What happens when you combine synthwave with wall shaking midtempo dubstep and a cinematic paranoid thriller theme? San Francisco-based producers HIGHSOCIETY and BLKBRST have the answer for you in their new single "One Of Them", and it's epic! Since hitting the scene in 2016 and 2017 respectively, the two have each risen quickly, with this collaboration breaking 100k streams across platforms in just over a month.
Los Angeles based trio Wolves have released a wonderful, uniting anthem against inequality and injustice called "Shoulder to Shoulder". The track has a dancey and hopeful feel with strong vocals over energetic instrumentation and a driving beat. The band wrote of the song: "This single is dedicated to the life, work, and principals of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr." Their powerful message is, "one that says we must always be in this fight TOGETHER for equality. As long as there are those who stand against justice and equal rights for all of humanity, we must - and will always stand - shoulder to shoulder."
LA-based R&B/pop artist DYLN has released the first single "Happy" from her forthcoming 3-track project "Chapter 2: The Silver Lining". She wrote on Instagram: "i'm so excited about the message on this one... cause too many of us are waiting on being happier...i hope this song gives y'all love & contentment. right where u r." See her blog for more. The track has smooth production that makes way for her brilliant vocals and message to take the spotlight. Keep an ear out for the final two tracks "Lately" and "Play God" coming soon!
New York-based rapper Drama B keeps focused, grinding on his own over a lonesome piano melody and beat on his fantastic new single "By Myself". He's a hard worker and keeps it real, speaking openly and humbly live on Facebook regularly. He wants his music to show others that they aren't alone when going through tough times and to be honest about life and use his music to encourage and lift up others.
From growing up in the harsh neighborhood of Highbridge in The Bronx, NY, to interning at Atlantic Records (Lounge Studios) learning recording techniques and insight on the music industry, to now having a family with two children and working as an independent artist, he's got a lot of experience and things to share in his music. He's got a lot of new songs coming in 2019 and each will be available to download for free for the first 7 days from release so stay tuned to his channels!
Bat-eating Japanese DJ/producer Hommarju and US producer Akira Complex have teamed up again for a new electronic EP called "Break Stasis", the second following their earlier collaboration EP "We Are Connected" about connecting as musicians across the globe and connecting English with non-English audiences. The final track "Dying Scarlet" on the new EP fades in smoothly with driving synths, adds lovely melodic high pitch vocal chops and builds the atmosphere until the drop revealing the kick drum at last [...]
Wildly grey-haired, koala-identifying LA-based artist FRND wears his heart on his sleeve on his wonderful new electro-pop EP "Before U I Didn't Exist". The fourth track "Medicine" has a strikingly catchy and emotive vocal melody straight off the bat before introducing a groovin' bassline and snare percussion. He's currently working on his debut full length album to be released this year. He shares some pretty cool videos on YouTube like this one on the making of "If It Hurts", the final track from the EP, and another where he sampled his friend fighting over the phone and turned it into a really neat track.
Canadian singer/songwriter Don Brownrigg has released a heartfelt folk ballad called "Bad Timing" from his forthcoming album "Fireworks" about the struggles of love, set to be released February 22nd. He will be touring in support of the album soon after with upcoming dates booked in Calgary, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Toronto and Ottawa - more info on his website. His vocals on Bad Timing are richly textured and layered over rhythmic guitar work and beautiful violins.
Brownrigg wrote: "Bad Timing is an empathetic view on not being available to someone but understanding what they need and want from you. Rarely do timing and feelings align perfectly - for me, at least. It is a song on the album about me having to back away and reject someone where several others are about me having unrequited love."
Our Five for Friday this week has been postponed until Monday, but we have a beautiful track for you tonight from NJ-born producer Nurko and Nashville-based vocalist Luma, who have released a gorgeous melodic dubstep single together called "Tonight" out now on label Lowly Palace. Nurko is known for his tracks with feels, and over soft guitar and soaring electronic production Luma cements them again on Tonight with her beautiful vocals. As it says in Nurko's bio: "Some music gives you goosebumps. That music usually isn't played in the club. Nurko wants to change that."
Texan producer PRISMO has released a sweet, emotive electronic pop track called "Blame". He explains, "Blame is about caring for someone so deeply that you wish you could take the burden of their guilt and pain. It hurts to see the people I that love suffer, and sometimes I just wish I could suffer for them. I want the blame and the burden to fall on me." The verses feature soft synth pads, finger clicks and warm layered vocals before the track works into a big catchy progressive house chorus.
Los Angeles-based DJ/producer INRVISN has released an uplifting melodic dubstep single with lovely vocals from BAER called "Life Itself". The production is big and cinematic, and sweeps you up like a sonic hug which it offers confidently with the line: "this love ain't negotiable". His influences include Illenium, Kaskade and Hans Zimmer, and you can hear them along with some Seven Lions coming through on the track. He plans to release a song a month in 2019 so follow him for more! Check out his cute Shiba Inu Zoe too here!