@skopemag news – friday – september 3, 2021 @ 5 pm est
@skopemag HQ – http://smarturl.it/skope
USAIN BOLT RELEASES DEBUT ALBUM “COUNTRY YUTES” VIA A-TEAM LIFESTYLE RECORDS / UNITEDMASTERS
8x Olympic gold medalist, fast-rising music maven, entrepreneur, and producer Usain Bolt today releases his eagerly awaited debut album, “Country Yutes,” via A-Team Lifestyle Records/UnitedMasters. The album makes its official premiere following the release of various singles met with global acclaim and attention, including the lead single “It’s A Party.” “Country Yutes” is now available at all DSPs and streaming services.
JayDaYoungan releases “All Rise,” off upcoming album Forever 23 2x
Bogalusa, Louisiana gave rise to JayDaYoungan. In just four years, the rapper and singer has gone from anonymity in his hometown to Triple Platinum success, 2.8 billion-plus global streams, acclaim by The FADER and more.
WATCH: RÜFÜS DU SOL Uses Epic Games’ Unreal Engine for ‘Alive’ Music Video, Directed by James Frost
Today, RÜFÜS DU SOL continue their legacy of creating immersive worlds for their fans to explore in the form of an official music video for their new single, ‘Alive’. Constructed entirely using Epic Games’ Unreal Engine by renowned director James Frost, the film takes viewers on a first-person journey over speeding landscapes with a sense of kinetic energy inherited from the momentous single.
Trendy Toronto Rockers Nightwell Release “Thank You” Ahead of New EP
“Thank You” marks a new era of creative expansion, experimentation, and unity for the Toronto band and introduces a sound lamenting poetic symmetry inspired by R&B and rap vocal styles, elevated by the band’s continued fusion and appeal to pop structure that stem from their rock and 00’s post-hardcore influences.
“Thank You” for Checking Out Nightwell’s Rad New Single [Premiere]
The Death Set Share Single/Video “Set For Death”
The Death Set today share “Set For Death”, a song that singer/guitarist Johnny Siera describes as “our daily musical reminder of death to remember to live”. The track is accompanied by a video that embraces this by seeing the band reenact twenty-five legendary movie deaths in a single take. Scarface, Independence Day, Hook, Spartacus, and many more are all in the firing line for the Death Set treatment.
BABY QUEEN RELEASES DEBUT MIXTAPE “THE YEARBOOK”
Displaying characteristic wit and candor, Baby Queen says “Narcissist” is “an admission of my own narcissistic tendencies but also me trying to make sense of where those tendencies came from in the first place. I think women are told from the moment they are born until they can form their own opinions that beauty and vanity are the key to their success, and then they are berated when they are older for being self-obsessed or apathetic. Cosmetic companies want us to hate ourselves. There is money being made off our obsession with improving ourselves and our appearances. This song is just saying, ‘Yeah fuck you, I am a narcissist, and I am self-obsessed, but why do you think that is?’”
Prolific pop songwriter Benj Heard shares raucous new video for “I Sold Your Ring To Buy A Microphone”
Stylistically, “I Sold Your Ring To Buy A Microphone” could best be described as eclectic pop by way of Justin Timberlake, The Carpenters and Nat King Cole. There is a bossa nova rhythmic sensibility to the song (ala’ “Girl From Ipanema”) mixed seamlessly with a radio friendly hip-hop-meets-pop vocal performance; all wrapped in a dreamy, sun drenched veneer. The music is a raucous self-produced piece shot entirely on an iPhone in the early days of the pandemic.
Methyl Ethel share thrilling new video and single “Matters” | Out now on Future Classic
Following a standout performance as part of the inaugural Splendour XR, today sees Methyl Ethel continue in a rich vein of form, unveiling their new single and music video for ‘Matters’. ‘Matters’ is whip smart, addictive art-pop and a true dancefloor filler; whether the dancefloor is the club or your kitchen, you won’t stop moving from start to finish.
Inner Wave shares new single “Mystery”
On Wednesday, Inner Wave shared a new song and unveils new details about their forthcoming new album Apoptosis. “Mystery,” the final new offering from the album, is a slowly unwinding track that tells the story of a girl stuck in an impossible situation and the feelings of uncertainty one feels when you’re young and not sure what to do next. The single follows previously-released songs “June” and “Take 3,” which Alternative Press called “a musical blanket of warmth with its sonic palette.” Along with the new song, the band also unveiled the album’s full track list and cover artwork by MacAndrew.
AYOKAY SHARES NEW SINGLE & VIDEO “I STILL NEED YOU”
Released in July, “Better With You” earned praise from the likes of Euphoria (who noted that “the track brandishes bouncing, hazy synths that swaddle the vocals and evoke vibes of a summer night spent contemplating decisions”) and of E! (who hailed it as the perfect choice for fans of Harry Styles’s Fine Line or Zedd’s “Stay the Night”). His first release for Astralwerks, “Better With You” arrived as ayokay’s first new music since his widely lauded 2019 EP we come alive.
Cory Wong and Dirty Loops cover Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”; release new album today
GRAMMY® Award-nominated songwriter, producer, and guitarist extraordinaire Cory Wong and Stockholm, Sweden-based twisted pop trio Dirty Loops have released their new album, TURBO. Available digitally only today at all DSPs, the vinyl version of the album is still available for pre-order. To celebrate the release, they’ve released a live performance video of their cover of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.”
Scott Hirsch shares new song “Night People”
“We are all trapped in our minds, for better or for worse” says Hirsch, “This is a forever dilemma, but it has felt even more acute in recent days, hasn’t it? ‘Night People’ explores these corners of our minds –a place often shrouded in darkness, but sometimes, there’s a little light in there too. William Tyler, a frequent collaborator of mine wrote, ‘the psychic toll of the last few years, the fatigue, and the need to imagine something different and more hopeful all emerge in the songs on this record.’ On “Night People”, in the midst of a rhythmic strut and fuzzed-out guitars, Hirsch reaches into the murk to pull out some precious gems and hold them up for us so we can admire them glistening in the purple light. Hirsch acknowledges, “I wanted to capture a feeling that is simultaneously serene and fleeting, like a Windless Day.”
Power-pop supergroup Blunt Bangs (mems. Black Kids, Woods) share new video via BrooklynVegan
“‘Odessa’ is distinct to me in that it’s the last song I completed prior to the pandemic (I’ve not finished a song since, yikes) and it’s also the rare song where I don’t crack wise once,” the band’s Reggie Youngblood says. “It also feels like the intersection of a Blunt Bangs/Black Kids Venn diagram, in that it might be only thing you can dance to on our album.”
SHAWN PERRY Releases New Single “HARDROCK HILLBILLY” feat. KING PALA + Official Music Video
Shawn Perry released his new single “Hardrock Hillbilly” to all major platforms via TLG/INgrooves!
Shawn Perry is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, actor and entrepreneur known across the globe for his signature blend of big hooks, searing guitars, good times and raisin’ hell.
Shawn Perry was in tens of millions of households around the world during his time on the MTV series MADE, and various appearances on VH1, NBC, FOX, several independent films.
Between writing his first song at age eight about his parents’ divorce, a couple of marriages of his own, an unfruitful stint in New York City’s 90s folk scene, and a business-threatening recession, fifth-generation Montanan Sean Devine learned how to take it on the chin, eventually finding traction in Rocky Mountain clubs, selling copies of his first album from the backseat of his Buick. Today, Devine released his new album Here For It All; a musical reckoning with roadblocks and backsteps which has manifested itself not in pessimism, but in a beautiful outlook on how to take it all on.
Smith & Sorren – My Love For You
Long Island, NY based Tech House producers Smith & Sorren deliver their first release on TURNT, the groovy “My Love For You”. With previous releases on Tommie Sunshine’s Brooklyn Fire Records and The Disco Fries’ Lift Off Recordings, Smith & Sorren are quickly establishing themselves as a favorite among their DJ peers- likewise when dEVOLVE first heard “My Love For You” he instantly reached out to sign it to TURNT.
BOMBER ALLEY Release New Single “WE GET BY” + Watch Official Lyric Video
BOMBER ALLEY, the new godfathers of modern sleaze, have released a brand new single “We Get By” via Mindsnap Music (on behalf of Von Artists Ltd.). The single features two members of Dee Snider of Twisted Sister’s solo band on guitar (Nick Petrino) and bass (Russel Pzutto), along with Joetown on vocals & more!
Electronic Duo Forester Shares “Falling Water”
The singer-songwriter pair — composed of Xander Carlson and David Parris — returned earlier this year with back-to-back new singles “The Flood” and “Symphony” ahead of their forthcoming project to be announced. Blending acoustic instrumentation with electronic elements, Forester draws inspiration from their natural surroundings as heard in their latest offering “Falling Water.”
New Video: El Dusty Drops Trippy Animated Video “Camara Lenta,” Announces 2nd Leg of Tour
Latin Grammy nominated composer, arranger and ringmaster, El Dusty, drops a new video for “Cámara Lenta”. Tapping Adan Cruz, Serko Fu, and Morenito de Fuego for this slow-hitting summer anthem, along with the animated innovators Elote Studios, to create a fresh new soundtrack. Watch the new video here:
ATRÆ BILIS: Technical Death Metal Quartet Issues “Bacterium Abloom” Single
ATRÆ BILIS’ Apexapien was recorded by Matt Roach at Rain City Recorders, engineered by Matt Roach and Christian Donaldson with assistant engineering by Emily Ryan and Jonathan Mazzeo and drum technician Alex Glassford. The record was mixed and mastered by Christian Donaldson (Cryptopsy, Despised Icon, Beneath The Massacre) and completed with stunning cover art by Eliran Kantor (Atheist, Bloodbath, Hate Eternal, Sodom, Kreator), layout and design by Dan Fried, and photography by Rob Zawistowski.
Video: Offset Jim – “Members Only” (Prod. by DTB & Ekzakt)
Oakland rapper Offset Jim doesn’t need to raise his voice to get his point across–his verses are methodical, scientifically engineered to prove how much better he is than the average rapper. Connecting with his frequent collaborator DTB and producer Ekzakt, Jim shares “Members Only,” his new video single. Expertly weaving within the copious space left within DTB’s beat, Jim takes time to introduce himself and say what he’s about, calmly explaining that he doesn’t need anyone in order to succeed. The song is a showcase of Jim’s sharp punchlines, as he delivers understated flexes with a sneer: “Ask me what I’m smoking, b*tch you’re too broke to buy it.”
JOY DENALANE RELEASES LET YOURSELF BE LOVED – DELUXE EDITION
With Let Yourself Be Loved – Deluxe Edition, Joy presents her definitive soul statement. Marking her fifth album release, the record is in equal parts an act of self-assertion, genealogical research and homage to the great classics of the genre. It’s a record that features the shimmering arrangements, the sumptuousness and the ethereal melodies we associate with classic soul music. Production comes courtesy of Roberto Di Gioia – one of the world’s most renowned jazz pianists who began his career playing with greats such as Johnny Griffin, Art Farmer and Woody Shaw.
MASSIVE CHARGE – Release New Single “Back To The Charge”
French grinders Massive Charge release Single “Back To The Charge”, taken from the upcoming album For Those We Hate (out on November 2021 via Music-Records).
STIMMING X LAMBERT OPEN NEW HORIZONS ON UPCOMING LPPOSITIVE
The unlikely duo formed by Berlin’s ‘piano man with the mask’ and Hamburg’s eminent techno artist Stimming & Lambert – have announced details of their debut album, Positive. The 11-track collection will be released on October 15th, 2021 by XXIM Records, the new imprint for post-genre instrumental music set up by Sony Masterworks, and will be available on CD and vinyl as well as from all streaming platforms.
Favours Share Dreamy New Single “Call Me”
The EP’s newest single, “Call Me,” is about life/relationship cycles and the possibilities that come from a new start. Acoustic guitar brightens each verse while the synth becomes the musical through-line of the song. Produced by Mark Andrade, this tune is infused with a harmonious combination of Mark’s pop sensibilities with Alex’s stream-of-consciousness type lyrics. Add a dash of Jacq’s synth-pop sensibilities in the chorus and hook and “Call Me” becomes a blend of dreamy, shoegaze, and 80s inspired sounds.
Claptone Collaborates With the Iconic Seal on new single “Just A Ghost” || Out Today On Different Recordings
“The deep sensuality in Seal’s voice has always kept me under its spell, and of course the mystique around his persona. No doubt the stars aligned when Seal and I were working on ‘Just A Ghost’ – his first original material in 6 years. By introducing him to the deep, emotive, and powerful sound of Claptone my aim was to lead him back to his very own roots, to an electronic club infused but soulful sound. And I needed to do that without sacrificing the strong musical identity he built for himself over the past decades”. Claptone
Paper Jackets release new album ‘Souvenirs Volume Two’ – out now
LA based alternative band, Paper Jackets have released their new album Souvenirs Volume 2. This collection of songs bridges the gap of old and new, incorporating the sounds of the 1960s while keeping a modern alternative indie pop feel. The album consists of nine tracks including “1969,” a love song that paints a nostalgic picture and transports the listener to back to the Summer of Love, “Complicated,” co-written with Sam DeRosa (lovelytheband, Dixie D’Amelio, Lukas Graham) and “Okay :),” co-written with Little Hurt frontman Colin Dieden and featured today on Spotify’s New Noise playlist.
New Release: Maggie Tra Releases Self-Evolving Debut EP ‘U.L.A’
Lost within the realms of Asia and its surroundings emerging producer Maggie Tra releases her empowering debut EP ‘U.L.A’ (U Look Asian).
Leaning on the connotations of the title, the tongue-in-cheek EP ‘U.L.A’ acts as homage to Maggie’s upbringing. The 4-track EP is a composition of sounds from Khmer and Vietnamese samples that digs into her heritage and seeps through her inner identities on being an Asian brought up in the western world.
For Skope: Almero returns to Protocol with deep progressive single “Midnight Love” (out now)