Vancouver alt-pop group LUDIC‘s single ‘Judge Me,’ the first release off their debut EP out in April 2022, marks the first time that guitarist Ayla Tesler-Mabe has joined bassist/lead vocalist Max Cunningham on vocals, to create a velvety smooth duet.
The song was written about feeling lonely in a relationship and feeling like you can’t do anything right; the constant effort to try and change is not working and is instead being met with more criticism by the other half.
‘Judge Me’ is a step forward for Ludic – while it retains the quirky and offbeat sound of their previous releases, there is an undeniable maturity that permeates their new work.
Why not check out the (slightly) new musical direction below…
‘Pulling Me Closer’ marks the first single of 2022 from London based, singer, songwriter, poet and producer – AERIS ROVES . It follows on from 2021 records ‘Cairo’ and ‘Long Way Down’ which were well received after a 2 year hiatus.
Whilst ‘Cairo’ was about finding the gold in someone and ‘Long Way Down’ looked at the breakdown in communication during a relationship and the process of realigning with a partner – ‘Pulling Me Closer’ explores initial attraction and it’s unexpected intensity.
Speaking in more detail, Aeris reiterates “Pulling me closer – A song that started off as an unfinished acoustic idea on Instagram. It was shared by Billie Eilish. A trip to Los Angeles with Two Inch Punch offered the inspiration needed to finish the production. Thematically, it explores a situation of initial attraction, in that it’s unexpected and intense, pondering the fact that once it takes hold, it is very difficult to let go of.”
With influences deeply rooted in soul and modern R&B Aeris draws influence from The Drifters, Kanye West, Frank Ocean, Majid Jordan and more. Growing up, Aeris would sing in local choirs gradually teaching himself guitar in his bedroom as an accompaniment.
His first commercial offering came in the form of a self-produced 2018 Soundcloud release, ‘Banks.’ The track garnered an initial buzz in the UK, quickly extending across the Atlantic where it was championed by US pop sensation Billie Eilish – She in turn invited him to support her on her European tour.
A successful run followed, cutting his live teeth and landing him a record deal with RCA where he released his debut LP ‘Moon By Island Gardens’ to much critical acclaim.
In 2020, with new label and management in tow, Aeris used lockdown to return to the studio to delve into a new body of work.
Stay tuned for the release of more singles from this guy…until then, have a listen to ‘Pulling Me Closer.’
Nigerian-British artist SHÀE UNIVERSE‘s exhilarating single ‘Pushin’, is a unique synergy of R&B and Drill, where Shae’s silky vocals blends in with delicate riffs, simmering 808’s and soaring synth patterns.
Speaking on the single, Shaé said: “Pushin’ was written with ease. It flowed so naturally because it was a subconscious premonition of certain relationships that would come to an end in my life. I didn’t know it at the time I wrote the song but soon enough I saw the coherence manifest in my life. Cheers to honouring your boundaries and dropping dead weight!”
Since bursting onto the scene in 2017, Shaé has made waves in the UK, West Africa and beyond, attracting heat from the likes of Wonderland, TRENCH, NOTION, New Wave Mag and more. Shaé makes music that engages, enchants and inspires. Shaé is an artist who can both sing and rap, has been co-signed by the likes of Kojey Radical, Ms Banks and Etta Bond, and has remained entirely independent – navigating the industry on her own terms.
Stay tuned for more this year from this blossoming R&B talent…but for now, have a listen to ‘Pushin’ below…
Already gaining support from The Creatives, Stevie Street on his R&B Fresh show, and No Signal’s Anna-Marie, self-proclaimed “imperfect R&B” songstress LO. (pronounced Low) delivers her honest first single of 2022 entitled ‘Disappointment’.
With the mellow trap-inspired production coming from 2 x Certified Gold producer RXR Music, the therapeutic track finds LO. divulging details about a toxic past relationship that she once contended with.
Channelling the feelings of disappointment and negativity from past experiences, the North-West Londoner unleashes this magnetising and merciless record accompanied by self-directed visuals. With hopes to spread her inspirational energy by sharing relatable and close-to-home experiences through her music, LO. starts 2022 off with this captivating anthemic release.
Coining her own music as “imperfect R&B” is a reflection of LO.’s bravery and honesty first policy. Her unique non traditional tone, versatile vocals and candid lyrics layered on top of Trap, Latin and Alt beats make for an attention grabbing soundscape.
Featuring delicate piano melodies, heart-wrenching lyrics and echoing back vocals, GINA NAOMI BAEZ‘s brand new single, ‘Stick Around,’ explores the feeling of being undeserving of love, care and attention. It asks the question how someone could choose to stick around for another, even through the toughest and worst times.
The New York songwriter confides, “Showing your truth is such a vulnerable state and when you find someone who embraces you at your best and lowest …well…that is rare and something you should protect at all costs.” The song was originally just one verse and a chorus written and shared on TikTok, however after realizing that the song resonated with so many people, Baez decided to complete and produce the entire song.
Baez has also seen great success with her YouTube channel which has built an impressive following. Her infamous “Lizzo’s Truth Hurts x Hocus Pocus” parody music video went viral after LIZZO herself reposted it, as well as Bette Midler. The channel features creative, unique original music videos, covers and parodies of popular songs and has garnered worldwide recognition from the likes of PEOPLE, Entertainment Weekly, Access Hollywood, The Huffington Post, MTV, Perez Hilton, FOX, E! ONLINE, Ryan Seacrest, Yahoo News!, Stylist and much more.
The emotive songbird also has a flourishing acting career, featuring in Spike Lee’s She’s Gotta Have It, Orange is the New Black and most recently CBS’s FBI.
‘Stick Around’ is out now on all download and streaming sites. Have a listen below…
