Song Of The Day: Struggle – 2840

Coming out of St. Louis, hip-hop duo 2840 comes through with their latest single, ‘Struggle’ which pretty much sums up the everyday obstacles that makes life that little bit harder.

So if you’re going through some financial issues, martial problems or even knock backs from chasing your dream, the hook in this track will definitely hit home: Sh”t so deep deep, you need a shovel. Welcome to my “Struggle”

Jason Ragan, who makes one half of 2840, was previously linked to hip-hop/rock group Liquor Store Bandits, often collaborating with Paleface Junkies and 3KNGZ.

Why not check out ‘Struggles’ below…

Song of the Day: Fallin’ – Cheryll

After I was introduced to her single, ‘Fess Up’, South London’s singer/songwriter CHERYLL has been firmly on my radar, because she is to keeping old good R&B alive – and I must say, this newcomer does it REALLY well.

Her latest single, ‘Fallin’, chronicles her feelings for her love interest. Producer D’wante Navire puts a modern spin on 90s R&B on the single, by injecting a deep flirtatious bassline.

‘Fallin’ follows her debut EP, ‘Transition’. Cheryll discussed the inspiration behind producing the five-track set in an interview with NEW LEASE MUSIC. You can read it right here …but before you head off, have a listen to the track below…

Watch Sipprell’s video For R&B Single, ‘More Than We Are’

London singer, songwriter, vocal and string arranger & violinist – SIPPRELL has released her first single of 2021, ‘More Than We Are’.

‘More The We Are’ is the follow up to Sipprell’s 2020 EP release Bad History which received critical acclaim from the likes of Complex UK, Jamz Supernova on BBC Radio 1Xtra, foundation fm, Amazing Radio & more.

Speaking on the release, Sipprell says “More Than We Are was created during lockdown with producer Solomon Fox. The song is about fear of vulnerability and the games people play to protect themselves.”

Aside from her own solo material, Sipprell also boasts writing cuts and vocal arrangements on Nao’s latest album, ‘And Then Life Was Beautiful’, as well as performing violin and providing backing vocals for Ed Sheeran at BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend earlier this year. Fast becoming a tastemaker’s tastemaker – Sipprell’s fans include Rosie Lowe and Barney Artist to name a few.

Check out the video for Sipprell’s spine-tingling single below…

Album Review: Sameways – Oloff

OLOFF circles back to the limelight with second project of the year, ‘Sameways’, which sonically takes on a more sombre route than its predecessor, ‘Expat’, which carries an appeasing presence of retro soul and samples that’s associated with the Golden Hollywood era.

A downtempo, yet somewhat airy electronic drive dominates the ten track set momentarily interrupted by melodic chants (as heard in intro track, ‘Always’), 808/hip-hop beats (in ‘Bonce’ and ‘Half Open’).

Covering the themes of eternal recurrence, amphetamines, paranoia and circular living, ‘Sameways’ concludes with alternating sounds of industrial soundscapes, that can pierce through the coldest of souls, and hypnotic chants.

Sometimes, I wonder what goes through the mind of this indie rapper, who creatives extreme off-the-cuff material that somehow (I think) has potential widespread appeal. If you’re inquisitive enough to enter Oloff’s world, why not hit the button on the album below.

Must Listens: Bonce, Half Open, Ten

Hector Who Lived Releases Debut Single ‘Monkey’

Bristol-based indie-pop / electronica artist HECTOR WHO LIVED‘s debut single, ‘Monkey’, was written when the first lockdown hit as an acknowledgement of one’s headspace being the first step towards self-help.

With sharp DIY production and earnestly self-aware lyrics, it’s a raw communication of mental struggles throughout lockdown and slipping into bad habits. Noise samples from a gameboy are sprinkled throughout to add texture to the track. ‘Monkey’ widens as it drops into the chorus where it sits atop a pulsing, funk-infused electronic bass. It reaches its pinnacle as it enters the final chorus; the vocals becoming stronger and more confident as they represent the willpower to get through bad mental states.

Hector has an array of musical achievements under his belt since his move to Bristol in 2017, having played venues such as The O2 Academy Oxford, The Bullingdon, Jericho Tavern and Truck Festival with his band ‘The Outside’. With his current band Try Me, Hector has a variety of festivals coming up this year including Dot To Dot. Hector has also featured on a charity album ‘Poland Has A Task’, alongside Lynks, Jessica Winter, Brodka and more; raising awareness for Women’s and Queer rights in Poland.

‘Monkey’ is now out on various digital music platforms. Why not have a peep at the accompanied 70s-inspired video below…