@skopemag news – weekend / saturday – july 11, 2020 @ 4 pm est

@skopemag HQ – http://smarturl.it/skope

AQUIHAYAQUIHAY Release Vibey Single + Video for “Ya No Es Igual”

M-Pop / Latin R&B group AQUIHAYAQUIHAY releases the vibey single “Ya No Es Igual” via Steve Aoki’s new Latin imprint Dim Mak En Fuego – a label dedicated to releasing hybrid sounds from both the Latin global underground and contemporary Latin hitmakers, as well as from Aoki himself. Dim Mak En Fuego has made AQUIHAYAQUIHAY their first signing to launch this new creative venture.

L.A.-via-Pittsburgh Art Rapper My Favorite Color Shares the Introspective “Funeral”

My Favorite Color uses his perceptive bars to explore deep philosophical questions, filtering them through his own experiences to create artful and thoughtful rap music. On “Funeral,” his latest single, the Los Angeles-based rhymer speaks frankly about his own mortality, less concerned about the state of his soul than how his death would affect his friends and family.

OHIO INDIE-POP GROUP SPIRIT OF THE BEAR SHARE VISUAL FOR – “SUMMER SNOW”

After forming in high school, SPIRIT OF THE BEAR quickly became one of the most fresh and exciting bands to emerge in the Northeast Ohio indie scene with their unique blend of indie rock, pop, and electronic sensibilities coupled with their affinity for classic songwriting. Since relocating to Columbus, Ohio, the band has been “giving bedroom pop a new spin” (The 405) and “showing a cutting-edge versatility and unique sound” (What The Kids Want). Spirit of the Bear’s years of musical experience are accentuated by their use of two keyboard players, which brings out a unique depth to their sound. Their lifelong friendship also creates a magnetic chemistry onstage, making their live show just as exciting as their records.

TAINY AND J BALVIN RELEASE “AGUA” FROM THE UPCOMING SPONGEBOB MOVIE

Boundary-pushing producer and artist, Tainy, and globally renowned artist J Balvin release “Agua,” the first single off of the official soundtrack from the upcoming animated film The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge On The Run. The song is out on NEON16/Interscope Records and available on all streaming platforms today.

Thanya Iyer encourages you to take a moment for yourself

a message from Thanya Iyer:
We’re all in different places waking up to the oppressive systems that run this world, flooding every industry and place. A huge power shift needs to take place and I’m so grateful to be able to learn and continue to grow through this time. If you like my music then you’ll know that its all about humanity, self love, and giving love outwards to our community and beyond! Keep learning and growing and have an open mind as we all figure out how to create actionable steps towards reconciliation. Here are some organizations and initiatives to get to know and learn about that are supporting the Black Lives Matter movement and other extremely important initiatives that have continued to make a beautiful impact and are essential to the well-being of our humanity.

EMERGING U.K. ARTIST S1MBA SHARES SCORCHING “ROVER” REMIX FT. LIL TECCA

Hot on the heels of the original version of “Rover,” which has amassed over 150 million streams to date, rising U.K. artist S1MBA shares the official U.S. remix featuring Lil Tecca. “Rover” has ignited a firestorm of interest around S1MBA as it continues to make an impact globally. When S1MBA flew out to his native country of Zimbabwe from his hometown in England last December to spend Christmas with family, he wasn’t prepared for what would be in store when he got back to the U.K.

Yes Founding Member Jon Anderson Releases New Single “First Born Leaders”

Legendary Yes singer and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Jon Anderson has released “First Born Leaders”, the fourth and final single off of his highly-anticipated new solo album 1000 Hands, an album nearly 30 years in the making.

SARA BAREILLES AND THE CAST OF LITTLE VOICE RELEASE THE FIRST FIVE SONGS FROM LITTLE VOICE: SEASON ONE (APPLE TV+ ORIGINAL SERIES SOUNDTRACK) TODAY

Today, Grammy® Award-winner and Tony® and Emmy® Award-nominated singer, songwriter, actress, and author Sara Bareilles unveils the Little Voice: Season One, Episodes 1-3 (Apple TV+ Original Series Soundtrack).

Big Black Delta Shares “Vessel” Video, ‘4’ LP Out Today

Big Black Delta (Jonathan Bates) has shared his highly-anticipated LP, 4. An album covering resilience, confronting depression and how much therapy saved his life. On its inception Bates explains, “The biggest difference was me addressing my mental health – finally finding a therapist who I trusted, and understanding my mental chemistry and addressing pre-existing genetic depression issues. Quitting drinking alcohol. I’m an alcoholic and was chemically addicted to it. Going through that as opposed to going around it. All these things and countless more informed me as to what I wanted to do musically…..to be of service.” 4 is out now on all streaming platforms.

Dark Metal Institution AGATHODAIMON Signs Worldwide Contract with Napalm Records!

Dark metal institution AGATHODAIMON have officially signed a worldwide record deal with Napalm Records. Formed by Sathonys (guitar) and Matthias Rodig (drums) the German five-piece quickly evolved, performed at major European festivals and released six studio albums throughout their vast career.

Tyler Carter joins Skyhaven for electro-pop single “Trouble”

Guitar-driven electro-rock duo Skyhaven have teamed up with Issues frontman Tyler Carter for the release of their new single “Trouble.” This marks the third track released off the band’s upcoming album DRUGLUST, due on July 31st. “Trouble” follows in the footsteps of the record’s first two singles “U Do” and “43w,” injecting modern pop/EDM with the band’s signature avant-garde guitar work.

“Trouble is one of our favorite tracks on the record,” says guitarist Jake Johnston. “We’re so so proud of this track, and Tyler Carter couldn’t of done a better job on this track. There’s not much more to say except the fact that we are so stoked about this track, the people that we got to work with on it, and we’re even more excited to release it.”

Cut Copy share “Cold Water (Lindstrøm & Prins Thomas Remix)” out now

Electronic favorites Cut Copy team up with Norwegian producers, Lindstrøm & Prins Thomas to give new shape to their latest single. Today, they share “Cold Water [Lindstrøm & Prins Thomas Remix],” out now via Cutters Records / The Orchard. The electro, prog-infused remix stretches the song to slowly become more and more psychedelic, adding a dynamism that breathes new life into the single. The visualizer to accompany the remix was made by Cut Copy’s own Ben Browning.

TWENTY YEARS SINCE THE RELEASE OF COLDPLAY’S DEBUT ALBUM, ‘PARACHUTES’

Today, July 10th, marks twenty years since Coldplay released their debut album, ‘Parachutes’. The multi-platinum number one album has since sold over 13 million copies worldwide.

‘Parachutes’ includes the band’s first major hit ‘Yellow’ – the song that launched the band on the international stage, as well as ‘Shiver’, ‘Trouble’ and ‘Don’t Panic.’ To mark the album’s 20th anniversary, the videos for its four singles have been restored to HD quality.

BIZZY BANKS IS MAKING “MOVIES” WITH CINEMATIC NEW SINGLE AND MUSIC VIDEO

When discussing Brooklyn, it is evident that there is a growing subgenre of hip-hop that is shifting the landscape of not only the music industry, but the sound of rap music. Drill, a style that originated in Chicago, IL, later emerged in the UK and found a home in Brooklyn, is a gritty sound that caters to those with an ear to the streets with a love for trap beats. Bizzy Banks is one of the voices in the Brooklyn drill scene worth mentioning, with an infectious sound earning the respect of acclaimed rappers such as the late Pop Smoke, who regarded him as a rising rapper to look out for. “Bizzy Banks has emerged as the latest up-and-comer in Brooklyn drill.” – Pitchfork

American Songwriter Premieres Michael Bernard Fitzgerald’s “I Love That Sound” Video

Canadian singer/songwriter Michael Bernard Fitzgerald is releasing “I Love That Sound” today with news of his new full-length studio album Love Valley – due out October 9th, 2020. Fitzgerald gets intimate on this new collection of songs that was recorded at OCL studios in his hometown of Calgary, Canada, C & F Systems Memphis, TN and Blackbird Studios in Nashville, TN with longtime friend, producer and Juno Award-winning engineer Josh Rob Gwilliam.

Michael Bernard Fitzgerald Releases “I Love That Sound” Off of Forthcoming ‘Love Valley’

Tyler Childers’ “Country Squire” music video out now

Once again produced by Sturgill Simpson and David Ferguson, Country Squire debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart and received overwhelming critical acclaim landing on “Best of 2019” lists at NPR Music, Rolling Stone, Variety, Stereogum, Paste and many more.

ELECTRONIC PRODUCTION DUO AKKAN SHARES WOOZY VISUAL FOR NEW SINGLE ‘EL MUTAL’

The new cut follows up on the recently released ‘Vola Topi’ and previous three EPs, the DJ Mag-supported ‘Bananat’ and ‘Kai’, released on trailblazer Parisian label La Belle.

The Brummies are here with “Sunshine” in their new Bill Withers-inspired song

The Brummies, Nashville-based rock trio, offer a ray of sunlight and a dose of positivity with their latest single “Sunshine.” It is the first single from their forthcoming album due out later this year. The vibrant new song began with a moment of waking sunlight through cheap broken window-blinds. Ultimately though, the inspiration that completed the song was due to the late Bill Withers.

Karen Jonas opts for a nap instead of the dishes in new song “Tuesday”

Karen Jonas has released the first single “Tuesday,” from her new album The Southwest Sky and Other Dreams. “Tuesday” is a song about day to day responsibilities, jealousy and feeling overwhelmed by it all. Karen spoke to DittyTV who premiered the song and video earlier this week saying: “I wrote Tuesday one day when I was feeling overwhelmed by my grown-up responsibilities. Ostensibly, we have these endless opportunities as adults – we could move somewhere fabulous or make a big plan or get a new job. Sometimes it seems like everyone else is having adventures, and I lose track of my own story and feel stuck. Tuesday is about surveying all of this, becoming extremely overwhelmed, and going to take a nap instead.

5 Questions and World Premiere Video: “Tuesday” by Karen Jonas

RAPPER/SINGER ALEX HARRIS RELEASES NEW SINGLE & MUSIC VIDEO “I AM”

On the track, which was produced by C.J. Plays, he bobs and weaves between fluttering bars and entrancing melodies before serving up a soaring refrain. The central affirmation—”Everything that I am is everything that I am, motherfucker, I am”—hits hard as it declares his individuality. Meanwhile, the Martin Cruz and James Baxter-directed cinematic music video segues from mountaintop footage to midnight city vignettes as Alex cruises the streets at full speed and with loaded bars.

RISING NASHVILLE SONGWRITER MUNN SHARES “I LOST MYSELF” ON ATLANTIC RECORDS

Nashville songwriters watch out: there’s a new guy in town, and he is a force. Please introduce yourselves to MUNN, a native Midwesterner with a devastatingly gorgeous voice, and an intricate fingerpicking guitar style to match. After self-releasing a stream of singles beginning with 2018’s “I Tried,” the prolific, young songwriter caught the attention of Ian Hunter at Atlantic Records, thanks to his tender 2019 single “I Lost Myself,” produced by his longtime songwriting partner and manager Dylan Stiles.

New Bees Deluxe Single “Nitro” featuring Poogie Bell

(American jazz drummer, composer, band leader and producer. Bell is best known as a drummer, working extensively with bassists Marcus Miller and as a sideman for other artists such as Erykah Badu, Victor Bailey, David Bowie, Stanley Clarke, Randy Crawford, Roberta Flack, Al Jarreau, Chaka Khan, Angelique Kidjo, Joe Sample, David Sanborn, John Scofield, Stanley Turrentine, Luther Vandross, Vanessa Williams and Victor Wooten.)

otta releases new EP ‘songbook’

Following the release of ‘never see’ and ‘sick inside’, which among other accolades saw her making Pitchfork for the first time and further radio play across 6 Music and 1Xtra, British-Finnish artist otta is today releasing her critically acclaimed second EP, ‘Songbook’ and the video to lead single ‘just like the rain’.

Kacy Hill’s Is It Selfish If We Talk About Me Again out now, unveils “Everybody’s Mother” video

“Everybody’s Mother” follows “Unkind,” “Porsche,” “I Believe In You” featuring Francis and the Lights—which EW called a “soothing balm”—and previously unveiled tracks “Dinner,” “Much Higher” and “To Someone Else.” In addition, Hill collaborated with Bon Iver on his latest track “PDLIF,” which was made in quarantine by piecing together contributions sent in from artists in self-isolation and benefitted the humanitarian aid organization Direct Relief.

Kacy Hill’s Is It Selfish If We Talk About Me Again out now, unveils “Everybody’s Mother” video

Alternative Artist & Multi-Instrumentalist Natalie Claro Unveils Music Video for “Discomposure”

Today, alternative artist Natalie Claro–who is the sole writer, producer and instrumentalist of all her own music–is unveiling the music video for her single, “Discomposure”. Drawn from her 2019 Selfish Topics EP, “Discomposure” is an intense track dealing with Claro’s struggle with anxiety following a trauma life had thrown her way. The corresponding music video finds Claro alone in her bedroom, struggling to find peace with herself, followed by an epic climax scene of the singer/songwriter playing drums in the middle of a mosh pit.

LIGHTS RELEASES NEW SINGLE “DEAD END” AND OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO

Alt-pop artist Lights has released new single “Dead End,” the lead track from the forthcoming dance-remix LP of the same name. The track, which is available now at all DSPs, is the first new music born from Lights’ remix project – alongside her live touring partner and genre-adjacent act – producer and artist, MYTH. With 2020 travel and touring on hold, Lights collaborated on the “Dead End” music video at home with family and her live production crew, enlisting husband Beau Bokan to direct the clip. The Dead End Remix LP is available for pre-save now, with the official music video for the title track streaming now on Lights’ official YouTube channel.

RAYE RETURNS WITH STUNNING NEW SINGLE AND MUSIC VIDEO FOR “NATALIE DON’T”

RAYE says about the single, “I knew immediately when I wrote this song that it had to be a single. The track is about that feeling of panic you have when you know you’re losing someone. The song is beautifully hopeless because you know Natalie will do what she wants regardless.” RAYE adds, “I’ve been working on a project that explains the seven stages of grief. The first song is a really dramatic, confused power ballad, and then we progress through to the last song when you finally say with your full heart that you’ve healed. I’m very proud of this work and I can’t wait for everyone to hear all the tracks.”

Easy Life Release New 2-Track Single, ‘Who Gives A F**k?’

Today, critically acclaimed UK five-piece Easy Life release their new 2-track single, ‘who gives a f**k?’, available now via Interscope Records in the US. Included are a brand new track, “Pop Tarts” as well as an official release of the band’s breakout anthem “Nightmares” – which has already been streamed more than 33 million times, and was recently featured in a pivotal scene on Michaela Coel’s hit HBO series, “I May Destroy You.”

DONNA MISSAL’S NEW ALBUM, ‘LIGHTER,’ IS OUT TODAY

Today, Donna Missal released Lighter, her new album, via Harvest Records and shared the video for the track “Slow Motion.” Lensed early one morning in the desert outside Las Vegas, the striking one shot video begins with a close-up of Donna and widens as she performs the evocative piano ballad. Donna directed the clip, which was shot by Drew Bienemann.

Dead Lord Announce New Album ‘Surrender’

Today Stockholm’s premium rock export DEAD LORD unleash the second single, “Evil Always Wins’, from their upcoming fourth studio album, Surrender, out worldwide September 4th via Century Media Records.

Color Fields Bring Us Funk-Laced Pop In Alluring New Single, Watch Video For “Animal”

COLOR FIELDS is John Torres (guitar, bass, vocals, production) and Scott Packham (keyboards, synthesizers, programming, production). The project combines their musical interests by marrying the rawness and immediacy of John’s vocal approach & timbre with Scott’s virtuosic accompaniment and production. Though their catalog can amble between electro-indie rock, modern pop, EDM, and dance, the common thread throughout is the successful yet unexpected incorporation of John’s voice within the mesmerizing sonic landscape that Scott so skillfully produces.