|
|
Tiana Major9 releases a lovely rework of Janet Kay’s “Silly Games” single
|
|
Tiana Major9 is a talented singer-songwriter from East London, England. Not too long ago, she released an in-studio video for her lovely rework of Janet Kay’s “Silly Games” single, which serves as a tasty appetizer to what listeners can expect to hear on the official soundtrack to the landmark five-film anthology, entitled, Small Axe (Music Inspired By The Original TV Series).
“‘Silly Games’ by Janet Kay played a huge part in changing a generation by pushing the culture forward. As well as making the dream of creating timeless Black British Art a reality. To see the stories based on the lives of my people on a global scale means so much to me.” – Tiana Major9 explained
The Small Axe official soundtrack also features the original “Silly Games” by Janet Kay. Alongside an exclusive track by Michael Kiwanuka with his rendition of “To Be Young, Gifted And Black.” In addition to these exclusive tracks, the soundtrack encompasses an original score by award-winning composer, Mica Levi. Plus, “Small Axe” contains four powerful spoken word pieces written by the renowned poet, Linton Kwesi Johnson.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Zyra releases a lovely electro-dance tune, entitled, “Heart’s On Fire”
|
|
Zyra is a platinum-selling singer-songwriter based in London, England. Not too long ago, she released a lovely electro-dance tune, entitled, “Heart’s On Fire,” which tells an intriguing tale about a young woman who wants to spend the night with her significant other. Apparently, she believes wholeheartedly that she and her partner are meant to be together. Later, she admits that her heart is on fire, burning with a desire to make love.
“I produced the track in Ableton and then wrote the song, cut the vocals, mixed, and mastered it. There are plenty of male producers in their fifties, but female producers, especially in pop, are so much rarer. There need to be more girls inspired to create their own music and take control of the process, and hopefully, I can be someone’s inspiration someday.” – Zyra explained
Zyra made “Heart’s On Fire” after being inspired by UK producers, Joel Corry and Shift K3Y. Also, the song is the title track of Zyra’s self-written/produced debut EP. So far, Zyra has accumulated over 150 million streams online via Spotify alone, plus millions more across other platforms.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ria Sean releases an appealing music video for her “Lemonade” single
|
|
Ria Sean is an up-and-coming singer-songwriter based in Nigeria. Not too long ago, she released an appealing music video for her “Lemonade” single via Aristokrat. The Perliks Definition-directed video finds Ria dressed in lemon-yellow and lime-green outfits. Also, the fashionable audiovisual shows Ria performing next to her chest-bearing love interest, seated on a luxurious hot pink sofa.
‘Lemonade’ contains a relationship-based narrative, ear-pleasing vocalization, and harmony-driven melodies that will resonate well with fans of Juliet Ariel, Orie King, and ABISHA. The sensual tune possesses rhythmic instrumentation flavored with afrobeats, afro-pop, and tropical dancehall elements. Furthermore, “Lemonade” serves as a fantastic presentation of what listeners can expect to hear from Ria Sean in the near future.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Editor's Pick |
|
What we've been listening to this week |
|
|
|
|
|
Gal Musette releases a dreamy indie-folk tune, entitled, “Summertime”
|
|
Gal Musette (Grace Freeman) is an up-and-coming singer-songwriter from San Clemente, California. Not too long ago, she released a dreamy indie-folk tune, entitled, “Summertime,” which will resonate well with fans of Sterre Weldring, Steph Grace, and Olivia France. The nostalgic tune serves as a tasty appetizer to what listeners can expect to hear from Gal Musette’s upcoming debut album, entitled, “Backwards Lullaby,” available in October 2021. The project explores the pangs of hopeless romances and unrequited love. Also, the album highlights what it’s like to move beyond idealized love into the acceptance of what is real and constant, and the cyclical nature of life and love in relationships.
“‘Summertime’ makes everything seem magical and perfect, but that facade washes away as the seasons change. My parents begged me to put this on the album, it’s their favorite. It always seemed like a fun/silly song to me, one of the ones that just came out of nowhere without much intention behind it. This song comes off like a love song but is actually about a friendship falling apart. That kind of friend you meet and immediately connect with on an intense level. Then after a few months, you meet each other’s demons and your mutual perceptions of the friendship are shaken. There’s no resolution to the song really. I keep saying, ‘I can’t say,’ because I really can’t. Some relationships come and go for no reason and it’s like, ‘what the hell just happened?’” – Gal Musette explained
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kandle releases an elegant pop tune, entitled, “When It Hurts”
|
|
Kandle is a talented singer-songwriter from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Not too long ago, she released an elegant pop tune, entitled, “When It Hurts,” featured on Kandle’s latest album, entitled, “Set the Fire.”
“It became very serious very quickly. As the days went by, recording music wasn’t enough to keep the talk of the pandemic from seeping into every conversation, obviously. We definitely had a few moments of panic and fear and trying to figure out safe places to stay, who was willing to let us quarantine on their couch, and where to get food. But the record became our small beacon of light in the chaos of uncertainty. By the second week, there were just four of us left and we just basically self-isolated together. We were referring to ourselves as a quaranteam and we were there every day and night. Eventually, the studio owner called us and told us to stay and said we could bring a mattress in there if we needed to. We didn’t end up doing that, but that’s how into it we got. We’d go into work mode for 14 or 15 hours straight and just sleep and repeat.” – Kandle explained
‘Set the Fire’ exudes confidence, sensuality, and maturity only gained by spending an entire life in music.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
‘To me, it represents freedom’: AO talks about her brand-new album, entitled, “Life out Loud (Lol)”
|
|
AO (Aria Pullman-Ostrander) is a multi-talented musician and singer-songwriter based in Los Angeles, California. Not too long ago, she talked about her brand-new album, entitled, “Life out Loud (Lol).”
AO: I am from Upstate, New York, the Catskill Mountains. Life there is well, there are two sides actually. I was raised on my Aunt and Uncle’s Hippie Farm (a communal space if you will) which was beautiful and inspiring and free and really developed my love of freeform music and jamming. On the other hand, we were very very poor and lived sort of on the outskirts of town which is/was very conservative. So I think we were looked down on. I heard things like “those dirty hippies” a lot. That said, I love-love-love my hometown and I write about it in almost all of my tunes in some shape, form, or fashion.
GROWING UP, WHO WERE SOME OF YOUR MUSICAL INFLUENCES?
AO: Nina Simone was my first musical love. I dug deep into her music for sure, because of the pain you could hear in her voice. You could tell she had lived a life! Also, Stevie Nicks, Neil Young, Regina Spector, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and the White Stripes. And today, Lana Del Rey, Billie Eilish, Fiona Apple, Kesha, and Lady Gaga.
|
|
|
|
Emily Lawson releases a lovely debut single, entitled, “Signs”
|
|
Emily Lawson is an up-and-coming singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and performer from Australia. Not too long ago, she released a lovely debut single, entitled, “Signs,” which reflects on the ideals of the butterflies felt when you meet a down-to-earth person. Someone who you are falling head over heels for. After a couple of flirty signals, you struggle to interpret the signs of a potential relationship.
‘Signs’ centers around Emily Lawson’s unfortunate inability to interpret whether someone is interested, despite the seemingly obvious signs that are glaringly obvious. Written in early 2020, “Signs” follows the narrative of the awkward stage between talking and dating. Also, it addresses the hardships of not knowing if someone has the same hopes for seeing where things go.
Throughout the song, Emily struggles with the idea that for once it might not all be in her head, coupled with the insecurity of being proven wrong. The funky tune makes you wonder if Emily is right in her suspicions with a catchy hook that carries the narrative of confusion and apprehension, driven by a punchy bassline that ties it all together.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rebekah Fitch releases a performance video for her “Dust (Live Piano Version)” single
|
|
Rebekah Fitch is an up-and-coming singer-songwriter based in Belfast, North Ireland. Not too long ago, she released an in-studio performance video for her “Dust (Live Piano Version)” single, filmed and recorded at Snap Studios in London.
‘Dust (Live Piano Version)’ tells an unhappy tale about a young woman who thinks about the good times that she and her ex shared together. Apparently, they’ve been separated for seven months now. And she wants to know how her ex is doing because she still cares. However, picturing her ex with someone new makes her sick to her stomach. Later, she admits that even though she’s alone, she won’t give up or break down.
‘Dust (Live Piano Version)’ contains a post-relationship-based narrative, ear-pleasing vocalization, and tuneful melodies that will resonate well with fans of Ella Isaacson, Melissa Bel, and Brittany Pfantz. The sentimental tune possesses piano-driven instrumentation flavored with an acoustic pop vibration. Furthermore, ‘Dust (Live Piano Version)’ serves as a tasty alternative to the original version.
|
|
|
|
Hemes releases a sentimental pop tune, entitled, “Breathe”
|
|
Hemes is an up-and-coming singer-songwriter based in South Wales. Not too long ago, she released a sentimental pop tune, entitled, “Breathe,” which gives listeners a personal insight into the mind of an overthinker longing for a sense of calm and reassurance. The likable tune contains a relatable narrative, ear-pleasing vocals, and tuneful melodies that will resonate well with fans of Greta Issac, Mimi Webb, Griff, and Julia Michaels. Also, “Breathe” possesses vibrant instrumentation flavored with a contemporary pop aroma. Furthermore, the song serves as a tasty appetizer to what listeners can expect to hear on Hemes’s upcoming debut EP, entitled, “Matters of the Mind.”
“I wanted ‘Breathe’ to capture the feeling of needing that one person in your life who can relieve your anxieties. For me, it’s my mum. I finished the song during the pandemic because it was the longest time that I had ever been away from her. Through tough times, I really wished that I could just drive to see her, and that’s how ‘Breathe’ was born. I wanted the track to feel relatable so that people can think of whoever makes them feel better. Whether it’s a family member, a lover, or a friend.” – Hemes explained
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Black Boys book series |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Thomson's ear for street-slang vernacular is effective in bringing his characters to life and creates a chillingly real backdrop." - Kirkus Discoveries Review |
|
“Three Black Boys: Tomorrow After Supper” by Zangba Thomson
|
|
The location is South-side Jamaica, a rough and tough neighborhood in Queens, New York, and home to Babita Harris, an uninsured single parent who falls ill after returning home from vacation. She is taken to a hospital, where Salome McBryant diagnoses her with having black fever disease, which has done a significant amount of damage to her liver. With a couple of months to live, Babita's only hope of survival is a costly liver transplant. But with no health insurance, the chance of surgery is slim. What she needs is a quarter of a million dollars in cash. And that's when Barnes, her only son, along with his best friends, Demus and Baker, spring into dangerous action to get the money. Though their road is paved with good intentions, the brothers in arms are in for a few surprises and a whole lot of heat in this supernatural thriller which tells two remarkable tales of crime and redemption.
|
|
|
|
|
"'Three Black Boys: The Hotep Brother Manuscript' has elements that reminded me of the movie, 'The Mummy Returns." - Night Reader Reviews |
|
"Three Black Boys: The Hotep Brother Manuscript" by Zangba Thomson
|
|
Barnes, Demus, and Baker are back with another actioned-packed adventure. This time, they travel to Monomotapa, Alkebulan, where the king and queen were recently slain by Ego, a familiar nemesis whom the three Black boys thought they had destroyed in the afterlife. But they were deeply mistaken. Now, Ego has in his possession The Hotep Brother Manuscript, a sacred book filled with spiritual laws and enchanting spells, which he uses to turn the Monomotapan military into Egomaniacs. By his side is Deadra, a divine entity, and their goal is to rule Monomotapa and discontinue all shipments of gold to Planet Black, the home of the deities. Currently, the black planet is vulnerable, protected by a thin layer of gold that is quickly depleting. With the threat of an incoming meteoroid shower looming, there’s no telling what might happen to Planet Black if a large shipment of gold doesn’t arrive there soon.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bong At Home video series |
|
|
|
|
|
|