CD Baby Signs Deal with Laylo to Offer Fan Engagement Platform to Artists
CD Baby continues to expand their direct-to-fan promotional offerings for artists, working with fan engagement platform Laylo to offer CD Baby users an exclusive discount to Laylo's Pro tier.
CD Baby continues to expand their direct-to-fan promotional offerings for artists, working with fan engagement platform Laylo to offer CD Baby users an exclusive discount to Laylo's Pro tier. Laylo enables artists to notify their fans the moment they release new music, content, merch, or event announcements, via text, email, and/or Facebook Messenger.
Artists can share their drop and notification signup link directly with fans across socials, with Spotify auto-follow and one-click pre-save features built in. DIY artists can track which of their messages are landing and who is engaging with their drop, through key insights and analytics. Laylo is a proven platform with notable customers including Sam Smith, Dixie D'Amelio, Kodak Black, Miles Teller, The Black Keys, and the Friends With Benefits DAO.
Laylo’s offering joins the extensive range of marketing, distribution, and royalty administration services and tools available to CD Baby users, which help artists find and engage with their fans.
"At CD Baby, we always strive to find the latest and most innovative partners for artists to market their music. Laylo is just that,” said Alex Trevino, Strategic Partner Manager at CD Baby. “I am excited to see our artists give their fans an incredible experience while driving more streams and sales.”
“CD Baby has set the standard for offering easy, inspirational ways for artists to define and reach success,” said Stephanie Allen, VP and Head of Partnerships at Laylo. “Our companies share a lot, including a deep commitment to supporting creative work. I really felt this when I spoke at CD Baby’s DIY Conference this August. The excitement the artists showed was overwhelming. For us, this partnership feels like a perfect fit.”
About CD Baby
CD Baby, a Downtown Music Holdings company, is home to over 1 million artists and 10 million tracks, and has paid out over $1 billion in artist royalties since its founding in 1998. CD Baby empowers emerging, niche, and amateur musicians with everything they need to successfully distribute, publish, promote, and monetize their music around the globe. Our expert guidance simplifies and streamlines the complexities of global music distribution through tools, partnerships, education, and 20+ years of community-building and advocacy. Our complete artist-services platform connects independent artists with new audiences and revenue streams so they can enjoy creative autonomy and thrive on their own terms. Founded and run by artists for artists, CD Baby exists to make success in the music business accessible to all.
About Downtown
Downtown is the world's leading music services company with over 1.7 million clients in over 145 countries with a catalog of over 23 million music assets in a wide variety of genres and languages. Downtown's service offerings support creators and businesses in all facets of the music industry including music creation, distribution, marketing, royalty collection, financing, accounting and payment services. Downtown clients can choose to opt-in for only the services they need, in any territory they want, for as long as they want, without having to give up ownership or control of their work.
About Laylo
Laylo is a CRM and Drops platform for creators and brands, helping them drive more sales & streams through direct fan engagement. Launched in 2021 by Alec Ellin and Saj Sanghvi, Laylo powers drops for some of the world’s biggest musicians, podcasters, celebrities, and brands allowing them to automatically notify fans about new content, merchandise and tickets through SMS, Email, Instagram DM, Facebook Messenger, and Discord. Laylo further empowers creators by giving them complete ownership of their fan data.
Chicago Indie-Rock Band Red Scarves Release Their Folkier EP "Ghost Hunter"
Chicago indie band Red Scarves collected their leftover recordings after working with Dave Vettraino (DEHD, Lala Lala, etc.), putting together a new EP that shows their folkier side. Listen to “Ghost Hunter” now.
Chicago indie band Red Scarves has been writing and releasing music over the past decade ever since two of their members first met in a class on Bob Dylan in college. They moved to Chicago six years ago after graduating from Illinois Wesleyan University. Now with a solidified lineup, each member contributes to songwriting.
Chicago Magazine recently recommended the album (at the bottom of Ari Lindo’s album review), writing “The jangly pop quartet marries throwback sounds with 21st-century neuroticism on this EP, ahead of a full-length album in 2023.”
NPR-affiliate station WGLT in Bloomington, IL wrote their 2017 album Sort of Scarlet is a "pop-rock gem," highlighting the band members' background in jazz and classical makes for "catchy and at times complex pop songs."
Ghost Hunter is simpler but layered, and their jazzy and classical influences still pop up on the EP — just more subtly. The songs range from more baroque pop on the title track “Ghost Hunter” to the wistful twang of "Robin,” featuring pedal steel from Ben Carbone.
They recorded both Ghost Hunter and their upcoming album, Nice Try, on tape with Dave Vettraino (Dehd, Lala Lala, Makaya McCraven) last year.
As songwriter Ayethaw Tun told Psychedelic Baby Magazine, “Tying the EP together is the band recording each song live as a four-piece on 16-track tape at Palisade Recordings in Chicago by local studio wiz, Dave Vettraino. The majority of the songs were born out of living in that space of unease and uncertainty back in 2020, with songs dealing with loneliness, memories of childhood, and inspiration itself.”
He continued, “The term ‘ghost hunter’ comes from the first song, written by our bassist/guitarist, Ryan Donlin. He describes the feeling of having big ideas form in our heads for the next big song/project/solution to a problem/etc. But when we sat down with an instrument and a pen in hand, those ideas begin to escape him and the harder he tries to capture that incredible feeling of that idea, the further it slips away. This EP features the rare moments those ideas are captured and realized in full.”
DJ/Producer Maggie Tra Delivers Her Introspective New Album "Kingdom of Her"
Australian born Khmer/Vietnamese producer @MaggieTra delivers a project filled with substance, graft and timeless Cambodian cultural influences with her debut introspective album ‘Kingdom of Her’ (K.O.H).
Maggie Tra continues to demonstrate why she’s one of the most highly regarded artists today, and it seems that her versatility and creativity knows no bounds. Australian born Khmer/Vietnamese producer Maggie Tra delivers a project filled with substance, graft and timeless Cambodian cultural influences with her debut introspective album ‘Kingdom of Her’ (K.O.H).
Walking through the album, the contrast in sounds, styles and vision is vast and refreshing. From Electronic, Disco, Techno to Experimental to Meditative Ambient, Maggie pours her heart and soul into K.O.H that brings forth suffering, growth and falling into acceptance, softness and eventually being grounded.
Going back to her roots and her foundational sounds, the 10-track album is a homage to her Cambodian upbringing. With her dark Asian skin and strength from growing up with a single mother, the album is a homage to her mum and The Kingdom of Cambodia which is what inspired the album name.
K.O.H has field recordings from hospital visits with her mum and Khmer interpreter in ‘Tra Family,’ a dark eerie ambient track that follows her mother’s heartbeat as Maggie founds out that her mum’s heart is failing her. To ‘Strong Srey’ where the Khmer vocals prayers repeat ‘the right path’ underneath a Techno beat that represents Maggie’s struggle with anxiety and people pleasing, alongside her current need to be better and strong but also soft to survive in the world. The lead single ‘Kingdom of Her’ is a dance-disco beat that channels the fun and ever-loving character that Maggie omits into the world. A song that represents that the foundation she builds are fun, loving and playful.
“This album is me in its purest forms, from working on it during a heart-break, to then my mum suffering from a heart-attack, those elements pushed me to follow my own true path, my own heart as it will. And to no longer suffer at the hands of others, my ancestors and parent’s trauma that they passed down to me”.
“I want this album to represent a lot of first generation kids who grow up wanting to change and break the cycle that our Asian parents bestow upon us. We can learn so many patterns from our families, and this album is me breaking the cycle. It’s me liberating myself from my past”.
K.O.H is the beginning of a new phase in Maggie’s evolution as an artist. From humble beginnings Maggie continues to embrace her culture by representing her birth countries and ancestry bringing forth awareness to South East Asia and beyond.
Following what’s already been a successful run for the multi-talented artist, Maggie’s infamous debut EP ‘U.L.A’ brought the emerging producer to the forefront where she was featured on DJ Mag, Resident Advisor, Bandcamp, Mixmag Asia, NTS and Worldwide FM. She’s released singles with labels FuFu Records, Shika Shika Collective & Juba’s Assurance Compilation.
With music as her home, Maggie is also the founder of music label & collective SYS Sister Sounds which aims to release music from Asian female and non-binary music producers. Her persistence to fight for equality and to provide a platform for emerging Asian artists’ stand with the time is unsurpassed.
A weaver of musical fibres, her creations entwine melody, genres and tempos to create her own tapestries.
Vibe out to Maggie’s new album “Kingdom of Her” right now and connect with her on social media.
Connect with Maggie Tra: Twitter | Soundcloud | Facebook
Singer-Songwriter Jessie Reyez Drops Her Brand New Album "YESSIE"
Multi-Platinum, multiple award-winning, celebrated truth speaking, multi-hyphenate - recording artist, songwriter, and electric live performer @JessieReyez is back with her sophomore album “YESSIE”.
Multi-Platinum, multiple award-winning, celebrated truth speaking, multi-hyphenate - recording artist, songwriter, and electric live performer Jessie Reyez is back with her sophomore album YESSIE via FMLY / Island Records. Across 11 tracks, Jessie chronicles the journey and range of emotions from love and loss to healing, closure and happiness. The title – her own familial nickname – gives fans a glimpse of the intimacy on this project. Unofficially christened that name at a very young age, the album balances a world of weariness with the clear-eyed truth telling that many abandon after childhood.
YESSIE only boasts one feature from 6LACK, allowing Reyez to remain the standout on this album. This duo is no stranger to collaborations having put out “Imported” from her 2020 debut Before Love Came To Kill Us leading to a performance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Jessie performed the album's first single “Mutual Friend” and announced it earlier this summer on Jimmy Kimmel Live!. Today she shares a VEVO Sessions performance for the album’s focus track “ONLY ONE” - watch here. Jessie also announced a 2022 world tour that starts October 13 and spans across US, UK, and EU with 8 cities already sold out. Dates and information here.
Jessie’s debut Before Love Came To Kill Us charted Top 5 on Billboard’s R&B Album Chart and amassed over 1.2B global streams. She received high praise from The NY Times, Pitchfork, Rolling Stone, Variety, and more, and performed on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Late Night With Seth Meyers, and The Daily Show with Trevor Noah. Earlier this year she performed at Coachella and opened on Billie Eilish’s Happier Than Ever world tour.
Born in Toronto, Canada to Colombian immigrants, Jessie was raised between worlds. Linguistically and culturally fluid, Jessie has always had music as a universal grounding point. Taught guitar by her father at a young age - Jessie would explore various means of expression from instruments to voice to dance. In a banner career thus far, Jessie released two critically acclaimed EPs, Kiddo & Being Human In Public, has been nominated for a Grammy award for Best Urban Contemporary Album for her sophomore EP, won 4 Juno Awards for R&B/Soul Recording of The Year, Best Video, and Best New Artist, earned the title of Top Female Debut Album and Top R&B Album of 2020 for her debut album, and made a cameo in Beyonce’s Black is King visual album.
Listen to Jessie’s new album “YESSIE” right now, stream it on your preferred music service and connect with her on social media.
NYC's Iceblynk Announce Self-Titled Debut EP and Share Lead Single "Tragic"
Queens, NY-based trio, Iceblynk, announce their debut, self-titled EP will be released on October 21, 2022 via A Secret Brand. To celebrate the announcement, the band has shared their lead single “Tragic.”
Queens, NY-based trio, Iceblynk, announce their debut, self-titled EP will be released on October 21, 2022 via A Secret Brand. To celebrate the announcement, the band has shared their lead single “Tragic.” “Tragic” is a nostalgic indie-pop tune that expertly showcases singer Andrea Lynn’s cheery vocals as well as the instrumental prowess of Martin and James Newman.
“The EP is titled ‘Iceblynk,’” shares co-founder Martin Newman. “It’s our introduction to the world and represents who we are in the present and hints to where we’re headed in the future and what to expect from our full-length next year. It’s also an introduction to the name change.”
“We chose to release ‘Tragic’ as the introduction to our EP as its driving force and evolving richness of tightly interwoven guitars lock in the listener from the start,” adds vocalist Andrea Lynn. “While the vocal melody has a light and bright feel, the lyrics hint at a growing sense of despair/dissolution, creating a playful dissonance.”
“Production-wise, ‘Tragic’ began as a clean, jangly-pop song with a slightly quirky chord progression,” Newman continues. “But as the recording process went on and our pandemic spending increased, we added Gamechanger’s Bigsby pedal and Mastro Valvola’s Lysergic Energy Module to the mix, and the guitars warped into something more along the lines of My Bloody Valentine crossed with Emma from Lush, which gave the song more of its edge and dreamy textures. By chance theremin extraordinaire Pamelia Stickney happened to be in town while we were recording, so to break up the onslaught of guitars, we had her lay down a solo during the bridge.”
Goldpark Announce New EP Out October 21st and Release New Single “Summer In My Head”
Indie-rock trio Goldpark are announcing their sophomore EP, “Goldpark Two”, out October 21st on Hazel Street Records. Alongside the announcement, Goldpark are also presenting the final pre-release single, “Summer In My Head.”
Indie-rock trio Goldpark — the project of Nashville-based musicians Wes Hunter (vocals), Andrew Smith (guitar) and Kyle Neblett (drums) — are announcing their sophomore EP, “Goldpark Two”, out October 21st on Hazel Street Records. Alongside the announcement, Goldpark are also presenting the final pre-release single, “Summer In My Head,” a glistening, feel-good track about being young and reflecting on all the moments that have made up your life so far.
Goldpark Two is the much-anticipated follow up to the band’s debut EP, “Goldpark One”, which was released in 2021 on Hazel Street Records. For Goldpark Two, the band honed in on their energetic rock sensibilities with the help of producer Jeremy Lutito (Ingrid Michaelson, Colony House, Joy Oladokun). The result is a project that feels confident, inspired and panoramic. After over a year of consistent touring, it’s clear that the trio have found their identity as a band.
In a statement about the EP, Goldpark write: “This EP is special for so many reasons. We had the right songs, the right producer (Jeremy Lutito), and the right spirit. This body of work is the best representation of who we are and where we are going. We hope this EP makes people smile.”
Listen to “Summer In My Head” now, stream it on your preferred music service and connect with Goldpark on their social media. Most importantly, be ready for “Goldpark Two” to be released on October 21st.
Ghanaian-Canadian RnB Artist Kofi Releases His "On Me" Remix EP
Rising R&B artist, producer, and multi-instrumentalist @jmgkofi has released a remix EP for his song, "On Me." The Ghanaian-Canadian talent aligned with some of his favorite Afrocentric producers for a collection of tracks reimagining the buzzy single from his latest album, “Why Not”.
Rising R&B artist, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Kofi has released a remix EP for his song, "On Me." The Ghanaian-Canadian talent aligned with some of his favorite Afrocentric producers for a collection of tracks reimagining the buzzy single from his latest album, Why Not, which dropped May 21, 2022 via Red Bull Records.
The EP features four new remixes of the Afrobeats-inspired original, including a track with Afrojack protégé DISTO, a two-step into retrofuturism with SORENA, and an AmaPiano mix with multi-platinum South African producer Yumbs. For the fourth remix, Kofi tapped Nigerian super-producer KDDO, who helped usher in the international breakthrough of Afrobeats with Davido's hit single "Fall." The jazzy mix also features a fiery verse from Nigerian rapper/singer Peruzzi.
In early September, Kofi will head to Africa to perform the KDDO and Peruzzi remix live in Lagos at the Red Bull Dance Your Style Nigeria National Finals. Following the release of the remixes, Kofi will start rolling out new music from his forthcoming EP, fans can keep their ears out for a single in late September.
Listen to the EP now, stream it on your preferred music service and connect with Kofi on his social media.
LA-Based Songwriter Cimo Fränkel Releases the Deluxe Edition of His Debut Self-Titled Album
LA-based platinum-certified songwriter Cimo Fränkel has released the deluxe edition of his debut self-titled album, “Cimo Fränkel”. The album includes his emotive live cover of Cam’s hit single ‘Burning House’.
LA-based platinum-certified songwriter Cimo Fränkel has released the deluxe edition of his debut self-titled album, Cimo Fränkel, via Cimo Fränkel / AWAL. The album includes his emotive live cover of Cam’s hit single ‘Burning House’. Cimo Fränkel finds himself among the stars, having collaborated and toured with Armin van Buuren on their song ‘Strong Ones’, reaching #37 on Billboard Charts. He has also helped create several global hits, including the Multi-Platinum single ‘Sex’ by Cheat Codes & Kris Kross Amsterdam, which has been streamed globally over 1 Billion times.
Cimo has received support from well-known industry publications Notion Magazine, iHeart, Medium.com/ Authority Magazine, EDM.com, CLASH Magazine, Your EDM, and Dancing Astronaut to name a few, and has been aired by none other than BBC Radio London’s Judi Love, contributing to his stream count of just over 2 billion worldwide. The songwriter has won a Buma National Award for the Double Platinum release ‘Mooie Dag’ (‘Beautiful Day’) with Jayh Jawson. Additionally, Cimo Fränkel co-wrote Hardwell’s track ‘How You Love Me’ featuring Snoop Dogg and Conor Maynard. Other favourites include Yellow Claw’s ‘Shotgun’, R3HAB & A Touch of Class’s song ‘All Around The World (LaLaLa)’.
Cimo Fränkel was born in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. He grew up around his father who was a funk musician who would invite Cimo to join him in the studio and enlightened him on the DIY ethos of funk culture. At the age of fifteen, Cimo would explore music production and collaborate with other young and passionate Dutch musicians. The musician has cited the works of Michael Jackson and Huey Lewis as highly inspirational to the artist he is today. This latest collaboration draws strong comparisons with The Weeknd, Billie Eilish, Frank Ocean and Tate McRae.
Swooning with soul, the deluxe edition of Cimo’ Fränkel’s self-titled debut album brings listeners several previously unheard remixes, acoustic versions, and more. While the original project brims with alt-pop goodness, the new edition exposes Cimo’s vulnerable side. Up close and personal, we are invited to his world and introduced to a blend of confessional lyricism and intimate instrumentation.
Cimo Fränkel shares how the album came together: “This album is special to me because it wasn’t written and produced in one place. I traveled the world during that time which makes it feel like an adventure. I had to open the album with a song I wrote and recorded with my father because he is one of the main reasons I am in music in the first place.”
Listen to the deluxe edition of “Cimo Fränkel” now, stream it on your preferred music service and connect with Cimo on his website and social media.
Tracklib Increases Producer’s Access to Real, Original Music, Delivering 5X the Value of its Current Subscriptions
With 5 times more downloads, Tracklib’s subscription plans now grant producers access to more tracks, as compared to Tracklib’s previous subscription tiers.
With 5 times more downloads, Tracklib’s subscription plans now grant producers access to more tracks, as compared to Tracklib’s previous subscription tiers.
Tracklib is the only online service available for artists and producers to automatically sample and legally clear real, original music that is accessible to every music creator. Tracklib levels the playing field with affordable options, so anyone can mix like the top producers, and have tools to help them do so.
Tracklib has now improved its subscription model, adding additional track allowances to each tier, without increasing the cost of any level. Plans still begin at $5.99 per month, but now at the the most affordable Essential tier, producers receive 25 track downloads instead of the previous 5 tracks. Their other subscription tiers reflect similar changes, offering more tracks to enable creativity and inspiration in producers worldwide.
Subscribers have access to an impressive catalog of 100,000+ previously released songs and multitracks from amazing labels, artists and publishers such as Bob James, Isaac Hayes, Bandai Namco, Karen Records, Luaka Bop, Sun Records, Acid Jazz, Habibi Funk / Jakarta Records, and Tru Thoughts, who join many more on tracklib.com. Artists including Kendrick Lamar, IDK, KAYTRANADA, Felix Jaehn and many others have released new music with samples from Tracklib, in recent months.
“To the benefit of all the producers and artists that use Tracklib, and all the labels and publishers that supply music to our catalog, we decided to look further into how the model could be improved,” says Pär Almqvist, Co-Founder & CCO at Tracklib. “With more tracks at their fingertips, producers can dive broader and deeper into music discovery.”
“Tracklib has become the go-to service for sampling producers and artists – both upcoming and established,” adds Almqvist. “This upgrade will only prompt more creativity and inspiration, and we’re excited to be a part of that.”
About Tracklib
Tracklib is the world’s first and only digital service for clearing samples, finally solving a huge problem in the music industry and leveling the playing field by making sample clearance accessible and affordable. Their catalog consists of over 100k all-original recordings from over 400 record labels and publishers around the world. The catalog includes everything from Bob James and Isaac Hayes to Mozart. Samples from Tracklib have been used in major songs from artists like J. Cole, Phantogram, Mary J. Blige, Lil’ Wayne, DJ Khaled and BROCKHAMPTON.
Tel Aviv Hip-Hop Artist Benjamin Elias Debuts His Concept Album "Prana"
Tel-Aviv based hip-hop artist, Benjamin Elias' goes beyond boundaries in his highly-anticipated concept album, “Prana” - out now.
Tel-Aviv based hip-hop artist, Benjamin Elias' goes beyond boundaries in his highly-anticipated concept album, “Prana” - out now.
Featuring artists, TraVoYn, Tony Millions, Guyku, and Soul Special (who is credited as a producer on all seven of the album's songs), Prana taps into the creative flow state as Benjamin wrote the album during a one week creative binge, telling the story of what it feels like to truly live in the now.
Deeply tied to his yoga practice, the album is supported with short, lyrical breakdown visuals (Genius style) alongside some videos explaining how falling in love with yoga inspired him to discover to explore new subject matter in his music and will include a Yoga teacher demonstrating and explaining some positions: exposing the listener to the yogic concept of "Prana".
Swoosh God Releases His New EP "Echo Son" and New Video “Do Ya Sh#t"
Valley Stream, NY based rap artist @SwooshGod returns with his new EP, “Echo Son”, and a new video for “Do Ya Sh#t.” Check out both now!
Swoosh God (AKA “Swoosh Jesus”) is a native New Yorker, born and raised in Valley Stream, NY. A cultural shapeshifter and iconic tastemaker, Swoosh originally made waves during the “Soundcloud Rap” era, and created a virtual cult following before he was discovered by Playboy Carti; who inked Swoosh God to his label imprint at Interscope Records.
After departing his deal with Carti, Swoosh got back on his independent grind and continued to release the music that displays why he was so heavily sought after and labeled a future star; including collaborations with Lil Uzi Vert, Juicy J, Rich The Kid, Famous Dex, Matt Ox, placement on the NBA2K Soundtrack and an appearance (“Swoosh Me Up!”) on A$AP Rocky’s AWGE DVD release.
Now, with major ties to the A$AP Mob & AWGE, Swoosh God returns with his new EP, Echo Son, and a new video for “Do Ya Sh#t.” Check out both below and connect with Swoosh God on his social media.
Ezza of Choom Gang and Kadaj the god Drop Their Collaborative Album "Chapel Ceilings"
@ezza905 and Kadaj the god have created an epic reunion for the ages with “Chapel Ceilings”, an 11 track journey through the minds of two enlightened emcees with a synergetic chemistry that did not miss a step after nearly 10 years of separation. Check out this DOPE album now!
As classic east coast underground hip hop experiences a triumphant renaissance in this post-pandemic era of rap, emcees from Buffalo, NY have been major torch-bearers for the style’s new-age resurrection.
Now, out of the surrounding Niagara area come two rappers who originally linked up across borders in 2009 under the guidance of the late creative pioneer chuck Nyndees. Around the time of chuck’s passing, Kadaj the god (originally from St Catharine’s, ON) would relocate to North Carolina for a nearly decade-long hiatus while Ezza of Choom Gang held things down in their mutual birth town in Southern Ontario.
In 2022, the two have created an epic reunion for the ages with “Chapel Ceilings”, an 11 track journey through the minds of two enlightened emcees with a synergetic chemistry that did not miss a step after nearly 10 years of separation. The album, which is an absolute treat for any fan of the art form, was just released alongside their debut video “Sam Porter Bridges”.
Check out the visual below, as well as the “Chapel Ceilings” album, below, stream it on your preferred music service and connect with Ezza of Choom Gang on his social media. Also, be on the lookout for our in-depth review of “Chapel Ceilings” coming soon.
Stream and Share “Chapel Ceilings”
Connect with Ezza of Choom Gang: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
Toronto Rapper Nue Releases His Brand New Album "PLAYGROUND"
Having always felt an attraction to the future and experimenting with industrial sounds in rap, Toronto’s Nue takes a step back on “PLAYGROUND” to do something more traditional with rock sounds. Displayed in the cover art is a child in a sandbox in an abandoned city to parallel u met me at a strange time's artwork of the city burning.
You could say that Toronto rapper and singer Nue has an underground sensibility with global accessibility. He's smashing up parameters, but writing some of the catchiest songs you will hear this year. "It's exciting to be putting out music because I went in a whole direction I'd never gone in before," Nue says. "It was a process that I started during COVID, where I thought I had to have different sounding music. My producer Modmaxx sent me some real guitar loops and I made a song that didn't have drums on it, more of a punk vibe. It was out of my pocket from what I usually do and spurred the whole project."
That song, the electro-chaotic rock-rap plea "Wallflower," serves as the latest single from Nue's full-length PLAYGROUND album. "Wallflower" hears Nue express things in a certain way that was new to him, having never made any form of rock music or alternative – whatever you want to call it.
Watch the music video for “Wallflower” below, check out “PLAYGROUND” on your preferred music service and connect with Nue on his social media.
Exciting German/Swedish Teenage Siblings HAVET Release Their 5-Track Debut EP “Mamas Lullaby”
Exciting German/Swedish teenage siblings HAVET have released their 5-track debut EP “Mamas Lullaby”. The record features recent uploads “Child”, “Toxic” and their latest single also out now, called “Mamas Lullaby”.
Exciting German/Swedish teenage siblings HAVET have released their 5-track debut EP “Mamas Lullaby”. The band comprises of sisters Josy (17) and Mimi (19.) The record features recent uploads “Child” & “Toxic” and their latest single also out now, called “Mamas Lullaby”.
The title track “Mamas Lullaby” grapples with the feelings of needing help and feeling alone, head-on. It’s rich in warming production and lyrically emotive like in all their releases to date,
With this debut EP fans will find familiarity in their debut track “Child” featuring on the tracklist along with this upload along with three new, unheard tracks. The EP promises to feel both nostalgic yet contemporary, exploring themes of youth, and coping with what the world throws at you whilst also being songs that’ll make you want to dance. The tracklist & EP artwork are listed below.
Listen to “Mamas Lullaby” right now, and connect with HAVET on their IG.
Connect with HAVET: Instagram
Cinematic Bass Duo Koven Unveil Their Anticipated EP "Higher Ground (Part 1)" on Monstercat
Award-winning cinematic bass duo Koven have just revealed the final chapter to their anticipated ‘Higher Ground (Part 1)’ EP, arriving with the final single and festival set opener “Industrial Strain,” a high-energy drum & bass track with a relevant message.
Award-winning cinematic bass duo Koven have just revealed the final chapter to their anticipated ‘Higher Ground (Part 1)’ EP, arriving with the final single and festival set opener “Industrial Strain,” a high-energy drum & bass track with a relevant message. Having been a staple on the touring circuit this summer, across more than 35 dates ranging from festivals such as Glastonbury, Tomorrowland, and EDC Las Vegas, it epitomizes why the beloved duo have become a mainstage addition globally. Following singles “Take it Away,” “Lions” and “All We Needed,” it’s an impressive offering to a diverse collection of records, each paying homage to Koven’s signature emotive penmanship.
Koven share, “‘Higher Ground’ has been a really fun and unique experience for us. Historically all of our writing happens remotely but this time around, the music was written over a few days at a writing retreat. This also presented opportunities like working with Max's old music theory teacher, Simon Dobson, who helped us with all the string arrangements alongside the Parallax Orchestra. That wouldn't have happened if we didn't accidentally bump into him whilst on the writing retreat. Since the album [‘Butterfly Effect’], we set ourselves a new mantra of 'leveling up' and being the best version of ourselves, and that's the meaning behind 'Higher Ground'. We hope you enjoy ‘Part 1’ and we have even more to show you on ‘Part 2.’”
Returning once more under the Monstercat banner, a figurative home for Koven where they released both their ‘Butterfly Effect’ and ‘Butterfly Effect (Deluxe)’ LPs, they continue to explore a range of dance music genres in their robust compositions. Already securing support from tastemakers including UKF and BBC Radio 1, their ‘Higher Ground (Part 1)’ EP ushers in a new chapter set to redefine the pair. “Industrial Strain” incorporates what Koven are best known for; drum & bass with empathic emotion. The precision and depth of Max’s production merged with Katie’s earnest songwriting and vocals is perfectly embodied through “Industrial Strain,” a track which has marked itself with its epicness by the crowd’s reaction on stage to tens of thousands at Belgium’s Rampage Festival.
Having spent the lockdown period further sharpening their craft, as well as showing the breadth of their creativity through their virtual reality space Another Home, Koven are proving to be artists in the truest contemporary sense. And now ‘Higher Ground (Part 1)’ is complete as dancefloors have returned around the world, leaving fans eager for more to come in ‘Part 2’.
Listen to “Higher Ground (Part 1)” below, stream it on your preferred music service and connect with Koven on their social media.
Jay Worthy and Harry Fraud Release Their New Album "You Take The Credit, We'll Take The Check"
@jayworthy142 and @HarryFraud have a long-standing collaborative history, and now they are back with their latest re-formation with “You Take The Credit, We’ll Take The Check”. Listen to this DOPE new album now.
Jay Worthy and Harry Fraud have a long-standing collaborative history. Even as established in the industry as they both are, a lot has transpired since the last time they connected, Eat When You’re Hungry, Sleep When You’re Tired (2020), and there’s little debating that both artists have experienced a major level up in between.
Both Jay and Harry have seen their profiles raised exponentially. Jay Worthy has since signed with Griselda Records, appeared on Isaiah Rashad’s The House Is Burning (“True Story”), released a new project with LNDN DRGS (Burnout 4) and collaborated with Larry June on the breakout 2 P’z In A Pod.
Harry Fraud has been equally as busy. Since Eat When You’re Hungry, Harry has produced chart-topping projects for Curren$y (The OutRunners), Dave East (Hoffa), Lil Peep (High Fashion), Benny The Butcher (The Plugs I Met 2), Jim Jones (The Fraud Department) and French Montana (Montega).
Now, Jay and Harry are back with their latest re-formation with “You Take The Credit, We’ll Take The Check”, which is now available at all DSP’s.
“We did this album in the Hamptons on some real player shit” Jay Worthy recalls. “We wilded out, ate good, swam and rode bikes. It was a beautiful experience to say the least.”
“This album is the second chapter in me and Worthy’s musical story. The last project was the appetizer and this is the main course” Harry Fraud explains. “We’ve refined the sound this time around and zeroed in on the lavish textures that compliment Jay’s manual full of game told through his raps. All the way down to the cover art, which is a view from inside the diner off the last album’s cover. The title is a sentiment we both share, f*ck the credit, give us the bread, because at the end of the day you can’t pay your bills with clout.”
Produced entirely by Harry Fraud, “You Take The Credit, We’ll Take The Check” features appearances from Larry June, Curren$y, Conway The Machine, Big Body Bes, Kamaiyah, BandGang Lonnie Bands, MadeinTYO & A$AP Twelvyy.
Listen to “You Take The Credit, We’ll Take The Check” right now, stream it on your preferred music service, and connect with Jay Worthy and Harry Fraud on their social media.
Stream and Share “You Take The Credit, We’ll Take The Check”