Fast rising R&B/Pop sensation Vincent Darby releases new EP, ‘For When It’s Over’

R&B/pop sensation VINCENT DARBY releases his new EP ‘For When it’s Over’ after recently gracing stages and creating considerable industry buzz at SXSW, NYC, and at School Night (LA). The six song EP follows the release of his uptempo single ‘Rogue’ where Vincent paints a picture of the irresistible allure of forbidden love.

While ‘Rogue’ embodies Vincent’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of R&B and Pop, it also serves as the lead track off his new EP.

“I started the process back in 2016 and I called the EP FOR WHEN IT’S OVER to document what love/lust feels like within this generation of quick attention spans and dating apps,” says the British crooner of Jamaican descent with strong Canadian ties. “In a world of instant gratification, genuine fulfillment in love doesn’t really exist.”

The EP encapsulates these sentiments in under 20 minutes, reflecting on intense yet short-lived relationships, now normalized in our society. Darby emerges as a beacon of musical innovation in the Pop and R&B genres, drawing from his soulful upbringing to craft unforgettable melodies that captivate audiences worldwide.

Inspired by his British upbringing and Jamaican heritage and introduced to music at a young age by his radio DJ grandfather, Vincent’s journey has taken him from karaoke bars showcasing his electrifying voice; to a sold-out headline performance at The Jazz Cafe in London and a coveted spot at BBC Radio 1’s big weekend festival. With hits like ‘We Could Be’ resonating globally and earning acclaim from MTV and BET, Darby is on a fast track to solidify his position as a trailblazer captivating audiences note-by-note.

‘For When It’s Over’ was released last Wednesday (3rd April) via 7 Long Lane Entertainment, an independent label that has contributed to the success of artists including Billie Eilish, Eminem, Mariah Carey, and many

Why not check out ‘For When It’s Over’ below…

Must Listens: Rogue, Come Down, More

Song of the Day: Hazy Baby – Movina

MOVINA‘s journey from contemplating a career in medicine to pursuing her passion for music is a testament to her unwavering dedication to her craft. Despite initially opting for a pragmatic approach by pursuing finance to support her musical aspirations, Movina’s heart ultimately led her back to her true calling.

With a background in both Carnatic and Western classical music, Movina brings a rich tapestry of sounds and influences to her work. Her upbringing, steeped in the melodies of legends like Alka Yagnik, Sonu Nigam, and A.R. Rahman, alongside icons such as Michael Jackson and Madonna, has shaped her distinctive musical style.

However, breaking into the mainstream music scene hasn’t been without its challenges. Movina acknowledges the competitive nature of the industry, especially as a South Asian artist navigating a predominantly Western market. Yet, she embraces her uniqueness as an asset, setting her apart from the crowd.

“I like the Indian beats and melodies. And it comes through in my music,” says Movina, whose love for her cultural heritage is evident in both her sound and aesthetic.

With ‘Hazy Baby,’ Movina invites us on a journey through her eclectic musical universe, where East meets West in a harmonious blend of sound and style. As she paves her own path, her star continues to rise, promising a future filled with endless possibilities.

Listen to ‘Hazy Baby’ below…

Rising new Pop artist Richi Camarena shares heartfelt new single, ‘Promise You’

RICHI CAMARENA‘s new single ‘Promise You’, is a stunning expression of the most amazing emotion -love – that showcases Richi’s signature sound that includes wonderful melodies, his iconic background voices and his unique voice.

With 17 releases under his belt, Richi Camarena has more than 100,000 streams on his debut album, an interview for a Canadian TV show, and a daily growth of his social media followers.

Richi said: “I hope this song serves as a constant reminder, that true love does exist. So, whenever anyone wants to say, promise, or demonstrate someone how important they are, how loved they really are, I’ll be more than glad to let my song be a part of that expression”

‘Promise You’ was released last Friday (15th March) on all streaming platforms. Have a listen below…

Song of the Day: My Old Friend – OUDi

Sometimes your most rewarding relationship is the one you have with yourself. Over the course of a career that’s taken her from Canada to Nashville—and from the alt-pop/industrial world to the country arena and back again—the phenomenon known as OUDi has learned that lesson all too well. And she’s sharing it on ‘My Old Friend,’ an irresistible high-drama ballad that marks her debut as a solo artist after years of sharing the spotlight.

Built on a plaintive instrumental melody and a mesmerizing clockwork rhythm, the song carries the emotional weight of a conversation you have in the mirror when there’s no one left around to hoodwink. OUDi’s compelling vocal starts off at a seductive purr as she confronts an inner solitude, she might not exactly welcome, but knows she can always count on:

Hello loneliness, can’t say I missed you/But let me tell you this, now I need you

The internal co-dependency fully acknowledged, her amazing voice opens up into a bittersweet embrace of the darkness:

Go and do that thing you do, make me feel and lose my mind/‘Cause I have nothing left to lose, you’ve been waiting all this time/I dare you come a little closer and rest your head upon my shoulder.

This isn’t just a declaration of artistic independence; it’s the story of a life. Born Chrystal Oudijk, she was out of the house and supporting herself by age 16, while pursuing her musical muse through a variety of projects. There was the five-piece alternative band The Perfect Strangers, the pop-industrial project Jakalope (for producer Dave “Rave” Ogilvie) and then—most famously—the pop-country duo Sons of Daughters (with Jimmy Thow). She was Chrystal Leigh by that point, and finding such success as a Billboard-charting, CCMA Award-nominated artist that she had even moved to Nashville from her native Vancouver. There was just one problem:

“Jimmy and I struggled as creative partners,” she divulges. “Add in alcohol, anxiety & depression and we had ourselves a real party!”

The near loss of a family member due to addiction and the confusion of the early pandemic era only deepened her dissatisfaction. When Sons of Daughters parted ways, she took two years to regroup, rethink and write her very first solo album. The release of ‘My Old Friend’ is the opening salvo in her new career—strike that, her new state of being—as OUDi. It also sounds the death knell for what she describes as an adulthood full of toxic relationships and creative compromises.

“I’ve been living in survival mode my entire life,” she reflects. “It’s only been in the past two years I’ve been training my nervous system to relax. I’m excited to finally put my stories to song, for I have a lot of them.”

The year 2024 is going to mark a real renaissance for this woman, she even directed the music video for ‘My Old Friend,’ exploiting a side talent she’s cultivated during her recent period of self-emancipation and reinvention. Her explanation for all of it is as sanguine as the song is bleak, yet equally self-aware:

“I guess it goes to show when you start to live your life authentically and true to yourself, magic really can happen.” Why not watch the video for ‘My Old Friend’ below…

Bain And The Foreign Exchange’s Nicolay Team For Third Single ‘Here To Stay’

Minnesota-based singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist BAIN is the latest addition to the growing roster of +FE Music, the label founded and run by Phonte and Dutch producer Nicolay (also known as the Grammy-nominated soul duo The Foreign Exchange). With two full-length albums already under his belt with producer Afrokeys (2014’s Love In Blue and 2019’s Around The Sun), Bain teams with Nicolay for his third full-length album Lifetime, due out later this year. The pair shared the forthcoming album’s new single ‘Here To Stay’, available on all digital streaming platforms via +FE Music/EMPIRE.

“‘Here To Stay’ was created when I packed up the key elements of my home studio and embarked on a sojourn to a remote cabin on the North Shore of Lake Superior in Minnesota. I have always found this great lake to be an endless source of inspiration. After spending a few days alone in the woods, I came away with three songs I was content with. ‘Here To Stay’ was the upbeat, electronic-based, universal love song of the bunch. The tracks were then sent to Nicolay who added his instrumentation and fully produced and mixed the song. Over the driving bass line, blends of organic guitars, and dreamy synthesizers, I sing of a bright and clear message that love is here to stay.” – Bain

As a fourth-generation singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, music is literally embedded in Davis Bain’s DNA. Like his forefathers, Davis has harbored a passion for stringed instruments since his youth. He quickly fell in love with the electric guitar in particular, and enjoyed playing R&B, funk and gospel music in various bands performing in the Minneapolis area.

Davis set his sights on becoming a recording artist after discovering the albums that his estranged father would record and release from his farmhouse studio. From that moment forward, he has focused on writing, performing and producing his own songs.

Together with his long time friend, music producer Afrokeys, Davis has co-produced and released two full-length albums under the moniker “Bain”: 2014’s Love In Blue and 2019’s Around The Sun. For his upcoming third full-length album, he has linked up with Grammy nominated music producer Nicolay, best known as one half of independent soul duo and label-operators The Foreign Exchange. As the lead single and title track, ‘Lifetime’, illustrates, Davis Bain is fully leaning into the artistry that seems to have been bestowed upon him at birth. Have a listen below…