@skopemag HQ – http://smarturl.it/skope
Jeremy Ivey Releases ‘The Monolith Sessions’ EP Today, Listen Now
“The 5 Spot is a special place to me for a lot of reasons,” Ivey explains. “It was where I played my first solo show, it’s where Margo and I honed our live band Buffalo Clover. It feels like home, just like playing with my band does. This is picture of what we sounded like in the fall of 2020.”
MEGHAN TRAINOR RE-RELEASES ‘THE LOVE TRAIN’ WITH THE ADDITION OF TWO CLASSIC SONGS
Meghan Trainor first made history in 2014 with her diamond-certified smash single “All About That Bass.” Since then, the award-winning singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist has garnered a GRAMMY® for Best New Artist, achieved eight multi-platinum singles and two platinum albums, sold out three world tours, penned multi-platinum hits for peers across pop and country, and received countless industry awards and nominations. Expanding her influence on pop culture, she starred on FOX’s hit series THE FOUR: Battle for Stardom for two seasons and on the superstar coaching panel of ITV’s The Voice UK alongside Sir Tom Jones, will.i.am, and Olly Murs. She kicked off 2020 with the release of her third full-length album, Treat Myself (Epic Records), which includes the platinum smash “No Excuses” as well as blockbuster anthems and collaborations such as “Nice To Meet Ya” [feat. Nicki Minaj], “Genetics” [feat. Pussycat Dolls], “After You” [feat. AJ Mitchell], and “Wave” [feat. Mike Sabath]. In July, she released Treat Myself Deluxe, which featured three new original tracks, including “Make You Dance,” and two acoustic recordings of fan favorites. She closed out 2020 with the release of her first-ever Christmas album, A Very Trainor Christmas.
COBRA CULT Release ‘Sell Your Soul’ Music Video
Swedish hard rock band, COBRA CULT, have released a music video for ‘Sell Your Soul’, the song is taken from their sophomore album ‘Second Gear’, out on March 5th, 2021 via GMR Music. Combining the heaviness and honesty of The Misfits along with the melodies of Social Distortion, the vocals of L7 and The Distillers sums up the sound that is COBRA CULT. The Youtube video can be viewed here:
PINK SWEAT$ INTRODUCES HIS LONG-AWAITED DEBUT ALBUM, PINK PLANET
Pink Sweat$ has finally arrived with the unveiling of his highly anticipated debut album, PINK PLANET via Atlantic Records. PINK PLANET is a 16-track testament (plus 2 bonus tracks) to the Philadelphia rising superstar’s sonic abilities, luring in fans with ballads about his highs and lows, many successes and a heartwarming number from Pink along with family members. For his heartwarming debut, production credits include D Mile (Lucky Daye, H.E.R.), John Hill (Khalid) and Michael Keenan.
VANCOUVER’S NEW SOUND — BOSLEN RELEASES WOOZY, GENRE-BLURRING SINGLE “TRIP”
As we’ve come to expect from Boslen, “Trip” is a sonic joyride through indie pop, rap, and R&B, while psychedelia swirls and drums dart in and out of trap. Boslen drifts over and dives into the shifting production (from justsayin, NXSTY, and MSXII), spitting about taking every opportunity and passing up naysayers: “I’m ducking the bullets, I’m ducking the clowns/You live life to the fullest ‘til you not around.” For Boslen, “Trip” is a chance to reflect on his journey so far, even while pushing his sound into the future. “It feels like there are constant highs and lows being an artist that’s coming up,” he says. “I wanted ‘Trip’ to showcase both the light and the dark.”
NEIL YOUNG ANNOUNCES INTIMATE 1971 SOLO LIVE ALBUM AND CONCERT FILM ‘YOUNG SHAKESPEARE’ SET FOR MARCH 26TH RELEASE
Fifty years after the original performance, NEIL YOUNG announces Young Shakespeare, an as-yet unreleased 1971 live recording and concert film which contains the earliest known live performance footage of Young known to exist. The 1971 Stratford, CT show captures the artists stripped down to the bare essentials—acoustic guitar, piano, and harmonica.
DURBIN’S “THE BEAST AWAKENS” OUT TODAY ON FRONTIERS MUSIC SRL
James Durbin has finally released the album he has always wanted to over the course of his decade long recording career. Combining his love of all things DIO, Iron Maiden, and Judas Priest, Durbin set out to craft his own signature strain of fantasy inspired power metal for his debut Durbin album, “The Beast Awakens”. Fans of heavy metal revivalists like Haunt, Eternal Champion, Sumerlands, Enforcer, and the like, as well as hard rock and classic heavy metal enthusiasts in general are in for a treat!
Sports release new EP “Get A Good Look Pt. 1” + share new single “Call Me Anytime”
Today, Oklahoma dream-pop duo Sports (Cale Chronister + Christian Theriot) release their new project, Get A Good Look Pt. 1. Across six tracks, it effortlessly blurs the lines between synth-pop, indie-funk, disco, and psychedelic rock and marks the beginning of an exciting new era for the band. Two years in the making, the project has seen the band through many changes. “It’s been such a marathon,” Chronister says about the process. “I’m just happy we got it done and I’m happy with every second.” Theriot adds, “Hopefully we’ll be able to play these songs live sooner than later.”
SHY GLIZZY & RMR TEAM UP FOR NEW SINGLE “WHITE LIES” IN TIME FOR VALENTINE’S DAY
Today, Grammy nominated artist, Shy Glizzy releases his latest single “White Lie” featuring RMR.The track, produced by Atlanta legend, Zaytoven, delivers a captivating tale about the complexities of secret relationships. RMR, who first gained notoriety for his viral song “Rascals” in February of 2020, brings in a chorus with an unconventional yet euphoric sound added to Shy’s unique vocals and relatable lyrics. With undertones of comic relief, RMR croons “I told you I was going home, I see tears in your eyes/ Know that you’re just my side b*tch, I can’t wait to tell you goodbye”.
Maggie Andrew Ft. blackbear Shares “Sleep 4Ever” Via Alt Press
“Maggie makes music with teeth.” That’s what Pigeons and Planes had to say about MAGGIE ANDREW’s debut, independently-released single in the summer of 2019. Not only did that song put the 21-year old, LA-based pop artist, songwriter and creator on their radar — but it also put her squarely on the radar of pop behemoth blackbear, who reached out directly to MAGGIE about collaborating. The track “Sleep 4Ever” with blackbear, drops February 12th via Black Box and features art direction from MAGGIE’s brother, visual artist and Gucci Ghost creator, Trouble Andrew. These co-signs have created an incredible global launchpad for MAGGIE to share her “unexpected, sometimes confrontational assortment of words, melodies and arrangements” (Pigeons & Planes).
blackbear joins Maggie Andrew on heartbreak anthem “Sleep 4Ever”–listen
LUCKY DAYE SHARES NEW EP ‘TABLE FOR TWO’ — FEATURING YEBBA, ARI LENNOX, MAHALIA, QUEEN NAIJA, JOYCE WRICE AND TIANA MAJOR9 OUT NOW ON KEEP COOL/RCA RECORDS
Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Lucky Daye shares his latest EP, Table For Two, out now on Keep Cool/RCA Records. The EP follows his 2019 highly acclaimed debut album, Painted and comes off the heels of standout new single “On Read” with Grammy-nominated East London prodigy Tiana Major9. The release, timed perfectly for Valentine’s Day, features powerful contributions from Ari Lennox, YEBBA, Mahalia, Queen Naija, and Joyce Wrice making this a mandatory listen for any and all music lovers across eras and genres.
HARRY CONNICK JR SET TO RELEASE NEW ALBUM ALONE WITH MY FAITH ON MARCH 19TH
With the pandemic casting a long shadow in 2020, Grammy and Emmy Award winning multi-instrumentalist Harry Connick Jr retreated to his home studio during the lockdown and emerged with an album of new music. Long regarded as one of America’s finest vocalists and pianists, the sheer breadth of Connick’s talents has never been more on display than with the forthcoming album ALONE WITH MY FAITH to be released jointly by Universal Music’s Verve and Capitol CMG on March 19th.
LUCKY DAYE DROPS NEW DUETS EP FEAT ARI LENNOX, YEBBA, MAHALIA, QUEEN NAIJA AND MORE
Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Lucky Daye shares his latest EP Table For Two, out now on Keep Cool/RCA Records. The EP follows his 2019 highly acclaimed debut album, Painted and comes off the heels of standout new single “On Read” with Grammy-nominated East London prodigy Tiana Major9. The release, features powerful contributions from Ari Lennox, YEBBA, Mahalia, Queen Naija, and Joyce Wrice making this a mandatory listen for any and all music lovers across eras and genres. Timed perfectly for Valentine’s Day, on February 14 at 12pm EST, Lucky Daye will be sharing a beautifully shot 7 minute short visual to accompany the songs on the EP that will go live on Youtube.
ANGEL DU$T RELEASE ‘NEVER ENDING GAMES’ REMIX EP
Baltimore, Maryland’s Angel Du$t have released NEVER ENDING GAMES, a new remix EP featuring reworked versions of their track “Never Ending Game” from Panda Bear and Lunice. Available now on all streaming platforms, the EP sees the two acclaimed artists / producers completely dismantling and rebuilding the standout track which was originally released on Angel Du$t’s 2020 EP LIL HOUSE.
KRANIUM ADDRESSES “TOXIC” LOVE WITH HIS BRAND NEW 5-TRACK EP
Today, dancehall’s superstar Kranium continues to solidify his presence as a dynamic musician, with the release of his brand new EP, Toxic, just in time for Valentine’s Day. The 5-track project features classics such as “Block Traffic,” “Through The Window” and “Gal Policy,” along with a new record “Won’t Judge.” The Jamaican-born, NYC-based artist’s latest project is a clear display of not only his sonic abilities, but charisma and clever wordplay that appears on many of its tracks. In addition, the release is celebrated with an official music video for “Won’t Judge”;
LKPG Hardcore: Where we belonged – Photo book out now
LKPG HARDCORE: Where we belonged is a new hardcover coffee table photo book by Kristofer Pasanen that will take you back 25 years in time, to a time when today middle aged grown ups played hardhitting music, screaming and sweating together and when everything was possible.
“LKPG Hardcore: Where we belonged” is a hardcover photo book that focus on the Linköping hardcore scene between 1995–1999, on the bands and on the people involved. This was the time when the punk hardcore scene was at it’s peak in Sweden and even though the Umeå hardcore scene might have been more famous, the Linköping hardcore scene came close. Bands from all around the world came to the local venue Skylten, where most local bands had their rehearsal space and got to play shows with their heroes, a key factor to the success of the Linköping hardcore: the local bands and the people coming to the shows from all over the county as well as from further away.
TIMO ELLIS: “Vampire Rodeo” Now Playing
TIMO ELLIS is widely known as the vocalist/frontman for Netherlands, as well as his extensive catalog of recordings with countless international mainstream artists. Death Is Everywhere sees him handling all songwriting and instrumentation including drums, bass, guitars, vocals, and keyboards. Over four dense and intense tracks, elements of a wide array of genres, styles, and instrumentation are seamlessly mutated into a white-knuckled ride that stampedes straight through the confines of any sort of genre boundaries. Buoyant, rampant, and incessantly imaginative, the tracks bob and weave across a range of tempos and textures and keep the listener curiously hooked. Highly recommended for fans of the Melvins, Curtis Mayfield, Queens Of The Stone Age, Nomeansno, and The Beach Boys.
CHARLES ELLSWORTH SHARES NEW “MIAMI, AZ” SINGLE FROM NEW LP “HONEYSUCKLE SUMMER”
Charles Ellsworth is a NYC transplant by way of the White Mountains of Arizona where he was raised on Mormon hymns and Top 40 country music. He was first exposed to classic and alternative rock in his teens and started taking guitar lessons in the back of a local furniture store.
In late high school, Ellsworth became the bass player for indie-pop outfit Alaska & Me. After finishing school, the band saw success as a regional act surrounding the release of their 2008 EP, I Will Die In The West, and toured the West Coast until their 2009 split.
Luis Vázquez, la nueva sensación de la salsa, anuncia el lanzamiento de su álbum “Comienzos”
Luis Vázquez es un talentoso intérprete de la Salsa, quien nació en la cuna del género tropical: Puerto Rico, y hoy, está decidido a conquistar la industria musical con el lanzamiento de su primer álbum “Comienzos”, yendo de la mano con la casa disquera JAK Capital.
A pesar de su corta edad, Luis Vázquez tiene años de experiencia en el mundo de la música. Este joven “boricua” nació para cantar, y es que desde su niñez encabezaba agrupaciones musicales de “plena” puertorriqueña, y, aunque el sabor lo lleva en las venas, su voz es una muestra de que para el talento no existe la edad.
BIIG PIIG DELIVERS HER SIGNATURE BILINGUAL VOCALS IN FIRST NEW SONG AND VIDEO OF 2021 “CUENTA LO”
She explains: “‘Cuenta Lo’ is an alter-ego-driven song about money, sex and power. The video is based around when I used to be a poker dealer, and it’s about the coldness and greediness that money can bring in all industries…including music.” As she recalls in a recent interview, “It was definitely the most emotional job I’ve had in my entire life. I must have cried so many times. You’d get guys coming up to you saying, ‘you’ve just lost my month’s wages – thank you very much.’ Other guys would be like, ‘I can now take my child to Disneyland!’ You have to be like the mum of the table – take everything on, take everyone else’s problems on and hold it together.”
Giolì & Assia Release Provocative Genre-bending EP ‘Moon Faces’
After creating buzz and critical acclaim, the Italian DJ/producer multi-instrumentalists Giolì & Assia unveil their new EP, MOON FACES, out on Ultra Records today. The final single to round out the EP features Turkish producer Mahmut Orhan on “Lost.” The collaboration came naturally, as both artists have admired each other’s work for a long time. After debuting an early version of “Lost” in their #DiesisLive sessions, the duo is excited by the evolution of the track.
JULIA BHATT Speaks About Aversion to Social Media Hierarchy Within the Music Industry With “1:30”
Genre-jumping Miami-based indie artist Julia Bhatt is showcasing her witty personality and disgust for social media hierarchy within the music industry in her newest single “1:30” (titled to honor the track’s “1:30” time stamp). At 19 years old and with the quick uprise in TikTok and Instagram’s dominance in the music industry shift, Bhatt has been struggling a lot with the concept of “making it” in music. “I feel that there was a way of doing it but everything changed with social media.” Adding, “This probably sounds cliché but you can’t make it if you don’t blow up on TikTok or Instagram. Almost all of the radio hits blew up as a trend on TikTok and now they’re doing dream collaborations because of that reach.” She says “1:30” is about that contemplative mindset and feeling “less than perfect and watching from the outside when you feel you could be doing more.”
Patsy Cline’s Timeless, Aching Love Song “Crazy” Receives First-Ever Official Video Ahead Of Valentine’s Day; Features Cameo By Country Star Mickey Guyton
Ahead of Valentine’s Day weekend, Patsy Cline’s timeless, aching love song “Crazy” has received its first-ever official video. Directed by director and photographer Natalie O’Moore and beautifully filmed at Dee’s Country Cocktail Lounge outside of Nashville, the video vividly brings to life the yearning and heartbreak that Cline so perfectly emoted with every line and punctuated with every high note as a young woman, clad in vintage western wear, pines after the object of her desire who is with another woman. As the protagonist sways to the song on the jukebox, what first looked like someone in love starts to look more like an unhealthy infatuation as the night continues and her jealousy grows. A collaboration between the Patsy Cline Estate, UMe and UMG Nashville, the video is available to view now on Cline’s official YouTube channel and kicks off a slew of new video content that in the coming months will include a new lyric video for her hit single “Walkin’ After Midnight” as well as nearly 50 video visualizers from her impressive catalog.
KEVIN GATES RELEASES LATEST TRACK “PLUG DAUGHTER 2”
Multi-platinum recording artist Kevin Gates has arrived with his latest release, “Plug Daughter 2,” which details a tumultuous love affair. The release arrives with an official video, filmed in Puerto Rico, fitting to the cartel-esque nature of the new record.
TO ALL THE BOYS: ALWAYS AND FOREVER (MUSIC FROM THE NETFLIX FILM) IS OUT TODAY
Leah Nobel says, “It was such a special opportunity to write what would become Lara Jean and Peter’s ‘song’ in the final To All The Boys. It was a joy to provide a soundtrack for their evolving love story.”
New pop prince Zachary Knowles shares new single and video “johnny & june” out now via FADER Label
Rising artist and new pop prince, Zachary Knowles, shares his new single, “johnny & june,” today via FADER Label, along with a music video steeped in mystery, nostalgia and most importantly: love. The Texas-based singer, songwriter and performer calls back to one of the most famous love stories in music, that of Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash. Describing the track, Knowles says:
“When I wrote “johnny & june,” I was in the midst of a lot of changes in my life. I think because I had so much going on at the time and because there were so many changes, it made me want to write about something steady, that being love. I wanted to make something that just felt good; something that felt real and authentic and honestly just happy. This song is a total love story, and it helped bring me peace during a time of uncertainty in my life. I can’t wait to share it with everyone, and I hope it can do the same for people that it’s done for me.”
Otira Manipulates Time on Rave-Focused “Take Kontrol” EP
On Take Kontrol, Otira manipulates time with his signature ability to chop up and reimagine classic rave-era sounds. Over the span of six tracks, the producer takes listeners on a quest through pulverizing bass and euphoric hardcore melodies, spawning a nostalgic look at the future of rave. At the center of the EP stands “Kill Dem,” a forward-thinking amalgamation of dancehall, throwback rave breaks and contemporary dance music rhythms.
R&B STAR SEVYN STREETERRELEASES NEW SULTRY, STAR-STUDDED SINGLE “GUILTY” FEAT. CHRIS BROWN & A$AP FERG
Today, renowned singer/songwriter Sevyn Streeter drops her latest tantalizing single ”Guilty” feat. Chris Brown & A$AP Ferg via TStreetz Corp/Groundwērk/eOne. Produced by Chizzy, the track finds the artists reflecting on romantic guilty pleasures.
Anya Hinkle asks “What’s It Gonna Take”
For as long as people have written songs, they’ve written songs that respond to and reflect on events in the world around them. And so, when Organic Records’ Anya Hinkle and her neighbor, Graham Sharp (Steep Canyon Rangers) got together to write on the day that news broke of the death of George Floyd at the hands of police officers, it was almost inevitable that what would emerge was a meditation on the gulf between American aspirations and American reality.
“In fraught moments, you usually write what you need to write, to process what’s going and find the words to move forward,” says Sharp. “This was the case with ‘What’s It Gonna Take.’ My first instinct as we were writing was to look inside myself and what I could do. It was a very raw moment to see the pain of George Floyd and the Black community and know that I needed to account for myself in that moment.”
FAST RISING 18-YEAR-OLD NORTH PHILLY RAPPER YXNG K.A SHARES VIDEO FOR “FEEL ME”
Raised in the Abbottsford Homes family development, YXNG K.A began exploring music as an emotional outlet and escape from his troubled surroundings before he started releasing his steady string of hits. “Coming up in the projects, you grow up different and you learn fast,” he says.
UPSAHL Releases Electric New Single “STOP!” Today
Following closely on the heels of a whirlwind 2020 that saw her skyrocket past 100 million streams, critically-acclaimed trailblazer UPSAHL has now released her latest earworm anthem, “STOP!”, out today via Arista Records.
SURF MESA & MADISON BEER TEAM UP ON DREAMY NEW SINGLE, “CARRIED AWAY,” RELEASED TODAY BY ASTRALWERKS
Surf Mesa and Madison Beer celebrate the euphoria of young love in the new single, “Carried Away,” released today by Astralwerks—just in time for Valentine’s Day. Coming of age and falling in love may look different in quarantine, yet the duo evokes the timeless essence of romance that remains unchanged. After opening simply with Madison’s exquisite, emotive vocals and acoustic guitar, the tender ballad swells as Surf imbues it with rich, ethereal layers.
Sunstoney is the brainchild of Eman El Saied, a brilliant music writer and artist from the Richmond/DC area; also a dear friend that I’ve gotten to know over the years as our respective careers intersected. After being laid off from her job at a Washington, D.C. music venue due to fallout from the pandemic, and struggling to find work in the months that followed, El Saied’s sense of self and ego had been shattered. She wound up channeling all that energy into finishing a set of songs she’d been working on, resulting in a creative rebirth for Sunstoney. In Your Apartment is her diaristic new album, and the cathartic outpouring that emerged.
Jay Wheeler llenará a su público de emociones con su nuevo sencillo “Amor de febrero”
Jay Wheeler acompaña a los enamorados en su día con el lanzamiento de su nuevo sencillo “Amor de febrero”. Este tema nos muestra la versatilidad de Wheeler, su melodiosa voz y su encanto para el género balada. A los fanáticos, se les recomienda disfrutar de esta pieza con suaves pañuelos de papel, porque podría “derretir” hasta el más helado corazón.
Algunos dicen que “sin dolor no hay amor”, pero este no es el caso de “Amor de febrero”. Esta encantadora historia contada a través de la voz de Jay Wheeler, le enseña a una generación el verdadero valor del respeto, la atención a los pequeños detalles y la importancia de elegir a un buen compañero de vida, capaz de “morir de amor por ti”.
Black Nash Shares a Submerged Love Song off Upcoming S/T Album (Rock, Pop)
When Jody Smith got out of the military at the end of 2019, the last thing on his mind was releasing an album. He had just finished five years in the Army, and his main goal was getting on his feet as a civilian. “I basically fell flat on my face,” says Smith. “Which I think is a pretty typical experience for guys getting out. The civilian world is a whole different animal. Different work, different people, different lifestyle.”
The pandemic made the transition even harder. Finding himself out of work and stuck at home, Smith decided to record an album under the name Black Nash, which he’d been using casually for home-recording projects throughout his time in the Army.
