Author: Simon Lucas-Hughes

  • News: Zweng Releases New Album ‘Toronto Tapes’

    Indie-rock solo artist Zweng unveils his new album Toronto Tapes, a fuzzy, reimagined covers from collection of tracks released via Precision Pressing.

    Bringing a vintage aura thanks to with elements of psychedelia and indie, the album brings infectious and varied soundscapes throughout. From the boxy and darker version of Oasis’ ‘(It’s Good) To Be Free’, to the buoyant indie-surf feel rework of Ramones’ ‘Goodbye To You’, the album wastes no time showcasing Zweng’s enigmatic sound-crafting.

    Recorded at Kensington Sound Studios with producer Will Schollar, Toronto Tapes represents Zweng’s first body of work since committing to a sober lifestyle and rediscovering his creative identity. Marking a return to authentic artistic expression, the album merges emotionally charged reinterpretations of classics by The Pretenders, Billy Joel, A-ha, and Ozzy Osbourne with compelling original compositions. Through the album, Zweng aims to transform familiar songs into intimate reflections on transformation, loss, and healing.

    “The album is my first step back toward an authentic life,” says Zweng. “I had veered away from my dreams and paid the price emotionally and spiritually. These recordings are reminders of the moment I chose to come back to myself.”

    Though Toronto Tapes is deeply personal, Zweng’s story carries the weight of a wider narrative, a portrait of an artist who has navigated the extremes of the music industry and come out with a deeper commitment to truth.

    Listen below:

  • RHYME & Dopegirl Zhane Shares Provocative New Single ‘You Wanna F*** Me’

    RHYME has released a provocative new single titled You Wanna Fuck Me, a bold reinterpretation of Akon’s 2006 hit I Wanna Fuck You. Reframing the track from a female perspective, the NYC-based artist teams up with Dopegirl Zhane’ and producer-remixer NAØ to create a powerful anthem that blends club-ready energy with a message of empowerment. The release follows RHYME’s recent spotlight moment at Coachella, where her track CRUSH was featured in a surprise set by Sara Landry and Amelie Lenske.

    The new single channels heavy electronic beats, a blood-pumping bassline, and layered melodic swirls designed for both festival mainstages and late-night techno rooms. Originally built around Akon’s hook, the track faced sample clearance issues, even with the involvement of Akon’s son. In response, the iconic line was re-recorded by Dopegirl Zhane’ herself, further reinforcing the track’s emphasis on female agency and artistic independence.

    Alternate versions of the track offer a sultry R&B twist, combining bouncing bass with rich vocal textures and a feministic edge. The track also features a Japanese-language verse from RHYME, referencing her decade spent living in Asia, and drawing on her bilingual spoken-word style. It’s a multi-layered release that challenges industry norms and reclaims a once male-dominated narrative through a confident, empowered lens.

    “This track holds significance for me as I’m passionate about promoting a feminine perspective and shifting the narrative. I aimed to create a counterpart to the original song, much like a sequel, but infused with feminine energy. My vision is for this song to be played in every strip club like ever! I want this song to be added to every intimate setting playlist for it to empower women to express their full sexual capacity, feel desired, wanted, and in control,” says RHYME.

    Dopegirl Zhane’ adds, “This song is more than just a track, it’s a symbol of trusting your path and honouring the connections that come from following your instincts. The energy, the message, and the vibe all came together naturally. Flipping this record from a woman’s point of view was important to us. It gave the song a bold, fresh perspective. After stepping back for a moment, this release feels like a reintroduction to the start of something bigger.”

    Listen below:

  • News: Amos Ender Unveil Debut Album ‘Into The World of Man’

    Amos Ender have officially unveiled their debut album, Into The World of Man, marking a significant milestone for the rising New York City-based rock duo. The 8 track release comes after years of development, live experimentation, and artistic evolution—offering fans a raw, immersive entry into the band’s creative universe.

    The 8-track record opens with the explosive single Red Suitcase, previously released and now recontextualized as the album’s powerful lead-in. It sets the tone with searing guitar riffs and intense percussion, embodying the group’s hard-hitting style. The rest of the album follows suit, weaving introspective lyrics through driving rock anthems and highlighting Amos Ender’s ability to combine narrative depth with high-energy instrumentation. A carefully placed interlude adds another dimension, serving as a moment of reflection amid the sonic momentum.

    Amos Ender is led by frontman Joshua Klevorn, who originally began the project solo before forming the full lineup after meeting co-member AJ at a local burger restaurant. What began as a solo effort soon grew into a collaborative partnership that took shape in rehearsal studios and small venues across New York. The band honed their identity through countless live shows, gradually gaining attention for their theatrical stage presence and emotionally charged performances.

    In a statement reflecting on the album’s creation, Klevorn said:
    “Into The World Of Man was initially born out of a few rushed demo releases made under self-imposed pressure to ‘just get some music out there.’ However, it didn’t take more than a handful of shows before I realized these tracks still needed work — a lot of work.

    Much of what was still in my head whenever I heard these songs had not made its way into their performance. Parts that seemed great in the studio fell flat before an audience. And there was no overarching narrative that could begin to tie all the disparate ideas together.

    Five years (and dozens of revisions) later, I am proud to release Into The World of Man. Propelled by the beginning themes of Amos Ender’s history and relentlessly restructured to match the level of theatrics and emotion I strove for in every live performance, this album offers a glimpse of what Amos Ender might become if given the chance to tell his tale.”

    Blending influences from classic rock, alternative, and indie, the album serves as both a culmination of the band’s formative years and a statement of intent. With Into The World of Man, Amos Ender now looks to extend their reach far beyond the NYC scene.

    Listen below:

  • News: Eden Cami Shares new Single ‘If You Want’

    Eden Cami returns after a three-year hiatus with the release of her new single If You Want, offering a first glimpse of her upcoming debut EP set for release in 2025.

    The track showcases Cami’s musical versatility, opening with well placed synth work around the elegant and chilled central vocal before introducing a rhythmic bassline, restrained guitar and layers of ethereal tones. Pop-leaning melodies delivered in both English and Arabic, the track carries an alternative undercurrent despite its alt-pop feel. The result is a vibrant, emotionally driven single that balances introspection with danceable energy and ultimately feels like 90s chillout-pop with a fresh and airy modern touch.

    Lyrically inspired by the poetry of 13th-century mystic Rumi, the song intertwines Western instrumentation with Eastern philosophies, creating a layered, genre-spanning soundscape. The themes of determination and personal growth are carried throughout, echoing the challenges and transformation Cami has experienced in her own life.

    “I’ve always been captivated by poetry, especially how so much meaning can be distilled into just a few lines. The first time I encountered a translation of Rumi’s poem, it was in Arabic, and it immediately resonated with me. It felt like exactly what I needed to hear at that point in my life. Now, as I release this song after a long break, it feels even more relevant. I was excited to discover an English translation of the poem, and somehow, almost magically, the words in both languages seemed to merge effortlessly with a melody that had been playing in my mind for some time,” says Cami.

    Now based in Berlin, Cami’s path into music has been anything but conventional. Raised in a patriarchal society, she faced early pushback for pursuing a creative career. After undergoing vocal surgery at 18 and temporarily losing her ability to speak, she slowly rebuilt her voice and sense of artistic identity. She performed with classical choirs, a pop-rock covers band, and eventually formed a jazz quartet before relocating to Germany in 2014.

    Since then, she has performed at various venues and festivals across Europe, gradually establishing her solo presence. She released her debut single in 2019, followed by several eclectic tracks that have steadily grown her audience. With If You Want, Cami marks a confident return, setting the tone for the upcoming EP.

  • News: Blue w3rD Returns With Bold New EP ‘Gods Amongst Men’

    Philadelphia-based Blue w3rD returns with the new EP Gods Amongst Men.

    Spanning nine tracks, the project delivers a compelling mix of elegant alternative musicality with a blend of lo-fi electronics, well worked sampling and live instrumentation to create track with depth and beauty under the sharp lyricism and elegant rap flow.

    From the stripped piano, distant vintage hisses, lo-fi beat and field recordings of the opening title track, to the neo-soul, psychedelic feel of ‘Hibiscus Blue’, to the vinyl crack and elegant sampling of ‘No Enfafa Mas’ the album offers some inventive and musically rich backdrops for the restless, fast paced, emotive rapping that Blue w3rD delivers effortlessly above.

    Far from a conventional drop, Gods Amongst Men arrives as a multidisciplinary effort. Each track is accompanied by a visual art piece created by Blue himself, presented collectively in a digital album magazine. With production by Kayin, the EP marries sample-driven instrumentation and experimental flair, establishing itself as both a musical statement and a work of visual expression.

    Blue explains: “‘Gods Amongst Men’ brings supreme lyricism and sample-driven instrumentation. To me, this is fine art: hip-hop and spirit rap, blending the essence of street knowledge and spirituality to present an exploration expressed through beats and rhymes.

    Within the project, each song is married to an art piece with song lyrics in the form of a digital album magazine. All of the art was made by me, with the beats courtesy of Kayin”.

    Listen below:

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