Tag: pop music

Song of the Day: Different Now – Pauline Andres

Born in France to a coal miner’s family, PAULINE ANDRES has captivated audiences with her sweet and smoky voice that “perfectly conveys the thoughts and observations of an old soul walking home at closing time.” Growing up near the Franco-German border in a multicultural household of Hungarian and Balkan descent, Andres was immersed in a vibrant mix of languages and traditions.

Now based in Nashville, TN, Andres initially garnered attention as an Americana singer-songwriter. However, during the lockdown, she reinvented herself as an engineer and producer, venturing into retropop and synthwave. Her first electronic release, ‘Til the End of the World’, dropped in the Fall of 2020, followed by the experimental ‘Medicine Woman’, earning her vocal comparisons to legends like Stevie Nicks and Nikki Lane.

Andres’ latest single, ‘Different Now’, marks yet another evolution in her distinctive musical journey. This upbeat and fresh pop track, infused with disco sensibilities, showcases Andres’ ability to command a song with a danceable and carefree spirit, perfectly capturing the essence of a summer anthem.

The funky and electric chorus highlights Andres’ knack for weaving pop melodies into dynamic productions. Originally penned by Andres, the track’s beat was later reshaped by her UK-based co-producer George Harris, resulting in the birth of ‘Different Now’.

She shares “‘Different Now’ is a song about reconciliation and growth. It’s a love song to begin with but is about much more than romantic relationships. It’s about emerging on the other side. It’s about seeing things differently and healing.”

Reminiscent of Sophie Ellis-Bextor, this cool 90s-tinged electro-pop anthem is luscious and catchy, yet lyrically profound and shows depth. In the vein of artists such as Caroline Rose and Angel Olsen, ‘Different Now’ stands out as the perfect pop-infused remedy from Pauline Andres.

Accompanied by an official video co-directed by Corey Simpson, ‘Different Now’ heralds a new direction for Andres in this intoxicating disco-pop track. Fans can look forward to her ambitious Fall release, ‘Final Girl’ – a tribute to classic slasher movies, co-produced by Sinclair, a fellow producer with whom Andres has collaborated on multiple Nashville Film Festival projects.

With her unique ability to blend genres and create evocative, heartfelt music, Pauline Andres continues to prove herself as an artist who defies expectations and pushes creative boundaries. ‘Different Now’ is a testament to her ever-evolving artistry and an artist with the world at her feet.

‘Different Now’ is now out across various music platforms…why not check out the official video for the single below…

Connect with Pauline Andres via:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/paulineandresdidit/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0CHV7SrZP8o2nVtg8GCaOk
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEGmc8K8eQFcTCrSb_AlRPA
Website: https://www.paulineandres.com/

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OUT TODAY: Megzz shares new single, ‘Love Tonight’ – a delightful cocktail of R&B, Afrobeats & Pop

Out today (23rd August), across various music platform, MEGZZ‘s single, ‘Love Tonight’, is an irresistible blend of R&B, Afrobeat and Pop that embodies the feeling of an everlasting summer. Already receiving national radio play on BBC 1Xtra, the not-so-typical love song brings friendship and platonic love to the forefront, in a bid to knock romantic love off its pedestal.

Megzz shares her inspiration behind the single: “I found growing up that popular music tended to focus on finding the one, rather than appreciating/noticing love that is already around you. I think it’s important to remind people love comes in many valuable forms, and so Love Tonight was born”.

Megzz breaks down the track, describing how the warm guitar tones against Afrobeat inspired percussion immediately evoke images of summer. By the time ‘Love Tonight’ leaves the first verse, the layers of interweaving guitar parts open out into a gloriously catchy chorus that is impossible to listen to without moving to the beat.

The production is complemented perfectly by the bright vocals and harmonies, and the lyrics (which are just as bright), remain true to Megzz’s style and are full of meaning. Lyrics such as ‘your love feels like home, got no need to wander’ and ‘I was too scared to fall until you showed me loving’, capture the sentiment of how important meaningful connections and friendships are to our lives, and why this is the perfect feel-good pick me up everyone needs this summer.

In short, ‘Love Tonight’ is more than a song; it’s a call to action to come together, and to love and be loved.

Hailing from Northamptonshire (UK), Megzz’s ‘unapologetically honest’ style of music has garnered an array of supporters, including AMEX Gold who crowned her as one of their Top 6 Unsigned Artists in 2022/2023. Megzz then went on to star as one of the main subjects of the Amazon Prime documentary ‘Unsigned’ that followed the AMEX experience.

The remainder of 2023 saw Megzz gain a number of firsts in her career – including her first award ‘Pop Artist of the Year’ (Local Music Awards), her first Radio 1 play and her first major festival performing at All Points East. Believing music is a powerful therapy to herself and others, Megzz’ lyricism has always focused on transparency around mental health, self-love and empowerment – and she firmly established this in her most recent EP ‘Through The Motions’ released in September 2023.

Megzz’ now shares her first release since her EP – ‘Love Tonight’ – out today (23rd August) across various platforms. Why not have a listen below…

Connect with Megzz via:
FB: https://www.facebook.com/officialmegzz
X: https://x.com/official_megzz
IG: https://www.instagram.com/official_megzz/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@official_megzz

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Thaïs Sala returns with her lusciously layered and immersive brand of electronic pop single ‘Sleeves’.

THAÏS SALA, the Paris-born singer/songwriter and cultural curator, is back with another stunning single, ‘Sleeves’, taken from her forthcoming debut EP, Echo Museum, which is set to release on 21st August.

Having grown up between the enchanting streets of Marrakech and the diverse landscapes of the UK, and now living in Montreal, Thaïs brings a rich, global perspective to her music. From a young age, Thaïs Sala has been immersed in a world of cultural diversity, and it shows in her music. Her unique sound blends electronic rhythms with soulful vocals, moving effortlessly between crystalline highs and husky lows. This mix of vulnerability and strength is a hallmark of her style, making her music resonate on a deeply emotional level.

Following the release of ‘Atonement’, Thaïs Sala now presents ‘Sleeves’, the second instalment from Echo Museum. Produced by Moses Belanger, ‘Sleeves’ is an intricate blend of subtle electronica elements and layers, making it an immediate and compelling listen. The track opens with emotive piano chords seamlessly mixed with Thaïs Sala’s ethereal harmonies, evolving into a rousing synth progression and a four-on-the-floor rhythm. This striking blend of soul and house music showcases her unique ability to merge genres effortlessly.

Lyrically, ‘Sleeves’ explores the theme of emotional honesty, likening the act of putting on and shedding emotions to wearing and removing clothing. Phrases like “uniform of feels” capture the routine of the psyche and the pressures to conform to external expectations. The song is a reflection on the struggle to be true to oneself and others while navigating life’s inherent highs and lows.

In the vein of artists like RY X, James Blake, and BANKS, ‘Sleeves’ is a modernised electronic and pop-infused masterpiece. Its deep, brooding quality soothes and enthuses simultaneously, showcasing the magic of Thaïs Sala’s craft.

As Thaïs Sala gears up for the release of Echo Museum, ‘Sleeves’ solidifies her place as a powerful new voice, with her ability to blend genres and create deeply personal yet universally relatable music making her an artist to watch for 2024 and beyond.

‘Sleeves’ was released on Wednesday (31st July). Why not have a listen below…

Connect with Thaïs Sala via:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/thesoulsphynx/

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Arliston’s new single, ‘Vertical’ mountaineers through melancholy

ARLISTON‘s latest offering ‘Vertical’ is a brooding, introspective journey that delves deep into the heart of existential dread. The duo’s signature blend of intimate vocals and expansive soundscapes is in full force here, creating a sonic atmosphere that’s both suffocating and cathartic.

Opening with a delicate piano melody and Jack Ratcliffe’s soulful baritone, the track gradually builds to a crescendo of emotional intensity. It’s a familiar Arliston territory, but ‘Vertical’ feels like a particularly raw and vulnerable exploration of the band’s signature melancholia. The lyrics, both poignant and relatable, capture the paralyzing feeling of being overwhelmed by life’s challenges.

Musically, the track is a masterclass in dynamics. The tension between quiet introspection and soaring choruses is expertly handled, creating a sense of emotional catharsis. The addition of Sam Catchpole’s driving drums and Brett Shaw’s percussive flourishes adds a layer of complexity to the arrangement, without ever overshadowing the song’s core emotional impact.

While Arliston’s influences are clear – The National, Bon Iver, and Damien Rice cast long shadows over their sound – the duo have managed to carve out their own distinctive niche. ‘Vertical’ is a testament to their talent for crafting songs that resonate deeply with listeners, offering a much-needed soundtrack to those moments of doubt and despair.

Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to Arliston, ‘Vertical’ is a must-listen. It’s a song that lingers in the mind long after the final notes fade, leaving you with a sense of both melancholy and hope.

‘Vertical’ was released last Friday (26th July) via various music platforms. Why not have a listen below…

Follow Arliston via:
FB: https://www.facebook.com/officialarliston
IG: https://www.instagram.com/arliston/
X: https://x.com/arlistonband

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Song of the Day: Worth It – Paige Bea

London-based singer, songwriter and producer PAIGE BEA‘s single, ‘Worth It’, is a dark, feminist ode to the frustrations of not knowing where you stand at the start of a new relationship. On ‘Worth It’, Paige is characteristically direct, asking outright rhetorical questions that ask for frankness in where this new romance is heading, paired with bold, honest statements about her own intentions: “I’m not here to convince and coerce / make things nice and give birth / I’m a difficult person”.

Speaking more on the lyrical inspiration behind ‘Worth It’, Paige said: “The lyrics for Worth It came shortly after a date I’d just been on. I was already just so anxious about when I was going to get the text back and how much longer we were going to have to do this silly dance before we just gave in to falling in love and seeing what happens. It felt like we were both coming into the start of it with a lot of trepidation given past relationships we’d been in, and we were trying to be adults by taking it slow, but it also felt like that was sucking the fun, spontaneous joy of starting something new out of it? I was also thinking about expectations of women in relationships, the peacemaker, the homemaker, the PA, the mother (I’m not here to convince and coerce / Make things nice then give birth / I’m a difficult person) and I wanted to make a statement that I probably won’t fit into the idea of who you think I am and I want to make that clear, but I’m also up for just leaning into this new feeling and taking a leap of faith if you are? I think our generation has this tendency to think that because they are grown and therapised, it means we can micro-manage all our relationships and behaviours and I’m far too impulsive for that. I’m much more about throwing myself in the deep-end and seeing where it takes me.”

Across her work to date, Paige Bea has seen excitable airplay and support from BBC R1’s Jack Saunders, Tara Kumar, Sian Eleri, BBC Introducing London’s Jess Izsatt, and BBC 1Xtra’s Jamz Supernova (who invited her into the studio for a Late Night Discovery interview), as well as esteemed publications and outlets such as COLORS, The Line Of Best Fit, Wonderland, The Independent, CLASH Magazine, Wordplay Mag, enfnts terribles, The Rodeo + more.

Upon the release of ‘Worth It’, Paige Bea announced her new EP ‘Flutters’ which was available from Wednesday (17th July) via DMY Artists. Why not listen to the avant-garde track below…

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