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Montreal-based Ethiopian artist Chiiild has teamed up with Lucky Daye for “Good For Now”. The track is lifted from Chiiild’s new album, Better Luck In The Next Life, which is his first new music in almost two years.

With the release of “Good For Now”, it's clear that Chiiild is continuing to push the boundaries of his sound and explore new musical avenues. The track stands out on first listen with its laidback alternative production and the smooth, velvety vocals of the two artists, providing the perfect segway into the new album and follow-up to 2021′s Hope For Sale.

“Good For Now” is available to stream now.

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WORLD’S INDIE MUSIC SCENE #1 : AUSTRALASIA

Indie music scene around the world has varies characters and types. Since the emergence in late 70s, the term ‘indie’ is coming from English word of “independent” means freedom, untied, or specifically in music industry the term called as unsigned, DIY (Do It Yourself). Indie bands/musicians usually has something different to offer compared to musicians under big label who sing popular/mainstream genres. Indie then develop as a term of genre as indie musicians come with the similar musical style, term like indie-rock, indie-pop, indie-folk comes along as the new alternative genre in music. 

Start today we will talk about the diversities of indie music scene around the world. This time start with the nearest area of our base, Australasia, let’s go ! 

AUSTRALIA is really proud of the development of its indie music scene. There are Sidney, Melbourne,and Brisbane as the biggest center of the scene. Dozens of music festival for indie musicians are being held each year, showcasing new indie bands people need to know. Their indie music style are varied from pop, grunge, punk, folk. They have big influences from UK’s Britpop, American rock and roll, modern electronic pop like Flume, The Dajeerlings, Ryn Weaver, to the signature Australian dessert folk such as Blank Realm and Sheppard which make them sounds unique even more. 

Here are the list of the Australian indies you need to check out : those famous Sheppard and British India, uniquely Guru, Big Scary, Cub Sport, San Cisco and the recent hits Lower Plenty and Blank Realm. then if you find you’re obsessed with the Australian indie scene go to some music blogs/web such as Music Feeds, Frankie Magazine, Casual Band Blogger , Project U, and many more.

Blank Realm (source : Magnet Magazine)

KOREA is super popular with the pop music industry well known as K-POP, but people now realize this country will hit the world with its indie music scene which then called as K-indie. It is including varies genre, unlike the Australian one, K-indie musicians also take the chance on ballad, R&B, hip-hop music. Urban Zakapa has made name as the successful indie musician on the genre. But, if you’re a band person there are lot of Korean indie bands which pick punk, grunge, and rock such as Whatever That Means, Magna Fall, Galaxy Express. If you enjoy acoustic calming tunes you will love Who R U?, Retro Funky, Acourve, etc. 

Here are some additions of indie musicians you need to give a try : Jambinai rock band with their traditional music touch, Billy Carter, Riot Kidz, 57, LOVE X STEREO, PATIENTS. If you’re curious about K-indie make sure you go to these following sites : Korean Indie , Do Indie Korea , Indie Fulrok , Korea Gig Guide. And if you have money and time to go to Korea, you’ll love to see the Zandarifesta, the biggest annual music festival in Seoul which will be participated by hundreds of Koreans and international indie bands. 

Billy Carter (source : Arirang)

INDONESIA has another unique indie music scene which shortly named as Indienesia. It has bands with indie pop and britpop influences, underground grunge/hard rock which will remind you to Slipknot, more space-rock, but also folk, ska, jazz, even classical touch from older pop songs. You’ll hear some famous names like Barasuara, Indische Party, Silampukau, Payung Teduh, Banda Neira, then some indie solo artists such as Danilla Riyadi, Mondo Gascaro. Teddy Adhitya. If you love harder tunes you might love Kelompok Penerbang Rocket, Seringai, ERK. The numbers of indie bands keep growing and more festivals both big or small are being held in some biggest music cities : Bandung, Jakarta, Yogyakarta, Malang, Surabaya. The most noticeable thing is you will find most of the music festivals in Indonesia are being sponsored by tobacco company. 

Well, if you want to know more about Indonesian music scene you will need to go to The Display, Warning Magazine, Provoke, IHeartGigs. Here are recommended list of Indonesian indie musicians : Scaller, Coldiac, Barefood, Lightcraft, Stars and Rabbit, Mooner, Polka Wars, Elephant Kind. 

Kelompok Penerbang Roket (source: Rolling Stone Indonesia) 

Good luck at your discoveries ! 

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Savoy Ellis is a rising R&B artist based in LA. His debut album, The Love Album, was released back in 2021 and saw him collaborate with the likes of BRELAND. And now he’s revisiting the 2021 project with a new sped-up version of “Don’t Break My Heart/The One”.

The new version works really well. The soulful feel of the original is still there, but the change of tempo makes the song stand out more. “This is a love song you can dance to”, says Savoy. Hopefully he revisits some of the other tracks on the album too in the coming months. Stream now.  

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JoélGotNow is a rising R&B singer based in Atlanta. He’s been releasing music for a couple of years now but the recently released “Dangerous Times” is his best yet.

A quality R&B song, it’s deserving of being the artist’s breakout single. Both the lead and background vocals sound sublime, and his storytelling abilities and knack for melodies are also apparent. Although not too much is known about this rising artist, it’s only a matter of time before that changes if “Dangerous Times” is anything to go by.

“Dangerous Times” is taken from JoélGotNow’s new EP, Numb, and is out now. Stream here.

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UK R&B/soul singer Ruby Francis shares “Jasmine”, the first single from her upcoming album.

The track details a hypothetical scenario between Ruby and her secret love interest, Jasmine. Elaborating further, Ruby says, “‘Jasmine’ is a made-up name of a girl that I, as a character, have never met but have fallen in love with online and become obsessed with in secret, idolising and fantasising about life together in reality.”

Ruby’s velvety vocals and addictive melodies combined with the punchy electro-R&B instrumental make for a well-rounded track that most certainly whets the appetite for the rest of the project.

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Canadian singer-songwriter Sara Diamond unleashes new single “Say My Name Again”. The silky smooth R&B track hears the Montreal songstress yearning for reconciliation in the aftermath of a breakup. 

Speaking on the track, Sara says, "I went through a messy breakup where it felt like my world was turned upside down. Our original intentions regarding the relationship went up in flames ... This song is a final cry, literally pleading for a do over.” Currently working on a new project, expect to hear even more new music from Sara in 2021.

“Say My Name Again” is available to stream now.

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Fast-rising Canadian R&B singer Emanuel shares the video for “Black Woman”. 

The video captures the essence of the song, which was written to recognise and honour black women: Black woman / Sometimes sad woman / But all of the time / She's a queen from another place / Why are you so displaced? / She's a goddess walking on earth.

Speaking on the track, Emanuel says, “‘Black Woman’ is about reconciliation and also celebration – celebrating how strong our women are and how they hold us up.” The song is taken from the singer’s new EP, Alt Therapy Session 2: Transformation.

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UK newcomer Tora shares the visuals for captivating track “Escape Room”.

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UK artists Nao and Lianne La Havas team up for female-empowering single “Woman”.

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Fast-rising R&B singer Giveon has some things to get off his chest on “Still Your Best”, the highlight from his newly released EP, When It's All Said And Done.

Fave lyrics:

It's almost disrespectful... That's a downgrade and you know it. Still your best ---> ME!! 🙃

Still your best I know, love it or hate it. It's unfair I know, that I got away.

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Acclaimed singer-songwriter Victoria Monét, who has written for the likes of Chris Brown and Brandy, shares captivating track “Dive”.

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UK singer Lianne La Havas returns from a five-year hiatus with new single “Bittersweet”, taken from her forthcoming third album.

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Alina Baraz reveals “More Than Enough” from debut album It Was Devine.

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Rising R&B singer Giveon has unleashed his debut EP, TAKE TIME, and with it comes “FAVORITE MISTAKE”, the highlight of the project that indicates he’s an artist to watch over the next year.

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North London singer Ama Lou may spend a lot of her time in LA these days, but she’s representing her Stoke Newington origins on new single “NORTHSIDE” and the accompanying 90s-influenced visuals. 

"I wrote the song after experiencing a personal homecoming last year”, Ama says. “I travel a lot and live bicoastal so spending a lot of time living in LA I felt a little out of place coming back to the UK, but that feeling was quickly overrun by the satisfying feeling of knowing that I’m from North London. This is my town and it always will be." 

Following the rave reviews of independent project DDD, Ama has since signed to Polydor Records, so expect to be hearing a lot more from her in 2020. 

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Montreal duo Chiiild recently unveiled their debut project, Synthetic Soul, with “Pirouette” among the highlights.