Canadian singer and songwriter ANNABEL GUTHERZ‘s latest single, ‘Shame,’is an open-hearted single about acknowledging and overcoming relationship insecurities. Underscored by full-bodied instrumentation, Annabel wields her sharp lyricism and sonorous vocals to explore anxiety, comparison, and self-doubt.
She elaborates, “‘Shame’ is about the ruminations that can arise about your partner’s former relationships and the invasive fears that often emerge as a result.”
‘Shame’ follows the success of her last single, ‘Eclipse,’ which continues to introduce listeners to Annabel’s unique blend of classic rock influences and modern pop sounds. ‘Shame’ was co-written with and produced by Mikal Blue (OneRepublic, Jason Mraz, Colbie Caillat) and Bret “Epic” Mazur (Crazy Town, Prince, The Black Eyed Peas).
Celebrated Eora/Sydney R&B musician, producer and engineer MILAN RING shares her new single ‘Leo’, the latest to be lifted from her love-struck forthcoming second studio album, Mangos, due out May 10 via Astral People Recordings.
Cut from the lust-colored first half of the record, the glittery disco-funk of ‘Leo’ saunters in with co-production from polyrhythmic trio OYOBI, lithely fusing hip hop and R&B influences with accents of Milan’s ever-expressive guitar playing in a way that only she can. Chanting ‘You bring out the Leo in me’, ‘Leo’ represents the highpoint of Mangos’ infatuation, signaling the astrological alignment of compatibility and honoring an appreciation for someone who really, truly sees you.
Playful and inquisitive, Milan Ring’s Mangos is the epitome of radiant summer, oozing endless possibilities and a profound sense of lightness as she flirts across genres from alt-pop to electronica whilst also staying true to her R&B roots. A hopeless romantic, Milan Ring asks us to surrender to love on Mangos, inviting us inward as she embarks on a journey of love that is universal yet individually complex. Through her lyrics, experimental mixing, multiple string arrangements and voice memos recorded by close friends, she outlines the stages of a relationship across one year, likening the journey to the inevitable change in seasons, reminding us that nothing stays still forever.
Threading together previous singles ‘Mangos’, ‘Quicksand’ and ‘Photograph’, ‘Leo’ arrives as the fullest and most distilled expression of her beguiling talents to date. Between them, the singles have already garnered praise and support from the likes of COLORS, NME, The Guardian, CRACK Magazine, Wonderland Magazine, ACCLAIM, Northern Transmissions, AUD$ and many more, alongside rotation adds from Double J, FBi Radio, 2SER and extensive airplay across BBC Radio 1’s Future Artists with Jack Saunders, Future Sounds with Clara Amfo, Chillest Show with Sian Eleri, BBC 6Music, triple j and community radio stations around Australia.
Brooklyn-based rock outfit EARTHQUAKE LIGHTS barely fits within its self-described alt-rock genre. Orchestral strings litter the dense arrangements, elevating the songs to something more refined and nearly classical feeling. But there’s a distinctive jazz influence to the grooves and harmonic richness that the band is hesitant to compare to jazz, though the comparison is something they contend with regularly. Still, the rock influences are clear, and Earthquake Lights sounds something like Pink Floyd, Radiohead, and Beck.
Their music has garnered millions of streams to date. Their latest album Desert Bloom charted nearly 30 times on the iTunes and Apple music charts, and somewhere along the way they managed to snag a feature on Vulfpeck’s The Joy of Music, the Job of Real Estate. They have also received praise from the likes of Wonderland Magazine, NOTION, The Line of Best Fit, Ones to Watch and Earmilk to name a few.
In an age when mental health is waning, Earthquake Lights gives us a look at the cultural phenomena of social media and how it affects all of us through their latest release ‘Pictures’ featuring Lindsey Lomis. Written allegorically, ‘Pictures’ tells a story of mutually unrequited love. The song loosely examines a personality that reluctantly romanticizes the nostalgia of a past relationship, friendship, acquaintance or fling prolonged by the ever-present role social media plays in our lives.
Rodenhouse explains, “Maybe you only feel connected to that person because of how immediate the internet and pictures have seemed to make them. But seriously what even are these connections you have with other people on the internet? Just because you see a picture of them it doesn’t mean they’re actually important to your life.”
Tinged with a dark and moody undertone, ‘Pictures’ features an enchanting melody, where sultry, velvet vocals collide in perfect harmony. Lomis sings, “Am I just a picture? Do you ever look for me? And I wonder if you saw me, would you tell me you remember my face?” Rodenhouse shares, “The lyrics were inspired essentially by an era that’s defined by pictures and feelings of missing out, or wondering about someone that may be in some memory, possibly just out of reach but still barely relevant. Wondering if they actually care to remember you, or if it’s even worth remembering one another and losing any sleep over.”
Speaking on Lomis, Earthquake Lights share, “She’s an athletic, excellent singer. Her unapologetic focus on her vocal ability really makes her a perfect fit for this tune.” Lomis was featured on Jacob Collier’s latest album on the song “Cinnamon Crush” and is about to embark on a tour with him in April.
Very rarely does a song give me full body chills everytime I hear TUELO‘s powerful single, ‘Regarding My Heart’. The track is the centerpiece and the focus track for the album Regarding My Heart, due out 27th September.
Tuelo is a South African-born, NYC/Dublin-based folk-rock artist who’s had some amazing notoriety in the past for her debut album, but one listen to the new music and it’s clear that is her most refined, self-assured sound to date. Regarding My Heart is a sweeping sonic exploration of love, loss and loneliness. The project has provided Tuelo with the space to heal, listen to herself and center her voice.
The whole album began with the title track. Describing it, Tuelo says, “The song shows that in a ubiquitous world there lives a person in solitude, with a fascination for adventure, fantasy, and big dreams of great love. That is me. That would be ‘Regarding My Heart.’ That might be you.” Beginning with one central song and building the album from there, Tuelo crafted a resonant glimpse into her heart from different perspectives. Tuelo says the album is, “by the lonely for the lonely. It’s about holding on to every ounce of peace, patience, pace, and the rhythm of the world.”
Interspersed between the tracks are chant versions and towards the end, piano versions that offer alternate takes on the original versions while paying homage to Tuelo’s roots. Across three continents, the project’s expansive sound was brought to life with help from multi-GRAMMY® award-winning producer (Album of the Year, Best Rock Album) Robbie Nelson, guitar producer Kirk Schoenherr, longtime collaborator Kevin Wenzel and features backing vocals from Tuelo’s sisters. W
Lifted from her new album ‘Nini’,BONNIE BANANE shares latest single, the enchanting ‘Red Flags’.
Reflecting on the genesis of ‘Red Flags,’ Bonnie Banane shares, “Originally, this song was only in French and was called “les signes avant-coureurs” or warning signs. Do they really exist? Are we blind? This song is for those who finally see after being blind for too long.”
Drawing upon her introspective musings and unbridled creativity, Bonnie Banane weaves a tapestry of poignant lyricism and infectious rhythms in ‘Red Flags.’ Much like its predecessor ‘Franchement,’ this evocative track invites listeners on a journey of self-discovery and introspection, exploring themes of awareness and revelation amidst the backdrop of a rapidly changing world. With ‘Red Flags,’ Bonnie Banane continues to defy conventions and push the boundaries of artistic expression, solidifying her reputation as a trailblazer in contemporary music. Her ability to seamlessly merge disparate influences and craft melodies that resonate with the soul is a testament to her unparalleled artistry.
With her second album, the 12-track ‘Nini’, Bonnie once again devotes herself, in a rather new way, to the delicate art of doing what she pleases. She has chosen to broaden the spectrum, finding her own signature in the most uninhibited of eclecticisms. Beyond its form, this album is above all a “lucky charm”. Bonnie entrusts it to us like an invisible but present amulet, to take with us, to love somewhere, wherever we are, wherever we go, as far and as long as possible.
On the title of the album, Bonnie comments: “Nini was my nickname when I was little. I like being called that. There are lots of people called Nini. It’s also a restaurant I’ve never been to. A hairdresser, a hotel, a beauty salon. The name of a slot machine stand at the county fair. It has lots of different meanings in different languages. As a lonely child, my greatest dream was to embrace every single person on earth. The world has changed, and so have I. I spent a good chunk of the album production process feeling anesthetized, but getting it out shakes me awake and I want to feel everything again. I want to hug someone, I want everything to explode. We made this record as if it were my last. Take it with you, May it bring you happiness wherever you go!”
Since bursting onto the scene with her debut single ‘Muscles’ in 2012, Bonnie Banane has forged her own path with her distinctive style and fearless approach to storytelling. Collaborating with the likes of Chilly Gonzalez, Varnish La Piscine, and Hubert Lenoir, she has established herself as a formidable presence in the French music landscape.
Fans eager to experience the magic of Bonnie Banane live will have the opportunity to witness her unparalleled talent on stage as she is set to headline a sold-out performance at the prestigious Trianon in Paris on May 15, followed by her biggest headline show to date at the iconic Olympia Hall on 1st December
As anticipation builds for the release of Bonnie Banane’s forthcoming projects in 2024, ‘Red Flags’ stands as a testament to her enduring creativity and unwavering commitment to artistic excellence. Have a listen below…
New Lease Music 