In The Spotlight

Jacob Lee – “So Wrong”

At a mere 22 years of age, this Australian singer/songwriter has supported Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top) and Jamie Lawson and has toured all over the world several times and yet he once started out as a street busker. He consciously chose to work as an independent artist, without a label, management or booking agent, embracing the role of entrepreneur as well as artist in order to give his music the artistic freedom it deserves.

His latest single is a powerful, full-bodied pop ballad, with eloquent, poignant lyrics and a riveting production, which effortlessly takes you from a charming acoustic guitar to a spellbinding pop chorus. It’s an enthralling tune, which grabs the listener from the first note and showcases not only his penchant for songwriting, but also his sumptuous and rich vocals.

From his EP “Clarity” (2017):

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In The Spotlight

Joon Moon – “Tiger”

Started in the arts centre of the world – Monmartre in Paris – this Franco-American band is a meeting of different musical styles and cultures. Consisting of house producer Julien Decoret, drummer Raphael Chassin and singer/songwriter Krystle Warren, they set out to combine retro aesthetics and politically conscious songwriting into something new and exciting, which merges trip-hop, jazz, soul and electronic music.

Despite the rather odd, slightly film-noire-esque video, their latest single is a delightful dreamscape, which echoes on your eardrums. It has a retro vibe to it and a neo-soul feel. Starting with a haunting beat, it leads to a more upbeat chorus and the introduction of some slick saxophone. The organic sounding, fluid vocals tie the song together and their use of vintage instruments gives it a hue of authenticity.

From their upcoming album “Moonshine Corner”, to be released on 29 September 2017:

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In The Spotlight

TQ – “Oldie Love”

TQ is an artist from Compton, California. He is a singer, songwriter and producer who discovered his voice singing in church and started writing songs as a child. Growing up in a neighborhood where most children didn’t have much of a future to look forward to, he found that great music can have a lasting effect on people and songwriting and performing showed him the true power of music. He has written songs for artists including R. Kelly, Lil Wayne and Dru Hill.

His latest single is a smooth, laid-back gem, which mixes an old-school Motown sound with contemporary R&B and a touch of 90s funk. With an addictive beat, catchy hooks, sparkling brass and creamy, velvety vocals, he definitely proves his love for oldies, but also shows his formidable song-writing skills and his impressive ability for making old-school sound modern and fresh.

From his album “Coming Home” (2017):

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In The Spotlight

Lauren Waller – “What If”

Hailing from Los Angeles, this multi-talented singer/songwriter recently graduated from Pepperdine University with a degree in Theater Arts Production and Design, so you could say that entertainment is in her blood. Her debut EP “Perhaps” from 2016 received rave reviews and airplay around the world. The power of her music comes from the emotional story-telling in her lyrics, combined with an unique sound of 80s piano pop, smoldering R&B and a touch of soul all rolled into one

Her latest offering is an impassioned and captivating look at relationships, questioning loyalty, love and trust. The gentle piano and rhythmic handclap beat are the perfect frame for her powerful, expressive vocals. The arrangement is enchanting, with mild, hypnotizing violins added to create a full and satisfying sound. It’s a charming, almost bewitching, song with poignant, passionate lyrics, from which you just can’t walk away.

From her EP “No Names Here” (2017):

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In The Spotlight

Temptress – “What I Want”

This South-London-based duo, consisting of Jess Belgrave and Vladimir Woodham-Smith, first met at Goldsmiths University, while they were playing different bands and decided to see whether they could write music together. This lead to their debut single “Lies” in 2016. They write and produce all their own material, creating a fresh sound which merges innovative electro-pop with classic R&B.

Their new single has a very catchy pulsating electronic beat, setting the stage for a funk-infused groove. The impressive production on this single manages to fuse the complex instrumentation – which moves from velvety softness to a bubbly and intoxicating funkiness – with their silky, multi-layered harmonies, giving everyone exactly what they want.

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In The Spotlight

Lo Lytes – “Hurting You”

After being introduced by a mutual friend in 2014, singer Jameson Morris and producer/multi-instrumentalist Rockwell Sands reconnected a few years later and started writing songs together. They merged Morris’ love of classic funk and Sands’ preference for dance and pop music to create a new pop sound, which is influenced by Jamiroquai and Bruno Mars.

Their second single is a contemporary pop song, sprinkled with that neo-disco vibe. A punchy beat grabs you straight away and skilfully leads you to the explosive, infectious chorus and a delightful, acoustic piano bridge to tickle your senses. Morris’ sleek and polished vocals tie everything together in a neat and captivating musical package with a bow on top.

From their upcoming debut EP “Lonely Weather, Vol.1”, to be released later in 2017:

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