Gracing the cover of our tenth print issue, Lolo Zouaï dives deeper into the world of PLAYGIRL.
At just the tender age of 20, you’d be forgiven for thinking that singer-songwriter Budjerah might still be finding his feet as an artist. But don’t mistake the young Australian’s soft-spoken demeanour for timidity - he’s quietly ambitious, and only just getting started.
Since the release of her critically acclaimed debut album, Overgrown, Wrice has established herself as a refined songwriter — penning feelings of maturity and growth in the most vulnerable yet accessible way — in return gaining a loyal fan base that supports and awaits her every move.
LISTEN Magazine warmly welcomes Anna of the North as our last digital cover star of 2022.
The powerhouse pop artist has graced stages across the globe with her signature bittersweet bangers. Before logging into the virtual world she created on her sophomore album PLAYGIRL, the cybernetic pop star was a girl hustling to make it in New York City.
After five years of releasing music as a signed recording artist, pop prodigy Tei Shi returns fully independent with a fresh perspective on trusting herself and following her intuition.
For the past few years, Scotland-bred producer Sam Gellaitry has been riding the wave of consistent success since his breakout Escapism EP in 2015. From a young age, the rising star has been experimenting with eclectic sounds as if it was second nature.
In the past four years, since his breakthrough hit “Straight Rhymez” exploded on the UK rap scene, the 22-year-old has accomplished beyond what the average 20-something can fathom dreaming nevertheless achieving.
Toronto’s newest shining star Dylan Sinclair has continually been making headway in the R&B scene; with his alternative style generating an ever-growing fanbase and support from his city.
Recent Posts
Q+A: SixSaidIt
Having roots in the UK, Atlanta, New York, and more, not many artists are as diverse and gifted as the British-Nigerian-born rapper SixSaidIt, who has been able to take her various backgrounds into an ever-expanding sound. Her latest project, Outside I, was a testament and example of how much she can push the boundaries of music.
Q+A: Monét Ngo
Talent and artistry can come from when you least expect it; And in this case, even in a classroom. Monét Ngo is the Vietnamese-American schoolhouse rockstar who has steadily been growing a name for himself — for his stand-out style.
Boslen Talks His Latest Release, Gonzo
Boslen, Vancouver’s very own experimental artist and creative genius, has released yet another electrifying and empowering masterpiece, Gonzo. We chat with the rising star about his latest EP along with what’s next on his agenda for a global takeover.
Q+A: Cloe Wilder
Not many people have the talent that the young singer-songwriter Cloe Wilder possesses. Cloe has a unique ability to take elegance and tragedy all into a melancholy pop sound that has drawn comparisons to the likes of Lana Del Ray.
Q+A: Selina
Meet Dreamy R&B singer/songwriter Selina. Hailing from Portland, Oregon, at 20-year-old wants you and her to avoid feeling uncomfortable in being open. Selina is all about expressing vulnerability through her music.
Q+A: Cosmo’s Midnight
Twin ARIA-nominated duo, Cosmo’s Midnight return with their latest single and video, “Bang My Line” featuring Tkay Maidza. A silken and smooth slice of West-Coast funk, “Bang My Line” will transplant you directly to the hazy glitz of a palm-tree-lined LA.
Q+A: VITA
Rising Australian multidimensional artist VITA is pushing boundaries sonically and visually with her mammoth debut EP, LIBRE. The compact six-track EP is the perfect introduction to who VITA is as an artist; each track showcases her versatility as she leaps from different genres and styles with ease.
Q+A: Dende
Meet rising producer, R&B singer, and rapper Dende, who simply wants to shoot the breeze and connect with you. From Dende’s latest release, “Round Trip To Atlanta,” he tells the story of his attraction for a dancer that has captured his heart.
Q+A: Darius
French producer & artist, Darius released his latest album OASIS. The project is a cosmic blend of R&B, funk, disco, as well as modern electronic elements to create a sonic “oasis.”
Q+A: Budjerah
Rising Australian singer-songwriter Budjerah released his highly anticipated sophomore EP, Conversations. The project is an introspective look into the artist’s thoughts, feelings, and emotions, combined with a powerful tension in its clash of electro-R&B production and emotive lyricism.
Q+A: Kyle Stockman
With the release of Petrified, we had the opportunity to sit down with Kyle Stockman to discuss experimenting with a new sound along with the removal of his previous work from streaming services.
Q+A: Isaac Zale
Vancouver B. C’s own Isaac Zale is an independent artist taking his time in his journey to crafting his own lane. This 24-year-old rapper/music engineer is taking what it means to be a DIY artist being an independent rapper, producing his own music, while running his own record label Burgundy Soul.
Q+A: JORDY
With a blend of relatable lyrics and melodies that feel like a summer evening road trip, JORDY’s newest album, Mind Games, captures the feelings of hope, loneliness, love, and the murkiness of reconciling them all together. We connected with JORDY over email to get a glimpse into his inspiration, tour details, and more.
Q+A: Ferdous
We had the pleasure of chatting with Ferdous via email about the release of his latest single “Wasteland,” along with the release of his forthcoming EP.
Q+A: Inner State 81
Attention to detail is always the catalyst that pushes multifaceted producer Inner State 81 to constantly outdo himself. Whether it’s making a gritty-trap record or a danceable funk tune, the Harrisburg native is willing to adapt and flawlessly execute any collaboration he’s a part of.
Q+A: Sarina
R&B songstress Sarina releases Glass Paradise Deluxe, the extended edition of her acclaimed 2020 EP, giving fans a deeper glimpse into the rising star’s world. The deluxe edition kicks off with the EP’s original three tracks, which showcases Sarina guiding the listener through the different phases of love and all the emotions enveloped within it. The project explores uncharted territory with pop-infused sounds and styles that truly showcase Sarina’s dynamic range.
Q+A: SWAINE DELAGO
Fusing his background in chill electronic music with a more recent fascination of catchy pop, Swaine Delgado puts his own twist on laid-back tunes with his latest EP, Brushed. His soothing vocals melt seamlessly into layers of upbeat yet dreamy instrumentals, encapsulating listeners in a trance of rhythmic paradise.
Q+A: GOODBOY NOAH
Q+A: TEKE::TEKE
Hailing from Montreal, TEKE::TEKE is a seven-piece psych-punk outfit with an ear for eclectic nostalgia and plenty of cinematic charm. Since their formation in 2017, TEKE::TEKE has charmed audiences with their cinematic aesthetics, nods to 1960s surf rock, folksy instrumentation, and signature punk energy.
Q+A: ALMOST NICE
Almost Nice is the moniker created by 19-year-old Ben Szabó from Copenhagen, Denmark. Following the unexpected success of his first-ever song recorded, “Fried Noodles,” he has released a plethora of light and jazzy EPs and singles, with his most recent EP being Pollenpop. With this project, he steps away from the lofi vibe of his earlier work, and into a sound that combines vocal traits of Tyler, the Creator with instrumentals of Cuco.
ISSUE 007
Bright ambition: the rise and rise of Cautious Clay.
