Tag: UK talent

Song of the Day: They Look Just Like They Know – Michael Baker

MICHAEL BAKER‘s first release of the year, ‘They Look Just Like They Know’, is a stirring acoustic piece of delicately plucked strings, rich reverb and cinematic movements, all of which steers the listener’s attention to Baker’s tender vocals and penchant for storytelling.

As with previous single, ‘Baby Books’, the Brighton songwriter once again turns to the subject of mental health, signified by the line “the mind can be a deadly place,” which Baker sheds further light on in the quote below:

“I wrote ‘They Look Just Like They Know’ when I had moved to Brighton after spending a couple of years of living in my Van and moving around. This song is a melancholic ponder on both the comfort and discomfort of memories, and how sometimes, in the darker times, your own home can feel strange and unfamiliar. It’s the difference between feeling at home in your mind, and feeling trapped in it.”

‘They Look Just Like They Know’ also follows previous single ‘Past The Evening’, which was premiered by Clash Magazine, who described it as “a tender return, showcasing the songwriter’s deftness of touch, and his gilded use of colour.”

Previous support for Michael Baker has come from BBC 6 Music , Youtube and Spotify Tastemaker Alex Rainbird with ‘One God Damn’, The Independent with single ‘The Steady & The Stuck’, and was selected for BBC Introducing London’s Artist of the Week . Michael also supported Sarah Jarosz at Union Chapel, performed at the inaugural Black Deer Festival and completed a UK and European tour back in November 2019.

Have a listen to his latest stunning piece below…

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Song of the Day: Stay Focused – BLKGLD

Hailing from Croydon and of Jamaican descent, identical twins Shereen and Sophia aka BLKGLD enchant us with their beautiful and buttery vocals through their debut single, ‘Stay Focused’ out now on all major download/streaming platforms.

The single innately evokes a nostalgic feeling that transports back to the 90s with their effortless fusion of R&B and Dancehall. This irresistible number has slow wine written all over it, and the meandering baseline is mixed in with a tropical xylophone vibe.

With a musical encyclopedia that is rich with the heart and soul of R&B, the girls site Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Destiny’s Child, TLC,  Boyz 2 Men and Usher  amongst some of their biggest inspirations and influences and their sound marries this together with a contemporary twist. Crediting their seasoned soulful voices to their dad who also sang and often was likened to Nat King Cole himself, it’s no coincidence to why BLKGLD are slaying it.

Cementing their rightful place within the UK music scene and beyond, they have already received co-signs from notable names in dancehall, including Beanie Man and The Fanatix. Their soulful renditions of many classic and future hits have already gained some exciting traction, amassing millions of views across all social media platforms, leading to the duo performing alongside Migos and the late Juice Wrld last summer.

Keeping 100% focused, BLKGLD are ones to watch for 2020…check out the video for their debut below…

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J F L E Shares New Single, ‘I Lost My Way’

Hailing from South-East London, 26 year old Joseph Edwards writes and produces under the moniker J F L E – beginning the musical project in 2014 during his university years. Manipulating electronic synthesisers and deep rumbling bass-lines, ‘I Lost My Way’ is a sombre tale of heartache – dealing with the all consuming feeling of lost love.

Speaking of his latest release, Edwards says: “‘I Lost My Way’ is still in some ways a song about devotion, although it is bittersweet – ‘the way you take away the half of me’. These sentiments do remain quite abstract and warped, just as they were whilst they lived within my head. Everything that I write in one way or another seems to deal with feelings of loneliness. It drives and informs everything I create, right from inception. So I better cross my fingers that I don’t meet the right person I guess!”

Creating all of his music from his bedroom, the DIY producer has spent over a decade carefully curating his sound. His intricate soundscapes have garnered praise from the likes of The Guardian (One to Watch), The Skinny, Clash Magazine and EARMILK, as well as winning Fresh Beats 365 ‘Most Musically Innovative Artist’ Award in 2016.

J F L E imbues every release with an intimately curated narrative – with grief and loss at the heart of its artistic core…Have a listen to ‘I Lost My Way’ below…

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Romaine Dixon Shares New Single, ‘Vibe’ + Video

Known for her R&B repertoire, South London singer/songwriter, ROMAINE DIXON‘s latest single, ‘Vibe’, takes on Afro-swing approach which demonstrates her versatility.

The accompanied video gives an insight into the growing chemistry or vibes between two people.

Available now on all major download and streaming sites, the salacious upbeat number is Romaine’s first release of the year and marks the rebirth of the 26-year-old.

Check out the video for ‘Vibe’ below…

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BBC Future Sounds Artist HYPHEN Brand New Single ‘Stand Back’ Addresses Overcoming Depression

Following a brilliant year playing BBC Introducing Live, Reading & Leeds Festivals; as well as multiple shows for Sofar Sounds, London based, alternative hip-hop artist, ​HYPHEN returns track ‘Stand Back’.

Using his music as a platform to maintain a conversation on mental health, Aadarsh Gautam, Aka. Hyphen,​ frequently finds solace in songwriting and is not afraid to address and share his personal aperture. To spread a positive impact, he has single handedly raided over £6.5k for New Horizons a charity that works to alleviate homelessness in London. He also performed for Sanctus, a mental health charity, to raise awareness for depression in young men – given how close an issue it is to his heart.

Speaking on the track, Hyphen explains: “I’ve talked a lot about mental health in my music, and that always tends to focus on the bad parts (being depressed, anxious etc.) but I wanted to do something which is about feeling good about yourself, looking in the mirror and feeling like you’re doing alright. The world is terrible place in so many ways – I love how some songs can put you in a good mood regardless of that. I wanted to try make song that had that impact.”

In just six months he has gathered quite the collection of accolades. His single ‘We’re OK’, written during a dark time in Hyphen’s life when he was struggling with his mental health, was picked up by London Evening Standard and received national radio play on BBC Asian Network who tipped Hyphen as ‘The Future of British Asian Hip-Hop’. Hyphen also appeared on Metro’s Mental Health podcast Mentally Yours, to share his battle with mental health and how music helped shape his future.

Follow up singles, ‘​Ice Cold’ and ‘Feels Right’, also ​saw national radio play from BBC 6 Music, with legendary radio presenter To​ny Robinson saying, ‘You’ve got a great career ahead of you’. Further afield, all three tracks have gained momentum at ​BBC Introducing​, which led to ​Hyphen ​playing the ​BBC Introducing stage at Reading and Leeds Festivals​, and ​BBC Introducing Live.

It’s time for you guys to ‘Stand Back’ and listen to the single…

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