ONUR – “Stunnah”
After the warm reception that his debut single “Beamin’” received, British contemporary R&B artist ONUR has given us a timely follow-up as he unveil his second single “Stunnah“.
Maintaining his singular and soulful approach, ONUR is embracing a more sexier side. The second out of four self-written and produced tracks from his upcoming EP, this new single showcases his impressive and soulful vocal range which taps into Rock sensibilities. It beautifully translates over Jack Garratt-like bassy beats and quite forward-thinking, edgy guitars. ONUR is taking R&B to another level.
“I’ve always loved more sensual music. And I feel as though Stunnah is just that embodiment. It’s raw, it’s aggressive, yet still delicate,” reveals the singer. “I’ve always liked that almost James Brown ethos of not holding back and saying ‘I’ve just fucking landed’. I definitely feel as though this song is a statement more than anything else. A statement of confidence, passion and energy.”
After a few years spent sculpting his sound, the newly 22-year-old is about to make some serious waves on the waters of the contemporary R&B scene.
Tobi Sunmola – “Be My Lover”
With his recent single a return to the musical spotlight after a short stint away and a well received piece of musical art, Tobi Sunmola refuses to rest on his laurels and instead provides us with the brand new video for his single “Be My Lover“.
A beautiful visual to accompany the single, Tobi is in his feelings as he is caught passionately playing an abandoned piano by the shore, singing and rapping in effortless flow. Beautiful sweeping shots of the shorelines and the beautiful sandy beaches are then disrupted as the aggressive waves sweep Tobi and the piano away into the sea, before he agonisingly crawls back to land.
Tobi says of the new single: “The track is about love that is broken but it’s love regardless and that love keeps us connected.” He further explains of the video that accompanies the track: “The floating broken pieces of piano at my feet at the end is symbolic of the broken pieces of this love.”
Fabian Secon – “Run Away”
Hailing from the UK, alternative R&B artist Fabian Secon has returned and reveals his brand-new single “Run Away”.
Sonically a somber affair, the heartfelt song was both written and produced by Fabian and continues his unique brand of emo/alternative R&B with subtle hip-hop influences. Fabian is taking strides to assuredly shake up the R&B game and people are certainly taking notice.
Speaking on the track, Fabian says: “‘Run Away’ is about people needing an escape from their environment and seeking change from their troubles. It has a haunting feel to it and a raw sounding instrumental.”
The single arrives during an exciting period for Fabian. The independent artist recently surpassed eight million streams on the back of a flurry of viral singles released over the past year, such as “What Do I Live For”, breakout hit “Defeated”, “Haze” with Young T & Bugsey and “Bandz No Sleep” with rapper Felix Dicey which is garnering support internationally.
Reece West – “Flavours”
Billed as one of the most exciting grime artists for 2018, Reece West, follows up from his breakthrough tracks “Arsene Wenger” and “Walk on Water” with a slick new track “Flavours”.
Another taster of his upcoming EP, “Flavours” sees the rising north London emcee finesse over a hypnotic, flute-inspired instrumental produced by Lubu with his trademark baritone and hyper-jumpy flows. A key player in the underground scene for a number of years, the young MC now stands at the forefront of the UK’s rising grime talent.
Compared to grime legend D Double E for his effortless flow complexity and technical ability, Reece’s style harks back to the old school days with the kind of lyrical content and poise that pulls straight to 2018. A new video and first European date in Barcelona set for October 19, his EP launch on November 15 at Dalston’s Tispy will only continue to generate the intrigue around this rising young star.
Best Picture + Trevor Crown – “LA Noir”
Los Angeles production duo Best Picture have teamed with singer Trevor Crown for a shadowy take on West Coast film noir, combining past and present, aptly titled “LA Noir”.
Trevor Crown, an underground singer and fellow Los Angeles native, steps out from the shadows on Best Picture’s latest production, an art-pop track that pays homage to the cynicism of film noir past and present. Shadows lurk over slinking, skittering beats, as an anguished piano recalls the melodrama of West Coast noir staples Sunset Boulevard, Double Indemnity, and The Big Sleep.
At its core, “LA Noir” is a bleak and brooding affair which happens to detail the idea of mystery – the innermost things that people choose to conceal. True to their name, Best Picture takes this point of inspiration and modernizes it for a 21st century audience.
One of the few lines which transcend and ring true to the core Crown begs his partner to “show [him] something real” as he stands as a betrayed lover losing grasp of reality and his moral footing.
Kara Marni – “Move”
Burgeoning UK artist Kara Marni is about to put a little kick into your week as she unveils the music video for her latest single “Move“.
The song, Marni’s first since she dropped her Love Just Ain’t Enough EP in May, is a playful middle finger to bad energy everywhere, soulfully singing over a warm and inviting beat filled with bubbling synths and a killer bassline, The video, shot in London’s Battersea Town Hall, is a bold and confident accompaniment to the track which packs plenty of color into its nostalgic ’90s aesthetic.
Speaking to The FADER, Kara shared: “Much like the sonics of the track I wanted to also give a visual nod to the 90s. I’m really happy we captured that stylistically. This one is for anyone finding the strength to turn their back on a bad situation. I hope when you watch it makes you feel empowered and reminds you of your own worth!”
Words by Jay Tijani
