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…
After bursting onto the Canadian rap scene with his seminal debut EP Reign, breakouts tracks including ‘Tell Me What’s Up’ and ‘Don’t Wake Me Up’, and support from the likes of Billboard, Complex and Spotify, Toronto rap artist and producer OG COMPASS took a year-long hiatus in 2022 to plot his next move, hone his craft even further, and record his sophomore project. The Ontario native is back with a glorious new single titled ‘SUNNY’, as he officially announces his long-awaited and highly anticipated sophomore EP titled ‘Soleil’, which will be released at the end of the summer.
‘SUNNY’ is the lead single from OG Compass’ upcoming Soleil EP, and it sees OG invoking sunny days as he looks forward to the summer, while waxing lyrical about being able to enjoy new summer experiences, having escaped the traumas of his past life as a street soldier. The track was written and composed by OG Compass, with production from burgeoning 16-year-old beatsmith YoungSlashProd (May Wave$, LXNER), and it is driven by funky basslines, lush guitar licks, and OG Compass’ smooth cadence and infectious melodies, which all together make for a glorious rap offering.
Born and raised in Toronto to first generation Ghanaian immigrants, OG Compass has always been surrounded by amazing music, culture, and heritage, which continue to influence his artistic passion, creativity, and drive. As a child, he tapped into his musical curiosities by learning to play the piano and saxophone, and through his teenage years, he picked up a pen and pad to add lyricism and songwriting to his artistic repertoire – fast forward to 2023, and both endeavours have come together perfectly for OG Compass to reveal the exciting artist and producer that he is today. Check out ‘Sunny’ 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).
‘Placebo Effect’ is a surrealist and thought-provoking rap music video where BANGGZ delivers a poignant and introspective message about the arduous path of creatives within the music industry.
The two-minute production features evocative lyrics such as “I feel great already” interwoven with striking visual imagery of the Nigerian rapper’s blood-drenched body. Through the collaborative vision of Banggz and filmmaker Tani Olorunyomi, the video represents a remarkable response to the human condition and the industry’s insatiable thirst for exploiting artists for their commercial value. The song is part of a project titled ‘ttyl (an audio series)’ which was released last summer
Ottawa-based Banggz has gained recognition on various platforms such as CBC Canada, Ottawa Citizen, That Eric Alper, Tinnitist, Native Magazine, and Pulse Nigeria and has also opened for artists like WizKid, Pierre Kwenders, Asuquomo and KAR33M. Check out the video below…
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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