Tag Archives: YAKUL

Weekly Gems 123

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Georgie – Chasing Kites

Georgie - Chasing Kites

UK-based Georgie shares the expressive ‘Chasing Kites’ taken from her album, out now. Georgie was the first signing to Soul Kitchen Recordings (the label set up by Jake Bugg’s management company: Soul Kitchen), and it’s the only song on the album that she didn’t write or produce during the lockdown. Listen below for that uplifting feel.

Sounds like: Sigrid, Adele, Emma McGrath

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Kasbo – Play Pretend Feat. Ourchives

Kasbo by Olof Grind

Kasbo by Olof Grind

Swedish artist and producer Kasbo shares his emotionally-charged new single ‘Play Pretend’. Featuring Ourchives’ soaring vocals, the track marks a new chapter ahead of his second studio album ‘The Making of a Paracosm’ will be out on 23 October via Foreign Family Collective / Counter Records, and features a passionate embrace amongst nature.

Sounds like: Frida Sundemo, Talos, Gryffin, Vanic, Shallou

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Jesse Hite – I’m Glad You Called Me

Jesse Hite

American-born French residing Jesse Hite combines music from the West Coast of the US with synth-laden electro inspired by his French antics. His new single ‘I’m Glad You Called Me’ combines poppy hooks with a generous nod to 80s disco.

Sounds like: Róisín Murphy, Shy Girls, Jungle, LCD Soundsystem, Ian Brown, Goldroom

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Dominic Fike – Double Negative (Skeleton Milkshake)

Dominic Fike by Daniel Prakopcyk

Dominic Fike by Daniel Prakopcyk

A new wave of rockstars are taking over, and with Billie Eilish‘s seal of approval, Dominic Fike is making huge waves with his modern take on emo-pop. The track ‘Double Negative (Skeleton Milkshake)’ is one of the more indietronica-friendly tracks taken from his genre-bending new album, ‘What Could Possibly Go Wrong’.

Sounds like: Glass Animals

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Glass Animals – It’s All So Incredibly Loud

Glass Animals by Ollie Trenchard

Glass Animals by Ollie Trenchard

Glass Animals shares the David Wilson (Tame Impala, Christine and the Queens) directed video for new single, ‘It’s All So Incredibly Loud’. Written about three seconds of life, in which during that short heartbreaking moment, devastation creates a deafening silence, followed by a point of no return.

Sounds like: alt-J, Tender, Pale Hands, Foreign Air, Everything Everything, Son Lux

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Weekly Gems 122

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Muck Spreader – Carnal Tongues

Muck Spreader

Take a ride to sonic ecstasy with Muck Spreader‘s new single, ‘Carnal Tongues’. It’s a collision of genres and ideas, with vocalist Luke Brennan’s curious spoken words luring you into this weird and wonderful world.

Sounds like: Black Midi, Comet is Coming, Fat White Family, Attawalpa, YARD ACT

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Tungz – Go Out

Tungz by Cameron Nicoll

Tungz by Cameron Nicoll

Written in four different places as two of the band members were sofa surfing, Bristol-based outfit Tungz shares their latest single, ‘Go Out’ focuses on anxiety caused by overexertion and bad
routines.

Sounds like: Patawawa, Bamily, Vulfpeck, Tame Impala, Still Woozy

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Jeremy Zucker – supercuts

Jeremy Zucker by Stefan Kohli

Jeremy Zucker by Stefan Kohli

Platinum-Certified singer-songwriter Jeremy Zucker shares catchy pop single ‘supercuts’. Named after the hair chopping salon, it’s feel-good summertime anthem co-written and co-produced by Jeremy and Max Martin’s MXM camp in Stockholm.

Sounds like: gnash, Chelsea Cutler, John K, Sasha Sloan

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Afonso – Bloom

Afonso

Soul and jazz-influenced artist Afonso shares ‘Bloom’. A big bold reflection on the first stages of a relationship, as the love grows and develops, set to a beautiful hazy groove.

Sounds like: Lianne La Havas, Nick Hakim, Moses Sumney, Yakul

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White Lights – Body Trap

White Lights

White Lights shares ‘Body Trap’, the lead single from his forthcoming ‘NUMBSKULL’ album. With its dark underbelly, the R&B track borders into the realms of hip hop and emotionally-withdrawn electronica.

Sounds like: MTNS, George Gretton, James Blake

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Amy Milner – Closer

Amy Milner

Amy Milner

Amy Milner shares a tale of inner conflict in her new single, ‘Closer’. Written alongside producer Tim Larcombe (Lana Del Rey, Halsey) between Amy’s home in Suffolk and Tim’s studio in Brighton, “Closer” is the second single from her new EP ‘Big Bad Thoughts’ due later this year.

Sounds like: Amy MacDonald, London Grammar, Rae Morris, Lucy Rose, Laurel, Gabrielle Aplin, Soak, Florence + The Machine

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Chaz Cardigan – Everything’s Wrong

Chaz Cardigan

Hot off the chat with his idol, Imogen Heap, pop artist Chaz Cardigan takes on post-breakdown life with his bombastic new single, ‘Everything’s Wrong’.

Sounds like: Harry Styles, Declan McKenna

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Galdive – Nescience

Galdive

Using fascinating art and interesting musical approaches to portray complicated relationships, Australian-based R&B duo Galdive shares their stunning jazz-fused song, ‘Nescience’.

Sounds like: Caswell, ODESZA

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Weekly Gems 110

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St. South – Growing Up

St. South

St. South is the moniker for Australian singer-songwriter-producer-multi-instrumentalist Olivia Gavranich.

She is known for creating blissful, nuanced and soulful electro on her own terms. Taken from her debut full-length album ‘Get Well Soon’, the visuals for ‘Growing Up’ refine the simplicity of life, out there in the world.

Sounds like: CAPPA, Tusks, Haux, Vancouver Sleep Clinic, Henry Green

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Sea Girls – Do You Really Wanna Know?

Sea Girls - Do You Really Wanna Know?

Quite possibly their most commercial (and arguably most catchy) release to date, ‘Do You Really Wanna Know?’ is a beacon of hope during these anxiety-inducing days.

Expect their emotionally charged, deeply personal, hook-laden debut album ‘Open Up Your Head’ to be released on 14 August via Polydor.

Sounds like: Marsicans, The Maccabees, Bombay Bicycle Club, Swimming Tapes, Slow Riot, Two Door Cinema Club, Sundara Karma

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Ayelle – Fast Life

Ayelle by Polly Hanrahan

Ayelle by Polly Hanrahan

Rising R&B artist Ayelle returns with ‘Fast Life’; a lesson in self-care, especially important during these trying times.

Part of the lesson includes yoga, drinking tea. as Ayelle explains, “…making time for yourself to slow down and conquer fomo“. Listen below.

Sounds like: Banks, 4AM, Wet, IYES, Tove Lo

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Kidsmoke – The Bluest You

Kidsmoke

Welsh Indie-pop quartet Kidsmoke releases the hypnotizing new single ‘The Bluest You’ on Libertino Records.

With a sensational and emotional build, the track picks apart the impact of mental health on loved ones, taking a more sombre tone than previous releases.

Sounds like: Boy Azooga, Penelope Isles, Swimming Tapes

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LU KALA – Want You

LU KALA - Want You

Pop-powerhouse and rebel LU KALA returns with her empowering new single ‘Want You,’ co-written and produced by Terrence Lam (Drake/Rihanna, Alessia Cara, Kaskade, Meghan Trainor).

Paving the way for female strength, she is ready to face herself when it comes to self-sabotage. Are you ready too?

Sounds like: Tones & I, Paloma Faith, Duffy, Macy Gray, Vera Blue, Thelma Plum, Ava Max

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pluko x Panama – higher

pluko

Bedroom producer-turned main stage act, 19-year-old pluko teams up with Australian vocalist Panama for a lush indie electronic single, ‘higher’.

Amassed glistening synth-work, ethereal vocal work, and a steady, rhythmic drum beat, this is is a treat for the ears.

Sounds like: Bon Iver, ODESZA, Petit Biscuit, Ásgeir

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CLUBHOUSE – Weekend

Clubhouse

Who cares if it’s not shining right now, because it is sure as hell shining wherever these five go.

The release of ‘Weekend’ – a jazzy summer bop that creatively balances simplicity and swagger – kicks off the summer for rising pop band CLUBHOUSE.

Sounds like: Surfaces, Peach Tree Rascals, Tom Misch, Yakul, Easy Life, Still Woozy

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Pastel – Daylight Feat. Ben Kessler

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Pastel - Daylight Feat. Ben Kessler

Looking for a soulful release this Spring time? Look no further than this delightful song from rising multi-instrumentalist Pastel featuring the stunning vocals of Ben Kessler.

Having already remixed records for the likes of Camila Cabello, Pastel is entering 2020 with his strongest material yet.

‘Daylight’ is the latest creation from the London based French-Polynesian, taking us on a beautiful journey of whimsical, funked-up neo-soul. ‘Daylight’ is the third single off the forthcoming EP ‘Cereal’ due for release in June.

Sounds like: FKJ, Tom Misch, Boy Pablo, Yakul

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Still Woozy – Window

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Still Woozy

The vibrant visuals for ‘Window’ from Portland-based Still Woozy is a short and sweet burst of summertime, cocktail-sipping bliss, full of playful melodies, complete with a sample nod to Marvin Gaye.

Want more? We’re also massively digging his Tame Impala isolation cover below.

Sounds like: Easy Life, Yakul, Clairo, Max Pope, Von Sell, Low Hum

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Max Pope – Hologram

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Max Pope - Hologram

UK-based Max Pope creates music that considers the universal experiences of life, love, loss, human connections and isolation in a new way.

Full of imagination, “the Max Pop world” encompasses funky basslines, giddy vocals and songwriting beyond his years. As a gardener in his day job, Pope longs to feel connected to the natural world.

The visuals for his woozy new single ‘Hologram’ capture this perfectly. Watch below.

Sounds like: Loyle Carner, Jordan Rakei, LIONLION, Still Woozy, Yakul

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Weekly Gems 100

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TESSA – Bad Bad Love

TESSA

Australian artist Tessa Neale (fka Hoodlem) wants to leave her ego at the door whilst making music. Unfiltered and full of sass, this is TESSA at her core.

Produced with Jeff Hazin and featuring Toronto rapper Terrell Morris, her new single ‘Bad Bad Love’ is an upbeat anti-love song sending a message to the game-playing lovers everywhere…we see you.

Sounds like: Mahalia, Empress Of, Nao, Jessie Ware

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Francis Novotny – Someone I Wanted To Be

Francis Novotny

Young Swedish songwriter Francis Novotny shares the beautiful ‘Someone I Wanted To Be’.

With modern rings of The Cinematic Orchestra‘s ‘To Build A Home’, the cinematic approach to this stripped-back song – about love, regret, and new perspectives – is delicately composed with an emotional piano progression, whilst his vocals take centre stage.

Sounds like: The Cinematic Orchestra

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STRØM – Blurred Out

STRØM

After months of anticipation, Swedish artist STRØM finally unveils his earnest chops, whilst, ironically sharing his new single called ‘Blurred Out’, taken from his debut album, ‘Immortal’ out now via This is Scandinavia / Sony Music.

With a cascading beat of drums and vocal loops, the track gives us an intriguing glimpse into the album.

Sounds like: Ben Khan, TENDER, Solomon Grey, James Blake

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Benji Lewis – No Alibi

Benji Lewis

Sounds like: The 1975, The Kite String Tangle, Antony Hegarty, Active Child, Gallant, Sam Smith, Solomon Grey, James Blake, Yazz, Jack Garratt, Disclosure

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Christian Cohle – Breathe

Christian Cohle by Adrian Wojtas

Christian Cohle by Adrian Wojtas

Dublin-born Christian Cohle shares his haunting and melancholic debut single, ‘Breathe’.

Mixing majestic synthesizers and driving rhythms, ‘Breathe’ explores the emotional struggle of feeling interlinked with something that turns out to be artificial. Discussing the inspiration behind his new record, Cohle says: “Breathe was predominantly informed by experiences I was going through at the time, but also very much influenced by the neo-noir science fiction film, Blade Runner 2049.”

Sounds like: James Blake, Sampha, Jai Paul, Solomon Grey

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Matthew Scott Ragland – Here and Now

Matthew Scott Ragland by Holly Peyton

Matthew Scott Ragland by Holly Peyton

Dallas-based songwriter, producer, recording artist and former band member of Austin based Nelo, Matthew Scott Ragland finds solace in a new project.

His double single, ‘Here and Now / Now is Here’ was written by Ragland from a purist point of view, where synthesizers, drum machines and string samples take the place of his trusted guitar.

Sounds like: The Stone Roses, Ulrich Schnauss, Jon Hopkins, Joe Goddard

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Pastel – Let You (Feat. Haoting)

Pastel - Let You (Feat. Haoting)

French-Polynesian singer and multi-instrumentalist Pastel unveils his impossibly smooth new single, ‘Let You’.

It’s a blissed out neo-jazz Bossa Nova fusion compiled alongside long-time friend and Taiwanese artist, Haoting.

Sounds like: FKJ, Miller Blue, Yakul, Easy Life, Hers, Tom Misch

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Weekly Gems 99

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Alfie Neale – Vices

Alfie Neale

Brighton-based singer/songwriter Alfie Neale shares his latest laid back and soul sweeping single, ‘Vices’.

It’s a song that describes the importance of the little things in life and a support network to help you through the fun times, and the more serious.

Sounds like: Yakul, Tom Misch, Jordan Rakei

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JupiterMoon – The Reason

JupiterMoon

Young Midlands-based quartet JupiterMoon is causing a bit of a ruckus.

Their energetic choruses and Asian influenced guitar hooks are written for sweaty, intimate venues. Conjuring up homegrown rock anthems at Blank Studios in Nercastle, their strongest track to date ‘The Reason’ is all the justification you need.

Sounds like: Foals, Blossoms

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A Is For Arrows – Roses

A Is For Arrows

Toronto electro-pop duo A Is For Arrows shares the lush new single, ‘Roses’.

Echoes of heartbreak glistened with a retro glow, this is easy listening electronica at its best. Listen below.

Sounds like: Lights, Jocelyn Alice, Goldroom, RAC, Le Youth, Broods

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Mokita – colorblind

Mokita

Nashville’s John-Luke Carter, aka Mokita, is a singer/songwriter/producer known for his lyrical and buoyant electronic-based pop.

Classically trained in piano in his youth, he later taught himself to play guitar and eventually transitioned into electronic music production. Taking a rewind to his classical routes, Mokita shares an orchestral version of ‘colorblind’ and it’s spellbounding.

Sounds like: Nirob Islam, EXES, Handsome Ghost, joan, FRND

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Tsar B – Unpaintable

Tsar B

Effortless and majestic with a highly cinematic yet vulnerable approach, Tsar B‘s single, ‘Unpaintable’, sees her functioning as a one-woman orchestra, songwriter, producer and singer.

An ode to the muddled emotions people that are too intelligent to just live a normal life feel; ‘They are uncatchable. They are unpaintable.”

Sounds like: GRAACE, Billie Eilish, FKA Twigs, ÄTNA

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Seafret – Magnetic

Seafret - Magnetic

The coastal town of Bridlington isn’t the first place in the UK that you think has a buzzing music scene, but we’ve stumbled upon the brilliant Seafret, who have proved us wrong.

Made up of Jack Sedman and Harry Draper, their new single ‘Magnetic’ is an indie-pop anthem at it’s finest – addictive vocal harmonies and commercial riffs, complete with a killer pop chorus

Sounds like: Kodaline, Amber Run, Imagine Dragons, Lewis Capaldi

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Luna Li – Trying

Luna Li - Trying

Luna Li (fka VEINS) shares the brooding new single, ‘Trying’.

A undeniable strong presence in the alt-pop world, Luna Li uses and blends her 14 years of classical piano and violin training with dreamy rock, to create a vulnerable and distorted sound.

Sounds like: Lykki Li, Niki & The Dove, Oh Land, Perfume Genius

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Matt Simons – Cold

Matt Simons

L.A Songwriter Matt Simons shares ‘Cold’ – a powerful piece of electronic pop that blends nostalgia and melancholic sentiment.

Speaking about the track, which has been released in time for any Valentine’s Day pessimist, he explains,

“People change, and change in any relationship is inevitable. The only question is, can the two people change together and adapt? Cold is about a relationship where they did not.”

Sounds like: Ruel, JP Cooper, Zak Abel

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Dräger – New Life

Dräger

An introvert at heart, Dräger creates unabashed synth pop bangers born from a modern heartbreak.

Co-produced by House producer LEFTI, the single ‘New Life’ marks a fresh start for the singer, multi-instrumentalist, and producer Spencer Draeger, as he uses sounds of the past to channel themes of the modern age, taking a satirical approach to the narcissisms and anxiety illuminated through technology.

Sounds like: New Order, Soft Cell, Holy Ghost!, Dansu, The Cure, White Lies, Cocteau Twins

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SK – When You Know

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SK

Exciting neo-soul newcomer SK shares ‘When You Know’, a song about knowing when you’ve found the one.

It’s evident that SK is trailblazing the British soul and jazz scene with her rich songwriting and shimmering vocals.

Immersed in the genre from a young age, she was raised on the sounds of Aretha Franklin and Donny Hathaway. As she approached her teenage years, her tastes evolved towards the jazzier sounds of the musical spectrum. SK also developed an appreciation of R’n’B after suffering a heartbreak.

Sounds like: Jorja Smith, Myo, Nimino, Yakul, Rosie Lowe, Amy Winehouse

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Weekly Gems 70

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REYNA – The Way I Loved You

REYNA

Starting off this week’s gems is yet another banger of a song from REYNA, called ‘The Way I Loved You’.

With echoes of Tegan & Sara, the Milwaukee siblings keep making delectable tunes that edge on the cooler side of pop. Click play below.

Sounds like: Haim, Tegan & Sara, Lorde, MUNA, Powers, The Aces

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Lyves – Faded

Lyves

British R&B singer Lyves (aka Francesca Bergami) shares her beautifully crafted new single, ‘Faded’.

In the track, Lyves invites us to join her on a bittersweet journey of faded love, complete with a disco-soul fusion and sweet bass lines.

Sounds like: Jesse Ware, Rhye, London Grammar, James Blake, SOHN, The Weeknd, Banks, Jamie XX, Shura, Seal

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The Bliss – Shiny Days

The Bliss by Zach Gray

The Bliss by Zach Gray

Elecro-pop duo The Bliss (aka pop songstress TYSM (Chelsea Davenport) and hip-hop/electronic producer/guitarist Felix Snow) shares new track, ‘Shiny Days’.

Described by Felix as the “dining room table anthem,” ‘Shiny Days’ is a true charmer that encapsulates a summertime love.

Their EP, ‘Heaven If You Want It,’ is out now.

Sounds like: Du Tonc, Joe Goddard, Le Youth, ADAL

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Máni Orrason – Numb

Máni Orrason

Máni Orrason by Yannic Pöpperling

We are huge fans of quirky Icelandic electro-pop provacateur Máni Orrason‘s new single ‘Numb’. In fact, we are slightly obsessed with all of the visuals for his last few releases, portraying a broken yet endearing persona of desperation and a need for love.

The visuals for ‘Numb’ flashback to straying and emotional neglect, “I had this desperate need to be seen and to be comforted. I guess i was really lonely at the time”, Máni recalls.

The EP ‘BABY ANGEL’ is out now via Humming Records.

Sounds like: The 1975, Shy Luv

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TriOrca – Ghost

TriOrca

TriOrca by Preston King

It’s time to end this week’s gems on a funky number from cross Atlantic trio, TriOrca.

Comprised of multi-instrumentalists and writers, who between them have an ecclectic array of work connections – including Jessie J, Sam Henshaw, Empire of the Sun – their modern, yet nostalgic music fuses neo-soul, hip hop and 70’s psychedelica.

Sounds like: Lauryn Hill, Myo, Kudu Blue, Yakul

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