Jazzu should need no introduction. The multi-award winning Lithuanian singer-songwriter shared her profound single ‘Razor Blade’ on 18 October via the Creative Industries record label. The track marks the beginning of a brand new era for Jazzu, who has successfully maintained a 20 year career, a feat that many artists can only dream of.
In June, she performed to a concert arena of over 20 000 Lithuanian fans further cementing her remarkable impact and influence in her home country. In 2019 Jazzu was the recipient of Best Album, Best Music Video and Best Pop Artistat the M.A.M.A Music Awards, while she shares her wealth of knowledge with burgeoning artists as a judge on Lithuanian X-Factor.
‘Razor Blade’ is a testament to Jazzu’s personal strength and growth. The track is about an unhealthy relationship dynamic that begins lovingly but turns toxic, which results in emotional turmoil and heartbreak. ‘Razor Blade’ is about finding the strength to let go (no matter how tough it is), put yourself first and being brave enough to start over. Jazzu told us: “When I sing this song, it’s like a ceremony for me – I sing all my pain away, acknowledging that I’m strong enough to always choose me and keep my heart safe. I’ll never let anybody hurt it again.”
Stream Jazzu – ‘Razor Blade’ below:
Jazzu teamed up with world-renowned producer Anthony Marshall (Britney Spears, Nelly Furtado) for the track. The single opens with a scintillating piano piece and Jazzu’s powerhouse vocals following soon after. The opening verse is charged with fervent emotion and creates profound momentum for the rest of the track. Once the beat drops, bold drums emerge creating a foreboding and commanding effect, while Jazzu’s voice and deft lyricism sway in tandem with the composition. The accompanying music video carries the passion and emotion of the track impeccably. It sees Jazzu in an empty apartment building, running through the passageways trying to find her way out, while simultaneously showing aerial shots of her in a maze also trying to find her way out. The poignant symbolism of the video reflects the seemingly never-ending loop of a dysfunctional relationship.
Creative mastermind Yung Saber unveiled his new single ‘M15/NORMAL’ on October 17th via YUNG SABER MUSIC. Acclaimed electronic music producer Zed Bias produced the fiery single, which also features the electrifying vocals of international dancehall phenomenon Chi Ching Ching.
The single premiered on prominent tastemaker EARMILK, and is accompanied by a high-spirited music video on the OFFICIAL YUNG SABER RADIO Youtube channel.
Stream Yung Saber x Chi Ching Ching – ‘M15/NORMAL’ below:
‘M15/NORMAL’ is an audacious fusion of dancehall and amapiano, further solidifying Yung Saber’s influence and impact in the industry. So far, he’s amassed over 25 million streams, performed at Glastonbury and received praise from the likes of CLASH. He grew up in a musical family (both parents were reggae DJs), along with his cousinrenowned reggae singer Dennis Brown who was a significant influence for him too. Yung Saber’s musical roots are evident in his sonic expression, and ‘M15/NORMAL’ is no exception.
The decision to collaborate with Chi Ching Ching was a spark of genius, as he adds his signature uplifting energy and infectious charm, creating a potent atmosphere throughout the track. The production is impeccable, and ZedBias does a seamless job at merging the two genres together. The track features a faster tempo than traditional amapiano tracks, but still holds the signature log drum, shakers and synths. It’s driven by Chi Ching Ching’s hard-hitting vocals and quirky adlibs which submerge the listener into a Caribbean and South African infused extravaganza. With the addition of an airhorn, and the alluring rhythm of dancehall ‘M15/NORMAL’ is an auditory feast.
Yung Saber reveals: “I believe I’m the king of originality and I believe as an artist my job is to create the greatest music at its finest so yes, I’m here back again with a fusion of Amapiano meets Dancehall featuring one of Dancehall’s most Prominent Artist Chi Ching Ching Track titled M15/NORMAL.”
The music video premiered on Yung Saber’s YouTube channel, and was sponsored by influential clothing brand True Religion. The video features Yung Saber and Chi Ching Ching driving around in premium sports cars, dancing, rapping and having a great time in the streets of London with beautiful women by their side.
UK-based Dancehall luminary Doller unveiled a dazzling music video for his latest hit ‘BAD GYAL’ featuring East London rapper Sincerely Keane. The video was released on October 7th, while the single was released on September 30th and received acclaim from renowned tastemaker NOTION.
Stream Doller x Sincerely Keane – ‘BAD GYAL’ below:
Doller has made a name for himself through his lyrical prowess and unwavering determination. A few of his accolades include touring internationally, performing alongside revered Jamaican singer Cblock, as well as headlining Hackney Social’s Wynters Wonder List.
‘BAD GYAL’ is a nonchalant Dancehall track that’s made to make your body move. It oozes sensuality, fun and lightheartedness against the backdrop of a relaxed Caribbean atmosphere. The track is about the pair’slove and admiration for Caribbean women. Through clever wordplay and infectious energy from both Doller and Sincerely Keane, the single is a triumphant feat for both artists. The accompanying music video reflects the energy and ambience of the track perfectly too. It features stunning women donned in party outfits and swaying to the beat, while Keane and Doller have the time of their livesdancing and rapping.
Doller and Sincerely Keane told us; “the inspiration behind the ‘Bad Gyal’ video is we wanted to tell a realistic story of two fly guys creating a good vibe around two “Bad Gyal”, pun intended. We wanted to bring the song to life by ensuring the video matched the mood and feel of the song.”
UK Dancehall and Grime stalwart Doller joined forces with emerging rapper Sincerely Keane on his latest single ‘BAD GYAL’, released on September 30th via the Beyond Dis World imprint. The single is charismatic, suave and groove-laden with Doller and Sincerely Keane delivering sublime performances over a sumptuous Dancehall beat and a swinging melody.
With Jamaican roots, the North London-based artist has received support from acclaimed publications such as Wordplay Magazine and GRM Daily. His music has received regular plays on BBC Radio 1Xtra, with support from the likes of DJ Target, Sian Anderson and Seani B, Doller’s influence and impact are unwavering.
‘BAD GYAL’ was produced by ActiveByNight, and features the smooth and charming vocals of East London artist Sincerely Keane. He opens the track with clever wordplay and captivating delivery, immersing the listener into their care-free Caribbean vibrations. Sincerely Keane playfully raps about his love for Caribbean women and their physiques over the iconic Dancehall beat and invigorating bass line. Doller arrives halfway through the track and adds his signature effortless groove and sleek vocals. Fans of Hip Hop and Dancehall icons such as Popcaan and Vybz Kartel will absolutely love this monumental collaboration.
Doller and Sincerely Keane reveal; “The theme of the song is about creating a vibe for attractive ladies in slang terms a ‘Bad Gyal’.”
Stream Doller x Sincerely Keane – ‘BAD GYAL’ below:
Heartwarming Dutch singer-songwriter Alain Clark shared his evocative new single ‘Pressed Out Emotions’ on September 6th via the A Sides imprint. The single is a bountiful blend of jazz, soul and R&B, with Alain’s monumental vocals and poignant storytelling stealing the show. ‘Pressed Out Emotions’ also received praise from esteemed publications NOTION and EARMILK.
Stream Alain Clark – ‘Pressed Out Emotions’ below:
‘Pressed Out Emotions’ feels like a warm embrace from a long lost friend or loved one. Its warmth, distinct energy and intrepidness radiate throughout. Alain’s vulnerability and honesty are also palpable, as he sings about a connection where two people are at odds with what they each desire.
Alain Clark is a seasoned musician who’s been involved in the music industry for nearly 15 years, and was signed to Warner Music UK in 2009. Since then, he’s received multiple awards and accolades for his profound musicality, including the Edison Award and Silver Harp Award for achieving Triple Platinum physical sales in The Netherlands, as well as support from BBC Music, The Mirror and Glamour’s YouTube channel.
The single takes the listener on a pulsating voyage from beginning to end, with an instrumental arrangement that’s reminiscent of classic soul and R&B, but elevated with a contemporary twist. It was produced by David Michael Ott, who has worked with the likes of A Tribe Called Quest, while the songwriting was crafted by Alain, David Michael Ott and Alex Duncan VI.
‘Pressed Out Emotions’ features sultry, smooth vocals with a distinct groove that only Alain is capable of. The luxurious guitar riffs create a tantalising backdrop, weaving together old-school R&B and soul with a contemporary edge. Alain’s silken delivery hits the mark every time, with fervent emotion and an irresistible charm that will have you craving more.
Alain reveals: “Recording ‘Pressed Out Emotions’ with James Gadson on drums and Pino Palladino on bass was like going to the groove casino with super favourable odds. The track to me feels like an all analog, lowrider cruise down Crenshaw Blvd, car windows down with a golden hour palm tree backdrop.”
London-based singer-songwriter Carrie Baxter is back with her latest EP Keep Swimming. The EP was released on 25 September 2024 via her own imprint Carrie Baxter, with the artist’s return being nothing short of triumphant and impactful.
Originally from Ireland, Carrie is widely known for her fusion of jazz, soul and R&B, as well as her ability to write profoundly moving lyrics. So far, she has received support from esteemed platforms like COLORS, Wonderland and Hot Press with frequent radio play on Jazz FM, BBC Radio 1 and RTÉ 2fm.She currently has over 70 million streams across her discography, and almost 400 000 monthly Spotify listeners.
The creation of Keep Swimming was an exploration of self-renewal and growth for Carrie. In 2022 she experienced burnout, and as a result decided to go independent and take time off from the music industry. This allowed her to expand and reflect on her artistry, which birthed the EP. Keep Swimming also addresses themes of love, religion, self-awareness and connection. Carrie shares more on the EP; “I needed the sound to ignite a certain amount of sexiness but also be super chilled at the same time.”
The lead single ‘In The Morning’, is a sensual and charismatic track where her iconic sultry vocals stand out. The sound is reminiscent of 90s neo-soul icons like Erykah Badu. It has a hypnotising energy and cozy atmosphere with captivating chords. Carrie reveals more about the single; “Once we got the chords right, everything else flowed effortlessly.”
Keep Swimming is a victorious feat for Carrie, as it radiates authenticity, vibrance and passion. It’s a beautiful return for the skilled artist and sets the bar for future releases.
Tim Palm, the rising star in the electronic music scene, has released his highly anticipated debut album, The Unknown Sea. Known for rejuvenating the fundamentals of the house subculture, Tim Palm’s music thrives on interaction, creating a space for listeners who often find themselves without one. With a growing online presence boasting over 110,000 followers and 60 million views to date, Tim continues to build meaningful connections with audiences around the world.
The Unknown Sea marks a significant milestone in Tim Palm’s journey as an artist, offering a compelling blend of house music’s sophistication with the raw vitality of the human sound. This album is not just a collection of tracks; it’s an exploration of the intersection between electronic music and human emotion.
The seed for The Unknown Sea was planted when Tim entered the studio with a simple yet profound goal: to create music free from the constraints of expectation. “From there on, it was just about following the intuition and the creative force”, says Tim. The album was brought to life organically through live sets, impromptu jams and focussed studio sessions aimed at capturing the essence of creativity in the moment.
Recorded across multiple locations, including Tim Palm’s private studio, sessions over Zoom and Fashionpolice Studios in Stockholm, the album was finalised and mixed at the renowned Svenska Grammofonstudion in Gothenburg. This diverse recording process reflects the album’s core theme – dissolving musical boundaries and embracing the unknown.
The album features previous hit singles ‘New Person’ and ‘Me’ as well as the standout new track ‘The One’. Each song on the album contributes to a sonic journey that invites listeners to explore uncharted territories in music and emotion. Speaking on the inspiration behind the album, Tim Palm shares, “The title of the album represents the start of my journey as the artist Tim Palm and the fantastic uncertainty of what’s to come.”
With The Unknown Sea,Tim Palm opens up a new chapter in his career, inviting fans and new listeners alike to dive into a realm where genres intertwine and the human touch is always present. The Unknown Seais available to buy/stream now on all platforms.
Chicago-born Khaliyah X unveiled her mesmerising mixtape ‘What’s My Name?’ on September 13th 2024. The rising R&B trailblazer merges traditional R&B with a contemporary twist, and this new offering illustrates her growth and development as an artist.
‘What’s My Name?’ was created over the span of two years, and represents a period of profound personal expansion and self-discovery for her. Written between 2022 and 2023, Khaliyah X allowed her intuition to guide her as she freestyled the tracks instead of writing the lyrics beforehand.
The title track, which was released last year boasts over 500 000 streams across platforms, while the focus track ‘Disturb The Peace’ is filled with fiery, bold energy reminiscent of the likes of Kehlani and Summer Walker. The track features a delicate, captivating piano-led melody, with Khaliyah X’s serene vocals and lyrics swaying in tandem with it.
The mixtape features 10 remarkable tracks where Khaliyah X bravely unearths her inner world, emotions and experiences. It’s authentic and holds nothing back, setting the stage for an exceptionally powerful career for Khaliyah X.
Khaliyah X shares:“‘What’s My Name’ is an introduction to who I am as an artist—what I stand for and what I believe in. More than anything, I want to take the listener on a journey through the music. This project explores a range of emotions: anger, sadness, introspection, grief, and acceptance. I wanted to be as vulnerable as possible; it was both healing and a release from the habit of masking my true feelings in my music. After all, isn’t the best music the kind that makes you feel deeply? This project is both an introduction to myself and an ode to myself.”
14-year-old rap maverick Davi The Mavi unveiled his debut single ‘That Night’ on 30 August 2024.
The track was written and produced by the up-and-coming artist based in Birmingham. Davi The Mavi is disrupting the UK rap scene with his age-defying talent and inimitable energy.
Inspired by the likes of Travis Scott, Don Toliver, Future and Nas, he has managed to create a signature blend of melodic trap and hip hop, laced with experimental elements. With his debut offering ‘That Night’,Davi showcases his impressive production skills and storytelling ability. The single outlines the sequence of events from an eventful night out with friends, where unpredictability and chaos thrives. It’s all about living in the moment, teenage rebellion and pushing the limits.
The track reflects Davi’s undeniable potential, as well as his love for hip hop. With its fresh, cutting-edge production and hardcore lyrics it’s a bold debut offering, where he proudly exhibits his unique style and lyrical prowess. The future of rap is unfolding, and Davi The Mavi is at the forefront.
Toro y Moi shares ‘Hollywood’ feat. Ben Gibbard and ‘CD-R,’ two new songs from his forthcoming album Hole Erthdue 6th September. The songs join the previously-released ‘Heaven’ featuring Kevin Abstract and Lev and lead single ‘Tuesday’ to paint the world of Hole Erth, an album that represents Toro y Moi’s boldest musical pivot to date in a career marked by musical reinvention.
On ‘Hollywood,’ Chaz Bear enlists Ben Gibbard (Death Cab For Cutie, The Postal Service) for a melancholy single that laments being stuck in the Los Angeles neighborhood after which the song takes its name. “I’ve been a fan of Ben’s music for some time now and it only felt right to have him be a part of this record. With the album having themes of angst and nostalgia, ‘Hollywood’ felt like a perfect fit.”
B-side ‘CD-R’ recounts the tales of Toro y Moi’s come-up, with Bear offering that, ‘CD-R’ is a song that pays homage to the days before playlisting and streaming — the days when things were curated by people and not the algorithm.” Hole Erthsynthesises anthemic pop-punk and autotuned, melancholic rap into a body of work that is both very much of the now, but also a reflection of long-running threads in Toro y Moi mastermind Chaz Bear’s musical history – from his childhood immersion in punk and emo to his past production work for some of the biggest names in modern rap.
In addition to the album, Toro y Moi has announced headline performances in Los Angeles and New York, having recently announced his biggest headline show to date in Berkeley, CA. News of UK and European shows will follow soon.
Listen to ‘Hollywood’ and ‘CD-R’ above now and see below for more information about Hole Erth ahead of its September release.
Hole Erth, Chaz Bear’s eighth full-length studio record as Toro y Moi, is the genre shapeshifter’s most unexpected and bold move to date, with Bear diving headlong into rap-rock, Soundcloud rap and Y2K emo. The album blitzes anthemic pop-punk next to autotuned, melancholic rap – two genres that inform one another now more than ever before — and packs in the most features ever on a Toro y Moi album. We get Don Toliver’s moody crooning on the anti-love song ‘Madonna’. We get Kevin Abstract and Lev’s breathy reflections on ‘Heaven’. We get emo king Benjamin Gibbard, the beating heart of millennial indie for crying out loud. Recorded in the span of a few months across late 2023 and early 2024, Hole Erth’sfeatures built naturally over that short span, with Bear simply reaching out to long-time friends. The sum of Hole Erth’s parts is massive, and demonstrates Bear’s deft abilities as a producer, especially in hip-hop; his role in the culture has long been solidified from previous collaborations with some of rap’s biggest trailblazers. It’s a daring left turn for Bear, but the feel is effortless, the make-it-look-easy of a master at work. All told, Bear pushes himself into new sonic ground for the TyM oeuvre while embracing the project’s celebrated, well-known electronic beginnings. Hole Erth is brand new, but somehow perfectly at home.
The album’s title is an homage toWhole Earth, Stewart Brand’s DIY periodical from the late ‘60s and early ‘70s, the central purpose of which was to empower people to be holistically self-sufficient. From product reviews of carpentry tools, to how-to guides for growing your own food, to techno-optimistic analyses that’d go on to inspire Silicon Valley startup culture, parallels of the catalog’s DIY ethos can be found all throughout Hole Erth. Bear cites gorpcore, a new-age fashion trend of functional, outdoorsy outerwear worn as streetwear, as influencing the album’s aesthetic. This also ties back to Brand’s influential counterculture catalog. Bear notes: “Things have gone in a more gorp-y direction. Humans are tapping into this more tribal, earthier aesthetic. The Whole Earth catalog is this encyclopedic, self-sustaining guide. With the album title alone, that’s something I wanted to spark as a conversation. We can be off the grid, and also be on the internet, and try out all of these different lifestyles at the same time.” This sense of duality exists within Hole Erth: it’s seeped in the technological world while embracing real-world human connection.
The sounds that make up Hole Erth might feel like new territory for Bear, but in reality it’s a return to form for Toro y Moi – a project that has always orbited electronic music. “Toro is not a rock band,” Bear assures. “To me, my folk records and psych rock records are the side quests. What I fell in love with with the Toro project were the electronic productions – the samples. There’s always more to be done in the electronic world.” His experimentation with electronic production is most obvious on tracks like album opener ‘Walking In The Rain’, an immediate immersion into the brooding pulse of Hole Erth.
Given Bear’s work with some of modern rap’s most influential acts, it’s no surprise that his autotuned cadence and cheeky play-on-words calls to mind the moody braggadocio of today’s popular hip-hop. ‘Hollywood’ featuring Benjamin Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie and The Postal Service fame, places warped vocals and ephemeral sound bites of internet dial-up beneath watery ruminations on celebrity and the delusions prevalent in Tinseltown. The track’s nostalgic nods in combination with Bear’s genre fluidity is a Toro y Moi trademark that can be heard throughout his discography. From the twangy, laidback reflections that comprised his most recent Sandhills EP, to the retro-futuristic grooves of 2019’s Outer Peace, Bear is no stranger to flexing his muscles as a forward-thinking musical chameleon, while still managing to make music that feels eternally familiar yet compelling.
A sense of nostalgia sneaks its way into almost every Toro y Moi release, but angst is an emotion that Bear has never intentionally explored the way he does here. Tracks like ‘Tuesday’ channel a specific, yet forever-relatable sense of adolescent unease. A distorted guitar riff leads into a repeating chorus that conjures misunderstood teenagers singing aloud, maybe too loud, while riding bikes through American suburbs. This foreboding can also be heard on ‘HOV’ though not without poking some fun with lines like ‘Romance is so cold / My advice? To bring a coat’.
A sense of playful ambition and experimentation sits at the core ofHole Erth. Bear has the energy, but is acutely aware that his energy isn’t forever. At a time when the internet is blending multiple genres into one at an increasingly rapid pace, Bear accomplishes the rare feat of keeping up with the contemporary alternative listener. Constantly changing, evolving and experimenting is the heart of Toro y Moi, and on Hole Erth Bear challenges but also reclaims himself, embracing the myriad sounds and eras that formed him, while crashing new worlds together.
Hole Erthis out September 6, 2024, on Dead Oceans.
