Isco Cruz shares genre-bending EP ‘Heartbreak’s Paradox’

Rising artist ISCO CRUZ charges up his recent project ‘IC Flows: Before Heartbreak’ with a new EP titled ‘Heartbreak’s Paradox’. This new EP features five additional tracks, expanding on the emotional and narrative journey that began with ‘IC Flows: Before Heartbreak’.

The release includes ‘Double Standards,’ which received support on OkayAfrica and landed on several Spotify Editorial playlists, including New Music Friday, R&Beats, and Fresh Finds Africa. ‘Double Standards’ was followed by ‘Life I Chose’ on 27th August, just two days before the full EP dropped. Created live on TikTok, ‘Life I Chose’ quickly went viral on the platform, with fans urging for the release of the single. The EP also includes tracks, including the previously released ‘Another Good One Gone’ and ‘S.A.D Freestyle’.

‘Heartbreak’s Paradox’ builds on the momentum of Isco’s previous work, offering deeper insights into his versatile style and emotional depth. The EP promises to deliver powerful performances, blending genres seamlessly to explore themes of love, loss, and personal growth.

The roll-out of ‘Heartbreak’s Paradox’ is thoughtfully designed to balance anticipation and engagement, particularly given Isco’s status as a rising artist. Releasing singles ahead of the full EP in August 2024 serves a strategic purpose: it acknowledges the reality that listeners may be hesitant to dive into a full-length project from a relatively unknown artist, while also recognising the deep connection that can be formed through a cohesive body of work.

Isco explains, “I became a fan of my favorite artists through their bodies of work. Releasing ‘Heartbreak’s Paradox’ in this way is not just for the listeners who are tuned in now, but for those who will discover my music in the future. This project is a crucial piece of the puzzle, offering a glimpse into my journey and setting the stage for what’s to come.”

Isco Cruz is more than just a musician; he’s a storyteller whose songs resonate with the pulse of contemporary life. Born in Cape Town to Angolan parents, Isco’s music is as diverse as his heritage, blending elements of R&B, Pop/Afro Pop, and Hip-Hop to create a sound uniquely his own.

From his early days, Isco’s passion for music was evident. He began with poetry, which later evolved into a profound talent for rap and singing. His influences range from the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, to modern-day icons like Kanye West, Drake, and The Weeknd. These varied influences come together in Isco’s music, creating a rich tapestry of sound that speaks to listeners across the globe.

Isco’s artistry lies in his ability to weave intricate narratives with his music, telling stories that speak to the heart of the human experience. His lyrics are introspective and honest, exploring themes of love, loss, and the quest for identity in a complex world. This depth of content, combined with his melodic sensibilities, makes Isco’s music not just enjoyable but emotionally impactful. Each release is a chapter in his ongoing story, inviting listeners to journey with him through the highs and lows of life.

He is not just an artist; he’s a musical chameleon, constantly evolving and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in music. Isco Cruz is an artist to watch as he continues to carve out his path in the music industry.

Isco Cruz’s EP ‘Heartbreak Paradox’ was released last Thursday (29th August) across various music platforms. Check it out below…

Connect with Isco Cruz via:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/iiscocruz/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3SUjoT9mCuAOBjAYVtzB9b
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@iscocruz
Website: https://www.iscocruz.com/

Must Listens: You Should Know, Slow Down, Double Standards

HANDSHAKE IN SPACE releases new single, ‘You Make Me Feel’.

EDM artist HANDSHAKE IN SPACE is back with his highly anticipated new single, ‘You Make Me Feel,’ out now across various music platform.

Known for his innovative sound that blends electronic beats with emotive melodies, HANDSHAKE IN SPACE continues to push the boundaries of the genre. His latest track makes a captivating addition to his discography, showcasing his signature style that resonates with fans across the globe.

“In this single I wanted to capture the euphoric feeling of love and how it can make you feel alive,” says HANDSHAKE IN SPACE. “I’m really looking forward to sharing ‘You Make Me Feel’ with the world and hope it gives listeners the same joy I felt creating it.”

HANDSHAKE IN SPACE’s single, ‘You Make Me Feel’, is out now across all good music platforms. Why not have a listen below…

OUT TODAY: Jozem exposes the moody side to summer with his indie-R&B EP, Summerhaze

A sombre, bed of airy soundscapes introduces JOZEM‘s new EP, ‘Summerhaze’, through track, ‘Foolish Heart’, where the tranquility of Rwanda-born, Toronto-based artist’s vocals offer a place of escapism, introspection and even retrospection during a season that’s associated with having pure unadulterated fun.

Although the EP is described as a body of work that displays ‘a moody side of summer’, which peeks into Jozem’s many life experiences and those who are close to him, personally the five-track project could also be described as a transitional EP from Summer to Autumn – a season that prepare us for hibernation and a period of some serious self-discovery and perhaps reflecting on loss of friendships, relationships strains and heartache of losing a love interest, releasing all those pent up issues and coming out the other end renewed and healed. As these themes of self-discovery and introspection runs potent throughout the EP, ‘Summerhaze’ is also a gentle reminder of recognising the real cheerleaders in your life when times get a little rough.

The perfect example of this is through title track, ‘Summerhaze’, which reflects on an experience with one of Jozem’s close friends, who was going through a rough patch and, like most of us, that person would put on a brave face to mask the pain – even though Jozem could see right through the mask and feel his friend’s pain. He may have felt helpless at the time, but Jozem has learnt a valuable lesson from the experience that ring loud in the track – and that lesson is that it’s not a sign of weakness to reach out and confide in someone who you truly trust.

Soft layers of electronic soundscapes begins to make its presence known in ‘Test’ and ‘Waiting, Soft’ concluding the EP perfectly which, personally, radiates some sense of hope and optimism through the muddy maze, that’s unfortunately called life.

‘Summerhaze’ EP is now out today (29th August), via various music platforms. Why not enter into Jozem’s world below…

Must Listens: Summerhaze

Connect with Jozem via:
FB: https://www.facebook.com/followjozem
IG: https://www.instagram.com/jozem__/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jozem
Website:https://www.iamjozem.com/

Britain’s Got Talent star Nick Edwards shares stunning EP, ‘Live At Yellow Arch’.

If you’re a massive Britain’s Got Talent fan, you may recognise this guy – NICK EDWARDS.

Since finishing up in the semi-finals in series 15 on the talent show, the dad-of-two has been making leaps and bounds, particularly in the country music scene around the world. His latest EP, ‘Live At Yellow Arch’, may just be the ticket to further cement his place in the country music community.

Recorded at Sheffield’s infamous Yellow Arch Studios, where a string of award-winning albums were produced for the likes of Arctic Monkeys, Kylie Minogue, Jarvis Cocker and Franz Von, ‘Live At Yellow Arch’ forms four captivating live performances, where Nick’s robustly soulful vocals introduces the set through ‘All That You Can Give’, accompanied by guitar licks creating an intimate setting which radiates a tranquil glow.

The EP continues with the comforting glow with a breathtaking cover of War & Treaty’s monster hit, ‘That’s How Love Is Made’. While still maintaining the huskiness that was pleasantly apparent at the beginning of the EP, Nick’s vocals turns all emotive, which compliments the woeful violins and soft soulful bass – all which perfectly gives a new appreciation to the original song.

That warm soulful glow really begins to shine through and concludes the EP perfectly with ‘Troubadour Soul Sinner’ and ‘Trouble’ which, together with the gleeful violin, somehow gives off a Dr Hook & The Medicine Show feel.

Currently, Nick Edwards is creating his debut album – but he wants to make sure it is just right! Until then, his body of work, ‘Live At Yellow Arch’, serves as the perfect filler for his loyal and potential fans. Have a listen below…

Must Listens: That’s How Love Is Made, Trouble

Connect with Nick Edwards via:
FB: https://www.facebook.com/therealnickedwardsbgt
X: https://twitter.com/TherealNick85
IG: https://www.instagram.com/thereal_nickedwards

OUT TODAY: Megzz shares new single, ‘Love Tonight’ – a delightful cocktail of R&B, Afrobeats & Pop

Out today (23rd August), across various music platform, MEGZZ‘s single, ‘Love Tonight’, is an irresistible blend of R&B, Afrobeat and Pop that embodies the feeling of an everlasting summer. Already receiving national radio play on BBC 1Xtra, the not-so-typical love song brings friendship and platonic love to the forefront, in a bid to knock romantic love off its pedestal.

Megzz shares her inspiration behind the single: “I found growing up that popular music tended to focus on finding the one, rather than appreciating/noticing love that is already around you. I think it’s important to remind people love comes in many valuable forms, and so Love Tonight was born”.

Megzz breaks down the track, describing how the warm guitar tones against Afrobeat inspired percussion immediately evoke images of summer. By the time ‘Love Tonight’ leaves the first verse, the layers of interweaving guitar parts open out into a gloriously catchy chorus that is impossible to listen to without moving to the beat.

The production is complemented perfectly by the bright vocals and harmonies, and the lyrics (which are just as bright), remain true to Megzz’s style and are full of meaning. Lyrics such as ‘your love feels like home, got no need to wander’ and ‘I was too scared to fall until you showed me loving’, capture the sentiment of how important meaningful connections and friendships are to our lives, and why this is the perfect feel-good pick me up everyone needs this summer.

In short, ‘Love Tonight’ is more than a song; it’s a call to action to come together, and to love and be loved.

Hailing from Northamptonshire (UK), Megzz’s ‘unapologetically honest’ style of music has garnered an array of supporters, including AMEX Gold who crowned her as one of their Top 6 Unsigned Artists in 2022/2023. Megzz then went on to star as one of the main subjects of the Amazon Prime documentary ‘Unsigned’ that followed the AMEX experience.

The remainder of 2023 saw Megzz gain a number of firsts in her career – including her first award ‘Pop Artist of the Year’ (Local Music Awards), her first Radio 1 play and her first major festival performing at All Points East. Believing music is a powerful therapy to herself and others, Megzz’ lyricism has always focused on transparency around mental health, self-love and empowerment – and she firmly established this in her most recent EP ‘Through The Motions’ released in September 2023.

Megzz’ now shares her first release since her EP – ‘Love Tonight’ – out today (23rd August) across various platforms. Why not have a listen below…

Connect with Megzz via:
FB: https://www.facebook.com/officialmegzz
X: https://x.com/official_megzz
IG: https://www.instagram.com/official_megzz/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@official_megzz