Music

Loyle Carner Reflects On His Growth From A Boy To A Man On The Madlib-Produced ‘Yesterday’

The South Londoner returns with his first track since his April 2019 album, ‘Not Waving, But Drowning.’ …

It’s been almost three years since Loyle Carner found mainstream success by the way of his 2017 debut album, Yesterday’s Gone. The album was critically acclaimed overseas, as it was named the album of the year by The Independent, nominated for the 2017 Mercury Prize, and helped him land additional nominations at that year’s Brit Awards. Nowadays, the South Londoner is sticking to the same script that brought him fame, one he presents once again on his new Madlib-produced single, “Yesterday.”

Carner released the track with a reflective video attached. The visual starts with Loyle reimagining his childhood by holding a baby in his arms that represents himself at a younger age. As the narrative continues, viewers see the rapper grow from a young boy to a grown man as the video ends with a full-circle moment with the man, played by his Carner’s younger brother, holding a baby of his own in his arms. He alluded to this moment in the video in a tweet that announced the visual’s release. “Everything comes full circle,” he says. “Shouts to Madlib and My little brother.”

The new song is Carner’s latest release since he shared his sophomore album Not Waving, But Drowning back in April 2019. The rapper gave fans a week to prepare for the new song after he posted a tweet that read, “F*ck it, new music next week. Who’s here?” He also shouted out producer Madlib after the release of “Yesterday” by quoting one of the song’s lyrics in a tweet saying, “LC AND MADLIB IT’S MADLOYLE.”

You can watch the video for “Yesterday” above.

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Artist Spotlight

Crispy C Notes brings focused ambition on latest release “Chosen”

Crispy C Notes’ hip-hop release “Chosen” makes a statement with purpose and conviction. The record is clear about its artistic identity, with the independent Connecticut artist behind Alien Trap and Relatable Rap letting his commanding vocal presence lead the charge. The production returns to a hip-hop base and cuts out unnecessary frills, so the lyrics and performance can take center stage.

The song’s strength lies in its delivery. Crispy C Notes glides through measured cadences with sure-footedness, giving each verse gravity and lift. His writing is always spot-on, emphasizing determination and personal conviction with a clean lyrical approach. The sparse production plays to the song’s advantage, highlighting the vocal performance without overpowering it. It’s a balance that makes the listener feel that every rhythmic change and lyrical accent is intentional and serves to emphasize the record’s overarching message.

“Chosen” works because it knows that impact is often a matter of clarity, rather than complexity. C Notes is confident not only in his delivery but also in his songwriting, allowing his personality to flow organically throughout the track. The result is a record that is disciplined in its production but engaging from start to finish, thanks to its expressive flow and thoughtful lyricism. He delivers a project that is a true reflection of artistic growth and creative focus as an independent artist who is still finding his own lane. “Chosen” is a bold statement of self that leaves the listener with a clear impression of the artist’s vision and the direction in which he continues to move.

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Artist Spotlight

Maija breathes new life into classic emotion with latest release “Where Is the Love”

Maija’s version of “Where Is the Love” is a graceful, emotionally rich offering that pulls listeners into a modern jazz experience of warmth, sophistication, and heartfelt storytelling. From the opening, the song establishes a reflective mood, mixing expressive vocals with polished instrumentation that feels both classic and contemporary. The trumpet’s sophisticated sound, combined with other exquisitely curated elements of jazz, creates a vibe that’s smooth, enveloping, and effortlessly sophisticated.

And the lyric narrative has this feeling of longing, of broken promises and unanswered questions that feels very personal. Love, honesty, and emotional ambivalence are the main themes as the story unfolds, providing a connection to the song’s sincere viewpoint for the listeners. Maija eschews dramatic flourishes, leaving the expressive delivery and tasteful jazz arrangement to do the emotional heavy lifting. The trumpet, with its own soulful voice, gracefully weaves around the melody, and the supporting instrumentation adds to the song’s intimate character.

The production is slick but not overdone, letting the song’s lyrics speak for themselves. Whether you’re attracted to its expressive vocals, its polished instrumentation, or its relatable emotional themes, “Where Is the Love” is a compelling reminder that honest storytelling and thoughtful musicianship continue to define the very best moments in modern jazz.

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