Hailing from London, experimental producer TOM B‘s single ‘Cold Water’, featuring long-time collaborator, Lucy Wroe, is an unapologetic statement on the music industry as an independent artist. It embodies all the frustration towards gatekeeping and the devaluation of independent artists. Cold Water can also be felt as an ode to women in the industry, trying to navigate the border between ‘playing the game’ and maintaining self-respect.
Lucy says: “The title itself is a metaphor for the industry. Feeling submerged in Cold Water; regularly feeling the numbness left in the wake of bad experiences, which are all too common on the independent music scene”
Tom says: “You spend enough time in a scene or a circuit, you slowly figure out what the game is and how to play it. Eventually, we got to the point where we thought ‘do we make music because its what we want? Or do we make music to entertain promoters and get more gigs where we have to sell all the tickets?’”
‘Cold Water’ was exclusively available on Bandcamp from 22nd May and was released on all streaming platforms from a week later. All Bandcamp profits was donated to The Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund.
Produced and engineered by the illustrious Super Beats (Skeete, IAMDDB), YXL AYO‘s highly anticipated single, ‘Easy,’ takes listeners on an alluring journey navigating the complexities of modern love and desire. The track tells a vivid story of a woman eager to leave her troubled past behind, seeking salvation from our protagonist who, in turn, questions her true intentions with the poignant refrain, “Tell me why you want me to save you.”
YXL Ayo skilfully blends the rich textures of Alté with the smooth, emotive vibes of R&B. Super Beats’ production provides an intentionally minimalistic soundscape, creating space for Ayo’s introspective lyrics and evocative vocals. The track delves into the nuances of romantic pursuit and the yearning for genuine connection, challenging listeners to discern the difference between true affection and the desire for rescue.
Available on all major streaming platforms from last Thursday (27th June), ‘Easy’ is set to solidify YXL Ayo’s rising status in the Alté and Afro-R&B scene, as he delivers this irresistible record. Have a listen to the beauty below…
SANN RAO‘s latest offering, ‘Leaves’, is an introspective track that blends moody piano synths and punchy drums with soulful, expressive vocals, creating a vibe that’s both defiant and reflective. The song uses rich metaphors to express the superficiality and emptiness of certain figures in the music industry, while celebrating one’s authenticity and strong foundation. The song will be promoted with skits, a music video and short-form content.
“Leaves to me is about shallow relationships and the lack of authenticity in the music industry but also everyday life. (…) I talk about how I’m trying to live life differently to the people I’ve met and the meaningless interactions I’ve experienced.
(…) I want the listeners to have a better understanding of who I am as a person and I’d like them to see that I make music to contribute something truthful to the world” – Sann Rao
Sann Rao, a 27-year-old R&B sensation hailing from Surrey, UK, brings a unique and distinctive voice to the industry. Of Indian heritage, Sann’s vocal prowess is characterised by an impressive range that captivates audiences. His sound has earned him praise at open mic performances, where his hard work and dedication shine through.
Investing in his craft and driven by an unwavering belief in his talent, Sann is a relentless artist committed to pushing his musical boundaries. The singer-songwriter has garnered praise from both fellow musicians and new fans, who recognize his exceptional talent and eagerly anticipate his future releases.
In collaboration with BBC Radio Producer and frequent creative partner, Illatek, Sann Rao is building a lane for himself in the music landscape. Their latest release, ‘In 2 U,’ dropped mid December 2023 and has garnered over 9,000 listens on Spotify, contributing to their collective success of over 50,000 streams across their collaborations. The track made waves across the UK, with radio station shows such as BBC Radio and Kishmeister at Itch FM featuring the song in their rotations. Sann’s first official release, ‘Honest,’ which debuted in February 2024, has reached +15k streams on Spotify.
Currently under the representation of Oh Eight, a label and talent management services agency, Sann is poised to ascend to the next level of his musical journey. As he continues to evolve and enchant with his melodies, Sann Rao stands as a rising star in the R&B scene, leaving a mark on the industry with his one-of-a-kind voice and unwavering passion for the art.
Ten-piece UK afro-fusion outfit TC & THE GROOVE FAMILY continue the rollout of their ‘We Have Each Other’ EP with simmering, jungle-tinged hip-hop cut ‘Wile Out’. Released via Bridge The Gap, the track is a cross city collaboration, bringing together two of the UK’s best underground hip-hop MC’s, BBCR1Xtra and SXSW-backed Birmingham MC SANITY, and Sheffield wordsmith Franz Von.
Building off of lead single ‘Stand Strong’, ‘Wile Out’ showcases the band’s darker electronic and UK bass influences. Growling, subbed-out bass tones, tight-knit hip-hop grooves, and furious horn lines develop into a double-time whirlwind of jungle and immersive turntablism, with lyrics from SANITY and Franz Von subverting the meaning of ‘Wiling Out’.
SANITY explains: “First hearing the track, I liked the idea and juxtaposition of Wile Out, as it’s a term with connotations of recklessness, or using energy carelessly amongst young people; but here, to ‘Wile Out’ is to challenge norms, not fall in line and utilise individuality to reach maaximum potential.”
Franz adds; “Wile Out is about doing what you love and enjoying it to the fullest, for me it’s music. The chorus echoes the advice from my mother to embrace life, to love myself and follow my dreams. This track is about sharing this advice and attitude to people around us.”
The EP ‘We Have Each Other’, released earlier this month, sees the band refine the sound debuted on their 2022 album ‘First Home’. Returning to work once again with producer Tom Excell (Nubiyan Twist, ONIPA), the project explores a darker sonic palette, channeling a deep appreciation of UK bass and electronic music alongside afro-jazz sounds and hip-hop sensibilities. Lead single ‘Stand Strong’ offers a great connection between eras of the band. Created as a love letter to afrobeat, the track offers a contemporary twist, integrating turntablism and Khruangbinesque guitar lines amongst infectious basslines and weaving horns.
The EP documents a time of change within the group – a new lineup, plus members living in different cities and pursuing various paths – whilst also reflecting the turbulent socio-political climate, and the major shifts and changes on the horizon for humanity. Despite the heavy subject material, the band strike an optimistic, uplifting tone, encouraging listeners to look around and embrace community, whatever that may look like. No one should be lonely when celebrating each other, and the band encourage an ethos that says ‘it’s good to be me, but it’s better to be us.’
Originally formed in Leeds, TC & The Groove Family’s sound reflects the diverse musical and cultural backgrounds at the core of the project, with songs exploring grooves and genres including afrobeat, broken beat, jungle, jazz and grime. Their music has drawn widespread acclaim, supported by tastemakers including Jamz Supernova and Craig Charles on BBC Radio 6, BBC Introducing West Yorkshire, Jazz FM, Rinse FM, Radio FIP and more. The group have performed at the likes of Glastonbury, We Out Here, Greenman and Boomtown, and will embark on a UK tour across May & June in support of the release of ‘We Have Each Other’.
Rapper IZ comes through onto today’s top spot with a monumental, catchy, party single for the Summer ‘Outside’ released on RCA Records.
Following on from single ‘Big Dreams’ at the top of the year which is sitting on over a huge 2 ½ million streams on Spotify alone, IZ has set the pace for his future music.
A party rap track set to hit the clubs and festivals for the Summer, IZ brings the heat with his new scorching sizzler of a track. With a banger of a hook, IZ proves with ‘Outside’ he can bring the more light-hearted tracks whilst keeping his hard bars flowing.
“Outside is about enjoying yourself and in indulging in all the fun and crazy activities that make up a summer holiday. The track is based around the fact that a single lady will have more fun in summer and can do whatever makes her happy and think about herself and herself alone.” – IZ
Produced by Cassell Beats & K Beats, ‘Outside’ is taken from his outstanding debut mixtape, which will include 10 tracks showcasing IZ’s signature style and flow coupled with old skool hip hop beats.
New Lease Music 