple, direct, and full of heart. No gloss, just real romance and connection.
That same spirit runs through everything Bonnie is doing around 1993. She celebrated the release with a live performance on October 23rd at Go East Vintage Market – bringing music into community spaces, with food, and culture. With 90s-inspired merch (from cassette-shaped keyrings to physical CDs with personal messages) and a string of creative collaborations, Bonnie is focused on creating experiences that feel personal and unforgettable. It’s all building towards the launch of her debut EP in December 2025, where she’ll expand on the same themes of intimacy, nostalgia, and fearless self-expression.
“I just want to be loved like they loved in 90s R&B! I have always loved 90s R&B, and in amongst me navigating the complexities of technology and chaos of dating in the 2020s I’ve often thought, man I wish I could have that type of love they seemed to have back then. That raw, simple, passionate romance – that 90s R&B kind of love.
I had the idea of writing a song about it – a nostalgic vibe, with a fresh take. The videos from that time were intrinsically romantic, the lyrics emotionally intelligent, the melodies silky and smooth. I wanted to write something that feels like you’re wrapped in a blanket of that nostalgia, but still makes you move. The kind of track you don’t just hear, you feel – soft, intimate vocals, a sexy slow-wind breakdown, all over rose-petal energy. Gentle and romantic but still a bop you’ll need to rewind.
I met producer and artist ‘Kwest’ when we both performed at a gig last year, and as instant fans of each other’s music we started doing some writing. When I shared this concept, we vibed on the piano, riffing around ‘love me like R&B’ and well…1993 rhymes with R&B! When we looked into it we realised that although we are referencing the entire decade, 1993 was quite a foundational year. Some of my favourite songs ever came out then: SWV’s Weak, Mariah Carey’s Dreamlover, Janet Jackson’s That’s the Way Love Goes, Toni Braxton’s Breathe Again, Tevin Campbell’s Can We Talk, Xscape’s Just Kickin’ It. Jodeci dropped Cry for You and Feenin’. Even De La Soul released Buhloone Mindstate, a more grown and experimental record – there’s really no 90s R&B without hip-hop running through it. Mariah even built her signature sound from that blend. And in the UK, Eternal made their debut with Stay. Even Poetic Justice came out that year with Janet and Tupac – the music, the film, the culture all intertwined.
There’s just this essence in 90s R&B that’s missing in today’s digital world. It’s raw, grounding, and honest. And the truth is we all deserve that kind of love!! This song is for anyone who is lucky enough to have it, anyone who craves it, and everyone who wishes love still felt that way.” – Bonnie Freechild.
‘Lucky Escape’, the second single from MARYAIANNE & ME, captures Me’s raw experience of enduring a painful breakup. With delicate guitar plucks and Me’s gently wailing vocals tinged with a warm country twang, this emotive ballad transforms heartbreak into resilience. The song offers comfort and empowerment to anyone who’s faced similar pain, ultimately realising that a bullet has been dodged — a lucky escape from deeper hurt and humiliation.
Following their debut single ‘Heart of Stone,’ ‘Lucky Escape’ is part of a string of releases from the duo via their label ITZAFUNI. Since its release, MaryAianne & Me have continued with new singles including ‘Halloween Dessert Menu,’ ‘Hotel Troublesome Blues,’ and ‘Benched.’
MaryAianne & Me is the creative collaboration between Me — a young artist from Newport now based in Kingston upon Thames — and John Hewlett. The two met through volunteer work with the Kingston-based charity Save The World Club.
Using the alias Me due to ongoing stalking concerns, she writes all original lyrics, arranges melodies, and directs AI tools to help realize her musical vision, including instrumental and vocal production. Together, the duo plan to release one new song every week for a year, building a diverse catalogue of emotionally rich and stylistically varied work. At the end of this period, Me intends to perform a selection of her songs live with her own band, Mad Mary and Psychiatric Ward.
John Hewlett — whose storied career in music management and production dates back to the late 1960s, with collaborations spanning The Beatles, T. Rex, Sparks, and more — has found fresh inspiration in Me’s creativity and drive. Together, the duo present MaryAianne & Me as both a musical partnership and a bold creative experiment, laying the foundation for a broader artistic movement rooted in authenticity, innovation, and emotional truth.
‘Lucky Escape’ is now available across all major music streaming platforms. Why not listen below…
You don’t need a reason to start. Music doesn’t ask for credentials. It doesn’t care if you’ve played since childhood or if you just googled “how to hold a guitar” five minutes ago. What matters is showing up. That little itch in your chest when you hear a melody that hits? Follow it. Music is less about talent and more about permission. Permission to feel something and give it shape. If you’ve been circling the idea of making music, writing songs, or finding your voice—this is your push.
Start Small With Music
Nobody tells you this, but most people start badly. Fingers don’t move right. Timing feels off. It’s frustrating as hell. And still—people come back to it. They come back because even a few messy notes feel different than silence. You don’t need to be “musical.” You need to be curious. A cheap keyboard, a second-hand uke, a beat-making app—any of it can be your entry point. You can figure the rest out as you go. It’s okay to suck for a while. That’s part of it. Most folks who stick with it started by justembracing music casually. Don’t overthink it. Make a little noise and see where it takes you.
Music Strengthens the Brain
Here’s the wild part: while messing around with scales and chords, the brain is secretly doing push-ups. Patterns start to land. Attention sharpens. Something in your thinking gets tighter, more layered. Problems start to feel more solvable. Listening improves—not just to music, but to people, to space, to what’s not being said. Turns out,playing music boosts brain function. Not just memory and coordination, but the kind of flexible thinking that spills over into everything else. It’s not about turning a hobby into a productivity hack. But if it helps sharpen focus and deepen presence, there’s real value in that.
How Music Habits Shape Life Skills
Creative hobbies bleed. They shape the way stress is handled, the way time is used, even the way conversations are navigated. Building a rhythm with music often leads to building rhythm elsewhere. Showing up for something creative—even when it’s hard—has a carryover. That’s why the discipline of music can pair so well with other structured efforts, including things likestructured online business programs. It’s the same core rhythm: set time aside, stay consistent, grow at your own pace. Music doesn’t stay in one lane—it spills into everything.
Why Singing Is Worth Trying
Let’s talk. Not the one used at work. The real one. Singing wakes something up. Breathing deepens. Attention shifts. The day starts to feel lighter. It’s physical, emotional, chemical. And no, there’s no need to be “a singer.” That label trips people up. Just sing. Sing bad, sing loud, sing weird. It moves energy around in ways that defy explanation. Thehealth benefits of singing are more than science—they’re survival. Singing is medicine stored in the lungs.
What Happens When You Sing With Others
Music isn’t always a solo act. Singing with other people is one of the oldest forms of connection. Campfires, choirs, back seats of cars—that’s where shared memory is made. Voices sync up, even when pitch doesn’t. Thoughts drop out. Movement takes over. It’s a reset. No stage required. A living room, a garage, even a group text that turns into a jam is enough. The benefits go beyond social—they’re physical.Group singing improves health and deepens community ties. Heart rates align. Stress drops. People stop holding their breath, metaphorically and literally. Let it be imperfect. Let it be loud. Let it be real.
Getting Started With Songwriting
If playing or singing doesn’t scratch the itch, try writing. Write what doesn’t fit in regular conversation. Write the unspoken stuff. Songwriting doesn’t need to rhyme or follow rules at first. Just chase the sparks. The odd image. The one line that loops. It starts to get messy. Then shape it. Songwriting isn’t about polish. It’s about honesty. Don’t wait for inspiration—just start. If you need a few basics, thesesimple songwriting tips for beginners can give the process a nudge. Don’t aim for brilliance—aim for real.
Improving As a Songwriter
Once there’s something on the page, sit with it. Don’t rush to perfect it. Just listen. Try a different rhythm. Flip the phrasing. Say it out loud. Then say it a different way. Progress lives in the second and third versions. Over time, a personal style starts to emerge. A rhythm. A pattern. A system for chasing creative moments. For anyone looking to sharpen that system, thesesongwriting methods that genuinely improve your output act more like fire-starters than formulas. When stuck, use them. When flowing, ignore them.
If nothing else, let music become one of the things that grounds you. You don’t have to monetize it. You don’t have to get good. Just show up and make noise. Let your voice crack. Let your fingers fumble. There’s something real and steady about having a creative outlet that asks nothing from you but attention—and gives you a quieter, stronger version of yourself in return.
New Lease Music 