Browsing Tag

London Pop

Sam Pearce has stormed the airwaves with their forcefully visceral dance pop debut, ‘On & On’

Posted on 14 March 2021

South London’s Sam Pearce stormed the airwaves with his forcefully visceral debut dance-pop single, On & On’, created in collaboration with Denmark’s acclaimed Pop producer, Fred Millar.

The energy emitted by the strong synth lines and bass kicks is phenomenal, but Sam Pearce’s vocals easily match the veracity as they verse lyrics inspired by all too relatable post-relationship anxiety. There’s potentially nothing more frustrating than being haunted by the past when your conscious mind tells you that you’re ‘over it’, On & On perfectly captures those emotions, but ultimately it proves that they can be overcome.

With debut releases, there’s usually a slight sense of tentative creative uncertainty, but the level of assured confidence in On & On lets you know that Sam Pearce is one to watch.

On & On is now available to stream via SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Zeli has left the indie electronica scene enraptured with her debut single ‘Almost’

Posted on 1 March 2021

‘Almost’ is the dreamy darkwave debut single from Zeli, an 18-year-old artist and producer who has already left the indie electronica scene enraptured with her intimate approach to production and lyricism.

Billie Eilish comparisons are easy to make but capturing the evocative sensuality behind this moody electro-pop hit is infinitely harder.

The entrancingly dark synth-led melodies groove at a steady tempo, ensuring that each syllable projected into Almost leaves you arrested until you reach the ethereal outro which will undoubtedly leave you feeling as eager as us to hear the London-based artist and producer’s sophomore release.

Almost is available to stream via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Soul-pop singer-songwriter Ella McCready has made her cultivated debut with ‘You Saved Me’

Posted on 14 February 2021

Lifelong London-based artist, Ella McCready, made her solo debut in January 2021 with the graciously poised soul-pop single ‘You Saved Me’ which uses infectious melodies to make sure that the deeply personal and bold introspection hits hard around the intoxicatingly mellifluous grooves.

There’s nothing more beautiful than seeing someone realising their own power once they let go of the person who they thought they couldn’t live without. That’s exactly what you’ll be able to witness in You Saved Me. The sense of realism runs deep, reassuring you that this stunning feat of neo-soul came from a hard-learned lesson. We might all learn from our own mistakes, but having tracks like You Saved Me in our aural arsenal could be the difference between self-apathy and empowerment.

Needless to say, we’re already eager to hear what Ella McCready has in the pipelines for her sophomore release. Her classy cultivated vocals combined with the stunning radio-ready production in You Saved Me will undoubtedly see her go far.

You can check out Ella McCready’s debut single via SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Ooberfuse show us just how sweet liberation can sound with ‘Set Me Free’

Posted on 14 February 2021

While the UK collectively clawed at the walls in confined frustration, London-based electro-pop duo, Ooberfuse, were gearing up to drop their latest single ‘Set Me Free’. If you’re in the mood for some aurally-inspired liberation, feel your shackles lose their grip to the danceable drop.

With a touch of Tori Amos to Cherrie Anderson’s vocals, beats which will allow you to imagine what it would sound like if you fed a Portishead record ecstasy and a production which drips with electro-pop modernity, if Set Me Free was any more on-trend it would be writing the future. The track perfectly captures the emotions which come to fruition when you finally remove yourself from someone else’s control and it feels like nothing is out of reach. Liberation has never sounded sweeter.

The official music video was released on January 4th, you can check it out for yourselves via YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

MATEI is set to release their atmospherically ensnaring alt-trap pop single ‘Omen’

Posted on 28 January 2021
MATEI

London-based singer-songwriter, MATEI’s nuanced approach to RnB Pop allows you to find strong emotion within gentle progressions, sensual vocals and poetic imagery-conjuring lyrics. Their deeply self-aware sound  ascended to new heights with the release of their single ‘Omen’.

Dig deep in the atmospheric electronic pop track and you’ll pull up raw unabashed vulnerability and discover the eccentricity within MATEI’s sound which blends elements of commercial pop with a touch of new wave trap to ensure that Omen runs through with a contemporary feel. In spite of the authenticity of Omen, there was perceptibly no compromise when it came to the commercial potential of the single. It’s a radio-ready hit which the BBC should be considering for their A-lists.

Omen is due for release on February 1st, 2021. You’ll be able to check it out for yourselves by heading over to SoundCloud. Follow MATEI on Facebook to stay up to date with new releases.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

 

Override Anxiety with Breaking Pop artist LIIYO’s Latest Single ‘Overwhelmed’

Posted on 9 December 2020

Usually, Pop ballads tend to narrate love stories which only seem to reflect Hollywood-style romance, with their latest single, ‘Overwhelmed’, London-based Pop artist LIIYO cut the pretence and projected plaintive resonant emotion which we have all felt at some point during lockdown.

Ultimately, Overwhelmed is reassurance that no matter how powerless you feel, no matter how much you feel like your sanity is slipping, those feelings will fade.

Overwhelmed is a sonorously cathartic aural extension of the artist’s compassion and tenacity when it comes to offering his fans exactly what they need to hear. It may have been their first time orchestrating a ballad, but LIIYO was able to bring a striking amount of maturity to Overwhelmed which followed on from their two precious releases ‘Bad Reaction’ and ‘Dizzy’.

With their affinity for KPOP, 90s RnB, Soul and 80s Electro all feeding their way into the mix, which was produced by Will Henderson, the instrumentals are as tender as the lyrics and vocals which offer pitch-perfect Pop harmony.

LIIYO may have only made his debut in Summer 2020, but previously, they were lending their talent to KPOP-inspired UK Pop groups who were responsible for bringing plenty of KPOP fever to this side of the pond. As a solo artist, LIIYO started to strive to find their own sound, instead of celebrating a pre-existing one. The result? Darker, deeper, more meaningful music that will undoubtedly become plenty of people’s playlist staples.

You can check out LIIYO’s latest single Overwhelmed for yourselves by heading over to Spotify.

Keep up to date with new releases from LIIYO via Instagram.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Ricky Akira transcends the notion of genres with his authentically amorous latest single

Posted on 15 October 2020
https://soundcloud.com/rickyakira/donnie-we-will-be-stars

London-based artist and producer Ricky Akira’s latest single “Donnie We Will Be Stars” proves that the concept of genres is pretty much outdated. Instead of trying to find their own sound within a pre-existing one, Ricky Akira went all-out with the authenticity in this endearingly masterful release which your soul won’t fail to recognise.

With playful polyphonic tones contorted into tranquil and cathartic rhythms, the instrumentals will make sure that you’re hooked into the progressions. While Ricky Akira and their female guest vocalist will run you through a sticky-sweet tale of romanticism and ambition.

The ‘cute factor’ may be high with this release, but Ricky Akira’s sound is anything but novelty, it’s a sure sign of amazing things to come for the charismatically magnetic artist. Watch this space.

You can check out Donnie We Will Be Stars for yourselves by heading over to SoundCloud now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

M.R.J – What Can I Say?

Posted on 20 December 2017

Everyone needs a song like Unfinished Business by M.R.J in the soundtracks to their lives. Euphoric, funk dabbled, electro indie pop beats finished with the quintessence of an infectiously upbeat styling, who could beat it? Not many, that’s why stumbling across the gems that make up M.R.J’s track list was a pretty special moment. The contemporary Pop scene is a minefield at best, you never know what mixed bag of overproduced atrocities is waiting for you on the other side of the play button. So I’d like to thank M.R.J in restoring my faith in the Pop scene with this uniquely refreshing style. If you’re a fan of acts such as Alex Cameron & Jack Ladder, you’re going to love M.R.J.

Yet Unfinished Business incorporates the right amount of trepidation in his tracks to make sure you feel the full immersive explosion which accompanies the synthesised chorus.

Whilst the undeniable history of Pop is implored with the styling of M.R.J’s track, it’s clear that he sets his own standard and tone when it comes to his music.

The London based Pop artist always has new tracks in the mix, however in the mean time why not pop across where you can sample his latest hit Unfinished Business?

https://soundcloud.com/mrjmusicuk/unfinished-buisness-2016/s-FQpTS