Mae Krell Shares Closes 2022 with imposter syndrome (b-sides)

New York-based singer and songwriter MAE KRELL is closing out the year with the release of the ‘imposter syndrome (b-sides),’ which features singles, ‘tooth fairy’ and ‘(like) spring’ both written during the ‘imposter syndrome’ sessions. After the EP release, Mae revisited the unreleased demos with her producer Jakob Leventhal and decided to rework these two tracks.

“A lot of times my favorite tracks from an artist are the ones that almost didn’t make it out, so I thought it would be only fair to give people a chance to love these songs the way I love some almost-forgotten-about ones,” she says.

Mae released ‘tooth fairy,’ a heart wrenching track about realizing you may be better off without someone you thought you couldn’t live without, as a standalone single earlier this year. “(like) spring” rounds out the B-sides collection. A sparse, hypnotic and enchanting listen, “(like) spring” is a song about falling in love for the first time.

Elaborating on the new track, Mae writes: “I fell in love for the first time in February 2020 and by the end of the year I had followed her to a different state. Although I was away from my friends and family, I still had a feeling of home and belonging- thanks to her. Writing (like) spring originally started as me being fearful and lonely and trying to figure out why, and it led to a love song. For the places I never saw myself being happy in, until I was. For the neighbors and routines I didn’t think much about in the moment, until I moved away and started to miss them. And most importantly, it’s a love song for the girl who made me realize that I could write one, after thinking that I absolutely never would.”

At just 23 years old, Mae exudes a musicality wise beyond her years. Influenced by revered singer-songwriters like Bob Dylan, Phoebe Bridgers and Gregory Alan Isakov, Mae writes intimate reflections that confront past trauma, self-love and personal truths. With a distinct folk-pop sound and undeniable lyrical prowess, she has earned millions of streams across her repertoire with multiple tracks breaking 500K.

Her 4-track EP, ‘imposter syndrome,’ was released in early 2022 and instantly struck a chord with fans and tastemakers alike, with PRIDE aptly describing it as “an intimate and heart-wrenching dissection of the unavoidable self-doubt we all experience in our 20s.” This year has also seen Mae embark on two different tours, one supporting Ethan Jewell and a SoFar Sounds series that runs until the end of the year.

Listen to ‘imposter syndrome (b-sides)’ was released last Friday (2nd December) on all streaming platforms. Have a listen below…

Song of the Day: Decide – D.V Major

Coming from New York City, D.V. MAJOR (D V stands for Die-Verse), demonstrates his ability to delve into different aesthetics of music to stand apart from the others with track, ‘Decide’, an instantly addictive fusion of underground hip-hop and boom bap.

At the age of 17, D.V Major co-created Die-Verse Records, a label where artists are able to tap into different pockets and elements of music without the need to box themselves in. The key to D.V Majors appeal is his exquisite lyricism, wittiness and rapid fire flows where he takes inspiration from freestyle rap, boom bap, and underground hip-hop.

He prides himself on being able to make any type of sub-genre in hip-hop, approaching it in new and innovative ways…so it time to check him out…tap on that play button on ‘Decide’ below…

Song of the Day: Tedious – Xondra

Taken from her much anticipated EP, ‘Tedious & Brief’, released early this month. New York-based singer and songwriter XONDRA‘s single, Tedious’, is a fervent ballad about finding the strength to reclaim time, energy and love.

“It is a song for the people that love so much and so hard that they sometimes forget to save some for themselves; it is for those learning to step out of survival mode and really live in the present,” says Xondra. “’Tedious’ is me putting myself first. It is me allowing myself to to walk through the hard feelings I was having and still be hopeful that good times were coming down the road for me.”

Often blending elements of pop, rock, R&B and indie-pop, her music explores feminist themes with heartbreakingly honest delivery. Through the six-track EP, Xondra shares her experience of being a woman trying to survive in a man’s world. “I wrote this story for all of the people who have been hurt by the people who were supposed to love and keep you safe,” she says. “I wrote Tedious & Brief for all the people learning to speak up even if their voice trembles.”

Have a listen to ‘Tedious’ below…

BAYLI Shares Highly-Anticipated EP, ‘Stories 2’

Brooklyn artist and songwriter BAYLI shares her much-anticipated new EP Stories 2. The follow up to 2021’s stories from new york, the 6-track EP was written on the road and takes in themes spanning heartbreak, addiction, loneliness and self-discovery.

Speaking on the Stories 2, BAYLI said :“We’ve all been cooped up inside for so long and Stories 2 is a release we all need. I wanted to take on this project as an exercise to be looser in my creative process and go with the flow a bit more than I did with ‘stories from new york’. This project feels like a docuseries of my fast-paced life “on the road” and the new journey I’m on, both internally and externally, in this post-covid world. Similar to ‘stories from new york’ this project is a sonic landscape that brings you into my world and feels like a stepping stone toward a brand new era → toward a higher, realer, bolder version of myself.”

Recent release ‘act up’ opens the project, showing a softer side of this emerging pop icon, the lovesong finds BAYLI trying to turn the tides of her burgeoning relationship. Sassy new single ‘pressure’ is a certified pop banger that sees BAYLI reaching out for support when she’s on the road. New cuts ‘ur mine’ and ‘into me’ see BAYLI flex her versatility as a performer and a songwriter as she seamlessly switches from soft vocals to icy bars dripping with attitude.

Set to an ethereal backdrop produced by Brody Miles, ‘think of drugs’ is an intimate snapshot of BAYLI’s upbringing, seeing addiction in the household and how that influenced her relationship with drugs and other substances. BAYLI’s unstoppable gay anthem ‘TELLY BAG’, closes the project, the single landed earlier this year to acclaim from the likes of i-D, DAZED, The Fader, PAPER, CLASH and more.

BAYLI first made waves in 2016 as the frontwoman of the punk band The Skins, where her infectious melodies and signature songwriting were cultivated under the mentorship of music guru Rick Rubin. Now an independent artist, BAYLI’s musical output is as equally pop as it is R&B, rock, & punk, all delivered with a fierce stylish edge and unabashed confidence. Hailing from Brooklyn, NYC is her lifeblood, inspiring her fearless take on what it means to be an artist in the 21st century. BAYLI released her debut EP stories from new york last year featuring the singles ‘boys lie’, ‘sushi for breakfast’, ‘foreigner’ and more. With support this year from the likes of Spotify (BAYLI was their EQUAL Ambassador for June), BBC Radio 1, i-D, Telfar, DAZED, Interview Magazine, The Face, Fader, CLASH, Foundation FM, The Line of Best Fit, PAPER, NYLON, Billboard and more, the future looks bright for BAYLI.

Check out BAYLI’s epic EP below…

Must Listens: act up, ur mine, into me

Song of the Day: Thick – DJ Chase (ft. Mrs Jp)

DJ CHASE teams up with new Bronx Female Artist Mrs. Jp for the rather sexy and classy joint, ‘THICK’. Dropped just in time in spice up the cold months, Mrs. Jp dishes up a seductive flow with slick lyrics and sultry undertones. Why not check it out below…