Five for Friday: 6th April 2018
Krewella - Runaway
RIYL: 3LAU, Morgan Page, Borgeous
Electronic sister duo Krewella bring us another banger called "Runaway" which feels like a sexy drive through the night in an 80s Porsche while wearing Ray-Bans (but where you can still see out and just feel really cool). The track has a great synth/bass rhythm, irresistible vocals and some Indian-sounding vocal chopping in the chorus as well as an 80s electro synthwave section after the second chorus. Krewella are currently touring the U.S. and will be touring Europe later in the year, details are on their website.
Honest Men - Mad Love
RIYL: Vacation Manor, Walk The Moon, Young the Giant
Love ain't simple, but Texan four-piece band Honest Men are staying in "Mad Love" on their latest single. Having formed in 2015 and winning the inaugural battle of the bands at their college alma mater, Baylor University, Honest Men went on to record, self-release and tour their debut EP "Okay Dreamer" with artists including Smash Mouth, COIN and Elephante. Their first release for 2018, Mad Love has an upbeat indie pop/rock sound, led by rockin' guitars and energetic, catchy vocals. They have a couple of live performances lined up for this month in Texas, details are on their website. And if you're looking for even more music, they maintain a playlist of their favourite tunes on Spotify.
Kassandra - No Longer Lovers
RIYL: Bulow, Charlie Hanson
Following the relationships theme, Swedish artist Kassandra has just released "No Longer Lovers" via the Manifesto label. It's a very slick and immaculately produced track with a pounding beat and Kassandra's vocals sitting confidently centre stage.
Kassandra has explained "'No Longer Lovers' is all about a relationship which has ended and me, the singer, trying to move on while he's still crying on my shoulder. It's so weird that I wrote those lyrics just before it all happened to me in real life."
This exciting release is taken from Kassandra's upcoming album entitled Fantasma, which is due to come out later this year.
GYDA - Turn Up (feat. Emerson Windy)
RIYL: Rihanna, Lara Andallo
Norwegian singer/songwriter GYDA has just released her second single "Turn Up" after her debut single "No Drama" last year. It features the swaggering rap of Emerson Windy in support of what is an unapologetically sassy vocal delivery from GYDA. The confident vocal and lyric is matched by a top notch R&B pop production that hits the spot with a clear statement of intent. With this kind of form we hope to see an upcoming album from GYDA in the not too distant future.
Leo the Kind - Storm
RIYL: Flux Pavillion, Win Woo
Beginning the bridge with a hip hop-like piano beat and his fantastic vocals, Boston artist/producer Leo the Kind builds up the track's energy and then storms into a melodic electro drop on his latest single. The melodies sound slightly behind the beat giving the track a solid groove. Given the title and lyrics, it feels like Leo is weathering a "storm" with determination: "You know my style, I don't give up so easy."