ARLISTON‘s latest offering ‘Vertical’ is a brooding, introspective journey that delves deep into the heart of existential dread. The duo’s signature blend of intimate vocals and expansive soundscapes is in full force here, creating a sonic atmosphere that’s both suffocating and cathartic.
Opening with a delicate piano melody and Jack Ratcliffe’s soulful baritone, the track gradually builds to a crescendo of emotional intensity. It’s a familiar Arliston territory, but ‘Vertical’ feels like a particularly raw and vulnerable exploration of the band’s signature melancholia. The lyrics, both poignant and relatable, capture the paralyzing feeling of being overwhelmed by life’s challenges.
Musically, the track is a masterclass in dynamics. The tension between quiet introspection and soaring choruses is expertly handled, creating a sense of emotional catharsis. The addition of Sam Catchpole’s driving drums and Brett Shaw’s percussive flourishes adds a layer of complexity to the arrangement, without ever overshadowing the song’s core emotional impact.
While Arliston’s influences are clear – The National, Bon Iver, and Damien Rice cast long shadows over their sound – the duo have managed to carve out their own distinctive niche. ‘Vertical’ is a testament to their talent for crafting songs that resonate deeply with listeners, offering a much-needed soundtrack to those moments of doubt and despair.
Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to Arliston, ‘Vertical’ is a must-listen. It’s a song that lingers in the mind long after the final notes fade, leaving you with a sense of both melancholy and hope.
‘Vertical’ was released last Friday (26th July) via various music platforms. Why not have a listen below…
Singer, songwriter and producer BENNY BIZZIE brings on those hazy summer days in single, ‘Not Sorry’, with hypnotic synths, mesmerising guitar licks, and memorable hooks, topped off by the warmth of the North London-born R&B crooner’s soulful falsetto. ‘Not Sorry’ is hitting all streaming platforms on 1st August.
With a soft bass line, inspired by UK garage classics, such as Shanks & Bigfoot’s hit, ‘Sweet Like Chocolate’ and Sweet Female Attitude’s ‘Flowers’, ‘Not Sorry’ should have been a Valentine’s track as it is all about giving out love excessively, without any consequences. Bizzie sings: ‘If loving you is a crime, then I’m guilty for my crimes charge me so I can do the time, If I say I’m sorry, that’s a lie’
‘Not Sorry’ follows Benny Bizzie’s first single of 2024, ‘Dejavu’, which pays homage and love for families and children in Gaza affected by current conflicts. Bizzie calls on his younger self, as a rap/grime artist, to deliver gritty rap lyrics packed with emotion while keeping it warm with soulful R&B melodies.
Benny also makes zero apologies for the love he is pouring out to his ever-expanding fan base as he plans to unleash a string of releases throughout 2024, which includes his upcoming album, ‘Project Human’.
Growing up in the estates of Tottenham, in north London, Benny wanted to find his place in society, where he can be his true self. He found solace in music, which led to his journey as a grime/rap artist, often swapping and dropping verses with childhood friends. His childhood friends would later become firm figures in UK’s grime scene which includes Ghetts, BoyBetterknow and Ruff Sqwad.
In his adult years, Benny transitioned into R&B artist, perfecting spine-tingling falsetto over the years, often touching on current topics that are close to his heart (as featured in single ‘DejaVu’), self-development/self-discovery – and, of course, love in all forms. To date, Benny has generated over 650,000 views on YouTube and over 250K streams on Spotify alone and has generated firm support from the likes of BBC1xtra and BBC London.
Bizzie continues building momentum with cross-platform visibility through recent appearance in National Lottery advert and various podcast appearances. His collaborative single with Audio Attack, ‘Crazy For Your Love‘, was featured on Australia’s TV hit shows, Home and Away and Bachelors.
Forming part of his upcoming album, ‘Project Human’, ‘Not Sorry’ is available from 1st August on various music platforms.
London-based singer, songwriter and producer PAIGE BEA‘s single, ‘Worth It’, is a dark, feminist ode to the frustrations of not knowing where you stand at the start of a new relationship. On ‘Worth It’, Paige is characteristically direct, asking outright rhetorical questions that ask for frankness in where this new romance is heading, paired with bold, honest statements about her own intentions: “I’m not here to convince and coerce / make things nice and give birth / I’m a difficult person”.
Speaking more on the lyrical inspiration behind ‘Worth It’, Paige said: “The lyrics for Worth It came shortly after a date I’d just been on. I was already just so anxious about when I was going to get the text back and how much longer we were going to have to do this silly dance before we just gave in to falling in love and seeing what happens. It felt like we were both coming into the start of it with a lot of trepidation given past relationships we’d been in, and we were trying to be adults by taking it slow, but it also felt like that was sucking the fun, spontaneous joy of starting something new out of it? I was also thinking about expectations of women in relationships, the peacemaker, the homemaker, the PA, the mother (I’m not here to convince and coerce / Make things nice then give birth / I’m a difficult person) and I wanted to make a statement that I probably won’t fit into the idea of who you think I am and I want to make that clear, but I’m also up for just leaning into this new feeling and taking a leap of faith if you are? I think our generation has this tendency to think that because they are grown and therapised, it means we can micro-manage all our relationships and behaviours and I’m far too impulsive for that. I’m much more about throwing myself in the deep-end and seeing where it takes me.”
Across her work to date, Paige Bea has seen excitable airplay and support from BBC R1’s Jack Saunders, Tara Kumar, Sian Eleri, BBC Introducing London’s Jess Izsatt, and BBC 1Xtra’s Jamz Supernova (who invited her into the studio for a Late Night Discovery interview), as well as esteemed publications and outlets such as COLORS, The Line Of Best Fit, Wonderland, The Independent, CLASH Magazine, Wordplay Mag, enfnts terribles, The Rodeo + more.
Upon the release of ‘Worth It’, Paige Bea announced her new EP ‘Flutters’ which was available from Wednesday (17th July) via DMY Artists. Why not listen to the avant-garde track below…
London’s R&B singer, rapper, and producer BENNY BIZZIE has dropped a performance and lyric video for latest single, ‘Dejavu’, where he expresses his frustrations over the terror in Gaza.
Bizzie calls on his younger self, as a rap/grime artist, to deliver gritty rap lyrics packed with emotion whilst keeping it warm with soulful R&B melodies.
Expect more music from Benny throughout this year…but for now, check out the video for ‘Dejavu’ below…
Singer, songwriter, rapper and producer JESSICA WILDE has released her highly anticipated, soul touching, empowering and thought- provoking sophomore album ‘Teach Me How To Love’, with the amazing Afronaut Zu featuring on the title track.
Wilde fully utilizes her authentic expression through this powerful and truly unique body of work, where she bares her vulnerability on a personal journey of deep inner healing and an exploration of love for self, others, life and God. Authentically expressed though her soul searing, raw, raspy and heart hitting singing which Jess fuses with her sharp-witted rap & spoken word with undeniable South London grit.
Wilde, now four years sober, has openly shared her experience, from her debut project (2023) where each of the songs were like confessional diary entries, laying out brutally honest lyrics in her unique and original Wilde way, taking us on a ride of life through addiction, toxic relationships, escapism to a place of self-empowerment, self-love and living sober.
Wilde’s new album ‘Teach Me How To Love’ reflects all the inner work she has committed to that has brought her out of the darkest times of her life. Wilde has ventured on a spiritual path which took her on a transformational solo adventure from the concrete jungle to the Amazon Jungle and which gave the seeds of inspiration for this new chapter of her musical expression to take fruit.
In her recent interview with Carrie and David Grant on BBC Radio London she said: “The phase now is really feeling a lot more self-love, love for life and really wanting to uplift people with my music and spread the frequency of love”.
The new album project features some of Wilde’s close friends and incredible artists in their own right Josh Barry (Nile Rodgers, Gorgon City), Zoe Kyrpi (Black Coffee, David Lazarus), James Newman (writer of Rudimental’s Brit award winning song ‘Waiting All Night’ with Ella Eyre) and Afronaut Zu who’s raw and husky vocals are heard on the title track ‘Teach Me How To Love’. Zu is also a part of Steam Down Jazz collective and Rudimental. Wilde not only penned the tunes of the album but also co-produced it with producer and right hand man Tom Maine (Wu-lu, Ego Ella May).
Having released five singles in the lead up to the full album drop, Wilde has gained an immense amount of loyal and continuing support across BBC Radio from taste maker DJ’s, including Radio 1’s ‘Future Artists’ with Jack Saunders, Jess Iszatt on both Radio 1 and BBC Introducing, BBC 6 Music, Multiple BBC Radio London shows, including a recent in studio live performance and interview with Carrie and David Grant. She has also gained support from John Kennedy on Radio X, editorial playlist features across the board with Apple, Spotify, Youtube Music, TIDAL, Amazon and US Radio and streaming platform Pandora, plus also press acclaim from 1883, Clash Magazine, Complex, The Independent, Wonderland, The Daily Star and many more.
This summer was Jam packed, with Wilde hitting the stages of Glastonbury, Secret Garden Party, Camp Wild Fire and Soul Town festival where she’s opening the main stage for legends Earth, Wind and Fire. Not only is the festival season popping off, but Wilde is also set to headline Lower Third on 17th July for her album launch show, in collaboration with soul pioneering platform ‘Global Soul’ and Wilde’s very own PxSSY PWR platform.
‘PxSSY PWR’ is a platform Wilde created as a response to the disparity between support for male artists compared to female artists. The residency at Hootananny Brixton has become a hub and major platform for some of the most exciting underground female, non-binary and queer artists, including sold out shows with the likes of Etta Bond, IYAMAH, Zoe Kypri and Tamaraebi to name a few.
Listen to ‘Teach Me How To Love’ below…
Must Listens: Love Like This, FADE, Human, Teach Me How To Love
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