Tag: UK talent

Song of the Day: Lumoflove – Sad Boys Club

London alt rock band SAD BOYS CLUB‘s latest single ‘Lumoflove’, is a powerful and vulnerable piece of their upcoming debut album Lullabies From The Lightning Tree, out 5th May via Modern Sky.

Radically changing up from their previous singles and back catalogue of music, ‘Lumoflove shows Sad Boys Club, and particularly lead singer Jacob Wheldon, at their darkest, but also most alluring. Paring sparse piano and murky production elements with bursts of vocal passion highlights the dichotomies of love and lust.

Dark, mysterious and brooding, Sad Boys Club are set to have their breakout year. The band’s upcoming debut album Lullabies From The Lightning Tree builds upon their previous string of EP releases that have seen them co-signed by the likes of Fred Macpherson, Matty Healy, Phoebe Bridgers and more.

Speaking on the album – Wheldon says: “It’s almost like a little bit of a coming of age record, it’s just 10 years later than it’s supposed to happen. It’s just for your late twenties and realising the ephemerality of all of that stuff, at this age we’ve all had relationships that haven’t worked out that we thought would last forever, we’ve all loved bands that we thought we were gonna love forever, we’ve all seen beauty in different ways.”

The story of Sad Boys Club is one of yearning, the feeling of reaching, but never quite touching. The constant ebb and flow of euphoric success and seemingly inescapable set-backs. Debut album Lullabies From The Lightning Tree not only marks a journey of four friends, but a generational rallying cry for self acceptance and love for those lost in the quagmire of their mid-to late twenties.

As Milan Kundera writes in his 1984 classic ‘The Unbearable Lightness Of Being’: “Anyone whose goal is ‘something higher’ must expect someday to suffer vertigo. What is vertigo? Fear of falling? No, Vertigo is something other than fear of falling. It is the voice of the emptiness below us which tempts and lures us, it is the desire to fall, against which, terrified, we defend ourselves.” Kundera’s comical scepticism of life is an ever present theme for Sad Boys Club on their debut outing.

Combining The Cure’s penchant for emotionally vulnerable rock anthems, The 1975’s lyrical aptitude and driving guitar based sound of Death Cab for Cutie, Sad Boys Club have cut their teeth on the live circuit for a number of years, supporting Spector, Swim Deep, Bombay Bicycle Club and The Slow Readers Club to name but a few. Their live shows are dynamic, dramatic, and with a wealth of new music to play for the first time, they’re set to be one the UK’s “must see” live shows from a break-out group.

For their previous releases, Sad Boys Club have garnered support from the likes of BBC Radio 1’s Jack Saunders, The Independent, CLASH Magazine, Dork Magazine, The Rodeo, Gigwise, The Line Of Best Fit, Whynow and more.

Sad Boys Club’s debut album Lullabies From The Lightning Tree is out 5th May via Modern Sky. New single ‘Lumoflove’ is out now. Sad Boys Club embark on tours of the UK and Europe in the spring. Have a listen to their stunning ballad below…

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Afro-Fusion Singer Gyakie Taps Rapper JBEE For Track, ‘SCAR’.

Rising Ghanaian afro-fusion artist GYAKIE has teamed up with North London’s rap riser JBEE with newest single ‘Scar’.

‘Scar’ is a powerful and emotionally charged R&B cut laced with hip-hop brought to life by Gyakie’s fierce flow over a Sosa-crafted drill beat featuring JBEE. Gyakie tells the story of a love gone wrong from both sides – hers representing pain, and his centering on doubts and insecurities. ‘Scar’ features ominous production underscored by heavy 808s with both artists providing hard-hitting lyrics juxtaposed by softer melodies showcased throughout JBEE’s verse.

The juxtaposition on ‘Scar’ continues into the visuals which see Gyakie and JBEE both telling their sides of the love story before coming together in the final scenes with red tones used throughout, representing the love and pain in the story that features throughout ‘Scar’ directed by Craig Capone who has worked with artists such as Headie One, Sarkodie, Chip and Ms Banks on their visuals as well as Romara Blake who is known for her work with Eva Lazarus.

Gyakie has been rising through the ranks since bursting onto the scene with her debut single ‘Love is Pretty’ in 2019. Since then she has collaborated with the likes of AKA, Diplo, Blaq Jerzee, Major League DJz, and Mayorkun. Her breakout single ‘Forever’ gained international recognition and has amassed over 150m streams across platforms.

North London’s JBEE is one of the go to fresh faces in British Rap paving a lane of his own. In 2021 he released ‘4AM’ gaining over 77 million streams, going onto currently reaching 3.7 million monthly Spotify listeners. It’s no surprise he picked up a MOBO nomination for Best Newcomer at the end of last year.

The collaborative track provides heart wrenching insight into contemporary relationships laced with authenticity that is sure to resonate with music fans across continents. Check out the video for the hard-hitting single below…

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Song of the Day: Only One – Oleta Frances

UK vocalist OLETA FRANCES delivers her first release of the year, in a classic, timeless single entitled ‘Only One’.

Following on from Oleta Frances’ debut EP in 2022, the songstress has started her campaign for 2023. Oleta is finding her feet in the music industry and still establishing herself as the rising star that she currently is. In 2022, Oleta Frances had some performances in London off the back of her EP being released. The single from Oleta Frances’ previous EP was played on BBC Introducing Berkshire twice in 2021 before it was officially released. Oleta Frances intends on getting the ball rolling this year with more impact than ever.

‘Only One’ will be relatable for anyone that listens purely because the subject matter is a topic that most people have experienced directly or indirectly. The single is about wanting to be considered a priority by a love interest and being the “Only One” they are talking to rather than an option. Oleta Frances took inspiration from R&B legends SWV when recording and writing this song. The goal was to create a conventional R&B hit that could be listened to decades from now and still evoke the same emotions every time it is heard. Have a listen below…

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Song of the Day: Meet Me In London – ily tgb

London- based artist ILY TBG‘s latest track, ‘Meet Me in London’, is considered his most formidable piece to date.

Not only does the Portuguese-born rapper and producer advance his own style significantly, but he also makes significant strides ahead of the scene. He does this by fusing afrobeat’s irresistible sounds with a vivid pop aesthetic that creates an allure full of impact. The singer-songwriter and producer also hits the ground running from the first second with an earworm encounter that you will find difficult to match anywhere else.

‘Meet Me in London’ is full of life and vitality, with the vast array of sounds and styles that’s on full display. ily tbg, who finds inspiration in the greats such as Ludacris and Justin Timberlake, incorporates his own creative energy into the mix while taking subtle cues from the finest in the game.

So are you ready for something completely fresh? Good. Now hit that play button on ‘Meet Me in London’ below…

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Raphael Tate Opens Up About His Loss In Single, ‘Here Without You’

Premiered on BBC radio Derby, RAPHAEL TATE‘s new single, ‘Here without You’ is about different forms of grief we all encounter on a daily basis – from a bad break up, an estranged relationship from one’s child, and the extreme loss of losing a loved one. Surrounded by a breathtakingly stunning orchestration, Raphael brings awareness that suffering from any form of grief in silence can be detrimental to our mental and physical wellbeing.

Speaking of the inspiration behind ‘Here Without You’, Raphael confides: “This song is a personal reflection of what I have had to endure the last 13years from the estranged relationship from my first born son and the recent tragic loss of my Mother in May 2020. This composition was created to empathise and sympathise, with people like myself who are battling daily with different forms of grief – to show them strength, courage and perseverance. I wanted to share the message that you can and will make it through these challenges, if you just believe. I am leading by example how we can use our gifts in the arts as a major outlet to no longer sit in silence but openly express or communicate our challenges.”

2022 has been quite a year for Staffordshire-based powerhouse. Since his compelling ballad ‘Lord I Need You Near’- which also deals with the loss of his mother- was picked up by BBC Derby’s Pam Sidhu, Raphael has become a clear favourite with the regional station and went on to perform at BBC Derby charity, Beat The January Blues earlier in 2023. Raphael performance at the charity was aired on BBC One’s East Midlands Today.

Raphael recently took the stage on ITV’s Starstruck, and gave an outstanding performance as James Brown, impressing judges Adam Lambert, Beverley Knight, Rowland Keating and Jason Mansford. Can you watch his performance here. To see more footage on Raphael at Starstruck, please hear over to his IG account.

Now Raphael turns his attention to offering an ode anyone who’s lost in grief and needs a friendly ear with his latest single, ‘Here Without You’, which forms part of his upcoming album, ‘Love Grieve Live’.

Connect with Raphael Tate via:

FB: https://www.facebook.com/RaphaelTateofficial
T: https://twitter.com/TateRaphael
IG: https://www.instagram.com/raphaeltateofficial/

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