Nemzzz drops new single ‘PTSD’ + video ahead of debut mixtape ‘DO NOT DISTURB’

The new titan of UK Rap NEMZZZ drops ‘PTSD’ yesterday ( 22nd February), the next taste of his forthcoming debut mixtape DO NOT DISTURB arriving on 15th March 2024.

The raw new single splices a haunting vocal flip with a laid-back production from frequent collaborator Zel, as Nemzzz turns teacher once more – speaking on how he uses his music as catharsis to process his feelings. The accompanying video was shot entirely on 16mm film by DonProd and features a series of lo-fi shots of Nemzzz in Manchester in his most textured visual to date. Building on the song’s theme of coping with anxiety and finding your own path, the visual splices footage of Nemzzz alone at home with shots of him surrounded by friends.

Laid over 11 tracks, DO NOT DISTURB is set to be Nemzzz’s most expansive drop to date, an exploration of how the young artist is shaped by his upbringing and his fame. ‘PTSD’ will be joined on the tape by recent drop ‘L’S’(recently named Song of the Day on the blog). The shimmering, jazz inflected single arrived last month to acclaim from the likes of The Observer, Fader, CRACK, NME spins across BBC Radio 1, 1Xtra and more. Last year’s massive single ‘MONEY & VIBES’ will also appear on the tape, the cut topped the A list at 1Xtra and racked up over +1 million streams a week. DO NOT DISTURB will be available in physical format on CD & cassette in a first for the Mancunion.

Check out the video for ‘PTSD’ below…

Song of the Day: Filtered Reality – Ellie Burke

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.

Have a listen to ‘Filtered Reality’ below…

Song of the Day: As It Seems – Alice Rowe

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…

Song of the Day: S.O.S – Melroze

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…

Watch The Scribes x J-Boom Video For Stir Crazy Remix

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.

Check it out here…