After premiering on Ones to Watch, Sophia Black’s latest single, “Blessed” is out, acting as a taster for her up coming EP. Throughout the track, listeners become immediately uplifted by the upbeat and lively nature of Black’s bright soundscape. Not only is this single full of energy, but there is so much personal meaning in the lyrics for the artist herself that the emotion in each line is almost tangible. Since her first appearance on stage in 2014, Black has been working to master her individual sound and really hone in on her wide variety of cultural backgrounds that range from Native American to Japanese. Her last EP was released in 2015 and was the home of not one, but several international hits that garnered several million views.
With all of this excitement surrounding the release of “Blessed,” Sophia has commented on the origins of this spunky new single. In her own words she stated, “It felt like all I could think of was bad stuff,” she recalls, “so when I got into the studio with Naz, I started writing down every positive opposite of what I was thinking… and voila! Blessed!”
Within this track, Black was able to capture this sentiment perfectly with the hip, bring beats and her amazing, dreamy vocal skills. Now that she is back on the radar, fans around the globe will be looking forward to her next EP, Hi Sweetie.
Although there are many ways to describe electronica’s newest sweetheart Amy Owens, one of the most accurate would have to be “charismatic.” As one of the only artists that own her type of special sound, there is a lot of freedom in the way she performs and records and fans all around the world are eating it up. Most recently, the long awaited album, Haethor is being prepared to be released and is scheduled to drop this Friday, May 25. Along with a single that had an incredible debut on IMPOSE, “Hook”, twelve other tracks have been put together that compose her full length album. Unconventional beauty is showcased as one of Owens’ specialties in each of the tracks which is sure to satisfy fans that have been long awaiting its release.
Like all of her releases in the past, Haethor, named after the Egyptian goddess of music, is the unorthodox combination of electronica and intense operatic bursts throughout each track. As a talented soprano, Owens owns each jump in pitch with apparent ease that grans the attention of the listener and pulls them even deeper into the almost psychedelic atmosphere that her unique soundscape creates.
Although all of the tracks on this new album come together under the same unique style, they are written from a diverse range of backgrounds and view points that assure each track can stand on its own. As each track weaves between operatic scales, to electronica, to complex sonic landscapes, one may wonder from where Owens draws her inspiration. Speaking on this subject, she stated,
“I don’t think about drawing from any style in particular, but I am very much aware that my tastes are shaped by the music with which I surround myself. Mostly, that’s classical music, because that’s what I do. A lot of the music I listen to is fairly complex, which is why I tend to write polyphonic and layered parts. And of course, everything has to be fun to sing. You’re talking to a girl who does bel canto, after all. “The Hook” is really difficult to sing, truth be told, but so is opera, so I’m used to it.”
Clearly, this young artist has much to offer to a variety of fans across a very wide spectrum of tastes and preferences. Not only does this allow Owens to expand her fan following at a rapid pace, but it also gives her music the room that it requires to find place in the hearts of fans all over the world. With so much in store for her fans, it will be exciting to see how she keeps us on our toes next.
Coming from an artist that has a mixed bag of previous skills is the “sonic brainchild” of Los Angeles based photographer and visual artist Jeff Fribourg is Numb.er. This incredibly modern synth-rock outfit started from a growing passion for synthesizers and a desire to enter the music industry with a sound that is unlike anything we have ever heard before. With his incredible knack for structure and design, each track produced by this rather unorthodox artist is built to be both appealing to the ear and bring something completely new to the eclectic musical world.
Most recently, Fribourg has release an all new single entitled, “Again,” which is a perfect compliment to the tracks that he has released in the past. As he continually releases more and more music, it becomes clear that his understanding of his sound also increases, which results in even more impressive productions. Living outside of a specific genre, Numb.er embodies several different genres that inspire Fribourg to create something completely his own. While listening to “Again,” fans can enjoy elements inspired by punk, shoegaze, and post-punk. This freedom allows the music produced to be as natural and organic as possible, which showcases Fribourg’s wide rage of skills and talents. With so much in store for listeners around the world, we are all eager to watch and see just how far Fribourg will go.
Grab their new album Goodbyenow, and keep up with Numb.er here.
Breaking into the new year with a new single that is sure to get her name heard by thousands of new listeners is LA based artist, Tessa Rae and her first single of the year entitled, “Downtown.” Not only does this song have a deep meaning to the artist herself, but it is sure to touch the hearts of fans around the world with its generally universal message. In her own words, Rae stated, “‘Downtown’ is a story about loss and dealing with its aftermath…I lost my best friend and someone who I felt was a soulmate to me in this world. The song is kind of an outward expression of the shoulda-woulda-coulda games we all play with ourselves when we lose someone we love. Initially In.Drip. was only going to produce the song, but the first version he sent me was with my verse followed by his hook and it honestly blew me away. I loved it and asked if he’d be on the track.”
Just as was indicated in the statement, this song was built to embody the pain that one feels when they experience loss — a sentiment that is felt within each individual, painstaking beat. As the song begins, ears are immediately met by Tessa Rae’s fantastic vocal skill meshed with a tenderness that is indescribable. Not only is this a talent that is hard to come by, but it also has a unique way of fluctuating with the instrumental component that stabilizes the track. Throughout the entire track, fans also have the pleasure of experiencing the raw power behind the lyrics that hold so much meaning through the minimalistic soundscape. Without a doubt, there is much in store in the coming years for this incredibly talented young artist.
Putting rock back on the radar is wildly successful young group, Silent Rival and their first single since the release of their last album, The Kindness of Strangers. Right on the heels of their success comes, “Just One Voice” that gets fans moving and creates a fun, joyful atmosphere where band members proclaim this new anthem loud and proud. Since the release of this new single, it has risen to the top of playlists from fans across the globe and caught the attention of Spotify users which bumped the single up to the #12 spot on the “Fierce Femme” playlist. Much like their legendary predecessors such as the Strokes, New York Dolls, or Queens of the Stone Age their music is captivating and the driving beat encourages all who are listening to get up and move.
Since, “Just One Voice” is the first release for this new year, there is no telling exactly what this cheeky rock outfit has in store for their fans, however, one thing is for sure: they have already guaranteed a position in the hearts of thousands of fans from around the globe. Riding this success is sure to raise the bar on their future releases and encourage all of the band members to diligently work top develop and even more concentrated and focused overall soundscape. Without a doubt, the future is bright for Silent Revival as they continually release music that is as hearty and joyful as “Just One Voice.”
In preparation for the release of her forthcoming EP, Naomi Hamilton, who uses the moniker of Jealous of the Birds on stage, has just released her latest single, “Plastic Skeleton.” Unlike most of the other music that has been produced and released in the past, this album is the perfect balance of vocal and instrumental components that are expertly woven together. To open this single, fans have the ability to enjoy the psychedelic beats played out by the guitar and drums. Before long, the hypnotizing soundscape is joined by mischievous vocals that have a natural grit that matches the genre of music perfectly and is neither too over or underwhelming.
As each note passes, the tempo seems to slowly increase along with the building intensity that builds and grows until it reaches a breaking point which is then followed by an artistic ending that seems to push the listener over the edge of suspense. With having the climax so close to the end, Hamilton is able to hold the attention of her fans until the very last breath. Without a doubt, there is a particular kind of artistry that is both unique and clever and the artist’s end. Now that this single has been released, the up coming release of The Moths Of What I Want Will Eat Me In My Sleep is sure to be a smash hit for this growing artist.
Kicking off his forthcoming album with the release of a single that is both hypnotic and beat driven is Ben Browning and his latest release, “Sunshine Baby.” Although his sophomore album is not scheduled to be released until the end of next month (June 22), Browning has released this track that has made the hype surrounding the aforementioned album grow with each individual stream. This single beings with pulsing synth beats that immediately center the listener’s attention solely on each passing note. As the music continues and the first verse of this very modern track truly starts, Brownings vocal skills are captivating and bring the listener into a bright new world that is painted by each lyrically infused beat. With the bright synth loops that create a joyful soundscape, the track becomes a pleasure to listen to and distracts from the events of the methodical and, at times, monotonous pressures of daily life.
While speaking of this new project Browning stated,
After listening to this record I hope people feel like they’ve gone on a smooth psychedelic journey through a colorful musical world. I wanted to create an album that people would want to play in their homes whilst cooking dinner or getting high and imagine what they’re hearing comes from a land created by Jim Henson – or perhaps they’re listening a lost George Harrison album recorded in the Caribbean and discovered on a VHS tape 30 years later.
Without a doubt, Browning succeeded in the enormous feat and, like all of his fans, we are excited to see what new music he has in store for us in the upcoming months. As the title suggests, all those who have the pleasure of listening to this track will feel the warmth of the lyrics and the comfort that this uplifting track has to offer. Written as a nod to Italo disco and Takahashi from Yellow Magic Orchestra, “Sunshine Baby” is everything that fans expected from such a talented and promising artist.
One of the hottest LGBTQ artists from this generation has just announced that she will be dropping her next single this Wednesday for the public to hear and her fans have been going nuts ever since. Pronoun returned to the music scene recently with her last single, “Run” which was not only adored by her fans, but by internationally acclaimed magazines and other well known artists. On Wednesday, she will be releasing a single entitled, “Wrong” which addresses some of the personal struggles that she was facing after a difficult breakup. In her own words she stated,
“I wrote this song when I found out some really weird news about my ex. All of a sudden I just said out loud “I feel embarrassed again”, and I went from there. For the longest time I was so angry at her, and the news that should have been the final straw actually just made me feel really bad for her which spun me in to the weird emotion of how can you feel sorry for some one you “hate”. How is that even possible, do other people feel this way? I guess in a way it’s what I would want to say… if I wanted to talk to her…. which obviously I don’t…. so iI wrote this song instead.”
Like most of her other work, “Wrong” is the perfect mix of old and new. Along with the upbeat synth loops, there is a beautiful guitar overlay that syncs perfectly with the drumming beat. Vocally powerful, Pronoun takes each low and high in stride and blends perfectly with the lush atmosphere created by the back up vocals and lighthearted instrumental components. Although there is a slight psychedelic flare to the overall soundscape created by this band, they are nothing less than the future of the pop industry.
Releasing their first ever official single, “If You’re Over Me”, is up and coming British trio, Years and Years. Not only is the announcement of this new single exciting, but it has also been said that this single will set up their forthcoming album Palo Santo which is scheduled to drop July 6 of this year. With all of these new releases, there is no doubt that this new group will find their way to the top of playlists and billboards across the world.
At the core of this synth-pop outfit is Olly Alexander who has the potential to take the world stage by storm with upbeat killer vocals that are both infectious and hypnotic. His personal ambition and drive to achieve his dream will take Years and Years to the next level as they continue to produce music that is fresh, unique and completely original.
The lyrics for this track address the classic issue of trying to stay friends with an ex partner. In their own words, “This is a song about trying to stay friends with an ex. Spoiler alert – it doesn’t often work. In fact, in my experience, the relationship often ends up ruined. ‘If You’re Over Me’ is about the emotional torture that ensues – meeting up and making out, then breaking up all over again, then making out some more.” Not only is the toxicity of this genre of relationship explored throughout the song, but much like its cyclical nature, the music itself seems to parade in intricate loops that eventually finds its way back to the start. With all of this raw talent, there is no telling just how far this group will go as they take on some of the biggest stages in the world, but judging from this release, it won’t be long until they are named one of the fastest growing pop artists.
