Self-produced/directed DIY music videos are becoming almost a necessity given the current world climate, however, some are executed better than others, and this statement rings true with the mesmerising release from Celeste, out now on Polydor Records.
Beautifully simple and graceful, the video for ‘I Can See The Change’ doesn’t try too hard to be noticed, instead, the focus is put on supporting the track itself, and allowing the attention of the viewer to remain on Celeste’s arresting vocal tones.
The video features iconic and never more relevant footage from the March on Washington in 1963, at which Martin Luther King Jr delivered his historic “I Have a Dream” speech.
Produced by FINNEAS, this modern-day jazz ballad will move you to the core.
Everything is far from ok at the moment, but perhaps we need a bit of light relief ahead of the weekend.
Cue PhilGood and his overtly optimistic attitude to what’s going on at the moment. Remember, someone always has it worse than you, so appreciate what you have. You can watch the Joren Cull-animated visuals below.
Sounds like: Honne, Joseph Salvat, Miike Snow, Glass Animals, Joywave, Just Kiddin’, San Holo
Unique band Artio share new single ‘All Things End’, released on Monomyth Records.
Embracing newly learned production techniques and taking an almost more mature approach to songwriting, with a feisty prowess not seen too often in modern bands.
US based Phoebe Ryan shares her former ‘Reality’ with us, taken from a time when she was very dishonest with herself.
The visuals for the wistful and fantastical story is inspired by the psychedelic production of The Flaming Lips‘ 2006 album ‘At War With The Mystics’, a formative album for Ryan’s music career.
Our favourte band in the UK right now, Sea Girls, share the visuals for ‘Do You Really Wanna Know?’.
Blurring the lines between reality and fansity, and touching on the topic of mental health, the video – directed by world class animator Francesca de Bassa – takes the band’s own self isolated photography and brings them to life as kaleidoscopic, animated collages.
Sounds like: Marsicans, The Maccabees, Bombay Bicycle Club, Swimming Tapes, Slow Riot, Two Door Cinema Club, Sundara Karma
Gia Woods is an emerging voice in the LGBTQ+ community, as well as in the pop sphere.
As a queer, Persian woman, born into a traditional Persian household in Los Angeles, Woods grew up a loner and used this time to make music. Her latest single, ‘Naive’ touches on the subject of discovering what you want out of an intimate relationship.
Remix connaisseur Macious has turned himself to Kidnap‘s classic track, ‘Start Again’.
As one of his biggest musical inspirations, the opportunity to remix the nostalgic original came about during a time when Macious was going through some exhausting changes. It’s offered as a free download.
Swiss jazz/soul collective Sirens of Lesbos shares ‘How Many Miles’.
Originally written about travelling the world with their future children, the song has since taken on an unexpected, larger meaning due to current travel restrictions. For those eager eared, it features some reworking of lyrics from The Fugees‘ ‘How Many Mics’.
London boys Colouring hit us unexpectedly with new single ‘Time’.
A slick and steady piano beat begins before frontman Jack Kenworthy’s heavenly vocals kick in, soon to be followed by some seriously addictive pop harmonies.
Just. Take. A. Listen. Now.
‘Time’ is the first single to come from Colouring’s debut album expected later this year on Interscope/Polydor.
Sounds like: Youngr, Ten Fé, Bruce Springsteen, Honne, The Japanese House, RÜFÜS, LANY, The 1975, Phoenix, Draper
Always the ones to make heart-wrenching pop songs for ‘Good Girls’, your favourite boy band LANY share a new video and release their debut, self-titled album.
The video for ‘Good Girls’ focuses on lead singer and songwriter Paul Klein’s hunt for his girl in a bittersweet manner, one that LANY are becoming all too well known for.
‘LANY’ is out now on Polydor Records.
Sounds like: Crozet, Pistol Shrimp, Brotherun, Goldroom, Scavenger Hunt, Still Corners, Paperwhite, Pawws, Sykes, Washed Out, New Navy, X Priest X, Roosevelt, Great Good Fine Ok, Lostboycrow, MOTHXR, X Ambassadors, Halsey, Tove Stryke, Twin Shadow, The 1975
Nashville-born and now Los Angeles-based, LANY are developing into a better and better band every time we hear them.
When discussing the meaning behind new track, ‘Kiss’, lead singer Paul Klein says. “This song is about liars. It’s about people who don’t have the balls to tell you the legitimate truth. They’ll water it down, beat around the bush, spin it whatever way they have to. They’re probably scared to tell you what really happened or how they really feel because they ‘love you.’ But they actually just love themselves.”
‘Kiss’ has been taken off their new EP, ‘Make Out’, to be released on 11 December via Polydor Records.
They are also opening for Elle Goulding during her UK tour in March. But remember, we saw them first!
Sounds like: Crozet, Pistol Shrimp, Brotherun, Goldroom, Scavenger Hunt, Still Corners, Paperwhite, Pawws, Sykes, Washed Out, New Navy, X Priest X, Roosevelt, Great Good Fine Ok, Lostboycrow, MOTHXR, X Ambassadors, Halsey, Tove Stryke, Twin Shadow
Twinkling with synths and soulful vocals, this is another endearing track from ‘Communion’.
Watch the supernatural video below:
Pre-order ‘Communion’ on iTunes here. It is out via Polydor Records.
Sounds like: Clean Bandit, Blonde, Cloud Boat, Yes Cadets, Citizens!, How to Dress Well, Lxury, Bondax, SOHN, Flume, Phoenix, All We Are, Ellie Goulding, Jungle, Sam Smith
You may recognise Sasha Keable‘s vocals from ‘Voices’ by Disclosure. She is now releasing her own material and it is good.
‘Sweetest Talk’ is the soulful third track on her second EP ‘Lemongrass and Limeleaves’. Uncomplicated, it is full of mellow 80’s vibes and R&B beats. Keable is definitely one to watch.
‘Lemongrass and Limeleaves’ is out now on Polydor Records and can be downloaded for free here.
Sounds like: La Roux, BLSHS, Disclosure, Indiana, Iggy Azalea, Katy B, Disclosure, Chromeo, Jesse Ware
There are some good bands coming from New Zealand of late. Included in that list is BROODS; an Auckland born sibling duo comprising of multi-instrumentalist Caleb Nott and younger sister Georgia Nott on vocals.
Having only formed in 2013, the siblings have already collaborated with Joel Little, who produced ‘Royals’ by Lorde.
Piggy-backing on the success of their first track, ‘Bridges’, is their second track, ‘Never Gonna Change’.
‘Never Gonna Change’ was written as a bit of therapy for Georgia after a break up. The sadness and anger are evident in the track; Georgia’s expansive vocals are constantly being drowned by a wave of dark bass lines.
Watch the engaging video below:
‘Never Gonna Change’ is taken from the ‘Broods’ EP, available on iTunes now. BROODS intend to release their debut album in August 2014.
Sounds like: IYES, Vancouver Sleep Clinic, The Naked and Famous, Lorde, Frou Frou, Imogen Heap, Shura
James Blake is an English electronic music producer and singer-songwriter from London. Blake was the runner-up in the BBC’s Sound of 2011.
Teenage Blake attended jungle, drum and bass, garage and dubstep clubs while studying music at Goldsmiths University. He began DJing and his initial releases (under Harmonimix) were rooted in the then-nascent British bass music scene.
However, Blake has classically matured since his dubstep years and whilst some criticise his move away from this genre, he still has a huge fan base, leading to a great deal of hype ahead of his debut album.
The first line from his track ‘Retrograde’ aptly states ‘You’re on your own, in a world you’ve grown’, and nothing can be more true to Blake’s musical journey to where he is today.
Watch the mesmerising video for ‘Retrograde’ below:
Blake’s second album, ‘Overgrown’ is released on Polydor Records on 5 April 2013.
Sounds like: Jamie Woon, Jamie XX, The Weeknd, SOHN
