After a short break from releasing music, Dublin soul-infused pop-funk sextet Toshín have released their new single ‘She’.This release marks a new and exciting change in direction for the band, both sonically and in aesthetic.
Encased in velvety soul, ‘She’ is an alluring and emotive single from Toshín. Portraying a message of self-awareness and self-love despite obstacles and insecurities, this silken track flows upon a bed of elastic bass, steady cushioned drums, and elegant keys. Toshín coos delicately over an enticing melody while zinging guitar lines and warm horns inject funky elements and retro R&B hues into the musically rich soundscape.
Toshín have shown strong musical growth over the last year. ‘She’ displays this perfectly – a mature, refined sound laced in delicate melodic builds and sensual first-rate musicianship. Looking forward to hearing more from Toshín.
Dublin soul-infused pop-funk sextet Toshín have released their debut EP ‘Get Your Life’.The EP was recorded by Rob Kennedy in his studio in Donabate, Co. Dublin. It was co-produced by Zapho (Ele Breslin) and the band themselves. Zapho also co-wrote lyrics for two of the songs, “Eat, Sleep, Sex, Desire” and “Seriously”.
‘Get Your Life’ is a fun richly textured EP as Toshín create wonderful soul smacked tunes with R&B influences and a tasty peppering of Motown. These guys have a tight sound that oozes confidence and sass. They provide jubilant sounds with sublime saxophone blasts, tantalizing bass grooves and superb guitar work. Toshín possess the mesmerising ability to create elegant moments with their music through the use of wonderful strings and vocal harmony.
The funk flavoured licks and buoyant backdrop glitter with swagger and attitude in ‘Seriously’ and ‘Eat, Sleep, Sex, Desire (ft. Zapho)’ as the band layer the tracks with lush textures and grandeur. Jazzy keys and warm brass elements create a sophisticated and wholesome soundscape. The guitars in each track flamboyantly prance with a fluid majesty that maintains contrasting elements of grace and ear-splitting, fret-melting aspects with gritty undertones – all while blending perfectly against the driving bass grooves and elastic beat. The band veer their songs from wiggle worthy sensuality to mosh pit mania seamlessly creating something enjoyable for everyone. Toshín chat through the jam-like ‘Get Your Life (Interlude)’ while ‘Oh Lord’ provides that enthralling glimpse into the bands Motown faction. With its sway-like tempo building tension and creating a smoky atmosphere, the track forms the bands transition into a sound which is darker and more gripping than its predecessors while the outstanding recent single ‘Knock Knock’ is a refreshing strong and moving finale to the EP.
The obvious factor holding all these fantastic and instrumentally deft tracks together is Tosin Bankole’s retro, big-lunged, soulful vocals. She commands attention and controls her powerful voice masterfully bellowing with might before cooing with a sultry sweet rasped tone. She can evoke such emotion, passion and sass with just her voice alone – its mesmerising.
Within each track on ‘Get Your Life’ the band flex their Motown, indie and funk/soul muscles to create a sound that is as lush and vibrant as it is moving and honest. Toshín present an EP brimming with big soul stompers, smooth R&B gems and oodles of swagger. The dynamic soundscapes, crisp production and fizzy rhythms within ‘Get Your Life’ is admirable. Toshín have built a fine body of work doused in professional prowess and slick musicianship.
About the EP Tosin says: “This EP is about getting your life! It’s about feeling good aboutyourself, and being the best you can be. It’s also a mixture ofemotions; “Oh Lord” is about daddy issues, “Seriously” isabout being a queen, and “Eat Sleep” is about trying to get theride. Isn’t that what we all go through?”
Dublin soul-infused pop-funk sextet Toshín have released their new single ‘Knock Knock’, taken from their upcoming debut EP ‘Get Your Life’ which is set for release on the 14th of February. Over the last few years, Toshín have played some amazing shows and festivals including Beat Yard festival (2019), Electric Picnic (2019), Body & Soul Mainstage (2019), and Music Makers Festival UK (2019). They have played headline shows in the Workmans for a single launch, Sin E for their 3rd birthday party, alongside Munky in Lost Lane, and alongside Shookrah in the Kino in Cork.
‘Knock Knock’ is a soulful passionate number that boasts the exquisite first rate musicianship of Toshín. This band have a tight, chic and polished sound brimming with emotion and power which translates superbly in this elegant and classy track. The song builds beautifully from a soft emotional and delicate intro to a funky outburst as the band keep the track intriguing throughout. The majestic twinkling guitar weaves gracefully with a lamenting tone while the rich rhythm, brass elements and jazz tonality inject a dash of sass into this tantalizing track. With lush harmonies the band pack oodles of gusto, emotion and instrumental prowess into ‘Knock Knock’. The guitar melodies in particular are outstanding – they flood the track with tender, vaporous and intoxicating characteristics while subtly sweetening each component and melodious fragment at the same time. Tosin Bankole’s vocals rein in the vibrant instrumental backdrop with compelling control. Her vocals display rich depths and warm tones for the powerful chorus while cooing softly and soulfully through the verses. Her vocal control is mesmerising and lifts the track into diva heights. This is one very talented band with music which can ignite the soul. Definitely a band to keep an eye on.
About the track Tosin Bankole said : “Knock Knock for me is about struggling through a bad mental health episode. The song has a darkness to it, not just lyrically but also within the music. It has some more upbeat sections, however, that represent how music got me through those bad times. It’s a really therapeutic song to sing live!”
Toshin will be embarking on an Irish Tour between February and March to promote this new EP. Their tour will culminate in a headline show in Dublin at the Grand Social on March 12th.
Jetty Rae is a singer and songwriter originally from Northern Michigan. She released her first full-length album, ‘Blackberries’, in 2007; her first EP, ‘Nobody’, in November 2009; and a lullaby album, ‘La La Lu and the Lazy Moon’, in July 2011. Her album ‘Drowning in Grain’ was released in February 2012 (peaking at #130 on the CMJ 200 charts), ‘Climbing Clouds’ in August of 2013, followed by a Christmas album ‘More Than December’ in November of 2014. 2015 saw Jetty’s first collaborative project under the moniker ‘Pen Pals’ with the release of the album ‘Gold’. Jetty garnered the attention of JetBlue when she played at the opening of their new Terminal at JFK International Airport. MTV. com interviewed Jetty for their ‘Needle In The Haystack’ series, and her song ‘I Love You’ was selected as a free download and featured on their up-and-coming artist blog. Jetty Rae shared the stage with Sarah McLachlan and Miranda Lambert at Lilith Fair in Detroit where she was handpicked by Sarah McLachlan and Terry McBride as the featured local artist. Jetty’s music has also been used in a number of TV commercials for brands such as Microsoft, PetCo, Truvia, Nabi Tablets and more.
Jetty has released her new single ‘Queen of the Universe’ off her first full-length album in four years, ‘Can’t Curse The Free’. This sultry soulful track is packed with passionate darkened swagger and attitude. Its a fiery dangerous smothering sensual track oozing feminine power and dominance. Strong bold vocals lay down the law with sizzling red hot soulful tones and sass. Its a luring dangerously smoking smoulder that burns with intensity. The soft coaxing beat teamed with sticky licks on guitar create a sway-like flow. Jetty’s compelling vocals hold the main centre point of the track, it pushes you into submission with such ease, like she used alcohol and luring steamy distraction to get what she wants. Determined striking chords on guitar are an empowering nod to women everywhere. This track gives an image of a powerful dangerous woman with the world in her hands.
Stream ‘Queen of the Universe’ below
London duo Bob Matthews and Catherine Pockson who form the band Alpines have returned with their new album ‘Another River’. Released via Metropolis Recordings the album is one of the most crafty and emotive R&B records of the year. Teased earlier this year with the slick intimacy of Completely, Alpines’ sophomore LP ‘Another River’ pares down the sound of their 2014 debut ‘Oasis’. This new effort is not so much the sound of a duo finding their feet, as it is an utterly standout performance from a couple of intrepid sonic experimenters subtly refining their craft. Their futurist brand of production renders Catherine Pockson’s R&B melodies into dazzling soundscapes, each thrumming with a life of its own. The duo’s application has fuelled various collaborations in the fashion world, including the likes of All Saints, Paul Smith and Urban Outfitters. The album is preceded by the release of ‘Heaven’, an anthem with towering vocal harmonies and a sly bass groove. The duo are masters in creating cerebral and inventive music without compromising on the simple unabashed joy of melody. ‘Another River’ is an emotive outpouring on love and life that will resonate with people everywhere. Starting with title track ‘Another River’ Alpines display an emotional pulling track that draws you into every word. With a delicate piano feature that builds into an explosive breezy electronic break. The sticky slap beat keeps the track elastic and malleable adding a wobbly sensual vibe. ‘Completely’ continues with their brand of classy soul-pop balanced on a knife edge with darkened tones and a retro vibe behind the sweet yearning coo on vocals. ‘ Stay’ follows with ease as does each track on the album coated in sensual tones and a hint of R&B. Its tightly layered and drenched in late-night sounds that add contemporaneity to the retro soul infused track. ‘Heaven’ brings us a rapid more prominent almost tribal beat without compromising the cool dreamy tone of the album. The track provides a subtle shift that you can groove to. ‘Mutual’ takes us back to the tempered and classic-sound of the other tracks with an itchy beat and shadows with a melody that is wistful and tastefully sweet. ‘How It Hurts’ is a piano dominated ballad packed with emotion filled soulful vocals that display a strength and depth through raw emotion and heartbreak. Its displays the power and courage through pain. Building into a dynamic crescendo that isn’t overpowering but empowering and beautiful. ‘Under The Sun’ closes the album with brighter tones and simple accompaniment to start that builds into sticky intricate soundscapes that weave in and out highlighting the immaculate and powerful soulful vocals that exude attitude and sass while still maintaining that subtle soft sweetness.
‘Another River’ is a smooth and unobtrusive, utterly emotionally convincing album while remaining refined and sophisticated.
You can catch Alpines Live at
Feb 14th – Birmingham, Hare & Hounds
Feb 15th – Leeds, Headrow House
Feb 16th – Glasgow, King Tuts
Feb 17th – Manchester, Soup Kitchen
Feb 20th – Bristol, The Louisana
Feb 21st – Oxford, The Cellar
Feb 22nd – Brighton, The Prince Albert
Watch the video for ‘Heaven’ below
Indie: (n) an obscure form of rock which you only learn about from someone slightly more hip than yourself.
