@skopemag news – tuesday – april 14, 2020 @ 8 am est

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MARK ERELLI PREMIERES “THE RIVER ALWAYS WINS” VIDEO VIA FOLK ALLEY

The album, an unflinching examination of the distance between innocence and experience from “the middle” of life’s fantastic journey, is a step in a different sonic direction for the award-winning artist. “For Blindsided he has amped up with a superb band,” noted The Boston Globe in its premiere of the album. “Blindsided says just as much about who he is as it does about where he’s been. The secrets are embedded in the restraint of the 11-song set, a collection efficient yet varied, emotional yet exact,” said No Depression, who called Erelli “an expert craftsman.”

Lauren Calve Honors Her “Better Angels” In Personal Music Video Thanking Local Heroes

Today, storyteller and songwriter Lauren Calve releases “Better Angels” off her upcoming Wildfire EP, out June 23. The song was inspired by Abraham Lincoln’s inaugural address on the eve of the Civil War but now it’s found an overwhelming new meaning with Calve as the world battles the Covid-19 pandemic.

Ruston Kelly’s new song “Brave” debuts today

Reflecting on the song, Kelly shares, “‘Brave’ is a sword song. Writing it made me feel armed to face my lesser self. Because becoming a better version of myself requires taking account of the painful missteps along the way and fighting the anguish of facing them. And to ultimately (and hopefully) come out better than I was before. Taller and stronger. This is the highest achievement a human being can hope for, everything else is secondary.”

IN THE COMPANY OF SERPENTS: BrooklynVegan Premieres “Scales Of Maat”

BrooklynVegan is currently streaming “Scales Of Maat” from Denver-based doom trio IN THE COMPANY OF SERPENTS. Featuring guest vocals from Primitive Man guitarist/vocalist Ethan Lee McCarthy and Khemmis guitarist/vocalist Ben Hutcherson, the rumbling new psalm comes off the band’s Lux full-length, set for release on May 15th.

The Streets Announce Mixtape Release & Share First Single ft Tame Impala

Today, following a world premiere from Annie Mac as her Hottest Record on BBC Radio 1, Mike Skinner has released a new single as The Streets; the first taster of this eagerly awaited forthcoming mixtape. Released alongside an official video, directed by Mike himself, ‘Call My Phone Thinking I’m Doing Nothing Better ft. Tame Impala’ is out now on Island Records.

MAGNUS KARLSSON’S FREE FALL RELEASE NEW VIDEO FOR “QUEEN OF FIRE”

Heavy metal guitarist, songwriter, and producer Magnus Karlsson has announced the third album, “We Are The Night” from his solo project Magnus Karlsson’s Free Fall. It will be released on May 8, 2020 via Frontiers Music Srl. As with the prior two Free Fall releases, “We Are The Night” features an exciting array of guest vocalists taking the lead on tracks throughout the album.

LORD MANTIS Releases “Santa Muerte” Video

LORD MANTIS has unveiled an official video for “Santa Muerte,” the track found on the band’s acclaimed fourth album, Universal Death Church, which saw release through Profound Lore in November.

GONE WEST, FEAT COLBIE CAILLAT, RELEASE ANIMATED LYRIC VIDEO FOR “SLOW DOWN”

The track is an instant-grat off their debut album Canyons due in June and was co-written by Gone West and Jamie Kenney and features a guitar solo by Vince Gill which Billboard called ‘shimmering’. The lyric video is the animated story of a couple taking a step back from all the distractions of everyday life and taking the time to appreciate each other. The track is #1 on Radio Disney Country Playlist.

Rap. Rock. Hockey. – St Louis, MO’s Discrepancies Drop New Single & Music Video (“Undertow”)

St. Louis, MO’s DISCREPANCIES have launched their second single of 2020 “UNDERTOW.”

The single is a massive hip-hop-infused rock anthem with an action-packed music video based around hockey.

“Undertow is about not letting discouragement get in the way of progress. There will always be obstacles, but the hardships aren’t what define us. It’s about what you did to overcome.” – frontman Antonio “ATG”

SoulRac “BlackFace” Produced by Bigbob

Inlighten Music Group are thrilled to announce the release of Soulrac’s newest single, “Blackface” from his upcoming album, “Soulploitation” set to be released on 4/10/2020. It’s been nearly 200 years since white performers first started painting their faces black to mock enslaved Africans in minstrel shows across the United States. It was racist and offensive then, and it’s still racist and offensive today.

Rod Wave’s Pray 4 Love Is The #1 Rap Album In The Country

The captivating debut album, Pray 4 Love, by rapper-singer Rod Wave (Alamo/Geffen Records) has lived up to its anticipation, securing the #1 spot on Billboard’s Top Rap Albums chart and debuting at #2 on the Billboard Top 200 chart. Pray 4 Love also snagged the title for most streamed album of the week, with 105.8 million on-demand streams. On the week following its debut, Rod Wave, who was described by the New York Times as an “anomaly among his peers,” received the #2 spot on YouTube US’ Top 10 Artists list this week. The 14-track album is home to its title single, “Pray 4 Love” as well as, “Thief in the Night,” whose Cole Bennett-directed video has now exceeded 13 MM views on YouTube. Rod Wave served up the video for yet another song, “The Greatest” days prior to the album’s release.

For Skope: Marc Benjamin & Timmo Hendriks release a beacon of inspiration “Be Alright”

Protocol veterans Marc Benjamin & Timmo Hendriks team up for their new single “Be Alright,” a progressive beacon of hope and inspiration for any problematic situation. Benjamin and Hendriks are both known for their big room influenced style, which they deliver again with stunning perfection. Opening with cinematic instrumentals and euphonious vocals, “Be Alright” builds into a remarkable drop with bouncy, uplifting basslines, and soaring melodies. This serves as a great pick me up any time you need a dose of encouragement that everything is going to be OK. “Be Alright” is Marc’s 8th and Timmo’s 7th release on the label.

Forbidden Society Releases His Liminal Point LP

Forbidden Society has embodied what it takes to be an independent artist in the digital world. A label owner, head of a clothing line and a DJ, he’s proved himself to be a multi-faceted part of the drum & bass community, something which has carried through into his music. As well as being part of the hard-lined trio 3RDKND, his solo work has also gained him recognition. However, since his ‘Deadbox’ EP his music has taken a different route, featuring a more stripped back sound with minimalist roots, a change in direction which has been heralded by tastemakers. And this is something which is set to continue with a brand-new album, set to drop on his self-titled Forbidden Society imprint.

Only Bricks release debut music video “Happy Now”

CORINNE COOK RELEASES LYRIC MUSIC VIDEO IN SUPPORT OF OFFICIAL VIDEO AND SINGLE FOR “YES I CAN

“While so many of us are being quarantined at home, I hope this lyric video will provide a little fun, inspiration and remind us of some of the brave & iconic women that made great sacrifices in history.”

ABYSMAL DAWN Announces Virtual ‘Phylogenesis’ Listening Party

ABYSMAL DAWN comments: “Unfortunately, our listening parties in NYC and Los Angeles had to be cancelled for obvious and understandable reasons. To try and make up for it, we’ll be hosting a live stream of our new album and virtual Q&A with the band on Tuesday. So if you’re going a little stir crazy, let’s listen to some metal and have a bit of fun.”