Toronto-based artist KERUB dives headfirst into reminiscence, concern, and the uneasy pull of nostalgia on their mesmerizing new album, APHANTASIA. Mixing lush indie electronica with philosophical depth and glitchy, dream-like textures, the album is a uncooked exploration of queerness, childhood, and making an attempt to construct a future when you possibly can’t at all times image one. Haunting lead single, “Calm,” captures the aftermath of panic in hanging element – that delicate second when your coronary heart lastly slows and also you’re left alone with the wreckage.
Written partially as a grasp’s thesis, “Calm” started in a haze of bodily consciousness after KERUB‘s first panic assault, unpacking what it means to be so removed from house, making an attempt to remain grounded in a brand new metropolis. Relocation from the West Coast to Toronto sparked reflections on connections left behind and people newly fashioned – woven by way of late-night telephone calls, breathless arguments, and moments of quiet dissociation. With intimate vocals and instrumentals designed to really feel each acquainted and uncannily artificial, “Calm” turns into a smooth but unflinching have a look at vulnerability, rendered with voyeuristic tenderness.
Throughout APHANTASIA, KERUB builds on this stress. Impressed by Nietzsche’s idea of the Everlasting Return – an infinite loop of life repeating itself – the album critiques the comforting however harmful pull of early 2000s nostalgia. It’s directly a private meditation on rising up queer in suburban Vancouver and a broader problem to hauntology’s cultural recycling, asking: what if we’re doomed to relive all of it? And what may it imply to claw out a brand new house anyway?
Daniel Johnston’s legacy is known. The quintessential DIY artist began his profession in Austin, TX while hawking cassettes from his day job at McDonald’s. The remaining, as they are saying, is historical past, and followers of US different music from the Eighties onwards learn about his work and the individuals he went on to encourage.
This, nonetheless, will not be a biography; it’s a easy piece of communication to let individuals learn about the second urgent of Daniel’s radio classes recorded for the BBC as a double album entitled ‘Love Lives Perpetually (BBC Classes 2003-11)’. A challenge impressed by BBC Radio 6 Music’s Marc Riley, the tracks have been licensed from the BBC and permitted by Daniel’s household, administration and charity.
The classes have been unfold throughout an eight-year interval with two classes for Rob Da Financial institution and three with Marc Riley (each of whom are government producers of this album). A couple of bootleg recordings of those classes have been out there throughout the years however now they’ve been lovingly mastered and lower by Frank Arkwright at Abbey Highway Studios in London. Daniel was a lifelong fan of The Beatles and the overwhelming consensus from those that knew him was that he can be so proud and excited to have his music mastered above the legendary Studio 2 at Abbey Highway.
The album is offered as a double vinyl (numbered to 500 copies), CD and hi-res obtain with the paintings being Daniel’s personal work. The CD and vinyl include an 8-page booklet that includes photographs taken at Daniel’s home in Waller, TX.
This challenge’s goal is to have a good time Daniel’s musical legacy, reasonably than discover additional his well-documented psychological well being issues. Nonetheless, income from the album will go to Daniel’s Hello, How Are You Mission primarily based in Austin.
Ian North is fortunate to be alive and celebrates the two-year anniversary of getting back from the brink of loss of life. Two years in the past, within the fall of 2022, Ian suffered a double-pulmonary embolism whereas residing deep within the forests of Muskoka, Ontario. A string of lucky occasions led North to the Bracebridge hospital in time earlier than he collapsed. North flatlined 3 times by way of two hours of emergency resuscitation, then was airlifted from Bracebridge Hospital to Orillia. At age 70, with the help of his spouse Jennifer, he needed to relocate to the massive metropolis, discover ways to stroll, sing and play guitar once more. Music helped him by way of a prolonged rehabilitation interval and sparked a brand new lease on life and renewed curiosity in recording and releasing music once more. Throughout his time in a coma, his spouse Jennifer remembers “One of many issues I missed most was listening to Ian’s voice. It made me understand how we will take seemingly small issues without any consideration. I dug into his outdated albums and would hearken to them consistently whereas ready to see if Ian would make it. Throughout that point, I made the promise that if he did make it, we have been going to make it possible for his unrecorded songs would ultimately see the sunshine of day.”
Relocating to Toronto for rehabilitation was a significant upheaval for the songwriter and artist duo. They needed to pivot in all areas of their life and modify to a brand new regular. Throughout that point, they struck up a dialog with musician and producer Chris Gartner and the brand new album “All the pieces is Incomplete” slowly turned a actuality. In these early days, North had hassle singing and getting his guitar enjoying power again. The life-support tubing in his throat did a quantity on his vocal cords, however he ultimately acquired his voice and falsetto again. Between recording classes, North was receiving a number of therapies, a variety of providers that will not be accessible within the distant forest village the place they’d been residing. Between recording classes, he progressed by way of physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, chiropractic therapies to get his ache underneath management and to get the nerves in his legs working once more in order that he may stroll with no “foot drop”, attributable to mendacity in mattress within the ICU for therefore lengthy. Ultimately, as soon as he was rehabilitated and the album was close to completion, North was clear to depart Toronto on the request of his spouse in order that they may very well be nearer to Muskoka. In January, the pair moved to Orillia, the place the place North ultimately got here again to life.
Although it had been nearly 20 years since Ian was within the studio, he by no means stopped enjoying and making music in personal. Releasing the brand new album broke the dry spell and as soon as once more, Jennifer acquired concerned as North’s enterprise and advertising companion. His new album “All the pieces is Incomplete” marked the start of a brand new “Fallen-Angel Folks-Rock” period. His new self-proclaimed model and style that pays respect to most of the characters that North writes about throughout the context of fable making , cultural that means and narrative model in songwriting and storytelling. As North says, “all of us have a twin nature, striving for perfection however falling brief.” The brand new album was born on August 4th in Orillia and for the primary time, Ian North celebrated his first vinyl recording with a launch social gathering in Toronto in September. Throughout that two-year rehabilitation/recording interval, the track “Lovely Metropolis” took on new that means. Taking inventory of his music profession, the near-death expertise and relocation to a metropolis the place he had lived for a few years supplied a brand new perspective.
Ian North is usually referred to as a “songwriter’s songwriter” for juxtaposing acquainted and off-beat references from music historical past, literature and popular culture. Lots of his tales and pictures come from actual life journeys and a few from fictional ones. His lyrics are sensible and his message is sharp and edgy at instances, overlaying a variety of subjects, from misplaced like to politics to existential principle. With a scathing tackle the world, tempered by occasional musings on life in utopia, Ian North provides distinctive views and poetic insights on topics surrounding the human situation. On the identical time, he supplies a measured glimpse into the character of the person behind the poetry.
North London artist, musician and filmmaker Lewis Knaggs delivers his scintillating, gospel-tinged new single “Metropolis of Tens of millions” – launched on twenty fifth July and launched through Lewis’ personal label Breakwater Information.
“Metropolis Of Tens of millions” emerges as one other beautifully considerate, intimate launch – exploring city life, disconnection and the quiet craving for belonging. The guitar and gospel influences, quickened with handclaps and hovering chord constructions make a fancy and bittersweet topic lovely, Lewis capturing the love-hate relationship with a spot that’s concurrently alive and alienating. Portray uncooked, private reflections on his personal experiences at house in London and on a current journey to Tokyo, Lewis shares: “The massive unhealthy brutal metropolis – I like it and I hate it. Nobody actually speaks to one another. Individuals appear to dwell in concern and generally it simply will get to me… So many individuals and but you possibly can nonetheless really feel so alone.”
Born and raised in North London to a Californian father and Welsh mom, Lewis Knaggs’ artistry is a product of his inventive setting. Reducing his tooth throughout Camden City’s iconic music scene as a youngster, he rapidly marked efficiency and storytelling as vital processes for self-discovery. Private expertise of affection and progress, realism and documentation proceed to raise the sonic and visible universes surrounding him.
Lewis’ love for music led him to his first function on the pioneering music platform SBTV, the place he developed a ardour for filmmaking alongside the late and nice Jamal Edwards. Moments of connection and inspiration gave Lewis the foundations to create actual affect on the tradition, empowering and uplifting artists alike.
Meg Smith is a glitter-soaked misfit who turns heartbreak into euphoria – one disco ballad at a time. Her self-described sound, “Disco Opera,” blends theatrical aptitude, indie-pop shimmer, and dance floor-ready chaos. With influences starting from Britney Spears and Donna Summer time to Queen and ELO, Meg’s songs are maximalist, emotional, and irresistibly enjoyable – an invite to cry and dance in one thing sparkly
A breakout star with a viral “nanny by day, pop star by night time” persona, Meg has constructed a cult following for her bizarre, witty, and wildly emotional pop. She made waves along with her fan-favorite single “Jesus Christ in a Mini Skirt” and debut challenge The Gospel Based on Meg Smith, incomes reward from Rolling Stone and BBC, a Occasions Sq. billboard, and in 2025, a Hollywood Unbiased Music Award for Finest Pop Artist.
Initially from Los Angeles, Meg was raised by an expert dancer mother and a music-obsessed lawyer dad, rising up surrounded by ballet slippers, watercolor paints, and present tunes. After years in neighborhood theatre and aggressive determine skating, she discovered her true calling in songwriting, the place she may channel each side of her inventive identification.
Now primarily based in New York Metropolis, Meg’s angelic-meets-rebel aesthetic pairs completely along with her sonic universe. Her visuals are half camp, half couture – at all times expressive, at all times unapologetically her. Behind the scenes, she’s juggled 50-hour nanny workweeks whereas modifying movies, writing songs, and constructing a profession with no plan B.
Her upcoming single, “Women Simply Wanna Be Well-known,” continues her streak of poignant, larger-than-life storytelling – an intergenerational anthem impressed by her mother’s real-life journey from small-town dreamer to a Seventies L.A. dancer.
With current tour help slots for Zolita, Child Queen, and MisterWives, Meg’s dwell reveals supply catharsis wrapped in sequins. She’s not simply constructing a fanbase, she’s constructing a neighborhood. One which is aware of you’re not alone, and you may dance by way of it.
Breakout pop artist and producer elijah woods broadcasts his debut album, Can We Speak?, releasing October 14th, and shares the album’s lead single, “Ghost On The Radio.”
Can We Speak? marks a significant milestone for elijah. Over the previous 5 years, he has constructed a profession as a totally impartial artist, amassing over 1 billion world streams, incomes a faithful fanbase of greater than 5 million followers, and touring the world solely on his personal phrases. The forthcoming album captures the intimacy, vulnerability, and emotional depth that outline his music, whereas leaning totally into the intelligent, infectious pop sensibilities which have fueled his rise.
The rollout kicks off with “Ghost On The Radio,” a catchy, upbeat pop monitor layered with lyrical depth. Beneath its shiny manufacturing and earworm hooks lies a bittersweet story of unresolved emotion and reminiscence’s persistence.
“‘Ghost On The Radio’ is about memorializing a previous relationship that also haunts you,” elijah shares. “Irrespective of the place you go, their voice finds a option to comply with, like a track you didn’t ask to listen to however can’t flip off.”
GRAMMY® nominated multi-platinum world artist BIA’s profitable streak continues simply in time for the height of summer time with the discharge of her new single, “One Factor.” The brand new, AzizTheShake & Hidde-produced monitor marks her second single of the yr, following the Could launch of WNBA anthem “We On Go.”
“One Factor,” a tropical jam for the summer time the place BIA’s reliable pen and euphonic supply take centerstage, makes for one of many Massachusetts-bred rapper’s most assured performances to this point.
When requested about inspiration for the document, BIA talked about “This track is my ode to Lauryn Hill. Thanks for elevating the frequency for all the ladies & generations to come back.”
Ascendant younger R&B star UMI – has revealed particulars of her extremely anticipated Epic Information debut, individuals tales, out August twenty second. Impressed by the tales of followers and family members, the challenge explores the depth of the human expertise and the shocking interior connectedness of our life tales. She sings about ego, therapeutic, identification, and connection—all filtered by way of her signature tranquil songwriting and seamless potential to weave throughout genres like soul, R&B, people, and pop.
Grammy ®-winning world multi-platinum singer songwriter TYLA has reemerged along with her first new challenge since her historic debut album. The brand new bundle of songs, WWP, options the brand new singles “BLISS” and “IS IT,” and extra brand-new music. The four-track challenge options manufacturing from P. Prince and Sammy Soso together with a visitor look by WizKid on “DYNAMITE.”
WWP has arrived, and you may stream it right here.
pop sensation JESSIA returns along with her new single, “Remedy & Yoga.” Following the excitement of her first-ever North American headline tour in late 2024, “Remedy & Yoga” showcases a assured new chapter in JESSIA’s evolution as an artist.
Radiating self-love, independence, and unapologetic vitality, “Remedy & Yoga” pairs JESSIA’s signature emotional honesty with an undeniably catchy pop sound. It’s an anthem that celebrates selecting your self and abandoning what now not serves you. With this monitor, JESSIA drives house a transparent message: generally the very best revenge is flourishing.
“‘Remedy & Yoga’ is a BOP. It’s for all of the glow-up girlies who determined to decide on themselves this summer time,” JESSIA shares. “It’s about self-love, transferring on, and forgetting about that one man who requested for gasoline cash anytime you went anyplace. That is the track to get you off the bed and strutting down the road.”
- E-mail: neill@outloudculture.com
