Song of the Day: Rain On Me – Nellie Charles

Coming off the heels of the success of her last single ‘Boss’, which was recently crowned BBC 1Xtra ‘Track of the Week’, and championed by BBC Radio 1, KISS FM, and Capital Xtra, among others, while also garnering critical acclaim from the likes of Notion Magazine, Earmilk, Wordplay Magazine, Ones To Watch, and Apple Music, Manchester-based UK R&B rising sensation NELLIE CHARLES returns with a sultry new offering titled ‘RAIN ON ME’, released via Chocolate Love Monkey and Melody Mover. ‘Rain On Me’ is the second single from Nellie Charles’ highly anticipated debut EP arriving in the summer. ‘Rain On Me’ not only continues the momentum from her previous single ‘Boss’, but also showcases Nellie Charles’ evolving artistry and deepening emotional depth.

Written and produced by Nellie Charles herself, ‘Rain On Me’ explores the tumultuous end of a relationship, with Nellie narrating the emotional complexity of an ex-lover who wants to remain entangled in the past, despite seemingly moving on to somebody else. Driven by Nellie’s rich and emotive voice, as well as her raw and heartfelt lyrics, and complemented by lush grand piano arrangements and glorious bass guitar instrumentation, ‘Rain On Me’ is a powerful and cathartic declaration of closing the chapter on a toxic love, affirming Nellie’s resolve to move forward, unencumbered by the weight of unreciprocated emotions. As Nellie puts it, ‘Rain On Me’ promises to resonate with anyone who has ever had to assert their worth and step away from a relationship that no longer serves them.

Have a listen below…

FR4NKIE unveils ‘Overview Effect’ – a masterpiece culminating years of artistic growth

FR4NKIE (Formerly known as: XP Burstgang) a prominent member of the UK Grime scene, has dropped his highly anticipated sophomore project, ‘Overview Effect,’ earlier this month (3rd May). This project stands as a testament to FR4NKIE’s life work, representing a stylistic evolution and maturity from his previous releases.

‘Overview Effect’ boasts an impressive lineup of underground collaborations, featuring artists such as LPNoID, Illy From Da NW Side, Cosmo Laurie, Trapson, Dizmack, Masovelli, and Manchester Hypes. Produced by bass music royalty Trolley Snatcha, this project is a sonic amalgamation that showcases FR4NKIE’s versatility, blending Road Rap and Grime influences with elements of folk and guitar music.

Tracks like ‘To Be Frank’ delve into the realities of street life in the UK, while ‘Brick In The Wall’ offers a fresh take on folk and guitar sounds. ‘Benzema’ introduces a unique twist to the traditional ballad, reflecting FR4NKIE’s diverse life experiences. The project in its entirety serves as a window into FR4NKIE’s mind, offering a polished listening experience that resonates differently with each music fan based on their own life experiences.

FR4NKIE has earned international recognition for his contributions to the Grime scene. His triumphs include memorable wins in genre-defining events like Lord of the Mics and Red Bull’s Grime-A-Side tournaments, solidifying his status as a heavyweight in the genre. Collaborations with esteemed figures such as Mike Skinner and President T underscore his influence and impact.

Beyond Grime, FR4NKIE has ventured into various musical territories, crafting a diverse discography that encompasses trap, drill, and boundary-pushing ballads. His latest project, ‘Overview Effect,’ serves as a testament to his evolution as an artist, melding streetwise narratives with introspective themes. Through his decade-long music career, FR4NKIE has amassed a wealth of experiences and influences, shaping him into a multifaceted force in the UK music scene.

Check out ‘Overview Effect’ below…

Must Listens: To Be Frank, Simon Says, Janis Joplin, Is That You Yeah, Mess

Jessica Wilde shares new single, ‘Here Right Now’

Like she just swallowed whole the book of Eckhart Tolle’s ‘Power Of Now’, an influential work cited often by Madonna and Kendrick Lamar, and then went on a trip on P-Funk’s Mothership with Prince and Bootsy Collins strapped in for the ride; highly acclaimed and much-loved singer, songwriter, rapper, producer and South London native JESSICA WILDE is back with a thought-provoking new single ‘Here Right Now’, as she turns up the heat for her highly anticipated new album project dropping this summer, which has already gained heavy support from BBC R1 taste makers Jack Saunders and Jess Iszatt who said ‘We get excited every time we get a new track in our inbox from Jessica Wilde’.

“‘Here Right Now’ is a song for the times, in an age of everyone glued to their screens, missing the beauty of life all around, this is an anthem to wake and shake us up, to bring us back to the now!” exclaims Jessica Wilde.

Inspired by a tube ride where Wilde tried to catch eyes with a cute guy across the carriage but noticed how, “he’s too busy looking at devices, missed my eyes when they were telling him they liked him”, to then provoking her to write on the current state of the world, greedy politicians who have lost touch with reality, consumerism and a hustle mentality that has us chasing material gains, only to feed the ego and leave the soul empty, whilst we miss the true joys of life that only exist in the present moment.

The track follows her recent singles ‘FADE’ co-wrote with multi-platinum selling writer James Newman, who wrote Rudimental’s Brit award winning song ‘Waiting All Night’ with Ella Eyre, ’Freak Out’, ‘Feathers’ with Zoe Kypri and ‘Love Like This’ with Josh Barry, also from the forthcoming new album. The previous singles stirred up some serious heat, with multiple spins on BBC Radio 1’s ‘Future Artists’, BBC Introducing, plus a recent in studio interview and live performance on BBC Radio London with Carrie and David Grant, airplay from John Kennedy at Radio X and editorial playlist support across the board from Spotify, Apple, TIDAL, YouTube Music, Pandora plus features in CLASH, Complex, Wonderland, The Independent and more.

Not only will Wilde’s artistry continue to impress music lovers and tastemakers alike, but so will her ‘PxSSY PWR’ platform which she created as a response to the disparity between support for male artists over female. The residency at Hootanany Brixton has become a hub and major platform for some of the most exciting underground female and non-binary artists, including sold out shows with the likes of Etta Bond, IYAMAH, Zoe Kypri and Tamaraebi to name a few.

‘PxSSY PWR’, which is fronted by Wilde’s fierce, unapologetic, comedic, pink wigged and biro smoking alter ego, ‘ya gurl Charlene’, also has its own Radio show, clothing line in collaboration with FAME Magazine and this summer ‘PxSSY PWR’ returns to Secret Garden Party Festival to take-over the Noir Organics stage.

‘Here Right Now’ is out on May 17th through Absolute Label Services.

Song of the Day: Limon – Hibachi x Image x Sandy

Visionary producer HIBACHI‘s explosive soulful single ‘LIMON,’ features Spanish/UK R&B artist SANDY and the multifaceted American rapper and actor, IMAGE, known for his role in the Netflix series Sex Education.

Sandy, a 20-year-old singer, songwriter, and pianist hailing from London, delivers heartfelt lyrics and a soothing voice aimed at providing solace during uncertain times. Drawing from a diverse range of influences, including classical piano training and contemporary R&B and soul artists like Daniel Caesar, H.E.R., and SiR, Sandy’s music navigates themes of transition and adaptation in the face of change. Her compositions resonate with those experiencing the challenges of adjusting to new environments, offering a sense of connection during moments of isolation.

Image’s journey originates from the streets of Baltimore City, where music served as his refuge from a challenging environment. Through his music, he shares his experiences growing up amidst adversity and his aspirations for the future. With a desire to connect with audiences on a personal level, Image channels his past struggles and hopes for the future into his compositions, inviting listeners to join him on his musical journey.

Emerging producer Hibachi, originally from Tanzania, is making a significant impact in the UK music scene with his unique fusion of Hip Hop, Dance, R&B, and Afrobeat. Distinguishing himself from the mainstream by blending elements of House, R&B, Hip Hop, and Afrobeat, Hibachi’s sound has attracted attention from distributors such as AWAL CORE. Teaming up the three London-based artists Hibachi, Sandy and Image are collectively aiming to energize listeners with their collaborative single… have a listen below…

Song of the Day: Sea Son – Colin Manson

Scottish singer-songwriter COLIN MANSON‘s latest offering, ‘Sea Son’, is a powerful indie-folk ballad that is so compelling from the very first note.

A thoughtful lyricist and contemplative songwriter, Colin’s unique ocean sailing experience shines through in this heartfelt single. Each line from Colin’s thought-provoking lyrics takes the listener on a journey of self-reflection, making them linger over each line, savouring every moment of this captivating track.

Tasteful guitar melodies are accompanied by warm bowed double bass and enhanced further with ethereal female vocal harmonies, by fellow singer-songwriter Billie Maree, throughout the song. His subtle but powerful voice is carried by delicate instrumentation and simple drum beats which highlight the mellow vibe of this beautiful track.

On this song, Colin works with Chris Bond, platinum award winning producer and instrumentalist, who is featured on the drums. Have a listen to the stunning single…