EP Review: Thunder In The Desert – Amique

AMIQUE‘s self-produced EP, ‘Thunder In The Desert’, explores the realms of spirituality along with love, loneliness and fear, alternating between the richness of soulful gospel and his holistic-ish/hazy take on modern R&B/soul.

His five-track teaser will go down treat with massive fans of Janet Jackson’s, ‘I Get Lonely’, as he put a take-it-to-the-church spin on the 90s hit. ‘I’m Wondering’ and ‘Forbidden Love’ display his holistic approach to modern R&B/soul with the haziness of the guitar plucks giving off that subtle  Prince-esque rock sensation.

With this small set, AMIQUE has built up just enough curiosity, through his well-controlled falsetto, for you to look out for his next move – check it out.

Must Listen: I Get Lonely, Forbidden Love

New Track: You Got Me Good – ARIA

Following on from ‘Shot In The Dark’, this year marks the release of ARIA’s debut EP. The initial idea for the first single ‘Hope’ – released in July 2017 – was born out of an improvisation in a band rehearsal. Already championed ‘Hope’ is a song that exhibits incredible soulfulness through a veil of dreamy-pop thrills. Tastemakers including The Line Of Best Fit, Spindle Magazine and Popjustice were quick to support this return from the London-based singer-songwriter.

Now with the release of the EP drawing closer, the next single ‘You Got Me Good’ communicates a darker realisation of relationship hardships. Synth hooks twinkle amidst mystical slow-building brooding guitars, marking the single as ARIA’s most touching and personal release to date.

ARIA’s propulsive pop qualities are adaptable and captivating. This is demonstrated in her EP set for release before the end of the year, which displays an eclectic mix of musical genres – spanning from electro-pop and soul to R&B…but for now listen to the stunning, ‘ You Got Me Good.’

New Music Video: RIO – J. Kas

Javan Wright – aka J. KAS – is rolling out visuals at lightning speed.

Beginning of this month, this Northern emcee dropped his shoulder-jerking production for track, ‘Fever’, which claimed NEW LEASE MUSIC’s Music Video of the Week title (featured on Instagram).

Hoping to reclaim the title, J. KAS unveiled another lit production for fiery track, ‘RIO’, taken from his EP, ‘One Six’. Spice up your Monday and hit that play button!

Album Review: COGs – Wullae Wright

You guys don’t know how GOOD it feels to have WULLAE WRIGHT back in NEW LEASE MUSIC’s limelight. Back in 2013, he graced his presence with album, The Orange Line – named Album of 2014 by this blog.

Fast forward to four years, indie rocker delivers another highly anticipated album entitled ‘COGs’. What do I expect from this 12-track collection? I’m hoping to hear some soaring guitars against experimental mix of staggered, rhythmic thumps – elements that were featured in ‘The Orange Line.’

Distorted rawness of the guitar riffs (we’re talking Jimi Hendrix style) introduces the collection,  pumping an adrenaline rush through ‘Armed for Revolution.’ The rush quickly disperse and is replaced with an angelic presence of the piano in the following track, ‘A Heart that Riots.’

‘Scumbag’ provides the second rush of the album as it goes on a rollercoaster ride with tranquility turning into total turmoil, well executed Wright’s vocals. The long-awaited staggered soundscapes take charge in ninth effort, ‘Blackfields, ‘ where the rhythmic thumps travels in union with the woeful violins. Wright’s vocals serves as a perfect backdrop before eventually coming in line of the heart-hitting arrangements.

Providing such a hell raising experience at the beginning, ‘COGs’ does a complete U-turn and comes to a close with scenic acoustic setting. ‘Deja Vu’ is personally the top three stellar tracks of this album as the serene guitar against the full-on power vocals sparks that magical combination.

Just like a candle frantically bouncing in the wind, the tempo displayed in ‘COGs’ provides extreme dips and soars…so it’s going to be anything but boring…might as well have a listen…

Must Listens: Armed For Revolution, A Heart That Riots, Scumbag, Centralia, Blackfields, Ventriloquist.

 

 

New Music Video: Side By Side – Franko Fraize

Currently residing in the world that flits between breakthrough and underground, FRANKO FRAIZE has an impressive legacy of music and musical achievements to his name. For those that know him, they love him and for those yet to discover him lays a world of future fans.

New single ‘Side By Side’ epitomizes Franko’s music. It reaches into the soul with bold disposition, giving perspective, empathy and understanding. Coupled with an edgy instrumental that strikes a chord and his charismatic charm, Franko has a gift to connect to listeners. British colloquialisms and familiar tones are the vehicle for a deeper message of growth and the reminder of what really counts in life, even when the chips are down.

To date, Franko has performed at BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend, Reading & Leeds, The Great Escape Tramlines and more, plus he has also toured with Mike Skinner and Rudimental. He’s ticked off a prestigious Maida Vale session for the BBC and has released records with Fred V & Grafix via Hospital Records as well as featuring on the newly released Loadstar album.

Check out the video below: