ODARIO (on the right) wanted to inject new sonic energy into ‘Do Nada’, a single about doing nothing, made in collaboration with Edmonton jazz band Good Information. ‘Do Nada (Chaix Remix)’ is an apathetic dance track Odario made with Chaix, a multi-genre artist and beat maker from Toronto. Chaix’s sound sits comfortably between hip-hop, house, and experimental electronic. Chaix didn’t want his reimagination to feel laidback and chill… but alive & infectious.
The video for‘Do Nada (Chaix Remix)’ goes on a three-minute journey, exploring the day in the life of a wanderer attempting to do nothing for the day. It’s a reminder that a day of doing nothing can easily lead to a whole lot of random something. Loosely inspired by the Coen brothers’ 1998 film The Big Lebowski, Odario’s character manages to get out of bed, but not out of that bathrobe. Check out the video below…
Toronto’s THEO TAMS released his take on the R.E.M. single, ‘Losing My Religion,’ on June 1st to coincide with Pride Month.
The artist’s moody and intense rendition of the song has a personal resonance, given his queer identity and the toxic role that religion played in his upbringing. Beginning as a piano ballad, the song develops a darkly electronic tone as it unfurls.
“There are so many members of the LGBTQIA community that have been burned by religion and the hate that is often disguised as ‘Christian love.’” says Tams.
“I was raised in a really strict reformed Christian household where I felt from the get go that who I was at my core was ‘wrong’ and needed to be ‘cured.’ So many lyrics of this song resonated with me; I often felt like I had to choose being my authentic self or push it all down and choose God. It’s such a dangerous and sickening way of growing up.”
The song’s themes extend to Tams’ design choices for the single cover, which he describes as having a ‘Jesus-esque’ look about it.’ The rainbow sunbeam serves as an accent to this religious imagery.
“I’ve always held on to the light of authenticity and truth throughout these moments of darkness and judgement,” Tams adds. Have a listen to Theo’s take on ‘Losing My Religion’ below…
Toronto based artist JETSETFOREVR‘s taste for infectious melodies, dynamic songwriting and charisma has molded him into who he is today. While he encompasses various elements from different genres and influences in his own music, jetsetforevr’s sound is dynamic, fluid and authentically his.
His brand new track, ‘Stars’ (feat. Flowerboy) is quite literally about the moment when you see the stars beginning to align in your life. Oftentimes when working towards goals, or getting into a relationship the fruits of your labour seem so out of reach, but when everything becomes clear and the energies begin to align, you realize that you aren’t as far off as you once thought.
jetsetforevr will be releasing several singles packaged into two key EP’s which will put his matured sound and songwriting on full display…but for now, listen to ‘Stars’ below…
Ahead of the release of her deluxe album ‘CH III: The Come Up’, released yesterday (24th January), multifaceted Canadian powerhouse and visionary STORRY generated quite a buzz after linking up with Stormzy on the titular track of his album ‘This Is What I Mean’, lending her indelible vocal talents to the capstone of the British hip-hop scene.
The prowess that has defined STORRY’s irresistible artistry to date is given a pedestal on the track, with her operatic vocals perfectly complementing the grandiose that has catapulted Stormzy to the top of the charts in the past half decade. Her angelic vibrato pierces through an instrumental that sounds like a march up a mountain, complimenting the sense of urgency that Stormzy exudes as he refuses to descend from the summit.
The album’s release is accompanied by a premiere video spotlighting STORRY alongside a star-studded cast of collaborators such as P2J, Sampha and Jacob Collier, attaching her face to the posterboard of prodigies and mainstays who base themselves in and around London. The Toronto native will also be named on the LP’s list of creative contributors.
Speaking on her role on the project, STORRY details: “I had met and worked with P2J on several tracks before – previously writing and recording together – including singing operatic vocals on Burna Boy’s Grammy Award Winning ‘Alarm Clock’. When I first moved to London, P2J called me back in for some more of that operatic sauce. Though hot sauce isn’t the main part of the meal – it definitely adds that extra kick. So, I’m excited to play a part in this collaborative record. There are so many amazing artists on this new album. What I love about Stormzy – besides his obvious musical talent – is his kindness and care for inclusivity and equity. You can see that with his collaborators and team. I too am working to build an inclusive safe space in the industry that I never felt I had – especially for womxn, POC and queer folx. I’ve met a lot of my idols and they would often disappoint me as humans. I’m happy to say that Stormzy holds to his name and that is something I stand by.”
With this feature, STORRY is receiving a huge kickstart in light of the arrival of her forthcoming deluxe album , a brutally honest and unapologetic effort that equates the misogynistic devaluement of the sex industry to that of the music world. The tracklist amounts to an adamant call for the respect of women in all facets, emphasising the strength of their resolve against oppression through presenting stories withheld by herself and other women in order to display the people that they are rather than the flesh that surrounds their bones. The concept album was written, produced and funded in its entirety per her own accord and earned a 2021 JUNO Award nomination alongside Alanis Morrissette and Celine Dion.
STORRY elaborates on the album: “CH III: The Come Up is a record about a woman trying to leave the sex-industry – which she was coerced into – and get into the music industry, only to realise that both are equally misogynistic and problematic. She grapples with her relationship with her mother, family, romantic relationships, money and her career. That woman is me.”
Whether working out of Toronto or London, STORRY lets the candidness of her craft speak for itself. Refusing to confine herself to a box, she hops in and out of niches from hip hop and reggae to opera and musical theatre, all coming together to hold female empowerment to a bright light with a gritty and enigmatic presence that cannot be shunned.
STORRY’s deluxe version of ‘CH III: The Come Up’ was released yesterday (24th January). Have a listen to this stunning collection below…
Must Listens: Bow Down, I Don’t Wanna Get High, Suburban Bitches, A Lost Find, Wanna Get High (Junia-T Remix)
GHALIA can immediately draw in a crowd with her single, ‘444’ thanks to its intimate soulful punch packed with incredible vocals and harmonies.
Set in the often dark, lonely, and quiet time of day at 4:44AM, the track follows a melodious conversation between Ghalia and vocalist Rehana who plays the role of the ‘angel.’ Calling out to this figure through dreamy vocal layers and lyrical pleas, Ghalia asks for the angel’s presence and guidance to help her through sleepless nights, give her signs to keep persevering, and above all, provide reassurance that she should keep her faith in the ‘angel.’
With an undeniably ethereal sonic quality, Ghalia flawlessly delivers emotional lyrics that tell the story of the give and take in relationships, the importance of mutual faith and trust, and the risk we all take when we open ourselves up to someone. Following Ghalia and Rehana’s captivating conversation with one another, the track builds to a sharp and emotionally electrifying guitar solo, which perfectly contrasts against the mellow and soothing quality of the rest of the song. Describing ‘444’ as her “most vulnerable song yet,” Ghalia combines her seasoned storytelling skills and relatable lyrics with catchy and dynamic R&B production to perfectly encapsulate the complicated relationship between herself and the angel.
Following her signature formula for creating new music by starting with a beat and simple melody, ‘444’ initially started out as a solo project, but quickly became a duet and collaboration with Toronto-based vocalist Rehana when the two connected via social media during the pandemic lockdowns. The two talented artists then came up with the idea to turn the one-sided track into a dichotomous conversation between the pair in which they both express their desire to be needed and desired by one another. Although the two have never met in person, after sending various melodies, verses, and mixes back and forth, ‘444’ has truly become a collaborative sonic forum where Ghalia and Rehana have bared their deepest insecurities and emotions with one another.
Inspired by a diverse group of talent that ranges from The Weeknd to Kehlani to Justin Bieber, Ghalia has used their work as a launching pad for her own – weaving melancholy lyrics with invigorating R&B style beats to craft her own unique sound.
Ghalia’s ability to capture the attention of listeners with specially-selected beats, complex drops and arrangements have set her apart from the rest. Her new single ‘444’ will be sure to delight her current and future fans, alike. Check it out below…
New Lease Music 