Song of the Day: Vices – Arash Nejad

A sombre yet compelling drive introduces ARASH NEJAD‘s debut single, ‘Vices’, putting him in very good stead as a serious contender in UK’s alternative R&B/Neo soul scene. The single then flourishes into a fresh, sultry take on slow jam as we know it, with Arash’s perfectly paired vocal performance, vividly narrating his strong addiction on one of his greatest vices – his love interest. As the single unholds, you can feel an intense desperation and raw desire that lingers long after the single ends.

From listening to ‘Vices’, it’s clear that Arash draws inspiration from urban music heavyweights such as Beyoncé, Michael Jackson and Frank Ocean. Fans of these artists are likely to find his sound equally compelling, as he blends familiar influences with a style that feels distinctly his own.

With ‘Vices’ covering themes of love and addiction with such emotional depth, it’s exciting to see what topics he explores next. I got a feeling he’s got so much to say and this debut offering is just a tip of a very large and complex iceburg. His strong sound creates an airy mystery around him with little known beyond the fact that he’s based somewhere in South East England. As his musicial journey unravels, I suspect he will reveal a piece of his world one chapter at a time and in my book that is enough to hang around for his next move…

‘Vices’ is now available now for your pleasure…why not check it out below…

Keep up to date with Arash Nejad’s journey via:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/arash_nejad/
Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@arash_nejad

Song of the Day: Made For Me – Liam L Joseph

UK singer-songwriter LIAM L JOSEPH has a gift for turning life’s experiences into music, capturing raw emotion in every note. His latest single, ‘Made For Me’, emerged from a moment of inspiration on a scenic beach in Las Palmas, Spain, where the sound of waves, wind, and laughter, framed by blue skies and towering mountains, sparked sweet, harmonic melodies in his mind.

The track blends smooth neo-soul textures with Liam’s serene vocals, gliding over a warm, grooving bassline that reflects his multi-instrumentalist roots. The result is a romantic song that feels effortless, tender, and timeless. ‘Made For Me’ is now available on all major streaming platforms.

At 16, he composed his first piece for a choir, a milestone that quickly led him into broader songwriting, performance, and production. Music has been central to Liam’s life from an early age. Raised in a musical household — with a singer mother, a multi-instrumentalist father, and musician brothers— he was immersed in melody and rhythm from day one. His passion was further cemented when his brother gifted him his first professional bass guitar, a Yamaha TRB. Influenced by artists such as John Legend, he emphasises emotional clarity and authenticity, believing that honesty is essential for a song to resonate truly.

Beyond his solo work, Liam has established himself as a sought-after session musician, performing with artists including Usher Raymond and Jocelyn Brown, while contributing to multiple collaborative projects. During the COVID-19 lockdown, he co-founded the band formerly known as JAAD, releasing original material. Surrounded by so many talented creatives in the band, Liam re-ignited his creative spark, paving the way for his solo single ‘Set The Tone’ in September 2024.

With ‘Made For Me’, Liam L Joseph continues to define his artistic identity, delivering music that showcases his versatility, musicianship, and creative vision.

‘Made For Me’ is out now on all leading platforms.

FB: https://www.facebook.com/liam.joseph.54
IG: https://www.instagram.com/liamljoseph
Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@liamljoseph

Source: Liam L Joseph

New Lease Music’s Top Ten Singles of 2024

Last but not least, here are the top ten singles of 2024!

On this list, you’ll find some epic gems from around the globe – from the UK, US, South Africa and Japan, keeping you entertained throughout the week and hopefully beyond!

I hope you like this year’s list…and if you so happen to enjoy these releases, why not give it a like or make a comment below.

Keep your eyes peeled on NEW LEASE MUSIC for some fantastic releases for 2025! Take care for now…

    New Lease Music’s Top Ten Albums of 2024

    As promised, here are the top ten albums of 2024.

    In true NEW LEASE MUSIC fashion, we don’t stick to one genre. So if you fancy some alt R&B/soul, neo soul, conscious rap, dreamy pop or something little different, well you’ve come to the right place! Just get to it and hit play on these no skip albums. If you’re feeling any of the collections, please like, or better still, leave a comment below.

    Be sure to check NEW LEASE MUSIC’s Top Ten Singles of 2024 on Monday. I hope you enjoy the albums below…

    Song of the Day: When It Comes Together – Matt Wilde x [ K S R ]

    Following the widespread success of his debut album ‘Hello World’ last year, which found support across BBC Radio 6, BBC Radio 2, Jazz FM and more, Manchester based-pianist and producer MATT WILDE returns with a smooth offering taken from his forthcoming ‘It’s A Delight’ EP. A celebration of Manchester’s fertile nu-jazz and soul scene, ‘When It Comes Together’ sees Matt connect with altsoul wordsmith [ K S R ] for a Robert Glasper-esque, piano-led hip-hop beat with heartfelt lyrics exploring human connection.

    Out now via DeepMatter Records, Matt comments: “This track explores the magic of unity and collaboration. The soulful vocals and intricate production highlight the beauty of coming together to create something meaningful.”

    Matt’s ‘It’s A Delight’ EP is a heartfelt exploration of everyday joys and human connection. The fivetrack EP captures the essence of wilful gladness and beauty found in ordinary moments, with Matt weaving a reflective, uplifting musical narrative through his melody-driven approach to improvisation and composition. Soothing, warm harmonic choices sit front and centre on meditative pieces like ‘Trying To Be Kind’ and ‘Timekeepers’, whilst electric moments of joyous collaboration
    occur on RH Factor-leaning cut ‘Good Things Happen’, featuring trumpet player Aaron Wood (Secret Night Gang, Olivia Dean).

    On the EP, Matt shares: “It’s a Delight is an exploration of the small joys that make life meaningful. The project was a collaborative effort that brought new perspectives and layers to the music. This EP celebrates the everyday moments that bring us together and the joy that grows when shared.”

    A fast-rising artist known for his lyrical, virtuosic and jazz-tinged approach to keys playing and production, Matt Wilde is a key part of the Manchester scene that’s played a huge role in the growing international success of UK jazz. Cutting his teeth producing for local grime artists including Prose and Bugzy Malone before going on to collaborate with Brownswood Records’ Secret Night Gang and HMD, he’s a multi-faceted artist with an in-demand creative approach. His music has received widespread support from tastemakers including Gilles Peterson, Huey Morgan and Deb Grant, and he’s been spotlighted in publications including the Big Issue, all whilst growing his own social media channels and building a strong community across YouTube and Instagram.

    Listen to ‘When It Comes Together’ below…