Every week, Music News and Liberty Music look at the best new releases from emerging and self-releasing artists.
Jay Dako - Mazza Burgeoning South West London rapper Jay Dako grew up being inspired by multi-cultural sounds. He has since been rapidly making a name for himself on the UK Grime scene with a level of versatility unmatched from any artists debut solo track - achieving support from noteworthy tastemaker networks GRM Daily, GRIME.COM as well as BRITZNBEATZ. Slang for ‘madness’, Mazza is as titular as it suggests - Dako channels his high energy flow and unique style in to this no-holds-barred track that sets a narrative on his life.
Sara Kendall - You Don’t Own It Sara Kendall’s music is as forthcoming and honest as her lack of pseudonym. The Massachusetts born, Brooklyn based singer-songwriter Kendall, nimbly explores themes of empowerment, inspired by female artists and novels as much as her influences in the music world. You Don’t Own It continues her dark-pop narrative with lyrics that address female objectification with a view stand firmly against it and progress from it - laid atop a production that borders on cinematic.
YDEA - Let’s Get Lost Perfectly melancholic indie pop just flows from 25-year-old London based Danish singer YDEA. Her warm, innocent voice brings a nice contrast and ties together the dark lyrics, harmonious textures and dextrous dynamics. Let’s Get Lost addresses the reception to refugees in Europe over the past few years, and her wild disappointment with their treatment fuels a passion to instil kindness and empathy in future.
Fond of Rudy - Imagination Calypso pop band Fond of Rudy sing from the heart, with the focus of their music to create a feeling, emotion or state of mind rather than a simple melody. Stylistic references of 80s pop music icons provide another dimension to their contemporary sound. Imagination is a tale of requited love in an upbeat package.
Demons of Ruby Mae - Beneath the Surface Manchester based introspective indie rock outfit Demons of Ruby Mae are a duo that finesse their small membership into wall of sound and international export. Haunting guitars that perfectly compliment the shimmering synthesisers that leave a perfect space for dense vocal harmonies. The re-release of their breakout track Beneath The Surface brings attention to their timeless sound and sets them on meteoric path to their new album.
Laarsen - Peace of Mind @LaarsenMusic A project with a focus of bridging the digital world with the physical, Laarsen fuses humanised samples of instrumentation and vocals with modern synthesisers, foot tapping beats and new school production. Taking the best parts of UK Garage, club music, Jungle and R&B, Laarsen has no trouble in carving out his own niche. Latest offering Peace of Mind represents a level of harmony and optimism for the future, created with only positive vibes in mind and soon to do the same for you.
Vacances - Hearts Vacances are the culmination of the talents of Danny Lannon of The Frail and Alex Fitts of The Kickdrums. The duo took a unique approach to songwriting by heading to Europe to absorb sights and sounds for inspiration. Coupled with that they worked against using other songs as inspiration to create something truly unique. Hearts is soon to be every electro pop lover’s new favourite song with memorable melodies and groovy beats.
Adrian Lux - Teenage Crime (Christofi Remix) Steadily building a name for himself for the past 3 years in the dance music scene, LA based producer Michael Christofi has been garnering inspiration from R&B, hip hop and indie pop with a view to make something fresh. Christofi took first heard the original at one his first dance music gigs, EDC 2010, and now 8 years later has gotten the opportunity to remix it, bringing his own touch and energy to the nostalgia.
Kaskade x BROHUG x Mr. Tape - Fun ft Madge Multi GRAMMY Award nominated singer, songwriter and producer Kaskade, along with BROHUG and Mr. Tape have met in the middle perfectly to create the aptly titled Fun. Fuelled by a pop-focus, the song is led by Madge’s smooth vocals and the tight instrumentals’ melodic chimes.
Marcus Alan Ward - Faster Self taught multi-instrumentalist Marcus Alan Ward gives us a taste of his aperture on Electro Soul. As a myriad of his influences - hip hop, funk, R&B and many more, his latest track Faster is exactly that, with a rapturous vocal performance and funky guitar licks. The lyrics address the ever complex topic of love, dealing with being in love with a self-destructive person.
