@skopemag news – friday – october 16, 2020 @ 8 am est

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

LIL LOADED RELEASES A DEMON IN 6LUE

To celebrate the project’s arrival, he just dropped the music video for the new single “While I’m Here” [feat. Polo G]. Produced by Seph Got The Waves [Ty Dolla $ign, Trippie Redd], a smooth guitar lead cries out before the skittering beat takes hold. Loaded dips in and out of the bounce with confessional verses and bold boasts as he assures, “I know that I’m the man…I know they can’t replace me.” Meanwhile, Polo G comes through with an equally cathartic cameo and a promise, “All you see is blood when the demons get provoked.”

2nd Generation Wu Release Video For “Heaven on Earth”

Following the release of their latest single and amidst an uneasy rise in national anxiety, 2nd Generation Wu (comprised of the sons of the Wu-Tang Clan) is exploring the simplicity of joy, premiering the blissful video for “Heaven on Earth” featuring producer J. Glaze (Young Money, Q-Tip, Method Man, Inspectah Deck, Gift of Gab) on Substream Magazine today, Friday October 9th.

John Calvin Abney Shares “When This Blows Over” Music Video

John Calvin Abney will return with his fifth studio album, Familiar Ground, on November 20, 2020 via Black Mesa Records. Co-produced with longtime collaborator John Moreland during the country’s pandemic lockdown, the 9-song set often contemplates the acceptance of our own mortality, as well as the strength it takes for us to weather the storms of life. On album standout “When This Blows Over” — out today alongside a music video directed by fellow Oklahoman Samantha Crain — Abney paraphrases the beloved Irish poet Seamus Heaney, reminding us over a twangy, bedroom pop soundscape that “We can summer together / if we can winter this.”

Song You Need to Know: John Calvin Abney, ‘When This Blows Over’

FIRE FOLLOWS Release New Song “Black and White” Out Now + Watch The Official Video

Make no mistake; the Colorado based Fire Follows is here on business. Founded, crafted, and led by vocalist, musician, producer, and writer Chris Watt, the band delivers a melodic, yet heavy rock sound that is defined by anthemic choruses, beautiful piano interludes, and the perfect blend of rap/scream/sing vocals. In an effort to build a dynamic band that is capable of touring in 2021, Chris brought in seasoned musicians Tim Yunker (sing/rap), Emily Gould (drums), and his brother Tyler Watt (harmony/scream). Their influence can be immediately felt on the newest “Glass Gre-nade” release, showcasing Tim’s gospel/soul inspired vocal stylings, Emily’s dynamic and precise drumming techniques, and Tyler’s rich harmony/backing vocals. Fire Follows gained tremendous industry attention with the If It’s War You Want EP release in 2019, and expects that trend to continue with the 5 song Glass Grenade release in 2021. The songs demonstrate Chris’s ever evolving writing style, and with a radio ready production quality, are sure to cut through the indus-try noise. The sophomore release utilizes more scream vocals than its predecessor, and the addition of Tim, Emily, and Tyler has taken the overall sound to a whole new level. The hooky choruses are sure to produce multiple hits, and will be enjoyed by fans from pop, classical, and country genres, in addition to traditional hard-rock/meal fans.

Introducing: EVANGELIA – New Single “Fotiá” Out Now!

“Fotiá” – Greek for “fire” – is a song about passion and listening to your heart, whether it’s the tension and release of falling in love or taking a leap of faith to follow your dreams. By combining traditional Greek sounds, driving tribal, mystical drums and modern pop melodies with sensual vocals about giving in to temptation and losing all control, Evangelia creates a unique and addictive sonic blend that pulls you in emotionally while instantly making you want to dance.

Makena Release Scorching New Single “Methane”

Midwest quintet Makena have announced their signing to LA-based label Famined Records, and to celebrate the news have debuted their brand new single, “𝐌𝐄𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐄” premiering on Dreambound. You can stream it here.

NEW RELEASE: “Cul De Sac” by Hunters of the Alps

Hunters of the Alps, a musical-collaboration-project-turned-experimental-solo-vehicle for artist Mario Giancarlo Garibaldi, has returned with their first single in years. The dreamy, fluid, and laid-back pop new wave track, titled “Cul De Sac,” was released today and is now available on digital streaming platforms via Cosmica Artists. As part of this release, Hunters of the Alps also came out with an accompanying music video, which premiered exclusively with the Miami New Times yesterday.

Alt-Pop Paper Jackets Share New Single “Drugs & Honey”

“We’re all paying the pharmacist whether it’s for cocaine or Starbucks,” shares vocalist James Mason. “‘Drugs & Honey’ is about what we do to mask the pain. It’s a stylish approach to the nothingness that becomes us and the colorful veil to cover up. I personally like drug metaphors, crispy vocals and hot take heart breaks.”

Indie-Electro Band 88/89 Drop Versatile New EP “Hit Me”

Psych-pop duo, 88/89 pack quite the punch with their latest EP, Hit Me. Filled to the brim with soundscape melodies, the two Londoners demonstrate incredible control of pace while blending euphoric riffs smoothly.

Latin Gammy Nominated Queer Latinx Artist GINA CHAVEZ Releases a Globe Spanning Music Video

Gina Chavez, who just received her first-ever Latin Grammy Awards nomination for her 2020 release La Que Manda, releases new music video “Ella.” Featuring an international array of dancers filmed in their own homes, the music video honors survivors of domestic abuse by reclaiming domestic spaces through dance.

Chicago and Brooklyn Drill Connect: King Von & Fivio Foreign Share “I Am What I Am”

Throwing his weight behind his forceful delivery as he delivers gleeful put-downs and taunts, King Von knows exactly who he is. Raising his energy level in a new single with Fivio Foreign, Von shares “I Am What I Am.” Produced by Von’s regular collaborator Chopsquad DJ, who borrows BK’s signature sliding 808s and apocalyptic synths, “I Am What I Am” combines the styles of original recipe Chicago drill and it’s UK-informed Brooklyn offshoot. Confident in themselves and what they represent for their cities, the emcees trade bars as they promise a bad time for anyone who looks at them the wrong way. The song is almost maniacally propulsive, driven by Fivio’s wild ad-libs and Von’s ice cold hook, which has the internal logic of a street nursery rhyme: “I am what I am/What I’m not, I’ll never be…And if I should die, I’m pushing the murder rate/My n****s gon’ slide everyday/You been talkin’ that sh*t, I can’t wait.”

STUNNA GIRL TURNS HEADS WITH “ROTATION (DIRTY MIX)” MUSIC VIDEO OUT NOW!

About the sizzling sci-fi visual, the outlet wrote, “Epic Records signee Stunna Girl is the definition of a bad bitch who’s ready to take over the rap game single-handedly. With this new release, she reminds her growing fanbase that you can still turn up, as long as you “throw it in rotation!” Stunna Girl states, “The world is heavy right now, tomorrow isn’t promised. The days are literally running into each other. ‘Rotation’ is a feel-good song, the moment you hear the beat you know what time it is…”

KING PARROT Releases Animated “Kick Up A Stink” Video

Australian grind faction KING PARROT today drops their scorching new limited-edition seven-inch EP, Holed Up In The Lair, and in true band fashion, it’s accompanied by a comical new music video for the track “Kick Up A Stink.”

Chris Garneau Shares “Not The Child” Via KEXP

Today, NYC-based chamber pop artist Chris Garneau shares the single and video for “Not The Child” and announces his upcoming LP The Kind, out January 22nd on The Orchard.

“Not The Child” was premiered by KEXP, who praised Garneau’s move “back to the emotionally-resident, sparse chamber pop that he built his name on”. American Songwriter also featured the track, brilliantly detailing the story behind “Not The Child” as “a moving ode to youth, growing up queer, and maneuvering through the tortuous paths of adulthood.”

Selena Rosanbalm Releases Self-Titled Album // Out Now

Selena Rosanbalm has taken a break from making music for the past few years while processing a traumatic loss; she’s returned with a new perspective, and her songs are more open and honest than ever. Sonically, she’s also introduced an edginess that wasn’t as present in previous work. It’s all on full display on her new self-titled album, her first solo record, out today.

FATT SOSA TEAMS UP WITH RICK ROSS FOR NEW SINGLE “PIMPIN”

The track fuses Sosa’s laidback bounce and sizzling boasts with Ross’s ironclad and inimitable bars. Together, they overtake bass-y production with undeniable chemistry and knockout delivery as Sosa proclaims, “Bitch, I’m a pimp.”

“Imma keep it 1000, ‘Pimpin’ came about when I first met the A&R’s who signed me. I drove down to Atlanta from Angier, and we met at the studio. Immediately they put me to work to see what I could come up with on the spot, having me record a track [‘Pimpin’] from scratch. Earlier in the day, I took in the sights Atlanta is known for, and got the numbers of these 2 ladies, so you could say I was feelin’ myself a lil’ bit. I got in the booth, and did what I do best, and the rest is history. Getting Rozay on it was the extra sauce on top. We did this for big dudes all over the world.” -Fatt Sosa

Body Language Share ‘Travel Guide’ LP Via Glide

Premiering on Glide, Brooklyn-based Body Language’s album Travel Guide is now out everywhere on Om Records. Shimmering, infectious, and playful tracks line the 10 song album, infused with elements ranging from R&B to trance-inducing rhythms. Glide praised the band’s pristine genre-melding, “combining the electronic innovations of Sudan Archives and the go-anywhere soul of Brittany Howard, the touchpoints are numerous. Body Language indeed creates their own musical mood swings over a virtuous mix of loops, beats and spot-on vocals.”

GEPE Presents “Ulyse” His Anticipated Eighth Album

A new era begins today in the career of Chilean musician Gepe. After 7 studio albums and a brilliant career that has taken him to stages of the prestigious magnitude of the Viña del Mar Festival in his country or Vive Latino in Mexico, Daniel Riveros Sepulveda, Gepe’s real name, releases “ULYSE”, his eighth studio album and the first under the label of Sony Music.

The concept of this album comes from the book Ulysses, a novel by Irish writer James Joyce, and it is taken to a terrestrial journey to represent him as an empathetic character, who can sit next to you and listen to you in these complex times.

Contemporary jazz flutist Alexander Zonjic motors back onto the scene

It’s been eleven years since contemporary jazz flutist Alexander Zonjic dropped a new album, making Friday’s release of his 13th collection, “Playing It Forward,” an event album. A genuine multi-hyphenate, Zonjic is a longtime multimedia personality (he hosts television and radio shows) and artistic director for nearly a dozen music festivals and concert series throughout Detroit and the Michigan region in addition to being a recording artist, explaining the lengthy gap between albums. Finishing the new Hi-Falutin Music release produced by GRAMMY-winning keyboardist Jeff Lorber was made possible because COVID-19 forced the cancellation of most of the calendar of live music events that Zonjic produces.

Pine Barons Share ‘Mirage On The Meadow’ LP via Magnet

Today, Philadelphia-based Pine Barons share Mirage on the Meadow, which Magnet premiered earlier this week. Their sophomore release, the album consists of ten of the band’s most honest and emotionally evocative songs.

Written by frontman and multi-instrumentalist, Keith Abrams, the album explores themes of feeling like time is running out, longing for love and death’s inevitability. A psychedelic amalgamation of graveyard shifting indie rock, Mirage on the Meadow is full of the dread we all experience living our daily lives while retaining a cautious optimism that propels its rich, colorful sound towards a brighter future.

BigBankBandz “Die Young”

Kinkshamer release video for “A Most Vulgar Display”

Los Angeles-based NSFW progressive metalcore/deathcore group Kinkshamer dropped their debut music video for “Foreplay / Beauty and the Beast.” Now, the band are revealing another raunchy video, this time for the track “A Most Vulgar Display.”

Emerging UK Rapper Outlaw The Artist Shares Debut Album “Villains Never Die” — OUT NOW!

Rapper, lyricist, and songwriter Outlaw The Artist drops his highly-anticipated new project, Villains Never Die. Mirroring his previous work “Anti-Villain,” VND comes in eight-tracks (+1 interlude) strong, featuring “DRiP’ and “Most Days” which were both premiered in September. This next piece of the Villains trilogy welcomes the opportunity for listeners to understand his creative motives whilst also offering context on his multitude of experiences.

Grand Opus – “Hold Ya Head Up” [Video]

California duo Grand Opus, Joc Scholar [Fresno, MC] and Centric [Oakland, Producer], reconnect to lift heads during one of our most significant seasons. 2020 has brought a Pandemic, Wildfires, Protests, Riots, Civil Unrest, Presidential Election and an outcry from Black America against a history of systemic racism and hatred. “The Season” is their third album that ties it all together while bringing its own distinct sound, as Centric composes the score for Joc Scholar’s lyricism creating another ‘opus’. Watch their latest video-single “Hold Ya Head Up” and support their album “The Season” available now on all major outlets.

New Ruth Koleva Video ’Life of The Party” Out Today

Already a beloved figure in her native Bulgaria, Ruth Koleva’s irresistible electro pop is beginning to attract just as much attention in her adopted home of New York City. Her newest single is an innovative take on the thoroughly modern problem of finding meaning in isolation. The video is compiled of dozens of videos the singer received during the last months from the thematic #LifeOfThePartyVideoChallange social media campaign.

ICYMI: Tori Handsley announces new album ‘As We Stand’ (ft. Moses Boyd)

Today, Tori Handsley has announced details of her long-awaited debut album ‘As We Stand’. Due out 27th November via Cadillac Records (Harry Beckett, Mike Westbrook, Joe Harriot), the new album features Mercury Prize 2020 shortlisted drummer and producer Moses Boyd and Melt Yourself Down’s Ruth Goller on bass.

MOY SHARE ANIMATED VIDEO FOR NEW RELEASE ‘AT MY DOOR’

MOY’s second single ‘No Talk’s The Best Chat’ elevated the growing profile of the New Zealander led Glasgow band. It earned fresh airplay from BBC Introducing, BBC Scotland and Amazing Radio while also gaining traction across Europe.