Marsha Swanson, the progressive-pop singer is still firing on all cylnders and her new release, “Generational Transmission” proves yet another standout from her “Near Life Experience” album. There is a beauty surrodning this track which is easy to get lost in and it is the ideal track for the festive season with its warm glow.
There is a depth and a boldness present on this track which sends goosebumps right up the back of the neck. The vocals from Marsha are perfectly delivered, likely her best vocal performance to date and she synergies flawlessly with the myriad of sounds beneath her such as strings, piano tones and gripping drum rhythms.
AKA KELZZ, the Berlin-based singer originally from the UK, has dropped their highly anticipated album Odyssey, and it is nothing short of an ear-worm. The album blends genres, moving through intricate layers of electronic beats, dreamy synths, and soul-infused vocals. It’s a journey that captures both the stark realities and the euphoric possibilities of life, much like the concept of an odyssey itself.
From the opening track, AKA KELZZ takes us into their world with a unique mix of introspection and celebration. Their voice, smooth yet powerful, carries a sense of longing and wonder that resonates throughout the album. The production on Odyssey stands out for its ability to merge electronic and organic elements. There’s an undeniable Berlin influence, but the UK roots of AKA KELZZ are felt in the way she weaves in elements of grime and dub, which gives their sound a raw edge. It’s this blend of electronic precision and emotional depth that makes Odyssey an album to savour!
What inspired you to explore themes of mental health and depression in “Freeze”?
I experienced postpartum depression after both of my pregnancies over twenty years ago. When I faced cancer ten years ago, it was also very challenging, but I found myself ready to talk about it sooner. My earlier single “Fire” was inspired by my cancer struggle. However, witnessing others struggle with depression made me realize it was time to share my own story. I wanted to offer a personal perspective and capture the true essence of depression as I remember it, even after all these years. Depression taught me the importance of caring for my body and mind and not overextending myself. Even now, when I sense I’m taking on too much, my body signals me to slow down, and I make sure to listen.
The music video is excellent, how many takes did you have to do?
Thank you, the making of the video is actually a great story. The efficient and skillful shooting of the video is thanks to the director, Juha Särestöniemi. Watching him work was like watching a symphony conductor leading a full orchestra. He even got the weather to cooperate! The video was shot in two parts, the part inside the bus was done in April and the embrace at the end outside the bus was done in May. The part in April was done with a larger group of people, but Juha directed everything and everyone so skillfully that the whole thing was done in an hour, and this included two versions, one in Finnish and the other in English.
The weather indeed cooperated magically on both days. For the main part of the video that took place inside the bus, we had hoped to get some kind of bad weather to illustrate the despair of depression. In April, it had been a nice weather all week, but on the day of the video shooting, we got a snowstorm. It worked out perfectly. And then in May, the plan was to shoot the end part outside the bus on a sunny day since the lyrics at the end talk about a sunny day and how it will help me survive. We actually had to chase the sun that day because it kept drizzling. Juha would look in the weather app to see where we would have to drive the bus to find a potentially sunny moment. We found our moment, Juha did three takes of the embrace, and we were done. It took five minutes to do the video shooting for that part. Once we were done, it started raining again.
What message do you hope listeners take from “Freeze,” especially those who might be struggling?
Any of us can fall ill, but we must remember we’re not alone in this world. When you’re depressed, it’s easy to think that nobody will understand how you’re feeling. But I’m here to tell you that there are people who do understand what you’re going through. Even when you think your soul is broken, and you feel like you’re sinking deep, there is still always hope. The sunny day will eventually come and help you survive.
How does “Freeze” fit within your current single series, and what makes it unique?
My other singles have also been based on personal experiences and reflections, but this topic is now extremely personal and vulnerable. Mental health is also very timely in many people’s lives. Even though I have been lucky to be free of clinical depression for twenty years by now, I still remember the lessons from those times on a regular basis. Whenever my body gives me signals that I’m doing too much, I know I must listen. So, it’s still very personal and something to be mindful about.
Any more releases planned in the future?
I plan to continue making singles until I have a full album. Once I have the full album, I’d love to create a live show with elements of a musical and make it into a full story-telling performance on stage. And I plan to have a vinyl album made once I have enough songs. It is important for me to make these singles at my own pace to keep my stress levels in check. And since I’m making these myself in my own studio, I can adjust the pace to my needs, which again supports my mental health. For the next single I do have some initial inklings about a topic, but it’s not quite ready to be worked on. I always need to hold space between the singles to kind of reset everything. I can’t force it. The day will come, most likely in the next few weeks, when I get an impulse to grab the guitar and start composing.
Ervin Munir’s latest single, “Break Me,” is here, and it’s a beautifully raw exploration of heartbreak and healing. The Norfolk folk singer-songwriter has once again crafted a track that connects on a deeply emotional level, drawing listeners into the intimate vulnerability that comes with the end of a relationship.
With his warm vocals and acoustic guitar at the forefront, Ervin delivers a performance that feels both personal and relatable. The song’s richness is elevated by Aeron Z Jones, whose soulful electric guitar, piano, and bass add layers of texture and depth, making “Break Me” linger long after it ends.
Lyrically, the track captures the painful yet transformative process of moving on, exploring introspection and acceptance in a way that feels honest and cathartic. It’s a reminder that even in heartbreak, there’s beauty and strength to be found.
Thomas Cole’s highly anticipated EP “Watch Me” is out now, and it marks a bold new chapter in his musical voyage. The three-track collection, which dropped on November 22, 2024, sees the New York-based pop artist embracing a rawer, more vulnerable side while diving deep into personal themes of defiance, resilience, and empowerment.
The title track, “Watch Me,” is a powerful declaration of self-confidence and independence. With unflinching courage, Thomas responds to those who doubted his ability to have a fulfilling life after coming out, confidently proclaiming, “Watch me.” This anthem serves as both a personal statement and a message to anyone who’s ever faced adversity and judgment, reinforcing Thomas’s unshakable sense of self.
In “Miserable Fck,” Thomas channels the complexity of navigating relationships while dealing with inner turmoil. Inspired by a heated argument, the track is an emotionally charged release, blending electronic and rock influences to express frustration, longing, and the messy process of moving through tough times. As Thomas says, it’s about transcending the darkness even when life feels overwhelming.
The final track, “Shut Up & Listen,” fuses rock and electronic rhythms to tell a story of self-empowerment. Here, Thomas explores the fight to be seen and heard in a world that often seeks to silence authentic voices, making it a compelling anthem for anyone who has struggled to assert their truth.
Featuring Mandhla and celest*, AKA KELZZ’s “cXnnections,” is a nail-biting song that radiates the appeal of fresh starts. Released on October 23, it immediately explores the thrilling events that surround an unclear relationship, where sparks fly and every meeting seems to provide a promise of something more.
“cXnnections” throbbs with a vivid pulse that exactly embodies the excitement of uncertainty. The song creates a picture of shared laughter, subdued glances, and treasured memories—all those small events that cause us to consider the possibilities ahead, through light-hearted, thoughtful lyrics. AKA KELZZ muses, “cXnnections is about the uncommon, genuine click you feel with someone fresh. This is a known sensation that brings ease as well as excitement.
On her most recent release, “Once in a Lifetime,” a vibrant single with a contemporary pop vitality to her folk-acoustic roots, Saskia Griffiths-Moore shines. Acclaimed for her reflective approach, Saskia explores vivid new ground with this song, mixing the raw realism of her live band with appealing rhythms.
Designed by Kris Gorski in Poland, the song adds a vibrant edge to differentiate it from Saskia’s past work and catches a rich acoustic sound that seems as though you’re in the room with the band. “Once in a Lifetime” has a strong uplifting message: welcome the fleeting opportunities of life even if the road seems unknown.
Hello, Jay, Let’s talk about your new single, ‘Wishes, Dreams and Reality’, what is the meaning?
Hi how you doin? WDR is a journey though my mind, battling negativity and trying to replace them with positivity howver reality always seems go come back and slap me in the face.
Which artists in the current industry inspire you the most?
Ive got a lot of respect for Stormzy and what he has achieved. I appreciate Ed Sheeran for the amount of music he produces on the regular. Little to lil Simz but also Coldplay and if i’m honest mainly the artists of yesteryear.
What is the best thing about being a musician in 2024?
My kids are old enough to see me doing it, if I wasn’t behind the curve id say social media, but im quite an oldskool guy so don’t utilise it as much as i should
Is there a certain place you often go to write? E.g a certain room, or environment?
Not really, i written on the train, wrote 2 track en route to Australia and whilst sat on a couch. Back in the day i had a loft conversion and that was my go to. Id close the door and get into it. Ive just built myself a pretty good man cave at the bottom of my garden so that’s the new attic.
What is your first memory of music?
ha, ha, my mum blasting out Motown whilst doing the house hold chores, that’s me now, cant even think of hoovering without my headphones on, saying that most things I do Ive got them on. Thanks Mum!
Minna Ora is firing on all cylinders once again with her new track “Freeze”. This new one from Minna carries on from where she left off with “Storm” back in 2023. It is part of the ongoing season-themed single series from Minna and this one strikes just as profoundly, if not more so than the last!
The track is all about opening up to mental health. Moreover, it raises awareness for the topic which is often overlooked and Minna speaks about depression, expertly getting to the core of her narrative with a strong vocal delivery. The music also matches the lyrical theme with it often changing mood to suit the lyrics. There is a soft rock vibe present with a guitar-driven melody.
Singer-songwriter Marsha Swanson from London is back with a new single, “In Touch,” an instrumental piece that serves as a perfect window into the themes of her recent album, “Near Life Experience.” Released earlier in 2024 to critical acclaim, the album has been praised for its depth and introspective qualities. “In Touch” carries this forward, offering a unique musical journey that blends the poetic with the universal.
One of the single’s most touching elements is its vocal performance, featuring three generations of female voices softly reading poetry. Each voice adds a distinct layer, representing different stages of life and offering a haunting yet uplifting reminder of connection, reflection, and the passage of time. The interwoven vocals create an atmosphere that is as impactful as it is introspective, allowing listeners to experience the essence of shared human experiences.
