Being a massive fan of LA, Mumbai singer/songwriter AKSHATH‘s brand new single, ‘Bat An Eye’ was produced with the late night California coastline imagery in mind – to complement those 2AM therapeutic drives. ‘Bat An Eye’ is about coming to the painful realisation that his love was unrequited and toxic.
The soothing arrangements of the quarter note percussion, large synths and the soft piano were perfectly washed over the 20-year-old’s tranquil vocals.
Becoming quickly renowned for producing infectious R&B/pop numbers, influenced by the likes of Lauv, Jeremy Zucker and LANY, Daniel Caesar and John Mayer, Akshath released his debut single, ‘Bad For Me’ last year, followed by single, ‘I Don’t Mind’, which was released under the Universal Music Label, after winning place in a nation-wide competition held by the UM label.
‘I Don’t Mind’ went on feature on Spotify’s New Music Friday and The Sound Of Mumbai and the New Music Daily playlist on Apple Music. The official music video for the single has garnered over one million views on YouTube since its release.
‘Bat An Eye’ is available from today on all DSPs…check it out below…
Following on from the success of his well-received single ‘Replay’, Toronto-based alternative afrofusion artist NOVA is kicking off 2021 new single titled ‘Precious Diamond’, featuring Toronto songstress and musician Katasha J. The bouncy number is a teaser to his upcoming fourth studio project.
‘Precious Diamond’ is an infectious R&B leaning offering, with lush pop and afrofusion sensibilities, over which Nova continues to lean into the vulnerability he began to reveal on ‘Replay’, as he pines for experiencing life’s special moments with someone special, this time with the help of Katasha J, who adds her sultry harmonies and delicate vocals, to the glorious affair.
Born in England to an American father and a Ghanaian mother, raised in Nigeria, and now living in Canada, the influence of these vibrant and diverse cultures can be heard throughout Nova’s innovative genre-bending sound.
Introducing Philadelphia’s rapper BOLDBEATS for the first time on the blog and his latest full-length album, ‘Paradigms’, a reflective collection of work that encourages us to step back and really think about life. So find out what exactly inspired him to produce the album and what hip-hop mainstreamers he would like to jump on his mammoth set.
Very interesting guy…why not get to know him below…
NLM: Hey, thank you for taking part in an interview with NEW LEASE MUSIC. How is 2021 treating you so far?
BB: So far, I’m liking how things are looking. I haven’t made any real moves just yet this year, but if all goes well, we’re about to stir some things up.
NLM: You released your album ‘Paradigms’ in November 2020. What is the public perception on the project so far?
BB: I’ve gotten nothing but good feedback back about the project. It’s doing what it’s doing, but that’s without any REAL promotion behind it. Which we plan on changing in the coming month or so.
NLM: What inspired you to produce the album?
BB: Well, it’s actually a mixtape, but it does hold meaning like an album would.
I’ve been spending a lot of time working on myself, trying to find out who I am, not only as an artist, but why my life is a thing y’know? Deep shit. All of comes from me shifting my paradigms. Which is a system of beliefs, ideas, values, and habits that is a way of thinking about the real world. Even the small shit counts, like, making your bed in the morning. I’ve been trying to change my bad habits to start becoming who I envision myself to be in the future.
The same with my music, I’m not getting stuck into one category. I’m not coming into the game as a drill rapper, or a conscious rapper. I’m coming in as an artist, and I’ve come to realize, that that’s how it should be! Music is art, and if you have the ability to create many styles, then why the f**k shouldn’t I do it, and be praised all the same for it, if not more?
NLM: What is/are your favourite single(s) from the album and why?
BB: I’d say Therapy, Open Door and All Out are my favourites. I chose these three because on these songs, I was just venting. Those were ones that I went into the booth and just vibed. I record my own music, so I’m always alone when I do it. It’s just how I’d prefer it for the most part. That way I’m free to try different sounds, and vibes, and not have to cloud my mind with a fear of criticism if something sounds whack hahaha.
NLM: So how would you describe the album’s sound to potential fans?
BB: ISSA VIBE! No doubt! I’ve got a lil bit of everything on there, and it’s a project that you can just let run through. Of course they’ll have their own favourites, but at the end of the day, if they genuinely ENJOY music, they’re gonna love the mixtape.
NLM: If you had to feature one mainstream artist on the album, who would it be and why?
BB: Oh, that’s an interesting question. I didn’t see that coming. Forreal, I’d say Lil Uzi on “All Out” . That shit would’ve went DUMB, and a show with that, I can already feel the energy coming back from the crowd! Haha, one day.
NLM: Did the Covid pandemic presented any drawbacks in the production of your album?
BB: Honestly, no. My studio is in our basement, so I had no setbacks.
NLM: Do you have other project(s) for 2021?
BB: Oh yeah, but they’ll all be single projects. Might do a little mixtape or EP at the end of the year, but, who knows?
NLM: How can potential fan find you?
BB: You can find me at the following:
Facebook- BoldBeats
Instagram- xboldbeats
Twitter- BoldBeatsEnt
SoundCloud-BoldBeats
Apple Music- BoldBeats
Spotify- BoldBeats
NLM: Finally, any special shout outs to those involved in the production of ‘Paradigms’?
BB: A big shoutout to my mom for tellin everybody and their momma about it lol, and the biggest shoutout to my pops for helping me get where I am today. I wouldn’t have the courage to do it without them.
Layered with airy soundscapes and an infectious bassline, ERICA KNOX‘s latest single, ‘Running Inside Of My Brain’, takes inspiration from a her past relationship that sadly wasn’t meant to be. Ignoring so many red flags and obvious signs, Erica kept eye firmly on a fairytale ending.
The Toronto singer/songwriter further explains on the experience: “I wanted that so bad with this person, but it just wasn’t happening, no matter how hard I tried. Although this person was wrong for me, I still had to grieve the relationship, and accept that I have to surrender to these feelings until they’ve fully healed.”
Erica’s ‘Running Inside of My Brain’ is a reminder that you have to put yourself first when it comes to love. It’s not worth losing yourself to be with someone else, no matter how good the ending could be. Check it out below…
Hailing from New Zealand, pop duo FOLEY share their new single, ‘Better Than Love,’ the final taster from their upcoming EP, ‘Vacation,’ due out on March 12th.
Grounded by mellow pop grooves and honeyed vocals, ‘Better Than Love’ is a dreamy exploration of the prospect of love versus the reality of love and the way we close off our emotions to protect from future heartbreak.
Foley is the late night conversations, not-so-existential crises, and the genuinely unbreakable friendship of 20-somethings Ash Wallace and Gabriel Everett. Honest to a fault, Foley have quickly picked up a fanbase of young like-minded listeners for their confessions of love, loss and learning. Their debut EP, ‘On My Conscience,’ was released in 2020 and saw huge success across commercial radio and streaming platforms, hitting #10 on the NZ Album Charts, and plastered the pair across multiple Spotify playlist covers. They rounded out the year with the release of singles ‘Rendezvous’ and ‘So Personal,’ which will join ‘Better Than Love’ on their upcoming sophomore EP, ‘Vacation’.
‘Better Than Love’ is out now on all streaming platforms.
Being a massive fan of LA, Mumbai singer/songwriter AKSHATH‘s brand new single, ‘Bat An Eye’ was produced with the late night California coastline imagery in mind – to complement those 2AM therapeutic drives. ‘Bat An Eye’ is about coming to the painful realisation that his love was unrequited and toxic.
New Lease Music 