‘Avalanche’, Charmaine Wohlmann’s newest offering in the pop game, wastes no time in getting to work. In a scene that is saturated with similar music, the new release is a welcome burst of variety, and Charmaine’s effort is what ultimately wins us over.
The suspense in ‘Avalanche’ only increases as the track proceeds. In addition, it begins with a guitar that strums in rapid succession, followed by a beat that taps your foot, and a standout vocal performance from Charmaine. She talks about life and the challenges it presents, yet the single still has a feel-good edge to it, and we can’t help but move to the groove!
AJ Whyte grabs the spotlight with the release of his new single, ‘Run’. The latest release from the Rutland-based performer is out now, and it follows the highly-praised ‘You Won’t Hear Me’ which AJ dropped in October.
‘Run’ continues in the same vein as AJ’s previous work, with the guitar playing an essential part in the whole experience. In addition, the song starts with a strumming guitar pattern; then AJ quickly enters the mix with a powerful vocal lead. His vocal is even more engaging than it was in his previous performance, and he tells a story about war, even though this may just be a metaphor for the difficulties that many people encounter in life.
The Chewgs are a band on the ascent, and with the release of their newest single, ‘Let It Out,’ they are not holding anything back.
Combining aspects of folk music and pop, the duo are not holding anything back, and we are delighted by the infectious style that they have developed. In the beginning of the song, a guitar strumming its way forward can be heard, then shortly thereafter, a vocal can be heard emerging from the mix.
The words reverberate with stories that prove to be thought-provoking, and as the song progresses, the intensity builds as the chorus burrows deeper and deeper into the heart.
Ervin Munir takes control of New Music Friday by releasing his new folk gem, ‘She Never Made Old Bones’.
Carrying on from where he left off with his previous single, ‘Why Did I Keep Moving On’, Ervin bolsters his name in the modern songbook even further. His style is getting better and better with each new arrival, and this one proves that he is here to stay.
Vocally, Ervin sings with genuine passion and narrates a story about life, hardship, and a woman who will never make old bones.
Julia Thomsen encaptures the serene air flowing as we lead up to Christmas with the release of her new composition, ‘Angels of Peace’.
The latest release from the British composer is better than any of our wildest dreams could have imagined it being. In addition, Julia surrounds us with her lovely arrangements, which bring the spirit of the holiday season to the forefront and provide an opportunity to cleanse and reflect now the year is concluding.
Because it is so potently moving, this piece has a glimmering quality, as if it were meant to be the soundtrack of a blockbuster movie in Hollywood.
Hello, Paraffin, Let’s talk about your new single, ‘Mean’, what is the meaning?
The song embodies the feelings of watching someone turn from somebody you recognise into a human you no longer want to associate with. Whether that’s as friends or in a relationship.
Which artists in the current industry inspire you the most?
As a collective currently, we enjoy artists such as Kid Kapichi, The 1975 and The Snuts, and traditionally we have always been most influenced also by Muse and the Arctic Monkeys. It is also very inspiring to us what Sam Fender has gone on to achieve, the way he has broken into the mainstream is amazing and he couldn’t be more deserving.
Photo Credit: Paraffin.
What is the best thing about being a musician in 2022?
In short, being able to play live again. The lockdown was hard on everyone, and it very nearly killed off the music industry – us included. We had real momentum prior to the pandemic and it was absolutely stopped dead. But all things happen for a reason, and we are now a better band than ever before! Playing live is what makes it all worth it.
Is there a certain place you often go to write? E.g a certain room, or environment?
We have always rehearsed in Portsmouth predominantly, however we all have our own environments and processes individually in which we feel most inspired – we all contribute to the creative and song writing process individually, before bringing ideas together in the room. Southsea Sound studios have always been amazing and very supportive with us, and that is our go to place to rehearse. But ideas can come to you anywhere at any time!
What is your first memory of music?
My personal first memories of engaging with music go back to my very early childhood, where family friends would come round and my parents would play a massively diverse range of tracks, alot of the time on compilation albums. Oasis, Ocean Colour Scene and other britpop bands, Duran Duran, The Human League and 80’s, ranging also back to Black Sabbath and Motörhead with my dad. A very diverse range of early impressions. – Tom
Hello, Darcy, Let’s talk about your new EP, ‘{re}defining’, what is the meaning?
So the EP is a collection of songs that all mean something different to me personally, and each song has a different theme. The overall meaning of the EP is that I am ‘re-defining’ my outlook and using my music to do that!
Which artists in the current industry inspire you the most?
I love listening to Tones & I – I tend to sing a lot of her music in my gigs! I also am really inspired by an American artist called Teddy Swims who I was lucky enough to see in concert this year and he really inspires me firstly with his music, which I love, but also with his attitude to being a performer! I guess I’d also say that I am inspired by Harry Style’s performances – he is so at home on stage and seems so confident, which is something I’d love to be!
Photo Credit: Darcy Louch.
What is the best thing about being a musician in 2022?
Everything is online! So I guess for artists that means that things are more accessible and there are a lot of online opportunities for artists that there might not have been before social media. Social media means that artists are in a much better position to be independent than they may have been before.
Is there a certain place you often go to write? E.g a certain room, or environment?
Not really – I usually have random ideas pop into my head which I write down in my notes app on my phone, so that could be literally anywhere! But if I am focusing on writing, then I sit at my desk at my PC. So I guess it depends!
What is your first memory of music?
I’m not sure exactly, but I remember having a Walkman CD player when I was younger that I really loved and would listen to all kinds of music on! I would also say listening to music in the car has always been something that I love and really enjoy, and can remember doing from a really young age.
This week’s top pick is “redefining,” which is brought to us by Darcy Louch, a vocalist from Hertfordshire. The singer-songwriter puts her best foot forward, demonstrating her talent and bringing with her a wide variety of flavours for all of us to savour.
The opening tune on the five-song EP is ‘Worst Enemy’, and it has Darcy mesmerising listeners with her unmistakable air of self-assurance. The track is an example of her soulful voice, which combines her tones with RnB and pop textures. The song ‘Love Game’ continues to be impressive by bursting the seal with its fervour, which then leads us to the song ‘Proud’, which is full of introspection and honesty. Both ‘Imposter Syndrome’ and ‘Same Stars’ are excellent, but ‘Imposter Syndrome’ is particularly thought-provoking.
This week’s New Music Friday hot pick is the indie band Paraffin, from Portsmouth, with their latest single, ‘Mean’. The song is out now, and it is not one that you will want to overlook!
Bringing the energizing force of indie rock to the forefront, the south coast band are not holding anything back in their pursuit to slake our desire. The voices stand out, making us want to press the replay button as soon as the song is finished. Also, the music is all-encompassing, with different styles and parts coming out at different times during the track.
Rodney Hazard, a beat creator and producer, has captured our attention with the release of his new EP, ‘The Man From Nowhere’.
‘The Man From Nowhere’, reflective and full of nostaglia, has the capacity to soothe us almost like a meditation session. The peaceful atmosphere is laced with hip-hop sounds and female voice layers that melt the ears! The opener, ‘Stardawg,’ kicks off the journey and whisks us away on an experience that will stay with us for a long time!
With a pulsing bass riff that kicks off the performance, ‘Rainforest’ is perhaps one of the EP’s most captivating tracks. The synths sparkle as the tune develops, and a groove rises to the top of the mix, demonstrating the artist’s versatility.
‘TwoWayCall’ is the EP’s final single to hit the airways, softly bringing us back down to earth!
