Draped in evocatively erotic and decadent hues, creatively expansive and sonically immersive duo and Rome, Italy’s mLau lifts the veil on their new single and video “Blue Boy – Babylon Girl”.
Fresh from the long-time friends’ breakthrough debut EP, Locked In, the song reveals the story of a tormented, convulsive love destined to touch the purity of feelings only when the sacrifice of innocence marks truth and beauty’s poetic intertwining.
The voice, lyrics, and melodies of co-fronts Maria Laura Ronzoni teamed with Massimo Marraccini’s rhythmic and harmonic textures summon a creative response to the profound sense of restlessness, frustration, and claustrophobic isolation, they say.
“It’s a way out of the tangle of an existential condition that sees us human beings as fragile and astonished witnesses of a surreal reality in which we find ourselves alone, but inexorably linked to each other and locked up…
“Or, more precisely — locked in.”
Citing direct reference to their five-track offering released earlier this year, Locked In arrived after the publication of their premiere singles, “No One Around” and “A Queen With No Head.” It also features “Pinstripe Suit” and, as the only non-original song on the release, an elegant, minimal, and highly personal electro-folk interpretation of one of Bob Dylan’s poetic masterpieces in “Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues.”
Available now, legendary 80s-electro new-wave Canadian outfit Spoons are back with two new epic releases: their coveted greatest hits album spanning 1980-2020 in Repeatable, and Echoes — a love letter of Spoons music recreated by artists the world over.
Spanning four decades of their beloved classics remastered, Repeatable cross-examines Spoons’ earliest successes and tracklists them alongside later works to create the ultimate testament to one of the country’s most beloved synth-pop groups.
In an initial run of CDs — also set to be accompanied by a double vinyl release — Spoons have carefully curated an incomparable walk down memory lane: From their big-haired licks like “Nova Hair,” “Romantic Traffic,” and “Old Emotions,” to their 2000s offerings in “You Light Up,” and “Escape With You,” Repeatable is a history lesson in the power and prowess of a few kids from a small city hamlet turned into remarkable staples of an entire generation of music fans.
For Derrick Ross, Rob Preuss, Gord Deppe, and Sandy Horne — the remarkable four-piece who spent the 80s trading hometown stages in Burlington, Ontario for big-league opening gigs with the likes of the Police and Simple Minds — showcasing 40 years of recordings is like listening back on a legacy they’ve cultivated alongside fans who have been there since Spoons’ inception.
With that many hits, and that many drops, a variety of players have joined the group in fleshing out the music to the sounds recognizable the globe over. “Players who performed on each album change, depending on which original album they were on,” they explain. Featured on Repeatable includes Gordon Deppe, Sandy Horne, Rob Preuss, Derrick Ross, Scott Macdonald, Steve Kendry, Jeff Carter, Chris McNeil & Casey MQ.
Echoes brings an entirely different light and life to Spoons music wherein the tracks are exclusively reimagined by a host of musicians across the world. From the United States, to England and even Australia, the release is a special and unique project benefiting the Unison Fund in support of the afflicted music industry that was struck down in devastation by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The album features artists such as Britain’s Clive Farrington (When In Rome) interpreting “Romantic Traffic” by injecting the cut with horns, rushing percussion, and layered harmonies. Gowan scores “Arias & Symphonies” with swooping piano melodies, and his signature vocals, stripping back the song from its 80s synth to 80s rock love balladry — in only the way Gowan can command. Felix and the Foreshadow of California add their Darkwave touch to “Old Emotions,” bringing a haunting emotive swing to the track that completely reinvents it from its original recording.
Both Repeatable and Echoes are a mesmerizing attestation to the indelible mark Spoons has left on generations of music collectors, and lovers.
As Repeatable seeks to reunite fans with a singular offering of their most precious and ever-lasting signature songs, Echoes offers a wider glimpse into the legacy of Spoons on the music community as a whole.
Each redesigned and performed track exemplifies how Spoons music took a four pack of kids from Burlington and turned them into experts in their field, leaving behind something to be inspired by for the other songwriters who stumble onto their synth-soaked, electro pop perfection.
When it comes to boombap and classic rap, there isn’t anyone who does it like the trailblazers, name-makers, and ground-shakers like Arrested Development, and their newest single, “Vibe”.
The 2x GRAMMY Award-winning hip hops group credited with a culture-shaping 30 years of experience, Arrested Development was the first hip hop group to ever receive the GRAMMY for Best New Artist while also receiving one for Best Rap Single; the song of honour was their anthemic, prayer-like track, “Tennessee” — which has gone on to be named by the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as one of the Top 500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll.
Speaking of honours, this timeless group of performers and collaborators were recognized at the Black Music Honors Awards in September of 2019, and have continued to perform in sold-out venues in every part of the world for the past three decades.
Featuring Big Daddy Kane, Cleveland P Jones, and Tasha LaRae, the new single “Vibe” lands ahead of the forthcoming album, For the FKN Love — which was primarily produced by British production and boombap specialist, Configa.
Stellar collaborations in their own right, the features “Vibe” also preview what’s to come for the new release, set to spotlight other timeless names of the industry, such as The Sugarhill Gang, Masta Ace, Freddie Foxxx, Monie Love, Kxng Crooked, G Love (G. Love & Special Sauce), Tony Momrelle (Incognito), and Dee-1 plus Fatman Scoop.
“Legends of this caliber rarely do features, and yet have graced this album…” the band says.
But first, “Vibe,” which is something spectacular all its own. The sonic landscape created by Configa fits perfectly with the classic yet eternal sound Arrested Development has created for themselves.
In fact, Arrested Development credits Configa and his production skills to the group’s recent success, having stepped back into the limelight with their previous album, 2020’s 16-track Don’t Fight Your Demons, calling it “a future classic.” Given the group’s track record, this is far from a stretch, and more of a declaration of fact.
Arrested Development’s classic tone of positivity and afrocentric music fits right into the counterculture of todays music, especially — as always — the group looks to provide more choices beyond the gangsta rap that dominates air waves.
Speech is still a prominent member of Arrested Development, and is the driving force behind this winter’s For the FKN Love. For its part, “Vibe” carries the boombox aura with it’s fat kicks and snare drum snaps, all while instilling plenty of modern influences into this eventual timeless production. Features like Big Daddy Kane, Cleveland P Jones, and Tasha LaRae pair nicely with the positivity and humility Speech has always brought to Arrested Development productions.
“Trying not to let depression press me into deep regression. Trying not to see a trial that’s truly a Blessing. Trying not to speak in negatives. Trying to see beyond what’s in my eyes lens.”
In a soaring ode to her past, present, and future self, along with any others who may be grappling similar sentiments, J-Pop darling Shihori releases a jubilant and spirited new video in “Your Song”.
The latest to land from her first full-length U.S. album, Mutation, “Your Song” sees the currently Los Angeles-based artist respond to previously held concerns around self-harm.
That said, morose notions of despondency are nowhere to be found in “Your Song;” in fact, quite the opposite… From its passionate percussion and expressive vocal runs — not to mention hushed piano melodies and equally enchanting harmonies — Shihori’s fusion of pop makes a grand splash through headphones and onto the screen where her visuals bring the experience into a mesmerizing 180.
With the video directed by Doeng Hun Yi, the song’s earliest footing arrived in 2015 when Shihori collaborated with Kohei Tanaka — a composer of worldwide popular Anime, ONE PIECE — for the first time. “We made this first collab song, ‘Mugen Hoteishiki (Formula Infinity),’ for preventing children from committing suicide,” she recalls. “There was an increase in cases by kids at the time in Japan, and he advised me to write an ‘answer song’ for it.
“The reason why I was so passionate about this topic was because I myself was also one of them who used to wonder if I should’ve killed myself as revenge (to others) for school bullying,” Shihori confides. “I once wrote a letter when I was wondering about suicide, and so this song and video are a reply to that letter.”
“Your Song” is musical in nature, further punctuated by its cozy yet lively video; between orchestral makeup, leading piano, housing a conglomerate of instrumentation, and uplifting choral harmonies, Shihori transforms you into believing this song might actually be just for you after all.
It’s a testament to the multi-talented singer/songwriter’s inclusive and welcoming life’s work, in general; while making her mark on the fusion of art and music, Shihori has conquered mountains in her career, overcoming challenges and obstacles many of us would be weakened by. These became mile markers on her path to becoming the sensation we know and love today, and “Under The Skin” focuses as much an electronic, keys-based bop, as it does a story to tell about going deeper to discover who you are.
It would be at age seven that a seemingly typical school trip would become the key to unlocking the talent Shihori had been hiding inside. Fully deaf in one ear, and diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome (a neurodevelopmental disorder that causes the affected person difficulty in social interaction, and much more), Shihori was an unintended loner. Trapped by silence, and an inability to involve herself with the world around her, it was when she was invited to participate in karaoke that something inside of her broke free. The others fell back to listen to the child with the songbird voice. And as Shihori recalls, “I sensed the world for the first time.”
From those early days, Shihori honed her skills as a singer, songwriter, visionary, and artist; her lengthy list of accomplishments include charting with her single, “Never End Wonderland,” performing lead vocals on composer Mason Lieberman’s charity single, “The Real Folk Blues,” (which reached #6 on the Billboard World Digital Chart), as well as composing and performing the ‘Battle Queens’ theme song for the video game League Of Legends (which is closing in on 1 million Spotify streams), and more.
Most recently, she released 2021’s 15-track LP, Mutation, producing an assortment of arrangements that showcase her innate talent for both storytelling, and producing a package of art-pop pieces that equally make you move as they do bring you a message.
“Mutation is very diverse, and the songs showcase how I’ve mutated since I moved to the US in 2018,” she explains. From “Fire” to “Under The Skin”, to her latest release, “Your Song,” Shihori’s big production and delicate melodies, swirled in a kaleidoscope of her exciting vox, both reflect and uplift her continuous endeavour in becoming one with the society she feels intrinsically around her; writing the songs and the stories of the spirits of the fans who soaked up her message of acceptance, even in loneliness.
“You are the person who you’ll be with the rest of your life,” she shares. “That’s your most important relationship, so you are the one you should care for the most; your true life partner.”
And “Your Song” is the compass pointing in that very direction.
With raucously crunchy guitar and deeply pumping bass, ‘LOVE’ bursts from the speakers as award-winning Barrie, ON-based artist Mickey Moone and band, Murder, unleash their newest single, “Perspective” — available now.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGuETh1x5Y4%27
Listeners sidled up can expect deep-fried, sun-stained harmonica tones resonating over a chilled-out, classic D-beat as the playful punk-rock rollicking celebrates the inherent flaws of a dirty kind of love.
“These are stories we can all relate to,” Moone says of the song and its surrounding EP — Murder (noun): A gathering of crows. “It’s about broken hearts, and how we heal.”
The rugged release draws inspiration from real-life experiences and emotionally raw let-downs, as well as the timid innocence of early roots-Americana. Available now, the newly minted album sonically shackles all five tracks together with both the band’s passion for rock n’ roll, and a generally-held motivation to move forward at all costs.
Front and center in “Perspective” and its video is Moone’s ever-present knack for a “do it yourself” approach, transcribing this innate ability to “get things done” into his music and production skills.
Having recently received an award for Best Music Video from Mysticon, U.S.A. for his single, “In The Light,” — a video release he wrote, directed, and edited the entirety of — Moone sprung similarly into action on “Perspective,” where nothing was going to stand in his way to get this project done — not even the law…
“My production team, She Died Guerrilla Corps, filmed the project entirely on illegal terms,” Moone reveals. “No budget, no permits, no helmets, no problem.”
The results see a cameraman hanging out the side door of a rolling minivan as Moone speeds into frame on a motorcycle, keeping it steady at an arguably deadly distance. “We created this low-down, 70s-style ‘Bike-spoitation’ romance that unravels with the tenderness borrowed from late 80s television show, The Wonder Years,” he explains of the creative brief. “We wanted audiences to feel the freedom of a solo ride and the intensifying intimacy of a romantic relationship immersed within fast-paced visuals of rolling thunder.”
It’s this cinematic production style, coupled with the group’s ability to infuse relatable near-cathartic experiences and themes into their music, that creates such a dedicated following for the band.
With the band’s name, Murder, landing as a nod to the classic literary term for a ‘flock of crows,’ Moone’s Murder represents his own flock of multi-talented musicians gathered to unlock this sector of sounds in his creative scope; while Moone tends to perform solo with a more roots-country focus, when he has Murder — bassist Antoine Pacitto and drummer Matt Williams — behind him, it becomes that special sort of face-peeling punk rock reminiscent of the “tough love” you’d receive from a close friend.
“I’ve been going at it a long time on my own and I am very happy to finally have the band behind me that I’ve always wanted, that I’ve always dreamed of,” Moone shares. “I can’t wait to show you more of what we got!”
“Perspective” and Murder (noun): A gathering of crows are available now.
When it comes to stylistic lyrics, slashing rhythms, and raw storytelling, look no further than Toronto hip-hop artist Mark Brathwaite, and his newest album, My Season — available now.
The Toronto-based artist’s fourth project, My Season is the culmination of Braithwaite’s professional experience in the industry, coupled with personal experiences along the way. The six-track EP is an up-and-down roller coaster of emotion, traversing layered and rich themes of betrayal, triumph, unrequited love, and the cyclic grind of life deeply embedded into its roots.
Not only that, but the work of Mark Brathwaite also features a stylized fusion of afrobeat, R&B, and good ol’ hip-hop — coupled by the energy needed to deliver such an intricate mixture.
The genre-bending perspective doesn’t end there; uniquely oscillating between English and French languages, he also sprinkles a little bit of pop-style into songs like “Continue Ma Route,” while letting tracks like “Peace” do the heavy lifting with a swift and powerful emotional undercurrent.
Across the board, it’s Brathwaite’s talent behind a production, combined with his aptitude for instrumentation, that creates the one-of-a-kind listening experience for every song My Season delivers —speaking to both his drive, and the audience’s reception.
“Every day I push myself to become a better artist and a more thoughtful producer,” he shares. “I am also continually evolving as a mixing and mastering engineer; this is what gives my work its unique sound, and is keeping fans and collaborators wanting more.”
As far as underground music goes, you’d be hard pressed to find an artist who has been so involved in the mainstream music scene while also doing their own independent thing. An artist who wears many hats, he founded his boutique label, MCB Music, opened for Machine Gun Kelly, and produces for artists such as Troy Ave, MGK, French Montana, Kardinal Offishall, WizKid, and Son Real.
Braithwaite has been featured on VH1, MTV, and attracted the attention of Coleman Hell, who is featured on Brathwaite’s single, “On The Rise.”
Canadian singer/songwriter Collin Clowes captures the moments that matter in his reminiscent new single, “Polaroid” — available now.
The new single off of the debut EP, Sleepy, the seven-song 2021 release is a collection of heartwarming songs that feature delicate instrumental compositions over meaningful lyrics to create a sound that’s as familiar as it is new. This body of music is the singular vision of Clowes, who not only plays on every instrument, but also works through the painstaking effort of production, mixing, and mastering.
Persistence, along with a firm dedication to the music-making process, puts artist Collin Clowes in a league of his own. The production value and rhythmic polish on the EP are more characteristically associated with high-value teams of musicians and producers, not the debut of a single artist, and Clowes’ ear for pop melodies and multi-layered vocals reveal a sonic texture that is mature beyond its years.
The touching lyrics on “Polaroid” are a prominent example of Clowes’ ability to tell stories that extend far beyond the superficiality that seems central in the media.
“Take a look around tell me what is it you see,
Are there fragmented memories stained on your sleeves,
Or did I leave here way too soon?
You took a polaroid photograph to capture your past,
you carry it closer cause nothing really lasts now does it?”
The complexities of our memories and fondness for better days are elegantly expressed in melancholy sounds and lyrics that lend a sense of timelessness to the song. The thoughtfulness employed in every musical effort mirrors the perspective that Clowes carries in life. Every decision made on the EP exhibits exceptional depth and authenticity that’s welcoming and relatable.
A multi-talented artist out of Gorham/Thunder Bay, Ontario, Collin Clowes exudes a genuine eye for artistic compassion that effortlessly translates across all aspects of his musical debut.
After constant health battles starting at age 17, Clowes made the determination that he would dedicate his time to making the music he wanted. When the Covid-19 pandemic hit, Clowes decided to begin planning what is now the EP Sleepy. In his bedroom studio, he would acquire the skills necessary to realize his unique vision of pop music through countless hours of musical trial and error.
This EP is dedicated to Clowes’ faithful companion and best friend — his dog, June. It’s said that when a person saves an animal, the reverse also happens; that was the case with his beloved June. Loved endlessly by Clowes, June was his biggest supporter aiding him through countless nights of toiling away throughout the production of Sleepy.
The sensational single from Collin Clowes, “Polaroid,” off of his debut EP, Sleepy, is available now.
Telling a tale as old as time, award-winning pop-soul and R&B singer/songwriter Rahul Samuel is whisking listeners away into a world of authenticity, romance and musical flourish with this, his silky-smooth new single, “Feels” — available now.
Through the lens of Rahul’s unique perspective on romance comes an entirely new take on the R&B love song. The acoustic approach to instrumentation is influenced by multiple genres of music, providing an upbeat warmth that carries throughout the entire song, and vocal harmonies blend seamlessly with soothing guitars to create an atmosphere that welcomes self-discovery embedded within the hopeful lyrics.
Following the success of his smash debut single “Quarantine,” Rahul chose to revisit the song, which he had been quietly performing for family and friends since 2019; written in his dorm room on campus at the University of Toronto, “Feels” came together while Rahul was simultaneously completing his education.
“Pretty lady got me spellbound, your love’s the greatest thing that I ever found
This is new to me, this is new to you, I saw it in the movies never thought it was true
So tell me where you wanna go, let’s make it a night, let’s make it a show
You deserve nothing but the best girl so let me show you what I’ve got in store”
While expert production values extend far beyond the sound alone, the accompanying music video was beautifully shot at multiple locations across the UAE by renowned Indian film director Ashwath Samuel. The high-quality audio/visual production makes Rahul an artist who has as much heart as he does work ethic; dedicating himself to becoming an entirely independent artist capable of writing, recording, and producing his work during the pandemic, he continues to push himself into new methods, genres, and collaborations to expand his musical toolbox.
His love for music finds its origin in his childhood from a very musically inclined family; learning to play the guitar at just six years old, he would eventually absorb music across all genres to create his signature sound.
Rahul also enjoys performing popular cover songs in multiple languages such as Arabic, Hindi, English, and French, making him one of the most bilingual pop artists working today. From enjoying national radio play of his music, to winning the prestigious Bedazzled 2021 UAE Award for Best Emerging Singer, to performing for crowds throughout Dubai and Toronto, the momentum is ever-building for Rahul Samuel — who’s only getting started.
Rahul Samuel’s heartwarming new single “Feels” is available now.
Sonic Reducers. 1 topic (OK, 2 today). 2 music nerds. 5 minutes.
We discuss Mike Nesmith’s life and career both in and out of The Monkees, deliver the mandatory reminder that his mom invented Liquid Paper, and this week’s crop of new albums.
