Artist Spotlight
CHARMAINE Team Up With Kali on New track “SIZZLE”
Following on from the recent release of rising hip-hop superstar Charmaine’s debut EP, the Canadian-Zimbabwean artist is upping the ante with three new additions to create her Hood Avant Garde Deluxe EP.
This includes sensual Latin-dance inspired track ‘A MI MANERA’ featuring Warner Music Latin artist VALENTINO and ‘SIZZLE’ featuring Atlanta rapper KALI, plus remix of ‘DON’T CARE’ now titled ‘WE DON’T CARE’ featuring Toronto rapper HAVIAH MIGHTY.
Her debut tape was packed with multidimensional, playful and boasty must-rewind songs. In true Charmaine fashion, she’s rounded up a stellar trio of artists to up the ante on her electrifying debut EP with three new offerings that are sure to be a part of your summer playlist.
Haviah Mighty impresses on ‘WE DON’T CARE’ that showcases her and Charmaine’s unapologetic confidence and musical style that uplifts listeners. Latin sensation Valentino blends perfectly with Charmaine’s luscious vocals, showcasing her versatility and singing abilities on ‘A MI MANERA’. Finally, ‘SIZZLE’ featuring Kali is a confidence-boosting track that makes female listeners feel BOLD while embracing their sexuality.
“I am beyond excited,” Charmaine says of her deluxe offering. “Haviah Mighty, Valentino and Kali killed their verse and the world is going to hear that. It was super important for me to have international representation for my deluxe project. I cannot wait to see how everyone responds to it! I want everyone to feel GOOD and ready to get back into the open world we so dearly missed.”
Charmaine’s last offering was the official music video for ‘DOUBLE DUTCH’ that saw her serve culture and couture – watch here. Charmaine has continued to impress and grow her loving fan base and with over three million streams of her debut EP, it’s clear she’s making noise that fans can’t get enough of.
Following her First on SoundCloud selection (being the only Canadian to ever be selected for the platform’s accelerated program) Charmaine rounded up her team to chop it up with DJ, producer, entrepreneur, and former MTV host, Jasmine Solano on Clubhouse. The discussion touched on Charmaine’s artistry and behind the scenes moments with her team that landed her to where she is today. The in-depth conversation was filled with inspiration for creatives everywhere on respecting the hustle that drives career success.
Listed as one of 25 artists to watch in 2021 by Complex Canada, “Queen of the North“ by Earmilk and a “bop connoisseur” by Notion, Charmaine is on her way up with no looking down.
Artist Spotlight
CircleKSK ignites an anime-metal collision on “UnBreakable Turn” ft. Anya J
On their exhilarating high-octane track “UnBreakable Turn,” CircleKSK and guest vocalist Anya J aim to combine the technical prowess of Nordic metal with the urgent melodies and dramatic flair of an anime opening sequence. Creating a cinematic and adrenaline-fueled tune with a melodic edge, CircleKSK has risen to prominence as an innovative act.
The deliberate fusion contributes to the single’s captivating nature. J-Pop and anime-song sensibilities contribute emotional hooks and sweeping, catchy lines; precision, dense riffs, and a sense of weight are brought by Nordic metal. Echoing the song’s vivid melodic contours, Anya J’s heroic and personal vocals and demeanor heighten the dramatic impact of the performance. The structure is based on the standard narrative progression: lively, evocative parts leading the way to more somber ones that ground the emotion.
The production relies on contrast so that lighter parts sparkle and heavier parts thud with satisfying force. As if CircleKSK were creating music for the eyes as well as the ears, this piece could serve as the score for a dramatic scene or the music for a violent montage. Not everything is surface-level, though; the emotional core remains. Anthemic and deeply personal, “UnBreakable Turn” combines the vigor of youth with the gravity of experience.
An assuredly inventive single that fearlessly asserts new territory, “UnBreakable Turn” by CircleKSK is sure to please fans of big, dramatic music that isn’t hesitant to mix sweetness and steel, as well as those who enjoy cross-cultural mashups. The single, which has been lauded by curators and tastemakers worldwide, is a strong statement about artists who fearlessly combine cultural genres, showing that passionate J-Pop melodies and intense Scandinavian metal can coexist in one unforgettable track.
Artist Spotlight
Garth Adam keeps the flame of Journeysong burning with the new single “Three Fires”
Garth Adam‘s latest single, “Three Fires,” evokes a warm dialogue in a subdued studio that is intimate, contemplative, and subtly victorious. Adam candidly discusses the exhilaration of uncovering self-assurance in both himself and his songwriting, and this revelation serves as the driving force of the track. At its essence, “Three Fires” is a straightforward commemoration: the delight in transforming a modest idea into something extraordinary through patience.
Adam’s vocal style resides comfortably within a folk-influenced pop genre, which he characterizes as a blend of Neil Finn and The Lumineers, interspersed with elements reminiscent of Coldplay and James Blunt. The reference point is beneficial yet not confining; “Three Fires” represents Adam’s unique creation, an accessible, melodic composition that prioritizes artistry over novelty. The single, recorded in joyful sessions in Perth with long-time collaborator and producer Melvin Tree, exudes the warmth of musicians collaborating in a circle, with the vintage Studer analog desk imparting an analog glow to the final recording. Melvin, Dave Kelly, and a select group of skilled music students contribute backing vocals that enhance the track with harmony and impart a subtly communal, authentic quality.
The lyrics of the song emphasize Adam’s preferred motifs: travel, journeys, and the subtle transformations that occur during the voyage. However, it is not overly forceful; the songwriting is elegant, transitioning from observation to insight with effortless fluidity. Adam’s delivery conveys satisfaction; he is a songwriter who has witnessed minor concepts evolve into completed songs and has learned to trust that process.
“Three Fires” serves as a testament to the notion that skill and perseverance can transform a mere spark into something luminous. For aficionados of melodic songwriting with an analog essence, Garth Adam’s latest work is a comforting, exquisitely crafted ember to accompany one on their journey. It is a song that encourages repeated, soothing auditory experiences.
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