Noonzy - Patterson Hood - Astari Nite - WILDES and St Francis Hotel - Nature TV

Photo - Tone Verswijvel

Noonzy - Mama Mia.

Antwerp-based musician Arnaud Stockbroekx, professionally known as Noonzy, today shares "Mama Mia", the latest offering taken from his recently announced EP Puppies released March 28 via [PIAS] Recordings.

The new single "Mama Mia" showcases a melodica of whirring synth waves, buoyant basslines, colourful percussion all overlaid with sentimental lyrics. Inspired by the warm, euphoric feelings you get when surrounded by friends, and asking yourself “How did I get so lucky to have these amazing people in my life?” Noonzy describes ‘Mama Mia’ as a track that bottles up “the kind of love where you are showering friends with compliments like “You’re the funniest, most beautiful, smartest person ever!” He adds, “the feeling is genuine but you are definitely drunk”.

Comprising five infectious, elegantly crafted avant-pop songs, the EP glides from love-flushed longing (‘Where/When’) to the pleasures and pitfalls of being a lone ranger (‘Fishy’) to a blazing desire for tangible relationships with people (‘Mama Mia’). Impulsively catchy, the songs twinkle and cascade with exuberant expressive basslines and hazy analogue synths, simultaneously evoking the carefree leisure of youth and the spiky anxieties of our modern disconnected age. 

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Photo - Jason Thrasher

Patterson Hood - The Forks of Cypress ft. Waxahatchee.

Drive-By Truckers co-founder Patterson Hood has shared 'The Forks of Cypress (w/Waxahatchee)', the latest single (featuring Katie Crutchfield) from his landmark new solo album, 'Exploding Trees & Airplane Screams', arriving via ATO Records on Friday, 21 February 2025. 
 
An official music video – filmed by Bradley Wagner and Juan M. Soria at the historic Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY before Drive-By Truckers took the stage on their Southern Rock Opera Revisited Tour earlier this year and featuring aerial footage of Hood’s hometown of Florence, AL was provided by local pilot John David Apkarian of Wings Over Bama.

“The Forks of Cypress a real place, a few miles just north of my hometown of Florence, Alabama,” says Patterson Hood. “A former plantation house, once owned by a cousin of Andrew Jackson, it was struck by a ‘lightning cluster’ in 1966 – when I was two – and exploded into flames, burning to the ground in under five minutes. All that was left were these huge columns, in a rectangle on top of the hill overlooking the meadow. It was right by a very creepy rickety one one-lane bridge that the locals called Ghost Bridge. I drove past this (and crossed the scary bridge) every week of my childhood on my way to my Great Uncle’s house (where I spent every weekend). Later, as a teenager, kids would drive dates out to Ghost Bridge and tell ghost stories and make out. The bridge was torn down about a decade ago.  
“I wrote the song as pure fiction, inspired by those great story songs that Bobbie Gentry did, an ‘Ode to Billie Joe,’ etc., where she implies a story without really telling it. In my head, I heard Katie Crutchfield (Waxahatchee) singing it with me and was blessed that she was willing to do so. She’s one of my very favorite artists, and such a lovely person. “The song was fleshed out wonderfully by Phil and Brad Cook (who played keyboards, dobro and bass on it), Dan Hunt on drums, and then Kevin Morby put the cherry on top with a stunning lead part. “Whipped cream and cherry.”

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Astari Nite - Unisex Games.

Astari Nite is delighted to announce the release of their vivid & unapologetic new video for the track, "Unisex Games". The video and single for "Unisex Games" can only best be described in the words of Astari Nite's vocalist, Mychael:
 
"Unisex Games" was written as a sort of tongue in cheek to the max song. I mean, relationships often find an invasive way of telling you how you’re going to spend your time whether you like it or not, right? So, make it worthwhile, have an imagination or get a hobby and try your luck at painting.

For what it’s worth, anyone I’ve ever come across has helped define my unusual ways to this very day and for that, I will always be thankful." Regarding the music video for "Unisex Games", Mychael goes on to say: "The start of the year was a f**king horror story. My therapist recommended doing something amusing and so I did. My bandmates met me at my hotel, and we played pretend for an hour or two making the “Unisex Games” music video. There is a certain kind of magic that takes place when you can find comfort in the people you surround yourself with. Being obnoxiously silly comes naturally for the four of us.

The happiness that is displayed in the video may help some people put a smile on their face for a moment during these chaotic times. This is why I chose to release the video a few weeks before the actual single that comes out on March 14th."

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Photo - Elena Garcia

WILDES and St Francis Hotel - State Trooper.

WILDES and St Francis Hotel today release new collaborative EP Kopfkino, and share a visualiser for previously unheard Bruce Springsteen cover and EP closing track, 'State Trooper'.

"State Trooper is one of our favourite Springsteen songs, but our cover of it came about quite indirectly," explains WILDES. "We were listening to a lot of Suicide around the making of the EP, their drum machines and industrial synths heavily influencing both our work, and Springsteen’s simple, but raw production of State Trooper from 1982. We eventually decided to put our stamp on the song by leaning on Springsteen’s initial inspiration from Suicide, and we ended up with an even darker, grittier, electronic version of this already atmospheric song. It’s an important full stop on the EP, capturing the era we were inspired by and the great artists that have impacted us both as musicians."

Together WILDES and St Francis Hotel bring with them a wealth of critical plaudits, and notable collaborations between them with acts including The Flaming Lips, Little Simz and Michael Kiwanuka.

For new EP Kopfkino, the pair delve into the mind's captivating power, exploring the spectrum of human experience from poignant introspection to exhilarating escapism, sonically noting the influence of 80s synth-pop bands such as Erasure, The Human League, and Depeche Mode, as well as trip-hop artists like Massive Attack and Portishead.

From the stark, brooding art-pop of 'In The Floodlight' investigating personal growth and discovery, to 'Are You Gonna Speak?' which offers a shadowy glimpse into WILDES's soul, with raw cries for connection piercing a backdrop of throbbing synths and driving percussion. The EP's title track 'Kopfkino' explores the blurry lines between fantasy and reality, with WILDES's intoxicating vocals guiding listeners through a soundscape of intense rhythms and atmospheric flourishes.


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Photo - Ben Pender

Nature TV - Aways It Goes.

Brighton risers, self professed door to door heartbreak salesmen Nature TV release ‘Aways It Goes’ (Feb 19th), the second single to be taken from their upcoming debut album ‘Unlucky for Some’, due for release May 9th via indie heavyweights Heist or Hit (Her’s / Two Blinks, I Love You / Brad Stank). Released just ahead of the band's first, and almost completely sold out US tour, the band are riding high ahead of their appearance at SXSW 2025.

Building a reputation for their warming alternative-indie sound which overflows with sparkling melody and wistful melancholy, ‘Always It Goes’ perfectly captures the signature sound that sets Nature TV apart—a seamless blend of chilled beach-indie vibes and neo-soul sophistication. Produced by longtime collaborator Solo Major, the track weaves warming, modulated guitar tones with a deep, grounding bass and impeccably tight drums, crafting a soundscape that feels both buoyant and serene as it settles into a gentle groove. Against this restrained yet polished backdrop, the effortlessly melodic lead vocals float with grace, resulting in a track that feels refreshingly vibrant despite its undercurrent of melancholy.

Talking about the single, vocalist Guy explains: “This track is all about reflection. It’s about looking back and having a conversation with yourself about where things ended up for you and how things might have played out differently. Thinking if you had made different choices,or held on to someone else, instead of just letting go of some of the things that you’ve lost, things that could or maybe should have been different. But you’ve made your bed and now you’ve got to lie in it. It’s about making the most of where things are.”

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Berries - Aistis - Will Johnson - Oslo Twins

Photo Derek Bremner

Berries - Narrow tracks.

In their new video for “Narrow Tracks”, Berries splice fuzzy live footage together with shots of lead vocalist Holly Carter ripping up jigsaws, devouring books backwards, and walking the pavement like a tightrope in her crimson Converse. Each shot reflects the indecision and doubt that runs throughout the song’s lyrics, with many playing in reverse or at an unnatural speed.

“Doubts tingle with the facts, like passing trains on narrow tracks,” the band sing as the video cuts to live shots of the band performing at their BBC Introducing session earlier this year. The new release also acts as a lyric video, layering handwriting-style text over each shot.

The band explain the themes of the song: “'Narrow Tracks' is a song for anyone who struggles with OCD. It speaks of those tingling doubts, the constant stream of dark thoughts and the longing to be able to do the simplest of tasks, but ultimately it’s an optimistic track. It’s about fighting back and finding strength to keep those thoughts at bay.”

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Photo - Sophia Perras

Aistis - Nothing Here Ever Changes.

Art-folk songwriter Aistis delves deeper into theatrical arrangements and introspective lyricism in his most ambitious work yet. Using wit and candour as mortar and pestle to grind the ego into finer granules of inner truth, Lithuanian-Canadian singer-songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Aistis returns with his third full-length album, Caviar For Seagulls.

With “Caviar For Seagulls” Aistis has conjured up a sweeping odyssey that delves deep into the complexities of the human experience. His latest compilation is a poignant testament to the power of storytelling, evoking the lyrical mastery of Leonard Cohen and David Berman. As Aistis weaves together folk traditions and theatrical flourishes, he creates an immersive world where vulnerability and theatricality entwine, giving birth to a deeply personal yet universally resonant collection of tracks.

From the whimsical "Nothing Here Ever Changes" to the soul-stirring "Rejoice", and the poignant ode to Leonard Cohen in "86/Dove", Aistis takes listeners on a sonic journey that is both deeply introspective and cinematically grand. Even in the midst of exploring the darker corners of human struggle, the artist finds solace in the words "A part of me believes the best is yet to come". This album is a masterclass in blending melancholy and resilience, crafting a sonic tapestry that is both sorrowful and hopeful. Aistis cements his status as a singular voice in alternative folk, leaving an indelible mark on the genre, with “Caviar For Seagulls”.

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Photo - Jackie Lee Young

Will Johnson - Floodway Fall.

Prolific Texas songwriter Will Johnson announces his 10th solo album, Diamond City, today, sharing the lead single “Floodway Fall.” The Centro-matic frontman and current member of Jason Isbell’s band The 400 Unit, writes: “The idea for ‘Floodway Fall’ cropped up before a summer 2022 rehearsal with Scott Danbom. We were still setting up, getting sounds and levels. I remember him looking out the window, loosely playing along on his fiddle, likely unaware that I was recording it. I quickly forgot about it, then stumbled across it a few months later and decided to see the song through. For the most part, it's a small town document of tension, travel, and ultimately undying love.”
 
The lead track on the album unfolds with Johnson’s distinct cinematic sound, bolstered by longtime collaborator Britton Beisenherz’s production contributions. In the past year Will Johnson has shared stages with Guided By Voices, Alejandro Escovedo, Little Mazarn, and Renée Reed. Next month his full band Will Johnson & Wire Mountain will play SoCo Stomp at C-Boy’s in Austin, TX on Wednesday, March 12th.

Diamond City, out April 4th on Keeled Scales, surveys mythical places whose spirit dwells among barren Midwestern landscapes and stark Southern outlands, reflecting the hollows of Johnson’s childhood in southern Missouri and the spartan Texas expanse where he now lives. Like many towns that line America’s midsection, Diamond City’s fancy name belies its reality. As  with albums such as John Prine’s “John Prine” or Bruce Springsteen’s “Nebraska,” Diamond City’s vast fortune is found in its gritty folk tales — of hovering ghosts, open wounds, tender hearts, little jokes, and the everyday people and scenery that compose a cracked iconography. Like Muhlenberg County, Kentucky or Mahwah, New Jersey, Diamond City is a place that people may leave but never truly escape.

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Photo - Freya Davies

Oslo Twins - I Wake Up Slowly.

Bristol-formed, London-based outfit Oslo Twins today release new single 'I Wake Up Slowly' a riveting, pulsating new taste of forthcoming EP 'Tresor', out 14th March via Half-Normal Records.

Produced by band members Eric C. Davies and Claudia Vulliamy in their east London studio, new EP 'Tresor' highlights a rejuvenated sonic depth for the London outfit - drawing influence from Nation Of Language, Angel Olsen, This Mortal Coil, Everything But The Girl, Lamb, Chromatics, Grace Ives and Ladytron.

New single 'I Wake Up Slowly' is thudding and transportive - "Plunging in plum coloured sleep / Bruises from another dream" sings Claudia Vulliamy, drifting between the spiralling, minimalist synth-pop arrangements.

Speaking on the song's lyrical inspiration, Claudia Vulliamy said: "In a sense it’s about beginning to move after being stuck inside your head, going from something statuesque to something dynamic. That’s why the upbeat rhythm and pace of it, the syncopation and the repetition, felt essential. But it’s also about literally waking up and trying to remember something that felt significant to your sleeping self. For me, the deepest sleep produces dreams that feel deep purple, a colour that matches the sound of a deep, rumbling bass and sometimes feels like a bruise upon waking."

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Joe Kelly & The Royal Pharmacy - Cult Of Venus - Tora Luna

Joe Kelly & The Royal Pharmacy - Cast Me Down.

Newport's Prodigal Son Joe Kelly & The Royal Pharmacy announces his 2nd album, the terrific new ‘Cast Me Down’ which will be released on April 11th via 'Dirty Carrot Records’ When writing the bio for the "difficult second album" you are supposed to repeat the trope about having a lifetime to compose your debut LP and a few months to pen the follow-up.

Yet while the vinyl release of Joe Kelly & The Royal Pharmacy's acclaimed debut album World On Fire was less than a year ago, much of the record that follows quickly in its wake is the product of the same prodigious gestation period.

Written and recorded in parallel to World On Fire, Cast Me Down is the other side of the coin. A non-identical and more unruly twin, it takes some of the experimental instincts hinted at on album one and doesn't so much as throw everything but the kitchen sink at the songs as rip the kitchen sink clean off the wall, jump inside it and take flight.

It's a heady ride and although Cast Me Down opens with a welcome reprise of the indie Americana sound that characterised World On Fire, an unsettling loop of backwards guitar heralds the arrival of a sequence of songs that channels sixties psych-pop, the Arctic Monkeys at Rancho De La Luna, late-night West Coast soul, Unkle, The Raconteurs, Father John Misty, and side two of Abbey Road.

And that's just for starters. Backed once again by The Royal Pharmacy and produced and mixed by Jon Greening, Joe Kelly is also joined on Cast Me Down by special guest appearances from the golden larynx of Miss Erin McNamara and Scott McKeon from Welsh folk-rock heroes Rusty Shackle, who brings his formidable violin skills to the psychedelic denouement of Living Daylights.

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Cult Of Venus - Algorithm.

This weekend, Cult Of Venus released “Algorithm,” (Liberty Belle Records / Futures) a poignant protest song for this moment - critiquing social media as a violent surveillance tool and its poetry explores how we are all controlled by our platforms and our phones. Currently, she’s on a full USA tour as the main support to CHVRCHES’ Lauren Mayberry.

Cult Of Venus is a multi-instrumentalist performance artist who has played MOMA PS1, Fotografiska's Chapel Bar for David LaChappelle’s FAITH exhibition, The Women's March NYC and put on concerts in prisons, including Riker’s Island women's jail in New York City.

Besides the current tour, she has been touring the West Coast for the past months, playing sold-out shows opening for City Of The Sun.

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Tora Luna - Why Wouldn't You Say So?

Following their previous release 'Wait For Spring', indie duo Tora Luna return with the soulful 'Why Wouldn't You Say So?' on February 14th.

Drawing from the soulful harmonies of Motown and the raw energy of contemporary indie rock, 'Why Wouldn't You Say So?' unfolds as a powerful dialogue between guest vocalist Deslynn Smith and band member Dominic Johnson. The track, created by core members Alex Broadgate and Dominic Johnson, with contributions on piano from Ellie Parker, masterfully captures the unspoken tensions that simmer beneath the surface of modern relationships. Through interweaving vocals and carefully crafted instrumentation, the performance embodies the push and pull of unexpressed emotions, creating a narrative that resonates with anyone who's ever struggled to voice their feelings.

"We wanted to create a conversational tone through the use of two vocalists to echo the internal thoughts of each individual and their growing frustration with each other," shares Parker. This intimate approach extends beyond the vocals into the very fabric of the recording process. "Although difficult, I found playing without a click-track to be a more relaxing style of recording and, in hindsight, felt that this helped the song feel more conversational."

Nestled in the heart of the Wiltshire countryside, producer Gus White's converted barn studio provided the perfect setting for bringing this vision to life. The track blossomed from humble beginnings - "a chirpy, simplistic chord progression" tucked away in Alex's voice notes - into a rich tapestry of sound. The accomplished ensemble features guest musicians including Parker's emotive piano work, guest musician Chloë Meade's soaring violin, Edward Cross's soulful saxophone, and Gus White's intuitive drumming, all weaving seamlessly around the powerful vocal interplay between Smith and Johnson.

Tora Luna · Why Wouldn't You Say So?

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better joy - Glazyhaze - Frog - Phonseca

better joy - quiet thing.

Following her first new music of 2025 with ‘waiting on time’, Manchester-based Bria Keely, better known as better joy, has shared her new single ‘quiet thing’ taken from her forthcoming debut EP ‘heading into blue’ released on 28th March.
 
Building through gritty guitars and honeyed vocals to a euphoric chorus, new track ‘quiet thing’ is a captivating and buoyant new track. A reflective and personal song, lyrically it illuminates the understated beauty of the normal and quiet times in relationships.  
 
Bria says, "’Quiet thing’ is one of those songs that has taken on so many different lives since its original conception. I was originally inspired by someone close to me, who at the time was describing the quiet type of love he needed from his partner when going through a tough time. It got me thinking how important it is to not take the quiet moments in relationships for granted. I suppose I wanted to write an ode to those moments, but I didn’t want it to be sweet-sounding; I wanted the lyrics to be against music that had a bit of grit to offset the sweetness.”
 
New single ‘quiet thing’ is taken from better joy’s forthcoming debut EP ‘heading into blue’, produced by Mike Hedges (The Cure, U2, Manic Street Preachers). The 6-track EP features previous singles ‘waiting on time’, ‘carnival’ and ‘what a day’ alongside new single ‘quiet time, as well as two brand-new tracks, ‘couldn’t run forever’ and ‘can I land the plane?’. It is the first full-length project from better joy and is both a perfect introduction to better joy’s alt-pop sound and an exciting taster of more to come this year.

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Glazyhaze - Nirvana.

Glazyhaze will release their second album 'SONIC' on 21st March. Now they share new track 'Nirvana', which offers a blend of fresh pop energy and dreamy feels. The heart of 'Nirvana' is the interplay of two distinct vocal lines: one raw and direct, the other soft and melancholic, creating a contrast that adds depth and emotion to the song. Built on shimmering guitars and playful rhythms, it explores the complexities of desire, the inner struggle between longing and letting go, and the bittersweet, fleeting nature of perfect moments.   
 
The accompanying video, set in a greenhouse transformed into a cosy library, features two protagonists playfully interacting and exchanging books. The video's light-hearted, dreamlike atmosphere complements the song's warm sound. 'Nirvana' follows previous single 'Forgive Me', a haunting shoegaze ballad that explores the bittersweet of love and heartbreak.
 
Forthcoming album 'Sonic' was written and recorded between Italy and London, produced, mixed and recorded by Paolo Canaglia and mastered by Maurizio Baggio, the album explores the complexity of love, narrating a journey of self-discovery and emotional contrasts. It is a more ambitious and mature album, characterized by a more personal sound and writing that embraces shoegaze, post-punk and alt-rock sounds.

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Frog - 1000 Variations on the Same Song (Album).

Following the critical and commercial success of 2023's ‘Grog,’ cult New York duo Frog return with ‘1000 Variations on the Same Song,’ their sixth album, which features their recent singles.

An eclectic, emotional, and lyrically vivid collection, the songs see Daniel Bateman refer to My Chemical Romance, Gucci, Stillwell deals, fatherhood, and the 6 train (“I was listening to a lot of Mozart, Kodak Black, and Prince, but it doesn't really sound like any of those.”). Musically, songs like “TOP OF THE POPS VAR. I” and “DOOMSCROLLING VAR. II” touch on the agitated Indie Rock that defined their earlier work, while the Alt. Country of ‘Count Bateman’ and ‘Grog’ can be heard on ‘WHERE U FROM VAR. III’ and ‘ARTHUR MCBRIDE IN THE LOWER EAST SIDE VAR. X.’ Elsewhere, singles like ‘JUST USE YR HIPS VAR. VI’ and December’s ‘DID SANTA COME VAR. IX’ introduce a smoky lounge element to Frog’s sound, but as Bateman explains it, these are all just variations on the same song:

“1000 Variations on the Same Song is a theme and variations—there are times in your life as a songwriter where you'll start a bunch of stuff that all sounds alike, which can be a problem, something that you want to excise from yourself. This time I decided to embrace it and take it as far as it could go.”

Since Frog returned in 2023 with the addition of Daniel’s brother Steve Bateman on drums, they’ve received significant critical acclaim and enjoyed sold-out shows in the Tri-state area. Their 2025 dates will see the band joined by Frog co-founder Tom White on bass and will take them to new cities for first-time-ever shows, as well as to the KEXP studios for a session with Larry Mizell, Jr. on March 25th.

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Photo - Paul Stevenson, Visual Hybrid

Phonseca - When Night Equals Day.

‘When Night Equals Day’ is the superb new single from Indie Synthpop duo, Phonseca, which brings together Bristol’s much respected keys/synth player Matthew O’Connor and radiant Swedish vocalist Kristina Sheppard.

Matthew has a rich musical background, bringing his talent to bands across the musical spectrum from House to Shoegaze, Psyche to Soundtrack, Electronica, Britpop and Rock. Both touring and featuring on albums released on labels as diverse as Rocket Recordings, Invada Records and Dishy Recordings, his creative input has featured on many projects. Inevitably the urge to form a more personal musical landscape saw him starting to write his own music. This began the process which resulted in ‘Between A Dream’, the debut Phonseca album, which came out in 2019.

The album was championed in the UK on BBC Radio 6 Music by both Gideon Coe and Steve Lamacq. With Steve Lamacq featuring it in his "Recommends" show. It also picked up lots of airplay and excellent reviews around the world. Matthew’s classical piano training has an influence on his work. This was the catalyst for first writing with Kristina, initially working on songs for a Disney project which followed a chance meeting at a wedding fayre, where they had stalls directly opposite each other. Since its release, the pair have spent the past few years promoting the debut album while writing/recording the second ‘Everything Lasts Forever’, which is now ready for release via Old Bad Habits Label.

‘When Night Equals Day’, the second single to come from the new album, captures the emotional heartbeat of Phonseca’s indie synthpop, electronica sound. The track’s unhurried pulsing beats, icy ambient synths, desolate piano and sweeping drones make for a deep, contemplative listen. A wintry, never ending glacial atmosphere pervades the track, conjuring lonely and dark winter nights. What begins as a fragile cry for help, evolves into something more resilient. Then by the refrain ‘When Night Equals Day’, it’s realistically introspective again.

“As with the whole album, these songs have a nocturnal feel and this one is no exception”, says O’Connor. “Lyrically I was inspired by classic songs like Kraftwerk - Computer Love and Soft Cell - Bedsitter and other songs too that are so evocative the images freely play out in your mind. The title refers to the Spring equinox, and by complete coincidence this was when we were recording the vocals at Invada. It’s my favourite lyric and possibly my favourite song on the album and another amazing vocal from Kristina, completely embracing the song and meaning”, he further reveals.

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