Who among you watched The Voice UK and remembers Jamie Johnson? In the 2014 competition, he advanced to the final round, and now, he and his band, The Lucky 13s, are once again at the forefront of the business. The band, who hails from the south of England, let out their pent-up fervour and bestowed upon us all their album ‘Gamble My Soul’.
It is a recipe for triumph, and the album contains just about everything for lots of different sorts of listeners. The record boasts 11 tracks, all of which explore into various parts of the scene with elements of R&B fusing with pop, and soulful hooks meeting bluesy leads.
Standing out is ‘Sweet Sweet Love’. The song has a cosy vibe, which helps to cheer us up during these cold winter days. Additionally, it demonstrates the stadium-filling vocal ability that Jamie possesses up to this point. Also, songs like ‘Gamble My Soul’ and ‘Hold On’ are two of our absolute favourites from this album!
T Brixson and Westbrooke are the talk of the town currently thanks to their release, ‘Bonita’. It is a single that gets better with every listen, and the feel-good air it creates is what we need in our lives now!
T Brixson shines with his easy-to-get-lost-in vocal performance, and he bolsters his name into the modern songbook with the way he delivers his lyrics. Also, Westbrooke strikes with an equally as pertinent arrival, and the pair prove to be in perfect harmony with one another.
The music video is also available now, and it confirms the impression that we had while listening to the song. Since it takes place in Miami, the sweltering heat is impossible to ignore!
The new album ‘Everything You’ve Heard Is True’ by Akil B. Strange and Rodney Hazard is a present to all of us! This new record is everything that we would expect from an artist of Akil and Rodney’s ability, and they smash through the industry noise with ease!
Featuring 13 tracks, this album shines a bright light on modern-day hip-hop and rap, and the pair hold nothing back with their effort to quench our thirst. The route is full of twists and turns, and we are itching to hit the replay button when it concludes.
Von Venn take over New Music Friday with the release of their new single, ‘Constant Girl’.
The new release by the Gary Cox led group is everything we would have hoped for from the band who took us by surprise with their last single, ‘Ghost’. This new delivery further bolsters the band as a name to remember in the indie space, and they further explore their newfound style while keeping true to the world of music around them.
Edgy with plenty of stand-out moments, ‘Constant Girl’ reaches out of the box with a vibe akin to that of Radiohead but with a unique twist that enables it to shine on its own!
With the release of ‘Free Fallin’, Thomas Cole and Nathanael Hall have bestowed upon us an infectiously catchy piece of electronic music. Thomas Cole pushes the box once more with a musical panorama full of zeal.
Thomas makes history with a storyline that provokes thought with ‘Free Fallin’, which is one of the catchiest singles we’ve heard this week. He also talks about what it’s like to feel on edge, especially with those who make us feel uncomfortable, often leaving us having to convince people of our worth.
Hello, Ervin, Let’s talk about your new single, ‘Why Did I Keep Moving On’, what is the meaning?
It tells the story of a man who is beginning to regret going from town-to-town and woman-to-woman breaking hearts. I think he’s getting older and wondering why his life is the way it is. In many ways the main character is my alter-ego.
Which artists in the current industry inspire you the most?
I suppose I am most influenced by Paul Simon and The Eagles, but if I had to pick someone more current it would be Ed Sheeren.
Photo Credit: Ervin.
What is the best thing about being a musician in 2022?
I found music to be a way of keeping people together during the pandemic, and bringing people together following the pandemic. People missed live performances. So, we are in demand.
Is there a certain place you often go to write? E.g a certain room, or environment?
I don’t have a place I go to write. In fact, sometimes I write a song at the most inopportune moment, like when driving to the supermarket, or in the bath. So, I must hold on to what has popped into my head, until I can write it down somewhere, or sing it into my phone. An idea can crop up at any time, and usually I have the energy and motivation to pursue it and create. That said, sometimes I set out to write a song without already “receiving” a creative spark. When I do this, I am usually in a room with my guitar or piano.
Hello, Vinyl Floor, Let’s talk about your new single, ‘Funhouse Mirror’, what is the meaning?
Thomas Charlie Pedersen: The lyric has different layers for sure. On the surface it´s about a circus coming to town, trying to push peoples´ limits and slowly changing their behavior and way of thinking. They do so by means of provocative songs and rude poetry. Before the town wakes up and realizes it, it has been taken over by the squad. This is something that came to me in a dream and the three verses were quickly written down in the morning. It´s also the title of our new record and it just seemed to kind of encapsulate what the album is about.
Which artists in the current industry inspire you the most?
Probably not very modern choices but Neil Young comes to mind. He´s always followed his own path and couldn´t care less if people like it or not. Also, he´s not afraid of failure. We are inspired by his approach to music and the business. Musically, Wilco also comes to mind. What a great band. Knights of the great songwriting preservation society. Not many left!
Photo Credit: Vinyl Floor.
What is the best thing about being a musician in 2022?
The only good thing about the world going crazy is that there’s plenty of stuff to write about. Running our own label also allows us the freedom we need to write what we want. Also, communication is easier than it used to be. You got all these social platforms and ways of conveying your message. It also frightens me, though.
Is there a certain place you often go to write? E.g a certain room, or environment?
It depends. I almost always prefer to write at home at the piano or with a guitar in hand. All my melodies and chord progressions tend to appear this way when I´m just noodling about. I also carry a lyric book at all times because lyrical ideas seem to come anytime and at random places. But no matter where I do the writing, one thing is certain. I need to be alone. I´m not great to collaborate with because I prefer to at least start out working on basic ideas on my own. I don´t know. It´s kind of a safe haven for me, I guess. And I get to shut out the outside world and allow myself to enter a different state of mind where anything is possible.
What is your first memory of music?
That´s a Bob Dylan record. ‘Infidels’. I was 3 years old when it came out in 1983. My dad bought it and I thought the singer had a funny voice. Also I liked to dance to the great beat from the song ‘Jokerman’. I really dug the chorus so that one song was probably my first love regarding catchy choruses.
Melanie MacLaren and Lorkin O’Reilly leave us on the edge of our seats in anticipation of their new EP, ‘Tadpole Emporium’, due out on the 27th of October.
The two artists have already released two new singles, and judging by their audience’s positive response; it appears like they have a hit on their hands with this collaboration. Mel, from the United States, and Lorkin, from Scotland, shine from the beginning by infusing a folky-pop texture into their creations. Additionally, they infuse the scene with newfound charisma, bringing a captivating spark to the stage.
The duo will be performing live in the United Kingdom in November. If you haven’t already purchased your ticket, you should do so as soon as possible because there is a high likelihood that tickets will sell out quickly as the performance dates draw nearer.
When folk and pop combine, undisputed magic compels, as exemplified in Ervin’s new single, ‘Why Did I Keep Moving On’.
The new release by the singer-songwriter, born in London, is captivating at every turn. The emotive texture of the acoustic guitar and Ervin’s vocals cut through to the listener’s emotions. Ervin’s vocal is strong and engaging as he opens up honestly about his life while reflecting on a wide range of feelings throughout the song.
There is a newfound energy that arises in the concluding section of ‘Why Did I Keep Moving On’ with a beat tap and an echoing whistle that stands out with vigour!
Denmark-based indie two-piece, Vinyl Floor welcome us into their creative realm with the release of ‘Funhouse Mirror’. The new single is from the band’s latest album of the same title.
The brothers unleash a compelling quality that we cannot deny and the new single sheds light on the brilliance emerging through the ranks in Denmark. Furthermore, ‘Funhouse Mirror’ creates a captivating sound in this day and age by taking cues from the most successful artists in the game while incorporating new components. The vocals are illuminating, and the underlying music has a hefty feel that pulls us back in for more once it ends.
