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.

RANDOM SIGHTS + SOUNDS

Lizzo is back with a new sound and a new look. Following some unpleasant allegations and lawsuits made against her, the singer took some time away from the spotlight. But Lizzo has reemerged fully energized and in fighting shape, having recently achieved significant weight loss although she has made it clear she still continues to advocate for body positivity. And she has new music with the release of the title track off of her upcoming fifth studio album, "Love in Real Life". This rock-inspired song looks back at a time before social media when people connected face-to-face. The music video for "Love in Real Life" was influenced by 90's style and features Lizzo decked out in black leather and doing some moves with back-up dancers that Michael Jackson would envy. And the video for another song,the dance-pop track, "Still Bad" continues where the other clip ended. Lizzo will be hit the road this month for some shows in New York, LA and Minneapolis.





Here are some new songs that I'm feeling which includes "Taste", the latest from Coco Jones which samples Britney Spears' "Toxic";  Haim returns with the sisters getting funky while bemoaning "Relationships"; the Canadian singer, Tate McRae talks about her need for speed with her single, "Sports Car"; Sam Smith returns with a lovely ballad, "Love is a Stillness", rising British artist, Bishop Briggs has dropped a new single with the positivity anthem, "Woman is King" and Lil Nas X is back, embracing the pink, with a new single, "Hotbox".

Roy Ayers, a pioneer of jazz-funk whose music would be one of the most sampled in hip-hop, passed away on March 4th at the age of eight-four. The LA-born Ayers came from a family of musicians and began learning to play the vibraphone at the age of five. After playing with several bands and recording solo projects, he formed his own acid-jazz group in 1972, Roy Ayers Ubiquity, which he chose because "ubiquity" means "a state of being everywhere at the same time". Ayers worked on the soundtrack for the Pam Grier film, "Coffy" and released the 1976 album, "Everybody Loves The Sunshine" which the title track would go on to find great popularity later by being heavily sampled, with the song used at least two hundred times on various recordings. Some of his other music was also sampled and he returned the favor by performing the vibraphone as a session musician for albums of many neo-soul, jazz and hip-hop artists. During his career, Ayers would record thirty studio albums as a solo artist and with his band.

SONGS FOR THE ISOLATED

As the world has been, most likely, irreparably changed due to this ongoing pandemic, it is no surprise that artists have are inspired by what is happening around them and have been creating. Staying at home, trapped with your thoughts on overdrive days on end, will certainly stir-up ideas. And these musicians are expressing the emotions that many, many people are definitely feeling right now. Some of these songs (including the remix of Megan Thee Stallion's latest song, "Stallion" with Beyoncé and Sia's moving ballad, "Saved My Life", co-written with Dua Lipa) have the proceeds going to COVID-19 relief funds which is incredibly important right now and will be needed long after the world has gone back to "normal". So here are a collection of songs and videos that have been created, modified or just simply released during this pandemic:

RANDOM SIGHTS + SOUNDS

Mikaela Straus came out loud and proud last year with her first single, "1950" under her professional moniker, King Princess. This song, about imaging the time when people had to keep their sexuality a secret, brought the now twenty year old Bronx native plenty of attention. This lead to her meeting musician/producer, Mark Ronson who featured her on a track on his latest album, "Late Night Feelings" and signed her to his label, Zelig. Now King Princess has just released her debut studio album, "Cheap Queen". This self-described genderqueer singer-songwriter explores issues facing today's LGBTQ youth and creates pop anthems that will not only speak to them but anyone feeling alone and isolated.





Here is a selection of some new songs that perfectly merges together music and image:









During this year's "Black Girls Rock!" celebration, three of hottest female dance vocalists from the '90's came together to perform their big hits from the era. Check out Robin S. ("Show Me Love"), Crystal Waters ("Gypsy Woman") and CeCe Peniston ("Finally") who take us back and deliver glorious live renditions of their songs.



And we close with some thrilling duets by some great singers. We have Mamas & Papas vocalist, Cass Elliot teaming up with John Denver on a cover of the melancholy ballad, "Leaving On a Jet Plane". Cheryl Lynn and the very missed Luther Vandross delivering some vocal dynamics on their live version of Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell's "If This World Was Mine" during an appearance on "Soul Train".

SUMMER GIRL

While it would seem late in the season to release a song about summer, this terrific new single by the sister act, Haim is not exactly referring to the weather. "Summer Girl" was actually inspired by the band's producer Ariel Rechtshaid (who is also Danielle Haim's boyfriend) and his early-stage cancer diagnosis. She wanted to be his "summer girl" to bring him hope and light when he was feeling down during treatment and a song was created. The sisters enlisted musician, Rostam Batmanglij (formerly of Vampire Weekend) for help on the track and he contributed the distinctive saxophone part. Although they later felt it was a little too similar to the sound of Lou Reed's "Walk On The Wild Side", Haim resolved that by giving the late rocker a songwriting credit. And Rechtshaid himself added a few touches to complete the track. Take a look at the whimsical music video for "Summer Girl" directed by filmmaker, Paul Thomas Anderson and was shot at some sites familiar to L.A. residents at the New Beverly Cinema, Canter's Deli and on Ventura Blvd:

WANT YOU BACK

The Haim sisters, Este, Danielle and Alana, have been performing music together professionally since they were children, singing and playing multiple instruments at churches, hospitals and weddings. The group known as Haim released their first major label album in 2013 , "Days Are Gone", a fascinating collection of songs they wrote inspired by their musical parents' 1970's rock albums and modern pop and hip-hop.

After taking their time, Haim has finally returned with some new music. "Want You Back", which is once again produced and co-written with Ariel Rechtshaid, is a tasty slice of classic California rock made for the 21st Century.

This first single will be on Haim's second album "Something To Tell You" which is due out on July 7. Be sure to catch the band previewing their new music live on May 13th as they are slated to be the musical guests on that evening's episode of "Saturday Night Live" with host, Melissa McCarthy.

LORDE OVERSEES "HUNGER GAMES"

While the world has to anxiously await the third installment of the "Hunger Games" franchise until tomorrow, you can hear some of the music from the film right now. The eighteen year-old New Zealand artist, Lorde was approached to once again contribute a song but this time she wanted to have a bigger role in creating the soundtrack. She was given the reins to curate the music for "Mockingjay, Part One" and assembled an impressive list of artists to participate.

Lorde brought together veteran cutting-edge musicians (Chemical Brothers, Bat For Lashes, CHVRCHΞS) and offbeat rising stars (Charli XCX, Tinashe, Tove Lo) to create a moody, hard-hitting collection that will enhance and work perfectly with the dark themes of the film. There are also some inventive musical pairings including EDM outfit, Major Lazer with Ariana Grande, Simon LeBon of Duran Duran joins Charli XCX on "Kingdom" and Lorde herself with a crazy team featuring rap artists, Q-Tip and Pusha T and the rock group, Haim on Belgian hip-hop artist, Stromae's song, "Meltdown".

She even got Kanye West involved to remix her track, "Yellow Flicker Beat" and re-titled the tune as "Flicker". My favorite part of this whole enterprise is the inclusion of the legendary Grace Jones with the song, "Original Beast". The idea that Lorde was aware who she is, let alone, wise enough to have this incredible performer a part of this project makes me love her even more.

Listen to a few of the tracks from the soundtrack:



"All My Love" - Major Lazer featuring Ariana Grande (2014)



"The Leap" - Tinashe (2014)



"Flicker (Kanye West Re-work)" - Lorde (2014)



"Meltdown" - Stromae featuring Q-Tip, Pusha T, Haim and Lorde (2014)

MY FAVORITE MOMENTS IN MUSIC OF 2013

I know this is very late and 2013 is just a distant memory for most people but I have to point out my favorite tunes from last year. I had already displayed some of my favs throughout, so here is the rest of my best:

"Safe and Sound" - Capital Cities

"This Life" - Josef Salvat

"The Way" - Ariana Grande featuring Mac Miller



"Love More" - Chris Brown featuring Nicki Minaj

"Hold On We're Going Home" - Drake



"Latch" - Disclosure featuring Sam Smith

"Happy" - Pharrell Williams

"Summertime Saddness (Cedric Gervais Remix)" - Lana Del Rey

"Unbelievers" - Vampire Weekend

"Walking On Air" - Katy Perry

NEW SOUNDS

LAURYN HILL

After serving a three month jail sentence for tax evasion,  Lauryn Hill has decided the time was right to release some music. Over the years there has been new material dropped sporadically (including an ill-fated reunion with The Fugees) since the mega-success of her 1998 solo debut, "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill" but it now seems like she could possibly be ready to seriously refocus on her career although it still might only be financially motivated.

"Consumerism" is the title of her latest and Ms Hill spits out rapid fire verses about her views of the current state of the world. This edgy tune is far from catchy or memorable but still serves as a reminder of her great talent. Hopefully, this is just a taste to whet our appetite for something bigger and better to come.

 "Consumerism" - Ms Lauryn Hill (2013)

JENNIFER HUDSON

Oscar-winner, Jennifer Hudson has been spending most of her time making films and showing off her new figure but has now put some of that energy back in to music. She has teamed up with the hot producer of the moment, Pharrell Williams and together have created a sizzling new track, "I Can't Describe (The Way I Feel).  I'm not sure if this is for her upcoming new album or some other project but no matter. What I do know is that I'm really loving this funky jam.

"I Can't Describe (The Way I Feel)" - Jennifer Hudson (2013)

HAIM

Born and raised in the Southern California valley, the Haim sisters, Este, Danielle and Alana have been performing music together professionally since they were little girls along with their parents in a classic rock band.  Since leaving the family nest, the sisters (now in their 20's) are a band known by their surname, Haim and have been creating some serious buzz by opening for such acts as Rihanna and Mumford & Sons as well as making a splash at some of the top music festivals.

Haim have recently released their debut album, "Days Are Gone" which features a solid collection of songs that are a clever mash-up of the type of music they listened to on L.A. radio in their youth; soft rock, r&b grooves and '80's pop.

"Forever" - Haim (2013)