Alt Pop Duo Hooked Like Helen Shares Stunning Ballad ‘Winter’

Ohio-born and based Alt-Pop duo HOOKED LIKE HELEN has unveiled a rather stunning version of Tori Amos song ‘Winter’, released last Friday (6th January) via Stipp Manor Music,

The single is deeply melodic and despite Nikki’s hauntingly powerful vocals, ‘the track ‘Winter’ possesses an elegant warmth, which allows one to engage with the compelling production.

Nikki and Jon tell us about the inspiration behind their cover of ‘Winter’ (Tori Amos Cover): “When our friend/fitness instructor asked us to play “Winter” by the incomparable Tori Amos, within minutes of dissecting the first few bars of the song we quite frankly fell in love with it. We realised that it needed to become a more significant part of our musical journey and we decided to record a full-length cover of “Winter” for release to the world”.

Nikki adds, “Winter is about a girl’s relationship with a father figure who believes in her and sees greatness in her that she might not see in herself. Ironically, I did not have anyone in my life who fit that role for me as I was growing up, but I think this might be the very reason the song resonates with me on such a visceral level. Music allows us to escape, to imagine, to build castles in our minds. When I sing and play “Winter”, I am (for 4 minutes and 30 seconds) one of those girls with a dad who loves her”.

Hooked Like Helen is husband-and-wife duo Nikki and Jonathan Stipp, whose sound embodies a unique vein of alternative music; dark lyrical themes of unresolved trauma and existential pondering providing a refreshingly authentic perspective crafted from their home studio in the woods outside Cleveland. Their combined musical influences include artists such as Queen, Michael Jackson, Twenty One Pilots, Green Day, Tori Amos, Mariah Carey, Nirvana, and Prince whilst Nikki’s powerful vocals bring to mind artists such as Kate Bush and Ellie Goulding.

Have a listen to ‘Winter’ below…

Karen Harding Shares Her Declaration Of Self-Love With Single, ‘Strong For You’

Melbourne-based folk-pop singer-songwriter, KAREN HARDING‘s latest declarative single ‘Strong For You’, sets a scene of curiosity and mystery, through the simplicity of the heartfelt tinkling of piano keys and then introduces a layer of fingerpicked guitar. Karen Harding’s alluring vocals immediately drawn us into a melancholic story that of heartbreak which builds up to a sense of hope and promise.

“I love that ’Strong For You’ holds layers of meaning.. The song can be translated as a declaration of love and a promise to be there with someone special, through the hard times.. to say you’ll be there through thick and thin. I have been going through a period of a lot of self-exploration.. For me, this song was born out of a desire to be there for the aspects of myself that I have previously rejected or disliked.. to accept and to carry them through difficult feelings and emotions, even when it’s not comfortable to do so. It’s a song of healing.” Karen Harding

Likened to the sounds of Eva Cassidy, Sarah McLachlan and Karen Carpenter, Karen Harding released her first single, ‘I Didn’t Realise’ in May 2021. She went on to win the November 2021 Bendigo Bank sponsored Independent Songwriter Talent Show on Radio Eastern FM in Melbourne for her single, ‘Anxiety’, Top 10 winner for the World Songwriting Awards, for her single, ‘Something Special’ and a nominee for Best International Artist on Crags Radio Independent Artist Awards in February 2022.

It’s time to take out time out and listen to ‘Strong For You’…

Song of the Day: Good Love – Joey XL

East London R&B innovator JOEY XL‘s single ‘Good Love’, is a feel good, end of summer serenade to all those who feel like they can’t get by without love.

Produced by Rndm Beats, ‘Good Love’ is the lead up to his forthcoming six-track EP XL’s Room, coming out this Friday (30th September). The much anticipated project encompasses themes of love, finding yourself through music and forging your own path. The project features smooth recent single ‘Special’, the shimmering ‘Perfect Timing’ and the first release from the EP ‘To The Bank’ which arrived earlier this spring.

Speaking on the EP, Joey said:-

“The challenges that life throws your way, each designed to shape and advance your existence and purpose, are encapsulated in ‘XLs Room’. It centres on the concept of a bedroom, as well as the solitude of the mind, both private and safe spaces to feel and process lessons in love, navigating relationships, finding direction and understanding who and what you’re meant to be. This EP is a journey of self-discovery – each track speaks to my musical and mental evolution, crossing genre and themes, ending with passionate optimism that everything happens for a reason and the best is yet to come.”

Make sure you look out for the EP…but for now, have a listen to ‘Good Love’ below…

Listen To Oxlade’s Single, ‘Ojuju’, Out Today

Continuing his meteoric rise on the international music scene since the release of his dazzling debut EP ‘Oxygene’ last year and a string of show-stopping collaborations and singles, the exciting Nigerian Afro-fusion star OXLADE today releases his brand new single ‘Ojuju’.

Produced by Coublon (Kizz Daniel, Not3s, Sarkodie), ‘Ojuju’ is a song about being open to falling in love and features Oxlade’s addictive, one-of-a-kind mix of Afrobeat, R&B and Country influences with his distinctive, mesmerising vocals and captivating song-writing and storytelling skills to create another future hit.

Speaking on the new single ‘Ojuju’ Oxlade said: “’Ojuju’ is a story of a divine creature being afraid of falling in love, as it exposes a weak side of the being. But when someone is in love, they fear nothing. Being in love is a beautiful feeling. You just cannot get enough of that person, you cannot imagine a day without that person in your life and you just keep wanting more of that same person every single day!”

The new single is the follow-up to the smooth single ‘DKT’ and his debut ‘Oxygene’ EP which featured the hit lead single ‘Away’ which was named as one of Rolling Stone’s ’50 Biggest Songs of 2020’.

Check it out below…

Cilla Raie is ‘Open For Love’ In New Single Featuring Tiffany Evans

North London’s songstress CILLA RAIE returns with a sultry romantic single ‘Open For Love’. Featuring US starlet Tiffany Evans (best known for her singles Promise Ring ft Ciara and Texting My Ex ft T-Pain), the single is an awakening, being ready to embark on a new romantic journey after healing from previous toxic relationships.

Recording music at just 14-years-old, with producer DaV-inche (Stormzy, Skepta, Wiley) and Jackie Davison MBE (Wayne Hector) during the early stages of her musical journey, Cilla released her first self-titled debut EP in 2014, produced by Sillky (Mabel, Teedra Moses, Craig David) and The Arcade (Doja Cat, Khalid, Migos). She successfully embarked on a national tour with legislation group UK Music and has been previously supported by MOBO Awards, BBC1xtra and Reprezent.

Have a listen to Cilla’s latest smooth joint, produced by rising UK R&B producer Peddy Pro.