Jake Huffman Shares Euphoric Indie Single, ‘Martyr’

Connecticut born and bred artist Jake Huffman creates a euphoric realm of indie pop rock, bringing his anthemic energy to a global audience. As lead vocalist and drummer, the multi-instrumentalist was previously known for his time in the viral alt rock band, McLovins. Having taken the time to rediscover who he is as a solo artist, Huffman returns with a complete arsenal of new music, all of which has been entirely written, performed and produced by Jake himself.

His first single of 2023, “Martyr” a cohesive ode to his upcoming EP. With compelling discourses, the track explores a commentary about dying on a hill, as he explains, “The lyrics aren’t about what I personally believe. Everywhere I look people are spouting their beliefs while contradicting themselves in the same breath. The world has become so polarizing and I wanted this song to encapsulate that energy.” With the perfect punch of redemption, his musicality comes to life. Huffman’s anthemic vocal energy rises atop crashing choruses, soaring melodies and the alt-rock infused rhythms he’s been known to possess. With broadening soundscapes and truly impeccable capability, it’s Huffman’s hope that listeners will take what they need from the song, as he explores a journey into creativity. Accompanied by a sound that pulls deep from his rock roots and reaches far into what can only be described as the sound of the 20’s, his latest single consolidates his status as an exceptional talent.

Huffman’s latest project is an amalgamation of his musical influences and vast heritage of experience. At the age of 14, Huffman and his band McLovins posted on YouTube a cover of Phish’s ‘You Enjoy Myself’ from his parents basement in Connecticut. Overnight the video went viral and sparked a rabid following of fans around the world. Since then, he has shared the stage with Blink-182, Foster The People, BB King and The Flaming Lips.

Huffman has garnered humbling praise from the likes of the Rolling Stone, US Weekly, NPR and legendary XPN Radio Programming Director and DJ Bruce Warren, as well as also having caught the attention of Emmy, Grammy and Tony award-winning producer and composer Bill Sherman (Hamilton, In The Heights, Sesame Street) and Glee producer Michael Novick. Meanwhile on television, the musician has left an imprint as a composer and lyricist for Sesame Street, writing dozens of songs for artists like Ed Sheeran and Leon Bridges.

With plenty more on the horizon, it looks like 2023 will be an explosive year for Jake Huffman…have a listen to ‘Martyr’ below…

Song of the Day: Make Sense – Eleanor

London, Ontario based singer-songwriter ELEANOR‘s debut single, ‘Make Sense,’ showcases her R&B sound, which is inflected with soul and alternative/indie influences.

Eleanor wrote ‘Make Sense’ as a bit of a lament for the experiences of her generation, impacted by inflation, recessions, and quarantine.

The song is a conversation between Eleanor and her mother, reflecting on the frustration that comes with not reaching certain milestones ‘on time,’ such as marriage and home ownership.

The rich and dreamy soul of this single provides a reminder that sour moments can be both timely and useful. It’s definitely worth a listen; check it out below…

BRAND NEW: Listen To Demi Jordanae’s EP ‘How Did We Get Here’

Modern soul songstress/songwriter DEMI JORDANAE takes us on an emotional rollercoaster with self-produced EP, ‘How Did We Get Here’.

Each song offers up a cocktail of different mood, emotion, sound and style, some that that takes you down the lane of smooth slows jams of yesteryear and the boisterous soulful sounds of Beyoncé.

Dem says of her new EP: “I had no narrative or idea whatsoever for the EP. I was just creating and writing about anything I felt. I don’t write from personal experience but from imagination. I get inside a character’s mind with lyrical places that can resonate or relate with other people’s life experiences.”

Listen to ‘How Did We Get Here’ below…

Must Listens: I Never Do, This Ain’t No Tyranny

Raymond West Rocks By With Mixtape, ‘Jerseys & Convertibles’

With the hot summer days getting shorter by the week, fast approaching the winter season, RAYMOND WEST gives fans and new listeners a mixtape to help turn that page and close out the summer months. ‘Jerseys & Convertibles’ cruises into the function being backed by three previous singles in ‘Smoke out the Roof’, ‘4 You’ and ‘Carphones & Beepers’, bringing along four new songs for our listening pleasure.

Raymond West speaks highly on his current lifestyle throughout the tape, from his views of life to what he eats and what he maneuvers around the city in. He also aims to keep the ladies appleased with afterhours-inspired cuts such as ‘4 You’ & ‘Overheated’.

Raymond West goes out on a high with outro ‘Sweat$’, where he doesn’t pay too much attention to any worries or negativity of today and just rocks his sweats and keeps to himself. “I wanted to do a song about my everyday simple life, highlight the regular shit instead of all the flashy shit, I can wear sweats with every outfit” says West when speaking about the track.

Time to check out the mixtape below…

Must Listens: 4 You & Overheated

Album Review: L.I.F.E: The Cause – J.A.S.

I was sooo elated when South African rapper/producer J.A.S slipped me his latest album, ‘L.I.F.E: The Cause’ – it seemed ages since he grace his presence on this blog with previous project, ‘#Don’tSleepOnJAS’, which possesses electronic/downtempo soundscapes with infectious Trip-hop beats/bass.

With this latest album, J.A.S retains the same theme from the previous project, but delving further into the downtempo route with long-term collaborators, South African singers Palesa Blossom and Nevita, who both provide a pleasingly trippy experience with their alluringly soulful vocals with tracks such as ‘L.I.FE’, ‘Controlled’ ‘Moth to A Flame’ and ‘Scattered.’

J.A.S also adds another long-collaborator, South African acclaimed rapper, Sy’Defect to the impressive album’s lineup. Among the chilled vibes of the seven-track project, Sy’Defect injects such vibrancy with his semi-rapid flow to the delicate backdrop of tracks, ‘Controlled’ and ‘Scattered.’

Overall, ‘L.I.F.E: The Cause’ is a great escapism album to kick back with some friends and to forget about the great maze called life. Have a listen below…

Must Listen: Controlled, Words, Scattered.