Swiss-based musical artist Jack Rush is back this time with a end of summer banger entitled “Lovely Summer” released on August 28th for Rattler Records. Music and lyrics were written by Jack Rush and the song was produced by Tatum Rush (son of Jack Rush).
With this latest release, Jack Rush further showcases his eclectic approach to songwriting as he veers toward a more chill pop vibe. Rush explained, “I actually wrote this song with my usual guitar groove, but I gave carte blanche to Tatum to do his magic and I fell in love with his production. Afterall, I love all kinds of music and many of my biggest influences such as Beck and Damon Alborn (Blur, Gorillaz) mash-up their styles all the time. So I’m not going to be confined to any non-existent rule that an artist has be coherent, and I prefer to just do what I enjoy, rules be damned”
Jack Rush has continued to surprise with each single release in anticipation of his debut album due for release this Fall.
Captivated is an understatement of what Francine Magee’s latest single and music video, “Higher,” do to the mind. This Los Angeles-based artist presents her audience with a visual and auditory masterpiece that’s sure to leave a lasting impression when you’re through with it.
The music video for “Higher” is a stunning example of simplicity, making a bold statement. Shot entirely in black and white, the visual aesthetic strips away distractions and focuses purely on Francine’s raw emotion and powerful presence. From the very first frame, you’re drawn into a cinematic journey, with Francine captured from the shoulders up in a series of striking, intimate shots and profiles. Her expressive performance fills the screen, making you feel every word she sings, and of course, all eyes are on her.
The use of monochrome enhances the video’s dramatic flair, highlighting the nuances of Francine’s expressions and the depth of her lyrics. The minimalistic approach is a testament to the strength of her artistry, proving that sometimes less truly is more. The stark contrasts and shadows play perfectly with the song’s themes of overcoming and rising above challenges.
The choreographed moments that delve into Francine’s creative depths add to the video’s impact. Hands enter the frame, introducing movement and theatrics that complement the fresh lyrics and raw energy of the track. These hands, almost like extensions of her own emotions, add layers of meaning and visual zest. As they weave through the scenes, creating a dance that is both mesmerizing and poignant, it’s hard not to be fully entranced.
The hands symbolize external forces and internal struggles, adding a unique dimension to the visual narrative and Francine’s ability to convey so much through simple gestures and powerful vocals is truly remarkable. Each choreographed movement enhances the song’s message of self-liberation and empowerment.
“Higher” is an experience through its bold, raw, and incredibly moving moments of art that showcase her incredible talent and creative vision. Francine Magee has truly created something special with this one, and you don’t want to miss it.
Marshall Stain is an artist and songwriter who perfected a distinctive blend of Amapiano and Afro-Pop music influences. Recently, he announced his upcoming debut single, ZOMBIE. The track serves as a groundbreaking introduction to Marshall’s infectious grooves and melodies. In addition, it also highlights the incredible versatility the Johannesburg artist brings to his audience.
The song is not a stand-alone single: it will also feature on Marshall’s upcoming EP, “VILLAIN YOU LOVE,” which is going to be available on streaming services soon. The song kicks off with a melodic acoustic guitar pattern and it quickly delves into a minimalistic, yet incredibly powerful beat. Marshall’s vocals are melodic and energetic, immediately making a connection with the audience.
Find out more about Marshall Stain, and do not miss out on “ZOMBIE.” The song is now available on all the best digital streaming services.
In his own words, Andy Hobson’s latest single, Waterfalls, is Coldplay meets Radiohead, but less stadium and more kitchen. Just as he captured the sheer expansive beauty of nature as it crumbles around us before pulling it against the intricacies and destructiveness of human tendencies, he succinctly articulated his meditatively uplifting sound, which carries artful gravitas in the ever-ascending melodies.
The choral vocals bring an almost otherworldly texture to the release which makes you wonder what Where Is My Mind would have sounded like if Pixies had a spiritual awakening before producing it.
The UK-based singer-songwriter, producer, multi-instrumentalist, and wildly successful meditation teacher’s name as a solo artist may be new to the airwaves. Yet, before making his solo debut, he drummed in a Parlophone-signed band that supported the Killers when they released their iconic hit, Mr Brightside.
When that chapter of his music career ended, he turned his talents toward production and songwriting, resulting in a collection of songs penned and demoed in 2020 during the COVID-19 lockdowns. Our new favourite raconteur of compassionately-creative meditative bliss is currently collating his songs into his expectedly unmissable debut LP. We can’t wait to hear the curation.
Tragedy has a habit of letting everything pleasurable and meaningful fall into a pit of futility. When that is conflated with the virtue signalling/shaming spat at influencers and artists for carrying on with their projects, it is no surprise that there are many questioning the appropriateness of how we are conducting our lives online and offline.
It was only a couple of years ago when we were furious that the UK government tried to tell ballerinas to retrain in IT; when the Sunday Times published a poll that dubbed artists as non-essential. Then, we fiercely defended the importance of art, music, and every other form of media that gives us a brief reprieve from the misery of a late-stage capitalist world.
Sure, a few dystopic years have slipped by since, and the return of live music wasn’t quite as triumphant due to the cultural shifts that happened when we realigned our lives in the absence of the live music scenes. Just as artists were starting to pick up momentum, the value of music has once again in question, and I get it, I do. But if every time senseless tragedy struck and artists downed tools, the airwaves would be eternaly radio silent.
As for those thinking that it’s disrespectful to carry on with music in a time like this, you’re hardly bringing a clown to a funeral by keeping the cogs in the meaning-making machines that you are turning. Ever since the renaissance, music has been regarded as a humanism; that sentiment resonates just as strongly today. A few things have changed since, including artists’ ability to use their expansive platforms to do more than sell their new releases. Here are just a few ways artists and industry figures are stepping up in solidarity with Ukraine.
– On Bandcamp Friday (March 4th), artists from across the globe donated their profits from sales to Ukraine, and many more are continuing to donate their income via digital sales to Ukrainian charities for a limited time, including indie post-punk’s most enamouring baroque debonair, James Cook and the UK grunge earworm-makers, The Dying Lights.
– The revered UK punk outfit, Vice Squad, has already raised over £2,410 for Ukrainian animal rescue efforts, and their fundraiser will be running until the end of the month. To be a part of it, purchase their new EP, Humane.
– The death metal band Behemoth, the Irish thrash metal outfit Gama Bomb, and the Shoegaze legends Slowdive are all releasing exclusive merch and donating the proceeds to charity.
On March 7th, the Disasters Committee (DEC) raised over £100m in four days. That may be a drop in the ocean considering how many people’s lives are now rubble, but the solidarity and benevolent entrepreneurship has restored my faith in humanity more than one punitive man with a stockpile of nukes could ever dent it.
A&R Factory has also donated to the Disasters Emergency Committee, and we will continue to champion artists using the power of their influence in this surreally existential time.
Indie electro-pop artist Gard Read joined the swathes of artists making their debut in 2021 and scarcely left any commercial potential for the rest with ‘All We Can Do’.
While every faction of the media convinces you that you deserve nothing less than perfection while implanting unrealistic romantic ideals, Gard Read popped that naïve bubble with the reminder that Nobody is perfect. The stunning Slowdive-reminiscent guitars cushion the blow while the fiery production mimics the torrid state of mind we enter when we contend with our insecurities and question if we’re worthy of affection.
Gard Read is right up there with Empathy Test for the way he can turn raw emotion into an anthemic hit that unifies through the resonance. If any track is going to convince you to embrace your imperfect autonomy, it’s All We Can Do.
All We Can Do is now available to stream on Spotify.
Dropped off the brand new street-mood-lifter ‘Unsigned and Unspoilt Vol 1‘, Crazy James shows us the inner determination needed to get you to where you believe you are destined to be on ‘That’s My Life Cuz‘.
Crazy James is a supremely talented Luton, England-based hip-hop/grime artist. He creates that thoughtfully real music that is taken from his experiences of travelling all over the world, as he puts his heart on the bars of every line that he drops.
After headlining shows at the legendary Luna Lounge, Bear Club, and the O2 Academy, plus releasing his criminally underrated hard-hitting first music video ‘Cautious‘ late in 2019 – this is a top class musician that you need to know if you don’t already – as he is only getting warmed up, despite being one of the underground OG’s in this fickle game.
”This album has been 20 years in the making, through all my ups and downs, and over every challenge that was placed in front of me, out of the darkness came this masterpiece.” – Crazy James
This is the honest story about travelling around the world on tour and seeing many things that teach you life-changing lessons, as your hunger only elevates to a new ravenous level. It feels like he is only improving, never resting on his laurels and is only going to rip through the mic each time – as he shows new and old fans – that he is indeed the truth.
‘That’s My Life Cuz‘ from the highly-respected underground Luton, UK-based hardcore hip-hop/grime artist Crazy James, launches hotly like a massive missile into your curious mind, due to his intense barrage of rampaging bars that slams heavily into your unsuspecting face. This is that juggernaut type of music from a conscious man who has had a tough life – and who never took the easy temptation-riddled way out – that either leads you into those cold chains or six feet under.
This is easily one of the best songs of 2021, so turn it up real loud and embrace the understated brilliance.
Stream this fire new track on Spotify and see more on his IG music page.
As the burning fire inside her pulsating veins flowed over massively to perform her strikingly real music again as the world shutdown, Bridget Barkan tells us straight up how she feels about those who just greedily take whatever is given despite the soul-stealing consequences, with a stunning effort that will surely grab your attention mightily on ‘F**k You Money‘.
Bridget Barkan is a wonderfully talented New York-based and multi-hyphenate film and theatre actor, director, poet, activist, and indie RnB/soul singer-songwriter. She is also impressively a teaching artist at Carnegie Hall, working with incarcerated youth and young mothers.
”Some have said she is like the secret child of Cindy Sherman and John Waters, raised by the ghost of Janis Joplin.” – Bridget Barkan
Her melodiously elegant yet powerful voice is toned so perfectly, as he slides gracefully into your willing speakers – she sings with such precision and breathtaking meaning – her style is ferociously independent – as she never forgets where she came from.
Her beloved late Father and Uncle taught her so well and she stands for the things that mean something – hard work and being true to yourself no matter what others sneakily offer you – as she refuses that blood money and going against anything that calls her morals into question. She was told when she moved to Hollywood that people would try and grab her valuable soul away so she created a character called Mr. 1985 New York – a combination of her Dad and Uncle – and shows a fitting tribute here to their everlasting spirit and life-changing advice.
”As a singer, she toured the world with pop glam band Scissor Sisters who opened for Lady Gaga, sung with Lily Allen, drag legend Joey Arias and many more.” – Bridget Barkan
‘F**k You Money‘ from the multi-talented and totally authentic New York-based singer, actress, director and that true all-round entertainer Bridget Barkan, is an monumentally remarkable effort that is one of those pure songs you can’t forget easily. This is the insightful lesson of being rather careful with your hard-earned money – as it is so easy to spend it on things that you don’t really need – or gaining it in ways which will have you avoiding the mirror for a while, as you are so ashamed of yourself.
Your trusty gut is your only guide to true self-awareness and that rare enlightenment, which this world class human has in abundance. This is the only way to be truly grounded after all and after listening to this tremendous track, you will probably feel that this is the elusive anthem, that we all needed to find in 2021.
Hear this excellent new single on her Spotify and see more of her exciting straight-talking adventures on IG.
Taken off his wondrous three-track EP from 2021 called ‘under some trees‘, MASY emerges from from the forest refreshed with his love-struck new single about a beautiful girl he feels is rather special called ‘All I Need‘.
MASY is an Atlanta, Georgia-based indie RnB/hip-hop artist, music producer, and writer. His terrific style fuses old school hip-hop, RnB, jazz, trap, and alternative soundscapes to terrific effect.
”With the help of countless hours practicing and watching YouTube tutorials, MASY began cranking out 2-3 beats a day as a sophomore in high school. During his senior year, MASY combined his love of writing poetry with his love of music production to begin writing and recording songs of his own.” ~ MASY
His comforting vocals authentically transfix your mind into a state of thoughtful effectiveness like the greats do – each word has an air of dreamy brilliance that shows his emerging quality – through a smoke-filled bustle, that can sneakily hide so many gems in this bloated genre.
‘All I Need‘ from the youthfully talented Atlanta, Georgia-based indie RnB artist MASY, is the loving story about finding someone who you really connect with, like you have known each other for years. His smooth voice shines through so peacefully on this aesthetically pleasing track, that is sure to bring in some much-welcomed sunshine into your life.
Sometimes in life you meet that special soul who takes your breath away. Taking the chance to let them help you love again, is the only way to have your heart beating as one.
Hear this new track on Spotify and see more visuals via IG.
Mya Luv explores the relationship between fantasy and deception in her latest single, Fairytales and Lies that runs through as an ensemble of indie, jazz, blues and neo-soul; each progressive unpredictable twist leaves you more immersed in the tale that the soulstress alchemically weaved.
Mya’s rich, deep and direct vocals allow you to fall into the release, hook, line, and sinker while the soundscape shifts from accordant indie guitars to a jazz infusion complete with a soul-filling horn section. Discernibly, the sweetest spot in the soundscape is when the bluesy guitar work starts to bring a New Orleans-style into the experimental but instantly accessible soundscape.
Fairytales and Lies is available to stream via this link.
