Album Interview: Transition – Cheryll

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.

NLM: How can potential fans find you?

C: Twitter/Instagram – @ohsocheryll
Youtube – Oh so Cheryll
Facebook – Cheryll

NLM: Finally, any special shout outs to those involved in the production of ‘Transition’?

C: D’wante Navire – for the production of the EP. He mixed and mastered every single song and dealt with my craziness on top of that! Hes a real one!

Also Tory and Jollof who have been involved in all the videos for my EP – they are a great team!

Transition is now out

Oloye Coldman Drops Brand New Single, ‘Out Here’

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…

Tilly Valentine Shares Soulful Single, ‘Retail Therapy’

TILLY VALENTINE‘s latest single ‘Retail Therapy (feat. edbl)’ tells a light-hearted, witty story about shameless quick fixes. Written during the 2020 lockdown, Valentine says: “I wrote ‘Retail Therapy’ after the postman asked why I had so many deliveries! I was distracting myself with quick fixes; instead of rationally seeking therapy, I found retail therapy was a much more appealing alternative!”

Valentine effortlessly reveals her trademark jazzy influences in her latest offering; an elegant vocal which matches effortlessly with horns and soulful beats. With previous spots on New Music Friday, Low-Key and more, Valentine and edbl have collaborated on two previous songs ‘Table for Two’ and ‘Symmetry’, gaining over two million streams with playlistings across Starbucks, Costa and various retail stores.

Hailing a small town in Oxfordshire, Valentine moved to London aged 16 to attend The BRIT School, where her journey began following her debut single. Her tracks soothed the ears of many tastemakers having been awarded “Best Music Video” by Music Republic Magazine for her self-directed video. Since then, her angelic debut EP ‘Nothing Left to Say’, was broadcast by BBC Radio 6 championing her “beautiful pop music”, as did The BBC Introducing Mixtape. Her more recent releases ‘Calendar Girl’ and ‘Gin & Tonic’ have proven her to be a breakthrough artist to watch.

Tilly set the bar really high for 2021 with the addictive single ‘Retail Therapy’, Out now on your favourite music provider. Check it out below…

Producer JEZTLS Shares A Powerful Message With Track ‘Affair’

Taken from his self-produced EP, ‘El Paradiso’ JEZTLS‘ latest single , ‘Affair’ sees the producer take the spotlight, providing his own vocals for the first time in his career. The lyrics tackle his experience of sexual assault whilst studying abroad in France.

In just over two minutes, the track deals with the trauma head-on, he glides through vocal styles of singing and rapping, taking influence from the alternative R&B world of James Blake and the grime music he encountered growing up in England.

Speaking on the track he says: “Affair to me is such a representative song. I dealt with so much hurt after being assaulted, I spent two weeks stuck in a tiny room in student accommodation in a foreign country. I was so stunned after it happened, it felt like it took a lifetime to fully process – so when I finally got out of bed and pulled up this beat I’d made for another artist’s session, the truth all fell out.

I’d previously planned to release a collaboration album, it was all set for the end of April, but after the assault it just fell apart and I realised I was the only person that could speak my own truth. It’s funny producing and writing for other people all your life, then one day something clicked and I realised as much as I hate my own voice – singing these songs myself is the most courageous and honest thing I can do as an artist. The structure of Affair fully allowed me to channel the different notions I went through: Denial, Pain and Anger. I’m not a rapper but I knew that I had so much to address in the final verse – it just came out like that.

Watch the official video for ‘Affair’, directed by Luc Chief of Sprayfilms.

Watch Masego’s Video For Track ‘Mystery Lady (Sego’s Remix)’

Directed by Doug Bernardt, who was awarded the Cannes Lions Grand Prix for Entertainment for Music for the short film Bluesman, MASEGO‘s official video for ‘Mystery Lady (Sego’s Remix) bursts with brilliant colours, with a deep appreciation for the sensuality and rhythms of everyday life. Masego sings as he explores the streets, alleys and courtyards of Mexico City, encountering dance partners along the way and reveling in the city’s natural beauty.

To date, ‘Mystery Lady’ has soared over 100 million streams. Sego’s remix and the original version of the song – ‘Mystery Lady Ft. Don Toliver’ – appear on Studying Abroad: Extended Stay (EQT Recordings/Capitol Records), the deluxe edition of Masego’s acclaimed 2020 EP.

Masego made his breakthrough with his 2018 debut album ‘Lady Lady’, where lead single, ‘Tadow’, surpassed over one billion global streams. The song is certified Platinum in the U.S., Diamond in Brazil and Gold in Mexico. Hailed as a “musical polyglot” by the Los Angeles Times, Masego is a singular talent and surprising presence – a saxophone player, a singer, a rapper, a comedian, a DJ. NPR Music praised him as “musical shapeshifter, the creator of a blueprint for a new kind of sound.”

Check out the video below…