Continuing his meteoric rise on the international music scene since the release of his dazzling debut EP ‘Oxygene’ last year and a string of show-stopping collaborations and singles, the exciting Nigerian Afro-fusion star OXLADE today releases his brand new single ‘Ojuju’.
Produced by Coublon (Kizz Daniel, Not3s, Sarkodie), ‘Ojuju’ is a song about being open to falling in love and features Oxlade’s addictive, one-of-a-kind mix of Afrobeat, R&B and Country influences with his distinctive, mesmerising vocals and captivating song-writing and storytelling skills to create another future hit.
Speaking on the new single ‘Ojuju’ Oxlade said: “’Ojuju’ is a story of a divine creature being afraid of falling in love, as it exposes a weak side of the being. But when someone is in love, they fear nothing. Being in love is a beautiful feeling. You just cannot get enough of that person, you cannot imagine a day without that person in your life and you just keep wanting more of that same person every single day!”
The new single is the follow-up to the smooth single ‘DKT’ and his debut ‘Oxygene’ EP which featured the hit lead single ‘Away’ which was named as one of Rolling Stone’s ’50 Biggest Songs of 2020’.
South East London based non-binary artist HARVE sparsely blends R&B and electronic music with single, ‘Other Side Of The Room’. Accentuated by Harve’s signature play with distorted vocals and layering, this track was written whilst they were in a long term relationship – lyrically it explores gaining a new perspective and taking a step back to see things a little more clearly.
Speaking on the track, Harve says: “OSOTR is both a song I wrote entirely for myself; about finding home within, listening to my own needs. But it was also my final attempt to let my then partner know how I was feeling. OSOTR is about checking in with yourself, it’s about knowing when to let go, it’s about stopping yourself from being left behind, and finding yourself in your loneliness.
An incredibly exciting new talent, the past few years have seen Harve in all the right places including supporting Celeste alongside Fredwave at one of her first headline shows and stunning a packed out Hoxton Bar and Kitchen with a stripped back set for Jamz Supernova’s Future Bounce. Coming straight outta lockdown #1, they debuted music from their EP live on Sofar Sounds and begun to host a regular slot alongside non-binary artist Attz on Polyesterzine called ‘ENBY CHRONICLES’ discussing all thing non binary.
Early singles ‘City Scapes’, ‘Caught Up’ and ‘ReAD’ and caught the attention of key tastemakers including XL Recordings, COLORS Berlin and Glamcult as well as garnering multiple plays across NTS and Reprezent shows and support from Jamz Supernova, Mary Anne Hobbs and Phil Taggart on 1Xtra, 6Music and BBCR1. Blending elements of R&B, Soul and electronic, through ardent lyricism, Harve dissects what it is to be a queer person; the self-acceptance, the relationships, the doubts, and the love.
Coming up this year they have a new project in the works and will continue to co-host Smooth Operator on Foundation FM with their podcaster sibling Nic Desborough; playing new and old music from around the world with a focus on highlighting queer artists.
Shot across the tropics of Spain and the island of Mallorca, SC.UNDERCOVER‘s brand new video for single, ‘Deal With The Devil’, drips in James Bond edginess and tension. The cinematic aura carefully intertwines past projects as SCU explains, “We wanted the atmosphere to reflect the tone of the music but also provide the closing chapter in the trilogy of videos ranging from Darkness Before Light, Morals and finally now, Deal With The Devil”.
Born in Walsall (UK), SC.Undercover often blends influences of indie, dark pop and R&B, offering something distinctly unique in today’s industry. ‘Deal With The Devil’ is the perfect amalgamation of atmospheric production meets R&B, in true SCU style. The latest track takes unexpected twists and turns, mixing up his melodies and dynamics and adding to the knife-cutting apprehension. With fast, high-frequency beats, prowling guitar riffs and bass laced in haunting backing vocals reminiscent of The Weeknd, the single glides into a mesmerising break. Check it out below…
I was first introduced to CHERYLL through her smooth nostalgic number, ‘Fess Up’ and since then, I had my eyes firmly peeled on her next move. So when she dropped her debut EP Transition, I had to catch up with the South London singer-songwriter about the six track project. Trust me, this newcomer is FIREY and I thoroughly enjoyed the Q&A session with her and I hope you will too. Check her out below…
NLM Hey, thank you for taking part in an interview with NEW LEASE MUSIC. How is 2021 treating you so far?
C: 2021 has been a year of change and transitioning into a better version of me. I’ve gone through a lot of ups and downs however I feel as if I’ve come out of it stronger than ever.
NLM: You released your EP, ‘Transition’ back in March. What is the public perception on the project so far?
C: My project was received extremely well. Its been played on BBC Radio as well as reaching a number of local radio stations that play it regularly. It has also introduced my sound to a lot of new supporters who now listen/follow me because of the project.
NLM: How would you describe the EP’s sound to potential fans?
C: It’s a new school version of RNB with the nostalgic elements of the 90/00’s – timeless!
NLM: What inspired you to produce the EP?
C: I’ve always known I wanted to release an EP however I was waiting on the right time. I felt like the last year I really transitioned into the artist I’ve always wanted to be and I wanted this project to be a memory of that. I had a few songs written already however when I linked up with D’wante Navire (producer) he really brought these songs to life. I had also gone through some ups and downs in my love life and wanted to express this through the EP.
NLM: What is/are your favourite single(s) from the EP and why?
C: My favourite singles on the EP I would have to say are Crushin’, Fess Up & What About Us. They all have that ‘bounce’ that I love even though they are all different tempos lol! I just find myself really vibing to those three
NLM: What message would you like the listeners to take away from your EP?
C: That R&B is still alive and kicking!
NLM: If you had to feature one mainstream artist on the EP, who would it be and why?
C: I’ve always wanted to work with Stormzy – I feel like having him on a feature would just be a perfect combination. His flow x My flow would just make so much sense.
NLM: Do you have other project(s) for 2021?
C: I have a couple of releases before the end of the year which are quite exciting. I won’t give away too much but yes its definitely something to look forward to.
Following the release of his 2021 EP ‘034’, which claimed the blog’s Album of the Month title twice in March and April, Nigerian artist, OLOYE COLDMAN is back with a new dimension, taking his culture to the next best level with something spectacularly new touch to the game…
‘Out Here’ is a record used to project the journey in the world, ups and downs and how grace and favor has found a way to uplift the beliefs. Check it out below…
New Lease Music 