New Track: Comfortably Me – Chloé Leon

Fresh on the scene – Midlands born, CHLOÉ LEONE brings a unique blend of velvet melodies, pungent vocals and tongue-in-cheek wordplay through her debut release of 2017, the feel-good and emancipating ‘Comfortably Me’.

Produced by Fred Cox (Janelle Monae, Lion Babe), ‘Comfortably Me’ is Chloé’s personal ode to the world. Her take on the highs and lows of life as a young woman making her way in the world; dealing with relationships, purpose and hangovers; showing that it’s ok to be real.

Standing as the first from a string of releases due out throughout 2017, Dalston resident CHLOÉ LEONE is making a statement with her latest offering and is showcasing exactly why she is one of Britain’s most promising new artists…have a listen.

New Music Video: Mention Nothing – Thidius

South London alt-pop five piece THIDIUS have brought their latest single ‘Mention Nothing’ to life with a psychedelic and eye-catching video. ‘Mention Nothing’ is the lead single from their upcoming release ‘Inversion.’

The video features singer Izzy Risk performing stunning vocals, and contrasts kaleidoscopic, distorted imagery with black and white footage. Thidius’ five-piece line-up allows them to create a sound that is multi-layered, but beautiful and cohesive. The song itself features catchy guitars and soulful singing which, when combined with a funky rhythm section and more moody synths, allowing ‘Mention Nothing’ to be at once upbeat and atmospheric.

THIDIUS’ line up also include Ben Hayes on synths, Tom Driessler on bass and Harry Pope on drums. Hailing from New Cross in South East London, THIDIUS are in good company and have made a name for themselves through collaborating with a plethora of creative’s from this growing artist hub. They achieved recognition by supporting their South London contemporary King Krule on his 2014 European tour. THIDIUS’ live performances have received praise from the likes of London on the Inside, who described them as “a young band that are completely in their element on stage.”

Blending a range of influences including jazz, funk and synthpop,THIDIUS have an exciting sound that is both soulful and ethereal. The video brings this out by taking simplistic footage of Izzy Risk’s charismatic performance and giving it colourful, dizzying distortion. With an EP to follow this summer 2017 looks set to be a defining year for these south Londoners.

New Track: U R My High – Astro Raw

 ASTRO RAW – aka Lucas Goodman and one half of New York-based duo Lion Babe – has unleashed his mixtape ‘rawmix vol 1’ earlier this month, with the release of ‘U R My High’.

The track is the first to be taken from the 14-track mixtape, which showcases ASTRO RAW’s one of a kind production credentials and his infectious, genre defying sounds which seamlessly mix R&B, hip-hop, soul, funk and dance to sultry effect. Featuring exclusive mixes – including reworked versions of tracks from the likes of Wiz Khalifa, Busta Rhymes and Alicia Keys – and rounded off with brand new remixes of the popular Lion Babe’s tracks ‘Treat Me Like Fire’ and ‘Jungle Lady’.

Performing across the world as a part of Lion Babe, ASTRO RAW has also delivered show-stopping DJ sets at prestigious events such as ELLE Style Awards, Whitney Museum’s Art Party, Bestival’s Party on the Moon and PAPER magazine x Ketel One Vodka, whilst as an in-demand DJ across the New York night scene he regularly performs popular sets at the cool, hot-spot Miss Lily’s.

Earlier this year, Lion Babe released their latest single ‘Rockets’ ft Moe Moks, set to appear on their forthcoming new EP which will be their first commercial release since their critically celebrated debut studio album ‘Begin’. ‘Begin’ was released last year and featured collaborations with the likes of Pharrell Williams and Childish Gambino and career-defining tracks such as ‘Treat Me Like Fire’ and ‘Jump Hi’. Last year they released the electrifying mixtape ‘Sun Joint’ which coincided with their first headline US tour and a string of international festival performances, including Glastonbury, Reading & Leeds.

Album Review: Wond3rland – Dizzy Rambunctious

Unlike his previous project, ‘Arcadia’, which loosely takes inspiration from the theme tunes from classic arcade games, DIZZY RAMBUNCTIOUS switches it up and takes a complete detour with his latest mixtape, ‘Wond3rland’.

This time round, the New Jersey producer has adopted a real sublime soulful/rare groove-ish vibe to his usual trademark – that hip-hop/boom bap woofer of a bassline.

Now if you’re a follower of this guy, then you know he only deals with instrumentals – and you’ll also know he always hits you right between the eyes with a surprise – he recruited a few guest vocalists/spitters for this mammoth collection, which was most welcomed ( just have a listen the 6th track, ‘Zion’ featuring Phi & Shrls.)

I gotta give it to him; DIZZY RAMBUNCTIOUS has really stepped up his game – go and have a trial.

Must Listens: Wond3rland, Cosmic Gramma, Zion, Get on Down.

New Music Video: Love Letter – Half Brother

Murkage Dave and Patrick Scally, otherwise known as HALFBROTHER, have unveiled the dreamy and mesmeric visual for their new track ‘Love Letter’.

Directed by the award-winning designer and art director Kate Moross (Dazed & Confused, Vogue, NYLON) the video was shot in Dungeness, on the English Coast and follows last month’s release of the single. Written and produced by the duo and previously premiered on The Independent with further support from the likes of The Line of Best Fit, Notion and 1Xtra. The track is the follow-up to their debut single ‘Go Tell The Mandem’, which i-D described as ‘quietly profound’ and ‘remarkably lucid’, and its Jeremy Cole and Marco Grey directed visuals and February’s ‘Sweet Talk’.

Earlier this month, the duo brought their first performance as a duo to The Old Blue Last as the main opening act for Star Slinger whilst this year they are set to release their debut album ‘Men Can’t Protect You Anymore’ which will feature their unique take on alternative R&B influenced sounds and exciting collaborations with UK Hip-Hop artist Oscar #worldpeace.