In The Spotlight

Raina Sokolov-Gonzalez – “Better For You”

Based in Brooklyn, this intoxicating singer and songwriter was born into a family of professional musicians and grew up surrounded by jazz, R&B and soul from an early age. With her unique cross-genre sound and lyrical poetry, she opened for artists like Starchild & The New Romantic and worked with jazz composer William Parker, both on stage and on his albums. She debuted with “Unarmed” in 2018.

Brewing an auditory blend of various musical leaves, her new single is the warm sonic beverage you crave. While stirring smooth R&B with rhythmic jazz and infusing it with some Latin flavors, it’s the mellow keys, swinging bossa-nova rhythm and her fierce, alluring vocals singing about empowerment, that make this sexy jam sound like you’re in a smoky bar on a swampy New Orleans evening.

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In The Spotlight

NevilleSounds – “Don’t Stop Rolling”

Born as Aaron Kieran Neville, this London-born singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist created a one-of-a-kind blend of pop, rock and classic soul. Inspired by some his favourite, genre-spanning, artists, ranging from Prince and Stevie Wonder to Pearl Jam and Faith No More, he shaped a vibrant, compelling soundscape. He debuted with his ironically named single “Ending Scene” in 2019.

Giving the old-school Motown vibes their well-deserved pride of place, his new single still manages to trim the classic sound with contemporary hues. With an upbeat rhythm, bouncy bass and retro horns transporting your ears back to the swinging 60s, the ascending chorus and his deep, emotive vocals, chronicling trying to make it as an artist, add some modernity to this vintage soul banger.

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In The Spotlight

Luna Li – “Cherry Pit”

Born and raised in Toronto, this Canadian vocalist, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist grew up training in classical music and studied violin at McGill University in Montreal. Inspired by local bands and the new garage rock scene, she dropped out at 18. Playing guitar, harp, violin and keyboards, she debuted her dreamy, classically touched indie-pop sound on her 2017 single “Opal Angel”.

Cherry-picked for your listening pleasure, her new single combines her classical background with contemporary vibes. Opening with dramatic drums and electric guitars, the track suddenly enters her mellow and shimmering world. A simple electronic rhythm and lavish sunlit keys accompany her mesmerizing, silken vocals and lead you by the ears through her hazy and sumptuous soundscape.

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In The Spotlight

Joel Culpepper – “Thought About You”

Hailing from South-East London, this British singer and songwriter grew up with classic soul music from artists such as Donny Hathaway and The Temptations. His time at college added rock influences from bands like The Doobie Brothers. Cultivating his own style from modern soul with funk flourishes and his distinctive vocal tones, he debuted with his mixtape “The Adventures Of Pensmith” in 2009.

Instantly dazzling with an 80s bassline and funky guitar riffs, his new single is refreshingly groovelicious. Taken from his upcoming debut album “Sgt Culpepper”, expected on July 23rd, it’s the bopping rhythm, retro synths and his sparkling falsetto vocal acrobatics, that are dancing over the melodic juice. Sensual and spellbinding, blending neon with contemporary hues, this electrifying jam is sublime.

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In The Spotlight

Marie-Clo – “Tides Of Fools”

Born as Marie-Claude Sarault, this French-Canadian singer, songwriter and dancer started her career on stages worldwide performing in musicals. Shifting her focus to music, she writes and sings in both English and French. In 2017 she won TFO’s tv search for francophone artists BRBR. She also debuted with her EP “Faune” and had her song “Sablier” featured in an Aero chocolates commercial.

Instantly catchy and lighthearted, her new single tackles the perks and awkward moments of rebuilding yourself after a breakup and recapturing some magic lost along the way. Taken from her full-length album “SHELL(E)”, it’s a delicious musical amalgamation of influences, such as the funky bass, rich rhythm and her seductive, jazzy vocals. Airy, joyous and fresh , this groovy jam is utterly unique.

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In The Spotlight

Gracie Convert – “You Got Me”

Born in London, but raised in South Africa, France and Monaco, this nomadic British/French vocalist, songwriter and producer describes music as being the main constant in her life. Her rich sound is a fusion of Neo-Soul, R&B and pop. She’s been featured on BBC Introducing, supported artists such as Jamie Isaac, Jerkcurb and Oscar WorldPeace on stage and released her debut single “I’m fine” in 2019.

Enchanting your eardrums with her silken, soul-dipped voice from the start, her new single soon finds an R&B beat to line this infectious bop with. Slightly reminiscent of Alicia Keys, it’s her velveteen, jazz-touched tones that chronicle the story of a young woman who falls in blissful love with someone special for the first time, that elevates this delightful Neo-Soul love song to exciting new heights.

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