@skopemag news – sunday – april 25, 2021 @ 3 pm est

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

Helvetia returns with new LP ‘Essential Aliens’ out June 25th on Joyful Noise

Helvetia is the solo project of Jason Albertini from Duster. The songs on Essential Aliens were recorded over the last year in Jason’s basement. Helvetia resides in Portland, Oregon, but was formed in Seattle, Washington in 2005 after Duster first went on hiatus.

Literary folk band, GAWAIN AND THE GREEN KNIGHT, premiere with Folk Alley

Like many of the songs on A Sleeping Place, “Birds & Wine” takes inspiration from Greek mythology – a nod to singer/guitarist Alexia Antoniou’s heritage (she immigrated from Greece to the US as a child). Antoniou examines the connection between Aphrodite, whose name comes from the Greek word for foam, and the sea. “There’s something I really like about taking the abstract and divine – a god – and distilling them into these concrete images,” she says. “It’s part of the reason why, when thinking about what supplicants might bring to a sacrifice for Aphrodite, I went with ‘birds and wine’ instead of ‘doves and wine’ – I liked the image of someone pulling up to Aphrodite’s altar with a roast chicken, grease and bones.”

PWNT (ffo Pond, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Toro y Moi) | Shares new single & announces album

This new single is a crucial cornerstone to the new record, laying on thick the blissful optimism that comes with ideas of summer (particularly this year) and underpinning those notions with this transportive psych-pop reminiscent of Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Crumb, Pond, etc; what Kosta does to personalise the sound is fuse those ideas with gooey synth and chunky bass reminiscent of Toro y Moi and Washed Out.

Black Label Society release None More Black Boxset & Music Video for “Blind Man”

Black Label Society announce the release of their first-ever career spanning box set, titled NONE MORE BLACK today via Entertainment One. Featuring their to date 12 full-length studio albums, this massive collection is comprised of 20 all newly pressed vinyl and includes a compilation bonus tracks and reworked originals vinyl, Song Remains Not The Same Vol. 2. Also included is a beautifully made 32-page hardcover retrospective photo book, a NMB bottle opener, and an exclusive, “Odin’s Demolition Squad” back patch to add to your BLS vest. To celebrate the release of NMB, BLS has dropped their official music video for “Blind Man”, a bonus track previously only found on Catacombs of the Black Vatican.

Lydia Ainsworth shares new single “Cake” from forthcoming album Sparkles & Debris – out 5/21

“I was exclusively listening to Townes Van Zandt while on tour for my last album,” says Ainsworth. “I began to imagine what it would feel like to be in the shoes of the various women he’s often singing about. In particular his song ‘Loretta’ which is one of my favorite songs of all time. I kept thinking about Loretta, feeling a kinship with her as well. I was inspired by his piercing lyric, ‘She don’t cry when I can’t stay, ‘least not till she’s all alone.’ ‘Cake’ is a song I wrote from Loretta’s perspective.” Today’s release follows the title track and debut single “Parade.”

TIMID KOOKY Release New EP Baby Be My Spiderman Out Now

Vilnius, Lithuania’s TIMID KOOKY are pleased to reveal their new single ‘Westley Snypes’ which is out now and available on all good digital service providers.

The track is the latest to be taken from their new EP, Baby Be My Spiderman, which is also out now via The state51 Conspiracy.

Janette King ft Toronto’s DijahSB (ffo Victoria Monet, Snoh Aalegra) | Shares new single

Janette has previously opened for the likes of Sudan Archives, Jamila Woods and CupcakKe finding tips from Complex, KCRW and NPR so far for this new single. The album itself is a wonderful, syrupy, funk-infused R&B collection, bringing with it hints of gooey pop and touches of this radiant house aesthetic; thematically, the record explores loss, acceptance, and the frightening intersection where searing pain and sadness can spur on pretty astounding artistic ventures

Lil Gotit & NAV Get “Burnt N Turnt” in the Latest Song from Top Chef Gotit

Twisting his flows into intoxicating melodies, Lil Gotit captivates with his immersive trap sound. Unleashing another off-kilter banger, Gotit shares “Burnt N Turnt,” a new collaboration with NAV. Produced by Mike Hector and anchored by Gotit’s lilting hook, who complements the song’s chiming arpeggios with lightly-swung snares, “Burnt N Turnt” provides the ideal canvas for each emcee to brag about their boss lives: “Rockin baguette-ies my diamonds stay wetty/Ballin’ I’ll break your ankles with the hesi,” spits NAV.

Mazeratiii – Top Go Crazy

Numbers is an official release by Bilyon Derrell aka “Billy D.” The record includes a hard hitting baseline backed with a beautiful flute melody produced by Key Pusha Beats. The clever lyrics come together perfectly to make this one a sure fire classic.

Alt Bloom Releases “I Believe” in Collaboration with National Geographic

With his deep connection to the planet and his affinity to the outdoors, this is a deeply personal song and mission for Alt Bloom. On the track he sings “I believe the impossible is possible together/We’re gonna see all the bigger and the brighter and the better,” a call to battle for everyone to come as one to tackle climate change together.

SOMNURI unleash their fury on new video “Tooth and Nail”!

Brooklyn progressive sludge juggernauts SOMNURI unleash a blistering new video from their upcoming sophomore album ‘Nefarious Wave’ on Blues Funeral Recordings. Unleash the whiplash-inducing power of “Tooth and Nail” right now!

Singer-Songwriter-Guitarist David Haerle Asks Listeners To Take A “Train Down Memory Lane”

Following the success of his full-length album last year, Los Angeles singer-songwriter-guitarist DAVID HAERLE has been inspired to release a series of singles. His latest, “Train Down Memory Lane,” is out today, April 21. Quickly earning a reputation for honest, heartfelt, and personal yet relatable pieces with an emphasis on storytelling and songwriting, this new song doesn’t veer off course.

DEFTONES PREMIERE MUSIC VIDEO FOR LATEST SINGLE “CEREMONY”

“When Leigh tweeted that he was a fan, we immediately thought it would be cool to collaborate with him given the chance. We’re fans of his as well, so it made sense that we should reach out. One moment we’re DM’ing each other on Twitter, and the next we’re on set making Ceremony. This has always been the best way for us to collaborate: organically, collaboratively and in this case, expeditiously. We hope everyone enjoys it as much as we had making it.” – Chino Moreno

JULIA STONE REVEALS NEW VIDEO + ALBUM ‘SIXTY SUMMERS’ OUT APRIL 30th

Just over a week out from the release of her forthcoming third solo album Sixty Summers (out Friday 30 April via BMG), Julia Stone has revealed the incredibly striking video for her most recent single ‘Fire In Me’. The visual for ‘Fire In Me’ follows the award-worthy quality of the videos shot to date for singles so far released from Sixty Summers; though with a lot more dirt, danger and horror than we’ve seen in previous clips.

Harry Hudson Releases New Video For “Take My Time”

Harry Hudson has released the music video for “Take My Time,” the latest single from his sophomore album, Hey I’m Here For You (out now via MSFTS/Roc Nation). “Take My Time” unfolds with a subtle hypnotic power, textured by Harry’s warm, soaring vocals over a propulsive beat, exploring the juxtaposition of patience and anxious longing as Harry follows his heart and experiences the euphoria that comes with finding true love.

Hitmaker BEVERLEE shares new single + video “White Piano”

LA-based pop songwriter and producer, BEVERLEE, has set the date for when debut album, Purple Violin, and announces the release for May 28, 2021. Today, she also shares her second single from the forthcoming LP, “White Piano,” along with a music video directed by Raechel Zarzynski. “White Piano” was inspired by BEVERLEE’s breakup right before quarantine.

JULIA STONE SHARES “FIRE IN ME” VIDEO; NEW ALBUM OUT NEXT FRIDAY

Just over a week out from the release of her forthcoming third solo album Sixty Summers (out Friday April 30th via BMG), Julia Stone has revealed the incredibly striking video for her most recent single “Fire In Me”. The visual for “Fire In Me” follows the award-worthy quality of the videos shot to date for singles so far released from Sixty Summers; though with a lot more dirt, danger and horror than we’ve seen in previous clips.

Livingmore Releases New Single & Video “Got Me Feelin’ Like”

“‘Got Me Feelin’ Like’ has to do with someone being drunk off their own ego and nothing can ruin their time, even though their life isn’t where they want it to be today – it doesn’t matter!,” shares Moore. “The video is very much a direct representation of what the song is lyrically about. I enjoy mixing reality with fantasy. Daydreams are sometimes grander than where we’re actually standing.”

VHS Collection Transmit Hope Amidst The Shadows On Soaring New Track “The Dark” || Share ‘DRIVE’ Inspired Visualizer

“The Dark is a song about hiding out when the outside world is falling apart,” the band explain. “It was written on Friday, March 13th, 2020, just as we were entering lockdowns. We set out to write a song that felt cinematic and ominous, inspired by the movie ‘Drive.’ We never intended to write about current events, but the lyrics indicate what was floating around our heads that day: ‘We can watch from your bedroom window, We can watch all night, When the dark comes to take control, We can be the light’.”

Jesse Royal ft Vybz Kartel – Rich Forever

‘Rich Forever’ is produced by Jamaican upstart iotosh (responsible for Protoje’s “Deliverance” and “Self Defense” and Jaz Elise’s “After 3” feat. Mortimer) and is a classic representation of the current movement in Jamaican music, a melting pot of genres while still innately blending in the native sounds of the island. Over the course of his career, Jesse Royal has collaborated and created with some of the world’s most respected artists, musicians, and producers including Sean Paul, Vybz Kartel, Protoje, Chronixx, Noise Cans, Steve Aoki, Damian Marley, Major Lazer, and has also recently worked alongside UK stars including Anthony Joshua and Stefflon Don with his philanthropy work. With the release of ‘Royal’, Jesse Royal is set to mark an evolution in his sound and serves as a reminder of the internal strength and mental fortitude human beings possess.

Watch Polyphonic Spree’s Trippy Video For Rolling Stones’ “She’s A Rainbow”

The Polyphonic Spree have released a trippy new video for “She’s A Rainbow” by The Rolling Stones, featured on their new covers album ‘Afflatus,’ adding choral vocals, broad instrumentation, and a psychedelic sound to the original tune. Featuring psychedelic, acid-soaked animation and in-studio footage that echoes the cover’s trippy sound, the video was captured during the one-night live recording session of ‘Afflatus,’ just before the 2020 lockdown. “We knew it was probably going to be the last time we saw each other for a long time,” reminisces frontman Tim DeLaughter, “and the next day, everything started to close.”

Sir Charles Ent. | “Late Night” | Music Video

Dallas, Texas rapper and recording artist, Sir Charles Ent. comes with another Club/Street banger. “Late Night” giving you that constant head nod, with his catchy lingo “late night” is the type of track that will have your girl dancing to, bar after bar. Giving you the urge to rap along.

Jeremy Jay Announces New LP, Shares “Mall” Via American Songwriter

Today, London-based Jeremy Jay shares “Shoegazing At The Mall,” the lead single off his upcoming LP Devils Daughters, out June 26th on Switchblade Sound. American Songwriter premiered the track, dubbing it “the perfect pensive close to the final scene of a film, however bleak or expected its resolution plays out.”

Jeremy Jay Bares a Stream of Consciousness on “Shoegazing at the Mall”

Jimmy Mor releases “Change Me” – 25,000 in the first week on YouTube

James Morgan (born May 15, 1991) who performs under the stage name Jimmy Mor, is an American gospel musician, christian hip hop and R&B recording artist and songwriter. He independently released two projects, The Invitation (2018) and Diary of a Broken Christian (2020), landing a spot on the Top 10 tracks of September on Gospel Hydration. In 2019, his single “Amazing” featuring V. Rose began to grow on christian radio through stations like Hope Radio and LIFE FM.

The Struts Release Video for “Low Key in Love” with paris jackson Today

Produced by Tommy English, “Low Key in Love” delivers everything you could ask for in an iconic rock-and-roll duet. With its dreamy backdrop of golden guitar tones and low-slung grooves, the track finds Spiller and jackson telling their tale of a tequila-soaked night and channelling the sweet frustration of trying to hide your feelings from the one you adore.

Indianapolis hip-hop trio 81355 share “Thumbs Up”

81355 (pronounced ‘bless’) is a meeting of the minds between three pillars of the Indianapolis music scene; Sirius Blvck, Oreo Jones, and David Adamson aka Sedcairn Archives. Today they share their new single “Thumbs Up” with Consequence of Sound and discuss what inspired their new track.

81355 Share The Origins of New Single “Thumbs Up”: Stream

Tilian: “Caught In The Carousel” Out Today!

Factory Reset is both highly personal and wholly universal. Tilian began writing the album just a few weeks after the pandemic forced California into lockdown. “I was searching for meaning in isolation and found it in creating this album,” Tilian shares about the process. He decided to write, record, and produce the album himself, eventually remotely bringing in drummer/frequent collaborator Kris Crummett to help button it up.

Cody Crump shares “Movie Stars” single + video just in time for the Oscars

On the single, Crump says, “‘Movie Stars” is a song about a few of my favorite Movie Stars. It is a fun and genuine celebration of the films and actors that have shaped our lives – and is not at all sardonic.” He continues, “I wrote the bulk of the song about two years ago – most flowing out in a moment of inspiration. It sat unfinished for about a year and a half before I dove back in and knew how to complete it around Halloween of 2020. As soon as the song was finished, I began working on the video. The idea was always in the back of my mind – but I wasn’t sure that I knew how to complete it, or if it would work – but I never should have had a doubt – because it is brilliant, and it definitely works. I’d also love to say thank you to all of the actors, filmmakers, and everyone involved in the process of making the art that inspired this song – I love you all. Especially John Travolta.”

Morray Shares “Trenches” from 4/28 Debut Project Street Sermons

Morray is quickly climbing to the top of the rap game with his impassioned and melodic street music. Preparing for his imminent debut project Street Sermons, Morray shares “Trenches,” his latest high-quality video single. Marked by rippling piano and operatic vocal samples, “Trenches” is a heartfelt message from Morray to those currently going through the struggle–he sees them and recognizes his own struggle in theirs. The song is blessed by an impassioned vocal performance from Morray, who leans into his voice’s frayed edges, feeling in his soul every word that he delivers through the mic: “In the hood, you gotta find out what works/And if you get it to work you still end up hurt/And what hurts can make you feel even worse/And what’s worse is that’s not even the worst.”

Gentleman’s Dub Club Releases New Video “Honey” Ft. Hollie Cook

The video literally drips with sweetness. Toby Davies from the band states, “Honey is about the lure of attraction and the sweetness of that sensation mixed in with the dangers of being essentially addicted to a person, even if you are heading down a self-destructive path.”

Dua Lipa, Drake, and Bell Biv DeVoe Make Waves on TikTok

TikTok provides a platform for users to be creative and critical when engaging with music. The community expertly transforms the context of songs, each user playing the role of music supervisor, picking the perfect song for each mood and moment. Meanwhile, artists on the platform can drive conversation and steer the community’s by engaging with fans and emphasizing the interactive elements of their songs.

New single “Shelf” out now

“Shelf” is an offering, a sacrifice song. It’s about rejoining the steadiness of life after bearing witness to a former lover plummeting into mental and physical decay.

I want to put you on a shelf that’s nice and sturdy, to collect dust in sunbeams until I’m ready.

Gaspard Auge (Justice) returns with solo track…

Gaspard Augé, best known as one half of two-time GRAMMY award winning electronic duo Justice, the duo that united rock and rave in the mid-2000s, has teased a forthcoming debut solo album with the release of his new single “Force Majeure” via Ed Banger Records / Because Music.