In The Spotlight

Kristopher James – “Love You Better”

Growing up with musical blood in his veins, this singer, songwriter and musician from Bradenton, Florida created a slew of mixtapes with music ranging from Boyz II Men to Garth Brooks at a young age. However, sitting behind a drumset as a teen fired a desire for more. He taught himself guitar and piano and found his niche Americana-Soul sound. He released his debut EP “Movement” in 2013.

Taken from his first, full-length album “Kindness Never Quits”, his new single is an incredible amalgamation of delicious sounds. With a touch of gospel and a melodious retro trip back to the golden age of Motown and Stax from the vitalizing rhythm, playful tambourine, lively bass line and bracing brass framing his mighty, soul-drenched vocals, this is a shining slice of delectable, salubrious soul.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Website | iTunes

In The Spotlight

Randa & The Soul Kingdom – “Put your Hands Up”

Introducing funkalicious West-Australian vintage soul, this sextet, fronted by soul sister Randa Khamis, has put their high-octane sound on two albums and have been playing festivals across Australia and Europe with their high-energy live performances. Likened to legends such as Marva Whitney or Ann Sexton, her music was featured in UK’s “Skins” and on Bakermat’s 2018 track “Do Your Thing”.

Following the success of their previous single “2048”, which got nominated for the West Australian Music Song Of The Year award, their new single takes their buoyant grooves to a new funky dimension. With rip-roaring funk guitars, bouncy bass line, erupting horns and her soul-drenched powerhouse vocals tickling your musical fancy, this will have you sliding across the dancefloor in no time.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Website | iTunes

In The Spotlight

Katherine Penfold – “Unapologetic”

This Nova Scotia-born, tattoo-rich, Canadian R&B/soul songstress was raised on a farm without television, so she found her passion in music. Influenced by soul legends like Diana Ross, Aretha Franklin and James Brown, she went on to study classic piano and jazz at Brandon University. After signing to Justin Time Records, she debuted with a holiday album entitled “Keep Christmas With You” in 2017.

After her initial festive outing, she’s now ready to showcase her extensive vocal range and luscious soul blend on her album “Sweetest Thing”, which is released today. Her single emanates a delicate intimacy from the velveteen synths and handclap beat, which carry her sultry, showstopping vocal performance and lift this honeyed, soul-dipped R&B gem to unapologetic heights.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Website | iTunes

In The Spotlight

Jesper Lindell – “Stormy Waters”

Hailing from the far-reaching musical realm that is Sweden, this singer and songwriter got his start playing bass in a rock ‘n’ roll band aged 13 and has been playing music ever since. In 2017 he released his debut solo EP “Little Less Blue” with harmonies from First Aid Kit. Having a love for Stax-like soul, classic pop and Americana, he devised a powerful mixture of genre-spanning elements.

Brewing up a delicious sixties throwback of equal measures of classic soul and rock ‘n’ roll, with a generous pinch of passionate blues, his new single is a flavorful sonic blend. Taken from his upcoming album “Everyday Dreams”, to be released on November 29, it’s the organic guitar, vintage rhythm and his raw, soulful vocals adding the fiery spice, that are cooking up an intoxicating storm.

Instagram | Facebook | Website | iTunes

In The Spotlight

Lucy & La Mer – “Discover”

Sailing onto the music scene is this Los Angeles-based project around singer and songwriter Lucy LaForge. She debuted her radiant melodies and bewitching lyrics on her EP “Little Spoon” back in 2015. Having wide-ranging influences from Green Day to Kacey Musgraves, she forged a bright folk-pop sound of her own. She added a full band and shared the stage with artists like Moby and Cat Power.

Bubbling over with vibrant rays of aural sunshine, her new single induces jollity with every single, cheerful note. Taken from her upcoming EP “I Feel Better Now”, expected this fall, it’s the buoyant beat, joyous handclaps and twinkling ukulele that provides the musical merriment, while her elated, sprightly vocals add some joie de vivre to this colorful tune and make it a bright, sunlit earworm.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Website | iTunes

In The Spotlight

Thomas Dybdahl – “45”

The first two EP’s of this Norwegian singer, songwriter and musician barely made a wave on the music scene in the early noughties, but this all changed with the release of his debut album “…That Great October Sound” in 2002. Apart from his solo, intimate and soulful sound, he’s also fronted the band The National Bank, writes for film and theatre and performed with Morcheeba and Judy Collins.

Teasing a new album, expected to drop on February 14, 2020, his latest single exudes a timeless sense of style from the use of vintage recording equipment and organic instrumentation. Build on a foundation of passionate classic soul and coated in a layer of pop, it’s the spirited guitar riffs and bustling rhythm carrying his fierce, soulful vocals, that makes this jam an exhilarating retro groove.

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Website | iTunes