Following the release of his well-received debut EP Shallows, TOM BEM slams another one entitled Beast Side, released earlier this month.
Displaying his usual emotionally intensive arrangements, the South-East London producer and singer injects vulnerability in this vocals, revealing the battle within himself in containing his emotions during the turbulent years of his life. Among the stunningly atmospheric soundscapes, there’s a tinge of Timbaland/Timberlake influence present in some tracks…hit the play and see what you think…answers below please!
The Must Listens: Rebound, Hide & Seek, Kalashnikov
Today’s song comes from the adorable freckled redhead SOPHIE LONGSHAW. Fresh to the music scene, the London-based songstress released two original tracks under international music agency/record label DEFDISCO (UK/Dallas) in collaboration with Chris Mann’s Twin Records, which includes the stunningly emotive, In The Morning.
With such delicately soulful vocals, this 20-year-old clearly has what it takes. After leaving BBC’s The Voice, she recorded a heart wrenching acoustic cover of Muse’s Supermassive Black Hole was premiered on Gigwise…so if you can spare five minutes, check it out – but before you head off, I highly recommend you to stick around and listen to In The Morning.
Exactly a week after appearing with the mystical visual to single, Honey B, indie-pop duo BELLA LOKA are back with another fun-pack video to new single, We Are Young.
The four-minute production is “a short sharp slap in the face and a kiss on both cheeks to the music industry”, says singer/songwriter and video director Tea Boothby, before adding, “just like me!” The song is a mildly venomous, deeply sarcastic f*&k you to the “so-called tastemakers” who sit and tell you that you have “everything but time.” A defiant call that “we’ll sing until our time has come”, We Are Young is a challenge to keep going, never give up, and refuse to allow anyone to tell you that you are too young or too old to achieve something.
Produced and directed by Tea Boothby, the black and white visual was filmed on location around BELLA LOKA’s hometown of Camden Town, London, including scenes filmed on and under the bridges at Regent’s Canal and in the famous Stables market.
For other scenes, the pair asked friends and family to film their young children dancing to the song and to send their footage for use in the video, and the result include scenes filmed in places as far-flung as Australia. The video contrasts the creative and free-spirited nature of children when left to their own devices with the soul-destroying and barren constraints of what’s left for young struggling artists trying to be heard.
So you know what to do – hit the play button and unleash your inner child.
Brother and sister, Sarah and Hamish McIntosh – aka electro pop outfit LOVESTARRS – have released a fun-packed video to their single, Get Your Sexy On.
Previously known as The Good Natured, they were signed to Parlophone/EMI a few years ago and dropped by the label with an album ready to be released. The duo subsequently found a new home with DEFDISCO whose ethos puts creative control in the hands of the artist, building a community rather than a roster.
The single is now available on all major music outlets.
JAMES ROBB has released Flamethrower earlier this month, the first single taken from his forthcoming EP.
Written by the man himself and produced by Malaysian artist Kuizz, the latest Justin Timberlake-esque offering, is all about being burned in a relationship…that horrible taste it leaves in the mouth.
With a voice and tone beyond his years, this one UK singer/songwriter that’s definitely on the rise. With original music rooted in his love for pop and R&B, he manages to captivate the authenticity of songwriting, driven by his rich soulful vocals. Raised in a musical family, this upriser was quick to realise the importance of learning his craft as a songwriter and artist. He started to join writing sessions at an early age and performed numerous gigs around his hometown, Hitchin.
In the past year Robb headlined gigs in Ibiza as well the UK, including performances at London Fashion Week and Gordon Ramsay restaurants. He’s currently working on his EP which is set for release later this year…so get an insight into his upcoming project and check out Flamethrower (available on iTunes).
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