Tag: songs about relationships

Song of the Day: Anesthesia – Brasstracks (ft. Mandy Lee)

Brasstracks is the Grammy award winning project of New York based musician and producer Ivan Jackson. Over the years, Brasstracks has evolved from a hip-hop-jazz-big-band to an ever-morphing landscape where Jackson sets the framework.

The Brasstracks rap sheet runs for miles. The group scored two GRAMMY wins for their production work on Chance The Rapper’s seminal “No Problems” in 2017 (Best Rap Performance, Best Rap Album). They’ve also since been nominated for their work with Harry Styles during the 2021 GRAMMYs for Best Pop Vocal Album, ultimately taking home the Best Pop Solo Performance award for their work on “Watermelon Sugar.”

Brasstracks has appeared on Saturday Night Live, performing alongside Miley Cyrus and Mark Ronson, the latter of whom is a frequent collaborator. Other collaborations include Anderson .Paak, Khalid, Mac Miller, and BTS. Basstracks has also performed songs from their debut album on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert.

The new Brasstracks era sees Jackson as an architect for this larger project of incubating artists and allowing them the space to grow.

The latest single ‘Anesthesia’ featuring Mandy Lee of MisterWives, is the second single from Brasstracks’ upcoming album. Lee soars as she sings, “Doppelgänger, I can’t hate you even though I know the grass is greener”, crooning a sneering congratulations to a nemesis who always seems to be one step ahead. The title itself is a nod to the numbness that accompanies this feeling. The vibrant single shimmers with oscillating synths and Lee’s velvet vocals, emitting an overall colorful and contagious aura. The playful track refuses to let listeners stay still, with fast-paced beats and layered instrumentation creating an all-encompassing atmosphere, captivating you from the very first second.

The upcoming album is a unique addition to the Brasstracks catalog: brimming with technical wizardry and maximal, brassy bombast, but intensely personal, rife with self-loathing and heartache. The album’s undeniable joyousness stands in unflinching contrast with its subject matter, and ‘Anesthesia’ is a microcosm of its ethos: a shimmering, groovy, soulful house record about, above all else, jealousy. The album weaves in and out of itself seamlessly, with ‘Anesthesia”’sampling Brasstracks’ previous FATHERDUDE + TOBi flanked single, ‘Nobody’s Fool’. Despite its seething subtext, ‘Anesthesia’ is a quintessential warm weather banger, and was a highlight of Brasstracks’ sold out, 6-show Blue Note run this March.

Have a listen below…

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OUT TODAY: Listen To Natanya’s Candid Single, ‘Angel’

NATANYA shares heartfelt new single ‘Angel’ via AURA – a new London-based imprint under the seminal label for global sounds, MOVES Recordings. The follow up to 2022 single, ‘Foolish’ (reaching over 1.3 mil streams), ‘Angel’ is a seemingly euphoric slice of R&B.

Natanya’s stunning silken vocals are layered upon nostalgic, glossy chords, reminiscent of Stevie Wonder, sparkling synths and futuristic percussion that mirrors the likes of ‘Provider’ by Frank Ocean, as she reflects candidly on the duality of deep infatuation versus fear of abandonment. Presenting itself as a saturated, bright ode to a lover, beneath the surface, the lyrics detail an anxious attachment, with a dark obsession over love and its departure.

Speaking on ‘Angel’, Natanya says: “I wrote “Angel” in two parts. The first began on a flight back from DC, after I felt I’d fallen for someone who showed me something new, but was not completely present when I needed them most. I kept singing the tune of the chorus as I fell asleep on the plane, [and] rushed to my piano to write the rest of the song as I landed. It’s got a sadder meaning than its sonic presentation, though. I wrote it as an introspective ballad first, in production, we decided to up the tempo. I’m exploring the juxtaposition between infatuation and that obsessive fear of abandonment; I want to show how the two can coexist in front of the shape of an insecure young woman who hasn’t yet developed a sense of self or boundaries – so she clings to the first sign of understanding she sees, even if it’s no good for her.”

Natanya recently supported R&B superstar girlgroup FLO in Manchester and London after hitting 1+million streams with self-released single ‘Foolish’ (2022). Standing out from the crowd with her refreshing take on alternative R&B and her striking visual aesthetic, she has gained tastemaker support and has a grown a dedicated fan base and online community via Instagram, her recent ascent on TikTok and her newsletter. Natanya’s forthcoming gigs at The Great Escape, Lower Third, and We Out Here are also a testament to her beautifully crafted sound and live show, proving she has laid the foundations for a bright future the rising star is truly set to transcend. Listen to ‘Angel’ below…

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Song of the Day: Too Bad – Tar Ráe

Following on from the release of ‘Insane’, London’s up-and-coming songstress TAR RÁE has unveiled her latest slice of heaven. Wrapped in soft melodies and an acoustic backdrop, ‘Too Bad’ is an apologetic single that continues to boast Tar Ráe’s promising artistry.

Housing a warm production, ‘Too Bad’ is an emotional test of love. Reputable for her silky vocals and enchanting lyricism, Tar Ráe wears her heart on her sleeve and takes accountability for her actions in this hypnotic single, Speaking on the release Tar Ráe commented, “Too Bad is about admitting that you took someone important to you for granted and dealing with the regret you feel as a result”

Born in Romford, Essex and raised in Peckham, South-East London, Tar Ráe grew up in a musical household listening to Gospel, R&B, and Afrobeats. It was inevitable that one day she would follow down a similar path and explore a career in music of her own. Taking inspiration from artists including Beyonce, Chris Brown, Brandy, Whitney Houston, and Rihanna, the London native wrote her first song at just fourteen years old before deciding to pursue singing seriously two years later following a conversation with her father. Attending studio sessions in 2019, Tar Ráe began recording her own music before sharing her debut single ‘See You’ in 2021. Catching the eyes of many reputable songwriters and producers, the newcomer is ready to take it up a notch in 2023 with a catalogue of new music. Check out ‘Too Bad’ below…

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Afro-Fusion Singer Gyakie Taps Rapper JBEE For Track, ‘SCAR’.

Rising Ghanaian afro-fusion artist GYAKIE has teamed up with North London’s rap riser JBEE with newest single ‘Scar’.

‘Scar’ is a powerful and emotionally charged R&B cut laced with hip-hop brought to life by Gyakie’s fierce flow over a Sosa-crafted drill beat featuring JBEE. Gyakie tells the story of a love gone wrong from both sides – hers representing pain, and his centering on doubts and insecurities. ‘Scar’ features ominous production underscored by heavy 808s with both artists providing hard-hitting lyrics juxtaposed by softer melodies showcased throughout JBEE’s verse.

The juxtaposition on ‘Scar’ continues into the visuals which see Gyakie and JBEE both telling their sides of the love story before coming together in the final scenes with red tones used throughout, representing the love and pain in the story that features throughout ‘Scar’ directed by Craig Capone who has worked with artists such as Headie One, Sarkodie, Chip and Ms Banks on their visuals as well as Romara Blake who is known for her work with Eva Lazarus.

Gyakie has been rising through the ranks since bursting onto the scene with her debut single ‘Love is Pretty’ in 2019. Since then she has collaborated with the likes of AKA, Diplo, Blaq Jerzee, Major League DJz, and Mayorkun. Her breakout single ‘Forever’ gained international recognition and has amassed over 150m streams across platforms.

North London’s JBEE is one of the go to fresh faces in British Rap paving a lane of his own. In 2021 he released ‘4AM’ gaining over 77 million streams, going onto currently reaching 3.7 million monthly Spotify listeners. It’s no surprise he picked up a MOBO nomination for Best Newcomer at the end of last year.

The collaborative track provides heart wrenching insight into contemporary relationships laced with authenticity that is sure to resonate with music fans across continents. Check out the video for the hard-hitting single below…

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Tilly Valentine Shares Her First Single Of The Year, ‘Statue’

Produced by rapid-rising musician, Conor Albert, TILLY VALENTINE latest single ‘Statue’, is an intimate and heavy-hearted love song, displaying Valentine’s fragile vocals with Albert’s intricate piano and production, infusing elements of soul, pop and R&B. A metaphor for sacrificial love, Valentine says, “Statue is about meeting the right person at the wrong time, but promising to wait for them until it’s right.”

Her creative process goes far beyond the music. Accompanying her first song of the year is a music video, capturing hope and sorrow both sonically and lyrically.

Valentine’s self-releases gain multi-million streams and broadcasts across BBC Radio 1, BBC 1Xtra, BBC 6 Music, The Hot List, Jazz FM and more. The BRIT School Alumna and independent artist continues to soothe the ears of many tastemakers, with 6 Music championing her “beautiful pop music”. ‘The brand new single ‘Statue’ earned itself a well-deserved spot on Spotify’s New Music Friday.

‘Statue’ producer, Conor Albert, experienced astronomical growth having caught the attention of Justin Bieber, Questlove, Jacob Collier, Tom Misch, Disclosure and Mac Ayres, alongside BBC Radio 1 plays with Jack Saunders; Future Artists, Sian Elery’s Chillest Show and BBC Radio 2 with Jamie Cullum.

This collaboration of London rising talent predicts ‘Statue’ to be a stand-out track of 2023…why not have a peep at the video for the single below…

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