Pop/neo soul songbird Megzz goes ‘Through The Motions’ with latest EP

With sold-out gigs, music video directing credits, a performance at All Points East, and an Amazon Prime documentary under her belt, Northamptonshire singer-songwriter MEGZZ topped off a stellar year with her EP ‘Through the Motions’.

Blending her own mix of R&B, neo-soul, and pop, Megzz has taken 2023 by the horns by releasing two singles off her upcoming EP after featuring as one of the subjects of the Amazon Prime documentary ‘Unsigned’ (following the journeys of AMEX’s unsigned artists) at the end of 2022. Believing music is a powerful therapy to herself & others, Megzz’s lyricism focuses on empowerment, self-love and transparency around mental health struggles.

“The EP is an unapologetically honest and personal body of work that explores themes of consent, boundaries and self-love, grief, mental health struggles, and most importantly – recovery”, Meggz said. “Though it explores difficult topics, Through The Motions remains empowering and inspiring; encouraging others to find strength in expressing their feelings and owning their own story.”

Through the Motions will feature two brand new tracks, including ‘Motions’, a song that Megzz has held close to her heart for years. Written in 2019 as a personal mantra before becoming lyrics, ‘Motions’ is described by Megzz as “the sunset on the bad days, and the sunrise on the good days”. Rather than being written reflectively, ‘Motions’ is about the present “going through” of mental health struggles and dealing with how “horrible, uncomfortable feelings come in waves, and it’s all about riding out those waves”. Waves and the sound of water are an integral part of Through the Motions, as the EP is all about going through the motions, allowing feelings, and taking power in the process.

Through The Motions is accompanied by the release of short documentary style video, documenting Megzz’s journey of creating the EP whilst battling with her own mental health struggles. EP Through the Motions will is out now via various music platforms. Check it out below…

Must Listens: Love Me From A Distance

Jovian’s throwback-futuristic debut album, ‘JOVIAN 2000 AD’ was inspired by 70s and 80s sci-fi films

Hailing from New York City, JOVIAN‘s new debut album, ‘JOVIAN 2000 AD’, was inspired by his fascination with 70s and 80s sci-fi films. “I thought about how that alternate future would have sounded and created this body of work with that in mind!” He explains.

The ten-track throwback-futuristic album was first introduced to music lovers around the world with the single, I’m Ready’. The breathtakingly beautiful song was written by Jovian and Kay’vion and produced by Jovian and Blood Cultures.

It was then followed by the infectious “LASER DISCS.” “Laser Discs,” was the perfect alignment as the song came to be exactly when I had decided I wanted my album to be half R&B/80s Synth and half Hip-Hop,” mentions Jovian. “Overall it’s about begging for someone to see your perspective despite them being unwilling to, or maybe incapable of doing so! Despite that, the memories that were shared are still something to hold dear,” he adds.

However, it was the eighth offering ‘Oceans’ that sealed the direction of the album: “Oceans, was the first song I happened to write for the album once I discovered the direction I wanted to take my first body of work! It’s about a plea to the moon. Being in love with something you cannot attain, no matter how much you may desire it,” Jovian shares. The song was written by Jovian and produced by YZ,

‘JOVIAN 2000 AD.’ is out now via the December Records/SRG-ILS Group label imprint. Why not check it out below…

Must Listens: Ready, Guava, Oceans, Where’d U Go, Sha’s Outro

Song of the Day: Tie Me Down – Burney

Rising swiftly through the ranks of the UK hip-hop scene, talented upcomer, BURNEY, is poised to once again capture the attention of audiences with single, ‘Tie Me Down’. This track masterfully melds resonant guitar melodies with the energetic flair of rap, creating a seamless fusion that exudes an enticing sensuality. Through this musical offering, Burney continues to chart his distinctive path in the world of music. From the very outset of the song, he fearlessly asserts his artistic identity, presenting a narrative that resonates universally—an exploration of a young man’s journey through the challenging waters of
commitment, a theme universally understood

Commenting on the tune, Burney said; “Tie me down is a guitar-infused UK rap song with a sexy edge. It tells the story of negotiating the commitment stage when you’re used to playing the field. This track is an interesting contradiction in the typical rapper shit of only caring about myself & being promiscuous, when really the idea of settling into something serious is just as exciting. Being terrified of intimacy but enjoying the benefits that come with it is a sticky situation for both parties involved, but it makes damn good music..”

Burney’s journey took an exciting turn in 2021 when his single “San Pellegrino” caught the attention of BBC Introducing The South, who hailed it as their track of the week. Notably, the track also garnered recognition from the renowned drinks company San Pellegrino itself, solidifying Burney’s growing reputation. After a hiatus, Burney returned to the scene with renewed creativity and a fresh perspective, evident in his recent singles ‘Crazy Enough’ and ‘Best Friends / Demons.’ These releases marked the inception of a series of captivating tracks for 2023, exploring themes of self-discovery and love amidst the aftermath of toxic relationships.

Hailing from the serene hills of Surrey, Burney is well-acquainted with pushing the boundaries of UK hip-hop. His distinctive style weaves smooth vocals with a captivating blend of neo-soul, rap, and dance influences, offering listeners an unparalleled sonic journey. Having graced prestigious stages like The Isle of Wight Festival and Brighton’s The Great Escape as part of the collective Dirtbag By Association, Burney has established himself as a solo artist. With the release of ‘Tie Me Down’ he elevates his artistry to new heights, showcasing his growth as an artist and delivering a fusion of storytelling and musical prowess. Check it out below…

Charlie Dane mourns a loss of a love in ‘Shiva’

Singer/songwriter/producer CHARLIE DANE‘s new single ‘SHIVA’ takes the idea of “sitting shiva”, a jewish tradition of mourning the deceased, and turns it on its head, relaying the emotions of sitting with a significant other you know you’re about to lose.

With emotive lyrics paired hip-hop inspired hi hats and lush EDM synths, which can be compared to Amelia Moore, ‘SHIVA’ will soon be accompanied by a self-produced music video, which depicts charlie’s past relationships in which her efforts were not reciprocated and the impending break-up ensues.

Charlie Dane has been putting out original music since she was 10 years old, and has been producing her own music and videos since studying at Berklee College of Music. Since graduating she’s moved to Los Angeles to carve her name in the entertainment industry.

Have a listen to ‘SHIVA’ below…

Song of the Day: And I’m Gone – Leon Seti

Italian born, Amsterdam based LEON SETI is the creative brainchild of Leo Baldi. Producing and singing throughout his discography, the enigmatic artist shared his single ‘And I’m Gone’.

His nostalgic yet experimental electro-pop has been played by the BBC Introducing and featured on Billboard Italy. He’s also received support from CLASH, and his album COBALT reached #1 on the iTunes Electronic Chart in Italy, earning him comparisons to the likes of Björk, Peter Gabriel and The Pet Shop Boys. Seti’s second album was equally impressive, released to rave reviews it reached #1 on the iTunes Electronic Chart in Italy and the Netherlands, while simultaneously cementing itself in the iTunes Top 10 of general sales in both countries. In addition to this, Leon Seti has appeared at venues such as The O2 Academy Islington and The Spice of Life in London, historic clubs like Spin Time Labs in Rome and Il Cassero in Bologna and at festivals such as Mengo Fest and Pride in Amsterdam.

Inspired by the artists he watched as a kid on TV, Leon Seti has always lived and breathed music. Growing up in a small town in Italy, he started singing late in his teens, joining various rock bands before eventually gravitating to writing pop songs on his laptop. After completing high school, he moved to the UK where he completed a BA in philosophy while simultaneously trying to establish himself as an artist. Going on to achieve an MA in philosophy in London, he never lost sight of his true passion, working many jobs while still pursuing his love for music.

Grimoire is a stunning LP where Leon Seti’s voice takes center stage over deep and nostalgic electronic instrumentals produced by Pancratio. It’s a kaleidoscopic collection of Seti’s thoughts, dreams and desires, with love often at the forefront of the message. Reminiscent of artists such as BANKS, Bjork and Imogen Heap, each track is personal and introspective, abundantly rich in vocal harmonies and layers. There’s also a deep feeling of continuity between the songs, with each one standing out in its own enchanting way, while simultaneously retaining the same theme throughout. Using his voice as his main weapon, Seti wears his heart on his sleeve, inviting the listener to step into his world and resonate with his lyrics and emotive vocals.

Leon Seti’s depth and talent shines in ‘And I’m Gone’. It’s a track full of passion and intricacies, one where Seti’s voice is upfront and present, emitting a real warmth and essence that is easily felt. Instrumentally, it’s nostalgic, with a plethora of synthetic elements that hold the track together and keep the listener engaged in its rich sonic soundscape- from bubbling arpeggios to plush pads. However, the lyrics are the true star of the show, as Seti sings about self-discovery and escapism from a love that he knows isn’t right.

Leon Seti had this to say: “Grimoire” is an album I wrote about the healing of trauma. I wanted every song to feel like a spell in a magic book, where the pain feels so old it’s almost acting like a balm. ‘And I’m Gone’, specifically, is a song about wanting to escape from a place of dread and solitude, and even though I talk like I’ve already left, it was actually written while I was living in London and wanting to escape a toxic relationship.

Check out the video for ‘And I’m Gone’ below…