Hailing from London, experimental producer TOM B‘s single ‘Cold Water’, featuring long-time collaborator, Lucy Wroe, is an unapologetic statement on the music industry as an independent artist. It embodies all the frustration towards gatekeeping and the devaluation of independent artists. Cold Water can also be felt as an ode to women in the industry, trying to navigate the border between ‘playing the game’ and maintaining self-respect.
Lucy says: “The title itself is a metaphor for the industry. Feeling submerged in Cold Water; regularly feeling the numbness left in the wake of bad experiences, which are all too common on the independent music scene”
Tom says: “You spend enough time in a scene or a circuit, you slowly figure out what the game is and how to play it. Eventually, we got to the point where we thought ‘do we make music because its what we want? Or do we make music to entertain promoters and get more gigs where we have to sell all the tickets?’”
‘Cold Water’ was exclusively available on Bandcamp from 22nd May and was released on all streaming platforms from a week later. All Bandcamp profits was donated to The Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund.
Ten-piece UK afro-fusion outfit TC & THE GROOVE FAMILY continue the rollout of their ‘We Have Each Other’ EP with simmering, jungle-tinged hip-hop cut ‘Wile Out’. Released via Bridge The Gap, the track is a cross city collaboration, bringing together two of the UK’s best underground hip-hop MC’s, BBCR1Xtra and SXSW-backed Birmingham MC SANITY, and Sheffield wordsmith Franz Von.
Building off of lead single ‘Stand Strong’, ‘Wile Out’ showcases the band’s darker electronic and UK bass influences. Growling, subbed-out bass tones, tight-knit hip-hop grooves, and furious horn lines develop into a double-time whirlwind of jungle and immersive turntablism, with lyrics from SANITY and Franz Von subverting the meaning of ‘Wiling Out’.
SANITY explains: “First hearing the track, I liked the idea and juxtaposition of Wile Out, as it’s a term with connotations of recklessness, or using energy carelessly amongst young people; but here, to ‘Wile Out’ is to challenge norms, not fall in line and utilise individuality to reach maaximum potential.”
Franz adds; “Wile Out is about doing what you love and enjoying it to the fullest, for me it’s music. The chorus echoes the advice from my mother to embrace life, to love myself and follow my dreams. This track is about sharing this advice and attitude to people around us.”
The EP ‘We Have Each Other’, released earlier this month, sees the band refine the sound debuted on their 2022 album ‘First Home’. Returning to work once again with producer Tom Excell (Nubiyan Twist, ONIPA), the project explores a darker sonic palette, channeling a deep appreciation of UK bass and electronic music alongside afro-jazz sounds and hip-hop sensibilities. Lead single ‘Stand Strong’ offers a great connection between eras of the band. Created as a love letter to afrobeat, the track offers a contemporary twist, integrating turntablism and Khruangbinesque guitar lines amongst infectious basslines and weaving horns.
The EP documents a time of change within the group – a new lineup, plus members living in different cities and pursuing various paths – whilst also reflecting the turbulent socio-political climate, and the major shifts and changes on the horizon for humanity. Despite the heavy subject material, the band strike an optimistic, uplifting tone, encouraging listeners to look around and embrace community, whatever that may look like. No one should be lonely when celebrating each other, and the band encourage an ethos that says ‘it’s good to be me, but it’s better to be us.’
Originally formed in Leeds, TC & The Groove Family’s sound reflects the diverse musical and cultural backgrounds at the core of the project, with songs exploring grooves and genres including afrobeat, broken beat, jungle, jazz and grime. Their music has drawn widespread acclaim, supported by tastemakers including Jamz Supernova and Craig Charles on BBC Radio 6, BBC Introducing West Yorkshire, Jazz FM, Rinse FM, Radio FIP and more. The group have performed at the likes of Glastonbury, We Out Here, Greenman and Boomtown, and will embark on a UK tour across May & June in support of the release of ‘We Have Each Other’.
Lithuania-born, Manchester-based artist GRETE has perfected her own brand of alt-pop – culminating in the fresh, unique and exciting 5 track EP that is ‘Grey’.
While the EP successfully executes a huge variety of musical styles and each song is entirely distinct and standalone, there are several themes that span across the tracklist, tying ‘Grey’ together and turning it into a cohesive, emotionally vulnerable story. Each song focuses on a different low point in Grete’s past, conveyed through cuttingly honest lyrics and reinforced by moody, mesmerising and sometimes even manic instrumentation.
Grete’s debut single, ‘With u’ is a hybrid of many different popular styles including RnB, jazz and pop, akin to influences such as Yebba and Maro. The live instrumentation invokes a warm, emotional sensation and the dynamic vocals encapsulate the intended emotion perfectly. ‘With u’ is a heartfelt ballad in which Grete is comparing her current life to a previous time.
Second single, ‘How Long’ progresses into a darker, more twisted space. This is brought to life by dissonant chords, biting and distorted guitar leads and Grete’s soaring vocals. The track is punctuated with glitchy details and electronic sparkles, complimenting the instruments and contributing to the cosmic scale of the song.
Grete’s latest single, Cz u don’t’ is a forward thinking, experimental yet vulnerable track influenced by artists like Halsey and Hiatus Kaiyote. The song winds through various sections with a beat in 7 as the backdrop, culminating in a whole-band-polyrhythm to end. The protagonist of ‘Cz u don’t’ is searching for reasons to leave an unhealthy relationship.
Grete started singing when she was only three years old, beginning her performance career in small ensembles and bands. She was quickly spotted and invited to the biggest stages in the country, such as nationally broadcasted competitions, top level musical theatre productions, international concerts and contests, even reaching the finals of ‘The Voice’ Lithuania 2018. Gaining local fame opened many doors for function gigs and session work but that was not the career she truly wanted to pursue.
Grete chose to leave Lithuania and start fresh in the UK. Now she is studying pop music vocals in RNCM. Influenced by artists like Jazmine Sullivan, The Weeknd and Yebba, she began writing vocally colourful and harmonically intricate songs with strong messages and old R&B references.
Why not have a listen to Grete’s stunning EP below…
Hailing from Milton Keynes, NIKO B‘s much-anticipated debut album ‘dog eat dog food world’, is fuelled entirely by raw creative vision and a powerful DIY spirit. The debut is a deep diving journey into the topsy-turvy tangles of modern life and deconstructing the concept of trying to adult in the 21st century – made almost entirely with beats from rising bedroom YouTube beatmakers.
Laid over 12 tracks, the album is Niko’s most far-reaching release to date, hitting hard with acute, introspective, relatable observations on small-town life that resonate with all – balancing end times gloom with absurdist wit. The release galvanises Niko’s role as a Gen-Z Mike Skinner; real, authentic, warm and honest.
Opening the album is ‘trespass coat’ featuring the South-London bedroom-pop artist dexter in the newsagent. First previewing some of the bars in his now notorious Victory Lap cypher going toe to toe with the likes of Central Cee and Dave last year, the single arrived earlier this year to acclaim from The Face, ACCLAIM, Spotify (Our Generation Cover), Hypebeast UK, NME, Hunger, NOTION, Wonderland, DMY and more. The cheeky ‘i’ve smoked weed 9 times and have had one good experience’ meets a shimmering minimal production with confessional lyricism.
New single ‘ur a bundle of joy !’ is a kaleidoscope of moody nostalgia, with funky guitar licks and sun-drenched vocals weaving between Niko’s bold wordplay. Niko breezily offers to turn pilot in the playful, blissed-out ‘boarded the plane’. Splicing percussive kick drums with cheeky synths, the chunky production makes ‘boarded the plane’ the perfect bop for summer. The hazy ‘tom did’ meets stipped-back breakbeats with low key fight talk. The lo-fi ‘miniclip’ was produced by Kwollem and features bars from rising rapper Kirbs, meeting relaxed alternative rap with Niko’s trademark eclectic references – from retired Welsh footballer Craig Bellamy to TV comedian Alan Carr and the throwback PC gaming website Miniclip.
The dreamlike brassy, jazz-infused, ‘it’s not litter if you bin it’ landed earlier this year to support from Zane Lowe on Beats 1, CLASH, DMY, VIPER, Hypebeast UK and more. The ethereal ‘i’m just a pretty face’ gives way to the atmospheric ‘dagenham to barking’ featuring a melange of obscure observations including the contents of lofts, former footballer and Soccer AM host Jimmy Bullard, and the price of a second hand VW Golf.
The jazzy ‘what counts as fine?’ features the bold claim that Niko could “beat Usain Bolt in a pair of Hunters”. ‘forteen days’ blends sugary synths with snappy bars on baby showers, Hobbycraft, crisps and pints. Rounding out the album is ‘who’s in designer’, splicing chopped up vox pop news clips with Niko’s honeyed vocals and groovy, layered instrumentation. It’s the perfect unexpectedly sweet note to round out the debut.
Destined for a playlist, speakers and stage near you imminently, ‘dog eat dog food world’ simultaneously takes things back to Niko’s roots but also zooms out to reveal a much wider picture of who he is and what makes him tick. It’s happy music, reflections of what it’s like to be a British teenager with each cut coming with a barbed tale of high, lows, lols and woes.
Exploding into the UK pop cultural psyche in 2019 with his viral single ‘Mary Berry’, Niko B racked up millions of streams overnight. Since then the songsmith, rapper and creative auteur has continued to delight fans with releases that showcase his acerbic lyricism, releasing unexpected creative visuals, growing his clothing brand Crowd into a cult favourite and more. Niko’s fearless approach to his art has been lauded by the likes of British Vogue, The New York Times, Hypebeast, POPEYE Magazine and DAZED who featured him in this year’s DAZED 100.
Have a listen to ‘dog eat dog food world below…
Must Listens: ur a bundle of joy, tom did, who’s in designer
Renowned house vocalist, songwriter, and producer SHYAM P, celebrated for his collaborations with industry giants like Ferreck Dawn, Second City, and Josh Butler, has joined forces with legendary Afro House producer, DJ, and piano virtuoso MOON ROCKET, who has been delivering his magical live shows at some of the biggest clubs in New York, Miami and across Italy.
Together, they present a groundbreaking electronic album that transcends boundaries and defines a new era in electronic music. Titled ‘More Than Art and Science,’ the album is a testament to the collective talent and sonic breadth of these two exceptional artists. Both artists have accrued over 25 million streams on Spotify alone, and Shyam P’s distinctive vocals, effortless songwriting, and soulful performances have earned him support from Radio 1, CamelPhat, and Annie Mac. Meanwhile, Moon Rocket’s unparalleled piano playing and production skills have solidified his status as a legend in the Afro House scene.
The album’s second single, ‘Leave The World Behind, emerges as an instant standout, epitomising the perfect fusion of elements that define a cross-genre, radio-friendly dance anthem. This track effortlessly intertwines emotion-drenched vocals with a buoyant, uptempo production, encapsulating the essence of a chart-topping hit.
With its infectious chorus, “All I do is close my eyes and leave the world behind me,” the song not only captivates with its catchiness but also resonates deeply. In today’s whirlwind of existence, the track embarks listeners on a transformative odyssey of introspection, underscoring the significance of gratitude, liberation, and authenticity.
Radiating a feel-good vibe and pulsating tempo, ‘Leave the World Behind’ embodies the essence of summer, serving as the quintessential soundtrack for carefree moments and sun-kissed dance floors. The vocals, brimming with passion, seamlessly harmonise with the production, immediately uplifts spirits and strikes a chord with listeners.
New Lease Music 