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Drones’ forthcoming album ‘Our Hell Is Right Here’ is an extremely personal journey for vocalist Lois McDougall and the latest single to be revealed from the record is no exception. “‘Epitaph’ is the emo anthem of our new record,” says McDougall. “The umbrella term ‘mental health’ is so widespread and complex that it can be hard to pinpoint the exact problem that one person is experiencing. That’s why conversation is so important to try and unwrap the layers of each individual’s struggles. Personally, I’ve done a lot of exploring over the last few years to try and find out which wires are crossed for me and since writing this song I have finally found some appeasing answers. A diagnosis can really help free you from the spiraling mess that depression can cause, and writing Epitaph was just one step of that process for me.”
GORILLAZ: SONG MACHINE SEASON ONE FINALE ‘THE LOST CHORD ft Leee John’
2020 that’s a wrap… Gorillaz closed out a year that no one will forget with three massive live shows beamed around the world from the basement of Kong Studios. Song Machine Live From Kong saw viewers in excess of 1 Million in 120 countries, from Albania to Vietnam by way of the Faroe Islands, tune in to join Damon Albarn and a 14 piece live band, with 2D, Noodle, Murdoc Niccals and Russel Hobbs, plus special guests including Kano, slowthai, Leee John, Matt Berry, Sweetie Irie, Slaves (Isaac & Laurie), Georgia and Peter Hook all live in the room, and virtually by Beck, Fatoumata Diawara, Elton John, JPEGMAFIA, ScHoolboy Q and 6Black. The full-scale production brought together a 180-strong Gorillaz family of artists, musicians and crew joining a COVID-compliant bubble to deliver a live experience like no other. Available to View On Demand here.
Austin’s Terry Klein Releases the Historical “The Last Great Christmas”
Released today, “The Last Great Christmas” from Austin’s Terry Klein, is a remarkable look at how the past and the present mirror each other in very eerie ways. The story was taken directly from an 8 page story that Terry’s wife’s grandmother, Marion Norswing Phillips, had written prior to passing to share with her family so that the generations that would come along would always have an idea of their own family history. Set in the wintry plains of North Dakota the week of Christmas 1917, Phillips recalled the traditions that her Norwegian family held so near and dear to their hearts. The cold and the scenery is as much of a character in the song and the story as her own grandmother, who they were travelling by sleigh to see. The warmth of the family unit, the innocence of youth and excitement of the Christmas holiday all play an important role in creating the atmosphere of the story. All of this sits next to the haunting reality of the real world that was to come crashing into Phillips life via WWI and the Influenza pandemic of 1918.
Rising Rapper, Smoove’L Releases Debut Studio Album “Ice Cups And Shootouts” Today
Today marks the release of Brooklyn rapper, Smoove’L’s debut studio album, Ice Cups and Shootouts via Run Music/Interscope Records. Prior to the release he shared two singles “Period,” an upbeat, high energy drill track and “4 The Fashion,” a song dedicated to his drip over a slowed down hypnotic beat – together they set the tone for the versatility of the seventeen-track project. He kicks off Ice Cups with “Bag Talk,” which features his notable hums; on “Bae Boo Stinks” and “Get Married,” where he raps over gorgeous guitar strums, he continues to showcase his strength in adapting to different flows. The album also includes his breakout hit, “Apollos,” which was recently added to the New York Times’ “Best Songs of 2020” playlist and now has over 13 million views on YouTube. Rising rapper, Toosii also makes an appearance on “Interact.”
MUNI LONG RETURNS WITH NEW SINGLE + VIDEO “BUILD A BAE” FEATURING YUNG BLEU
MUNI LONG returns today with a major close to a year embodied by compelling records and stunning visuals. Long’s latest offering, a single and visual titled “Build A Bae” featuring rap phenom Yung Bleu is available on all platforms today. “Build A Bae” finds Muni Long and Yung Bleu running down a tight list of deal breakers in order to date them – the melody and lyrics laced over an up-tempo, bass knocking beat produced by Damar Jackson. The “Build A Bae” visual was directed by Keoni Mars, and is Long’s 4th single release since her October 2nd introduction to the mainstream.
[Video] DJ Eule “Scratching is a part of my life” ft. DJs Stylewarz, Robert Smith, Crypt, Boogieman, Rafik, Crum, s.R. & Marc Hype
With his latest release DJ Eule recruites almost 220 years Turntable experience on one single track. “Scratching Is A Part Of My Life” is featuring DJ Stylewarz, Marc Hype, DJ Crum, DJ Rafik, DJ Boogieman, DJ Robert Smith, DJ Crypt and DJ s.R. Check the video below!
MILES MAKES ELEKTRA RECORDS DEBUT WITH NEW SINGLE “DESPERADOS” TODAY
Buzzing St. Louis-born/Los Angeles-based singer-rapper MILES has released his new single “Desperados” today. Available at all DSPS and streaming services now, the track marks his official debut for Elektra Records following his recent signing.
“Desperados” entwines hip-hop and pop with airy guitars, 808s, and big screen-worthy modern outlaw themes. Flexing an expansive vocal range, nimble rhymes give way to the chorus’ instantly hummable hook. Built to turn up in the Hills or on the trail, he rides into the culture with a sizzling style of his own. The official music video for the track is currently in post-production and set to premiere in early 2021.
Memphis’ Dee Mula releases new track and video “Water” ft. BIG30
Memphis rapper Dee Mula releases his new track, “Water,” ft. Big30, produced by DJ KJ, today. The accompanying video was directed by The Wizard and shows Dee Mula, Big30 and friends hanging out on a typical night.
Dee Mula also announces the release of his new album, Respect, slated for an early 2021 release via NLess Entertainment/eOne. The hard-hitting, 15 track album features Big30, Big Homiie G and Jessica Dime.
NO SHADE Releases New EP “Broken Down”
What started as practicing guitar in his bedroom to get through a breakup, NO SHADE has since transformed into an artist who pushes creative boundaries. Hailing from Long Island, New York, NO SHADE is created and self-produced by CJ Arey. As a music lover himself, NO SHADE has countless influences, including artists like Machine Gun Kelly, Pierce the Veil, Issues, and nothing,nowhere. While NO SHADE pulls inspiration from these artists and many more, he would define his music as one with no “genre labels” attached. Turning away from the norm of having genre boundaries and by not confining himself into any specific one gives NO SHADE the creative freedom to write from a place of vulnerability and openness to deliver music that resonates with listeners. NO SHADE hopes that listeners of his music can find themselves transported into the places he is in when he writes his songs and that they allow themselves to feel their emotions freely when listening to his music.
ICYMI: Michael Lanza + Chow Mane Show The Dark Side of Paradise In “Islands”
Singer, songwriter, and producer Michael Lanza and Bay area MC Chow Mane release the official video for new single “Islands”. The video features Lanza and Mane escaping to paradise across stunning landscapes and was premiered exclusively with PopWrapped. What appears to be paradise lasts only for a brief moment as the things they were trying to escape from begin to chase after them.
The video, produced and directed by Nanako Fukui, won a Bronze Remi at the WorldFest Film Festival and was an official selection for several others including Life-Off Global Network and New York City Independent Film Festival. With Fukui’s direction combined with two Bay area natives musical talent, the video shows the beauty of the golden state.
HAYLEY WILLIAMS UNVEILS PETALS FOR ARMOR: SELF-SERENADES ACOUSTIC EP
“I spent this year at home like everyone. I hadn’t spent that much time at home alone with my guitar since I was a teen, before Paramore hit the road. Once I realized I’d likely not be performing any of my new songs live for a while I guess it just felt right to play them for myself and re-imagine them, just a little bit lonelier. It wasn’t long before I started writing new songs again and one of the demos I made seemed fitting for this little EP.
‘Find Me Here’ is the feeling of surrendering your loved ones to their own, personal struggles; Letting them take their time and come to their own rescue. It’s a hard version of love to learn but it is an important lesson in loving someone well.” – HAYLEY WILLIAMS
ppcocaine RELEASES VIDEO FOR NEW TRACK “S.L.U.T”
Today, recording artist ppcocaine releases the official music video for “S.L.U.T” her latest track.
Directed by Roxana Baldovin, the pink-hued video finds ppcocaine running her high school’s cheersquad. Keeping within ppcocaine’s in your face attitude, the squad, comprised of unapologietic baddies, rolls into the basketball game and takes over. Their cheer of choice isn’t go team but rather S-L-U-T/ Slut/What’s Up?. The video also features an appearance from ppcocaine’s longtime friend and collaborator, the rapper NextYoungin, in the roll of a fed up referee.
Hit Em Up Rondo “Waitin On Me” [Video]
Hailing from Sanford, FL, OnTop Forever Entertainment’s Hit Em Up Rondo comes with the vibes on the uplifting track, “Waitin On Me”. With soulful piano chords and vocal samples over bouncy energetic drums, Hit Em Up Rondo turns his dark past into a bright future. He boasts about manifesting the life he knows he is destined for, while always acknowledging his humble beginnings mixed up in the street life.
Anna Burch closes out 2020 with”Your Heart May Be Heavy”
I knew I wanted to write a Christmas song after the difficult year we’ve all had, because of how emotionally potent they can be. When I hear Judy Garland sing “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” I can’t help but well up with tears while still remaining hopeful. I came up with the chord progression on piano, but then I got covid. Thankfully I had a mild case, but not only was my motivation and creativity completely drained, I also couldn’t sing very well because of limited breath control. Luckily I recovered in time, and with the help and generosity of my friends and team I was able to finish this song in time to have it out just before Christmas. The song is called “Your Heart May Be Heavy” which I didn’t consciously realize was an inversion of Judy’s “may your heart be light.” Merry Christmas to everyone muddling through, I hope this song in its small way can be a gift of cheer. – Anna Burch
Milan Records today releases MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM (MUSIC FROM THE NETFLIX FILM), an album of music from Netflix’s newest original film about “Mother of the Blues” Ma Rainey. Available everywhere now, the album features score music by critically-acclaimed saxophonist, instrumentalist, composer, bandleader and educator Branford Marsalis, as well as newly-recorded covers of both popular Ma Rainey tracks and blues and jazz standards from the era. The multi-Grammy Award winner brings over four decades of experience across stylistic boundaries to the project, imbuing the film with an authentic 1920s Chicago soundscape. Directed by George C. Wolfe and starring Viola Davis and Chadwick Boseman, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is available to watch on Netflix now.
Felipe Da Don Shines on New Single, “Sticky” Featuring Gunna and One of Lil Baby’s Final Features
Felipe Da Don cashes on two years of growing potential with his new single, “Sticky,” formally announcing his arrival to the national scene. Felipe, a rep of Atlanta’s West side, stars alongside two of his city’s hottest stars, Lil Baby and Gunna, in a moment that positions him to kick down doors in 2021.
“Sticky” is the natural evolution of “drip,” and here to define it in its metaphorical glory is the three-headed combo of Da Don and the scorching Drip Harder duo Lil Baby and Gunna. Despite a tempo that barely outpaces a stroll in the park, Felipe approaches with intensity and gusto, and his platinum partners respond in kind when Baby’s impassioned braggadocio and Gunna’s slick delivery enter the fold. You only need to hear it once before limbs start moving involuntarily.
The Band of Heathens Close Out 2020 With New Video For The Track “Vietnorm”
Austin’s The Band of Heathens close out 2020 with the “Vietnorm” video, which offers a nostalgic and psychedelic look at a time long gone by. “Vietnorm” is the opening track from the band’s critically acclaimed album Stranger, which is out now.
International advocacy organization Global Citizen announced their partnership with Parlophone Records/Atlantic Records and Grammy-winning recording artist Raphael Saadiq to release STAND UP, an eight-song collection that aims to restore hope, and inspire and celebrate the heroism of leaders and activists around the world. STAND UP is now available on iHeartRadio, TIDAL, Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, YouTube, and Deezer ahead of the Global Citizen Prize award special airing tomorrow, Saturday, December 19, 2020 on NBC.
SONGS FROM BLACK SPIRIT Release Their New Official Video For ‘Memories’
Lithuanian project Songs From Black Spirit have released their first official video taken from their 2020 album I Am Who I Am. Here’s what lead man Vitalis Kairiūkštis had to say concerning the track Memories; “This song is about memories – the most twisted gift that was given to humanity because living something that is completely lost once again is heaven and hell at the same time. Sad but true story about love and hate, black and white and never-ending magic…”
John Dwyer, Nick Murray + More Share New Track
JOHN DWYER, NICK MURRAY, BRAD CAULKINS, TOM DOLAS, & GREG COATES share “City Maggot”, off their forthcoming LP Witch Egg out on Rock Is Hell on January 22nd. In addition, OSEES announce a European tour in July 2021.
