Tag: news

Song of the Day: L’s – Nemzzz

Lifted from his first mixtape ‘DO NOT DISTURB’, arriving on 15th March 2024, the new titan of UK Rap NEMZZZ gives the first taste from 11-track project with single ‘L’S’, produced by Zel & Aifo.

Over a relaxed drill beat shimmering with keys and smoky sax notes, Nemzzz reflects on his losses and how he holds his head above the noise of being a rising star in the industry. ‘L’S’ is the first glimpse of the ‘DO NOT DISTURB’ mixtape concept, an exploration of how the young artist is shaped by his upbringing and his fame. ‘L’s’ is accompanied with a slick video shot entirely on 16mm film by frequent collaborators DON Productions. The fresh visual splices footage of Nemzzz at home with friends in Manchester with shots of him in London roaming around the city.

The ‘DO NOT DISTURB’ tape follows a massive 2023 for the young star with a consistent slate of releases including his debut EP Nemzzz Type Beat (which was pulled together in just 17 days in a flex of his innate talents) alongside a string of singles including ‘Therapy’ (Spotify Rap UK Cover), ‘MONEY & VIBES’ (A list at 1Xtra, over +1M streams a week) and ‘8AM IN MANNY’ which landed to props from some of the biggest rappers in the world – Drake and Lil Yachty. Last year saw Nemzzz deliver his first sold-out headline tour alongside performances at festivals including Glastonbury, Ibiza Rocks and more.

Nemzzz is one of the most exciting breakout rap talents of recent years, the rapper is characterised by his ear for leftfield beats and his unique flow. The rapper is shaped by his tough upbringing in Gorton, using his music to reflect on his experiences in Manchester and his mental health struggles.

Since bursting onto the scene at the tender age of 14, he has relentlessly chipped away at his craft – building steady buzz amongst the industry, media and fans alike. With over 180 million combined streams in 2023, mine million TikTok views, tips including BBC Radio 1xtra’s Hot For 2023, Amazon Music x Hunger Magazine Ones To Watch, No Signal Class of ’23, Best Newcomer Nominee MOBO Awards 2022, plaudits from Pitchfork, The Face, DAZED, The Guardian, HYPEBEAST, CLASH, Complex UK and NME – Nemzzz is making serious moves. Check out the video for L’s below…

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Song of the Day: Au Clair de la Lune – HEZEN

French music producer and singer HEZEN continues to push the boundaries of sound and art with her latest single, ‘Au Clair de La Lune’. Sung in French, the single explores the digitalization of sex, the impact of artificial intelligence on human sexuality, and the fluidity of gender identities in the metaverse.

Au Clair de La Lune’ is the second installment of HEZEN’s ambitious body of work slated for release in 2024. The single cleverly weaves elements from a classic French lullaby into a futuristic soundscape .HEZEN’s self-made visualizer takes viewers on a captivating journey, blurring the lines between the real world and the digital realm, whilst challenging perceptions of reality and artificiality.

Renowned for her genre-fluid sound, HEZEN’s ability to blend experimental pop, electronica, and captivating vocals has positioned her as a trailblazer in the contemporary music scene. Previous releases have received critical acclaim from publications such as WONDERLAND, CLASH, Glamcult, and Kaltblut, solidifying her reputation as a boundary-pushing artist.

Why not check out the lyric video for ‘Au Clair de La Lune’ below…

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K-Riz brings optimism into 2024 with video for latest track, ‘Come & Go’

K-RIZ returns with a new video for ‘Come & Go’ that illuminates the artist’s infectious optimism. The hip-hop and R&B-infused single, which appears on the Birthday Cake Records-released album, ‘One Way Ticket’, is an affirmation to overcome negative thoughts, move through hard times with ease, and embrace the lessons that can be learned from adversity.

On the track, the multi-talented Alberta artist expresses the liberating power of having grace and letting go of the past, while using forward movement as an encouragement to listeners. “Tough times are temporary; they’re teaching lessons,” says K-Riz. “Problems come and go as long as you’re always working towards moving forward. When you look at the storms from that perspective, you can see them for what they are – here today, gone tomorrow – and weather them with more resilience.”

Featuring many of K-Riz’s past collaborators (horns from Octavio N. Santos, violin from Tina Sol, and Deppisch on the flute), swirling arrangements complement producer Theo’s spacious beats. Emerging Calgary filmmaker Gbohunmi lends his directorial talents, taking viewers on a tour through elevated spaces and mindsets, moving from one transitory place to the next, from train stations to rooftops, culminating in K The Chosen rapping contemplative verses as he walks through Calgary at night. The video also features cameos from rappers Tea Fannie and La Tytan.

The release of ‘Come & Go’ follows praise for K-Riz’s latest album, One Way Ticket, from various outlets. RANGE Magazine included the album on its list of the Top 50 Canadian Albums of 2023, and Bandcamp featured the LP as a New & Notable album upon its release, while Complex Canada included singles ‘Middle Finger U’ and ‘Inside Your Love’ among its Best New Canadian Tracks. Look for more visuals from the album soon, and listen to One Way Ticket on all streaming platforms now.

Check out the video for ‘Come & Go’ below…

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Song of the Day: NDA – Persius

Rapper PERSIUS shares his single hip hop/rap track ‘NDA’. Please check it out below and drop a like or comment to let us know what you think about it.

Persius, formerly known as Jay Smoove, is a talented rapper hailing from the vibrant city of Chicago. Born and raised in the Windy City, Persius has carved out a distinctive place for himself in the music industry.

His journey in the world of music has been marked by dedication and a relentless pursuit of his artistic vision. With a unique blend of lyrical prowess and a captivating stage presence, Persius quickly gained recognition in the music scene.

One of his significant accomplishments lies in the digital realm, where he has achieved remarkable success. Persius boasts an impressive track record, having garnered over 500,000 streams on Spotify and a strong presence on various other top streaming platforms. This achievement is a testament to his ability to connect with a diverse and widespread audience.

Persius‘s music is a reflection of his experiences growing up in Chicago, a city known for its rich musical history and vibrant culture. He uses his lyrics to tell stories, share insights, and provide a glimpse into the complexities of urban life, making him a relatable and resonant artist for many.

As he continues to evolve as an artist, Persius remains committed to pushing the boundaries of his craft. His dedication to his artistry and his connection with his listeners promise a bright future for this Chicago-born rapper, as he continues to make his mark on the world of music. Have a listen to ‘NDA’ below…

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DIY outfit VACATIONS share album ‘No Place Like Home’ + ‘Over You’ video

Two-time platinum-selling Australian band VACATIONS release their long-awaited new album, ‘No Place Like Home’. The record follows an intense period of transformation for the lead singer Campbell Burns, who was diagnosed with Pure OCD (or “Pure O”), a subtype of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder marked by intrusive, unwanted, and uncontrollable thoughts. His experiences learning to live with this while touring the world informed the record, which also engages in nuanced discussions around personal growth and sexuality.

The band tapped Georgia Maq, formerly of the band Camp Cope, for their last official music video for the album release single, ‘Over You’. The band explains, “I thought it would be really fun to lean into this idea of ‘Over You’ as an exploration of self-obsession. The high peaks and low valleys of ego just make for a funnier visual story, I think. We’d saved a silly goofy video until last. I’d originally planned for Campbell to be in the role of protagonist and therapist, but circumstances meant none of us would be in the same city at the same time to work with the director, Jax Anderson, and their wonderful team. To our rescue came Australian darling Georgia Maq, of Camp Cope fame. We were so lucky to have them involved, and their charisma really brought a sensuality and hilarity that was needed.”

Following 2020’s ‘Forever In Bloom’ album, ‘No Place Like Home’ finds the Newcastle, Aus DIY outfit comprised of Burns and bandmates Jake Johnson, Nate Delizzotti, and Joseph Van Lier, expanding their trademark melodic indie rock to new sonic horizons. The first Vacations record to be produced by Campbell Burns and an outside producer, John Velasquez (Zella Day, Broods), it comprises ten shimmering tracks brimming with indie-pop hooks and just a touch of bittersweet sensitivity.

“I had this loose concept of ‘No Place Like Home’ being an Americana-influenced album,” Campbell says of the album’s sonic inspirations. “I wanted to incorporate more pianos, acoustic guitars, Nashville tuning, and country-inspired lap steel, but then also bringing in drum machines and synths and finding a mix between the two.”

The album features singles, ‘Terms & Conditions,’ ‘Midwest,’ ‘Close Quarters,’ and the buzzy radio single, ‘Next Exit,’ which has over 15 million streams.

Formed in 2016, Vacations’ feverishly expanding fanbase has seen the band play host to multiple sold-out UK tours in 2023, including a rapturous headline at The Garage and a slot at All Points East supporting The Strokes.

Vacations have lots to celebrate with the new release. They were picked by Pandora as one of their ten artists to watch for 2024, their single, ‘Telephones,’ was certified platinum in the United States in December, marking their second platinum track stateside (the other is ‘Young’). Recently, the quartet has made their debut TV performance on CBS Saturday Morning.

Vacations’ new album ‘No Place Like Home’ is out now, released today 12th January via Nettwerk. Have a listen to the set below…

Must Listens: Slow Motion, No Place Like Home, Over You

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