Manu Mas gets under your skin, Marie Nicolle and Memento bubble up, Steffi Pacson is here for now, K-Misa is living the life and more 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, make the most of these excellent offerings:
Manu Mas | Under My Skin
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “I started music at 16 when I learned the guitar and then quickly turned to beatmaking. I am currently working on Ableton Live. I also make my clips. I present to you an electro-pop song, combining country guitar and a very current beat.”
Marie Nicolle And Memento | Bubbles
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Marie Nicolle has been an actress for 20 years. In 2018, she wrote a theater piece — part-musical, part-spoken word — with four musicians: Victor Belin, Vincent Hulot, David H.Pickering and Romain Rongier. An intimate rock opera Memento, Tome 1 evolved into her debut album First Things First. Bubbles is a track from the album.”
Steffi Pacson | Yours For Now
HOME BASE: Belgium.
GENRE: Pop-Rock.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Steffi Pacson is a Brussels artist originally from New York. Steffi Pacson is a magnetic force to be reckoned with on stage with a voice that vibrates from the heart and lyrics that stems from the soul. Her music is described as cinematic pop electro rock with big drums heralding a battle cry for female empowerment, independence, and self acceptance.”
K-Misa | La Vida
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Reggaeton.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “K-Misa is the fruit of an Algerian and Italian culture which brings him a real richness in his influences and his values. Today, after more than 15 years of writing and composing, K-Misa, 33, decides to launch a solo career. He is accompanied by José Belon, alias Djouz, his artistic director and engineer. Sensitive to zouk rhythms and flows from artists such as Admiral T, Shaggy or Sean Paul, K-Misa wants to mix styles and considers himself a pop artist. His new single La Vida is an ode to celebration and positivity.”
Hergé | Toutes Ces Choses
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Pop.
THE TRANSLATED & EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Let’s be clear: Hergé (alias Régis Gobe) is a UFO! A Swiss army knife. He has been a graphic designer, translator, business creator (France, Switzerland, Canada, West Indies, Algeria), sailor, animator, composer, actor and singer. He performs in Switzerland, France, Russia, Senegal and on the island of beauty, Corsica, where he spends part of his life. His latest album includes 12 songs composed during confinement. They speak of the ties that unite us, of the meaning of existence, of resilience and of the battles that remain to be waged for a better world at last. It took him a lifetime and confinement to finally write the songs that were spinning in his head.”
Alvin Chris | Bug
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Rap.
THE TRANSLATED & EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “It is through his nonchalance that Alvin Chris reveals his analysis of the modern world. One month before the release of his EP Après Vous, he teases us with Bug. With Bug, he draws up a subtile and poetic satire of our consumerist society, over an electro-pop background. Without taboos, nor barrier. Just like an artist who grew up, assuming himself fully. It is Alvin Chris, and it is beautiful.”
François Fougère | My Mind Won’t Let Me Rest
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Soul / R&B.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “A French singer, songwriter and producer, I began to write my songs in the ’70s. I’ve been influenced by Véronique Sanson, Michel Berger and Michel Polnareff.”
Adrien Bocksruth | Fire Opal
HOME BASE: Belgium.
GENRE: Neo-Classical.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “While piano has always had a place in my life, I can’t say the same about its practice. I was only a student at the conservatory from 10 to 12, the strict codes of the institution put me off and drove me away from the music world, stopping me from pursuing this experience. It is only in 2020, after about 10 years of break, that I decided to get back to practising this instrument of infinite sounds, this time in my own way, and with my own rules. I’m not a pianist like the others, I’m just a random guy who share what’s come to my mind. The Fire Opal is the reference stone of the Sacral Chakra due to its bright orange color. If we hold our breath all along the piece, we can’t help but say that our blood has only taken a turn at the end. And yes, the fire opal also has undisputed virtues in the good management of the circulation of fluids.”
Quatuor Esca | Fragments-3. Élégie
HOME BASE: Canada.
GENRE: Neo-Classical.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Le Quatuor Esca, who have accompanied an impressive catalog of artists (Half Moon Run, Bruno Pelletier, Elliott Maginot, Star Académie 2021) both on stage and in the studio, now present their own repertoire. During the year, original compositions and videos will follow in order to bring these great musician-performers out of the shadows. Here is the third movement of the work Fragments, composed by François Vallières.”
Airyen Vay | Breathe
HOME BASE: Romania.
GENRE: Soul / R&B.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Rising star Airyen Vay returns with a powerful and emotional new single, Breathe. Airyen is encouraging the youth of the world to make their voices heard. The singer delivers a stirring vocal performance that is sure to resonate with all listeners who currently feel trapped by the expectations and beliefs of those around them.”
Petitsoleil | Solo Mi Riqueza
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Latin Folk-Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Supported by the sway and the crystalline sound of the requinto (a small South American guitar), by the percussions of Japy Lo Pinto, the double bass of Dany Rizo and the “tremolo-twangy” guitar of Piero Bégo as talented accomplices, the songs by Roberto Lozano take us between “La Grande Bleue” (Spain, Italy, Portugal) and Latin America (Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, Argentina, Havana, Dominican Republic). On heady choruses that celebrate the life, love and drunkenness of Latin fiestas, the four boys, their heads in the sun, treat us to their songs without age and without borders (between original compositions and covers from Latin folklore ) — all performed with heart and soul. Solo Mi Riquera is the fourth and last single from the album Hello Aloha.”
Elkeen | If Only
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Synth-Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Elkeen is a young French singer with a warm, strong voice who is passionate about pop music. She is always accompanied by Denis, who composes the music. The duo draw inspiration from ’80s and ’90s pop and new wave artists, along with more recent artists like The Weeknd or Dua Lipa. Her first album Tender Enemy was released in 2020. Her second album Love Live is due in summer. If Only is a pop song that makes you want to dance and enjoy your time while thinking about your past experiences.”
Pauline Croze | Phobe
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Soul / R&B.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “I needed to take risks, to shake up substance as much as form, to be tested.” So says Pauline Croze. “Since I started music at 14, I have been inspired and influenced by very different styles, ranging from Nina Simone to Serge Gainsbourg, from The Beatles to Jeff Buckley, from Tame Impala to Mac de Marco and from Feu Chatterton to Damso. For this record, I learned to work remotely by imposing a new way of working. At the beginning of the creation process, I recorded myself. I had to come out of myself to judge my voice and discern the best takes. It was brand new to me.” Phobe, co-produced and mixed by Nk.F, addresses media and the networks that invade us via multiple windows and screens.”
Raphaël Angelini | Revolutionary Étude, Opus 10 – n°12, Chopin
HOME BASE: Belgium.
GENRE: Classical.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “At the age of 10, Raphaël Angelini gave his first piano concert in which he mixed classical music and popular songs. This unique style became his musical signature. When he turned 15, he joined the Royal Conservatory of Brussels in Belgium, where he studied under the great Russian pianist Mikhaïl Faerman and obtained a master’s degree in piano. In 2003, he created the duet Les Rafales with Alessandro Bevilacqua, a talented comedian. They regularly perform comic shows in which they also sing funny, cynical and poetic songs. Angelini recently created his own music label Resist to produce the digital version of his latest album Instant Zéro.”
Svavar Knutur | November
HOME BASE: Iceland.
GENRE: Folk.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Icelandic singer-songwriter Svavar Knútur has developed a closer relationship with his native language and culture, the stories of his family and ancestors and the emotional landscape of northern folk. He’s also a passionate storyteller. Influenced by such songwriters as Nick Drake, Kris Kristofferson and Bonnie “Prince” Billy, Svavar has developed his own style, a meeting of folk and indie rock. All the while, he maintains his creative goal of emotional healing and catharsis. “There is always a subtle sense of humor and hope in my lyrics.” His audiences are often laughing and crying simultaneously.”
Sophie Bickerdike | Cross My Palm
HOME BASE: United Kingdom.
GENRE: Synth-Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “I’m a British singer-songwriter. This is a fun upbeat number and has lots of dance feel to it!”
Zardee | Elements
HOME BASE: United Kingdom.
GENRE: R&B.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Zardee (Also known as Bigz the Host) from East London is an up-and-coming artist to look out for. Taking influences from his Caribbean background, Zardee fuses dancehall with melodic upbeat U.K. hip-hop and also shows diversity with his R&B melodies and catchy choruses, giving him a unique and modern style. Zardee considers himself an entertainer, as he showcases his talent as both a host and musician. Elements blends afrobeats, contemporary R&B, a bit of funk and Amapiano (think deep house meets lounge music). It’s sleek and fun but also grabs you with its driving rhythm.”
Peter Lake | Sugar It Lightly
HOME BASE: United States.
GENRE: Synth-Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Peter Lake is a New York City singer-songwriter who revels in anonymity. His musical influences include Curtis Mayfield, Motown, Billie Eilish and Rüfüs Du Sol. Therefore, it’s no surprise that he has not stuck to one genre, dabbling in rock, pop, indie, and house. Lake’s philosophy of music making is that by combining genres, the range of song creation has increased. A song that successfully incorporates and connects the positive aspects of different musical styles has the potential to be more universally appealing. He new EP Blue explores a few of life’s most precious moments. The first single Sugar it Lightly paints a vivid picture of the most vigorous force in the universe: Love. The uptempo track features synth elements cascading throughout and gives listeners a glimpse into the mysterious life of the musician.”
Terry Blade | Elephant
HOME BASE: United States.
GENRE: Soul / R&B.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Terry Blade is an award-winning singer-songwriter. A multi-genre artist, his musical work is grounded in his experience as a black queer artist. He has drawn comparisons to artists such as Meshell Ndegeocello, Isaac Hayes, Macy Gray and Antony and the Johnsons. He was born and raised in D.C. and resides in Chicago. His latest album Neo Queer is a raw and honest amalgamation of storytelling, musical ingenuity, and human connection. Themes of love, race, and identity weave in and out of the album while the soundscape morphs between soul, jazz, funk, hip-hop, and R&B. Album opener Elephant fuses neo-soul chords, lush keys, airy strings and crisp percussion with a Trap delivery and rapid-fire flow. With a direct dig at naysayers and bigots that is both defiant and triumphant, Terry reminds us of why he so easily draws us in. He is somehow ruthlessly sensitive and unapologetic AF at the same time.”
Marion Doncoeur | Let Her Love
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Synth-Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Inspired by the ocean, Marion Doncoeur composes in font of the sea and produces her tracks like sound sculpture, using vocal samples, downtempo beats, noises, strings and analog synths. Let Her Love is driven by her melancholic and powerful voice. Her debut EP is due in 2022.”
J. Adams | Slow Down
HOME BASE: United States.
GENRE: Soul / R&B.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Singer-songwriter and producer J. Adams hails from historic Selma, Ala. His musical ability in production, singing, songwriting, and engineering are all self-taught from videos, practical application, forums, and trial and error, focusing on topics of relationships and the trials of self-realization. His recording career started in 2009 in a friend’s small home studio. J. Adams has focused on perfecting his craft and has been known to have a keen ear for melodies and beat selection. His style of singing and rapping shows his love of wordplay. He is heavily influenced by southern trap music in his production, and genres such as jazz and neo-soul in his chord structure. He likes to refer to himself as a genre-less artist, due to his multiple approaches to making music.”
YA.CO Pro | Tapdance
HOME BASE: Italy.
GENRE: Electronica.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “I grew up in the ’90s and was influenced by the sounds of Kraftewrk, YMO, Jean Michel Jarre, Franco Battiato and Pink Floyd. I am a dreamer musician, born between the manga cartoons and the Commodore 64. The rest is just a natural evolution of the human species.”
Valery Rodriguez | Sweet Dreams
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Synth-Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “I am a stage director and I can direct other artists in the making of their video clips.”
Bassner | Techfinement
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: EDM.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Bassner is a French DJ producer who has performed in the U.S., Canada and Spain. His musical style — mixing mainstream and underground house — allows him to perform at events both large and small. Techfinement is the result of an evening confined to making music and creating his own tech house sound.”
Nasty Geographic | Tell Me That You Want Me
HOME BASE: United States.
GENRE: Hip-Hop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Nasty Geographic is a solo pop artist inspired by funk and hip-hop. His upcoming 11th album is scheduled for release in August and is beginning early promotion. This is the first single, a song about love and drug use in the spirit of Labrinth.”
JU-Neek | Kickin’ Ballistics
HOME BASE: United States.
GENRE: Rap.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Kickin’ Ballistics is about reality as we face life day by day.”
Jay & The Moonholders | Universe Is You And Me
HOME BASE: Finland.
GENRE: Indie-Rock.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “I am a guitar player. This is the first song of my solo project. The demo version won an audience voting in Finland. People like the energy and catchiness of the song. And the guitar solo starting at 02:12. The song is good for running also, they say!”
Lemax | Juste Le Faire
HOME BASE: Canada.
GENRE: Rap.
THE TRANSLATED & EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Just Le Faire is an inspirational song for everything we’re going through right now.”
Beautiful Momento | Sao Paulo Desert Rebels
HOME BASE: Italy.
GENRE: Indie-Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Beautiful Momento is the instrumental project of the Italian musician Luigi Sorrentino. Beautiful Momento’s music is rooted in soul, dub, funk, psychedelia and indie influences. Beautiful Momento’s retro style is reminiscent of contemporary artists such as Khruangbin, Tommy Guerrero, Skinshape, Cymande, without forgetting Ausgustus Pablo’s melodica and spaghetti western soundtracks.”
Nicole Santana | Magic
HOME BASE: United States.
GENRE: Soul / R&B.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “New Jersey native Nicole Santana is a product of her experiences; writing and singing about love, self-care, heartbreak, growth and self-awareness. Heavily influenced by artists like H.E.R., Donna Missal, SZA and Hayley Williams, Nicole is focusing on developing herself as an artist as well as honing in on her R&B/neo-soul inspired vocals. Nicole also writes, sings and performs with her funk fusion band Junkanoo. With Junkanoo, she’s been able to play in iconic clubs like The Delancey and Bowery Electric, as well as open for incredible bands like Japanese Breakfast.”
Nili Fossae | All The Light They Cannot See
HOME BASE: United Kingdom.
GENRE: Neo-Classical.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Nili Fossae is a group of large concentric trenches on Mars. It is also the collaboration between U.K. multi-instrumentalists and composers Pete Sené and Martin Roberts. Sené and Roberts met in 2017 while touring with different bands — Sené with Everything Everything and Lessening, Roberts’ with Schiller and Aelius. When the world stood still in 2020, the two decided to collaborate on an EP inspired by artists they loved: Jon Hopkins, Nils Frahm and Olafur Arnalds, to name a few. Into The Blue, their first complete body of work, is an exploration of ambient electronica, post-classical and everything between; focusing on tone and texture over traditional structure.”
The Asthmatic | You Never Know
HOME BASE: United States.
GENRE: Experimental.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Sigrid Harmon aka The Asthmatic is a 22-year old singer-songwriter, and performance artist in Portland, ME. In 2019, she started working with producer Michael McInnis on her first studio album Strange Tongues. This song is a mixture of experimental electronic and jazz music.”
Dougal Matthews | Trois Amis
HOME BASE: United Kingdom.
GENRE: Electronica.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “I’m a fairly experienced U.K. musician who had pretty much hung it up to have a family, start a business, etc. However, when lockdown hit in the U.K. in 2020, I moved my office back home and found some time to begin recording music. It’s important to know that I f@*king love house music — deep house, progressive deep house, trance, any f@*king house will do so long as the people on the door let me in. Trois Amis, or Three Friends, is an uplifting deep house / trancey little fella with an optimistic vibe, rolling along on its musical journey at 128bpm, enhancing moods and making friends!”
DJ G-String | Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)
HOME BASE: United States.
GENRE: EDM.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “DJ G-String is a rising artist in Chicago. She is known for making crowds dance with her selective style. She creates an atmosphere where the music feels like it keeps evolving and becomes alive. “I worked with P5YCH0H on this cover song of Sweet Dreams because I found that there was no big room version of this classical piece,” she says. “I love Annie Lennox and I enjoy dark subtle lyrics and melodies. The Marilyn Manson cover of this track is probably my only favorite besides now my own. I wanted to give a new age vibe to this track but not forgetting about the dark vision and vibe is always offered. The clean and emotive vocal color seamlessly synchronizes with the dark vibe of the instrumentation. The subtle layering of distorted backing-vocal elements adds a depth to the overall sound without detracting from the lyrical prominence.”
Mozar.iox | This Is What I Wanted
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Mozar.iox is coming … What do you think?”
QuinzeQuinze | Muse
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Soul / R&B.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “QuinzeQuinze members are originally from Paris and Tahiti. Since 2013, they have been shaping their own “climatic” music, and go down a little deeper into the volcanic well from which emerges the flaming power of their musical, visual and narrative triptych. Today, it’s from this same incandescence that they have drawn the energy needed for the creation of their EP Vārua. Muse, their new single, is a dive into the depths of creation, under pressure and under the effect of narcosis; floating without reference in the formless matter where inspiration takes shape. The Muses are the ones who push us to go further, but the lack is felt when they leave.”
Jiggy Talib | Still Bring Great Moment On Everything
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Rap.
THE TRANSLATED & EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Being an artist of Senegalese origin living in France, I sing and rap in English and French. Currently I am making my album.”
Yon Idy | In Time
HOME BASE: Macedonia.
GENRE: Folk-Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Yon Idy is a singer-songwriter from Macedonia. Here’s your chance to help a young artist from a country that doesn’t have a music industry.”
Toumak | Mon Amie La Rose
HOME BASE: Egypt.
GENRE: World.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “I am a Francophone author-performer from black Africa. I was not born into a family of artists, but from a creative people, with a temperament fiery and willful! I honed my skills in various cabarets in Paris and in the provinces, collaborating with eclectic composer-arrangers. I have this gift of putting to music my intimate emotions, described with great modesty and a formidable efficiency, melodic and rhythm! Let yourself be transported to Africa and elsewhere.”
Pathion | Lonely Fool
HOME BASE: United Kingdom.
GENRE: Pop-Rock.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Matt Green is a singer-songwriter, artist and filmaker. “Pathion is a four-piece classic soft rock band I formed whilst in the British Army to write and record around 20 original, heartfelt songs for our album Cautionary Tales. Many of these were used in the low-budget movies we were making in our spare time.”
Montana Sharp | Way Of The Whiffler
HOME BASE: Australia.
GENRE: Pop-Rock.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “True to her name, the vibrant and quick-witted Montana Sharp has been serving up a delicious mix of classic rock and cinematic orchestral original music. Marrying her classical piano background with soaring powerhouse vocals, her upcoming EP BloodMoon is set to electrify and mystify this year. Way of the Whiffler questions the purpose of attachment against the power of an ever-changing psyche, with a soundtrack as bewitching as its protagonist.”
https://soundcloud.com/user-198052493/way-of-the-whiffler/s-kYinB5upz83?si=1eed8855f869489988683517a86d8a9f&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing
Corps Météore | Sur Les Roseaux (ft. Noé)
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Pop.
THE TRANSLATED & EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Corps Météore and Noé are comfortable in their time. These two young pop artists met six months ago via Tik Tok. These two voices complement each other so much that we hope until the end that they will be able to face the ordeal they face. Maybe it’s the arrangements, as light as they are modern, that give us room to project our own story on it?”
Bogart. | Whipped Cream
HOME BASE: Switzerland.
GENRE: Rap.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Bogart. are two hard-working guys from Switzerland who have caused quite a stir in the lofi hip-hop and beatmaker scene within a short time. These two producers met in an employment program and quickly realized how well they harmonize. After their debut EP Late Starter, Bogart. are looking to establish themselves as beatmakers with their album Reality Check. With Whipped Cream, Bogart. release their first collaboration with talented MC Man Of Met. The idea was to go back to the roots of hip-hop and show that diversity is more important than ever. Man Of Met does not compromise when it comes to showing what hip-hop means to him. Even in his difficult life situation (he currently lives in his car), he goes his way as an MC and Bogart. offer him a platform to do so. Marin from Bogart. says: “Look here, this talent deserves the full attention! Why? Because the art and the culture is more important to him than his life circumstances. He keeps on rapping and doesn’t let it get him down. In this day and age, MCs like this are more important than ever. They represent what hip-hop really is. The voice of the outsiders and non-privileged people.”
