UK R&B newcomer Nellie Charles demands respect in single ‘BOSS’

Introducing Manchester-based UK R&B singer, songwriter, and musician NELLIE CHARLES with her first single of the year titled ‘BOSS’. Serving as the lead single to her upcoming debut EP that arrives this summer, ‘Boss’ emerges as a vibrant declaration of self-assurance and empowerment, encapsulated within the rich textures of modern R&B. Crafted from a tapestry of personal triumphs and trials, ‘Boss’ is a sonic exploration of self-worth and the intricate dance of modern relationships. The song’s genesis was a deeply introspective process for Nellie, who aimed to fuse the soulful echoes of classic R&B with a fresh, modern twist. Throughout its creation, from melody conception to the final production stages, Nellie has meticulously sculpted ‘Boss’ to embody empowerment, weaving smooth rhythms with harmonious backing vocals to underscore its message of confidence and assertiveness.

At its core, ‘Boss’ is a bold narrative of claiming one’s space within the dynamics of love and respect, driven by Nellie’s relatable songwriting, her amazing voice, and her infectious R&B slow jams vibe. Drawing inspiration from her personal journey of self-discovery and the quest for mutual recognition in a relationship, Nellie wants to articulate a potent message with ‘Boss’: knowing your value and demanding the respect you deserve. The lyrics, rich with imagery of assertiveness and luxury, mirror Nellie’s conviction in the importance of self-worth and the courage to stand as an equal partner. “Boss” is more than a song; it is Nellie’s heartfelt ode to empowerment, inspired by the likes of Jorja Smith and Summer Walker, and crafted to resonate with anyone who has ever felt overlooked or undervalued.

Beyond its compelling sonic landscape, and its message of empowerment that echoes Nellie’s desire to inspire listeners to embrace their inner strength across all facets of life, ‘Boss’ also comes with an upcoming captivating music video that brings the track further to life. Directed by BlueBoredom, who has also worked with the likes of Digga D, French The Kid, and JBEE, the music video paints a vivid picture of Nellie’s confidence and her message of self-respect amidst the complexities of love and power dynamics. The visuals aim not only to entertain but also to empower, offering a timeless reminder of the unyielding power of knowing and asserting one’s worth in every relationship and endeavour.

Speaking about the inspiration behind ‘Boss’ and how the song came together, Nellie says, “As an artist, ‘Boss’ is more than just a song to me – it’s a statement. It embodies my journey of self-discovery and self-respect. This song came from a place of realizing that in any relationship, my voice matters. It’s a celebration of knowing your value and not being afraid to demand the respect you deserve. ‘Boss’ was born out of a moment where I felt the need to express my strength, not just as a woman, but as a person who understands her worth. It’s a reminder to myself and to others that in love and life, we are our own bosses. The process of creating ‘Boss’ was deeply personal and liberating. It’s a blend of my experiences, dreams, and the musical influences that have shaped me as an artist.”

Listen to ‘BOSS’ below…

Timeless trio Karmacoda shares self-empowerment ballad, ‘Try At Me.’

Comprising of Jessica Ford (vocals), Brett Crockett (aka B. on vocals and producer) and Japanese-American multi-instrumentalist Eric Matsuno (bass), captivating trio KARMACODA have unveiled their new single, ‘Try At Me’, which takes on a soulful, R&B quality that oozes with jazz lounge sensibility. A tender but passionate anthem to self-liberation and overcoming hardship, this track sees Jessica Ford baring her soul in her stirring, powerful vocal delivery. Her vocals soar over a gentle, syncopated downtempo beat, minimal R&B bassline and lowkey instrumental arrangements peppered with the delicate teal of jazz piano. ‘Try At Me’ is bathed in emotion and pain, yet decidedly triumphant and hopeful.

Jessica shared: “I wrote this song about a young girl I teach singing to. She had been through so much loss, anger, sadness and so many trials; more than any little girl should ever have to endure. I watched her fall into a depression, so much so, she didn’t want to sing anymore. Slowly but surely, through love, time and a lot of work, she started coming back, becoming more confident. I watched her fight for it.The song ‘Try At Me’… the words are “it’s time to try at me”, in other words, it’s time to give myself some girl power. It’s time to find myself, it’s time for me to rise, take a chance on myself, get out of this dark place, be heard, grow, and take a leap of faith, even when I feel beat up, I know I can stand up, try at me. She did, and she is. She is singing again. I couldn’t love this more. To my girl, this one’s for you.”

With impressive discography and many awards under their belts, San Francisco- based KARMACODA have offered up a vast array of sounds over the last twenty years, including electronica, chill, trip-hop, R&B, rock and dream pop. While still eluding being pigeonholed into a single genre, the trio’s sound has evolved into a soulful, sophisticated fusion of R&B, jazz lounge, drawing comparisons to the likes of powerful artists such as Adele, Alicia Keys, Leona Lewis and Lana Del Ray.

‘Try At Me’, was released on 26th January via Sola Musa Music. Why not check it out below…

Asher Angel ‘Flips The Switch’ In New Single

Multi-talented singer, songwriter, and actor ASHER ANGEL Asher swaggers into 2024 with his new single, ‘Flip The Switch’, released on Friday, 26th January across all streaming platforms. Asher created ‘Flip The Switch’ with an impressive team of GRAMMY-nominated producers and songwriters, Felisha King Harvey, Kenneth “KP” Paige, and HARV.

With ‘Flip The Switch,’ Asher debuts a more mature and defined sound that showcases his undeniable talent as an artist, songwriter, and vocalist. Seamlessly blending R&B swagger, catchy beats, and universal pop appeal, ‘Flip The Switch’ is the perfect re-introduction to Asher’s music project.

“This song is about staying confident and comfortable in your own skin,” says Asher. “I’ve always promoted being yourself and having confidence in yourself. With all the hate and negativity on social media, this song is about flipping the switch on that and highlighting positivity.”

Born and raised in Arizona, Asher has been destined for stardom from a young age. He honed his acting chops in local community theater before getting his big break in 2017 on Disney Channel’s Andi Mack. In the years since, the now 21-year-old Asher has continued to come into his own as an all-around creative force. He has starred in films like Shazam!, Shazam! Fury of Gods, On Fire, and Darby and the Dead (which featured his original song, ‘One on One’), and has released a number of hit singles.

His 2019 collaboration with Wiz Khalifa, ‘One Thought Away,’ became the number one trending YouTube video for three days, and has amassed over 12 million streams to date. He followed up the release of ‘One Thought Away’ with singles like ‘Chills,’ ‘All Day,’ and ‘Guilty,’ under the supervision of music legend L.A. Reid and his HitCo record label.

Fueled by steadfast determination and an abundance of talent, Asher is ready to unveil the next chapter of his career with new music that highlights his impressive musical range and vocal skill. Backed by his fast-growing fanbase, Asher Angel is well on his way to superstardom. Have a listen to ‘Flip The Switch’ below…

Milan Ring Releases New Single, ‘Quicksand’

Fresh from supporting Griff on her only Australian headline show at Sydney’s Metro Theatre earlier this month, celebrated and widely beloved Eora/Sydney R&B artist, musician, producer, engineer and music video director MILAN RING shares her latest single ‘Quicksand’, out now via Astral People Recordings.

Hallmarking her emergence into a playful and inquisitive new era, ‘Quicksand’ also acts as a tether to Milan’s previous incarnation, finding her addressing and reflecting on her younger self. With stacks of soulful, autotuned harmonies, shimmering, celestial-toned synth arps, a dusty beat and accents of Milan’s ever-nimble guitar work, she touches on past struggles of breaking through glass ceilings and imposter syndrome to presently wanting to be held in love by someone, “but also the polarity that ultimately you need to hold yourself,” she explains. ‘Quicksand’ is the sound of gracefully sinking into the compassion and the care that comes from accepting your own capacity to contain multitudes, sometimes harmonious, other times in contradiction, but always yourself.

Of the track, Milan elaborates: “Quicksand is about accepting yourself as you are and allowing love in. Having the safety and grounding of a love that allows you to take risks, go forward and break through the limitations and barriers that the world places on us, and that we internalise. The metaphor is that even when you appear to be climbing, the ladder is simultaneously sinking without that solid foundation”.

‘Quicksand’ follows up the previously released ‘Mangos’, a balmy and love-struck single that marked Milan’s return to new solo music since the release of her acclaimed 2021 debut LP I’m Feeling Hopeful. Co-produced by 18YOMAN, ‘Mangos’ landed as the fullest and most distilled expression of Milan Ring’s beguiling talents to date, seeing the multi-faceted artist weaving the Guzheng into her songwriting for the first time in a purposeful nod to her Chinese heritage. A homage to a summer love affair, crackling with humidity and longing, oozing a weightless, hazy giddiness, ‘Mangos’ earned praise and support from the likes of BBC Radio 1’s Jack Saunders, COLORS, NME, ACCLAIM, Wonderland Magazine, Northern Transmissions and many more, alongside rotation adds in Australia from Double J, FBi Radio, 2SER and airplay across triple j and community radio stations around the country.

Check out the video for ‘Quicksand’ below…

Song of the Day: Barbie – Emayla

A rising star in the music industry, EMAYLA‘s new single, ‘Barbie,’ transcends conventional beauty standards, delivering a powerful message about embracing individuality and authenticity. In a world that often emphasizes perfection, ‘Barbie’ encourages listeners to celebrate their unique qualities and redefine the meaning of beauty.

“I believe that true beauty lies in fully embracing who you are. ‘Barbie’ is my way of spreading the message that authenticity is beautiful, and everyone should feel empowered to be themselves without conforming to society’s expectations,” says EMAYLA.

EMAYLA has quickly become a force to be reckoned with in the music industry, known for her soulful voice, captivating lyrics, and empowering messages. With previous hits like [Deepest Love, Stay with Me and more], EMAYLA continues to break boundaries and inspire her audience. Have a listen to ‘Barbie’ below…