Author: Marcus Adetola

Exploring new music. Explaining it shortly after. Keeping the classics close. Neon Music founder.

The city that never sleeps has stirred from its slumber, entranced by a new starlet on the horizon. Radiating an indomitable spirit, 14-year-old Amelie Lucille is primed to rewrite the annals of indie-folk music with her richly textured debut album. Amelie Lucille is a sonic odyssey that navigates the intricate web of human emotions. It challenges norms and brings an undiluted celebration of love, identity, loss, and nostalgia to the forefront. The New York artist layers her hypnotic melodies with astounding depth and lyrical thoughtfulness, signifying an artist who possesses wisdom beyond her years. In each track, from the powerful…

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UK singer-songwriter Kianja has hit us with another infectious anthem, Lost In You, a sonic feast and a visual spectacle. Channelling her inner diva, she’s created a post-breakup tune that marries the time-honoured groove of Motown with contemporary pop sensibilities, resulting in a heady concoction of retro and modern vibes that is hard to resist. Drawing on the rich traditions of Motown, Kianja has sprinkled Lost In You with elements of nostalgia reminiscent of classic soul from the 60s and 70s. The single features a lively brass section that hits all the right notes while the catchy rhythm gets your…

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London-based Nigerian NISSI’s newest release, Higher, is a mesmerising rhythmic brew, a fascinating blend of Amapiano and Afrobeats. It is an enthralling medley of soulful sounds, infectious energy, and power-packed lyrics that serve as a heartening call to the human spirit. Drawing her musical threads from a varied palette, NISSI artistically intertwines the raw, invigorating spirit of Afrobeats with the dreamy, percussive energy of Amapiano. The outcome? A rich tapestry of sound, robust in depth, and teeming with lyrical and musical nuances, acting as the perfect backdrop to her vibrant lyrics. Higher is an anthem of resilience and undying determination.…

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Among the gems in Amelie Lucille’s debut self-titled album, Disposable Cameras emerges as a standout track, crafting an evocative narrative of a past relationship through the nostalgic lens of analog photography. The song commences with a simplistic guitar riff, setting a somber tone that is both intimate and inviting. With soft and haunting vocals, she draws listeners into her emotional waterscape. With her heartfelt lyrics, Take me down to your water / I’m drowning as we speak, Lucille lays bare the raw emotion of a love lost. However, within this melancholy terrain, there emerges a beacon of hope. The chorus subtly…

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Amelie Lucille’s introductory foray into the music scene, her debut album, is an audacious display of raw talent and profound emotional depth. The opening song, Mess, is a captivating exploration of heartbreak and betrayal, setting the tone for an album of unabashed emotional honesty. Lucille skillfully blends acoustic guitar, piano, and strings to create a haunting sonic landscape, which serves as the perfect backdrop for her poignant and vulnerable vocals. These take listeners through the pain and confusion of a failed relationship in a moving and familiar way. Lucille’s lyrical prowess shines as she articulates her feelings of frustration and…

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Emerging pop sensation LVRBOY drops, That’s What Friends Are For, an instant earworm. His new release is a vibrant and heartfelt pop anthem for anyone who’s navigated the tricky waters of friend-zone, as it perfectly encapsulates the bittersweet journey of falling for a close friend. LVRBOY weaves a beautiful narrative through raw, evocative vocals and sharp songwriting. His lyrics are honest, echoing the sentiments of those grappling with unrequited love, silently yearning for a friendship to evolve into something more, and questioning if the object of their affection might secretly reciprocate their feelings. That’s What Friends Are For takes listeners…

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Amelie Patterson, the prodigious indie folk singer-songwriter, is back on the scene, tugging at our collective heartstrings with a poignant new single and accompanying video, The War. This soul-stirring track delves deep into the human psyche, reflecting the complex realities of mental health and addiction in a way that’s both tender and heartrending. Through The War, Patterson lays bare the raw emotions of a tumultuous journey of supporting a loved one wrestling with their inner demons. Her vocals, a perfect blend of strength and vulnerability, glide over a gentle acoustic guitar, painting a vivid narrative of heartache and resilience. The…

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UK rapper JBEE returns with his latest single, DTB (Don’t Trust Bitches), a prelude to his debut mixtape HBK (Heartbreak Kid), slated for a July release.  DTB resonates with the familiar struggles of navigating fame, trust issues, and cherishing familial bonds, all wrapped in JBEE’s authentic and seamless storytelling that is poignant and engaging. The song commences with a bold, unapologetic declaration of his values – family comes first, wealth, and finally, romantic pursuits. The hook, “My whole life on my own, I’ve been putting in work…Nearly forgot it was DTB. I learned the hard way when she hurts me…

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In a world that’s rapidly evolving and throwing curveballs at every turn, the invigorating new track 90’s Anxiety by Ava like Lava and Imanemun emerges as a beacon of solace, wrapping listeners in a cocoon of nostalgia while simultaneously exploring the intricate complexities of modern living. Unfurling a tapestry of old-school hip-hop and R&B, this bilingual fusion song is like a love letter penned to the ’90s, steeped in an undertone of contemporary concerns. It’s the smooth and soulful vocals of Ava like Lava, harmonising with Imanemun’s nimble, rapid-fire Persian rap, that steal the show. Their synergy creates a magnetic…

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Memoria XI, the 19-year-old prodigy from Maryland, has struck gold yet again with his newest single, THE WORLD. The Mexican-American artist skillfully weaves an intricate narrative of self-discovery and rebellion against societal norms, delivering a thought-provoking and catchy track. THE WORLD showcases Memoria XI’s chameleonic sound, a daring concoction of hip-hop, R&B, alternative pop, and emo-trap. His soulful vocals hover weightlessly over the track’s ethereal, trance-inducing instrumentals, carving a sonic journey that plunges listeners into the labyrinth of his mind. The outcome is a hypnotic soundscape that’s both atmospheric and introspective. Memoria XI boldly explores complex themes. In the tradition…

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