Pop/neo soul songbird Megzz goes ‘Through The Motions’ with latest EP

With sold-out gigs, music video directing credits, a performance at All Points East, and an Amazon Prime documentary under her belt, Northamptonshire singer-songwriter MEGZZ topped off a stellar year with her EP ‘Through the Motions’.

Blending her own mix of R&B, neo-soul, and pop, Megzz has taken 2023 by the horns by releasing two singles off her upcoming EP after featuring as one of the subjects of the Amazon Prime documentary ‘Unsigned’ (following the journeys of AMEX’s unsigned artists) at the end of 2022. Believing music is a powerful therapy to herself & others, Megzz’s lyricism focuses on empowerment, self-love and transparency around mental health struggles.

“The EP is an unapologetically honest and personal body of work that explores themes of consent, boundaries and self-love, grief, mental health struggles, and most importantly – recovery”, Meggz said. “Though it explores difficult topics, Through The Motions remains empowering and inspiring; encouraging others to find strength in expressing their feelings and owning their own story.”

Through the Motions will feature two brand new tracks, including ‘Motions’, a song that Megzz has held close to her heart for years. Written in 2019 as a personal mantra before becoming lyrics, ‘Motions’ is described by Megzz as “the sunset on the bad days, and the sunrise on the good days”. Rather than being written reflectively, ‘Motions’ is about the present “going through” of mental health struggles and dealing with how “horrible, uncomfortable feelings come in waves, and it’s all about riding out those waves”. Waves and the sound of water are an integral part of Through the Motions, as the EP is all about going through the motions, allowing feelings, and taking power in the process.

Through The Motions is accompanied by the release of short documentary style video, documenting Megzz’s journey of creating the EP whilst battling with her own mental health struggles. EP Through the Motions will is out now via various music platforms. Check it out below…

Must Listens: Love Me From A Distance

Song of the Day: Better Day (Wax Roar Remix) – 5 Weeks

Hailing from Brighton, 5 WEEKS has released an EP titled ‘My Psalms’, out now across various music platforms.

Covering themes of love, breakups, female empowerment and community unity, paired with a warm glow of nostalgic 90s-esque soul that runs fluent throughout the collection, The EP includes the previously released single, ‘Believe It’, which was well received from radio stations across the UK.

Alongside the release of the EP, 5 Weeks has also unveiled the remix of the fourth soulful offering from the EP, ‘Better Day’. 5 weeks has teamed up with Brighton’s producer Wax Roar to turn the single into an immediately infectious old-school dance banger. “Wax Roar was an absolute vibe,” Alexandria said about her time working with the producer. 

5 Weeks started out as a duo, consisting of DJ Outbreak and soul singer Alexandria, who shared a mutual respect for Reggae, Hip-Hop and rare groove. After DJ Outbreak left the group to concentrate on some personal challenges, Alexandria took time out to deliberate the future of the band which also allowed her time to complete the first year of her PHD in Criminological Social Work/ Policy.

Alexandria decided to front 5 Weeks, completing the EP alone. Recorded at Audio Mango, where Alexandria said she had the time of her life recording the project with Wax Roar, ‘My Psalms’ EP kept in line of the act’s modern twist on 90’s – esque soul, where she takes inspiration from the likes of Karen Wheeler, Lisa Stansfield and  Mica Paris, Moonchild, VanJess or Allen Stone, Tom Misch and Anita Baker.

Being brought up in a musical family, many influences came from her mum being in a reggae sound system in the seventies and eighties, Alexandria has been singing and songwriting from a young age and later picked by Sony for a publishing deal.Alexandria’s undeniable passion for music is makes up a fraction of her multifaceted life. Now a PHD graduate in Criminological Social Work/ Policy, she is a lecturer in health and social care, and an advocate for young people specifically in harmful sexual behaviour. As a prominent member of the community in her hometown in Brighton, Alexandria took part in Brighton’s half marathon to raise money for Sickle Cell. Alexandria is also donating 30% of the proceeds from My Psalms EP to BARCO, a Brighton-based charity that fights against anti-racism.‘Better Day’ (Wax Roar Remix) and ‘My Psalms’ EP are out now on various music outlets.

 Check out ‘Better Day’ (Wax Roar Remix) below…

Connect with 5 Weeks via:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/5_week_s/

Critically Acclaimed Canadian R&B Pop Artist, Myles Lloyd Shares New Single, ‘Shadows’

Hailing from Montreal, Canada, R&B/pop artist, MYLES LLOYD possesses a vocal presence and songwriting that is filled with a careless emotion that can be defined as vulnerable, honest and when at its best, confusing. Filled with complex stories and real-life scenarios that have come to his attention over the past years, his music acts as a release when his thoughts are finally transformed into lyrics.

His new single ‘Shadows’, is a mellow refusal to let inner demons dictate your next move and start making your own decisions. With transitional monologues and soaring energy, Lloyd’s latest single soars with euphony. In collaboration with global producer Nepaondabeat, as well as 4nghts and Niketaz, their seamless writing efforts formed the foundations of a tune that highlights creativity at its core, and catharsis in its choruses. Lloyd explains, “I don’t think I can ever leave the negative thoughts aside entirely and this song is explaining just that. I just have to learn to live with it and embrace my flaws. Shadows will always follow.”

‘Shadows’ narrates the idea that, sometimes, our actions implement our feelings, rather than our truth. In an ode to empowerment, he continues, “I hope this song encourages others to recognize if you have any flaws or stuff that you should work on and get right to it. Don’t wait to be your best self.”

Racking up over four million streams for his previous releases and garnering acclaim from the likes of Complex, Teen Vogue, Wonderland Magazine, Rolling Stone, PAPER, Live Nation’s Ones to Watch & On The Radar, Exclaim!, Source, Revolt, Sniffers and Hip Hop DX, to name a few, Myles Lloyd is tipped to be one of the hottest artists for 2023 and beyond. Have a listen to the stunning single below…

Song of the Day: I’m Good – Miranda Joan

Canadian-born singer/songwriter MIRANDA JOAN‘s latest single, ‘I’m Good’ is where pop meets alt R&B in perfect harmony .

She confides on the release, “I wrote this song on the heels of a year that kicked my ass. It was a time when my mind, body and spirit had suffered, long and slow and I was looking for a place of peace where I could rest. Standing in the midst of the wreckage of that year, all I could see at the time was the damage, and so I wrote this song to remind myself of what still was; of the love that remained. It looked different now, but there was still so much there.”

Miranda Joan has found success sharing the stage with high profile artists including Andy Grammar, Lorde, Shawn Mendes and more. She has received acclaim from the likes of Consequence, NPR and LADYGUNN to name a few.

With ‘I’m Good’ Miranda Joan reminds us to take pleasure in the small things in life. Check it out below…

Song of the Day: Found – Quiet Son & Arula

With their dreamy, dark, sensual sound, ARULA & QUIET SON form a duo whose music combines the qualities of both urban electronica, dance, and experimental folk with an infusion of melodic pop sensibilities. Initially starting as a remote song collaboration between the two California artists & producers, the project blossomed into a fully realised LP that winds through themes of self-discovery, reclamation, climate consciousness, and romantic vulnerability.

In just a little over a year, Arula & Quiet Son have played shows throughout California, touring with acts like Random Rab & Desert Dwellers. The first single and title track from their debut album, ‘Found’, explores the power and direct connection between the feminine and nature.

Excited about the release, Arula says: “‘Found’ is a reclamation of the power that can only be harnessed from within. It is an ode to anyone who has ever felt lost, confused, or like they don’t fit it. It is a reminder that we can always be found within ourselves, and within the receptive energy of nature and earth”

Quiet Son elaborates: “The production of this song is really special to me. It was such a unique challenge, because when I heard the initial demo I realised the message of the song is so clear that I had to make sure the production supported Arula’s vision precisely. It was an exploration in creating and subsequently releasing tension: to build the sound around Arula’s vocals as the message of the song evolves from one of self-doubt into one of complete reclamation, empowerment, and ecstasy. It was fun to let that huge bass synth take over in the last chorus; I think it really opens the song up and symbolizes the feeling of relief and blessing we can feel when we give ourselves permission to take control of our lives and destinies.”

Arula continues: “Our hope is that this song reminds you that you are powerful and enough, just because you exist. May you always feel found within yourself.”

Take a peep at the stunning video for ‘Found’ below, directed by Jade Sanchez of Earth Based Media.