On Friday 2nd June, 2023, Miller Blue’s soothing tones resonated around All Four Studios in Manchester signalling the start of the second show of a four part debut headline UK tour. The alt-R&B artist couldn’t have wished for a better setting to showcase his new EP 4 Degrees of Separation, released in May 2023. All Four is a bright, clean venue, with acoustics perfectly complementing his soulful sound, and an outdoors area practically begging the audience to enjoy a pre-gig pint in the sun. 4 Degrees of Separation explores the stages of a relationship, “from infatuation and lust to love…
Author: Olivia Nakar
The weather’s getting warm, it’s almost beer garden weather, the festival season’s coming up… and today ESSIRAY has dropped her new single Floating Up, the perfect addition to your summer soundtrack. Created in collaboration with producer and musician Alex O’Keefe, Irish singer, songwriter and producer ESSIRAY has taken inspiration from artists such as Pink Pantheress, Charli XCX and Piri to create a euphoric dance-indie pop track. Despite hyper-pop influences, the opening brings R&B to mind. Subtle guitar riffs, ethereal synths, and melodious, soothing vocals ease us into the track before a classic filter sweep creates an effortless transition into a…
Miller Blue embarks on a mission to guide listeners through the four stages of a failed relationship in a four-part EP titled Degrees of Separation. Eye to Eye, the third instalment, portrays stage three: acceptance. It paints a picture of two ex-lovers coming to terms with their emotions, moving on, and healing after a breakup. The track is an immersive, calming combination of muted synths, softly strummed chords, simple percussion and short and sweet guitar riffs. A quiet crackling provides a fuzzy quality, enhancing the soothing effect. Warm vocals blend seamlessly with the instrumentals. The husky quality of Miller Blue’s voice…
Mysterious and moody, Trey Joshua’s new single Drunk is the perfect fusion of pop, hip-hop and R&B to add to your playlists this March. The intoxicating track is fairly stripped back and slow-paced, but Trey’s carefully crafted lyrics and slick production techniques are captivating. He shows no fear of exposing a vulnerability in his music, and Drunk sounds that much better for it. Dark, reverb-infused vocals blend seamlessly with a punchy bassline and tight 808 beats. Moments of silence give Trey’s polarising lyrics a chance to pierce through. Meanwhile, the intense low end of the track gives Drunk a dangerous,…
Producer Mezraa and soul-inspired vocalist jjad are a musical force to be reckoned with, combining talents on their new track Subtle Games. The song tells a contemporary love story about the complex feelings a new relationship and being in an unknown situation brings. This is conveyed through soulful, melodious lyrics which seduce listeners from the start and keep them captivated until the end. Jjad’s calming vocals are accompanied by swing drums and subtle guitar riffs, expertly incorporated to add interest while maintaining the relaxed atmosphere. Mezraa’s slick production ensures verses and choruses melt together seamlessly, effortlessly creating the soothing tune…
On her new single Dreams are a Nightmare, rising artist Lenn combines electronic, pop, and R&B influences with soothing vocals and moody lyrics to create an atmospheric sound that has put her on the map in the electronic space. Musically, she has come a long way from the Christian music she grew up surrounded by. Lenn’s influences now include names like Bon Iver, Ben Howard, FKA Twigs and James Blake, and she recently joined Icarus on their sold-out 2022 UK tour, playing venues including London’s Village Underground. Lenn could certainly be making a return to the iconic venue if her debut EP, set…
Bree Rusev, a 19-year-old singer-songwriter from Australia, is definitely one for folk and soft indie fans to watch. Since placing first in the teen category of the International Songwriting Competition in 2021, she has only grown in confidence. Bree’s latest release, Dotted Lines, is a stunning song filled with warmth and joy. Enveloping acoustic guitar and a simple drum beat welcome listeners to an uplifting track. It is fairly stripped back; acoustic guitar and Bree’s own lyrical, calming voice are the main event. She combines them with extra layers of vocals and keys to make a wonderfully honest, chilled-out, comforting…
Sink into the all-consuming experience that is Familiar, the latest release from SpaceAcre. It will fulfil any dream pop fan’s musical needs, with contrasting influences artistically combined to create a dark, intense atmosphere. Jas Scott and Phoebe Little take listeners on a turbulent emotional ride; they put their hearts and souls into this track, and for just over three minutes, we get an insight into the pain of “non-romantic heartbreak” that inspired the song. In the intro, pulsating, silky vocals blend with fluid bass and plucky strings to lull listeners into a dreamlike state before launching into an explosive chorus…
“It’s my party and I’ll cry if I want to / you didn’t show up funny I thought I could trust you… you said you’d be there for me I kind of believed you” Vocals layered in rich harmonies convey the all too familiar theme of heartbreak in Exxy’s 2022 single cry if i want to. The lyrics are simple but catchy and relatable; whether this song features on a breakup playlist or a party one, listeners are sure to be able to sing along. At the start of the chorus, the lyrics are sung isolated from the previous accompaniment; our ears…