Here is our weekly round up of our international top picks.
1. Dreamer Boy releases Best Of Me’
Nashville singer/songwriter Dreamer Boy delivered a visual for his track “Best of Me” off of his recent album All The Ways We Are Together. The standout single off of the album has lent itself to a charming visual, reminiscent of old Beatles videos. In the video, viewers get a glimpse into the positivity that Dreamer Boy hopes to spread with his music, personality and overall approach to life. Watch HERE.
Arriving last week, All The Ways We Are Together is Dreamer Boy’s second full-length album. The record is a hazy, sentimental collection of songs about love and meaningful relationships, and its release date, Earth Day, was carefully chosen. Per Zach Taylor—the artist, who grew up everywhere from Washington to Texas to Alabama, behind the Dreamer Boy name—the set is meant to reflect on the ways we relate to one another, but also the effects we have on the world.
2. Ebhoni releases a new visual for “Weston & Leona”
Praised by Fader as being “exactly the kind of energy we should all be striving to keep” 21-year-old Toronto-born singer and songwriter Ebhoni releases a new visual for “Weston & Leona” out today. Following up on her debut EP “X,” Ebhoni pays homage to her Weston neighborhood while reminiscing on memories and lessons from her late grandmother Leona.
In true Ebhoni fashion she creatively jacks PartyNextDoor’s “Break From Toronto” while sampling Miguel’s “Girl With The Tattoo” produced by Alexay Beats as she showcases her strength and proving that bad gyals don’t cry. Directed by Dilwood Media, the minimalistic visual showcases Ebhoni in her purest form as she commands attention and owns her emotions.
3. Karin Ann shares new single ‘Sociopathic’
Slovakian pop star Karin Ann has shared a brand new single today, ‘sociopathic’ with rising British talent Macca Wiles, produced by Matt Schwartz (Yungblud, Massive Attack, Halsey). Stream here
‘sociopathic’ is a transcending pop gem, gorgeously fusing Macca’s trap beats with Karin Ann’s conscientious dark pop. Soaring melodies and polished pulsating electronic production illuminate the lyrics addressing toxic relationships, where Karin Ann and Macca offer support and solace to the new generation.
“‘sociopathic’ is about relationships. It’s about what can happen when a relationship goes wrong and brings pain and emotional trauma to both partners.” Karin Ann says.
Speaking further, Macca (who has been backed by the likes of NME, Rock Sound and Earmilk) adds “I always wanted to tell stories. When singing, you can relay so many emotions. In my songs, I address issues that people are often afraid to talk about – out of fear of showing their emotional side.”
4. Prudence releases ‘Here and Now’
Olivia Merilahti (formerly of Victoire-winning group The Dø) today releases new single ‘Here & Now’. It’s the latest to be lifted from her forthcoming debut solo album under the alias Prudence, Beginnings, due out on May, 28 2021 via RCA France. The muscular, melodic ‘Here & Now’ – produced by M.I.A.-collaborator Surkin (who’s also remixed the likes of Charli XCX and Foals) – is a celebration of the pursuit of bliss and living life in the moment. Stream ‘Here & Now’ now across all platforms.
Speaking about her new track, Prudence says; ‘Here and Now’ is a song about time, about moments of bliss. The lyrics were inspired by hours spent contemplating the ocean in all its moods, healing the wounds of the past (“feels just like a cure”). This track is also about transition, when it’s time to start a new chapter, with no regret. Basically a track that calls for transcendental meditation…
After nearly a decade of success as half of The Dø – who Billie Eilish recently cited as a key influence on her Apple podcast ‘Me & My Dad Radio’, and who made French chart history with their debut Mouthful as the first act to go #1 with an anglophone album release – French-Finnish Merilahti this year makes her full length debut as Prudence. The release of Beginnings in May will follow the success of Prudence’s critically acclaimed EP Be Water, which arrived in late 2020 alongside this performance for La Blogothèque.
5. Redi Hasa releases new track ‘Finger Dance’
Following the success of his debut album, The Stollen Cello, cellist Redi Hasa announces a new Deluxe Edition out on Decca Records on Friday 11th June. Continuing his inspiring journey of a young man caught up in the Albanian conflict in the early 1990s, as he navigates his new life in Italy with his most prized possession: a stolen cello.
The exquisite collection of music will be joined by 5 new tracks which showcase Hasa’s unique style and reveal more of his poignant story, Finger Dance guides you through the scales and choreography of mastering his instrument, Play Time is wistfully reminiscent of childlike play and games, Not Far is an emotive exploration of dreams that weren’t as far away as once thought and Morning Breeze paints a picture of waking up to morning in the mountains. The final addition to the deluxe album is an unexpected cover of The Beatles’ With a Little Help from My Friends Hasa’s tribute to a band that inspired him as a young musician who dreamed of freedom.
The younger son of a cello teacher in Tirana, Albania and a choreographer at the Academy of Tirana, Redi Hasa learnt the entire cello repertoire by the age of 13, performing on an instrument owned by the state Music Academy. In 1989, as the Berlin Wall fell, Albania hurtled towards civil war, overwhelmed by poverty and financial unrest.
6. Talk Show Host release ‘Crisis Actors’
Toronto power-pop punk trio Talk Show Host is delivering another single off the upcoming debut full-length ‘Mid-Century Modern,’ out June 4th via Wiretap Records & Disconnect Disconnect Records.
The song “Crisis Actors” is now streaming on all DSPs. Check it out HERE.
Lead singer & guitar player Chris Veinot says, “Crisis Actors” was written a couple of years ago and I distinctly remember worrying that the lyrics might seem dated by the time we released it, especially after we had to delay the record due to COVID. Fortunately (?) I didn’t have to worry at all! Hooray? Yes, it’s about stupid internet bullshit, but at its core it’s about trying (and pretty much always failing) to empathize with someone who doesn’t seem open to empathy.
The video was another lockdown concoction and evolved as a kind of visual history of how my relationship with the electronic world has evolved since the early 90s. But mostly it was an excuse to play ZZT again. Everyone remembers ZZT, right??
The upcoming album ‘Mid-Century Modern’ declares its love for ‘90s punk, larger-than-life guitars, catchy pop melodies and indie rock detours. This is the sound of a band that has taught themselves all the tricks in the power-pop playbook and left notes in the margins.
7. Ski Team release ‘Photos’
Ski Team is the solo project of Lucie Lozinski, an independent songwriter, singer, producer, and guitarist based in Brooklyn. Her music is most defined by vulnerability, both in songwriting and performance.
“Photos” is Ski Team’s newest single, about being stuck in a moment. “It’s pretty timely, as it’s about not being able to move on—which I think everyone is kinda itching with right now.”
“Ski Team was supposed to be me and my brother (two ‘Skis), but he already had a band,” according to Lozinski. “So now it’s me and any friends I pick up along the way.” She cites a long list of influences, including Jeff Tweedy, Beck, The New Pornographers, Gorillaz, Sufjan Stevens, and pop divas like Rihanna and Beyonce—but her main influence was singing in church. “Spirituals like Amazing Grace or Swing Low, Sweet Chariot are the main way I learned to sing—improvising each time, finding new harmonies and layers, inspired by the spirit and the moment.”
8. Anitta releases ‘Girl From Rio’
Brazilian global pop superstar Anitta unveils her signature single and video, “Girl From Rio.’ The video is a celebratory homage to the resilient and vibrant culture of her hometown of Rio de Janeiro. The clip made its global broadcast premiere today on MTV Live, MTVU, and across MTV’s global network of channels, as well as on the ViacomCBS Times Square billboard. Listen to “Girl From Rio” HERE,
Updating the melody of “The Girl From Ipanema” with a 21st century twist, Anitta serves up a sassy and sexy ode to the ladies of her hometown. Her cheeky and clever verses give way to the immediately chantable hook, “
The blockbuster visual seamlessly brings the song to life. Nodding to classic mid-century musicals, Anitta dons a forties-era bathing suit like a vixen from the rudder of a WWII plane and launches into a stunning routine surrounded by sailors enamored with her. Fast-forward to modern day, she gives audiences a look at the ultimate beach day in Rio—and it’s every bit as hot as you’d hope it would be!
At the 2021 Latin American Music Awards, Anitta described “Girl From Rio” as her “favorite song ever” to Billboard.
Anitta will deliver the debut television performance of the single on NBC’s Today Show on May 3rd and the following evening, May 4th on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel LIVE! Anitta will also perform on the first-ever televised special of the Latin GRAMMY® Celebra: Ellas Y Su Música airing May 9th on Univision.
9. Jordan Suaste celebrates with high energy release of ‘Hookup Culture’
Jordan Suaste celebrates the one-year anniversary of his first-ever single release by sharing a high-energy update of his debut hit “Hookup Culture.” Produced by his frequent collaborators Jake Ostler and Jaxon Garrick, the new version transforms the track into a radiant and dance-ready anthem, bringing even more urgency to Suaste’s message of self-worth. Also today, the 20-year-old artist premieres the video for “Hookup Culture (Stripped),” a piano-driven and quietly poignant rendition of his intensely personal single. Listen to “Hookup Culture” HERE and check out the video for “Hookup Culture (Stripped)” below.
With its pounding beats, bright strings, and gorgeously shimmering synth tones, the fully produced version of “Hookup Culture” perfectly caps off the triumphant first year of Suaste’s music career. Now at work on his next batch of songs (due out later in 2021), the singer/songwriter/multi-
10. Harper Finn releases ‘She Said’
New Zealand singer/songwriter Harper Finn returns with his first release of 2021 – ‘She Said’ – out now!
‘She Said’ is a pop-song paradox, sounds a gently cautionary note whilst releasing us into the freedom of an elegant melody and Harper’s beguiling voice. On the one hand we are warned, on the other utterly seduced. The tension between these two opposites seems a perfect encapsulation of a world in stasis.
Off the back of his summer anthem ‘Dance Away These Days’, Harper Finn resurges with a new single just in time for his nationwide tour. Kicking off at the Ngaio Marsh Theatre in Christchurch on May 6, Harper is taking his impressive live show to Starter’s Bar in Dunedin and Meow in Wellington before wrapping up at Auckland’s Sweat Shop Brew Kitchen on May 15.
Harper says of the track: “I’m lucky enough to have inspiring and honest women in my life who I often turn to in times of distress and confusion” Harper explains, “This song is also a homage to them and how they have helped give me perspective on my life and where I’m heading.”
