The great music just keeps coming!
Below is an eclectic mix of five new releases that we are vibing with right now.
1. Never Know – Charlotte Ooi
Based in London, UK, Malaysian/Chinese bedroom pop and R&B artist, Charlotte Ooi is well known for her smooth boudoir style vocals and a sweet breathy sound that will give you the feeling of artists such as Billie Eilish and Adele.
Charlotte’s music is an outlet for artistically and authentically expressing her emotions.. “Songs help me channel my emotions and set them free. Artistically I want to encourage more people to feel and embrace their emotions, to normalise staying with the messiness or happiness. We’re always so quick to try and fix things. Learning how to stay with our authentic selves can truly heal the soul.” — Charlotte Ooi
The latest single from Charlotte Ooi, ‘Never Know’ highlights this need for vulnerable expression of emotions and is inspired by Charlotte’s own struggles with Anxiety.
Her desire is to see this song inspire others to gain a connection with their own emotions.
Recorded in her own flat, ‘Never Know’ was co-written by Charlotte’s music mentor, artist, Lucy Warr and was mixed and mastered by producer, TOKØTA.
The inspiring track features a simple, yet effective beat and the tones of guitar, which allow Charlotte’s syrupy vocals to tell their story at the forefront of the song and to draw you into each and every note.
This is a great track to listen to while relaxing and winding down, as you have time to take in the sentiments behind the song.
You can find more of Charlotte Ooi at:
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/Lottegal
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDKThlNoiZHhAYI1eR0tHEQ
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/lottegal
You can listen to ‘Never Know’ below:
2. We Still Have More To Do – John Love
Residing in Chicago, USA, the three piece band, John Love is made up of frontman, John Love (Piano/Synth), Charlie Brooks (Electric Guitar/Bass) and Colette J. Beckwith (Drums/Percussion)
Inspired by greats such as Ben Folds, Neil Francis, Djo and The Beatles, the band came together with the creation of this track, ‘We Still Have More To Do’.
Inspired by a piece of art by Jordan Stafford, the sound began to form with John Love’s songwriting.. Charlie and Colette then came on board over a two day session to complete the single, which is the first off their upcoming six track debut EP.
Prior to the creation of ‘We Still Have More To Do’, the group had never played music together.
“The appeal of this single is to give comfort to those grieving. We have all lost someone and we all miss someone. As humans, we are bonded by our experiences of losing loved ones. So this song was written to inspire hope in the belief that someday when we all pass on, we will meet each other again – which I believe to be true.” John Love
The combination of beautiful piano lines, synth sounds and stunning harmonies, contrasted with percussive beats, creates a calming ambience that will take you straight to that peaceful, yet reflective place that John Love is creating.
You can find more of John Love at:
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/john.love.777
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/johnnylove34
You can listen to ‘We Still Have More To Do’ below:
3. Black and Blue – Pages.
Scottish three piece pop/rock band, Pages. return after taking an 18 month break to reflect during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Inspired by Royal Blood, Muse and Mini Mansions, the band formed in 2019 and have supported the likes of Scottish favourites, Dancing On Tables and The LaFontaines.
Their latest single, ‘Black and Blue’, encompasses a pop/rock song filled with guitar and synth and relates to obsession and the consequences of actions taken.
Produced by Westlake Studios graduate, Joseph Schmidt, the catchy and grooved beat, combined with a hint of attitude, within the song and the blend of distorted guitars will have you listening to every word as you can’t help but bop your head and sing along.
Throughout the song, the intensity continues to grow and build up until you’re met with the release of the final chorus that will have you wanting to listen all over again.
This is a highly recommended fun rock/pop feel song for your playlists.
You can find more of Pages. at:
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/PagesABD
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/pagesgram
You can listen to ‘Black and Blue’ below:
4. Insomnia – Lior Holzman
Israel based acoustic singer/songwriter, Lior Holzman is back to share his latest single, ‘Insomnia’.
Lior has a passion for creating storylines and stunning melodies for his listeners to create an insight into the inner workings of his world.
Likened to artists such as John Mayer, Jack Johnson, and Ed Sheeran, Lior Holzman creates a sound centred around folk, rock, and blues that is designed to inspire.
Having played for artists such as The Eagles, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and John Denver, Lior had been told as a six year old child, that he lacked talent and would never play an instrument. His determination to prove this teacher wrong led him down a path of musical artistry that has resulted in the incredible sound we hear today.
Lior Holzman’s latest single, ‘Insomnia’ relates to the inner world that we are all drawn into from time to time and the story of how it pushes away the ability to sleep.
“The song talks about those nights when you roll in bed and drift into your inner-world and thoughts that keep you from sleeping. I wrote it while I was having one of these nights.”
The track features stunning guitar lines and clear and beautifully raw vocals and will have you picturing every moment of laying in that bed as you drift to your own world.
You can find more of Lior Holzman at:
Website – https://www.holzmanlior.com
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/holzmanlior1
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCErGUr0b0TnbB7Apkpq09Aw
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/holzmanlior
You can listen to ‘Insomnia’ below:
5. Ocean (Reprise) – Adria Kain
Canadian artist, Adria Kain has opened for the likes of Grammy award-winning and platinum-selling recording artists such as ?uestlove, BJ The Chicago Kid, Miguel & Ari Lennox, while her vocals have been featured across various projects like PARTYNEXTDOOR and Allan Rayman.
Adria’s original single, ‘Ocean’ was a song that opened up her career, however since that time, she has taken the time to grow and develop, becoming more aligned with her identity as a mas-presenting queer black woman and musician.
As a response to this incredible growth, Adria has reimagined her single into her R&B release, ‘Ocean (Reprise)’.
“It’s beyond me how this song came full circle. I remember where I was in life when I first wrote it years ago. I knew it was a good song, not quite my favourite, but it had an important message that I think even went over my own head. I wrote it from a place of sadness. I wanted to create a voice for myself. One that I could run to whenever there was no one else. One that would create a platform big enough for me to exist in without boundaries, like the Ocean, because what’s bigger than that really.” Adria Kain
The track combines and features powerful vocals with softer, more breathy tones and the highlight of spoken word to portray her message.
“It’s beyond me how this song came full circle. I remember where I was in life when I first wrote it years ago. I knew it was a good song, not quite my favourite, but it had an important message that I think even went over my own head. I wrote it from a place of sadness. I wanted to create a voice for myself. One that I could run to whenever there was no one else. One that would create a platform big enough for me to exist in without boundaries, like the Ocean, because what’s bigger than that really.” Adria Kain
You can find more of Adria Kain at:
Website – https://www.adriakain.com
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/AdriaKainmusic
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFwu-Sja6QubCTSXo6SPjNA
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/adriakain
You can listen to ‘Ocean (Reprise)’ below:
Karen Harding is a Melbourne, Australia based singer/songwriter, founder of Sounds On The Couch, and founder and operator of boutique music PR service for emerging and independent artists, Rise Indie.