The idea for ACTION FOREVER‘s latest single, ‘In The Dead of Night,’ was to bluntly reflect on the obvious downsides of being in a long distance relationship – not being able to hold your partner in your arms, look into their eyes, or hear their voice next to you.
Frontman Sim Bansal confides: “I was in a relationship a bit like that. Later, I realized after I went over some of the lines, like “be a shoulder for the secret pain inside” and “I feel my heart begin to break in two until the moment I hear back from you,” I started to believe that the seed for the song, in part, came from a feeling of co-dependence. When I looked back at what I’d written – in the moment, sort of quickly and instinctively – those lyrics struck me as more troubled than romantic.“
The semi-autobiographical character in the song is very much distressed. He feels the tension between him and his partner and it’s unsettling.
Sim explains: “I wanted to make something upbeat and danceable to accentuate this feeling of stress and urgency. I also tried to pick synthesizer sounds which seemed to have kind of a lonely quality. For example, the counter melodies in the second verse were inspired by those little musical carousel toys that play chimey lullabies.”
Triple threat rapper, singer and producer ASHA IMUNO unveils the official music video for ‘Bullseye’ from his debut album ‘Pin & Needles’ (March 1st via Guin). The video was directed by Angel Orozco.
“‘Bullseye’ is about the complexity of my relationship to home, and the discomfort of feeling like there’s something to prove to myself and my loved ones. It’s an ode to the shadows of the men in my family, my vices, and inherited pitfalls,” says Asha.
‘Pins & Needles’ was called “one of the most promising debut albums of the decade” by Ones To Watch, and has received praise from Billboard, Office, Uproxx, Rolling Stone and more. In addition, Asha was featured in Pigeons and Planes’ 24 artists to watch in 2024 list, which noted Asha is “an artist who’s skipping towards the spotlight,” and that, “it’s clear that 2023 was the precursor to his breakout.” The rising star has earned co-signs from Hit-Boy, John Mayer and Jordan Ward.
In recent news, Asha has been selected to participate in the second season of the The Mastercard Artist Accelerator program, in partnership with Ones To Watch. For additional information, see here.
Asha will support Berhana on his upcoming “The Nomad’s Tour” in the U.S., from 11th April – 27th April…but for now, he presents his official video to the soulful boombap offering. Check it out below…
Nigerian rising star HERMEZ, returns with this addictive new anthem, ‘Swear, I Tried’, released yesterday.
This infectious Afro-soul cut merges club-ready vibes with a message of perseverance and faith. ‘Swear, I Tried’ opens with Hermez setting the bar high, describing his ideal woman and refusing to compromise on his standards. As the song unfolds, he acknowledges the unwavering spiritual connection that guides him. The track builds to a powerful hook where Hermez embraces his faith, vowing to give his all and trusting in a higher power to orchestrate the rest.
Produced by the esteemed Luiz Rey Cortina, ‘Swear, I Tried’ seamlessly blends Hermez’s soulful vocals with hard hitting drums. This gem is primed to dominate dance floors and streaming platforms. With its relatable message and undeniable groove, ‘Swear, I Tried’ is an essential for your party playlists. Have a listen below…
ORITSÉ WILLIAMS returns with a brand new single ‘Language’ showcasing his unique, authentic style of music which he describes as ‘Afro-Island’ whilst stepping into a new chapter in his career.
An undeniable modern love anthem that steers away from the generic love themed songs, ‘Language’ connects people as human beings incorporating the universal expression ‘now you’re talking my language’ as an infectious hook. Oritsé takes you on a feel-good wave right from the start, that he smoothly rides with his unique vocal style, playfully switching up his flow along the songs hypnotic groove, exuding pure vibes and flavour.
The single produced by Jhn Alxs (Central Cee ‘I Will’) reminds us that love is a universal language which Oritsé understands having grown up between the UK, the Caribbean and Africa.
After achieving longevity in the music industry as the founding member of the multi-award winning band JLS with whom he sold over 15 million records, achieved five no.1s, two BRIT Awards and five MOBO awards, along with many other notable achievements, Oritsé took a leap of faith, broke away from the corporate major record label system and ventured out on his own as an independent artist.
Oritsé is now on an exciting new path in his solo career, working with the likes of Davido who he went to school with in Nigeria and Oritsé also mentored, along with other collaborators that feature on his debut forthcoming project such as Stylo G, producer/rapper Ayo Beatz, and Central Cee producer Jhn Alxs.
Tune into ‘Language’ and let Oritsé take you on a beautiful journey….
Introducing Manchester-based UK R&B singer, songwriter, and musician NELLIE CHARLES with her first single of the year titled ‘BOSS’. Serving as the lead single to her upcoming debut EP that arrives this summer, ‘Boss’ emerges as a vibrant declaration of self-assurance and empowerment, encapsulated within the rich textures of modern R&B. Crafted from a tapestry of personal triumphs and trials, ‘Boss’ is a sonic exploration of self-worth and the intricate dance of modern relationships. The song’s genesis was a deeply introspective process for Nellie, who aimed to fuse the soulful echoes of classic R&B with a fresh, modern twist. Throughout its creation, from melody conception to the final production stages, Nellie has meticulously sculpted ‘Boss’ to embody empowerment, weaving smooth rhythms with harmonious backing vocals to underscore its message of confidence and assertiveness.
At its core, ‘Boss’ is a bold narrative of claiming one’s space within the dynamics of love and respect, driven by Nellie’s relatable songwriting, her amazing voice, and her infectious R&B slow jams vibe. Drawing inspiration from her personal journey of self-discovery and the quest for mutual recognition in a relationship, Nellie wants to articulate a potent message with ‘Boss’: knowing your value and demanding the respect you deserve. The lyrics, rich with imagery of assertiveness and luxury, mirror Nellie’s conviction in the importance of self-worth and the courage to stand as an equal partner. “Boss” is more than a song; it is Nellie’s heartfelt ode to empowerment, inspired by the likes of Jorja Smith and Summer Walker, and crafted to resonate with anyone who has ever felt overlooked or undervalued.
Beyond its compelling sonic landscape, and its message of empowerment that echoes Nellie’s desire to inspire listeners to embrace their inner strength across all facets of life, ‘Boss’ also comes with an upcoming captivating music video that brings the track further to life. Directed by BlueBoredom, who has also worked with the likes of Digga D, French The Kid, and JBEE, the music video paints a vivid picture of Nellie’s confidence and her message of self-respect amidst the complexities of love and power dynamics. The visuals aim not only to entertain but also to empower, offering a timeless reminder of the unyielding power of knowing and asserting one’s worth in every relationship and endeavour.
Speaking about the inspiration behind ‘Boss’ and how the song came together, Nellie says, “As an artist, ‘Boss’ is more than just a song to me – it’s a statement. It embodies my journey of self-discovery and self-respect. This song came from a place of realizing that in any relationship, my voice matters. It’s a celebration of knowing your value and not being afraid to demand the respect you deserve. ‘Boss’ was born out of a moment where I felt the need to express my strength, not just as a woman, but as a person who understands her worth. It’s a reminder to myself and to others that in love and life, we are our own bosses. The process of creating ‘Boss’ was deeply personal and liberating. It’s a blend of my experiences, dreams, and the musical influences that have shaped me as an artist.”
