@skopemag News For September 21, 2018 @ 10 AM EST

British cult outfit The Venus Fly Trap to release ‘Icon’ LP

British cult outfit The Venus Fly Trap have announced they will release their new ‘Icon’ LP via Glass Modern Records. This Bladerunner rock n roll sees post-punk fuse with dark electronica envisioned through rose-tinted shades and dark acidic visions.

Founded in Northampton by Alex Novak (vocals) and Andrew Denton (guitar, programming) in 1986 after Novak parted company with darkwave post-punk band Attrition, mythology has always been part of The Venus Fly Trap’s psyche, alongside space and science fiction. This is music created for imaginary films for your mind.

PARDISON FONTAINE RELEASES NEW TRACK AND VIDEO FOR “BACKIN IT UP” FEATURING CARD B

New Atlantic Records signee Pardison Fontaine releases his first single and companion video for “Backin’ It Up” featuring labelmate Cardi B. “Backin’ It Up” marks Pardison’s debut single for Atlantic Records, on which his clever and dynamic rhymes take center stage as Cardi delivers a knockout cameo. The track paves the way for Pardison’s first major label EP to come later this year. Of the track Pardison says, “It’s more of an introduction. I’m catching up fans who have known about me for a long time and introducing myself as an artist to new audiences.”

LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA PRESENTS “A FORGOTTEN SPOT [OLVIDADO]”

LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA has returned to present a new addition to the ongoing Hamildrop series, “A Forgotten Spot [Olvidado]” starring Zion Y Lennox, De La Ghetto, Ivy Queen, PJ Sin Suela and Lucecita Benitez and produced by Grammy award-winning, Trooko. This month’s Hamildrop is shining a light on the island of Puerto Rico one year after Hurricane Maria made landfall on the island, leaving behind a trail of devastation. The track is now available worldwide at all digital music retailers and streaming services.

Ezza Rose shares new album, No Means No, via Impose; LP out tomorrow – 9/21

Portland’s dream rock / psychedelic pop band, Ezza Rose, will release their forth album, No Means No, tomorrow, Friday September 21, 2018. Impose Magazine, who is now streaming the LP in-full, says, “Ezza Rose has done something on this LP that is rare; this is a perfect 7-song view into the soul of American identity politics, while remaining human, honest, humble and maybe even complicit at times. It deals with heavy topics, but it’s a given that choruses will be stuck in your head, and guitar riffs will visit you through the day and have you humming. It’s a balance in and of itself — it rocks, but it also makes you think. Rock and roll is for the neck down, but this album lives in your head too. The take away that it leaves you with is simple; nobody is perfect, but this album begs for directness and boundaries. Perfection is a myth that takes us further from a progressive future.”

SLANDER Teams Up with RIOT For Vocal Bass Anthem “You Don’t Even Know Me” on Monstercat

Just a month after releasing their metal-dubstep fusion single “Kneel Before Me” with Asking Alexandria and Crankdat, SLANDER turns their sound on its head yet again with their new collaborative release “You Don’t Even Know Me.” SLANDER joined forces with up-and-coming Israeli duo RIOT for the vocal bass ballad, built upon cinematic melodies that plunge into a powerful drop with smooth, yet reverberating, basslines. “You Don’t Even Know Me” feels poignant and slightly melancholy as the production is complemented by emotive vocals, a touch that turns the track from potential dance floor hit to a cathartic club experience. SLANDER continues to refresh our ears and minds with their constantly transforming sound, and we have to say that this collab with RIOT is destined to be a timeless fan favorite. “You Don’t Even Know Me” is out now on Monstercat.

PODCAST NETWORK DIGITAL SOAPBOX SIGNS EXCLUSIVE DEAL WITH CBS/ENTERCOM

Digital Soapbox Network (DSN), home to Doggie Diamonds’ “No Filter” and Krayzie Bone’s #TruthTalks podcasts, are pleased to announce that they signed an exclusive deal with entertainment media giant CBS/Entercom.

DSN co-founder, Doggie Diamonds, who’s show often tops iTunes music category, says the deal will ensure access to major syndication and a nationwide sales force.

“Our new alliance will allow us to take advantage of their world-class facilities,” adds co-founder and former rap artist Norman “Bigg” Steele, who says that the podcast as a medium is booming and is all but replacing radio. “We are really excited to be in on this from the ground up.”

Charlz Unveils New Single and Video ‘The Sun’

From under the vulnerable covers Charlz emerges with her most powerfully devastating single yet – ‘The Sun’ produced by M-Phazes.

Underpinned by complimenting production, ‘The Sun’ fills the room with longing. Yearning for better days, Charlz’ intoxicating smooth voice sings about the struggles of a relationship. The single exhibits her ability to devastate, yet captivate with nothing more than a sparse piano colliding with her gentle vocals.

SAN MEI returns with title track lifted from forthcoming HEAVEN EP

Staying true to the gritty, guitar driven groundwork laid on previous single ‘Wonder’, today San Mei returns with the title track off her highly anticipated forthcoming EP Heaven, set for release November 2.

‘Heaven’ is the second track pulled from the upcoming EP of the same name, and sees San Mei contrast dueling guitars with lush, cascading vocals to deliver a cut plucked straight from dream pop heaven.

OUT TODAY | HORROR MY FRIEND release new album HOME LIFE

Adelaide trio Horror My Friend share their second album, Home Life, OUT TODAY via Poison City Records, and gear up for their east coast tour supported by Sweater Curse.

The full-length collision of punk-tinged, noise-pop, shoegaze, 90’s college rock and garage ferocity features previous singles ‘Pavement’, ‘Admit None’, ‘Wedding’ and ‘DIYS’. Home Life follows the band’s acclaimed debut album Stay In, Do Nothing (2016), and is their second LP release via label home, Poison City Records.

MOBY RICH RELEASE DEBUT SINGLE ‘YOKO ONO’

Crafting lo-fi melancholic pop with a hip-hop punch, ‘Yoko Ono’ is an ode to finding a lover as weird as you are. The accompanying visuals reflect the playful, tongue-in-cheek nature of the track: directed by Scottie Cameron, the duo surf Los Angeles on a motorised mattresses in matching pyjamas.

WATCH – Emerging R&B-Pop Artist, Cat Burns Shares ‘Sober’ Official Video

18-year-old singer-songwriter Cat Burns is ready to stamp her mark on the UK music scene with her bracingly honest and distinctive R&B-pop sound and style, which is superbly displayed through her new single ‘Sober’ out today (7th September) via RAW Records label.

The Struts share video for ‘Primadonna Like Me’ ft. Alice Cooper

A raucous barrage of exuberant excess, the video sees the band take a wild trip around the glistening casinos of Las Vegas’ Caesars Palace Hotel. Surrounded by screaming fans and dripping with foot-stomping, disco-inflected, glitter-drenched swagger, the video also features footage from their recent sold out San Diego headline show.

Jacob Plant joins forces with James Newman on brand new single ‘Amnesia’ | Out Now via BMG

Built around James’ smooth vocals, ‘Amnesia’ fuses deep elements, with luscious percussive tones, and rich melodies. “James is an incredible writer who I respect so much,” Jacob adds. “As soon as we finished the demo I knew we had to keep his voice on it! I’m really glad he agreed, and I’m so excited for you all to hear Amnesia!”

Black Eyed Peas share urgent new videos for “Big Love”

Following the announcement of their forthcoming 7th studio album Masters of The Sun via Interscope Records, The Black Eyed Peas are sharing two of the most important video’s of their career for their powerful single “Big Love”. Directed by will.i.am, one of the videos is a vivid reenactment of a high school shooting and the second video depicts an immigrant family being torn apart. The videos are released in partnership with the March For Our Lives and Families Belong Together organizations. They cover two urgent issues largely impacting communities of color in the United States in Gun Control and Immigration Reform. Both of which, in addition to Police Brutality and Prison Reform, are issues the Black Eyed Peas have been profoundly speaking out on. Yesterday will.i.am appeared on MSNBC’s The Beat with Ari Melber explaining the videos as well here.