NICK RYAN is definitely the one to watch.
Hailing from Houston, Texas this upcomer takes hip-hop/Trip-hop to a whole new level with his latest release, Strings. Almost five minutes long, this masterpiece carry irresistibly heavy drive accompanied with intermittent harp/Far East-esque overtones.
It’s an acquired taste and it worth checking out…like NOW.
After standout music solo careers, Douchka and Les Gordon – aka French Electro duo LESKA join forces for their debut single, I Got You released last Friday via Nowadays Records.
Following a string of solo EPs, Les Gordon caught the attention of Kitsuné, releasing more EPs, including Atlas and Abyss under the record label. Douchka began as a DJ before turning his hand to producing. His hard work caught the attention of the independent French label Nowadays Records, leading to the release of EPs Joyful (June 2015) and Together (March 2016).
Together the two created something that’s not your average anthem. Featuring South African singer Batuk, they proved they’re ahead of game by juxtaposing explosive, juvenile yet melancholic overtones in the three-minute wayward banger …It’s definitely the one to remember…check out I Got You.
UK talent NATIVE PEOPLE show off their evolved sound in new single Figure It Out, released late last month.
Produced by Huw Stephens-approved collective The Citrus Clouds and Oz Craggs, the new track retains the band’s core essence whilst showcasing their versatility as they explore a new direction for their sound. The focus leans towards the marriage of 90s R&B, downtempo funk and sleek contemporary pop, reminiscent of Honne and Shura.
2016 has been a big year for the Kent-based quartet, with their summer single Call Me breaking into the top 10 on Spotify’s UK Viral Chart and being labeled “the sound of summer” by BBC Introducing’s Abbie McCarthey. In the past few months alone they have toured in Germany and Holland, played a plethora of festivals and headlined Club NME at the prestigious KOKO. This November the young band will embark on their first headline tour, stopping off at Bristol, Manchester, Brighton, Birmingham, Newcastle and London.
NATIVE PEOPLE gained recognition for their pressing indie rhythms, beautiful guitar riffs and thoughtful vocals, now with the release of Figure It Out and their inaugural UK headline tour in November, these upcomers will be bringing their 80’s inspired indie electronica and mature pop to the next level.
Have a listen to their latest effort – if you like what you hear, it’s worth checking out the tour dates:
04/11 Bristol – The Louisiana
14/11 Manchester – Fallow Cafe
15/11 Brighton – Komedia Studio
17/11 Birmingham – Sunflower Lounge
18/11 Newcastle – Jumpin’ Jacks
19/11 London – The Courtyard
SOFI DE LA TORRE, the Spanish singer from the Canary Islands, shares her newest single, Flex Your Way Out featuring multi-talented LA artist Blackbear, earlier this month, under the self-styled banner #PopDoneRight.
The track finds the two singers mirroring their dreamy vocals over Finnish pop producer Jonas Karlsson’s soothing, trap-infused instrumental. Whilst SOFI DE LA TORRE is exposing a darker and more introverted side, as she laments the end of a relationship, the overall feel is one of closure and optimism.
Blackbear rose to fame as a co-writer on Justin Bieber’s 2012 hit Boyfriend. Since then the 25-year old producer has developed an intriguing musical persona – pursuing R&B and rap influences and working with hip-hop artists such as Childish Gambino and Machine Gun Kelly, as well as Pharrell Williams and James Blake.
Following the success of Sofi’s track Vermillion, which gained support from the Guardian, TIME Magazine and Billboard, Flex Your Way Out serves as the perfect showcase of Sofi’s continued ability to craft hit records. With a currently untitled EP expected to follow, the anticipation has certainly been mounting since Sofi’s latest project, Mess’ which debuted autumn 2015, and received praise across the board from Noisey to Pop Justice.
Resolutely independent, Sofi’s latest release provides an introverted perspective to her unique pop style. Performing under the banner of #PopDoneRight, she continues to stress how pop should be heartfelt, original and accessible. ‘Flex Your Way Out’ serves as an introduction for many and embodies the sound that Sofi has pioneered, whilst standing as a testament to her artistic growth in 2016.
Watch the video to the single.
Dallas-based spitter PATRICK LADON dropped his latest project, The Southern Poetry last month, reflecting on issues when growing up.
Starting off chocolate smooth, I must warn you, the lyrics of this 13 track production goes all hard (particularly with his experience on interracial dating) with progressively infectious groove to match.
If you haven’t heard of this upriser, it’s time you heard his story…hit that play button.
Must Listen: The OG Said, Interracial Dating, Money Speak, Drugs and Relationships, I Hated Myself.
New Lease Music 