Tag: pop music

Alt Pop Duo Hooked Like Helen Shares Stunning Ballad ‘Winter’

Ohio-born and based Alt-Pop duo HOOKED LIKE HELEN has unveiled a rather stunning version of Tori Amos song ‘Winter’, released last Friday (6th January) via Stipp Manor Music,

The single is deeply melodic and despite Nikki’s hauntingly powerful vocals, ‘the track ‘Winter’ possesses an elegant warmth, which allows one to engage with the compelling production.

Nikki and Jon tell us about the inspiration behind their cover of ‘Winter’ (Tori Amos Cover): “When our friend/fitness instructor asked us to play “Winter” by the incomparable Tori Amos, within minutes of dissecting the first few bars of the song we quite frankly fell in love with it. We realised that it needed to become a more significant part of our musical journey and we decided to record a full-length cover of “Winter” for release to the world”.

Nikki adds, “Winter is about a girl’s relationship with a father figure who believes in her and sees greatness in her that she might not see in herself. Ironically, I did not have anyone in my life who fit that role for me as I was growing up, but I think this might be the very reason the song resonates with me on such a visceral level. Music allows us to escape, to imagine, to build castles in our minds. When I sing and play “Winter”, I am (for 4 minutes and 30 seconds) one of those girls with a dad who loves her”.

Hooked Like Helen is husband-and-wife duo Nikki and Jonathan Stipp, whose sound embodies a unique vein of alternative music; dark lyrical themes of unresolved trauma and existential pondering providing a refreshingly authentic perspective crafted from their home studio in the woods outside Cleveland. Their combined musical influences include artists such as Queen, Michael Jackson, Twenty One Pilots, Green Day, Tori Amos, Mariah Carey, Nirvana, and Prince whilst Nikki’s powerful vocals bring to mind artists such as Kate Bush and Ellie Goulding.

Have a listen to ‘Winter’ below…

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New Lease Music’s Top Ten Songs of 2022

Here’s the blog’s top ten songs, which completes the top releases of 2022.

Some of the songs on the list were staples on the NEW LEASE MUSIC weekly charts in 2022, whereas others quietly clocked up heavy amount of streams and views via the blog.

So are you ready to explore the list? Good!

Just in case you missed it, you can view the Top Ten Music video here and Top Ten Albums here.

Have a great weekend!

10. DO IT LIKE THAT – CAITLIN MIN FA

9. DANNY BOY STEWARD – DONE ME WRONG

8. SHARE MY LIFE – RAPHAEL TATE

7. REMEDY – FRENCH THE KID

6. UNCONDITIONAL – DARREN PARRY

5. STRUGGLE BUS – OLTEA FRANCES

4. LORD I NEED YOU NEAR – RAPHAEL TATE

3. DANCING WITH THE ENEMY – JVSTN

2. BOSS (CALL AWAY) – K HARRISON

1. IT ENDS WITH US – APRIL JAI

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BeKreative Closes 2022 with Album, ‘King of Time.’

After his lengthy hiatus away from the scene, BEKREATIVE kept his promise to deliver a stream of music.

Well here it is…his full-length album titled ‘King Of Time’ released last Monday (12th December) across all music platforms. Whilst most artists dish out tracks that are suited for the festive season, BeKreative went a different direction and slams down 16-tracks that are suited for a playlist of a house party.

Featuring previously released tracks, ‘Roadtrip’, ‘Fenin’ and ‘Slowjamz’, the electric project bounces between variations of hip-hop and afterhours R&B with pop and tropical afrobeat influences. Before disappearing from the music scene in his hometown (Houston), he was quickly becoming known for his straight-up R&B/Hip-hop cuts. Now experimenting with various styles, he’s hoping his name would reach a wider audience with his new album…Why not check it out and the song recommendations below…

Must Listens: Bag Race, GoGetIt, Fenin, Still

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Eclectic Soulful band KARMACODA shares ‘Time Flies’ Video.

At home in the USA, retrospective band KARMACODA shared the official video for their previously released single ‘Time Flies’ via Sola Musa Music. Following the release of their single ‘Time’, the new video is the first to be shared off of their latest album Lessons in Time. It was shot and directed by Gianfranco Bichine and adds to the band’s catalogue of award-winning music videos. This list is not limited to the two Hermes Creative Awards Platinum-winning videos ‘Lo-Fi Girl’ and ‘Make Me The One’ or the music video for ‘Blue’, which won three Davey Awards: Gold for Online Film & Video Music video, Silver for Best Use of Music, and Silver for Craft Best Use of Animation.

Based in San Francisco, USA, KARMACODA is comprised of Jessica Ford (vocals), Brett Crockett (aka B. on vocals and producer) and Japanese-American multi-instrumentalist Eric Matsuno (bass and other unique elements). The trio’s sound has been compared to a unique mix of Paloma Faith, Adele, and Pixie Lott. In the press, the band has earned support from CLASH Magazine, Wonderland Magazine, Notion Magazine, Magnetic Mag, Hotpress, Metal Magazine, Medium, Backseat Mafia, CelebMix, Son Of Marketing, VENTS Magazine, HMWL, EDM Identity, Faze Magazine, and Decoded Mag. On radio, their music has been aired on NPR Music and Irish National radio RTÉ 2XM’s Dan Hegarty.

Like a pebble cast into the waters of time, KARMACODA delves into the past, yearning for what once was. Their latest video, ‘Time Flies’, ripples with waves of vintage black and white film, setting a nostalgic mood. Camera-ready, vocalists Brett and Jessica share a vulnerable moment, contemplating the ephemeral nature of time. Check out the video below…

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Paige Bea Melds Spiralling Pop Hooks, Boundary Pushing Instrumentals And Timeless Songwriting On EP ‘Goodbye, Then!’

London-based singer, songwriter and producer PAIGE BEA‘s EP ‘Goodbye, Then!’ – self-released via The Orchard – re-establishes her within the alternative pop landscape after a 2 year hiatus from releasing music. To date, the EP has received wide acclaim and support from BBC R1 (Jack Saunders), Spotify (Fresh Finds UK & IE), COLORS, The Line Of Best Fit, CLASH Magazine, Wonderland, The Rodeo, New Wave Magazine, enfnts terribles, The Pit LDN, Wordplay Mag and more.

Influenced by acts such as FKA Twigs, Tirzah, Caroline Polachek, Jockstrap, James Blake and Sampha – those sonic touch points are evident within Paige’s avant-garde, unpredictable productions as she melds spiralling pop hooks and boundary pushing instrumentals, with timeless songwriting and self-aware lyricism. ‘Goodbye, Then!’ sees the artist uniting with producers Leo Wyatt (aka KINDER) and Jonjo Keefe (Park Hotel).

The six-track EP explores the obsessions and projections that come with all relationships. From lustful beginnings (“4×4”) to shaky middles (‘Autopilot’ and ‘Melt’), bitter ends (‘Stay Still’) to rose-tinted re-imaginings of the past (‘The Quiet Of The Hours’ and ‘Goodbye, Then!’) – the music aims to chart how warped perceptions of romantic relationships directly lead to their downfall. Part catharsis and part warning signal – the songs are an attempt to take back the narrative and add some much needed glamour and thrill to the tricky process of letting go.

“The production, lyrical themes and aesthetics surrounding ‘Goodbye, Then!’ are a slow sharpening of my sense of self,” Paige explains. “It starts dark, murky and jagged and eventually reaches a place of clarity and peace. The maximalist approach to the EP is a significant contrast to how small I was made to feel – and that was important. These songs are about making myself the main character again and I want this EP to make those who listen feel empowered, sexy and resolute in stories of their own heartbreak too.”

‘Goodbye, Then!’ is out now for your inspection…have a peep below…

Must Listens: 4×4, Autopilot, Melt

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