Song of the Day: Need To Know – Deanna Devore (ft. D.Lylez)

Chicago and Toronto based multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, composer and producer, DEANNA DEVORE has teamed up with D.Lylez (a top 24 contestant on The Voice season 18), for single, ‘Need To Know’, a rich, lo-fi ambience, with a soothing, groovy melody, making for the perfect late-night production.

Written during the pandemic, Devore explains how the isolation elicited a long period of reflection. Described as a nostalgic song, ‘Need To Know’ reminisces about a certain someone, detailing that feeling of needing to know that they are thinking about you too. Lylez’s divine crystal clear vocals, his gentle falsettos and melodic agility complement the dancing keyboard motifs. Alongside the floaty, orchestral elements, there is a heavy neo-soul, jazz flush that brings an atmospheric wash, creating an ethereal musical diversion to help escape the uncertainty of the times.

Devore has seen success performing to sold-out venues and festivals across the map, such as Summerfest, CMJ, NXNE, and 80/35. She has had the pleasure of opening for renowned artists including Jamie Cullum, Bonobo and SG Lewis, as well as Raveena, Mother Mother and Yoke Lore. The composer has also been adding to her musical portfolio by scoring both feature & short films, as well as composing music for commercials including a Starbucks ad, podcasts and animation videos. One of her original songs, ‘A Beautiful View’ is in the new feature film “Tom of Your Life”.

Have a listen to the divine ‘Need To Know’ below…

R&B Girl Group BLK Release Single ‘Girls’ From EP + Video

BLK, the first R&B girl group from the city of Toronto in recent history, are solidifying themselves within the international music scene on their single ‘Girls’. Introducing melodic tempos paired with a lush range of R&B vocals and hip-hop flows, ‘Girls’ is a female empowerment anthem positioned to be the soundtrack for every woman dealing with a significant other who needs to get kicked to the curb.

Produced by Pops (Drake, Machine Gun Kelly) & Lowner, BLK sings unapologetically over rich guitar chords & rhythmic 808’s “lost yourself a bad b*tch, lost yourself a marriage, lost yourself a Queen.”

These three solo artists—each of whom write, produce, and perform—combine their initials and colourful styles. This universally-minded outfit is spreading some authentic BLK Girl Magic.

All three artists have Canadian roots. Bexk, a fashion design student from Toronto’s East End, is of Bajan heritage. “I’m the savage,” she admits—employing her nickname as something of an alter-ego, “I fight for our best interests at all times, and encourage others to speak up.” Korahjay is a self-described free spirit from Montreal who comes from a Jamaican family. Her moniker, combining words from scripture and a family name, means power. Lilac X, whose exponent represents self-empowerment, considers herself a citizen of the world.

Check out the official video for ‘Girls’ below…

Nija Unveils Debut Single, Ease My Mind (Come Over) + Video

Before she had even turned 21, NIJA had written scores of Billboard Hot 100 hits. Now 23, the three-time GRAMMY Award-winning contributor has reached a new milestone: the release of her self-penned, self-produced debut single, ‘Ease My Mind (Come Over)’ via Capitol Records. With her enticing, self-assured vocals, Nija delivers an irresistible invitation on the track, which is an inventive mixture of R&B and drill music.

Shot in Los Angeles, the official video for ‘Ease My Mind (Come Over)’ is a visually surreal exploration of inner space, traveling through Nija’s subconscious mind. Director Child (Big Sean, Janelle Monáe, H.E.R.) gives us a keyhole view into the vibrant worlds conjured by her imagination as she awaits the arrival of a lover.

Nija says, “This song is about those times when you’ve had a long day, maybe stressed out from work, and you just want to get your mind off things with that special person at the end of the day.”

Born in New Jersey and now based in Los Angeles, Nija has demonstrated a knack for translating her experiences into relatable, emotional songs for artists such as Beyoncé, Cardi B, Ariana Grande, Drake, H.E.R., Lady Gaga and Maroon 5. As she started working on her own music, she relished the freedom she had to fully express herself. Now Nija is writing songs that are more intensely personal and taking control of her music and narrative in a way she never has before.

‘Ease My Mind (Come Over)’ is the first single from her forthcoming debut project, slated for release later in the year. Check out the video for Nija’s debut below…

Watch Twany Two’s Video For Track, ‘What She Want’ Featuring A.I.O and E.Heard

A1 Entertainment rapper TWANY TWO comes through for the visuals to latest track, ‘What She Want’, out now on various music platforms.

A cross between 90’s-esque slow jams and early noughties ‘lit’ R&B, Twany calls upon A.I.O and E.Heard to inject their soothing vocals over the melodic joint. Check it out below…

Song of the Day: Other Side Of The Room – Harve

South East London based non-binary artist HARVE sparsely blends R&B and electronic music with single, ‘Other Side Of The Room’. Accentuated by Harve’s signature play with distorted vocals and layering, this track was written whilst they were in a long term relationship – lyrically it explores gaining a new perspective and taking a step back to see things a little more clearly.

Speaking on the track, Harve says: “OSOTR is both a song I wrote entirely for myself; about finding home within, listening to my own needs. But it was also my final attempt to let my then partner know how I was feeling. OSOTR is about checking in with yourself, it’s about knowing when to let go, it’s about stopping yourself from being left behind, and finding yourself in your loneliness.

An incredibly exciting new talent, the past few years have seen Harve in all the right places including supporting Celeste alongside Fredwave at one of her first headline shows and stunning a packed out Hoxton Bar and Kitchen with a stripped back set for Jamz Supernova’s Future Bounce. Coming straight outta lockdown #1, they debuted music from their EP live on Sofar Sounds and begun to host a regular slot alongside non-binary artist Attz on Polyesterzine called ‘ENBY CHRONICLES’ discussing all thing non binary.

Early singles ‘City Scapes’, ‘Caught Up’ and ‘ReAD’ and caught the attention of key tastemakers including XL Recordings, COLORS Berlin and Glamcult as well as garnering multiple plays across NTS and Reprezent shows and support from Jamz Supernova, Mary Anne Hobbs and Phil Taggart on 1Xtra, 6Music and BBCR1. Blending elements of R&B, Soul and electronic, through ardent lyricism, Harve dissects what it is to be a queer person; the self-acceptance, the relationships, the doubts, and the love.

Coming up this year they have a new project in the works and will continue to co-host Smooth Operator on Foundation FM with their podcaster sibling Nic Desborough; playing new and old music from around the world with a focus on highlighting queer artists.

Check out ‘Other Side of the Room’ below…