In The Spotlight

BAD – “Refresher”

New York-based songwriters and producers Julia Brex and Jackson Hoffman have been creating Pop songs together for other artists for over 8 years. Searching for a place to indulge in their shared passion for classic Funk music, they combined those vintage flavors with some punchy Pop sensibilities and an impressive group of talented musicians into the exhilarating sound of BAD.

Their debut single is a funkalicious taster of their upcoming EP “GOOD” and blasts onto the music scene with verve. Sparkling with a multitude of sweet retro soaked orchestral pizzazz – from the highly infectious rhythm, via the sizzling synths, to the blazing brass – and with Julia’s soul-dipped, spirited vocal energy, this is a red-hot, invigorating Funk fiesta with some added oomph.

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In The Spotlight

Maya By Name – “Rose Petals”

Born in Buffalo, Maya Gabrielle Satterwhite or Maya By Name, is a singer, songwriter, director, model and actress who developed an infatuation for the stage at a young age. She started recording original music in 2014 and released her acoustic debut single “To You, From Me” a year later. She build her R&B, hip-hop and funk influenced sound and went on to open for R&B artist Tank in 2017.

Taken from her recently released, deeply personal project “She”, which encompasses lyrical accounts of her battle with depression and coping with several medical diagnoses, her latest single is an empowering R&B anthem. Built around an enchanting acoustic piano and a mellow rhythm, it’s her hypnotic, bewitching vocals which truly make this an inspirational piece of pure aural beauty.

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In The Spotlight

Rachel Mazer – “Open Heart”

This Los Angeles-based singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist has worked with artists like The Suffers and Vulfpeck playing sax, bass and guitar, as well as singing backing vocals on Joey Dosik’s latest album “Inside Voice”. She’s launched her solo career with a Soul, Jazz and Pop infused hybrid and will be releasing her Kickstarter funded debut album “How Do We Get By” in February 2019.

Her sophomore solo single is an inspired amalgamation of invigorating beats, pounding bass and a dash of funk. A touch of jazz gets a pop make-over and mixed with some rock guitars and funkalicious horns it creates a catchy, foot-stompin’ chorus and with her soul-dripping, powerhouse vocals effortlessly surfing the rockin’ melodic flow, this is an imposing piece of groovy grandeur.

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In The Spotlight

Tamzene – “Last Song”

Hailing from Cromarty in the Scottish Highlands, this singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist learned to play the violin aged 8 and guitar aged 14. Her early influences included legends like Nina Simone and Aretha Franklin, later adding contemporaries such as Paloma Faith and Alicia Keys. Last year she went from busking to playing worldwide festivals and her debut single “Lullaby”.

Skillfully blending the cream of classic soul and R&B with a modern pop melody, her latest single is an uplifting and refreshing musical feast. Initially teasing with a mellow acoustic piano, the chorus is an exhilarating eruption of pure euphonic bliss. With a bracing beat, multi-vocal harmonies and her sensuous, yet commanding voice, this is a stunning, soul-doused piece of potent, pulsating pop.

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In The Spotlight

Anteros – “Fool Moon”

Named after the God of requited love, this four-piece indie pop band got started in 2014 when lead singer Laura Hayden traded Barcelona for London and started writing songs with Joshua Rumble. With Jackson Couzens and Harry Balazs completing the line-up, they’ve released three EP’s since 2015, toured with Two Door Cinema Club and played both Glastonbury and Reading & Leeds festivals.

The third taster of their upcoming debut full-length album “When We Land”, expected to drop on March 22, 2019, is a retro-tinged, indie-pop banger in which the influence of bands like Blondie and The Cure can be felt. With a passionate energy, shimmering 80s synths and a smidgen of glittery disco added to a modern indie-pop core, this is a red-hot, vintage-soaked, auditory explosion.

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In The Spotlight

Cruel Youth – “Portrait Of A Female”

Formally known by the stage name Natalia Kills, British-born front woman Teddy Sinclair reinvented herself and in 2015 introduced the love-infused dreampop sound with a psychedelic 60s vibe of her new three-piece all-girl band.  Under her new moniker she adopted an uncensored songwriting style, resulting in a hallucinatory 60s groove and the release of their debut single “Mr. Watson” in 2016.

Their latest single is the result of Teddy’s fascination with the music of The Ronettes and The Supremes. The Motown-like melody, dipped in a Phil Spector coating and some Beach Boys spice, creates a dreamy, 60s-styled love song and with a retro rhythm, catchy handclaps and the dynamic and sultry power of her vintage-soaked vocals, it is a heartfelt ballad that captures the essence of true love.

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