EP Review: All In Me – Laolu

LAOLU‘s 2018 single, ‘How To Feel’ has got me fired up enough to look out for her debut  EP, ‘All In Me’…and judging from the strong support she received from BBC 1xtra and The Best Line Fits, it seems that I’m not the only one left hanging for the nine-track set.

Kicking off with a moody introduction through single ‘Buffering’, the EP predominantly delves into the haziness of smooth R&B and soul. Fifth effort, ‘Disconnect’, showcases a flair of the blues, intensifying the spine-tingling sensation presented in the EP. ‘So Right’ momentarily breaks away from the collection’s misty theme by injecting a smooth chirpiness of the Afro/reggae-esque bassline.

Those who admire the musical prowess of artist H.E.R, will definitely warm towards the South-East London songstress, who wants to offer the listener a fresh perspective on traditional R&B/Soul – and she does it perfectly through ‘All In Me’. Check her out below:

Must Listens: Disconnect, 20’s, Love Lost Found. 

New R&B Sensation Emiko Releases Brand New Single, ‘CareFree’

R&B newcomer EMIKO kicks off the new year on a irresistibly smooth note with new single ‘Carefree’. Sporting a laid-back neo soul vibe, the Daniel Sappore-produced track displays the young crooner’s undisputed ability to woo the listeners (especially the ladies) with alluring lyrics, delivered in his impeccable velvety vocals.

The West London soul singer has had an enormously successful 2018 in which he has been thoroughly working on building up a solid fanbase by performing at renowned venues such as Notting Hill ArtsClub, and getting his artistry to a next level by spending endless hours time in the studio. Already his previous single ´R U DOWN‘ has garnered huge support from the likes of BBC 1xtra’s DJ Ace, Reprezent FM and LDNRBS and was chosen by former Westside FM’s host Rebecca Judd’s ‘Westside track of the week’ after its release.

‘Carefree’ is taken from his upcoming, highly anticipating debut EP which will be released in the near future.

This is too good to pass…check out EMIKO‘s ‘Carefree’ below:

New Music Video: More – Lenny Harold

Taken from his recently released and critically acclaimed sophomore album ‘Cosmic’, which was released in September last year to rave reviews, Teddy Riley protégé, former Blackstreet member, and New Jersey R&B singer/songwriter LENNY HAROLD is excited to kickstart 2019 with the release of his highly anticipated music video for fan-favourite Cosmic album track ‘More’.

Produced by three-time Grammy Award nominee Armando ‘Mandobeats’ Colon, who has previously worked with the likes of Shaggy, Busta Rhymes, Lil Kim, Cam’ron and Fat Joe, with live bass and guitar arrangements from Ralph B. Stacy (Luther Vandross, SWV, Dru Hill), ‘More’ stands out as a timeless R&B slow jam, which is held together by LENNY HAROLD’s striking tenor and smooth vibrato, and honest and relatable songwriting about wanting more for and from a love interest.

The accompanied visuals see the smooth crooner collaborating with fast-rising cinematographer and photographer Richard ‘Parlay’ Copier of OneiPhotography, to create a storytelling masterpiece, which not only brings the record, which is already hailed a timeless R&B offering all by itself, further to life, but tells its own story of a woman stuck between trying to leave a life of pain and abuse behind, and the fear of leaping into the unknown with someone new.

Counting the likes of Quincy Jones, Marsha Ambrosius and Jamie Fox as fans, and with three critically acclaimed R&B projects already under his belt, before he released last year’s well received ‘Cosmic’ album, LENNY HAROLD is coming into 2019 as one of the best pure R&B talents out of America today. The rest of the year will see the New Jersey native embark on a short run ‘Cosmic’ tour across the US, along with the release of more visuals from the album, starting with ‘Heat’ in February.

Check out the video for ‘More’ below:

New Track: Misty Head/Sunny Street – Oscar Jerome

To say South London singer-songwriter Oscar Jerome had a restless 2018 would be an understatement. One of the capital’s finest purveyors of soulful jazzy vibes, Jerome has been busy getting playlisted and tipped by the likes of 6 Music, 1Xtra and Boiler Room, selling out London’s Village Underground and touring consistently – recently playing a run of shows in the US and further cementing his fast-growing international audience.

Keeping up the momentum for the new year, Jerome has now unveiled his brand new single titled ‘Misty Head / Sunny Street’, which dines on an influence of jazz, funk and hip-hop, delivered with the songwriter’s signature lo-fi grit.

Oscar Jerome (credit: Will Millar)

Driven by a warped Thundercat-esque bassline, the track rides an intoxicating groove as Jerome’s lysergic guitars and impassioned vocals serenade above a warm bed of technicolour synth hues. The new cut comes in support of a short European tour which kicks off with Jerome’s biggest headline show to date at London’s EartH (Evolutionary Arts Hackney) on 20th February .

‘Misty Head / Sunny Street’ is the latest addition to a vibrant back-catalogue that has marked Jerome out as a tour de force in the burgeoning London jazz scene. The single follows 2018’s Where Are Your Branches? EP and the follow-up single ‘Do You Really’ – both of which building on the critical acclaim of his debut self-titled EP released back in 2016.

Check out Jerome’s single below:

New Music Video: Black Sheep – Lorelle Howard

New alt-R&B sensation LORELLE HOWARD makes her entry on NEW LEASE MUSIC with dark visual to her latest single, ‘Black Sheep’.

Shot in just two days, the production features the Brooklyn songbird largely roaming the streets in Paris.

A slamming anthem for those who struggle to stay true to themselves, ‘Black Sheep’ is from her debut EP ‘Seven Phases: Moonscape’, set for release next month.

For now, check out the video for the single below: