We might be seven weeks deep into lockdown, but this week hasn’t been all bad, certainly not for new music releases anyway. From Oscar #Worldpeace’s supremely crafted new album to the Gorillaz collaboration with Skepta and the late Tony Allen, this week really does have a lot to celebrate.
Oscar #Worldpeace
Sporadic
Long overdue but totally worth the wait, Oscar #Worldpeace has finally blessed us with his debut album Sporadic- and it’s been on non-stop repeat. Having premiered vibrant single ‘Mmm’ a few weeks prior to the album release, it was clear listeners weren’t going to be let down. The Tottenham wordsmith has an unorthodox sound with which he so smoothly blends genres and speaks of life-affirming truths. The album has been heavily influenced by the arrival of Oscar’s baby boy, who not only features on the album artwork but also lends his charm to the to the visuals for Touch (watch it here). Other features include House of Pharaoh’s Sam Wise, The Streets, Etta Bond and Knucks.
Overall, the album manages to deliver deep meanings whilst maintaining an exceptional sound. Although, this isn’t the first listen for a lucky few. Oscar offered a couple of fans from an insta listening party the chance to hear his album early, in full, in his car, whilst he drove them around town. Another addition to the list of reasons of why we love him.
Miraa May
Woman Like Me
Algerian- born, but also another Tottenham great, Miraa May teases the release of her debut album with celestial single Woman Like Me. Miraa’s a modern-day musical queen with a voice of an angel and her new single serves as a reminder of that, not that we’d forgotten. Woman Like Me seamlessly showcases Miraa’s honeyed sound and buttery tones whilst remaining frank and forthright with her lyrics, “gotta show respect to a woman like me”. Miraa’s lyrical expertise has led her to co-write Jorja Smith’s hit single Be Honest and even attracted the likes of Salaam Remi (Amy Winehouse, NAS), who went on to help produce her EP N15. Miraa’s ‘full of flavour’ personality is also a pretty good fit with YouTube, with her featuring on GASWORKS and more recently, her new vlogging channel ‘Miraa May & Friends’. Her debut album is due later this year, and we know it’s going to deliver.
Gorillaz (feat. Tony Allen and Skepta)
How Far?
The latest addition to the Song Machine series pays homage to Nigerian icon, Tony Allen who sadly passed last month. After years of collaboration with Allen the band said the song “was written and recorded with Skepta in London just before lockdown and is being shared immediately as a tribute to the spirit of a great man, Tony Allen”. Grime MC, and fellow Nigerian, Skepta, takes a forefront on the single with his sturdy bars hitting over a mix of Allen’s drum work and Albarn’s instrumentation.
Allen was a masterful drummer, songwriter, and a primary composer of Afrobeat.
RIP.
Little Simz
Drop 6
Little Simz took to Instagram to reveal the spontaneous release of her new EP, Drop 6. As always, her remarkable lyricism remains relatable and self-assured, whilst capturing the difficulties of the current crisis “Livin’ day by day, sleepless night by night/ Bored out of my mind/ How many naps can I take? / How many songs can I write?” She’s got a talent few others have a claim to, in that she wrote the EP totally by herself “there’s no one else here, I’m alone, I had to”. She’s assertive, authentic, and ambitious, drop 6 reflects just that, and it’s safe to say we’re impressed.
Jesse James Solomon, Jaxxon D. Silva, Lay- Z
No Lie
Jesse James Solomon always delivers, and the collaboration with Jaxxon D. Silva and Lay-Z is no exception. Produced by Skepta, the song delivers mellow bars alongside some chilled melodies. The accompanying video is a perfect fit, offering trendy and aesthetically pleasing visuals (see it here). Jesse James Solomon also recently released EP Bleak, which contrasts No Lie, with a more melancholic approach. He remains in a league of his own and his constant collaborations should rightfully add to his reputation.