Browsing Tag

Amy Winehouse

Sarah O’Moore – Troubled Mind: A Soulful Reflection on Contemporary Tribulation

Posted on 8 April 2024

Sarah O’Moore’s latest single, ‘Troubled Mind’, from her upcoming debut EP ‘Social Paralysis‘, is a poignant exploration of mental health and the complexities of modern life. The powerful narrative challenges the listener to introspectively sit with societal expectations and personal struggles and proves that good songs make you feel, great songs inspire profound shifts of perception.

‘Troubled Mind’ is a testament to O’Moore’s exceptional ability to blend genres, fusing elements of RnB, Folk, and Soulful Jazz into an indie singer-songwriter production. Her vocal harmonies, reminiscent of Amy Winehouse and Macy Gray, carry endless emotional weight, resulting in a hauntingly affecting delivery as the instrumentals complement her voice perfectly, creating an eye-opening soundscape which addresses the disconnect in conversations about mental health. She delves into the reality of living with the scars of trauma and facing an uncertain future, a theme that resonates deeply in today’s climate. Her music offers a space to sit with struggles authentically, without succumbing to the pressures of toxic positivity.

Inspired by James Joyce’s “Dubliners”, O’Moore’s upcoming EP, ‘Social Paralysis’, promises to delve further into themes of social stagnation and the struggles of today’s youth. ‘Troubled Mind’ sets the tone for this journey, inviting listeners to confront the unspoken and find solace in shared experiences.

Troubled Mind was officially released on March 29; stream the single on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Charlotte Lansman grooved through the last rays of summer while celebrating new love in her jazz-soul single, Stupid Love

Posted on 5 September 2023

Charlotte Lansman delivered the definitive London jazz sound while lyrically moving away from soul cliches in her latest single, Stupid Love. The London-based, Bristol-born singer never fails to hit the sultry with a little bit of grit mark in her singles that bring elements day to day-to-day reality into luxe installations of sonic beguile; Stupid Love is far from the exception.

By evading hallmarked cliches, she was free to focus on the way we wear rose-tinted glasses to cope with the false truths and how wearing your boyfriend’s shirt to the station in the morning cloaks you in impassioned ardour and enables you to fall in love with the world of around you. It’s almost a paradox how her song crafting is completely antithetical to your average love song but reaches the pinnacle of romanticism regardless.

With Joe Rodwell in charge of the production, which sees new romance explored through laid-back grooves, retro synths, rhythmically arrestive Latin jazz beats and guitar riffs that will make the last rays of summer feel even sweeter, Stupid Love became an uplifting triumph.

Stupid Love was officially released on August 24; stream it on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

 

Irish RnB artist Sarah O’Moore returns with a special single about keeping your inner peace on ‘All In My Head’

Posted on 16 March 2022

With a vocal ability that reminds one somewhat of the late great Amy Winehouse, Sarah O’Moore shows us all the way into how she is feeling in this strange world on her latest single that is named, ‘All In My Head‘.

Sarah O’Moore is an Irish RnB/soul indie singer-songwriter who grew up listening to and being inspired by legends such as Nina Simone, Otis Redding, Sam Cooke, Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen and Van Morrison.

”Borrowing from her Corkonian roots, Sarah’s songs carry the dark underbelly of societal demise and her hybrid fusion of rich lyricism and melodic roots make her a touchstone for current times.” ~ Sarah O’Moore

With her debut EP ‘social paralysis‘ due for a release later on in 2022, Sarah O’Moore is at her best here with a glorious single that is projected with so much class and features a beat that is perfect for her style. There is nothing rushed here, as the energy transmits a gloriously calm flow that has you tanning in the rays of such excellence throughout this wonderful new release.

‘All In My Head‘ from Bristol, UK-based RnB/soul artist Sarah O’Moore, sends us into a whole new world with vocals so dreamy you might feel like closing your eyes and going into a better place. In a story all about knowing that you need to block out the noise of the small-minded who love to finger point, she sings with such genuine care and love. This is the kind of song that interlaces your consciousness from the cold into the warmth, from someone rather uniquely brilliant who needs to be cherished forever. A true underground Queen awaits our support.

Hear this new single on Spotify and support her creative energy on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Italian singer-songwriter, Flame set souls alight with her soulfully-composed, orchestrally-scored single, Anyway.

Posted on 5 December 2021

‘Anyway’ is the latest orchestrally scored single from the Italian singer-songwriter, Flame. With a vocal timbre that more than justifies Flame being put in the same league as Amy Winehouse and the stunning instrumentals that bring a cinematic edge to the release, you’re left with little option when it comes to surrendering to the artistic intensity. It is enough to make Adele sound pedestrian.

Anyway unravels as a candid open letter to the sorrow imparted through torrid passion; it runs through relatable and witty notions that are rarely voiced, but Flame’s boldness lends itself to her sonic style as much as her lyricism.

The official video for Anyway premiered on November 26th; you can check it out for yourselves via YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Camille Rose soulfully meanders through melancholy in her jazz single, Raining in July

Posted on 1 August 2021

South-East London-born and raised Jazz singer-songwriter Camille Rose’s signature sound is quickly becoming synonymous with arrestingly unique jazz instrumentals that groove and improvise around her soulfully lush vocals.

Before the first verse runs through in her latest single, Raining in July, you’ll find yourself captivated by the mellifluously rich soundscape that flows with such ease and finesse; listening to it is as easy as breathing. For anyone going solo this summer, Raining in July should be a feel-good playlist staple for the way it captures romantic grief but emanates radiant soul despite the wistful sorrow.

Through the influence of Amy Winehouse, Nina Simone and Ella Fitzgerald, the 24-year-old artist started studying jazz performance at Trinity Laban conservatoire to hone in on her craft. Discernibly, she has already mastered the art of weaving narratively compelling lyrics into a melodically cathartic soundscape. We can’t wait to hear what follows.

Check out the live recording of Raining in July by heading over to Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Sarah O’Moore serves soul food in her sophomore single, I Need U.

Posted on 28 July 2021

Alt-RnB soulstress Sarah O’Moore has followed on from her debut single, Here to Stay, with the sophomore single, I Need U, which energetically emanates good vibes despite running through varying senseless tragedies present in socio-political landscapes.

The Irish singer-songwriter’s funk-bridled old-school style incorporates elements of jazz and reggae to create a culturally rich smorgasbord of sound led by 70s-style synth lines. The sonic textures alone are enough to advocate cultural harmony. Yet, through her matter of fact lyrics, minority groups have a true ally, and the affronts of the narrow-minded that are depressingly prolific are quashed under her graceful soul.

With a voice as authentic as Macy Gray’s it will be no time at all before Sarah O’Moore is ascending the RnB charts.

I Need U is available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

London Pop Debut: Tyla Jay – To Be a Girl

Posted on 2 July 2021

Pop artists are often guilty of perpetuating toxic female stereotypes through their lyrics; refreshingly, with her debut single, ‘To Be a Girl’, London-based singer-songwriter Tyla Jay gave a far more relatable account of femininity.

While her sonically compelling sound is well and truly her own, the 20-year-old singer-songwriter takes influence from a dynamic array of artists, from Billie Eilish to Beyonce, from Aretha Franklin to Adele.

The amalgamation of eclectic inspiration allows Tyla Jay to bring an old school style of soul to release paired with a relatable, modern air. The contemporary feel mostly resonates through the lyrics which explore insecurity and scribe battles with self-scrutiny when we’re trying to find the self-acceptance that we pretend comes so easily.

Perhaps most admirably, Tyla Jay allowed To Be a Girl to unfold as an empowering and uplifting release despite the lyrics that scratch far beneath the surface on a subject that is already so raw for so many women. She has exactly what it takes to become one of the most inspiring pop artists of our generation.

To Be a Girl is now available to stream via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Lillibet explores patriotism through a new lens in her soul-pop single, ‘Kingdom’

Posted on 15 June 2021

After her debut single, I Love You When I’m Drunk, was met with rapturous acclaim; there was plenty of anticipation of what Lillibet’s sophomore single would bring. The feisty indie soul-pop track, Kingdom, certainly didn’t disappoint. The Milton Keynes-hailing singer-songwriter surpasses Winehouse in terms of attitude and experimentalism while offering the same soulful connection and rich and resonant vocals.

Paradoxically, Lillibet exudes the grace of a Parisian chanteuse while simultaneously carrying the grit of our modernity in the socially aware single that shows England through the lens of an immigrant’s eyes. Regardless of how many times you listen to Kingdom, you will continue to take something new from the single. The wit-soaked meta lyrics weave through stunning parables that are powerful enough to shift dim-witted perspectives.

Kingdom is now available to stream via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Millie Gibson serves smoky, jazzy soul in her debut single ‘Leon’

Posted on 29 December 2020

Amy Winehouse comparisons are easy to make, but there’s plenty more reasons to get excited about Millie Gibson’s striking vocal timbre in her debut single, ‘Leon’, than just reminiscences to a soul icon.

The smoky, jazzy serving of soul is as refined as contemporary RnB gets. Which is even more impressive given that the singer-songwriter and pianist achieved such maturity and nuance in her sound at the age of just 19-years-old.

Even with the state of socio-political uncertainty in the UK, on the basis of Leon, the future looks incredibly bright for Millie Gibson. There’s an unparalleled sense of sensitivity in her sound. You don’t need her bio to tell you that she strives to make the most purposeful music she is capable of. Just hit play.

You can check out Millie Gibson’s single Leon for yourselves by heading over to Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Never Forget Charlotte Lansman.

Posted on 5 October 2020
https://soundcloud.com/charlotte-lansman/never-forget-44-16/s-Gn17Yobf4Lw

Kicking in with a simple piano riff and Lansman’s smoky vocal before seamlessly shifting into a full-on powerful pop ballad, ‘Never Forget’ is a smooth, poignant cry to lost love, mellow and plaintive on the verses and kick-ass catchy on the chorus, the beats and instrumentation never overshadowing Lansman’s excellent voice.

Inspired by jazz artists such as Jamie Culham, Melody Gardot, and the great Amy Winehouse, ‘Never Forget’ takes those elements and mixes them with a great pop-rock sensibility, creating a strong, passionate, and compelling track that truly deserves to be all over the radio this autumn.

You can follow Charlotte Lansman on Facebook; ‘Never Forget’ is on Soundcloud now.

Review by Alex Holmes