Bedford-based, 22-year-old singer songwriter Sophie Debattista aka S.O.S. has released her eagerly awaited second single ‘Silent Witness’ off her debut EP ‘Edges Of The Mind’. S.O.S is a first-class graduate from The Institute Of Contemporary Music Performance. She headed the production team on the trend-setting track alongside the renowned mastering engineer Shane the Cutter who has worked with the likes of Nathan Fake, Luke Abbott, Blu Mar Ten and DJ Shadow amongst others. The young singer has supported US superstars Ciara and Ariana Grande, British legends Take That and One Direction whilst playing top venues such as the NEC Birmingham, The Roundhouse Camden, IndigO2, O2 Islington Academy, Barfly Camden, Proud Camden (headliner), Troubadour (headliner) and The Water Rats to name a few. S.O.S’s tantalising lead single ‘Bittersweet’ received top press coverage and radio play including support from the likes of BBC Introducing, BBC6’s Tom Robinson and Clash Music amongst many others. ‘Silent Witness’ is a glossy pop track laced in sticky tar- like darkened electronics. This catchy track holds an air of mystery and shadowy tones with almost whispered seductive vocals for the verse luring you into the entrapment of the infectious chorus. The track displays crisp production and well blended crafted sounds, featuring pulsing sticky electronically influenced beats and intricate detailed lyrics. Smothered in intensity this track is a catchy vibrant pop tune cloaked with dark gluey electronics. The electro-pop tune will be accompanied by an edgy and intense music video created by up-and-coming director AJ Ullah and will be released on the 14th April via her independent label Sossy Music.
When asked about the track Sophie said: “Silent Witness is about a young girl who finds herself in a difficult situation. She’s at an age where her friends are beginning to experiment with new ventures however she doesn’t feel like she’s ready to join them just yet and doesn’t want to rush into maturing too quickly. When she finds herself in the wrong place at the wrong time, she has to make an important decision whether to live up to her friends’ expectations or whether to listen to her heart and not go through with it. The song explores the different emotions that the young girl goes through at this tough time. She wants to remain credible but wants to be sensible, so does she go through with it? You’ll have to listen to the song to find out…”.
Stream ‘Silent Witness’ below
London-based duo Ten Fé have released their much anticipated debut album ‘Hit The Light’.Recorded in Berlin, Ben Moorhouse and Leo Duncan’s stunning debut is an album to get lost in. The duo effortlessly blend blissful soft rock with psychedelic electronic rock ’n’ roll creating an album where each track warrants its place and has its own identity on the album while gliding fluidly into the next track. ‘Overflow’ kicks the album off with sweet nostalgia. Moorhouse’s warm mellow baritone soothes and cushions the listener from the bittersweet sentimental drenched track. It becomes instantly obvious these guys have a knack for irresistible melodies that lull in the back of your mind portraying perhaps harsh sombre tones but with a grace and a delicacy that is just beautiful. With longing tapping synths, lush harmonies and rich layered echo textures Ten Fé begin to introduce us to their enthralling sound that will transport you to a mind numbing journey into a swirling world of emotions. ‘Turn’ follows dripping in sonic 80’s infused soft rock, Duncan mourns a strained relationship.Its wistful with an afflicted tone but by no means doleful. Psychedelic “wah wah” on guitar ripples through the track like a wobbly warping mirage while the soft beat peps the track up adding a lively bouncy effect. Lush harmonies are what these guy do effortlessly and it adds such a rich elegance to the track especially when teamed with a mind melting melody.
Moorhouse takes on lead vocals on the dreamy ‘Elodie’. I must confess my favourite track on the album, ‘Elodie’ is the kind of track that you fall in love with. It reduces you to a liquid substance and really shows off the duos fine musicianship. The rich, daydream tone on vocals coo and lull with lavish qualities. Its heart on your sleeve raw emotion, tender and sweet yet radiating bright vibes. With yearning lyrics and lamenting “sigh-like” backing vocals, it swoons you into a bubble of nostalgic dreaminess. The rolling piano refrain creates a swan-like elegance while the steady tempo, warm feelings and heavenly melody make this track a perfect treasure. ‘Twist Your Arm’ flurries with loose floaty ecstasy featuring a propulsive strong beat and elastic bass teamed with a stinging slide guitar. The swirling electronics chilled with breezy natural tones add a psychedelic feel. The track builds into a massive full bodied chorus with hand clapping, swaying and almost Gospel- like crescendo. With smooth vocals reaching to a dynamic falsetto this track is dynamite. ‘Another Way’ is summer in a bottle. Open roads sunshine relax and chill. Limber dainty guitar adds to the bright luminous vibe while the washed-out keys flood the track with cool relaxed tones. Its mind easing bliss with falsetto vocals and rich harmonies creating the perfect backdrop to just let everything go. ‘In The Air’ jogs along again displaying Ten Fé’s knack for ear-worm indie pop. Zesty bright guitars interplay with a steady consistent beat while Moorhouse and Duncan’s vocal harmonies intertwine. Its effortless cool melody and vocals give the track a mellow bright free vibe. ‘Don’t Forget’ brings us a beat driven track with a darker tone. Flashes of sharp guitar add piercing scintillation to the track while soft backing vocals echo. The track becomes more electronically heavy as it progresses building to almost an 80’s rock balled classic. Its all fist pumping vibes by the shredding guitar solo. ‘Follow’ another delightful melodic banger. Smothered in uplifting vibes with nostalgic undertones and gentle vocals. With wistful synth swirls, its tear jerking stuff that still makes you feel good. ‘Make Me Better’ blast us with strings, sticky snappy beats and a The Verve vibe mixed with Roy Orbison-esque elements. Its dark dramatic and fantastically sharp.Its a rush of blood churning with bubbling emotions and flashes of blazing synths.Epic orchestral peaks create an anthemic explosion while a calm steady bassline grounds the track adding depth. Its larger than life and immense yet majestic. You will have stuck song syndrome with that hook on strings it will be in your head all day. ‘Burst’ bops with hopeful vitality. The use of reverb changes the track that would perhaps have been more country into a fusion with psychedelic trippy electronics. Its catchy fun and lively and twangs in all the right places.
Our journey with Ten Fé comes to and end with the tender emotional ‘July Rain’. Rich percussion perfectly placed throbs and kicks with a stomping beat.Light pitter patter adds a rain like quality while a beautiful piano feature adds grace and elegance to this emotional track. This duo are not afraid to wear their heart on their sleeve and its beautiful aching tracks like ‘July Rain’ that come to fruition because of this. Delicate backing vocals heighten the emotional vocals and raw lyrics. This stunning track brings the album to a heart wrenching yet satisfying end.
Ten Fé compiled a combination of impeccable songs that are a treasure. Each track flows perfectly into the next. Its an emotional journey that the band take you on with them. Giving a personal experience to every listener that makes you hold the album close to your heart. As expected Ten Fé knocked it out of the park with catchy melodies and well crafted musicianship, ‘Hit The Light’ is what we expected and more, majestic personal and larger than life.
Stream ‘Hit The Light’ below
Toronto-based pop artist DYLYN has released her new single ‘Mimosa’. This adrenaline-charged infectious track glides with effortlessly cool sleek fluidity while packing contagious dance vibes. With quirky synths that have a panpipe effect teamed with a thrilling overflow of snappy sick beats that rebound with intense elasticity its a rubber ball of electronic paradise. DYLYN’s velvety vocals whisper with melty smooth textures while exuding sass and attitude.The verse jogs steadily to the electrifying catchy chorus. ‘Mimosa’ is a confidence boosting luring electro pop smasher drizzled with cool swoony tones.
When asked about the track DYLYN said “Mimosa” is exactly that – both musically and thematically. Many of us experience some sort of anxiety throughout our lives. The song captivates that inner struggle we go through in our heads, that battle to either drown in it or to fight it. The world can feel like it’s crashing down on you and everything in your life can seem like it’s coming to an end. “Mimosa” is a way of saying sometimes you need to just take a deep breath and let things happen. Sometimes knowing you dwell in the dark with others is surprisingly comforting.”
Robert Loud is the electro solo-project from Robert Connolly (lead guitar/vocalist of Fictionist). He has released his first track ‘Intentional’ from his forthcoming EP set for release early 2017. The track features guest vocals by Janessa Smith (Goldmyth). ‘Intentional’ creates a room-shaking body grooving dance-music moment with a heavy electronic beat, driving and orbiting swirling synths with sweet vocal melodies. Having distorted vocals and tropical undertones this track will get you on your feet and dancing like a Daft Punk robot. Easing us into the sound to start, Robert Loud lures us with infectious beats and honeyed melodies. Once you are drawn in queue the swirling hypnotic elements contrasting heavy fuzzed psychedelia and your trapped in a hazy concoction of electronic pop and edgy indie that commands you to dance.
Stream ‘Intentional’ below
Lecaudé (pron. ‘Le-co-day’) is the self-titled solo project of London based producer, songwriter and singer Jack Durtnall. Lecaudé has just released his second single of 2016 ‘Powder Blue’ from his Circles EP which is due for release 3rd June 2016 and sees Lecaudé continue to work with long time co-producer and mixer Fred Prest. ‘Powder Blue’ is an infectious synth pop and soul infused track with a cool light bouncy vibe. With its catchy melody and smooth vocals its a silky luxurious track with soft lush backing vocals. The contrast between the female backing vocals and Durtnall’s main vocals adds a refreshing and attractive element to the track. The shimmering synths and playful pop melody give this song a picturesque glow leaving you with a refreshing bright care-free vibe.
‘Powder Blue’ is a infectious track that you cant help but bop along to and is a strong single to follow ‘Circles’ which was released earlier this year. Can’t wait until the release of the EP next month! If ‘Powder Blue’ and ‘Circles’ are anything to go by its going to be an excellent EP for the summer.
Stream ‘Powder Blue’ below
Indie: (n) an obscure form of rock which you only learn about from someone slightly more hip than yourself.
