Spooky season might be well and truly over, but Florida’s MeRCY decides to keep the scary hours alive as he at last brings his ‘Michael Myers’ EP to life.
The artist continues to build his “Michael” catalog of releases with the second installment of the series as he previously dropped the EP ‘Iron Mike’ back in January. Now MeRCY strikes again but this time with no gloves over his hands, only with a mask over his face as he takes on the persona of Michael Myers. You’ll find yourself encaptivated for 22 minutes while MeRCY delivers deadly blows of lyricism over the dark and grimy sounds provided by Slimrock, Homage, Flowers In Narnia, JQ Mr. 54, Kubo and Livin’. Standouts from the EP include ‘Scary Hours’, ‘Death Note’ and ‘Myers Theme’. Whether he is going round for round in the ring or slicing and dicing up his foe, MeRCY is now two for two with his “Michael” themed projects.
If the EP wasn’t enough for his fans to indulge in, Merc’ also gives the greenlight on the release of the visual for track 3 ‘Scary Hours’. Directed by Ike Anyanwu, the black and white video brings those scary hours in Broward to life as MeRCY comes face to face with the Michael Myers persona in the thriller visual.
Why not check out the EP below…
Must Listens: Evil vs Good, The Boogeyman (Holy Ghost)
A tribute to her grieving process and subsequent creative rediscovery after recovering from breast cancer in 2021, HOLYSSEUS FLY‘s debut solo EP ‘Birthpool’ is a truly special six-tracker that brims with magnetic strength, devastating emotion and heartfelt beauty.
Opening proceedings with the first song written for the EP, ‘Bloom’, a track borne of self-imposed pressure during lockdown to write again after recovering from treatment, the scene is set for the EP’s themes of creative reclamation. Holysseus sings ‘I’ll bloom when I choose to’, a statement of determination to create for only herself. As the sonics progress from a skeletal beat through to a deep, harmonically-rich drop, driven by Holysseus Fly’s captivating vocal, the EP’s opener registers high on strength via stunning vulnerability.
‘Marigold’, released as a B-side to ‘Bloom’, is as devastating as it is beautiful. Brooding keys and a steady heartbeat kick drive the track as Holysseus’ yearning vocal builds to its heartbreaking climax, cracking with emotion. Easy to hear why this had big support from Annie Mac on her Chill Playlist and Jamz Supernova’s ‘Hit Reset Track of the Day’ on 6 Music on its release.
‘Within The Water’, sees the artist working through her fears via another soaring, heavenly vocal performance which received huge support on its release from Tom Robinson’s BBC Introducing Mixtape, as well as an audio walk feature on BBC 6 Music with Chris Hawkin and seen here discussing on ITV News.
In ‘Under Your Sun’ we see the singer’s jazz roots come to the fore in a mellow soundscape topped with deliciously soulful vox that convey lyrical themes of creative rebirth and strength through adversity with typical aplomb.
Holysseus Fly expands themes of empowerment with a lightness of touch on ‘Teach Me’, produced by The Staves’ Rob Pemberton and recently added to the BBC 6 Music playlist. A challenge to undermining patriarchal voices, we see the artist step into her main character energy with a knowing sideswipe at anyone who might dare come for her. A feminist flag in the sand delivered with signature radiant vocals and one of many ‘chef’s kiss’ moments on the record.
losing Birthpool is the gut-wrenchingly gorgeous ‘A Weight Too Heavy’. The track swirls with grief, self-examination and sense of release after a period of intense mourning. The shattering lyric ‘I can’t look for the ‘why’’ is delivered with rawness and immensity and confirms Holysseus Fly as an artist with a real gift for emotional honesty, not to mention heartstopping vocal abilities.
Deeply moving, sonically captivating and truly remarkable Birthpool is a jaw-dropping debut from this one-of-a-kind artist. A spellbinding star turn and solo debut from the Bristol based vocalist, songwriter and pianist. Do not sleep on witnessing her incredible journey through rebirth and rediscovery live with November’s shows likely to sell out as quickly as her previous dates. Holysseus Fly will also be supporting 6 Music’s Tom Robinson on his forthcoming sold-out UK tour. Big things lie ahead for this exceptional young talent.
Holysseus Fly says: “I started writing Birthpool in Spring 2021 when I was feeling low recovering from treatment for Breast Cancer. Just like a seed having been planted in winter, I cared for a growing garden of creative ideas and allowed myself to write what I really wanted. I had been holding myself back with self doubt and fear that expressing my feelings about cancer would make it my identity as an artist. Looking back on the process of making the EP, I see this music as a true and honest reflection of moving through post-cancer grief and nurturing a new creative identity. This is my Birthpool.” Have a listen below…
Must Listens: Bloom, Under The Sun, A Weight Too Heavy
Rising R&B superstar TAMERA follows her latest EP ‘L.I.T. (Lost In Translation)’ with an incredible acoustic version of the lead single ’40 Days’ featuring CKay. Recorded in Paris, this stripped back version lays it all on the line, with Tamera and CKay’s vulnerable vocals taking centre stage.
Laying her emotions bare across six tracks including recent singles ‘Poison’ and ‘Diversion’, L.I.T is a sonic trip into Tamera’s mind, heart, and soul as much as it is a testament to her powerful prowess as a lyricist. Diving deep into her own lived experiences and blending sounds including afro beats, r&b, and hip hop, she intimately traverses a range of topics from codependency, lack of self-worth, trauma, overcoming abusive relationships, spirituality and God. Sonically picking up where her 2021 debut EP ‘Afrodite’ left off, the six-track project is a shining example of UK R&B, taking sonic notes from her own heritage and musical upbringing.
2023 has been a pivotal year for Tamera. This EP comes hot off the back of her sensational COLORS Berlin debut, her All Points East performance for Stormzy’s “THIS IS WHAT I MEAN” day, and follows a slew of incredible collaborations cementing her as one one the most crucial and in demand names – from a feature on SPINALL’S ‘Honest’ feat. Tay Iwar, a collaboration on ‘I’m So High’ with P-rallel & Toddla and most recently ‘Options’ with Kamille and Bellah which saw her dip into her garage and pop sensibilities.
Born in Gravesend, a small town in Kent, Tamera was raised on a diet of James Brown, Whitney Houston, Mariah, Alicia Keys, and Missy Elliot whilst bred, supported and uplifted by powerful women – her mother and grandmother who she considers to be two of the most significant “anchors” in her life. She cut her vocal chops practising hymns at the piano Saturday night for Sunday service, alongside her grandmother who was a pastor. With grandparents each originating from different countries (St Lucia, Nigeria, England and Greece), Tamera’s touch points have always been a melting pot.
Following her smokey debut single ‘Romeo’ and her 2020 breakout breezy hit ‘Flipside’ (7.4M streams), in 2021 the sensational rising R&B star unveiled her highly anticipated debut EP ‘Afrodite’. An emotive exploration of love, life and her heritage, this powerful 5-track statement of her sonic self including the sultry West African influenced ‘Wickedest’ (12.5M streams) and ‘Good Love’ ft. Tay Iwar (8.6M streams) was produced entirely by cultural mainstay P2J (Wizkid, Beyonce, Snoh Aalegra). On Afrodite (the title nods to her Greek and African heritage), Tamera honed and expressed her boundless curiosity and empathy for stories of love and humanity.
One of the UK’s most exciting and breath-taking talents, Tamera has been tipped by Amazon Music UK as a ‘Ones To Watch’, recognized by YouTube in their #YouTubeBlack Voices Artist Class of 2022 alongside the likes of Bree Runway, Kamille, Midwxst, NSG, Omah Lay and more. No stranger to the limelight her effortless ability to transcend genres from Afroswing, reggaeton and Hip Hop whilst feeling authentically R&B has swept up support from DJ Target, Giles Peterson, Annie Mac (New Name), Complex, Nylon, Highsnobiety, i-D, Billboard, Loud and Quiet, The Line of Best Fit and Pop Justice to name a few. In Summer 2022, fans have seen Tamera’s killer vocals everywhere from BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend, The Great Escape and Strawberries and Creem on the mainstage and her own sold out headline show at COLORS. Most recently, she caught the attention of seminal hip hop producer Timbaland who reached out to work with Tamera after being blown away by her singing via TikTok on his infamous Timbo Idol.
Check out the acoustic version to ’40 Days’ below…
After claiming the blog’s Album of the Month title back in July for his project, ‘7:05’, upcoming Afrobeats connaisseur 705 returns to share single ‘High’ released last Friday, 1st December for your pleasure!
Continuing the smooth reverbs of the Motherland, hip-hop & R&B from his project ‘7:05’, ‘High’ makes the perfect company to kick back with some friends and escape the real world just for an evening…and I suspect it’ll make the great escapism piece for the upcoming chaotic festive period!
Born in Surulere, Lagos, Nigeria and raised in London, 705 is heavily influenced by great artists such as King sunny Ade, Fela kuti, Michael Jackson, Tupac and 50 Cent. Through these great legends, 705 has created a unique fusion of Afrobeats, R&B and Hip-Hop Music.
STEVE BALSAMO needs no introduction to those who love great voices in the music world! Steve has toured the world, performed with and written for household names and was initially known for his superb rendition of Jesus in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’.
His new single, ‘Snow Angels’ is a lush, heartfelt Christmas Pop ballad, co-written with fellow Welshman, multi-award winning singer/songwriter Darren Parry and the young, English talent of singer/songwriter Josh Gleaves.
Steve says of his latest ballad, “Darren, Josh and I actually wrote the song on Zoom about 2 yrs ago, during the lockdown periods. I initially had the song title and a bit of a melody and we worked on the song over about 2 or 3 sessions online. The song was written pretty quick”. Steve adds… “Darren and I did a rough guitar version recorded into our phones at first, before Josh did an acoustic version in the studio in London a little while later.”
Steve continues… “It was only very recently that we had the very talented Andrew Griffiths (AGM Productions) produce this new studio version with a gorgeous, lush, orchestral type arrangement. I put down the lead vocal at Andrew’s studio (in the Swansea Valley) and Darren, Andrew and I did all the backing vocals/harmonies you hear, including the ‘choir’!”.
The title takes the imagery of ‘snow angels’ (the shape that people can make in the snow when they lie down) and uses it as a metaphor to tell the story of a relationship between two people at Christmas time.
Steve has written past songs for Slash, Meatloaf, Cliff Richard, toured with Jon Lord (of Deep Purple fame), formed the band The Story’s (who toured with Celine Dion and Elton John), was part of Balsamo/Deighton (an Americana duo with Rosalie Deighton) and more recently part of Balsamo/Collins/Riley with Andy Collins and Pete Riley.
Darren’s achievements include… 2004 UK Songwriting Champion (beating 6000 entries from around the globe), 2014/2016 USA Song Of The Year contest runner up (judges included Gwen Stefani, Don Henley and Phil Collins), 2019 ISSA Awards International Male Vocalist Of The Year, 2021 ISSA Awards International Male Songwriter Of The Year Silver Crystal Award winner and multiple other awards from Billboard and Unisong, to name but a few! Darren has co-written songs with hit songwriters like James Warren (The Korgis, “Everybody’s Got To Learn Sometime”), Dazzle Music (Charlotte Church) and many others.
Young Josh is a 21 yr old award winning singer/songwriter from London, nicknamed ‘The Heartbreak Kid’! He lives and breathes his passion for music and started writing and performing from just 10 years old. Despite still only being 21, the sound of his guitar alongside his raw and ethereal vocals have filled venues all over the U.K. for over 8 years. During that time, Josh has established his own unique Country/Americana style and sound, guaranteed to draw a crowd wherever he plays!
This collaboration between three great singer/songwriters and the production talents of Andrew Griffiths has them manifest an earworm, contemporary, Christmas Pop ballad that also manages to hark back/take inspiration from the classic Christmas songs of old, such as ‘A Winter’s Tale’ by David Essex. The song beautifully shows off the softer side of Steve’s world class, 4 octave vocal range and deserves to become a new Christmas classic for our modern times!
‘Snow Angels’ was released on last Tuesday, 28th November…why not get into the festive spirit and have a listen below…
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