Teddy Geiger – “I Was In A Cult”
Singer-songwriter Teddy Geiger, who has written songs for the likes of Shawn Mendes, One Direction, 5 Seconds Of Summer and Maroon 5, has decided to release her own music.
The American singer, who is currently transitioning to become a woman, just dropped her new single “I Was In A Cult“, that precedes her forthcoming album LillyAnna to come out sometime this summer.
The song is an uplifting rock track that draws from Geiger’s personal journey as transgender. The “cult” she sings about is not a specific cult, instead, the singer explained that is more about the idea of becoming part of something, a group of friends, family or any social circus, and getting stuck in their idea of who you are/supposed to be.
This is definitely something we can all relate to. Who hasn’t strived to conform just to be accepted into a certain group? “I Was In A Cult”, then, examines the feeling of self-liberation and finally coming into your own self, with Geiger singing “I wanna look to now, now that it’s real/I wanna love tonight, now that I’m free, yeah“.
Accompanied by a raw sound of guitar sequences that contrast beautifully with Geiger’s echoing vocals, the song has that grunge cut that you usually find in early bands who have their early start playing in their parents’ garage. Geiger, who is a pop-hit deliverer when it comes to writing for other artists, has definitely chosen to go for a more personal style here as she switches to a more rock-infused sound with her new single.
Listen to it here:
Black Eyed Peas – “Get It”
The trio is back! Without Fergie, but they’re back. Taboo, will.i.am and apl.de.ap dropped a fresh single today and the video is out as well.
And everything is also accompanied by the great news of an upcoming European tour in autumn: tickets will go on sale this Friday, June 13 and they will kick off in London and finish in Milton Keynes, passing by Birmingham, Glasgow and Manchester in the UK. Further stages of Masters Of The Sun Tour are set for Germany, Belgium, France and Amsterdam.
The new hit “Get It“, which follows the singles “Street Livin’” and “RING THE ALARM pt.1, pt.2, p.3.“, alludes a possible future album, but no release date is revealed yet.
After a somewhat silent but violent background clip in the video itself, the Black Eyed Peas are singing, apparently without noticing the fight episodes between police and civilians. The final slogan is “Don’t normalize hate. Love for all. Take action now.”
Directed by Ben Mor, it is a totally political video, supported by national organizations like the Hip Hop Caucus, in partnership with Black Alliance for Just Immigration, #SchoolsNotPrisons, The Gathering for Justice, United We Dream, and Revolve Impact.
Watch the video below.
Ta’Shan – “Foodie”
London-based artist and rising star Ta’Shan adds to her hot string of releases – the headbanger that is “Comfie” and last year’s “We Get It” – with the release of brand new empowering anthem “Foodie“.
In a self explanatory sense, the song calls out to all the unapologetic food lovers who embrace their bodies and are not afraid of staying real. Once again, Ta’Shan combines her versatile vocals with flawlessly relatable lyrics and progressive R&B production, resulting in an enrapturing track which is bursting with the artist’s unique energy.
“Growing up I always felt I had to be skinny to be pretty, but today I feel good the way I am, even with a couple more kilos. ‘Foodie’ is as important to me as it was the moment I started accepting myself and my body, no matter what size I am!” speaks Ta’Shan
With a radio-ready beat and a smart reprisal and re-invention of Eve’s early 2000s hit “Who’s That Girl”, this is an instant add to our summer playlist.
Romeo Santos + Juan Luis Guerra – “Carmin”
Not only reggaeton, trap and urban music; Romeo Santos sticks to tradition and offers us a classical bachata track that we’ve actually missed in all this electro-latino panorama. Titled “Carmin“, it’s a collaboration with Juan Luis Guerra.
It is a relaxing melody, with romantic lyrics and a really elegant style, provided by the exceptional contribution from the 61 years old Dominican singer & composer Guerra. The song was released last year but the duo left fans waiting for the video, which has been teased during the past months.
The ex-Aventura leader announced the official countdown of the new clip yesterday night with a video posted on all his socials, while on the European leg of the Golden Tour, which will come back to the United States in September for a second round.
The video for “Carmin” was filmed in a fairy tale castle in New York, and the two “poetas” simply sing, surrounded by classical dancers moving in a delicate sunlight.
The song is part of Santos’ latest album Golden, which follows Formula, Vol. 2 released in 2014. He released Formula, Vol. 1 back to 2011 when he started his solo career, after separating from the unforgettable band Aventura, who were known all over the world with the famous hit “Obsesion“. That probably led to the discovery of the Latin music trend by many (myself included).
Pip Millett – “Love The Things You Do”
Following her breakthrough debut “Make Me Cry” last month, rising London R&B star Pip Millet comes through with her second offering “Love The Things You Do“.
Contrasting her quietly powerful debut with a playfully light instrumental, hiding an emotive take on being knocked back by a friend, but having the good sense to move past it and remain close, this is a thrillingly free, potent follow-up from one of the rapidly emerging breakout names of 2018.
With producer Lester Duval again on the beat, his laid-back, guitar-flecked instrumental again provides a natural fit with Millet’s vocal performance, and the deeply personal nature of Millet’s lyrics, juxtaposed with the shroud of mystery she’s maintained, is sure to continue to generate intrigue.
With a perfect amalgam of pure vocal talent and effortless style even at this early stage, such is the freshness and purity of her art. Immediately making waves in both the UK and US with major tastemaker support, Pip already seems destined for very big things.
Lyves – “Rest Your Head”
There is no overthinking or hiding your own feelings in Lyves‘ new music video for her single “Rest Your Head“.The song is part of Lyves’ 8 Rooms project, something that the singer defines as “a safe space for full and free expression“.
The concept behind 8 Rooms is to release one song each month accompanied by a short film that will serve as visual for the song. The project was entirely Lyves’ idea, who has cited her desire to be more bold and straightforward with what she wants to convey both musically and artistically.
“Rest Your Head”, then, follows June’s release “Still” with its complementary film. The video, directed by Francesca Castelbuono, portrays the grief of a mother who has lost her son and is trying to come to terms with her loss and despair by revisiting their relationship.
Castelbuono masterfully captures all these feelings in what is a visually stunning short film. Past and present forge in this daunting recounting of how grief and loss come together. Memories flash by as we see the woman slowly coming undone to Lyves’: “Thought I knew who I was till a part of me died instead/‘Cause a thought of you broke me to pieces, had to learn how to mend“.
The Italo-Australian singer punches you right in the guts with her daunting vocals and scratchy pitches in her new single, that is conceptually and musically both authentic and moving.
8 Rooms, the project that Lyves has carefully developed and crafted, is an ambitious and beautiful work of art. Lacking all those extra embellishments so dear to part of the music scene nowadays, “Rest Your Head” manages to scatter the surface and get to the core of these sentiments.
Watch the music video here:
Words by Jay Tijani, Camilla Marotta & Paola Pedrotti
