@skopemag news – tuesday – december 8, 2020 @ 8 am est

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

Project Alcazar featuring Chris Steberl & Mark Zonder of Fates Warning

Guitarist Chris Steberl has been playing music for over 45 years starting at the age of 8 years old. He has played in numerous bands over the years finally forming his own instrumental band Alcazar back in 1988. They were the first and only band to ever win the local Battle of the Bands WITHOUT a singer!

Emanuel releases sophomore EP, Session 2: Transformation via Motown Records/Universal Music Canada

Toronto R&B artist Emanuel releases his sophomore EP Session 2: Transformation via Universal Music Canada and his new U.S. label partner Motown Records.

“Emanuel is an incredibly introspective and emotional artist. I’m deeply moved by his captivating voice and beautiful artistry. We’re excited to welcome him to the Motown roster and help amplify his sound and message,” says Ethiopia Habtemariam, President of Motown Records & EVP of Capitol Music Group, on Emanuel.

 

Alice Phoebe Lou shares beautiful new track ‘Dusk

Today Alice Phoebe Lou share’s her beautiful new single ‘Dusk,’ a warm and endlessly playable track destined to be heard and adored. Dusk is the first cut from Alice’s hotly-anticipated third album ‘Glow’ which is due for release 19th March 2021.

Jon Reynolds & The Aches release new single ‘Leather Jacket’

Jon Reynolds & The Aches have released their brand new single ‘Leather Jacket’, taken from the forthcoming debut EP Petrichor out January 22nd.

‘Leather Jacket’ is a potent pop rock track oozing with atmosphere and inescapable hooks reminiscent of a pairing between The War On Drugs and The Gaslight Anthem.

LIZZARD: French Power Trio To Release Eroded Full-Length Via Pelagic Records

If color could communicate premonitions of feelings and introspective mental states, then the album cover of LIZZARD’s Eroded would be an adequate synopsis of the current state of the world: the ochre, brown, and green feel tired, worn, drained, eroded… but the bright yellow and orange and the central white parts insinuate a statement of hope, and in that the album art couldn’t be a more adequate representation of LIZZARD’s music: a melting pot of invigorating riffs, heavy driven groove, and catchy vocal lines. In early 2021, Eroded comes as a strong, hopeful voice expressing the suppressed yearning for an end of this madness which we all carry inside.

JOHN J PRESLEY RELEASES ‘EXHALE AND GO’

Talking about the track, John explains “‘Exhale & Go was written when I was still living in London. At that time I was experiencing pretty bad anxiety and sometimes driving around the capital at it’s busiest after a string of late nights was not ideal. Lyrically the song came from that experience and musically it’s grown over the past few years. Quite intense on many levels – the performance and recording for Albany Sessions focused mainly on the guitar as the main line whereas the original flirted with clarinet too. It’s a song to get lost in for sure, and one of my favourites from this collection.”

Mega unveils stunning debut EP ‘Future Me’

A six-track release, ‘Future Me’ opens with the EP’s title track, a sparse acoustic ballad that allows Mega’s scintillating vocals to breathe as she sings of breaking free from the things that have held her back in the past. An accompanying official video sees the soulstress performing the track live – accentuating its organic beauty with an acoustic band made up of Ed Riches on guitar, Karl Abel on bass and Alex Ho on keys.

OUT NOW: ELECTRONIC DUO AKKAN REDEFINE THE SOUND OF THE NEW GLOBAL ELECTRONIC SCENE WITH SELF-TITLED DEBUT ALBUM

Born out of the collaboration between Barcelona producers BeGun and Ocellot, AKKAN are one of the most intriguing acts to come out of the current global electronic music scene that has been redefining dance music with the use of folkloristic grooves and organic sounds. The duo came together after a shamanic and hallucinogenic journey in Southern Africa, during which the two Catalan musicians started working on what will become their signature sound; club-oriented organic electronica characterized by jungle sounds, shimmering analog synths, tribal percussions, exotic vocals, trippy melodies and folk instruments that flow in a stimulating and highly contagious array of beats.

RINA SAWAYAMA RELEASES SAWAYAMA: DELUXE EDITION

Today, London based critically acclaimed recording artist Rina Sawayama releases SAWAYAMA: Deluxe Edition via Dirty Hit. In addition, Rina announces rescheduled UK tour dates and will share her extended reality video for new single ‘LUCID’ at 6pm tonight.

Dark Side Of Light Drops Psychedelic New Single “Moist”

The Indie/Alt duo, comprised of Nik Frost and Grant Conway, delivers ethereal vocals and deliciously dope bass lines in their new self-produced single “Moist.” The obscure and emotive track is reminiscent of bands like Radiohead, Massive Attack, Tame Impala, and Beck. “We didn’t want to approach the songs with conventional writing techniques, so we took it a step further, and instead of starting with ‘loops’ per se, we started with recording Grant playing live grooves we thought were sick and worked from that. From there, we were messing around with these really warped bass sounds and digitally stretching them. It brought out this unbelievable dirty ass sub frequency and spawned the song,” explains Frost. Alongside the melodic vocals and minimalistic lyrics, DSOL combines strange arrangements and compressed, live beats in their new track. “I purposefully did not go hardcore on the lyrics. Things are so far out these days, I felt it would serve the track more if I held back and made the lyrics vague and used double entendres instead of spelling out each act in the three-part sexual experience described in the song,” explains Frost. “I have a friend who is absolutely disgusted by the word ‘Moist’ and also the word ‘Skin’, and as a joke, I started writing lyrics that included both words in the chorus and of course, I made it intentionally and overtly sexual for good measure,” Frost says. Eventually, after realizing the song had enormous potential, the more overtly sexual lyrics were removed, and a more poetic take was created.

THE SNUTS ANNOUNCE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED DEBUT ALBUM W.L.

After kicking off 2020 with their debut Mixtape EP, rising Scotish indie rockers The Snuts have announced their raucous, hook laden debut album, W.L. will arrive on March 19, 2021 via Parlophone Records/Elektra.

Produced by Tony Hoffer (Beck, Phoenix, M83) and recorded at the Firepit London, the album encapsulates the band’s journey from four working class kids growing up with a dream, to becoming one of the UK’s most exciting and vital bands of the new decade. The album opens with the poignant “Top Deck”, winding through a voyage of genres including the raw, rousing, hip-hop driven “Elephants”, heart-wrenchingly honest “Boardwalk”, the undeniable pop track “Somebody Loves You”, the hauntingly heartfelt anthem “Always”, and the main stage festival ready anthem, “All Your Friends”.

Shane Codd drops official video for ‘Get Out My Head’

Irish dance music breakout star Shane Codd has dropped the official video for his hit debut single ‘Get Out My Head’, out now.

Set in Shane’s native Ireland, ‘Get Out My Head’ is delivered with a gripping dose of social realism, painting the picture of an adolescent couple trying their best to overcome their conflict. An infectious club cut created as a response to the suffocating Covid-19 lockdown, ‘Out My Head’ has quickly become a viral sensation, amassing 3.5 million Spotify streams in the space of a few short months.

Goo Goo Dolls Debut Brand New Animated Music Video For “You Ain’t Getting Nothin’”

Multi-platinum, four-time GRAMMY-nominated rock band Goo Goo Dolls have unveiled a brand new music video for their track “You Ain’t Getting Nothin’,” one of two brand new original songs from the band’s first-ever holiday album It’s Christmas All Over [Warner Records]. Directed by Juan M. Urbina of Venturia Animation Studios ®, the video pairs vibrant cartoon imagery with the song’s swing jazz sound, making for a retro visual that hearkens back to the classic animated Christmas specials of yesteryear.

After a Viral Hit with Previous Track Merv Pinny Returns with New Christmas Single and Video Titled ‘Amazing’

2020 has been a tough year. Across the entire world, millions of people have experienced unprecedented hard times. During these hard times, many of us need extra help and support from our loved ones, friends and even our community. This year, we found we needed this more than ever. With Christmas just around the corner, a time known for giving, this is also a reminder of just how important it is to unite together and to help others in need.

MIKEY FERRARI Releases “standoff”

Channeling vulnerability felt when the loss of one of his closest friends shook Mikey’s foundation, “standoff” mirrors the themes of alienation and individual growth that tethers the songs on SPACEBOY, which is due out in early 2021.

Indie-Pop Duo Eighty Ninety Share “Better As Friends” Music Video

Today, Eighty Ninety — the NYC based alt-pop project of brothers Abner (vocals, production) and Harper (guitar, production) James — will release the official music video for their new single, “Better As Friends.” In keeping with the band’s musical style, the new music video is both cinematic and minimalist, juxtaposing the picturesque New York City skyline with intimate studio shots.

BAAUER DROPS MIXTAPE + ANNOUNCES ‘PLANET’S MAD’ DELUXE FT. A.G. COOK, SPECIAL REQUEST & MORE

The unorthodox deluxe edition of PLANET’S MAD comes as a Blu Ray featuring the feature-length visual album by Actual Objects in luxurious hi definition, alongside 4 brand new Baauer tracks intercut with 8 remixes by hyperpop royalty A. G. Cook & umru, and rising new producers Skeler and Cozway offering colossal bangers. Special Request (aka Paul Woolford) brings glowing nostalgia to the set, while Holly turns his track featuring Bipolar Sunshine into KID-A worthy electronica. But on these previously unheard Baauer tracks we hear the raw power of a producer who defined chart history – doing what he does best: innovative, chaotic and fun dance music.

FULCI: Italian death metallers to reissue their acclaimed second album “Tropical Sun”

Fast-rising Italian death metal force FULCI are proud to announce the third pressing of their highly acclaimed second full-length album, “Tropical Sun”.

A year and a half after its first release, “Tropical Sun” is now being reissued once again on CD. The new edition, called “Sun Edition”, is now available in a yellow jewel case with black tray, again via Time To Kill Records.

Meanwhile, the band is working on new material, including a new single, a short film and a fanzine that will be attached to new releases currently being planned. Additionally, 2021 will see the release of a reissue of the first album, “Opening the Hell Gates”, and most importantly, another studio release. More details on all these projects will be revealed soon!

FULCI – Italian death metallers to reissue their acclaimed second album “Tropical Sun”

LUDOVICO TECHNIQUE Unveils New Single, “Live as Myself”

LUDOVICO TECHNIQUE has released their newest single, “Live as Myself.” Reflecting on our current times, this song is about expressing who you are inside, regardless of how society views you or tries to tell you how you should be.

“Live as Myself” was mastered by Grammy award nominee Stuart Hawkes (Amy Winehouse, Lorde, Ed Sheeran) and will be given a visual incarnation with a music video slated for release in 2021.

Long Beach Dub Allstars release new video for Easy featuring Tippa Lee

It’s been 15 years since Long Beach Dub Allstars disbanded, but in 2016 the group continued their path of musical evolution and the legacy they started with Sublime. Now, after this lengthy hiatus, the Long Beach Dub Allstars have returned with their first new music in nearly two decades with a new album “Long Beach Dub Allstars”.

JUNKYARD DRIVE release new video “Let It Burn”

The Danish hard rock band JUNKYARD DRIVE is releasing their new video and single, “Let It Burn”. The style is referring to the 70’s and 80’s rock scene, and the song is a tribute to the good old times and a statement against the modern trend of fake news.

Praise from BBC Introducing SFZ Combines Hip-Hop and Rap with New Single and Music Video for ‘Elevate’

Much like Mercury Prize winning rapper Dave before him, SFZ is not only an exciting new rapper bursting onto the UK Conscious Hip Hop scene but also a classically-trained pianist. The brainchild of UK based Joe Ordish, SFZ has already gained considerable attention from BBC Introducing with a number of radio plays already under his belt. Completely self recorded and self produced the new single ‘Elevate’ is not only a demonstration of SFZ’s unquestionable talent, but also shows how hip hop can feel authentic and honest.

TWO ANOTHER RELEASE STUNNING NEW PROJECT “TWO SIDES”// LISTEN HERE

Today, English/Australian duo Two Another (Eliot & Angus) reveal their anticipated new project, Two Sides, a body of work which sees the hotly-tipped duo at their most open and honest yet. Having amassed more than 100 million streams over the past couple of years, Two Another have to date remained mostly anonymous. Built on battles with mental health and sexuality, Two Sides reflects the two people within Two Another, the different obstacles they have each faced, and how they learned to move forward.

TANKUS THE HENGE – “Luna Park!” out now

Directed by Jay Enticknap, the video harks back to the band’s funfair roots and finds them performing amidst the electrified chaos of the dodgems in full flight. Delivering a carnival of sounds with high octane pace and luminous vision, the title-track is a fitting introduction to Tankus the Henge’s third studio album.

Amaarae & BOJ join Tomi Agape on her new single Lovers Rock

Today, Alté singer Tomi Agape releases her new single ‘Lovers Rock’ ahead of her forthcoming EP ‘Never Gunna Be The Same’ due out on 11th December. Assembling a formidable trio, ‘Lovers Rock’ showcases Tomi’s glossy vocals perfectly sandwiched between breakthrough Afropop star Amaarae and Alté pioneer BOJ.

Del-30 remixes Marshall Jefferson, George Smeddles & Paris Brightledge single ‘It’s Alright’

UK DJ and producer Del-30 has remixed Marshall Jefferson, George Smeddles and Paris Brightledge’s recent collaborative single, ‘It’s Alright’.

Ramping up the euphoric piano chords and placing a firmer emphasis on Brightledge’s classic vocals, Del-30 delivers a pulsating rework of ‘It’s Alright’ that stays true to the classic house vibe of the original.