New release roundup! From The Dare’s new track to The Mysterines sophomore album
THE MYSTERINES
RELEASE ANTICIPATED NEW ALBUM AFRAID OF TOMORROWS
Formed in Liverpool, The Mysterines – frontwoman Lia Metcalfe, drummer Paul Crilly, bassist George Favager and guitarist Callum Thompson – have undergone a radical transformation over the past few years. Fresh with new purpose and reinvigorated from songwriting sessions while secluded away in the countryside (in between playing to 60,000-strong crowds while on tour with the Arctic Monkeys), the band have now just released the best music of their career with their new album Afraid of Tomorrows, the highly-anticipated follow up to their critically-acclaimed Top 10 debut album Reeling.
Recorded and produced by Grammy Award winning producer John Congleton (St. Vincent, Angel Olsen) in LA, Afraid of Tomorrows is a deeper and darker foray into The Mysterines’ psyche than its predecessor, and reflects the maturity and growth of the band. “Afraid of Tomorrows is a mirror where you find you’re nothing more than a formless being, one made from celestial constellations – of traumas, of the old and new, mistakes, addiction, fear and happiness, loneliness, but ultimately a desire for life and the fight to keep living. It’s a collage of what’s been lost and of love unbounded”, says Lia.
The Mysterines are set to embark on their biggest headline tour to date this Autumn. The 16-date run will kick off in Dublin on 18th October and include a stop at London’s iconic O2 Shepherds Bush Empire, culminating in Paris on 8th November. The band will play a string of exciting shows this summer, including at Crystal Palace Park as special guests to Bloc Party for their huge 20th anniversary show on 7th July, and numerous festivals all over the UK and Europe including Live at Leeds in the Park, 2000 Trees, Truck Festival, Tramlines and Best Kept Secret.
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GRACIE ABRAMS
SOPHOMORE ALBUM THE SECRET OF US OUT NOW
ABRAMS MAKES BILLBOARD HOT 100 SOLO DEBUT WITH “CLOSE TO YOU” THIS WEEK
GRAMMY®-nominated singer-songwriter Gracie Abrams has released her highly anticipated sophomore album, The Secret of Us. The Secret of Us brings a bold new spirit to her songwriting and embodies all the breathless urgency of spilling your heart out to your closest friend at the end of a whirlwind night. The album was co-produced by her friend and frequent collaborator Aaron Dessner, and this project marks the first time Gracie herself took a hands-on role in the production process. Abrams also enlisted longtime friend Audrey Hobert to co-write much of the album.
The Secret of Us features Gracie’s long-awaited new single “Close To You,” which she released earlier this month. Earlier this week, Gracie achieved another career milestone as she made her solo debut on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Close To You” entering the chart at #49. Originally teased a few years ago, “Close To You” has quickly become her best performing single upon release with three million streams in one day on Spotify alone. This single is Gracie’s first time entering the Spotify Global Chart and is currently Top 20 on the platform. Last week, Gracie gave a show stopping performance of “Close To You” on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on the outdoor stage. The new album also includes “Us,” Gracie’s highly anticipated collaboration with Taylor Swift, as well as lead single “Risk,” which Abrams released last month along with the official video – watch HERE. “Risk” garnered an impressive one million streams on Spotify in less than 10 hours after the release and currently has over 62M streams to date.
Since making her debut in 2019, Gracie Abrams has emerged as one of the most compelling singer-songwriters of her generation, earning the admiration of such like minded artists as Taylor Swift, Lorde, Billie Eilish, and Olivia Rodrigo and most recently, she earned the highly coveted nomination for Best New Artist for the 66th Annual GRAMMY Awards. A consummate songwriter who names Joni Mitchell as her most formative influence, she penned her first song at age eight, then went on to amass a devoted following on the strength of her emotionally intimate lyrics and DIY sensibilities.
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SELF ESTEEM
RETURNS WITH NEW SINGLE ‘BIG MAN’ WITH MOONCHILD SANELLY
WATCH THE VIDEO NOW
Self Esteem returns with her first new music since the release of her wildly acclaimed BRIT and Mercury Prize-nominated 2021 album Prioritise Pleasure. Her new single ‘Big Man’ is a collaboration with South African trailblazer Moonchild Sanelly and explores the nuances of modern masculinity and gender roles. ‘Big Man’ was premiered as Hottest Record In The World on BBC Radio 1 and arrives with Self Esteem’s brightest and boldest music video yet; concept by Self Esteem, directed by Piers Dennis and produced by Ayomide Alli and Precious Mahaga. Opening with a nod to Queen’s iconic ‘I Want To Break Free’ visuals, it sees the duo take on household chores historically regarded as ‘women’s work’ in style.
One of the UK’s most exciting breakout stars of the past decade, Rebecca Lucy Taylor, AKA Self Esteem emerged from cult favourite status to mainstream hero across a whirlwind year following the huge success of her empowering, truth-telling 2021 single ‘I Do This All The Time’. The song resonated intensely as a perfect example of Taylor’s affectionately termed ‘trojan horse’ or ‘salad and chips’ approach, fearlessly packing important, emotive messages into witty, resonant pop music.
Self Esteem’s wildly acclaimed second album Prioritise Pleasure quickly followed, tackling the hypocrisies and joys found in her experiences of modern day womanhood across dating, friendship, comparison culture, self love, women’s safety and sexual assault and much more. Prioritise Pleasure received Mercury Prize, BRIT Award, Sky Arts and NME Award nominations, was crowned The Guardian and Sunday Times Culture’s Album of the Year, and ‘I Do This All The Time’ was also named The Guardian’s #1 song of 2021.
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THE DARE
SHARES NEW SINGLE ‘PERFUME’
ANNOUNCES DEBUT ALBUM WHAT’S WRONG WITH NEW YORK? DUE SEPTEMBER 6TH
New York upstart The Dare shares brand new single ‘Perfume’ today, alongside details of his much anticipated debut album What’s Wrong With New York?, landing September 6 via Polydor Records. ‘Perfume’ is accompanied by a video directed by Nick Harwood. Listen here and watch here.
What’s Wrong With New York? was recorded over the last year between The Dare’s home and studio in New York. The album features songwriting and production collaborations with Dylan Brady (100 gecs), Emile Haynie (Lana Del Rey, FKA twigs, Dua Lipa), Romil Hemnani (Brockhampton), Chris Greatti (Yves Tumor, Yeule), Isaac Eiger of Strange Ranger and more.
The Dare is fresh from two nights opening for Charli xcx at her first-ever Brat live performances in New York and Los Angeles, where he debuted a brand-new live show. Additionally, he produced ‘Guess’ from the Brat deluxe edition out now—listen here.
The Dare is the solo project of vocalist, songwriter and producer Harrison Patrick Smith. Bursting onto the scene with the ubiquitous ‘Girls’ his much lauded The Sex EP drew widespread praise from critics and fellow artists alike. His explosive live shows have sold out across North America and Europe, and his legendary DJ sets, honed at his signature downtown Manhattan party Freakquencies, have soundtracked parties for Gucci, Celine and many more. He has shared stages and collaborated with Charli xcx, Yves Tumor, Water From Your Eyes and a host of others.
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REMI WOLF
RELEASES NEW SINGLE & VIDEO ‘MOTORCYCLE’
HIGHLY ANTICIPATED SOPHOMORE ALBUM BIG IDEAS OUT JULY 12TH VIA EMI RECORDS
Remi Wolf continues to peel back the curtain on what is shaping out to be her most artistically ambitious and refined projects yet with her latest single, ‘Motorcycle,’ off her highly anticipated sophomore album, Big Ideas, out July 12th on EMI Records. Pre-order here.
“Motorcycle” is an emotionally raw and vulnerable ballad highlighting Remi’s bare vocal ability as a songstress. Created alongside Kenny Beats, Leon Michels and the Dap-Kings, the song’s vocals and instrumentation were all recorded in one take with minimal edits. The stripped back minimalist production lays the perfect foundation for Remi’s soulful and reflective lyrics to remain the center of attention while she floats through a jazzy guitar melody. Directed by, Sweetiepie, “Motorcycle’s” accompanying music video captures Remi’s sense of humor and introspectiveness as she tries her best at roleplaying a traditional housewife while dressed in vintage attire.
Big Ideas propels Remi to new heights as her honed sense of self and musicianship is on full display, presenting her big ideas as a magnum opus of guitar-smashing, hair-raising, soul-bearing, lung-filling, life-altering bangers. Following the release of her 2021 critically acclaimed debut album Juno, Remi’s ascent into stardom has been undeniable. She has performed all over the world; whether it be at festivals like Coachella, Lollapalooza, Governors Ball, SXSW and Bonnaroo, selling out tours across North America and Europe at venues like Terminal 5 in NYC or The Shrine in LA, or opening for artists like Lorde, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Paramore. This Spring she toured with Olivia Rodrigo on her European leg of the The GUTS World Tour, playing venues like The O2 in London and Accor Arena in Paris.
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My life is a soundtrack, i track my life through music, photography is my passion, my escape, my expression. Without both i have pieces missing, thankfully i’m blessed and get to combine both.
Born in Manchester, lived in Australia for 22 years where i was heavily involved in the Australian Music Industry, firstly in bands (Singer) and then managing bands (all original), I moved back to the UK, Wales specifically 10 years ago
