WINO WILLY presents a raw track that’s made for catching wreck, and Gabe Nandez more than does the honors in the new video for ‘Sutra’. The duo keep it rugged to the core with ruff beats & 52 bars of swordplay, & the visual matches the intensity of the record exceptionally well. ‘Sutra’ is from Willy’s new LP’ Wino From Another Planet’, which features billy woods, MarQ Spekt, Fatboi Sharif, Him Lo, Da Buze Bruvas & more, & is out now on vinyl, CD, and digital via the good people at Grilchy Party.
Wino Willy has produced for modern powerhouse talents like Mach-Hommy, Your Old Droog, Tha God Fahim, Ty Farris, Sonnyjim, and Raz Fresco. As a performer, the Rahway, New Jersey-born, Philly-raised producer has taken his sound to New York, Philadelphia, Atlanta, & New Orleans, the latter with the city’s Jazz Museum for their Dolo Jazz Suite event series. His versatile headnod style sound is placed right up front on his new album, ‘Wino From Another Planet’.
Born and raised in Minneapolis, CHRISTINE SAKO has previously toured with fellow Minnesotans, emo-indie rockers Now, Now and as an opening act for Paramore’s ‘Brand New Eyes’ Europe tour. Now, after venturing out on the strengths of her own creative prowess, Christine Sako has crystallized into an iconoclastic brand of progressively passionate pop. Her first album, ‘The Math Project’ – a hybrid acoustic and synth-based pop offering – was inspired by the chilled-out Californian atmosphere.
These days, Sako is manifesting her artistic angle with her new single, ‘Warmth’. From guitar-driven indie-pop balladry to upbeat, bass-laden beats, her distinctive vocal range and melodies are on a mission to take listeners through an emotionally charged journey. Injecting finely-tuned hooks with an electrifying undercurrent and an edgy drumbeat, this track speaks to both her analog and digital sensibilities.
Speaking about her new single, Christine Sako had this to say, “‘Warmth’ is about being in that “too good to be true” mindset and how disbelief tends to be the overwhelming emotion when things seem to be going well. I started writing this song just after a breath of optimism had flown through me, realizing that indeed I was exactly worthy of the promising journey that was budding in my life.”
LA-based genre-defying artist ASHA IMUNO‘s single, ‘FLORIDA WATER,’ is a soul-stirring offering which sees the breakthrough act navigate the complexities of love and nostalgia. In ‘FLORIDA WATER,’ Asha builds a sonic world sewn with anecdotes from his most intimate relationships, resulting in an introspective, cathartic offering boasting the utmost whip-appeal vibes. Co-produced by Asha, Zach Ezzy (Jordan Ward, Smino, Alex Isley) and Jack Dine (Robert Glasper, Alex Isley, Masego) ‘FLORIDA WATER’ marks a departure from the conventional, paying homage to classic hip-hop but with a modern twist, incorporating warm elements from 70s and 80s R&B/soul.
On the inspiration behind the single, Asha explains, “FLORIDA WATER is a cheeky grin at an entire complicated and beautiful phase of my life. It’s a lighthearted Frankenstein of my love experiences— the ones that feel too good to be true in the best and worst of ways. By melding these different experiences into one story, I can more easily reflect on how I process love, and what nostalgia feels like for me when it comes to love.”
The official music video, directed by Angel Orozco, sees Asha masterfully explore the complexities of love and self-identity, creating a series of silhouettes that explore the universal struggles and triumphs within the context of a suburban black family. Between the oldest daughter, youngest son, mother and father, the video delves into the intricacies of romantic love and how it influences each individual’s self-love, as well as their capacity to love their families. Drawing inspiration from cinematic masterpieces like “Moonlight” and “Atlanta,” the visual is a deeply vulnerable, honest, and provocative reflection of the black experience.
Asha is an absolute self-starter, having built his music career from the ground up. His cult following was ignited with his breakout single “ZIG ZAGGING,” which has accumulated 10M+ streams on Spotify. His innovative spirit has led to recent career milestone moments, including being named one of Pigeons and Planes Best New Artists (September 2023) following the release of his spitfire single ‘DID I CALL AT A BAD TIME?,’ ft Atlanta native Rizz Capolotti. He performed at A Toast To Black Hollywood during this year’s BET Awards, and is a member of the POC-led artist community KOGO (home to CONNIE, Alé Araya, Curtis Waters, KOAD & more). The rising act has earned co-signs from the likes of Jordan Ward, Diddy, and Hit-Boy alongside collaborating with buzzing upcomers like Aaron May and AG Club.
‘FLORIDA WATER’ serves as the third single from Asha’s forthcoming debut album ‘PINS & NEEDLES’, further solidifying his storytelling prowess and his ability to capture duality through soul-stirring melodies and thought-provoking lyricism. He invites you to join him on this musical journey, one that will resonate with anyone who has experienced the intoxicating allure of love, its bitter aftertaste, and the pursuit of warmth in its various forms. Check out the video below…
Spooky season might be well and truly over, but Florida’s MeRCY decides to keep the scary hours alive as he at last brings his ‘Michael Myers’ EP to life.
The artist continues to build his “Michael” catalog of releases with the second installment of the series as he previously dropped the EP ‘Iron Mike’ back in January. Now MeRCY strikes again but this time with no gloves over his hands, only with a mask over his face as he takes on the persona of Michael Myers. You’ll find yourself encaptivated for 22 minutes while MeRCY delivers deadly blows of lyricism over the dark and grimy sounds provided by Slimrock, Homage, Flowers In Narnia, JQ Mr. 54, Kubo and Livin’. Standouts from the EP include ‘Scary Hours’, ‘Death Note’ and ‘Myers Theme’. Whether he is going round for round in the ring or slicing and dicing up his foe, MeRCY is now two for two with his “Michael” themed projects.
If the EP wasn’t enough for his fans to indulge in, Merc’ also gives the greenlight on the release of the visual for track 3 ‘Scary Hours’. Directed by Ike Anyanwu, the black and white video brings those scary hours in Broward to life as MeRCY comes face to face with the Michael Myers persona in the thriller visual.
Why not check out the EP below…
Must Listens: Evil vs Good, The Boogeyman (Holy Ghost)
A tribute to her grieving process and subsequent creative rediscovery after recovering from breast cancer in 2021, HOLYSSEUS FLY‘s debut solo EP ‘Birthpool’ is a truly special six-tracker that brims with magnetic strength, devastating emotion and heartfelt beauty.
Opening proceedings with the first song written for the EP, ‘Bloom’, a track borne of self-imposed pressure during lockdown to write again after recovering from treatment, the scene is set for the EP’s themes of creative reclamation. Holysseus sings ‘I’ll bloom when I choose to’, a statement of determination to create for only herself. As the sonics progress from a skeletal beat through to a deep, harmonically-rich drop, driven by Holysseus Fly’s captivating vocal, the EP’s opener registers high on strength via stunning vulnerability.
‘Marigold’, released as a B-side to ‘Bloom’, is as devastating as it is beautiful. Brooding keys and a steady heartbeat kick drive the track as Holysseus’ yearning vocal builds to its heartbreaking climax, cracking with emotion. Easy to hear why this had big support from Annie Mac on her Chill Playlist and Jamz Supernova’s ‘Hit Reset Track of the Day’ on 6 Music on its release.
‘Within The Water’, sees the artist working through her fears via another soaring, heavenly vocal performance which received huge support on its release from Tom Robinson’s BBC Introducing Mixtape, as well as an audio walk feature on BBC 6 Music with Chris Hawkin and seen here discussing on ITV News.
In ‘Under Your Sun’ we see the singer’s jazz roots come to the fore in a mellow soundscape topped with deliciously soulful vox that convey lyrical themes of creative rebirth and strength through adversity with typical aplomb.
Holysseus Fly expands themes of empowerment with a lightness of touch on ‘Teach Me’, produced by The Staves’ Rob Pemberton and recently added to the BBC 6 Music playlist. A challenge to undermining patriarchal voices, we see the artist step into her main character energy with a knowing sideswipe at anyone who might dare come for her. A feminist flag in the sand delivered with signature radiant vocals and one of many ‘chef’s kiss’ moments on the record.
losing Birthpool is the gut-wrenchingly gorgeous ‘A Weight Too Heavy’. The track swirls with grief, self-examination and sense of release after a period of intense mourning. The shattering lyric ‘I can’t look for the ‘why’’ is delivered with rawness and immensity and confirms Holysseus Fly as an artist with a real gift for emotional honesty, not to mention heartstopping vocal abilities.
Deeply moving, sonically captivating and truly remarkable Birthpool is a jaw-dropping debut from this one-of-a-kind artist. A spellbinding star turn and solo debut from the Bristol based vocalist, songwriter and pianist. Do not sleep on witnessing her incredible journey through rebirth and rediscovery live with November’s shows likely to sell out as quickly as her previous dates. Holysseus Fly will also be supporting 6 Music’s Tom Robinson on his forthcoming sold-out UK tour. Big things lie ahead for this exceptional young talent.
Holysseus Fly says: “I started writing Birthpool in Spring 2021 when I was feeling low recovering from treatment for Breast Cancer. Just like a seed having been planted in winter, I cared for a growing garden of creative ideas and allowed myself to write what I really wanted. I had been holding myself back with self doubt and fear that expressing my feelings about cancer would make it my identity as an artist. Looking back on the process of making the EP, I see this music as a true and honest reflection of moving through post-cancer grief and nurturing a new creative identity. This is my Birthpool.” Have a listen below…
Must Listens: Bloom, Under The Sun, A Weight Too Heavy
New Lease Music 