New Music Friday is here again and here are our top picks that have been released today.
1. ‘Tired of Loving You’ new from Paris Youth Foundation.
As all roads lead to an optimistic summer, the sun disappears behind lingering clouds of heartbreak courtesy of festival anthem-peddlers, Paris Youth Foundation, unfurling the billowing, white flag of romantic surrender in the sad majesty of Tired Of Loving You. As poised and as tense as any Hollywood ‘breakup or make-up’ cliff-hanger, the expansive, string-soaked single arrives on Fri 7 May 2021 via Frictionless Music ahead of a rumoured, imminent debut album announce.
Growing as a band as real-life drama swirled around the inbox of front man, Kevin Potter, every word and note of Paris Youth Foundation’s danceable tear-jerkers recall a lost night, a morning of regret and a hard-won pearl of wisdom entirely based on truth. Having landed without warning on festival main stages and the BBC Radio One playlist just weeks after forming, the finer points of the Liverpool five-piece’s craft have gradually formed around the hurt, reflection and rebirth of the charismatic singer. It’s a collection of songs worth waiting for.
2. Frank Turner releases ‘The Gathering’
Frank Turner releases a new single, ‘The Gathering’, out via Xtra Mile Recordings / Polydor Records. His first new music in nearly two years, Turner’s new track features guest appearances from Jason Isbell and Muse’s Dom Howard. ‘The Gathering’ – also the name of Turner’s own limited edition beer launching today – is available to stream now across all platforms from here, alongside details for a series of 9 live show ‘Gatherings’, headed by Frank and Xtra Mile Recordings and running over summer 2021. Tickets for all shows on sale from 10am BST on Friday May 7‘
The Gathering’ – is an upbeat, Glam-esque stomp – puts a positive spin on things, anticipating a return to normality. “It’s about that moment when you come together in a room full of people, and you lean on a stranger and sing along with the chorus and get the words wrong,” explains Frank.
Frank and label Xtra Mile Recordings will also present a run of outdoor shows, helping to kick start the return of live music.
3. Jake Bugg releases new track ‘Lost’
Jake Bugg is firing on all cylinders as he catapults into space for a cosmic, interstellar party video for new single ‘Lost’, taken from his eagerly anticipated new album Saturday Night, Sunday Morning – out 20th August on RCA Records. Watch the video, directed by visual collective High Art, below.
His latest instalment, in a new chapter that puts Jake back on the map with a dynamic, exciting new sound, ‘Lost’ is produced by Steve Mac and demonstrates a refreshing upbeat energy, whilst retaining his unique authenticity that fans and followers have fallen in love with over the years.
Jake says; “The song is inspired by everyone who felt lost and parted from loved ones during the pandemic. The sun’s coming out, summer is on the way and this is the tune for it.”
The 27-year-old, who has 4 albums and numerous hit singles to his name, brings his blistering live show back on the road in Spring 2022. Tickets on sale now
4. Saweetie releases ‘Fast (Motion)’
Multi-platinum party-starter Saweetie unveils another upbeat anthem with “Fast (Motion).” Inspired by Miami’s iconic dance culture, the high-energy single bounces between an infectious hook and Saweetie’s confident verses, and it arrives with a larger-than-life visual to match. The new song is another glimpse of what to expect from the California MC’s highly-anticipated debut album, Pretty B*tch Music, arriving June 25th. Watch the “Fast (Motion)” video below.
“Fast (Motion)” confirms the undeniability of Saweetie’s gift for feel-good hits. Now with two UK Top 40 singles “Tap In” and “Best Friend”, she recently released her Best Friend (feat. Doja Cat) Remix EP, showcasing emerging international talent over her summer blockbuster. She also shared the steamy Pretty Summer Playlist: Season 1 EP, which featured a host of electric guests including L.A. rap innovator Drakeo the Ruler, rising star Loui, and up-and-coming Sacramento vocalist Kendra Jae.
5. Imanbek & Cher Lloyd release ‘Baddest’
World-conquering producer Imanbek has joined forces with chart-topping singer-songwriter Cher Lloyd on new single ‘Baddest’, out now.
Punctuated by soulful breakdowns, Cher’s seductive vocals and the deep, chunky bassline that has become synonymous with Imanbek’s production style, ‘Baddest’ is a slick modern pop jam with dance music in its soul.
Imanbek continues with a prolific start to 2021 that has seen him collaborate with Sean Paul and Sofía Reyes on recent single ‘Dancing On Dangerous’, with Rita Ora on ‘Bang’ and with David Guetta, Gunna and Ora on ‘Big’
Dubbed the breakout dance artist of 2020, the young Kazakhstani producer topped the UK Singles chart and won a Grammy for his remix of ‘Roses’ by Saint Jhn. He has garnered nearly 2 billion streams across his catalogue, becoming the 84th highest streaming Spotify artist of all time in the process. Other highlights include collaborations with the likes of Goodboys, Marshmello, Usher
6. Raye Robinson new track ‘Daisies’
Raye Robinson is an indie alt/pop artist based in Los Angeles. Through honest songwriting and relatable themes, the born and bred SoCal artist creates a fresh and intoxicating sound, emitting an innocence and dreaminess that whisks you away to a fantasy land. Having previously performed in bands, her time alone during the pandemic allowed the artist to dive into herself as well as her music and uncovered her love for taking creative control over her sound. Produced by Rob Auerbach, out of his DIY garage studio, Robinson’s upcoming music emits a spunky, fun, laidback and feel good vibe that keeps pulling you back for more.
Debut single “Daisies” is the first track off of her upcoming EP entitled Crushes & Love Songs. Unsurprisingly the song is a matter of the heart, narrating her unfortunate and confusing love situation. The songwriter confides, “I ended things with a guy that I was seeing because I was afraid to get into something serious. After we stopped seeing each other, though, I really missed the connection we had, and I couldn’t stop wondering ‘Does he miss me too? Does he hate me now? Did I make the right decision?’” Robinson explains this sparked her thinking about the “he loves me, he loves me not,” picking petals from flowers trope. She shares “I immediately loved using the word ‘daisies’ in the hook, and from there the rest of the song came together pretty quickly!”
“Daisies” is a tune packed with dynamics and a surprise. Starting off with an intimate, minimalistic feel laced in tender piano hits, the track bursts to life with a bass-infused piano, soft vocals and glassy, light production. The song carries a diverse use of keys creating a soundscape of heavy and light with an almost old-school Lily Allen-esque bounce to the rhythm. The track is beaming in sunshine and femininity creating warmth to the track which radiates through its simplicity.
7. JP Saxe, shares his latest release ‘Like That’
JP SAXE, shares his new single, “Like That” via Arista Records today. This is the latest track off Saxe’s highly anticipated debut album, Dangerous Levels of Introspection, announced earlier this week, which will be available on June 25th, 2021. It is available for pre-order now HERE.
The album will include GRAMMY® Award-
Of “Like That,” Saxe says: “I learned love in all kinds of new ways over the last year. Terrifying ways for the most part but good terrifying. I didn’t realize it when Julia [Michaels] and I wrote ‘Like That,’ but I think it’s unintentionally very connected to the first song we ever wrote, ‘If The World Was Ending.’ That song is about who you would want to be with if everything went to shit. This song is about who was with you when everything did go to shit.”
8. Jack In Water releases ‘If I Cared’
Following the release of the poignant ‘You Don’t Feel Like Home’, rising star Jack In Water today releases the moving contemporary dance video for his beautifully melancholic new track, ‘If I Cared’. The track is another preview of his forthcoming debut album, due later this year on Nettwerk Records.
Produced by Oli Bayston (The 2 Bears, George FitzGerald) and written with Roy Kerr and Tim Bran of My Riot (London Grammar, Aurora), the tonal and instrumental rise and fall within ‘If I Cared’ sublimely echoes the ups and downs faced by young boys as they attempt to navigate growing up in a difficult and equally ever changing world. “Throughout my teenage years, like a lot of boys most emotions like fear, pain, anxiety or sadness would manifest themselves as anger or a kind of nihilistic numbness,” Will Clapson AKA Jack In Water reflected. “This is obviously not a coping mechanism and so this song is about the period of realisation that I needed to change that.”
The moving Courtney Skye directed choreography for the accompanying video reflects the agonising inner turmoil that Will poignantly sings about. “The two dancers (Christian Flippo and Anthony Curley) to me perfectly express this feeling of conflict between wanting to express yourself authentically and also not really knowing how to.” Will said.
9. Dark Tropics release new single ‘Keep Searching’
Dark Tropics return with their soulful third single, ‘Keep Searching’ out May 7 – the follow up to their debut ‘Badlands,’ and the more recent ‘Moroccan Sun.’
Exploring a more vintage sound than previous releases, ‘Keep Searching’ once again showcases some solid songwriting from this rising Belfast duo, masterfully blending frontwoman Rio’s dreamy vocal with lush strings resulting in an almost mantra-like refrain to ‘Keep Searching/Keep Breathing.’
“‘Keep Searching’ was inspired by the vibrancy and romance of 60’s American soul music,” says the band. “It’s about not wanting to be left behind and having the strength and resolve to chase a dream no matter what.”
And don’t miss Rio’s interpretive dance in the accompanying video, filmed in a hazy Belfast flat. “The beauty of music is that everyone has a different perception of it,” says Rio. “The video tells the story of a really troubled relationship. One where your identity is stripped and you need to search for the person you once were. It was directed by Thomas McKeown who used light and shade as a tool to further emphasise the emotion in the dancing and movement.”
10. Star.One releases new track ‘Won’t Hold Back’
Sibling DJ and producer duo Star.One continue their ascent through the UK musical ranks with new single ‘Won’t Hold Back’, out now.
An irresistible dose of pumping house, ‘Won’t Hold Back’ combines soaring diva vocals, a euphoric piano chords and a deep, pounding bassline – delivering a track that’s been crafted with the jam-packed summer dancefloor in mind. It follows March single ‘Hate Love’ featuring S.E.N and their recent remix of ‘Flowers’ by Phoenix Laoutoris.
Refusing to stick to one genre, Star.One have built their reputation on mixing a variety of underground genres including the garage, house and dancehall sounds of their youth. Their production credits reads like a royalty list of grime, having worked with P Money, D Double E, Ghetts and Big Narstie. Always in demand for remixes, credits include Craig David, Mahalia, Unknown T and the Streets’. Recent smash single ‘This Way’, which kicked off their recent signing to Positiva Records, was met with wide acclaim and saw subsequent reworks featuring Backroad Gee and Trillary Banks. They have since drawn praise from an array of tastemaker publications, such as Complex, Notion, DJ Mag and Trench.
A feelgood, floor-filling single, ‘Won’t Hold Back’ is primed to become one of the dance tracks of summer 2021 as it provides the perfect soundtrack to warmer days ahead.
