Tag: review

Song of the Day: Unfolded (Put a Little Love) – Karmacoda

Following the recent release of their soulful single ‘Try At Me’ back in January, KARMACODA returns with another irresistibly soul piece, ‘Unfolded (Put a Little Love)’ released via Sola Musa Music.

‘Unfolded (Put a Little Love)’ is a sweet and stirring ode to the beautifully charged moment where you can no longer contain your feelings of love for somebody. Sonically, it is tender and moving – sprinklings of delicately soulful keys, lush yet minimal jazz percussion tinged with a hint of trip-hop and romantically cinematic synth strings gently pull the listener into that gooey feeling of smitten goodness. Jessica’s vocals, as usual, soar richly over this tapestry, singing passionately of the joy, power and rapture of new love blossoming.

Jessica shared: “It’s that feel good song with admittance of loving someone and letting them know how you feel. You can’t keep it a secret anymore. You gotta tell them, hoping they will feel the same. Mad crush vibes with a tinge of nervousness, when you finally let the cat out of the bag. Like “are you feeling what I’m feeling?” If so, let’s take this friendship to the next level, and I’m feeling excited so… put a little love in your heart and match me.”

KARMACODA comprises Jessica Ford (vocals), Brett Crockett aka B. (vocals and producer), and Japanese-American multi-instrumentalist Eric Matsuno (bass and unique elements). With an extensive discography and numerous awards, the trio has explored electronica, chill, trip-hop, R&B, rock, and dream pop in their two-decade career. Ever-evading genre constraints, KARMACODA’s evolving sound now blends soulful R&B and jazz lounge, earning comparisons to powerful artists like Adele, Alicia Keys, Leona Lewis, and Lana Del Rey. Check out ‘Unfolded (Put a Little Love)’ below…

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Yazmine MB yearns for freedom from the rat race in soulful single, ‘WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DO NOTHIN’

Following the success from her previous works ‘I’ll Show You’ and ‘MOVE’, British-Algerian R&B/soul artist YAZMINE MB is back with her latest offering ‘WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DO NOTHIN’. The track serves as a sneak peak into her debut EP ‘HEALER’ which is set to release 19th April.

Delicate piano alongside searing guitar, ‘WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DO NOTHIN’ highlights the inner battle between exhaustion and FOMO (Fear of missing out). Written as a response to her fatigue while working three jobs, Yazmine MB yearns for the freedom to do nothing with static-laced voicemails intertwined between her soulful vocals that riff and run to demonstrate the struggles of entering the adult workforce and facing burnout.

Yazmine MB said of the track “WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DO NOTHIN’ is basically like a big moan and complain about the amount of work we need to do to survive and, particularly, my experience as a teenager entering the adult workforce. I wrote the lyrics and vocal melody on the bus home from a childminding shift right before COVID-19. I was so exhausted and always on the go without any free time really- I’d forgotten what it was like to lounge around and do nothing and was headed towards burnout, hence the title ‘WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DO NOTHIN.’”

Following the success of previous releases, ‘I’ll Show You’ and ‘MOVE,’ ‘WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DO NOTHIN’ stands as the penultimate release before Yazmine MB unveils her debut coming-of-age EP, ‘HEALER.’ Crafted between the ages of 15 and 18, during turbulent times, the EP acts as Yazmine’s personal band-aid, a source she revisits whenever she needs a lift, aiming for it to provide similar healing for her listeners. From grappling with old habits to navigating the complexities of adulthood, ‘HEALER’ presents a raw and unfiltered narrative of growth, infusing every track with a soulful resonance. “This EP is like my band-aid,” said Yazmine MB. ‘“I listen to it every time I need a pick-me-up. The tracklist is ordered to show the healing process – that it’s not linear. You get a bit better, you pick yourself up, and then maybe for a while, you dip again, and that’s ok. You’re human.”

Yazmine MB’s musical journey commenced in the lively musical landscape of London, under the guidance of her jazz singer mum. Immersed in a world of artists and venues, she embarked on her musical pursuits at an early age, delving into guitar, flute, choir, and piano lessons. Constantly surrounded by her mum’s musical preferences of Lauryn Hill, D’Angelo, Amy Winehouse, and Erykah Badu, Yazmine MB found herself deeply influenced by these celebrated musical figures. This rich musical tapestry of her formative years set the foundation for her own artistic exploration and expression in the world of music.

Fast forward 20 years, Yazmine MB, a graduate of the BRIT School of Performing Arts, has enchanted audiences at esteemed venues like Lafayette, the 100 Club, and the Whitecross Festival. Her performances gained acclaim from prominent London stations and publications, including Reprezent Radio, The Beat London, and The Blues Project. Her latest singles, co-produced with FLO’s live vocal arranger and BELLAH’s producer Gimme 2 Minutes, showcase her evolving artistry as she builds a growing team to support her talents. With a robust fan base of 25k across social media platforms, Yazmine MB is poised for an exciting 2024 as she debuts her EP ‘HEALER’’ in April and graces the stage at festivals across the UK this summer.

‘WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DO NOTHIN’ was available across all major streaming platforms from last Thursday (21st March) . Her debut EP ‘HEALER’ is set to release on 19th April. Have a listen below…

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Rapper Tone Levels goes on a journey of self with album, ‘God Is Here’

TONE LEVELS is a self-made entrepreneur who has forged a unique route in life by fusing his interests and skills to reinforce a genuinely influential and motivating profession. His path to success has been paved with tenacity, diligence, and a strong desire to help others.

Using his skills as a rapper, he spreads messages about the power of healing, self-love, and happiness. He now has about 200k followers across his social media platforms, making him a popular speaker, advocate for holistic health and wellbeing, and thought leader in the community. He’s now aware that his voice is more than him, thanks to encouraging comments from people who could identify with his music.

Tone Levels returns with his brand-new hip-hop album, ‘God Is Here’. The 15-track compilation documents his spiritual awakening where he states that he is ‘coming into the knowingness of self’. As soon as he realised that his actions, words, and thoughts shape his world, he began to adjust to this realisation. Around this time he also delved into journaling to explore shadow work. He began to heal the inner child within himself, knowing himself better, and dive into deeper depths of his soul and entire being.

Tone Levels’ musical journey reflects a deep passion for storytelling. Instrumentally rich and evocative, ‘God Is Here’, showcases his beautifully arranged flows. The vulnerability throughout the album serves as a metaphor for his growth and resilience both as a person and as an artist.

The seamlessly R&B and hip-hop infused tracks showcase Tone Levels’ masterful music abilities and talents creating a compelling collection of songs. He effortlessly channels his positive energy through the flows that he keeps present throughout this stunning album. He embraces the complexity and depth providing listeners with a captivating musical experience on, God Is Here.

The album’s focus track ‘The Original Woman’ is a highly vibrational and inspirational offering. Tone Levels sent the beat to Londrelle who stated that he felt in his spirit to speak to the women on, God Is Here. He tapped into his heart chakra and spoke about how he feels toward black women and his love for them.

On the song, Tone Levels says, “It is about uplifting the black woman. Speaking life and power into the black woman. Killing off the sex war (women vs men) and stepping up as men to let the black women know how much they mean to us men and how proud we are. Growing up around nothing but women allowed me to grow a different type of love and appreciation for black women. We love you, we see you, we appreciate you, we value you, we honor you, we cherish you.”

Listen to ‘God Is Here’ below…

Must Listens: God Is Here, The Original Woman, To Sit With The Kings, Anybody Out There, No Holster Freestyle

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Song of the Day: Shoulda Known Better – L Dizzy (ft. Sovereign Tugz )

‘Shoulda Known Better’ is a sonic masterpiece by two rising stars in the music industry, L DIZZY (pictured right) and SOVEREIGN TUGZ, that fuses aggressive flows and high-level punchlines over a dark and intense instrumental. L Dizzy’s razor-sharp delivery, combined with Sovereign Tugz’s in the pocket offering, as well as guidance in the form of executive production, results in a track that is set to captivate audiences and elevate the duo to new heights.

ErrorTheProducer’s innovative beat sets the stage for L Dizzy and Sovereign Tugz to deliver a powerful performance that pushes the boundaries of UK rap. The single serves as a testament to label See No Equal Entertainment’s commitment to pushing artistic boundaries and delivering unparalleled music experiences to fans.

“This song is not just a track; it’s an experience. It represents the evolution of our artists and the unique sound that See No Equal Entertainment is known for,” says Sovereign Tugz, Creator of See No Equal Entertainment. “Im gassed to kick off 2024 with such a powerful release and set the tone for an exciting year ahead.”

‘Shoulda Known Better’ is the first in a series of releases planned by See No Equal Entertainment for 2024. The label continues to be a driving force in the music industry, dedicated to providing a platform for emerging talent and delivering music that resonates with diverse audiences. Why not check out the blazing joint below…

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UK Alt-Rap sensation SBK drops highly-anticipated album, ‘Something Beyond Kindness’

UK Alt-Rap sensation SBK, renowned for his razor-sharp lyrics and raw emotion, has dropped his highly anticipated debut album, ‘Something Beyond Kindness’, earlier this month (8th March). This groundbreaking project marks a shift from sbk’s previous work, embracing a powerful blend of punk and alternative sounds.

The album is a deeply personal exploration of sbk’s journey, delving into his experiences of poverty, trauma, and mental health struggles. Raised in a difficult environment and grappling with his identity, ‘Something Beyond Kindness’ becomes more than an album title – it becomes the very essence of his identity.

‘Something Beyond Kindness’ is a call to action for the music industry and a message of hope for those struggling in the darkness. It challenges the status quo by being a truly independent project, deliberately avoiding initial release on streaming platforms.

Speaking on his debut album, the former collaborator of JME, Skepta, Wiley, and others shared, “This album is for the people who feel lost in the chaos. It’s for those who see the world’s problems and feel the weight of it all. I want people to find the beauty in the struggle and know they are not alone.”

‘Something Beyond Kindness’ promises an impactful listening experience, offering raw vulnerability and innovation in navigating through the music industry. Those supporting this debut effort will be remembered for fighting the fight on behalf of indie artists.

Born and raised in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, to a Jamaican and English family, lyrical MC sbk is a unique talent within the UK music scene. Not only facing a tumultuous childhood marked by poverty and navigating racial identity as one of the few Black students in his school, sbk found solace in music. His early struggles fueled a fire that ignited his creative spark, leading him to London at 17.

The city became his canvas, and his talent quickly garnered recognition. With countless radio plays and freestyles across major stations like BBC Radio 1, 1Xtra, and Rinse FM, sbk established himself as a force to be reckoned with. Collaborations with grime legends like JME, Skepta, and Wiley solidified his place within the scene.

Beyond pure lyrical ability, sbk’s artistic reach extends to live performances. From sold-out headline shows across the UK to international collaborations with rock bands and appearances at fashion weeks in Paris and Milan, his versatility and stage presence are undeniable. His music has garnered millions of streams, garnering praise from publications like Complex, Clash Magazine, and DJ Mag.

With a career that transcends genres and boundaries, sbk is a true creative powerhouse. His story is an inspiration, and his music, a testament to the power of channeling adversity into artistic expression as an independent artist.

Have a listen to ‘Something Beyond Kindness’ below…

Must Listens: Thick Skin, Control,Prophet, All These Times, Demon

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