Tag: Songs of the Day

Song of the Day: Friendly Song – Love, Ulysses

Following single ‘Sheesh,’ newest member of Insubordinate Records LOVE, ULYSSES is back again- this time with friends. On the ironically-titled ‘Friendly Song,’ LU enlists underground hip-hop stalwarts Alaska (Hangar 18, Def Jux) and Zilla Rocca (Wrecking Crew, Career Crooks) on another Jason Griff-produced heat-seeking missile. ‘Friendly Song’ is a high-octane fist to the face of your enemies and a few hundred extra shots of espresso in your morning coffee all rolled into one. Hard-hitting 808 drums set the tone for LU, Alaska and Zilla to attack anyone from Fred Durst stans to Twitter warriors.

Prior to joining the team at Insubordinate, LU has released a significant amount of music in his own right. He released 10 separate 2-pack EPs and has been featured on songs with OK Nice, Alaska (of Atoms Fam) and more.

‘Friendly Song’ is the second of four Jason Griff-produced singles that will be released over the next month from LU while building towards his debut LP Son this fall.

‘Friendly Song’ is available at insubordinaterecords.com now and also available on various streaming platforms. Check it out below…

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Song of the Day: Acapulco – The Sometimes Island

THE SOMETIMES ISLAND are a synth-forward pop band based in Los Angeles and Albuquerque. The exciting and highly visual live band is comprised of charismatic frontman Matt Blankenship Jr and anchored by drummer Nick Lopiano.

Their single, ‘Acapulco’ explores the excitement of beginning a new chapter of life, yet the contrasting sentiment that comes with it. Blankenship Jr states, “I wrote the song Acapulco to capture that listless ennui I was trapped under in Los Angeles, framing it with a fantasy of an ignored lover reaching their breaking point, leaving and abruptly buying a plane ticket.” The narrative almost ironically pairs with a dream-pop backing, harmonic rhythms, John Mayer inspired guitar riff and a truly contagious chemistry.

The accompanying cinematic music video for ‘Acapulco’ mirrors the song’s story, as we witness the demise of a relationship, where one party decides to flee and head for a better, more wholesome life.

Their forms of expression and musical ingenuity make The Sometimes Island ones to watch this year. With their previous EP Beverly & Barbara peaking at #2 internationally on Apple’s Alternative chart, rocketing past even the likes of Billie Eilish, the duo have also amounted over 800,000 monthly listeners, with streaming numbers in the millions. The Sometimes Island are becoming true pioneers of pop as we know it.

Have a peep at the official video below…

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Song of the Day: High – Muva Of Earth

A spiritual soul inspired by nature, life and her experience living as an Afrikan woman, listening to MUVA OF EARTH is like planting your feet in rich warm soil; blending spiritual mantras and conscious lyricism, her music is truly transformative. The South East Londoner invites us into her Afro-spiritual world with single ‘High’ as she announces her signing to Brownswood Recordings.

A thought-provoking and harmonic single lush with muva’s ethereal vocals and a chugging hip hop drum beat produced by Stephen Wesley Holmes, ‘High’ encapsulates a human’s ability to shape, transform and play with their own point of view – reframing nervousness into excitement and making the most out of a negative situation, resulting in a value-creating experience that demonstrates the power of manifestation.

Speaking on the single, muva of Earth says: “I wanted to make a song about being high on life. You may initially think that this is another song about DrugZ however my artistry will always intend to push my audience to new and greater ways of thinking…. I remember writing ‘High’ in my bedroom whilst hanging out with my sister Angel. I had the hook in my mind for a while and would continue singing and writing more lyrics on my bus journey’s, drawing from London and my own personal experience for inspiration”

Born in Brixton to Nigerian parents as Davina Adeosun-Bright (Davina, which originates from the word ‘divinity’, Adeosun pronounced A – de – o – shu is yoruba tongue and means ‘Crown of Ọṣun’ which is a dedication to the orisha and goddess of the river, Ọṣun), muva of Earth was raised to be strong and independent. Influenced by everyone from Beyonce, Sade, Alice Coltrane, Fela Kuti, Nai Palm, Andre 3000, Blood Orange, Princess Nokia, Little Simz and more, muva of Earth left home in Kent to move back to London in her teenage years to give her the freedom to immerse herself into her music – studying at college whilst gracing stages around London with her soulful tones. By connecting to her Yoruba roots, muva of Earth’s music explores the complexities of identity, the self and human connections over a bed of afrofuturistic rhythms and atmospheric horns.

Have a listen to this beautiful single below…

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Song of the Day: Excuse Me – Zara Sykes (ft. Xtof)

With a sound that looks to pay homage to the smooth and romantic sound of 80s era R&B, emerging artist ZARA SYKES has shared her latest heartfelt swoon ‘Excuse Me’, featuring producer XTOF.

Lifted from XTOF’s latest compilation album ‘Damian’, ‘Excuse Me’ perfectly encapsulates the warm and breezy textures, elevated by Skyes’ stellar vocal performance.

Speaking about the release, “This track is an ode to and paying homage to Zapp and Roger’s ‘Computer Love’. Both of us are children of the 80s who grew up listening to songs such as this along with the 90s R&B and hip-hop. We wanted to take a track like ‘Computer Love’ with all its technological prowess for its time, and to put a contemporary feel to it.”

Rapping/singing since the age of just ten, Zara has worked with Grammy nominated producer formerly  known as Ecks music and has worked with various artists including  KID the Artist, Raju, Cassie Rowe, Soundmasters, Redstarr and Superbamz. She also supported Jay Z & Kanye West’s Watch the Throne (Birmingham LG Arena) Tour in 2012.

In 2014 Zara Sykes received her first official award ‘Inspiring Entertainment & Achievement  Award’ by Be Inspired Youth Award in association with Somewhereto and  AJN’s Annual Gala.

After cutting demo tracks which were used by likes of R&B group Immature, Xtof – real name Christof Jennings – started his indie label SMOKINGSFORCOOLPEOPLE this year, where he released first single ‘Excuse Me’ and his first compilation album release, ‘Damian’ this summer. Have a listen to the epic track below…

Follow Zara Banks via:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/zarasykes/

Follow Xtof via
IG: https://www.instagram.com/christofjennings/

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Song of the Day: Lil 5i5 – Cassie Marin

Los Angeles-based vocalist, producer and multi-instrumentalist CASSIE MARIN‘s single, ‘Lil 5i5’ is the final release from her much-anticipated album, also titled ‘Lil 5i5’, out from last Friday (12th August.)

‘Lil 5i5,’ was the first song Cassie wrote for the project and the one that would inspire the trajectory of the rest of the album. The song is a perfect encapsulation of the album, showcasing Cassie’s trademark saccharine vocals and infectious, glittery synth-pop production.

Cassie elaborates on the title track: “While writing ‘Lil 5i5’ I got to this place where I was more forgiving of my inherited and learned limiting beliefs. I was no longer beating myself up about them and I decided to have fun shedding all of this stuff that did not belong with my identity and values. I allowed myself to just let go and be honest, but also not take myself too seriously and have fun. I hope the listeners are able to feel that for themselves when they hear it.”

Constantly exploring new musical and visual dimensions, Cassie Marin has emerged as an avant-garde luminary in the left-of-center pop space. Her upcoming album, Lil 5i5, which will be out on August 12th, is a dynamic 19-track album that shows off Cassie ever-evolving musicality. Pairing the rhythms of dance music with emotive melodies and meaningful lyricism, Lil 5i5 sees Cassie at her strongest and most vulnerable yet. “I started pursuing music as a career because of what music did and still does for me; it saves me every day,” she says. “I want my music to be there for anyone and everyone who needs it the way that music was there for me.”

Have a listen to Cassie’s single below…

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