After a glorious week of sunshine what better way to start the weekend than with our top picks that have been released today.
1. Nick Wilson shares new single ‘Yours To Take’
Nick Wilson’s latest single ‘Say Something’ picked up a vast array of international New Music Friday playlists, as he added to a phenomenal tally of 100 million+ career streams to date – all before he’s even released his debut album. That achievement is one that’s drawing ever closer, with the long-awaited ‘Now I’m Falling’ set to be released on August 6th via Never Fade Records.
Nick today previews the album by sharing its latest single ‘Yours To Take’. As with many of his songs, ‘Yours To Take’ talks candidly of the fundamental emotions of relationships: both the overwhelming bliss of blossoming love, but also of the awareness that opening your heart in such a way exposes you to potential anguish. Listen HERE.
2. A7S releases ‘Nirvana’
A7S, the artist responsible for recent global smash hit ‘Breaking Me’ with Topic, has returned with his brand new single ‘Nirvana’. Of the track, A7S says:
”I want people to think of what nirvana is for them; paradise – perhaps it’s a person, place or thing.
The lyric and the vibe of the song is melancholic – it can work when you’re sad or happy. There doesn’t have to be a special setting for putting it on and listening to it – whether you’re having a bad day and want to find some comfort, or if you’re having the time of your life partying with your friends. I think “Nirvana” has two sides.”
Featuring A7S himself on vocals, the instantly-catchy dance pop track bears all the hallmarks of another chart topping hit for the Swedish artist, vocalist, songwriter and producer, who is also behind the worldwide smash hits ‘Why Do You Lie To Me’ featuring Grammy-winning Atlanta rapper Lil Baby and ‘Your Love (9pm)’ with ATB – a reworking of the iconic original Ibiza house classic.
3. Nathaniel Rateliff shares live video of
Nathaniel Rateliff debuts a live rendition of his track “Right On,” which originally appeared on his acclaimed 2013 solo album Falling Faster Than You Can Run. The track appears on Rateliff’s forthcoming live album, Red Rocks 2020, which is set for release on July 16 via Stax Records. Listen to/share the live track HERE and watch/share the accompanying performance video below.
Red Rocks 2020 was recorded in an empty Red Rocks Amphitheatre during Rateliff’s mid-September run of socially distanced shows, which was limited to 125 attendees per night in the 9400-capacity venue. Through Red Rocks 2020, Rateliff offers this 90-minute live experience to the fans who were unable to attend his live shows last year. Fans can pre-save Red Rocks 2020HERE.
4. The A.V Club release ‘Better Days’
The A.V. Club are back with a bang with their second single of 2021 ‘Better Days’ to be released on the 4th June 2021
Since forming in early 2020, The A.V. Club have been releasing catchy indie pop bops and challenging the modern musical stereotypes of the indie genre. Their exciting blend of nostalgic electro sounds with modern indie-pop vibes has captured the attention of many, including BBC Introducing North West and John Kennedy who tipped them as a ‘One To Watch’ on his Radio X show last year.
After a strong start to 2021 with the release of their single ‘Mistakes’ and their new addition to the line-up, Freya,The A.V. club are ready to continue their strong run of releases with their latest single ‘Better Days’
5. Sean McConnell shares ‘I Built You Up’
The latest track from Sean McConnell‘s forthcoming album A Horrible Beautiful Dream (out 6th August), ‘I Built You Up‘, is available to stream/download everywhere today.
In his own words: “’I Built You Up’ is about the inevitable fall of our heroes and the realization that all of us, even them, are human. No one is a super human. And what’s more, we all see people through our own lenses and expectations. WE put people on pedestals. So when they fall, we are partly to blame. I think there’s some grace in taking some of that blame.”
GRAMMY-nominated singer, songwriter and producer Sean McConnell’s latest collection of songs, A Horrible Beautiful Dream, approaches the difficult task of asking questions of what one really thinks they know, in the simultaneous struggle of not being afraid of the answers that emerge. Musically, the project wraps McConnell’s rich voice in moments of dark intimacy as well as vivid brightness, and guests such as The Wood Brothers, Natalie Hemby, Audra Mae and Dan Tyminski underscore McConnell’s versatility as creative partner and commentator.
6. Zen Arcade release ‘High Fidelity’
Ireland’s The Zen Arcade have adopted an independent approach that extends far beyond their musical output. Today, Friday 4th June via their own Dental Records they release the new EP ‘High Fidelity’; including the brand new single ‘High Fidelity’ alongside last year’s debut single ‘Don’t Say A Word’, and an exclusive episode of their own podcast – ‘Higher Fidelity’.
Comprised of three ex members of The Strypes whose stellar rise saw them tour three critically acclaimed albums from Glastonbury to Fuji Rocks via performances for the likes of Jools Holland, The Late Show With David Letterman, and a support tour with Arctic Monkeys; The Zen Arcade take their musical cues from the likes of Hoodoo Gurus, Jesus And Mary Chain, XTC and Graham Coxon, relentlessly genre-hopping from garage rock, to power pop, to cow-punk.
Deciding to embrace the pressure of independence, the band started their own zine, ‘Cro Mag Non’, and podcast, ‘Higher Fidelity’.
7. Surfaces release ‘So Far Away’
Surfaces release their brand-new single So Far Away, via 10K Projects/EMI Records – listen HERE. So Far Away, written and produced by Forrest Frank and Colin Padalecki, is an infectious anthem arriving just in time for summer. The release is accompanied by its dreamy music video, which follows a group of friends from the beach to the skatepark and is the third video in a cinematic storyline from the duo. The video will go live on YouTube later today.
Their previously announced live show at Stubb’s in Austin, TX on 25th June marks their first live show of the year. Tickets are available at surfacesmusic.com/tour. Additionally, Surfaces will perform at some of the years largest festivals including, Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival, and Reading and Leeds here in the UK. Fans can expect more festival and tour date announcements to come soon.
8. Cody Frost shares (i Should) Take Better Care’
Possessing a unique blend of being raw, real and remarkable, Cody Frost stands out in a sea of aspiring talent. After making a domestic impact with her debut ‘verbal warnings’, her second single ‘HIGH/BYE’ added States
As with her other recent tracks, producer Dan Weller (Enter Shikari, SikTh) helped bring Cody’s vision to life. And while Cody likes music to be stripped back and confessional, she had her doubts about including the beautiful, melancholic new single.
9. Jack Savoretti releases ‘Too Much History’
After the announcement of his brand new album Europiana and the release of his disco fuelled single ‘Who’s Hurting Who’ featuring the legendary Nile Rodgers, Jack Savoretti has today released ‘Too Much History’. The dance floor ready track is the second cut from his forthcoming album, which is out June 25th on EMI Records. Speaking of the track Jack said “when you have history with someone I think that is a good reason to celebrate. This is the song to play when you’re celebrating just that.”
Jack has also announced a spring 2022 UK tour, which culminates with a date at London’s Eventim Apollo on April 13th.
10. Mista Strange releases DSTNY.
In January 2020, UK drill rapper and songwriter Mista Strange made UK music history with his Blackbox Freestyle. Rather than just tired braggadocious lyricism, Strange would defiantly reveal his sexuality to the world. This revolutionary act set the internet alight. Soon after, Strange was appearing on National TV, talking candidly about his experiences as a gay rapper in a hostile homophobic industry.
Now, Mista Strange calls out the genre once again on his brand new single ‘DSTNY’, out now on all streaming platforms. Strange also releases a completely self-directed music video, debuting on GRM Daily today at 7pm GMT.
A song that is sure to stop people dead in their tracks and say: “DID HE REALLY JUST SAY THAT?!”, DSTNY. is set to break boundaries in what Strange describes as his ‘destiny’ to become the first openly gay rapper in the UK.
It tells the story of a young gay black man’s trials and tribulations growing up on the cold, unforgiving London streets. His music brings together the two worlds in an uncompromising fashion, comfortably standing alone in a scene awash with carbon copies.
