Mackenzy Mackay shares inspiring single, ‘Don’t Quit Trying’ ahead of EP, ‘Life, Love & Upsets’.

Gearing up for his sold out UK/EU tour over the coming month, MACKENZY MACKAY has shared his latest, ‘Don’t Quit Trying’, set to feature on his forthcoming EP ‘Life, Love & Upsets’ due for release on 7th June. Following on from a string of acclaimed singles that have gained millions of streams worldwide from ‘Cold Stare’, ‘Bruised One’, and ‘Every Last Detail’, ‘Don’t Quit Trying’ is another stand-out release from the singer-songwriter sensation as he continues to cement his hitmaker status in British music.

A product of never giving up on your dreams, Mackenzy Mackay’s determination and life-long dream to become an artist is the motivation behind his latest single. Whether it’s hitting a personal best in the gym or finding the courage to pursue your dream career, Mackenzy Mackay is encouraging his listeners to never give up and let optimism prevail. Built against an acoustic production, ‘Don’t Quit Trying’ is sentimental down to its sonics as Mackay strips it all back for another offering of unfiltered vulnerability in his lyricism.

When asked about the meaning behind the single, Mackenzy Mackay shared, “‘Don’t Quit Trying’ is basically a song about being persistent and not giving up on what you’re working towards, Whether that’s a career choice, trying to learn something new, beating a PB or just anything you’re trying to achieve, it’s just a little reminder to myself and whoever might need to hear it, not to quit trying at whatever it is they’re going for”

Since his debut in 2022, Mackenzy Mackay has accumulated over 100 million streams across DSP’s as well as a growing following of just under one million supporters online. Hailing from Yorkshire, nestled away in Northern England, the singer-songwriter who now resides in London, has already gained comparisons from household names including Arctic Monkeys, Post Malone, Dominic Fike, and Ed Sheeran. Taking daily inspiration from his own life alongside the hustle and bustle of the UK’s capital, Mackenzy Mackay has formed a distinct sound that resonates with people from all walks of life and ages.

With upcoming performances at Reading & Leeds Festival, Frequency, Oberkampf, and The Great Escape, as well as his sold out UK and EU tour and the release of his forthcoming EP ‘Love, Life & Upsets’, Mackenzy Mackay isn’t showing signs of slowing down! The sensation has also gained recognition from BBC Radio 1 as their ‘Artist of the Week’ and ‘Future Pop’ playlist. Further highlighting his domination in the live space, Ticketmaster named him as their ‘New Music’ artist of the week.

Why not have a listen to ‘Don’t Quit Trying’ 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.

Song of the Day: Cosmic Heart – Becky Bowe

The title track of her latest album, released earlier this month, UK singer-songwriter BECKY BOWE‘s ethereal love song, ‘Cosmic Heart’, radiates pure emotion. The single carries light tinges of jazz as smooth trumpet is brought in to resonate with the songstresses’ voice.

Based on the man who would eventually become her fiance, the single showcases a young woman’s tenacity in the knowledge that she had found her soulmate. Ending on a strong note with a choir entering at full strength, a choral element is brought forward, reinforcing the celestial soundscapes.

Speaking of the single, Becky Bowe shares further insight: “This song is really personal to me. I wrote it when I was 18 years old when I first started going out with my now fiancé. I was so used to writing the stereotypical break up song which always worked a treat however this time round I was feeling feelings that I didn’t know how to put on paper. I then started writing a song about him and about how amazing he is as a person and that’s where the song came to life. This song is just about an out of this world love that you find or have with someone.”

Produced and engineered by Aidan Thompson who, as part of Max Restaino’s band, played as the supporting act for Rebecca Ferguson, UB40 and Tears for Fears, ‘Cosmic Heart’ follows Becky’s previous single, ’That’s How Love Works’, which reached Number 9 in the UK iTunes Singer/Songwriter charts.

Watch the video for the emotive ‘Cosmic Heart’ below…

Song of the Day: Getting Older – Becky Bowe

Opening with a soothing introduction, BECKY BOWE‘s single, ‘Getting Older’, quickly picks up rhythms as her vocals strengthen with passion.The minimalist piece allows the listener the chance to breathe and release any tensions held against friends or loved ones.

Speaking of the single, Becky says: ‘Getting Older is about the point in your life where you are so focused on what you want to do but you lose focus in your social life. It’s a song describing that journey of growing up and how it feels really bizarre and that everything sometimes becomes an excuse but eventually you get the hang of it. You might lose touch with people on the way but then become close again. It’s about not allowing yourself to get worked up about it. It’s just the process of growing up’

You may recognise Becky Bowe as one of the Leeds Contemporary Singers who won BBC’s Pitch Battle in 2017 and sang alongside the likes of Will Young and Kelis. Her previous single, ’That’s How Love Works’ reached Number 9 in the UK iTunes Singer/Songwriter charts and she has since been featured on BBC Introducing York. Her relationship with the BBC extends even further as she appeared as a backing vocalist for the BBC show This is My Song and sang in Gareth Malone’s BBC Two series The Choir. Becky Bowe has been featured by the likes of CLASH Magazine and Music Week, and renowned Youtube channels Sofar Sounds and Ont’ Sofa, helping the climb of her tidy play count of just under 30 thousand across streaming platforms.

Have a listen to ‘Getting Older’ below’…

Becky Bowe Share Video For Single ‘Don’t Darken My Door’

UK singer-songwriter BECKY BOWE has shared the colourful music video for ‘Don’t Darken My Door’ via Two Bridge Recordings.

Opening with bright shades of blue and silver, the music video for ‘Don’t Darken My Door’ provides a stark contrast to the sombre lyrics. Featuring the organic guitar chords and Becky’s warm, controlled vocals segueing into the mix laden with emotion and soul, the music video maintains a perfect balance between heartbreak and conviction.

Speaking of the music video, Becky Bowe says: “My idea for the video was to have the balloons representing thoughts and feelings about this said relationship and for me to release them by cutting them loose, letting them go and popping them so by the end I become free from the cloud over my head. I wanted to keep in with the light blue theme as I think it really compliments the chilled vibe of the song. The video would have never been what it was without the help of Declan Creffield who was the director, Milly Hewitt as set designer and Dana Cole for make up.”

Check out the video below…