New Music Video: Paranoid – Scorcher

scorcher-paranoid-video-clipSCORCHER makes his entry to 2017 with the dark and determined ‘Paranoid’, releasing his highly anticipated visuals after the release of the audio. He brings his wavy flow and unique style, coupled with a message that matches the Chas Appeti directed black & red, sinister visuals.

The grime scene favorite left 2016 on a high by dropping ’99 Riddim’ alongside ‘The Movement’ comrades Mercston & Ghetts then following it up in quick succession over Christmas with ‘Last Night In Edmonton’. The MC tore it down for #SiansStudio on BBC Radio 1Xtra resulting in Twitter going crazy over his deep lyrics and reload bars and the fire continues on his latest release.

Teaming up with the unstoppable Donae‘O who not only lends his impeccable production skills to the record but also his indisputably recognisable ad-libs, SCORCHER sets the tone as if it were a soundtrack to a movie, something he is familiar with following his lead role in hit independent file ‘The Intent’, released last year. Packed with warnings and sinister twists, the record is a reminder of the skill that SCORCHER has over his lyrics and flows and the varying pace of instrumental that he can command.

Set to be at every turn in 2017,SCORCHER – aka Scorcher Skywalker – has already graced seven million viewers with an appearance on BBC 1’s Match Of The Day, dropping an exclusive freestyle, which was later released online and gained 420,000 views in 24 hours. He also hit Sky One’s ‘What’s Up Show’, discussing his plans for the year.

Check out the video for ‘Paranoid’

Song of the Day: Sever – The Fireflys

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After a prominently heavy hip-hop week here on NEW LEASE MUSIC, I decided to take it down a couple of notches and inject some soothing rock through this track entitled ‘Sever’ by THE FIREFLYS. The four-a-half minute piece of heaven is taken from their latest album, ‘The Illumination of Everything’ released last April.

Take time out and have a listen.

WATCH Joanna Rabeson’s video for single, Orchids and Feathers

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Paris-born/London-based JOANNA RABESON‘s latest alternative soulful effort, ‘Orchids and Feathers’, is the first release from her eponym project, which displays the tribulations of a woman through her different personas.

Now it’s over to you: experience the first of many tribulations – watch the heartfelt production for ‘Orchid and Feathers’.

Song of the Day: Secret Tunnel – Emma Ballantine

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Today EMMA BALLANTINE serves up a very soothing dish with her single, ‘Secret Tunnels’, taken from her new project, ‘Somebody’s Story’.

The three-minute track, released on her own label, Shut Up Jo Records, is the first of four new songs that the London-based artist (originally from Salisbury) will be sharing between now and March this year.

Each of the of the tracks in ‘Somebody’s Story’ are based on a true story sent to the singer/songwriter by her followers since she announced the idea just three months ago. ‘Secret Tunnel’, gives a moving and inspiring account of a young girl’s determination to move on with her life after a harrowing experience.

 The new tracks have all been produced by Brixton-based producer Moseley and reflects a
departure from the traditional folk sound of Emma’s earlier EP, ‘Tourist’. Layered synths and beats combine with her usual storytelling style to create a more contemporary feel.

Since being tipped by Glamour magazine as ‘One to Watch in 2016’, Emma has had a busy year, performing at a string of festivals, including Glastonbury and reaching the final of the UK Unsigned Songwriter of the Year competition. She is due to announce a new string of tour dates for spring 2017 to mark the launch of the four tracks as a full EP and physical record.

New Music Video: Pixelate – Shaefri

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London-based electronic-pop artist SHAEFRI released a music video to her pulsating new single Pixelate.

The 22-year-old cuts her teeth on London’s scene over the last five years with gigs across the capital from The Roundhouse to The Borderline. Now, the elusive artist showcases her neatly refined electronic sound; a unique combination of influences derived from her mixed Irish-Egyptian heritage, offset with the pulse of the metropolis she calls home.

Recognised early on in Ireland, having been tipped as ‘number one new act to follow’ by Hot Press’, SHAEFRI has already secured coveted headline gigs in places such as Bush Hall, and Whelan’s. Now having developed her sultry siren songs, she spins tales of light and dark, tease and torture with a lengthy attack on the soft and lukewarm pads, combined with minimal drums, dry finger snaps and offbeat twinkling plucks from production duo, J. Harvey Jones. The track creates a hugely atmospheric and emotive setting for the listener. SHAEFRI’s crisp vocals provide a wonderful contrast to the carefully crafted instrumental; her vocal crescendos accentuated by a more forceful tone and clipped syllables with the eerie and reflective essence of the track being maintained through her Irish glissandos.

Pixelate, the title track from her forthcoming EP, set for release early 2017, is darker than her earlier work. The more mature sound provides the perfect platform for lyrics that confront the growing pains of love, lust, and letting go. Her lyrics hit hard with cutting imagery, intense emotion, and seductive hooks that linger in the mind as it wonders over nights gone by. This is music that is unapologetic, affronting, and affirmative. Strength surges through every beat with a lesson in each line from SHAEFRI, the ever dominant and enchanting narrator.

The release of the well-written and produced track coincides with an official video release, directed by Gundeep Anand, edited by prestigious production house, The Mill and supported by renowned Director of Photography, Tom Elliot (A$AP Rocky). Pixelate, the video, is unique in the sense that it was brought to life by 40 fans who wanted to create a visual aesthetic that’s equally as haunting as the music itself. The video’s concept is forward-thinking as it focuses on how ‘pixelating’ can be taken out of context to represent emotions and relationships. The core message to be taken from the video is that sometimes we need to take a leap of faith and break free from all of our constraints and everything we know in order to rebuild ourselves as an image that is actually complete.

Check out the video to the single.