Reaktywacja – “Full Of Mercy”
Introducing Polish contemporary Christian music band Reaktywacja, with their brand new single “Full Of Mercy“. According to the 7-piece band, #Reaktywacja is more than just a band, they are a way of life, sort of how Christianity is more than just a religion, it’s a relationship with God, and I can relate to that.
Led by bass guitarist and composer Mikołaj Budniak, the band is made up of three vocalists Marta Fedyniszyn, Przemek Kleczkowski, and Łukasz Wicher, while Łukasz Belcyr is on guitars, Grzegorz Sykulski on keyboard, and Piotr Budniak on drums.
I’m not sure if all the elements of their band are at full pelt on this new song “Full Of Mercy”, as it is essentially a piano ballad, which is held together by a gripping and outstanding vocal performance from Przemek Kleczkowski. There’s nothing extraordinary going on with the stripped down musical backdrop, but it is Przemek’s voice that grabs and keeps your attention.
The song is a beautiful homage to God and his mercy upon the band, and lyrically, it’s the simplest of songwriting, but it still touches your heart, especially if you also believe in God as I do. According to the band, this song was created for a seriously ill girl, and the track helped her through her illness. What an incredibly kind gesture, I hope the girl is ok. Listen to “Full Of Mercy” below.
Jordan Rakei – “Mind’s Eye”
Singer, songwriter and producer Jordan Rakei, back from an extended hiatus, has released his new single “Mind’s Eye”, his first solo material since 2018’s “Wildfire” and the first new music in what promises to be a busy 2019.
It follows a string of live and studio collaborations with his friends Tom Misch, Alfa Mist and Barney Artist (the Are We Live collective); as well as Loyle Carner on his recent single “Ottolenghi“. The soul-stirring nature of “Mind’s Eye” comes firstly through the production. Rakei employs his fascinating blend of R&B, Jazz and Electronic production that lifts and descends. Each instrument is masterfully pieced together.
But also the performance of the song and also the lyrics speak volumes. Rakei shares that “the subject of the song is experiencing a technological malfunction which is flooding his mind’s eye with projections of chaos causing him to question his reality.”
Having performed at iconic venues and festivals including Glastonbury, Field Day, Pitchfork Avant-Garde, SXSW, Shepherd’s Bush Empire and two sold-out nights at Ronnie Scott’s, Jordan will play a handful of intimate European and US headline shows in May and June. Head over to his official site for more details.
Idris Lawal – “Jordan”
Introducing Nigerian-born Toronto artist, producer and musician Idris Lawal, with his brand new single titled “Jordan“, which has just premiered via Complex, and is the first of three singles to be released in the lead up to his upcoming solo debut EP, set to be released in September.
“Jordan” comes on the back of last year’s 2-song mixtape A Man & Amora, which was championed by Earmilk, and brought critical acclaim for the fast-rising genre-blending rapping-singing newcomer.
Before his solo foray into music, Idris Lawal was the lead singer for 4-piece alt pop band tadé, who released a 4-track EP titled Omo in 2017, to rave reviews and acclaim from the likes of BandCamp, Native Magazine, APT613, and Glue Magazine, among others. Combining elements of hip-hop, world music, afrobeats and R&B to create a truly unique sound, tadé offered only a glimpse into what to expect from Idris Lawal’s solo project.
With his brand new track “Jordan”, Idris Lawal offers up a strong show of intent for 2019, linking up with burgeoning Canadian producer Antion and Brazilian guitarist Lã, to create an alternative R&B/Hip-Hop masterpiece, with strong genre-fusing sensibilities, backed by an ethereal piano musical backdrop and lush guitar arrangements.
The track is also held together perfectly by Idris Lawal’s captivating vocal display, infectious delivery, and gripping songwriting, about being a black male youth trying to figure life out.
Shy FX + Sweetie Irie + Cara Delevingne – “Rudeboy Lovesong”
Legend, soundman, DJ and all-round UK pioneer Shy FX has released the music video for brand new single “Rudeboy Lovesong” alongside Sweetie Irie and Cara Delevingne.
Directed by Felix Brady, the accompanying music video for “Rudeboy Lovesong” features Ben Cawley and Cara – two tortured lovers mentally and physically – trapped and disorientated in a dystopian world. They reunite but it seems their suffering is far from over by the very end. Cast in black and white, they are powerful scenes that run along such a beautiful song.
Shy shared: “It’s been incredible collaborating with Sweetie and Cara on this record. The goal was to create something unpredictable and non obvious which is a persistent theme on the SoundTape. Doing a video with a dystopian feel also fits that theme and was something I’ve wanted to do for a while. Big up Felix Brady the director who really delivered for us.”
“Rudeboy Lovesong” is lifted from Shy’s forthcoming project, Raggamuffin SoundTape, due March 15. Featuring a broad spectrum of both established and upcoming artists – Lily Allen, Maverick Sabre, Chronixx, Kojey Radical and more – it flawlessly switches through Hip Hop, R&B, Dancehall, Breakbeat and Jungle to form an eclectic soundscape and fuses seamlessly into a satisfying whole.
Dijon – “Bad Luck”
Los Angeles-based, Baltimore-raised artist Dijon finally shares his official debut EP. Titled Sci Fi 1, it includes previously-released singles “Cannonball” and “Drunk” and marks the first full body of work from Dijon as an established solo artist.
To coincide with the release, Dijon shares a new video from the project. The striking and solemn new visual for “Bad Luck,” first conceived by Dijon and then brought to life by Jack Karaszewski, finds Dijon our protagonist endlessly roaming in the Los Angeles night, illuminated by and tethered to a single string of lights.
Speaking on the EP as a whole, Dijon says “Sci Fi 1 is a collection of ideas that did not have a home-not quite an album, something in between. Made in living rooms mostly at night.”
Ms Banks + Kida Kudz – “Snack”
Having performed with girl group of the moment Little Mix at the BRIT Awards last week, Ms Banks capitalises on momentum with the announcement of a brand new project and new single “Snack” featuring the efforts of UK afrobeats singer Kida Kudz.
Rhythmic and full of bass, it’s a fresh new release from the South London rapper that sees her gracing the Afro-esque production with both bars and vocals. Kida Kudz is in his element, providing another signature catchy hook. “Snack” arrives alongside a colourful video, courtesy of Wowza. We have both Banks and Kudz showing off their best fits, as well as a whole lot of dancing (and twerking) to Guilty Beatz‘s masterpiece.
Speaking to The FADER, Banks shared: “To be a snack is to look sweet. ‘Snack’ is feel good record about walking into the club and owning the room and feeling empowered and comfortable in your own skin. Hopefully when you hear it, it gives you that vibe.”
“Snack” with Kida Kudz serves as the first track to be taken from Banks’s forthcoming project The Coldest Winter Ever Part 2 , due on May 9.
Words by Jay Tijani and Ayo Adepoju.
