10 new singles that have been released today on New Music Friday.
1. Sea Girls – Hometown
Coming in fresh off the back of a rapturous sold out UK headline tour, Sea Girls waste no time in today dropping their brilliant new single ‘Hometown’ – taken from their highly-anticipated new album Homesick – out 14th January 2022 on Polydor. Listen HERE.
Premiered by Clara Amfo last night on Radio 1 as her Future Sounds single, ‘Hometown’ fully encapsulates the spirit of the record and is an album opener to be proud of. Written on frontman Henry Camamile’s first day home during the pandemic, it’s an epic statement of intent, with Killers-sized hooks – but one that’s also real, grounded and focused on teenage high times in the flatlands of Lincolnshire.
“‘Hometown’ is one of the most important songs I’ve written. It defines my philosophy.” says Henry. “While writing songs for the new album, I had this intense love for life. Hometown is about people I knew growing up that aren’t around anymore. I’m saying ‘I see you’ – it’s a nod to them. I’m grateful for life and I am not going to jeopardise it in any way.”
2. Seeb – Sweet Dreams & Dynamite feat Nina Nesbitt
Seeb tee up another hit in the making by teaming up with ascendant pop icon Nina Nesbitt for the new single ‘Sweet Dreams & Dynamite’. LISTEN HERE.
With ‘Sweet Dreams & Dynamite’, Seeb have created the kind of instantly addictive modernist pop that can speak to a worldwide audience. Playing with the warmth of the track’s bouncy bass and sparkling synths, they provide the perfect context for Nina Nesbitt’s topline to shine. And she truly delivers, captivating with a vocal that moves freely from autotuned distortion to a surging falsetto and a sharp staccato delivery. Telling the story of a love that’s lost, the song uses sorrow as a starting point for a production of pure positivity.
Seeb – Espen Berg and Simen Eriksrud – say, “We’ve been looking for an opportunity to work with Nina ever since we heard ‘The Best You Had’ a few years ago. Then suddenly out of the blue she sent across a lovely piano ballad idea she had been working on and we immediately clicked with it and jumped all in. It really took on a direction of its own and we are really happy with how it turned out. Nina is a pleasure to work with and being from Swedish/Scottish parents we felt right at home from the start.”
Nina Nesbitt adds, “I’m so excited to collab with SEEB on ‘Sweet Dreams & Dynamite’. I love where they’ve taken this song after sending them it as a piano ballad. I’ve been a huge fan for a while now so I’m really pleased to have something together.”
3. Jessica Wilde – LA Boy
London’s Jessica Wilde is proving one of the UK’s hottest new talents right now, with a string of sizzling singles that have lit up BBC Radio 1, BBC 6 Music and gained serious press praise from the likes of Complex, Clash, The Independent and many more. Her eager Instagram following has also been expanding rapidly and lapping up Wilde’s regular ‘P*ssy PWR’ playlists and IG Live series, with which she showcases her favourite female artists as her comedic alter-ego; ‘Ya gurl Charlene’.
Wilde’s style ranges from chilled and thoughtful spoken word gems to bouncy in-your-face bangers that are woven with her gritty real-life experiences and poetic observations. The combination of her candid hazy diary entry interludes and huge soaring pop-soul choruses packs a real and lasting musical punch.
New cut ‘LA Boy’ has a glittering laid back trip-hop style. With the repeating refrain ‘Back To LA’ washing over again and again, the track feels like a dreamy beach day sipping cocktails but laced with the darker undertones of break-up pain. A fleeting romantic encounter, when the dream is over Jessica’s ‘LA Boy’ is gone and she’s left wondering. And likewise, when the track winds up, Jessica leaves us wanting more.
‘LA Boy’ is the next single to be taken from Jessica Wilde’s forthcoming album which charts her journey from addiction and toxic relationships to self-empowerment and living sober. Like previous single from the album, it’s a snapshot of a moment of realization which helped her move forward with this transformation. Wilde says, “I had a whirlwind relationship with a guy from LA, only here for a two week stay and he swept me up as quick as he dropped me down. A short-lived romance but had a pivotal part in my journey to living sober. The song tells all…”
With ‘LA Boy’ being Jessica Wilde’s 7th single of 2021, it’s a testament to her raw and special songwriting and vocal talents that she has yet again delivered another complete tune.
4. Fickle Friends – Yeah Yeah Yeah
Fickle Friends unveil another experimental edge to the new album with the single ‘Yeah Yeah Yeah’. The track was premiered last night as Jack Saunders’ Power Play on Radio 1.
‘Yeah Yeah Yeah’ is the sound of Fickle Friends detonating the darkness and despair of the lockdown era, and emerging with a life-affirming rush of electro-punk attitude. From its razorsharp riffs to Natti Shiner’s feverish vocals, Fickle Friendshave created the most potent moment of their career to date. The song was written by Fickle Friends and produced by their guitarist Jack Wilson.
Natti Shiner says, “We spent the last year feeling a little lost. It was like being in limbo, constantly waiting for something to change. This song is a bit of an ARGHHH moment in what was a truly confusing time for us as a band. I remember thinking how endless it felt. Making this record gave us purpose but we had no idea if anyone would still care at the end of it all.
With that in mind we kinda thought, what the fuck, let’s just go crazy and explore the heavier side of our music. I think it’s like the musical equivalent of hitting a punch bag to release your frustrations!”
5. Purple Disco Machine – Don’t You Want Me (Human League Remix)
Global dance music icon Purple Disco Machine has remixed the legendary Human League single ‘Don’t You Want Me’, out 19th November on Positiva.
Marking the 40th anniversary of the track’s initial release, the Purple Disco Machine remix of ‘Don’t You Want Me’ sees the German talent inject an additional dose of infectious dancefloor energy while staying true to the original. Released back in 1981, it was the biggest-selling single of the year, a christmas #1 and the fifth biggest-selling single of the decade, becoming a US #1 in 1982. It follows PDM’s hit single ‘Dopamine’, a track that has racked up over 9 million Spotify streams and featured on his acclaimed new album Exotica.
“I can’t say how happy I am with the Purple Disco Machine remix of ‘Don’t You Want Me’, because my favourite pop music ever is Disco,” explains The Human League frontman Phil Oakey. “I’ve been following Tino Schmidt for a few years, both for his original songs and his terrific remixes. Although I’m happy with those remixes that are a completely alternate take to the original I’m really knocked out that Tino’s mix is the first since the original that totally understands the spirit and enhances it while bringing our track right up to date, standing powerfully up against my favourite contemporary dance tunes. And now I’m going to listen to it again, as loud as the neighbours will stand!”
Purple Disco Machine adds: “I am absolutely honoured to remix ‘Don’t You Want Me’. It is quite simply one of the best records ever made and I’ve been desperate to play a version in my DJ sets for years. I deliberately kept my remix faithful to the original as I knew I could not tamper too much with those incredible verses & chorus as they deliver such powerful recognition and joy from the audience. Already everybody sings the words back to me when I play it in my DJ sets! I’ve hopefully brought enough Purple Disco Machine to proceedings to make it worthy of the 40th anniversary”
6. Miel De Botton – Smile
Miel de Botton is to release a beautiful cover version of Charlie Chaplin’s song Smile, originally recorded by Nat King Cole. The version was initially recorded as a gift for a grieving friend who then insisted on Miel releasing it to help others going through the loss of a loved one. The track will be available on all digital service providers and can be streamed now here.
Speaking of the track, Miel says “I sang it with all my heart for one of my closest friends, who lost her Mum. She is a total sweetheart, I adore her. She commissioned me to sing the song during the grieving process. To be honest, the Nat King Cole version I was listening to, made me feel a little sad and I wanted my version to be hopeful.” Miel’s friend added “There is something so special and comforting when your friend sings for you! I think you must release Smile. It is too beautiful to be just for me!”
Over the last 18 months, Miel has begun planning a new album, one that means so much to her; Songs With Loved Ones. The new album will see Miel collaborate with some of her nearest and dearest including her mother and brother as well as long term friend and producer Andy Wright. The record showcases Miel’s spiritual journey over the past year, with each track showing a different side to her. More information to follow in the coming weeks.
This cover follows on from her previously released singles Is It Enough? and The Immunity Song. Miel released her debut album Magnetic in 2015, her second Surrender To The Feeling in 2019, and has been touring worldwide; with standout performances at Camp Bestival and Carfest, sold out concerts in Crazy Coqs, The Pheasantry and Dean St Jazz Club and support tours with John Barrowman and Wet Wet Wet. Alongside music, Miel’s generous spirit and philanthropic work are a big part of her life. She has supported countless peace and community projects as well as the arts and the environment for many years.
7. Janet Devlin – Your Song
10 years on from her X Factor debut, Janet Devlin is revisiting the song that started her career. In this sultry cover of Elton John’s ‘Your Song’, released 19th November, the singer-songwriter’s distinctive voice is as moving as it was a decade ago, demonstrating her skill in renewing songs through her own unique style. Her transformative covers have even garnered the attention of Ed Sheeran, Russell Crowe and Ryan Reynolds on Twitter in recent weeks. ‘Your Song’ is from Janet’s forthcoming EP ‘It’s Not That Deep’, out in December.
Fans have anticipated the release of ‘Your Song’ as a single since Janet’s debut, as she explains: “I’ve had 10 years of inbox messages requesting me to release this cover. I never quite imagined that a song could follow me throughout my career but this one has – in the best way possible. As far as songs to be known for, I’m glad it’s this one. I think I’ll rename it ‘My Song’ haha!” Undeniably an iconic song, Janet highlights why it means so much to her: “What I love the most is where the song took me and still takes me mentally – I’m automatically transported to a happy place when I sing it. Which is hard for me as I’m usually such as overthinker!”
This single is a milestone in Janet’s career and a huge personal achievement, as she explains, “When 17-year-old me left the show I was offered a record deal, and the label wanted me to release this as my first single. However, I wanted to write my own music and earn my place in the industry. I made a promise to myself that if I were still in this business 10 years on then I would release it….and here we are.”
“My audition video has stacked up some impressive numbers over the years, I’m so grateful for the platform the show gave me. No regrets! People are still discovering the video clip of me singing it today, and what’s lovely is there’s a big Janet Devlin rabbit hole to go down and a tonne of music to discover. I’d like to think it’s not too shabby, I’m really proud of my little indie catalogue which I’ve been building.”
8. Essii – Brown Eyes ft. Coi Leray
Emerging 19-year-old artist Essii drops her radiant, precocious gem “Brown Eyes” featuring celebrated rapper Coi Leray.
Following on from previous singles “Positions” and “Pourin”, this newest offering engages light island pop influences over colourful textures and floor-shaking 808s, a sleek jam balanced by Essii’s luring topline – as she outlines the notion of finding confidence in her femininity. The sophisticated blend of intricate production with her self-assured vocal capabilities looks set to continue the attention around Essii as a compelling new name in the UK R&B landscape.
Accompanied by a playfully artistic visual, “Brown Eyes” marks a significant development in style for the homegrown talent; calling on LA based rapper Coi Leray’s dynamic flow, the pair’s chemistry breathes new life into the track – toying with societal boundaries on what it means to be feminine.
9. Twinnie – Cool
Twinnie rounds out her 2021 releases with the acoustic reworking of her standout single ‘Cool’ which originally dropped in August as part of a repackaged version of her 2020 debut album ‘Hollywood Gypsy’.
The latest drop from the award-winning artist sees her delivering a stunning stripped-back re-structuring of the pop-heavy country-tinged crossover – allowing for her to further demonstrate the strength of both her vocal control and songwriting talent.
‘Cool (Acoustic)’ will allow for Twinnie to round out a fantastic twelve months that also saw her headline her very first sell-out UK tour with the stellar track closing out the hugely impressive ‘Hollywood Gypsy’ era before a new EP and chapter arrives in 2022.
Speaking about ‘Cool’, Twinnie states: “It’s a hopeful break-up song. It’s about being hopeful for a relationship that’s not quite done yet. It’s in that stage of maybe one day everything will be ok and it’ll work out, even if we’re not together right now.”
10. NEIKED – Better Days feat Mae Muller
NEIKED and Mae Muller release the acoustic version and accompanying video of their new collaborative single “Better Days”.
Stream the acoustic version: https://maemuller.
The stunning acoustic performance was directed by Raja Virdi (Phase Films) and shot at Lightbox, Vauxhall, in the height of lockdown with NEIKED shot remotely in Stockholm. The new version of the song sees Mae show off her vocal talents and take centre stage as she performs surrounded by glowing lights as NEIKED provides a stripped back guitar accompaniment.
The original version, which also features vocals from Polo G, has had incredible success since its release last month reaching #32 at the Official UK chart and #29 in the Billboard Hot 100. The original has so far received over 80 million streams worldwide as well as rapidly becoming a rising song on TikTok with the sound being used over 235k times. The single was complimented with a spellbinding video directed by Tom Dream (Gucci, Arlo Parks, Celeste) featuring all three artists living in a retro world that perfectly complements the dreamy, upbeat production of the track.
