Manu Crooks - "Ridin'"

“Ridin’ is an elongated version of a misunderstood male trying to figure it all out”
– Manu Crooks

Premiering on Good Nights with Linda on triple J this week, and on Pigeons and Planes this morning, " Ridin '" is the first single off upcoming EP mood forever - a six track EP of brand new material (Due August 18).

Sydney-based artist and producer Manu Crooks exploded onto the international hip-hop scene last year with his debut track “ Everyday ”, before exceeding expectations again with the follow up breakout single “ Blowin’ Up ” which, all jokes aside, BLEW. UP.

The clip has now massed over 1.7 million views, and the track was added to triple J rotation, featured by Zane Lowe on Beats One, premiered by Hip-Hop’s biggest music news site The Fader , and earned the opportunity to open for both YG and Danny Brownon their respective Australian tours. For an artist who spends most of his time in a studio in Sydney, those are some pretty massive achievements for such a short amount of time.

Although based in Sydney, Manu Crooks has a definitively international sound. Building a dedicated following with his “raw lyricism and seamless flow,” ( The Fader ) some have likened him to the hugely popular Atlanta scene, some comparisons coming out of Toronto, while some can’t place his accent at all.

Early on in his career, yet already viewed as a pioneer in the Australian hip-hop scene,Manu Crooks is bridging hip-hop hemispheres and proving that he “might just be our best hope for Aus rap to make a significant impact on the international scene.” ( Complex )

This universal sound comes from growing up in Ghana, before finally settling as an Australian citizen in Sydney as a young teen. Because of this, Manu’s palette of influences is lush and diverse – he speaks two languages, is a producer, an artist, and a rapper. This comprehensive creativity perfectly showcases a new breed of beats coming out of Sydney, breaking the traditional structure of hip-hop in Australia to reveal an exciting and interesting new soundscape.

"Being of a West African background is super dope.. Just from going to parties when I was younger and hearing the music that was being played even around the house growing up, it instills a certain rhythm in you! The whole African culture and sound is embedded deep within... Also now living in Australia, it's a very culturally diverse place, & being around so many different nationalities is always so inspiring" - Manu Crooks

Recently featured by SBS Viceland , this group of artists, featuring Manu as well as producers Miracle and Dopamine, along fellow artists JOY, and Anfa Rose – all work out of a studio called ‘Dream Factory’. They’re creating something special and representing a new era of music in Australia – an era of culturally diverse and sonically challenging artists who are telling stories of their life experiences and the world around them, and who are getting recognition on a global scale.

Hip Hop coming out of Australia has a new agenda and it’s only just getting started.

Working with producers Miracle and DOPAM!NE for his upcoming EP, Manu Crooks’ has a fresh perspective and a continent full of hip hop fans who are ready to root for one of their own.

-------------------------------------------
‘mood forever’ EP will be available August 18th
“Ridin” is available to stream and purchase on all platforms from July 14th 

Ruben Young - "Bad Habits"

"Bad Habits" is a modern - vintage soul summer jam by Canadian R&B artist Ruben Young, and produced by Canadian hip hop legend, Classified. The third single of Ruben's breakout year features his trademark raspy vocals, a nostalgic soul/hip hop groove, and a deadly hook.

Coming off of a huge summer of opening for The Chainsmokers, Akon and Classified, Ruben is excited to release the title single from his upcoming record, "The Bad Habits EP"

"Bad Habits" is an ode to the vices - to the temptation, the lust, and the games we can't kick.
"I wrote it in the fall of 2015, following my "relapse" for a girl I'd been chasing since I was 16 years old. She's never been good for me, and I've known it all along. We kept our 'relationship' a secret, and it became more of an affair. She was my forbidden secret - my bad habit. 7 years later, it all came crashing down. I think everyone's guilty of falling for someone who they couldn't get over; even though they knew they needed to. For me, she was dangerous, and I loved that about her."

After reaching the Hype Machine top 10, the iTunes Canada Pop top 30, the iTunes Electronic top 4, Spotify Canada's Viral 50 top 12, and streaming over 1 million times between his last two singles, "Take Her Down" and "Running For You", Ruben will be building on his momentum this summer as he takes "Bad Habits" to Canadian radio August.

Classified, multi-platinum selling, JUNO award winning artist, producer and writer has helped build the careers of emerging Canadian artists such as Ria Mae and David Myles. His notorious catchy soul/hip hop vibes have reached #1 on the Canadian Album Chart, and as high as #5 on the Canadian Hot 100 with the 4x Platinum "Inner Ninja". He co-wrote and produced "Bad Habits", and performed it live with Ruben at the Calgary Stampede in July.

A remix EP for "Bad Habits" is being made, which will be released within the coming months.

Ryan Oddity - "Don't Hate Me When The Rain Goes Away"

“I’d like to present you with my newest song titled “Don’t Hate Me When The Rain Goes Away” The premise of the track is about when things are moving forward for you how others will want to take advantage of it so you have to put your foot down despite possibly losing relationships because of it. The Track is bouncy and has a turnt up vibe with a melodic rap flow on top of production by Dee A. Enjoy!”

— Ryan Oddity

ill Fayze - "The Last Time" (ft. RaneRaps)

The Last Time is the 2nd installment of Fayze's Summer single series. The song will premiere July 13th and features soulful vocals from RaneRaps. The two lyricists tackle the issue of unrequited affection while creating a great summertime vibe over mellow production from Paul Cabbin.

The song is available on Soundcloud and Spotify.

Human - "Broke Boy" (prod.nitelife)

“I’am Human.
I’am a Resident of earth
I’am currently a Broke Boy

Not for long.”

— Human

brahny - "Presentism"

JTruthPA - "Energy"

“this song was originally done, with the intent to give people disco and funk vibes on a whole new level ,and where women can be seen for their waves not just their curves!”

— JTruthPA

Jubel - "Illusion"

Ever since that cold, dark Swedish winter day when Jubel came together, their purpose has been to bring warmth to people by taking them on a feel-good journey - a journey built of organic sounds mixed up with electro elements. Jubel is a collision of artistic talents with various backgrounds and locations and is fronted by Sebastian and Victor, previously known from the house duo Galavant.

“‘Illusion’ sounds like a bittersweet film, with its elements of both hope and melancholy. It is about not being able to let go of something that you deep down know is over and belongs to the past”, Jubel says about their new single.

NEIMY is the artist and songwriter who is featured on the track, and she brings a soft electronic indie-pop sound with a touch of soul to the mix. Her voice is clear, crispy and cuts like a knife through the cold autumn air. ‘Illusion’ is definitely a warming tune with its dreamy vibe.

Jasmine Nichol - "Pretty Little Jay"

Born and raised in California’s “Bay Area” artist Jasmine Nichol is the evolution of a 1970’s Urban Hippie Revolutionist. Her music embodies a sense of spirituality, peace, love, and at times the need to speak against the injustices of the world.

Pretty Little Jay is the next installment to Jasmine Nichol's forthcoming project. 

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/jasminenichol/

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/OfficialJasmineNichol

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/c/JasmineNichol

Twitter - https://twitter.com/jasmine_nichol

JYWRRN - "CLOSER"

MONA - "Gold Baby"

Gold Baby pictures the process of breaking up, the questions you ask and the emotional phases you go through. It's about the point in a relationship when realizing that you've reached a dead end and there's no way back to what once was. This is the single on my soon self-released EP "Au".

The song was released on all platforms 20/10 and premiered on Variance Magazine as well as in the New Music Friday list on Spotify.

Afternoon Diesel - "Made Of Love"

Support: fanlink.to/madeoflove

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Apple Music: bit.ly/molove-apple

Beatport: bit.ly/molove-beatport

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Chasing Giants - "Till the Night Ends" (Feat. C Major & Maxine Champion)

Chasing Giants are a three piece R&B/Rock band that write and perform with a variety of different singers. Made up of members Ben Corby (Guitar), Maurice Webb (Bass) and Jake Arvonen (Drums), the three want to bring featuring artists, which is already conventional for DJ’s and producers, into a band environment. Chasing Giants have featured a unique roster of local Sydney singers including the likes of Carlos C Major, Ethan Conway, Maxine Champion, and Amastro. Chasing Giants crush the stereotypical aural palette into oblivion, teasing audiences with fresh heart-on-your-sleeve tracks such as Bad News and Shutdown. 

Like the perfect hybrid of biscuit and ice cream that is Maxibon, Chasing Giants are the ideal, scrumptious R&B-rock treat, drawing inspiration from Justin Timberlake and Bruno Mars to Foreigner and David Bowie.

Jamar Carr - "Big Up Yuhself" ft. Jus Q

King RickyyC - "Burner" EP

New EP from King RickyyC hailing out of Lynwood, California. Tune in below & comment what you think.

Alexander Bernard - "Jacuzzi"

Yacht Punk - "Radar"

www.yachtpunk.com 

Laying on the floor of his unfinished basement studio in Beachwood Canyon, Graham Bockmiller realized it was time to go out on his own. The LA-based band Great White Buffalo had run its course, leaving him unsure what would come next. Graham spent the next year holed up inside his studio by himself; contemplating life, writing, collecting nude calendars of Eastern European women suggestively holding large trophy carp, and experimenting with the raw recording skills he had taught himself. Inspired by artists like Queens of the Stone Age, Foals, and HEALTH, he began exploring new sounds and textures outside of the traditional rock staples of guitar, drums, and bass – testing the limits of his DIY recording chops in search for a more interesting, vibier sound. These songs would later become the beginning of Yacht Punk.

Graham tinkered on demos until a chance meeting with Michael Pozzi (guitar) at Davey Wayne’s on Hollywood Boulevard. Michael was all-in on the project after visiting the studio and hearing where the music was going, and they were soon joined by Graham’s roommate Tricky (drums, no discernible first or last name) and Justin Ricard (bass). They took the demos to producer and indie-rock guru Matt Wignall’s (Cold War Kids, Mando Diao, J. Roddy Walston and the Business) eclectic Tackyland studio in Long Beach. In his converted garage studio (where “Hang Me Out to Dry” was recorded), Wignall took the music to further and weirder places with his unique production black magic. Afterwards, the band brought the tracks back to LA, where they were finished with mixer/engineer Will Brierre (The Killers “Hot Fuss”).

So here it is. Yacht Punk sounds like Stephen King’s movie Maximum Overdrive took a handful of downers. It has something to do with free-basing weed wax off nice silverware you heated up on an electric stove. It’s drinking daiquiris out of a hollowed-out pineapple at a vampire bar, flying on acid. It’s doing hippie-flips in the desert while eating steak dinner with a roommates’ retired relatives, having a black dumpster cat named Mazzy Star, and destroying another pair of white Converse. No, they don't ride on yachts and they don't play punk.

Isl∆nd - "Show U"

“Isl∆nd is a music project I started in my dorm room at Boston College. I’d like to create music that puts you in a different world with each release.”

— Isl∆nd

#LAOnLockExclusive: Jake&Papa - "Where I Belong"

Jake&Papa are a soulful duo comprised of two talented brothers (formerly Brutha) based out of Los Angeles. Currently on tour across the United States, Jake&Papa are gearing up to perform alongside Xavier Omar and Jesse Baez for the Red Bull Sound Select “30 Days in Chicago" event on November 28th. If you’re new to their music go check out the recently released melodic Tattoos&Blues EP on Soundcloud and peep the visuals for “Where I Belong” on Youtube. Word on the street or if you’re reading between the lines of Jake&Papa’s twitter feed is that they’re gearing up to release Part II of Tattoos&Blues as a follow up to Part I.

Their sound can be classed as a hybrid of classic 90s & contemporary R&B. Everyone wants to know where the “real R&B” went and the answer is nowhere but Jake&Papa are here to restore that desire. What’s even more exciting than their sound is their stage presence and ability to control the crowd even in a cold market. Speaking of performing, Jake&Papa hit the road alongside Tory Lanez in 2015 for the west coast leg of his SWAVENATION Tour.

Lyves - "Cover Me"

Lyves has revealed her brand new song, ‘Cover Me’. The release comes soon after recent new single ‘Holding Back’, which was released last month.

Earlier this year, following the release of her debut EP ‘Like Water’, Lyves joined Coldplay on 15 dates of their ‘A Head Full of Dreams’ tour - playing to packed stadiums across Europe. The time on the road has allowed her to hone in on her musical style and begin to explore new sounds.

‘Cover Me’, which is produced by Lyves along with Will Night, is an evolution of her unique, spacious R&B sound. Where ‘Holding Back’ led with haunting pianos and luscious strings; ‘Cover Me’ is a further exploration into her electronic core. Slowly building synth chords and stabs are enhanced with percussive elements echoing trip-hop, yet remaining beautifully subtle.

Lyves said: “I wrote ‘Cover Me’ around 3 years ago, but it ended up as a lost, unfinished demo until I came across it again by accident this year while writing in Devon. Hearing it after so long re-ignited how I first felt writing it and led me to finish the song. I feel the song speaks about the tug and pull in relationships - that internal conflict that can arise between wanting stability and security vs independence”.

Lyves is the alias of Francesca Bergami. Her emotive lyrical themes and alternative route into performing have set her apart from most other artists and earned critical acclaim for her early releases.

Shying away from a career in music, fearing it was unattainable, Francesca went to Goldsmith’s to study psychology before embarking on a career as a support worker for young people in care and later a mental health advocate where she worked at a psychiatric hospitals. It was at this point – nine years ago – that Francesca realised there was something missing in her life. Her secret needed to become a full-blown creative endeavour. Francesca got her hands on a keyboard and embarked on the task of learning to play, she advertised for a band on Gumtree and started to perform live to an audience for the first time since she was thirteen. Citing influences as diverse as Enya, Tupac, Moby and Philip Glass, Francesca is deeply inspired by music that speaks to the quiet of one’s heart.

The world started to take notice when she publicised her first release ‘Visions’, which paved the way for her debut EP ‘Like Water’ released in January 2017. These early releases consistently earning her top positions in Hype Machine along with critical acclaim.

With a voice that can be both emotive and empowering at once, Francesca sings of loss, adaption, and survival. “That’s my aim, to be as honest and real as possible, my hope is that it speaks to people,” says Francesca. “I don’t want it to be about me. I want the music to speak for itself and possibly give something. That’s what fuels my passion”

“Lyves demands attention” - Pigeons & Planes

“The sheer emotional weight of the London artist's work is breathtaking” - CLASH

“Lyves’ vocal just blows us away” - PressPLAY

“Both personal and conscious” - MTV

Both ‘Holding Back’ and ‘Cover Me’ are being released with PRSF funding, as Lyves was recently awarded the ‘Women Make Music’ grant.