A sombre yet compelling drive introduces ARASH NEJAD‘s debut single, ‘Vices’, putting him in very good stead as a serious contender in UK’s alternative R&B/Neo soul scene. The single then flourishes into a fresh, sultry take on slow jam as we know it, with Arash’s perfectly paired vocal performance, vividly narrating his strong addiction on one of his greatest vices – his love interest. As the single unholds, you can feel an intense desperation and raw desire that lingers long after the single ends.
From listening to ‘Vices’, it’s clear that Arash draws inspiration from urban music heavyweights such as Beyoncé, Michael Jackson and Frank Ocean. Fans of these artists are likely to find his sound equally compelling, as he blends familiar influences with a style that feels distinctly his own.
With ‘Vices’ covering themes of love and addiction with such emotional depth, it’s exciting to see what topics he explores next. I got a feeling he’s got so much to say and this debut offering is just a tip of a very large and complex iceburg. His strong sound creates an airy mystery around him with little known beyond the fact that he’s based somewhere in South East England. As his musicial journey unravels, I suspect he will reveal a piece of his world one chapter at a time and in my book that is enough to hang around for his next move…
‘Vices’ is now available now for your pleasure…why not check it out below…
JULIE EDDY returns with ‘What If We Don’t,’ a country track that hits every emotional note exactly where it should, delivering a song that feels both classic and deeply personal. At its core, it’s the battle between what you know you should do and what your heart keeps pulling you toward. Logic versus emotion, caution versus hope.
The opening verse immediately sets up that tension: “I know I should turn and slip out the back door / You should pretend you didn’t see me walk in/ We should keep it surface-level, short and simple / If we can’t help but stumble into talkin’”
The vulnerability in the writing makes the story feel real, while the delivery keeps it undeniably country: honest, heartfelt, and easy to picture playing through the speakers of a late-night drive home.
The chorus arrives and completely opens the song up. It’s emotional, catchy, and impossible not to sing along to by the second listen. “Cause what if, what if, what if we do? / Give it one more shot, baby me and you / See if lightning strikes twice in the same spot / Start falling again and we never stop…/ It’d be safer to leave it in the past we both know that’s true/ But what if, what if we don’t? / Cause what if we do”
Speaking on the track, Eddy shares, “‘What If We Don’t’ was written as the opposite storyline to ‘Two Truths & A Lie.’ Since that song resonated so strongly with fans, we wanted to revisit the scenario of running into an ex at a bar, but offer an alternate ending. Instead of playing games or pretending you’ve moved on, this story is about being honest and laying all your cards on the table — admitting you still want another shot at the relationship and hoping it could turn into something lasting.”
’What If We Don’t’ showcases Julie Eddy at her strongest: vulnerable without losing confidence, emotional without overcomplicating the message. It’s relatable country storytelling with a modern edge, and it’s more than ready to make some noise.
’What If We Don’t’ was released last Friday, 26th June across all leading music platforms. Have a listen below…
Singer-songwriter and Americana troubadour DANIEL LEYES releases his collaborative LP ‘Medicinal Americana’, cultivated and produced by the the late songwriter and roots, Americana, and folk-rock legend Todd Snider. The album is available on all digital streaming platforms, and you can find it HERE.
Daniel Leyes has a life story worth telling, and an album, ‘Medicinal Americana’, that brings that story to life. Born and raised on Staten Island, Leyes grew up immersed in the sounds of the ’60s and ’70s, from Motown to Led Zeppelin. He’s been playing guitar and writing songs since his teens, steadily shaping the voice he carries today.
Everything shifted for him in 2017, the first time he heard folk-Americana legend Todd Snider, specifically the song “Conservative Christian.” Leyes recalls, “My life is divided into two parts: before I heard Todd and after I heard Todd. After that chance radio encounter, my life would never be the same.”
Their friendship truly began years later, in 2023, when Leyes attended a songwriting camp hosted by Snider. The two quickly bonded, describing themselves as “cosmic old friends,” sharing songs, stories, and plenty of smoke-filled sessions that helped spark the creative energy behind this album. What neither of them knew at the time was that Medicinal Americana would become Snider’s final production project before his passing, adding a deeper emotional weight to the record.
‘Ha Ha Weed Is Legal,’ one of the album’s lead singles, sets the tone with a carefree sense of celebration. Driven by bright horns, acoustic guitars, and an infectious rhythm, it’s arguably the most immediately memorable track. It’s playful, catchy, and almost nursery rhyme-like in its simplicity.
The next single, ‘Stoner Mating Call,’ strips things back. With just Leyes’ voice and an acoustic guitar front and center, the song leans into humor and charm: “If you wanna make love until mañana / In a funky little bungalow in southwest Tijuana / After which we could smoke some marijuana / Honey, I’m the man for you.” Beneath the cheeky lines is a sincerity that makes the song feel genuine and disarming.
Another standout is ‘Astrovan,’ co-written with Snider. Raw and reflective, it shifts focus away from the album’s lighter themes and into something more personal, chasing dreams, regardless of how messy or uncertain the path may be: “I got this dream that I’m chasing / It comes before everything / This simple life I’m embracing / Living every day to play and sing.”
Other highlights include ‘Can You Do It,’ a dark, smoky, blues-tinged track that leans into introspection, while ‘Party’ swings in the opposite direction, building gradually before exploding into a full, high-energy payoff.
Dedicated to Leyes’ friend Carl “Tinker” West (Bruce Springsteen’s original manager) ‘Medicinal Americana’ is more than just a collection of songs. It’s a journey, one rooted in friendship, growth, creative freedom, and a passionate tribute to Todd Snider’s lasting influence.
Following surf-rock offering ‘Ocean Motion’, which is currently number 1 on CHBN’s Radio’s The Playlist Chart, Maryanne Dugan – aka MARYAIANNE & ME – continues the feel good vibes for the summer with single ‘Highway’, out now across all leading music platforms.
‘Highway’ is a break-up song with a positive twist:it’s soulful-rockabilly groove encourages listeners to walk away from relationships that have run their course and look towards the future with optimism. While most break-up songs invite the listener to dwell in love lost, ‘Highway’ offers a carefree attitude, celebrating the freedom and possibilities that come with moving on.
With its carefree spirit and uplifting message, the track reminds us that every ending can be the beginning of something better—if we’re willing to let go and take the next step forward.
Music has always been central to Maryanne’s life. From a young age, she found joy in singing in choirs and performing. However, following experiences of abuse as a child, she became increasingly reclusive. Over the past six months, she has turned to AI music tool SUNO as a creative partner, helping her bring her songs to life in a way that fully captures the depth of her emotions and intentions.
Since Maryanne met her manager, John Hewlett, she has found a pathway to share her voice with the world and is now able to publish her lyrics and express herself through the tracks she is creating, under the moniker, MaryAianne & Me.
Her singles including ‘Checkmate’, I’ll Find The Light’ and previous effort ‘Ocean Motion’, were well received from radio stations across the globe, with all singles scooping the #1 spot on CHBN Radio’s The Playlist chart in the UK. After years of living as a reclusive, Maryanne has recently made a bold decision to reveal her identity and step into the spotlight as an artist.
Maryanne continues to prioritise her mental health and is engaged in ongoing counselling. Alongside this, her songwriting and the development of MaryAianne & Me have become a vital therapeutic outlet—not only for herself, but also for listeners facing similar challenges.
As part of her journey managing depression and anxiety, Maryanne plans to perform her singles to a live audience in the future. She’s currently taking singing lessons to fine tune her vocals.
‘Highway’ is out now across various music platforms. Why not check it out below…
It’s ZAVIER QUINN‘s turn in the NLM interview hot seat after his latest single ‘FTS (First Time Secret)’ was crowned the blog’s Song of the Month back in April.
So come and find out more about the talented producer from Los Angeles as he unveils his inspiration behind the mysterious track, plus his plans for 2026…
NLM: Hey, thank you for taking part in an interview with NEW LEASE MUSIC. How is 2026 treating you so far?
ZQ: 2026 has been a year of growth, clarity, and consistency. I’m spending less time chasing and more time building. I decided to trust the process. I have taken time to understand who I am as an artist, what I create, and what stories I want my music to tell. The music is stronger, the vision is clearer, and I have learned to trust my own voice as an artist. That’s been one of the biggest self-realizations this year.
NLM: You released your single, ‘FTS – First Time Secret’ back in April. What is the public perception of the single so far?
ZQ: The response has been interesting because people hear different things. Some hear a breakup record. Some hear confidence. Some hear boundaries. I like that people are finding their own story in the record. For me, that’s the best outcome I could have hoped for.
NLM: What inspired you to produce/write the single?
ZQ: FTS came from a place of recognizing your worth. Sometimes people only value you after you’ve moved on. The song isn’t about anger. It’s about growth. It’s about understanding that not everyone deserves continued access to your energy.
NLM: How would you describe the single’s sound to potential fans?
ZQ: I’d describe it as modern R&B with a cinematic edge. It’s smooth, it’s melodic, and emotional, but there’s still confidence and attitude in it. It’s music for people who’ve lived a little.
NLM: What message would you like the listeners to take away from your single?
ZQ: Know your value. Not everyone who misses you deserves a secon d chance. Sometimes growth means appreciating where you’ve been while still moving forward.
NLM: Are there any plans to release an official video for the single?
ZQ: My team and I have discussed a few concepts, and we’re exploring what makes sense creatively. Right now I’m focused on building a complete visual world around not only FTS but the music coming next rather than rushing something out.
NLM: If you had to feature one mainstream artist on ‘FTS’, who would it be and why?
ZQ: Probably Lucky Daye. I’ve always appreciated artists who can be vulnerable and confident at the same time, and I think he’d bring something special to the record.
NLM: What plans do you have in store for 2026?
ZQ: More music. More visuals. More consistency. My goal is to continue building the Zavier Quinn catalog and connecting with listeners who appreciate authentic storytelling. I’m focused on long-term growth rather than quick moments.
NLM: How can potential fans find you?
ZQ: Search Zavier Quinn on all major streaming platforms. You can also connect with me on Instagram, TicTok and YouTube at @mr.zavierquinn where I share music, creative projects, and pieces of the journey.
NLM: Finally, if music didn’t exist, what other professional would you do?
ZQ: If music didn’t exist, I’d probably be somewhere designing systems or building businesses. I’ve always been fascinated by how things work, how people connect, and how ideas become reality. In a lot of ways, producing music isn’t that different—you’re still building something from nothing.
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