ÒLAH BLISS is the definition of a powerful goddess who is certain to be an icon for girls everywhere, and this icon is about to come smashing onto the music scene when she releases her debut EP that is set to teach the world about sexuality, liberation and shattering conventions, and the class starts at 13:20, and trust me you don’t want to be late.
The classroom is ÒLAH’s transcendental debut EP – ‘13:20′ and she brings these themes through her experimental soul sound and sensual, erotic, highly captivating and flawless production that has an essence of Bjork infused with vocals that will bring forward memories of Macy Gray with a touch of Erykah Badu.
ÒLAH BLISS uses her debut ‘13:20′ to capture the moment when a woman finds liberation in her power, and the overall line up of 13:20 is strong and powerful but yet remains delicate and beautiful taking inspiration from an array of sounds and eras. 13:20 denotes the time ÒLAH BLISS was born and her 13:20 debut EP marks her rebirth.
The EP is out on the 25th of February and you can check out an official cheeky video preview of track ‘School Me’ that features ÒLAH and artist Dwele right here. So wet those appetites and get ready for an EP that promises to empower, entertain, seduce and most importantly bring ÒLAH BLISS into the spotlight that she deserves.
The Reading based 4 piece Sundara Karma who have previously been getting some attention for their unique indie sound, are now bringing you the first track to be taken from their forth coming ‘EPI’ that is titled ‘Loveblood’. Loveblood sees the band take a new route in their sound with an essence of Arcade Fire bringing a more powerful approach to their music then we have previously heard. ‘Loveblood‘ is fuelled with raspy indie rock creating a track that is utterly euphoric and proving that this quartet can really up their game, leaving me in great anticipation for their ‘EPI’ which is set to be released on February the 23rd via 203 Recordings.
Joseph O’Connell, aka Elephant Micah, his set to release his latest album Where In Our Woods on January 20th via Western Vinyl. This will be his 12th album release and yet the first to be released via a major record label as in the past he has self released his albums or worked with small labels. This release follows teaser tracks “By the Canal” and “Slow Time Vultures”, and now the Indiana folk genius has teamed up with Will Oldham aka Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy for a new single entitled “Demise of the Bible Birds”.
O’Connell and Bonnie make for a brilliant duo as the two different sets of vocals harmonise together so coherently and accentuate each others own unique sounds.
Stream the new track below and keep your eyes peeled for the album release because it promises to be winner.
‘Dream Story’ is the stunning new track from London-based singer/songwriter Laura Groves and it comes straight off her forth coming ‘Committed Language’ EP which is set for release via DEEK Recordings on the 16th of February. ‘Dream Story’ is a rather surprising change in direction for the young artist as this new track is infused with subtle 80’s pop sounds. What is not surprising however, is that that the song is utterly beautiful, and with Laura’s last Blue Roses LP that was released back in 2009 and blew me away, it is now great to see that she hasn’t lost her touch, just freshened things up.
Laura’s new track charms and enchants the listener and completely captures your full attention with its warm sounding keys and her exquisite vocals that are so compelling, and if her upcoming EP is as beguiling as this song then 2015 promises to be a great year for Laura.
Lusts is a dark pop duo made up of Andy and James Stone, brothers from Leicester in the off set of their career, and they are already offering us some extremely exciting sounds. They are taking us back in time to the 80’s which is as equally refreshing as it is over due, and with their debut single ‘Temptations’ they are providing an all round flash back with a modern twist and it is nothing short of genius.
AA-side single “Temptation”/”Cross” will be released on the 2nd of March via 1965 Records and the brothers are also set to perform at Dalston’s Birthdays on the 27th of January, of which will be their second ever show.
You may not think you know who Jimmy Napes is but trust me you will have heard music he has helped create. That’s right he may not be a house hold name (YET) but Jimmy has collaborated with some of the biggest names, and biggest singles of last year including a co-writing credit on Sam Smith’s massive hit ‘Stay With Me’, which earned him a Grammy nomination, as well as further behind-the-scenes work with artists such as Disclosure (“Together”), and Mary J. Blige (on her most recent release, The London Sessions).
However now it is Jimmy’s time in the spotlight as he releases his own original track ‘Give It Up’, which was produced by Howard Lawrence from Disclosure. ‘Give It Up’ is the debut single from his forth coming EP ‘The Making Of Me’ which is due out in the early part of this year. The track is extremely catchy but not in a frustrating way, it hooks you in with an almost retro undertone and Jimmy’s array of vocals from polished falsetto to his equally strong bottom line vocal, this song is an all round winner and sure to see Jimmy get the recognition he deserves.
Stream the track below and get your self accustomed to the name and sounds of Jimmy Nape
Ever fallen for someone you weren’t supposed to ? ….
Well then you will be able to truly empathise with the beautiful and highly entrancing new track from the stunning British new comer Robyn Sherwell. The latest song is titled ‘Pale Lung’ and has a real laid back R&B vibe that is incredibly emotional but still remains accessible to a listener.
The track is all about the mixture of guilt and desire at that moment when you feel a spark or fall for someone you know you really shouldn’t pursue…. which lets be honest must be something we have all experienced. If you haven’t felt this then I’m sorry but I’m sure that feeling will hit you at some point in the future, and when it does I hope ‘Pale Lung’ is the first thing that comes into your head.
I have heard a couple of Robyn’s singles over the past year, and even though they have garnered her lots of online support, this track to me has stepped it up a level and demonstrates her real unique sound and style. A lot of artists try this niche but many try and fail, but it appears that this singer songwriter is here to stay, and with soothing vocals like those I cant wait to hear what’s next.
This delicate song is RnB meets pop with a soulful edge and it will take you into a different world, so check it out right here and let the music work its magic –
Singer Nate Salman first grabbed my attention back in October last year when he featured on Les Sins‘ disco-pop track, “Why” and now he has once again gave my ears a hug with this new song and with his new and exciting Oakland 5 piece band Waterstrider. The track is titled ‘White Light’ and features beautiful falsetto from Mr Salman along with a playful ryhthm section and raspy guitar riffs that create a dreamy song representing that of an accomplished band, not a new one.
The single ‘White Light’ is set to be released as a double A-side along with a track titled ‘Calliope’ on the 29th January. This will be featured on the band’s debut, Nowhere Now, that is out later this year.
Now here are two names I never thought I would see together…
Lana Del Ray and Rae Sremmurd are in music term of very different genres, but that is the beauty of music, the strangest combinations often fit together so well. This is obviously not news to someone named ‘Chazzy’ on Soundcloud as he has so creatively mixed tracks “Video Games” with “No Type” and ingeniously entitled the mash up ‘Lana Del Ray’ which lets be honest is a name that is too hot to ignore.
The compilation of these two very different artists work very well, and this is not the first time I have heard Lana Del Ray mixed into a mash up and I am sure it wont be the last, but then again her name sells it self.
Shanty are a North West London based 7-piece Party-Reggae collective, that as a band, create music compiled of stomping bass, soulful hooks, inspirational aesthetics and party vibes which bring the listener to life. They have a classic Reggae sound that is so refreshing, but it also inhibits infusions of electronic, Hip Hop and Soul, that bound together, make up the signature Shanty sound.
These young guys have already been championed by BBC 1Xtra’s David Rodigan among other industry taste makers, and with the recent release of their debut EP Leave Me Out, which as a project is bursting with flavour, it is not hard to see why they are rapidly garnering themselves an array of support, from fans and critics alike. Shanty are already wading in the water of giants and this emerging band of Reggae brothers look like they are extremely close to paving their own path and becoming a name all of their own.
If you haven’t already checked out Shanty’s EP then I order you to finish reading this article and then step right to it, and pay particular attention to my personal favourite “Rise Up“, which is the third track on the EP. The song starts with a heavy bassline and horn accompaniment and frontman Ben Willis booming vocals that, when they storm into the track, shock the listener and snap them out of the happy-go-lucky haven that previous track “Bohemian Soul” had just secluded them in. This shift in style is something that continues throughout their music, which keeps you on your toes and in suspense for what is next, whilst still maintaining a signature sound that holds it all together.
I have had the pleasure of seeing Shanty live on more than one occasion and they are an act I highly recommend to anyone who loves a night bursting with incredible atmosphere, or who like me just appreciates live music at its best. These guys are a true testament to how live music should sound, as they are over flowing with enthusiasm and fresh beats, and as a group, their charisma is so enchanting, that you get taken on an exotic journey, and for a moment you could be any where. Shanty simply have a knack for crafting music that could make even the shyest person forget all inhibitions and get their skank on.
Willis’ vocals deserve some attention here as well, as they are so infectious that they pull the audience in and make them feel completely at home, and even though he may have that charismatic Reggae tone, he also has the ability to bring a darker edge, which can be heard on the EP’s opening number and title track “Leave Me Out“. This is a great example as the song entails themes of lying and cheating, and yet still going back for more – misery loves company and all that reggae.
Shanty took their modern twist on classic reggae to some impressive festival stages over the summer including Glastonbury, Boomtown Fair, Secret Garden Party, Leopallooza and an array of others, as well as recording their EP in the infamous Sawmills studio in Cornwall, who has had the likes of Oasis, The Verve, Supergrass and The Stone Roses record there, which demonstrates the potential, passion and the damn right talent that these guys have to offer. I can see great things for Shanty and I just hope that as they get more well known and their gigs get more expensive, that bass man, and one of my oldest friends, Jake Butler will still be able to help a brother out and get me in, because every Shanty live performance feels like the first time, and I want to experience it again and again.
One thing is crystal clear after listening to Shanty live, or after hearing their debut EP, and its that Shanty deserve a huge amount of support for their offerings, as it is extremely rare to hear praise about a British reggae band, due to Jamaica and the United States kind of dominating the genre, however if Shanty continue to head in the direction they have started, they will be paving a way and setting an example for British reggae everywhere.
Leo Live 