Swedish producer and DJ HANDSHAKE IN SPACE gets the weekend started with new single ‘If You Are Waiting’, out now on all digital platforms.
With a melodic, atmospheric sound, ‘If You Are Waiting’ moves on the border between electronic pop and cinematic house, focusing on emotion, dynamics and a clear melodic theme. The song is created for both late-night listening on headphones and electronic club music playlists.
In November, Stefan Halling – the producer behind Handshake in Space – suffered a brain hemorrhage during a visit to his daughter in Malaysia, which led to emergency surgery and a long recovery with medical restrictions. Despite fatigue and limited creative energy, working on ‘If You Are Waiting’ became a way to reconnect with creation and find a way back to focus.
“I am often tired and it affects creativity, but when I listen to If You Are Waiting, all problems disappear for a while. The song took on a new meaning for me – it is about waiting, but also about not giving up hope“, says Stefan.
Handshake in Space has established itself in recent years with a series of digital releases in electronic music, focusing on melody-driven house and emotionally charged productions. The new single marks the start of a new phase after a life-changing event and will be followed by more releases in 2026.
‘If You Are Waiting’ is now out for the pleasure…so go on, why not check it out below…
GENA PERALA has released her sophomore album, ‘Somewhere New’ last Friday (13th February), across all leading music platforms. Produced by Erik Nielsen, the 12-track album was recorded at Afterlife Studios and finished at Smooth Operator Studios, the result of nearly three years of work, shaped slowly by people in a room making music together.
‘Somewhere New’ is about motion rather than milestones—leaving without spectacle, choosing yourself, and continuing forward even when it feels like pushing the same boulder uphill, again and again. There’s no grand arrival here, no welcome-home party. Just quiet resolve.
The sense of time passing is embedded in the album itself. Songs like ‘Baby Girl’ were written years ago, while others, including ‘Machete,’ came together in the studio. “Letting the band shape and challenge the songs in real time was one of the great gifts of making this record,” Perala says.
“Somewhere New is a journey—about who we were, who we’re becoming, and learning to accept ourselves somewhere in between,” she continues. “I’ve often been described as disarming, difficult, or defiant. Those words are usually meant as insults, and this record spends a lot of time sitting with that—what it means to take up space, to stay true without explaining or apologizing, and to stand your ground, especially as a woman.”
Nielsen’s production keeps the focus on feel, leaving room for silence, tension, and breath. In an era dominated by speed and polish, ‘Somewhere New’ leans into something increasingly rare: musicians listening to each other in real time. The songs linger in the spaces between messages, the silences left by ghosting, and the quiet work of staying present in an increasingly online, distracted world. Rather than rejecting modern life outright, the record gently asks what we lose when attention becomes fractured—and what it means to seek real connection anyway.
Subtle instrumentation deepens that sense of forward motion. A string quartet threads through the album with visceral tension, while pedal steel appears on nearly every track, bending and holding emotion in place. Nielsen’s role was often one of restraint, continually reining things in and giving the songs space. The result is a sound that feels intimate and expansive, guided more by instinct than excess.
The album’s cover image reflects that same spirit. Shot by Perala’s late father, the photograph captures a hot air balloon, carnival swings, and light caught at just the right moment—fleeting, weightless, and quietly beautiful. Motion suspended in time.
Raised traveling the carnival circuit with her family, Perala has long been attuned to impermanence, memory, and the strange comfort of movement. Those early experiences continue to shape her songwriting—work that finds meaning in the everyday and beauty in the overlooked.
‘Somewhere New’ is a record about arrival—not at a place, but at a self. No ceremony. No applause. Just forward motion as quiet cause for celebration. Have a listen below…
UK singer-songwriter LIAM L JOSEPH has a gift for turning life’s experiences into music, capturing raw emotion in every note. His latest single, ‘Made For Me’, emerged from a moment of inspiration on a scenic beach in Las Palmas, Spain, where the sound of waves, wind, and laughter, framed by blue skies and towering mountains, sparked sweet, harmonic melodies in his mind.
The track blends smooth neo-soul textures with Liam’s serene vocals, gliding over a warm, grooving bassline that reflects his multi-instrumentalist roots. The result is a romantic song that feels effortless, tender, and timeless. ‘Made For Me’ is now available on all major streaming platforms.
At 16, he composed his first piece for a choir, a milestone that quickly led him into broader songwriting, performance, and production. Music has been central to Liam’s life from an early age. Raised in a musical household — with a singer mother, a multi-instrumentalist father, and musician brothers— he was immersed in melody and rhythm from day one. His passion was further cemented when his brother gifted him his first professional bass guitar, a Yamaha TRB. Influenced by artists such as John Legend, he emphasises emotional clarity and authenticity, believing that honesty is essential for a song to resonate truly.
Beyond his solo work, Liam has established himself as a sought-after session musician, performing with artists including Usher Raymond and Jocelyn Brown, while contributing to multiple collaborative projects. During the COVID-19 lockdown, he co-founded the band formerly known as JAAD, releasing original material. Surrounded by so many talented creatives in the band, Liam re-ignited his creative spark, paving the way for his solo single ‘Set The Tone’ in September 2024.
With ‘Made For Me’, Liam L Joseph continues to define his artistic identity, delivering music that showcases his versatility, musicianship, and creative vision.
Dulo Yakubu – better known by her fans as WORSHIP YAKUBU – penned her latest single, ‘Like Dat!’ during a difficult period in her life. It’s a personal reminder that no matter what obstacles life presents, God remains a guiding light through the darkest moments – and with his love, she can do anything her heart desires.
Firmly rooted in her instantly recognisable Afrobeats sound, fused with smooth, soulful R&B flair, ‘Like Dat!’ showcases Worship Yakubu’s emotional depth and music versatility. The single is now available across all leading platforms.
Known for having distinctive vocals, Worship Yakubu gained wide recognition after her performance on Nigerian Idol, Season Ten, where she made it into the top seven and for her impressive performance, she received the gold ticket. Before that, she won SAVE 2019 and Shabbat 2019, placed in the top ten for Big Break Moments in Africa, and has received several awards along the way.
Her stage name – Worship Yakubu – comes from her ability to connect deeply with people from all walks of life. Her motto is simple but powerful: her love is not just a song; it’s a testament to her belief in spreading love and positive vibrations through her music – and that love connects with so many people because it reminds them that, no matter what they’re going through, there is someone out there who genuinely loves them.
A powerful reflection of her strength and resilience, ‘Like Dat!’ is available for your pleasure across all leading platforms.
Hailing from Bloemfontein, known as the ‘City Of Roses’ in South Africa, PALESA BLOSSOM is a passionate singer and songwriter who is known for her versatility and soulful expression. She continues to evolve her sound by blending her favourite genres into something fresh, authentic, and uniquely her own. Drawing inspiration from her South African roots, diverse cultures, and Western influences, Palesa is carving out a musical identity that reflects both her personal growth and artistic freedom.
Her sound is a rich fusion of pop, R&B, soul, reggae, Afro-pop, Afrobeats, and trap soul—genres that have shaped her journey and inspired her to think beyond boundaries. This genre-blending approach marks the beginning of a new sonic chapter, with ‘My Views’ being the first glimpse into the sound she has been developing. ‘My views’ centres on her confidence, clarity and self-expression, capturing a moment when uncertainty gives to possibility. The song reflects on trusting the journey, releasing fear and embracing life it unfolds.
As she works on her upcoming projects, Palesa remains committed to embracing her uniqueness, pushing creative limits, and growing alongside her supporters—affectionately known as the Roses—as they journey together into this new era of progress.
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