New Music Friday is here and it’s a great week for new music! Get ready to dive into a diverse range of sounds, from soulful ballads to energetic pop anthems. This week, we’ve got fresh tracks from a variety of artists, including James Arthur, Lewis Fitzgerald, Vince Freeman, Bailey Tomkins and The Others, and Willy Cobb. So, grab your headphones and prepare to be amazed!
JAMES ARTHUR – ADHD
Following the immense success of his latest album Bitter Sweet Love, multi-Platinum artist James Arthur today releases his highly anticipated new single, “ADHD”. The track marks a deeply personal and introspective moment for the Middlesbrough-born singer-songwriter, as he explores themes of self-acceptance, love, and vulnerability. Listen HERE.
James reflects on the song, saying, “The song ‘ADHD’ is about being loved in the way you want to be loved. When you experience that, it’s something truly special, especially if you tend to be self-deprecating or have trouble receiving love due to issues or conditions that others might not understand. ADHD is one of those conditions I have that some people might not fully understand – but when someone accepts you for all your flaws, it can feel like your dreams are a reality.”
“ADHD” is a heartfelt exploration of the complexities of love and mental health, and how acceptance from a partner can make all the difference. For James, this track represents a breakthrough in his own personal journey, reflecting his openness about living with ADHD and the challenges that come with it.
VINCE FREEMAN – REAL LOVE
They say that your debut album is the culmination of your life experiences until that point, and that’s especially true of Vince Freeman’s recent new music ‘Ghosts, Scars & Glory’. A soul-baring set spanning rock, soul, country and blues, the record is informed by a meandering life story. It has seen Vince enjoy brushes with greatness, battle with devastating long-term health issues, recover and surge to land pan-European hits with Lost Frequencies and Fedde Le Grand, only to then have to once again start from scratch – including supporting his family by running a coffee van at music festivals – following the pandemic.
Now Vince shares a moment with the potential to reach his biggest audience to date: a new version of the album’s most uplifting moment ‘Real Love’ which features the London Community Gospel Choir. Listen HERE.
Already a soul-stirring, joyous highlight of Vince’s catalogue, ‘Real Love’ becomes ever more commanding as the London Community Gospel Choir stir its passionate fervour to fever pitch. The interplay between their vocals is something special, with Vince’s ragged, rock-tinged soul the perfect foil to bring out the best in the Choir’s majestic, inspirational power.
BAILEY TOMKINSON & THE LOCALS – MOONSHINE
The captivating melodies and heartfelt lyricism of ‘70s folk-rock never goes out of style, it just needs new practitioners to add their spin to its rich heritage and to take it to contemporary audiences. Bailey Tomkinson & The Locals are now picking up that mantle, their recent single ‘Chrysalis’ having hit #2 on the iTunes Country chart and #14 across all genres. Now the UK’s answer to Daisy Jones & The Six continue their breakthrough with the new music ‘Moonshine’.
Bailey Tomkinson & The Locals might be 50 years and 4000 miles away from the epicentre of the timeless West Coast scene, but ‘Moonshine’ shows that its sun-kissed spirit runs through their veins. In a song of love, yearning and desperately waiting for someone to return, Bailey’s voice lives up to the continued comparisons to the great Stevie Nicks. Meanwhile, The Locals excel at bringing the best out of her, with an evocative soundscape of driving, open road, open top rhythms and weeping country slide guitar.
WILLY COBB – UNPLUGGED
Southern alt-rocker Willy Cobb’s debut EP ‘Country Punkin’’ inspired a first wave of acclaim, his modern take on the cowpunk tradition: a sound which reflects his love of everything from Hank Williams and Nirvana through to The Chats and Fidlar. Now Willy goes deeper into the more reflective side of his artistry as he releases new music ‘Unplugged’ EP. Listen HERE.
The ‘Unplugged’ EP is inspired by two pivotal influences in Willy’s life: his love of laidback, late night porch-front jam sessions as well as the way in which the likes of Nirvana and Alice in Chains used the format to translate their explosive dynamics into sombre atmospherics. The EP’s opening song and focus track sees him rework Waylon Jenning’s classic outlaw anthem ‘Lonesome, ‘On’ry and Mean’, switching out the bitter anger of the original in favour of chilling, raw intensity – much like how Nirvana reshaped Lead Belly’s ‘Where Did You Sleep Last Night?’ in their own image.
LEWIS FITZGERALD – EASY
British singer songwriter Lewis Fitzgerald continues to cement his status as one of the UK’s most exciting new talents with the release of powerful new single ‘Easy’ out on Relentless Records today.
An impressive piece of lyrical prowess; on ‘Easy’, Lewis uses music as a mirror to his own experiences to bravely take on some of his darkest moments. Lewis explores his sometimes uncomfortable memories to address his personal mental health battles with a relatable honesty and vulnerability that shines through. Speaking on the inspiration behind the track, Lewis shares; “I keep pushing everyday because I know the ones who love me never wanna receive that phone call to say I’m no longer with them. I wouldnt say this song is a message to keep pushing on – as I”l always advise you keep pushing – but this song is a statement to those who have and are going through serious mental struggles to let you know that you’re not alone. I bleed too.’
The music video for ‘Easy’ offers an intimate look behind the scenes of Lewis’ journey to headlining his first sold-out London show last week. Featuring raw footage of his preparation, his bond with his fans, and surprise appearances on stage from NSG and Mackenzy Mackay
Comments are closed.