Category: Blog

Ari James has shared a new single called “Enjoy the Ride”, in collaboration with Kapok and Sophia Danai. The single showcases his genre-bending sound and sharp songwriting skills, containing rich, infectious melodies and glowing instrumentation. The song finds him sharing a natural chemistry with Kapok and Danai as well, as they trade vocals seamlessly, contrasting each other’s styles while complementing them at the same time.

The instrumentation on “Enjoy the Ride” is laid-back and smooth, containing warm, nostalgic guitars drifting atop an organic-sounding rhythm section. The beat builds dynamically as evocative backing vocals and subtle keys are added to give the track a layered feel. Moreover, the chorus on “Enjoy the Ride” is highly infectious, lingering in the listener’s head long after listening.

James says of the song, “a little less than a year ago I found myself invited to an artist retreat at Headspace Recording Studios, I was paired up with Kapok and Sophia Danai and when I initially showed them this song as an instrumental, we all immediately began to write about the same topic: the inner reflection of all that you have gone through, and its necessity to have gotten you where you are today. We wrote and recorded the entire song in 3hrs, and it’s my most important and impactful song yet.”

The latest from Ari James, “Enjoy the Ride” showcases his skills as a songwriter, and finds him blending influences from an eclectic mixture of genres in an engaging fashion.

Listen to “Enjoy the Ride” now:

By Todd Anderson

Melbourne, Australia artist Jay Dior has shared a new single called “808s & Pain.” Following up recent releases “Stop Choosing” and “Go Go Go”, this song continues his run of infectious melodic hip-hop releases. Containing uplifting keys and warm, catchy guitars drifting atop crisp, head-nodding percussion, the production on “808s & Pain” creates a solid foundation for Dior’s smooth melodious flows. His verses build into a memorable chorus that anchors the track, as it blends influences from hip-hop, R&B, alt-pop, and more.

The latest from Australia’s Jay Dior, “808s & Pain” provides a refreshing soundtrack for the hot months of summer.

Listen now:

LA-based songwriter and artist Brooke Williams has shared a new single and video titled “happy 4 you.” A powerful track featuring sharply-crafted vocals laid atop an expansive soundscape, “happy 4 you” continues Williams’ run of engaging, versatile singles that draw from an array of genres and influences. “happy 4 you” is paired with a new visual shot by Andrew & Laura with Good X Studios that enhances the single’s nocturnal, ethereal feel.

The instrumentation on “happy 4 you” is airy and lush, opening with atmospheric, raw ambiance before soft, subtle pads drop in to underscore Williams’ rich vocals. Building in layers to create an immersive sound, swelling bass and psychedelic effects add layers to the track, before punchy percussion enters and Williams takes her vocals to soaring new heights. The chorus on “happy 4 you” is cathartic and graceful, containing elegant melodies that showcase her vocal range. Then, the track culminates in a calmer, yet equally evocative outro that brings the listener back down to earth with a soft, forgiving landing.

The visual, shot by Andrew & Laura with Good X Studios uses textural, subdued shots to enhance the nocturnal feel of the song. Faded red hues and moonlight capture its intriguing, ethereal soundscape. The cinematography, paired with Williams’ engaging performance, showcase both Williams and the filmmakers Andrew and Laura’s keen attention to detail, making for a cohesive visual accompaniment for “happy 4 you.”

LA-based songwriter and artist Brooke Williams began writing music at age seven, drawing her love of the craft from a diverse range of influences – from Aretha Franklin and Dolly Parton to Aqua and Kanye. After just one single release, Brooke was found on Spotify by Snafu Records co-founder Ankit Desai and flown out to Stockholm, where she collaborated with acclaimed songwriters and producers, including Carl Falk (Ariana Grande, Demi Lovato, Ellie Goulding) and Albin Nedler (Avicii, Martin Garrix, One Direction). Together, they wrote Brooke’s debut single “Art of Pretending,” released through Arista Records. Brooke has since written songs for artists including AOA (Virgin), IV Jay (Atlantic), Tritonal, TVXQ! (SM Entertainment), Mishcatt, Shuba, KINGS and most recent collaboration, Big Gigantic. You also may have heard some of her songs on shows like Selling Sunset, UFC and the most recent Starz promo. She’s currently working on her solo project and can’t wait to release new music. 

Stream “happy 4 you” here:

Watch the video for “happy 4 you” now:

Canadian artist BAINS. has shared a fresh new video for his track “Rough Night.” Appearing on his new album Punch Drunk, “Rough Night”’s dusky, immersive production creates a solid foundation for the artist’s smooth vocal performance. While his melodies are laid-back and catchy, beneath the surface his lyrics are dark and personal, as he reflects on the consequences of partying, drug use, and escapism. “Rough Night” makes for a relatable listen for many listeners overall, pairing thought-provoking themes with infectious instrumentation to make this an offering that is simply easy to re-visit.

The accompanying visual utilizes settings in the interiors of bars and night life venues to capture the song’s themes, and in each venue, BAINS. is alone, which enhances the themes of isolation and depression that can be brought about as a result of over-doing it with partying. It’s an effective way to convey the song’s message, and is bolstered by the performance from BAINS. himself, which is confident and engaging throughout. 

The latest from Vancouver’s BAINS., “Rough Night” appears on his new album Punch Drunk,  a memorable, often personal set of songs that flirt with hip-hop, R&B, pop, and more. Be sure to give it a listen if you enjoyed “Rough Night.”

Watch the video for “Rough Night” here:

Stream BAINS.’ new album ‘Punch Drunk’ here:

By Trey Fox

Morgan Gold, a Chicago-based singer-songwriter-musician, has taken the world by storm. Gold had a consistent and successful album rollout, and she’s been a constant fixture in the indie music scene through commanding performances, quality singles, and a genuine approach to fan and peer engagement. Gold impressed with lead album single “BACK UP,” which was later accompanied by a dazzling music video. The second and final single, “COMEOUT,” was unlike anything fans had heard from Gold in the past– and it was met with well-earned praise. Joined by Gold on the record is her partner, 730Skylar, who executively produced and engineered the album. “MIDAS” is a worthwhile journey that unpacks Gold’s relationship with her partner and her budding career.

The album begins with “I’M WITH YOU,” a passionate record that sees Gold stepping up as a support system for her partner in trying times. “Don’t you worry, my dear/We all need time to disappear,” she sings affirmatively. As is normal in any healthy relationship, Gold looks for reciprocation on “NO INTRODUCTIONS.” The production is immersive, which is customary for Gold and her Ethereal R&B sound. She’s been putting everything she has into her craft, but she’s still “facing days where it feels out of reach.” Gold is offering parts of herself to her partner that may otherwise be hidden from the rest of the world. That sort of vulnerability is present throughout the record. 

The guest appearances on the album come in consecutive tracks. “TRU 2 ME” is a strong record featuring great performances from No Montana and M.E.L. “Versatile” is a bouncy instrumental led by 730Skylar who has a smooth, confident flow. The transition between “Versatile” and “COMEOUT” is seamless. In many ways, “COMEOUT” is a powerful battle cry. Gold takes aim at homophobic rhetoric she encountered growing up. She remembers times where she felt weighed down by stigma which resulted in internal conflict. “Maybe I’ll wear a pretty dress and play it safe,” she recalls. Gold also expresses joy in finding a new home and community following her move to Chicago, IL. “BABYGIRL” is an upbeat love song that works as an excellent followup to “COMEOUT.”

The album progresses nicely, and the songwriting and production remain consistently sharp. “BIG BANG!” is one of the most interesting and exciting songs on the record. Gold’s delivery is confident and stone cold, saying, “Bitch, I’m like the Big Bang/I started everything you see.” As the song proceeds, she returns to her patented vocals, opening up about trust issues she’s dealing with in her relationship. “Maybe I need a new drug/You’re just looking for fixes,” she sings, clearly frustrated and saddened. On “FORGIVENESS,” Gold seeks to make amends. She promises to be a better partner, and she acknowledges that “to lose you would break me beyond repair.” The closing track, “HOME,” is a gentle ballad that conveys what Gold’s partner means to her. “No matter where I go, you’re my home,” Gold sings with sincerity. It’s a moving ending to a phenomenal debut album.

Listen to “MIDAS” now:

By Todd Anderson

Stockholm-based artist Daniel Javan has connected with endly and Seon for a new single called “the way i look at you.” Here, the artists deliver an infectious offering that provides catchy, engaging vocals that include influences from pop and hip-hop. Containing an atmospheric, spacey instrumental centred around airy backing vocals, rich bass, and head-nodding percussion, “the way i look at you” provides much replay value. Moreover, the vocalists showcase a natural chemistry as they trade off versatile vocal performances atop the immersive instrumentation. The latest from Javan, endly, and Seon, “the way i look at you”‘s grand, layered sonics and catchy songwriting make it a release that is easy to keep re-visiting.

Listen now:

By Todd Anderson

Vancouver artist Remi Xia has shared the debut music video for her song “La Vida Loca.” An engaging, moody alternative R&B cut that features smoky production and smooth vocals, “La Vida Loca” makes for a stylish offering that is easy to keep re-visiting. The instrumentation contains refreshing, watery keys drifting atop addictive, head-nodding percussion, setting a solid foundation for Xia’s relaxed, buttery vocal melodies. Her verses contain sharply-crafted and infectious melodies, leading up to a memorable hook.

The new video, shot by Chris Ajtony, contains vivid shots that utilize subdued lighting to capture the song’s hazy, warm sound. The video draws the listener into the song’s atmospheric feel, using fire and roses to enhance the song’s themes. A cinematic, balmy accompaniment to the track, the video makes one want to come back and continuously re-visit this offering.

The latest from Vancouver’s Remi Xia, “La Vida Loca” is a vibrant, catchy release that has us excited for what may be coming next from her.

Watch the video for “La Vida Loca” now:

Stream “La Vida Loca” here:

Connecticut-born artist Thorne Malik has shared a fresh new single called “back n for(t)h”. Serving as a fitting soundtrack for evenings in the summer, “back n for(t)h”‘s warm, atmospheric sound combines influences from a variety of genres, making for a refreshing listen. Here, brisk, colorful synths swirl in layers atop rich, driving synth bass and crisp, fast-paced percussion that flirts with juke music. Atop the energizing soundscape, Malik. delivers flexible, infectious melodies that suit the balmy instrumentation, making for a cohesive whole package of vivid production and sharply-crafted songwriting.

The latest from Thorne Malik., “back n for(t)h” provides a character-rich, progressive take on R&B and electronic and has us excited for what may be coming next from him.

Listen to “back n for(t)h” now: