MUST LISTEN 070
Every week, we’ll be bringing you Must Listen: a series that's a compilation of rising artists along with songs that must be added to your everyday playlist. This week’s playlist consists of emerging acts like Mondaii, Mel Blue, Ella Rose, and ABRA. Turn on, tune in, and zone out.
Meet Mondaii ( pronounced, “Mon-day”), as he transcends through boundaries on his latest track “X2C.” An electrifying anthem that embodies the euphoria of the gateway drug itself, ecstasy. Opening with the legendary ballroom icon Mc Debra, the track fuses House and Witty Banter to give its audience a new style, a new cut, and a new emerging rap icon.
Sydney-based six-piece Mel Blue ushers in the next wave of their electronic pop with their latest single, “Cleopatra.” The track is synth-driven with an acoustic edge and is the group’s first real love song, blending together their trademark nostalgia sound. The song finds producer Oscar Sharah’s vocals at their most electronic yet tender, translating the euphoria of falling in love.
British singer-songwriter, Ella Rosa, incorporates her signature soulful lyrics accompanied by vocal runs to immerse us in her story of self-discovery on her latest track “Just Me.” The insightful song sheds light on the growth that Ella Rosa has made since starting her music career; the intriguing banjo introduction is followed by Ella's vocals that speak of her struggles with people-pleasing & her youth in Reading.
Abra returns from her hiatus with her major-label debut single “Unlock It” featuring Playboi Carti. The song is a smooth club anthem that blends together elements of Atlanta trap and ‘80s synthpop to create a fun and playful bop. We can’t wait to see what’s next from the legend in the making.
L.A based singer-songwriter Frex slides on her latest single “kill for you.” The celestial songstress never disappoints the track a sensual bonnie and clyde esque love song. With a string of singles this year we’re more than excited to see what’s coming next from Frex.
Breakout R&B singer-songwriter TALIA gets vulnerable on her track “4GETME;” the upbeat energy of the track juxtaposes the lyrics’ desperate plea to forget about a former love. The Caribbean-American artist known for her viscerally vulnerable songwriting, intimate vocals, and genre-bending sound, gives us an intimate glimpse into her special world full of promises.
Pip Millett
One of the UK’s most compelling breakout voices in R&B, Pip Millett releases her highly anticipated new EP, Motion Sick. Standout track “Sad Girls” showcases the star’s confessional lyricism through a prism of jazz, boom-bam, and hip-hop, while touching on themes of the black experience in the UK, loss, and family legacy.
Tiwa Savage & Amaarae
The Afrobeats star makes her glorious return with her latest project, Water & Garri. The EP is full of soul and self-exploration, sounding fresh but true to Savage’s roots simultaneously. In “Tales By Moonlight,” Savage teams up with Ghanian-American breakout artist Amaarae to float over an addictive production with melodic and breathy vocals, leaving you hypnotic.
Photographer: Daniel Obasi
Abby Jasmine
Post the success of her previous album, Who Cares?, the New York singer and rapper is back with her latest release, “SOS.” Over a sultry production, Jasmine exhibits her versatility and skilled vocals, crooning effortlessly about drowning in an overpowering relationship. With her long-awaited return made, fans are anxious to hear Abby Jasmine’s next venture.