Tag: pop music

Grete shares her beautifully raw EP, ‘Grey’

Lithuania-born, Manchester-based artist GRETE has perfected her own brand of alt-pop – culminating in the fresh, unique and exciting 5 track EP that is ‘Grey’.

While the EP successfully executes a huge variety of musical styles and each song is entirely distinct and standalone, there are several themes that span across the tracklist, tying ‘Grey’ together and turning it into a cohesive, emotionally vulnerable story. Each song focuses on a different low point in Grete’s
past, conveyed through cuttingly honest lyrics and reinforced by moody, mesmerising and sometimes even manic instrumentation.

Grete’s debut single, ‘With u’ is a hybrid of many different popular styles including RnB, jazz and pop, akin to influences such as Yebba and Maro. The live instrumentation invokes a warm, emotional sensation and the dynamic vocals encapsulate the intended emotion perfectly. ‘With u’ is a heartfelt ballad in which Grete is comparing her current life to a previous time.

Second single, ‘How Long’ progresses into a darker, more twisted space. This is brought to life by dissonant chords, biting and distorted guitar leads and Grete’s soaring vocals. The track is punctuated with glitchy details and electronic sparkles, complimenting the instruments and contributing to the cosmic scale of the song.

Grete’s latest single, Cz u don’t’ is a forward thinking, experimental yet vulnerable track influenced by artists like Halsey and Hiatus Kaiyote. The song winds through various sections with a beat in 7 as the backdrop, culminating in a whole-band-polyrhythm to end. The protagonist of ‘Cz u don’t’ is searching for reasons to leave an unhealthy relationship.

Grete started singing when she was only three years old, beginning her performance career in small ensembles and bands. She was quickly spotted and invited to the biggest stages in the country, such as nationally broadcasted competitions, top level musical theatre productions, international concerts and contests, even reaching the finals of ‘The Voice’ Lithuania 2018. Gaining local fame opened many doors for function gigs and session work but that was not the career she truly wanted to pursue.

Grete chose to leave Lithuania and start fresh in the UK. Now she is studying pop music vocals in RNCM. Influenced by artists like Jazmine Sullivan, The Weeknd and Yebba, she began writing vocally colourful and harmonically intricate songs with strong messages and old R&B references.

Why not have a listen to Grete’s stunning EP below…

Must Listens: How Long, With u, colder Summer

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Song of the Day: Ghost – Klaudia Keziah

Growing up between England and Lithuania, KLAUDIA KEZIAH first found music through her ability to play instruments. Studying music from the age of eight, she embarked on her music journey, selecting the cello and piano as her instruments of choice.

Self-taught as a producer, singer and songwriter, her time composing music helped shape the style that she delivers on her single ‘Ghost ’. Her distinctive tone and emotionally driven lyrics dance with the sweet, yet hard-hitting production that gives her a unique signature sound.

Speaking on the meaning behind the track Klaudia commented – “Ghost” delves into the discovery of betrayal, as the main character realises they’ve been cheated on, leaving the cheater grasping at apologies and excuses, though it’s too late! The idea of “Ghost” lies in the haunting presence the protagonist embodies, as the former partner yearns to revive the relationship. With the main character haunting the cheater, it serves as a poignant representation of lingering, regret and unresolved emotions.’

The juxtaposition between the song’s sweet melodies and its somber theme aims to create a striking contrast.

‘Ghost’ is the first single from Klaudia’s upcoming 3 track EP due to land later this year.

Gaining previous support from Wonderland, Raydar Magazine, Industry Me, DJ Ace, Radio 2’s ‘Funky Playlist’, ‘Track of the Week’ Voice FM, Wordplay Magazine, We Are Beyond Noise, BBC Introducing, The Hype Magazine and more, ‘Ghost’ follows up from the 2022 release ‘Hero’ that swiftly caught the attention of various tastemakers and publications. Have a listen to ‘Ghost’ below…

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Bliss Williams goes down memory lane with new EP, ‘Gramercy’.

London-based BLISS WILLIAMS’ first memories of music are the tapes of 60s pop and soul his parents kept in the car when he was little. This early introduction to timeless songwriting from the likes of The Beach Boys, not to mention all those Motown classics, left an indelible mark.

Fast-forward to 2024 and Williams’ tunes have been championed by John Kennedy on Radio X and Gary Crowley on the BBC, while recent single ‘A Thousand Times Before’ (featuring Paul Weller drummer Ben Gordelier) was playlisted by Spotify.

Sharing his childhood memories of music, Bliss Williams shares his new acoustic EP ‘Gramercy’, which is out now across various music platforms. Recorded live in just a handful of takes, ‘Gramercy’ sees Williams momentarily depart from his usual brand of electric soul to showcase his songwriting in its rawest form – stripped-back, sensitive and no less soulful.

Listen to ‘Gramercy’ below…

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Laura Pieri regains her power in the music industry with EP ‘Frankie’.

Multidisciplinary music & visual artist LAURA PIERI reveals her new EP, ‘Frankie’. The EP will be accompanied by a short film which will premiere on June 17th.

The 4-track EP came to be when Pieri was at the point of almost giving up on her career. Inspired by what her farewell to the industry should sound like, the story of Frankie, a woman reclaiming her power, was born. In an EP that cycles through the great, bad, good, and ugly of self-discovery, Pieri emerges as an artist who has rediscovered her voice. The EP was co-written with an all-female team of songwriters and executive produced by Skyler Cocco.

The EP follows the protagonist, Frankie, who represents a woman navigating male-dominated environments. She is a foil story for women in predatory industries. Inspired by stories like Frankenstein, Suspiria, and Persephone, the characters in the Frankie story represent not only the ability of women to adapt and camouflage according to the circumstances of the moment, but also the sensation of imprisonment of having the need to have a myriad of versions in order to do so.

Across the EP’s 4 tracks, Pieri guides us through Frankie’s journey from disillusionment, anger, and finally, acceptance. “The EP was born out of a transitional phase for me,” Pieri writes. “I was mourning what I believed was me needing to give up on my career. I had felt that walking away was a necessity, and instead set my goals into pivoting into academia with corporate America as the end goal. However, leaving one male dominated field for another and feeling similar feelings come up made me see I was trying to run away from ghosts. Instead of running, I sat with them, and from that the story of Frankie, a woman reclaiming her voice and power, was born.”

Born in São Paulo, Brazil, where she lived until the age of 16, Laura Pieri always dreamed of being a pop star. In 2014, she moved to America and split her time between New York and Los Angeles to further her education and simultaneously pursue a music career. Inspired by a wide array of artists like Prince, Billie Eilish, Taylor Swift, and Michael Jackson, Pieri hopes to blend her pop influences with her Brazilian roots and use her songwriting to connect with others.

‘Frankie’ was released last Friday (31st May) across various music platforms. Why not check it out below…

Must Listens: Sea of Tragedy, Come Clean, GODDESS ENERGY

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Song of the Day: Stop (you can let it go) -Jennarie

Montreal-born, Toronto-raised queer pop artist JENNARIE‘s sophomore luscious jazz single ‘Stop (you can let it go),’is a vibey and motivational piece, anchored by luscious vocals and a splash of jazz harmonies reminiscent of Yebba and Amy Winehouse.

“I’ve learned to detect the subtle yet potent presence of resentment in my body—a tightening in my chest, a tendency to ruminate on others’ choices or actions (or lack thereof). Recognizing this, I redirect my focus inward,” Jennarie explains on the track. “The opening line, “When you point your finger at another, you are pointing at the mirror,” speaks to the process of healing people-pleasing tendencies and transforming resentment into self-empowerment and love.”

“Stop (you can let it go),” is a vibey R&B and pop track featuring lush vocal stacks and a splash of jazz harmony that inspires listeners to choose compassion and self-love. “I aim for “Stop (you can let it go)” to serve as a beacon of empowerment for those grappling with comparison, judgment, and gossip,” Jennarie said. “Drawing from my DBT practice, I hope the song’s themes offer both instruction and comfort to those in need.”

Jennarie first cut her teeth in the Toronto music scene, where she gained a powerful stage presence by performing regular live shows all over town. She’s continued to make waves and build a strong name for herself in the years since, with renowned Canadian print and online magazine. The WholeNote recently hailing her for her “big voice, fearless delivery, ebullient sense of rhythm, and bubbles of humor.”

She enlisted producer Nick Tateishi for the project, who recently provided production to singer and songwriter Francois Klark’s JUNO Award-nominated 2022 sophomore album, Adventure Book, and is known for his work with the likes of Clerel, HILLARI, and Kiki Rowe, to name a few.

Why not check out the stunning single below…

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