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| Photo - Kendra Irene |
Emerging soul and jazz vocalist Alicia Waller this week releases “Tempo 120”, an epic R&B odyssey off her debut album Louder, Then, out May 29. Conceived in dialogue with a variety of musical idioms within the African diaspora, the release defies gender stereotypes from the perspective of a woman making no apologies for following her muse. A classically trained singer with a masters degree in international relations and music diplomacy, the release finds Waller using her cross-cultural expertise to create tapestries; ranging from her renowned plush, dreamlike sound, to contemporary soul bangers.
“I think a lot about the sound of a Black woman in conversation with the world,” Waller says. “With ‘Tempo 120’ I wanted to write a song that would capture the story of a woman freeing herself from societal expectations of ‘femininity.’ Instead, I wanted to play with a driving sound that is often more associated with masculinity, while telling a story that is, ironically, utterly feminist. The howl at the top says it all.”
Co-produced by bassist/arranger Marcos Varela (Gary Bartz, Billy Hart and Geri Allen), Alicia Waller’s debut album is an unapologetically ambitious introduction to her musical world. Steeped in her love of contemporary R&B and jazz, and filtered through a global array of influences, the release represents the culmination of years of creative evolution and collaboration. Following her 2020 EP, Some Hidden Treasure, the duo’s partnership deepened, aiming to replace traditional songwriting with “world building”. The result is filled with rich, diverse textures that emphasize the density and conversation between parts.
Beyond her influences, Waller’s music aims to defy the false stereotypes of a female artist, opting for a sound that is heavy, driven and rebellious. Defying the patriarchal boundaries of feminine expression and forged from a conviction for deep development and introspection, Louder, Then is a declaration to herself and the world that her voice will be heard.
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This week we have an unreleased Will Cullen Hart (Olivia Tremor Control / Circulatory System / Black Swan Network) track "The Shell. The song is from the upcoming HHBTM Records / Elephant 6 release The Early Music Vol. 1 by Black Swan Network. HHBTM Records will be doing the vinyl LP and Elephant 6 will be handling all the digital.
The release will be coming out on June 5th, 2026. This project was in the works for about a year before Will suddenly passed away on the day after Thanksgiving in 2024. The record sat there for a while as it was hard to work on the project without Will there to fully sign off on everything as we had a lot of ideas floating around about the record. Thankfully in true Elephant 6 fashion the community came together and Will's wife Kelly said how excited he was about the project and it should get finished.
Ron Kwasman helped select the final track listing down to something that wasn't going to be a box set. (Will's home recording archive is massive). Jason Nesmith prepped the audio as he had been working with Will to digitize and coordinate the archives for most of 2024. Kelly put together the artwork and did the layout and then production of the sleeves and other ephemera was handled by Eric Hernadez and Keyboard Ape. This record is just the first of many of Will's vast musical projects that was in some stages of being reconstructed that will be coming out over the next year, but you'll see more on that soon from Elephant 6 official.
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Brighton risers Canned Pineapple return with the new single ‘Little Things.’ Produced with now long term collaborator Tom Rees (of Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard, credits including: The Bug Club, Panic Shack, Do Nothing, Half Happy), the new single captures the essence of the band's high-energy live sound with a wall of gritty guitars, driving drums and grounding bass under the charismatic and effortlessly catchy lead vocal melodies. Capturing both a garage-rock edge whilst leaning into the band’s love of '60s rock, the track carries an anthemic core among its gritty production. The track shifts at the midpoint to a reflective middle eight before building back up to a frenzic, high-octane finale.
Speaking about the track, the band explain: “After almost a year since their last release, Canned Pineapple return with more miles and hours under their belts. ‘Little Things’ is a cut and dry sign of what’s to come in their new era of scuzz. Recorded once again with guru Tom Arthur Rees, the band hit a stride of conviction stronger than ever. Nothing is out of sight for Canned Pineapple in 2026, same rock, different roll.”
Fronted by charismatic, Cork native lead vocalist Seán Drury, alongside guitarist Oakley Gardiner, guitarist Gabe Rice (Grass-Fed Stallion) and drummer Charlie Pringle, Canned Pineapple's rise has been marked by both critical acclaim and a fast-growing, passionate fanbase. Canned Pineapple have rapidly built a reputation as one of Brighton's most exciting new bands with a series of renowned live performances appearing at the likes of New Colossus Festival, Truck Festival, Y Not, The Great Escape, Left Of The Dial and Wilderness Festival as well as touring across the UK and Europe.
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DIY songwriter and producer Chris Roberts is pleased to announce the release of his upcoming EP, Seasons of Dust, set to arrive on all streaming platforms on 25th June 2026. His debut single, ‘Drifter Sleeps,’ has also received a remix from Glastonbury-performing artist and DJ producer Dope Ammo.
Following the release of their 2024 album “Silver Moon City Blues" which garnered over 250k streams, this five-track collection continues to explore themes of alienation and the confusion of modern living. However, while the outlook remains bleak on planet Earth, Paperback Trash has tongue in cheek and a jealous eye on the dance floor, as distorted guitars blend with gurgling synths to take you on a journey from dive bars to a rave up in a nuclear winter.
Paperback Trash is a songwriter/ producer based in South London. Taking influences from noise, prog, punk and many other types of music, he has created a solid catalogue of original music as a DIY, solo musician.
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