Song of the Day: Reflect In Mirrors – Tia Carys

Premiering via DJ Target at BBC 1Xtra, ‘Reflect In Mirrors’ sees TIA CARYS at her most reflective, detailing the complexities that often come with the end of relationships, life events and changes in the midst of your teenage years.

The video, directed by Otis Dominique (Jorja Smith, Kojey Radical) is bold, and links strongly back to the message in the song. As Tia says, the track is plainly about “reflecting in the mirror as I step out of my teenage years”, but drummed up so poetically in song, such is Tia Carys’ talent.

Following the huge success of ‘Intro’, which gained wide support across BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio 1Xtra (Record of the Week), Capital Xtra, KISS Fresh, Rinse FM, Foundation FM, Unity Radio and many more, Tia quickly follows up with the melodic sounding ‘Reflect in Mirrors’, showcasing her range, emotion and prowess. Speaking on ‘Intro’, The Fader said “Carys looks every inch the star in waiting”.

It’s clear from ‘Intro’ and ‘Reflect in Mirrors’ that Tia Carys is more than capable at being the shining voice of her generation. Late last year, her breakout song “English x Ghana” spoke on her grappling with her dual heritage, on ‘Intro’ she widened the net talking about her sexuality, now with ‘Reflect in Mirrors, we see her emotional range.

Recently, Tia Carys released a collaboration with producer of the moment Fraser T Smith, which also featured singer-songwriter Tom Grennan. The young songstress also released her debut EP ‘EnRoot’ last week (27th November) via Ministry of Sound.

Check out Tia’s official video for her latest below…

Uprising Star Nápoles Shares Brand New Single,’Circulate’

Photo Credit: Elle Johnson

Coming on the back of the success of her debut single ‘Slowzy’, which has been garnering support from the likes of BBC 1Xtra, Rinse FM, Spotify, DSTNGR, Kingsize Magazine, and PUMA, fast-rising Swedish songstress and creative NÁPOLES circles back for the release of her brand new single,  ‘Circulate’, the second offering from her forthcoming debut EP ‘Slowin It’, slated for release later this summer.

Produced by fellow Swedish creatives Chapee and Wihib Sulaiman, and co-written by herself and Joe Lefty, ‘Circulate’ sees Nápoles making full use of her intoxicatingly enchanting vocals which weaves throughout a captivating fusion of soul jazz, R&B and hip-hop.

Alongside her blossoming music career, Nápoles is also one-third of the popular Swedish-based DJ and creative collective Ladieslovehiphop, with whom she has opened for Beyonce and Jay-Z on their ‘On The Run II’ European tour, collaborated with adidas and PUMA, toured with Sweden’s biggest female rapper Silvana Imam, and collaborated with Red Bull Music to host the Ladieslovehiphop Music Festival, among other accomplishments.

This is too good to pass up…have a listen to ‘Circulate’ below…

Harleighblu & Bluestaeb Take A Stand On Cat Calling In ‘Call’

After appearing on the blog’s SOTD hot spot last week, UK R&B singer HARLEIGHBLU  and neo-soul & hip-hop producer BLUESTAEB circle back with anti-harassment empowerment anthem ‘Call’, the forth single off upcoming joint album ‘She’, out on October 11th 2019.

On a funk infused production courtesy of BLUESTAEB, HARLEIGHBLU takes a stand against cat calling: “We as women constantly have to deal with unwanted attention and aggressive pursuit when we do our thing and this song is a cheerful ‘talk to the hand’, a reminder that we don’t have to entertain such behaviour. Ladies, our journey is a long walk so let this song be the soundtrack to your stride, nothing can stop you especially not the unwanted advances from Mr.Basic”

After HARLEIGHBLU heard BLUESTAEB‘s music at Camden’s Jazz Café in 2016, the multinational duo decided to search for new ways to express their common love for uncompromised hip-hop and R&B. BLUESTAEB’s soulful approach to beat making complemented Harleighblu’s vocals perfectly as she staked her claim on the neo soul and hip-hop territory she always identified with. Hailed as an up and coming ‘queen of soul’ with references to Nina Simone, Lauryn Hill and Amy Winehouse, HARLEIGHBLU’s signature sound has matured into a frank, self-possessed voice, bringing us honest, feminine, yet unrepentant lyrical touches.

Additionally, the Paris and Berlin based producer BLUESTAEB made his name through his releases via German tastemaker label Jakarta Records, where he released alongside Kaytranada, Ta-Ku and Mura Masa. Both his solo and collaboration projects have been internationally praised for their warm characteristic sound, receiving airplays on Soulection, BBC 1, Rinse.FM and many more.

With a full collaboration album set to drop in this month, HARLEIGHBLU and BLUESTAEB continue to impress with their seamless musical chemistry and mutual passion for classic R&B and hip hop. ‘Call’ provides a taste for what’s to come from the 13-track stoke of genius, ‘She’.

Check it out below…

New Track: Always Been This Way (Operator S Remix) – Kit Rice

KIT RICE‘s latest single, ‘Always Been This Way’, is back with a full-on UKG dance makeover from London DJ and producer Operator S.

Operator S has become a fast rising star in the UK Garage & House scene in recently years, receiving a seal of approval from BBC 1Xtra, Rinse FM and Beat London.

Coming from KIT RICE‘s forthcoming ‘Konfidence’ album, the new remix follows a string of massive remixes from UK Garage & House legend DJ Fen and Brazilian Future Bass newcomer DJIMON.

Your weekend begins right here…check out Operator S’ remix to ‘Always Been This Way.’

Song of the Day: Waitin’ Up – Althea

At just 21 years of age, British singer, songwriter and musician ALTHEA already has two well received and acclaimed EPs to her name – 2016’s ‘See My Vision’ and ‘Cold Thoughts’ from earlier this year – which have seen the East London native garner strong support from Wonderland Magazine, The 405, Rinse FM, Okayplayer, Guestlist Magazine and the MOBO Awards.

As she gears up for her third project, which is due for release in 2018, ALTHEA released her debut new single titled ‘Waitin’ Up’. Typically known for her lush minimalist R&B songs, ‘Waitin’ Up’ sees ALTHEA switching things up to deliver an infectious, soulful and upbeat Caribbean flavoured offering, while continuing to showcase her captivating vocals and forward-thinking R&B sensibilities, with production coming from frequent collaborator Day-O.

Speaking about how the new single came about, Althea says, “‘Waitin’ Up’ was a really fun song to make, I was in the studio with Day-O, and we were just vibing and bouncing ideas around the room, and once we had the beat down, the lyrics all flowed out and it came together really naturally. The record is essentially about me playing hard to get with someone who’s keen to see and be with me, and really trying to find out just how much they’re into me”.

This one is too good to pass up…check out ‘Waitin’ Up’.