Tag: reviews

K-Riz brings optimism into 2024 with video for latest track, ‘Come & Go’

K-RIZ returns with a new video for ‘Come & Go’ that illuminates the artist’s infectious optimism. The hip-hop and R&B-infused single, which appears on the Birthday Cake Records-released album, ‘One Way Ticket’, is an affirmation to overcome negative thoughts, move through hard times with ease, and embrace the lessons that can be learned from adversity.

On the track, the multi-talented Alberta artist expresses the liberating power of having grace and letting go of the past, while using forward movement as an encouragement to listeners. “Tough times are temporary; they’re teaching lessons,” says K-Riz. “Problems come and go as long as you’re always working towards moving forward. When you look at the storms from that perspective, you can see them for what they are – here today, gone tomorrow – and weather them with more resilience.”

Featuring many of K-Riz’s past collaborators (horns from Octavio N. Santos, violin from Tina Sol, and Deppisch on the flute), swirling arrangements complement producer Theo’s spacious beats. Emerging Calgary filmmaker Gbohunmi lends his directorial talents, taking viewers on a tour through elevated spaces and mindsets, moving from one transitory place to the next, from train stations to rooftops, culminating in K The Chosen rapping contemplative verses as he walks through Calgary at night. The video also features cameos from rappers Tea Fannie and La Tytan.

The release of ‘Come & Go’ follows praise for K-Riz’s latest album, One Way Ticket, from various outlets. RANGE Magazine included the album on its list of the Top 50 Canadian Albums of 2023, and Bandcamp featured the LP as a New & Notable album upon its release, while Complex Canada included singles ‘Middle Finger U’ and ‘Inside Your Love’ among its Best New Canadian Tracks. Look for more visuals from the album soon, and listen to One Way Ticket on all streaming platforms now.

Check out the video for ‘Come & Go’ below…

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Rapper/singer Alex Luke unveils debut EP, ‘Star Projector’.

Manchester’s soulful singer, rapper and producer ALEX LUKE‘s debut EP ‘Star Projector’, effortlessly blends soulful melodies, intricate rap flows, funk stylings, and Luke’s signature horns. The self-produced project has been three years in the making and is a triumphant showcase of authenticity and versatility.

The EP’s uniqueness extends to an additional four personalised voice note recordings, offering an intimate window into the artist’s life and the stories behind the music. Additionally, three official music videos, including the emotionally charged ‘DNA,’ shot by Sophia J Carey (Loyle Carner, Little Simz), bring Luke’s vision to life.

In a poignant tribute to his late brother, who passed away in 2015, Alex sought solace in the embrace of music, adopting his brother’s middle name, ‘Luke’ as a timeless tribute to his memory.

His musical journey has been marked by unwavering dedication, earning recognition from The Ivors Academy, BBC Radio Introducing Manchester, Spotify Fresh Finds UK + IE, Amazing radio and praise from Jamz Supernova. Independently, Luke has achieved remarkable milestones, selling out his last three headline shows in Manchester and securing support slots across the UK (including acts like Jahméne and Mamas Gun), and taking the stage at local festivals like Dot To Dot and Indie Week. As a testament to his growing success, Luke is set to headline a thrilling show on March 29th, 2024, at Manchester’s iconic Deaf Institute (tickets on sale now).

Alex Luke’s ‘Star Projector EP’ establishes his mark on the music scene, showcasing his undeniable talent and creative vision. Have a listen below…

Must Listens: Remember Me, DNA

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    Mixtape Review: Expat – Oloff

    What I find so appeasing about Bristolian rapper OLOFF is that you can never guess his next move. His second project of the year, ‘Expat’ took me a bit by surprise as it contain pretty slick uses of samples, ranging from retro soul, right through rock/90s grunge plus samples that has a twang of 50s Hollywood Glamour – see, I told his guy was so delightfully unpredictable!

    One thing that’s not predictable is his infamous askew delivery which at times ferociously pierces through some of the most delicate productions (listen to intro single ‘I Don’t Breathe’, ‘Obvious/Someone’s Missing/Luigi’s Mansion)

    I appreciate that ‘Expat’ isn’t everyone’s cup of tea or a one size fits all type of mixtape, but it’s definitely worth a go just to hear the juxtaposition of his wayward delivery against the varied arrangements.

    Must Listen: I Don’t Breathe, Lord’s Prayer, Luigi’s Mansion

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    EP Review: Rhyme Slingers -Redd Tune Productions

    If you’re regular passer by on the blog, the name REDD TUNES must ring a bell as he has been featured countless of times with EPs that takes you back to the golden hip-hop/boom-bap era.

    As always, Redd Tunes pulls a stellar line up for his releases and his project, ‘Rhyme Slingers’ is no exception, as the guest artists gives some extra swag to the irresistibly melodic productions which, at times, takes on a old school soulful favour and modern psychedelic sound. New recruit, Isis Aset, gives off a blazing vibrancy against the woeful violins, creating an almost classical sound in second effort, ‘Crisis’. Old staple Cubian Pete, offers up his unapologetically Londoner flow in ‘Blurrr’.

    As well as producing the project, the man himself teamed up with fellow veteran emcee and long-time collaborator TJ Chill for track ‘Pioneers,’ a smooth hip-hop/boom bap piece accompanied by sporadic runs of the piano keys which serves as the perfect platform for both taking turns to showcase their ballsy delivery.

    Although this neat set of just seven tracks holds a very similar golden urban sound, Redd Tunes’ Rhyme Slinger, to me, also bursts with a fresh and boisterous sound that begs attention. Check it out below…

    Must Listens: Crisis, Blurrr, Pioneers, Anagram of Goldz

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    Album Interview: Fireside Chats – Jason Griff

    After rocking the blog with singles, ‘Peruvian Encrusted Swordfish’, ‘Detlet, plus album ‘Dream Team: A Stokely Hathaway Joint’, all of which he collaborated with good friend and rapper Jihad Scorcese, it’s great to catch up with producer JASON GRIFF to discuss his debut album ‘Fireside Chats‘ – and also to remember Scorcese, who sadly passed away in January.

    NLM: Hey, thank you for taking part in an interview with NEW LEASE MUSIC. How is 2021 treating you so far?

    JG: Thank you! It got off to a rough start two weeks in when Scorcese passed away. It was, and still is, hard to bounce back from that, but I’m handling it as best I can. Other than that, it’s been pretty good.

    NLM: You recently released your debut album, ‘Fireside Chats’ back in May. What is the public perception on the project so far?

    JG: So far everyone seems to really like it. I got a lot of praise and coverage from outlets that had not really shown any love in the past so that’s exciting. I’m sure a lot of people hate it too but I haven’t heard much of that and it probably wouldn’t phase me anyways.

    NLM: How would you describe the album’s sound to potential fans?

    JG: It’s a punk rock-inspired hip-hop album. But it’s not a bunch of corny mash-ups, it sounds like a rap album. You can enjoy it if you’re not in to punk at all.

    NLM: What inspired you to produce the album?

    JG: When I was a teenager I was heavy in the punk scene, going to shows all the time. I got older and started making beats so I had the idea to combine my two favorite genres.

    NLM: What is/are your favourite single(s) from the album and why?

    JG: There’s 2. “Adapt” feat. Alaska is one because he really killed that beat and gave me a lot to play with and take it to the next level. The other is “Summer of Punk” feat. Scorcese. He really did the work on that one. The first version he did was cool but I gave him a bunch of research to do and he ended up referencing all those bands throughout the song.

    NLM: The album features a host of promising rappers, including Scorcese (who sadly pass away in January 2021). What was it like working with him?

    JG: He was like a rap personal trainer, always pushing you to take it up a notch to the next level. I wouldn’t be releasing music in 2021 if I hadn’t met him.

    NLM: How did your friendship with Scorcese came to fruition?

    JG:We met via Zilla Rocca when Scorcese was looking for producer to do remixes of an album he had put out. I did one for the project and we hit it off right away and started working on the Dream Team album.

    NLM: What are the top three qualities you would associate with Scorcese?

    JG: Dedication. Hustle. Humor.

    NLM: Do you have other project(s) for 2021?

    JG: Yes! I have an album called Human Zoo with Alaska coming out in September via Insubordinate Records. I’ll also have productions on several projects from other artists and some singles and maybe a beat tape or two. At the label we will have Alex Ludovico’s solo album and some posthumous Scorcese releases.

    NLM: How can potential fans find you?

    insubordinaterecords.com will get you all of my music. I’m on Twitter and IG as @iamjasongriff and a majority of my catalog is on all streaming platforms, just search for Jason Griff (or sometimes just Griff)

    Fireside Chats is now out

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