Now Listening: This Week's Tracks
Shelley FKA DRAM - “Chocolate Covered Strawberries”
Shelley FKA DRAM is back with “Chocolate Covered Strawberries.” It’s a smooth RNB throwback reminiscent of late-90s RNB. Shelley (formerly known as DRAM) swaps his humor for genuine seductive vocals over deep bass and the smoothest strings on the chorus. “Chocolate Covered Strawberries” is accompanied by a visualizer that’s a throwback to 90s music videos with sensual lighting and transitions. Shelley FKA DRAM’s career started with a trap-oriented sound that incorporated his great sense of humor; along with songs in collaboration with legends like Young Thug, Gorillaz, and Erykah Badu. Seven years since his hit debut, he has rebranded as FKA Shelley and embraced his impressive vocal crooning, evident on 2021’s self-titled record. So turn down the lights, get some candles going, open a bottle of champagne and sit close to someone you want to get to know, “Chocolate Covered Strawberries” is that mood.
Billy Summer - “The Test”
Billy Summer lives up to his last name on his new single, “The Test.” It’s a lazy afternoon where the sound of his Gulf Coast home in Florida permeates through. His vocals are effortlessly cool with wry, disaffected lines of a lost fling who has moved on. “The Test” is upbeat with acoustic guitar strumming and an insanely catchy synth/organ line that complements the chorus. Reminiscent of 70s AM rock and early Power Pop. Summer’s music is also used in media like Ted Lasso, Blackfish, Nancy Drew, and others.
His new upcoming EP, Emergency Breakthrough, is due this year.
slenderbodies - “Simple Shapes”
Composed of soft and gentle sounds, “simple shapes” is a delicate ode to the parts of ourselves we’ve left in the past. Relishing in the comforting belief that people are made up of these basic segments, slenderbodies encourage us to live and love entirely and wholly in the present as much as possible. Giving its title to their latest album, it offers a sense of cohesiveness to the 16-track project, tying everything together as a collection of moments and memories. Dreamy and filled to the brim with lush synths, the album explores themes of escapism, joy, frustration and emotional coping.
Sona Blue - “17”
A new, intimate look at Sona Blue’s introspectivity and emotional depth, “17” is a heartbreaking journey through the beginning of the end of a relationship as things begin breaking down and spiralling in different directions. Tender and vulnerable, the track hails from his debut EP which looks to explore the limits of imagination. Sona Blue takes inspiration from a wealth of artists, including Prince, Frank Ocean and James Blake. The result is a sound that represents no time or space, but exists as a patchwork quilt of Sona Blue’s own memories and experiences with the world around him.
Kabinett - “Feather Age”
Atop an upbeat and groovy rhythm, “Feather Age” provides the perfect anecdote for our current world. Starting off as en eccentric, unique tale of a draconian world ruled by seagulls, where freedom of speech and thought is suppressed whilst propaganda and violence prevail, Kabinett encourage listeners to ponder how this narrative would read if we replaced those seagulls with other human beings – how closely does their story resemble our reality? This powerful juxtaposition of disco tunes and apocalyptic lyricism showcases that music and lyrics can oppose one another yet still produce an intoxicatingly impressive track.
Little Suspicions - “Giving Up The Ghost”
Following their formation in Summer 2020, Europe-based band Little Suspicions dips into 70’s nostalgia with their latest track “Giving Up The Ghost”. Starting with a hard hitting piano intro that leads into a disco-inspired flow, the song unfolds a dream-like saga that invites listeners along an ongoing, alcohol-infused search for a past lover. With apprehensive lyrics like, “Tell me how you feel / Do you find it hard to say that I can’t have you”, the track embodies those late night and early morning reflections. “Giving Up The Ghost” was self-recorded between Kent, London and Italy, and mixed by Ben Etter (Deerhunter, Franz Ferdinand). Little Suspicions continues to establish their familiar, decades-surfing sound by encapsulating the influences of musical trailblazers like ABBA and Dick Dale.
The Guest Room x Adison Rice - “Destination”
Instrumentalist quartet The Guest Room brings in the summer season with their new song “Destination”, featuring Adison Rice. The Southern California based group offers an ambitious message to “get up and go” explore what life has to offer instead of remaining still. Delving deeper, the encouraging lyrics also carry a declaration that centers around valuing those around you rather than the physical destination itself. Assembled in 2018, The Guest Room embodies the West Coast’s fast-paced music scene with their inability to be characterized into a single category of sound. Instead, the group continues to create collaboratively by pulling from an array of eclectic musical influences, ranging from genres like Neo-soul, Indie pop, and Alternative R&B.
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weekly tunes playlist has been updated! new tracks from @furtradeband, @pecqband, @garryfool & more! check it out! https://t.co/ToFU0R6YGo -
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RT @oliviaborch: new @LunaCollective out todayyy shot by @alltookev ✨ @P1H_official editorial design by me ! https://t.co/cvSCKsWB5D
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RT @rlyblonde: @AnnieDirusso for @LunaCollective shot by me #35mm #portra800 https://t.co/0UUJSCBGcH
