NEW SOUNDS

Here is a collection of new sounds that I want to highlight:

Following her venture into hard rock, Demi Lovato has returned to music with an upcoming dance-pop collection, "It's Not That Deep" which is due out on October 24th. The latest single is "Kiss", a fun, throbbing techno-pop track.



The British art-pop stylist and actress, FKA Twigs had released her well-received third album, "Eusexua" earlier this year. On the horizon is a sequel to this collection entitled, "Eusexua Afterglow" which originally was going to be a deluxe edition of the previous album but will now be a follow-up of new music. The first single, "Cheap Motel" which is accompanied by a seven minute music video that is much like a short film.



Born in Ethiopia and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, the alt-r&b artist, Alemeda has been creating music since 2020. She began with a hyper-hip-hop sound before moving towards soulful indie rock,. The twenty-five year old performer (born Rahema Alameda) is preparing to release another EP, "But What The Hell Do I Know" with the first single, "Beat A B!tch Up" features an appearance by her label-mate, Doechii.



The popular, Chicago-based DJ, Honey Dijon has moved further in creating her own music and has released a new song. "The Nightlife" is an expected sultry club-banger but features r&b vocalist, Chlöe Bailey performing on the track with her first major venture to the dance floor.



Haim has just released a deluxe edition to their most recent album, "I Quit" that features three new songs. One of those songs, "Tie You Down" is a collaboration with indie rocker, Bon Iver.

CHLOE X HALLE: INDIVIDUALLY

The Bailey sisters, Chlöe and Halle, have been working together professionally since they were young children. The girls had impressive depth and range at that time and have since grown (Chlöe is now twenty-five; Halle is twenty-three) into even more considerable talents. After taking a hiatus, with each pursuing solo endeavors over the last few years, there has been some chatter that this duo are coming back together to create new music. However, each sister has recently just released their own new song.

Chlöe first premiered "FYS". an alt-r&b song co-written by the singer with producer, BongoByTheWay. The title stands for "Fuck Your Status" which she explains means the trappings of wealth and success shouldn't matter with the only thing that is important in a relationship is love.



Meanwhile, Halle just delivered "In Your Hands", the second track from her still, on-the-way debut solo album. This lovely ballad expresses the deep love that she feels for her partner, fellow musician, DDG and their new born son, Halo.

RANDOM SIGHTS + SOUNDS

Here are the latest videos of singles from P!nk, Miley Cyrus and Chlöe who all have new albums dropping in the next few weeks.







And there is the return of Everything But The Girl, a British electronic band who found their greatest fame in the '90's with the remix of the single, "Missing". After twenty-four years, the duo (that features Tracey Thorn and Ben Watt) have come back together to create some new music with an album, "Fuse" due out in April. The first single, "Nothing Left to Lose" reveals that this band has moved forward with a sound that fits perfectly well in today's musical landscape.

I love how Sam Smith now feels free to openly embrace a queer esthetic without having to fear that it might adversely effect their career. Following their worldwide smash single, "Unholy" with Kim Petras, Smith has released their fourth album, "Gloria". This collection features a myriad of personal expressions and musical textures. They have with returned with two singles from the record, "Gimme", a sexy, Caribbean flavored track that features Jessie Reyez and Jamaican musician, Koffee and "I'm Not Here To Make Friends", a new dance collaboration with Calvin Harris. Both videos for these songs express an unapologetic queer vibe; free-wheeling, decadent and fun.

"80 For Brady" is the upcoming campy comedy that has assembled a cast of legendary actresses; Oscar-winners, Rita Moreno, Jane Fonda, Sally Field and nominee, Lily Tomlin. Based on a true story, these four longtime friends and big New England Patriots fans decide to travel to Houston in order to watch their hero, Tom Brady play in the Super Bowl and they're not going to let not having tickets stop them. And a theme song for the movie written by Diane Warren has put together an equally impressive line-up of veteran singers to sing on the track. Belinda Carlisle, Gloria Estefan, Cyndi Lauper and Dolly Parton have come together on "Gonna Be You". While the song might not be considered that memorable, it is certainly fun to hear this unlikely round-up of ladies performing collectively.

And to close out, here are tributes to a couple of artists we have recently lost. Anita Pointer of the family singing group, The Pointer Sisters passed away on December 31st at the age of seventy-four. She had been struggling with cancer over the last couple of years. Born and raised in Oakland, CA., she and her sisters, June, Bonnie and Ruth, all began performing together professionally in 1972, signing to Blue Thumb Records and releasing their self-titled debut which featured their first hits, "Yes We Can Can" and "Wang Dang Doodle". This r&b group enjoyed further success together before Bonnie decided to leave to pursue a solo career.

Now as a trio, the Pointer Sisters changed musical directions, moving into a pop-rock sound and found even greater success first with a cover of Bruce Springsteen's "Fire". More high charting songs followed with "He's So Shy", "Jump (For My Love)", "Slow Hand" and "I'm So Excited". She recorded only one solo album, "Love For What It Is" in 1987. Pointer retired from the group in 2015 and co-wrote a memoir with her brother, Fritz, "Fairytale: The Pointer Sisters' Family Story" which chronicled their family history and career.

Considered one of the greatest guitar players in rock, Jeff Beck died on January 10th from complications of bacterial meningitis. He was seventy-eight. This British musician began his career playing with several bands and was a session guitarist before being offered to join The Yardbirds to replace Eric Clapton based on a reccomendation from Jimmy Page in 1965. Beck didn't stay long yet was a part of the band during their biggest commercial success. He was eventually fired from The Yardbirds due to excessive absences and his firery temper.

In 1967, Beck went on to form his own band, The Jeff Beck Group which included Ronnie Wood on bass and Rod Stewart on vocals. This blues-rock group was another short-lived venture for Beck that produced two successful albums before this line-up disbanded two years later. He would revive the band later with different musicians in the 1970's, recording two more albums. Beck soon began recording as a solo artist, moving into jazz-rock fusion. He had continued to work over the years on his own albums and with other artists, recently collaborating with friend, actor and part-time musician Johnny Depp last year on what would be Beck's final album, "18". During his accomplished career, Beck recorded fourteen studio albums and won eight Grammy awards.

HAVE MERCY

Chloe Bailey has been working with her younger sister, Halle professionally since they were young children. These self-taught musicians have released two albums to date, including "Ungodly Hour" last year and Chloe X Halle have achieved great success as performers. And while they have not broken-up, each sister is working on solo projects at the moment. Halle is focusing on an acting career, having been cast in the upcoming live-action version of the Disney musical, "The Little Mermaid" where she will play Ariel. Chloe is about to launch some music as a solo artist.

She has just dropped a new single called, "Have Mercy". From the first listen, it's quite clear how much Chloe's mentor, Beyoncé has been an inspiration to her sound and style but that's not to imply she hasn't added her own distinctive spin to the song. And the music video displays the twenty-three year old in a new light. In this hyper-sexualized clip, we see a lot of the singer's skin in revealing outfits and performing some highly provocative dance moves. Yet Chloe says it's all about female empowerment and displaying confidence. People will have differing opinions on the video but there is no denying that it is something to see and Chloe is certainly some one to watch.