@skopemag news – friday – july 30, 2021 @ 1 pm est
@skopemag HQ – http://smarturl.it/skope
Polo announce debut album ‘A Place Between States’
‘HOLOGRAM’ is a dark pulsating R&B-tinged pop track about letting go for the greater good. Singer Kat McHugh’s vocals weave between lush, hushed tones and a mellow but biting rap flow brought together with a soaring chorus. The brittle piano and throbbing bass from Luke Lount matched to warped guitar and down-tempo drum beats from Daniel Edgell all result in a track that wouldn’t be out of place on a Drake record, yet captures the punchy energy of 070 Shake paired with the moody air of Billie Eilish.
AYRA STARR UNLEASHES NEW SINGLE ‘BLOODY SAMARITAN’
The blazing rhythmic dance track – underpinned by percussive drums and a hypnotic horn section – is the first taste of her forthcoming debut album “19 & Dangerous”, which is out next Friday 6 August via Mavin Records/Platoon.
LISSIE SHARES THE NEW SINGLE ‘WATCH OVER ME’ FROM ‘WATCH OVER ME (EARLY WORKS 2002-2009)’ OUT 10TH SEPTEMBER
‘Watch Over Me’ introduces us to the 21-year-old Lissie, a good six years before she broke through with her landmark debut album ‘Catching A Tiger’. Deploying nothing more than her already soulful vocal adorned with a single guitar, the song is a snapshot of where her life was at. In just two minutes, Lissie documents a time of new beginnings, with hope for the future and the hedonism of young adulthood. It’s a simple, hymnal ask for guidance at a time of immense change.
IMAX EXPERIENCE: HALSEY PRESENTS IF I CAN’T HAVE LOVE, I WANT POWER
US bedroom pop artist girlhouse releases new single ‘happy now’ today
Speaking about the new song, she said, “‘happy now’ started as an angry poem towards someone in my life that was really emotionally challenging to me, but as we started producing it and I started looking at the lyrics from a different perspective, I realized I was projecting everything I hated about myself towards this other person. ‘happy now’ is my heart, gladiator screaming “are you not entertained?!” to my body after doing all the things and following all the people that should, in theory, make me happy but in the end left me feeling empty.”
Introducing Chelsea Carmichael, Shabaka Hutchings new label first signing – ‘Myriad’ out now
Today marks the launch of new independent label Native Rebel Recordings from multi-reed player and cultural instigator Shabaka Hutchings, the musician and composer behind Sons of Kemet, The Comet Is Coming and Shabaka and the Ancestors. Shabaka launches the label with longtime music industry publisher Matt Smith of Metropolis Songs.
Tutara Peak collaborates with Lou Rhodes on new single ‘Ember’
British experimental electronic artist Tutara Peak has joined forces with Mercury Prize-nominated singer-songwriter Lou Rhodes on new single ‘Ember’, out 30th July.
HUGEL drops infectious new single ‘Back To Life’
Globally-renowned DJ and producer HUGEL has unveiled his new single ‘Back To Life’, out 30th July.
Characterised by a deep, brooding bassline and seductive vocals, ‘Back To Life’ is an undeniable house heater with serious crossover appeal. It follows ‘Finally’, the French artist’s hit collab with Yves that has already amassed more than 800,000 Spotify streams.
MØ shares new single ‘Kindness’
New release ‘Kindness’ marks the second piece of new music from MØ this year. The track was co-written with MØ alongside Ariel Rechtshaid (Haim, Vampire Weekend, Adele), Jam City (Olivia Rodrigo, troye Sivan) and Yangze – the result is a fizzing and energetic love letter to MØ’s fans, thanking them for all the support they have showed her over years.
New Yorker Des Rocs announces debut album ‘A Real Good Person In A Real Bad Place’ with official video for new single ‘MMC’ – out now on 300 Entertainment (Megan Thee Stallion, Young Thug)
“‘MMC’ is about people who are obsessed with being anything but themselves,” explains Des Rocs. “It’s a roller coaster of a record that was written all at once in this kinda chaotic catharsis. My first album is a journey and this first song really represents the odyssey I’m gonna take you on this fall.”
Martha Wainwright releases video for new track ‘Hole In My Heart’…
Following the release of the title track from her forthcoming album and the franglish single ‘Falaise De Malaise’, Martha Wainwright today releases the uplifting ‘Hole In My Heart’. Love Will Be Reborn, Martha’s first new album in five years, will be released August 20th on Pheromone Records/Cooking Vinyl.
LEISURE reveal short film for recent singles ‘Take You Higher’ and ‘Mesmerised’
Acclaimed New Zealand five-piece LEISURE & director Jason Bock have released a short film soundtracked by the group’s recent singles, ‘Take You Higher’ and ‘Mesmerised’.
The stunning visuals tell the tale of a daydreaming protagonist who is suddenly awakened from his slumber whilst being transported to a succession of gorgeous landscapes – each more breathtaking than the next.
Blxst & Bino Rideaux share music video for ‘Pop Out’
Following the release of their acclaimed summer mixtape, Sixtape 2, rising LA hip-hop artists Blxst and Bino Rideaux drop the music video for their single “Pop Out.” Set in the streets of Los Angeles, the fast-paced visual shows the two South Central artists as they drive through the city, culminating in a late-night party.
Elias reveals impassioned new single ‘Hold It Out’
Swedish artist Elias has unveiled his new single ‘Hold It Out’, out now on his imprint Haale Records through the AntiFragile Music label.
A heart-on-sleeve ballad punctuated by glorious piano stabs, ‘Hold It Out’ sees Elias channel raw emotion into something poignant and sincere. The result of the Stockholm-born singer “striving after rawness”, the track represents a shift in sonic direction for Elias, who leaves behind the ‘big sound’ that has characterised his career to date in favour of one that’s indebted to classic soul. It was co-written with Caroline Ailin and regular collaborator GRADES, who have previously worked with the likes of NAO, Snakehips, H.E.R, Khalid, Dua Lipa, Tove Lo and Sigrid.
Astræa announces brand new EP ‘Looking Up’
Boasting simply a piano, delicately layered strings and a lone vocal, ‘Scars’ is a devastatingly emotional track that details a personal journey; a tale told over many years that sees pain and anguish blossom into empowering strength. The stripped-back ballad shows Astræa at her most vulnerable, blending the uplifting pop sensibilities of Gabrielle Aplin with the vivid and candid lyrical story-telling of Phoebe Bridgers as she proudly wears her wounds for all to see.
NAVOS and HARLEE link up on new single ‘You & I’
Hotly-tipped Liverpool producer NAVOS has joined forces with emerging vocalist HARLEE on their new single ‘You & I’.
Characterised by uplifting piano chords, HARLEEs rousing vocals and a high-energy bassline, ‘You & I’ is a dance jam brimming with crossover appeal. It follows NAVOS’ silver-certified ‘Believe Me’, a track that has now surpassed 55 million global Spotify streams after becoming a viral sensation on TikTok. A permanent fixture on the UK Top 40 for over 20 weeks, the track also received airplay from BBC Radio 1, Capital FM and Kiss FM.
Futuristic Acapella // New Debut Single
Celebrating the originality and impact of this classic electronic track, the futuristic acapella single emits clean beatboxing, brassy bass humming, euphoric vocal melodies, harmonies and charming breakdowns that come totally unexpected. Lead vocalist Barbara Pursey shares, “The single is not so much a protest narrative but a recognition of self and others and how we can come together through working together to see and appreciate our differences and similarities with a big dance at the end… HOPE.”
Natalie McCool releases her new album ‘Memory Girl’ today alongside new track ‘Old Movies’
Following on from a string of high-profile offerings this last year, which saw the tracks ‘Closure’ and ‘Devils’ land radio plays on BBC Radio 1, 6Music, BBC Introducing and Amazing Radio, as well as ‘A Sun Going Down’ continuing her upward ascent with ‘Track Of The Week’ on BBC Introducing Merseyside, and ‘Heaven’ and ‘Take Me To Your Leader’ picking up tastemaker support from the likes of Wonderland, CLASH, Record of the Day, Under The Radar, The Most Radicalist, When The Horn Blows and many more, fast-rising singer and songwriter Natalie McCool has now released her highly-anticipated new album ‘Memory Girl’ alongside the new single ‘Old Movies’.
Non-binary LA disruptor CREATRX shares anthem “Sunday”
Speaking on the track’s inclusive message, creatrx shares: “We sex positive, baby! I was born on a Sunday, which many religions regard as a holy day. I wanted to play with the idea of what’s holy. I view sexuality and sex as holy, a place for the divine to shine through. Across the globe, patriarchy deems women who are comfortable with their sexuality as ‘wicked’ or ‘impure’. So, instead of it being weaponized against me, I claim it. Putting the HO in HOly – I’m here for that.”
Re.You & Aikon link up on new single ‘Rain’
German artist Re.You and Ukrainian DJ and producer Aikon have joined forces on new single ‘Rain’, out 30th July on Disco Halal.
A haunting, hypnotic electronic oddity, ‘Rain’ combines wandering synths with sombre breakdowns and delicate vocals. It marks Re.You ’s debut on Disco Halal, while Aikon dropped track ‘Fusion’ last January as part of the label’s ‘Singles Club’ run of releases. Re.You also recently remixed the Aikon single ‘Coming Back’.
Japanese rock band BACK-ON unite with RIZE frontman JESSE for new digital single and video, out July 30!
Currently celebrating their 15th anniversary year, Japanese rock band BACK-ON release their latest single ‘Kill the Beat feat. JESSE’ on July 30, along with a music video. The song is a collaboration with JESSE, frontman of revered rock bands RIZE and The BONEZ. It was JESSE who originally gave BACK-ON their name back when they began – BACK-ON being Japanese wordplay that means “explosive sound”.
POPPY ANNOUNCES NEW ALBUM FLUX, SHARES MUSIC VIDEO FOR TITLE TRACK
Musical polyglot Poppy has just announced Flux, a new full length album slated for release September 24 via Sumerian Records. Flux marks yet another artistic leap for the ever-evolving musician, featuring a stream-lined songwriting approach that puts her indelible earworm melodies at the foreground of a kaleidoscopic mosaic of overdriven guitars. Flux was produced by Justin Meldal-Johnsen (M83, Air, St. Vincent), who had Poppy and her band record live to tape, resulting in an organic feel that lends a decidedly personal touch to the new set of material. The announcement comes paired with the release of a music video for the album’s title track, self-directed by Poppy. “Flux” is set in a pastel dream world constructed by Australian visual/sculpture artist Pip & Pop in which Poppy is beset by a veritable cavalcade of bizarre characters.
Slacker pop maestro LAURAN HIBBERD shares ‘Goober’ EP
Fast becoming a key figure within the emerging indie elite, slacker-pop sensation Lauran Hibberd shares her satire-fuelled, anthem-stacked ‘Goober’ EP, out today (July 30th).
“‘Goober’ has been a long time in the making”, explains the enigmatic figure. “It’s survived a global pandemic and many mood swings from me. These tracks all summarise what I’ve been thinking over the last twelve months. I hope for your sake, you can’t relate haha!”
Hey Violet Premiere New Video For “Party Girl” Single, TODAY!
The band, founded by sisters Rena & Nia Lovelis and friend Casey Moreta has gone through many iterations, but always come back to this base. From sharing the stage with peers 5SOS to two Teen Choice Awards, an IHeart Radio Music Award, a Radio Disney Music Award to stints with Hi or Hey Records, Capitol and now this, their new-found and exciting independence, Hey Violet have made and will continue to make a lasting impact. Hey Violet’s first EP “Problems”, hit this spring and featured 3 new tracks that were a perfect first taste of the direction that the trio are moving into, perfect pop that boast the same sensibilities fans love with a decidedly edgier vibe.
ECMA Award-Winning Laura Roy drops her beautiful new EP ‘Tides’
“Bolstered by a warm and reflective texture layer over groovy soft drums, Roy delivers a quintessential alternative R&B that takes the listener back and fills them up with heart-melting memories. From the sultry melodic runs, sublime harmonies, and inviting backdrop, the record captures all her experiences in the various places she has lived.” – Earmilk
Brazil native now London based artist Shir Sol Evans is back with his new single ‘Mayla’s Perspective: A Prologue’, an intriguing, nuanced track ahead of his upcoming double album. Building a unique cinematic R&B Pop sound, Evans’ music brings together elements of EDM, Hip-Hop, Pop and R&B with his signature honest, introspective lyricism and retro-chic production to create deeply personal and multifaceted music.
