In The Spotlight

Sam The Astronaut – “Monster Squad (Love So Crazy)”

Despite having grown up in the same Vancouver suburb, this Canadian duo, comprising of Garrison Johnson and TJ Gibson, initially pursued their careers independently, but found their sound align together. Designed to take the listener to a place where dull realities get replaced with an urge to dance, they mix pop, new-wave, hiphop and funky disco and debuted with “Girls Of Summer” in 2017.

Inspired by the 1987 film “The Monster Squad”, their new single is a galactic journey through the neon decade. Using retro gear to create the most genuine 80s sound, the electronic beat, sparkling guitars and scintillating synths forge a lively electro-pop groove. Taken from their upcoming album “Midnight Carlight”, expected on August 28, this jam will launch you straight into the stratosphere.

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In The Spotlight

Madelyn Grant – “Purpose”

Although this Detroit-based singer/songwriter only been gigging around town and playing festivals for 5 years now, she’s made her mark on the music scene already. She’s written music for and collaborated with ODESZA and FKJ, also lending her voice to those songs. Grown up with classic soul legends such as Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder, she’s also influenced by Lauryn Hill and D’Angelo.

Stretching her wings on her first solo flight, her new single is a feathery soft smooth groove, emitting a magical vibe. The smooth keys draw you in with their hypnotic melody, while the silky rhythm and the breezy horns carry her enchanting voice from note to note. Ascending to the skies with a vintage R&B and velvety soul blend, dipped in mellow jazzy hues, this delightful debut is ready to soar.

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In The Spotlight

Elsa Birgitta Bekman – “You’re Not My Favourite Sandwich”

Daughter of a half French, half Swedish mother, this uber-talented Dutch singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and director grew up in The Netherlands, but spent a lot of time in France and Sweden. She was raised on a varied diet of musical styles, ranging from Mozart to Irish folk and Kraftwerk. Inspired by Edith Piaf, Kate Bush and Supertramp, she debuted with “Once In My Life” in 2019.

Baked to absolutely auditory perfection, her new single is a hot slice of avant-garde pop. She started her sonic lunch off with a refreshing ukulele, before adding a new layer of a cheery bounce. With a seasoning of the infectious beat, a sliver of enthralling violin and her exuberant vocal sauce singing about feeling restless and wanting to go look for adventure, this tune is a deliciously healthy musical snack.

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In The Spotlight

Ryan Rickenbach – “Emily”

Music was not this singer and songwriters first ambition. He moved to New York with dreams of the silver screen. His acting aspirations landed him a role in the musical “Folk City”, based on the Greenwich Village music club. In preparation of the role he performed in local dives and found his true passion was music. Self-proclaimed Little King of Cosmic Folk”, he debuted with his 2016 EP “Stasis”.

By skillfully enriching folk with elements of pop and rock, his powerful new single becomes an inspired amalgam of music and emotion. A funky rhythm is woven through a potent bassline, wailing electric guitars and retro-dipped keys. And with the hypnotic quality of his riveting voice narrating the story of a femme fatale, this robust groove makes his unique cosmic folk flair sound out of this world.

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In The Spotlight

Joséphine – “BabyGirl”

Hailing from Tucson, this singer, songwriter, actress and model was born to Persian parents. Her musical influence is genre-spanning – ranging from hiphop to blues and rap and from Etta James and Janis Joplin to Eminem. She has performed all over the States both at varied festivals and clubs and debuted her unique melting pot sound and sing-rap cadence on her album “Love Trap: The Story” in 2017.

Hot, steamy and nostalgic, her new single is sizzling with a smoky 60s jazz seductiveness. Staying true to its vintage charisma, she’s enriched it with modern pop sensibilities and a bit of glamour. With a buttery-smooth brush drum, gentle keys and retro organ tones stroking her sultry, enchanting vocals, this flirtatious and captivating tune puts your ears under a delightfully tantalizing sonic spell.

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In The Spotlight

Sebastian Gaskin – “Snakehold”

Based in Winnipeg, this multi-instrumentalist Canadian singer and songwriter writes and self produces his R&B sound. Drawing inspiration from his eclectic musical tastes, ranging from R&B to hiphop and from metal to punk, he’s been compared to Post Malone and Frank Ocean. He headlined a club tour, supported T-Pain and Common. In May 2019 he released his debut EP “Contradictions”.

Showing what you get when you take a touch of classic soul and a smidgen of funk and dip them in a generous bath of contemporary R&B, his new single is both seductively smooth, as highly danceable. Singing about a toxic relationship and intended to radiate the confidence to walk away, it’s the magnetic rhythm, infectious bassline and his satiny voice, that makes this bop truly irresistible.

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