PREMIERE: Jordana Lilly – ‘Locked Up’

Having released her debut album Small Capitals earlier this year, LA-based artist Jordana Lilly has now shared her catchy new single.

Celebrating self-acceptance, ‘Locked Up’ (ironically written before ‘lockdown’), oozes an uplifting summer groove as Lilly’s rich crystalline vocals flow with a soulful splendour. Propelled by an infectious, danceable energy and lilting positive vibes, it’s an instantly catchy slice of playful, funk-infused pop; the perfect accompaniment for safely catching some rays during this weekend’s heatwave. Of the track, Lilly explains:

It’s essentially about being stuck with yourself, and the journey to accepting that, then going so far as to celebrate it. Perspective shifting has saved my life and my sanity, more times than I can count. Maintaining positive mental health is all about doing the work – which is something I think then whole world is really realising right now.

Listen to ‘Locked Up’, for the first time, here:

 

‘Locked Up’ is out 10th August via Beardfire Music.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

Track Of The Day: KIN – ‘L.O.V.E’

After a compelling and emotional debut single, ‘Sharing Light’, London trio KIN follow up with a spunky second track titled ‘L.O.V.E.’ Inspired by the great British festival, KIN celebrate the euphoric feeling of being in a loving and freeing environment with good people and open spaces.

In conjunction with their previous work, ‘L.O.V.E.’ seems to set the mood of a boosting “bounce back” that follows a trying time or hardship. This song’s energy almost reflects the first night out after a break-up (or worldwide pandemic), where seeing your favourite people is equally as therapeutic as it is surreal. 

With a simple dance-infused beat and laid back sophisticated vocals, KIN’s jangly guitar parts seem to spin across the track with a unique funk-fuelled energy that is catchy and encouraging. Sun-strewn indie-pop riffs and quirky rhythms pull listeners in for musical fling, for a glistening cathartic couple of minutes. 

It is hard not to bop along to ‘L.O.V.E’ as it truly inhabits its lightweight and restorative “walking on a cloud” essence, both sonically and lyrically. Its twinkling uplifting energy an invite for some well deserved solace that we all should accept. 

Watch the homemade, festival-inspired, video for ‘L.O.V.E’ here:

‘L.O.V.E’ is out now. Listen on Spotify or buy on Bandcamp.

Jill Goyeau
@jillybxxn

LISTEN: Laura Guarch – ‘Fleeting Light’

Having established herself as a professional vocalist, with collaborations with ACM Gospel Choir and London Contemporary Voices under her belt, Spanish London-based artist Laura Guarch has now shared her debut single. 

Soaring with Guarch’s stunning crystalline vocals and an anthemic emotion-strewn musicality, ‘Fleeting Light’ builds to an ethereal, glistening soundscape. A cinematic, alt-pop ballad with shades of the other-worldly majesty of the likes of Bjork or Kate Bush. Of the track, Guarch explains:

The idea for Fleeting Light was born on a night looking at the starry sky from a semi-deserted island in Thailand, called Mu Koh Ang Thong. How are the old stars looking at us, humans, and the changes the Earth is experiencing? Fleeting Light imagines million year-old stars looking down on the Earth and watching the history of life on our planet as their Sunday afternoon entertainment.

Listen to ‘Fleeting Light’ here:

 

Mari Lane
@marimindles

LISTEN: Kynsy – ‘Cold Blue Light’

A dark synth-pop gem that oozes with defiant attitude, Kynsy has shared her latest single ‘Cold Blue Light’. The Dublin-based, multi-instrumentalist places life’s bullies and sarky chancers in her cool spotlight, berating them with her twisted synths and sardonic vocals.

“Haven’t you heard the news? / well you got sick old fashioned views” Kynsy (aka Ciara Lindsey) seethes, refusing to tolerate abuse and societal pressure to conform. Based on her own experience of being at a New Years Eve party watching a man spout racist remarks at people, Kynsy makes it viscerally clear what she thinks of those who “abuse and terrify the young” with the stinging lyric “well I hope someone cuts out your tongue.”

“’Cold Blue Light’ is about the bullies we all encounter in life and looking for meaning in the darkness they create” explains Kynsy. “I wanted to write a song that held some sort of balance between destruction and hope. The result was a rowdy pop song truck full of sticky anger and synth pop goo. The video was filmed just with a camera on a tripod in my back garden, I wanted it to be direct and simple so people could focus on the music.”

Watch the video for ‘Cold Blue Light’ below and follow Kynsy on Spotify & Instagram for more updates.

Photo Credit: Paula Trojner

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut