Volodia and Cheeko take it up a notch, Silvertwins Of Funk peel off another one, Kosha Dillz and Jenya make like Fred Flintsone, Senses Reeling search for prey, Louga savage you — and they’re not the only ones driving you wild in today’s submissions from Groover, a platform that connects artists with critics like me for a small fee. You can (and should) follow me on Spotify HERE, check out my Top 150 playlist HERE, or listen to it via the widget at the lower right of every page on this site. If you want to be in an upcoming playlist, go HERE. But first, get in the groove with these tracks:
Cheeko & Volodia | Lvl Up
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Reggae.
THE TRANSLATED & EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “More commonly referred to as the self-made man of modern times, Volodia is the kind of artist who never stops creating and renewing himself. In 2020 he released his second album Panorama, which flows with brio and captivates with urban pop. A musical interlude that could be described as calm before the storm. Lvl Up “is THE burning track from Cheeko and Volodia’s new album, with an explosive clip. The hip-hop and raggamuffin flows of the two acolytes come to warm up your summer.”
Silvertwins Of Funk | Funk Onion
HOME BASE: Sweden.
GENRE: Funk.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Silvertwins are the production team of Fredrik (Fronkpac) Jahn and Mattias (The Guitarman) Adolfsson from Sweden. Their sound is funk all the way. They are lost in the search for The One! Funk Onion is a Minneapolis-inspired disco-funk tornado!”
Kosha Dillz + Jenya | Yabba Dabba Doo
HOME BASE: Israel / United States.
GENRE: Rap.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “For the recreation of a new summer in N.Y.C., Kosha Dillz and Jenya leave the stone age of the pandemic behind with their new single Yabba Dabba Doo. The vibe is supposed to make you do an uplifting hopeful dance. The song is produced by Jenya Mironov, who also is an artist on the song.”
Senses Reeling | Prey (Version)
HOME BASE: United Kingdom.
GENRE: Dub.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Prey is a dub departure — a version of the song Our Own Prey from the EP Burst Through the Blue. For this version we took it apart and reconstructed it. The song’s about escaping the obstacles and barriers that we place in our own path and prevent us from using time for the important things. Senses Reeling is a U.K. project by Nick Fuller and Paul Midcalf. Prey also features Brazilian vocalist Rayane Gomes.”
Louga | Savage
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Hip-Hop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Louga is a songwriter, singer and producer from Nantes.”
Criss Vibe | Rêves
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: R&B.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Originally from the Parisian suburbs and of Franco-Cameroonian descent, Criss is a young singer-songwriter of urban music, but is not confined to only one musical genre. She is able to explore a palette composed of soul as well as pop, Afro, R&B, trap, hip-hop and more. She has just unveiled her very first single Rêves (Dream). The release is the culmination of a childhood dream, but Criss does not intend to stop there.”
Jono Windsor | Rose Me Up
HOME BASE: Australia.
GENRE: Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “An actor, singer and trumpet player, Jono Windsor is a triple threat. Jono has been involved with music for over 20 years, having been involved with jazz and musical theatre. Since 2017, Jono has been collaborating with Sydney producer Leon Berger, releasing his debut album To Be That Star in 2018, followed by a self-titled album in 2019. Jono is now releasing new singles every six weeks, and is getting ready to unleash his unique style of pop music on the world.”
La Femme | Pasadena
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “La Femme release the ninth video from their new album Paradigmes. A month and a half before the return to school, Pasadena is about the schoolyard romances, the carefreeness and hardness of those love stories written under the eyes of other teenagers. Septembre on their previous album was about a student; Pasadena feels like we are meeting them again a few years later. Full of references and situations that are familiar to everyone, Pasadena takes us back to our teenagers memories.”
Seyonn | Vanilla
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: R&B/Soul.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “The son of a popular Ivory Coast zouglou singer, Seyonn has always been immersed in music. He grew up in a rich multi-cultural environment in which he was able to rub shoulders with many Ivorian artists. With political instability in Ivory Coast and a 2003 civil war leaving no prospect of stability for his family, Seyonn and his parents went into exile in France. Today, music remains his preferred mode of expression. A fan of groups such as Destiny’s Child and artists such as Michael Jackson, Ne-Yo and Usher, he polishes his melodies and mixes inspirations. His first single Vanilla is a refreshing, cool dance number with a summery vibe.”
Panaviscope | Summer Comes
HOME BASE: Switzerland.
GENRE: Indie Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Panaviscope is a one-man band formed by Alex, who composes plays of all the instruments and sings. The sixth single from the Swiss artist this year, Summer Comes explores a summery and romantic atmosphere, carried by a drawling voice placed over a warm beat. With this piece, Panaviscope evokes the melancholy joy that accompanies summer and long nights with fading skies. The song’s powerful kick suggests Atlanta hip-hop, and the hypnotic piano is reminiscent of both Beatles classics and ’70s French pop.”
Silent Nancy | Biddi Don
HOME BASE: United States.
GENRE: Reggae-Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Nashville singer Katie Burke and Swedish musician Rocksteady Fred are the duo Silent Nancy. Biddi Don, featuring European reggae star Zoe Mazah, is this summer’s big combination, a song about how you always can find who you are from your roots. Mazah lends her beautiful singing to the track, which delivers a rocking riddim and the usual Silent Nancy sound.”
RaisedByWolvvs | Insane
HOME BASE: Brazil / United States.
GENRE: Rap-Rock.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “RaisedByWolvvs is the definition of a rock renaissance. Using ’90s grunge undertones mixed with the enigmatic 808s of trap and lo-fi, the producer/singer/songwriter makes music that is futuristic yet nostalgic. Working with different musicians and producers, he has curated a sound that is truly unique. Wolf wants to spread a message of honesty and truth, and doesn’t follow the standard of conforming. Insane is a self-reflective outcry on mental health and internal battles. As heavy and painful that life can be, the lyrics tell us that it’s OK to not conform to society’s expectations — you can be comfortably ‘insane’ in your own skin.”
Tiger Lily | Best U Ever Had <3
HOME BASE: United States.
GENRE: Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Best U Ever Had <3 is the latest single from rising L.A. pop artist Tiger Lily. It was produced by Seattle’s Jake Crocker. The video was filmed in Palos Verdes, Los Angeles and features several prominent influencers. The track is a flirtatious and empowering summer pop anthem. As the lyrics put it: “Baby you just liked the chase / I’m the one that got away / Leather jacket looking bad / I’m the best you ever had / Riding shotgun going fast / When they’re asking who is that / You know what you’ve got to say / I’m the best you ever had.”
Aradia | Fire
HOME BASE: United States.
GENRE: Synth-Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Aradia, the Brooklyn multi-instrumentalist and producer, is starting her release project with Fire, a banging synthpop anthem that harkens back to the power pop of the 1980s. This tune is meant for the dance floor and now that the world is slowly re-opening, Aradia’s iconic fusion of indie retro pop deserves its moment in the sun. Inspired by the confusion and fear brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, Fire is about that “inextinguishable spark that keeps us going no matter how hard things get,” Aradia says. “I want listeners to feel encouraged and inspired. I want to give them an experience that makes them dance and feel better about themselves and life in general. And I’d like it to be a sort of modern-yet-nostalgic experience.”
Prïnceps | Song 2.5
HOME BASE: United Kingdom.
GENRE: Electro-Rock.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Prïnceps are a London electronic rock duo that create sounds and images that are suitable to be consumed by most but can be enjoyed by all. Described as a fusion of Prodigy, Chemical Brothers, Bring Me The Horizon and The Used, Prïnceps’ influences range far and wide. With their contrasting mix of high-energy, positive dance music and nihilistic and dark lyrics, perhaps Prïnceps are the perfect band for this new age and its constantly changing landscape. Following in the same vein of its predecessors, Song 2.5 defies easy categorisation, its taunting topline underscored by a novel combination of distorted power chords, staccato piano and sprinklings of cowbell.”
Sam Quealy | Klepto
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Synth-Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Sam Quealy is a shapefiting chameleon: Singer, songwriter, rapper, dancer, model and performance artist. Born in Australia but based in Paris, she combines nasty raps with ethereal vocal melodies and techno beats. Klepto is about a (fashionable) kleptomaniac! She has a compulsion to steal, regardless of whether she needs it or not. The song is an electro-pop / techno / gabber hybrid. The lyrics incorporate rap, poetry and more than a touch of humour. Klepto is a satire song inspired by excess consumerism.”
Tigriff | Ka Dancé
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: World.
THE TRANSLATED & EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Writing and music are my way to send a message to people, especially those in my community. With the times are getting darker, if I can reach just one person with my messages, that would be a great victory for me. It is not too late to live, to believe and to love.”
https://youtu.be/mh3yNeEbPN8
Theresa Yun Sze Lo | String Quartet No. 1: I. Happiness
HOME BASE: Canada.
GENRE: Classical.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “This is the first movement of my new album String Quartet No. 1. The style is classical era with a touch of new age. There’s story behind this movement. To me, living in Vancouver often makes me feel energetic and excited. It is because this city provides me opportunities that I have never thought of having. That is why whenever I think about Vancouver, I feel the happiness in my mind. With this in mind, I wrote this movement to share this happiness and energetic feeling with whoever is listening.”
Apophis | D’Argenson
HOME BASE: Canada.
GENRE: Fok-Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Apophis was formed by young veterans of the Quebec scene. In spite of the evil consonance of their name, they are a group of adults with stable family lives for whom music is a joy to share daily, especially with children. Today they offer a new intoxicating piece, a feel-good song perfect to listen to while lying in the sun. D’Argenson is a candid reflection on the darker side of rock ’n’ roll. Over an introspective melody wrapped in enveloping textures, Cedric Martel’s haunting voice invites us into his malaise in a casual way. The guitars and the drums get carried away, but finally the calm returns, like a good puff of cigarette.”
Confined to Oblivion | The Long Death Of A Silent Tear
HOME BASE: Canada.
GENRE: Metal.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Confined to Oblivion started in Montreal in early 2015, drawing inspiration from melodic death metal and extreme metal. Between 2016 and 2019, the band release two EPs and toured all around Canada, sharing the stage with bands like Unearth, Darkest Hour, The Agonist and Beyond Creation. With the arrival of their new singer Jean-Charles Carrère, the band took a darker musical path, creating more complex pieces and introducing black, death and even progressive elements in their composition. Their new album Resumption, coming out in 2021, is the result of two years of meaningful collaboration. It will be a milestone in the history of the band.”
Lunarcode | Cuttin’ The Cord
HOME BASE: United States.
GENRE: Alt-Rock.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Lunarcode were formed in the summer of 2020 by guitarist Ronny Minuche, vocalist and lyricist Vincenzo Carubia and drummer Jason Booth. Together they built a sound that is both fresh and original while also containing elements of nostalgia. It’s classic rock with a pop edge. Cuttin’ The Cord has a strong melodic chorus with a groovy riff.”
Lewca | Beautiful Day
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Indie-Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Lewca currently lives in France, has three kids, a mortgage and a semi-domesticated hedgehog named Sonic. His first two EPs in December 2020 & March 2021 were produced by S.O.A.P., mixed by Rémy Laurençon and mastered by Antoine Chabert. Geezer Pop, he says, is ‘a mellow summer banger — hopefully.’ ”
Famba | Games We Play (ft. Brando & MKLA)
HOME BASE: Canada.
GENRE: Synth-Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Halifax-raised, Toronto-based electronic DJ, producer and artist Famba defines his signature dance sound with his latest musical collaboration Games We Play, featuring Brando and MKLA. Captivating vocals, lush melodies, and a billowing baseline characterize this release from three of dance music’s blazing newcomers. Brando and MKLA deliver stunning vocal performances, while Famba’s production takes the song to stratospheric levels. Games We Play is a love song with swagger that does double damage on the dance floor. Famba also remembers how the song came about: “The night we wrote Games We Play was one of the most fun and most organic writing sessions I’ve ever had. It was just friends having a good time and partying all night. The song just happened; we didn’t even intend to write it. It’s also everything I’ve been building towards; my sound is finally starting to become more defined.” The track is the second single from Famba’s forthcoming EP Wishes Vol. 2, to be released this fall.”
OneHeadApart | Higher
HOME BASE: Germany.
GENRE: EDM.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “OneHeadApart is the German DJ and production duo of Joël Körner and Tim Balbach. Joël is 6.7 feet tall with red hair. Tim who is 5.6 ft tall with dark blond hair. After pondering several names, they decided to highlight their height difference and OneHeadApart was born. Their journey is just beginning. During the lockdown they produced a handful of tracks that will be released every three weeks. Of Higher, they say: “We were thinking of being in California and driving on a highway with a convertable. This is pretty much the mood we wanted to create. Overall, it’s an uplifting and chill track with summer Cali vibes.”
Innocenzo Genna | The Dream Of The Persian Cat
HOME BASE: Belgium.
GENRE: Neo-Classical.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Innocenzo Genna has always lived music in multiple dimensions: First as a musician and entertainer, then as a composer, and also as a technological scholar, lawyer and policy expert. His piano compositions fall within the categories of minimalism and modern classical, with elements of blues and jazz. He is similarly conservative as a composer, his music drawing heavily on harmonic and melodic practices of 18th and 19th-century European compositions. He says: “This is one of my first piano compositions ever. The leitmotiv was created in 1985 while I was staying at some relatives’ place and I had the privilege to play the long piano of my cousin. The music was then elaborated in 1987 during a summer vacation in Germany, where I was lazily attending language courses but also discovering that there was an entire world out of the small Italian village where I was from. This music reminds me a story about a girl during my youth summer stay in Germany; she was playing a Persian cat character. It is a very simple melody, a bit Kleidermann-style. The composition remained uncompleted for years (like the story with the German girl); then, many years after that summer I added the secondary refrain and some decorative frills.”
