10 great international tracks that are out now.
1. Cole Swindell – Never Say Never feat Lainey Wilson
Grammy-nominated multi-Platinum superstar Cole Swindell has released “Never Say Never”, a duet with his friend and BMG/BBR Music Group’s fast-rising new artist Lainey Wilson – available now at all digital service providers. Swindell co-wrote the duet with Jessi Alexander and Chase McGill. “Never Say Never” is the Georgia native’s 12th career single and the follow-up radio single to his back-to-back No. 1 hits “Love You Too Late” and most recently his milestone multi-week, 10th career No. 1 hit “Single Saturday Night”, which has already logged over 245 million streams globally. “Never Say Never” is also the follow-up single to Wilson’s U.S. No. 1 smash hit “Things A Man Oughta Know”, which is still streaming more than three million times each week since it peaked in September.
“I am so excited to release ‘Never Say Never’,” said Swindell. “I wrote ‘Never Say Never’ with Jessi Alexander and Chase McGill in 2018 about a relationship you just can’t stay away from. I have been a fan of Lainey Wilson’s for a while now and what she brings to this song is everything it needed. So glad it’s finally out!”
“’Things a Man Oughta Know’ was such an incredible ride, I can’t wait to get this next song out into the world and see where it leads,” said Lainey Wilson “It makes the journey that much more special that I get to share it with a friend this time around—I’m looking forward to playing it for y’all and I’m sure Cole is too!”
Click HERE to purchase/download “Never Say Never”.
2. KSHMR – Close your Eyes feat Tungevaag
Dance music behemoth KSHMR has collaborated with Norwegian talent Tungevaag on new single ‘Close Your Eyes’, out now on Dharma Worldwide.
A glorious combination of organic instrumentation, computerised beats and pitch-perfect vocals, ‘Close Your Eyes’ is an infectious dance-pop jam propelled by majestic pan pipes. It follows ‘Over You’, KSHMR’s recent collaboration with Lovespeake, while he also dropped his critically-acclaimed Harmonica Andromeda album back in March, featuring the timeless singles, ‘The World We Left Behind’ and ‘Around The World.’ Adding to his impressive catalogue which includes big-room festival anthems such as ‘Secrets’, ‘Megalodon’ and ‘Wildcard’ KSHMR has secured his spot as one of the top producers in dance music today.
“Tungevaag and I have been trying to make a song for a long time,” says KSHMR. “When he sent me the vocal for ‘Close Your Eyes’ I knew it was the one, and I tried so many ideas for the production. It didn’t feel quite right until we added the flute; that was the eureka moment for me, the moment it felt like a KSHMR song mixed with Tungevaag’s signature touch.”
Tungevaag explains, “We wrote this song in a time when the world was very still during the pandemic and this song resembles beaming yourself away by closing your eyes. I am so excited to work with KSHMR on this track and hope everyone likes the track as much as we do!”
3. Nissi – Hold
Fast-rising Nigerian pop talent Nissi has dropped her single ‘Hold’, out 16th November on EMPIRE.
Produced by Telz and Walshy Fire, ‘Hold’ is a romance-infused ballad that pairs a vibrant, percussion-driven production with Nissi’s soulful vocals. The accompanying video, released three days after the single on 19th November, comes in the form of a one-take dance performance, with Nissi toying with a love interest that she knows she ultimately needs to avoid – as undeniable their connection is and as hard as he is to resist.
‘Hold’ follows ‘Ready Or Not’, Nissi’s collaboration with exciting London rapper BackRoad Gee earlier in the year, and 2020 debut EP ‘Ignite’.
Blending both African and European influences, the cross-cultural sound of Nissi reflects the path she has taken in life. Born into a highly creative family in Port Harcourt, Nigeria – her older brother is ‘African Giant’ Burna Boy and her grandfather was Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti’s manager – she has lived in England since 2011, first in Bath and then Warwick before settling in East London.
With her music career still very much in its infancy, Nissi is already showing signs that she is destined for big things.
4. Willie Jones – 2-piece Combo
The only country artist named on Vevo’s coveted DSCVR “Artists to Watch” list for 2022, Willie Jones is serving up his own ‘2-Piece Combo’ of tunes today (11.19) via Sony Music Nashville in partnership with The Penthouse. The southern-sized helping of new music from the Louisiana native features two new songs, “Soul Food” + “Slow Cookin’” — both available now.
On each track, the breakout newcomer “cooks up” his own taste of modern-day romance, complete with Jones’ smooth, baritone vocals fusing with his swampy, signature sound. Nodding to his Shreveport roots and the staples of southern cuisine, Jones is always coming back for seconds.
Tipping his hat to one of the best known country cooking songs of all time, “Slow Cookin’” also samples Hank Williams’ timeless tune, “Hey, Good Lookin’,” putting a modern, unexpected spin on the 1950s hit, while also calling out the legendary tunesmith in the lyrics.
5. Alesso – Somebody To Use
In a glorious moment of worlds colliding, “Somebody To Use” once again proves Alesso’s incredible talent for merging the massively catchy melodies and raw emotion of pop with the forward-thinking sound design of boundary-pushing dance music. Built on a heavenly backdrop of glistening synth and gorgeously cascading beats, the track surges forward with an unstoppable energy paired with velvety vocals. The result: a full-tilt anthem that invites both total surrender and pure catharsis. Already familiar to fans, Alesso has teased and performed the highly anticipated “Somebody to Use” on his sets for the past two years.
“Somebody To Use” arrives as the follow-up to “Chasing Stars” — Alesso’s collaboration with Marshmello, featuring GRAMMY-nominated singer/songwriter/guitarist James Bay. Soon after premiering in August alongside a beautifully surreal video
6. Aquadolls – Xmas Wrapping
Southern California’s the Aquadolls are ringing in the holidays with a new take on The Waitresses holiday classic “Xmas Wrapping.” The track was produced by none other than Fat Mike of NOFX and features appearances by Angelo Moore of Fishbone on saxophone and El Jefe of NOFX on trumpet.
Frontwoman Melissa Brooks says, “Every year when the weather starts getting colder (and in California terms meaning we go from blistering hot weather to a breezy 70 degrees) it means it’s time for the holiday season.
This leads to our not-so-friendly winter companion: seasonal depression. Christmas time can be really difficult to navigate through, especially during a pandemic. The holidays can suck, but with the help of a good pal or two and some rock n roll, hopefully, it can suck a little less!
We created a ska/punk-inspired cover of The Waitresses’ “Xmas Wrapping” with the production help of Fat Mike from NOFX and Jon Graber, with horns from El Hefe of NOFX and Angelo Moore of Fishbone. It’s so exciting for us to collaborate with so many music icons on this and put a new twist on such an underrated and timeless classic. We hope you start a mosh pit to this and this makes your holiday season rock harder than before!”
7. Walk Off The Earth – Hold On To Your Love feat Phillip Phillips
8. Joy Again – What Lovers Do
Six-piece indie-rock outfit Joy Again return with their new single & video, “What Lovers Do,” on Arista Records.
“What Lovers Do” marks Joy Again’s first release with Arista Records. The dreamy, lo-fi track explores “a playful cat and mouse game, the push and pull of a complicated relationship, and a rumination on the perpetuity of love.”
For Joy Again, inspiration indiscriminately bounces around like a superball. It ping-pongs between the Philadelphia band before it settles and crystallizes in one capriciously catchy bop after another. The six members of Joy Again—Sachi DiSerafino [vocals, guitar], Arthur Shea [vocals, guitar], Blaise O’Brien [keys], Zachary Tyndall [keys], Will Butera [drums], and Kieran Ferris [bass]—draw hooks and melodies from the most unexpected corners as they create without limitations or boundaries. Since debuting in 2014, the band has generated more than 100 million streams independently, inciting hundreds of thousands of TikTok videos, and earning acclaim from The FADER, OnesToWatch, Atwood Magazine, EARMILK, Alt Citizen, NME, and more.
9. Cherry Lena – Love Bombed and Ghosted
Cherry Lena is an alternative Pop R&B singer-songwriter from Montreal, Canada. Having first captured the attention of audiences with her performances on The Voice Quebec in 2018, she has since been making a name for her stunning combination of warm R&B tones and subtle 1950’s jazz vocals. Her music is rich and timeless, resulting in a sound which effortlessly displays the musician’s undeniable talent and passionate delivery.
Her latest single “Love-Bombed And Ghosted” is a soulful track fusing lo-fi R&B and jazz with a pop sensibility. Through a flow of dynamics she gives the space to adore each pluck of gritty riffs, with punchy basslines and percussion adding both sass and power. The single touches on the type of person who feeds off others’ affection, just to run and hide when they are scared to feel something beyond the shallow waters of ghosting. The empowering artist shares, “It’s about a boy I met in June. I fell hard and fast. He showered me with love and affection and then simply vanished from my life. It hurt my pride the most. I felt like such a fool since he was never even mine.”
Produced and mixed by producer duo Pops & Poolboy, “Love-Bombed And Ghosted” features uplifting and infectious melodies which contrast the sombre lyrical theme. The songwriter explains, “Although the subject of the song is sad and emotional, the melodies are bubbly and catchy because it portrays the mood of the day I recorded it. At that exact moment, we were just kids having fun and creating and I was feeling grateful to be able to share and create.”
10. Grace Gustard – Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
Emerging artist Grace Gaustad is welcoming the festive season with a special cover of the classic, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, released Friday, November 19th. Directed by 2021 MTV VMA winner, Van Alpert, the single is a crooner’s dream, filled with nostalgic and sentimental holiday vibes to fill you with the Christmas spirit. Performed as a love letter to her fans and people listening around the world, her enchanting vocals offer a message of hope this winter, reminding us all as the song says – to let our hearts be light. As the last few years have been particularly tough on the global community, she encourages everyone to practice gratitude and spend extra time with the ones we love this year.
The Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter is using her music to change the negative stigma attached to mental health, specifically as it affects young people. Through her BLKBX: wht r u hding? album release, short film debut, and philanthropic endeavors she is singularly focused on elevating awareness and making sure teens know they are not alone.
