Stream/Download "The Blossoming" by JoBee Project
Check out Belgian-based Urban Electronica artist JoBee Project's album dubbed the "The Blossoming"...
Belgian-based Urban Electronica artist JoBee Project has released a shimmering new album
dubbed the ‘The Blossoming.’
‘The Blossoming’ represents a new musical path for JoBee as she continues to blossom and fuse
genres together further cementing her place in the music industry.
On the album JoBee says “The Blossoming evokes several ideas: a new chapter in life, an
elevation, moving forward, spring, flowers, colours, novelty and diversity,” “It is an invitation to join my musical universe and to fly away, to disconnect from reality and travel into JoBee Project universe, dynamic, multifaceted, uplifting, and energetic” she said.
Opening with strong intent, the album sees JoBee fusing different elements such as Electro, Pop,
Jazz, Hip-hop and Rock, collaborating with numerous producers from across the globe such as
Poland, France and London. Producers include Lower Entrance, en2ak, Teielete, Supafuh, Odilon,
Marcin Bors and Necktalk.
The unapologetic Polish-born star has a volcano of energy, and it is showcased in her album with
her sultry voice illuminating on upbeat and fresh productions.
JoBee draws influences from Erykah Badu, Little Dragon, Bjork and Robert Glasper.
Known as Joanna Pszczola, Joanna has been living in Brussels since 2003, made Ixelles her
home. Since 2008 she has worked for national Belgian radio station BRUZZ where she runs her
live show with focus on women in hip hop. In 2009 she founded the first female hip hop collective
naming it SUPAFLY COLLECTIVE, with all seven hip hop minded ladies.
JoBee will be releasing fresh new music in the coming months.
A Cozy Soundcloud Playlist to Combat the Freezing Cold
While you’re hibernating and avoiding below freezing temps, get all snugged up with these cozy tracks to get you through this long winter...
It’s unreal outside. Blizzard season is in full swing, we have three humidifiers out, and have drained every bottle of lotion in the house trying to combat our all dehydrate everything. While you’re hibernating and avoiding below freezing temps, get all snugged up with these cozy tracks to get you through this long winter.
Stream "Nightmare (Dreams of a Songwriter Vol. 1)" by Futuristic RnB/Urban Pop Artist Colvin
Chicago based futuristic RnB and Urban Pop artist Colvin has just released the first installment of his "Dreams of A Songwriter" Series...
Chicago based futuristic RnB and Urban Pop artist Colvin has just released the first installment of his "Dreams of A Songwriter" Series, which in his words, "is a series of EPs and small projects that tell the story of my life and the way the world is seen from the viewpoint of a songwriter and Creative". Entitled "Nightmare (Dreams of a Songwriter Vol. 1)", the six song EP features the title track and video "Nightmare", which you can see HERE. Stream the EP and follow Colvin on his social media streams below.
Rejjie Snow Releases "Dear Annie: Part 1", Plus New Single "Egyptian Luvr" Featuring Amine
Dublin's @rejjiesnow just dropped the first installment of his highly anticipated debut album "Dear Annie"...
Dublin's Rejjie Snow just dropped the first installment of his highly anticipated debut album "Dear Annie". Released through Honeymoon/300 Entertainment, the completed "Dear Annie" will arrive on February 16th. Written and recorded across Los Angeles, London and Paris, "Dear Annie" is a genre-spanning opus of 20 tracks that features production from Kaytranada, Cam O'bi, Rahki, and Lewis Ofman, with guest appearances from Aminé, Jesse James Solomon, and Anna of the North. "Dear Annie" is a sweeping, cinematic overture and bold statement of intent from the wise-beyond-his-years 23-year old.
The release comes a day after Annie Mac premiered the first single from the record on her BBC Radio 1 show. "Egyptian Luvr" is produced by Kaytranada and features Aminé. Speaking on the single Rejjie explains that "the song is about your last moments. Tomorrow isn't promised and we learn this the hard way. The last moments with your lover. In this song I was in my last moments telling my girl how much I love her and thank you for this journey we rode."
See below for full details on Rejjie's debut album.
Rejjie Snow
Dear Annie
Honeymoon / 300 Entertainment
(February 16, 2017)
1. Hello
2. Rainbows
3. The Wonderful World of Annie
4. 23
5. Pink Lemonade
6. Skinny Jasmine Intermission
7. Mon Amour
8. Oh No!
9. Spaceships (feat. Ebenezer)
10. Egyptian Luvr (feat. Aminé)
11. The Ends
12. Room 27
13. Désolé
14. The Rain
15. Skateboard P Intermission
16. LMFAO
17. Bye Polar
18. Charlie Brown (feat. Anna of the North)
19. Annie
20. Greatness
Brooklyn Alt-R&B Artist Adrian Daniel Announces New Album "FLAWD", Due Out March 2nd!
Brooklyn RnB artist @adriandanielBK has announced his new album, "FLAWD", set to drop on March 2, 2018...
Becoming known as the sound of Brooklyn R&B, Adrian Daniel is captivating audiences with his signature soulful sonics. Melding musical influences ranging from Kanye West to Michael Jackson to Tame Impala and beyond, he's is set on defying genres and labels. This is exemplified in his new album, "FLAWD", set to release on March 2, 2018 via 1990 Records/Empire. Adrian gave fans a taste throughout 2017, releasing a handful of singles from the project including his seductive ode to the bad ladies "Havoc", a sultry heartbreaker "This City", and the soul bearing stunner "Open Up". Listen on Spotify: http://bit.ly/AdrianDanielSpotify
When you think of modern R&B music it's rare you find artists whose roots run deep in Brooklyn. The most populated and diverse borough in the bustling city of New York usually brings hip-hop and indie rock to mind; but singer/songwriter/producer and native Brooklynite Adrian Daniel is reminding people of the rich history of soul, funk, and rhythm and blues that came out of his neighborhood. Starting his career at a young age as a dancer, gracing stages like the Apollo Theater and the Brooklyn Academy, Adrian turned his focus to music and dropped his first project in 2012. His signature Alternative R&B sound has been making waves since, poising him as a true contender in the music landscape. His sound has been said to be one of the reasons R&B is exciting again, pushing the genre into new territory.
Adrian's work is fortifying the resurgence of Pop R&B and Hip-Hop. He entrances listeners with his old-school flair, lyrical storytelling and signature genre-blending style. Propelled by a constant stream of ear-catching singles, Adrian has built impressive momentum that has garnered him support from Billboard, TIDAL Rising, Complex, VIBE, FADER, Revolt, Beats 1, Highsnobiety, and more.
With a reputation for groundbreaking music, wildly entertaining live shows, and a highly anticipated new album to come, Adrian Daniel shows no signs of slowing down.
FLAWD Tour Dates:
Feb 22 - London, UK
Feb 24 - Paris, FR
Mar 7 - World Cafe Live - Philadelphia, PA
Mar 8 - Songbyrd - Washington DC
Mar 10 - Rough Trade - Brooklyn, NY
Mar 12 - Middle East - Boston , MA
Mar 13-18 - SXSW (official showcases TBA)
Connect with Adrian Daniel: Website | Twitter | Instagram | Vevo
Stream/Download Artistnameleon's Newly Released Debut EP "Never Too Late"
Created in collaboration with producers, Young Guavo and ethancx, @artistnameleon newly released debut eight-track EP "Never Too Late" has a little something for everybody...
Created in collaboration with Sweden-based producer, Young Guavo, NY's very own, producer-pvyso, and one of the hottest producers coming out of OKC, ethancx, artistnameleon's newly released debut eight-track EP "Never Too Late" has a little something for everybody. Featuring an eclectic mix of futuristic trap, 80's synth music, new wave RnB, and an even a bit of pop, one thing is for certain, "Never Too Late" will do everything but disappoint.
Stream/Download "Never Too Late" EP
About artistnameleon:
Georgia native, artistnameleon, is an independent recording artist based out of NYC. With no label or investors, he put his entrepreneurial mindset to use with a recently launched t-shirt line, ANL Tees, that sold out in a week before it even hit the online store. Now with 5 singles and an 8-track EP, Never Too Late, on Spotify, Pandora Radio, iTunes, and more, a music video on BULLETT Magazine and VEVO, along with several performances in NYC under his belt, artistnameleon is quickly building his fan base and paving the way for independent artists everywhere.
Ryan Hemsworth Shares New K-R&B Mix + Launches Asian Tour 12/9
@ryanhemsworth is back to share a new mix consisting of Korean R&B. The forty minute mix is accompanied by a video and comes ahead of Ryan's Asian tour...
Musician and producer Ryan Hemsworth is back to share a new mix consisting of Korean R&B. The forty minute mix is accompanied by a video and comes ahead of Ryan's Asian tour. Set to start on December 9th in Tokyo, Ryan will play eight shows across Japan, China, Singapore, South Korea, and the Philippines, with tickets available here.
Over the last five years, Ryan Hemsworth has established himself as a versatile figure in music. More recently he has been centering his skills in the world of hip-hop - a truly global effort working with artists that hail from Atlanta, Toronto, Nigeria, London, the Bay Area, and everywhere in between. Earlier this year Ryan released a single featuring E-40 and Yakki and also curated a guest mix for the 43rd episode of OVO Sound Radio on Beats 1.
Watch Ryan Hemsworth's Korean R&B mix, and see below for full tour routing.
Tour Dates:
12/9 - Tokyo @ Daikanyama Unit
12/14 - Guangzhou @ Hangover Club
12/15 - Chengdu @ Nox
12/16 - Shanghai @ Arkham
12/19 - Taipei @ 濕地 Venue
12/21 - Seoul @ Contra
12/22 - Singapore @ Moonbeats Xmas
12/23 - Manila @ Black Market
TICKETS
Connect with Ryan Hemsworth: Website | Twitter | Soundcloud
NxWorries (Anderson .Paak & Knxwledge) Announces "Yes Lawd! Remixes" Record Due November 17th
NxWorries @AndersonPaak and @knxwledge has announced "Yes Lawd! Remixes", a new reworking of their critically-acclaimed debut, due on November 17th...
Following the release of their album Yes Lawd!, which Pitchfork described as, "Two artists working at the absolute height of their talents," NxWorries is back to announce Yes Lawd! Remixes, a new reworking of their critically-acclaimed debut.
It only made sense for Knxwledge, being the prolific remixer that he is, to remix his own album, adding a new interpretation to the tracks featuring Anderson .Paak's vocals. The first transmissions of this were previously shared in the epilogue of the "Scared Money" video which contained Knxwledge's remix of "Best One."
Stay tuned for more music and lookout for the Yes Lawd! Remixes when they drop via Stones Throw on November 17th.
NxWorries
Yes Lawd! Remixes
November 17, 2017
(Stones Throw)
1. Alltype
2. Livvin
3. Wngs
4. Best One
5. Kutless
6. Lyk Dis
7. Idntremembrwell
8. HAN
9. $acred
10. Best 2
11. Suede
12. Reali(the)nd
Praise for Yes Lawd!:
"two artists working at the absolute height of their talents" - Pitchfork
"one of the best albums of 2016" - Complex
"Yes Lawd! is an album that feels alive, a living and breathing object that nods to the past while staying in the present" - The FADER
"The inspired combo of Paak's soulful rasp and Knxwledge's crate-digging sample...makes this album something special in a year that's already filled with strong R&B LPs" - Noisey
"one of those albums that can be played continuously without risk of depreciation" - AllMusic
Little Dragon's High Tour - Our Favorite Little Dragon Music Videos to Date
You know that type of music that just nourishes your soul? @littledragon manages to manifest that feeling in every one of their tracks, and their music videos are no different...
You know that type of music that just nourishes your soul? Little Dragon manages to manifest that feeling in every one of their tracks, and their music videos are no different. The Swedish electro-soul/r&b group came out with a hypnotizing, percussion-rooted single called “high”, and are following it up with their first North American tour in two years. The tickets go on sale February 17, and to celebrate, we compiled a list of our favorite Little Dragon music videos (because they’re somehow as aesthetically creative as they are sonically.)
Strobe Light
Strobe Light’s video matches it’s strident beat. Using South Africa as her inspiration with beautiful voguing men in sombreros, pastel capes and septum rings, this is a fever dream that we never want to wake up from. Pure fashion and a thing of art.
Peace Of Mind
This soulful hit came out less than a month ago, and the video is a moodily lit story of the song’s recording, in-studio, with Faith and Yukimi (the band’s front woman) pouring their hearts out into the mic. Raw, flawless talent doesn’t need overly fancy talent sometimes.
High
And of course, the highlight track of the year and the reason for Little Dragon’s kick-off tour! This mesmerizing single and video have us so hype for the rest o the album - we love the hazy harem/ayahuasca vibes.
Crystalfilm
This anthem is one of the best LD beats in our opinion. It’s more profound than effervescent, and we can easily say the same for the music video. A little girl goes through an intense journey only to realize that you can’t run from your demons. You will probably cry after making it through this vid.
Paris
The vocals and strong, bouncy beat almost remind us of Pat Benatar, in the best way possible. And we love that the cam is mostly focused on Little Dragon’s gorgeous heroine Yukimi, and the band’s Scooby Doo van. One of their quirkier, more playful pieces - to cheer up from all their sad pensive music.
Sunshine
The mountain landscape against the low afternoon sun fits the track “Sunshine” perfectly. Graceful tango dancers make some rogue appearances in the arid, dirt-filled surroundings. When will a nature vid ever be bad?
Review: Kelela's "Take Me Apart" Album
The intricacies of @kelelam voice paired with genre-merging is overwhelming in the best way...
Kelela dropped her debut album about a week ago, and even though it's titled "Take Me Apart" it is not easy to dissect (not in a week's time anyway). The intricacies of her voice paired with genre-merging is overwhelming in the best way. So for right now I'll just dissect what I can--the stories she’s telling us through song.
"Frontline" at the beginning sounded like going toward space but after hearing the push and pull of a story that Kelela lies over the track those sounds sound more like a musical build up to a pivotal scene in a movie.
"Waitin'" has an instrumental with a lot of energy, energy that I would liken to a swarm of protons and electrons--it's perfectly magnetic. Perfectly magnetic is how Kelela paints seeing her ex some time after their break up, shamelessly being pulled towards one another.
"We're getting looks but they can say what they wanna say, If they ask me, I'll tell them right away” sings Kelela at the end of the second verse. Although shame may be absent here, her thoughts and how they back track are not. On the pre-chorus she sings, "Damn, didn't we have a good time? Spinning around, we couldn't get off our ride. Damn, didn't we put up a fight? I'm trying to push it, don't let me lose it now."
17 seconds into “Take Me Apart” beads of water are introduced in the instrumental and fade as the instrumental changes. For me, the beads of water are significant because there’s something subtle yet, urgent about the sound. That same subtle urgency is present when she asks her ex to take her apart. Their familiarity with each other, the sting of their break up, and their time apart all work together to create something beautifully vulnerable. The beat takes listeners through the phases as Kelela’s voice floats over part of it as she sings about her fears and desires—and her climax.
I like to describe “Enough” as the antithesis of SZA’s “The Weekend.” On “The Weekend” SZA is fine with the guy she’s messing with, messing with someone else as long as she’s getting hers. Contrastingly, on “Enough”, Kelela getting hers is not enough. She needs to get free from the entanglement with her ex before she gets hurt. Everything about this track is immersive: her vocals, the beat, the subject matter.
"Jupiter" is an interlude of sorts where Kelela finds herself alone and striving for peace.
"Better" reminds me of that conversation Issa and Lawrence had at the end of season 2 of Insecure about their relationship in an honest way. That's exactly what Kelela is doing on "Better" being honest and open after the relationship's end.
"LMK" stays with the theme of being communicative as Kelela asks the person whose eye she has caught to let her know what's up. "LMK" gives me Maxine Waters reclaiming my time vibes.
For some reason the production on "Truth Or Dare" makes me visualize a ritualistic group dance of mostly women. But the song itself is about the exploration of new found sexual tension, and what lines would be crossed if any. Her voice on this one is subtle but important, it's not doing too little nor is it doing too much. And that balance is exactly what the two people are trying to gage.
Similar to "LMK," "S.O.S" is about being straightforward. In this case, Kelela is being straightforward about her sexual appetite. At one point she sensually sings, "Won't you come over before it's too late, I could touch myself babe but it's not the same..."
"Blue Light" has this morphed feeling to it, which is fitting since Kelela's feelings about starting a new relationship change as the track goes on. She decides to free fall. Here her voice is sultry on this one.
"Onandon" is about the new couple learning new things about one another and getting through the rawness that entails. At one point she sings, "It's not a breakup, it's just a breakdown. " To me this song is about staying in something despite the bad moments and bottled up feeling.
"Turn To Dust" comes when those feelings and moments are getting tiresome but the intimacy is still there, and not just sexual intimacy either. He has her captivated.
Throughout the interlude Kelela repeats "I'm gonna prove you wrong." Prove what exactly? That she can stop her partner's departure with love. Vocally, Kelela approaches this track with a sly confidence.
"Altadena" changes things up about it. It serves as the last track on the album and instead of talking about someone, it's speaking directly to someone. Someone who doesn't need to be reminded of their greatness but because of their surroundings doesn't mind it either. Someone who has been pushing a rock up a hill just for it to fall back down. She delivers this message with a tender nurturing voice as a single clap lines most of the track.
If you would like to know what it feels like to experience this album live check back in with us in November for a concert review that will let you know just that.
Stream/Download "Take Me Apart" by Kelela on iTunes
Kelela Releases Highly Anticipated Debut Album "Take Me Apart" and Announces Tour
@kelelam has just released her highly-anticipated debut album, "Take Me Apart", and announces upcoming shows in Durham, San Francisco, Oakland, Toronto, New York, Amsterdam, DC, London...
Kelela has just released her highly-anticipated debut album, the "Take Me Apart", via Warp Records, and is available for stream/download on iTunes HERE.
Kelela was recently announced as the cover star of The FADER's Paradise issue. She also debuted "Waitin" on BBC Radio 1 where the track earned 'Hottest Record' honors. Later she was interviewed by Ebro for his Beats 1 show where she dropped "Blue Light," listen to the interview here.
On September 24th, Kelela performed at the iconic Hollywood Bowl alongside friends and fellow artists Solange, Blood Orange, Moses Sumney, KING, and Kelsey Lu. On October 25th she will kick off a lengthy tour, playing shows across North America through November before heading to Europe for a slew of dates that will conclude in December in Amsterdam with tickets available here. Shows in San Francisco, Oakland, Toronto, New York, Minneapolis, DC, and London have already sold out with many more on the verge of doing so.
What the press is saying:
"Kelela's 'Take Me Apart' Is R&B That's Intimate Inside and Out... Desire and distance, heat and cool course through.... It's a digital phantasm, a matrix of synthetic sounds enfolding countless tracks of Kelela's vocals. Yet for all its electronic metamorphoses, the goal it achieves is intimacy, as Kelela whispers and coos about all the shifting modalities of getting close to someone. She makes sure that virtuality leads back to physicality." - NY Times
"Take Me Apart' is a patiently constructed monument to romance and restlessness"
- The Ringer
"'LMK' with its murmuring bass tones and gurgling synth melodies, is like a scrambled text that Prince has sent us from beyond the grave. Closing track "Altadena" is probably the most purely gorgeous thing that Kelela has ever sung, like something that some faraway society might beam back to us if all it picked up on intergalactic radio waves was SWV and '90s Michael Jackson... such a towering achievement of an album" - Stereogum
"Kelela's 'Take Me Apart' Is The Definition Of A Breakthrough Album" - NYLON
Tour Dates:
10/25 - Santa Barbara, CA @ SoHO
10/26 - Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey Theatre
10/28 - Los Angeles, CA @ Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival
10/29 - San Francisco, CA @ The Independent (SOLD OUT)
10/30 - Oakland, CA @ The New Parish (SOLD OUT)
11/1 - Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theater
11/2 - Seattle, WA @ Neumos
11/5 - Minneapolis, MN @ 7th Street Entry (SOLD OUT)
11/6 - Chicago, IL @ Promontory
11/7 - Detroit, MI @ El Club
11/9 - Toronto, ON @ Velvet Underground (SOLD OUT)
11/10 - Montreal, QC @ Belmont
11/11 - Cambridge, MA @ Middle East Downstairs
11/12 - New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom (SOLD OUT)
11/13 - New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom (SOLD OUT)
11/15 - Philadelphia, PA @ Coda
11/16 - Washington, D.C. @ U Street Music Hall (SOLD OUT)
11/17 - Durham, NC @ Motorco Music Hall
11/18 - Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade (Hell Stage)
11/20 - New Orleans, LA @ Gasa Gasa
11/21 - Houston, TX @ White Oak Music Hall Downstairs
11/27 - Manchester, UK @ Gorilla
11/28 - London, UK @ Heaven (SOLD OUT)
11/29 - London, UK @ Heaven (SOLD OUT)
12/1 - Paris, France @ Gaite Lyrique
12/2 - Antwerp, Belgium @ Trix Club
12/7 - Berlin, Germany @ Berghain
12/9 - Stockholm, Sweden @ Debaser Strand
12/11 - Copenhagen, Denmark @ Pumpehuset
12/12 - Hamburg, Germany @ Uebel & Gefährlich
12/13 - Amsterdam, Holland @ Tolhuistuin
1/13 - Melbourne, AU @ Sidney Myer Music Bowl (w/ The xx)
1/13 - Brisbane, AU @ Riverstage (w/ The xx)
1/13 - Sydney, AU @ The Domain (w/ The xx)
About Kelela:
With great anticipation, Kelela's debut album emerges as an epic portrait of an artist spanning the past and future of R&B. In her hands, however, the genre knows no boundaries and so Take Me Apart exists as an absolutely singular and fearless addition to a canon of recent classics. From her very earliest work, honesty and vulnerability have been cornerstones of Kelela's art - even when clad in the armor of the avant-garde electronics she so deftly inhabits - and Take Me Apart sees her double down on both the emotional intensity and resonance of her message as well as the sonic seeking she is renowned for.
On 2015's acclaimed Hallucinogen EP, Kelela swept listeners along in the rush of ecstasy and the melancholic vapor trail of a hopeful, but ultimately doomed liaison. Hallucinogen would prove to be a turning point, and The New York Times would name it's single, "Rewind", one of the "25 Songs That Tell Us Where Music Is Going". The EP's oversized impact would ignite a period of kinetic worldwide live shows culminating in Kelela crisscrossing the globe on tour with The xx. In parallel with this, 2016 and early 2017 would see Kelela grace a handful of crucial records as a feature vocalist - from longtime ally Solange's majestic A Seat At The Table, to Danny Brown's immense Atrocity Exhibition and most recently, the star-studded Humanz from Gorillaz.
These appearances would be tantalizing signs leading the way to Take Me Apart. Amplifying the ideas explored on Hallucinogen, here Kelela treats relationships and their effects like a Matryoshka doll, unveiling layer after layer to find herself at the center. Expressing an honest vision of how we navigate dissolving ties with each other and yet remain sanguine for the next chance at love,the emotional ricochet is traced across the album's narrative. Take Me Apart stands not only as an intensely personal chronicle, but also a defiant and turbulent statement direct from Kelela; "Despite it being a personal record, the politics of my identity informs how it sounds and how I choose to articulate my vulnerability and strength. I am a black woman, a second-generation Ethiopian-American, who grew up in the 'burbs listening to R&B, Jazz and Björk. All of it comes out in one way or another."
The process of crafting Take Me Apart embraced the approach of widely collaborative R&B, hip-hop and pop production while roaming a strange and wonderful path. Working with a cast of peers, Kelela deconstructs many results of their collaborations and builds them back up into pieces of a cohesive whole, effectively orchestrating these multitudes in aid of her singular vision. "It's this tapestry I've knitted together that attracts different types of listeners and challenges them at the same time, often within the same song. That's what I want to bring to my entire catalogue" says Kelela. Testament to this approach, the album opens with a stunning trio of high points from the low-slung mechanized swing of 'Frontline' to the kaleidoscopic splendor of 'Waitin' - by which point you've been pulled straight into the tale Kelela is weaving, and the warped and chaotic beauty of the title track before dropping into 'Enough' which sounds as if it could have been transmitted from a neon-lit jazz club in Akira's Neo-Tokyo.
The timeless, zero-gravity ballad 'Better' sees Kelela at her most unadorned - baring her soul to a nameless other over subtly transforming piano and synth textures while first single 'LMK' is all staggering club swagger that manages to span the past 20 years of innovative R&B while still exploring another dimension of possibilities. These songs typify the melding of classic song-craft and inventive production approach at the album's core, but it's here where things take yet another exhilarating turn. 'Truth or Dare' has the brittle snap and vocal twists of a Neptunes track while 'Blue Light' sees Kelela weld her sweeping pleas to the warped sonic palette of Grime, pointing the way forward to a possible future of cybernetic soul.
Now we are swept into the slipstream of a pair tracks in 'On And On' and the otherworldly grandeur of 'Turn To Dust', which conjures images of the powerful and iconic diva of Besson's The Fifth Element; and it's a short trip to the unforgettable pneumatic gospel of album closer 'Altadena', a perfect uroboros link back to 'Frontline' to begin the saga all over again. At this point you're left with the feeling that this trip through Take Me Apart is one you'll be making many more times.
Stream/Download "Take Me Apart" on iTunes
Interview: Los Angeles Based RnB/Pop Singer-Songwriter Aeriel
We recently connected with LA-based RnB/Pop singer-songwriter @aerielmusic to talk about her new music video "Be Down", her upcoming EP "Sad Girls Club"...
We recently connected with LA-based RnB/Pop singer-songwriter Aeriel to talk about her new music video "Be Down", her upcoming EP "Sad Girls Club", her musical influences and how she stands apart, and much more.
After reading our exclusive interview with Aeriel, be sure to follow her on Twitter, FB, and Instagram and stay tuned for her soon to be released "Sad Girls Club" EP.
We really dig your new music video "Be Down". You and your backup dancers killed the choreography. How long did it take to get the moves down and who choreographed the dance routine?
Thank you, glad you all enjoyed it! It was choreographed by Lia Dominique. She’s an amazing upcoming choreographer and dancer and she was able take the song and create something that perfectly matched the emotions. I started learned the choreo a couple of weeks before the shoot and after a couple of practice sessions we were good to go.
What can you tell us about your upcoming EP "Sad Girls Club"? Do you have a definitive release date and how many songs will be included? Also, what subject matter will you be covering on it?
The EP has 5 songs that were all written by myself and produced by Corey Michael and Godflow. The songs in this EP have chronicled the relationships I’ve had over the past year, both romantically and platonically, so there’s a range of emotions. I tried to play with different lyrical styles and sounds, while still making a cohesive body of work. As a new artist, you never really know what will resonate with people, as well as what will move a live audience. So I’m excited to see people’s reactions and take it all in for the next project. No official release date has been set yet, but be expecting it before the end of the year.
Your biography mentions that you were shy and quiet when you were younger. What motivated you to start being more public about your musical talent?
I’ve always been a very introverted person and that still hasn’t changed. In fact, if you catch me when I’m not performing I probably wouldn’t come off as an artist. But at some point you have to decide if you’re going to let your fears be greater than your dreams, and I just couldn’t let that happen. So I started playing more shows, and performing originals live to find myself as an artist.
Who are some artists who have influenced you throughout the years and what sets you apart from them as an artist?
I have a lot of influences both old school and new. I’d say my biggest influences as a songwriter are Smokey Robinson, Stevie Nicks, and Stevie Wonder, but I’m also so inspired by all the great female R&B artists producing such great content right now. What sets me apart from the artists I grew up on and admire is my ability to use the same songwriting techniques, but shed a light current issues happening in our society through my own experiences. The world is changing and in this day in age people are searching for transparency and vulnerability, and that's something I’m definitely willing to do.
What do you enjoy the most about being an artist or a creative person in general? Conversely, what do you enjoy the least?
It’s really cool to see a song grow from its inception to release. Every song has a life and a journey, so thats definitely my favorite part of the process. I would say my least favorite part of being an artist is the are certain aspects of the business side. As an independent artist you have to wear many hats to make sure you’re heard and that business hustle/grind is equally as important to your music. But sometimes you want to be able to just create.
Connect with Aeriel: Twitter | Instagram | Soundcloud | Facebook
Review: Sampha's "Process" Album
This is my second time reviewing this particular album by @Sampha. I’ll admit that the first time...
This is my second time reviewing this particular album by Sampha. I’ll admit that the first time I reviewed the album I didn’t give ‘Process’ its due justice; I was more caught up with Sampha’s unique appearance and similarities to other artists. The more and more I listened to the album, the more it grew on me: what’s truly unique about Sampha is the lengths he has taken produce such a wide variety of individually complex and beautiful soundscapes on his latest release ‘Process’.
Dive into a world of extreme anxiety and vulnerability as Sampha takes us through his journey of escape in the second song on this album, ‘Blood On Me’. Sampha immerses us in a soundscape of rhythmic percussive instruments and his own ambient vocal samples before introducing an ominous piano melody. Take note on how breathless Sampha sounds as he’s singing throughout the song: you can hear the anxiety and fear he feels as he sings about running away from the inner demons he’s dealing with in this song.
Genius released an artist interview where Sampha breaks down the production of ‘Blood On Me’. I’ll include it at the end of this review.
‘Kora Sings’ is upbeat and whimsical, a dramatic change in sound compared to ‘Blood On Me’. Despite the mood created by the bright and playful kora used to create the melody the song is deeply introspective as Sampha illustrates a story of a mother weeping over her child. *A kora is a 21-string West African lute/harp.
‘(No One Knows Me) Like the Piano’ is beautiful in its simplicity. The ballad features piano, a bass drum, and Sampha’s voice, both singularly and arranged in a chorus. Sampha shares with us his intimate relationship with his childhood piano and how it helped him cope with hardships as he grew up.
Sampha creates a variety of songs with producer Rodaidh McDonald on his debut release ‘Process’. Check the album out on iTunes and watch the music videos release on YouTube.
Stream/Download "Process" by Sampha
Top 10 Emerging Female RnB\Soul Singers To Watch Out For
Forget the pre-packaged Kehlanis and Tinashes of the world - we’re ready for something fresh and innovative! And fortunately, these women artists rep...
Forget the pre-packaged Kehlanis and Tinashes of the world - we’re ready for something fresh and innovative! And fortunately, these women artists rep what they stand for hard, and provide exactly that for us lucky listeners. These swaggy females should be on your radar immediately, if they’re not already.
Rochelle Jordan
This artist hails from the east side of Toronto and has Jamaican roots. She frequently works with talented producer Machinedrum, and her tracks are a clean, crisp, and contemporary representation of R&B, rather than the tired stuff that’s always recycled nowadays. No whiny ballads here!
Ravyn Lenae
Our favorite work by Ravyn is her album Midnight Moonlight, which was released six months ago. Her tracks have vibey, spaced out energy - the perfect booty music to pair with some dimmed lights and a good glass of red. Well-curated radio shows like Soulection have given her love, so why haven’t you?
Gavin Turek
Gavin Turek’s aesthetic brings us back to the 80s, with a a punchy, synthy sound to match. Her voice reminds us of Abra and Alunageorge, seductive and juxtaposing with the beat like a retro dream (check out her most recent single, The Distance). She brings the joyful funk that is more rare amongst a sea of R&B songstresses and makes it hard not to break out in dance
Bonzai
Bonzai will unite Alt Rock and R&B fans, and that’s no easy feat. Her dance-guitar track I Feel Alright is our choice track - it’s bound to get a rooftop party bouncing, but also laid back enough to Swiffer your room to. She classifies herself more as electronica, and we’d agree, but she has more unexpected production than standard members of the genre, While some of her tracks might sound a bit underwhelming on headphones, do Bonzai justice with bassy speakers turned up to 100 or do yourself a favor and just go see her live!
Ella Mai
Ok, this 22-year-old is pushing the “emerging artist” line, since she’s already been featured on a track with Ty Dolla Sign. Interscope scrambled to sign the South London raised artist who reminds many of Tinashe and Kehlani, and for good reason. Her voice is syrupy smooth, and lies in the sweet spot of that R&B/soul bridge - we can’t wait to hear more from her.
Jorja Smith
Jorja garnered a lot of attention this year after releasing the addictively catchy “Tyrant” with Kali Uchis, a genre-breaking song that somehow seemed to merge Latin inspiration with surf rock. She gives us that elusive “it” girl vibe while still seeming like a homegirl that would be fun to slumber party with. Her voice has been compared to Amy Winehouse, which is a bold statement - would you agree?
Liana Banks
Singer and songwriter Liana Banks is not about genre, and it shows in her tracks. You might recognize her for her wild green hair and alternative style, but her voice is just as memorable. She’s worked with Lilly Allen and PnB Rock before, and to have equal vocal and writing talent in her world is a rare but winning combination
Rachel Foxx
Rachel Foxx is just 23, and you wouldn’t guess it from her voice. Her relatable lyrical reflections sound like pages were ripped out of our own diaries. But instead of only filling the predictable R&B sphere, her jazz-electro infused beats stand out as unconventional, and you can still have a chill blaze sesh to them.
Joyce Wrice
People a calling Joyce a realer version of Jehne Aiko, and after seeing the latter perform a disappointingly autotuned set last year, we would have to agree. Joyce’s #1 inspiration is Tamia, and we can hear it in her silky, nostalgic songs that bring us back to a simpler time.
Sampa the Great
This poet doubles as a boundary-pushing singer-songwriter and rapper. Talk about a quadruple threat! Her following hasn’t exploded yet, but we get a feeling that it soon will. Her provocative lyrics indicate her political passions, and her voice melts like butter in our ears. What did the universe do to be blessed with such evocative and conscious work, reminiscent of Talib and Mos?
Review: Drew Vision's "Shades Of Summer" EP
I like my RnB like I like my Hennessy: smooth, refreshing, it properly places me in my feelings, and inspires me to practice producing offspring. @DrewVision “Shades of Summer” fits the criteria entirely...
I like my RnB like I like my Hennessy: smooth, refreshing, it properly places me in my feelings, and inspires me to practice producing offspring. Drew Vision’s “Shades of Summer” fits the criteria entirely.
On the first track “No Do Over’s” against ominous strings, and a back handing snare Drew atones for the impropriety in his relationship. He describes losing his soul to instant gratification, and the anguish of seeing his significant other with somebody else. If you close your eyes and listen to Drew belt stunning ad libs over a perfectly placed guitar solo; you can actually picture the video director shooting the “rise and fall of the relationship montage” on this particular part of the song.
On the percussion filled “Want Em All” the crooner details tastefully like a kid in a “Ben & Jerry’s Store” all the different types of women that he wants to “court.” Any individuals who have witnessed woman in these sun dresses, and other form fitting clothing on hot summer nights can relate to this song. The hook is simple, habit forming, and perfect.
Mr. Vision on the song “Feel this Way” helms dynamic production, and illustrates the classic man meets woman, and man loses it physically, mentally and financially. The breakdown is just genius. Of course it is. It’s the standard that RnB enthusiasts expect from a Bryan Michael Cox executive produced project. Few artists can hold their own against the legendary producers work. Drew Vision is in that minority.
On tracks like “I Give Good Love” and “Deep Water” it’s reasonable to believe that a certain sample of the population will be placing their unmentionables on the floor or entertaining that thought when encountering these two offering. They are both well executed passionate pleas for intimacy with the artist guaranteeing satisfaction.
“Shades of Summer” is a strong project. The five song EP is an exercise in quality over quantity that leaves little to be desired. Except the desire for more from Drew Vision.
Stream "Shades of Summer" EP on Soundcloud
Interview: Detroit Based RnB Artist And Producer Bam Richie
@BamRichie is a Detroit based RnB artist and producer who just released his self-titled EP and the first single "SuperWoman"...
Bam Richie is a Detroit based RnB artist and producer who just released his self-titled EP and the first single "SuperWoman". We connected with multi-talented singer-songwriter to discuss the new EP, "SuperWoman" visual, what he enjoys most about being an artist, and much more.
You did a great job with your first single and new visual "SuperWoman". How did this song come about and who produced it? Also, who directed the video and who is the leading lady?
Thank you! I moved to Orlando in 2008 to attend Full Sail University. While in college I met my wife. At the time we were just two kids in love having fun with life. We had our first child in 2009 and our second child in 2011. Having children young was not easy and we struggled for a while, but she never left and always had my back. She blessed me with two beautiful girls and motivated me to stay focus. 7 - 8 years later we're in a much better place and I realized if it wasn't for her being by my side I wouldn't have made it. So in a way she saved me, she is my SuperWoman!
I produced this track and my whole EP! I'm not a religious guy but I do believe in God, and one day I asked my FB followers for recommendation for videographers. I must've gotten at least 20 replies. Like I said I believe in God and he led me to this one guy named Reggie B ( IG: @aguynamereggieb ). He didn't have much work for me to see but something told me he was the one to bring my vision to life, and I was right!
:-)... That's my homie Lisa! I actually met her on my birthday two years ago. She jokes and says she was my gift from God lol. We had a lot in common and been really cool ever since. I told her a while ago when I shoot my 1st video I want you in it, and when it came time she looked out for me!
What do you enjoy most about being an artist and songwriter? What about the most frustrating thing(s)?
The thing I like most about being an artist/ songwriter is it allows me to escape reality. When I was younger I loved writing short stories and as I got older and experienced life I would write songs about what I've been through. It was almost like my therapy.
I put my heart & soul and so much time into my music and sometimes it feels like it's all done in vain. So that's the most frustrating thing.
How did you end up with the nickname "Mr. Song A Day"?
Going to Full Sail it's hard to have a life outside of music. We attend class almost 10 hrs a day and your surrounded by people that share your passion. On my 1st day of school they gave me an apple labtop and the DAW Logic. I bought a microphone and monitor speakers from Guitar Center and I had my own studio at my apartment. Before attending Full Sail my life was moving at a fast pace. I was always in the streets with no time to think. Now that I was away from my environment my life slowed down and it gave me time to reflect and I put it all in my music. I would come home from class everyday, smoke a few L's with my roommate and get right in my zone. Making beats always came easy to me and writing about my life was simple and like I said therapeutic. Plus I was in school for music engineering so it was the perfect situation. I would literally record a song a day, bring it to class the next day and pass out to my classmates. After a while they started calling me Mr. Songaday lol.
Tell us about your experience at Full Sail Univ. in Florida. What was the most important thing you learned while in the Recording Arts Program?
Full Sail changed my life, and not so much by what I learned in class but the whole experience itself. A month or two leading up to me attending Full Sail I was facing a drug charge. Where I come from hustling is like second nature everybody does it. My parents didn't like the route my life was going so they gave me an option. Get out their house and move to the streets or attend school for music in Florida. At the time I wasn't taking my music serious but faced with those two options I easily choose sunny skies and good weather. I didn't know much about Full Sail but I always had a passion for music. Attending Full Sail taught me responsibility and allowed me to focus on my passion.
Can you let us in on some information about your EP? What's the name of the project and where is it available for stream/download?
My first EP is self entitled "Bam Richie", that's my way of introducing myself to the industry. There are 6 original tracks, I produced and mastered myself. The EP is basically a emotional roller coaster ride, my stories of love and heartbreak. Bam Richie the EP actually dropped 8/10 on DatPiff, here's the link: http://piff.me/ad5da99 || This EP is just the beginning, I have so much to offer to the culture and I'm excited to see where my talents take me!
Thanks again for the interview! I appreciate everything you all do for unsigned artist and the culture of music in general!