Tag Archives: Violet Skies

Playlist: MALORY

MALORY - Killer Cut Offs

Following a life-changing move to Toronto from London, Award-winning singer, songwriter and producer Malory releases her sophomore album, ‘Killer Cut Offs’.

Completely self-produced, the album is full of quirky pop bangers, and Malory has kindly put together a playlist of influences for our readers.

Tove Styrke – I Lied
Tove’s album ‘Sway’ was huge inspiration for me early on when I was writing this album. The production is so cool, the songs are catchy, pop but so fresh and not cheesy at all. I love the lyrics in this one and the playfulness of the vocals.

Ashe – Choirs
Found this on my discover weekly and fell in love with it. The plucked and percussive production was something that inspired my production on songs like ‘Daydrunk’.

Rostam – In a River
I was so stoked to discover Rostam, I’d always loved Vampire Weekend but he’s just insanely talented on his own too. I really look up to him as a writer and producer. The way he builds this song, it’s so cinematic and warm. I love his ability to combine organic, world instruments and electronic sounds, this one totally inspired my production of ‘Alone With You’.

Still Woozy – Habit
This one is so funky and cool. The harmonies and melodies are awesome. His attitude and patter definitely inspired me on ‘Killer Cut Offs’.

Fortunes, Justin Bieber
These two are awesome, love love their lyrics and used to listen to this on repeat. Their hip hop influenced beats and chill production helped inspire ‘Puppy Love’.

Skip – SuperParka
Addicted to this song. The melodies, attitude and that driving bass line are pure genius. Seeing Superparka live at The Great Escape inspired me to strive to be more experimental and unafraid to be DIY in my production.

Charli XCX – Boys
I’m not alone when I say this one’s an absolute hit. The video game style production and Charli’s attitude were definitely an influence for me.

Vibes – Touch
My talented sister Taylor aka VIBES! She’s always been a huge influence on me and does everything herself. ‘Touch’ is one of my favourites, it’s so playful, glitchy, catchy and has so much sass which I adore. Love that line ’I promise to behave soon’.

Tove Styrke – On the Low
The main bass /synth line on this was a huge inspo as a starting point for my song ‘Killer Cut Offs’. The lyrics are so beautiful and honest too. Just another lovely choon from my main gal Tove.

Rostam – Wood
This was the first song of Rostam’s I heard and I totally fell in love. It reminds me of the Darjeeling Ltd. (Wes is also one of my fave directors). The composition and orchestration are glorious and his vocals are like a lilting lullaby.

Tove Stryke – Say My Name
Again, the bloopy synth bass line and her patter on this are just soooo cool. Not to mention it’s a BANGER. Lyrics, hooks and vibe it’s all there.

Sounds like: VÉRITÉ, Evalyn, Violet Skies, Violet Days, Chloe Lilac, Ryn Weaver

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Weekly Gems 107

Alara – Demons

Alara

Accomplished singer Alara shares the beautiful, ‘Demons’, a perfect antidote to current times.

Despite being heavily influenced by the power of Grimes, Alara’s music is also soft and hazy, with a soul-healing quality. Her new single is about finding solace in the idea that everyone is going through something, and we’re not so different after all.

Sounds like: VÉRITÉ, Skott, Ryn Weaver

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Chris Wills – Pyro

Chris Wills - Pyro

Los Angeles-based artist Chris Wills shares the addictive ‘Pyro’.

Finally in a place to accept himself, Wills decided to write music and just give it a go. The result is a quirky inner reflective track, which he uses to find the answers he’s been craving.

Sounds like: Myylo, Michael Medrano

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GRAE – Slow Down

GRAE - Slow Down

Introducing Toronto artist GRAE.

Delivering powerful and mystical R&B leaning pop, her new single ‘Slow Down’ touches on the topic of feminism and empowerment, and considers the topic of women finding difficulty in expressing their wants and desires.

Sounds like: RALPH, Willa, ASHS, Louise Burns

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Mt. Wolf – Tayrona

Mt. Wolf

After a long hiatus, dream pop band Mt. Wolf returns with their misty new single ‘Tayrona’ featuring Tamsin Wilson from Wilsen.

This is the first single from a forthcoming collaborative project, to be released via Akira Records, and is complete with hazy, layered soundscapes that ebb and flow into a folktronica masterpiece.

Sounds like: Daughter, Phoria, Still Parade, Vancouver Sleep Clinic, Active Child, Bon Iver

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Ernest – Never Leaving

Ernest - Never Leaving

Despite the inflicted isolation, Copenhagen-based Ernest keeps us moving with their smooth and funk-tinged single, ‘Never Leaving’.

A story conjured up following the band’s encounter with a beautiful cashier during a recent visit to the supermarket, the guys manage to dig up and present big emotions from everyday situations.

Sounds like: Liss, School of X, Frank Ocean, SILQUE

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Aaron Smith – Brother

Aaron Smith

Scottish singer/songwriter Aaron Smith shares his new single ‘Brother’, which touches on the topic of addiction.

A subject close to his heart, this release once again penetrates to the core of your emotions, fuled by experiences of both love and trauma.

Sounds like: Frightened Rabbit, Ed Prosek, Amber Run, Novo Amor, Talos

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Love You Later – Blindfolded

Love You Later

Love You Later is the brainchild of US-based 21-year-old singer/songwriter Lexi Aviles.

‘Blindfolded’, the final song on her latest EP, ‘Heaven Is Without You’, is the perfect crescendo to the lush and dreamy collection of songs, and pushes for self-realisation and liberation after shedding old skin from a recent breakup.

Sounds like: Imogen Heap, Broods, The Japanese House

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Syd Silvair – The Moth

Syd Silvair - The Moth

Syd Silvair is endlessly inspired by the rich visual narratives of the deck, and the ways in which their divine messages manifest in our physical realm.

Using The Magician tarot card as her guide, her single ‘Moth’ encourages to reclaim the power on your own terms, and is equally as fierce in its presentation.

Sounds like: Lana Del Rey, Harry, Stevie Nicks

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Raven Artson – Notice Me

Raven Artson

Ever-evolving LA-based multi-instrumentalist and producer Raven Artson releases his single, ‘Notice Me’.

It’s a lofty not-so-classic love song that takes an otherworldly opinion with eerily sweet vocals and piano-led composition.

Sounds like: How To Dress Well, ANOHNI

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OCTAVIO – Nineteen (Sad For No Reason)

OCTAVIO

Born in Monterrey, Mexico, Octavio Herrera aka OCTAVIO is a 19-year-old artist making a unique concoction of hip-hop and indie music.

Whilst in his new song ‘Nineteen (Sad For No Reason)’, there are plenty of reasons to be feeling glum at this moment in time (and he’s by no means alone), we should join Octavio in celebrating his past year.

Sounds like: Rex Orange County, Mac Demarco

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Jillian Steele – New Orleans

Jillian Steele - New Orleans

Nashville-based pop artist Jillian Steele‘s new single is written about unexpectedly falling in love in New Orleans.

But this isn’t her first crush, Steele has been performing from a young age, having formed an early love for performing, including singing and acting in commercials. Listen below.

Sounds like: Savannah Sgro, Violet Skies, Charlotte Sands

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Violet Skies – No Night, No Day

Violet Skies

Stripped back music is one way to reset things and find out what is most important to you.

For Welsh singer/songwriter, Violet Skies, this is the feeling of being alone and intimate with someone, and her latest single, ‘No Night, No Day’, portrays this in a pure and thoughtful manner.

Sounds like: Ariana Grande, Noosa, The Japanese House

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CLAVVS – Leviathan

CLAVVS by Leah Roth

CLAVVS by Leah Roth

House parties are pretty cool. You get drunk, you hook up with people, but you also meet future band members. This is what happened for Amber Renee and Graham Marsh one summer night in Atlanta in 2013.

Their mutual passion for hip hop and Radiohead soon developed, and they became known as the  electronic duo, CLAVVS (formerly CLAWS in a bid to distinguish themselves some more).

Their sound is progressive, dark, hypnotic alt-pop driven by spacey synths and anthemic drums. All with the welcoming, but tenacious vocals from Amber.

Listen to ‘Leviathan’ below. What a brilliant way for CLAVVS to kick off 2016.

Their sophomore album, ‘halfblood’, is available for pre-order until 18 February with a limited run of 100 copies.

Sounds like: Monogem, Violet Skies, TENDER, Radiohead, Millicent, Echoes, Micky Blue, ASTR

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