Tag: London

EP Review: Further Away: Melanie Crew

melanie-crew

It’s been a little over a year since MELANIE CREW appeared on NEW LEASE MUSIC with her debut EP Until The End, which received airplay on BBC Radio 6 and BBC Kent. Now she’s back with her second EP, Further Away, released beginning of this month.

The London-based singer/songwriter reunites with her old faithful acoustic guitar, creating that rich, folky sensation and adds some soulful and sultry spice to her usual sweet and (respectfully) girl-like vocal range.

With therapeutic and occasionally soft uptempo soundscapes, Further Away EP is the perfect bet to start the week on a soothing note –  after a rowdy weekend.

Must Listens: Ghost, A Hundred Words, All That I Want.

by Categories: new singlesTags: , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

EP Review: Chirality – XamVolo

xamzolo-chirality-ep

If you heard of XAMVOLO then you’ll certainly heard his leading soulful/jazz number, Down…and if you dig the single, well you’ll be in for a treat with his four-track EP, Chirality.

The laid-lack set is, by large, a continuation of Down – a hazy juxtaposition of the aforementioned genres, which showcase a Sade-level of class – and that’s REALLY hard to top.

With irresistibly hypnotic pieces that can be hailed as modern classics, this (clever) cool cat has positioned himself as a promising and timeless artist who will have music fanatics, all from generations, buying his future projects blind. If you’re not convinced, hit that play button.

Must Listens: Down, Gold Leaf

by Categories: new singlesTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Upcoming Release: Look Back In Laugher – Hugh

hughLondon-based quartet, HUGH continue their beguiling journey  with the release of their latest single, Look Back In Laughter. The three-minute smoothie is laced with a positive message, veiled by the contrasting melancholy production. Sewn together by slow-burning synths, crackling percussion and a glimmering, transient guitar to cut through the mix, the alluring song sits in the amorphous zone between trip-hop, R&B and synth-pop.

Consisting of Joshua Idehen (vocals), Izzy Brooks(vocals), Andy Highmore (production/keys) and Tino Kolarides(Guitars) Look Back In Laughter sees Joshua take more of a leading role with the vocals, where we see his background in spoken word come to the forefront of the track. His warm baritone vocal is full of subtle wordplay and charming London colloquialisms which, when paired with the contrasting piercing pop tone from Izzy, adds another dimension to their genre fusing sound, Look Back In Laughter is a soothing reminder to not dwell on the negatives of life as one day we’re just “gonna look back and laugh” – a positive message which has the power to resonate with us all.

Musically melding sounds from a myriad of influences and cultures, HUGH continue to transcend genre and create captivating music which has earned them praises from the likes of Huw Stephens, Stereogum, Pigeons And Planes and The Guardian.

HUGH are fast becoming one of the stand-out artists in a musical landscape where the blurred lines between genres are becoming increasingly prevalent.This is evident in the live environment as well as on record, and in order to support the latest release they will be playing a special one-off showcase at Elektrowerkz in London on 12th October.

 

 

by Categories: new singlesTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

New Track: Adapt To Thrive – Ebson

ebson
Announcing his arrival with the compelling, rallying cry of Adapt to Thrive,alternative soul artist
EBSON creates a real ‘anthem for struggle’. With a cinematic landscape and deep rooted soul sensibilities, it’s a record that will speak volumes to anyone who has ever felt they had a battle to overcome, finding the strength to fight for what they believe in.
Adapt to Thrive is a carefully crafted four-minute musical interplay of darkness and light, with a piano-led track that invites comparisons to artists such as James Blake, Jamie Woon and Samm Henshaw. Against multi-layered vocal harmonies, crashing percussion, and the gothic chime of bells, EBSON‘s dark, blues-infused vocals draw on raw emotion that reverberates with a deep authenticity and unmistakable London sound.
Defiant lyrics reference ‘rising up through the cracks to take control’ and the refrain – ‘we will rise up so high’ – paints a picture of ascension and triumph over adversity. lt is a track that is simultaneously haunting, uplifting – and entirely soulful.
Produced by Charlie J Perry and mixed by Grammy nominee Alex Evans, Adapt to Thrive is the result of a year’s writing and recording, that began when EBSON dreamed up the underlying melodies whilst walking through the bustling streets of London. Referencing life in the city as a key source of inspiration, EBSON is a distinctly UK artist, whose music is imbued with the kind of understated self-confidence that can only come from a recording artist who really is adapting to thrive.
by Categories: new singlesTags: , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Album Review: A Band On Hope – A Band On Hope

a-band-on-hope

Award-winning alt hip-hop duo A BAND ON HOPE have released their 13-track album of the same name last week…and you’ve been warned; it’s not your run-of-the-mill mainstreamer.

Producer/multi-instrumentalist Kristian Sharpe and lyricist Ill Literate do not present a single dull moment. The two cleverly fuse hip hop, rock, funk, soul, blues, electro and a hint of jazz with raging guitar riffs and infectious (80-ish) flying synths which gives a respectfully wayward and futuristic feel to each offerings in the collection.

A Band on Hope is just like Marmite – you’ll either love it or hate it; there’s no in-between with this one…but the only way to find out is to hit that play button on the four-track sampler.

Must Listens:  Dead Angels, Low Budget High Life, Phantom of Hipopera, Russian Dolls, Spaced Out Break Out

by Categories: new singlesTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment