Album Review: Konfidence – Kit Rice

Previously featured tracks, ‘Just A Kiss’ and ‘Always Been This Way’ have set a curious tone for KIT RICE‘s brand new album entitled ‘Konfidence’, released on Monday (25th June).

I was very privileged to be invited to Kit’s album release launch party on Monday at London’s  229 The Venue Club and I gotta say this newcomer’s – along with the backing singers – well-poised vocals has compelled me even more to the eight-track collection.

‘Konfidence’ certainly matched the full-on confidence of the live performances I witnessed, by kicking off with a boisterous sound of the UKG scene, before offering up more club filling makeovers of the original R&B/soulful offerings, ‘Always Been This Way’ and ‘Just A Kiss’, with the help of producers Operator S and DJIMON.

The combination of that UKG vibes and smooth R&B offers the perfect balance throughout the album, topped off by the 2017 Voice contestant’s soulful vocal which effortlessly flows between the two genres.

With this pretty neat set, KIT RICE firmly holds onto the title as one of the most exciting and promising artists that the UK has seen in a very long time…

Make sure you check him out below:

Must Listens: Just A Kiss, Always Been This Way (original versions)

New Music Video: Special – Liv Lovelle

‘Special’ is the new single from London artist LIV LOVELLE. The tracks follow ‘Won’t Say Too Much’ and ‘All That Matters’ which saw Liv gain Spotify New Music Friday support across 8 countries as well as Apple’s ‘Best Of The Week’. To date her work has been streamed into the hundreds of thousands and has seen tastemaker support from the likes of Popjustice and The Line Of Best Fit.

With delicate influences of 1960’s Motown, 70’s soul and 90’s R&B, the latest release reflects a new sense of purpose and direction for Liv who elegantly combines smoky R&B vocals with a pure pop sensibility. Mentored by Nick Gatfield, who has guided the careers of music icons like Radiohead and Amy Winehouse, Liv is rapidly finding her own individual niche in the world of pop.

Check out the new video to her single below:

New Track: Lil Longer – Rozie

Adding some seriously electrifying jams to her hazy R&B/soul trademark, Canadian singer/songwriter ROZIE drops her second track entitled ‘Lil Longer.’

The latest offering follows her debut single ‘Brown Sugar’, released earlier this year.

Go and check out this quirky newcomer below:

Song of the Day: My Soulful Baby – Rachel Marie

‘My Soulful Baby’ is the latest in a series of R&B song releases produced, written and performed by DC singer Yona Marie AKA RACHEL MARIE.

The 27-year-old smooth songbird was previously featured on NEW LEASE MUSIC with tracks, ‘New Habit’, ‘King Status’ and ‘High’, which garnered over 100,000 listeners and 20,000 downloads.

This latest release is a real sultry affair; check it out below and get your copy for FREE via SoundCloud.

New Track: Gurl – 2U4U

Multi-instrumentalist hip-hop collective 2U4U release their second track ‘GURL’, mixed by acclaimed studio engineer Aaron Ahmad (Adele, Mark Ronson), ahead of their ‘Butter’ EP release on 6th July.

Upholding their distinctive sound by blending rap, jazz and RnB, 2U4U have created a relaxed texture-rich track with hints of old-school hip-hop. Reminiscing about respective love stories in the hazy summer months, ‘GURL’ sees rappers cal and My Rugema combining lyrical ambiguity with aspects of neo-soul to detail their previous love affairs. Newcomer Majella also contributes to the track, lending his mellifluous vocals to a hook peppered with astrological symbolism. Whilst fusing a Wurlitzer and an electric piano, the group’s producer Ranbir unifies pacifying bass riffs with crisp, evocative drum beats, enabling the mellow tune to create a warm, summery vibe.

2U4U

The three founding members, all hailing from Rugby and South London, met during their school years having bonded over a joint love of music. Citing various influences including Erykah Badu, Ty and Madlib, the group spent the summer of 2016 honing their craft of thematically-driven rap; it’s this dedicated nature that has gained them support by the likes of Dummy, The 405, Dazed as well as Jamz Supernova on BBC Radio 1Xtra.

Since releasing singles ‘Home’ and ‘Fall’, the group have found themselves on Spotify’s ‘Alternative Hip Hop’ and XL Recording’s ‘XL Play’ playlists, proving that 2U4U are transforming fame with their unflawed, soulful sounds.