Song of the Day: Good Love – Joey XL

East London R&B innovator JOEY XL‘s single ‘Good Love’, is a feel good, end of summer serenade to all those who feel like they can’t get by without love.

Produced by Rndm Beats, ‘Good Love’ is the lead up to his forthcoming six-track EP XL’s Room, coming out this Friday (30th September). The much anticipated project encompasses themes of love, finding yourself through music and forging your own path. The project features smooth recent single ‘Special’, the shimmering ‘Perfect Timing’ and the first release from the EP ‘To The Bank’ which arrived earlier this spring.

Speaking on the EP, Joey said:-

“The challenges that life throws your way, each designed to shape and advance your existence and purpose, are encapsulated in ‘XLs Room’. It centres on the concept of a bedroom, as well as the solitude of the mind, both private and safe spaces to feel and process lessons in love, navigating relationships, finding direction and understanding who and what you’re meant to be. This EP is a journey of self-discovery – each track speaks to my musical and mental evolution, crossing genre and themes, ending with passionate optimism that everything happens for a reason and the best is yet to come.”

Make sure you look out for the EP…but for now, have a listen to ‘Good Love’ below…

UK Alt-R&B Princess Dior Ashe releases EP ‘Chill Pill’.

Singer/songwriter DIOR ASHE introduces an eclectic amalgamation of various styles, genres and moods, through EP ‘Chill Pill’, a body of work that is an undoubtedly enjoyable journey into the catalogue of one of West London’s most promising talents.

Dior’s warm vocals melded with infectious melodies and encapsulating lyrics make for a unique and memorable listening experience.

Hailing from Ladbroke Grove, West London, singer/songwriter Dior Ashe is undeniably a force to be reckoned with within the UK Alt R&B space.

Proudly tapping into her Antiguan & St Lucian roots, Dior draws much of her influence from her rich Caribbean heritage. R&B, Soul and Neo-Jazz also all play a key-part when it comes to her unique musical scope, with Dior also drawing inspiration from vocal powerhouses such as Amy Winehouse and Erykah Badu.

Notably, Dior Ashe has performed at Earth 0.2, QH Sound Live and RCRDSHOP at Boxpark Shoreditch, and has been supported by Reprezent, Voices Radio, Snapback FM and Love Da Beat radio stations with both interviews and radio play.

Must Listens: Homerun, Miss You.

Song of the Day: Essence – Coops

Produced by Greatness Jones, ‘Essence’ is an inspiring cut of positivity from the talented North London rapper, COOPS, ruminating about life across trademark boom-bap drums and a rolling bass line. Essence is taken from Coops’ new album, ‘Lost Soul 2’ – released last Friday (23rd September) via Lost Soul Records.

‘Lost Soul 2’, the seventh full length release from the prodigious talent, was recorded at Coops’ studio in Hackney and serves as the sequel to his seminal Lost Soul mixtape, which still commands huge admiration nearly a decade since its release and is widely seen as a cult UK hip-hip classic. The new album sees a welcome return to the creative partnership with producer Talos that flourished on ‘Lost Soul’.

In support of the new album, Coops has announced details of his debut UK headline tour. The ‘Lost Soul’ tour will see Coops on the road in October and November with a special hometown show at London’s XOYO on Friday 4th November. Full dates can be found below while tickets are on sale now here: https://diplomatsofsound.org/coops-lost-soul-tour-2022/.

While the original reflected the uncertainty in his teenage years, ‘Lost Soul 2’ explores the navigation of adult life against the backdrop of the precariousness of the world in 2022. It’s a tale of progression and growth: Coops’ emotional capacity has matured, as has the soulful melodies he is crafting. It demonstrates evolution without compromising the important message in his music. 

‘Lost Soul 2’ is Coops at his truest, purest, and most effortless and, having flown under the radar for far too long, is set to cement his status as one of the UK’s foremost lyricists. Check out the video for ‘Essence’ below…

Song of the Day: twenifree – SAMSON

UK rising star SAMSON‘s ‘twenifree’ is the second instalment in his Birthday inspired series.

SAMSON once again marks the occasion by sharing his experiences of travelling another year around the sun with this endearing, self-produced offering.

In signature SAMSON style, ‘twenifree’ is laced with an infectious, jumpy instrumental – perfectly complimenting his innate ability to capture his audience through his gripping story telling and effortless flow.

Inspired by array of genres such as Hip-Hop, Funk, Jazz, Rock and Grime, and influenced by artists Tyler The Creator, Little Simz, Joey Badass and Chance the Rapper, SAMSON has received national radio support from Tiffany Calver on BBC Radio 1Xtra as well as BBC Introducing and many community radio stations.

Check out his latest retrospective track below…

Obsidian Cane Continues The ‘Long Summer’ In New Track Featuring Stacey Pierre.

Multi-genre producer OBSIDIAN CANE once again joins up with alternative soul singer Stacey Pierre for the summer charged track titled ‘Long Summer’, out now.

Possessing a vibrant/tropical take on UKG that’ll bring on the sunny vibes well into the cooler months, ‘Long Summer’, is all about breaking away from old habits of rushing into new relationships. It’s an internal monologue that highlights the lessons learned from past experiences, with the intention of enjoying the journey and living in the present. Stacey’s instantly compelling harmonies gives an alternative edge to Obsidian Cane’s euphoric chants and bouncing bass line that commands full attention.

‘Long Summer’ marks the duo’s third collaboration. Stacey Pierre has previously graced her mesmerising harmonies on Obsidian Cane’s 2-step track, ‘Body Talk’ (from his 2020 debut EP, ‘Reset I’) and BBC1xtra- approved track, ‘Secret Place’, which received a seal of approval from UKG connoisseur DJ EZ, is taken from Obsidian Cane’s follow-up EP ‘Reset II’.

Since the release of her debut self-written/produced EP ‘Eden’ back in 2018, which was met with raving reviews, Stacey is carving a name for herself in London’s music scene regularly performing at opulent venues, The Londoner Hotel, The Dorchester Hotel (through Molto Music Group) and The Ned. Stacey also graced her intensely compelling stage presence at various events across the capital including St. Felix Place, Gigi’s Bar, Café 1001 and East London’s 93 Feet East.

Her lead single, ‘Motion’, from her latest EP, ‘Origin Unknown’, released in July, catapulted her onto the worldwide stage, receiving airplay from Amazing Radio in the UK and US, R&B Hits Radio in Greece as well as Ubuntu FM in South Africa.

Before branching out under his new moniker, Obsidian Cane produced music for artists signed to Warner Bros, EMI and Parlophone as well as producing music for TV shows on Channel 4, BBC1 and BBC2. He scored a club hit, ‘I Need A Rhythm’ as UKG duo KP alongside fellow producer Paul Benjamin. More recently, his single ‘Shine’ featuring long-time collaborator Ferraz, received a firm seal of approval BBC Radio London’s Jacqueline Shepherd and Raffaella Coleman. ‘Shine’ is lifted from Obsidian Cane’s EP Reset.

Obsidian Cane and Stacey Pierre aim to inject those idyllic sunny days well into autumn and winter with ‘Long Summer, released 9th September across various music platforms.

Follow Obsidian Cane via
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Stacey Pierre:
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T: https://twitter.com/SPierreMusic
IG: https://www.instagram.com/spierremusic/