When THEO TAMS wrote single ‘Quit U Love’, he was at the height of his alcohol addiction.
He said about his experience: “Drinking constantly, I reached a moment of clarity where I started to see my addiction for what it was – an abusive relationship that I just didn’t know how to leave.
The next morning, I woke up early, packed my laptop and microphone, then walked to a lookout point on a hill where you can see for miles. I chose to record the demo at this spot – a place where I could see into the distance – because so many areas of my life felt like they had come to a standstill.“
‘Quit U Love’ is taken from Theo’s EP, ‘Trilogy II’, a collection of songs that are each unapologetically him.
Have a listen to his steady journey into sobriety below…
Singer, songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist CAUTIOUS CLAY‘s track, ‘Strange Love’, featuring rising Chicago rapper Saba, is about the push and pull of identity in late capitalism.
Cautious explains further. “We’re constantly told we need x, y or z to let the world know who we are, inundated with information about what the latest and greatest and coolest is. I love fashion and clothes and putting them together to telegraph myself to the world, but sometimes it’s hard to separate what I like from what I’m being told to like. I think it’s a struggle lots of people can relate to.”
The smooth R&B/pop banger is taken from his long-awaited debut album, ‘Deadpan Love’ – out now independently via The Orchard – includes previously released singles ‘Wildfire’, ‘Karma & Friends,’ ‘Roots,’ ‘Dying In The Subtlety,’ and ‘Agreeable,’ and wraps influences from R&B, hip hop and indie pop in Cautious’ trademark sophisticated songwriting and jazz- and blues-inflected instrumentation. The album finds Cautious collaborating with a host of notable co-writers for Deadpan Love including Tobias Jesso Jr. (Adele, HAIM), Jim-E Stack (Caroline Polachek, Empress Of), Daniel Nigro (Olivia Rodrigo, FINNEAS), Jesse Shatkin (Sia, Kelly Clarkson), Ammar Malik (Maroon 5, Halsey) and Sir Nolan (Shawn Mendes, Selena Gomez).
Since the release of his breakout debut single ‘Cold War’ three years ago, the 28-year-old has been on a whirlwind ride. He’s released three EPs—Table of Context, RESONANCE, and debut Blood Type—that have earned critical praise from The New York Times, The New Yorker, NPR, TIME, Complex and many more. His songs have soundtracked key scenes in films like Olivia Wilde’s Booksmart and TV shows like Issa Rae’s “Insecure” and Selena Gomez’s “13 Reasons Why.”
JESSICA WILDE lands a surprise A/B side release, ‘Cruel P2’/ ‘Drugs Don’t Work’, as a 2nd part to her latest single ‘Cruel’ which landed her a feature on the official UK ‘Pride’ Spotify Playlist.
‘Cruel’ see’s Wilde delving back into a relationship that enabled her to come out as bisexual but also led her into addiction – a subject she’s tackling on her debut forthcoming album.
‘Drug’s Don’t work’ dives deeper into this toxic love story, a brutally honest description of what went down and how a relationship was controlled by addiction. This song takes on a raw, stripped back sound with gritty guitars and Wilde’s rap to tell the story, ‘When the Drugs don’t work, we just get hurt’.
The track comes with a one take visual, Wilde boldly telling the story to camera as she walks through the streets with onlookers caught off guard as she belts out the lyrics.
‘Cruel P2’, keeps the original ‘Cruel’ beat produced by Jay Nebula and Grammy award winning producer Kiris Houston (The Disciples, Little Mix). It embodies a summer haze 90’s classic hip hop and R&B vibe, layered with Jessica’s sultry, pleading vocals. This version has a twist, on the second verse we hear rising RnB star Laville who has collaborated with the likes of Big Narstie, Foreign Beggars, opened the O2 stage for John Legend and racked up over 500,000 streams for his latest album ‘The Wanderer’. His powerful and soulful vocals intwined with Wilde’s silky tones take the track into a whole new world.
Coming off the back of impressive Double A side release explicitly titled ‘Wasted’ / ‘F*ck U I’m Sober Now’, ’Body’ and ‘Cruel’, all part of her forthcoming album, a ride through mad parties, drunken nights, toxic relationships, love, regret, self-loathing, self-empowerment, self-love and going sober. Wilde opens a doorway into her past, returning full circle to her South London roots.
Time to check out Wilde’s Double A side release below…
Following a year of uncertainty, burgeoning pop songstress NOELLE is ready to share her music and songwriting with the world. Highlighting the importance of connection, the latest single ‘Therapy’ marks the first release from Noelle’s upcoming debut album (released via Wax Records / Universal Music Canada) that takes listeners on a journey of being there for someone you love through the toughest of times.
Oozing with a dreamy softness and a subtle sadness, Noelle’s tone is pure, gentle and utterly heavenly. Pouring her heart into every phrase, ‘Therapy’ represents an emotive plea to all those who are close to us. Overflowing with Love, this newest offering carries a sophisticated yet powerfully healing message from the 19-year-old artist.
Written by Noelle and David Charles Fischer over zoom with esteemed UK producer Phil Cook (Ellie Goulding, Liam Payne, Lewis Capaldi, Little Mix) and recorded in her parents’ basement studio during quarantine, ‘Therapy’ puts Noelle’s smooth vocals on display, showcasing her unique R&B approach to pop music. Raw and emotional, ‘Therapy’ is a track that noelle holds close as it encapsulates much of her own experience in the storytelling. With the hope of encouraging those that are struggling, ‘Therapy’ reminds listeners to ask for help from those they love, becoming a reminder that there is always someone willing to listen.
Check out the official video for the single below…
The French multi-platinium producer BLASTAR, who worked with Beenie Man, Tyga, Admiral T and many more, is coming back with a powerful melodic afrobeat track titled ‘Exile’, a tribute to Miriam Makeba nicknamed Mama Africa, a South African singer and activist.
The theme is to put forward the greatness of Africa for the new Afro-descendant generation. Check out the official music video for the powerful single below…
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