Song of the Day: Blinding – J Appiah (ft. Ruby Wood)

East London singer/songwriter J APPIAH, drops his latest single, ‘Blinding’ which gives is a frank examination of the musician’s interior anxieties with his developing career.

The record also acts as a cautionary tale and a creative expression of the mental labyrinths an artist passes through just trying to stay human in an industry that peddles idols and products. Reflecting his apprehension, ‘Blinding’ fuses a trace of Hip-Hop, shades of blues and gospel emanating from his soulful vocal delivery, beautifully assisted by Submotion Orchestra’s Ruby Wood.

Further explaining his inspiration behind his latest offering’, J APPIAH says, “‘Blinding’ is about my desire to be well-known as an artist but also my apprehension with regards to the pitfalls of it. It’s about people judging you for who they think you are before they’ve even met you. It’s also about being seduced by the idea of popularity. I think today there are many ways you can become well-known, everyone seems to want their 15 minutes of fame”.

The Hackney native has received strong support from the likes of BBC 1Xtra, 4 Music, Complex, BBC 6 Music, Clash Magazine, MTV Base, Dummy Magazine and The Line of Best Fit recently, while his last project ‘Travelight’ garnered rave reviews and strong acclaim from fans and the industry alike, and it’s anyone’s guess where this inimitable new artist will go next.

Listen to ‘Blinding’ below:

New Track: Liar – Luke Friend

You might remember LUKE FRIEND as the teenage rising star that finished third on the X-Factor in 2013, but the now 22-year old Devon singer and songwriter is finally coming into his own as a bonafide musician with his brand new single titled ‘LIAR’.

Released via ex Warner Music Vice President Kieron Donoghue’s indie label Humble Angel Records, ‘Liar’ is the first official single from Friend, since 2016’s ‘Take On The World’ and his UK top 40 charting ‘Hole In My Heart’, before that.

Led by his powerful signature vocals and gripping raspy tones, ‘Liar’ is a soulful bass-heavy offering with an exquisite UK Garage-esque undertone, which sees Friend finally coming to terms with a lying partner and breaking free from the relationship. The track is further held together, by a thumping bassline, engrossing storytelling and an explosive chorus that will compel you to sing along.

So get ready to sing at the top of your lungs…hit play on ‘LIAR’

 

New Track: Time For This – Artifact Collective

Danish six-piece ARTIFACT COLLECTIVE  have released their third single ‘Time For This’, infused with languid R&B and brash indie rock.

Lead singer and songwriter Victor Oliver curates songs influenced by youthful nights spent under the artificial lights of a capital city – his complex, pensive lyricism drawing inspiration from troubled relationships, daydreaming and surreal drama series. Pairing Victor’s polished vocals with slick R&B beats and electronic rhythms, the track is an indefatigable amalgamation of boisterous musical production and intelligent songwriting.

Previous singles have garnered extensive support from Denmark’s hit music station DR P3, with the collective already securing a number of exciting co-signs from abroad – continuing to cement their already burgeoning reputations.

Talent continues to emanate from the north of Europe, and ARTIFACT COLLECTIVE are no exception to this rule. The young group of twenty-year olds write, arrange, record and design every track they produce, and their most recent release proves their indisputable musical expertise.

Have a listen to ‘Time For This’ below:

New Track: I Need You – Sakyi 4

 SAKYI 4 are back with their fourth official release ‘I Need You’.

For their latest offering, the quartet put a modern stamp on 90s-style after hours R&B, accompanied with a seamless soulful bass, which will undoubtedly strengthen their reputation as one of the most exciting R&B groups from the UK.

‘I Need You’ follows their 2017 R&B/Afrobeat fused single, ‘Simmer Down’ which received support from the likes of R&B Magazine, BRASH! Magazine and New Wave District. The music video for the ‘Simmer Down’ clocked up over 20,000 views, premiered via The Link Up TV.

Since appearing on Britain’s Got Talent in 2015 – where Simon Cowell said they have ‘great potential’ – SAKYI 4 have caught the attention of SBTV founder Jamal Edwards with track ‘Bad As You’ and featured the music video on his platform. To date, the music video for ‘Bad As You’ has generated over 36,000 views.

Exposed to various styles of music from a young age, the North West Londoners turned their hand to song writing, citing Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson as strong influences. With smooth and weak-at-the-knees lyrics featured in ‘I Need You’, these guys are definitely on their way to possess the lyrical standard plus vocal delivery of nineties/noughties R&B favourites Joe, Ne Yo and Chris Brown.

‘I Need You’ is now available on all major digital/streaming platforms – including Spotify and iTunes

Follow SAKYI 4 on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SAKYI4/

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/Sakyi_4

Instagram: http://instagram.com/sakyi4

Song of the Day: Conversation – Shenna

With technology and social media degrading our ability to develop real life, interpersonal connections with each other, rising R&B/pop sensation SHENNA provides some commentary on the matter with her brand new single ‘Conversation.’

SHENNA‘s latest track comes on the heels of her performance at L.A’s The Mint, her Reebok ad campaign, and the V Magazine debut of the vibrant music video for her high-energy, Bruno Mars-inspired single ‘Magenta.’

Listen to ‘Conversation’ below: