Tag: new releases 2023

Giorgia-May explores love and lust in new single, ‘Intertwine’

Rising Neo-Soul artist GIORGIA-MAY graces her presence with the enchanting single, ‘Intertwine’. This fierce and soulful track showcases Giorgia’s unique ability to capture the intensity of lust and the longing to entangle oneself in another. Together in collaboration with Berlin-based producer Tuftyhead, she has built the song with a non-traditional structure, with the chorus shapeshifting its instrumentation throughout the track. From horns to synthesizers, jazzy electric guitar to R&B-infused vocals, ‘Intertwine’ will mesmerize you with its captivating arrangement.

Giorgia-May describes the meaning & creative process behind ‘Intertwine’: “Witnessing this song come to life has been such a pleasure. It started with some intimate lyrics and jazzy chords, and the introduction of the horns and the full instrumentation has really brought the whole vibe to life. When I sing this song I feel empowered, like I’m reclaiming my femininity. The freedom to share my sensual thoughts is something that I don’t take for granted. So many women are shamed just for having such desires. Expressing this in myself helps me to build confidence in myself as a strong woman, and ultimately I want this to empower others to feel good in themselves. It’s natural to want to love and be loved in return, there is no shame in that and there shouldn’t be shame in wanting to sing about it.”

‘Intertwine’ was released on Friday, 24th November. Why not check it out below…

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Arlo Maverick probes materialism in video for track, ‘Retail Therapy’

Canada’s hip-hop artist ARLO MAVERICK shared his astute perspective on working-class struggles last month with the release of his album, ‘Blue Collar’. Now he’s unveiling a new video for his track, ‘Retail Therapy,’ which probes the artist’s complicated relationship with money and materialism, and offers a suitable soundtrack to Black Friday remorse.

Over hard-edged UK drill-inspired beats and name-checks to Central Cee, the track captures the anxiety and impulsivity of consumption without the means, and the acquisition of material things as a form of social currency.

Alongside the track, is a dance-fueled video that Maverick says, “flaunts flyness and gives UK drill an Alberta twist.” Directed by Natalie Meyer and shot at various Edmonton and Calgary train stations, the video features rhymes and moves from Mahk Milliano and cameos by Calgary rapper Tea Fannie, R&B artist Rome IX, Edmonton MC and clothing designer Lion Luciano, and video director Da Kid T.

In probing materialism as a means of status-chasing, Maverick reveals the superficiality and foolishness in it all: “Got a closet full of product/That I only wore once/If I’m honest there’s no logic/I just bought it just to stunt.”

With every amusing, scathing observation, Maverick holds up a mirror to many of today’s social ills. “In our society a lot of us wear our successes and seek validation with items we purchase,” he says. “We acquire things that we don’t need to feel a certain way; to appear successful or flaunt status. But we often find ourselves in debt and still unhappy.”

Check out the video for ‘Retail Therapy’ below…

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Belau released their emotional dreamtronica album, ‘Apriori’

Peter Kedves and Krisztian Buzás – aka Budapest ‘s dreamtronica duo BELAU – invites us into another extraordinary emotional trip with new album called ‘Apriori’, their third record since their foundation in 2016. Both the artistic concept of their previous albums, ‘Colourwave’ and ‘The Odyssey’ was built upon emphasizing the importance of self-knowledge and consciousness. All these recordings’ emotional tracing are supported by ethereal lyrics and sounding faraway cultures.

‘Apriori’ is also grounding itself on these patterns both saluting Belau’s basic components and its fresh concept of inspiration using a vast amount of heartwarming nature echoes. For the ten track project, Belau have collaborated with several standout vocalists, including Beth Hirsch (Ethereal) who’s featured tracks with Air and Sarah Jay Hawley (Unimaginable), who’s voice can be heard on Massive Attack hits, Böbe (Altered) and Myra Monoka (Focus).

‘Apriori’ is definitely continuing the journey in Belau’s universe with both on a super sensitive and intensive level, providing a calm and spiritual haven for everyone who is currently searching for its belief in vitality and being ready for receiving the awe-inspiring power of the infinite by providing space for blooming their inner peace. All ten tracks are guiding all modern individuals into resolving the illusion of being atomized in the presence starting with the magnificent intro called ‘Oneness’. 

Belau has achieved several success worthy of note for the past six years – they’ve given more than 200 concerts in more than 25 different countries including outstanding festivals like Primavera Sound Barcelona, Electric Castle, Eurosonic or SXSW. In the past couple of years their songs have been played by serious radios like BBC Radio 1, Triple J, KEXP and KCRW not even mentioning the appreciative credits they’ve received from Billboard, Clash Music, The Line of Best Fit or Rolling Stone. The first record of Belau was given the Fonogram prize (which is the Hungarian alteration for Grammy).

‘Apriori’ is now out for your pleasure…why not have a listen below…

Must Listens: Faraway, Home, Unimaginable, Altered

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J Baby x Ne$$ drop gripping album, ‘The Price Of Bread’

Following up their critically acclaimed 2020 collaborative project ‘21st Century Blues’, RBG rapper NE$$ (previously featured in The Source’s ‘Unsigned Hype’) and UK producer baby J (known for collaborations with Skinny Man, Mark Ronson, dead prez, Iman Thug, and Shabazz The Disciple of Wu-Tang) return with ‘The Price of Bread’, a groundbreaking concept album that dives deep into the lived experiences of oppressed communities navigating the harsh realities of capitalism.

Housing previous support from Earmilk, Notion, Kiss FM UK (MK), Viper magazine, Wordplay magazine, ‘The Price of Bread’ serves as a groundbreaking concept album that dives deep into the lived experiences of oppressed communities navigating the harsh realities of capitalism.

The term “the price of bread”, often referring to the state of inflation at any given time, is an ideal title for an album exploring these themes in a time when inflation is at the highest rate it’s been in decades. In true hip hop form the word “bread”, slang for money, transforms the title into a paradoxical double entendre ‘The Price of Money’. In this context, the album fearlessly poses a poignant question: “What is the cost of money, or to put it plainly, what does it cost us to make money, to navigate capitalism?” Doubling down on this concept, the album’s tracklist is a veritable anthology of money-themed titles (Sell Our Pain, Human Capital, Stripper Money, etc.), each serving as a chapter in a larger narrative.

Baby J weaves a broken, lo-fi, and slightly out-of-tune dystopian soundscape that resonates like the echoes of dusty, long-forgotten 60’s records, but what’s astounding is that no samples were used in creating this haunting and mesmerizing atmosphere. This unique auditory canvas allows the listener to immerse themselves fully in the stories and emotions presented in this album and sets the stage for NE$$’s storytelling and lyricism to paint vivid pictures of lumpenproletariat life.

Known for his work with Brooklyn duo Weekend Money and Dead Prez affiliated rap group A-Alikes, the seasoned hip-hop veteran takes centre stage as a modern-day griot on this opus. His lyrics peel back layers to reveal a world where every dollar counts and every decision can be a matter of life and death.

The album flaunts an impressive tracklist, graced by a carefully curated roster of guest appearances, with standout songs ‘Sell Our Pain’, the aforementioned ‘Stripper Money’ feat. Conway the Machine, ‘Illegal Business’ feat. RBG comrade Coach NYM & Rukus “Vice Grip” feat. Houston rapper Fat Tony, among other gems.

NE$$ and Baby J invite you to join them on this evocative journey, offering a unique perspective on the world we live in, the price we pay and the hope we hold.

Must Listens: Sell our pain, Stripper money, Get rich quick, Dollar 2 the fire

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Liv East shares debut EP, ‘LVE1’ + single ‘LVE Unlimited’

East London producer & songwriter LIV EAST releases her debut EP ‘LVE1’ on EMK, Kartel Music Group’s electronic imprint. Produced by longtime collaborator LOKES LDN alongside Liv herself, the release nods towards classic soul & disco, channelling the likes of Chic and Adina Howard, yet shimmers with future, capturing influences from the likes of Jungle, SAULT and Cleo Sol.

To celebrate the release, Liv East shares single ‘LVE UNLIMITED’, the EPs most raw and bittersweet track. Liv comments on the single, “I wrote it upon reflection of how I’d been denied and cast aside in my last relationship. It was a painful and confusing time but my inner strength pushed me forwards and I knew I wouldn’t be waiting around for this person. It’s a story of self love even in the face of heartbreak. I wrote and recorded the vocals in one sitting with all the final vocals being from the demo recording. The lyrics give nods to classic love songs ‘killing me softly’ and ‘wicked games’, adding to that timeless feel I wanted to create with the whole project”.

2023 so far has seen Liv East release singles ‘You Got Me’, ‘So Badly’ and ‘Love Frequency’, which landed support from BBC Radio London, Rinse FM, The Independent, Dummy, Noctis, Vogue France, Earmilk, whilst also landing playlist support from New Music Friday UK. She’s also collaborated with a wealth of artists in recent months, including Fat Freddy’s Drop, Kid Fonque and Yarni.

Have a listen to ‘LVE1’ EP below…

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