JSJ (Joshua Säde James) is an emerging Canadian artist who incorporates self-worth and love within his music, with the message that “you are worthy, you are loved, and you are imperfectly you.”
Just because you’re thinking about them does not mean they’re ‘Thinkin Bout U.’ That’s what JSJ learned in penning a love letter to a long distance relationship that only existed through FaceTime and ultimately didn’t last. Craving intimacy, he explores the push and pull between feeling lonely versus feeling completely alone.
JSJ has worked his way from coast to coast in Canada and is now traveling along the Baltic performing all over Northern Europe with Norwegian Cruise Lines. After declaring never again, the hopeless romantic is six months into a new relationship, 6000 miles apart. Have a listen ‘Thinkin Bout U’ below…
New York-based singer and songwriter MAE KRELL is closing out the year with the release of the ‘imposter syndrome (b-sides),’ which features singles, ‘tooth fairy’ and ‘(like) spring’ both written during the ‘imposter syndrome’ sessions. After the EP release, Mae revisited the unreleased demos with her producer Jakob Leventhal and decided to rework these two tracks.
“A lot of times my favorite tracks from an artist are the ones that almost didn’t make it out, so I thought it would be only fair to give people a chance to love these songs the way I love some almost-forgotten-about ones,” she says.
Mae released ‘tooth fairy,’ a heart wrenching track about realizing you may be better off without someone you thought you couldn’t live without, as a standalone single earlier this year. “(like) spring” rounds out the B-sides collection. A sparse, hypnotic and enchanting listen, “(like) spring” is a song about falling in love for the first time.
Elaborating on the new track, Mae writes: “I fell in love for the first time in February 2020 and by the end of the year I had followed her to a different state. Although I was away from my friends and family, I still had a feeling of home and belonging- thanks to her. Writing (like) spring originally started as me being fearful and lonely and trying to figure out why, and it led to a love song. For the places I never saw myself being happy in, until I was. For the neighbors and routines I didn’t think much about in the moment, until I moved away and started to miss them. And most importantly, it’s a love song for the girl who made me realize that I could write one, after thinking that I absolutely never would.”
At just 23 years old, Mae exudes a musicality wise beyond her years. Influenced by revered singer-songwriters like Bob Dylan, Phoebe Bridgers and Gregory Alan Isakov, Mae writes intimate reflections that confront past trauma, self-love and personal truths. With a distinct folk-pop sound and undeniable lyrical prowess, she has earned millions of streams across her repertoire with multiple tracks breaking 500K.
Her 4-track EP, ‘imposter syndrome,’ was released in early 2022 and instantly struck a chord with fans and tastemakers alike, with PRIDE aptly describing it as “an intimate and heart-wrenching dissection of the unavoidable self-doubt we all experience in our 20s.” This year has also seen Mae embark on two different tours, one supporting Ethan Jewell and a SoFar Sounds series that runs until the end of the year.
Listen to ‘imposter syndrome (b-sides)’ was released last Friday (2nd December) on all streaming platforms. Have a listen below…
London-based singer/songwriter LEO KELLY-GEE‘s catchy single, ‘Headphones’ evokes that explosive feeling you get when you have your favourite song playing in your ears and you can’t help but dance along and imagine you’re the main character in your own music video.
The chirpy piece takes you through an euphoric journey of evocative verses, uplifting choruses, before transporting you to another planet in the ethereal bridge and a blistering guitar solo to see the song out.
Inspired by artists like John Mayer, Paul Simon and George Ezra, Leo was a semi-finalist in the Isle of Wight Festival’s New Blood competition in 2020, and continues to perform to sold-out audiences across London. An accomplished guitarist, Leo takes centre stage in his live performances, possessing the energy of Tommy Emmanuel, Jon Gomm and Stevie Ray Vaughan.
Now here’s your chance to get your happy on and have a listen to ‘Headphones’ below…
Up-and-coming pop star, ZEIGH-V‘s new single, ‘Gone Too Soon, ‘memorializes young people lost too soon to tragedy, addiction, and battles with mental illness. Zeigh-V says, “This song is to encourage young people to refrain from taking substances because we have already lost too many lives.”
Hailing from Atlanta, Zeigh-V is the first artist to be signed to A-POP ® Entertainment for a good reason. Zeigh-V is the embodiment of what A-Pop Entertainment represents: youth making a positive impact on society. Under direction by A-POP® Entertainment creator Jim Joyner and other musical influences, Zeigh-V has created a distinct, unique sound for herself, having a rich and mature vocal presence even though she is only 14 years of age. Zeigh-V is captivating, down to earth, and positive – she is something the music industry needs in this day and age.
When asked what she wants to accomplish with her rising music career, Zeigh-V states, “I want to be able to help my peers who feel alone. I want to be able to lift their heads up when they feel like they can’t.”
Expressing the issue of rising youth issues of today, the founder of A-POP ®, Jim Joyner says: “Over my life, I have seen many issues that are affecting our youth. I knew a girl who was my friend in 8th-grade art class who was self-harming. Today, we are losing one teen every 10 hrs to fentanyl-laced pills. I asked myself :“What could be done about it?” I am the owner and president of Allstar Video Pitching Simulators, so in 2017, I began to pour my heart and financial resources into a brand new genre of music which I named A-POP ®.”
‘Gone Too Soon’ was released last Friday (2nd December). Have a listen below…
After headlining Drake’s OVO homecoming kick-off, Canadian icon SHAWN DESMAN marks an unprecedented return to the limelight for one of Canada’s biggest musical success stories. This top charting, multi-platinum selling, award-winning artist has created some of the most recognized songs of the past two decades.
Desman comes from a groundbreaking era of Canadian music that paved the way for the next generation of artists we see today. With a deep history of success, he exploded onto the scene, making waves across the country with his signature sound and style. Making his mark on an entire generation of Canadians, Desman achieved incredible accolades including five Platinum selling singles, a Platinum selling album, multiple chart-topping radio hits, and a plethora of awards including a JUNO Award for R&B Sound Recording of the Year, three MMVA’s, and multiple SOCAN Awards for his songwriting.
His latest single, ‘Maniac’, is exactly where he wants to be artistically and musically. Infectious, fun, feel good & nostalgic. Check it out below…
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