Montreal-based indie-pop / bedroom rock band FLEECE brings along a soulful funk reminder to all of us to stop overthinking – especially about certain expectations others might have of us – and make life more simple in brand new single ‘It’s The Life’ – so go forth and act like a child, be silly, queer it up and just live your best life!
The song originally started as a live jam in the four-piece act’s practice space that they posted to TikTok. The infectious melody and steel-drum-sounding guitar, provided by producer Gus Van Go, capture the song’s fun, live-jam energy.
Released yesterday (22and March), ‘It’s The Life’ has been a massive hit at their live show as its carefree vibes the energizes the crowd…now it’s time for you to let loose and hit the play button on ‘It’s The Life’ below…
Following her breakout debut version of ‘Tuesday’ with ILoveMakonnen ft. Drake, Filipino-American R&B/pop songstress DANELLE SANDOVAL circles back and shares single ‘Cold’ which is her most vulnerable to date.
She confides, “I’ve always been curious about how relationships can just flip a switch and how intimacy can be so difficult for everyone, when most of us just wanna feel close to each other. I’ve definitely been on both sides of a relationship where I was either the one being cold or my partner was. This song represents the latter.”
Cold entices with seductive soul-drenched vocals, mood enhancing R&B landscapes, and intimate reflections of love and loss.
After posting a YouTube cover of ‘Tuesday’ by ILoveMakonnen ft. Drake, the song was remixed and went on to receive platinum awards worldwide while reaching the number one spot in over 70 countries on iTunes and Shazam. The viral hit has amassed over one billion streams online. Following the global success of ‘Tuesday’ Danelle has performed on national television in Germany, has written for other artists including Paris Hilton, and has focused on releasing original music.
With more music to be released in 2023, Danelle has refined her sound to represent the places and genres that have inspired her and her creativity the most, from Toronto’s out-of-the-box production and NYC’s jazz influences to LA’s R&B/pop scene. Have a listen to ‘Cold’ below…
Ahead of the release of her deluxe album ‘CH III: The Come Up’, released yesterday (24th January), multifaceted Canadian powerhouse and visionary STORRY generated quite a buzz after linking up with Stormzy on the titular track of his album ‘This Is What I Mean’, lending her indelible vocal talents to the capstone of the British hip-hop scene.
The prowess that has defined STORRY’s irresistible artistry to date is given a pedestal on the track, with her operatic vocals perfectly complementing the grandiose that has catapulted Stormzy to the top of the charts in the past half decade. Her angelic vibrato pierces through an instrumental that sounds like a march up a mountain, complimenting the sense of urgency that Stormzy exudes as he refuses to descend from the summit.
The album’s release is accompanied by a premiere video spotlighting STORRY alongside a star-studded cast of collaborators such as P2J, Sampha and Jacob Collier, attaching her face to the posterboard of prodigies and mainstays who base themselves in and around London. The Toronto native will also be named on the LP’s list of creative contributors.
Speaking on her role on the project, STORRY details: “I had met and worked with P2J on several tracks before – previously writing and recording together – including singing operatic vocals on Burna Boy’s Grammy Award Winning ‘Alarm Clock’. When I first moved to London, P2J called me back in for some more of that operatic sauce. Though hot sauce isn’t the main part of the meal – it definitely adds that extra kick. So, I’m excited to play a part in this collaborative record. There are so many amazing artists on this new album. What I love about Stormzy – besides his obvious musical talent – is his kindness and care for inclusivity and equity. You can see that with his collaborators and team. I too am working to build an inclusive safe space in the industry that I never felt I had – especially for womxn, POC and queer folx. I’ve met a lot of my idols and they would often disappoint me as humans. I’m happy to say that Stormzy holds to his name and that is something I stand by.”
With this feature, STORRY is receiving a huge kickstart in light of the arrival of her forthcoming deluxe album , a brutally honest and unapologetic effort that equates the misogynistic devaluement of the sex industry to that of the music world. The tracklist amounts to an adamant call for the respect of women in all facets, emphasising the strength of their resolve against oppression through presenting stories withheld by herself and other women in order to display the people that they are rather than the flesh that surrounds their bones. The concept album was written, produced and funded in its entirety per her own accord and earned a 2021 JUNO Award nomination alongside Alanis Morrissette and Celine Dion.
STORRY elaborates on the album: “CH III: The Come Up is a record about a woman trying to leave the sex-industry – which she was coerced into – and get into the music industry, only to realise that both are equally misogynistic and problematic. She grapples with her relationship with her mother, family, romantic relationships, money and her career. That woman is me.”
Whether working out of Toronto or London, STORRY lets the candidness of her craft speak for itself. Refusing to confine herself to a box, she hops in and out of niches from hip hop and reggae to opera and musical theatre, all coming together to hold female empowerment to a bright light with a gritty and enigmatic presence that cannot be shunned.
STORRY’s deluxe version of ‘CH III: The Come Up’ was released yesterday (24th January). Have a listen to this stunning collection below…
Must Listens: Bow Down, I Don’t Wanna Get High, Suburban Bitches, A Lost Find, Wanna Get High (Junia-T Remix)
As always, NEW LEASE MUSIC kicks off the New Year with Top Releases of 2022.
Today, let’s start off with the Top Ten Music Videos of 2022. Each epic production quite deservedly earned a place on the list as they received the most views on the blog.
So what are you waiting for??? Head down the list and check out the videos!
I really hope you enjoy. Be sure to check out the Top Ten Albums tomorrow….
Nashville-based singer/songwriter APRIL KRY‘s new full-length concept album, Krysalis, is the reason why she’s often dubbed as the “tiny girl with a big voice”. Her powerful emotive vocal delivery glides over, at large, the featherlight soulful pop melodies leaves the prospective listener with a tear in the eye.
Speaking of her ten-track project, April says“This body of work was written over a period of 2+ years. It was a transformative chapter of my life where I was forced to look at myself in the mirror and reflect on why I chose to create in the first place. Recording this album while pregnant, and in a global pandemic was challenging, but worth it. In these songs, you will hear moments of self-reflection, extreme highs and lows, and everything in between. Creating life, celebrating love, and examining my time in the music industry. I’ve learned that using my voice to inspire is more important than approval. No one ever talks about the season of growth the caterpillar needs to go through in order to become the butterfly. You don’t know who you are or where you are going. This is the Chrysalis growing stage. and this is the story of my Krysalis.”
The album is a follow-up to her 2018 EP, Sink Or Swim which received national acclaim with songs from the EP landing a spot on the Music Row Country Breakout charts, with plays on numerous radio stations across the country, over 4 million streams across platforms, including a coveted rotation on Radio Disney Country. Her newest album explores the growing stages of life with themes of empowerment and self-reflection.
April Kry has been fortunate enough to write and work with Grammy award-winning songwriters and collaborate with some amazing talent including Nick Jonas and industry veteran, Phil Ramone. Kry pulls in heavy hitters on her new album, like Joshua Gleave (Chris Young, The Swon Brothers) and 9AM Music (Leon Bridges, Celine Dion). Talent and fans alike are drawn to Kry’s meaningful lyrics and soulful, strong, effortless tone.
Krysalis was released last Friday (30th September).Have a listen to April new album below…
Must Listens: Take The Edge Off, Scratch The Surface, B-Side, Seven or Seventeen
New Lease Music 