Check out our new list of 5 singers on the Rise. These acts a worth listening to and are on the verge of blowing over to the mainstream. The acts include Lyves, Jerome Thomas, Michael McQuaid, MADDEE & Corey El. Hit play in the playlist above or stream individually below. Thank me later
1. Lyves – Holding Back
Lyves has revealed her stunning new single ‘Holding Back’.
The song is the first new music to emerge from the London based singer, songwriter and producer following the release of her critically acclaimed debut EP ‘Like Water’ earlier this year.
Since then, Lyves has been performing her incredibly emotive blend of deep soul, alternative-R&B and subtle electronica to packed stadiums across Europe, having been chosen by Coldplay to open for 15 dates of their ‘A Head Full of Dreams’ tour earlier this summer.
’Holding Back’ begins with a haunting piano refrain, gradually introducing further sonic elements, from Lyves’ signature vocal, to electronic R&B percussion, eventually evolving into a rich, string-laden soundscape. Lyrically the song is about uncovering truth and accepting that healing takes time.
Lyves says: “Holding Back is about the realisation that, although time passes, some things can take a little longer to move through… it’s about the process of letting go”
Lyves is currently writing and recording her debut album.
2. Jerome Thomas – The Stone
Following the release of his acclaimed debut EP ‘Conversations’, the vocal powerhouse, Jerome Thomas is back with a mesmerising performance in the new video for lead track, ‘The Stone’.
Directed by Christopher Cargill – whose portfolio includes Giggs and Emeli Sandé – the video is an artistic, fashion driven exploration of euphoria that emulates various stages of an uplifting high. Using the beauty of the natural environment paired with slow motion shots of Jerome immersed in plumages of colourful smoke, Cargill paints a symbolic image of tranquillity that perfectly complements the dreamy, neo-soul induced track, mastered by Grammy Award winning Ty Macklin (Erykah Badu, India.Arie). ‘The Stone’ is one of the lighter more self-explanatory tracks from the socially conscious EP, tackling topics that still remain taboo within the music industry. It is a personal and sincere body of work, devoid of banality, inspired by Jerome’s observations of society and conversations with close family and friends.
3. Michael McQuaid – 26Miles Feat. Hudson East
About “26 Miles” – Three years ago, Nashville artist Michael McQuaid was going through what many would call a severe “party boy” phase. Finding himself too hungover after a particularly long night to make a tinder date with “the most gorgeous woman he’d ever seen,” he decided to nurse himself back to health with his music. “26 Miles” was born.
It took a couple of weeks, but McQuaid eventually talked the woman only known as Jazmine into rescheduling. “26 Miles” was lost to the times in an old notebook as their relationship blossomed- Jazmine, a stylist and fashion blogger who had her life together, had tamed McQuaid. As the couple was moving in together last year, McQuaid uncovered the lyrics and realized he just had to see the song through. After a chance finding of UK rapper Hudson East, who quickly agreed to a guest feature, “26 Miles” is finally ready to be shared with the masses.
Michael McQuaid on “26 Miles” – “When I’m in the car and that gas light hits, I wait until the last possible minute. I’ve figured out I can drive about 30 miles until I run out. Why do we do that?! It’s about those late night texts, when you wanna go see your girl and you’re car is JUST passed empty. But that doesn’t stop you. ‘I’d ride 26 miles on E to come and see you’. This song is all about the vibe. I want people to drive in their car, all the windows down, with no gas in their car, blasting this song and on their way to go see someone special.”
4. MADDEE – Lost
MADDEE is an up-and-coming artist from Toronto. Just 19 years old and very few releases under her belt, she has already performed for Canadian Music Week, at the Art Gallery of Ontario, NXNE and Bestival Toronto. She has performed with the likes of Willow Smith, Lil’ Yatchy, Basecamp, Tennyson, and many more. She also performed alongside Harrison at the Danforth Music Hall, as she was the key feature to his EP ‘Colors’ released on Last Gang Records. With Tracks such as ‘You’re Light’ and ‘How Can It Be’ gaining huge success worldwide, and features on blogs such as The FADER and Complex, her name holds weight even before releasing her own music. She received a music video nomination for TIFF’s Prism Prize from her video with Harrison. After the success of the EP, Maddee has moved on to work with many new artists including soon to be released tracks with Toronto’s Birthday Boy and Shagabond. Not only have her vocals been called soulful, captivating and dreamy on various reviews, but also her abilities with composition, lyric, guitar and keyboard are key to her future success as a multifaceted artist.
MADDEE was recently selected by Red Bull Sound Select as one of their newest artists in their program, joining the likes of fellow Toronto musicians Charlotte Day Wilson, River Tiber, and Jazz Cartier. She played the Red Bull Sound Select Block Party in Toronto with over 1000 guests in attendance and her playing main stage. Other acts that played the block party include HW&W’s Shagabond and RALPH. With Red Bull’s support eager to see her career flourish, they are sure to provide many more opportunities to her as she begins to release her own music building up to her first solo project. The project is an EP with all original lyrics and vocal performances by here, as well as her hand in the composition, production, and art direction.
5. Corey El – Already Know
Songwriter, producer, singer and all-around musical phenom Corey El handcrafts multidimensional songs that sparkle with contagious melodies, playful beats and razor-sharp lyrics. Each of his originals is an auditory time capsule that plunges listeners into his own memories and experiences, energized by the very essence of life: self-discovery; love and daring to let one’s own authentic colors shine. With a soulful wisdom far beyond his years and his finger on the pulse of his generation, Corey El lends a fresh perspective to decades’ worth of musical styles, inspired by the pioneering sounds of pop, R&B and urban music gurus such as B. Slade (Anthony Williams II), Kanye West and Michael Jackson.
