New Track: Bangs – Miss Banks

MS BANKS has spent 2017 constantly demonstrating why she is worthy of all the attention she has attracted since first bursting onto the scene with her mixtape ‘Once Upon A Grind’ in 2014 and last year’s much talked about ‘Fire in the Booth’.

Releasing one stellar track after another, whilst always illustrating her raw and confident lyrical prowess, she has caught the attention of respected music tastemakers across the world and this week the south London hip-hop artist – who previously supported Cardi B on her UK tour earlier this year – received the ultimate co-sign when she woke up to discover the number one selling US rapper Nicki Minaj had tweeted the lyrics to her verse on the ‘Yu Zimme’ remix and subsequently invited Ms Banks to join her on her UK tour next year.

Continuing her winning streak, MS BANKS returns with her new track ‘Bangs’. The explosive fusion of UK hip-hop, grime and trap influences mixed with her inimitable flow look set to make the NYGE produced track a future hit. The track will feature on MS BANKS’ highly anticipated forthcoming project, which will be released in the new year.

‘Bangs’ is the follow-up to the hugely addictive Donae’o and ProducerWez produced ‘Day Ones’ and the underground anthems ‘’Get Loose’, ‘OMG’ and ‘Vibes’ which were released earlier this year and saw her causing a stir. She recently took to the stage with fiery performances at Glastonbury Festival, the Boy Better Know Takeover show at The O2 – performing alongside artists such as Skepta, A$ap Rocky, J Hus, Mabel and Kojey Radical – and for the likes of Maison Kitsune, Kenzo and most recently Timberland alongside Giggs.

With MS BANKS building on the hysteria she has caused over the past year and sharing more new music and electric live performances throughout the rest of the year and already garnering support from outlets such as Dazed, Noisey, Dummy, The FADER, The Source, BBC 1Xtra, SBTV, GRM Daily and Link UP TV there is no doubt that she is ready to take her crown as the queen of UK hip-hop in 2018 and far beyond…so check this sizzler out.

EP Review: Midnight Sounds – Melanie Crew

MELANIE CREW‘s third EP, ‘Midnight Sounds’ certainly live up its name as Londoner puts a smoother and laid back sensation to her folklore signature.

The EP alternates between the slight uptempo, oozing strong presence of alluring soul from Melanie’s vocals and the stripped-back, featuring the infamous acoustic guitar that somehow gives off those mysterious and spine tingling magical moments.

‘Midnight Sounds’ makes a great lead up to the festive season…might as well have a listen.

 Must Listens: Evening Light, The Place I Knew.

Song of the Day: BLOW – Dante

‘Crash One’ recently released in October, is the first installment in DANTE‘s story. Influenced by the philosopher of the same name, the Londoner creates his own ‘Inferno’ through music.

The project merges sombre and subtle piano melodies over hard drums and cryptic new wave lyricism. The story details the initial plummet into darkness one faces through the pain and confusion caused by the unknown, which is the dark undertone of ‘Crash One’

Inspired by one of two near fatal car crashes that DANTE suffered, the tape begins the story of indulging into ‘inferno’ with a combination of new wave Hip-Hop and deep, thoughtful lyricism. Lo-fi sounds and excerpts from a cult leader, Jim Jones (of the People’s Temple) play throughout, acting as one of the many sonic and lyrical metaphors found on this artist’s first aesthetic journey, ‘Crash One’…so experience the first taste of the EP and check out the video to ‘BLOW’.

New Music Video: Broken Record – Allana Verde

ALLANA VERDE released the visuals for her captivating single ‘Broken Record’. Delving into the dynamics of her previous relationship ‘Broken Record’ encompasses all the classic elements of an R&B record, while possessing Allana’s unique flavour.

The single comes off her stunning 4-track EP ‘Broken Record’ where this talented artist goes on a journey, documenting everything from heartbreak through to regaining personal confidence and empowerment.

To read NEW LEASE MUSIC’s review on the EP, here right here.

For now, watch the video for ‘Broken Record.’

New Track: You Got Me Good – ARIA

Following on from ‘Shot In The Dark’, this year marks the release of ARIA’s debut EP. The initial idea for the first single ‘Hope’ – released in July 2017 – was born out of an improvisation in a band rehearsal. Already championed ‘Hope’ is a song that exhibits incredible soulfulness through a veil of dreamy-pop thrills. Tastemakers including The Line Of Best Fit, Spindle Magazine and Popjustice were quick to support this return from the London-based singer-songwriter.

Now with the release of the EP drawing closer, the next single ‘You Got Me Good’ communicates a darker realisation of relationship hardships. Synth hooks twinkle amidst mystical slow-building brooding guitars, marking the single as ARIA’s most touching and personal release to date.

ARIA’s propulsive pop qualities are adaptable and captivating. This is demonstrated in her EP set for release before the end of the year, which displays an eclectic mix of musical genres – spanning from electro-pop and soul to R&B…but for now listen to the stunning, ‘ You Got Me Good.’