The Kingdom Choir – “Blinded By Your Grace Pt. 2”
Following their show-stopping performance of “Stand By Me” at the Royal Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, The Kingdom Choir have released the music video for their captivating cover of Stormzy‘s “Blinded By Your Grace Pt. 2“.
With the single coming from The Kingdom Choir’s debut album Stand By Me which will be out on October 26, the video is warm and uplifting, lending itself as a visual piece that aims to display the true meaning of love and altruism.
The choir’s diverse album includes heart-rending renditions of classics as well as the title track of the album – their famous take on “Stand By Me”. Also, the album has a brand new, emotionally powerful ballad written by members of The Kingdom Choir called “Chases“.
Frankie Stew & Harvey Gunn – “Cold Man Sound”
Emerging Brighton rap duo Harvey Stew & Frankie Gunn release their newest low-fi gem, “Cold Man Sound”.
Producer Harvey comes through with another jagged, innovative instrumental, heavy on the bassline and light with the dance-oriented, synth inflections. Balancing perfectly with Frankie’s unique style and flow, his lyrical content continuing to search for answers on the world around him. Franke has this slight poetic edge that makes his content all the more relatable.
It’s a trademark that’s seen the young artists build a serious cult following in their UK hometown as well as a growing fanbase in the US with features on tastemakers Trench Magazine, Lost Culture as well as Earmilk.
With a confirmed co-sign from Loyle Carner in the works, this new genuinely genre-fusing track should continue to generate interest in a cult duo that have also announced their rapidly selling-out new UK tour.
Bas + Correy C – “Fragrance”
Dreamville’s finest Bas presents us with an interesting take on love and romantic flings In his new music video for “Fragrance“, coming off his latest project Milky Way which dropped a couple of months ago.
Directed by Trillo, the video begins with the Dreamville rapper engaging in a no-strings-attached lovemaking session—or so he thought. After his apparent one-night stand, we see Bas struggling to ditch his former sex partner turned stage-five clinger. The situation becomes so intense at one point, Bas is forced to seek law enforcement aide.
This new flick succeeds that of “Tribe” along with label-mate J. Cole, a definite fan favourite. Going down a storm amongst certain circles, Milky Way stands as a solid project and an album of the year contender for many. Bas intends to springboard off this with the news of a North American nationwide tour kicking off in November 6 in New Orleans before concluding in Nashville in February.
Alicai Harley – “Proper Paper”
Following her recent performances at Teder.Fm in Israel and London’s Jazz Cafe, hotly tipped London artist Alicai Harley has unveiled her slick new single “Proper Paper“.
Produced by SSK, “Proper Paper” is yet another example of the singer’s uplifting productions, which perfectly encapsulate the current climate of UK music. A lush embodiment of the fast-rising talent’s sumptuous sound and rich vocal range, “Proper Paper” is tinged with melodic Caribbean influences, a nod to her homeland of Jamaica.
Alicai again proves herself as worthy of the widespread acclaim she has consistently received from the industry and fellow musicians alike, including Dizzee Rascal, Estelle, Swizz Beatz and Stefflon Don. Add that to the tremendous support around her previous singles, with “Naah Done” being playlisted by BBC Radio 1Xtra and receiving spins across Capital Xtra.
Having shut down Carnival in August with stand-out performances across various soundsystems, including Toddla T’s Steeze Wonderland and Red Bull, Alicai Harley also spent time on tour around the UK with BBC Introducing, as well as performing an energetic set at this year’s London Black Pride.
Ariana And The Rose – “Lonely Star”
Considered a “synthpop purveyor” and a “technicolored powerhouse” by fans and tastemakers across the board, Ariana and the Rose backs up all of these claims with her first new music of 2018 and its an anthem of a track, graced with a near interstellar visual piece to match.
The first of several new tracks over the next few months, “Lonely Star” finds Ariana building a sound inspired by everything from the magical realism of Haruki Murakami and the energy of the 90s club scene. A song that feels like the galactic heart-pounding meeting ground between Kate Bush and Robyn, Ariana thrives on being cutting edge like Solange or Christine and the Queens
The video is a true salute to her ‘light + space’ events which she states are “glitter filled and galactic” and “have such a hopeful and inclusive energy“. Ariana donns body glitter from head to toe, surrounded by dancers in the same manner who interpret her empowering lyrics through movement.
One Acen – “GucciChanel”
Following on from recent smash single “EIO” with frequent collaborator Hardy Caprio and having featured alongside him on the Top 40 hit “Best Life” and arguably one of the biggest tracks this summer, One Acen gives us another taste of what he has to offer, with the release his brand new single “GucciChanel”
With a sound spanning classic-sounding UK Garage/2 Step, mixed with a modern R&B twist and bouncing electro beats, “GucciChanel” showcases Acen’s melodic approach whilst infusing a modern approach to the various musical genres he pays homage to, speaking about enjoying the fruits of his labour as a way of escaping the stress of everyday life.
“GucciChanel” will be included on his upcoming EP SexyOddRose, set for release on November 9, that also includes the aforementioned “EIO” featuring Hardy Caprio and “Vice Versa” featuring WSTRN; a track that definitely helped propel his status as one of the bonafide hitmakers in today’s urban market.
Words by Jay Tijani
