Following their previous single ‘Eagles Wings’, reggae/dancehall duo SONZ OF THUNDER UK (SOTUK) are ready to share their single ‘Joy To The World’ out now across various reputable music platforms.
Known for their infectious flow over the years, the guys have recently adopted the exuberant sounds of the Motherland as heard in their Capital Xtra’s Ras Kwame-approved singles, ‘Blessing Pon Blessings’ and ‘Destiny’s Calling’.
Continuing the buoyant vibes inspired by the continent, provided by upcoming Ghanaian producer Biskit Beats, ‘Joy To The World’ is an ode to find beauty, peace and pure joy in the world, despite the current climate, and to give thanks to the creator for the beautiful and joyous opportunities that unexpectedly arises.
For over a decade, SOTUK – consisting of brothers Shane and Dean Brown – have been spreading the words of inspiration across the UK which earned them a steady following in the gospel and mainstream communities as well as receiving continuous support by the likes of Capital Xtra’s Ras Kwame, BBC London, Pluse88 Radio, The Beat 1036 plus many more.
In the middle of the pandemic, which presented various adversities for many musicians, the North-West Londoners came on top and scooped the Music & Media Platforms Awards (TMMP) for best reggae act in 2021.
Their first official release of 2023, marks a new and exciting chapter of great things to come from SOTUK.
‘Joy to the World’ is out now across various reputable music platforms.
NICKI WELLS has spent the last year carefully unwrapping the invaluable creation that is her upcoming debut album, titled Ellipsis, slated for release 18th August. The UK-based singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer has already offered listeners with three divine singles ‘Carry On’, ‘You’re Alright Kid’ and ‘I Have Longed To Be Here’.
The latest single to be unveiled from that forthcoming album is ‘Holy Smoke’, another gorgeously sensitive and emotionally insightful song that features the well-worn keys of Wells’ childhood piano, her folk-inflected vocals scales, deeply poetic lyrics, and soaring orchestral strings. It’s a song that whispers directly to the heart, opening it up further to the intense feeling that this songwriter pours into each and every moment
Regarding the new single, Nicki Wells says: “Holy Smoke is about the process of grieving after loss. It explores the idea that with death can come a kind of grace. That there can be beauty in the relinquishment of gently letting go.”
Nicki has already gained support from the likes of Songwriting Magazine, Notion, LOCK Magazine, Bandcamp Diaries, The Music Enthusiast, BBC 6Music’s Chris Hawkins, BBC Introducing and many more. It all comes down to Nicki Wells’ sound which is simply beautiful, traversing styles of chill, emotional, dreamy, orchestral, folk, singer-songwriter and meditative. Have a listen to ‘Holy Smoke’ below…
Following on from the release of ‘Insane’, London’s up-and-coming songstress TAR RÁE has unveiled her latest slice of heaven. Wrapped in soft melodies and an acoustic backdrop, ‘Too Bad’ is an apologetic single that continues to boast Tar Ráe’s promising artistry.
Housing a warm production, ‘Too Bad’ is an emotional test of love. Reputable for her silky vocals and enchanting lyricism, Tar Ráe wears her heart on her sleeve and takes accountability for her actions in this hypnotic single, Speaking on the release Tar Ráe commented, “Too Bad is about admitting that you took someone important to you for granted and dealing with the regret you feel as a result”
Born in Romford, Essex and raised in Peckham, South-East London, Tar Ráe grew up in a musical household listening to Gospel, R&B, and Afrobeats. It was inevitable that one day she would follow down a similar path and explore a career in music of her own. Taking inspiration from artists including Beyonce, Chris Brown, Brandy, Whitney Houston, and Rihanna, the London native wrote her first song at just fourteen years old before deciding to pursue singing seriously two years later following a conversation with her father. Attending studio sessions in 2019, Tar Ráe began recording her own music before sharing her debut single ‘See You’ in 2021. Catching the eyes of many reputable songwriters and producers, the newcomer is ready to take it up a notch in 2023 with a catalogue of new music. Check out ‘Too Bad’ below…
London’s very own artist/model, CHARLI FLETCHER drops brand new video for track ‘Every Ting Nice’, an uplifting anthem for those dreaming about better days, where one can enjoy the finer things in life, and salutes those already living in this way.
Apart from touching on living the high life, this song explores some of Charli’s culture and roots. No matter how far she elevates in life, she always stays true to her humble beginnings, and pays homage to those who helped her along the way.
‘Every Ting Nice’ is the second track from Charli’s first official EP ‘Dreaming Reality’ which explores love, sensuality, body empowerment, cryptocurrency, and her life as a model. The body of work conveys her versatility in music, and shows that Charli is consistent in her lyrical content, topics of interest and delivery.
Check out the video below, premiered on YouTube yesterday (1st May).
London alt rock band SAD BOYS CLUB‘s latest single ‘Lumoflove’, is a powerful and vulnerable piece of their upcoming debut album Lullabies From The Lightning Tree, out 5th May via Modern Sky.
Radically changing up from their previous singles and back catalogue of music, ‘Lumoflove shows Sad Boys Club, and particularly lead singer Jacob Wheldon, at their darkest, but also most alluring. Paring sparse piano and murky production elements with bursts of vocal passion highlights the dichotomies of love and lust.
Dark, mysterious and brooding, Sad Boys Club are set to have their breakout year. The band’s upcoming debut album Lullabies From The Lightning Tree builds upon their previous string of EP releases that have seen them co-signed by the likes of Fred Macpherson, Matty Healy, Phoebe Bridgers and more.
Speaking on the album – Wheldon says: “It’s almost like a little bit of a coming of age record, it’s just 10 years later than it’s supposed to happen. It’s just for your late twenties and realising the ephemerality of all of that stuff, at this age we’ve all had relationships that haven’t worked out that we thought would last forever, we’ve all loved bands that we thought we were gonna love forever, we’ve all seen beauty in different ways.”
The story of Sad Boys Club is one of yearning, the feeling of reaching, but never quite touching. The constant ebb and flow of euphoric success and seemingly inescapable set-backs. Debut album Lullabies From The Lightning Tree not only marks a journey of four friends, but a generational rallying cry for self acceptance and love for those lost in the quagmire of their mid-to late twenties.
As Milan Kundera writes in his 1984 classic ‘The Unbearable Lightness Of Being’: “Anyone whose goal is ‘something higher’ must expect someday to suffer vertigo. What is vertigo? Fear of falling? No, Vertigo is something other than fear of falling. It is the voice of the emptiness below us which tempts and lures us, it is the desire to fall, against which, terrified, we defend ourselves.” Kundera’s comical scepticism of life is an ever present theme for Sad Boys Club on their debut outing.
Combining The Cure’s penchant for emotionally vulnerable rock anthems, The 1975’s lyrical aptitude and driving guitar based sound of Death Cab for Cutie, Sad Boys Club have cut their teeth on the live circuit for a number of years, supporting Spector, Swim Deep, Bombay Bicycle Club and The Slow Readers Club to name but a few. Their live shows are dynamic, dramatic, and with a wealth of new music to play for the first time, they’re set to be one the UK’s “must see” live shows from a break-out group.
For their previous releases, Sad Boys Club have garnered support from the likes of BBC Radio 1’s Jack Saunders, The Independent, CLASH Magazine, Dork Magazine, The Rodeo, Gigwise, The Line Of Best Fit, Whynow and more.
Sad Boys Club’s debut album Lullabies From The Lightning Tree is out 5th May via Modern Sky. New single ‘Lumoflove’ is out now. Sad Boys Club embark on tours of the UK and Europe in the spring. Have a listen to their stunning ballad below…
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