Liverpool-based singer/songwriter ELLIE BURKE‘s latest single, ‘Filtered Reality’ invites you into her world anxiety and insecurities caused by social media, documenting how it affected her negatively due to the filtered images and narratives that lead to unrealistic lifestyle and expectations.
Ellie Burke wrote ‘Filtered Reality’ as part of her university dissertation. She took an educated approach by researching and speaking to individuals who were struggling from mental health problems from cyberbullying and self-comparison to the filtered realities portrayed online.
“A girl spoke about how social media exasperated her eating disorder due to the negative content that was easily accessible. Another account discussed how cyberbullying ruined their mental health and well being. This is where my idea of ‘Filtered Reality’ came from,” says Ellie.
ALICE ROWE‘s single ‘As It Seems’, heavily explores elements of jazz and old school hip hop, flush with smooth melodies, uptempo R&B beats and Rowe’s soulful voice, but for all of the surface level peace, there’s an undercurrent of uncertainty brought about by the confusing world we all inhabit.
Here, the British songwriter takes us into further detail about the meaning behind ‘As It Seems’: “I wrote this track after attending an art exhibition in London ‘Alice in Wonderland – Curious & Curiouser’, the concept was about a girl who struggled to survive the confusing world of adults, she also struggled to come to terms with life and learnt that there are many layers/ mysteries. It is thought that Alice and several other characters secretly suffer from mental health issues which helped me to come up with the lyric ‘behind closed doors you can’t see, nothing is ever as it seems’, this is a metaphor for the many doors Alice opens in Wonderland and also for real life where you never know what’s truly going on.
After attending the exhibition I felt that the concept fit with my current thoughts at the time and it felt right that I explore that. I then created the project. The art work is also inspired by one of the pieces of art in the gallery which I have in my home studio. This track is really exciting for me as I feel like this is where I found my sound.”
Any prior listener of Alice Rowe’s will notice her development from edgy pop with a soul overtone into this new realm of jazz and hip-hop inspired soulful R&B, which the young artist promises plenty more of in the coming year. Not only is ‘As It Seems’ a great standalone single, but it’s also part of Rowe’s bigger project, titled Nothing is Ever As It Seems. Have a listen below…
MELROZE constructs catchy pop songs shadowed by dark and vulnerable lyrics, as showcased in her latest single, ‘S.O.S.’, released amidst mental health awareness week. Featuring the lone piano, working in perfect unison with the Nashville-based pop singer’s stunningly yearning vocal, ‘S.O.S’ cuts to the heart of those struggling with mental health.
Her soothing sound is very much needed in the pop music scene in the midst of the daily struggles we all experience – and let me tell you, that no one can convey these topics better than Melroze. Have a listen to the stunning pop ballad below…
Following the video release for track, ‘Haunted House Party’ last month, multi award winning hip-hop trio THE SCRIBES and long-time collaborator Finland based producer J-Boom, circle back and slam down another video release for the makeover of ‘Stir Crazy’, remixed by German boom bap specialist Krisengebeat exclusively for international hip-hop label The Get Down Records as part of their Yo! GDR Beats, Raps Spotify series.
The tracks and video, all produced throughout lockdown, combine Krisengebeats much heralded jazzy boom bap style with The Scribes’ razor sharp raps, creating a laid back, explorative statement on the mental effects of the global pandemic and ensuing lockdowns.
Emerging Independent British Rapper J GRANGE drops his latest single with accompanying visuals for ‘Rocky Like A$AP’.
The new single produced with platinum selling producer DUKUS (Amy Winehouse Foundation, Stormzy, Charlie Sloth, Yxng Bane) is a celebration of personal ambition and having the strength to ‘keep pushing forward on your quest to the top’. The track showcases the young artists’ talents throughout, including his songwriting skills, charisma and slick, aspirational wordplay.
J’s future certainly looks bright despite his relatively short time dedicated to music, he’s already caught the eye of tastemakers having received feature articles on BBC, Music-News, Verge, Niji Magazine, Guap, Link Up and many more
Upping the ante for this release, J has solely self funded and directed the music video for ‘Rocky Like A$AP’. Ever keen to inspire others, the video opens with an industrial, eerily empty feel which ultimately ascends into the realization of J’s ultimate dream….music. The lyrics also continue J’s personal mantra of striving towards your goals and to stay persistent.
Despite being an exciting, conscious, new British talent on the come up, J has a greater purpose and an extremely powerful message which is to address the issues and negative stigmas around mental health. Ultimately inspired by his own experiences and overcoming early struggles and harsh battles with Mental Health himself, he found his therapy in music and wants to get this across to other creatives and beyond to urge and inspire them to follow suit.
J is currently in the process of looking to start up his own initiative and record label for people from disadvantaged backgrounds and also who suffer from mental health issues. Truly inspiring to see from such an talented young artist who is set for a very promising and prosperous career in the industry.
New Lease Music 