Londoner LIAM PHELAN delivers another irresistibly hazy fusion of neo-soul/hip-hop, adding a lick of some rock riffs through his latest single, ‘Far Away.’
following single, ‘Khao San Road’, released earlier this year, ‘Far Away’ is from Liam’s second EP, ‘Finding Love Over Wealth’ out this Friday (1st November).
Check it out below…
Taken from her debut eponymous EP, ‘Stop To Play’ is the latest single to be released from KELTOUM. The fast-emerging artist from France is already being compared to leaders in her field like Sade, Jill Scott and Erykah Badu as her neo-soul and pop influences caress from all sides. An original composer and player KELTOUM also brings to the table a unique French sensibility which demonstrates the sort of warmth felt by Janet Jackson or perhaps Alicia Keys at their most impassioned. The list of greats she could be compared to could go on but KELTOUM herself has struck her own blend of jazz and smoky vocal which is hard not to melt away to.
KELTOUM has already picked up fans across the board including some distinguished influencers like Gilles Peterson among others at Jazz FM and beyond. Her live show is also on another level as the energy of her trio seem to get the best of her tantalizing subtle soul voice bringing emotion to all who see her play, such as those who attended Gilles’ Worldwide festival in Sète last year where she completely bowled over the crowd.
Check out ‘Stop To Play below…and while you’re at it…take out and listen to her EP – ABSOLUTELY STUNNING.
Senita Appiakorang (lead vocals), Emmet O’Riabhaigh (drums), Daniel Coughlan (guitar), Diarmait Mac Carthaigh (keyboard) and Brian Dunlea (bass guitar) – aka Irish future-soul act SHOOKRAH – have shared the video for their new single ‘Notions’, directed by band member Emmet O’Riabhaigh.
Forming part of their upcoming self-titled album, set to drop on 25 October, the track itself is centered around the time we waste staying in dysfunctional relationships. “It’s a recognition of faults committed to the other and yourself in seeking out traits other than those presented to you, which disqualifies the question of who was right or wrong and bares the reality of how hollow we become when we want something so bad that a tarnished version of it will do” says Senita. Fittingly the video features Senita sitting alongside herself in a plush nightclub setting, both “characters” cathartically exploring these emotions through the track.
She explains further: “The song is a reflection and address to a past lover. It felt appropriate to play my double, and kind of centre the sentiment of the song on the delusions we all create for ourselves in fractured relationships, that allow us to prolong its dysfunction.”
Speaking of his production, Emmet O’Riabhaigh says: “We wanted to shoot something really simple and still with nice moody lighting so we decided to go with two Senitas in what looks like a lovers’ tiff. We shot it over the course of a day in the Bodega bar in Cork, and had Senita’s sister Yesunia to stand in for some of the shots, with the whole band helping out on the set.”
Named Best Act of 2017 and 50 People to Watch in 2018 by The Irish Times, the five-piece have seen substantial press support from the likes of The Irish Examiner, AFROPUNK, Wonderland Magazine, Clash Magazine, Music Week, District Magazine, Nialler9 and Made in Shoreditch Magazine. They’ve also received airplay from BBC’s Radio Ulster, and their track ‘Gerascophobia’ was named BBC Ulster’s Across The Line track of the day.
Racking up nearly 300K streams on digital platforms, they shared the stage with Billy Ocean on his Irish tour and have played Body & Soul Festival, Electric Picnic, Wigwam, Quarter Block Party, Other Voices Music Trail, and Knockanstockan Festival.
Check out the video below…
Following on from last year’s critically acclaimed ‘Never Let Go’, which was supported by Record Of The Day, SoulBounce, Reprezent Radio, ASBO Magazine, and Hoxton Radio, among others, and on the back of being hotly tipped by the likes of Toddla T (BBC Radio 1), Roundhouse and Urban Development, fast-rising British singer and songwriter MALUNGA returns with her latest single titled ‘A.M’.
Produced by Peter Hakola (Makola, DeLooze), and taken from her forthcoming EP, which is due for release in 2020, ‘A.M’ is, in MALUNGA’s own words, about “getting to know somebody new but feeling like you’ve met them before. The song also captures the excitement and mystery around dating that we create versus the reality of the situation and who the person really is”.
Recommended if you like the sounds of NAO, Mahalia or Solange, MALUNGA is an exciting talent who captivates a sound that can be best described as experimental and progressive soul-pop, which is underpinned by a relatability, honesty, and authenticity that leaps out in her songwriting.
East London native MALUNGA first burst on the scene as a teenager in 2015, with her debut EP ‘Exhibit A’, which was met with rave reviews from fans and critics alike. She then went on to release ‘Whisper In The Dark’, which caught the ears of Toddla T, who supported the single on BBC Radio 1, before releasing ‘Never Let Go’ last summer.
Check out ‘A.M’ below…
Produced by Jason Mater (Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder, Eminem) and Brandon Rogers (Alec Benjamin, Troye Sivan, Bea Miller), TIERA BEVERLY‘s leading single ‘Can’t Talk’ oozes sultry vocals, dramatic drums and soaring smokey harmonies, creating a throwback feel to Beverly’s love of 90’s girl groups. The track is brought to life with live musicians and twinkling keys, emitting a mesmerizing ambiance and showcasing her love for artists such as Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson and Aaliyah.
Thematically ‘Can’t Talk’ narrates the journey of youth and realizing that to reach your goals you need to put yourself first. Beverly reveals, “This song was inspired by what I view as the current state that we live in, as far as technology. I do like things about social media, but I do feel like we are in a world so fueled by the need for constant reassurance and instant gratification. I definitely think that a lot of people have such a short attention span and it can cause for insecurity in relationships”.
The Los Angeles-based R&B songstress was born into a family of musicians – her father and grandfather (the famed Frankie Beverly) were both musicians and accomplished artists.
Check out the sultry production for the seductive ‘Can’t Talk’ below…
