Canadian singer-songwriter Gena Perala unveils her newest single, ‘Lucky One’.

Canadian singer-songwriter GENA PERALA unveils her latest single, ‘Lucky One’, the fourth release from her upcoming 12-track album ‘Somewhere New’.

Equal parts biting, vulnerable, and defiant, ‘Lucky One’ dives headfirst into the contradictions of being human—too much of everything, not enough of anything, and somehow still finding a way to laugh through it all. With brutally honest lyrics like, “Drink too much, smoke too much, fuck just enough, talk too much,” Perala captures that razor-thin line between self-destruction and self-awareness. It’s raw, it’s self-exposing, and it’s delivered with a dark wit that cuts deep.

The song’s cover art features a striking photograph of Perala’s mother and godmother, taken during their days on the carnival circuit in the 1970s. For Perala—who spent her own childhood traveling with her family from town to town under the lights of the carnival—this image isn’t just a nod to the past. It’s a metaphor. A reminder of what “luck” really means in a place where the games are rigged, the odds are stacked, and people still show up, coin in hand, hoping for a win.

That same tension—between hope, illusion, and survival—runs straight through ‘Lucky One.’

The chorus lands like both confession and anthem:
“I’ve never been a sad girl, turning into such a sad world / I’ve never been the lucky one, count my blessings zero to some.”

While Perala has always acknowledged her blessings, she’s not afraid to admit that optimism doesn’t come easy. In a world that so often feels tragic and unjust, holding on to any kind of hope means confronting grief, loss, and all the spaces in between. ‘Lucky One’ lives in that uneasy emotional terrain—where joy and sorrow coexist without cancelling each other out.

“I’ve never really been the lucky one,” Perala reflects. “But maybe that’s the point—there’s strength in still showing up, still playing, even when the odds are against you.”

Following the momentum of her earlier singles, ‘Lucky One’ further cements Perala’s reputation for fearless storytelling and for finding beauty in life’s hardest truths. It’s not just a song—it’s a statement. One that reminds us that sometimes, showing up is its own kind of win.

Have a listen below…

Connect with Gena Perala via:
FB: https://www.facebook.com/GenaPeralaMusic/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/genaperala
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@genaperala
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@genaperala

LUCKY IRIS Shares New Single, ‘play me like a speaker’ Ahead Of ‘fall in love with the dj’ Mixtape

Leeds-based hyper-pop duo LUCKY IRIS have announced their upcoming mixtape, ‘fall in love with the dj’, set for release on 23rd January through EMI North in partnership with Launchpad+. The six-track project includes explosive new single ‘play me like a speaker’, released yesterday (30th September), across all leading streaming platforms.

Building on the momentum of their acclaimed ‘day to night’ EP—praised by Rolling Stone UK, DIY, and BBC Introducing—this new release marks a bold sonic evolution for the duo. Described as a “full-throttle surge of club-ready energy,” lead single ‘play me like a speaker’ pairs sharp-edged synths with chopped vocals to reflect a year of fearless experimentation. The track is so intense, it reportedly blew the duo’s car speakers on first playback.

“We’re so tired of holding back, so really ‘play me like a speaker’ was used as an exploration into seeing what we can create and very literally leaning into that,” tells Maeve. “We wrote almost every track on the mixtape on the South West coast of Ireland, using only a laptop, a mic, and a twenty-five key mini keyboard with a wireless speaker. ‘play me like a speaker’ was one of the first tracks we created for this mixtape – maybe that’s ironic – but we were having fun, creating new sounds and making music we wanted to hear.”

With earlier mixtape teaser ‘i just want to dance’ already earning praise from Wonderland, NME, BBC 6 Music, and placements on key Spotify editorial playlists, fall in love with the dj is shaping up to be a major statement in the UK pop landscape.

To celebrate, Lucky Iris will embark on their first UK tour, supporting Master Peace with shows across Nottingham, Cardiff, Southampton, Margate, and Norwich.

Why not listen to ‘play me like a speaker’ below…

Connect with Lucky Iris via:
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EMILI Returns with Ethereal New Single ‘Izabela’ — A Personal Tribute to Her Sister

After making her entry on the blog, scooping the Song of the Day spot with single ‘House Wife’, singer/songwriter EMILI returns with a stunningly ethereal single, ‘Izabela’, released last Friday (19th September), across all leading platforms.

The single is arguably Emili’s most personal work to date as it was written for her sister. While it touches on heavy themes of domestic violence, ‘Izabela’ serves as a love letter and a comforting hug to her sister, wishing her a safer, happier, more magical life.

‘Izabela’ is the second glimpse into Emili’s upcoming album, slated for release in early 2026, and follows the release of the project’s first single, ‘Just Chill’.

Have a listen to ‘Izabela’ below…

Connect with Emili via:
FB: https://www.facebook.com/emilimilo/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/emili_milosevska/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@emilimilosevska

OUT TODAY: Ben Reel Shares Soulful New Single ‘I Will’ Ahead of Twelfth Studio Album Spirit’s Not Broken

As he prepares to release his twelfth studio album Spirit’s Not Broken, Irish troubadour BEN REEL offers a heartfelt preview with his brand-new single ‘I Will’, available today (12th September) on all major streaming platforms.

‘I Will’ radiates the warm, golden tones of ‘70s soft rock, laced with a smooth, soulful disco groove. Ben’s unmistakable raspy vocal — often compared to the likes of John Hiatt and Roy Orbison — brings a raw emotional edge to the track, elevating its tender declaration of love. The single continues Ben’s rich musical journey that spans rock, folk, soul, and Americana — a unique fusion that earned him the title “the Irish Springsteen.”

With a career spanning over three decades, Ben has performed extensively across the globe and has made notable appearances on BBC, RTÉ, and Dutch NPO Radio. He’s shared the stage with artists such as Jools Holland, The Cranberries, Nanci Griffith, and Eric Andersen, carving out a respected space in the international music scene.

His 2020 album The Nashville Calling topped the Euro Americana Chart, and his recent releases — Locked in & Live (2022) and Come a Long Way (2023) — further cemented his reputation as a fearless, ever-evolving artist.

Slated for release on 23th January 2026, ‘Spirit’s Not Broken’ promises to be one of his most dynamic to date. Opening with the raw rock energy Ben is known for, the album flows seamlessly into soulful and R&B-inspired grooves, channelling the spirit of Marvin Gaye, Otis Redding, Van Morrison, and Sting. It’s a journey that balances grit and grace, offering a powerful reminder in a divided world: to simply love one another.

To begin that message, Ben Reel shares ‘I Will’ — out now today (12th September) on all major streaming platforms.

Connect with Ben Reel via:
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Website: https://benreel.com/

Merittocracy drops track ‘Desire’ ft Jocelyn Brown.

Zimbabwe-born/Scottish-based house/electronic producer Mani S – aka MERITTOCRACY – gets ready to unveil his third single ‘Desire’, featuring the instantly recognisable soulful vocals of legendary singer Jocelyn Brown. The deep soulful house cut is coming out 26th September via his record label, Black Sugar Music.

‘Desire’ is a reworked track that Mani S had previously written and produced with Jocelyn Brown for YOYOHONEY – an electro-soul group he formed with singer Anita Jarrett. Known for her cult classics like, ‘Someone Else’s Guy’ and ‘Always There’, with British acid jazz group Incognito, Jocelyn Brown’s infamous powerhouse vocals inspired Mani S to drop a remix. Drawing from the raw energy of the Chicago House movement, ‘Desire’ now pulses a seriously deep gutsy groove with an infectious electronica edge. “Her timeless vocals and energy got me really excited and I decided to redo and produced it on a different vibe for Merittocracy,” says Mani S.

A songwriter, producer and bass guitarist, Mani S, started is musical journey at the age of just 14, playing at countless shows and was fortunate to work with some of the industry greats such as Bootsy Collins, DJ Pierre, Tony Humphries, and Steely & Cleevie.

Main S’ love for dub, hip-hop and soul led him to form YOYOHONEY, a UK soul project which blends elements of electronica, techno and ambient sounds. Along with Anita Jarrett, Mani S released soulful/acid jazz-tinged singles, ‘Groove On’ in 1991 and ‘Voodoo Soul’ in 1992.

Mani S’ other biggest love is house music, particularly of the deep cut kind; a genre that was with him from the start of his journey. He formed Merittocracy in 2024 to push house and electronic sounds to the forefront – and give them the full attention it deserves. Along with pushing out genres he loves – and not churning out hits for streams and views – Mani S is extremely passionate about music development and has helped shape the creative direction of emerging acts.

Merittocracy’s new single ‘Desire’, featuring the great Jocelyn Brown, drops 26th September via Black Sugar Music.

Connect Merittocracy via:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/merittocracy