SKOPE NEWS FOR APRIL 19, 2018 @ 3 PM EST

88 Palms Announce New EP, Share “Bright Lights” Video

NYC-based synth-pop duo 88 Palms announce their new EP Love Safari out May 25th. Recorded at Midnight Sun Studios in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, the EP features Caito Sanchez (Midnight Magic, Charles Bradley, Lee Fields) on percussion, Jim Orso (Escort) and Tyler Pope (LCD Soundsystem) on bass, and Nick Roseboro (Midnight Magic) on horns with mixing by Jonathan Kreinik and mastering by Abe Seiferth (Transmitter Park Studios).

Eric Church’s Epic “61 Days in Church” LP Coming on Record Store Day

Eric Church’s relationship with his fans is undeniable, unconditional and often unconventional. And he delivers on that mission again with the release of live covers from his epic project 61 Days In Church.

The covers, which feature popular music by Soundgarden, Billy Joel, Little Feat, Bob Seger and more, is available Saturday, April 21 during Record Store Day. The musical milestone, released by EMI Nashville, is available on LP with 2,500 exclusive copies available to fans.

Church recorded the ambitious project in 2017 during his Holdin’ My Own Tour, which ran from January through May and was named a Tour of the Year by none other than Rolling Stone, which opined: “Over the years, Church concerts have always been parties. But in 2017, they went from merely ass-kicking to epic.”

Eric Church’s Epic “61 Days in Church” LP Coming on Record Store Day

MALIIBU MIITCH DROPS NEW LADIES ANTHEM WITH “GIVE HER SOME MONEY”

Clearly the Bronx is where it’s at these days and Maliibu Miitch wants back in on the fun with her new single “Give Her Some Money.” The 3 minute bop follows the success of her last release, “The Count” and serves as an intro to her upcoming mixtape due later this summer. While we wait for the 26 year old BX native to complete her project, go “Give Her Some Money” + listen below!

OPB Premieres Caitlin Jemma Video For ‘XXOO’

Caitlin Jemma is a singer-songwriter on the rise. Marked by country and delivered with soul, her songs are love notes offering encouragement to be your baddest self—in the pursuit of magic, adventure, and discovery.

Jemma’s genre-defying 4th studio album, Love Notes, is as bold as it is beautiful, and will be released May 1st, 2018, in accordance with Global Love Day. Recorded and produced by Bart Budwig at the OK Theatre in Enterprise, Oregon, Love Notes sees Jemma stepping out into a brave new electric frontier, while retaining the intimacy of her first three albums.

Raised in the high desert of Northern Nevada, Caitlin Jemma is a small town girl with a big country heart. Whether performing solo or with her band, The Goodness, Jemma attracts listeners into an intimate atmosphere where her sultry storytelling lives.

Beat Rabbi x Deepspace5 “Return Of The Real Hard Beat”

Surprise! New material from the Deepspace5 crew is always cause for excitement. The prolific collective only drops new music every few years and this Beat Rabbi produced single is their latest and greatest.

Beat Rabbi shares, “There have been a lot of cool creative directions hip-hop has taken the last decade or two (and some it shouldn’t have), but sometimes a hip-hop head just wants to hear some raw beats, hard drums and dope rhymes. That may sound cliche but at the end of the day every real hip-hop fan feels a return of the real hard beats and real rap.”

STEVE OBANDO’S FIRST RELEASE “BABYLON” TOPS FOUR MUSIC CHARTS

Rising singer-musician Steve OBANDO, a magna cum laude graduate of the Berklee College of Music, is generating excitement and buzz with his debut record released by Granda Entertainment. Babylon, is a fresh cover composed by British songwriter David Gray. The single was recorded in Los Angeles by Grammy award-winning producer Sebastian Krys.

In a month, according to the New Music Weekly’s charts dated April 6/2018, Babylon placed at #1 in top 40 “up and coming”, #2 in Top Country “up and coming”, #3 in top 40/top indie, #6 in AC Hot/ Ac indie, #5 in AC/Hot Ac west, #18 in the AC/Hot Ac main chart, #18 in the Country Internet main chart.

New Ghoul-Pop Single – SOUL BANDIT Premieres “Living A Dream” via High Clouds (4/18)

Los Angeles-based experimental artist—SOUL BANDIT—premieres her highly-anticipated (haunted) house single, “Living A Dream.” The eerie meets sultry track exclusively hits tastemaker blog, High Clouds; where Christian Gomez says of the track: “Now, Soul Bandit’s newest single ‘Living A Dream’ is the hauntingly catchy new tune featuring her signature boom bap drum lines topped with lo-fi melodies and iridescent, almost un-distinguishable vocals. It’s the gritty and honest nature from Mattingly that makes the music so special. Her songs are by no means perfect, but reflect a clear window of inspiration, and a beacon of light which which the watered down electronic music scene so desperately needs.”

REMI drops new single & video ‘My People’ ft. Thando

“This video goes out to family. Whether blood or not.
This video goes out to all the cats who have held me down and rode with me through whatever.
This video goes out to all the people who have had their identities written for them and are in the process of reclaiming their narrative.
This video goes out to my black family who were there through every step of this process; creating, supporting and sharing.
This video goes out to my extended family who helped to bring our creativity to light.
This video was made by a community for community and I take very little credit for how it came together.
Shout out to Champion Australia and New Zealand for funding the music video and helping to make it happen! #ChampionRevealed” – REMI

Mermaidens release new video for ‘Fade’

Fade, the fourth single off Mermaidens’ Taite Prize nominated album Perfect Body is released today, accompanied by a slow moving, moody music video, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Julian Vares and the band’s longtime collaborator Ezra Simons, the music video for Fade is a mature visual development for Mermaidens.

Slaughter Gang Emcee SG Tip Teams With Pi’erre Bourne and Young Nudy for “Envy”

Radiating a quiet menace and a simmering intensity, ATL’s SG Tip is here to continue Slaughter Gang’s reign over the city’s rap scene. Teaming up with superproducer Pi’erre Bourne for a high-energy hustler’s anthem, SG Tip shares “Envy.” Featuring an appearance from fellow ATL riser Young Nudy, “Envy” finds the two rappers decrying snitches and boasting about their riches. Premiered by The FADER, “Envy” follows the recent release of Block Boy Tip, Tip’s sophomore mixtape. Brimming with headphone-ready trap production from Richie Souf, Trellgotwings, Tre Trax, J Rich, and more, Block Boy Tip is a catchy chronicle of Tip’s lightning quick come-up.

Jay Jay French of Twisted Sister Calls Judas Priest a Cover Band

Three Sides of the Coin’s Mark Cicchini goes one on one with Jay Jay French from Twisted Sister at Spooky Empire in Orlando, FL. Jay Jay is very open and honest in this interview, actually making some shocking statements, such as… “Now look at what you’ve got with (Judas) Priest. K.K.’s gone, he runs a golf company, and now Glenn’s left, and it’s wonderful, and now it’s a cover band.”

Jay Jay goes on to talk about some of the classic rock bands touring today, “Well (Judas) Priest is 65 years old… 70 years old. Saxon’s 80 fucking years old. The Rolling Stones are 90 years old. I mean Stones fans are so old the old clobs are afraid the lights will go on in the room.

IOTAPHI Present Electro-Noir Art Project, “Kloudland”

From a studio retreat in the depths of Ibiza’s valley, IOTAPHI have emerged with their hot take on electronic music: debut EP “Kloudland”. Dark-hued, cinematic soundscapes and ethereal vocals are stock-in-trade on this offering, but it’s the Greek twist that sets their music apart from the likes of James Blake and co. The Athens-via-Italy duo pepper their heady mixtures with the sounds of traditional instruments such as the santur, while their inspiration is drawn from the myth of Persephone. And, just like the Goddess of Spring, their mission is to bring around change and inspire growth.

“We believe society needs to re-evaluate its core values. We see beauty where it really is, in people’s souls. We are constantly driven away from truth and towards superficiality. There will be change “we will take your world apart”.

NPR Music shares Liz Brasher’s genre-spanning EP

Liz Brasher’s debut EP for Fat Possum Records sees this new fiery vocalist and band leader digging into her past and present to create music that is as timeless as it is refreshing. It’s a diverse sound rooted in the influence of Brasher’s two homes: her adopted hometown of Memphis; and her childhood stomping grounds in rural North Carolina, where she was raised in a musical, multi-ethnic household.

Touché Amoré Share New Song “Green”

Touché Amoré release a new song “Green” which is the band’s first new single since 2016. Mixed by Ken Andrews of Failure, “Green” features driving guitar melodies, rhythms carried with precision, and bursts of frontman Jeremy Bolm’s signature vocal delivery.

Soulwax Share New Track “Essential Four”

Today Soulwax are thrilled to announce that they will release a new album of original material titled Essential on June 22nd via DEEWEE / [PIAS]. Alongside this news they have shared first cut “Essential Four”.

THE ENGLISH BEAT Set To Release First New Album Since 1982… Out June 15!

THE ENGLISH BEAT starring Dave Wakeling return with their first studio album since 1982. Set for release on June 15, 2018, HERE WE GO LOVE is a brand-new collection of 13 vital songs that have their feet in the here and now, but lose none of the fire and frenzy of those timeless immediate classics that made the band’s name.

As engaged and switched on as ever, Dave Wakeling’s lyrics draw from observing life; and given the tumultuous events of recent months. His thoughts on what holds us together, but also the impermanence that underscores the human condition, have never been more relevant. Here We Go Love has been crafted over the last two years in between breaks from touring.

CA singer/songwriter Matt Costa’s “Time Tricks” premieres at All Music Guide

Critically acclaimed California-based singer/songwriter Matt Costa is celebrating the upcoming release of Santa Rosa Fangs, his fifth full-length album—and first in five years—with a premiere of the single “Time Tricks” at All Music Guide, who praises the song’s sunny shuffle and wistful lyrics.”

RUEL DEBUTS OFFICIAL VIDEO FOR “DON’T TELL ME”

Today, emerging artist Ruel debuted the official video for his soulful self-penned single “Don’t Tell Me,” out today via RCA Records. “Don’t Tell Me” comes as a deluxe package featuring an acoustic version and exclusive remixes from Jarami, Jerry Folk and IAMNOBODI, along with the original, available now on all digital platforms worldwide.

T. Hardy Morris to Release ‘Dude, The Obscure’

T. Hardy Morris has signed with the Athens, GA based New West Records imprint Normaltown Records and is set to return with Dude, The Obscure on June 22nd, 2018. The 11-song set was produced by Adam Landry (Deer Tick, Lilly Hiatt) and follows the Diamond Rugs and Dead Confederate member’s 2015 album Hardy & the Hardknocks: Drownin on a Mountaintop. While Drownin’ was a more hard-driving, country-grunge affair, Dude, The Obscure returns to the dark, hushed, and intimate vibe found on Morris’ critically acclaimed 2013 solo debut, Audition Tapes.

Tancred premieres new single ‘Queen Of New York’

Tancred is thrilled to share the latest single from her forthcoming new album ‘Nightstand’, out June 1st on Hand In Hive / Polyvinyl Record Co. ‘Queen of New York’ debuts today via a brand new Shervin Lainez directed music video shared by The Fader.

Lykke Li announces new album ‘so sad so sexy’

Los Angeles based, Swedish vocalist, producer, and songwriter Lykke Li today releases new single “deep end” and additional track “hard rain.” The songs mark the long-awaited coming of so sad so sexy, Lykke Li’s fourth full-length album and follow-up to 2014’s critically acclaimed I Never Learn, due June 8th via RCA Records, her first release with the label.

Brooklyn, NY’s Stringer Sign with Wiretap Records

Brooklyn, NY’s Stringer have signed with LA-based indie Wiretap Records, which will release the band’s debut LP this summer. The first single “Ghosts” is now available on Spotify and was featured yesterday on Stereogum.

THE WLDLFE Release “I Don’t Mind” Video

Today, THE WLDLFE share the comically entertaining new video for their single “I Don’t Mind”, a track originally released on Valentine’s Day. The video was created by up-and-coming music video director Brad Wong, and follows the band at a low-key performance inside a roller skating rink, and then things go awry when an intruder decides to take center stage.

“I Don’t Mind” is an emotional rollercoaster ride of falling in and out of love. “I wanted to write a song that told an honest story while still having that memorable hook and instrumentation,” shares frontman Jansen Hogan. “I was coming out of a heartbreak and met my girlfriend soon after. I was a bit hesitant to commit to the relationship, and this song is ultimately the story of me falling into it.”

Mija remixes Alice Glass’ “Without Love”

Mija has remixed Alice Glass’ “Without Love”, giving the original a darker underground drum & bass treatment. The remix comes on the heels of Mija’s debut EP, How To Measure The Distance Between Lovers, and continues to show the young artist’s versatility.

Cherub Return With Brand New Single & Video “All In” via DuJour!

Cherub said of the song: “‘All In’ is a song that was written and recorded, for the most part, in a small little garage turned studio in our own backyard in Nashville, TN. We wrote ‘All In’ and a handful of other tunes, with our good friend and now collaborator Mike Gibney while we were both on our ‘winter break’ from tour. It was refreshing to take the time to dive in, as opposed to squeezing in studio sessions between days out on the road.”

Sugar Candy Mountain shares second track “Crystalline” off upcoming album, Do Right

Part travelogue, part response to the current, turbulent climate, Do Right gives voice to the deeply nested anxiety of modern times attempting to offer a balm. Nature it seems, is where the band often goes to calibrate it’s moral compass so frequently upended by the daily news-cycle. Sugar Candy Mountain invites you to join them on this journey singing “There’s a quiet place I go when I need to find my way/ There’s a quiet place inside/ Come on in just knock and a door will open”. Musically, the band remains rooted in 60’s and 70’s rock, with their signature honey sweet vocals. Do Right leans more heavily on synthesizer than the band’s previous records lending the album a more modern feel. The album pairs the ephemeral orchestral arrangements of The Beach Boys with the pop sensibility of George Harrison on “All Things Must Pass”. Oscillating between the hazy psychedelic pop of Mild High Club, the driving energy of Dungen and the danceable familiarity of The Supremes, Do Right is a perfect cocktail of old and new, imploring the listener to take a ride into the sunset with Sugar Candy Mountain.

Singer-Songwriter John Craigie Shares “Don’t Ask” From New Album Scarecrow

Today, Portland, OR-based singer-songwriter John Craigie shared “Don’t Ask,” the second single from his new full length Scarecrow. The completely analog album, out 4/21, was recorded live to a 2 inch tape, mastered to tape, and cut straight to be pressed to vinyl.

GRUESOME Releases “Legion Of Doom” (Mantas Cover) For Decibel Flexi Series

Comments vocalist/guitarist Matt Harvey, “We did ‘Legion Of Doom’ to highlight the through-line from the early Mantas days all the way to Spiritual Healing. That signature riff just oozes heaviness. After working on the more melodic and developed album material, it was a lot of fun and a great way to blow off steam by jamming some nasty, primitive death metal.”

Hear Gruesome Cover Pre-Death Band Mantas Via Decibel Flexi Series

Sons Of Bill Announce New Album Oh God Ma’am, Share new Single “Believer / Pretender”

Virginia-based band of brothers Sons of Bill will release their fourth album Oh God Ma’am on June 29th. Today they have shared their new single “Believer / Pretender,” an opening salvo that encapsulates the approach the group takes on their latest record – blending their lyrical Americana roots with a polished, driving set of songs punctuated by crystalline guitar riffs and tasteful synth flourishes. The track is currently streaming via Brightest Young Things who declares the track to be “…an absolute stunner, a sweeping piece of ‘80s-tinged guitar rock that recalls the sounds of New Order, The War on Drugs, and even The Gin Blossoms, while still being unmistakably Sons of Bill.”

Premiere: Sons of Bill Triumphantly Return with “Believer / Pretender”

D.A. Stern shares new track/video “Isn’t It Obvious” from new EP out tomorrow on Slumberland

D.A. Stern is a crafty songwriter whose sensibility marries an arch and sometimes unsettled outlook with the classic melodicism and wit of heavyweight influences like Harry Nilsson and Elvis Costello. His 2017 debut album “Aloha Hola” is a mini-masterpiece of modern pop that perfectly encapsulates that ethos and rather cannily reflects both his New Jersey roots and chosen Los Angeles home. Slumberland is pleased to have reissued “Aloha Hola” and we’re psyched to bring you some fresh D.A. Stern as well.

Vinegar Mother unveils ‘powerhouse’ new single “Moon Tomb” | Debut LP on the way

On the track, the band’s Julia Zivic (lead vox) notes, “I feel happiest when the sun goes down and I can be alone with my thoughts. I always look at the moon late at night and feel a silent kinship.”